1. Minnesota: Karl-Anthony Towns, C, Kentucky
This is pretty much a cinch pick. Towns is the best player in the draft and ready to contribute to the Timberwolves’ rebuilding effort right now. He is a complete big man.
2. LA Lakers: Jahlil Okafor, F, Duke
Although his work ethic and conditioning have been questioned, Okafor has so much upside he could become one of the great Laker big man. LA has to plan beyond the Kobe years.
3. Philadelphia: Kristaps Porzingis, C, Latvia
We really don’t know what Sam Hinkie is going to do here, now do we? But our best guess is someone we wouldn’t expect and that’s Porzingis, who is skilled but is years away.
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4. NY Knicks: D’Angelo Russell, G, Ohio State
This is best-case scenario for the Knicks, who want a franchise-caliber player unafraid of the big stage. Meet Russell, perhaps the most talented player in this draft.
5. Orlando: Justise Winslow, F, Duke
Scott Skiles is a defensive-minded coach and why not start the Skiles era with a defensive maven with an offensive upside. Winslow and Victor Oladipo will blend well.
6. Sacramento: Emmanuel Mudiay, G, China
The Kings likely will go after Rajon Rondo on a one-year deal but will take Mudiay and wait until he’s ready. He has an NBA body and just needs seasoning.
7. Denver: Mario Hezonja, F, Croatia
The Nuggets need a player who can become a household name and Hezonja has the game and personality to match. He will make Denver more significant.
8. Detroit: Sam Dekker, F, Wisconsin
Stan Van Gundy likes lean, athletic players who can shoot threes and run the floor. Meet Sam Dekker, who has toughness and upside. A solid pick.
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9. Charlotte: Devin Booker, G, Kentucky
The Hornets whiffed on Lance Stephenson but Booker will be their shooting guard of the future to replace Gerald Henderson. He is the best shooter in the draft.
10. Miami: Stanley Johnson, G, Arizona
It’s time Pat Riley looked for an heir apparent to Dwyane Wade and Johnson is tough, plays defense and is just 19. He has an NBA body but will need to improve offensively.
11. Indiana: Willie Cauley-Stein, C, Kentucky
The Pacers are moving beyond the Roy Hibbert era and want to run the floor with an athletic big man. Larry Bird called Cauley-Stein a $100 million player. Will he eventually pay that much?
12. Utah: Trey Lyles, C Kentucky
Lyles is a smooth power forward who can team with center Rudy Gobert and will add to Utah’s lot of good young players. Lyles’s best ball will be played in the NBA.
13. Phoenix: Frank Kaminsky, C, Wisconsin
The Suns need a lengthy shooter and Kaminsky should fit well into their up-tempo system. Kaminsky is playing with a chip on his shoulder and will be a solid pro.
14. Oklahoma City: Cameron Payne, G Murray State
The Thunder need a backup to Russell Westbrook and Payne is this year’s mid-major wonder. He will mesh well with new coach Billy Donovan.
15. Atlanta: Myles Turner, C, Texas
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Atlanta is looking for a capable big man to help out Al Horford. Turner probably should have stayed in school but he’s an intelligent kid with a big upside. A good fit here.
16. Boston: Bobby Portis, F/C, Arkansas
The Celtics will spend most of their day trying to trade up, but they like Portis’s hunger. He admired Kevin Garnett and feels slighted. A good fit here.
17. Milwaukee: Kelly Oubre, F, Kansas
The Bucks are looking to get more athletic and Oubre is a project to taker a flier on. Milwaukee doesn’t need him to perform next season, so Oubre will have time to season.
18. Houston: Jerian Grant, G, Notre Dame
The Rockets can’t continue to go on with Patrick Beverley at point guard. Grant will be the successor and could be a star. Has all the skills.
19. Washington: Kevon Looney, F/C, UCLA
A hip issue is beginning to scare teams but Washington doesn’t need Looney for next season. They are looking for someone to replace Nene, who is a free agent next summer.
20. Toronto: Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, F, Arizona
The Raptors want more defense and Hollis-Jefferson is a shutdown defender. Toronto slipped defensively and this is a good pick, but he is years from being a dependable scorer.
21. Dallas: Delon Wright, G, Utah
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The Mavericks experiment with Rajon Rondo didn’t work, so why not draft a 6-foot-5-inch skilled player whose brother also plays in the NBA. Wright could be an All-Star.
22. Chicago: Justin Anderson, F, Virginia
Anderson will play strong defense for new coach Fred Hoiberg and also shoot the ball from the perimeter. If he didn’t break his hand last season, likely a top-10 pick.
23. Portland: Rashad Vaughn, G, UNLV
The Trail Blazers need a potential replacement for free agent Wesley Matthews and Vaughn is young but has skills and could develop into a starter.
24. Cleveland: Terry Rozier, G, Louisville
As we saw, the Cavaliers need a capable backup to Kyrie Irving and Rozier is a tough-minded guard who won’t back down to anyone. A LeBron type of player.
25. Memphis: R.J. Hunter, G, Georgia State
Memphis needs offense — the Grizzlies have enough defenders — and Hunter is a pure shooter who could become a fan favorite. Stephen Curry’s success helps Hunter’s stock.
26. San Antonio: Jonathan Holmes, F, Texas
San Antonio is a tough team to read but the Spurs could take a chance on this workmanlike local who will add youth to their frontcourt. The Spurs need to get younger.
27. LA Lakers: Montrezl Harrell, F, Louisville
Why not pair Okafor with a rebounding maven? The Lakers could go in different directions here but with Ed Davis and Jordan Hill likely gone, the Lakers need frontcourt depth.
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28. Boston: Jarell Martin, F, LSU
The Celtics like this physical rebounder and add another big man to their frontcourt. Of course, Danny Ainge could easily trade this pick or it could be a European player who gets stashed.
29. Brooklyn: Chris McCullough, F, Syracuse
The Nets are preparing for the future and McCullough could have been a top-15 pick if not for a torn ACL. So this is for the long-term future as the Nets begin to dismantle their roster.
30. Golden State: Anthony Brown, G Stanford
The Warriors, believe it or not, are looking for a shooter and Brown showed his ability to shoot with two lengthy NIT runs at Stanford. Brown will help down the road.
Gary Washburn can be reached at gwashburn@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @GwashburnGlobe.