Congratulations to the San Antonio Spurs for winning the Victor Wembanyama sweepstakes! The Spurs don’t tank often, but when they do, they get a franchise big man (see, David Robinson; Tim Duncan). In this second mock draft, we’ve updated the draft order to conform with the lottery results and added a player comparison – “In a perfect world, he develops into” – to give you an idea of the best-case scenario for each prospect. In later versions of the mock draft, we’ll probably dial back the optimism a bit, but for now, let’s assume every prospect develops into the best version of himself. After all, that’s what every fan dreams of on draft night!
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San Antonio Spurs: Victor Wembanyama
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In a perfect world, he develops into: A 7-foot-5 Kevin DurantÂ
With maybe the easiest decision in the history of the NBA Draft, the Spurs select the best prospect since LeBron James: Victor Wembanyama. The 7-foot-5 big man from France looks like Rudy Gobert on defense and Kevin Durant – if he grew half a foot – on offense. Like LeBron and Durant, Wembanyama should ascend to the top of the NBA quickly and have San Antonio set up to contend for championships by the end of his rookie contract. The Spurs have a some nice young complementary pieces like Jeremy Sochan, Keldon Johnson and Devin Vassell as well as a ton of cap space with which they can get a veteran point guard and/or big man to make Wemby’s life easier.
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Charlotte Hornets: Scoot Henderson
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In a perfect world, he develops into: Ja Morant (the player, not the wannabe rapper)
I am planting my flag in the Scoot Henderson is in a tier unto himself below Wemby camp. There’s been a push to make Brandon Miller the pick here for the Hornets due to his easy fit and because we simply haven’t seen much of Scoot since his battle with Wemby last fall. However, ignoring Scoot’s generational athleticism, passion for the game and competitiveness would be a huge mistake for the Hornets. Henderson projects to be some sort of blend of Ja Morant and Russell Westbrook. He could be a nice fit alongside LaMelo Ball as well because of Ball’s size and ability to play off-ball.
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Portland Trail Blazers: Brandon Miller
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In a perfect world, he develops into: A less athletic, more alpha version of Paul George
Although the Blazers have essentially put up a “For Sale” sign on this pick, we’ll pretend that they stay put and take the best player available. That player is Brandon Miller. Standing 6-foot-9, Miller has all of the makings of becoming a star wing scorer in the NBA. He can attack downhill. He’s got a silky smooth jumper (38.4 percent from three last season), he has solid vision and playmaking skills, and a sense of the moment. After a story leaked about his alleged involvement in a tragic shooting on Alabama’s campus, he had the best game of his career, dropping 41 points and making both the game-tying and game-winning shots in an overtime win on the road against South Carolina. Assuming his legal situation clears up and the questions about his character are adequately addressed, Miller would be a great fit with all of Portland’s sweet-shooting guards with his ability to space the court.
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Houston Rockets: Amen Thompson
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In a perfect world, he develops into: Gerald Green with point guard skills
A number of draft experts have said that Amen Thompson will enter the NBA as one of the best, if not the best, athletes in the league. The 6-foot-7 point guard and twin brother of another lottery pick, Ausar Thompson, took an unconventional route to the league through the Overtime Elite program and didn’t face the level of competition some of the other top prospects did. However, it doesn’t take much to envision him being a special rim-attacker in the NBA. Add in his playmaking ability and the Rockets could have a foundational piece for the next decade. The only issue in this equation is the Rockets inability the past few seasons to run a competent organization.Â
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Detroit Pistons: Ausar Thompson
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In a perfect world, he develops into: Gerald Green with a higher basketball IQ
While the Pistons are understandingly devastated by the way the lottery played out, they still end up with a potential stud wing in Ausar Thompson. Ausar Thompson is an incredibly athletic wing to build around for the future (along with Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey). Ausar has a similar build to his brother and, while he doesn’t possess the exact same explosiveness as Amen, he’s close. Plus, he’s a better scorer than his brother and probably a little more NBA-ready at this time.Â
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Orlando Magic: Anthony Black
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In a perfect world, he develops into: An even bigger Lonzo Ball
The Magic will have two lottery picks (nos. 6 and 11) thanks to the Nikola Vucevic trade and could very well package both to move into the top five (hello Blazers – could both picks, Wendell Carter and Gary Harris get them close?) If they stay put, Anthony Black could be a really nice fit with Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner because of the way his game should complement the two. At 6-foot-7, Black is a big guard who does a little bit of everything – he defends his butt off, he’s a ball-mover and playmaker, and he knows how to use his size to his advantage around the basket. Adding him into the mix of jumbo athletes the Magic have at most positions would create even more mismatches against opponents.Â
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Indiana Pacers: Jarace Walker
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In a perfect world, he develops into: Draymond Green
While there may never be another Draymond Green, Walker is probably the closest thing we’ve seen to Draymond proxy in a while. At 6-foot-8 and 240 pounds, Walker is strong enough to battle big men but quick enough to move laterally with guards. He also has a decent feel for the game on offense, so he could potentially be a nice pick-and-roll partner for Tyrese Haliburton. Assuming the Pacers don’t trade Myles Turner this offseason, Walker and Turner would pair nicely as their respective strengths would cover for one another’s weaknesses.
