Sportradar

2022-06-16 16:02:27 By : Ms. Kelly Lin

Go VIP - One Month for Only $1

Auburn is one week away from likely making even more program history.

In projections for next Thursday's NBA draft, it's nearly a consensus that Auburn will not only have its first No. 1 overall pick in Jabari Smith, but also have a strong shot at landing two first-rounders for the first time in program history. While not a lottery prospect, former North Carolina transfer Walker Kessler is slotted in the 20s in most mock drafts.

In addition to what would be a monumental day for Smith, Kessler and the program, it would also give Bruce Pearl nearly half (four) of Auburn's first-round picks all time (10).

The Tigers went 18 years without a first-round pick before Chuma Okeke was taken in 2019, and now are set to have four in as many years.

Here's a look at the latest mock drafts for Smith and Kessler, a week out from draft night. This year's draft is in Brooklyn and will begin at 7 p.m. CST (ESPN).

• Jabari Smith: No. 1 to Orlando Magic

"There's valid concerns over the diversity with which Smith will score in the NBA — he struggled at the rim in college and primarily was used as a catch-and-shoot weapon — but his positional size and above average shooting are among the most translatable skills a prospect has in this class. At 6-foot-10 he's an elite shooting threat from anywhere on the court and a very safe bet to be a valuable two-way player in the NBA."

• Walker Kessler: No. 37 to Sacramento Kings (second round)

"This is lower than the consensus on Walker Kessler, which means the Kings at 37 would be getting big bang for their buck here. He's arguably the most skilled shot-smotherer in the entire class after leading college hoops in blocks last season and winning Naismith Defensive Player of the Year honors."

• Jabari Smith: No. 1 to Orlando Magic

"The Magic brought Smith in for a light workout and interview this week but continue to cast a wide net, scheduling additional visits with the likes of Paolo Banchero, Keegan Murray, Shaedon Sharpe and others. NBA executives overwhelmingly expect the Magic to select Smith, but they'll perform their due diligence to ensure they make the right choice. Drafting arguably the most dynamic shooter in the class in Smith — who made 42% of his 3-pointers and stands 6-foot-10 — makes sense. Running off screens, pulling up in transition, making iso stepbacks and hitting impossible fadeaways out of the post ... seemingly no shot appears to be too difficult for Smith thanks to his high release point and soft touch. The intensity level and versatility Smith brings defensively will be attractive as well, along with the fact that he just turned 19 years old and checks every box the franchise looks for from a character and competitiveness standpoint."

• Walker Kessler: No. 19 to Minnesota Timberwolves

"Twin-tower lineups are becoming more in vogue these days with the success teams like Boston and Cleveland had with bigger lineups this season. For a Minnesota team looking to take the next step defensively, drafting the NCAA's Defensive Player of the Year could make some sense, even if that means playing Kessler alongside a super-skilled 7-footer in Karl-Anthony Towns. Kessler is a force as a rim protector but also brings strong pick-and-roll finishing ability and even some potential as a perimeter shooter. Kessler is a steady offensive presence with his ability to catch difficult passes, hammer home lobs, finish with touch around the basket and make good decisions out of short rolls, which should make him a good fit in Minnesota's offense."

• Jabari Smith: No. 1 to Orlando Magic

"All indications point to Jabari Smith Jr. being the first choice here for the Magic. While Chet Holmgren has his supporters in the front office, Smith provides the type of defensive versatility and shotmaking this roster sorely lacks. Even though his ability to create is unproven, he’d be joining a team with ball handlers who need a target now. While he’s thriving off-ball, he can still work on his dribbling to hopefully someday become a player who can run the show late in the fourth quarter. At a minimum, he’s a potential All-Defensive team guy who can shoot over 40 percent from 3. If he improves his handle, he could become one of the best players in the league."

• Walker Kessler: No. 24 to Milwaukee Bucks 

"The Bucks need to start thinking about succession plans at center with Brook Lopez turning 35 next season and Bobby Portis with a $4.6 million player option. Kessler would land in a great system for him to flourish if Milwaukee were to select him."

• Jabari Smith: No. 1 to Orlando Magic

"Since lottery night, the assumption around the NBA has been that Orlando will take Smith. That's still whom NBA staffers would bet their money on at No. 1, but we're also hearing from teams that the Orlando Magic isn't out on Holmgren. Compared to Smith, Holmgren was far more effective at the rim, and he projects at the higher-impact defender and passer. It's that skinny frame that's the root of scouts' nerves. And teams are still wondering if Holmgren will take a physical."

• Walker Kessler: No. 22 to Memphis Grizzlies

• Jabari Smith: No. 1 to Orlando Magic

"The Magic drafted Jalen Suggs and Franz Wagner a year ago, and while it will be a difficult decision, it will also be tough for Jeff Weltman to pass on Smith. He’s an elite shooter who has the size, skill and athleticism to eventually be a perennial All-Star. Smith will need to become more assertive and efficient putting the ball on the floor and getting to the basket, but his ceiling is extremely high."

• Walker Kessler: No. 26 to Dallas Mavericks

"Kessler is one of the best defensive big men in the country, and while he’s not a big-time athlete, he’s a terrific shot-blocker. He can definitely help a Dallas team that struggled mightily on that end of the floor."

