With the NBA Draft taking place tommorow, I’m posting what will be my final big board for the draft. This big board features 40 prospects with a little bit of analysis on each. Enjoy!

If you want to, you can like and follow me for more NBA-related content.

Markelle Fultz | Point Guard | Washington

Is there really anything to say at this point? Fultz has established himself as the clear-cut best prospect in the draft. He’s a three-level scorer in it’s truest form, and can run an offense. He’s also a great athlete with an insane 7’0″ wingspan at 6’4″. The 76ers have really found out the perfect player to add to the process, next to Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons.

2. Lonzo Ball | Point Guard | UCLA

Despite a lot of people recently disagreeing, I still see Lonzo as the next best prospect in the draft. His playmaking ability is incredible, and he was extremely efficient both at the rim, and from deep despite wacky mechanics. Lonzo’s size also gives him the potential to be an asset defensively, despite average athleticism. With the Lakers recently trading D’Angelo Russell to the Nets, it seems most likely that he’ll go to the Lakers, where he should be a great fit in Luke Walton’s free flowing offense.

3. Josh Jackson | Small Forward | Kansas

Jackson’s potential hinges on his jumpshot. If it translates, he’ll be a perennial all-star, but even if it doesn’t he’ll still be a damn good player. Jackson’s motor and athleticism give him the potential to be great on the defensive end. On offense, Jackson’s a very versatile player. He showed the ability to function as a secondary ball-handler and playmaker at Kansas last year, and he should only improve in those areas. Think Sixers-era Andre Igoudala as a comparison for Jackson.

4. De’Aaron Fox | Point Guard | Kentucky

Fox is a nightmare matchup for opposing guards. Combining his speed with a hound-like mentality, Fox puts defenders through hell with his defense. On offense, he uses his speed to attack the basket relentlessly and has developed into a good playmaker. He needs to add strength to his rail-thin frame, but Fox’s biggest need is a jumpshot. He was atrocious this season from three, and will have a hard time getting NBA defenders respecting him without one. If he does add a 3, Fox could become a top 10 point guard in the league.

5. Jonathan Isaac | Combo Forward | Florida State

A lot of people consider Isaac to be a small forward, but I think that would be a misuse of his abilities. He’s best at the four, where he can be a defensive superstar in the mold of Giannis Antetokounmpo. He’s a great athlete who can do just about anything on that end. Offensively, he’s pretty versatile. He can get putbacks and finish lobs, but he’s also capable of spreading the floor and even providing some ball-handling. The one thing keeping him from being the best player in the draft is that he doesn’t project to be an elite scorer. But either way, he’s still a terrific prospect.

6. Jayson Tatum | Combo Forward | Duke

Tatum might be the most pro-ready scorer in the draft. He’s got great footwork, can take you off the dribble, and has a plethora of counters. He’s not a great three-point shooter, but he can still punish you from deep. He’s also very underrated athletically and he’s competent on defense. His game might be best suited as a small-ball four, where players with similar games like Jabari Parker have played, but he’s a great prospect.

7. Dennis Smith Jr | Point Guard | North Carolina State

When talking about Smith Jr, you have to bring up his athleticism. In his workout with the Lakers, he was recorded having a 48 inch vertical, which would be higher than any other at the draft combine. His athleticism allows him to be a great slasher, and he’s also a capable playmaker. The main concern with him is his effort on defense, or lack thereof. Hopefully playing for a better coach and team in the NBS will translate to him putting in work.

8. Malik Monk | Shooting Guard | Kentucky

Monk is one of the most athletic guys in the draft and one of the better shooters too. He’s an electric player who could potentially put up over 20 a game in the NBA. Unfortunately he’s only 6’3″, which is pretty undersized for a shooting guard and he lacks playmaking ability. He’s also not a great defender and will get abused by bigger stronger guards. How valuable he will be will really depend on what team he goes to.

9. Frank Ntilikina | Point Guard | France

The best international player in the draft, Frank is a big point guard at 6’5″ with a reportedly 7-foot wingspan. He’s a good not great athlete, but he has a terrific motor and combining that with his size and length gives him the potential to be a monster on defense. Ntilikina also shot very well from deep overseas, but only shot 60% from the outside. Most of the season he played off-ball, so there’s some worry over his ability to run an offense, but during the U18’s he averaged a little under 7 a game. I’m very high on Ntilikina and I think he’ll be a stud.

