ESPN draft gurus Jay Bilas and Chad Ford teamed up on Tuesday for ESPN's first Mock Draft Special. Before they did, though, we we asked Ford to project what each team in the lottery will likely do with their pick on draft night based on intel he's received from teams. Then we asked Bilas to tell us what they should do based on his best-available list.
1. Philadelphia 76ers
Will pick: Ben Simmons, F, Fr., LSU
Ford: On the surface, Simmons doesn't appear to be a great fit in Philly. The Sixers need guards in the worst way and are already loaded with bigs. However, Simmons isn't your ordinary big guy. He's a point guard in the body of a power forward.
The more the Sixers have broken down the tape, the more they think he might actually be the answer to their point guard woes. His court vision and ball-handling abilities for his size are uncanny and will create huge mismatches on both ends of the floor.
It might be a rocky transition for Simmons -- as it is for most rookie point guards -- but if the Sixers play to his strengths, he has a real shot at being a superstar someday.
Should pick: Ben Simmons, F, Fr., LSU
Bilas: Simmons is the best overall prospect. He stands out above every other player in every area except one: shooting. He is the best rebounder, playmaking forward and passer -- and he is capable of defending multiple positions. He was not focused on defending at the highest level at LSU, but I have seen him do it. He is capable.
His shot is not broken, but he is not confident in it at all. He rarely took a jump shot during his freshman season and still put up historic numbers. Simmons is not quite a sure thing, but he does so many things well that he would be my selection at No. 1.
2. Los Angeles Lakers
Will pick: Brandon Ingram, F, Fr., Duke
Ford: The Lakers have raised eyebrows the past few weeks by giving multiple workouts to several other lottery prospects like Buddy Hield. However, I believe those extra workouts are meant to cover their bases if they obtain a second lottery pick.
Ingram is the clear choice for the Lakers if he's here. He fills a huge hole at the 3. The Lakers need his length, shooting and defensive versatility badly. He's going to need to get much stronger, but based on upside, he immediately becomes the most talented player on the Lakers' roster.
Should pick: Brandon Ingram, F, Fr., Duke
Bilas: Ingram is a multidimensional prospect who can shoot, handle and defend. He has extraordinary length and was used quite a bit in isolation.
Ingram is a year younger than Simmons and will develop further. He is a very good shooter with range and was the first Duke player since Shane Battier to post 80 made 3s and more than 40 blocked shots. While he did not excel in pick-and -roll situations, Ingram was terrific in isolation.
Ingram is worthy of being selected No. 1, but the only thing he does better than Simmons is shoot. His body is thin and wiry, and he needs additional strength. His potential is not quite as high as Simmons', but there is less risk because of his jumper.
3. Boston Celtics
Will pick: Kris Dunn, PG, Jr., Providence
Ford: The Celtics' preferred choice is to trade the pick. If they can find a partner willing to take a package of the No. 3 pick plus other assets in return for a young All-Star, they'll make the deal. If they are forced to keep the pick, it's much harder to tell which direction they're leaning.
There are five players still in the mix, but I think it likely will come down to two: Cal's Jaylen Brown and Providence's Dunn. Dunn is the more proven product and could come in and help right away.
Brown provides more upside. He already has an NBA body and elite athleticism. If he can start knocking down jumpers, his ceiling will be very, very high.
You could justify either selection, but it feels like they're leaning toward Dunn at the moment.
Should pick: Kris Dunn, PG, Jr., Providence
Bilas: Dunn is the third-best prospect in this draft. He is long-armed, very athletic and an elite defender who gets steals and impacts the game without scoring. He gets to the rim and is excellent in transition. While streaky, Dunn can shoot it from range and he also gets to the foul line.
His shot has improved dramatically over the years, and he is an excellent passer. Dunn has star potential as a big point guard.
4. Phoenix Suns
Will pick: Marquese Chriss, F, Fr., Washington
Ford: The Suns' biggest need is at the 4. After moving Markieff Morris to the Wizards at the trade deadline, they've had a major hole there.
Chriss and Croatia's Dragan Bender appear to be the two final candidates in Phoenix. Bender is more NBA-ready. He's a better shooter and defender right now than Chriss. And I believe Bender has a better overall feel for the game.
But Chriss' elite athletic abilities and higher ceiling make him tough to pass up. He's one of the best athletes I've ever come across at his size and has major offensive potential as well.
Should pick: Jamal Murray, G, Fr., Kentucky
Bilas: Murray is a combo guard with a knack for scoring. He is used to having the ball in his hands, but he worked well without the ball at Kentucky. He can really shoot it -- hitting 113 3s this season -- and he has a quick trigger with terrific range.
