NBA teams need options at the draft.
That’s because, other than No. 1 pick-owning Atlanta Hawks, no one else is guaranteed to get their top choice.
Front offices need options. That’s why teams build big boards, because names will be crossed off the list throughout the talent grab.
Even if clubs feel they have a general feel about draft ranges, they still won’t know for sure who’s available until they’re on the clock. So, they have to be prepared to pivot when things don’t go according to plan.
We’re here to help dig through some of the possibilities each team will have with their top draft pick and identify three prospects who should already have their attention.
Brooklyn Nets
The fact that the Nets don’t have a pick in this draft feels upsetting for myriad reasons. Let’s dissect a few of them before getting into the actual exercise.
For starters, Brooklyn is the only team that isn’t currently in possession of at least one pick this year. That seems especially sad when this squad clearly needs an injection of young talent. Not to mention, its losses were literally the Houston Rockets’ gains, as the No. 3 pick that should be going to the Nets instead resides in Space City.
Adding insult to…well, insult, the reason they don’t have the No. 3 pick is because they gave it up during their ill-fated blockbuster trade for James Harden in 2021.
The draft-pick debts on that deal won’t be paid off until 2027, which feels like an impossibly long time since the Beard’s stay in Brooklyn lasted barely one calendar year before he was sent out at the 2022 trade deadline.
Draft targets: Alex Sarr, PF/C, Perth Wildcats; Zaccharie Risacher, SG/SF, JL Bourg-en-Bresse; Donovan Clingan, C, UConn
The Hawks are three full years removed from their last playoff series win and coming off a 46-loss campaign that failed to produce a postseason berth. If they aren’t thinking best-player-available with the No. 1 pick, they’re doing it wrong.
Fortunately, the top prospects are mostly frontcourt players, meaning they’d be easy fits with one (or both) of Trae Young and Dejounte Murray, depending on how Atlanta handles this backcourt moving forward.
Sarr projects as an all-purpose, paint-to-the-perimeter stopper who should shine as an athletic finisher early and could one day offer ball-handling, spacing and distributing. Risacher fits the classic three-and-D mold, provided his uptick in perimeter shooting is sustained.
Draft targets: Zach Edey, C, Purdue; DaRon Holmes II, C, Dayton; Cam Christie, SG, Minnesota
Between Kristaps Porziņģis’ ongoing availability issues and the fact that Al Horford’s 38th birthday is behind him, it would make a ton of sense for Boston to target backup bigs here—provided the board breaks right.
Edey is enormous (7’4″, 299 lbs), skilled around the basket and using the pre-draft process to send hints that he’s a better outside shooter than he was able to show at Purdue. Holmes is considerably smaller (6’9″, 236 lbs), but he plays bigger than his size around the rim and shows some modern enhancements like long-range shooting and switchability on defense.
If the Celtics don’t snag a center at No. 30, they could try bolstering a wing rotation that tapers off pretty quickly behind Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Christie would have a non-zero chance of soaking up some playing time early in his career as a three-point marksman who gives great effort on defense.
Draft targets: Stephon Castle, SG, UConn; Reed Sheppard, PG/SG, Kentucky; Dalton Knecht, SG/SF, Tennessee
If the Hornets wanted to sell out for upside at No. 6—a real possibility for a team that lost 116 games over the past two seasons—this might not be exactly how their big board looks.
Then again, they reportedly feel they have a “core moving forward” in place with LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller and Mark Williams, per The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie, so maybe the aim will be to accentuate that trio.
Add the 6’6″ Castle, and the Hornets would have three sizable shot-creators with him, Ball and Miller. The 19-year-old’s long-range shot needs a little work, but he is a tireless and versatile defender who spent his one-and-done run at UConn filling a prominent (and critical) role for the national champs.
Sheppard and Knecht are two of the top spacers in a good shooting draft, though neither is confined to serving as a spacing specialist. The former is a feisty defender with some off-the-dribble acumen, while the latter provides three-level scoring, the ability to create his own shot and a deep finishing package.
