NBA Mock Draft 6.0: The latest projections with intel from the Draft Combine

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What a deflating ending to a tremendous season for the Pistons. After 60 wins, they were fortunate to get through the Magic — who were without their best player Franz Wagner and had a historically bad shooting performance to blow Game 6 — and then they couldn’t get through a shaky Cavaliers team in Round 2. The front office opted to sit on their assets at the trade deadline and wait until this offseason, a choice that could prove to be a mistake given windows can shut as soon as they open up. But the Pistons did make a move that shifted them up seven spots in the draft, which is why they’re choosing 21st instead of 28th. Finding more shooting and creation would be one of the priorities entering this summer, which makes Evans an appealing choice. Evans is the kind of shooter that defenses always need to worry about. 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. He’s still a perimeter-based player who needs to add more layers to his game to become a complete offensive talent, but the Pistons only need secondary creation alongside Cade Cunningham, not a primary creator.

The Sixers had an epic 3-1 comeback, got swept by the Knicks, and then fired general manager Daryl Morey. League sources say that Bob Myers has targeted a handful of candidates to help him run the front office: Clippers general manager Trent Redden has been mentioned, and some former Warriors assistants: Travis Schlenk, who is the VP of player personnel in Washington, and Onsi Saleh, the general manager of the Hawks. It’s considered unlikely that Atlanta would allow Saleh to speak with Philadelphia about the opening, but noteworthy nonetheless that the Sixers are shooting for the stars to find a replacement. As for this choice, finding a center to play behind Joel Embiid needs to be prioritized. Embiid simply cannot be trusted to stay on the floor. 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 be a dream fit alongside Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe for many years to come.

After selecting a guard in Brown in the lottery, now the Hawks can find a true center that can play next to Onyeka Okongwu. Moreno has an NBA frame at only 19 years old: 6-11, 243 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 Knicks are the favorites to represent the East in the NBA Finals, but with Mitchell Robinson entering free agency this summer it would make sense for them to bolster the frontcourt. As a freshman at Arizona State, Quaintance 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. 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. Much like Robinson, he’s also a borderline-hackable free-throw shooter. But he brings some intriguing skill as an open floor ball-handler too. The Knicks figured it out with Mitch, and maybe they could with JQ too.

The Lakers were obviously missing Luka Dončić this postseason. But the holes on this roster were still exposed. They need an upgrade at the center spot. And they certainly need another wing. Graves was a point guard before a late growth spurt, and the floor skills carried over when he sprouted to 6-8. He came off the bench at Santa Clara as a redshirt freshman and quietly became one of the most efficient producers in college basketball. He stands as the top-ranked player still in the transfer portal, so he could return to college, which wouldn’t be a surprise given he came off the bench, lacks great athleticism, and had some struggles against the limited top competition that he faced. But the analytics love him, and he passes the eye test with his elite feel for the game.

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. 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. Maybe he’d be so good that Jamal Murray becomes expendable — the Nuggets really don’t have too many other avenues to improve the roster.

As good as Neemias Queta was all year, the Celtics clearly need to upgrade at center. Maybe Reed could be that choice. 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 wasn’t all too comfortable on the perimeter as a shooter or defender. That story might have changed at the Draft Combine, though, since on multiple occasions Reed looked more nimble moving his feet outside, which could be the key to unlocking his potential.

Just look at how crucial Mike Conley still was 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. 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 has the tools to far exceed his draft slot. And Minnesota general manager Tim Connelly knows more than anyone how important those international hits can be to building a contender.

Congratulations to the Cavaliers for advancing to the East finals! After Games 1 and 2, Cleveland looked dead. After Game 6, Cleveland looked dead again. And then … a 31-point blowout on the road in Game 7? This team is weird. Dean Wade, Keon Ellis, and Larry Nance can all be free agents this summer. The draft could be a good time to add to that wing depth with a guy like Swain, who is relentless getting to the rim, creative as a finisher, and active enough defensively to project as a switchable wing. Swain played two competent seasons at Xavier, transferred to Texas, and somehow became the most efficient isolation scorer in the entire country. But the reason he lives at the rim is because his jump shot is genuinely terrible. He has stiff mechanics, bad percentages, and a reluctance to even attempt it that goes all the way back to high school. At this point of the draft, though, it could be worth the gamble for the Cavaliers.

