NBA Mock Draft 3.0: Rockets get shooting, Pelicans get lucky

Some Houston Rockets fans are tired of the draft.

Call it tanking fatigue. Rockets fans got lost in the future. Now, they're finally centered in the here and now. The Rockets are one of the better teams in the NBA.

Yet, another lottery pick could be on the horizon.

Let's not put the cart before the horse. There are no guarantees that the Suns will send Houston a lottery selection. They've been endeavoring to improve their team, having just acquired Nick Richards.

That won't stop some of us from dreaming. If you run the Tankathon simulation five times right now, the Rockets will always land a lottery pick. That's what was done for this piece:

Here are the results.

1. New Orleans Pelicans - Cooper Flagg (Duke)

It's always been Cooper Flagg. It will always be Cooper Flagg. It doesn't matter who lands this pick, or what that team needs.

In this case, the Pelicans net another generational Duke prospect. Flagg could be a perfect foil for Zion Williamson, but at this point, he'd be their most important player from day one. A recent 28-point, 5 rebound, and 4-assist performance in a Duke blowout victory did nothing to compromise Flagg's draft stock.

2. Chicago Bulls - Dylan Harper (Rutgers)

By now, Harper's stranglehold on the second spot feels as strong as Flagg's at number one.

There's some appeal in seeing him land in Chicago. Harper's father Ron had some good years in the Windy City. The Bulls could also use a lead guard with Harper's chops.

The Bulls are a hard team to read. They could offer Harper the opportunity to (at least try) to compete from day one if they held onto Zach LaVine. Whether Chicago opts to rebuild or just retool, they'd be thrilled to leap 7 spots as they have here fortuitously.

3. San Antonio Spurs - Kasparas Jakucionis (Illinois)

Call it a hot take.

Ace Bailey is the presumptive favorite here. We'll see. Jakucionis is averaging 16.7 points while shooting 50.0% from the field and 41.6% from distance. He's dishing out 5.4 assists per game - his 3.6 turnovers per game need to come down, but Jakucionis is an adventurous playmaker who's not afraid to make mistakes.

The Spurs need a lead ball-handler more than they need a shot-creating wing. Some will say that drafting for fit in the top 3 is malpractice. Fair, but here's the rub:

Jakucionis is arguably the best prospect available here anyway.

4. Philadelphia 76ers - Ace Bailey (Rutgers)

That's not to say Bailey isn't an intriguing prospect in his own right. A 6'10" wing who can create shots for himself is a rare commodity.

Bailey is averaging 19.3 points while shooting a reasonably efficient 46.2% from the field and 36.7% from three-point range. Bailey is hypertalented, but questions about his shot selection and feel for the game persist.

He'd be an intriguing fit on a Sixers team that's hoping to be having a gap year. They'll want to be back in the title picture next year, so Bailey's development with them would likely be slow. Still, the Sixers would benefit from having a sparkplug scorer in their second unit.

5. Washington Wizards - VJ Edgecombe (Baylor)

This is rough luck for the Wizards. Each team picking before them is at least a fringe playoff hopeful who's been plagued by injuries or inexperience (San Antonio) this year. It feels like Washington is the rightful heir to the first-overall pick.

Chaulk it up to flattened lottery odds. The Wizards land fifth. Edgecombe is at least a strong consolation prize.

Washington will hope to see him improve on his 31.8% three-point percentage. Otherwise, Edgecombe is a hyperathletic 6'5" guard/wing who can pressure the rim and defend at a high level. He'll make a strong addition to this young roster.

6. Toronto Raptors - Jeremiah Fears (Oklahoma)

Is anyone teaching these kids how to shoot?

Fears is an exciting prospect. He's an athletic lead guard who's not afraid to call his own number but has also shown ample playmaking potential.

Why is he shooting 26.5% from long range?

In any event, he's a good bet for a Raptors team that could use some backcourt talent. Toronto could justify several directions here - Ben Saraf or Egor Demin would be smart choices too - but ultimately, a safe lead guard bet like Fears felt like the best option.

