The NBA Draft

is only 10 days away.

Still, there are questions.

Will the Suns go big?

Will the Kings skip Wonder Boy?

Who is gonna trade?

So much is unknown!

But we know this class is stacked.

Upside? Tremendous!

Let’s dive in to this.

One thing: we’ll use just haiku.

Here we go. Let’s mock.

1. Suns: Deandre Ayton, Arizona

While Luka Doncic

has ties to the Suns’ new coach,

Ayton is linked, too.

Ayton picked ‘Zona,

and darn was he good while there.

Worth ev’ry dollar.

D.A. has skills and

he should be able to score.

Defense is questioned.

To be frank, that’s a

question most Suns have. Coaching

will be key in that.

2. Kings: Luka Doncic, Real Madrid

Best Euro ever?

Yes, as far as prospects go.

Doesn’t mean sure thing.

Wonder Boy is great.

He clearly knows how to play.

He knows how to win.

Is that a skill? Well ...

Perhaps not. The NBA

is just something else.

Yet if I had to

bet on one guy making it,

it would be Luka.

3. Hawks: Jaren Jackson, Jr., Michigan State

Another big man,

this draft class is full of them.

3J could be tops.

Jackson can step out

on both ends. He’s real mobile

and a strong shooter.

Why not Number 1?

He’s not quite as imposing

as Ayton. (I guess.)

Your yearly Steph comp:

meet the thrilling gunner Trae.

Need buckets? Get Trae.

Of course, Steph is great

despite his size, strength, and speed,

not because of it.

Trae will have to prove

he can get shots off against

top pro defenders.

If he can’t? Yikesville.

This is why taking guards at

the top is a risk.

Another one-year

Duke big, like Jahlil (uh oh)

or Tatum (oh whew).

Where does Bagley rate?

Picturing him in the pros

is hard, so who knows?

Odds are he won’t be

as good as Tatum, or as

bad as Okafor.

The Mavs need talent,

from whenceever they find it.

This is a huge pick.

We need Mo Bamba,

not just for his awesome name,

but also his D.

It’s so exciting

to see young, long shot-blockers

figure it all out.

Yes, it’s hard to stick

without finding your offense.

But there are good signs.

7. Bulls: Miles Bridges, Michigan State

Domestic Luka,

with a good do-it-all rep.

You want guys like this.

Oh, the Cavaliers

have a real interesting choice.

Should they target guards?

If LeBron James stays,

they need guards all the way down.

But will he stay? Nah.

Then you take the best

draft prospect available,

regardless of spot.

Porter has upside

and huge downside risk (his back).

He’s a perfect fit.

The other Bridges

projects as a 3-and-D

wing. Solid, not great.

Here’s the thing: that’s fine!

All teams go for broke up here.

No shock some go broke.

Knicks do have a star

And a point guard with upside.

They need good players.

10. Sixers: Wendell Carter, Duke

Since when does Coach K

land high-end centers who aren’t

from the Plumlee clan?

I have no take on

Carter, except that Wendell

is an awesome name.

Alright, check this out:

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

Seven syllables!

(Sorry, low effort

haiku right there. And frankly,

throughout this whole piece.)

I’m a sucker for

ginormous point guards like Shai.

7-foot wingspan? Gosh!

My fave prospect who

isn’t named Luka or Mo.

Westbrook with a ‘fro.

We saw Don Mitchell

slip right in as a scorer.

Young Bull can do it.

13. Clippers: Robert Williams, Texas A&M

Clips pick back-to-back,

and need just ‘bout ev’rything.

A big would be nice.

That Williams went to

A&M is pretty pat

given what comes next.

DeAndre Jordan,

himself a former Aggie,

could leave this summer.

(Well, unless, of course,

the Clippers hold him hostage

just for old time’s sake.)

14. Nuggets: Chandler Hutchison, Boise State

“Chandler Hutchison”

is not a Boise QB

despite what you’d think.

Boise’s never had

a first-round pick in this sport.

Only Chris Childs!

He was undrafted,

but had a good, long career.

Hutch could be much more.

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