Draft targets: Ron Holland, SF, G League Ignite; Cody Williams, SF/PF, Colorado; Kel’el Ware, C, Indiana
Charting a path for Chicago feels almost impossible without knowing what will transpire this offseason. Will DeMar DeRozan and Patrick Williams be re-signed? Is there a Zach LaVine trade out there that actually makes sense? Is Lonzo Ball’s return actually happening?
While those answers would give some clarity on the Bulls’ situation, they maybe wouldn’t change the priority with the No. 11 pick. Chasing upside feels like the right move to make, especially if they can find that potential in the frontcourt.
Holland was once regarded as the top prospect in this draft, and while an inefficient, turnover-filled season in the G League highlighted a need for plenty more polish, he’s still an explosive athlete and hard worker with a ton of potentially interesting outcomes with his offensive development.
Williams has a chance to become a three-and-D wing with more creation than the label usually implies, while Ware is big, bouncy and active on the rim, plus comfortable and capable firing away from three.
Draft targets: Tristan da Silva, SF/PF, Colorado; Jaylon Tyson, SF/PF, California; Carlton Carrington, PG/SG, Pittsburgh
While big changes could be coming to Cleveland this offseason, that fate is far from determined. Per Yahoo Sports’ Jake Fischer, the Cavaliers “don’t appear very motivated to listen to trade inquiries for any member of their core four.”
The idea at No. 20, then, could be to supplement that group—ideally with a player who can step into a bigger role if the plans change.
The Cavs could target wings with Isaac Okoro about to enter the thorny world of restricted free agency, potentially putting both Da Silva and Tyson on the radar.
There are plenty of glue-guy elements in Da Silva’s far-reaching skill set, while Tyson looks more like a three-and-D option with handles.
Carrington is a big-time shot-maker with some passing promise. He could spark this second unit with quick-strike scoring and creation and quite possibly grow into a starting role down the line if Cleveland breaks up the Donovan Mitchell-Darius Garland backcourt.
Draft targets: Jaylen Wells, SF, Washington State; Keshad Johnson, SF/PF, Arizona; Jalen Bridges, SF/PF, Baylor
With one of history’s best backcourts and a two-headed monster at center, Dallas’ roster-building objective feels obvious: Find forwards capable of filling the gaps between them.
Doing so with the final pick of the draft—remember, the 76ers and Suns both forfeited their second-round picks—won’t be easy, but it might be doable with any of these three.
Wells is a 6’7″ sharpshooter who can shred nets off the catch or on the move. Johnson should be a capable spot-up shooter who is overloaded with defensive tools and taps into them often to make plays.
Bridges, meanwhile, might have an easy in with Mavericks’ fans (and Luka Dončić): B/R’s Jonathan Wasserman comped him to former franchise favorite Dorian Finney-Smith.
Draft targets: DaRon Holmes II, C, Dayton; Carlton Carrington, PG/SG, Pittsburgh; Baylor Scheierman, SF, Creighton
Denver’s lack of depth looked glaring at times this postseason, and the issue may worsen this offseason. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope could strike it rich as an unrestricted free agent, and Reggie Jackson is no lock to return with only a $5.3 million player option left on his pact.
While the Nuggets essentially need more capable contributors at every spot, it’s been hard not to notice their lack of a reliable backup behind Nikola Jokić.
Holmes, who may have “secured a guarantee in the back part of the first round,” per ESPN’s Jeremy Woo, projects as basically the switchable, floor-spacing big they hoped Zeke Nnaji would become.
Regardless what Jackson decides, Denver could use more creation off the bench, and Carrington has plenty to offer. Scheierman offers little upside, but the Nuggets may be drawn to the relative safety attached to him as a 6’6″ shooter with enough ball skills to zip around closeouts or even run the occasional pick-and-roll.
