Derek Bodner

Special for USA TODAY Sports

As we get closer to the NBA draft, some prospects have made a late push and shot up draft boards.

Some of these players include guys like Marquese Chriss, Malachi Richardson, and Dejounte Murray, all three freshmen with incredible physical tools. While all three struggled to consistently turn that potential into consistent production during their only seasons in college, the workout environment provides a setting for them to remind decision makers just how much potential they ultimately have.

Chriss, for example, grabbed just 2.9 defensive rebounds per game on a Washington squad that desperately needed his production on the glass to be effective. Richardson shot 37% from the field and had more turnovers (79) than assists (77) on the season. Murray had similar struggles with turnovers (3.2 per game) that a coach at the next level will have to try to reign in.

Yet in a draft with so much uncertainty general managers are looking for young players who can develop into stars, and there’s no doubt these three have a lot of potential if they improve more than the consensus expects them to.

First Round

The Sixers are bringing in Duke small forward Brandon Ingram this week for a workout, but all signs point to them favoring LSU's Simmons (19.2 points, 11.8 rebounds, 4.8 assists).

While the Lakers will perform their due diligence here, Duke’s impressive forward Ingram (17.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists) should be the pick, and would be a big boost to their rebuilding efforts.

Guard depth doesn’t seem like an immediate need for Boston, but for a team that shot 33.5% from three-point range on the season, Murray’s perimeter scoring ability (40.8% from three on 277 attempts) could be enticing.

Some across the league believe that Croatian big man Bender could be the third best prospect in the draft. While Phoenix would need some patience as the 18-year-old develops, getting his unique skill set would be a key addition to rebuilding their front court.

What Tom Thibodeau intends to do with Ricky Rubio could dictate this pick, but Dunn (16.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, 6.2 assists) could be the best talent available to the Wolves at 5, and his athleticism and pick and roll play would be an interesting pairing with Karl-Anthony Towns down the line.

Chriss has been flying up draft boards in recent weeks, and could go as high as third overall to Boston. He can shoot from the outside (35% from three), defend in space, and alter shots at the rim (1.6 blocks), which could fit in well next to Anthony Davis.

Hield shot an incredible 45.7% from three-point range, on nearly nine attempts per game, as a senior at Oklahoma State. That kind of shooting threat should open up the lane for Emmanuel Mudiay.

Cal’s Brown (14.6 points, 5.4 rebounds) had an up-and-down season, and needs to refine his perimeter skills (29.4% from three, 65.4% from the line, 3.1 turnovers per game). Still, few in this draft have his raw athleticism, and he’s unlikely to fall too far on draft night.

With Bismack Biyombo playing his way into a huge contract this summer, Davis (1.8 blocks in just 18 minutes per game) has the potential to be an elite interior defender. He’s still raw, but the potential is there down the line.

Poeltl improved his scoring from 9.1 points per game to 17.2 as a sophomore, becoming one of the most skilled all-around centers in the country. That versatility would be tough to pass up this late in the lottery.

Labissiere struggled to adapt to John Calipari’s system, averaging just fewer than 16 minutes per game. Still, the big man from Haiti can shoot from the perimeter and alter shots around the rim, which would make him an ideal fit next to Nikola Vucevic. The talent is there to warrant a lottery selection, as long as the team drafting him has patience.

Baldwin’s size (6-foot-4), defensive versatility (6-foot-11 wingspan), and improvement as a catch-and-shoot player (40.6% from three) gives him the positional versatility that could make him an interesting fit in Utah’s uncertain backcourt rotation.

Concerns over Ellenson’s defensive contributions could cause him to slide a bit on draft night, but his offensive potential (17 points per game as a freshman) would be a nice get here for a Phoenix team that could use some punch in the front court.

Point guard depth is an obvious area of need here, but Luwawu's shooting (37.2% from three), secondary playmaking (2.8 assists per game), and athleticism would be tough to pass up.

At just 18 years of age, Korkmaz struggled to find a consistent role with Anadolu Efes in the Turkish League last year. Still, his size (6-foot-7), athleticism, and excellent shooting ability (40% from three) give him quite a bit of potential for this late in the draft.

The Celtics could use a big man to anchor their defense, and Zizic has the mobility, shot blocking ability, and strength to develop into a good one. His pick and roll game could fit with Isaiah Thomas as well.

Even if Mike Conley returns in free agency, Memphis could use point guard depth, especially one like Jackson (17.6 points, 5.2 assists) who can score off the pick and roll.

Taurean Prince shot 37.6% from three-point range during his four year career at Baylor, which along with his defensive versatility makes it easy to project Prince as a role player.

With excellent size, mobility, and touch around the rim, what Zubac, from Croatia, lacks in experience he makes up for with a high overall talent level.

Indiana could use some additional front court depth to slot in next to Myles Turner, and Sabonis’ interior scoring ability (17.6 points) and excellent rebounding ability (11.8 rebounds) could complement Turner well.

Few had a better all-around season than Valentine, who averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 7.8 assists per game for Tom Izzo. His shooting (44.4% from three) and playmaking would fit in Atlanta’s system.

Improved perimeter shooting is a big part of Charlotte’s recent success, but with Nicolas Batum and Courtney Lee both upcoming free agents, they could look to replenish some of their perimeter depth with younger, cheaper options. Beasley shot 38.7% from three-point range as a freshman for Florida State.

Diallo struggled to break into the Kansas rotation, averaging just 7.5 minutes per game for Bill Self as a freshman. Still, he has the size, physical tools, and motor to develop into a high-level defender.

With the Sixers hopefully finding their centerpiece in Ben Simmons, they’re likely to start looking to fill out their roster. Ulis, despite his size (5-10), would give Philadelphia steady point guard play, even if his size might limit that to a back up role.

Bembry’s passing, defensive versatility, and potential as a slasher would give the Clippers an infusion of talent on the wing, something they’ve been lacking in recent years. If he improves his outside shot (26.6% as a junior), he could be a steal.

The Sixers have a lot of front court depth, but with Joel Embiid, Dario Saric, and two other rookies joining their roster this season, they could be in the market for a draft-and-stash candidate. Cornelie’s outside shooting (40% from three) would fit in well with their existing front court pieces.

Johnson needs to refine his perimeter game and add some much-needed bulk, but his athleticism, rebounding (10.4 rebounds), and interior scoring ability (17.0 points) would be a steal this late in the draft.

Richardson struggled for much of the year, shooting 37% from the field and averaging as many turnovers (2.1) as assists (2.1) on the season. But he has a ton of physical talent, and started to showcase that at exactly the right time with a big NCAA tournament.

Jones never quite developed as much as many hoped, but he still has a lot of potential as a shot blocker and pick and roll threat, and could develop into a solid big man for San Antonio’s rotation.

Juan Hernangomez’s improved three-point shooting (35.8% in ACB play) and off-the-ball scoring would fit in well surrounding Golden State’s core.