We are finally at the time of the Flight2K Draft! The Commissioner makes predictions on what each team will decide on doing, barring any trades. Our 14 Lottery Picks also include analysis on the predicted selection.
01 | Phoenix Suns
PF, Zion Williamson, Duke
An Easy Pick for the Suns to make, Zion is a franchise-changing superstar and will be a long-term piece alongside Phoenix’s young core with Devin Booker and DeAndre Ayton. That young frontcourt with back-to-back 1st Overall Picks is going to look VERY Scary in Flight, and the Suns future just got a lot more brighter (no pun intended).
NBA Play-Style Comparison: Hard to compare, too unique of talent.
02 | Detroit Pistons
PG, Ja Morant, Murray State
Detroit blew up everything this past season, sending Blake Griffin to Charlotte and Andre Drummond to Boston, and sending most of their core to various other teams. Detroit has the chance to start all over, and they decide to draft a franchise “Point God” in Ja Morant, who seems to be the next best pick. Detroit will have the most flexibility building around him than any other player, and this is a no-brainer as the Pistons celebrate getting a top-tier player.
NBA Play-Style Comparison: Russell Westbrook, John Wall
03 | Atlanta Hawks
SG, R.J. Barrett, Duke
The Hawks showed great signs this season, their rookie Trae Young was 2nd in the league in PPG, behind MVP Stephen Curry. It only makes sense that the Hawks give Trae more support, adding a versatile but raw talent in R.J. Barrett to the backcourt. R.J.’s ability has yet to show its full potential, but he should fit well playing alongside Trae Young in that potentially dangerous backcourt.
NBA Play-Style Comparison: Monta Ellis, Rudy Gay
04 | Chicago Bulls
SG, Jarrett Culver, Texas Tech
Tied for the worst record in NBA History at 9-73, the Bulls worst nightmare came true, they fell out of the Top 3. Luckily, this draft class has lots of depth, and they can still find talent at #4 in Jarrett Culver. He seems to be great when the ball is in his hands, and should be a good replacement for their recently shipped off SG, Zach LaVine, who killed it for Washington in their deep playoff run. The Bulls’ organization is definitely not trying to make that mistake again, as Culver provides Chicago the best opportunity to become an offensive powerhouse again with his versatility as a defender and his ability to create his own shot, rare for a player coming out of college.
NBA Play-Style Comparison: Jimmy Butler, Khris Middleton
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05 | New Orleans Pelicans
PG, Darius Garland, Vanderbilt
New Orleans has had their eyes on Garland all year, his stock has flown up and down throughout the season, but he’s been stabilized as a Top 8 Talent in this draft. It makes sense for the Pels to take a Guard here, as Jrue Holiday is in Charlotte now. Anthony Davis recently signed a 2-year extension, so the Pelicans have more time to surround AD with talent in order to make a deep run. Darius Garland is a great shooter and playmaker, and should have the best fit possible playing in New Orleans.
NBA Play-Style Comparison: Damian Lillard, Kyle Lowry
06 | New York Knicks
SF, DeAndre Hunter, Virginia
The Knicks could potentially make a huge move here whether it’s a blockbuster trade or selecting PG Coby White, but ultimately it seems they’ll make a safe choice by selecting the safest player in the draft, DeAndre Hunter. The Knicks team is very long (as in length), and Hunter would add to that dynamic with guys like Mitchell Robinson and Kevin Knox on the squad. They ultimately don’t end up choosing a Point Guard because they’re in good positions to sign either Kyrie Irving or Kemba Walker this summer. Hunter would be another addition to the forwards selected in New York, hopefully at his best, he could be a smaller Kristaps. At his worst, he’s still a very solid 3 and D player.
NBA Play-Style Comparison: Jae Crowder, Kristaps Porzingis
07 | Portland Trail Blazers
PG, Coby White, North Carolina
It’s hard to choose between Coby White or Cameron Reddish, but the Blazers are going to go with who they feel has more true potential to be a superstar. Coby White is nice 2-way guard who is fast, can defend and make efficient shots. After trading away Damian Lillard and then trading away Russell Westbrook, Portland decides it needs another Point Guard to fill their void, and Coby White seems to have the right résumé for it.
NBA Play-Style Comparison: Jamal Murray, Kyrie Irving
08 | Atlanta Hawks (via DAL)
SF, Cameron Reddish, Duke
Reddish would join his Duke teammate, R.J. Barrett, in Atlanta if this happens, which is nothing bad. Reddish’s size and length would help Atlanta bring more a defensive identity to their team and his shooting definitely keeps pace with the offense Atlanta has envisioned for the future. His game complements Trae Young well, and it seems likely that Atlanta brings them together. Cameron Reddish will see himself as potentially the most talented wing player on the team, and should fit well into their roster.
