1) Philadelphia 76ers: Ben Simmons, SF/PF, LSU (previous: Ben Simmons)
With the 76ers willingness to trade one or both big men Nerlens Noel and last year's first round pick Joel Okafor, that means that Philadelphia will be taking Simmons No. 1. I originally had Duke's Brandon Ingram going No. 1, but after the 76ers put both Noel and Okafor on the block, Simmons became the pick. Many people believe Simmons has the most star potential in this draft. Simmons needs to work on his shooting, but he has terrific passing skills and scoring ability. He also can get to the free throw line at will.
2) Los Angeles Lakers: Brandon Ingram, SF, Duke (previous: Brandon Ingram)
Los Angeles is in the easiest position in this draft. The consensus first two selections are Simmons and Ingram. Philadelphia will take Simmons, so Ingram will be the No. 2 pick for the Lakers. He is a good fit for Los Angeles. He has tremendous wingspan and uses it well to finish at the rim. He is also a very good shooter. Ingram gives Los Angeles a future it can get excited about with D'Angelo Russell and Julius Randle already on the team.
3) Boston Celtics: Kris Dunn, PG, Providence (previous: Kris Dunn)
The draft really begins with this pick. There are many options for the Celtics and no one really knows what Boston will do. Ideally, they'd like to trade this pick for an established All-Star. But, if they keep the pick, a lot of scouts believe Dunn is the third best player in this draft. The Celtics like guards who can play defense and Dunn fits. Point guard is also a weak position in this class and Dunn is by far the best in this class. The Celtics are desperately trying to trade this pick for a veteran, having tried to trade it for Jabari Parker, Khris Middleton, Gordon Hayward and Jimmy Butler. I don't know what team will pick No. 3, but my gut says whatever team that picks No. 3 will take the Providence point guard.
4) Phoenix Suns: Jaylen Brown, SF, California (previous: Marquese Chriss)
I have gone back and forth on this one. Jaylen Brown could go anywhere from No. 3 to No. 8. I'll have him going here. They will go with one of Brown, Chriss or Dragan Bender. I'll go with Brown for this one. The Suns are set at the guard position, but need help desperately in the front court. Brown needs to improve his shooting, but he will step in as the starter right away.
5) Minnesota Timberwolves: Jamal Murray, SG, Kentucky (previous: Buddy Hield)
For the first time this year, I have the Wolves taking Murray, even with Buddy Hield still on the board. Reading tweets by Darren Wolfson, Chad Ford, etc. makes me think that Murray would be the pick at five. Obviously, Minnesota is still looking to trade the No. 5 pick, but if they are unable to find a trade partner, I think it will be Murray. The Wolves have a desperate need for shooting since Minnesota was near the bottom in both 3-point percentage and 3-pointers made.
6) New Orleans Pelicans: Buddy Hield, SG, Oklahoma (previous: Jamal Murray)
New Orleans had injury problems this year, specifically with its guards. Both Eric Gordon and Tyreke Evans played fewer than 50 games. Jrue Holiday was also injured quite a bit this past season. They all are also free agents in 2017. Hield would be a good place to start re-tooling the guard positions. Hield is arguably the best shooter in the draft and would come in and play early.
7) Denver Nuggets: Dragan Bender, PF, Croatia (previous: Dragan Bender)
Bender is the mystery player in this draft. Many people actually believe Bender is better than last year's No. 4 overall pick Kristaps Porzingis. He could be a key player off the bench for the Nuggets until he is ready. He will play behind Kenneth Faried for a year or two. However, Faried is on the block and could be moved on draft night.He has not had consistent playing time, as he averaged only 4.5 points per game, but he has plenty of skills to work with that could make him a very good big man,
8) Sacramento Kings: Marquese Chriss, PF, Washington (previous: Jalen Brown)
There are eight players......and then the rest. Chriss is the last of the eight. He has been a fast riser and could go as high as No. 4 to Phoenix. Sacramento just drafted a big man last season, but Willie Cauley-Stein did not do much this past year. When you are drafting this high, they have to go with the best player and most people would agree that Chriss is the best player on the board.