10. Lauri Markkanen | Power Forward | Arizona

Markkanen is legit offensively. He’s a terrific scorer, with a ton of perimeter moves for a big. He can stretch the floor, hit stepbacks, and even run the pick & roll. He’s also an improving presence on the inside and is pretty light-footed. The problems come on the other end of the court. He’s simply not a good defender at this point, and his lack of athleticism doesn’t help him either. He also needs to be more aggressive. Lets hope he doesn’t turn into the next Andrea Bargnanai.

11. Donovan Mitchell | Shooting Guard | Louisville

Mitchell was a big riser after the combine, and rightfully so as he showed that he has elite athleticism that will make up for his undersized stature at 6’4″. Mitchell’s immediate role in the NBA will be as a 3&D player, which he should excel at. At Louisville, Mitchell demonstrated his pesky defense and also showed the ability to be a good slasher. His best stretch as a Cardinal came during a stretch where point guard Quinten Snyder went down with injury, and Mitchell exceled at the helm of the offense. He showed that he was a capable playmaker during that time. If a team can breed him into a point guard, similar to what was done to former college 2’s Eric Bledsoe and Russell Westbrook, Mitchell could be an absolute steal.

12. Zach Collins | Center | Gonzaga

Collins does a little bit of everything. Standing at 7’0″, he has great size for a center. On offense, Collins demonstrated a good-looking skillset for the Bulldogs. He crashes the glass, has a soft touch, a budding post-scoring ability, and even showed the potential to stretch the floor. Collins was a great shot-blocker at Gonzaga, and was willing to play physically on defense. Athletically, he’s mobile but has a short wingspan and will need to get stronger. He’s still pretty raw at this stage, he wasn’t even a starter this year under coach Mark Few. He’ll need time to develop, but Collins looks like someone who could turn into a very good starting center.

13. O.G. Anunoby | Combo Forward | Indiana

Anunoby’s defensive potential is will be his calling card on draft day. At 6’8″ with a 7’2″ wingspan and great athleticism, he definitely looks the part of a modern day power forward. The former Hoosier can do just about anything defensively, from protecting the rim to locking down perimeter guys. He’s not great offensively, but he did shoot over 40% from 3 a year ago, although on very limited volume. Unfortunately, Anunoby’s season was cut short due to injury this past season. Where he goes in the draft will largely depend on how teams feel about his ability to recover. Regardless, he has crazy potential.

14. John Collins | Power Forward | Wake Forrest

Collins was an animal last year for Wake Forrest. Not only did he nearly average 20 & 10, he did so while maintaining a PER of 36.3, which was easily the highest in the NCAA. At the combine he impressed scouts with his athleticism but underwhelmed a bit with his wingspan. Collins’ main flaws are his lack of defense and jumpshot. I believe his lack of defense as a Demon Deacon was a result of taking plays off to maintain energy on offense, which is understandable if you’ve seen the rest of their roster play. Collins does need to expand his range, but he was improving as the season went along, and he has the mechanics to expand to three-point range. He was a sophomore this season, but Collins is still only 19.

15. Isaiah Hartenstein | Power Forward | Germany

At 7’1″ and 250 pounds, Hartenstein has terrific size for an NBA big, and is surprisingly mobile. He competes on the inside and crashes the glass hard on both ends of the floor. The German has some unique ball-handling and playmaking ability. He’s also flashed the ability to stretch the floor, although his jumpshot has a long way to go before being considered a finished product. Defensively he’ll never be an anchor, but his size and agility give him the potential to be solid. Hartenstin is very much of jack of all trades, but master of none. He’s also very inconsistent, and can make erratic decisions sometimes. Hartenstein dominated the Adidas Next Generations Tournament a year ago, but didn’t get many minutes in Lithuania. I’m very high on Hartenstein and think he’s the second best international player in the draft (not counting Markkanan).

16. Luke Kennard | Shooting Guard | Duke

Kennard is a terrific offensive player. He features some great footwork and he’s probably the best shooter in the draft, while his craftiness is able to offset his lack of athleticism. He’s also a rock solid playmaker. Defensively is where he’s lacking. He’s not a good athlete and has a very hard time staying in front of players. He also possesses a wingspan shorter than his height. Hopefully he goes to a team that we’ll make him work his ass of to be a solid team defender at the least.

