Every year since 2003, I have put together a "Best Available" list for the NBA draft. Instead of doing a mock draft and trying to anticipate team needs and what each team will do at each draft spot, I put together a list of players and rank them as to which are the most valuable prospects.
I don't have a team, therefore, I don't have a "Big Board" or a board of any kind. I mean, really, where would I put it? Instead of a board, I simply have a yellow legal pad, with notes, scribbles and the occasional doodle drawing, usually from a boring conference call.
While there can be a shift of a player or two prior to the NBA draft, it is unlikely that there will be any changes in my "Best Available" list leading up to the NBA draft on June 25 (7 p.m. ET, ESPN). And if you want to see the 10 things I like about the top prospects, read it here.
As always, you're welcome.
1. Jahlil Okafor, C, Duke
Upside: A dominant low-post scorer who is an excellent finisher around the basket. Great hands, outstanding footwork on the offensive end, and a great shooting touch to 15 feet. Very good passer, and a really good feel on the offensive end. Outstanding offensive rebounder.
Downside: Poor free throw shooter. Not a dominant rim protector or defensive presence in the lane. Limited in defending pick-and-roll action.
2. Karl-Anthony Towns, C, Kentucky
Upside: Offensive versatility, he can post up and go over either shoulder or step away and hit a perimeter shot or drive the ball. Excellent rebounder on both ends of the floor, and a very good rim protector and shot-blocker. Does more things well than Jahlil Okafor, but is not as dominant in one area. Excellent free throw shooter, hitting over 80 percent.
Downside: Needs to get stronger to get and hold position in the paint.
3. D'Angelo Russell, Ohio State
Upside: The best pure basketball player in the draft. Lefty with an outstanding handle and a passing savant who finds open teammates. Great feel, terrific range and knows how to play. Good guard rebounder.
Downside: Can be a much better defender, not considered an "elite" athlete, but better than he gets credit for.
4. Emmanuel Mudiay, PG, China
Upside: Athletic, strong, explosive playmaking guard with size for position. Can get into the lane and make plays, finishing or dishing. Very good in transition. Potential to be an outstanding defender.
Downside: Must improve shooting technique and consistency, but he can be a good shooter. His shot is not broken, and has already improved since high school.
5. Justise Winslow, SF, Duke
Upside: Athletic and explosive wing who is not tall but is big and strong and very good in the open floor and attacking off the dribble. Long-armed lefty who can hit catch-and-shoot jumpers to 3-point distance. Can take a defender into the post, and shows the aptitude to improve in that area. Excellent defender and transition shot-blocker who makes highlight blocks at the end of a break situation.
Downside: Not a great shooter, but can make shots. Must improve his middle game, pull-up game, but shows the aptitude to improve that area.
6. Kristaps Porzingis, PF, Latvia
Upside: Size and skill, a legit pick-and-pop big man who can stretch the floor. Excellent feel for the game, mobile and can really make shots. Technique is very good, and he has a very fluid stroke. Very well thought of by those who know him.
Downside: Not physical in the post or on the glass. Needs to get much stronger. A light rebounder for his size and not a rim protector.
7. Mario Hezonja, SF, Croatia
Upside: Athletic, competitive and a very good perimeter shooter with a beautiful shooting stroke. At his best in catch-and-shoot situations, sets his feet quickly, but can also make shots on the move. Matches the physical profile for an NBA small forward. Good in transition, very good finisher around and above the rim. Fran Fraschilla has said he could compete favorably in the dunk contest and the 3-point contest. Athletic and competitive enough to be a very good defender in the NBA.
Downside: Not sure there is a downside to Hezonja. The question is only how good, because he will not fail in the NBA.
8. Willie Cauley-Stein, C, Kentucky
Upside: Highest and best use is as a defensive specialist. WCS is an outstanding athlete who can run, move laterally and is explosive off of the floor. Good in transition, changing ends and finishing at the rim on the break or on the occasional lob. He can guard in the post, defend a guard on the perimeter, and switch onto any player on the floor. Arguably the best defender in this draft. Can rebound, especially on the offensive end, but is not a voracious rebounder. Can protect the rim, but is not a high-volume shot-blocker. His defensive versatility is his best attribute.
Downside: WCS is not an offensive threat. He does not have back-to-the-basket moves and does not hit open, face-up jump shots. While an excellent overall defender, WCS is not a great post defender, getting caught behind often. Unsure where he plays because he is not a DeAndre Jordan-type defender but more of a hybrid defender.
