(Ryan Ward)
1. Minnesota Timber-wolves: Karl-Anthony Towns (C) This big man isn't a fully developed project yet. However, his free throw shooting gives him the slight edge over the more NBA ready Okafor. His post game needs work as well. His jump shot is solid and his free throw shooting is excellent for a big man. In addition, he is more athletic and better defensively than Okafor
2. Los Angeles Lakers: Jahlil Okafor (C) The Lakers get the benefit of taking the other big man in this situation. Okafor is NBA ready with one of the most polished post games in recent memory. He's the safest pick in the whole class as well. Most of the concerns with him are that he isn't the most athletic player and he has his shortcomings defensively. My biggest problem with him is his free throw shooting, especially with the hacking strategy becoming a legitimate strategy in the NBA.
3. Philadelphia 76ers: D'Angelo Russell (PG). Russell is a very quick player and fits the 76er's needs perfectly. They are glad they didn't have to have to pass up on the previous two big men that are sure top two picks because they already have Noel and Embiid.This team is going to continue to be young, but will they pull it together and stop tanking already?
4. New York Knicks: Emmanuel Mudiay (PG). Mudiay has great size, speed, and athleticism. There are questions with his jump shot however, and that could be a problem in today's NBA game where all players that play on the perimeter must have an outside shot. His shot is improving, but how much can it improve? The Knicks need help at nearly every position other than small forward, so this is a quick building block to start the process for Phil Jackson and Derek Fisher.
5. Orlando Magic: Justise Winslow (SF): Winslow is very strong, athletic, and explosive. The Magic already seem to have that sort of player with Aaron Gordon. They hope that Winslow can expand his game and rely less on his athletic ability and power to develop his outside shooting which, as said before, is a huge part of today's NBA game.