• Jabari Smith: No. 1 to Orlando Magic

"As I wrote a couple weeks ago following the lottery, the general expectation around the NBA has been that Orlando will go with Smith at No. 1. And while I’d caution that it’s never a great idea to operate with absolute certainty regarding the Magic, who are one of the more buttoned-up organizations when it comes to leaks, there are plenty of people around the NBA who consider Smith the big prize of this draft, myself included. This next statement isn’t exactly groundbreaking, but Orlando will do its due diligence and is expected to bring in as many of the top prospects as possible for workouts in the coming weeks. My gut feeling remains that they’ll land on Smith, who is both an excellent fit with the roster and a potential culture-setting player for a Magic team still establishing its identity.

"Smith is the youngest of the top prospects by a meaningful margin and brings a rare collection of plus attributes to the table: great positional size, elite jump shooting, modern defensive versatility and a competitive mindset. Smith will have to expand his array of moves off the dribble and work on getting to the rim more often—skills that will determine what type of ceiling he eventually hits. Still, there’s so much to like about a prospect who is polished in so many ways, yet still at a highly nascent stage of his basketball development."

• Walker Kessler: No. 26 to Dallas Mavericks

"The Mavericks need to upgrade their supporting cast around Luka Doncic and could use some additional size with Dwight Powell and Maxi Kleber entering contract years. Kessler was the most prolific shot-blocker in college basketball last season and figures to be the third center off the board after Jalen Duren and Mark Williams, but his range is a bit wide in the back part of the first round, with his fit a little bit more situational. His sheer size coupled with solid athleticism gives him legitimate potential as a rim protector, and if he gets more comfortable shooting the three, Kessler could return good value in the 20s."

• Jabari Smith: No. 1 to Orlando Magic

"The general consensus as we get closer to draft day is that Jabari Smith will be on his way to Orlando as the newest member of a terrific young core. With two-way impact, defensive versatility and shot making that looks a lot like Kevin Durant, Smith is undoubtedly the safest choice with the first overall selection. He still needs to improve his isolation skills and his ability to drive to the basket, especially to his left, but he has the length and mechanics to develop into a transcendent scorer while being also being disruptive on the defensive end of the floor."

• Walker Kessler: No. 26 to Dallas Mavericks

"The Mavs sent Porzingis out of town at the deadline leaving a major void in their frontcourt, which is where Kessler can come in as a day-one contributor. He emerged as one of the most talented shot-blockers in the past decade of college basketball and while it isn’t always pretty, he is at least capable of spreading the floor and shooting from outside, allowing him to slide in perfectly under superstar Luka Doncic."

• Jabari Smith: No. 1 to Orlando Magic

"The 6-foot-10 Smith is viewed as a tantalizing prospect due to his proficiency as a perimeter shooter, and defensively he isn't an awkward player when put in ball-screen situations. The concern is the scoring inside of the arc, as he made less than 45% of his 2-point attempts this past season. Yes, there is work to be done with regard to the ability to create his own shot, but whichever team lands Smith can help him out by pairing him with solid distributors of the basketball. In time, Jalen Suggs could be that player for Smith and the Magic. And with Orlando's rebuild looking like one that will take some time, it wouldn't be a bad idea to have those two develop together."

• Walker Kessler: No. 24 to Milwaukee Bucks

"Kessler was an elite rim protector during his lone season at Auburn, and he was also able to do more offensively than he did as a freshman at North Carolina. While the Bucks will have Brook Lopez back in the fold after he missed much of this season due to a back injury, there's a need for more depth in the post. Serge Ibaka, who was a midseason addition, will be a free agent, and Bobby Portis has a player option. Even if Portis does opt in to the final season of his contract, he's more of a power forward/center than a true pivot. Adding Kessler to the mix would give the Bucks another quality rim protector, which would help the team's perimeter defenders as well."

• Jabari Smith: No. 1 to Orlando Magic

"The Magic have a tough choice to make after winning the draft lottery for the fourth time in franchise history. Do they take a big wing on Chet Holmgren's upside or take one of the big, two-way forwards in Jabari Smith and Paolo Banchero? Smith is the choice for now, as he presents superstar upside at the most important position in basketball."

• Walker Kessler: No. 26 to Dallas Mavericks

"Everyone knew that Walker Kessler would be a top-tier college basketball player when given minutes. He gained confidence throughout the year as a versatile 7-foot-1 post player who can do more than block shots and dunk in transition. But blocking shots is his best trait, as he averaged a jaw-dropping 4.6 blocks this season and had games of 11 and 12 blocks."

• Jabari Smith: No. 1 to Orlando Magic

"While there is still some internal discussion amongst the Magic’s front-office on who to go with, the general consensus around the league points to them going ahead and selecting the Auburn freshman first overall. Size, length, scoring and a winner’s mentality is what Orlando gets with Smith here with the No. 1 overall pick."

• Walker Kessler: No. 24 to Milwaukee Bucks

"Given the fact that Brook Lopez is coming off an injury-riddled year and the fact that Bobby Portis will be pursued by other teams in free agency, addressing their depth in the frontcourt is a “must” for this franchise. Should he be available, Walker Kessler would be a nice pick for the Bucks simply because he is a lot like Lopez in regards to his defensive awareness and rebounding skills."

***  Subscribe to Auburn Undercover for the latest news and intel, podcasts, recruiting coverage and more  ***

***  Get Auburn news straight to your inbox with the Auburn Undercover newsletter  ***

Go VIP - One Month for Only $1

© 2005-2022 CBS INTERACTIVE ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. CBS Sports is a registered trademark of CBS Broadcasting Inc.