The NBA draft is how teams retool, rebuild, or add a crucial piece to make a run. The trick is finding the balance between to taking the best talent or filling the biggest need. As we enter conference tournament time, here is the second version of this year’s mock draft.

1. Sacramento Kings - Luca Doncic PG Real Madrid

Doncic remains as my top prospect in this draft as he has the potential to be a generational talent. He is a 6'8 point guard who has been dominating for Real Madrid at age 18 in the world’s second-best league. He possesses a maturity and feel for the game that isn't just rare at his age, but essentially unheard of. This allows him to find his teammates regardless of where they are on the floor. He can score from all three levels and creates shooting space with pro-level moves and great body control. His size allows him to guard positions 1-4 but is best as the team’s primary ball handler. Doncic's biggest weakness though is his lack of explosiveness and lateral speed. This results in shots being more difficult to create as well as individual defensive issues. He isn’t a bad athlete, just not a great one. The fit with Fox may not be perfect, but if given the chance, Doncic should not be passed on.

2. Orlando Magic - DeAndre Ayton C Arizona

John Hammond has proven that he loves to draft and build around freak athletes with great length. Ayton fits this to a tee and it helps that he is the most well-rounded center in the country. He has a nice jump shot that allows him to stretch the floor when needed. It isn’t perfect, but he has a quick release with a high release point and it should only continue to improve. His size and ability often lead to him getting doubled in the post. His vision and passing ability allow him to pass out of these and set up his teammates for easy scoring opportunities. He doesn’t do well when matched up against strong defenders. He is happy to bully smaller, weaker defenders in the post but when matched up against a stronger defender he often avoids contact and resorts to facing up. Not a huge issue but something he will need to get over as he will be going up against much stronger defenders in the NBA. The biggest concern is his lack of defensive ability. He is a poor communicator, doesn’t have great awareness, and his low defensive IQ leads to him missing and being late on rotations. He does have good footwork and lateral speed so he can guard opponents on the perimeter. Ayton reminds me of Karl-Anthony Towns as he has an incredible offensive skill set but has far too many weaknesses and concerns on defense.

3. Memphis Grizzlies – Jaren Jackson Jr PF/C Michigan St

Jackson’s game is one that will easily transfer to the NBA. He has proven this year that he is one of the most versatile players in the country. His athleticism, coordination, and fluidity allow him to finish with both hands around the rim. He is a very good rebounder and does a great job of protecting the rim. He has an extremely high defensive IQ so he almost always makes the right rotation at the right time to disrupt the opponent. His ability in the pick-and-roll and pick-and-pop will immediately translate. He is able to stretch the floor but doesn't force or rely on it. He needs to work on handling contact as the physicality will only increase as he progresses. He has shown some ability to put the ball on the floor but needs to continue to improve his ball security. He will be able to make an immediate impact and should fit nicely with Gasol and Conley.

4. Phoenix Suns – Mohamed Bamba C Texas

The Suns don’t really deter teams around the rim and their only true rim protector is an old Tyson Chandler. Bamba is an elite rim protector and rebounder with a 7’9” wingspan. Offensively Bamba has shown some potential but is a giant question mark. His shooting percentages aren’t great but his form is solid. He has a high release point and fluid motion which suggest that he could develop a useful jumper. His ability to stretch the floor is minuscule but with his size and ability around the rim, he shouldn’t spend too much time on the perimeter anyways as he should be used mostly as a rim-runner. He has a slight frame which will lead to him getting pushed around in the NBA. He will need to add some muscle in order to contend in the post. He has very good mobility on defense as he can keep up on the perimeter. He also rarely bites on fakes and is able to stay grounded to contest and block shots. Bamba will likely end up as an elite rim protector and defender in the NBA. For him to become an All-Star talent he will need to put a lot of work in on the offensive end.