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Washington Wizards: Cam Whitmore
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In a perfect world, he develops into: A taller, more offensively-gifted Lu Dort
While I didn’t love what I saw from Villanova’s powerful small forward, Cam Whitmore, in college, his athletic testing was sublime – posting the highest vertical leap of the entire NBA Combine with 40.5 inches. He’s clearly talented and possesses serious NBA athleticism, but his lack of production on a blah college team makes me skeptical that he could be the type of franchise player a team hopes to draft when it picks in the top 10. Then again, a player with his kind of athleticism could develop into the type of stud that could help the Wizards break out of their rut. Plus, Whitmore is from the DC-area recently said at the NBA Combine, “Just know that the Washington Wizards still have a special place in my heart.” Maybe it could be a match-made-in-heaven.
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Utah Jazz: Gradey Dıck
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In a perfect world, he develops into: Righty Luke KennardÂ
Go ahead and bet the house on this one – if Grady Dıck is available for the Jazz at no. 9, Danny Ainge is drafting him. All jokes aside, Kansas wing, Gradey Dıck, actually makes a ton of sense here for the Jazz. He’s a great shooter (40.3 percent from three), he’s big (6-foot-8, 205 pounds), and he’s competitive as hell. If he hadn’t grown up in Wichita, Kansas, he would have one thousand percent played for Duke. He projects to be an ideal three-and-some-D wing in the NBA, and Utah’s best move is to continue to accumulate players like him that fit the modern, spaced-out NBA.
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Dallas Mavericks: Taylor Hendricks
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In a perfect world, he develops into: Cameron Johnson
After trading their best wing defender, Dorian Finney-Smith, in the Kyrie Irving deal, the Mavericks will almost certainly select a three-and-D wing here. UCF’s Taylor Hendricks project to be just that. As a freshman, the 6-foot-9 forward averaged 15.1 PPG and 7.0 APG with an impressive 39.4 percent three-point stroke. His length, athleticism and willingness to defend at the college level should translate well to the NBA. While he probably won’t be a star, the Mavs already have their two stars and simply need defense and shooting around them, and Hendricks checks both of those boxes.
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Orlando Magic (via Bulls): Jordan Hawkins
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In a perfect world, he develops into: A modern Richard Hamilton
The Magic need shooters. They were 25th in the NBA in three-pointers and 24th in the NBA in three-point percentage. Enter Jordan Hawkins. Anyone who watched him during March Madness knows that he’s got an absolute laser from deep – one of the purest jump shots you’ll ever see. The UConn sophomore, who averaged 16.2 PPG with 41-39-89 shooting splits, would be an ideal floor spacer for Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner and Markelle Fultz, and could develop into a JJ Redick-type of threat from the outside.
