Reports: Top 5 NBA draft picks locked in, starting with Zion Williamson at No. 1
Thursday’s NBA draft is one of the most anticipated in years. So much, that teams couldn’t wait for it go get started to lock in their picks and swing some deals.
Even before the start of the draft, the top four picks were reportedly locked in and teams were jockeying to move higher in the lottery to land their targets.
The Athletic’s Shams Charania reports that the New Orleans Pelicans will select Duke’s Zion Williamson at No. 1, the Memphis Grizzlies will select Murray State’s Ja Morant at No. 2, and the New York Knicks will select R.J. Barrett at No. 3.
None of this comes as a surprise. Williamson and Morant are consensus locks to be the top two picks, and most reports have pointed to Barrett being the No. 3 selection in New York.
That leaves the Hawks, who reportedly traded up to the No. 4 pick that the Pelicans picked up from the Los Angeles in the Anthony Davis deal, on the clock. The report of the Hawks deal landed shortly after the Athletic’s report about the top three picks.
Knicks held recent workouts with other prospects
The Knicks have held recent workouts with Vanderbilt’s Darius Garland and North Carolina’s Coby White, leading to speculation that New York hadn’t yet made up its mind about Barrett.
But that was all either a smoke screen, or the team’s workouts with Garland and White weren’t enough to sway them away from the Duke forward, who entered his freshman year in Durham as a higher rated prospect than Williamson.
What will Hawks do at No. 4?
The Hawks will have a bevy of options at No. 4, but reportedly covet Virginia forward De’Andre Hunter, a strong 3-point shooter widely considered the best defender in the draft.
That leaves the intrigue of the draft starting with the Cleveland Cavaliers at No. 5. Along with White and Garland, Texas Tech’s Jarrett Culver will likely be a strong consideration for the Cavaliers.
Another predraft trade
The Phoenix Suns were slated to pick after the Hawks at No. 6, but have reportedly dealt that pick to the Minnesota Timberwolves for forward Dario Saric and the No. 11 pick.
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