The Suns have a big hole to fill at center, and the consensus No. 1 pick in the draft and most productive player in college basketball just happens to play that position. This is seemingly an easy choice for Phoenix, especially considering Ayton's deep Arizona ties, as well as those of Suns owner Robert Sarver. -JONATHAN GIVONY

Greg Oden (2007): Drafted No. 1 by POR
Steven Adams (2013): Drafted No. 12 by OKC

What he needs to improve
To maximize his franchise-center potential, Ayton will have to work on his defensive engagement and put his Zeus-like frame and 7-foot-5 wingspan to use, particularly as a rim protector, as his instincts and discipline leave much to be desired. Full scouting video -MIKE SCHMITZ

How he fits: Ayton doesn't solve the issues Phoenix has defensively, but there is hope he can improve on that end of the floor. In the meantime, he brings enviable physical tools along with a polished offensive skill set next to a young core of Devin Booker, Josh Jackson, TJ Warren and Dragan Bender. -GIVONY

The most decorated European prospect to date, Doncic is as skilled and NBA-ready as any other player in the draft. At 6-8 with the vision of a point guard, elite ball-screen savvy, a versatile scoring attack and tremendous basketball instincts, Doncic is built for the modern game. The childhood prodigy is a high-level starter from day one and a legitimate Rookie of the Year candidate with the highest floor in the draft. -SCHMITZ

Joe Johnson (2001): Drafted No. 10 by BOS
Solomon Hill (2013): Drafted No. 23 by IND

Why he stands out
With unrivaled vision, precision and confidence, Doncic is the draft's best pick-and-roll passer given his ability to dissect teams from well beyond the 3-point line, rifling darts to the weakside shooter like a 10-year NBA vet. Full scouting video -SCHMITZ

How he fits: Doncic would give a Kings offense that ranked last in the NBA in half-court efficiency an immediate jolt. His pass-dribble-shoot skill set fits with Sacramento's young core of De'Aaron Fox, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Justin Jackson and agile bigs Harry Giles, Skal Labissiere and Willie Cauley-Stein. Using Doncic to push in transition and then pick teams apart in second-side ball screens in the half court is the best way to use him, and Sacramento has the pieces in place to accentuate his skill set in time. -SCHMITZ

The Hawks might have a chance at drafting Luka Doncic, my top prospect on the board, on Thursday. With Doncic already gone here, my choice was between Jackson as my favorite of the big men available and going for a perimeter option in Michael Porter Jr. or Trae Young. I have Jackson as a slightly better prospect because of his development potential as the youngest player in the draft. -PELTON

Serge Ibaka (2008): Drafted No. 24 by SEA
Ekpe Udoh (2010): Drafted No. 6 by GSW

Why he stands out
Jackson is the draft's most versatile defender and an ideal fit in the modern NBA, with the agility to switch 1-5 and the length to alter shots around the rim (5.5 blocks per 40 minutes). Full scouting video -SCHMITZ

How he fits: Jackson and John Collins would team up to give the Hawks a versatile frontcourt along the lines of the Al Horford-Paul Millsap pairing that led Atlanta to the best record in the Eastern Conference in 2014-15. We'll look to address the rest of the roster with two more first-round picks via trade. -PELTON

The Grizzlies are hoping to patch together a roster that can compete for a playoff spot next season, but it feels like a teardown and rebuild would be the more appropriate step. Bamba has unlimited upside as a rim-protecting, 3-point shooting, lob-catching freak. He has a real chance to become the best player from this draft class. -GIVONY

Rudy Gobert (2013): Drafted No. 27 by DEN
Hassan Whiteside (2010): Drafted No. 33 by SAC

What he needs to improve
Bamba has NBA Defensive Player of the Year measurables and coordination, but his motor runs hot and cold. He'll have to play with more consistent toughness and physicality to become the defensive anchor his tools suggest. Full scouting video -SCHMITZ

How he fits: Bamba isn't a fit whatsoever with Marc Gasol, who can opt out of his contract in a year's time, but teams coming off a 60-loss season drafting this high shouldn't be too concerned with individual roster needs, instead focusing on adding as much talent as possible. Luka Doncic (if available) would bring a nice blend of fit, talent and readiness to contribute as well. Michael Porter Jr. is reportedly also under heavy consideration. -GIVONY