17. Jarrett Allen | Center | Texas

Allen has one of the best physical profiles in the draft. Along with the best hair in the draft, he stands at 6’10” with a massive 7’5″ wingspan and a ton of bounce. His athleticism has turned him into a solid pick & roll player, as well as a great target for lobs. He also flashed some ability to hit the occasional mid-range jumper at Texas. Defensively, he wasn’t the rim protector you want him to be, but his physical tools give him potential. He’s not a great rebounder yet, and he lacks awareness on both ends of the court. If Allen can manifest his tools and become more consistent (watch the highlights versus Kansas if you want an idea of how good he could be), Allen can be a really great player, but he has a long ways to go.

18. Justin Jackson | Small Forward | North Carolina

The ACC Player of the Year, Jackson’s a good scorer, posting over 18 points per game at North Carolina. He has a great feel for the game and was a great leader, playing a key role in the team winning the NCAA Championship this year. He’s a good athlete, but doesn’t have great quickness and he’ll also have to get stronger. He really improved his shooting this year (from 29% to 37%) and did so on more volume. He’s a pretty good defender as well. He’s not a good rebounder either and he needs to be more aggressive. He doesn’t have a super-high ceiling, but he’ll definitely be able to contribute right away.

19. T.J. Leaf | Power Forward | UCLA

Leaf’s offensive game is top notch. He has a great jumpshot and can play on the inside too. He can also handle the ball a bit and is a good passer too. He’s not an elite athlete, but he’s pretty fluid. Doesn’t have ideal strength or quickness either. Leaf’s main problem in the NBA will be defense. He was simply not a good defender in college, and he doesn’t project to be much better in the league. If a team can mold him into a good team defender (he’ll never be great individually), Leaf could be a great addition to any team that needs some offense.

20. Harry Giles | Power Forward | Duke

The boom or bust prospect of the draft, Giles was considered the frontrunner for the first overall selection at one point, but injuries have derailed him considerably. In the limited time we saw Giles this year, he didn’t stand out very much, but if he can regain the athleticism that made him such a wanted player in high school, Giles could end up being a top 5 player in the draft.

21. D.J. Wilson | Power Forward | Michigan

Wilson seems to be a riser in mock drafts lately, and for good reason. . He’s a great athlete with some very long arms, and has a solid offensive game, with the ability to stretch the floor or make cuts off the ball. He also has to improve his focus defensively, but he’s a good shot-blocker. You’d want to see him be more aggressive and grab a few more boards, but he could turn into a very good player in a few years.

22. Jonah Bolden | Power Forward | Australia

Bolden is a very fluid athlete at 6’10” with long arms. He’s a great ball handler for a player of his size, and has even shown the potential to run the pick & roll. He shot very well from 3 this year (42%), but struggled from the free throw line, shooting 58%, so there’s questions about whether his shooting will translate. Bolden’s length and athleticism gives him the potential to be a versatile player defensively, but he can get abused by stronger players in the paint. He’ll have to add muscle to guard bigs consistently at the next level. Bolden is also quite inconsistent, and can be soft at times. He’s definitely a unique player.

23. Ike Anigbogu | Center | UCLA

Anigbogu is one of the most physically imposing players in the draft. He’s built like a tank at 6’10” with a 7’6″ wingspan. He’s still super raw, he only averaged 13 minutes a night at UCLA. His defensive stats look really good per 40 minutes, averaging over 12 rebounds and a little under 4 blocks per game, but it should be noted that he also averages over 7 fouls in those averages. He still doesn’t make much of an impact on the offensive end ether, besides crashing the glass. Anigbogu is still only 18, and could grow into a defensive force if a team develops him properly. He’s certainly a boom or bust prospect.

24. Jordan Bell | Power Forward | Oregon

Bell was a defensive superstar in March Madness. Despite being undersized at 6’8″, Bell consistently racked up blocks and rebounds against legit 7-footers due to his combination of defensive awareness, mobility, and general athleticism. He’ll be a huge asset defending the pick & roll due to his versatility. He’s not very skilled offensively, but he can still be productive making cuts and finishing lobs.