Kayil is a 6-4 combo guard with a strong frame, a feel for the game that exceeds his youth, and the grit to become a high-level defender. He just became one of the youngest players to ever win the German League’s Under-22 Player of the Year, joining Franz Wagner and Dennis Schröder on a list that bodes well for his NBA prospects. He committed to Gonzaga back in October, but has decided to stay in the draft — a decision that surprised some scouts since he has yet to prove he can shoot consistently or run an offense full-time. The speculation around the NBA is that Kayil received a first-round promise. If it’s Dallas, the fit makes perfect sense pairing Kayil next to Flagg given how they can share the ball. And his size would allow him to play next to Kyrie Irving early in his career. Maybe Kayil will end up going much higher, though, because there’s no denying his upside.

31. New York Knicks: Tounde Yessoufou, 6-4, Baylor freshman wing

Yessoufou grew up in West Africa, moved to California at 15 speaking only French, and left four years later as the state’s all-time leading scorer, breaking a record that had stood since 2004. He entered Baylor as a projected lottery pick with freakish athleticism, a relentless motor, and the kind of physicality that makes scouts dream. But Baylor missed the tournament, and 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 improve his passing feel and defend at the level his physical tools suggest that he should. New York already has a deep roster, though, and with the first pick in the second round, it could be worthwhile to take a big swing.

32. Memphis Grizzlies: Koa Peat, 6-7, Arizona freshman forward

After selecting Boozer and Philon in the first round, Memphis lands a former projected lottery pick here with Peat. He’s someone who could fortify the bench unit and play as a 4 in lineups when Boozer plays the 5. Peat is 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. The concern is that he doesn’t really shoot, doesn’t create for himself off the dribble without assistance, and he’s not going to wow anyone as a vertical athlete.

33. Brooklyn Nets: Flory Bidunga, 6-8, Kansas sophomore big

Bidunga will transfer to Louisville if he goes back to college, but staying in the draft and heading to Brooklyn could be a good opportunity to anchor their young roster. He is a 6-8 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, 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.

34. Sacramento Kings: Amari Allen, 6-5, Alabama freshman wing

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. For the Kings, with Acuff at point guard in this mock, that’s a good thing. As a 6-5 wing, Allen does a little bit of everything without needing touches, rebounds like a big, and displays incredible defensive versatility. The concern is purely about his upside, since he hasn’t shown many star flashes. After not having a strong week in Chicago, there is a chance he heads back to school.

35. San Antonio Spurs: Ebuka Okorie, 6-1, Stanford freshman guard

The Spurs don’t need another guard, but it certainly wouldn’t hurt to add one more player that provides perimeter creation just in case De’Aaron Fox doesn’t age gracefully as he enters his 30s. Okorie is the best driving guard in the class, a 6-1 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. NBA teams will have to decide whether what carved up the ACC will survive against bigger, longer defenders.

36. LA Clippers: Joshua Jefferson, 6-8, Iowa State senior forward

After selecting a beefy guard in Burries in the lottery, here the Clippers pick a college veteran. 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.

37. Oklahoma City Thunder: Alex Karaban, 6-7, UConn senior forward

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. That’s the appeal for the Thunder: He can come in right away and contribute during his rookie deal. 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.

38. Chicago Bulls: Ryan Conwell, 6-2, Louisville senior guard

After selecting Wilson and Carr in the first round, here the Bulls grab a guard with the potential to be a major steal. 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 6-2 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. The question is whether the climb continues at the next level, when he can’t muscle his way to the cup or shoot over the top of smaller defenders the way he could in college.

39. Houston Rockets: Christian Anderson, 6-1, Texas Tech sophomore guard

Consider this Anderson choice as insurance for Reed Sheppard, who has certainly flashed upside but struggled in the playoffs. 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. That’s why he’s still weighing whether to return to school for one more year of improving his stock.

40. Boston Celtics: Billy Richmond, 6-6, 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. But if the Celtics are on the table for him, their player developmental system has done a great job of helping shooters.

41. Miami Heat: Ugonna Onyenso, 6-11, Virginia senior big

Erik Spoelstra doesn’t seem to trust Kel’el Ware. Maybe Onyenso would earn it. The senior big 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. In Miami, he’d have Bam Adebayo by his side to protect him.

42. San Antonio Spurs: Matt Able, 6-4, NC State freshman wing

This is San Antonio’s second of three Round 2 choices. It seems more likely the Spurs will consolidate these than use them all. But at this point it’d be hard to pass on Able, who has a strong 6-4 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 given his blend of skills. If Able doesn’t stay in the draft class, he is committed to North Carolina.

43. Brooklyn Nets: Milan Momcilovic, 6-8, 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 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 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 with so many ball-handlers on the roster, that shooting is precisely what the Nets need.

