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If the actual NBA draft is anything like the unpredictable lottery, it’s going to be a heckuva night in Brooklyn on June 25.
The Mavericks somehow finished first despite having just a 1.8 percent chance of moving all the way up to No. 1. The Spurs were second, and the 76ers third, both surprising jumps based on where they were projected.
All three teams are set up nicely in this loaded draft that has a clear No. 1 in Cooper Flagg, followed by several intriguing prospects.
The Post’s Zach Braziller takes a swing at how he sees the lottery playing out:
1. Dallas Mavericks
Cooper Flagg, Duke (F, 6-7, 221 pounds)
A no-brainer at No. 1, Flagg is the draft’s best prospect since Victor Wembanyama, a two-way demon who only recently turned 18 years old. Dallas lucked out big time, finding a new face of the franchise after sending Luka Doncic away. Flagg was the best player in college basketball this past season, and still has so much more room to develop. There is no weakness in his game.
2. San Antonio Spurs
VJ Edgecombe, Baylor (G, 6-4, 193 pounds)
Some scouts prefer the upside of Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey, but Edgecombe is the better athlete, better defender and displayed progress as a shooter as his lone college season went on. It’s easy to see him thriving in the NBA’s more spread-out game. He’s the best athlete in this draft and would give the Spurs another premier athlete next to Wembanyama, NBA Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle and point guard De’Aaron Fox. While San Antonio could move this pick for a star like Giannis Antetokounmpo, a young core of Wembanyama, Castle, Fox and Edgecombe would be a fascinating core to build around.
3. Philadelphia 76ers
Dylan Harper, Rutgers (G, 6-4, 213 pounds)
The 76ers were one of the big winners of the lottery, finding their way into the top three. Had the pick dropped out of the top six, it would have belonged to the Thunder. And Philadelphia scores big here, landing the uber-talented Harper, a big lead guard with shot-making prowess who won’t have immediate pressure to produce, joining established stars Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey.
4. Charlotte Hornets
Ace Bailey, Rutgers (G/F, 6-7, 202 pounds)
Bailey has traits NBA teams love in wings: Shooting and size. His shot selection and defense need significant work, but the Hornets remain in the building stages. Bailey can thrive playing off point guard LaMelo Ball and joining another highly skilled wing in Brandon Miller.
5. Utah Jazz
Jeremiah Fears, Oklahoma (G, 6-2, 179 pounds)
The 18-year-old was at times brilliant for Oklahoma as a scoring and playmaking lead guard capable of creating for himself and others. He showed a knack for getting to the free throw line (6.3 attempts per game) and few opponents were able to stay in front of him. Fears will need to add muscle to his thin frame and improve his 3-point shooting, but there is All-Star potential here.
6. Washington Wizards
Tre Johnson, Texas (G, 6-4, 190 pounds)
The Basketball Gods were not kind to the Wizards, who were tied with the Jazz and Hornets for having the best odds to win the Flagg sweepstakes and dropped all the way down to No. 6. Johnson, though, could be a find. In his one year at Texas, he showcased a blend of slashing and shot-making that should translate at the next level.
7. New Orleans Pelicans
Khaman Maluach, Duke (C, 7-0, 252 pounds)
The one-and-done Duke star can help the Pelicans immediately as a rim-protector and lob threat on the offensive end. He has the athleticism and length to defend in space and will almost certainly improve offensively in the years to come.
8. Brooklyn Nets
Kon Knueppel, Duke (G, 6-5, 219 pounds)
Knueppel is more than just a shooter, although that is his elite skill. He defends, he can score on the move and has upside as a secondary playmaker who has already shown promise as a decision-maker in ball screens.
9. Toronto Raptors
Collin Murray-Boyles, South Carolina (F, 6-6, 239 pounds)
Some scouts see Draymond Green without the baggage. He is one of the top defenders in this draft, and the Raptors need major help on that end of the floor. If he can improve his 3-point shot, and he did hit a few as a sophomore, Murray-Boyles could become a real difference-maker down the road.
10. Houston Rockets
Kasparas Jakucionis, Illinois (G, 6-4, 205 pounds)
Off the bat, Jakucionis improves the Rockets’ guard depth. In time, he could be a Fred VanVleet replacement. The Lithuanian southpaw impressed with his toughness, high IQ and playmaking ability as an 18-year-old freshman at Illinois. The belief is his shooting will improve after he only made 31.8 percent of his attempts from distance in college.
11. Portland Trail Blazers
Egor Demin, BYU (G, 6-8, 199 pounds)
Portland hurt its lottery chances with a strong 23-18 finish over the final 41 games, and it has backcourt needs that make Demin the pick in this spot. At 6-foot-8, Denim has exceptional size for a guard, and can develop into a strong playmaker, given his pick-and-roll prowess and advanced court vision.
12, Chicago Bulls
Derik Queen, Maryland (F, 6-9, 247 pounds)
There isn’t a more skilled big man in the draft, a pick-and-pop threat, offensive creator in the post and gifted passer. There are defensive and shooting range concerns, but you don’t pass up on young talents like this when you’re in need of upgrading your roster like the Bulls.
13. Atlanta Hawks
Carter Bryant, Arizona (G/F, 6-6, 214 pounds)
It wasn’t the freshman year most expected for Bryant, who saw a limited role off the bench for Arizona. But his measurables and versatile skill set for a wing are too appealing for him to fall out of the lottery.
14. San Antonio Spurs
Danny Wolf, Michigan (F, 6-10, 251 pounds)
Yes, he’s 21 years old, which could give some teams pause, but the well-rounded forward has improved immensely in recent years, and has the ability to play some on the ball and make shots from deep, as he showed this past season at Michigan. A two-big lineup of Wolf and Wembanyama would be fun, given the duo’s inside-out abilities.
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