First-round mock draft: Can Sixers snag a player who helps right away? originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
Thirty players will hear their names called as first-round selections at Thursday night’s NBA draft in Brooklyn.
We guarantee the mock draft below won’t nail all 30, and that trades will happen. But, with the aim of exploring potential fits and some of the near-infinite Round 1 possibilities, this is our first-round mock:
1. Magic: Jabari Smith Jr., PF, Auburn
Smith has a beautiful jumper that he can shoot easily and efficiently in a wide variety of situations. We like the sound of him developing alongside young guards Jalen Suggs, Cole Anthony and RJ Hampton. Smith should also get good looks thanks to All-Rookie First Team selection Franz Wagner’s playmaking.
2. Thunder: Chet Holmgren, C, Gonzaga
Holmgren is similar to Oklahoma City’s Aleksej Pokuševski in that he’s a skinny 7-footer with guard skills. He’s clearly a better prospect, though. Holmgren is a tremendous rim protector (3.7 blocks per game) and has strong instincts on both ends of the court.
3. Rockets: Paolo Banchero, F, Duke
In his one college season, Banchero lived up to much of the hype, recording 17.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and 3.2 assists per contest. He’ll enter the NBA with a more polished game than Jalen Green, last year’s No. 2 pick. If Banchero heads to Houston, making quicker decisions and firing more catch-and-shoot three-pointers likely would be key next to Green.
4. Kings: Jaden Ivey, G, Purdue
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported last week that “there are a lot of teams trying to get deals done with Sacramento so they can move up to select Jaden Ivey.” We’ll say the Kings themselves are the team that takes the Purdue sophomore. No, the fit isn’t ideal, but Ivey plays with turbo-button speed and force that could be especially fun to watch in transition with De’Aaron Fox and Davion Mitchell.
5. Pistons: Shaedon Sharpe, Wing, Kentucky
Sharpe is an incredibly high-flying scorer who committed to Kentucky but never played for the Wildcats. Pistons.com’s Keith Langlois notes Detroit general manager Troy Weaver’s AAU background should be beneficial in assessing Sharpe. With a dependable core player in 2021 No. 1 pick Cade Cunningham, perhaps the Pistons will be bold.
6. Pacers: Keegan Murray, F, Iowa
After averaging 7.2 points as a freshman, Murray poured in 23.5 per night as a sophomore. Tyrese Haliburton would presumably…