Bench Mob Blog draft coverage is back! With the big night coming up fast, there’s no better time than now for a good ol’ mock draft. I put together a full two-round mock based solely on what I would do, and I’m excited to share my thoughts on this year’s prospects.
A final version of my big board will be released on my X account @finleykuehl sometime in the week before the draft, but I’ll share a bit about it here. I currently have 71 prospects ranked as draftable, but 57 of my top 59 were selected here in this mock. There’s some solid depth in this class but I feel pretty good about the guys I have within my top sixty.
Alright, let’s get started!
- Dallas Mavericks: Copper Flagg (Forward, Duke)
This is a no-brainer pick. On lottery night, everyone knew whoever came out on top would be capturing the Flagg. Duke’s freshman phenom has the highest floor in the draft with his advanced physicality and ability to dominate defensively. His two-way potential is off the charts. Flagg is built for the moment and ready for the responsibility of being the number one pick. I will say, though, I think his ceiling is being slightly overhyped. People have been questioning if he’s a better prospect than Wemby. Like, what? Talk about being a prisoner of the moment. Still, if all goes right, Flagg could restore peace and justice in Dallas after the Luka catastrophe.
- San Antonio Spurs: Dylan Harper (Guard, Rutgers)
Questions about Harper’s fit with the Spurs are gaining traction, but they would be silly to pass up on the clear second-best guy in this class. Harper’s sensational downhill scoring acumen and offensive engine potential would make him the best star bet on the team outside of Victor Wembanyama. San Antonio is still figuring out what their long-term core next to Wemby will be, and they don’t need to rush to form a well-oiled competitive lineup quite yet. Yes, a backcourt room of De’Aaron Fox, Harper, and Stephon Castle sounds a little clunky. However, I’m not sold enough on Castle as a future star to say he’s good enough to force San Antonio to go another direction here. Plus, Fox mainly feels like a bridge guy.
- Philadelphia 76ers: Ace Bailey (Forward, Rutgers)
Philly has their guys in the backcourt in Tyrese Maxey and Jared McCain. They also have their man in the middle, of course, in Joel Embiid (if he’s healthy, that is). Adding a dynamic scoring threat on the wing in Ace Bailey on top of that just sounds unfair. Yes, Bailey has a lot to work on, but playing with Maxey and Embiid, two established stars, would really simplify the game for him and therefore make him better. The Rutgers freshman could be a cornerstone for the 76ers both in the short term and in the future when the Embiid era eventually comes to a close.
- Charlotte Hornets: VJ Edgecombe (Guard, Baylor)
LaMelo Ball and the young Hornets are at their best when they’re getting out in transition and playing fast and free. VJ Edgecombe would be a perfect fit in that style with his incredible athletic tools. Between his blurring quickness, relentless motor, and outlandish bounce, the Baylor product has everything he needs to succeed in the league from a physical standpoint. He’s also shown a ton of promise as a versatile two-way contributor and could be the ideal backcourt running mate for Ball. The only way this pick could go south is if Charlotte’s player development staff fumbles Edgecombe’s development just like they did with James Bouknight, Malik Monk, and more.
- Utah Jazz: Tre Johnson (Guard, Texas)
Utah’s rebuild will drag on until they find a young star they can start to build their future around. Out of all the prospects left at this point, Tre Johnson has the best chance at becoming an All-Star. The 19-year-old is a lights-out shooter with a scoring bag that suggests he could be a number one option. He’ll need to continue to develop his playmaking to reach that point, but he’d have all the freedom he needs to spread his wings on the Jazz.
- Washington Wizards: Khaman Maluach (Center, Duke)
Alex Sarr played a lot of five for the Wizards last year, but he projects to be more of a Evan Mobley-type jumbo four with his shooting and switch-big potential. If that’s the case, adding a monstrous man like Maluach next to him would be the perfect compliment. Again, think of Cleveland’s frontcourt with Mobley and Jarrett Allen. With the South Sudanese shot blocker anchoring their backline, the Wizards could begin establishing a defensive culture fueled by a core of Maluach, Sarr, Bilal Coulibaly, and Kyshawn George.
- New Orleans Pelicans: Kon Knueppel (Guard, Duke)
The Pelicans are at a crossroads this offseason. On one hand, a rebuild is calling their name. They already traded Brandon Ingram, and Zion Williamson and CJ McCollum could be next. On the other hand, keeping their core together could pave the way for a playoff push in 2025-26, especially if Trey Murphy makes another leap. Whichever direction the team chooses, Kon Knueppel can help them. The Wisconsinite has the smarts, ball skills, and sniping ability to contribute to winning right away, and he also has the upside to become a Desmond Bane-type star at his peak.