9) Toronto Raptors: Jakob Poeltl, C, Utah (previous: Jakob Poeltl)
Poeltl is considered by most to be the best center in this draft and Bismack Biyombo is set to hit the open market and the Raptors will not be able to keep both him and Demar DeRozan. I think Biyombo will get the opportunity to start somewhere and Poeltl will jump in and fill that void. If DeRozan leaves, shooting guard becomes a major priority as well, but at this point, the best available players are project big men.
10) Milwaukee Bucks: Domantas Sabonis, PF/C, Gonzaga (previous: Domantas Sabonis)
Milwaukee will no doubt get pressure to choose the homestate player in Henry Ellenson, much like it did last year when Sam Dekker was on the board when it chose in the first round. But Sabonis is a very good player, averaging a double double last season for the Zags. He can play either the four or five, so he could be valuable off the bench when giving one of the starters a breather.
11) Orlando Magic: Skal Labissiere, PF/C, Kentucky (previous: Skal Labissiere)
Orlando needs another big man to help rotate with Aaron Gordon and Nikola Vucevic. Labissiere did not play as well as many people thought he would, coming to Kentucky as one of the top high school prospects in the country. He could have used another year in Lexington, but he does have what scouts look for. He has a very nice jump shot and is a good defender with the potential to be a great one with his length and quickness. He will take a few years to develop, though.
12. Atlanta Hawks: Deyonta Davis, PF, Michigan State (previous: Utah taking Henry Ellenson)
After trading Jeff Teague to give the reins over to Dennis Schroder, Atlanta is looking to trade up with picks 12 and 21. I don't know how high they could get, but I doubt the Hawks can move up too far. Al Horford is a free agent and while I do think he will re-sign, Atlanta could use a backup to Horford.
13. Phoenix Suns: Henry Ellenson, PF, Marquette (previous: Malachi Richardson)
After drafting Brown at No. 4, the Suns need to take a big man here. Ellenson may go a few spots higher, but the Suns are thrilled he is here. He is a good mid-range jump shooter and has the potential to be a good player for the Suns.
14) Chicago Bulls: Wade Baldwin, PG, Vanderbilt (previous: Wade Baldwin)
Chicago is need of a point guard. Derrick Rose was just traded to the Knicks and the Bulls don't really have a backup plan at point guard. The Bulls have been dangling Jimmy Butler out there in the hopes of attaining a pick high enough for them to get Dunn. But as it is, the Bulls get the next best point guard in the draft. He may need to be thrown into the fire early on. If Butler is still on the team, he would help the transition to Baldwin at the point.
15) Denver Nuggets: Furkan Korkmaz, SG, Turkey (previous: Furkan Korkmaz)
Denver is rumored to have significant interest in the International shooting guard and with a roster full of youth, the Nuggets can afford to stash Korkmaz overseas for a few years. They already drafted Bender, so they don't have much room to be able to keep many more rookies on the team. I just don't see him slipping past pick 15. It's just a logical choice.
16) Boston Celtics: Denzel Valentine, SG, Michigan State (previous: Deyonta Davis)
Boston needs shooting in the worst way and Valentine is one of the best on the board. He was arguably the best player in college basketball last season. He not only is a great shooter, but he is also a very good rebounder and passer. He would be a very good option for Dunn and the Celtics coming off the bench.
17) Memphis Grizzlies: Malachi Richardson, SG, Syracuse (previous: Dejounte Murray)
CBSSports' Jon Rothstein said that Richardson is on the short list for the Grizzlies at pick No. 17. The other player on the list is Wade Baldwin.....and he is already gone, so Richardson it is. He is rumored to have a promise from the Grizzlies to be drafted in this spot, but those are always broken. Richardson needs to improve his shooting if he wants to make his way on the court early on in his NBA career.
18) Detroit Pistons: Brice Johnson, PF, North Carolina (previous: Brice Johnson)
Detroit was looking for big man help at the deadline, so I have them taking the big-time big man from North Carolina, especially after losing Greg Monroe in free agency last season. I could see them taking Cheick Diallo as well as Notre Dame guard Demetrius Jackson.
19) Denver Nuggets: Timothe Luwawu, SG/SF, France (previous: Ivica Zubac)
Luwawu may very well be the best player on the board. He is a good shooter and has good athleticism. The Nuggets hope he comes over immediately and can contribute.
