There are a few caveats that none of us know anything about, such as Porter's medicals, Mitchell Robinson (and his promise), and teams trading up to select one particular player so I'm not necessarily "mocking" this draft based on team selection only posting my draft order without factoring in team needs, system or any of those other variables. Many picks I see as interchangeable based on system or where the team drafting is today, like Trae Young vs Collin Sexton or JJJ vs Wendell, and I will note them as such. Yes, I like some guys much more than the mocks or general public and aren't as high as some who I feel are overhyped based on what I project them to be so here goes...…..
1. Marvin Bagley
2. Mo Bamba
3. DeAndre Ayton
4. Kevin Knox (want to have him at 3 so bad here, it's close)
5a. Wendell Carter
5b. Jaren Jackson
7. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (made for todays NBA)
8. Mikal Bridges
9a. Trae Young
9b. Collin Sexton
11. Luka Doncic
12. Michael Porter (I'd need clean meds to go higher and the new hip injury doesn't help me here)
My 1/2 have been rock solid for awhile with a gap to 3 but not an enormous one. I've been an Ayton guy forever but his stiffness and motor give me pause as to his ceiling. After 12 though is where I see the most significant dropoff.
13. Troy Brown (I'd have loved to find a way to get him into my top-12 but like Knox I can't do it, he's my Dejounte of two years ago and a steal this summer)
14. Kevin Huerter (this is where you begin looking at role players with specific elite skills along with fliers and this kid can hold his own more than just shooting)
15. Jerome Robinson
16. Zhaire Smith
17. Josh Okogie
18. Lonnie Walker
19. Keita Bates-Diop (he could have immediate 2nd unit impact on the right team)
20. Miles Bridges
21. Robert Williams (where would you pick Stromile Swift?)
22. Jalen Brunson
23. Aaron Holiday (love how he gets to his spot with the ball)
24. Chandler Hutchison (so smooth and a late bloomer)
25. Anfernee Simons
* 26. Jarred Vanderbilt (if i'm a contender looking for a Jordan Bell/Powe-type scrapper he can contribute to that type of team in a specific role)
I have about 20 guys without much separation from 26-45 but I'm certainly not a fan of Shamet, Duval, Trent, or Okobo of that grouping. The Grayson Allens, DiVincenzo's, Evans, and Wagner are probably the best of that next bunch.