- Brooklyn Nets: Derik Queen (Big, Maryland)
The Nets have a completely blank slate for a roster. They need to find some franchise cornerstones, and Derik Queen has a shot at being that caliber of player. He’ll need plenty of time to work through growing pains, but the Nets can afford to fully invest in his growth. Queen has that “it” factor— maybe he can make some magic in Brooklyn.
- Toronto Raptors: Ben Saraf (Guard, Israel)
Toronto has an overabundance of wings/forwards on their roster, so it’s time to spruce up the backcourt instead. Saraf has polish and pro experience as a lead guard already and he’s just 19 years old. The lefty is just a stronger frame and a more consistent pullup jumper away from being a high level sixth man at minimum. The best part? He’s 6’7”. I know this is a reach relative to consensus, but it’s a bet I would take.
- Houston Rockets (via Phoenix): Kasparas Jakucionis (Guard, Illinois)
Jakucionis would give Houston’s halfcourt attack a much-needed boost. The Lithuanian native is crafty, heady, and he knows how to run an offense. In H-Town, he could develop off the bench behind Fred VanVleet to start his career, a low-pressure situation that would likely boost his development rather than hinder it. Jakucionis is close to 6’6”, meaning a future pairing of him and Reed Sheppard in the backcourt wouldn’t be out of the question.
- Portland Trail Blazers: Jeremiah Fears (Point guard, Oklahoma)
Portland seems to have found their frontcourt in Deni Avdija, Toumani Camara, and Donovan Clingan. Their backcourt chemistry is a little murkier, but Jeremiah Fears could be the agent that makes the solution. He’s a walking (well, running) jolt of energy who can get to the rim in an instant. Like Derik Queen, Fears is another freshman who just has an “it” factor to him. Even if he doesn’t reach a high-end outcome, he could at the very least be in-house competition to help Scoot Henderson grow.
- Chicago Bulls: Noa Essengue (Forward, France)
Essengue has some of the most intriguing physical tools in the class. He’s nearly seven feet tall, he has length out the wazoo, and he’s a super fluid mover. The Frenchman has a lot to put together when it comes to actual basketball skills, but he projects to be a defensive force with OG Anunoby (or even Giannis Antetokounmpo)-esque versatility. The Bulls haven’t proven to be a top-tier player development program (see Patrick Williams), but it would be in the best interest of their rebuild to take a swing on a high-reward project like Essengue.
- Atlanta Hawks (via Sacramento): Carter Bryant (Forward, Arizona)
When the Hawks drafted De’Andre Hunter fourth overall back in 2019, they were hoping he’d be the type of player that Carter Bryant actually is. Bryant is one of the best wing stoppers in the class, he has a pretty jumper, and he knows his role. He just projects to be more complementary to Trae Young on both ends than Hunter was (even though Hunter is a good player). The Arizona product’s stock is soaring lately, so whether or not he’ll actually be available at 13 is yet to be seen, but this would be a fantastic addition for Atlanta.
- San Antonio Spurs (via Atlanta): Nique Clifford (Wing, Colorado State)
It doesn’t matter if the Spurs compete or tank next year, draft Dylan Harper or Ace Bailey, trade for Kevin Durant or not; Nique Clifford would still look like a good pick. He spent five years in college working on his game and becoming a picture-perfect role-playing wing. Clifford can shoot, pass, defend, cut, rebound… he does it all. Even if his ceiling isn’t the highest, he’s virtually a lock to be a quality rotation player in the league.
- Oklahoma City Thunder (via Miami): Danny Wolf (Big, Michigan)
This is a chaos pick. The Thunder already have an unreal amount of dribble-pass-shoot wings, and in Danny Wolf they’d be adding a big man of the same variety. Wolf is like a 2K created player with the way he can direct pick-and-rolls and hit threes off the dribble as a seven-footer. His defensive limitations could be covered up by OKC’s already elite infrastructure. The best part? Wolf would be insurance for when the team can no longer pay Isaiah Hartenstein the big bucks.
- Memphis Grizzlies (via Orlando): Cedric Coward (Wing, Washington State)
This pick belonged to Orlando until the blockbuster Desmond Bane trade went down. Now, Memphis has a chance to add a highly coveted 3&D wing who has rocketed up draft boards in recent months. Coward checks every box a potential playoff role player should. He’s lengthy, he has solid feel, he can defend, and, most importantly, he shoots the cover off the ball. Even if he can’t live up to the hype he’s gaining, it would be tough to imagine this being a bad pick for the Grizzlies.
