Two-round projection has Bronny James staying home, Knicks getting point guard depth

The betting markets have flipped in recent days to launch Risacher over Alex Sarr as the favorite to go No. 1 overall. Atlanta is reportedly still considering both Frenchmen as well as Donovan Clingan, and I’m not yet counting out Sarr entirely, but Risacher is looking like the pick for now.

Sarr looks like the pick for Washington at No. 2 as things stand. He’s a big and skilled center with excellent shot-blocking abilities and promising shooting potential.

Houston grabs the most potent 3-point shooter in the draft. Sheppard rated in the 100th percentile (!) in jump shots as a true freshman at Kentucky and was aces as a catch-and-shoot weapon to boot. He adds playmaking on both ends as a passer and defender.

Spurs need backcourt help to surround Victor Wembanyama, and they get it here with a potential star in Stephon Castle. He’s a defensive stalwart at the point of attack and a selfless do-it-all guard who can create when necessary.

Buzelis has been rising behind the scenes in recent weeks and seems to be in the mix for Detroit here with his blend of size and shooting ability. He had a down season shooting the ball with G League Ignite but has a smooth shooting stroke that should translate and make him a supersized combo forward who can space the floor.

Knecht was the best player in the SEC with Tennessee last season after a winding career that started in the JUCO ranks. He’s a five-year college player who turned 23 earlier this year but has an exciting blend of athleticism and shot-making that should translate from day one.

Clingan has the second-best odds to go No. 1 overall on draft night but could be a potential faller if he doesn’t go to Atlanta with the top pick. The fits for teams picking in the top six may not be ideal for varying reasons, but Portland stops the slipping here to pair him with 2023 No. 3 pick Scoot Henderson.

San Antonio adds another French star to its ranks in Salaun, who has familiarity with Victor Wembanyama, with both their sisters having played together previously on the FIBA circuit. Salaun’s a stellar shooter with length.

Despite playing through multiple injuries last season at Colorado, Williams as a freshman thrived with the Buffaloes as a do-it-all combo guard who shot lights out from 3 and profiles as a catch-and-shoot threat. That’s a skill set that could make him a nice role player even on a deep Grizzlies team expecting to be a factor in the West.

Topic is a wild card after being diagnosed earlier this month with a partially torn left ACL. He’s the best passer in this draft and was a top-five talent prior to the injury, though, so a smart team might be wise to take the discount and think longer term.

Few have had a better pre-draft process than Carter, who broke a combine record in the 3/4-court sprint and tied for the best max standing vertical leap at 42 inches. He’s coming off a Big East Player of the Year season for Providence and has improved as a shooter. That could make him a ready-made 3-and-D weapon with playmaking to boot.

A former Texas signee who spent last season with G League Ignite, Holland has the physical frame and multi-faceted toolset to become the best player in a wide-open class. The former No. 1 recruit could find a home in OKC where Sam Presti tends to bet on toolsy wings with upside.

Walter showed all the tools that made him a five-star prospect during his one season at Baylor. He has the array of athleticism and quick-trigger shooting to make for an easy NBA projection. He’ll need to improve his shooting and touch overall, but at 19 years old with his track record as a gunner, I’d buy into him here at the back of the lottery.

After snagging a foundational center at No. 7, Portland comes back with a long and rangy wing in Kyshawn George here to give the Trail Blazers shooting and length in their young core.

Questions about Dillingham’s size and defensive potential may push Dillingham out of the lottery but it’s unlikely he falls far. He’s an electric offensive weapon who can get hot in a hurry and be an an engine of an offense.

Da Silva is a big wing who was a great shooter at Colorado. He’s one of the oldest prospects in the draft but also one of the most NBA-ready players because of his ability to score off cuts, catch-and-shoot attempts, dribble handoffs and in isolation.

After hiring a podcaster to become its head coach earlier this week, L.A. may find part-time TikToker McCain an appealing option here at No. 17. It helps that his game would fit in L.A., too. He can do a little of everything from either guard spot and shot nearly 42% from 3-point range last season.

A diverse shot-maker and creator, Carrington is seen as a potential lottery talent who has the tools to develop into something special. He was a surprise one-and-done who could help add to Orlando’s diverse young roster.

A Toronto native who dominated the last two seasons in college basketball at Purdue, Toronto brings one of its own back home at No. 19. Edey is a polarizing prospect in draft circles but his size, developmental trajectory and sheer dominance at the highest level of the sport can’t be ignored.

You have to do some projecting here to buy into Furphy because of his limited role at Kansas and hit-or-miss production. However, he can shoot it great from anywhere on the floor and has the ball skills to be an attacker off the bounce. Could be a nice developmental piece for the Cavs, who don’t quite have a player stylistically who plays like him.

In a draft where two 7-footers might go inside the top three picks, Missi — somehow — has been overlooked after a solid freshman season at debut. He was good as a shot-blocker and rated out well as a roll man.

Phoenix is seemingly very interested in Kolek given his prolific college career and win-now skill set that could help with Kevin Durant in town. He’s an elite distributor who plays a selfless style and has developed into a well-rounded offensive weapon as a scorer, too.

The best and most NBA-ready defensive prospect in this draft lands in Milwaukee. Dunn has some question marks about his offensive skill set but his playmaking on defense should earn him a role in the NBA.

New York adds some insurance to its frontcourt and its various moving pieces with a 7-footer in Kyle Filipowski who led Duke in scoring last season and shot 35% from 3-point range as a sophomore. He’s a huge body with a modern game ready to contribute for a Knicks team that’s primed to compete atop the East.

Collier’s a dynamic downhill driver who has excellent court vision and plays an exciting brand of basketball as a scorer and distributor. He could give the Knicks a change of pace when Brunson takes breathers and develop into a key piece of the team’s foundation in time.

With Sarr already in the fold, Washington takes a swing on a young developmental player in Christie who has a ton of upside as a long wing with shooting skills.

Shannon was found not guilty in his rape trial earlier this month, potentially clearing the way for teams to feel more comfortable taking him in the first round. He was one of the best players in the Big Ten last season and could add depth to a contending Wolves team.

There’s been plenty of buzz around Holmes in recent weeks after a strong pre-draft process in which he impressed NBA teams with his maturity and poise. He was one of the most productive players in college hoops last season for Dayton, where he averaged 20.4 points per game and dominated both inside and out.

The counting stats playing in the NBL last season don’t jump off the page, but Johnson is a former five-star recruit who is seemingly in the process of turning promise and potential into production after catching the eyes of evaluators at the combine.

Scheierman was one of the big winners of combine week after standing out in the scrimmages. He’s an older prospect but could produce instant value for a contenting Celtics team that has shown it values size and shooting.