15. Detroit Pistons
Romeo Langford, SF/SG, Indiana
6-6 202 19
Pick Analysis: The best player the Pistons could possibly build around. Showed grit and toughness playing the entirety of his lone season as Hoosier with a hand injury. Shot suffered due to this and heavy defensive pressure without much shooting help surrounding him. Potential to be an all-around superstar.
Player Comparison: Harrison Barnes, North Carolina
16. Orlando Magic
Tyler Herro, SG, Kentucky
6-6 192 19
Pick Analysis: This is simple. The Magic need shooters and they need passion. Look for Tyler Herro to drop an R and become a hero in Orlando. He’s gonna make some magic happen.
Player Comparison: Kyle Korver, Creighton
17. Atlanta Hawks (from BKN)
Nickeil Alexander-Walker, G, Virginia Tech
6-6 204 20
Pick Analysis: The Hawks add some more swagger to their young back court. They need a backup point guard right now. I think Alexander-Walker can be that guy right now. Not a lot of PG depth in this draft. Great spot to nab Alexander-Walker. You can build him into more of a pure point guard. Averaged 4 assists per game from the 2 guard at VT.
Player Comparison: Jordan Clarkson, Missouri
18. Indiana Pacers
Jaxson Hayes, C, Texas
7-0 219 19
Pick Analysis: Can you imagine this 1-2 punch at center? Both Texas guys. Myles Turner is one of the best defenders in the league and offers a great mentor for Hayes entering the league. Hayes was second in the NCAA in blocks last season and offers the offensive threat the Pacers lack at the position.
Player Comparison: Hassan Whiteside, Marshall
19. San Antonio Spurs
Goga Bitadze, C, Georgia (country)
6-11 251 19
Pick Analysis: Bitadze needs work on his passing and defense. But who better to help in those areas than Pop himself? The Spurs are struggling to replace Duncan and Gasol up front. Bitadze is worth the risk for San Antonio.
Player Comparison: Jusuf Nurkic, Bosnia
20. Boston Celtics (from LAC)
Rui Hachimura, F, Gonzaga
6-9 234 21
Pick Analysis: If I’m the Celtics, I’ve got three first round picks. Nobody wants him? We’ll take him! With Al Horford likely on his way out, the Celtics will need to look for an eventual replacement. Basketball IQ needs to improve for Hachimura. Brad Stevens is a great coach for him. May need sit the bench or play in Europe for a while throughout his development process. But physically, this guy has everything you want in a modern combo forward.
Player Comparison: Wilson Chandler, DePaul
21. Oklahoma City Thunder
KZ Opala, F, Stanford
6-10 210 20
Pick Analysis: Plays fast enough to keep up with Russ and Paul. Probably the best help they could’ve got them on both sides of the ball at this point in the draft. Paul George will be a great mentor for Opala and can help sharpen his basketball IQ. And how bout this…7’2″ wingspan!!!
Player Comparison: Kyle Kuzma, Utah
22. Boston Celtics
Kevin Porter Jr., SG, USC
6-6 213 19
Pick Analysis: With Kyrie out, who is going to manufacture the offense in Boston? How bout this guy? His crossover is cooking too! In Boston it’s bye bye Kyrie…cook up KP! Needs to improve his shot and his emotional consistency, but man this guy is the athletic scorer they need! Brad Stevens has a lot of work to do to get this guy NBA ready. But I would think that he will be up for this challenge.
Player Comparison: Jamal Crawford, Michigan
23. Memphis Grizzlies (from UTA)
Keldon Johnson, F, Kentucky
6-6 216 19
Pick Analysis: The Grizzlies get a surefire contributor at SF. After going PG in the first round, the Grizzlies fill their next need on the list with the best player available after trading back into the first round by sending Mike Conley packing for Utah. Johnson is not ever going to be your star player, but he is the kind of guy they can depend on for years to come in Memphis.
Player Comparison: Trevor Ariza, UCLA
24. Philadelphia 76ers
Grant Williams, PF, Tennessee
6-8 240 20
Pick Analysis: It looks like Tobias Harris and Jimmy Butler will be moving on this season. The 76ers need to look for replacements at forward. Grant Williams is a guy that could potentially start at the 4 for the 76ers this season. His ceiling isn’t as high as many of the other forward prospects in this draft, but he seems to be a reliable fit for the 76ers right now.
Player Comparison: PJ Tucker, Wisconsin
25. Portland Trail Blazers
Darius Bazley, SF, USA
6-9 208 19
Pick Analysis: Potentially a nice scorer, playmaker, and defender to fill in at 3 to join Lillard and McCollum and gang. The Blazers were not going to find a player at this spot in the draft that was going to help them win now. Bazley helps secure their future and is a good fit.
Player Comparison: Justise Winslow, Duke
26. Cleveland Cavaliers (from HOU)
Mfiondu Kabengele, C/PF, Florida State
6-10 256 21
Pick Analysis: The Cavs get the defensive post presence they need while adding another shooter. Would pair nicely with Kevin Love or Tristan Thompson.
Player Comparison: Greg Monroe, Georgetown
27. Brooklyn Nets (from DEN)
Eric Paschall, PF, Villanova
6-7 254 22
Pick Analysis: This is simple. Brooklyn lacks rebounding and toughness. Here it is! Could easily become a starter.
Player Comparison: Paul Millsap, Louisiana Tech
28. Golden State Warriors
Ty Jerome, SG, Virginia
6-6 194 21
Pick Analysis: Whether Klay leaves or not, the Warriors need shooters off the bench. Here they lock down at least a backup at the 2. If they lose Klay, they have an eventual replacement. This guy is a competitor and the Warriors will be happy to add another winner, still having that nasty taste of defeat in their mouth.
Player Comparison: Joe Harris, Virginia
29. San Antonio Spurs (from TOR)
Lugentz Dort, SG, Arizona State
6-5 222 20
Pick Analysis: Dort is just the kind of guy that the Spurs need off their bench. A strong defender that can score in the fastbreak. Dort is a good passer but this is no James Harden out of Arizona State. Pop can help Dort develop his shot and his shot creating abilities.
Player Comparison: Marcus Smart, Oklahoma State
30. Milwaukee Bucks
Mattise Thybulle, SF/SG, Washington
6-6 201 22
Pick Analysis: Giannis and Middleton can’t do it all for the Bucks. They need another wing off the bench that can defend. Thybulle will be a great fit that should see bench minutes immediately and has the experience to help the Bucks in their playoff run next season.
Player Comparison: Andre Roberson, Colorado
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