7. Utah Jazz - Ben Saraf (Ratiopharm Ulm)

Speaking of Saraf...

For that matter, speaking of non-shooting playmakers: Saraf is shooting 20.5% from deep. Yikes.

Otherwise, he's quite interesting. Saraf is a 6'6" guard with outstanding floor vision. He's been wildly productive in a highly competitive EuroCup league.

Saraf feels like a project player. He's a non-shooting playmaker who wasn't blessed with particular athletic gifts. Still, if he can leverage his size and passing ability at the NBA level, he could be a star.

8. Charlotte Hornets - Asa Newell (Georgia)

This feels like providence. Newell is precisely the type of player the Hornets could use.

It may take time for him to reach his potential. Newell is raw, but he's got an intriguing set of physical tools. This is a 6'10" combo big who's got the length to protect the rim and the mobility to guard the perimeter.

Early on, Newell should be able to thrive as lob threat for LaMelo Ball. Still, he has flashed some ball-handling and playmaking ability. If his development goes according to plan, the Hornets should get a highly impactful player here.

9. Portland Trail Blazers - Tre Johnson (Texas)

The Blazers are in an odd spot. They have no shortage of guard talent, but question marks surround everyone. Scoot Henderson has been (mostly) disappointing, Shaedon Sharpe is woefully inefficient, and Anfernee Simons is just slightly off the team's optimal age timeline.

So, they shouldn't hesitate to draft another guard. How about one who's shooting 40.0% from long range? Johnson looks like the ideal shot creator to slide next to Henderson. The Blazers could justify moving Simons for some future assets after making this selection.

10. Brooklyn Nets - Egor Demin (Brigham Young)

Plenty of mocks will have Demin ranked higher than this. Fair enough. As a 6'9" playmaker, he's got ample potential.

Once again, we're looking at a hypothetical playmaker with limited shooting. At 28.1%, Demin is inefficient from distance. He's also averaging a modest 10.9 points per game for Brigham Young this year. Demin is more theoretical than practical at this juncture.

He's got high upside, but the floor feels relatively low. A Nets team with some good pieces in place to complement a player like Demin may be able to get the most out of him.

11. Miami Heat - Kon Knueppel (Duke)

It feels strange to see the Heat here. They've been uncharacteristically weak in 2024-25. The ramifications of the Jimmy Butler saga may be problematic.

Knueppel is a good pick no matter how that situation resolves. He's shooting 37.6% from long-range, but that sells his value short. Knueppel has flashed some shot creation, but his opportunities are relatively limited playing alongside Flagg.

He's also a competitive defender who should embrace "Heat culture" from the onset. Whatever happens in South Beach, the Heat won't regret walking away with Knueppel.

12. Sacramento Kings - Collin Murray-Boyles (South Carolina)

The Kings are another team with an uncertain future. Let's operate under the assumption that De'Aaron Fox is still lighting the beam when 2025-26 kicks off.

The Kings could justify several directions here. UConn's Liam McNeeley would be a good choice here too. Ultimately, they're left choosing between his shooting, Noa Essengue's defense, or Murray-Boyles.

I took the last route because Murray-Boyles is arguably the most well-rounded player of that trio. He can create his own offense on the interior, and his shot is a work in progress. Murray-Boyles is also a versatile defender, and that's a pressing need for the Kings.

13. Golden State Warriors - Derik Queen (Maryland)

Queen won't be for everyone. This is a throwback big man without a three-point shot and limited defensive abilities. Queen wants to score with his back to the basket.

He should suit the Warriors. Queen is also a dynamic passer. Frontcourt passing is integral to any motion offense, and few teams have leaned on motion as heavily as the Warriors in recent years.

This feels like a perfect marriage.

14. Houston Rockets - Liam McNeeley (UConn)

McNeeley is a 37.9% three-point shooter. That will be his biggest draw for a shooting-deprived team like the Rockets. Yet, he's not strictly a specialist, either.