The springy 6-11 big man is fresh off ACC Player of the Year honors after churning out one of the more productive freshman seasons in college basketball. His aggressive rim runs, quick second jump, relentless offensive rebounding and shooting potential should help him score efficiently early on in his NBA career without needing much offense run for him. While there are concerns about his defensive prowess and impact on winning, Bagley is built for the more transition-oriented NBA game, and he could turn out to be one of the best scorers in this draft. -SCHMITZ

Dwight Powell (2014): Drafted No. 45 by CHA
Marquese Chriss (2016): Drafted No. 8 by SAC

What he needs to improve
With mediocre positional length and shot-blocking instincts, Bagley needs to develop into a valuable switch defender to become an asset on that end, where he has the agility to shine yet lacks the fundamentals and comfort at this stage. Full scouting video -SCHMITZ

How he fits: The Mavericks need young talent, and Bagley gives Dallas the athletic big it's been searching for to pair with second-year point guard Dennis Smith Jr. The Mavs finished the 2017-18 season 28th in transition scoring. But Bagley, the best transition big in the draft, will immediately bring a level of excitement with his effortless athleticism and aggressive scoring. -SCHMITZ

Teams that got access to Porter's medicals at an evaluation last week will have a better idea of whether long-term concern about his back surgery should knock Porter down the draft board. Assuming he checks out, Porter projects as a top-five prospect by my model because of his strong performance in AAU games as part of the Nike EYBL. I slightly favored him over AAU teammate Trae Young because of concerns over Young's size on defense. -PELTON

Paul George (2010): Drafted No. 10 by IND
Sam Dekker (2015): Drafted No. 18 by HOU

Why he stands out
Porter has plenty of questions to answer, but shooting isn't one of them. His on-the-move shotmaking potential and rise-and-fire stroke at 6-11 makes him an easy fit as a versatile stretch forward at the NBA level. Full scouting video -SCHMITZ

How he fits: Porter slides into small forward alongside a re-signed Aaron Gordon, a combination that should be able to interchange at times defensively to create more favorable matchups. Assuming Jonathan Isaac can add enough strength to play center, that gives the Magic a thoroughly modern frontcourt of the future. -PELTON

Although not perceived to have the same type of upside as the "big six" who are likely to be taken ahead of him, Wendell Carter Jr. is perhaps the most well-rounded player in the draft. Polished, versatile and intelligent on both ends of the floor, Carter can play both facing and with his back to the basket and brings a serious-minded approach to the game. He is unlikely to disappoint because of his strong work ethic and overall intangibles. -GIVONY

Emeka Okafor (2004): Drafted No. 2 by CHA
Carlos Boozer (2002): Drafted No. 35 by CLE

Why he stands out
Carter's ability to both pick and pop and punish smalls on the block with quick spins, jump hooks and turnaround jumpers makes him extremely valuable in the switch-heavy NBA. Full scouting video -SCHMITZ

How he fits: Carter is an ideal building block to put in place alongside natural stretch 4s like Lauri Markkanen and Bobby Portis, but he can also spend some minutes operating alongside another traditional big man, such as Robin Lopez. With Portis and Lopez both entering the final season of their contracts, it makes sense to think about adding a sturdy-framed center like Carter who can grow with this rebuilding roster long-term. -GIVONY

Gilgeous-Alexander's combination of floor and ceiling is intriguing for any organization in search of young talent. Trae Young and Collin Sexton have been the headliners of this year's point guard crop, but Gilgeous-Alexander has the tools and makeup to end up as the top lead guard in this draft. With long strides, pick-and-roll savvy, finesse around the rim, a strong feel for the game, two-way potential and impressive intangibles, the smooth Canadian is the type of versatile guard who fits perfectly in the modern NBA. -SCHMITZ

Shaun Livingston (2004): Drafted No. 4 by LAC
Patrick McCaw (2016): Drafted No. 38 by MIL

Why he stands out
Gilgeous-Alexander is one of the most skilled finishers in the draft. He has the ability to leap off either foot and extend with either hand, using his stride length, footwork, touch, ambidexterity and 7-foot wingspan to neutralize shot-blockers in the paint. Full scouting video -SCHMITZ