9. Frank Kaminsky, C, Wisconsin
Upside: One of the best perimeter shooters in the draft. Excellent pick-and-pop big man, with the ability to set a screen and get open for a perimeter shot or drive the closeout. Shoots to range, but can also post up and has a variety of post moves, excellent footwork. Very crafty with fakes, footwork and the ability to finish plays. Kaminsky is a solid rebounder and rim protector. Very smart player who is adaptable.
Downside: neither a great athlete nor explosive off the floor, and needs to improve his lateral mobility to guard high pick-and-roll. Defensively, his mobility and quickness are limited. But he is better than he gets credit for, because Wisconsin guarded screen-and-roll action a bit differently than most other teams.
10. Devin Booker, SG, Kentucky
Upside: Terrific shooter with size for position. Deep range, sets his feet quickly and has a quick, high release. While a high percentage of his shots are catch-and-shoot, Booker is a good athlete who can also drive the ball and move without it. Solid defender with ability to keep his assignment in front.
Downside: Not a great athlete, but a good one. Needs to improve his handle.
11. Stanley Johnson, SF, Arizona
Upside: Big, strong and athletic wing who powers his way to the basket and is very good in the open floor. Has been a winner at every level, and is very competitive. Very physical and plays hard, has the ability to be a versatile and effective defender.
Downside: Limited shooter, although improved. Low release point on his shot, and takes time to get it off. Shot a reasonable percentage from 3-point range, but is not a shooter. Very strong, but not explosive athletically. Skill level is good, but must improve. Finishing ability is there, but efficiency needs to improve.
12. Kelly Oubre, SF, Kansas
Upside: Size, superior length and athleticism at the wing. Can be an excellent and versatile defender. Athletic and quick, can get to the rim off the dribble. Lefty with a good midrange shot, but inconsistent shooting the ball. Improved toughness and defense throughout the season. Showed a willingness to do the hard things, and do them well.
Downside: Ballhandling and passing must improve, as should reads and decision-making.
13. Trey Lyles, PF, Kentucky
Upside: Size, skill and good length as a frontcourt player. Good to midrange, and has the ability to handle and pass. Solid in most areas, but not spectacular in any one area. Strong, good rebounder, and will blend.
Downside: Not a super explosive athlete, but can hang on both ends of the floor. Limited range on his shot, struggles to consistently make shots beyond the college 3-point line. The real question with Lyles is whom he would guard on the NBA level.
14. Cameron Payne, PG, Murray State
Upside: Lefty point guard who is very good in the open floor and attacking off the dribble. Quick, fast and has the ability to get into the lane. Long arms, good passing instincts and a good middle game.
Downside: Needs to improve his body and his strength. His shot consistency must improve, he has a low release point on an unorthodox shot. Not as big, strong or explosive as Emmanuel Mudiay.
15. Sam Dekker, SF, Wisconsin
Upside: Long-armed and athletic wing who can attack in straight lines off the bounce or knock down a perimeter jumper, spotting up or pulling up. Very athletic, can get off the floor quickly. Can post up a smaller matchup, but not an overwhelming strength.
Downside: Decisions are not always great, and needs to improve his shooting consistency from deep. Can be streaky. Must improve his strength and ability to take a bump and finish through contact. Must improve his perimeter defense and rebounding.
16. Jerian Grant, PG, Notre Dame
Upside: Good size and length, and an excellent playmaker and passer. Has a great knack to score, and can do it in a variety of ways. Good shooting range, can create his own shot, and can make challenged shots, including finishing over size in the lane. Very good off of pick-and-rolls, can take on a secondary and tertiary defender. Solid defender, gets steals and has a good feel for the game on either end of the floor. Good maturity level.
Downside: Must improve his 3-point shooting consistency.
17. Bobby Portis, PF, Arkansas
Upside: Interior player with very good size and excellent length. Good rebounder, especially on the offensive end, where he grabbed close to 4 offensive rebounds per game. A solid shot-blocker, Portis plays really hard and can hit a perimeter shot. Good post player, passes well and has good versatility.
Downside: Not a great athlete, and is not a dominant rim protector and defensive rebounder. Lacks a dominant skill, but his overall game and motor put him ahead of others.