McNeeley is a deft connective passer who knows how to play within the team concept. He's not an outstanding athlete, but he plays hard - McNeeley shouldn't be a defensive liability. His star potential may be limited, but the Rockets have plenty of star potential. Rounding out the roster with a high-floor role player would be a smart move.

15. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Detroit Pistons) - Nolan Traore (Saint-Quentin)

Expectations can be curse. Nobody would expect the Pistons' pick to land outside of the lottery and convey to Minnesota. A few months ago, nobody would expect Traore to be available outside of the lottery either.

By now, his 34.3% shooting from the field has scouts thinking twice. Valid. Still, he's an athletic guard with good floor vision who plays hard on defense. This could be a steal for a Timberwolves team that needs to replace Mike Conley. Traore provides a much different skillset than Rob Dillingham, who he'd be competing with moving forward.

16. Utah Jazz (via Minnesota Timberwolves) - Noa Essengue (Ratiopharm Ulm)

There was no conscious effort to have the Jazz draft a pair of teammates here. Still, they could benefit from the pre-existing chemistry between Saraf and Essengue.

More broadly, the Jazz are grabbing the best prospect on the board. Essengue has the potential to be the best defender in this class. He can handle multiple positions at 6'10". If his shooting comes around, he could be a key player for the Jazz into the future.

17. Orlando Magic - Khaman Maluach (Duke)

The Magic have a solid platoon of big men. They're drafting Maluach here simply because he's slipped. Some mock drafts have him landing inside the top-10. This is one of the more divisive prospects in the class.

If he reaches his ceiling, he'll entrench himself as the Magic's starter. Maluach's agility at 7'2" is remarkable. He should be a solid lob threat in the NBA as well. The key questions surrounding his development pertain to shooting. If Maluach can become a reliable floor spacer, a handful of teams will wish they'd picked him before Orlando got to him.

18. San Antonio Spurs (via Atlanta Hawks) - Nique Clifford (Colorado State)

Confession: I'm higher on Clifford than most. He's been tasked with an outsized role for Colorado State. He's been the focal point of their offense, and he's responded with 16.9 points per game.

His 34.1% three-point shooting is mediocre, but with Wembanyama's gravity, he'll get more open looks with the Spurs. Clifford is also a stout defender, and his 9.8 rebounds per game are impressive at 6'5". Clifford bears some resemblance to Josh Hart:

That's an excellent get with the 18th overall pick.

19. Dallas Mavericks - Hugo Gonzales (Real Madrid)

Don't look to the stat sheet if you want to be impressed by Gonzales. He's averaging just 5.3 points per game for Real Madrid.

International stats can be misleading. Real Madrid are a professional basketball team. They aren't eager to put an 18-year-old on the floor. The Mavericks know this. Luka Doncic's international stats weren't blowing people away either.

The film says Gonzales has potential. He's a good ball-handler at 6'7". He's a smart player. Gonzales won't be NBA-ready, but the contending Mavericks have a runway to let him grow.

20. Indiana Pacers - Will Riley (Illinois)

Riley is another polarizing prospect. He's got some tantalizing tools, but he's also got some concerning shortcomings.

At 6'8", Riley has the playmaking and shooting abilities to play guard. Unfortunately, he struggles to put pressure on the rim. Riley frequently has to settle for difficult shots, and his defense leaves something to be desired as well.

Still, his shooting ability fits into Indiana's philosophy. Moreover, Riley has great potential at the 20th overall spot. Indiana may not be able to pass on him even if they share those concerns.

21. Atlanta Hawks (via Los Angeles Lakers) - Boogie Fland (Arkansas)

You may be thinking that it's odd for the Hawks to draft a point guard. Think again. At 21, you're looking for a role player. Fland fits the bill.

He's an aggressive point-of-attack defender who can also knock down triples. Fland isn't spectacular, but he's solid. The Hawks need an injection of ball-handling behind Trae Young, and Fland could find himself in a functional role quickly.

22. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Los Angeles Clippers) - Dink Pate (G-League)

What do you get someone who has everything?