44. San Antonio Spurs: Nick Martinelli, 6-7, Northwestern senior forward

Martinelli is a 6-7 lefty who hunts mismatches in the post, uses footwork and physicality to compensate for his average athletic profile, and plays with a fire in his belly. He arrived at Northwestern as a three-star recruit, got notably better in each season, and proceeded to become the back-to-back Big Ten scoring champion. There are no questions about his work ethic. The real concern is about whether he can adapt at the next level when he can’t feast on smaller players, and when he’ll be targeted on defense. But he has beaten the odds so far and will receive chances to prove he belongs in the NBA.

45. Sacramento Kings: Zuby Ejiofor, 6-8, St. John’s senior forward

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.

46. Orlando Magic: Tyler Tanner, 5-11, 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 under 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. Tanner didn’t help himself either after struggling in the Draft Combine scrimmages, so he could be better off returning to college. But maybe long term, Tanner can be one of the exceptions since he plays bigger than his body.

47. Phoenix Suns: Rueben Chinyelu, 6-9, Florida junior big

League sources say the Suns will explore trading into the first round in June’s draft. For now, this is their first selection. Finding a big could make sense with Mark Williams entering free agency — especially if that big can play alongside Khaman Maluach. Chinyelu could be a fit. He 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.

48. Dallas Mavericks: Jaden Bradley, 6-3, Arizona senior guard

Bradley is a 6-3 combo guard with a strong frame, a calm demeanor, and a knack for clutch moments. As the senior leader at Arizona, he won Big 12 Player of the Year, Big 12 Tournament MVP, and led the Wildcats to their first Final Four since 2001. There are questions about whether he can be a lead guard at the next level, but his connective passing, improved shooting, and gritty defense all give him the potential to play big minutes. For the Mavericks, they don’t need a true point anyway. Having a guy who can play with or without the ball next to Flagg is exactly the type of point guard the team would want for years to come.

49. Denver Nuggets: Baba Miller, 6-11, 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. These skills were all on display in both scrimmages at the Draft Combine, and it’s possible he goes even higher than this. The big issue, and the main reason why he has spent four years in college, is that he still can’t shoot.

50. Toronto Raptors: Felix Okpara, 6-10, 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.

51. Washington Wizards: Braden Smith, 5-10, Purdue senior 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. But the issue is the one every 5-foot-10 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 and will need to work his way up.

52. LA Clippers: Tyler Nickel, 6-6, 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 6-6 will get a shot to make it in the NBA.

53. Houston Rockets: Otega Oweh, 6-4, Kentucky senior wing

As a 6-4 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.

54. Golden State Warriors: Andrej Stojaković, 6-6, 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, he shockingly has a clunky jumper that needs a lot of seasoning for him to thrive at the next level.

55. New York Knicks: Tyler Bilodeau, 6-7, UCLA senior forward

Bilodeau was one of the most efficient stretch-4s in college basketball. With his 6-7 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.

56. Chicago Bulls: Richie Saunders, 6-5, 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. With less than ideal size and athleticism, he more likely projects as a solid role player. But he’s not a guarantee to succeed at age 25 after tearing his ACL in February, ending his four-year career at BYU.

57. Atlanta Hawks: Trevon Brazile, 6-10, Arkansas senior big

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 is already 23 and still projects only as a role player.

58. New Orleans Pelicans: Ja’Kobi Gillespie, 6-0, Tennessee senior guard

Gillespie spent two seasons at Belmont, transferred to Maryland for a year, then came home to Tennessee as a senior and helped lead the Volunteers to the Elite Eight. In the NBA, he projects as less of a lead guard and more of a spark plug who comes off the bench and fires jumpers and reliably runs the offense. with a quick-trigger jumper, a strong feel for running an offense, and a 38% career mark on NBA-range 3-pointers. He turned heads at the Combine by dropping 28 points in the first scrimmage, which helps ease concerns about his lack of size. The NBA’s track record with guards his size is the obvious concern, but anyone who shoots like Gillespie and processes the game at his level deserves a real chance.

59. Minnesota Timberwolves: Aaron Nkrumah, 6-5, Tennessee State senior wing

At 6-5 with a 6-10 wingspan, Nkrumah has the length to defend multiple positions, the motor to disrupt passing lanes, and a developing jumper. It was quite a journey to get to this point. He started his college career at Division III Nichols College, transferred to Division III Worcester State and won MASCAC Player of the Year, then made the leap to Tennessee State and became the Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Year while leading the Tigers to the NCAA tournament as a 15-seed. He got passed over for Portsmouth, earned a late invite to the G League Combine, and then scored 33 points across two scrimmages to earn a call-up to the NBA Combine, where he kept producing. He needs to still add some muscle and hone his jumper to keep rising, but nothing so far has stopped Nkrumah.

60. Washington Wizards: Izaiyah Nelson, 6-8, South Florida senior big

Nelson is a 6-8 athlete with a 7-3 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.

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