18. Myles Turner, C, Texas
Upside: Very skilled big man who can face up and knock down a perimeter shot. Good turnaround jumper, excellent shooting touch. Good passing instincts, works hard, high character. Can block shots and change shots around the rim.
Downside: Lacks physical strength. Does not change ends, awkward runner. Not a great rebounder. Had his best games against the lesser teams on Texas' schedule.
19. R.J. Hunter, SG, Georgia State
Upside: Long armed shooter with Reggie Miller range. A specialist who is conscience-free, and a better shooter than last season's percentages would indicate. Gets his shot off quickly, and has a high release point and a beautiful stroke. Runs off of screens and sets his feet, squaring up quickly. Can make good reads, passes well and is unafraid. Great free throw shooter.
Downside: Not a great athlete, and is limited defensively. Needs to improve his handle and strength to absorb contact and not get knocked off of his intended path.
20. Tyus Jones, PG, Duke
Upside: A winner and leader. Good passer, good handler and easy to play with. Good shooter, can make runners and floaters in the lane. Good decision-maker. Good open shooter from range.
Downside: Lacks size, and is not an elite NBA athlete. Does not explode past defenders, and may have difficulty staying in front of NBA point guards.
21. Justin Anderson, SF, Virginia
Upside: Strong, athletic lefty who can slash, knock down perimeter jumpers and defend. With a 6-11 wingspan and crazy athleticism, Anderson has an NBA body. Vastly improved shooter, very confident player who was playing as well as any player in the country before getting injured. Dynamic athlete who has a similar player profile to Duke's Justise Winslow. Very good body control.
Downside: Needs to improve his handle, passing and his decision-making.
22. Delon Wright, PG, Utah
Upside: Excellent making reads off of pick-and-roll situations. Versatile and productive in several different areas. Good passer and solid guard rebounder. Very good free throw shooter. Has the ability to be a very good defender.
Downside: Not a great shooter, and lacks consistency from outside of the paint. Limited athletically, but makes up for it with basketball IQ.
23. Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, SF, Arizona
Upside: Freaky long, athletic wing who can defend all over the floor. Good defensive rebounder and plays his tail off. Can drive the ball and a solid finisher who can play through contact. Good transition player. His value is as a defensive stopper.
Downside: Poor shooter. Technique is poor, and he is very limited scoring outside of the paint.
24. Kevon Looney, PF, UCLA
Upside: Long-armed offensive rebounder and shot-blocker who can hit a standstill jumper to 3-point range. Unorthodox game. Good mobility, although not explosive or quick. Freaky length and timing.
Downside: Inconsistent shooter who lacks a low-post game, and needs to improve his overall skills. Intriguing potential, but his overall game needs polish and improvement. Unsure exactly where he plays.
25. Terry Rozier, PG, Louisville
Upside: Strong, athletic, dynamic guard. Long armed with explosive quickness. Excellent defender and very good in the open floor. Good guard rebounder and good off the dribble. Gets steals and deflections on defense. Plays his tail off and never backs down.
Downside: Small guard. Inconsistent shooter from range, but can improve upon that. Played most of his college career off the ball rather than initiating an offense.
26. Jordan Mickey, PF, LSU
Upside: Undersized but long-armed power forward who rebounds at a high rate, blocks shots, and compares favorably to Taj Gibson. Can make a midrange shot and can play above the rim. Plays hard and fills his role.
Downside: Does not stretch the floor, his range does not extend beyond 17 feet.
27. Montrezl Harrell, PF, Louisville
Upside: Only 6-8, Harrell has a ridiculous wingspan and very few frontcourt players go as hard as he does. Gets off the floor quickly and with power. Dunks everything around the basket. Tough-minded and energetic. Good rebounder and has improved his shooting to where he must be guarded to 20 feet.
Downside: Small for a power forward, does not have the ball skills to be a wing. But, he plays so hard, he can overcome that. Limited shooter, can struggle from the foul line.
28. Rashad Vaughn, SG, UNLV
Upside: Good size and athleticism for a point guard. Scorer's mentality. Streaky shooter.
Downside: Not a consistent or efficient shooter, but a volume shooter. Needs to improve his defense and decisions.
29. Jarell Martin, SF, LSU
Upside: Athletic and powerful forward who can score around the rim, rebound at a high rate and change ends in transition. Solid offensive rebounder.