He is a good rebounder and finisher for his position, but he does not excel pulling up off the dribble. If Murray can play some point guard, he is an excellent pick at No. 4.
5. Minnesota Timberwolves
Will pick: Jamal Murray, G, Fr., Kentucky
Ford: The Wolves are also exploring trading their pick in return for young veterans who can help the team move from rebuilding to the playoffs. If they can get their hands on a player like Jimmy Butler, they'll move this pick. If they keep it, they seem to have narrowed it down to Dunn, Jaylen Brown and Murray.
New head coach and team president Tom Thibodeau loves defense, and Dunn is the best perimeter defender in this draft. If he's on the board, I think he's the pick here. Brown also provides defense, but he's much rawer than Dunn. Murray gives the Wolves a shooter who can play both backcourt positions. He's not a great defender, but his versatility should serve Minnesota well.
Should pick: Buddy Hield, G, Sr., Oklahoma
Bilas: Dunn should be gone by the time Minnesota selects, and Hield makes a lot of sense.
He's a big-time shooter who has great range and can spot up and get his shot off quickly and with ease. He is not proficient out of screen-and-roll situations, but he works his tail off, defends and finishes at the rim. Hield was a winner in college and works really hard to improve his game.
6. New Orleans Pelicans
Will pick: Jaylen Brown, F, Fr., Cal
Ford: The Pelicans are another team apparently shopping their pick in hopes of landing a young veteran who can expedite the rebuilding process. If they keep the pick, they need a lot of help in their backcourt.
Eric Gordon is a free agent this summer. Jrue Holiday is in the last year of his contract and has been fighting through injuries the past two seasons. The team needs both shooting and playmaking.
If Dunn were still on board, he'd be ideal. If he's gone, the choice will likely be between Brown, Murray and Hield. Murray and Hield are lights-out shooters. Hield is more NBA-ready and a better athlete. Murray is more versatile, bringing the ability to play both the 1 and the 2. Brown isn't a great shooter yet, but he's physical and has the potential to be an elite defender -- a must on a team that ranked 28th in defense last year.
Should pick: Marquese Chriss, F., Fr., Washington
Bilas: Chriss is a freak athlete with an incredible 7-foot wingspan. He has not played a ton of basketball to this point, but he's young and has the mechanics and potential to be a great player. He's also an excellent shot-blocker, though he has quite a bit to learn in pick-and-roll situations and transition.
7. Denver Nuggets
Will pick: Dragan Bender, F/C, Croatia
Ford: At this point, the Nuggets will just sit back and see who falls to them at No. 7. There are scenarios where one of Brown, Chriss, Dunn or Murray are still on the board. In this one, it's Bender who falls. If he does, he's a steal here.
The Nuggets have had a lot of luck with international players lately, and Bender's ability to stretch the floor at the 4 could make Kenneth Faried expendable this summer.
Should pick: Jaylen Brown, F, Fr., Cal
Bilas: Murray likely will be gone at No. 6, so the Nuggets can take a big-time athlete in Brown (assuming that Chriss is gone as well).
Brown attacks the rim and can guard positions 1 through 4, but he has limited ability to hit a jump shot. Brown can get downhill off of ball screens but is turnover-prone. Still, with his youth, athleticism and NBA frame, he has terrific potential.
8. Sacramento Kings
Will pick: Buddy Hield, SG, Sr., Oklahoma
Ford: If he drops this far, I think Hield going to Sacramento is the surest thing in the draft. General manager Vlade Divac and owner Vivek Ranadive have been scouting him heavily all year. He fits a huge need they have at the 2 for perimeter shooters.
Plus, Hield's high character and work ethic are major bonuses on a team that has struggled with both over the years.
Should pick: Dragan Bender, F, Croatia
Bilas: Bender has some high-level experience, playing for Maccabi Tel Aviv. He is tall and long and can really shoot it, making him good value at No. 8.
9. Toronto Raptors
Will pick: Domantas Sabonis, PF, So., Gonzaga
Ford: The Raptors' biggest need is at the 4, and they'll have a number of intriguing options here. Sabonis, Kentucky's Skal Labissiere, Marquette's Henry Ellenson and Michigan State's Deyonta Davis could all be fits. Sabonis, however, may fit best.
He is the most NBA-ready of the group, brings toughness as a rebounder and surprised NBA scouts in workouts with his shooting ability (something he didn't get to show off too often at Gonzaga). The other guys have a higher upside, but given where the Raptors are in their process, drafting a player who can fit a need right now may take precedence.
Should pick: Deyonta Davis, F, Fr., Michigan State
Bilas: Sabonis would be a really good selection here because he is productive and he plays his tail off on every play. However, I see Davis being the selection due to his size, length, athleticism and excellent potential as a rebounder and shot-blocker.
