The odds of a Donovan Mitchell trade are low. The Mavericks appear intent on keeping Jalen Brunson. Needing to make a splash in the backcourt, Leon Rose gritted his teeth and traded one of his best young assets, knowing that this was the only way to get a desirable No. 4 pick in the draft.
As a result, the Knicks had draft night, moving from No. 11 to No. 4 Purdue’s Jayden Ivey. It cost a lot — this year’s No. 1 overall pick, Obitopin and multiple second-round picks went to the Kings.
This is the first round of the story.
Here’s how The Post’s Zach Braziller saw it all unfold at Barclays Center for the week starting Thursday:
1. Orlando Magic
Jabari Smith, F, Auburn
He’s the archetype of the modern NBA forward — tall, skilled, and well-rounded on defense. Smith fits perfectly into the Cavaliers’ style of instant-rush rookie Evan Mobley — except he’s a great shooter — and the only question mark scouts are his ball handlers.
2. Oklahoma City Thunder
Chet Holmgren, forward, Gonzaga
It’s easy to see the Minnesota making an immediate impact with his rim protection, 3-point shooting and ball-handling skills. You can also imagine Holmgren going up against stronger players with similar athletic attributes. The first college player in 28 years to make more than 40 3-pointers and more than 100 blocks in a season was a boom or bust.
3. Houston Rockets
Paolo Banchero, forward, Duke University
The Rockets acquired a No. 1 pick with the No. 3 overall pick, a strong forward who was already in bright lights during Mike Krzyzewski’s only year at Duke last season growing up healthily. Banchero doesn’t even have to be Houston’s THE GUY — which was covered by last year’s No. 1 pick Jalen Green — which might be a better fit for his all-around game.
4. New York Knicks (from Kings)
Jaden Ivey, G, Purdue University
Knicks fans will chant “Ivey, Ivey, Ivey” on Brooklyn night, believing they finally have the point guard the franchise has lacked for decades. The Purdue star is the impact player the Knicks need, second only to RJ Barrett, a top athlete who has made a big leap across the board in his third NBA season.
5. Detroit Pistons
Keegan Murray, Iowa Underground
Underrated defensively, the No. 4 scorer in the nation a year ago was a perfect fit for the shooting-hungry Pistons, behind last year’s No. 1 overall pick forward Cade Cunningham.
6. Indiana Pacers
Dyson Daniels, G, G-League Ignite
After ranking 28th in the league in defensive efficiency, the rebuilding Pacers must address this offseason, starting with the defensive-minded Daniels. With his long size, the rising Australian can defend back and flanks and could form a powerful 1-2 backcourt with Tyrese Haliburton in the future.
7. Portland Trail Blazers
Benedict Maturin, G, Arizona
At worst, the Pac-12 Player of the Year is a 3-and-D contributor who could immediately help the Blazers on the defensive end. But some scouts saw the All-Star in the Canadian import, citing his ability to guard multiple positions and his fluid jumper and ceiling to expand his offense as a point guard.
8. New Orleans Pelicans
Shaedon Sharpe, G, Kentucky
If Holmgren is the most talked about rookie in this draft, then Sharpe is the biggest question mark. He’s a promising high schooler — 247Sports.com ranks him third in the nation — and he didn’t go to college last year after entering the University of Kentucky in January. Essentially, he went straight to the NBA from high school, making his choice a gamble.
9. San Antonio Spurs
Jeremy Sochan, F, Baylor
The Sixth Man of the Year in the Big 12 thinks defense comes first — and he believes he’s the best defensive player in the draft. That attitude would endear him to Gregg Popovich and the Spurs, who desperately need a frontcourt difference maker.
10. Washington Wizards
Malaki Branham, G, Ohio
The efficient, young, and highly skilled star provides the Wizards with room to grow in the next few years for the Wizards’ jump-shooting depth in the backcourt.
11. Sacramento Kings (via Knicks)
AJ Griffin, G, Duke
Injuries to both knees, combined with an inconsistent year at Duke, have cast doubt on the White Plains native. Still, his raw talent is undeniable, as he is a near-50% long-range 3-point shooter and has a 7-foot wingspan that could make him a high-caliber perimeter defender.
12. Oklahoma City Thunder
Ousmane Dieng, G/F, New Zealand Breakers
No one is more patient than Sam Presti, who appears to be working on a 10-year plan for Oklahoma City, where he’s hoarding assets while playing more seasons than New York’s football native. Dieng is perfect for Presti: a high ceiling prospect that will take time, but may be worth the wait for years.
13. Charlotte Hornets
Mark Williams, C, Duke
The ACC Defensive Player of the Year fills the Hornets’ primary need as a rim-protecting, lob-catching finisher paired with maestro LaMelo Ball. With his 7-foot-8 wingspan and power, the 20-year-old Williams could be a two-way paint force in time.