Draft targets: Reed Sheppard, PG/SG, Kentucky; Matas Buzelis, SF, G League Ignite; Dalton Knecht, SG/SF, Tennessee
On the heels of five consecutive losing seasons and without so much as a .220 winning percentage to show for the last two, the Pistons could be tempted to try accelerating their rebuild this summer.
That feels short-sighted for a roster in so much need of help, though, especially with a new front office calling the shots.
Even if Detroit wants to raise its floor, it should make that attempt in free agency. The No. 5 pick could deliver a building block who has a real chance to grow with this core.
Because the Pistons have been so starved for spacing (26th in three-point percentage), they should give Sheppard a long look, particularly if there are any questions of whether Jaden Ivey is a long-term keeper.
That same shooting itch could draw them to Knecht, whose polish might stand out if Detroit is aiming for a (relatively) sure thing. Buzelis could be a two-way connector, but his game and frame both need filling out.
Draft targets: Tristen Newton, PG, Connecticut; Jalen Bridges, SF/PF, Baylor; Bronny James, SG, USC
Plucking a player out of the back end of the second round and plugging him into a win-now rotation is a Victor Wembanyama-sized tall task. Still, it would really help Golden State’s financial picture if this selection somehow delivered a contributor.
Both Newton and Bridges could have that kind of immediate impact, though.
If the Warriors need a new backup point guard—Chris Paul’s entire $30 million salary is nonguaranteed—it could covet Newton’s polish and poise. His two seasons spent at UConn each produced a national title, he paced both teams in assists and was the leading scorer of this latest iteration.
Bridges, meanwhile, seems tailor-made to support a star like Stephen Curry with his defensive versatility and perimeter shooting.
James is a bit of a different case. It’s hard to picture him making his presence felt early when he didn’t do that at USC (4.8 points and 2.1 assists in 19.3 minutes), but the Dubs could see long-term value in his defense and instincts. Plus, if the Warriors want to try courting LeBron James again, drafting his son won’t hurt their recruiting pitch.
Draft targets: Reed Sheppard, PG/SG, Kentucky; Donovan Clingan, C, UConn; Tidjane Salaun, PF, Cholet
Houston could certainly wind up shopping the No. 3 pick. It seems like it already has, as The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor reported the Rockets “have had conversation with the Grizzlies” about this selection.
If Houston can’t sniff out the right deal, though, it will have options.
Sheppard offers a potential fix for this team’s shooting woes, and even the threat of his shot-making would be enough to widen attack lanes for others.
Clingan wouldn’t be a need pick since the Rockets are set at center with Alperen Şengün, but if they view the UConn product as the best prospect on the board, that’s still the way to go.
Finally, Salaun offers an interesting blend of size, skill and upside, and even if No. 3 feels a bit early, he could be a target should Houston trade down.
Draft targets: Cam Christie, SG, Minnesota; AJ Johnson, PG/SG, Illawara Hawks; Pacome Dadiet, SF/PF, Ratiopharm Ulm
The Pacers won’t carry any glaring needs into the draft, which could make them more willing than most to shoot for upside.
All three of these players feel like fliers worth taking.
Christie pairs knockdown shooting with high-energy defense, and he could get interesting in a hurry if flashes of creation materialize into reliable skills.
Johnson lacks polish, but he has good size (6’4″ in socks with a 6’8″ wingspan) and athleticism for a combo guard.
Dadiet, who won’t turn 19 until late July, shows enough burst, pull-up shooting and ball-handling to believe his best-case scenario features nothing short of go-to scoring ability.
Draft targets: Kevin McCullar Jr., SG/SF, Kansas; Harrison Ingram, SF/PF, North Carolina; Pelle Larsson, SF, Arizona
The Clippers are in a tricky spot, as their roster could use more reinforcements but their budget won’t allow for major external spending.
And if they exit this offseason with new big-dollar deals for Paul George and James Harden, it will only up the difficulty in growing this talent base.
So, as hard as this is to do, L.A. has to hope it can turn this pick into a rotation player.