- Minnesota Timberwolves (via Detroit): Thomas Sorber (Big, Georgetown)
The Wolves have operated without a true backup five for over three years. Naz Reid has technically played that role, but he’s really just an oversized forward, and now he may leave in free agency. Sorber is a 6’10” ball of intensity who isn’t afraid to bang around on the glass and in the paint on both ends. He does all the traditional stuff, but he also has intriguing feel, coordination, and touch. Sorber could be Minnesota’s short-term backup and potentially the long-term starter, too.
- Washington Wizards (via Memphis): Collin Murray-Boyles (Forward, South Carolina)
After picking Maluach in the lottery, I have the Wizards buying even further into a defensive identity by bringing in Collin Murray-Boyles. The South Carolina forward has drawn comparisons to Draymond Green with his ability to be a one-man wrecking crew on defense. His complete lack of a jumpshot limits his ceiling, but he wouldn’t need to take on much offensive responsibility in Washington with Jordan Poole, Bub Carrington, and Bilal Coulibaly already in the fold and a 2026 lottery pick hopefully in the cards as well.
- Brooklyn Nets (via Milwaukee): Egor Demin (Guard, BYU)
Everything I said about Derik Queen being a worthy project for Brooklyn can be said about Egor Demin too. Demin has become a polarizing prospect due to his lacking athleticism and shaky shooting, but he’s also a 19-year-old who can pass as well as any player in the world at his age. Josh Giddey has been the most popular comparison for Demin, and it’s often used negatively (what if he’s just another Giddey?). However, Giddey is objectively a good NBA player so I think that would be a good outcome. I would just prefer to take other swings which is why Demin fell outside the lottery.
- Miami Heat (via Golden State): Rasheer Fleming (Forward, Saint Joseph’s)
The case for Rasheer Fleming is simple: he’s a massive forward who can space the floor and defend all over the court. Miami usually aims to be competitive, and Fleming would help them do so next year, especially if they land Kevin Durant. A frontcourt of Bam Adebayo, Kel’el Ware, and Fleming would strike fear into opponents’ hearts defensively.
- Utah Jazz (via Minnesota): Asa Newell (Big, Georgia)
Newell was once a nearly consensus lottery pick, but he’s been tossed to the side in favor of shiny new risers. The Jazz have a history of bringing in guys who slide on draft night— Isaiah Collier, Kyle Filipowski, and Jared Butler, for example. Newell could fill in as a four next to Walker Kessler if his shot comes along or just be an energy backup five if not.
- Atlanta Hawks (via Lakers): Yanic Konan Niederhauser (Big, Penn State)
Trae Young and (insert lob threat here) is a duo guaranteed to be effective, and Yanic Konan Niederhauser is one of the best roll-man finishers in this draft. He’d be ready to be plugged into an NBA lineup tomorrow and give 10-15 minutes of energy and bounce on both ends. A few months ago, Niederhauser was nowhere near this spot on mocks, but his standout combine performance woke the world up to the player some already saw he could be.
- Indiana Pacers: Adou Thiero (Wing, Arkansas)
Thiero is an absurd functional athlete. He’s super quick, super strong, and he gets off the floor to dunk with ease. Add in his passing feel and transition juice and it’s clear why he’d be a great fit in Indiana’s high-octane system. Problems with Thiero could arise if he played in a bogged-down halfcourt offense due to his questionable three-ball.
- Oklahoma City Thunder (via Clippers): Walter Clayton Jr. (Guard, Florida)
Oklahoma City’s dominance last season is even crazier when you consider they weren’t even a great three-point shooting team. Walter Clayton is an uber-confident shot taker and maker who could be the microwave off their bench Tre Mann was supposed to become. Clayton knows how to play winning basketball (he just won a natty at Florida), making this an ideal fit.
- Orlando Magic (via Denver): Bogoljub Markovic (Big, Serbia)
Everyone and their mama knows how badly the Magic need shooting. That’s why they just traded for Desmond Bane, and that’s why Bogoljub Markovic would be a good option for them. The Serbian is a true floor spacer with his comfortable and confident jumper. He’s thin and struggles defending the paint at times, but he wouldn’t have to be a primary rim protector in Orlando with Goga Bitadze and Jonathan Isaac there to fill that role.
