Just a few days away from the start of the NBA draft and the No. 1 pick still carries a ton of uncertainty.
But the intrigue doesn’t end there.
Here is a mock draft of the first 10 picks and the current odds (via BetMGM) of the player landing at each spot:
1. Hawks: Donovan Clingan (+180)
Frenchman Zaccharie Risacher (-225) is the favorite to go first, but I love the value of Clingan. In his mock draft last Thursday, The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie wrote that Clingan’s name has been “linked with the Hawks most often over this past week.” Clingan reportedly had an impressive workout in Atlanta.
2. Wizards: Alexandre Sarr (-550)
The 7-foot-1 Sarr averaged 2.8 blocks per 36 minutes with Perth (NBL) and offers ideal modern defensive traits with impressive mobility for his size. While the offensive arsenal is still a work in progress, Washington’s long-term view would support developmental patience.
3. Rockets: Reed Sheppard (-110)
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Woo, Houston’s “front office and ownership [are] intrigued by his fit as a shooter and playmaker next to their established young talent.” Sheppard shot a staggering 52.1 percent from 3-point range at Kentucky last season. A trade down from this spot remains a distinct possibility.
4. Spurs: Zaccharie Risacher (+400)
ESPN’s Jonathan Givony says the Hawks are “open to doing something with the Spurs and flipping that first and fourth pick,” presumably so San Antonio can trade up for Risacher. Instead, I have them selecting Risacher here as a fellow Frenchman to pair with Victor Wembanyama. He offers ideal size and athleticism on the wing with promising shooting skills.
5. Pistons: Cody Williams (+400)
Trajan Langdon will make his first draft selection for the Pistons. G-League Ignite product Matas Buzelis is the favorite at this spot, but don’t sleep on Colorado’s Williams. The younger brother of the Thunder’s Jalen Williams, Cody offers untapped potential. At 6-foot-7 with a 7-1 wingspan, he can guard 1-4 on defense, while putting constant pressure on the offensive rim.
6. Hornets: Stephon Castle (+350)
The Hornets have reportedly worked out Castle, Sheppard, Dalton Knecht and Buzelis. There’s a strong chance Castle is off the board before the sixth pick, but Charlotte would love to add his tenacious on-ball defense and improving secondary playmaking to the roster.
7. Trail Blazers: Dalton Knecht (+750)
Knecht’s draft stock exploded in his lone season at Tennessee after transferring from Northern Colorado. He averaged 21.7 points per game on 45.8 percent from the field and 39.7 percent from deep. Knecht reportedly had a successful workout with the Trail Blazers, and he’d offer tremendous shooting and polished scoring to an offense that badly needs it.
8. Spurs: Matas Buzelis (12/1)
As a 6-9 wing with positional versatility, it’s challenging to imagine Buzelis sliding much further than this. According to The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor, Buzelis would be a perfect fit next to Wembanyama with his “blend of size, shot-creation skill, and defensive versatility.” Landing Risacher and Buzelis would be a dream scenario for San Antonio.
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9. Grizzlies: Devin Carter (+600)
Carter has benefited immensely from the pre-draft process. His father is a Grizzlies assistant coach, and the Providence guard reportedly has a lottery promise from an unknown team. According to the Action Network’s Braxton Reynolds, Carter is a “relentless point-of-attack defender and hyper-disruptive in passing lanes.”
10. Jazz: Nikola Topic (+600)
Topic’s draft stock took a hit due to a partially torn ACL. However, his agent told ESPN that “the doctors who checked the stability of the knee confirmed that it is in excellent shape.” Topic won’t turn 19 until August, and with a 6-7 frame and playmaking chops he offers intriguing upside. The Jazz would likely redshirt him for a year, but Danny Ainge and Will Hardy have proved comfortable taking a long-term approach.