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OKC Thunder: Kobe Bufkin
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In a perfect world, he develops into: A lefty-Jordan Poole (the 2021-22 version)
Kobe Bufkin has been flying up draft boards as of late, and for good reason too – the kid has game. His shiftiness and ability to waterbug his way around the basketball court is reminiscent of a lot of young scoring guards to enter the league in recent years, like another former-Michigan player, Jordan Poole. The team that drafts him will need to be willing to let him learn through his mistakes to maximize his talent, but it should be worth it once he gets a feel for the speed of the NBA. The Thunder have the patience to develop any and all prospects with potential.
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Toronto Raptors: Cason Wallace
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In a perfect world, he develops into: Jrue Holiday
With Fred VanVleet set to be a free agent, the Raptors could very well be in the point guard business in this coming draft. Even if FVV stays, Cason Wallace could be the answer at the position in the long term as he has many qualities that Masai Ujiri seems to covet – he’s a rugged defender who has positional versatility. He projects to become something in between Kris Dunn and Jrue Holiday (the latter of which would be an absolute best-case scenario). Wallace would fit in well with Scottie Barnes, Pascal Siakam and OG Anunoby.Â
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New Orleans Pelicans: Keyonte George
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In a perfect world, he develops into: A more explosive CJ McCollum
With 31-year-old CJ McCollum starting to show some signs of age, the Pelicans may look to find a prospect with some scoring pop from the guard position. Keyonte George could easily be that guy at no. 14, but the Pelicans must develop him into a more consistent player. At his best, the freshman from Baylor could go off for 20-30 points, which he 12 times last season. But at his worst, he could score under 10 points, which he did 10 times last season. If Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram ever stay healthy at the same time, the Pelicans’ offense will put constant pressure on the defense, which will open up opportunities for a guy like George, who can create his own shot, to punish mismatches from the perimeter.
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Atlanta Hawks: Nick Smith
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In a perfect world, he develops into: Tyler Herro without a T-Rex wingspan
After another tough season, the Hawks may look to wash their hands of the Trae Young era and try to trade him for a less heliocentric star (or draft capital). If they do that, they’ll be light on guard depth. So why not take a big swing on a prospect with a strong pedigree who struggled during an injury-riddled freshman season in Nick Smith here? Smith was ESPN’s no. 3 prospect going into the season, but only played 17 total games and never got into rhythm at Arkansas. If he pops, the scoring guard could be a great combo guard to play alongside Dejounte Murray.
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Utah Jazz (via T’Wolves): Bilal Coulibaly
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In a perfect world, he develops into: Phoenix’s version of Mikal Bridges
The lesser-known teammate of Victor Wembanyama is one of the deep sleepers of the 2023 NBA Draft. With his decent size (6-foot-7) and absurd wingspan (7-foot-3), Bilal Coulibaly is a raw prospect with a ton of upside at the wing, especially on the defensive end. Though he only attempted 2.3 three-pointers per game this past season, he has a decent stroke as evidenced by his 35.7 percent conversion rate. He’ll be a bit of a project, but the right organization could develop him into a nice three-and-D wing. The Jazz have all the time in the world to develop players.
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LA Lakers: Jett Howard
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In a perfect world, he develops into: Saddiq Bey
There’s a good chance that the Lakers ultimately deal with this pick for a veteran and make this pick for another team. However, if the Lakers hold onto the no. 17 pick, they’ll be looking for shooting, which is exactly what the 6-foot-8 Michigan product brings to the table. Howard averaged 14.2 PPG on 36.8 percent three-point shooting this past season. The son of Juwan Howard, Jett, also displays a good feel for the game and has an advanced arsenal of dribble moves and bucket-getting skills and could really develop into a legitimate secondary scorer in the right situation.
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Miami Heat: Jalen Hood-Schifino
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In a perfect world, he develops into: Spencer Dinwiddie
Despite their astounding success thus far in the playoffs, I wouldn’t be shocked if the Heat try to trade for another go-to offensive player this summer to ease the regular season burden off Michael Jordan Jimmy Butler. To acquire a player such as Bradley Beal, the Heat will probably have to include Tyler Herro (and possibly this pick as well). If the Heat are able to keep this pick in such a deal, they’d want to add a versatile guard with some Herro-like upside like Indiana’s 6-foot-5 point guard, Jalen Hood-Schifino. In his only college season, Hood-Schifino was extremely inconsistent, but when he had it going – like the time he had 35 points and seven rebounds in an upset win over Purdue – he displayed the entire package you could ask for in a scoring guard. He’ll need to improve his shooting in the NBA, but the skills are certainly there. And Miami certainly knows how to groom talent.
