There aren’t many things I love in June more than a mock draft. I enjoy learning about prospects before the NBA Draft Lottery determines the order, but once we know that order and start moving toward that first announcement that a team is on the clock, I start poring over everything Sam Vecenie and John Hollinger are putting out there with a fine-tooth comb.
Advertisement
One thing is often missing from their analysis, though: Chaos.
Remember draft night in 2013? We were wondering if Victor Oladipo or Nerlens Noel would be the top pick, then David Stern shocked the world by announcing the Cleveland Cavaliers were selecting Anthony Bennett with the No. 1 pick. We rarely get that level of mayhem in the NBA Draft, but we do get quite a few surprises.
I wanted to join in on the mock draft madness by throwing some potential chaos into the mix, while sharing some thoughts on team situations and prospects throughout. I want the havoc to be somewhat believable, though, so you won’t see something like VJ Edgecombe or Kon Knueppel going No. 1 overall.
Let’s dive in on Round 1.
1. Dallas Mavericks
Cooper Flagg | 6-8 forward | 18 years old | Duke
Of course, it’s Flagg! He was always going to be the No. 1 pick, and not even Nico Harrison would pick anybody except him with the top selection, especially after the year Harrison has endured (self-inflicted, of course). Flagg is clearly the top prospect in this draft and the most ready to play. He’ll fit in right away on defense, as I think he’ll be able to defend multiple positions. But I think he’s going to be in a logjam with the rest of the Mavs’ frontcourt. Dereck Lively II, Anthony Davis, Daniel Gafford, P.J. Washington and Flagg? Not to mention Naji Marshall, whose best position is small forward. That’s a great frontcourt, but you’re asking Flagg to play out of position for now.
2. San Antonio Spurs
Dylan Harper | 6-5 guard | 19 years old | Rutgers
Maybe you could talk yourself into Ace Bailey here for a little chaos, but Harper is the definite second pick. He has to go here, even with Stephon Castle and De’Aaron Fox already on the roster. The Spurs grab the best player available and figure it out later. The easy part of drafting Harper here is that he’s a big guard. You can play him next to Castle and Fox to give you a really dynamic playmaking trio on the perimeter, and with Victor Wembanyama backing them up, they can be very aggressive defensively.
We have a trade to announce: The Dallas Mavericks are trading the draft rights to Cooper Flagg, P.J. Washington and Caleb Martin to the San Antonio Spurs in exchange for the draft rights to Dylan Harper, the No. 14 pick in this draft, the Spurs’ 2026 first-round pick, a lottery protected 2028 first-round pick and Keldon Johnson. Film noir! That’s right. Harrison couldn’t help himself, and after getting skewered for not getting enough for Luka Dončić, he’s getting a lot of draft capital in return in this deal. Let’s break down why the trade would happen for both teams:
The Spurs pair Flagg and Wemby together while still having Castle and Fox as a playmaking, dynamic backcourt. That’s an incredible barbershop quartet on both ends of the floor. It needs a little more shooting, but all four guys can eventually become good enough shooters, and they have guys on the roster to fill it out. Defensively, Flagg and Wemby together could be truly devastating. I’d say Flagg projects as a Shawn Marion-esque difference-maker on that end. He’s active, athletic and has great instincts on the ball. With a rim protector like Wemby behind him, it would allow him to be even more aggressive.
Advertisement
You may be asking yourself, “Why would the Mavericks actually do this?” But what part of any Harrison trade would actually shock you at this point? I went from completely trusting him as an executive to thinking that anything good or bad is possible with his decision-making. Grabbing Harper as the guard of the future and someone who can learn from Kyrie Irving is massive. It also helps them in the interim as Irving works his way back from the ACL tear and puts less pressure on him to get back quickly.
3. Philadelphia 76ers
Khaman Maluach | 7-1 big | 19 years old | Duke
A couple of reasons for this pick could, in theory, make sense, even as outlandish as it appears to be. Yes, Maluach is a center, and Joel Embiid is a center, and you’re not going to employ two franchise centers at the same time. That is, if you believe Maluach has the potential to become a franchise center. But we know Embiid is 31, his body simply doesn’t hold up, and the Sixers have to start wondering how much longer they can afford to roll with this process. Bringing in Maluach gives some clarity on what that succession plan looks like, and hopefully, he learns heavily from Embiid on a daily basis.
4. Charlotte Hornets
Tre Johnson | 6-5 wing | 19 years old | Texas
Maybe VJ Edgecombe can’t fall past the top four, but I kind of like the idea of just going with a super scorer here. Johnson is a guy who could possibly end up averaging 25 points per game in a season someday. He can shoot the ball, he doesn’t turn it over, and he really gets those shots up. He might be a perfect complement on offense to LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller, if they can stay healthy. This Hornets team has yet to show it can be competent, so at least be fun. Offense is fun.
