Picks 21-30
21. New Orleans Pelicans - Yves Missi, Baylor
The New Orleans Pelicans need either a shot-blocking five next to Zion Williamson, or a floor-spacer. Baylor's Yves Missi is the former. At 6-foot-11 with a 7-foot-2 wingspan, the athletic five is an ideal rim-runner who later projects as a defensive anchor.
22. Phoenix Suns - Tyler Kolek, Marquette
Before the season began, the Phoenix Suns were expected to compete for a championship. However, a quick-out in the first round of the playoffs led to widespread discouragement. Marquette's Tyler Kolek isn't a franchise-altering talent, but he provides Phoenix with a major need as a floor general
23. Milwaukee Bucks - Carlton Carrington, Pitt
Carlton Carrington has youth and statistical backing on his side. Carrington averaged 13.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game in his lone season at Pittsburg. At 18 years old, the oldest team in the league—the Milwaukee Bucks—could use an infusion of youth and on-ball scoring.
24. New York Knicks - Kyle Filipowski, Duke
Sophomore Kyle Filipowski's NBA role is relatively easy to project. He's a stretch-five who can make plays from the high and low post. Filipowski's offense will immediately translate, but his defense will take some time to figure out. Getting drafted by the New York Knicks will allow the Duke product to play in his home state and suit up alongside a wanted crew of defenders.
25. New York Knicks - Ryan Dunn, Virginia
Virginia forward Ryan Dunn is one of the most unique prospects in the draft. He measured 6-foot-6 at the combine but projects more as a power forward due to his lack of shooting ability. Dunn averaged just 8.1 points per game and made seven 3-pointers a season ago.
What makes the 21-year-old wing so special is his elite defense. Dunn isn't your ordinary defensive menace, he's much more—the Virginia forward used his 7-foot-1 wingspan to compile 2.3 blocks and 1.3 steals per game as a sophomore. Dunn is Tom Thibodeau's dream.
26. Washington Wizards - KJ Simpson, Colorado
This selection feels reminiscent of what the Pistons did a year ago. In the 2023 NBA Draft, Detroit selected a raw prospect fifth (Ausar Thompson) before choosing a steady floor general 25th (Marcus Sasser).
This time around, Washington adds Colorado's KJ Simpson after landing Risacher with their first selection. Simpson is a do-it-all point guard who starred in Boulder. Despite underwhelming combine measurements, the 21-year-old guard tested well and aced the scrimmages.
27. Minnesota Timberwolves - Johnny Furphy, Kansas
Minnesota, meet your Kyle Anderson replacement. Although Kansas' Johnny Furphy would be replacing the veteran forward, it's by no means a comparison to the two, wing player's playstyles.
The 6-foot-9 Aussie is a skilled shooter who's lethal in transition. Furphy will likely play both forward spots in the NBA. Although he has tremendous size and athleticism, the 19-year-old isn't the best defender. He's one-dimensional on the less glamorous end of the floor.
28. Denver Nuggets - Tristan Da Silva, Colorado
Probably much further down than he'll go, Colorado's Tristan Da Silva is an extremely versatile prospect. A three-year starter for the Buffaloes, Da Silva demonstrated a well-rounded offensive game. He'd fit right in on the Denver Nuggets—a team hard-pressed to find contributors through the draft.
29. Utah Jazz - Terrence Shannon Jr., Illinois
After more of an upside selection in the lottery, the Jazz are poised to select a win-now player near the end of the first round. Terrence Shannon Jr. is an uber-athletic guard who can score from all over the court. The Illinois guard's only drawback is his advanced age—24 years old on opening night.
30. Boston Celtics - Daron Holmes II, Dayton
Dayton's Daron Holmes II is a plug-and-play prospect who oozes potential. At almost 22 years old, he's displayed a well-rounded game for years, but there's still more to come. After making a combined seven 3-pointers in his first two collegiate seasons, the 6-foot-9 big man connected on 32 triples at a 38.6 percent clip in his junior season.