How about one of the highest-ceiling, lowest-floor prospects in the draft? Pate is inefficient. He's a raw project. He's also a 6'8" playmaker with tremendous athleticism.

The Thunder may never find a role for him. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is arguably the best guard in the NBA. Still, they could pick Pate hoping he shows enough potential to trade him for a haul. Who knows? The Thunder may have even more first-round picks on the horizon.

23. Brooklyn Nets (via Milwaukee Bucks) - Labaron Philon

Philon isn't outstanding in any one area. He's solid in just about every aspect of the game. That's more than sufficient with the 23rd pick in the draft.

He feels like a solid addition for a Nets team lacking guard play. After taking Demin, he's a brilliant choice. Philon could be a long-term insurance policy if Demin struggles to reach his potential.

24. Orlando Magic (via Denver Nuggets) - Ian Jackson (North Carolina)

The Magic resemble the Rockets in many ways. They're stacked with young talent, a formidable defense team - and dreadfully light on shooting.

Jackson would help. He's hitting 39.3% of his threes for North Carolina this year. Jackson is also a competitive defender who'll fit into Orlando's culture.

Jackson isn't a perfect prospect. At 6'4", teams will wish he offered more shot creation. He's an undersized two, and he's not dynamic enough to run the point. Still, he could be a solid combo guard off the bench for years in the NBA. '

25. Brooklyn Nets (via New York Knicks) - Thomas Sorber (Georgetown)

The Nets have a lot of picks in this draft. They've already taken a pair of guards in this mock - why not grab a big man?

Sorber feels like a safe bet. He's an athletic big man with solid mobility and a long wingspan. He'll be a useful defender in the NBA, but questions about his offense persist.

So far, he's shown little ability to space the floor. He's a solid post up scorer and passer, but he may not find opportunities to leverage those skills in the league if he can't shoot. Still, he should be a good pick-and-roll finisher even if he's unable to expand his game.

26. Memphis Grizzlies - Alex Toohey (Sydney)

Toohey just feels like a Grizzlies pick. He's a characteristically tough Aussie who's already been productive (12.1 points per game) in the NBL. Scouts will want his three-point shooting to be more consistent, but as a 6'9" wing who can create shots, he'll have plenty of potential in the NBA.

Memphis has made a habit of realizing players' potential in recent years, so this is a good fit.

27. Brooklyn Nets (via Houston Rockets) - Adou Thiero (Arkansas)

This mock has the Nets walking away with a well-rounded group of youngsters. They're adding two (vastly different) guards, a big man, and now, they're grabbing an athletic wing.

Thiero is a steal candidate in this range. He's a highly athletic wing who plays with relentless energy. His offense is raw - Thiero could use some work in the "3" component of "3-and-D wing" - but if he finds his form, he'll be a long-term NBA contributor.

28. Boston Celtics - Rocco Zikarsky (Brisbane)

Zikarsky was a trendy name just months ago. His limited production in the NBL has hurt his draft stock. By now, it's easy to find mock drafts that have him landing outside of the first round.

Consider me a skeptic. Zikarsky is 7'2". He's relatively mobile at that size. Someone ought to be enticed by him in the first round. Why not a Celtics team that's getting ready for life after Al Horford?

29. Los Angeles Clippers (via Oklahoma City Thunder) - Danny Wolf (Michigan)

In contrast to Zikarsky, Wolf's stock is rising. By the time I'm preparing Mock 4.0, he may find himself flirting with lottery consideration.

For now, the Clippers should be thrilled to land him here. Wolf is a combo big who can shoot, pass and dribble. Questions about his athletic prowess could limit his draft stock, but alternatively, he may be too skilled to keep in this range.

30. Utah Jazz (via Cleveland Cavaliers) - Alex Karaban (Connecticut)

Karaban looks like a low-ceiling prospect. The Jazz shouldn't care. This is the last pick in the first round - the odds of landing a star player are exceedingly slim.

They should be happy to grab a player who looks solid. Karaban can shoot, and he plays hard on defense. At 6'8", that gives him a strong chance to be a decent NBA player. What more can you ask for at this stage of the draft?