5. Utah Jazz
Kon Knueppel | 6-5 guard | 19 years old | Duke
Yes, I know what I’m doing here. Yes, you know what I’m doing here. No, I don’t feel bad going for the low-hanging fruit. With that said, I’m not big on Knueppel, despite his skill set. He can really shoot, and he’s a good passer. But when I’ve watched him, it feels like he plays a lot smaller than his size. Maybe that changes at the NBA level, where he has to play up to his height, if not bigger. His wingspan won’t help, but maybe he’s a better version of Luke Kennard.
6. Washington Wizards
VJ Edgecombe | 6-4 guard | 19 years old | Baylor
Edgecombe falls to the Wizards here, and it could be a lot of fun. They still don’t have the guy to build around in this scenario. Maybe if Johnson falls there, you could talk yourself into him as a scorer. But now you’re talking about a young core of Alex Sarr, Bub Carrington, Bilal Coulibaly, Kyshawn George and Edgecombe. If you can’t sell fans on tapping in to watching them develop on the court, you simply can’t sell. Edgecombe is a ridiculous athlete; he can shoot the ball, and he’s a solid playmaker.
Advertisement
7. New Orleans Pelicans
Derik Queen | 6-9 big | 20 years old | Maryland
Joe Dumars has taken over the Pelicans. There is an undersized big man — who might not be able to stretch the floor at the NBA level — with a lot of skill to entice you. Ideally, you’d play him next to a proper center and watch them grow together. Instead, it looks like the Pelicans would be playing him next to Zion Williamson for now. I can’t think of a more Dumars way for him to put his stamp on the start of this era. Queen is good. He just wouldn’t be the fit I’m looking for here.
8. Brooklyn Nets
Asa Newell | 6-9 forward | 19 years old | Georgia
The Nets need some potential stars, and they miss out a bit here by landing at No. 8. While some may assume Jeremiah Fears could be the guy for them because of his lead guard and scoring abilities, they should swing for the fences with Newell. Maybe he’s still available at No. 19 when they pick again (they have four picks in the first round), but I’d gamble here. He has the potential to defend, and he’s high energy. He’s a bit of a development project, but there’s a lot to mine.
9. Toronto Raptors
Jeremiah Fears | 6-3 guard | 18 years old | Oklahoma
I love this pick for a few reasons. 1) You could maybe see it moved in a play for Giannis Antetokounmpo if Masai Ujiri were so bold. 2) It could also make him the lead guard of the future if Immanuel Quickley is part of the package moved in a potential Giannis deal. 3) I think it’s good to have Fears to push Quickley in general. Yes, Quickley has a massive contract, but he’s also a bit injury-prone, and I think it’s good to have a young player to spark some competition with more established veterans. You can also play them together against smaller lineups. Fears is a tremendous scorer and weapon.
10. Houston Rockets (via Phoenix)
Kasparas Jakučionis | 6-5 lead guard | 19 years old | Illinois
I’ll fully admit I was not a Reed Sheppard guy at Kentucky and didn’t understand the hype of him being a third pick in last year’s draft. Maybe I’ll be proven wrong about that, and he will find a way to make an impact. This Rockets team could use his shooting. I’ll keep that string going here by choosing another guard I’m not sold on. Jakučionis is a big lead guard with a lot of skills, but he could really struggle to get separation to show those skills in the NBA.
Kasparas Jakučionis drives to the basket against Tennessee Volunteers guard Chaz Lanier. (Ron Johnson / Imagn Images)
11. Portland Trail Blazers
Joan Beringer | 6-10 big | 19 years old | Cedevita
It is a bit of a stretch to take Beringer this high, but I think he’s a perfect fit for what the Blazers could need. We’ve seen Chauncey Billups get through to this group defensively, and Portland had success on that end of the floor throughout the second half of the season. Beringer has a 7-foot-3 wingspan, he’s super athletic and has great hands around the basket on both ends. He’d be a good change of pace to throw in the mix with Donovan Clingan, and I’d love to see him work with Scoot Henderson in the pick-and-roll.
12. Chicago Bulls
Ace Bailey | 6-8 wing | 18 years old | Rutgers
You were probably wondering whether I forgot about Bailey. Absolutely not! There are some draft nights in which a player falls for odd reasons, and it invites some very intriguing chaos. We saw it with Cam Whitmore falling to the Rockets at No. 20 in 2023. I’m wondering if Bailey measuring at 6-7 1/2 without shoes after everybody thought he was 6-10 at Rutgers is going to impact his draft stock. It very well could. Enough to fall all the way down here? That seems dramatic, but I could see him taking a bit of a dive if a team like the Sixers isn’t sold on him helping it win now, or if Charlotte or Washington believe he doesn’t fit with their wings. He projects now as a wing rather than a 6-10 scoring forward. It doesn’t sound like a huge difference, but it could be.
