NBA Draft Big Board 2.0

With the decision deadline now passed, it’s time to update the Big Board.

For a more in-depth look at each of these prospects check out the Fast Risers Podcast hosted by yours truly and look out for scouting reports posted here on the blog.

1 - Jabari Smith Jr | Forward | Auburn | 6'10 | 220

2 - Paolo Banchero | Forward | Duke | 6'10 | 250

Banchero is the closest to a sure thing in this draft. While I don’t necessarily see him like a “franchise” type of guy, he should fit nicely as the second option on a contending team and his floor is a 15-18 point per game scorer who can create for others.

3 - Jaden Ivey | Guard | Purdue | 6'4 | 195

4 - Chet Holmgren | Big | Gonzaga | 7'0 | 195

5 - Bennedict Mathurin | Wing | Arizona | 6'6 | 210

The more I watch Mathurin the more I fall in love with his upside as a shot creator. His handle does need to improve significantly but 2-3 years down the line he can be a primary offensive option ala, Jaylen Brown.

6 - Keegan Murray | Wing | Iowa | 6'8 | 225

7 - Jalen Duren | Big | Memphis | 6'11 | 250

8 - Shaedon Sharpe | Guard | Kentucky | 6'6 | 200

9 - Blake Wesley | Guard | Notre Dame | 6'5 | 185

10 - Mark Williams | Big | Duke | 7'0 | 242

11 - Malaki Branham | Guard | Ohio State | 6'5 | 180

Branham isn’t the most impressive athlete and doesn’t really create much space for himself but the kid can just flat out score. There isn’t a more impressive shot maker in this class. At minimum, he will be an effective microwave scorer off the bench.

12 - Dyson Daniels | Guard | G-League Ignite | 6'6 | 199

13 - AJ Griffin | Wing | Duke | 6'6 | 222

14 - Tari Eason | Forward | LSU | 6'8 | 215

Eason’s motor on the defensive end should translate immediately, making him an ideal pick for a team looking for someone to jump into the rotation. His offensive game is still a little bit raw but his ability to create transition opportunities and run the floor well should create plenty of opportunities for him as a rim runner. I Could see him as an ideal fit as a replacement for Miles Bridges in Charlotte.

15 - Johnny Davis | Guard | Wisconsin | 6'5 | 196

16 - Jeremy Sochan | Wing | Baylor | 6'9 | 230

17 - Jaden Hardy | Guard |G-League Ignite | 6'4 | 205

18 – Jalen Williams | Wing | Santa Clara | 6'6 | 209

Williams is the fastest-rising prospect on just about every draft board right now. He went unranked in my Big Board 1.0 but his performance at the combine and the way NBA teams are talking about him can’t be ignored. He improved his three-point shooting a ton this past season and is as smooth of a scorer as I’ve watched throughout this process. His lack of consistency on the defensive end is the main concern for him going forward. His length should make up for some of his deficiencies when it comes to quickness and strength but he has a long way to go to be an adequate player defensively.

19 - Ousmane Dieng | Forward | New Zealand Breakers | 6'10 | 200

20 - Kennedy Chandler | Guard | Tennessee | 6'0 | 171

21 – Dalen Terry | Guard | Arizona | 6’7 | 195

22 - Ty Ty Washington | Guard | Kentucky | 6'3 | 197

23 - Jabari Walker | Wing/Forward | Colorado | 6'9 | 215

24 - Jake LaRavia | Forward | Wake Forest | 6'8 | 235

25 - MarJon Beauchamp | Wing | G-League Ignite | 6'6 | 199

26 - Bryce McGowens | Wing | Nebraska | 6'7 | 179

27 - Nikola Jovic | Forward | Serbia | 6'10 | 209

28 - EJ Liddell | Forward | Ohio State | 6'7 | 243

29 – Ryan Rollins |Guard | Toledo | 6'3 | 180

30 - Walker Kessler | Big | Auburn | 7'1 | 245

31 – Ochai Agbaji | Wing | Kansas | 6'5 | 214

32 - Kendall Brown | Forward | Baylor | 6'8 | 205

33 - Christian Braun | Wing | Kansas | 6'6 | 218

34 - Patrick Baldwin Jr | Forward | UW Milwaukee | 6'9 | 220

Baldwin had some of the worst athletic measurables we’ve seen at the combine in quite some time which wouldn’t be as alarming except for the fact that he had such a rough Freshman year at UWM. But he was a projected top 8-15 pick coming into the season so I wouldn’t be surprised if he sneaks into the first round somewhere.

35 - Justin Lewis | Wing | Marquette | 6'7 | 245

36 - Wendell Moore Jr | Wing | Duke | 6'5 | 213

37 - Trevor Keels |Guard | Duke | 6'4 | 221

38 - Jaylin Williams | Forward | Arkansas | 6'9 | 240

39 – Max Christie | Wing | Michigan State | 6’6 | 189

40 - Michael Foster Jr | Forward | G-League Ignite | 6'8 | 250