How he fits: As we saw with Jordan Clarkson's brutal playoff run and Cleveland's lack of overall shot creation outside of LeBron James, Cleveland is in dire need of a young ball handler, whether James returns to The Land or not. Although not a big-time scorer, Gilgeous-Alexander is talented enough to hand the keys to as the point guard of the future if LeBron bolts, yet versatile enough to coexist with James and add value with his length, feel, skill and instincts. Eighteen-year-old combo forward Kevin Knox should also receive serious consideration here. Although he's not short on question marks, if Cleveland were willing to take a swing, Robert Williams is the vertical spacer and rim protector the 2017-18 Cavs badly needed. -SCHMITZ

I've already passed a couple of times on Young, the third-ranked prospect in my projections. By this point in the draft, however, any concerns about how he'll hold up defensively are more than outweighed by Young's massive offensive potential. Mikal Bridges is the only other player I'd consider here, and Young is an easy choice over him. -PELTON

Shabazz Napier (2014): Drafted No. 24 by CHA
Joe Young (2015): Drafted No. 43 by IND

What he needs to improve
Already sporting an underwhelming physical profile, Young has major questions to answer about his defensive motor and upside in an era of basketball where versatility is king on that end of the floor. Full scouting video -SCHMITZ

How he fits: Drafting Young would surely mean moving last year's No. 8 pick, Frank Ntilikina, off the point for good. The Knicks would have a logjam at the position, having added former lottery picks Trey Burke and Emmanuel Mudiay midway through last season with mixed results (Burke excelled off the bench in a role similar to the one Young could play; Mudiay was ineffective). Still, again, the value on Young at this stage of the draft is too good to pass up. -PELTON

A national champion coming off a prolific and efficient season at Villanova, Bridges perfectly fits the mold of a 3-and-D wing who can guard multiple positions, shoot with range and consistency and play within himself. His 7-foot-2 wingspan makes him a playmaker defensively, and he converted 44 percent of his 3-pointers this season. -GIVONY

Kelly Oubre (2015): Drafted No. 15 by ATL
Robert Covington (2013): Undrafted

Why he stands out
Bridges has turned himself into a near-knockdown shooter (43.5 percent on 239 3s) thanks to his feel for making himself available on dribble penetration along with his outstanding shot prep (hands and feet ready, catching on the hop). -SCHMITZ

How he fits: With two of the NBA's biggest up-and-coming stars in tow, both of whom are at their best with the ball in their hands, the Sixers don't need to add another dominant creator to this roster, which makes Bridges an ideal fit. JJ Redick and Marco Belinelli are both free agents, which creates a serious need for a wing player in Bridges' mold who is ready to step in and contribute immediately. -GIVONY

I see Mikal Bridges as the last prospect left in my tier 3, pushing me down into the much larger fourth tier of about a dozen prospects. Given my philosophy of drafting for need within tiers, that left me considering the point guards available, none of whom projects quite this high by my model. (Elie Okobo is 16th, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 20th and Sexton 21st.) I went with Sexton because I think his ability to create shots gives him a little more upside. Sexton also has the best projection from the ESPN Analytics model. -PELTON

Patrick Beverley (2009): Drafted No. 42 by LAL
Eric Bledsoe (2010): Drafted No. 18 by OKC

Why he stands out
Sexton is a tough defender who prides himself on ball pressure, physicality and competitiveness, almost always playing in a stance, heating up opposing point guards and holding up against switches. Full scouting video -SCHMITZ

How he fits: Sexton or another point guard would fill a couple of needs for the Hornets. Finding a backup behind Kemba Walker was their biggest weakness in 2017-18; they were 11.3 points per 100 possessions worse with Walker on the bench last season, according to NBA Advanced Stats. Sexton would also be a possible long-term replacement for Walker, who's entering the final season of his contract and could be traded or leave via free agency. -PELTON

An explosive leaper with a 6-10 wingspan and a versatile shooting stroke, Walker has as high of an upside as any guard in the draft. He rises into pull-up 3s with ease, can tear down the rim in the open court and has the tools to be a plus on-ball defender. Walker left much to be desired with his consistency at Miami, but his game is tailor-made for a more open NBA game. -SCHMITZ