13. Atlanta Hawks (via Sacramento)
Carter Bryant | 6-7 wing | 19 years old | Arizona
One of the bigger mysteries in this draft is Bryant, whom I’ve heard plenty of people be torn on. Some think he could be one of the gems of the late lottery. Some think his NBA future is entirely dependent on where he ends up for his development. He might be able to shoot at the NBA level. He might be able to playmake. Regardless, he should be good at defending. This feels like a Hawks player for Quin Snyder and his group to work on.
Advertisement
14. San Antonio Spurs (via Atlanta)
Noa Essengue | 6-9 forward | 18 years old | Ratiopharm Ulm
Essengue doesn’t have a great wingspan (6-11), but he’s still a forward with good size and the potential to stretch the floor. Remember, in this scenario, the pick is headed to Dallas as part of the Cooper Flagg trade. Maybe you forgot about it as you scrolled down, and this just made you mad all over again. I understand, but such is life. Essengue is a project, and Dallas could really benefit from him down the road if he develops.
15. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Miami)
Collin Murray-Boyles | 6-7 wing | 20 years old | South Carolina
The rich just keep getting richer. Murray-Boyles projects as a potential top-10 pick, but in this mock, he’s falling to OKC. He’s the perfect guy for the Thunder to develop. Murray-Boyles is a dynamite defender, and we know the Thunder don’t really have guys who can’t excel on that end of the floor. He’s a good playmaker and a fantastic rebounder. I would imagine the Thunder’s magic development will get him an outside shot, and we’ll continue to wonder how they keep stockpiling these players.
16. Orlando Magic
Egor Demin | 6-8 wing | 19 years old | BYU
A tall guard who can’t shoot? He’ll fit right in with the Magic! Orlando gets to keep its love of size on the perimeter moving ahead, and Demin does have a tremendous feel for the game. His passing ability is the best in this class. He’s just not a good shot maker from the outside. The Magic will need to develop that, but he can see over most defenders, deliver the ball to Paolo Banchero and likely fit in with the team’s defensive concept because of his size.
17. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Detroit)
Thomas Sorber | 6-9 big | 19 years old | Georgetown
The Wolves’ frontcourt could change, since both Julius Randle and Naz Reid have player options this summer. We don’t know what either will do, but Reid picking up his $15 million option for next season seems unlikely. He can make so much more on the open market as an unrestricted free agent. Sorber gives the Wolves a replacement for either if they become too expensive to retain. He also gives Minnesota a more modern Rudy Gobert replacement at center, thanks to his 7-6 wingspan. Sorber falling out of the lottery would be ridiculous, but that’s mostly where he’s projected right now.
18. Washington Wizards (via Memphis)
Nolan Traoré | 6-3 guard | 19 years old | Saint-Quentin
There’s been quite a bit of buzz around Traoré and his pro prospects, thanks to France continuing to be a factory for NBA players. A year or two ago, it felt like Traoré might have been a lock as a top-10 prospect, but things have cooled off. He’d be a really good project for the Wizards to help fill some of the void at the lead guard position for the future. He would add to an already exciting young core of the Wizards.
19. Brooklyn Nets (via Milwaukee)
Nique Clifford | 6-5 guard | 23 years old | Colorado State
Part of me just wants to see Clifford and Cam Thomas exist on the same team. Clifford is a great scorer who could lead the second unit for the Nets right away. He’s already 23, so he has more than enough seasoning to step in and play now. He has good size, he can pass and he’s a good enough shooter from the outside. He might even get very comfortable shooting from the outside.
20. Miami Heat (via Golden State)
Cedric Coward | 6-5 wing | 21 years old | Washington State
Coward measured so intriguingly at the combine with his athleticism and wingspan that he decided to forego his transfer to Duke and stay in the draft. He has a 7-2 wingspan, which means he’s going to disrupt a ton at the NBA level. A shoulder injury ended his season at Washington State after just six games. He shot the ball well from 3-point range (38.6 percent on 166 attempts) the previous two seasons at Eastern Washington. He seems like the perfect type of Heat player to grab and put on the wing, but I do wonder if he’ll fall to the 20s.
Cedric Coward converts an easy 2 against Eastern Washington. (James Snook / Imagn Images)
21. Utah Jazz (via Minnesota)
Liam McNeeley | 6-7 wing | 19 years old | Connecticut
McNeeley is a very interesting prospect. He was a five-star recruit on that loaded Montverde Academy team with Flagg, Queen and Newell. McNeeley should be able to shoot at the NBA level, and as Vecenie has noted, McNeeley was good on catch-and-shoot 3-pointers. He’ll be a good secondary playmaker, and he’ll be great out in the open floor. I think McNeeley fits in perfectly in Utah.