- Brooklyn Nets (via New York): Jase Richardson (Guard, Michigan State)
Richardson was a well-regarded prospect until he measured in as one of the shortest players in the class. He’s 6’1” in shoes, which isn’t tiny, but it would tie him with the shortest active players in the league (Mike Conley, Jordan McLaughlin, and Jose Alvarado). Still, he has a lot of offensive savvy and he’s extremely efficient both as a shooter and a decision-maker. A team like Brooklyn could be patient with his development and give him room to grow beyond his height as a player.
- Brooklyn Nets (via Houston): Hugo Gonzalez (Forward, Spain)
Speaking of players who need patience with their development, Hugo Gonzalez is a raw forward/wing with an impressive toolkit. He’s a solid athlete and an intense defender with real 3&D+ potential if his offensive game is ironed out. Gonzalez gained valuable experience playing a bench role for a Real Madrid team rich with former NBA talent, and could take his learning from there and expand upon it with a bigger opportunity in Brooklyn.
- Boston Celtics: Igor Milicic Jr. (Big, Tennessee)
Boston is set to make some cost-cutting moves this summer, which may include trading Kristaps Porzingis and/or Sam Hauser, as well as potentially losing Al Horford and Luke Kornet in free agency. Luckily, they could get a cheap floor-spacing frontcourtman late in the first round in Igor Milicic. Milicic would be a crisp fit in Boston’s modernized offense with his shooting, closeout attacking, and connective passing capabilities.
- Phoenix Suns (via Cleveland): Nolan Traore (Guard, France)
Just like last year, the Suns still need a point guard. With a Kevin Durant trade on the horizon and a Bradley Beal trade hopefully in the cards as well, the team may be undergoing a bit of a retool, which means they could take a chance on a younger project guard in Nolan Traore. Traore has fallen steeply from his days of being ranked as a lottery pick, but he still has upside as a lead guard that could be unleashed in the Valley.
- Los Angeles Clippers (via Oklahoma City): Ryan Kalkbrenner (Center, Creighton)
The Clippers found a ton of success with Ivica Zubac at the five last season. So, why not bring in a guy who plays more or less exactly like him to back him up? Kalkbrenner is a polished five-year prospect ready to be a rotation center from day one. He won four conference Defensive Player of the Year awards in college and would give Los Angeles 48 minutes of high-level rim protection between him and Zubac.
- Minnesota Timberwolves (via Utah): Kam Jones (Guard, Marquette)
- Boston Celtics (via Washington): Noah Penda (Forward, France)
- Charlotte Hornets: Maxime Raynaud (Big, Stanford)
- Charlotte Hornets (via New Orleans): Liam McNeeley (Forward, UConn)
- Philadelphia 76ers: Johni Broome (Big, Auburn)
- Brooklyn Nets: Joan Beringer (Center, France)
- Detroit Pistons (via Toronto): Will Riley (Wing, Illinois)
- San Antonio Spurs: Rocco Zikarsky (Center, Australia)
- Toronto Raptors (via Portland): Drake Powell (Wing, North Carolina)
- Washington Wizards (via Phoenix): Mark Sears (Point guard, Alabama)
- Golden State Warriors (via Miami): Hansen Yang (Center, China)
- Sacramento Kings (via Chicago): Dylan Cardwell (Center, Auburn)
- Utah Jazz (via Dallas): Chaz Lanier (Guard, Tennessee)
- Oklahoma City Thunder (via Atlanta): Dink Pate (Guard, Mexico City Capitanes)
- Chicago Bulls (via Sacramento): Vladislav Goldin (Center, Michigan)
- Orlando Magic: Javon Small (Guard, West Virginia)
- Milwaukee Bucks (via Detroit): John Tonje (Wing, Wisconsin)
- Memphis Grizzlies (via Golden State): Max Shulga (Guard, VCU)
- Cleveland Cavaliers (via Milwaukee): Viktor Lakhin (Center, Clemson)
- New York Knicks (via Memphis): Eric Dixon (Big, Villanova)
- Los Angeles Clippers (via Minnesota): Tyrese Proctor (Guard, Duke)
- Phoenix Suns (via Denver): Hunter Sallis (Guard, Wake Forest)
- Utah Jazz (via Clippers): Jamir Watkins (Wing, Florida State)
- Indiana Pacers: Lachlan Olbrich (Center, Australia)
- Los Angeles Lakers: Koby Brea (Wing, Kentucky)
- Memphis Grizzlies (via Houston): Wooga Poplar (Wing, Villanova)
- Orlando Magic (via Boston): Sion James (Wing, Duke)
- Cleveland Cavaliers: Amari Williams (Center, Kentucky)
- Houston Rockets (via Oklahoma City): Coleman Hawkins (Power forward, Kansas State)
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