Evan Sidery’s NBA Lottery Mock Draft 2.0: Multiple Trades Shake Up First Round

Three weeks from now, prospects will be walking across the stage in Brooklyn, New York to greet NBA commissioner Adam Silver when their lifelong dreams become reality. One of the best times on the basketball calendar revolves around the NBA Draft, and this year’s class is loaded with game-changers.

In Compare.bet’s NBA Lottery Mock Draft 1.0, no trades were involved. However, this time around, it’s a free-for-all resulting in some very realistic deals that could go down next month. In the meantime, are there any significant changes at the top?

Without further ado, let’s go ahead and dive into Compare.bet’s NBA Lottery Mock Draft 2.0:

1. Orlando Magic: Jabari Smith Jr., Wing, Auburn

Odds to go No. 1, via DraftKings: -330

Instead of going with Chet Holmgren, Orlando goes for the immediate go-to scorer in Smith. Smith’s ceiling outcome looks to be on a similar path as Jayson Tatum, and we see nowadays how important a wing scorer is. Smith has a rare blend of offensive tools to go alongside some freakish physical attributes. With a silky smooth jumper, Smith could instantly become a 20-plus point-per-game scorer during his rookie campaign.

With the Magic, Smith slides in very well next to their young core. Orlando can’t go wrong with their choice at No. 1 overall, and this time around they go with Smith over Holmgren and Paolo Banchero.

2. Oklahoma City Thunder: Chet Holmgren, Big, Gonzaga

Odds to go No. 1: +300

Thunder GM Sam Presti has to be doing backflips in the war room, because this is his dream scenario. If Holmgren hits his ceiling, the Thunder’s longstanding rebuild will be all worth it. Holmgren with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Josh Giddey becomes one of the most intriguing young trios in the Association.

Instantly, Holmgren helps change the Thunder’s identity on defense, plus he’s a pure lottery ticket on the offensive end with his special ability at his size. For both team and prospect, this is an ideal outcome here.

3. Houston Rockets: Paolo Banchero, Wing, Duke

Odds to go No. 1: +1500

No changes here from our first mock draft, because Banchero is such a seamless fit in Houston alongside Jalen Green. Also, don’t forget about the frontcourt pairing Banchero forms with impressive rookie big man Alperen Sengun.

Banchero offers Houston a bucket-getter with endless amounts of versatility. Green and Banchero will be able to play off one another with no issue, and that’s an ideal one-two building block for the post-James Harden era.

4. Indiana Pacers (TRADE): Jaden Ivey, Ball Handler, Purdue

Kings receive: No. 6, 2023 1st (lottery protected via Cleveland), 2024 1st unprotected

Pacers receive: No. 4 (Jaden Ivey)

We have our first trade in NBA Lottery Mock Draft 2.0. The Pacers move up two spots from No. 6 overall in order to nab the prospect they’ve been coveting for months in Purdue’s Jaden Ivey. A hometown hero of sorts, Ivey would become the new face of the franchise in Indianapolis. And the backcourt pairing with Tyrese Haliburton would result in box-office entertainment on the offensive end.

Sacramento does this deal because they are able to secure two future first-round picks, one unprotected in 2024 from Indiana alongside a 2023 pick via the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Kings are in an advantageous scenario to pounce on this opportunity and potentially still get their preferred player two spots later.

5. Detroit Pistons: Keegan Murray, Wing, Iowa

Rumors are swirling around the Pistons preparing to be one of the most aggressive teams in the upcoming chase for Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton. The 2018 No. 1 overall pick wants a max contract, and Detroit is one of the few teams who can offer it to him immediately as a restricted free agent thanks to their cap space. If Detroit is planning on going all-in for Ayton, it signals they are ready to compete for the playoffs next season.

According to @JakeLFischer, the Pistons, Trail Blazers and Raptors will be pursuing Deandre Ayton when free agency begins.

— Evan Sidery (@esidery) May 31, 2022

Detroit takes the safer play here over the upside in Shaedon Sharpe, because Keegan Murray is such a strong fit alongside Cunningham and Saddiq Bey. Keep an eye on the Pistons this offseason, because it feels like they are about to make some serious moves to improve.

6. Sacramento Kings: Shaedon Sharpe, Wing, Kentucky

Sacramento obtains two future first-round picks while still selecting the player they wanted all along in Sharpe. Next to De’Aaron Fox, Sharpe is a better fit compared to Ivey because he can be more versatile on the wing.

Sharpe is such a mystery box, but the upside is immense. If the Kings hit on Sharpe to pair with Fox and Domantas Sabonis, their historic playoff drought could soon come to an end. Between Sharpe and the Kings, this is one of my favorite scenarios in this draft.

7. Detroit Pistons (TRADE): Bennedict Mathurin, Wing, Arizona

Trail Blazers receive: Jerami Grant

Pistons receive: Eric Bledsoe, No. 7 pick (Bennedict Mathurin)

Surprise, another blockbuster trade goes down resulting in the Pistons receiving two top-seven selections. Portland is in win-now mode to appease superstar point guard Damian Lillard, and everyone knows this is their last chance to get it right around him. If next season doesn’t go well for the Trail Blazers, it’s likely Lillard will request a trade to compete for championships.

The trade market isn’t robust at the moment, but the smoke around Jerami Grant to Portland has been there for months now. And with the draft closing in, those rumors are picking up steam once again. Grant is a very strong fit alongside Lillard, but is worth trading away the No. 7 overall pick? That’s the risk Portland has to take here because of Lillard, and Detroit takes full advantage selecting Bennedict Mathurin.

You might be wondering why the Pistons would double-down with another wing here, but the NBA Finals matchup between the Golden State Warriors and Boston Celtics showcases how that’s become the most important position in basketball. Finding versatile two-way wings is the name of the game nowadays.