Advertisement
22. Atlanta Hawks (via Lakers)
Danny Wolf | 6-11 big | 21 years old | Michigan
I was not sold on Wolf as an NBA guy at any point during Michigan’s season. He’s skilled. He can pass the ball. He might be able to stretch the floor a little bit. He’s a good rebounder. But I don’t see him as anything other than a backup big man in the NBA. That’s fine, by the way! Some view him as a fringe lottery guy. Wolf could be a really nice role player off the bench in Quin Snyder’s system.
23. Indiana Pacers
Ryan Kalkbrenner | 7-1 big | 23 years old | Creighton
The Pacers need to re-sign Myles Turner, and the rest of their centers are going to be free agents. Grabbing a big man with a solid skill set and great rim protection would be smart. They’ve been so desperate for this at times during the postseason that they’ve given minutes to Thomas Bryant and Tony Bradley. They could still bring back Turner and Isaiah Jackson while having Kalkbrenner in emergencies.
24. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Clippers)
Will Riley | 6-8 wing | 19 years old | Illinois
Riley is one of my favorite prospects in this draft and a big-time sleeper. He’s probably more of a second-round pick, but I could see a team like OKC grabbing him and turning him into a monster in the second unit. He needs to develop a consistent jump shot, especially off the dribble from outside. He’s another guy who can be very disruptive, even without a plus wingspan. The biggest problem here is that the Thunder may have to take an overseas guy to stash with their roster situation. But we don’t factor that in too much when hoping for chaos.
25. Orlando Magic (via Denver)
Walter Clayton Jr. | 6-2 guard | 22 years old | Florida
The Magic need a guy who can come in right away and make shots in the backcourt. Clayton fits that bill. He can playmake a little bit, but mostly he’s a big-time shot maker. He could play next to Jalen Suggs, Anthony Black or even Demin (we drafted him to Orlando earlier in the first round). I love Clayton as a prospect, and he might even be starter material.
26. Brooklyn Nets (via New York)
Hugo Gonzalez | 6-6 wing | 19 years old | Real Madrid
Scouts love Gonzalez as an active athlete, and he could really develop into a wrecking ball going to the basket. He has to develop some on-ball skills, so he’s a bit of a project. But this is the Nets’ third pick of the first round, with one more to go. They can afford to take their swings on an international prospect or two. He’ll be an instant fan favorite, though.
27. Brooklyn Nets (via Houston)
Noah Penda | 6-7 forward | 20 years old | Le Mans
Speaking of taking some swings, we’re giving another one to the Nets here with Penda. He can do a little bit of everything, and if he comes over right away, he should carve out some minutes in the second unit, depending on how aggressive Brooklyn is with its cap space this summer. We’ll see if he can defend multiple positions in the NBA.
28. Boston Celtics
Rasheer Fleming | 6-8 forward | 20 years old | Saint Joseph’s
Fleming is a perfect role player for a Celtics team that will need a role player who can be on the court right away. We know Boston is going to cut costs this summer. Assuming his jump in 3-point shooting in his junior year is legitimate, Fleming will be exactly what the Celtics want. He has a 7-5 wingspan, so he’s going to disrupt on defense. Boston having him on an end-of-the-first-round contract for the next four years would be huge for the bottom line.
Advertisement
29. Phoenix Suns (via Cleveland)
Jase Richardson | 6-1 guard | 19 years old | Michigan State
Richardson falling to No. 29 doesn’t seem likely, although the sudden realization that he’s 6-1 instead of the 6-3 he was listed at as a Spartan does affect the way he’s viewed for his NBA positioning. He’s barely lead-guard size, but his 6-6 wingspan does help recover some of that defensively. He’ll have to create, create for others and knock down 3-pointers. Whether he falls all the way down here or the Suns trade up to get him, we know Mat Ishbia’s Michigan State obsession means they’ll probably target Richardson, no matter what. Spartan up or whatever they say.
30. LA Clippers (via OKC)
Johni Broome | 6-9 big | 22 years old | Auburn
We saw in their series against the Denver Nuggets that the lack of backup size for the Clippers was an issue. Drew Eubanks and Ben Simmons were their backup center options behind Ivica Zubac. Broome isn’t a massive big man to throw in there, but he’s a physical guy and a big defender. He’s ancient by draft prospect standards, but that means he can play right away and be a very cost-effective option for a Clippers team very aware of its salary-cap situation.
(Illustration: Demetrius Robinson / The Athletic; top photos: Candice Ward, Patrick Smith / Getty Images)