5. Atlanta Hawks – Marvin Bagley III PF Duke

The Hawks are in the position where they just need to take the best player available and Bagley has the most promise at this spot. He has a versatile offensive skill set that allows him to take defenders off the dribble, score from outside, and finish with crafty post moves. His jumper has a lot of work to do but he has shown flashes of success from outside. His very low free-throw percentage though suggests that his shot has a lot farther to go than one would hope. He is able to initiate the fast break on his own and is very good at finishing around the rim. He is a great rebounder due to his instincts, athleticism, and ability to box out successfully. He isn’t a great defender as he can struggle with bigger opponents. He does do a good job on the perimeter though and is able to use his length and athleticism to recover when he does get beat off the dribble. Bagley has the tools to develop into a very nice player but if certain things don’t fall the right way he could end up as a Michael Beasley type of player.

6. Dallas Mavericks – Michael Porter Jr SF Missouri

Porter was recently cleared to resume basketball activities again since he had back surgery at the beginning of the year but I would be very surprised to see him back on the floor. Porter has a very smooth shot that lets him score from all three levels, is a very good athlete and plays with a smoothness and sense of maturity that is rare at this age. His size will let him play and guard multiple positions. His shooting form often leads to him resorting to shooting over defenders instead of working to get an open shot. His ball handling needs work as he is often a straight-line driver and lacks the creativity and ball security to be a consistent primary ball handler. Since we likely won’t see Porter until summer workouts, there are still a ton of questions and only his high school tape (which was very impressive). As long as he doesn't have any continuing health issues Porter should develop into a nice player as the Mavs look to end their streak of tanking.

7. Cleveland Cavaliers via Nets – Trae Young PG Oklahoma

Since the departure of Kyrie Irving, the Cavs have struggled to find a starting point guard again. Young has already earned the praises of LeBron (this will likely work out better than it did for the Heat and Napier) and has shown streaks of brilliance. Young is one of the most polarizing prospects this year though especially after a late-season struggle. Some think his flashy, gunslinger mentality will flame out and be a detriment to the team while others view him as the next Steph Curry. Young has a limitless range and has an extremely quick shot release which makes him so dangerous. When defenders take one misstep he punishes them. The defender's need to guard him tightly so far from the basket creates the openings for Young to beat them off the dribble. He isn't an explosive athlete but his high-level ball handling and soft touch around the rim make him a threat inside as well. His lack of athleticism will make shot creation more difficult at the next level but not impossible. Defensively he struggles as his lack of size leads to him getting bullied and he often gets caught ball watching. Due to his desire for flashy plays and high-level passing he tends to commit more turnovers than one would like but he is essentially all that Oklahoma has. Young has had games where he looks like Steph Curry but his percentages are almost identical to Jimmer Fredette.

8. Chicago Bulls – Mikal Bridges SF Villanova

Bridges is one of the most mature and dynamic players in the country. After being patient and developing the last three years at Villanova, he has been able to develop a strong offensive game and become one of the best wing defenders in the country. His elite footwork lets him keep up with smaller guards, his strength and instincts let him battle with bigger opponents, and his length lets him suffocate all of the above. His shot has consistently developed and he has always had a high free throw percentage so he has a solid foundation with his form. He struggles at creating his own shot but given his work ethic and improvement over the last few years, I expect this is something he will be able to develop. The Bulls have gotten a nice season from Markkanen and seen promise from their backcourt. Adding the shooting, IQ, and defensive prowess of Bridges will be a great fit for the Bulls as they desperately need help on the wing. 

9. New York Knicks – Collin Sexton PG Alabama

Even though the Knicks have gotten solid minutes out of Ntilikina, he is looking more like a defensive specialist that will require a dominant ball handler at his side. Sexton is one of the most explosive and dynamic guards in the country and would really help the Knicks sure up their young backcourt. When he combines his speed, strength, change of pace, and creativity there are few that can stop him. He is able to pull-up in the mid-range and isn't scared of finishing through contact at the rim despite his smaller size. He isn't afraid of the spotlight and can easily take over the game. His athleticism and competitive mindset make him a pesky defender. He plays with an extremely high level of effort and intensity at both ends of the floor every game. His shooting can be sporadic and he often takes ill-advised shots. His playmaking for others and decision making also need work as his assist to turnover ratio is less than ideal for a primary ball handler.