25. Semi Ojeleye | Small Forward | SMU

As a Raptors fan, it’s my duty to hype up Ojeleye as much as possible. He’s one of the best athletes in the draft. He’s 6’7″ and weighs in at a very lean 256 lbs., while also possessing one of the top verticals in the combine. Offensively, he shot over 40% from three and graded out as one of the top isolation scorers in the NCAA. There are a few flags that regarding him. He played the 4 at SMU, and some believe he’ll have a hard time transitioning to the 3. He also didn’t play well defensively this year, but given his work ethic and athletic abilities, I think he can end up being solid on that end.

26. Edrice “Bam” Adebayo | Combo Big | Kentucky

The first thing that stands out about Bam is his athleticism. He’s 6’10 with a 7’2″ wingspan and a near-40 inch vertical, and has a solid frame. He’s also a pretty good rebounder, averaging over 10 per 40 minutes. Defensively, Bam is a good shot blocker, and his quickness gives him the potential to be an asset in pick & roll situation. In college, we really didn’t see much offensively from him besides the ability to sunk and score off a few dives to the rim, but it should be noted that he’s reportedly been impressing scouts with his improved shooting ability in workouts. He’s still inconsistent and will take a while to develop, but he definitely has potential.

27. Frank Jackson | Combo Guard | Duke

Jackson was one of the top players at the combine, measuring elite in about every single test. He was also a lights-out shooter at Duke and showed some playmaking ability. He was probably the team’s best defender too, especially one on one. At 19, you can definitely see some potential in the Blue Devil. He’s 6’4″ and projects as more of a combo guard which is a little underwhelming, and he wasn’t a great ball-handler. He seems to be a bit raw at this point, but he has all the tools. I think he would’ve benefited from staying at Duke for another year, where he could’ve learned the point guard position more and led the team, but he should go first round.

28. Terrance Ferguson | Swingman | Australia

I’m not as high on Ferguson as most, but I can’t deny the potential. He has great tools physically, standing at 6’8″ with a 38 inch vertical. Offensively, he can use his athleticism to attack and finish at the rack, and he also possesses a good-looking jumper. His athleticism gives him a lot of potential on the other end too. There are some red flags though. Ferguson’s jumper was extremely inconsistent in Australia, where he only shot 31 percent from deep. He also wasn’t able to get many minutes in Australia, which is very concerning a guy like Jonah Bolden, who didn’t exactly stand out in college, was able to get plenty of time. Ferguson is definitely a project, but he could be a great pick if a team is willing to wait a few years for him to develop.

29. Jawun Evans | Point Guard | Oklahoma state

Evans was terrific at running what was perhaps the best offense in the nation last year for the Cowboys. He’s a great passer and a high I.Q. player. Evans is also one of the quicker players in the draft and attacks the rim a lot, where he drew a lot of fouls but he didn’t finish at the rim well. He measured in at a little over 5’11”, which hurts him defensively, but he does try on that end. He shot the ball pretty well from deep too (37.6%). He should turn into a high-end backup at the next level

30. Justin Patton | Center | Creighton

I’m definitely not as high on Patton as most. One of the biggest reasons people see upside in him is too to his athleticism and mobility as a 7 footer, but he graded out as bottom 5 for centers in both sprint time and vertical testing. Another reason is due to his ability to stretch the floor, but he took just 15 threes all season and shot only a little over 50% from the free throw lines. I will give him credit that he was a good finisher and looked very fluid college, but numbers don’t normally lie. I hope he prove me wrongs, but there’s just way too much bust potential with Patton for me to rank him very high.

31. Josh Hart | Shooting Guard | Villanova

I have him pegged as this year’s Malcolm Brogdon. Hart is a hell of a competitor and is fundamentally sound. He’s a great rebounder for his size and is a pesky defender. He can slash or function as a spot-up shooter (40% from deep). Although not elite, he’s a solid athlete too. Hart won’t be a star at the next-level, but he should be able to be an immediate contributor.

32. Ivan Rabb | Power Forward | California

After being mocked as a top 10 pick, Rabb must really regret withdrawing from the draft last year. Rabb’s best attribute is on the glass, where he averaged over 10 a game last year. He has a solid physical profile, at 6’10” with a 7’2″ wingspan. He’s also pretty mobile, but isn’t very explosive. Offensively, he has a solid back to basket game, and also flashed some ability to stretch the floor. He’s not a great defender either.

