NBA Mock Draft 5.0: The Wizards won the lottery! Here’s how every pick could play out now

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Oh look, another pick for the Thunder. They just keep coming! With such a deep, talented roster, they at some point are going to see roster turnover. Over the next two years, eight players will hit free agency. But the priorities won’t change: The Thunder at some point are going to see roster turnover. Surrounding Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will require the type of guys who don’t get the love nationally but are critical to playing championship basketball. That’s Morez Johnson. He transferred from Illinois to Michigan and became the connective tissue of the national champions as a 250-pound wrecking ball with surprisingly soft hands and the defensive IQ to guard 1 through 5 in a switch-heavy scheme. The catch is he’s not quite big enough to be a true center and not yet proven enough as a shooter to guarantee he spaces the floor. But even without a jumper, Johnson has a long future ahead of him.

With two top 20 picks, it’s a gift of an opportunity for the Hornets to bolster the roster around their core. Cenac checks every box on paper as a superb athlete who moves like a wing, has the length to alter shots, and shoots from the perimeter. Houston handed him a starting role with national title aspirations and trusted him with heavy minutes. But the Cougars fell short again, in part because Cenac struggled to stay out of foul trouble, couldn’t score efficiently, and was overeager to play on the perimeter despite having the body of a bruiser. He arrived in college with lottery expectations, and he still could become that player in the future. That’s the appeal for Charlotte: Take a big swing on a player who could have went top five in one year if he had decided to go back to school.

The Raptors clearly need two things after their Game 7 loss to the Cavaliers: A point guard and a center. Here, they get a center. Steinbach played professionally in Germany before enrolling at Washington, and he’ll enter the NBA with some readymade skills as an interior scorer and rebounder. He has massive hands that he uses to grab every possible rebound and finish effectively around the basket. He also showed legitimate touch on 3-pointers in flashes, which would turn him into a very different player if it becomes real. But he’s a bit of a modern tweener. He’s not a true 7-footer, and there are specific matchups where he gets targeted in space. He needs to be the right kind of center for the right team.

Allen landed at Alabama as the third scoring option, which is either a red flag about his limited ceiling or a positive preview of exactly how he’ll thrive in the NBA. It’s certainly a positive for the Spurs, who already have a megastar in Victor Wembanyama and a bunch of ball handling guards in De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle, and Dylan Harper. Those guys need to be supported by 6-foot-7 wings like Allen, who does a little bit of everything without needing touches, rebounds like a big, and displays incredible defensive versatility.

The Pistons are up 2-1 in the East semis, and if there’s one clear-as-day missing piece on the team it’s a secondary creator next to Cade Cunningham. Tobias Harris is having the playoff of his life, but he’s 33. The Pistons need a long-term answer after Jaden Ivey flopped. Maybe that’s Carr, who led Baylor in scoring, shot nearly 40% from 3 on high volume, and looked like a 3-and-D role player who also has blossoming skills off the dribble. With NBA genes in his blood, as the son of former player Chris Carr, Cameron has the skills to make it in the NBA. But at 175 pounds with not a ton of games under his belt, he’s going to get introduced to the NBA’s physicality in a way college basketball never did.

The Sixers had an epic 3-1 comeback and now trail 3-0 to the Knicks. The season is basically over, and they can’t even get this playoff without Joel Embiid missing games. Finding better bigs needs to be prioritized instead of relying on Andre Drummond to launch corner 3s. Veesaar is an agile big with actual shooting touch, connective playmaking, and baseline big skills with the ability to set screens and catch lobs. He also offers rim protection and is a locked-in help defender. In all three of his collegiate seasons, he made a massive leap in production each year. But he’s 225 pounds so his lanky frame can get pushed around, plus he still hasn’t fully defined his cornerstone skill. That’s OK in Philadelphia though. He could anchor bench units when Embiid is healthy, and potentially play a bigger role when he’s not, while serving as a key figure alongside Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe for many years to come.