Davis has a good touch on his shot but did not have to score much for Michigan State. He has a chance to be very, very good. Per 40 Minutes, Davis averaged more than 16 points, 11.8 rebounds and 3.9 blocked shots.
10. Milwaukee Bucks
Will pick: Dejounte Murray, PG, Fr., Washington
Ford: The Bucks could go in a lot of directions here. But Jason Kidd's long-term search for a franchise point guard makes me believe they'll settle in on Murray at No. 10 over the likes of a Jakob Poeltl or Labissiere. Brandon Knight and Michael Carter-Williams haven't been what Kidd is looking for.
While Murray is more raw than both players, his instinctual feel for the game and toughness give Kidd the tools he's been coveting in a guard. If Murray can develop a passable jump shot, he's got a chance to be the best point guard prospect in this draft five years from now.
Should pick: Denzel Valentine, F, Sr. Michigan State
Bilas: Valentine is not the raw athlete that Murray is, but he is the better player and has a better feel for the game.
Valentine is a terrific passer, shooter and rebounder. The only thing he lacks is elite athleticism, which would just hurt him on the defensive end.
11. Orlando Magic
Will pick: Skal Labissiere, F/C, Fr., Kentucky
Ford: The Magic have two needs right now: rim protection and a big man who can stretch the floor. Labissiere meets both.
His freshman season at Kentucky was a major disappointment and drafting him this high comes with serious risks. But the talent is clearly there, and if the Magic allow him to play to his strengths, he could be a major get for them down the road. The last thing Magic fans want to hear right now is patience, but Skal's talent may make him worth the wait.
Should pick: Skal Labissiere, F/C, Fr., Kentucky
Bilas: If Orlando wants shot-blocking and a big who can shoot it, Labissiere makes some sense.
He had a rough freshman season at Kentucky, and his workouts have been all one-on-none. Labissiere is not strong in his upper body or his lower base. He blocks shots and can make face-up jumpers, but he does not rebound at a high rate, which is a bit troubling. Still, Labissiere is a good prospect who is worth the risk here.
12. Utah Jazz
Will pick: Jakob Poeltl, C, So., Utah
Ford: The Jazz have a starting five they really like. They also have impressive depth at a number of positions, so this pick isn't necessarily about filling a need. It's about just adding another good player to the roster.
While the Jazz are looking at several higher upside prospects like Murray, Wade Baldwin, Malachi Richardson, Davis and Furkan Korkmaz, Poeltl is great value here. He still has significant upside and fits a need as a backup behind Rudy Gobert.
Should pick: Wade Baldwin IV, PG, So., Vanderbilt
Bilas: Baldwin is athletic, strong and can shoot it well. Over the past couple of years, Baldwin has proved to be a long-armed, strong point guard who can pass it and run an offense.
Baldwin is a good shooter and solid playmaker and has very good defensive potential.
13. Phoenix Suns
Will pick: Henry Ellenson, F/C, Fr., Marquette
Ford: This is the second lottery pick for Phoenix, and a trade is a real possibility. Both the Spurs and Clippers have shown significant interest in moving up in the draft for this pick. If the Suns keep it, given the need at power forward, don't be surprised if they spend both picks addressing the need.
Ellenson lacks Chriss' athleticism, but he is more skilled offensively right now, is a better rebounder and can play both the 4 and the 5, giving Phoenix lots of positional versatility.
Korkmaz, Baldwin and Richardson are other prospects who will get long looks here.
Should pick: Henry Ellenson, F/C, Fr., Marquette
Bilas: Ellenson makes a lot of sense here, as does Sabonis. If Ellenson is still available, he should be the choice.
He has good size and is very skilled. He can rebound and will be a better shooter in time. Eventually, Ellenson should be able to play the 4 and the 5 in the NBA.
14. Chicago Bulls
Will pick: Wade Baldwin IV, PG, So., Vanderbilt
Ford: The Bulls are looking at a potential rebuild in Chicago this summer. Joakim Noah and Pau Gasol could leave in free agency. Derrick Rose and Taj Gibson are in the last year of their contracts. After missing the playoffs, it might be time to start over. A trade is the most obvious route for them.
If they keep the pick, Baldwin seems like a very good fit as a potential heir to Rose. He's big and athletic, and he can shoot the rock. He's not a great passer yet, but as Rose proved, having the athletic tools to score is another way to have a long career in the NBA as a point guard.
Should pick: Domantas Sabonis, PF, So., Gonzaga
Bilas: Sabonis is strong and relentless on the glass and defense. He has shown that he can shoot it from range, he has excellent footwork in the post and he plays extremely hard. Sabonis will fit the culture of the Bulls and make the team tougher immediately.