Downside: Does not have length for a power forward, and does not block or change shots around the rim. Not a great free throw shooter, and range does not extend to 3-point line.
30. Olivier Hanlan, SG, Boston College
Upside: Hanlan is a scorer who can shoot from range, put the ball on the floor and get by defenders, and has the ability to play point guard. A good passer and good guard rebounder.
Downside: Hanlan lacks elite NBA athleticism, and may have struggles as a defender. But, his scoring ability and basketball IQ put him ahead of other guards.
31. Christian Wood, PF, UNLV
Upside: Long-armed finisher, rebounder and shot-blocker who can get off the floor quickly and quickly changes ends in transition, and is encouraged to "bust out" and take a defensive rebound coast to coast. A good offensive rebounder, he also has an emerging skill set, and has continued to improve. Can be a good defender, both interior and perimeter.
Downside: Wood lacks bulk and strength, and needs to be more physical. His post moves need to be refined, and his shooting consistency needs to improve.
32. Cliff Alexander, Kansas
Upside: Alexander is an undersized power forward with freaky length and is at his best around the rim. Good finisher around the rim, good rebounder on both ends of the floor. Good offensive rebounder, can block shots.
Downside: Not a great athlete and does not have size for a power forward, but can be overpowering with an angle. Needs to improve and refine his footwork and post moves.
33. Chris McCullough, PF, Syracuse
Upside: Long, very thin and athletic, McCullough has shown flashes in high school and college (before getting injured and missing the vast majority of the season), but has not been consistent. He has tools, but not polish. A good offensive rebounder and fluid athlete who is very quick, and can change ends. Good potential, but has not shown it for long stretches.
Downside: Coming off of a significant knee injury. A decent shooting> stroke, but inconsistent. Range to 17 feet, but struggled from the foul line in the 15 games he played. Needs to improve his overall ball skills, his defense, and must learn to play harder and tougher for longer stretches.
34. Joseph Young, SG, Oregon
Upside: Scoring point guard who can shoot from deep, take defenders off the dribble and make a variety of shots. Can spot up, hit off of screens and pull-up, and has deep range, a quick release and excellent technique. Good off of ball screens. Automatic free throw shooter. Shows a hunger to score, and has seen multiple defenses designed to stop him. Good passer, willing to give the ball up. Despite his size, will stick his nose in there and rebound.
Downside: Small guard, not a great defender.
35. Rakeem Christmas, C, Syracuse
Upside: Good rebounder and shot-blocker with impressive length. Plays very hard, and has improved his offensive game. Reliable in the post, improved free throw shooter.
Downside: Questions about his ability to defend in pick-and-roll situations and defending one-on-one in the post. Christmas is older than many two- and three-year NBA veterans.
36. Andrew Harrison, PG, Kentucky
Upside: Good size and strength for an NBA point guard. Good in transition, gets to the rim, can shoot over smaller guards. Good handler, very good defender.
Downside: Not a shooter, but can make an open shot. Not an elite playmaker or passer, but better than he gets credit for.
37. Jonathan Holmes, SF, Texas
Upside: Strong, with good size and skill level. Changes ends, and has committed to better conditioning. Physical, plays through contact. Can post up or step away and knock down a perimeter jump shot. Has 3-point range and can pick-and-pop. Can shot fake and drive. Can block and challenge shots, can also step out and guard on the perimeter.
Downside: Inconsistent shooter, very streaky and not an instinctive passer. Not an elite or explosive NBA athlete for a power forward.
38. Dakari Johnson, C, Kentucky
Upside: A big body who is willing to play in the post and be physical. Good footwork and the ability to finish plays around the rim. Good rebounder, good length. Can be a capable backup big man.
Downside: Not an elite athlete, does not change ends well. Not a shot-blocker or dominant finisher.
39. Vince Hunter, SF, UTEP
Upside: Big wing with great length. Athletic finisher, productive rebounder, very good defensive potential.
Downside: Not a polished offensive player.
40. Pat Connaughton, SF, Notre Dame
Upside: Strong and athletic wing who can stretch the floor with deep range and a very quick release. Can drive a closeout. Good cutter. Competitive, rebounds with two hands, and fights hard. Guarded multiple positions at Notre Dame, mostly covering bigger matchups. Knows how to play.
Downside: Undersized wing, but a 6-8 wingspan. Not a handler. Question as to whom he guards. Baseball pitcher, drafted by the Baltimore Orioles.