2027 NBA Mock Draft: Season Opener Edition

With basketball season getting underway, we're not just referring to the NBA as the college basketball season also kicked off. College basketball has changed a lot over the last few years, but one thing that has remained the same is that it is the place where most of the top prospects on the rise will be showcased trying to solidify their place in the draft next summer. This brings us to today's video, where we'll be publishing our first mock draft of the season. Every season, I publish one mock draft every month leading up to the main event in order to stay up to date on how these top prospects are performing, update things when new players break out, and adjust accordingly when new data presents itself. Now with that being said, let's dive right in. Starting with the number one pick in the draft, the Sacramento Kings select Tyron Stokes from Kansas. Stokes comes in as the clear top prospect at the moment in this class, but this is by no means a foregone conclusion so he's going to have to continue to earn it throughout the year. He's a high-end prospect known for his combination of size, strength, athleticism, and versatility. At approximately 6'7 and 230 pounds, he has the physical tools that NBA scouts love to see from wing players, and he does a pretty good job utilizing those physical tools with terrific body control. When he gets downhill, he is a dangerous scorer at and around the rim, he's a nightmare in transition, he has a strong handle and can create his own offense off the dribble and all of this of course makes him one of the most well-balanced players in the class to add to his clear upside. What he needs to do in order to solidify himself in the top is prove that he can do these things on a consistent basis against the top level of competition though. He's a streaky shooter and his overall motor has been questioned a little bit so when he's locked in he's a stud but there is still work to be done. Speaking of the number one pick we can head over to Kalshi to see the current odds on who will go number one overall next year. Personally, I like Tyron Stokes' odds to be picked there, so I'm going to take him, and a $25 trade pays out $50 if you're right in this regard. Stokes is already off to a hot start at Kansas as is, he came in with the most hype so he's got the most momentum to be picked there, and he has the most well-balanced two-way play with the physical tools to secure NBA teams' confidence and belief in him there. If you're interested in signing up with Kalshi, then use my code HOOPS25 to get $55 added to your account once you trade $25. Next, with the second pick, the Houston Rockets, who own the Brooklyn Nets pick, select Jordan Smith from Arkansas. The next great John Calipari guard has arrived on campus, and you will definitely want to keep tabs on him throughout the season. At 6'2 and around 200 pounds, Smith compensates for his lack of ideal height and size with a powerful frame, impressive athleticism, and a relentless competitive motor. Offensively, he excels at attacking downhill, using his quick first step, strength, and body control to finish through contact. He also displays a promising pull-up mid-range jumper and the ability to create his own shot off the dribble, making him a dangerous scoring threat from all three levels. Defensively, Smith is an energetic disruptive presence who generates a ton of steals, rebounds well for a guard, and uses his physical tools to pressure opposing guards as well. His biggest developmental priorities are becoming a more consistent three-point shooter, improving his playmaking, and demonstrating that he can effectively orchestrate an offense consistently. He has the it factor that many guards have had before him in the John Calipari pipeline and can be a franchise cornerstone as long as things continue on this path. Next with the third pick, the Pelicans, who own the Bucks pick, select Caleb Holt from Arizona. Holt is a big guard who right off the bat has the look of a franchise guard at the next level. At 6'5", he's a big bodied player who absorbs contact with the best of them and imposes his will on defenders that don't match those measurables. Offensively, he is at his best when he's attacking the basket, using that strength, speed, and body control to finish through contact. He has also made encouraging strides as a perimeter shooter, and displays promising passing instincts too, although his ball handling and ability to consistently create separation do remain areas that he needs to improve in. Defensively, Holt's combination of length, lateral quickness, physicality, and anticipation give him the potential to become an elite perimeter stopper. He excels at disrupting passing lanes, generating turnovers, and converting defensive stops into transition opportunities. He's comfortable operating on and off the ball too, and ultimately that level of