21. Philadelphia 76ers: Obi Toppin

Original Pick: Tyrese Maxey

Obi Toppin’s Original Draft Position: No. 8

22. Denver Nuggets: Precious Achiuwa

Original Pick: Zeke Nnaji

Precious Achiuwa’s Original Draft Position: No. 20

23. New York Knicks: Nick Richards

Original Pick: Leandro Bolmaro

Nick Richards’ Original Draft Position: No. 42

24. Milwaukee Bucks: Saddiq Bey

Original Pick: R.J. Hampton

Saddiq Bey’s Original Draft Position: No. 19

25. Oklahoma City Thunder: Sam Merrill

Original Pick: Immanuel Quickley

Sam Merrill’s Original Draft Position: No. 60

26. Boston Celtics: Xavier Tillman Sr.

Original Pick: Payton Pritchard

Xavier Tillman Sr.’s Original Draft Position: No. 35

27. Utah Jazz: Cole Anthony

Original Pick: Udoka Azubuike

Cole Anthony’s Original Draft Position: No. 15

28. Los Angeles Lakers: Vit Krejčí

Original Pick: Jaden McDaniels

Vit Krejčí’s Original Draft Position: No. 37

29. Toronto Raptors: Paul Reed

Original Pick: Malachi Flynn

Paul Reed’s Original Draft Position: No. 58

30. Boston Celtics: James Wiseman

Original Pick: Desmond Bane

James Wiseman’s Original Draft Position: No. 2

Quick Thoughts on the Final 10

Obi Toppin falling this low may surprise some. But power forwards who can’t play small forward or center are liabilities at the highest level.

Though James Wiseman is still worth a flier, we can’t lean too far into a “Look at the physical tools!” dice roll following his Achilles injury. Saddiq Bey’s ACL injury is concerning long-term for someone who never defended well, but his microwave shooting should stick.

Sam Merrill gets a huge boost from going with the final pick in real life. Anyone who can light it up from three in an instant is worth a back-of-the-first-round gambit, even if opposing offenses will relentlessly target him at the other end. Cole Anthony may be lucky to crack the top 30 right now; his offense has fallen off the face of the earth.

I am once again begging someone to give the 6’8″, moonlights-in-all-things Vit Krejčí a bigger role. Precious Achiuwa will feel nine spots too low on one night and nine too high on the other. Xavier Tillman Sr. has proven to be shiftier on defense in small bursts so I’m willing to overlook the offensive warts.

Honorable Mentions: Aleksej Pokuševski, KJ Martin, Jordan Nwora, Malachi Flynn.