33. Anzejs Pasecniks | Center | Latvia

Standing at 7’2″, Pasecniks is incredibly mobile for his size. He’s also great in the pick & roll and he has great hands, making him a great target for lobs. He showed the potential to stretch the floor this year, albeit on very low volume. Pasecniks will have to improve defensively, he’s just not a plus on that end right now. He struggles physically versus other bigmen and is also a poor rebounder. Also, not much of a passer right now.

34. Derrick White | Combo Guard | Colorado

White has good size for a combo guard at 6’4.5″ with a 6’7.5″ wingspan. He’s a pretty crafty scorer with a good jumpshot, shooting over 40% from deep. Capable playmaker, but not someone you want to run your offense. Good not great athlete. Although his average quickness can hurt him at times, White was a good defender at Colorado, and somehow led their team in blocks despite being under 6’5″. White is a versatile player who doesn’t excel in any specific thing, he should be a late first or early second.

35. Frank Mason| Point Guard | Kansas

Mason was the NCAA’s National Player of the Year. The kid can absolutely play. He’s can score from anywhere on the court, whether from downtown or on drives in the paint. He’s more of a scorer than a playmaker, but he’s a great ball handler and not a bad passer either. A lot of his criticisms stand from his 5’11” size, but he tested very well athletically and he’s definitely a tough player. He’s also a great leader and competes defensively, despite being undersized. I really think Frank can be a great backup at the very least, and he should receive some first-round consideration for teams that are in need of a point.

36. Tony Bradley | Center | North Carolina

Bradley is very lengthy, possessing a 7’5″ wingspan at 6’10”. Bradley’s best attribute is his motor, as he’s a relentless presence on the offensive glass. He’s also a good option on the inside, where his length and soft touch allow him to be very efficient. Bradley’s main problem is that he’s one of the least athletic players in the draft, he posted the worst vertical among centers at the combine and isn’t very quick either. He’s also a fouling machine on defense, and will need to improve if he wants to stay on the floor.

37. Caleb Swanigan | Power Forward | Purdue

Although undersized at 6’8.5″, he’s very strong and can overpower other players. He also became a knockdown shooter this year (over 45% from deep), while becoming a good passer for a bigman. Swanigan’s biggest strength is his rebounding, whether on the offensive or defensive glass he dominated. Swanigan is lacking athletically (sub-30 inch vertical at last year’s combine, although he has seemed to improve a bit) though, and he also isn’t much of a presence defensively. If he can improve his mobility like Myles Turner did coming out of college, he could be a steal, but that does seem unlikely.

38. Tyler Lydon | Power Forward | Syracuse

Lydon’s potential starts with his ability to stretch the floor. In two years with Syracuse, he shot over 40% from deep on good volume. At this point, he’s much better on catch & shoot situations than he is creating for himself. Lydon has great awareness as a defender and but up over a block and steal per game, but his lack explosiveness and physicality hurts him. He actually had the highest body fat percentage in the draft, but still did okay in mobility tests. If he can get lean and develop some aggression, Lydon could be a very good pickup.

39. Sindarius Thornwell | Shooting Guard| South Carolina

Thornwell has a really strong frame at 6’5″. He gets a lot of points bullying players at the rim, and draws a lot of free throws doing so. He’s also improved a lot as a shooter over the years, making just under 40% for the season. He hustles a lot too, and grabbed over 7 boards a game this season. Where Thornwell suffers is in the athletic department. He only has 30 inch vertical and average quickness, which hurts him a lot defensively. One has to wonder if he’ll be able to survive versus NBA-level athletes given his playstyle relies so much on his strength too. Add in the fact that he’s nearly 23 already, and you can see there are definitely some risks involved.

40. Devin Robinson | Small Forward | Florida

Robinson has had an alarming lack of improvement in his time at Florida. However, he fits perfectly in a role of a 3&D player, so he’ll definitely get looks by GM’s. He’s an explosive athlete with very long arms, which allows him to guard multiple positions. He also shot 39% from three this year. He’ll never be a star, but he’s a great option for a team that wants a backup wing, making him a good pick in the second.

Advertisements