Detroit Pistons - Jabari Smith Jr (PF)
Explanation: The Pistons are an horrendous basketball team, there's really no other way to put it. They do have one good thing going for them and that is Cade Cunningham. Every move that Pistons GM Troy Weaver makes going forward has to be to complement Cade. Drafting the best shooting big in the draft will accomplish that. Jabari is currently averaging 16/7/2 on 45/43/83 shooting splits, he has looked almost unstoppable at times this season for Auburn. For the Pistons he would be the perfect player to pair next to Cade as he spreads the floor with his shooting, and can be a nice lob threat.
Orlando Magic - Paolo Banchero (PF)
Explanation: Orlando has a ridiculous amount of young talent. Lead by Franz who has played like a ROTY candidate and Anthony who is scoring 20PPG on efficient shooting. There is also Suggs, Fultz, Hampton, Okeke, Isaac, Bamba & WCJ who make up that talented young core. Why not add an alpha-scorer in Paolo Banchero to this mix. He'll pair nicely next to Franz and Cole who all 3 have shown the ability to create shots for themselves. Also because of Paolo's 6'10; 250Ibs frame he could play some 5 which would in theory allow him to play alongside JI & Franz. This would be a no brainer pick for Orlando, and accelerate their rebuild much quicker.
Houston Rockets - Chet Holmgren (C)
Explanation: The Rockets even though their record says otherwise, have been a fun team to watch. Green, Sengun, Christopher, Wood, Armoni, Tate, etc. are all young guys who've made this team interesting. There are still holes on this team, and Chet could help fill some. I don't think he's been spectacular this season for Gonzaga, but Chet still shows flashes of brilliance every game. On the Rockets, he would give them their "big" of the future along with Green who's their guard of the future. Chet still needs to obviously fill out his frame, which will most likely force him to play the 4 to start off his NBA career.
Portland Trailblazers - Jaden Ivey (SG)
Explanation: This team needs to be blown up, it's clear that major changes needs to happen to this Blazers roster and I hope that Lillard recognizes this. If they do end up ripping off the band-aid and start a hard rebuild, I don't think of a better player to be the main face of the rebuild then Jaden Ivey. This kid is 100% box-office, there's a very good reason why soo many people are giving him Ja Morant comparisons (Even though I personally don't think they're that similar). He's as explosive as any guard in the nation and he's shooting the ball extremely well for arguably the best school in the nation, Purdue. Blazers fans will be able to look forward to a rebuild lead by Ivey, Simons, Little & whatever comes from that Dame trade (If it happens).
Oklahoma City Thunder - Kendall Brown (SF)
Explanation: OKC needs more talent as besides Shai, Giddey and Dort, there really aren't many NBA player's on that roster. I don't think there has been a player that his increased his draft stock as highly as Kendall Brown from Baylor. His unreal, out of this world athleticism paired with his at times lockdown on-ball defense makes him an intriguing player for most teams early in the lottery. It also helps that Kendall won't turn 19 until 1 month before the NBA draft, so he has youth on his side. On OKC he'll be able to slot at the 4 and give Shai & Giddey a fun running mate to play with. He's also surprised me with some flashes of creating shots, so if he keeps on getting better on that then it'll only make him all the more dangerous.
New Orleans Pelicans - Jaden Hardy (SG)
Explanation: I'm pretty sure asking Pelicans fans before this season started where they think their team would be standings wise by January 1st they would probably say "Top 6 seed". That clearly isn't the case as New Orleans currently find themselves tied for the 4th worst record in the NBA. This is mainly due to the fact that their franchise player Zion hasn't played a game this season due to a right foot injury. Add that to the fact that BI just hasn't looked healthy all season and there's not much to cheer about for those fans (Except for Valanciunas). Hardy hasn't had an efficient scoring season for Ignite, but he's still a player that can fill up the stat sheet quickly. The pelicans might need another scorer to take the load off of BI and Zion, which Hardy could be the player to do that.
Indiana Pacers - Jalen Duren (C)
Explanation: It looks like Indiana are finally doing something that their fanbase has been asking their FO to do for years and that is to start a rebuild. With Sabonis or Myles along with LeVert on the trade block, this team could look a lot different after the trade deadline in February. Same with Chet, Duren has been sort of underwhelming this season at Memphis but that could be because he's not playing with a true PG at Memphis. He'll play with one in Brogdon and with how much Rick loves his rim running bigs he could do wonders for Duren. As one of the youngest players' in this class along with already having a chiseled frame, he would be a good "start of rebuild" kind of player for Carlisle to work on.
