Colin Williams NBA Mock Draft
With the NBA draft coming up it should be interesting to see who goes where. Some mock drafts that I have looked at have Chet Holmgren going number one overall and others have him going 5th overall. This draft class has so much talent and it was shown in last year's March Madness. Coming from every school big and small dominant or not. The first team selecting in the NBA draft is the Orlando Magic. Orlando has been struggling for the past couple of years falling to retrieving the top 5 picks in the NBA draft. My number one pick in the NBA draft is Jabari Smith out of Auburn University. Jabari was such a huge part of Auburn offense and defense last year completely balling out and landing his team as a number 2 seed in March Madness. Despite Auburn getting upset by number 10 Miami, Jabari averaged 16.9 ppg, 7.4 rpg in his time at Auburn. Smith might be the youngest of the top three prospects, but he brings a wide variety of offensive skills that can be plugged into this Magic team right away. He has the length and athleticism to defend positions 1-4 and is the best shooting big in this draft class, averaging 42% from 3-point range, something the Magic desperately need some help with after shooting 33% from deep last season. Last year they got Jalen Suggs from Gonzaga. I think Jalen Suggs and Jabari Smith would compliment each other perfectly and could perhaps power the Magic to a winning season. His size, frame, shooting stroke, shooting range and defensive potential make him highly likely to hit and hit big. He checks essentially every box. I love this
about Jabari Smith he is such a knowledgeable baller and he plays the game essentially well.
The number two pick is going to the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Thunder have been trying to rebuild their team for a while now. I think the Thunder are trying to rebuild around Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and I wonder who they draft to compliment their number one star. With the 2nd overall pick the Thunder select Pablo Banchero. Sam Presti is patiently building something in Oklahoma City. I think it would be silly not to take this unbelievable player in Pablo Banchero. Having the Duke star at No. 1 should not be a contrarian opinion. Banchero was the best freshman in college hoops last season, he led his team to the Final Four, he has an NBA-ready body, he has a litany of skills and is one of the best passing bigs in this year's draft. There has never been a moment over the past three-plus years where his skills didn't translate/project to being a wonderful combination of old-school mobile big and modern play-thru power forward. He is the most NBA-ready player in this draft. Be it in dribble pull-ups, using the post, rim-running, coming off screens, catch-and-shoots or on cuts, Banchero is capable of scoring in myriad ways. He's also got some touch around the rim that, combined with his physicality, makes him a tough matchup. I think Banchero and Shai Gilgeous Alexander would compliment each other nicey. I would be very excited to see the Thunder team around these two studs next year.
The number three pick is going to the Houston Rockets. The Rockets have been offloading for the past couple of seasons first giving away star forward James Harden. Following the Christian Wood trade, it seems clear the Rockets are emptying out their frontcourt for whichever of the top-three frontcourt players falls. His ability to play in a two-man game with last year’s No. 2 overall pick Jalen Green figures to be one of the most exciting combinations in the league in a few year. With the 3rd overall pick the Rockets select Chet Holmgrem out of Gonzaga. I think it's more than reasonable to project at least one of the big three to not be a top-five player in this class by the time we look up in 2030 and take stock of all that's happened. I just can't bring myself to put any of them lower than five on my list. Since Holmgren's still dogged by questions about his frame and shelf life as a durable presence, I'll pick him to be the worst of the three. Some NBA evaluators still believe there's a shot he falls to fourth or fifth on draft night. Some think he's going first. Nobody knows how this is going to go. I don't question his work ethic or love for the game at all. I can't wait to see him in the NBA, but I think he winds up as a good, but a bit inconsistent, modern stretch-center. I think Homlgrem is a perfect addition to the Rockets problem in lane as they are lacking size. I think this seven foot center would be very beneficial. He’s an elite rim protector with unbelievable instincts on defense who’s also able to push the pace, shoot from distance, handle the ball a bit and pass. He’s wholly unselfish and an elite finisher at the rim. I think the Rockets are building something good in having Chet Holmgrem and Jalen Green on the same team, you also have John Wall, Eric Gordon, and Kevin porter Jr, and Dennis Schröder.
The number four pick is going to the Sacramento Kings. This is where the draft has the potential to get wild. The Kings have picked De’Aaron Fox, Tyrese Haliburton and Davion Mitchell in recent years, which might make you think they wouldn’t take a point guard again. De’Aaron Fox is a beast, absolutely tearing up the competition last season. With the number 4 pick in the NBA draft the Kings select Jaden Ivey from Purdue. Ivey brings a consistent outside jump shot and can add a lot of value to Sacramento. Top-three athlete in this draft, a lead guard who is going to have his opportunity to grow into being a No. 2 guy on a team by the end of his rookie contract. I think his 3-point shot will get better. I think his defense will improve. I think he'll be in the conversation to be Rookie of the Year, and I think he'll have a shot at making a few All-Star teams before he turns 30. I do think his play will be a bit sporadic, and in my opinion there were times when he wasn't even the best player on his team last season. I love the Fox and Ivey 1-2 combo that could potentially happen in Sacramento.
The fifth and final pick I am going to make is going to the Detroit Pistons. The Pistons were a number one overall pick last year drafting Cade Cunningham. Who won Rookie of the year. The Pistons will be trying to emulate that talent in whoever they draft. With the 5th overall pick the Pistons select Keegan Murray out of Iowa. Murray brings great size at the wing position and was arguably the best college player last season. He isn't going to be the No. 1 option on the court for the Pistons but has an efficient midrange game and is a solid defender. He'll need to improve on his playmaking at the next level, but will be a great secondary ball handler with size that should alleviate some responsibility from Cade Cunningham. He would fit exceedingly well with Cade Cunningham and Saddiq Bey offensively as long-term building blocks and would open the door for the team to have a ready-made replacement if it so decides to move on from Jerami Grant this offseason. I think this one would come down to Murray or Arizona wing Bennedict Mathurin. Mathurin had a very strong workout in Detroit and is absolutely in play in this spot.
With the NBA draft coming up on Thursday it should be interesting to see who goes where. It should also be interesting to see who makes trades to move up in the draft. Will the Knicks do anything to improve the roster? Another rumor I have heard was The Kings are reportedly very high on Keegan Murray at No. 4, but are also discussing deals for Hawks forward John Collins.I guess we will have to wait until Thursday to see how this plays out.