The Clippers could be drawn to seemingly safer options, as a prospect’s ceiling isn’t as important to them as an ability to contribute right away.
McCullar, Ingram and Larsson all offer instant-impact potential.
If McCullar and Ingram have harnessed consistent outside shots, then their skill sets show no major weaknesses. Larsson lacks a standout skill, but he is versatile enough to help in a number of ways.
Draft targets: Devin Carter, PG/SG, Providence; Tristan da Silva, Colorado; Kyle Filipowski, C, Duke
The Lakers might try dealing this pick for a proven producer, but who’s to say if the trade market will have what they’re after?
The league is short on obvious sellers, and those willing to ship out win-now veterans might not be overly ecstatic about landing a non-lottery first-rounder in this draft.
L.A., in other words, might need to find a plug-and-play option here.
Carter would clearly qualify if he lasts to pick No. 17, which feels a touch ambitious (but not at all impossible). He is relentless on the defensive end and can operate with or without the ball on offense.
The Lakers have had a longstanding itch for shooting, and both Da Silva and Filipowski could help with that—the former filling a wide array of roles on the wings, and the latter complementing his spacing with post-scoring and passing.
Draft targets: Donovan Clingan, C, UConn; Dalton Knecht, SG/SF, Tennessee; Rob Dillingham, PG, Kentucky
Only the most optimistic members of Bluff City can dream of Clingan slipping to No. 9 and filling the Steven Adams-sized hole on the Grizzlies’ interior.
Still, he is worth mentioning since Memphis has looked into the possibility of moving up, per The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor, and might have enough trade chips to do it.
Clingan will bring Rudy Gobert-like dimensions to the league and could have a similar impact on defense. He will have to prove he can comfortably defend in space, and his offensive bag will never be the deepest, but his paint protection, rebounding and close-range finishing would all provide instant dividends.
If the Grizzlies can’t climb from No. 9, they could either target Knecht for his shot-making or Dillingham for his creation and ability to keep the offense rolling when Ja Morant and Marcus Smart are off the floor.
Draft targets: Jared McCain, PG/SG, Duke; Isaiah Collier, PG, USC; Kel’el Ware, C, Indiana
The Heat were downright roughed-up by the injury bug this season, to the point that it’s not easy to get a great grasp of this group. Needs might be clearer to spot if, say, Jimmy Butler, Tyler Herro, Bam Adebayo and Terry Rozier had managed to make more than just 10 appearances together.
Still, it seems safe to assume this group could use more creation. Hence, the possible interest in McCain and Collier. The former is the better shooter while the latter is the superior athlete, but either one could help power up this attack.
Miami might also seek out a second big to pair with Adebayo, especially if said big had an outside shot. Ware shot 42.5 percent from deep this past season (albeit on pretty low volume) while filling out his stat sheet with 15.9 points, 9.9 rebounds and 1.9 blocks.
Draft targets: Zach Edey, C, Purdue; Ja’Kobe Walter, SG/SF, Baylor; Tyler Smith, PF, G League Ignite
Maintaining this roster will grow increasingly difficult under the new collective bargaining agreement, meaning the Bucks could really help themselves by getting younger and cheaper.
Edey might not be an obvious need-filler right now, but that could change as soon as next summer when Brook Lopez will—and Bobby Portis can—reach free agency.
Lopez, in particular, would an invaluable mentor for Edey, showing the decorated college hooper how to stick in this league as a floor-spacing, drop-defending, slow-footed 5.
The theme uniting these prospects, though, is shooting. Walter fits the three-and-D wing mold, while Smith is more of a super-sized version of that (6’9″, 224 lbs).
Draft targets: Tyler Kolek, PG, Marquette; KJ Simpson, PG, Colorado; Jaylon Tyson, SF/PF, California
With Minnesota’s payroll set to spike, the time to bring cost-controlled contributors to the Gopher State is now. And if said contributors happen to play point guard, that’s even better, since Mike Conley is approaching his 37th birthday, and all of the backup playmakers (Kyle Anderson, Monte Morris and Jordan McLaughlin) are entering free agency.