Victor Oladipo (2013): Drafted No. 2 by ORL
Donovan Mitchell (2017): Drafted No. 13 by DEN

Why he stands out
The physically gifted Walker has a high ceiling thanks to his combination of length, explosiveness and shot-making. His ability to elevate into off-the-dribble 3s with ease gives him considerable potential as a pick-and-roll shot creator. -SCHMITZ

How he fits: The Clippers need a young point guard of the future, but with Gilgeous-Alexander, Young and Sexton off the board, Walker is an excellent option. He's the ideal prospect to reignite the Staples Center from its Lob City hangover with transition dunks and rise-and-fire 3s. Playing off the ball next to veterans like Patrick Beverley and Lou Williams, Walker can focus on making spot-ups, attacking the rim and defending his position while incrementally adding more to his off-the-dribble game, as he holds the potential to morph into a pick-and-roll shot creator in time. -SCHMITZ

Williams, although not short on question marks, is built for the modern NBA in the Clint Capela mold. With elite explosiveness and incredible defensive range, Williams is a lob-catching, screen-switching, shot-blocking modern 5 who wasn't always able to show that at Texas A&M, where he played the 4 next to an interior center and rolled to the rim only nine times all season. One of the draft's most drastic NCAA casualties, Williams, if in the right situation, has the tools and ready-made role to pop in the NBA. -SCHMITZ

Dwight Howard (2004): Drafted No. 1 by ORL
Derrick Favors (2010): Drafted No. 3 by NJN

Why he stands out
While his motor is erratic, Williams has the length, explosive athleticism and incredible range to be a monster defender, as he can switch onto the perimeter, erase shots as the primary defender, rotate from the weak side and cover a ridiculous amount of ground on closeouts. -SCHMITZ

How he fits: The Clippers might not be all that eager to move from one Texas A&M center with motor questions to another, but Williams is more of a modern fit than DeAndre Jordan, with additional agility and playmaking potential to boot. With Jordan's future in L.A. likely short-lived, Williams is the ideal heir to the lob-catching throne from a basketball standpoint. It's up to the Clippers to surround Williams with the right veterans and staff to keep his development on track. With Walker and Williams in the fold, the Clippers would have the most explosive rookie class in the NBA. -SCHMITZ

One of the younger prospects in the draft, Knox is a tantalizing talent blessed with impressive physical tools and intriguing versatility on both ends of the floor. He's a good shooter who is comfortable making jumpers on the move, and has shown the ability to defend multiple positions thanks to his size, length and mobility. -GIVONY

Paul George (2010): Drafted No. 10 by IND
Aaron Gordon (2014): Drafted No. 4 by ORL

What he needs to work on
Knox's youth and lack of consistent toughness showed in physically demanding situations on the defensive glass, where he averaged only 6.7 rebounds per 40 minutes despite his 6-foot-9 frame and 9-foot standing reach. -SCHMITZ

How he fits: The Nuggets currently have a glut of players who fancy themselves small forwards but are really actually better fits at power forward, and Knox can certainly be considered to be in a similar mold. With that said, the talent level of this draft seems to lose some depth at the end of the lottery, and it doesn't make sense to pass on a player with significant upside, like Knox, due to existing pieces that might or might not be around long-term. The likes of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Miles Bridges, Zhaire Smith and Lonnie Walker will likely draw consideration as well if they are available. -GIVONY

The Michigan State combo forward is a high-floor prospect who figures to thrive in a more wide-open NBA game with less shot-creation responsibility than he shouldered playing the 3 for Tom Izzo. Bridges' initial value will come on the defensive end of the floor, where he has the body to battle modern power forwards and power wings, and the competitiveness to at least keep up with guards on switches. He's a powerful two-foot athlete who is at his best playing off the ball, keeping things simple by knocking down catch-and-shoot 3s, attacking space and staying active. -SCHMITZ

Solomon Hill (2013): Drafted No. 23 by IND
Matt Barnes (2002): Drafted No. 46 by MEM

How he fits: The Wizards would be giddy to snag Bridges here, as the high-character prospect will bring a level of competitiveness, physicality and explosiveness to D.C. The Wizards already ranked fourth in the NBA in transition efficiency last season, and Bridges would give John Wall another high flyer in the open floor as well as a wing defender to take some pressure off Otto Porter and Kelly Oubre. He's at his best in a complementary role while playing the small-ball 4 spot, which he'll be able to do alongside more ball-dominant guards like Wall and Beal. -SCHMITZ