coachability and versatility will take him a long way in his career. Next with the fourth pick, the Memphis Grizzlies select Stefan Joksimovic from Slovenia. Stefan is the top overseas prospect in this class, so while he won't necessarily be on your TV's weekly like others in the college game we'll be discussing today, he definitely is not someone you're going to want to forget in these conversations. He's a 6'7 wing with guard-like skills on the ball, and the potential to be a point-forward type of player as he matures. He can dribble, pass, and shoot, and he pairs that well-rounded skill set with legitimate positional size and explosive athleticism. A fluid athlete who's fast and plays above the rim, the 6'7 guard is multi-positional, capable of playing the 1, 2, or 3. He's a left-hander with good feel for the game, and he can initiate the offense and control the tempo, yet he is also comfortable playing off-ball. He shoots with range and has a reliable shooting stroke, giving him offensive value with or without the ball in his hands because he can spot up. This natural feel for the game and advanced skillset will make any team in need of a wing player intrigued, and I would expect him to stay in the top five conversations throughout the year. Next with the fifth pick, the Thunder, who owned the Clippers pick, Bruce Branch from BYU. Everything about Branch just looks like a pro. He's a 6'7 wing with a 7'1 inch wingspan, and his game goes well beyond just being a 3 and D guy. Yes, he is a lights-out shooter, which at his size only makes him more valuable as a prospect, but he also has a way more advanced feel for the game than guys that get pigeonholed into that 3 and D role usually have. He's incredibly unselfish, he makes the extra pass, he picks out the open man with precision, and he does a good job generating rim pressure, forcing the defense to collapse in on him. Add in the fact that he's a potential lockdown defender, who brings the same energy on offense as he does on defense, and we have ourselves a two-way stud in the making. He may not have the chops to be a true go-to scoring option, but he knows how to get to his spots and score within the natural flow of the offense, which is way more important for most players at the next level. Next with the sixth pick, the Hornets, who own the Mavericks pick, select Amari Allen from Alabama. Allen is a versatile two-way wing with a well-rounded offensive profile rooted in making good decisions. He plays within the flow, sees the floor well, and consistently leans towards playing the right way whether it be swinging the rock, making the extra pass, or attacking a closeout with true intent. His jumper is smooth giving him real spacing potential as a catch and shoot threat and he has flashed the ability to get to rim, off a few dribbles, and finish through contact. Defensively, Allen projects as a multi-positional defender on the wing, with impressive tools, agility, and steady motor. At the current moment, he is a bit raw in need of improvement in overall skill and being a more disciplined player, especially on defense, but the tools are worth taking a swing on for sure. Next with the seventh pick, the Grizzlies, who own the Jazz pick, select Dylan Mingo from Baylor. Mingo's a dynamic creator on the ball, and is the type of player who sets the tone himself. He doesn't let the opposition speed him up, he stays poised and under control, and he runs things how he wants them run. He's a very good pick and roll operator, he's great in half court sets when the game slows down, but at the same time he will get out and run when the time calls for it. He too is another very good perimeter defender in this class, which is crucial in today's day and age. He does need to improve as a player who operates off the ball, as he struggles to really make his presence felt when the ball's not in his hands when he's the one running things, but overall he is yet another talented two-way player at the top of this class. Next with the eighth pick, the Charlotte Hornets select Baba Oladotun from Maryland. Baba is the ultimate boomer bust prospect in this class, so while I'm willing to give his pure talent and upside the benefit of the doubt at the beginning of the season, he is someone who for me is under surveillance for a few reasons and I will not hesitate to slide him down the rankings if he doesn't hold up to his end of the bargain. He reclassified into this class, so he is a year younger than many freshmen, and at his age, he is very impressive on the ball for a 6'9 wing. He'll be able to break down many defenders that match his size, because he is way more nimble than other guys at that size, and with his kind of creation and size, he is always someone who has the kind of stuff that teams typically view as worth taking a swing on in the lottery. Whether he can handle the physicality of better defenders at this level is yet to be seen