After selecting Mara in the lottery, the Hawks can find a successor to CJ McCollum with this pick. Thomas has the confidence to “run for president,” according to Arkansas head coach John Calipari. You could see that on the court the way he never hesitated to fire, stepped right into the lead role when Darius Acuff was sidelined at Missouri to close the regular season, and willed Arkansas to the SEC championship game with 29 against Ole Miss. He’s a legit NBA shooter with deep range, a quick release, and creation juice off the bounce. But he doesn’t get to the rim, his shot selection drifts into hero-ball, and there are questions about how he’ll deal with NBA physicality. Still, in a ball-sharing offense he has the versatile skills to blossom.

The Knicks are up 3-0 and look on their way to the East Finals. But with Mitchell Robinson entering free agency this summer it would make sense for the Knicks to find a replacement. Suigo has said he wants to be the Italian Wemby and, at 7-foot-3 with passing feel and shooting touch, you can see why a teenager might put that out into the universe. Suigo lacks the handle and self-creation chops to ever be the best player on a team, but his dynamic skills as a passer, shooter, and lob threat layer cleanly on top of baseline center duties as a screener, finisher, and rim protector. Becoming the Italian Marc Gasol is a more realistic goal, and would still be an excellent outcome.

Down 3-0 to the Thunder, with Luka Doncic still sidelined, they never really had a chance. What’s clear is they can’t trust Deandre Ayton to be the anchor of this roster. After he gave up two offensive rebounds to the Thunder on a single play, head coach JJ Redick sat on the bench and said “I can’t play him.” True. Maybe the Lakers can’t find the fix in this year’s draft class either. But taking Quaintance would be a great effort. Quaintance is going to get drafted based almost entirely on what he looked like before his knee exploded. As a freshman at Arizona State, he was blocking everything in sight, showing defensive instincts and mobility that players his size aren’t supposed to have, and he was 17 years old doing it. That’s what the Lakers would be imagining if they take him. But then came the ACL, the meniscus, the fractured knee, the transfer to Kentucky, persistent swelling, and a shutdown for the remainder of his sophomore season. Now teams have to make a decision after 28 games of great defense with eyesore offense.

The Nuggets need some variety to their half-court offense aside from having Nikola Jokić initiate everything. Well, here’s a guy who could help. Stirtz feels the game at a different frequency than everyone else on the floor, and yet still makes scouts squint because he doesn’t look the part athletically. The question isn’t whether he can play though. After transferring from Drake to Iowa, he kept cooking with bull’s-eye passes, pump-fakes, and shooting touch off the dribble from NBA range. If he adjusts to the physicality and speed of the NBA, he could thrive as both a floor general and off-ball connector.

Yessoufou entered Baylor as a projected lottery pick with freakish athleticism, a relentless motor, and the kind of physicality that makes scouts dream. But when quality opponents took away his drives, there wasn’t much left in his arsenal. He’s still a shaky shooter, and he needs to defend at the level his physical tools suggest that he should. So the Celtics may need to be patient here, or maybe not given how quickly they seem to be developing young players. And it’s hard to imagine there being a higher upside pick here than Yessoufou, so it makes all the sense in the word for Boston.

Just look at how crucial Mike Conley still is to the Timberwolves in these playoffs. But he’s 38. And Ayo Dosunmu and Bones Hyland will both be upcoming free agents. The Wolves might need a guard. Anderson showed up at Texas Tech as the 101st-ranked recruit and has played his way into the first-round conversation behind dynamic pick-and-roll creation and knockdown perimeter shooting. He does a good job of creating easier shots for his teammates, but at his small stature he hasn’t shown a consistent ability to get to the rim with any regularity. And any small guard will always be a target on defense, so there’s a lot of pressure on his shot translating to the next level.

James Harden saved the Cavaliers on Saturday to make the series 2-1 against the Pistons. Cleveland still lacks the toughness that Detroit has. Peat’s bloodline is so loaded with offensive linemen that it’s almost funny he ended up playing basketball. And you can absolutely see it in how he plays: powerful, physical, relentless, and it genuinely takes something special to stop him from getting to where he wants to go. He opened the season with a 30-point game against defending champion Florida and backed it up as one of Arizona’s best players all year on its way to the Final Four. Peat could end up playing as a small ball center next to Evan Mobley, and if he figured out how to bang spot up 3s play with anyone.