Kolek might be the preferred pick, since he is polished enough to play right away. He runs his offense like a true floor general, and he can get fiery hot as a shooter. The big question is whether he makes it to pick No. 27.
If he doesn’t, Simpson could be a worthwhile alternative as he can score from anywhere and adds off-ball value with his constant movement and quick-release shooting.
The Wolves could also be in the market for wing depth, since they don’t have a ton of options behind Anthony Edwards and Jaden McDaniels.
Tyson boasts a deep bag of scoring tricks, and he’s a good enough catch-and-shoot option to see him thriving in a less ball-dominant role than the one he played at Cal.
Draft targets: Yves Missi, C, Baylor; Zach Edey, C, Purdue; Kel’el Ware, C, Indiana
There is a hidden theme linking all three potential targets here. Can you spot it?
Obviously, it’s not actually hidden. The word of the day—or word of the predraft cycle—in the Crescent City is center. That’s where the Pelicans will likely need a replacement for free agent Jonas Valančiūnas, who never seemed like the snuggest fit for Zion Williamson.
If any of these three are available at No. 21, the Pels should plan on taking the best big on their board. Missi is long, athletic and hyperactive above the rim, while Edey is massive and uses that to his advantage.
Ware, who might be the least likely of the three to slip to this spot, looks like he possesses the unicorn blend of paint protection and perimeter shooting.
Draft targets: Kyshawn George, SG/SF, Miami; Johnny Furphy, SF, Kansas; Bobi Klintman, SF/PF, Cairns Taipans
New York’s two first-rounders could be up for grabs, but if the Knicks keep both, they could take a fun flier with at least one of them. And this is a pretty fun collection of prospects.
George isn’t particularly strong or explosive, yet he still finds ways to serve as a 6’7″ shot-creator. A late growth spurt made him this size, but he played point guard before it hit, which shows in his handling, vision and ability to manipulate a defense.
Furphy is a 6’8″ sharpshooter who uses off-ball movement to always find the soft spots in opposing defenses. His game and frame both need to develop, but there’s a future in which he’s a shooter with size who impacts the game in other areas, too.
Klintman, meanwhile, might be a 6’10”, 235-pound three-and-D wing who can grab-and-go on the glass and create chances for himself and his teammates.
Draft targets: Cody Williams, SF/PF, Colorado; Tidjane Salaun, PF, Cholet; Rob Dillingham, PG, Kentucky
The Thunder already have a fully loaded young core, but perpetually expanding it with players on rookie deals is one way to help balance the budget.
Oklahoma City could go virtually any direction here, but adding Williams—younger brother of Thunder swingman Jalen Williams—would be an interesting one. He needs some developmental time, but this team is deep enough to give it to him. In return, he could emerge as a toolsy three-and-D swingman who creates scoring chances for himself and his teammates.
If the Thunder are taking a big swing on a big wing, then Salaun should be firmly on the radar. He possesses a strong size-athleticism-energy combo, and there are flashes of shot-making and ball-handling.
Oklahoma City shouldn’t rule out Dillingham if he drops, though. Small guards aren’t a need, but the talent might be too good to pass up. Plus, the Thunder could have easily come out of this postseason sensing that they don’t have enough creation and self-sufficient scoring.
Draft targets: Ja’Kobe Walter, SG/SF, Baylor, Johnny Furphy, SF, Kansas; Tyler Kolek, PG, Marquette
The Magic should take a clear, concise directive into the offseason: Give this offense more breathing room.
Orlando lacked the requisite shooting for this offense to function this season, resulting in a 22nd-place finish in offensive efficiency (the worst such ranking among all postseason participants).
Any of these three players would help grease the gears for this offense to get going.
Walter is a versatile shot-maker who can free himself off the dribble and find open teammates. Furphy offers an intriguing mix of size, shooting and athleticism, making him perhaps worth the wait even for a Magic team entering (or already in) win-now mode.
