Keep in mind that this is a mock draft with no trading involved, other articles will be released about possible trades we could see this offseason.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Anthony Edwards - SG, Georgia
Right now, many mock drafts have the Timberwolves taking LaMelo Ball here at number one. I disagree, D'Angelo Russell is better with the ball in his hands, in the pick and roll, scoring on his pull up jump shots, or making plays for others. Anthony Edwards can be a great off ball slasher for them as well as a timely scorer to take some of the pressure off. I believe he is the better fit for the Timberwolves and still has great amounts of potential. His effort has been called into question, but he still has the physical attributes to become a great wing defender and could certainly fit in with a defender like Josh Okogie, to help D'angelo on defense.
Golden State Warriors
James Wiseman - C, Memphis
Again, this is a mock draft assuming no trades happen involving draft picks. I don't see the point of the Warriors drafting LaMelo ball here with their obvious stardom at the guard positions. Yes, Steph Curry and Klay Thompson are the most dangerous off-ball players in the league and LaMelo could run the offense while they move off ball. But they just traded away someone who could do that in D'Angelo Russell, who's also a better shooter than LaMelo Ball. The Warriors seem to be trending back in the direction of that 2015 Championship team. Steph Curry and Klay as the guards, Andrew Wiggins filling the Harrison Barnes role, Draymond Green, and the Bogut role can be filled by Wiseman. In fact it could definitely be an upgrade. Wiseman is more athletic, better from the mid range, he'll have to work on his passing to the cutters, but the Warriors have an excellent coaching staff. The Center position is their need, if they don't trade the pick, they should take Wiseman at two.
Charlotte Hornets
Onyeka Okongwu - C, USC
I believe the Hornets are hoping Edwards and LaMelo go top two, so they can take Wiseman here at number three. But I don't have that happening so I have the hornets taking the second best center in the class; Onyeka Okongwu. He's undersized, but he's an undersized big who can play and guard multiple positions. Either way, the NBA is now littered with undersized bigs. The Hornets are guard heavy, and Devonte Graham's season, along with their payment of Terry Rozier, means they probably won't be going with LaMelo Ball here. They draft Okongwu, to fill out their starting five with Terry Rozier, Devonte Graham, Miles Bridges, P.J. Washington and Onyeka.
Chicago Bulls
LaMelo Ball - PG, Australia
Billy Donovan loves his guards, especially playmaking one's. LeMelo Ball is by far the best playmaker in the draft class. With a new coach who consistently brings the best out of his gurards, LaMelo Ball fits in well with the Bulls young core of Zach LaVine, Lauri Markkanen and Wendell Carter Jr. I think if the Bulls draft him, they could be a very exciting team to watch next season, especially in transition, with LaMelo, LaVine and Wendell. The Bulls are in position to compete for an Eastern Conference Playoffs spot, and LaMelo can help them get there. Lavar get's his wish and LeMelo goes to a team where he will get attention, and no doubt, Lavar will be screaming from the rooftops that his son is already better for the Bulls than Michael Jordan.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Deni Avdija - SF, Israel
At 6-9, Deni Avdija is tall enough to play power forward and skilled enough to play on the wing. And his shooting has improved and he could become a very good scorer in this league. People are comparing him to Luca Doncic, pretty much just because he's a young, skilled, European player. Let's slow down on that, Luka is a once in a generation type player. With that being said, Deni might have one of the highest potential ceiling's in the class. Like the Hornets, the Cavaliers are very guard heavy, they seem like they want to keep Love and Dummond, so Avdija fits their need on the wing.
Atlanta Hawks
Obi Toppin - PF, Dayton
Toppin has a good chance to be one of the most, if not the most, NBA ready, and instant impactful player selected in this draft. The Hawks have a solid opportunity to make the playoffs next year and Toppin could help them get there. They already have John Collins and Clint Capela as their big men so we would have to see if they play Toppin at Small Forward, or have him come off the bench. If he does start at Small Forward, floor spacing might become an issue, as Toppin was a decent three point shooter in college, but he didn't take a lot of them, so it's too early to tell if he'll be a good NBA three point shooter.
Detroit Pistons
Isaac Okoro - SF, Auburn
It pains me to make this pick, because Isaac Okoro is my favorite prospect coming out of this years draft. He's the most NBA ready, and his effort and defensive abilities are not to be questioned. I think a team like Golden State or even Minnesota should consider looking at trading down for him, but that's not the point of this article. So unfortunately, I have him going to Detroit. There isn't much to say, Detroit sucks, I think they will have the worst record in the NBA next season, and I just think they should just start over completely. Which is unfortunate for Okoro, because I think he would fit so well on a Timberwolves team that is up and coming. Maybe his effort and desire to win will help a culture change in Detroit, or maybe my favorite prospect in this draft will be wasted on this franchise.
New York Knicks
Killian Hayes - PG, France
It's strange how similar the New York Knicks and the New York Giants are. They have such a large market but they are so badly managed, they can never do anything positive with it. The Knicks got unlucky in the lottery and fell all the way down to eight. They should just take the best player available, because they have needs at every position, except maybe Shooting Guard and Center. Killian Hayes is a slight question mark out of France but he does have potential. Unfortunately, I don't trust the Knicks with high potential, and neither should Knicks fans.
Washington Wizards
Cole Anthony - PG, North Carolina
This pick is in case John Wall just isn't the same player he was coming off his injuries. If he isn't, the Wizards won't make the playoffs, they should trade Wall and Beal and hit the restart button. Anthony is somewhat of a boom or bust pick, but he could be a potential Point Guard of the future. If Wall comes back and is his old self, that's great, the Wizards have a good shot at the playoffs and Anthony can come in and be a solid scoring option at backup PG.
Phoenix Suns
Tyrese Haliburton - PG, Iowa State
This could be an amazing pick for the Suns, Haliburton has great size at the Point Guard position at 6'5, and offers potential on the defensive side, something the Suns could use next to Devin Booker. He's a consistent shot maker as he averaged 50.4% from the field and 41.9% from three. He's a lead guard with size, defensive potential and the ability to consistently hit shots. Exactly what this high potential Suns team could use.