After selecting Brown in the lottery, the Mavericks could still use more shooters around Flagg. Evans is the kind of shooter that defenses guard and think they’ve got him contained, then he uses a screen and catches it off a full sprint, moving away from the rim, and he somehow manages to rise into a perfect 3-pointer. He’s a legitimate sharpshooter with the off-ball chops to thrive without even running any offense for himself, and he also has a developing handle that could unlock more creation chances.

31. New York Knicks: Alex Karaban, UConn senior forward

After finding a center in Suigo in round one, the Knicks can now target more role players to support their stars. Here’s one some Knicks fans may know well. Karaban makes defenses pay the moment they relax on him. He relocates for a 3, cuts when nobody’s watching, and does everything efficiently. He’s a similarly high-effort, high-IQ player on the defensive end, which helps him overcome his average athleticism. But he’ll be 24 as a rookie, and hasn’t shown much upside. He rarely shoots off the dribble because of his funky mechanics. So if his role-player skills are slow to translate, his margin for error is narrower than for most.

32. Memphis Grizzlies: Ebuka Okorie, Stanford freshman guard

Even if the Grizzlies were to draft all guards in round one, the value here with Okorie is probably too good to pass up. Okorie is the best driving guard in the class, a 6-foot-2 jitterbug who manipulates defenders with a tight handle, sudden changes of speed, and an advanced feel for the game. He’s not an above-the-rim athlete, though, and not long ago he was a kid from New Hampshire who ranked outside the top 100 and committed to Harvard. Then Stanford found him, he flipped his commitment, and he proceeded to lead the ACC in scoring with eight 30-point games and a habit for hitting clutch shots.

33. Brooklyn Nets: Sergio De Larrea, Valencia guard

De Larrea is a tall playmaking guard with major feel and a knockdown jumper who thrives within team concepts. He suffered a dislocated shoulder that ended his 2024-25 season and removed him from draft boards, but it ended up a blessing in disguise since he returned with a bigger role and stronger production for a great team in the EuroLeague. With size, smarts, and defensive versatility, he could carve out a role in the NBA if his international skill can translate.

34. Sacramento Kings: Tarris Reed, UConn senior center

Reed is a throwback center who played at his best on the biggest stage on UConn’s way to the national title game. He does all the dirty work inside the paint as a finisher and rebounder and shot-blocker. But beyond his ability to screen and pass, he isn’t all too comfortable on the perimeter as a shooter or defender. So there are questions about his upside, especially since he’ll be 23 as a rookie.

35. San Antonio Spurs: Billy Richmond, Arkansas sophomore wing

Some of his in-game dunks are worthy of the Dunk Contest. He’s an explosive athlete who thrives at the basket and brings constant hustle as a multi-positional defender — he made the SEC All-Defensive Team as a sophomore. But in order to carve out a long NBA career, he needs to figure out his jumper. If he does, he could be a lottery pick. Richmond is currently testing the pre-draft process, so there’s a chance he returns to Arkansas.

36. Los Angeles Clippers: Flory Bidunga, Kansas sophomore big

Bidunga is a 6-foot-9 vertical weapon with bouncy legs, soft hands, and the defensive instincts to anchor the paint. He also has some switchability, which could make him highly valuable on defense. But he lacks the size of a true center, and he lacks any perimeter skill on offense. As a player who was born in Kinshasa, Congo, and moved to the United States as a teenager, he’s still learning the nuances of high-level basketball. So there could be untapped potential for the long term.

37. Oklahoma City Thunder: Tyler Tanner, Vanderbilt sophomore guard

Tanner enrolled at Vanderbilt as a three-star recruit, stayed off draft boards as a freshman, and then blew up as a sophomore. He became the kind of player where you’d watch him and think: How is nobody stopping this guy? He’s barely 6-feet tall, but he gets wherever he wants on the floor, makes reads before the defense has time to rotate, and then turns around and picks your pocket on the other end. His height is a concern, though, because the NBA has a poor track record with guards his size, especially when it comes to playoff basketball. But maybe Tanner can be one of the exceptions since he plays bigger than his body.

