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May is here as the NBA Draft process really begins to heat up.
Over the coming weeks, we'll see the NBA Draft Lottery, the NBA Combine, and prospects begin having workouts and meetings with various teams. For the Kentucky Wildcats, all of this will have a big effect on where Jamal Murray, Skal Labissiere and Tyler Ulis end up.
ESPN's Chad Ford and Kevin Pelton just did a lottery mock draft and broke it down as Murray and Labissiere go in the top 10. As he's been projected a lot this offseason, Murray lands in Minnesota at No. 3 to team up with Karl-Anthony Towns.
3. Minnesota Timberwolves: Jamal Murray
Ford: A lights-out shooter seems to be the biggest need for the Wolves.
While Hield might be a better shooter overall (at least this past season), Murray was terrific from 3-point range and has the versatility to play both guard spots. For the most talented young team in basketball, the rich keep getting richer.
Pelton: I'd strongly consider Bender here since he fills a greater positional need at power forward. However, this pick is growing on me since I think Murray could play with both Ricky Rubio and Zach LaVine.
As for Skal, he lands in a great situation as Toronto (via the Knicks' pick) takes the big Haitian at No. 9.
9. Toronto Raptors: Skal Labissiere
Ford: Labissiere is a big risk here, but Toronto GM Masai Ujiri is a big risk taker and the talent makes him an intriguing fit long term for the Raptors. They need help at power forward, and a stretch 4 seems especially appealing.
On the downside, Ujiri has always been a fan of tough players. There doesn't seem to be much of that in Labissiere, and that could cause Ujiri to perhaps go with someone like Domantas Sabonis instead.
Pelton: If Labissiere hits, I could see him fitting well with Jonas Valanciunas. The question is: How likely is that scenario?
That would give Skal several years to develop while also being part of a strong playoff team in the Eastern Conference. Frankly, I'd be happy to see any of the Wildcat draftees end up here since Toronto has been one of the NBA's most stable franchises this decade.
As for Ulis, he did not make it into the top 10 of this mock. He's still looking more likely to go in that 14-20 range.
Here's how the entire top 10 played out:
1. Philadelphia 76ers: Ben Simmons
2. Sacramento Kings: Brandon Ingram
3. Minnesota Timberwolves: Jamal Murray
4. Philadelphia 76ers (via Lakers): Kris Dunn
5. Boston Celtics: Buddy Hield
6. Phoenix Suns: Dragan Bender
7. New Orleans Pelicans: Henry Ellenson
8. Denver Nuggets: Marquese Chriss
9. Toronto Raptors: Skal Labissiere
10. Milwaukee Bucks: Jakob Poeltl