Who Goes Where In The NBA Draft Lottery?

The NBA Draft Lottery is all set. The New Orleans Pelicans have the first pick. It’s a safe assumption they’ll be taking Zion Williamson. What about the rest of the lottery? How might the rest of the picks shape up?

1. New Orleans Pelicans-
Zion Williamson, PF Duke

This might be the most obvious pick in the last 10 years of Drafts. Many say Williamson is the best prospect to come out since LeBron James. While there are a couple of critics out there (myself included), the consensus is that the Duke alumni is a guaranteed superstar. Why wouldn’t the Pelicans take him?

2. Memphis Grizzlies-
Ja Morant, PG Murray State

Another obvious pick at the 2 position. The Grizzlies want to move on from Mike Conley, starting a massive rebuild. Morant enables them to do just that. He’s the complete package. A do-it-all guard that will help Memphis in every aspect of on-court play. Like Russell Westbrook, Morant is a walking triple–double.

3. New York Knicks-
R.J. Barrett, SG Duke

Here’s the first unknown pick. We don’t have a clue who the Knicks want. The easy money is on Barrett, who’s the best scorer in the draft. New York needs all the scoring it can get. If they can sign big name free agents, the added presence of Barrett gives them just that much more firepower.

4. Los Angeles Lakers-
Jarrett Culver, SF/PF Texas Tech

Like the Knicks, who knows what the Lakers will do. Many think they’ll package the pick. If that’s not the case, Culver is the best available. He’s able to play both small and power forward, and learn under LeBron James. He’ll need to fight Brandon Ingram for minutes, although, it’s not expected Culver or any pick the Lakes make, to be on the roster for long.

5. Cleveland Cavaliers-
DeAndre Hunter, SF/PF Virginia

The Cavs have a gluttony of frontcourt talent. Ideally, they could nab a two-guard, although, Hunter is a great pick when going for best available. He’ll start as the team’s 3, enabling Cedi Osman and Kevin Love to start as the team’s 4 and 5. The Cavs will rely on Hunter’s defense with this small ball lineup.

6. Phoenix Suns-
Darius Garland, PG Vanderbilt

If any team could have used Ja Morant it was Phoenix. They need a point guard in the worst way. While they might not get the best, Darius Garland isn’t a bad consolation prize. He sat out a majority of his freshman season with an injury, though, on the court he’s a dynamo. The pairing of Booker and Garland might finally give the Suns a backcourt to win some games.

7. Chicago Bulls-
Cam Reddish, SF Duke

A bit of a freefall here, Reddish is a top-5 talent. The Bulls have a viable frontcourt with Lauri Markannen, Wendell Carter Jr. and Otto Porter. Reddish will make for a great sixth man. He’s going to push the second unit, giving the Bulls a scary unit off the bench.

8. Atlanta Hawks-
Bol Bol, C Oregon

The Hawks need a big man. While they’ll have their shot at Jaxson Hayes, it’s not worth risking losing out on a player as talented as Bol. He did sit out most of the collegiate season, though, he’s worth the gamble, seeing as Bol might be better than his father was.

9. Washington Wizards-
Colby White, PG/SG UNC

With the injury to John Wall and the impending departure of Bradley Beal, White fills two needs for the Wizards. He’s a PG and SG, and can play both positions on the court. He’ll probably play a bit more SG, and that’s given him the edge over some other players in this range.

10. Atlanta Hawks
Romeo Langford, SG/SF Indiana

With the team’s second pick in the top-10, the Hawks take best available, Langford. The team has Kevin Huerter and Taurean Price at the 2 and 3, meaning Langford will be a valuable bench player. That’s unless the Hawks decide to bring Huerter off the bench as the team’s 6th man.

11. Minnesota Timberwolves
Sekou Doumbouya, PF France

Somewhat of a mystery player, Duombouya is the logical choice for a Wolves team that needs to add a PF. He won’t play right away, and maybe a project. In 2-3 years, he could be a stud. Paired with Karl-Anthony Towns, he’s the perfect addition to a team looking for a slight rebuild.

12. Charlotte Hornets-
Jaxson Stone, C Texas

Hornets simply make a “best available” pick. They need quite a lot, especially with Kemba Walker leaving (or damn near certain). Hayes might not be as gifted as Bol, however, he oozes potential.

13. Miami Heat-
Kevin Porter, SG USC

Porter is one of the draft’s best-kept secrets. The Heat need to find a PG, not so much a SG. However, they experimented with Justise Winslow and Josh Richardson at the point. Porter could create a great 1-3 with those two. His shooting will lend itself well to Miami

14. Boston Celtics-
Naasir Little, SF UNC

The Celtics will need to give up Jason Tatum in any deal for a superstar. Here’s the Tatum replacement. A true SF, Little was a very highly regarded recruit out of high school. Of course, if Kyrie leaves and the Celtics can’t deal for a star this pick could be different. In fact, this might not even be the Celtics picking.

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