38. Chicago Bulls: Joshua Jefferson, Iowa State senior forward

Some players are drafted for their ceilings. Others for their floor. Jefferson lands in the latter category as a 22-year-old senior who spent four years in college getting better at everything to the point he’s a steady, high-feel forward. He can pass out of the post, make connective reads, and guard multiple positions. He just needs his shooting progress to prove to be real, and right now there’s not enough of a sample to be sure it is.

39. Houston Rockets: Malachi Moreno, Kentucky freshman big

Moreno is only testing the draft waters and could return to school. But he’s also a hot name since he has an NBA frame at only 19 years old: 7-feet, 250 pounds. He does the baseline things as a big man with above-the-rim finishing, hard-nosed rebounding, and stout rim protection. He also adds a layer as a passer, showing an advanced feel for the game and for manipulating defenders. It’s important for him to improve his touch as a finisher and as a shooter, but he’s in a good place for his age with skills that should be translatable to the next level. The Rockets need to add big man depth because it’s becoming apparent that Steven Adams can’t be relied on to stay healthy.

40. Boston Celtics: Ryan Conwell, Louisville senior guard

Conwell’s college career took him from South Florida to Indiana State to Xavier, and then to Louisville, and he got better at every stop. By the end of his senior year he was the leading scorer for the Cardinals at 18.8 points per game. He’s a stocky 6-foot-4 lefty with broad shoulders, no real first step, and exactly one dunk in four years of college basketball. But he’s a knockdown shooter with deep range and a bruiser at the rim who absorbs contact like a fullback. It felt like Boston missed having Anfernee Simons in the playoffs, which is the logic behind this choice after going with a wing in round one. But the Celtics are still in need of a center and in this mock didn’t come out with one.

41. Miami Heat: Milan Momcilovic, Iowa State junior forward 

Momcilovic just put together one of the most efficient shooting seasons in college basketball, draining nearly half of his 3s on over seven attempts per game. He also has a soft touch attacking closeouts and the discipline to stay in his lane by keeping the ball moving and not trying to do too much. The only real concern is the fact he isn’t much of a shot creator, doesn’t rebound much for his size, and will be an average defender at best. He has one skill that is genuinely elite though, that happens to be the most important skill in the modern league. And it’s one Miami needs after ranking in the middle of the pack in 3-point attempts and percentage over the last four seasons.

42. San Antonio Spurs: Matt Able, NC State freshman wing

Able has a strong 6-foot-6 frame as a wing to pair with a smooth jumper and a good feel for passing the ball. Even though he was inconsistent coming off the bench for NC State, he looks the part of a role player who could blossom into something much greater for the Spurs given his blend of skills. If Able doesn’t stay in the draft class, he is committed to North Carolina.

43. Brooklyn Nets: Zuby Ejiofor, St. John’s senior big

There are likely some Nets fans who are also fans of the Red Storm who are familiar with Ejiofor’s story and game. After Ejiofor’s freshman year at Kansas, Bill Self told him he wasn’t good enough to play major minutes on any Big 12 team. Three years later, he became the unanimous Big East Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, Tournament MVP, and Scholar-Athlete of the Year — the first player in the league’s history to sweep all four in a single season — and he helped St. John’s bounce his former team in the Round of 32 on the way to the program’s first Sweet 16 in 25 years. Ejiofor found success with foundational skills: motor, length, and defensive versatility. The question with Ejiofor is the fact he’s undersized for a center and his jumper is still a work in progress. But he’s developed enough to deserve a chance to figure it out in the league.

44. San Antonio Spurs: Rueben Chinyelu, Florida junior big

Chinyelu picked up basketball as a teenager in Nigeria, worked his way up through the NBA Academy Africa pipeline in Senegal, spent a freshman year at Washington State, then transferred to Florida and became the muscle behind a national title team. As a junior, he swept every major defensive player of the year award. The role he projects for is crystal clear: rebound, anchor the paint, finish lobs, and set the tone. The Spurs don’t necessarily need a backup center with Luke Kornet behind Victor Wembanyama, but Chinyelu would offer a different flavor in the rotation.

