Michael Wyke/Associated Press
6. Orlando Magic: Keegan Murray (Iowa, PF, Sophomore)
The Magic could use a productive forward such as Murray, who can find ways to score off the ball by getting out in transition, cutting, shooting and crashing the glass.
7. Detroit Pistons: Bennedict Mathurin (Arizona, SG/SF, Sophomore)
Mathurin would give the Pistons lineup a jolt of explosiveness that Cade Cunningham and Saddiq Bey don’t. Still, the 6’6″ sophomore wing has emerged as a lottery prospect for his shot-making and budding pull-up scoring game.
8. Portland Trail Blazers: Jalen Duren (Memphis, C, Freshman)
Duren should interest a Blazers team with a struggling defense and set backcourt (assuming Anfernee Simons re-signs and Damian Lillard isn’t traded). Between his 7’5″ wingspan and leaping ability, he’ll give the guards an easy-basket target and the team a rim protector to move forward with.
9. Sacramento Kings: Shaedon Sharpe (Kentucky, SG, Freshman)
Sharpe should be interchangeable between the 2 and 3 and appear attractive to Sacramento for his athleticism and shooting between De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis.
10. Washington Wizards: Jeremy Sochan (Baylor, PF, Freshman)
Though loaded with forwards, the Wizards need more defensive-minded players for their rotation. Sochan may be the draft’s most unique two-way player with his versatility to make shots, pass, score off the ball and guard all five positions.
11. New York Knicks: Johnny Davis (Wisconsin, SG, Sophomore)
Davis would give the Knicks another shot-creator and scorer, while his toughness and knack for making shots in big moments should suit him well for New York’s spotlight.
12. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Clippers): Mark Williams (Duke, C, Sophomore)
After drafting Paolo Banchero, the Thunder could target his frontcourt college partner after the duo led Duke to the Final Four. Williams would give OKC an imposing presence around the rim with his 7’7″ wingspan for finishing and shot-blocking.
13. Charlotte Hornets: Dyson Daniels (G League Ignite, PG/SG, 2003)
Though the Hornets’ 2021 lottery pick didn’t play much as a rookie, Charlotte could still target Daniels for his superior playmaking and defense to James Bouknight.
14. Cleveland Cavaliers: Ochai Agbaji (Kansas, SG/SF, Senior)
The Cavaliers don’t have any glaring positional needs, so they could just target Agbaji for an always useful combination of shooting and defense.