Just imagine Detroit trotting out this lineup next season, assuming they pull off a sign-and-trade for Ayton as well: Cade Cunningham, Bennedict Mathurin, Saddiq Bey, Keegan Murray, Deandre Ayton. That’s an extremely young starting unit, but a year or two from now they would be dominant.

8. New Orleans Pelicans: Dyson Daniels, Wing, G League Ignite

Daniels is this year’s riser in the pre-draft process. Jumping up six spots in our latest mock draft, Daniels has been acing workouts and interviews thus far. Now, it would be a surprise according to multiple NBA draft insiders if Daniels slips outside the top 10 picks.

In New Orleans, Daniels would bring another versatile multi-positional prospect who would slide into a low-usage role alongside Brandon Ingram, CJ McCollum, and Zion Williamson (hopefully). Daniels is already an enticing prospect because of his defense and playmaking for his size at 6-foot-8. If Daniels adds a jumper, which is all the buzz right now, he becomes a high-floor prospect with the ability to become so much more.

9. San Antonio Spurs: Jeremy Sochan, Wing, Baylor

The Spurs are such a wildcard, because we have no idea what their read on this draft class is. Nothing has leaked out from San Antonio, so we’re trying to connect the dots as best as we can here. Sochan is also another player receiving late lottery buzz, and he mentioned at the NBA Draft Combine he met with the Spurs. Could this be an ideal fit between Sochan and San Antonio?

Sochan brings immediate value as a defender, but his offense is lagging behind. It’s a bet on internal development with Sochan, but he lands in the perfect situation to reach his ceiling. San Antonio’s renowned development program has already produced multiple home runs.

10. Washington Wizards: Johnny Davis, Wing, Wisconsin

Will the Bradley Beal era soon be coming to an end in the nation’s capital? It sounds like Beal could re-sign for the most annual value, but what does the future look like for 2023 and beyond? Right now, it feels bleak. Beal is the shining image for the Wizards, and their lack of draft success has crippled their immediate contention window.

The Wizards should go for best player available while also keeping the realistic idea that Beal could soon ask out. Enter in Davis, because he has the mentality to be a go-to scorer and bulldog-type defender. Davis shined last season for the Wisconsin Badgers, and he should be able to be more impactful with more spacing and less of an offensive workload.

11. New York Knicks: AJ Griffin, Wing, Duke

Ready to connect some dots here that lead me to believing Griffin to New York feels like destiny? Knicks president Leon Rose used to be a power agent for CAA, a sports agency representing top clients. Rose and the Knicks’ entire front office were at CAA’s Pro Day recently to check out Griffin in-person. Don’t be shocked if those connections don’t result in a miniature “slide” for Griffin to the Knicks.

Griffin’s shooting capabilities make him such a strong fit alongside fellow Duke Blue Devil R.J. Barrett. New York would love to star-hunt soon enough, but they simply are not ready at the moment. For a young core, this isn’t too bad in the Big Apple: Barrett, Obi Toppin, Immanuel Quickley, Griffin.

12. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Los Angeles Clippers): Ousmane Dieng, Wing, NZ Breakers

Oklahoma City always throws curveballs, especially when they have the amount of draft ammunition at their disposal. Two lottery picks means multiple home run hacks at the plate for GM Sam Presti. After selecting Chet Holmgren at No. 2, Presti swings with Dieng here.

Dieng will take multiple years of development, but a place like OKC is the perfect spot for him. As a lanky wing who can add value all over the court, Dieng’s ceiling feels like a super-charged role player. With the Thunder alongside Gilgeous-Alexander and now Holmgren, it’s a perfect fit for Dieng.

13. Indiana Pacers (TRADE): Mark Williams, Big, Duke

Pacers receive: Gordon Hayward, No. 13, No. 15

Hornets receive: Myles Turner, Goga Bitadze, No. 31

The trades are flying all over the place in NBA Lottery Mock Draft 2.0, because I expect fireworks when draft night actually rolls around. So many teams are trying to get aggressive, which is going to result in a bevy of moves up and down the draft board. This blockbuster between the Pacers and Hornets is no different.

Thanks to injury issues piling up over the years, Hayward’s contract is viewed around the league as an albatross. And for the Hornets, Hayward no longer fits their roster window. It will cost a lot to get off his deal, but a team like Indiana is the ideal dance partner because of cap space flexibility. Charlotte gets off Hayward’s contract while also obtaining their long-term answer at center in Myles Turner. It’s a win-win for both sides as the Hornets go for it and the Pacers embrace a full-scale rebuild attempt.

Why would Indiana draft a big like Williams at No. 13? Well, if they do plan on moving Turner and Bitadze, plus Jalen Smith’s uncertain future, there’s not much depth behind rookie Isaiah Jackson. Williams and Jackson can play together, but that’s an awesome center duo for years to come in Indianapolis.

14. Dallas Mavericks (TRADE): Jalen Duren, Big, Memphis

Mavericks receive: Kevin Love, No. 14 (Jalen Duren)

Cavaliers receive: Reggie Bullock, Dwight Powell, Maxi Kleber, No. 26

Ready for this win-win deal between Dallas and Cleveland? Honestly, it makes a lot of sense for both sides to pull off. After such a disappointing season, Cleveland needs to hit the gas button for surefire playoff contention. For Dallas, they need to find a capable big man to place alongside Luka Doncic for years to come.

Dallas instantly restocks their frontcourt depth with Love and Duren. Both can play with Doncic, plus Duren would be a monster in pick-and-roll situations. For Cleveland, they add a win-now wing in Bullock to go along with two capable bigs.

With the NBA Draft less than one month away, get ready for the rumors to continue to fly. Stay tuned to Compare.bet for all your latest NBA coverage throughout the offseason.