The Grizzlies have been struck by injury after injury in the frontcourt this season. Dereck Lively’s second-half transformation at Duke vaulted him back into the first round conversation, and he would be a worthwhile addition for the Grizzlies as a rim-protector and lob threat for Ja Morant.
A dynamic athlete who rumbles down the lane without fear of contact, Ricky Council would be a worthy investment for the wing-deprived Hornets. Beyond LaMelo and Wemby, there aren’t a lot of players on the Charlotte roster who feel permanent. Council would thrive in a spaced out offense, with a refined role and the ability to lock in defensively.
A lanky 6-foot-10 forward with a talent for causing chaos on the defensive end, Noah Clowney would be an intriguing building block next to Walker Kessler and Lauri Markkanen in the Utah frontcourt. His ability to guard all over the floor and his soft touch around the rim suggests future shooting potential on offense.
An effortless shooter who made countless contested jumpers at Ohio State, Brice Sensabaugh has garnered a lot of buzz around his offensive potential. He’s strong enough to bully mismatches in the post and he can roast slow-footed defenders with heady dribble moves and step-backs along the perimeter. The Pacers could use a perimeter scorer of his caliber to play off of the Haliburton-Thompson backcourt.
The Clippers, ever more desperate to win it all, go for experience and NBA readiness with the final pick in the first round. Julian Strawther has been a standout for one of the best programs in college basketball, and his combination of size, shooting, and defense on the wing is easy to project in a complementary role next to the likes of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George.