Uncertain top five starting to take shape – Sportsnet.ca

For all the confusion that has preceded the NBA Draft, for all the juggling of names belonging in the top five and debate about how middling or bad this class might be, things have started to even themselves out in the hours before the annual event. 

Though there may not be a consensus top guy like Victor Wembanyama last year, it’s become a two-horse race between two other Frenchmen with Zaccharie Risacher and Alex Sarr landing the presumptive top two spots. Past that though is anyone’s guess.

To best come to a conclusion in a truly “beauty is in the eye of the beholder” process, we put together a consensus mock draft, aggregating selections from around the web.

Players will be assigned to particular teams based on where mocks most commonly put them. Though rumours have swirled surrounding potential trades into the top-three picks, we won’t include any presumptive moves and will be sticking with the draft order as it was laid out on Wednesday. 

Results have been aggregated from The Ringer, The Athletic, ESPN, CBS Sports, Yahoo Sports and USA Today.

1. Atlanta Hawks: Zaccharie Risacher, F, JL Bourg (France) — 19 years old, 6-foot-8, 195 pounds

Highest ranking: 1, Lowest ranking: 1

It’s become a forgone conclusion that Risacher is set to be the first overall pick barring the possibility of a trade up to the top spot. But as it stands, the Hawks are set to add the best 3-and-D prospect in the draft, one that can fit on the team regardless of direction.

2. Washington Wizards: Alex Sarr, C, Perth Wildcats (Australia) — 19 years old, 7 feet, 224 pounds

Highest ranking: 2, Lowest ranking: 2

After declining workouts with Atlanta, the player many looked at as the top guy in the draft will likely be on his way to Washington. Sarr has all the athletic tools you look for in a centre prospect and has shown a willingness to evolve to the modern NBA by working on his 3-point shot despite not hitting at the best rate. 

3. Houston Rockets: Reed Sheppard, G, Kentucky — 20 years old, 6-foot-1, 182 pounds

Highest ranking: 3, Lowest ranking: 3

Sheppard was one of the most shocking risers this season after coming into the year at Kentucky as a four-star recruit. However, the short-but-sparky guard made a ton of noise coming off the bench, hitting a ridiculous 52.1 per cent of his 3-pointers while playing some scrappy defence despite his stature. 

4. San Antonio Spurs: Stephon Castle, G, UConn — 19 years old, 6-foot-5, 210 pounds

Highest ranking: 4, Lowest ranking: 6

The Spurs will finally start to put together their core around Wembanyama by taking perhaps the best defender in the class in Castle. The long, rangy guard should fit well into the modern, positionless NBA and though his shot isn’t quite there yet, his 75.5 per cent rate from the charity triple suggests there’s room to grow.

5. Detroit Pistons: Matas Buzelis, F, G League Ignite — 19 years old, 6-foot-8, 197 pounds

Highest ranking: 4, Lowest ranking: 8

It’s been a brutal go at things for the Pistons in the Draft Lottery but in this go-around, they get a guy that fits their team needs well without stepping on toes. Buzelis is a creative ball-handler and shot-creator for his size, particularly in the mid-range, but will need to improve his long ball. 

6. Charlotte Hornets: Donovan Clingan, C, UConn — 20 years old, 7-foot-1, 282 pounds

Highest ranking: 5, Lowest ranking: 7

The best rim protector in this draft, Clingan’s range seems to be from the fifth to the seventh pick after the big man won back-to-back titles with the Huskies. With the Hornets, he’d pair with Mark Williams to form a formidable shot-blocking frontcourt and give Charlotte a proven winner.

7. Portland Trail Blazers: Cody Williams, F, Colorado — 19 years old, 6-foot-7, 178 pounds

Highest ranking: 5, Lowest ranking: 9

The brother of Thunder standout Jalen Williams, Cody came into this past college season as a five-star prospect and the fourth-best recruit in the country. Though he wasn’t outstanding at Colorado, his size, positional versatility and blossoming ability as a point forward could help him carve out a role for the wing-bereft Blazers.

8. San Antonio Spurs: Tidjane Salaun, F, Cholet (France) — 18 years old, 6-foot-9, 203 pounds

Highest ranking: 8, Lowest ranking: 14

Salaun flashed some serious potential in the Champions League, averaging 10.1 points and 4.0 rebounds in limited action. As one of the youngest players in the draft, he’s still extremely raw, but his long frame and 89.3 per cent free throw rate project him as a solid piece to help develop alongside Wembanyama. 

9. Memphis Grizzlies: Dalton Knecht, F/G, Tennessee — 23 years old, 6-foot-5, 212 pounds

Highest ranking: 6, Lowest ranking: 12

With the Grizzlies trying to recuperate after a lost year, they’ll want someone proven at the wing who can pour in points from all levels. Knecht can be that guy for them as the veteran SEC standout averaged a ridiculous 25.5 points in conference games while hitting 42.4 per cent of his 3-point looks.