10. Philadelphia 76ers via Lakers (goes to Celtics if 2-5) – Lonnie Walker IV SG Miami

Walker has the ideal body for a wing with a strong frame at 6'4, 204 lbs with a 6'10 wingspan. He is a good shooter from outside and does a great job of getting to the rim. His strong frame allows him to get to the rim, finish through contact, and use both sides of the rim. He has looked more comfortable shooting off the dribble instead of catch-and-shoot situations. He has the tools to be a good defender but the effort level comes and goes. He can disappear when playing off the ball and struggles to get involved. He has continuously improved as the year has gone on and could end up rising even farther with a strong pre-draft process and a weak class of wings.

11. Charlotte Hornets – Wendell Carter Jr C Duke

The Hornets have struggled to find a long-term option at forward and even though Howard has had a good year (on paper); he is not the answer for this team. Carter is a very good offensively minded big man. He is a good athlete who is one of the most mobile big men in this draft. His post-game is very developed for his age and shows a lot of versatility in his moves and ways he can finish. The ability to stretch the floor is there but isn’t forced. As he continues to develop his jumper I could see that becoming a bigger part of his game but not something he will end up relying on. He is also a strong rebounder on both ends displaying his natural instincts to hunt down the ball. In transition, he doesn't run the floor well and needs a lot of work on defense. He struggles to close out on the shooter and often loses his man due to ball watching. His lack of footspeed often leads to him getting beat off the dribble.

12. Los Angeles Clippers via Pistons (top 4 protected) – Miles Bridges SF Michigan St

The Clippers have struggled to find a starting wing for years and the Gallinari experiment hasn’t been a complete success. Bridges is arguably the best athlete in this draft. His explosiveness leads to incredible dunks, effective rebounding, and consistent shot blocking. He is very good at getting to and finishing at the rim with floaters, off-balance layups, and spectacular dunks. His shooting has improved but still needs work. His free throw percentage has jumped immensely since last year which is a great sign of how he has improved his form. As long as this isn't a fluke, his outside shooting should be able to improve if he is able to transfer his form. His ball handling and playmaking need a lot of work along with his shooting consistency. He will need to work on his creativity and off-ball movement as he strictly focuses on using his athleticism to gain an advantage which will be much harder to do in the NBA. As Bridges continues to transform into more of a small forward, he should be a very nice fit for the Clippers.

13. Utah Jazz – Kevin Knox SF Kentucky

Knox has a very fluid game for his size. He has a nice jump shot but needs to continue to develop his outside shooting. He does a great job of creating his own scoring opportunities whether off catch-and-shoot opportunities or attacking off the dribble. He is a solid passer and rebounder which allow him to constantly push the ball. He isn't great at finishing through contact but isn't afraid of it when he attacks the rim. As he gets stronger this ability should improve as well as his trips to the free throw line. His footwork, length, and lateral quickness give him all the tools to be a good defender. He does tend to disappear when he isn't the focal point of the offense and needs to improve his off-ball movement as he frequently becomes stagnant and easy to guard. The Jazz could use help on the wing and Knox will be a nice player off the bench for them.

14. Phoenix Suns via Heat (1-7 protected) – Chandler Hutchison SG/SF Boise St

The combination of a shallow pool of wings will help Hutchison be a solid first-round pick. Hutchison has displayed his incredible work ethic by adding muscle and drastically improving his skill set since his freshman year. He has developed more of a perimeter game as his three-point percentage has improved every year. He is a very good rebounder and is more than capable of initiating the fast break on his own. His long strides and great footwork allow him to find creative alleys to the rim. His playmaking has improved but often ends up forcing it and turning it over too much throughout the game. His defense needs some work as he doesn't contest many shots but has the ability to turn into a solid two-way wing.

15. Los Angeles Clippers - Shai Gilgeous-Alexander PG Kentucky

Gilgeous-Alexander isn't the typical superstar Kentucky prospect we've gotten used to seeing as he started the year coming off the bench but has taken advantage of his opportunities and has continuously improved throughout the year. He struggles as a shooter but is an unselfish playmaker. He doesn't have great explosiveness but excels when changing direction and speed to get to the rim where he can use his length and touch to finish. His biggest upside is on the defensive end where his size can guard multiple positions and he does a great job off the ball by jumping passing lanes for steals and deflections. Gilgeous-Alexander reminds me of Rondo on the Celtics. The Clippers could use help at point and Gilgeous-Alexander could provide a skillset template that Doc has seen before and can help foster.