Kolek doesn’t have the size this front office typically seeks (6’1″), but his shooting would spread the floor and his playmaking would make the Magic’s existing offensive stars even sharper in their execution.
Draft targets: Jared McCain, PG/SG, Duke; Carlton Carrington, PG/SG, Pittsburgh; Isaiah Collier, PG, USC
Because the Sixers have something awfully close to a blank-slate roster, they could take this pick any number of directions. Or they could simply route it elsewhere if they have to hit the trade market to find their third star to pair with Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey.
All of that said, adding another scorer and creator to the mix might wind up being the best bet. There is no shortage of prospects from that archetype in this draft range, and all of them would be harder to handle when defenses already have to worry about Embiid, Maxey and whichever prominent players Philly can pick up this summer.
McCain is a knockdown shooter who could be right at home in a secondary playmaker role. Carrington is a walking bucket who understands how to leverage his scoring chances in ways that open them up for his teammates. Collier is a physical downhill force with enough shooting flashes to imagine some ultra-high-end outcomes for his offense.
Draft targets: Isaiah Collier, PG, USC; Tyler Kolek, PG, Marquette; Kyle Filipowski, PF/C, Duke
The Suns may not be the ones making this pick. As The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie noted, league sources think they “could trade their pick, given their all-in approach and owner Mat Ishbia’s aggressive posture.”
If Phoenix holds onto the selection, it needs to nail the pick. This payroll is untenably expensive, and the Suns’ options in free agency and trades are limited by being over the second apron.
That’s why they should focus on finding either a playmaker or another big man.
Phoenix’s spacing and star power could create the ideal environment for Collier’s attacking style to thrive. Kolek would make his mark as both a clever passer and an ignitable shooter. Filipowski would open up some five-out possibilities with his shooting, and his passing and post-scoring might up the overall offensive efficiency.
Draft targets: Dalton Knecht, SG/SF, Tennessee; Donovan Clingan, C, UConn; Tidjane Salaun, PF, Cholet
The Blazers feel like one of the least predictable teams in this draft. They’re coming off of three consecutive lottery appearances, but they may have designs on competing sooner than later.
They have Deandre Ayton and Robert Williams III on the roster, yet there is “chatter around the league” they could be among the teams that tries moving up for Clingan, per ESPN’s Jonathan Givony.
Portland also possesses a pair of lottery picks, so it could take a dramatically different approach with one than the other—assuming it doesn’t trade one or both.
The Blazers could pursue the highest ceiling possible, but maybe they want to feel a little safer about giving Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe more support to help with their development. That’s what Knecht would provide with his shooting, and what Clingan could deliver with his defense and interior activity.
Should Portland want a bit more potential, it could target Salaun. His best-case outcomes rank among the most favorable in this draft. There is a universe in which he emerges as a star big wing, and the Blazers’ rebuild would be in tremendous shape if it turns out that’s the one we’re living in.
Draft targets: Devin Carter, PG/SG, Providence; Dalton Knecht, SG/SF, Tennessee; Ron Holland, SF, G League Ignite;
ESPN’s Jonathan Givony noted there is “quite a bit of trade talk around this No. 13 pick,” so the Kings might send it out for an immediate impact. If they don’t, though, they’ll have different ways of expanding their rotation.
Carter and Knecht could offer a decent amount of security if that’s what Sacramento is after.
Carter’s defense would fill a need right away, and his offensive improvements could position him to fill a major role if Malik Monk exits in free agency. Knecht, meanwhile, would help with the scoring and shot-making if he falls this far, not to mention perhaps making it easier to move Kevin Huerter if Sacramento seeks a younger, cheaper alternative.
The Kings shouldn’t rule out a home run swing on Holland, though. Most dreams of this club contending feature Keegan Murray blossoming into center-stage stardom, but Sacramento might want to hedge its bets by opening additional paths to a possible wing star.