10. Utah Jazz: Nikola Topic, G, Crvena Zvezda (Serbia) — 18 years old, 6-foot-6, 203 pounds

Highest ranking: 10, Lowest ranking: 18

Topic looked like a lock to go in the top five until he suffered a torn ACL in Europe. That’s why the Jazz selecting him here makes sense. Taking Topic and letting him heal for the next season would be a great investment for a front office with time on their hands.

11. Chicago Bulls: Ron Holland, F, G League Ignite — 18 years old, 6-foot-7, 197 pounds

Highest ranking: 7, Lowest ranking: 13

It’s been hard to evaluate G League Ignite guys, with the program maybe letting guys play a bit too free. That seems the same for Holland. Though he scored 19.5 points a game, it was on .445/.240/.767 splits. The skills are clearly there though, and getting a high-ceiling player like Holland should be what the Bulls need as they transition to a new era.

12. Oklahoma City Thunder: Carlton ‘Bub’ Carrington, G/F, Pittsburgh — 18 years old, 6-foot-4, 195 pounds

Highest ranking: 12, Lowest ranking: 23

Carrington’s got a wide range in this draft but it isn’t without reason that the Thunder could covet the guard, as his scoring ability would pair nicely with last year’s first-rounder Cason Wallace off the bench. He closed out his freshman year on a heater, scoring 18.8 a game on 47.6 per cent from the field over his last six games.

13. Sacramento Kings: Devin Carter, G, Providence — 22 years old, 6-foot-2, 193 pounds

Highest ranking: 8, Lowest ranking: 13

Carter has been a favourite of many throughout this process, as the guard excelled at the end of the collegiate season and carried that into the combine and workouts. He’s an absolute hound on defence and was third in the Big East in rebounding (8.7 per game) despite his short stature.

14. Portland Trail Blazers: Zach Edey, C, Purdue — 22 years old, 7-foot-4, 299 pounds

Highest ranking: 12, Lowest ranking: 19

What hasn’t been said about Edey’s prowess at the collegiate level? To that end, what hasn’t been said about concerns surrounding his potential fit in the NBA? Those worries could be suppressed in Portland as he’ll get to suit up alongside another big in Deandre Ayton and allow the former first-overall pick to roam more as a forward. Without a clear way forward on offence for the Blazers, Edey could also be that big piece in the middle they funnel the ball to. 

15. Miami Heat: Jared McCain, G, Duke — 20 years old, 6-foot-2, 203 pounds

Highest ranking: 14, Lowest ranking: 18

More than just a TikTok sensation, McCain is an absolute flamethrower from long range, backed by his 41.4 per cent hit-rate last season at Duke. Probably the best all-around shooter in this class, McCain excels off the catch, off the bounce and basically off any action you run him in. Erik Spoelstra should find creative ways to use him. 

16. Philadelphia 76ers: Rob Dillingham, G, Kentucky — 19 years old, 6-foot-1, 164 pounds

Highest ranking: 8, Lowest ranking 16 

Maybe one of the biggest fallers of this draft, Dillingham came out of the collegiate season looking like a bonafide top-five pick but concerns about his size and defence have lowered his stock. If he falls to Philadelphia, however, this could be the steal of the draft. He automatically gives them the bench-scoring option they were sorely lacking last season. 

17. Los Angeles Lakers: Tristan Da Silva, F, Colorado — 23 years old, 6-foot-8, 217 pounds

Highest ranking: 14, Lowest ranking: 17

Da Silva is one of the older players in this class and that means he’s close to a finished product, perfect for a team that doesn’t want to develop guys in the years they still have LeBron James. He is one of the best two-way options in this class and has a replicable shooting form that should help him translate well to the next level. 

18. Orlando Magic: Johnny Furphy, F, Kansas — 19 years old, 6-foot-8, 189 pounds

Highest ranking: 18, Lowest ranking: 26

For years now, the Magic have loved to draft guys with positional size and length. Furphy fits that bill as a high-IQ, athletic forward who excels off-ball and can knock down shots off the catch at a solid rate — he shot 35.2 per cent from deep in college.

19. Toronto Raptors: Ja’Kobe Walter, G/F, Baylor — 19 years old, 6-foot-4, 198 pounds

Highest ranking: 13, Lowest ranking: 19

The Raptors need all the help they can get, but let’s start with the offence with this pick. Walter provides the team with another movement shooter for their new, dynamic scheme under Darko Rajakovic. He’s not built to be a primary ball-handler and won’t have to be in the flow of this offence. But ask him to score off screens, handoffs or on drives and Walter is your guy. He’s also an on-ball hound on defence.