Arguably the best athlete in the draft, Smith rose out of obscurity at Texas Tech despite being a completely unheralded high school recruit thanks to his tough-minded approach, sheer tenacity defensively and ever-improving skill level. -GIVONY

Victor Oladipo (2013): Drafted No. 2 by ORL
Tony Allen (2004): Drafted No. 25 by BOS

How he fits: The Suns were the worst defensive team in the NBA last season and could use an injection of energy and toughness into a roster that often looked all too content losing games and padding stats. Although point guard appears to be a major position of need, and Aaron Holiday is reportedly someone they are looking closely at, it's not clear that bringing in another rookie to lead this group is an ideal solution considering how long this team has been in rebuilding mode already. -GIVONY

Just like Thon Maker two years ago and Giannis Antetokounmpo before that, drafting Robinson is a high-risk, high-reward play. Like them, Robinson played neither college basketball nor at a high level internationally, giving scouts (and statistical projections) relatively little to go on. However, his strong play in the 2016 Nike EYBL showcased Robinson's potential to develop into a Clint Capela-esque rim runner and protector. -PELTON

Jakob Poeltl (2016): Drafted No. 9 by TOR
Willie Cauley-Stein (2015): Drafted No. 6 by SAC

How he fits: The Bucks struggled to find a consistent option at center after trading Greg Monroe early last season. Maker was inconsistent and John Henson missed the final five games of Milwaukee's first-round loss to Boston with a sore back, leaving the position to Maker and journeyman Tyler Zeller. Among that group, Robinson could compete for minutes right away. -PELTON

A wing with excellent size and scoring instincts, Musa has been a bucket-getter his entire career, putting points on the board in bunches no matter whom he's played against. He's gradually become a more versatile player as his career has moved along, and is still one of the youngest players in the draft, having just turned 19 last month. -GIVONY

Joe Ingles (2009): Undrafted
Rodney Hood (2014): Drafted No. 23 by UTA

How he fits: Looking ahead to next season, the Spurs have painfully little depth on the wing beyond Kawhi Leonard, who wants out of San Antonio. With that in mind, it makes sense to draft a talent like Musa and try to polish some of the rougher edges in his game. Lonnie Walker, Troy Brown, Jerome Robinson and Kevin Huerter will also likely get looks here depending on who is available. -GIVONY

With Sexton and Gilgeous-Alexander long off the board, Okobo is the only point guard left from my fourth tier of prospects. There's a big drop to the next-highest-rated point guard (Donte DiVincenzo), so teams in need of help at the point should be willing to pull the trigger on the French guard. -PELTON

Avery Bradley (2010): Drafted No. 19 by BOS
Cameron Payne (2015): Drafted No. 14 by OKC

How he fits: During a May news conference in his native Germany, Hawks point guard Dennis Schroder expressed his desire to play for a contender and intention to discuss his future with the front office. With a new head coach (Lloyd Pierce) and a general manager who inherited Schroder (Travis Schlenk), Atlanta might be ready to move on and look for a new point guard of the future. -PELTON

With fluid athleticism, a smooth shooting stroke and an outstanding feel for the game, it's no surprise Huerter solidified himself as a first-round pick in the pre-draft process despite recent hand surgery. If he returned to Maryland for his junior season, Huerter could have very well ended up as a fringe top-10 pick in the 2019 draft, so the Timberwolves are getting a young talent here at No. 20. His feel and ability to shoot on the move make him extremely valuable in today's NBA, and the fact that he's younger than freshmen like Mo Bamba, Michael Porter Jr. and Deandre Ayton bodes well for his long-term outlook. -SCHMITZ

Tim Hardaway Jr. (2013): Drafted No. 24 by NYK
Evan Fournier (2012): Drafted No. 20 by DEN

How he fits: The Timberwolves are starving for perimeter shooting, having made only eight triples per game last season, which ranked dead last in the NBA. Huerter is a ready-made shot-maker who can also give Minnesota a much-needed shot in the arm as a playmaker. He might not give the Wolves all that much defensively right away, but Huerter is an excellent offensive fit, and small lineups of Jeff Teague, Huerter, Jimmy Butler, Andrew Wiggins and Karl-Anthony Towns could give teams fits both in transition and the half court. -SCHMITZ