45. Sacramento Kings: Andrej Stojaković, Illinois junior wing

Stojaković is the son of three-time NBA All-Star and 2011 champion Peja Stojaković, and he certainly has professional DNA with his slick footwork and feel for the game. But unlike his father, who had his best years in Sacramento, he shockingly has a clunky jumper that needs a lot of seasoning for him to thrive at the next level.

46. Orlando Magic: Braden Smith, Purdue senior point guard

Smith left Purdue as the NCAA’s all-time assists leader, breaking a 33-year-old record. He’s arguably the highest-IQ player in the draft who could orchestrate an offense at the college level while also providing scoring off the bounce. Isn’t that exactly what the Magic need and were hoping to get from Tyus Jones? But the issue with Smith is the one every 6-foot guard faces: he isn’t a plus athlete, and bigger guards are going to hunt him the moment he steps on an NBA floor. That’s precisely why he is a projected second-rounder, but with so much length on the Magic it’s possible those concerns about Smith could be mitigated.

47. Phoenix Suns: Aiden Tobiason, Syracuse sophomore wing

Tobiason is a 6-foot-6 wing with a 7-foot-2 wingspan who finishes above the rim, racks up steals with his length, and shows the catch-and-shoot touch and connective feel to project as a 3-and-D wing. But his breakout sophomore year also featured a dip in scoring efficiency after playing a limited role as a freshman. He is testing the waters while transferring to Syracuse, so he could very well decide to spend one more year at school and build on the feedback he receives from NBA teams. But if he stays put, he has the personality that fits this gritty Suns group.

48. Dallas Mavericks: Milos Uzan, Houston senior guard

Having connective glue will be important as Dallas builds out the roster around Flagg, and Uzan is a high-IQ combo guard who knits teams together with his playmaking skills and defensive hustle. Those are the translatable skills that made him a fixture in Houston’s rotations for back-to-back 30-win seasons. But then there’s the nagging question about what he actually offers as a primary shot-creator and as a shooter. Uzan could’ve answered that question with a big senior season, but he didn’t take the leap that scouts hoped for.

49. Denver Nuggets: Richie Saunders, BYU senior wing

Saunders is a hard-nosed, two-way wing who plays with manic energy, hustling around the floor hunting for steals on defense and jumpers on offense. The team that gets him knows exactly what they’re gonna get out of him. He’s also skilled, though, with a quick-trigger jumper, soft touch on floaters, and a feel for moving the ball. That makes him an intriguing two-man game partner with Nikola Jokic. But he’s not a guarantee to succeed at age 25 after tearing his ACL in February, ending his four-year career at BYU.

50. Toronto Raptors: Ugonna Onyenso, Virginia senior big

Onyenso has bounced from Kentucky to Kansas State to Virginia, and finally found a home in Charlottesville where he turned into one of the most feared shot-blockers in college basketball. He had 21 blocks across three ACC tournament games, including nine against Cam Boozer in the championship. He lays a brick wall around the basket, though he has heavy feet when guarding on the perimeter and is still developing his offensive skill set. The Raptors need size though — that became apparent in their first round loss to the Cavaliers. Maybe Onyenso could end up filling that void.

51. Washington Wizards: Keyshawn Hall, Auburn senior forward

Hall has been to UNLV, George Mason, UCF, and Auburn, and at every stop he just keeps scoring as a 6-foot-7, 225-pound lefty wing by knocking down 3s and overpowering smaller defenders inside. But everywhere he’s gone, his defense has been shaky and his decision-making has left a lot to be desired. After bouncing through four programs without seeing those flaws get resolved, he’ll need to figure it out in the NBA. There’s certainly a lot of talent worth betting on.