If the Kings buy Holland becoming a better shooter, then there’s plenty to like about his long-term outlook.
Draft targets: Stephon Castle, SG, UConn; Matas Buzelis, SF, G League Ignite; Nikola Topić, PG, KK Crvena Zvezda
With Victor Wembanyama clearly on a superstar trajectory, the Spurs might feel compelled to package their two top-10 picks for either an established star or an earlier selection. Standing pat would do plenty to help grow the talent base, though.
San Antonio needs to come out of this summer with a playmaker, and if it wants, it could use both early picks on the archetype.
Castle has do-everything potential if he can harness his outside shot, and he is versatile enough to make an impact without dominating the ball. Buzelis is another jack-of-all trades who just might master several skills if he maxes out his potential.
Topić is a bit of a question mark after the NBA’s medical examination revealed a partially torn ACL. But his agent, Misko Raznatovic, told ESPN’s Jonathan Givony the injury shouldn’t have a major impact on his draft stock due to his age (18 until August) and the initial feedback from doctors.
If the Spurs are comfortable with Topić’s long-term health, they could still be drawn to his upside as a 6’7″ playmaker with an advanced feel for the game.
Draft targets: Ja’Kobe Walter, SG/SF, Baylor; Johnny Furphy, SF, Kansas; Kyshawn George, SG/SF, Miami
As the Raptors continue remaking their roster around Scottie Barnes, they should seek out as much shooting as possible.
All three of these prospects deliver on that front.
Walter’s form looks better than his percentages (37.6 from the field, 34.1 from three), and his handle could come alive in a spread-out NBA offense.
Furphy’s upside is significant, and while he needs plenty of seasoning to realize it, the Raptors have time to wait.
George just feels like a fit in Toronto, both for his outside shot but also the fact that this front office has shown an affinity for similarly long, lanky wings.
Draft targets: Cody Williams, SF/PF, Colorado; Ron Holland, SF, G League Ignite; Nikola Topić, PG, KK Crvena Zvezda
Unless the Jazz are rushing to compete—and given how loaded next season’s West already looks, they shouldn’t be—it feels like they should be angling for more upside.
Yes, there’s probably some desire to give Lauri Markkanen some immediate assistance, but he—and certainly they—would be better off in the long run if this selection eventually spawned a star.
A frontcourt featuring Williams, Markkanen and Taylor Hendricks would be long, nimble and all kinds of disruptive.
If Williams checks the right developmental boxes, he could one day offer downhill attacking, secondary playmaking, outside shooting and defensive versatility. Holland might emerge as a similarly skilled big wing, but with more athleticism and less off-the-dribble shake.
Topić is a wild card given his injury issue, but it’s possible the Jazz remain interested. His game would be a snug fit within a multi-playmaker system, meaning he’s more than capable of sharing the backcourt with someone like Keyonte George.
Draft targets: Zaccharie Risacher, SG/SF, JL Bourg-en-Bresse; Alex Sarr, PF/C, Perth Wildcats; Donovan Clingan, C, UConn
With the Wizards picking at No. 2, this target list doesn’t need to be more than two prospects long. And that’s just as well, since Clingan’s spot on it feels the most debatable.
He could be a transformational type presence on the defensive end, but even in a draft class that perhaps lacks star power, you’d prefer the No. 2 pick to fetch someone more exciting than an interior big.
The decision, then, comes down to Risacher and Sarr, and it’s almost assuredly one that will be made for them. Washington should enjoy a stress-free opening of this draft, since it can sit back, see which of the two top French prospects Atlanta selects and then welcome the other to the District.
The Wizards need help in all facets, and both Risacher and Sarr would help check multiple boxes.
Each would be an asset defensively. Risacher for his length and mobility; Sarr for his rim protection and ability to switch away from the basket.
On offense, both would likely fill complementary roles (at least early on) with Risacher launching catch-and-shoot threes or attacking closeouts, and Sarr finishing above the rim or flashing his handles, vision and developing jumper.