Sacramento Kings - Patrick Baldwin Jr (SF)
Explanation: The Kings are a complete hot mess right now and are well on their way to having the most consistent seasons of not making it to the playoffs at 16. There needs to be moves made for this Kings team this season, and honestly I think they should be looking to get a haul for Fox in a trade due to Hali taking a big step this season. That conversation is for another day, with the 8th pick the Kings get one of the best shot maker in this class in PBJ. His season hasn't gone as well as he wanted, but nobody can't deny the fact that PBJ is as talented as a scorer as there is in this class. He'll pair next to Hali, as 2 players who can create shots for themselves.
San Antonio Spurs - A.J. Griffin (SF)
Explanation: The Spurs have quietly built arguably the most underrated young core in the league. Murray, Keldon, Vassell, Primo & Poeltl are all guys that will most likely play some type of major role with rebuilding this franchise into dominance once again. AJ Griffin is a player that could honestly be the most talented of this young core, if the Spurs end up going this direction. He has gotten more minutes from Coach K and he hasn't disappointed in those extended minutes, averaging 12/4/2 with 65/50/100 shooting splits in the past 4 games. I truly believe that Griffin has the talent to be as good as anybody in this draft. Playing under Pop's tutelage could help him unlock that sky high potential that AJ possess.
Minnesota Timberwolves - Bennedict Mathurin (SF)
Explanation: Minnesota are heading in the right direction, with the big 3 of KAT, ANT & D-LO being the main focus of what they're trying to build over there. The team can still use more talent, and getting the best 3&D wing in this draft will help improve that issue. Mathurin is a player that benefited from staying at Arizona for another season, as he looks like a lock to get drafted in the lottery and maybe even top 10. He has knocked down his perimeter shots extremely well hitting them at a 38% clip on just over 5 attempts per game. Because of his length he'll be able to slot at the 3 next to the T'Wolves trio to give them much need defense and even more scoring, this would be a perfect pick.
Atlanta Hawks - TyTy Washington (PG)
Explanation: The Hawks have been affected by the health & safety protocol bug more than any other team this season. As a result they currently sit outside of the top 8 in the East, however once the team is fully healthy again I expect them to make up ground pretty fast. It is clear to me that this team needs a quality ball handling guard to take some pressure off of Trae once he sits, with Lou and Delon not going to be on the team next season. TyTY would be a fun fit, as I believe he would be able to check off that role for Atlanta easily. His ability to smoothly get to the rim almost at will this season for Kentucky will also be a major plus for the Hawks.
Toronto Raptors - Keegan Murray (PF)
Explanation: The Raptors have been the best developmental team for rookies over the past couple years. From FVV to Pascal to OG and now Scottie, it's a beautiful thing to watch player's go from not even in the rotation to major pieces on a good raptors team. I don't know how much developing Keegan Murray needs though, as he looks like a player that will put up numbers immediately at the next level. He has been basically impossible to stop this season for Iowa, and with his size plus the skill set that he brings on both ends the court I could see him being a fan favorite for those fans. I can also see this pick going to a guard that can take a little pressure off of FVV, but Keegan here at 12 is too talented of a player to pass up.
New York Knicks - Johnny Davis (SG)
Explanation: The Knicks have been a major disappointment so far this season. With Randle forgetting how to play basketball and their big signing this past off-season Evan Fournier also not playing well, it's been a struggle for the Knicks so far. Maybe the player next to Kendall Brown who has improved their draft stock considerably in this class, is Johnny Davis. For someone who wasn't on many people's radar before the college season started, Johnny has been a joy to watch. He's someone that knows how to fill up the stat sheet in a hurry with his scoring, and he hasn't disappeared in any of his big games this season. With his stout defense along with his scoring, there's no reason why he couldn't get quality minutes for Thibs right away on that Knicks team.
Boston Celtics - Jean Montero (PG)
Explanation: The Celtics are going to need some type of point guard that can actually play the position for the long term. No offense to Smart, Schroder & Pritchard but they ain't it. Enter Jean Montero who's currently playing for Overtime Elite. I get that the level of competition isn't the greatest in that league, but his ability to command the floor while also playing at a really good pace will make him an intriguing for teams' in the lottery that needs a young guard. I think he would be an intelligent selection for the Celtics at 14, as I don't feel like there is a guard who's as talented as Montero at this point of the draft. There will be some Kennedy Chandler fans that probably will say otherwise, but with this pick I feel that Jean is the best fit for Boston here.