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Golden State Warriors: Dereck Lively II
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In a perfect world, he develops into: JaVale McGee
Let’s try the whole super athletic, first-round center thing again for the Warriors. The last one – James Wiseman – wasn’t ready to adapt to the Warriors style of play quickly enough to get consistent minutes, so why would Dereck Lively II? For one, Lively wouldn’t have the same pressure being the 19th pick as Wiseman had being the second pick. Second, Lively’s NBA skill is shot-blocking, so he should be able to continue excelling in protecting the rim at the next level with his 7-foot-1 skinny-athletic frame. If the Warriors don’t want to wait around to develop Lively, they can always trade this pick for some depth as well.
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Houston Rockets (via Clippers): Noah Clowney
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In a perfect world, he develops into: Kevon Looney
If the Rockets go with a guard at the top of the draft, expect them to look at some of the intriguing big men that should be available around this point in the draft. Alabama’s Noah Clowney is the type of energetic big man that any team could use, plus he has some upside as an offensive player that maybe wasn’t on display much since Brandon Miller was such an offensive focal point for the Crimson Tide. Clowney, who stands 6-foot-10, also seems like the type of player who will come in, play hard, not demand touches, and do his job, which is something the Rockets desperately need.
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Brooklyn Nets (via Suns): Leonard Miller
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In a perfect world, he develops into: A varying degree of Jeff Green
NBA history is littered with varying degrees of ultra-talented, yet frustratingly inconsistent 6-foot-7 to 6-foot-11 forwards. On one end of the spectrum are guys like Perry Jones, who looked like a future Hall of Famer in high school, but quickly petered out of the NBA due to injuries and inconsistencies in his game. As you move along the spectrum, you see guys like Marvin Williams and Kelly Oubre Jr. On the other end of the spectrum, are guys who figured it out, had long successful careers, but always left you wondering whether he reached his true potential like Trevor Ariza and Rudy Gay. In the middle of that spectrum sits Jeff Green – hence, the varying degrees of Jeff Green. At 6-foot-11 with a 7-foot-2 wingspan and all types of potential as a two-way player, Leonard Miller (G-League Ignite) is destined to develop into some degree of Jeff Green. The Nets will take a flyer on him here and hope that he develops into Jeff Green or better.
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Brooklyn Nets: James Nnaji
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In a perfect world, he develops into: Clint Capela
With the second of their first-round picks, the Nets will take a swing on a big man with a lot of potential, but little production: James Nnaji. The 6-foot-10 Nigerian big man with an insane 7-foot-7 wingspan has a whole lot of defensive potential. He’s strong, athletic and can even more fairly well on the perimeter. While he doesn’t have much ability on offense beyond being a lob threat, there are still minutes for guys like that in the league. Moreover, the Nets could really use some big men to support Nic Claxton.Â
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Portland Trail Blazers (via Knicks): Rayan Rupert
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In a perfect world, he develops into: Josh Howard
Rayan Rupert is the type of home run swing prospect the Blazers should look to take a gamble on with their second pick in the first round. The French swingman played an injury-abbreviated season for the New Zealand Breakers this past year and flashed some two-way potential with his 7-foot-3 wingspan and aggressive approach to defense. He’ll need to expand his offensive game and shoot the ball better, but his mechanics are good enough to see a pathway to him becoming a good shooter. If he pans out, he could be the type of wing the Blazers have long-coveted to help cover for their guards’ defensive shortcomings.
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Sacramento Kings: Kris Murray
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In a perfect world, he develops into: Lefty Keegan Murray
Having a little fun here obviously, but then again, why wouldn’t the Kings consider drafting their stud rookie Keegan Murray’s brother? Kris Murray is essentially a left-handed, poor man’s version of Keegan, which is still a rotation-level forward in the NBA. The Kings are a team on the rise and will need to accumulate cheaper rotation players as some of their younger stars command larger contracts, so Kris makes sense from that standpoint. In addition, the team’s other starting forward, Harrison Barnes, is set to become a free agent this offseason, so there could be a hole at the position.