20. Cleveland Cavaliers: Kyshawn George, F/G, Miami — 20 years old, 6-foot-7, 209 pounds

Highest ranking: 17, Lowest ranking: 26

George, whose father is Canadian, would be much more of a complimentary piece for the Cavaliers with Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland still pencilled in to carry the offensive load. He’s a strong shooter, hitting 43.2 per cent of his looks in conference games at Miami and has room to grow after only blossoming late into his freshman year.

21. New Orleans Pelicans: Yves Missi, C, Baylor — 19 years old, 6-foot-11, 229 pounds

Highest ranking: 21, Lowest ranking: 28

The Pelicans appear set to lose Jonas Valanciunas in free agency, possibly for the best as his fit alongside Zion Williamson was never perfect. Missi, meanwhile, provides the defensive acumen and rim protection they’re looking for while bringing in another freak athlete and lob threat to pair with the always-explosive Williamson. 

22. Phoenix Suns: Tyler Kolek, G, Marquette — 23 years old, 6-foot-1, 197 pounds

Highest ranking: 15, Lowest ranking: 27

Kolek was the best point guard in college last season. He’s a gifted playmaker, finishing with the most assists in the Big East and hitting threes at a 38.8 per cent rate. He’ll help solve the Suns’ depth issue and give them a steady guy to run their bench unit. 

23. Milwaukee Bucks: Kel’el Ware, C, Indiana — 20 years old, 7-feet, 230 pounds

Highest ranking: 17, Lowest ranking: 26

A former five-star recruit, Ware had to transfer to Indiana to unlock his full potential. After putting up 15.9 points, 9.9 rebounds and 1.9 blocks last season, he rebuilt his draft stock and could now slot in as the guy to pick up Brook Lopez’s mantle when he elects to move on from Milwaukee. 

24. New York Knicks: Ryan Dunn, F/G, Virginia — 21 years old, 6-foot-6, 214 pounds

Highest ranking: 22, Lowest ranking: 33

The Knicks may have just swung a blockbuster deal for Mikal Bridges, but you can never truly have enough hard-nosed defensive wings in today’s NBA. One of the best defensive guys in this class, the positionally versatile Dunn averaged a ridiculous 1.3 steals and 2.3 blocks per game for Virginia last season.

25. New York Knicks: Terrence Shannon Jr., G/F, Illinois — 23 years old, 6-foot 6, 220 pounds

Highest ranking: 24, Lowest ranking: 30

Now to address the other side of the ball. Shannon has the same sort of motor and drive the Knicks tend to covet from their more defensive guys, but is a much more electric scorer who averaged 23.0 per game in his final college season. The Knicks weren’t fast on offence and didn’t run a ton in transition, but Shannon could give them that spark they need. 

26. Washington Wizards: Isaiah Collier, G, USC — 19 years old, 6-foot-3, 205 pounds

Highest ranking: 15, Lowest Ranking: 26

Collier didn’t exactly play below his expectations, but he certainly didn’t exceed them, averaging 16.3 points, 2.9 rebounds and 4.3 assists for a poor USC team. But the Wizards are the right team to be drafting for potential here, as Collier will have a margin for error on a team without real expectations for him to succeed in year one. 

27. Minnesota Timberwolves: Cam Christie, G, Minnesota — 18 years old, 6-foot-5, 190 pounds

Highest ranking: 26, Lowest ranking: 36

The Timberwolves love their two-way wings and Christie, who they had right in their backyard during his freshman year, fits that bill. A late riser like his brother Max, Christie is a solid shooter, hitting 39.1 per cent of his shots, and has the length to compete and switch onto guys.

28. Denver Nuggets: DaRon Holmes II, C/F, Dayton — 21 years old, 6-foot-9, 236 pounds

Highest ranking: 21, Lowest ranking: 28

The Nuggets have needed a proper backup to Nikola Jokic for a couple of seasons now and Holmes might be that guy. Holmes has a versatile shot profile, capable of spacing it out or going up to finish a lob, giving the always-exciting offence even more options moving forward. He’s also a solid rim protector, swatting 2.1 shots per game in his junior season. 

29. Utah Jazz: Kyle Filipowski, C, Duke — 20 years old, 6-foot-11, 230 pounds

Highest ranking: 22, Lowest ranking: 31

Questions about Filipowski’s defensive acumen were somewhat quelled after a solid sophomore season at Duke, but he isn’t an athletic guy, so whatever improvements he may have made may still not be enough for the bigger and faster NBA. However, his abilities as a floor-spacing big are there, and putting him alongside someone like Lauri Markkanen in a five-out offence could be a sight. 

30. Boston Celtics: Baylor Scheierman, G, Creighton — 23-years-old, 6-foot-6, 202 pounds

Highest ranking: 27, Lowest ranking: 33

Scheierman would give the reigning champs yet another steady 3-point shooting option off the bench alongside Sam Hauser. One of the oldest guys in the draft, the former Creighton standout showcased a solid feel for the game over his five collegiate seasons and should be able to step in on day one for Boston.