NBA Play-Style Comparison: Robert Covington, Trevor Ariza
09 | Indiana Pacers
SF, Sekou Doumbouya, France
Our first international prospect, Sekou Doumbouya didn’t exactly shine in France. He’s a very raw prospect that is clearly a risky project. However, the potential mismatches and the athleticism he can bring the table is a dream for NBA Teams, and the Pacers have clearly loved Sekou since the start. They decide to take a chance on him, and if they can progress him right, he has the potential to be a great.
NBA Play-Style Comparison: Paul George, Pascal Siakam
10 | Brooklyn Nets (via LAC)*
PF, Brandon Clarke, Gonzaga
The Nets traded away D’Angelo back to LA (but this time to the Clippers) and got this pick back. It’s hard to tell who the Nets want, but it can be assumed they want to go after Free Agents in the PG and SF positions. If that’s the case, we think they’ll pair up a Power Forward with Jarrett Allen in their frontcourt. They take Brandon Clarke, someone who has continually made progress offensively and could be a double-double machine in Flight. He has a lot of defensive versatility as well, which could give the Nets a huge boost in the category they didn’t do so well in last season.
NBA Play-Style Comparison: John Collins, Jonas Valanciunas
11 | San Antonio Spurs
SG, Keldon Johnson, Kentucky
This one doesn’t need an explanation. Although, Personally, it could be a better pick, the Spurs love Keldon Johnson too much to pass on him. Apparently they’ve sent representatives to every Kentucky game he’s played in, and spoke with Keldon and his new agent several times. Popovich even had dinner with Keldon Johnson, they ate apples as Pop taught him the Spurs way. KJ has seemed to like the idea of playing there, and this Pick is pretty much locked.
NBA Play-Style Comparison: Klay Thompson, Danny Green
12 | Miami Heat
SG, Romeo Langford, Indiana
The Heat game just one win short of making the playoffs this year, and with already nice depth on the forwards, they decide to go Guard on one of their most crucial draft picks in a couple years. Romeo Langford’s great form can mean big things for Miami, possibly even the second coming of Dwyane Wade. His decision-making does need to get better, but he just needs to translate his game into the NBA.
NBA Play-Style Comparison: Dwyane Wade, JJ Reddick
13 | New Orleans Pelicans (via CHA)
C, Jaxson Hayes, Texas
Hayes’ college stats aren’t necessarily eye popping, but with one lottery pick already, the Pelicans feel they can take a chance here. His ability offensively and moreso, defensively, in the paint is what really excels his game, along with his efficient shooting in the post. Pairing that up with Anthony Davis could lead to a killer team in the paint, along with earlier mentioned Darius Garland’s ability to stretch the floor. This Pelicans Offense can find some life.
NBA Play-Style Comparison: Clint Capela, JaVale McGee
14 | Atlanta Hawks (via UTA)
PF, P.J. Washington, Kentucky
A THIRD lottery pick by the Hawks in this draft alone gives the Hawks a nice young core around Trae Young. Already having drafted a SG and SF, they begin building a new frontcourt centered around the scoring big man, PJ Washington. His improvement has been well shown in the stat-sheet and he has great playmaking ability for a center. He’s a strong presence in the post, and could potentially be a star in the league if he continues to develop on defense.
NBA Play-Style Comparison: Marc Gasol, Nikola Jokic
15 | Miami Heat (via BKN)
SF, Rui Hachimura, Gonzaga
16 | Indiana Pacers (via SAC)
C, Bol Bol, Oregon
17 | Atlanta Hawks (via CLE)
C, Goga Bitadze, Georgia
18 | Detroit Pistons (via MEM)
SG, Kevin Porter Jr., USC
19 | Sacramento Kings (via ORL)
SG, Tyler Herro, Kentucky
20 | New Orleans Pelicans (via MIN)
SF, Nassir Little, North Carolina
21 | Sacramento Kings (via DEN)
SF, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Virginia Tech
22 | New York Knicks (via WAS)
PF, Grant Williams, Tennessee
23 | Orlando Magic (via MIL)
SF, Dylan Windler, Belmont
24 | Los Angeles Lakers
PG, Carsen Edwards, Purdue
25 | Cleveland Cavaliers (via HOU)
SF, Cameron Johnson, North Carolina
26 | Detroit Pistons (via GS)
PF, Mfiondu Kabengele, Florida State
27 | Golden State Warriors (via OKC)
SG, Matisse Thybulle, Washington
28 | Sacramento Kings (via PHI)
SG, Luguentz Dort, Arizona State
29 | New York Knicks (via BOS)
PG, Ty Jerome, Virginia
30 | Chicago Bulls (via TOR)
PF, Jalen McDanies, San Diego State
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