14. Cleveland Cavaliers
Johnny Davis, G, Wisconsin
After the Cavaliers topped last year’s 44-win season, the arrow points upward, and the Big Ten Player of the Year is another talented young player strengthening the core. Cleveland needs more wide shots and scoring, and Davis can provide that right away.
15. Charlotte Hornets
Jaylen Williams, G, Santa Clara
The midsize superstar has his eyes widened with his sweet hitting from long range, impressive measurable numbers and raw athleticism. The ridiculously long-armed Williams — who has a 7-foot-2.25 wingspan — can do the same when the lights are on, averaging 18.0 points, 4.4 rebounds and 4.0 assists while shooting from the field last season below 40%.
16. Atlanta Hawks
Ochai Agbaji, G, Kansas
His upside may not be as high as others have been drafted before him, but the 22-year-old Agbagi can step in immediately and play on both ends of the floor as a spacer and winger defender. The Eagles would look smart with a sure-fire move here.
17. Houston Rockets
Tari Eason, F, Louisiana State University
The Rockets had their dynamic scoring duo in Banchero and Green, and now they’re getting a lunch bucket supplement in Ethan. The gritty, defense-first wing will do the dirty work and make strides on offense as a perimeter threat.
18. Chicago Bulls
Jalen Duren, C, Memphis
Similar to Williams, Durham doesn’t stretch the floor offensively, but his peculiar athleticism and strong rim protection still make him an attractive fit at the next level.
19. Minnesota Timberwolves
TyTy Washington Jr., G, Kentucky
Washington didn’t show his full repertoire in college, spending most of his year in Lexington off the ball. Still, he shoots well (35 percent from 3-point range), has a better than 2-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio, and shows enough promise that he can be a leading guard at the next level.
20. San Antonio Spurs
Walker Kessler, C, Auburn
His defense alone makes him attractive, as a shot-blocking demon who denied 4.6 shots per game last year. If his offense shows up and his perimeter jumper is promising, the Spurs will steal.
21. Denver Nuggets
Blake Wesley, G, University of Notre Dame
As an explosive athlete who struggled with his shot in his lone year in college, Wesley will find he prefers this spaced-out NBA game. His ball-handling speed and ability to get into the paint are coveted qualities for guards, and the Notre Dame star has some Tyrese Maxey in it.
22. Memphis Grizzlies
Kennedy Chandler, G, Tennessee
The Grizzlies could be in the market for a point guard, Tyus Jones could leave via free agency, and the all-around Chandler isn’t just from Memphis, but is close to star Ja Morant.
23. Philadelphia 76ers
Darren Terry, G, Arizona
Ignore his impressive overall numbers. Terry is the glue for the Arizona Sweet 16. With his 7-foot-1 wingspan and jumping athleticism, he captivates defenses, and his playmaking and shooting potential have yet to be developed.
24. Milwaukee Bucks
EJ Liddell, F, Ohio State University
Liddell has improved every season — his scoring has increased, his shooting numbers have improved, and his versatility has expanded. While he may not have significant strength at the next level, there is little Liddell can’t do.
25. San Antonio Spurs
Christian Braun, G, Kansas
If he returns to college, Braun will be one of the best players in the country. Like Liddell, he really has no weaknesses – a capable shooter, passer, defender and high-level athlete. You’ll win the game with him playing a meaningful role.
26. Dallas Mavericks
Jack Lalavia, F, Wake Forest
His combination of size and shooting ability is appealing, especially for a team like the Mavericks who can use the scoring punches off the bench and more floor space to free up Luka Doncic.
27. Miami Heat
Jaden Hardy, G, G-League Ignite
The G-League line has gone bad for Hardy, whose stock fell sharply after he was projected as a top-five pick last fall. But that doesn’t mean his ability is gone after a year off. The Heat have the ability to play on talent and hope their development culture will have an impact on Hardy.
28. Golden State Warriors
Christian Koloko, C, Arizona
The Warriors have survived James Wiseman’s injury problems, but they still lack a wing, especially since he hasn’t lived up to the hype surrounding the No. 2 overall pick in the 2020 draft. Koloko is a possible answer in the middle. At the very least, the running, shot-blocking demon could be part of the solution with Wiseman.
29. Memphis Grizzlies
Wendell Moore Jr., G, Duke University
His tenacity and defense fit the gritty roster that general manager Zach Kleiman laid out in Memphis. Moore, an improved shooter, could help a competitive Grizzlies on both ends of the floor from the bench.
30. Denver Nuggets
MarJon Beauchamp, G/F, G-League Ignite
Despite being a late addition to G-League Ignite, he is one of its top players, showing his size, energy and defensive abilities. Beauchamp ranks second on the team in scoring and rebounding, but what really stands out is his positional versatility and defensive ability.
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