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Memphis Grizzlies: Julian Strawther
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In a perfect world, he develops into: Gary Trent Jr.Â
The Grizzlies will always desire shooting to fill in around Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr., so expect them to look for a three-and-D wing here like Gonzaga’s Julian Strawther. With Dillon Brooks almost certainly coming off the books, they’ll need more depth at wing. Strawther tore up the nets this past season, shooting 40.6 percent from three on 5.3 attempts per game. He also is a cold-blooded killer as seen by his game-winning three-pointer against UCLA in the NCAA Tournament. And we know Memphis loves them some competitors.Â
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Indiana Pacers (via Cavaliers): Brice Sensabaugh
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In a perfect world, he develops into: Malik Beasley
With the second of their three first round picks, the Pacers should consider Ohio State’s two-guard, Brice Sensabaugh. The 6-foot-6, 235-pound freshman is an absolute bucket-getter and excellent shooter (40.5 percent from three), but doesn’t project to do a whole lot more beside score. No matter! There’s always a place in the NBA for scorers who can space the floor out, especially when you have an elite pass-first point guard like Tyrese Haliburton. Sensabaugh could develop into a “laser” off the bench for the Pacers after a couple of years of development.
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Charlotte Hornets (via Nuggets): G.G. Jackson
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In a perfect world, he develops into: Righty Thad Young
Despite being the youngest player in this draft class (he was actually the top 2023 prospect, but reclassified and attended South Carolina), G.G. Jackson has the hard-working, harder-playing traits that every team should covet. The 6-foot-9, 215-pound athletic forward has all of the skills, moves and game that could make him a stud in the NBA. Alas, he also displayed some immaturity and often struggled to put the complete package together while playing on a pretty miserable team. At this point in the draft, though, the Hornets should take a chance on the raw talent and see if Jackson can figure it out playing with a great playmaker like LaMelo Ball.
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Utah Jazz (via 76ers): Andre Jackson
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In a perfect world, he develops into: Draymond Green in Josh Hart’s body
As a Huskies fan, I’d selfishly like to see Andre Jackson return to Connecticut for his senior season and try to hang another banner. However, if he keeps his name in the draft, he’d be an interesting chess piece for Will Hardy and the Utah Jazz. Jackson excelled in the Draymond Green role for UConn this past season – playing a point forward role on offense with a variety of dribble-handoffs and pick and rolls (as both the ball-handler and roll man at times), and harassing the other team’s best scorer on defense. He’ll be one of the best athletes in this draft class and just needs a coach who knows how to continue to unlock his unique skill set.Â
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Indiana Pacers (via Celtics): Jaime Jaquez Jr.
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In a perfect world, he develops into: A poor man’s Paul Pierce
With their third pick in the first round, the Pacers decide to take a baller: Jaime Jaquez Jr. Nothing about this guy’s appearance or athleticism jumps off the screen at you (although he surprisingly tested off the charts with his vertical leap at the NBA Combine). Yet, if you watched UCLA at all the past three years, he was usually the best player on the court. He simply knows how to play basketball. His footwork is impeccable, and he has a good midrange game and can make plays for his teammates. He has some athletic shortcomings, but there are plenty of rotation players who have stuck around the NBA for several years with elite fundamentals and a high basketball IQ.Â
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LA Clippers (via Bucks): Colby Jones
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In a perfect world, he develops into: Kevin Huerter
Colby Jones might be a strong rotation player hiding in plain sight. The 6-foot-6 wing from Xavier is simply a solid all-around player, who competes on defense and does the little things that help a team win. While he wasn’t a star in college, he was highly productive (15 PPG, 4.3 APG) and efficient (37.8 percent from three). Ty Lue and the Clippers like to deploy a number of well-rounded players like Jones in their rotation like Terance Mann and Eric Gordon. Jones could be a steal this late in the draft.