though, because he is a bit thin, but the ceiling for him is pretty tantalizing. Next with the ninth pick, the Chicago Bulls select Braylon Mullins from UConn. Mullins was a March Madness legend for the game winner that he hit last tournament, but he returned to school for a second season to try to boost his value with more playing time and a bigger role in the offense. He's a 6'6 potential sharpshooter, and I say potential because that's the reputation he entered college with, but his jumper was fairly inconsistent last year as a freshman. He has it in him to fill it up quick and heat up from beyond the arc, but that's why he is back for a second season, to actually prove it. Next with the tenth pick, the Golden State Warriors select Cameron Williams from Duke. At 6 foot 11 with a 7 foot 2 inch wingspan, Williams has length you simply cannot teach and he pairs it with mobility, fluidity, and coordination that are rare to see at his size. He's a modern big man who moves like a much smaller player in a good way, with quick feet and agility. From a skillset standpoint, the intrigue starts out on the perimeter where Williams shoots it from the outside with range, giving him legitimate floor spacing value as a big man, and he backs that up with soft touch around the basket with both hands as well. He runs the floor solidly in transition and flashes pretty good ball skills for his size. He's also a very capable rebounder and shot blocker who covers a lot of ground, holding up, defending in space, and uses active hands to get deflections and steals. He's definitely going to need to bulk up a bit because he struggles with the more physical matchups, but the talent is there for Duke's next star player. Next, with the 11th pick, the Washington Wizards select Brandon McCoy from Michigan. McCoy is one of the most creative shot creators in this class, with deep shooting range and a a shiftiness and level of control to create space for himself to get his shot off from anywhere. He's confident and is aggressive, looking for his shot, and can ignite a team's offense fast with the ball in his hands. He's another guard with good size too at 6'5", but he's not very strong right now, so he will need to bulk up a bit and add some strength. He's also not a very good defender right now unfortunately, which is why I have him later in the lottery, but the season just started so he does have time to adjust there. Next with the 12th pick, the Rockets, who own the Suns pick, select Jason Crow from Missouri. Jason Crow is as pure of a bucket getter as it gets in this class, and I have no doubt in my mind that he's going to put up some massive scoring outings this season in Missouri, where he will be taking control of their offense. He was a microwave all throughout high school, and there isn't a single shot he doesn't have the confidence to take, which both signifies his biggest strengths and weaknesses. Crow will have to be a point guard at the next level, but he doesn't always show off actual point guard skills. He can be a bit of a ball hog, and his shot selection isn't always pretty at times, so he definitely needs to work towards being more of a floor general to solidify himself as a top prospect because teams in the NBA aren't as enamored with ball hog scorers that don't play defense or pass the ball anymore. Just ask Cam Thomas. Next with the 13th pick, the Portland Trailblazers select Ivan Karchenkov from Arizona. Karchenkov is seen as the ultimate role player, which, at the end of the lottery, is the type of find that teams should realistically be pretty content with. He's an incredible defensive talent who can hold his own against plenty of different types of matchups both on and off the ball, he has great awareness on that end, and he generates a good amount of steals. Offensively, he's not going to wow you with his numbers, but he's just a really smart player who knows his role, sticks to it, and takes what comes to him and makes the most of it. And finally, with the 14th pick, the Orlando Magic select Anthony Thompson from Ohio State. Thompson is a big, skilled, versatile forward whose game is built on size, length, and polished offensive package overall. At 6'9", with a long wingspan and sturdy frame, the lefty can stretch the floor with his shooting while scoring inside and out, and feel and coordination behind his game hint at being a possible two-way player who does a lot more than fill just one role. He's not the most athletic, nor is he the quickest, so there is worry that he could be a bit more limited as a scorer at the next level, but at the same time, that may also be a nitpick, so we'll see how the season plays out before judging too harshly. And with that being said, that's all I have for you today. Make sure to like the video, subscribe to the channel and comment down below what you think about this year's top prospects. Thanks for watching, and I'll see you all next time.