20) Indiana Pacers: Cheick Diallo, PF/C, Kansas (previous: Cheick Diallo)
Indiana does not have much at the power forward, so Diallo would help the position. Diallo is perhaps the most raw player in this draft, as he averaged just three points per game. He will have to sit and learn for a bit before being able to help out the Pacers.
21. Atlanta Hawks: Dejounte Murray, PG/SG, Washington (previous: Juan Hernangomez)
After trading Jeff Teague, the Hawks could be in the market for a backup point guard. If the Hawks don't trade this pick along with No. 12 to move up, I could see them taking a backup guard like Murray. He could have benefited from another year with the Huskies, but he does have a lot of potential. Needs to get stronger and become a better shooter.
22) Charlotte Hornets: Thon Maker, PF/C, Australia (previous: Thon Maker)
Maker, much like Bender, is one of this draft's great unknowns. He has a lot of talent and potential. He is really raw as a prospect, and some team with the ability to be able to let him sit and learn for awhile will draft him late in the first. Al Jefferson is an unrestricted free agent, so they'll need to replace him soon, even if he is re-signed on a short term deal.
23) Boston Celtics: Ivica Zubac, C, Croatia (previous: Timothe Luwawu)
Now, I don't see the Celtics keeping all of their picks, but I will say that the Celtics take Zubac here. Zubac has an affordable opt-out of his current team overseas, so we can expect to see him in the NBA next season. Boston needs a big man and Zubac has good size and length, but is still a very raw prospect. I think him sitting for a bit would benefit him down the road.
24) Philadelphia 76ers: Demetrius Jackson, PG, Notre Dame (previous: Demetrius Jackson)
With the second of two first round picks, Philadelphia should think about taking a point guard. Maybe the 76ers can use these next two firsts to trade up for one into the teens. Jackson is ready to come in and play right away.
25) Los Angeles Clippers: DeAndre Bembry, SG/SF, St. Joseph's (previous: DeAndre Bembry)
Bembry is an athletic wing who almost helped St. Joe's to an upset of top seeded Oregon in the NCAA Tournament. He did not have a great shooting performance, but he still scored 16 points and grabbed 12 rebounds. Paul Pierce is on his last legs and the Clippers will need a replacement. He is a good passer and he had a good assist-to-turnover ratio. He can also finish at the rim very well.
26) Philadelphia 76ers: Malik Beasley, SG, Florida State (previous: Denzel Valentine)
After addressing the point guard position, the 76ers need to address the wings. Philadelphia needs shooting and Beasley is a terrific shooter who will step in and help out the 76ers' perimeter shooting right away. He does not have ideal size for the shooting guard position, but makes up for it with his elevation on his jump shot. He has the potential to be an excellent player.
27) Toronto Raptors: Juan Hernangomez, SF/PF, Spain (previous: Taurean Prince)
Toronto reportedly very interested in the Spanish forward. He very easily could be picked before here during tonight's draft. He is strong and quick and has a solid mid-range jump shot. He will need to expand his range a bit to beyond the 3-point line. He plays with great energy.
28) Phoenix Suns: Taurean Prince, SF, Baylor (previous: Diamond Stone)
Phoenix could go with a European stash since this is its third first round pick, but instead I have the Suns taking the Baylor forward who knows what a rebound is. Prince is the best player available, regardless of position, which is why he goes here, despite the fact that the Suns took Brown at pick No. 4.
29) San Antonio Spurs: Tyler Ulis, PG, Kentucky (previous: Tyler Ulis)
According to CBSSports' Jon Rothstein, the Spurs are doing extensive research on Ulis. It could be a smokescreen, but the Spurs do need a point guard to prepare for life after Tony Parker. Why not draft Parker's heir apparent and let him sit and learn for a few years while he gets prepared to play big time minutes?
30) Golden State Warriors: Ante Zizic, C, Croatia (previous: Ante Zizic)
Golden State was destroyed by Tristan Thompson's rebounding in the NBA Finals. Cleveland won the Finals based largely on second chance points. The Warriors largely play a small forward at the power forward position. They certainly could use another rebounding big who can help them rebound to avoid giving up second chance points.
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