What Holiday lacks in size, he makes up for in length, athleticism, aggressiveness and toughness defensively. He excels in the open floor but also is a prolific 3-point shooter with deep range both with his feet set and off the dribble. Having grown up around the NBA, with two brothers (six and seven years older than him) on drastically different career paths, he has a good understanding of what it takes to make it. -GIVONY

Eric Bledsoe (2010): Drafted No. 18 by OKC
Jeff Teague (2009): Drafted No. 19 by ATL

How he fits: With incumbent point guard Ricky Rubio entering the final year of his contract, it makes sense for the Jazz to consider grooming a player at this position. Because of the emergence of Donovan Mitchell, it will be important to find a guard who is comfortable playing both on and off the ball, which is something Holiday has done throughout his career. Kevin Huerter, Donte DiVincenzo, Grayson Allen and Khyri Thomas will also reportedly get looks here as well. -GIVONY

One of the younger prospects in this draft, Brown has a good combination of size, length and strength for a NBA wing, being big enough to play some small-ball 4 even. Having grown up playing point guard, Brown has a good feel for the game and shows versatility with his unselfish style of play and defensive competitiveness. -GIVONY

Danny Green (2009): Drafted No. 46 by CLE
Khris Middleton (2012): Drafted No. 39 by DET

How he fits: The Bulls have one of the shallowest wing rotations in the league and could really use help at small forward in particular, where they tend to simply don't have enough size, strength and length to handle some of the bigger forwards they face on a nightly basis. They could look to address that with their lottery pick (No. 7), too. -GIVONY

Because of his versatile game, Evans ranks 13th in my projections. His ability to play on and off the ball makes him a good fit for a variety of teams picking in the 20s, nearly all of whom are looking for additional help on the wing. -PELTON

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (2013): Drafted No. 8 by DET
Buddy Hield (2016): Drafted No. 6 by NOP

How he fits: In Indiana, I see Evans emerging as a more reliable, better-shooting version of Lance Stephenson. With Victor Oladipo ahead of him, Evans wouldn't have a clear path to the starting five unless he slides to point guard or small forward, but Nate McMillan frequently finished games with three-guard lineups, and Evans could fit into those alongside Oladipo and a point guard. -PELTON

It's not easy to find 19-year-old guard/wings with size, length, plus athleticism, the ability and willingness to defend at least three positions and the potential to make a standstill 3. Okogie ticks all of those boxes and is tremendous value as a late first-round selection. When thrust into more of a 3-and-D-style, complementary role, Okogie should thrive. -SCHMITZ

Norman Powell (2015): Drafted No. 46 by MIL
Tyreke Evans (2009): Drafted No. 4 by SAC

How he fits: After spending both first-round picks on big men last season, Portland could use a defensive-oriented perimeter player. He can defend 1-3, sliding up to take small forwards when sharing the floor with Lillard and McCollum or defending guards in bench units. Despite how he was used at Georgia Tech, Okogie doesn't need the ball offensively to have an impact, and he should be able to add value on transition runouts, putbacks (2.5 offensive rebound per 40 minutes), catch-and-shoot 3s and straight-line drives. -SCHMITZ

The Lakers got good results drafting a Villanova product late in last year's first round (Josh Hart), so why not try again? DiVincenzo's stock has climbed rapidly starting with his 31-point effort in the NCAA championship game. More than just a one-game wonder, DiVincenzo has solid statistical projections and played well at the draft combine. -PELTON

Jeremy Lin (2010): Undrafted
Gary Harris (2014): Drafted No. 19 by CHI

How he fits: The Lakers struggled to score with backup point guards Alex Caruso and Tyler Ennis on the court last season. DiVincenzo would bring far more scoring punch to the position, and his shooting ability would allow him to play off the ball alongside Lonzo Ball and Brandon Ingram -- or, perhaps, a free agent the Lakers can sign this summer. -PELTON

Robinson is one of the most polished guards in the class, coming off a productive and efficient season at Boston College, with some particularly impressive showings in ACC play. He made a large volume of 3-pointers on a sparkling 41 percent. Plus, he's comfortable operating both on and off the ball thanks to his strong feel for the game and ability to create space with footwork and body control. -GIVONY