52. Los Angeles Clippers: Otega Oweh, Kentucky senior wing

As a 6-foot-5 wing with a strong frame, Oweh became one of the best slashing wings in college basketball and had one of the great games of the season with 35/8/7 against Santa Clara in the opening round of March Madness with a buzzer-beater to force overtime. At the next level, though, he doesn’t project to be a primary creator because of his shaky handle and jumper, so the odds are he’ll need to adapt as a role player. Fortunately, he has a ton of those skills as a cutter, connective passer, and versatile defender.

53. Houston Rockets: Baba Miller, Cincinnati senior forward

Miller is a fluid athlete who grew up playing guard before a late growth spurt. He retained his perimeter skills given the way he can handle in the open floor and make advanced moves. He’s also an equally compelling defensive player who can switch across positions. The big issue, and the main reason why he has spent four years in college, is that he still can’t shoot.

54. Golden State Warriors: Tyler Bilodeau, UCLA senior forward

Bilodeau was one of the most efficient stretch 4s in college basketball. With his 6-foot-9 frame, he could bring real value with his size and spacing ability at the next level. But no one should mistake Bilodeau for Tyler, The Creator, since he rarely takes shots off the dribble or serves as a playmaker for teammates. He also struggles as a defender, which is truly the big question about his ability to make it in the modern NBA.

55. New York Knicks: Tyler Nickel, Vanderbilt senior forward

Nickel has a flamethrower jump shot that Vanderbilt used in a wide array of actions to consistent success all season long. The questions about him are the ones every specialist faces: Does he offer enough other than shooting? Will he survive defensively? But anyone who shoots like Nickel and stands at 6-foot-7 will get a shot to make it in the NBA.

56. Chicago Bulls: Darrion Williams, NC State senior forward

Williams is a broad-shouldered wing with the versatility to run point or do the dirty work as a power forward. A lack of top-end athleticism puts him in a role player bucket, but he brings winning qualities. During a stretch in which Williams was struggling to score, his college coach Will Wade said: “What’d he have? Six rebounds, four assists, zero turnovers. Everybody needs to shut the hell up about him. He’s a damn good player and the shot’s going to fall.”

57. Atlanta Hawks: Trevon Brazile, Arkansas senior forward 

Brazile was a projected first-rounder before tearing his ACL nine games into his sophomore year at Arkansas, and the next two years were spent rebuilding the explosiveness that made him a prospect in the first place. He finally put it together as a fifth-year senior with a career year by anchoring Arkansas’ defense. His long wingspan, explosive vertical, switchability, and perimeter jumper, all give him the potential to have a long NBA career. But at this point, he’s already 23 and still projects only as a role player.

58. New Orleans Pelicans: Izaiyah Nelson, South Florida senior big

Nelson is a 6-foot-10 athlete with a 7-foot-3 wingspan who feasts on lobs, rebounds in traffic, and disrupts everywhere on defense. He sets a tone any time he’s on the floor. After three years at Arkansas State, he followed his coach to USF and proceeded to put up one of the most decorated mid-major seasons in recent memory by becoming the first player in American Conference history to win Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, and Newcomer of the Year. Even though he lacks creation and shooting abilities, he made jaw-dropping plays at the Portsmouth Invitational, then earned an NBA Draft Combine invite, and now has a chance to go in the second round.

59. Minnesota Timberwolves: Felix Okpara, Tennessee senior big

Okpara knows his role as a player who protects the paint, runs the floor, finishes lobs, sets screens, and doesn’t try to be more than that. He spent two years at Ohio State, transferred to Tennessee, and helped take the Vols to the Elite Eight as their defensive backbone. He had four blocks in the Round of 32 with clutch defense down the stretch, then a 12 and 10 double-double in the Sweet 16.

60. Washington Wizards: Tobi Lawal, Virginia Tech senior forward

Lawal is a London-born forward with elite athleticism, but he didn’t start playing basketball until age 16 and it shows with his underdeveloped skills. He’s still figuring out his jumper and doesn’t do much off the dribble. But with NBA-ready hops and a strong frame, he has the tools to be a highly versatile defender who serves as a role player on offense.

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