16. Denver Nuggets – Robert Williams C Texas A&M

The Nuggets have one of the worst defenses in the league and struggle with interior defense. Williams is in the mold of what teams look for from the center position now. He is a freak athlete with great length who excels at rim running and protecting the rim. He is also a very good rebounder and even though his post-game is raw, he has shown improvement. He isn't a good shooter but has shown some potential from 15 ft and in. He lacks a great feel for the game and can be a step late when sealing his opponent or rotating but his pure athleticism often makes up for it. Williams will be a nice energy guy off the bench to pair with Jokic or Millsap as they can both play make and stretch the floor.

17. Milwaukee Bucks (goes to Phoenix if 11-16) – Daniel Gafford C Arkansas

The Bucks need help at the center position and Gafford is likely the best option at this point in the draft. Gafford is very raw but has very impressive physical tools that make him a very good rim protector. His shot blocking ability is one of the best in the draft. He has good hands that let him be an effective finisher at the rim. His rebounding is adequate but should improve as he continues to develop his basketball IQ. Taking him out of the paint for anything but a pick-and-roll is a mistake. He doesn't have any range shooting, his free throws need a lot of work, and he struggles to defend outside of the paint. The Bucks interior defense consists of essentially just Giannis so the addition of Gafford will help alleviate some of that responsibility.

18. Philadelphia 76ers – Dzanan Musa SF Cedvita

The 76ers are in desperate need of shooting and Musa will be able to help with that. He is one of the younger prospects but is still producing at some of the higher European levels. He has a great shooting range and is able to utilize his quick first step to drive past defenders who close out too hard. He is very comfortable shooting off the dribble and finish creatively around the rim which is a necessity due to his lack of explosiveness. He isn't a great playmaker but is more than happy to get his teammates involved and is a very unselfish player. His lack of athleticism and length will hurt on the defensive end but his awareness and instincts will help.

19. Indiana Pacers – Aaron Holiday PG UCLA

The Pacers have a very solid young core lead by the emergence of Oladipo but they still need help at point guard. Holiday has had a very good year with UCLA as he is averaging seven more points, one more assist, and one more rebound per game than last year with high shooting percentages across the board. Holiday is a solid ball handler who can explode for big scoring nights. His scoring has gotten more consistent this year compared to the sporadic scoring outbursts in previous years. He needs to work on his ball security and passing as he is turning the ball over more than preferable.

20. Minnesota Timberwolves via Thunder (lottery protected) – Keita Bates-Diop SF Ohio St

Bates-Diop has had a break out year cycling through all wing/forward positions and showing his ability to shoot from the outside and play strong defense. His size will allow him to guard multiple positions and has a very smooth style of play with a strong feel for the game. His outside shooting will need to continue to improve and he will need to get stronger to guard bigger opponents. The Timberwolves need wing depth and Bates-Diop will be able to help produce off the bench immediately with his defense and shooting, both of which the Timberwolves are in dire need of.

21. Portland Trail Blazers – Troy Brown SF Oregon

Brown is one of the youngest prospects in this year's draft and could be a good option for the Blazers who will likely look to add wing depth. Brown has great size and length. He is a good playmaker who sees the floor well, often makes the right play, and constantly shows his high basketball IQ on both ends of the floor. He lacks the raw athleticism and explosiveness that is often seen at this position but still succeeds as a rebounder and defender. His shooting needs a lot of work still as this has limited him from fully breaking out but he has shown flashes of how good he could be. Brown doesn't turn 18 until July so there is plenty of room to improve and would be a nice fit with the rest of this young roster.