Jordan Clarkson (2014): Drafted No. 46 by WAS
Malik Beasley (2016): Drafted No. 19 by DEN

How he fits: The Sixers will always be looking to add more shooting to their roster, as keeping a well-spaced floor is extremely important with Ben Simmons' lack of range. Robinson is attractive because he's played some point guard in the past and has shown nice flashes as a secondary ball handler. Very much in win-now mode, the Sixers could certainly look to trade this pick for a veteran contributor since adding too many more young players to the roster might not be very attractive to head coach Brett Brown, who is now the final decision-maker in the front office. -GIVONY

If he hadn't been forced to sit out his entire sophomore season at USC, we might be talking about Melton as a top-20 pick in this year's draft. Melton is a Swiss army knife of sorts who averaged a unique 7.0 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 2.8 steals and 1.5 blocks per 40 minutes at 6-foot-3 in his freshman season. He's not a gifted shot creator or half-court scorer, so landing in a situation like Boston is ideal for his current value and long-term future. -SCHMITZ

E'Twaun Moore (2011): Drafted No. 55 by BOS
Terry Rozier (2015): Drafted No. 16 by BOS

How he fits: Should the Celtics lose Marcus Smart to free agency, Melton is the type of gritty defender who could pick up the slack while operating as a high-IQ ball mover on the other end. He's perfectly suited to play off of offensively gifted stars like Kyrie Irving, Gordon Hayward and Jayson Tatum, and his toughness and basketball mind will fit perfectly with the Celtics' culture. He's a bit of an outside-the-box prospect, but coach Brad Stevens has the creativity to put Melton in position to succeed. -SCHMITZ

As a prospect, Trent is somewhat one-dimensional. Fortunately, that dimension (shooting) is in high demand in the NBA right now. Trent shot 40 percent from 3-point range during his lone season at Duke, and his 88 percent free throw shooting suggests that's no fluke. If Trent can develop the strength to hold up against bigger defenders on switches, it's easy to envision him playing a key role on a good team. -PELTON

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (2013): Drafted No. 8 by DET
Andrew Harrison (2015): Drafted No. 44 by PHX

How he fits: For a team famed for its shooting, the Warriors actually had relatively few 3-point threats during their run to a second championship in a row. Just four Golden State players shot better than 30 percent on 3s in the playoffs: Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Andre Iguodala and Klay Thompson. With the Warriors, Trent would have all the open looks he wants. -PELTON

At close to 6-9 with a near-7-4 wingspan and fluid athleticism, Bates-Diop is the type of prospect worth taking a flyer on late in the first round. In theory, Bates-Diop has the tools to defend multiple positions, make an open 3 and beat switches in the midpost. He can stand to improve his feel, toughness and shooting range, but given the way the NBA is trending, Bates-Diop has value thanks to his versatility and length. -SCHMITZ

Rudy Gay (2006): Drafted No. 8 by HOU
Marvin Williams (2005): Drafted No. 2 by ATL

How he fits: The Nets could trot out one of the longer under-24 lineups in the NBA with D'Angelo Russell (6-10 wingspan), Caris LeVert (6-10 wingspan), Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (7-2 wingspan), Bates-Diop (7-4 wingspan) and Jarrett Allen (7-5 wingspan). With Russell, LeVert, Jeremy Lin, Spencer Dinwiddie and Allen Crabbe all under contract next season, adding more youth at the modern forward spot would make sense. -SCHMITZ

A two-time Big East Defensive Player of the Year, Thomas measured a hair under 6-4 in shoes at the NBA draft combine, but with an incredible wingspan of 6-10½. He also shot better than 40 percent on 3s during three seasons at Creighton, as well as 58 percent on 2s. So Thomas has all the tools to be a 3-and-D contributor in the NBA. -PELTON

E'Twaun Moore (2011): Drafted No. 55 by BOS
Norman Powell (2015): Drafted No. 46 by MIL

How he fits: Welcome to Hawks University! Thomas would apprentice under the similar Kent Bazemore, and he would surely find plenty of playing time off the bench while he grows into a larger role alongside Atlanta's other young talent. -PELTON