The NBA Draft is right around the corner, with several young hoopers hearing their names called and seeing their dreams come true in a little over a week. The Draft is set to take place on Wednesday, June 25, at 8 p.m., broadcast on ABC (first round only) and ESPN.
After they each spent one year at Michigan, big men Danny Wolf and Vlad Goldin could both hear their names called later this month. Most draft experts have Wolf going midway through the first round, with a handful having Goldin being selected in the second round.
Here’s a look at the most recent mock drafts, along with analysis from the experts. If you’re interested in reading the complete mock draft, click the link on each author’s name.
Note: Some analysis, like listing of statistics, was cut for length
The Ringer (J. Kyle Mann)
Analysis: “Since Portland pivoted away from the Dame era, I’ve been fairly obsessed with the idea of adding ball-skill connectivity between the stable of fly-around athletes that the front office has accrued. Derik Queen’s potential as a hub that could feed the Blazers guards had been my dream scenario for this task, but if he’s off the board, you could make the argument that Wolf is just as good a fit … and possibly an even better one? He’s just as savvy at accessing every part of the floor with his passing ability, his shooting upside is better at this point, and he’s also bigger. This is an athletic and young roster, but they’re playing like a team with an offensive superstar despite not actually having one: 41.3 percent of their made field goals last season were unassisted, the third-highest mark in the league. Wolf could help alleviate some of that pressure.”
USA Today (Lorenzo Reyes, Jeff Zillgitt and James Williams)
Wolf picked 15th by Oklahoma City Thunder, Goldin not selected (first round only)
Analysis: “The Yale transfer is shooting up draft boards thanks to his fluid scoring and play-making portfolio in the package of a 7-foot stretch big. Wolf played point guard at times this season for the Wolverines just like he played center. His handles make him a threat as the initiator in pick-and-roll actions and his range should translate to the NBA.”
ESPN (Jonathan Givony & Jeremy Woo)
Analysis from Givony: “The Timberwolves are facing considerable uncertainty in the frontcourt this offseason, withJulius Randle andNaz Reid, who averaged a combined 60 minutes per game, possessing player options in their contracts, allowing them to potentially explore free agency this summer. With both of those situations likely to come to a head after the draft, adding a big man with this pick makes sense as an insurance policy, as retaining both big men might prove too costly.
Wolf has the size and versatility to play either big-man spot, as he did at Michigan, and should be more ready to contribute than most rookies at 21 years old.”
Analysis from Woo: “The Jazz might not be overly beholden to any player they have on their current roster, with Ainge already on record saying the team plans to compete next season.
That makes Wolf a pretty interesting play at this spot, as a player who could potentially plug in as a rookie and offer interesting mismatch and lineup possibilities. Landing him outside the top 20 would be a worthwhile bet in this situation.”
CBS Sports (Gary Parrish)
Wolf picked 17th by Timberwolves, Goldin not selected (first round only)
Analysis: “Wolf moved from the Ivy League to the Big Ten and, statistically, arguably performed even better. The 7-footer has guard skills and is a better defender than some realize. He could add frontcourt versatility to a Minnesota franchise that’s led by Anthony Edwards and set up to compete in the West for the foreseeable future.”
The Athletic (Sam Vecenie)
Wolf picked 18th by Philadelphia 76ers after predicted trade, Goldin picked 48th by Memphis Grizzlies
Analysis (none for Goldin): “Wolf is something that Philadelphia doesn’t have beyond Joel Embiid, a creative big man who can legitimately play with the ball in his hands. He’s a creator at nearly 7-feet tall and can play in ball screens as a ballhandler or pass and make plays...The Sixers need another option as a backup big man, and Wolf could be a particularly fun bench option with Yabusele if they’re able to retain him in free agency. Wolf also should be able to play power forward in some lineups, which would give the team even more potential flexibility as it looks to mix and match lineup-wise against the Eastern Conference’s best teams.”
DraftKings Network (Sean Barnard)
Wolf picked 24th by Thunder, Goldin not selected (first round only)
Analysis: “I did not think there would be any chance Danny Wolf would be a legitimate first-round NBA prospect a year ago...He has really impressive vision and great touch for his size, and is still just 21 years old. Wolf is one of the more interesting prospects in this draft, and his talent level is too large to pass on. I see a pathway to a Hedo Turkoglu-like career for him. Oklahoma City has no clear holes but could use some more three-point volume, and there are plenty of ways to cover up Wolf’s defensive concerns already on the roster.”
Bleacher Report (Jonathan Wasserman)
Analysis on Wolf: “Though his three-point numbers might not indicate shooting improvement, he added a pull-up and step-back to his repertoire this year. A 7-footer who made 21 dribble jumpers, served as Michigan’s lead playmaker and still averaged 9.7 boards and 1.4 blocks is bound to entice a number of teams.”
Analysis on Goldin: “Vladislav Goldin struggled at the NBA combine, but a few underwhelming scrimmages won’t negate his NCAA impact/production and projected NBA purpose. Teams looking to beef up their front lines could be drawn to Goldin’s low-post scoring and physicality.”
SB Nation (Ricky O’Donnell)
Wolf picked 28th by Boston Celtics, Goldin not selected (first round only)
“Wolf has the size of a center and the skills of a point guard. Watching him run a supersized pick-and-roll at Michigan was one of the true joys of the college basketball season, buthis significant turnover problems makes me skeptical he’ll stay in an on-ball role in the NBA. Wolf moves his feet well enough defensively to give himself a chance, and Boston feels like a good spot to develop his shooting. TheCeltics could have plenty of minutes available next year with Jayson Tatum sidelined, and Wolf has enough upside if everything comes together to make this a worthy swing.”
Sports Illustrated (Nick Crain)
Wolf picked 28th by Celtics, Goldin not selected
Yahoo Sports (Kevin O’Connor)
Wolf picked 34th by Charlotte Hornets, Goldin picked 59th by Houston Rockets
Analysis on Wolf: “Mark Williams must not have a future in Charlotte, so drafting a big would only make sense. Wolf would offer a different style as a 7-footer who ran point for Michigan, playing a slick style with risky passes and step-back jumpers that made him a highlight factory. But he’s also a turnover machine and his shooting numbers are shaky, making him more of a raw bet who needs time to prove he can match his flash with substance.”
Analysis on Goldin: “Thinking about life after Steven Adams, Goldin is a large Russian center who excels at scoring at the rim with soft touch, and as a senior he began to shoot jumpers. Concerns about his defense and athleticism put him in the second round, but he has the overall skills to be a rotation big.”