22. Chicago Bulls via Pelicans (top 5 protected) – Melvin Frazier SF Tulane

The Bulls need to continue to add wing depth to their young rebuilding team. Frazier is a great athlete who has improved a lot since last year. Frazier has drastically improved his across the board as he is up 12% from three, 6% from the line, and 12% overall. Frazier has improved every year and will be a nice scoring option off the bench. Defensively he has shown improvement as well as he is also averaging over two steals a game but need to work on contesting shots as he will be in the area but needs to do better at altering the shot.

23. Washington Wizards – Khyri Thomas SG Creighton

The Wizards could use some more depth in the backcourt. There are few perimeter defenders in the country better than Thomas. His size and 6’11 wingspan allow him to cover multiple positions. He is good at moving the ball to get his teammates involved and has shown flashes of being a very good spot-up shooter. He struggles to create scoring opportunities for himself but plays with a very unselfish mentality. Thomas has the potential to be a really solid role player as he will be able to defend at a high level immediately while he continues to develop his offensive game.

24. San Antonio Spurs – Anfernee Simmons SG N/A

Simmons is a high ceiling, low floor prospect. He will be a project and a few years from contributing but who is better at developing young talent than the Spurs? They still have some wing depth so he will be able to develop slowly and won't be asked to do anything outside his abilities. He is a very good athlete and has shown to be a pure shot maker. He is far from NBA ready, but if patient, could develop into a nice player.

25. Atlanta Hawks via Timberwolves (lottery protected) – Shake Milton PG/SG SMU

Milton is an ideal combo-guard for the Hawks to rebuild their backcourt. Milton has the size and athleticism to defend all three backcourt positions. He also has the ability to shoot from outside as he is shooting 43.4% on 5.9 attempts this year. He can be the primary ball-handler or play off the ball as his skill set and mentality allows him to do either. The biggest concern is his inconsistency. Some games he will score 20+ and others he completely disappears despite the level of competition.

26. Los Angeles Lakers via Cavaliers (top 3 protected) – Mitchel Robinson C N/A

The Lakers need to add a lot of athleticism to their frontcourt and Robinson could easily help with that. Robinson is essentially a lottery ticket and after deciding to not play college basketball this year, he is one of the least NBA ready prospects in the draft. He is, however, one of the most physically impressive. He has great length, leaping ability, and rim protecting instincts. Robinson is very raw and will be a project but regardless of what moves the Lakers make this offseason, they need a lot of help with interior defense which Robinson will be able to provide.

27. Boston Celtics – Landry Shamet PG Wichita St

The Celtics lack shooting options in their backcourt and Shamet will be able to help with that immediately. Shamet is shooting 45% from three on almost six attempts per game. He is one of the best spot-up shooters and is very good when coming off screens. He is able to play shooting guard but spends most of his time at the point because of his creativity and a strong feel for the game. He does a good job at taking care of the ball but struggles to create his own shot.

28. Brooklyn Nets via Raptors (lottery protected) – Bruce Brown SG Miami

After originally being projected as a lottery pick, Brown was having a disappointing sophomore season which ended with a season-ending broken foot.  Brown provides a mature playstyle that would fit nicely with this team. He is a tough defender, willing playmaker, and an active rebounder. His shooting is inconsistent but has shown enough success to think that it could develop into a positive. His build is consistent with the type of players that the Nets have gone towards the last few seasons and should fit nicely.

29. Golden State Warriors – Grayson Allen SG Duke

Allen has been a polarizing player his entire college career but is still a very good player whose skill set fits nicely with the Warriors. Allen has a great shooting stroke and explosive athleticism. He can easily finish above the rim but doesn’t have a great first step to beat defenders off the dribble. His ball handling and distribution have improved as he’s had to take over more of the primary ball-handling role but still often makes really poor decisions when passing. He isn’t great at creating his own shot but does a good job when coming off screens.

30. Atlanta Hawks via Rockets (top 3 protected) – Chimezie Metu C USC

The Hawks could use help at the center position and Metu will be able to help with this. He has a solid offensive game in the post showing dynamic moves, a soft touch, and creativity to create opportunities. He also has the ability to face-up and knock down midrange jumpers. He is an acceptable rebounder and has shown some shot blocking abilities but both require improvement. He has a solid frame that will let him continue to add muscle to battle in the post.