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#No. 1 pick changes, Knicks grab playmaker

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#No. 1 pick changes, Knicks grab playmaker

Less than a month before the NBA draft, there still isn’t a clear No. 1 pick.

The top three prospects are interchangeable, the entire class is maligned, and the draft has been delayed again and again by COVID-19. A lot can change between now and Nov. 18, but here is how The Post sees the night playing out:

1. Minnesota Timberwolves | LaMelo Ball, PG, Illawarra Hawks

The ambidextrous slick-passing guard with star potential has been rising of late. There’s no lock top pick like Zion Williamson, and Ball is not the perfect defensive fit with Karl-Anthony Towns and D’Angelo Russell, but the trio’s upside is huge.

2. Golden State Warriors | Anthony Edwards, SG, Georgia

The Warriors could trade this pick for a star to team with Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson. But if they hold it, expect them to go with the athletic wing rather than James Wiseman (or even the ball-dominant Ball, if he’s there).

3. Charlotte Hornets | James Wiseman, C, Memphis

If the perception of this being a three-man draft is accurate, the Hornets’ decision is made for them. Charlotte can’t pass on the 7-foot-1 center with the 7-6 wingspan.

4. Chicago Bulls | Deni Avdija, SF, Maccabi Tel Aviv

The skilled playmaking wing rounds out what could be a solid frontcourt in Chicago.

5. Cleveland Cavaliers | Obi Toppin, PF, Dayton

The 6-9, 220-pound Toppin can dunk, shoot (39 percent from 3-point range) and complement lottery-pick guards Darius Garland and Collin Sexton.

6. Atlanta Hawks | Tyrese Haliburton, PG, Iowa State

A 6-5 defender and a 41.9 percent 3-point shooter, he’s the perfect fit alongside Trae Young.

Knicks
Killian HayesGetty Images

7. Detroit Pistons | Onyeka Okongwu, C, USC

At 6-9, with a 7-2 wingspan, Okongwu screens, hustles, passes, rebounds and flat-out defends.

8. Knicks | Killian Hayes, PG, Ulm

Knicks fans may have PTSD from past French draftees, but the brass loves this 6-5 lefty teenaged playmaker.

9. Washington Wizards | Isaac Okoro, SF, Auburn

This physically explosive wing gives John Wall and Bradley Beal a great running mate, and a different look from free-agent shooter Davis Bertans.

10. Phoenix Suns | Kira Lewis Jr., G, Alabama

The lightning quick Lewis has already met the Suns twice in the predraft process. Could Phoenix develop the teen behind Ricky Rubio?

11. San Antonio Spurs | Patrick Williams, SF, Florida St.

The Spurs are rebuilding. Grabbing the raw 6-8 forward with the plus wingspan and disruptive defense should accelerate that.

12. Sacramento Kings | Devin Vassell, SF, Florida St.

Back-to-back Seminoles. Vassell hit 41.5 percent from 3, can guard multiple spots and gives De’Aaron Fox and the Kings much-needed wing defense.

13. New Orleans Pelicans | Aaron Nesmith, SF, Vanderbilt

After shooting a misprint-like 52.2 percent from deep this past season at Vanderbilt, he’s the perfect fit to space the floor for Williamson and Brandon Ingram.

14. Boston Celtics | Precious Achiuwa, PF, Memphis

He doesn’t shoot or read defenses well, but Brad Stevens can work on that. His versatile defense fits right into the Celtics’ DNA and would’ve helped slow Bam Adebayo in the Eastern Conference finals.

15. Orlando Magic | Saddiq Bey, SF, Villanova

A plug-and-play, 3-and-D wing who can guard almost every position. That’ll come in handy for a team that lost Jonathan Isaac for the upcoming season with a knee injury.

16. Portland Trail Blazers | Jalen Smith, PF/C, Maryland

He still has more work to do on a lower body that got his nicknamed “Stix.” But a 6-10 big man who can hit 36.8 percent from deep will fit right into a Blazers team featuring Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum.

17. Minnesota Timberwolves | Cole Anthony, PG, North Carolina

Even his ex-Knick father Greg admits his last season with the Tar Heels was inconsistent (18.5 ppg, 5.7 apg). But after the T’wolves grab Ball, they double down and shore up their shaky lead guard spot.

18. Dallas Mavericks | RJ Hampton, SG, New Zealand Breakers

He’s not the wing defender Dallas needs, but the high-upside guard has tweaked his jumper with help from Mike Miller and is rising up draft boards.

19. Brooklyn Nets | Desmond Bane, SF, TCU

The Nets could take Hampton if available, or gamble on Aleksej Pokusevski. But with the Nets in win-now mode, the 22-year-old Bane is plug-and-play. He shot 43.3 percent from deep in college and provides a mature, 3-and-D guy for the rotation.

20. Miami Heat | Tre Jones, PG, Duke

Goran Dragic’s injury in the Finals underscored how badly Miami needs an insurance policy. Jones is just that, and comes with ferocious defense that would make Pat Riley proud.

Bane
Demond Bane drives to the basket.AP

21. Philadelphia 76ers | Tyrell Terry, G, Stanford

The Sixers need all the shooting they can get with Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons. Terry provides that, despite a 6-2, 174-pound frame that could see his draft stock drop.

22. Denver Nuggets | Aleksej Pokusevski, C, Olympiacos Piraeus

If the skilled 7-footer doesn’t go to the Nets, Pokusevski is exactly the sort of high-upside, long-range player who would be on-brand for Denver, and a nice fit alongside Nikola Jokic. Just lock the skinny Serb in a weight room first.

23. Utah Jazz | Josh Green, G, Arizona

If Green slips past Dallas, he could wind up here. He can hit the open spot-ups, and add a 6-10 wingspan on defense.

24. Milwaukee Bucks | Tyrese Maxey, SG, Kentucky

Shot poorly at Kentucky (32 percent on jumpers), but as defensive depth with talent, a winning pedigree and a stroke that belies his numbers, Maxey would be a decent pick for the Bucks.

25. Oklahoma City Thunder | Jaden McDaniels, PF, Washington

Just the kind of long, raw rangy athlete that Sam Presti and company have thrived on in past drafts. The rebuilding Thunder can be patient with him.

26. Boston Celtics | Leandro Bolmaro, SF, FC Barcelona Lassa

It’s unclear if Boston will make all three first-round selections. But the 6-7, 178-pound waif from Barcelona B is a sold stash pick who could develop and not get lost in the Celtics’ deep rotation.

27. New York Knicks | Robert Woodard II, SF, Mississippi State

Another team that needs shooting. To get it, this wing who can hit 42.9 percent from deep and also has a 7-foot wingspan and 235-pound frame, might be too good to pass up.

28. Los Angeles Lakers | Cassius Winston, PG, Michigan State

The Lakers have few flaws, but adding a guard who can space the floor and hit the open looks provided by LeBron James and Anthony Davis would remedy one. Winston has hit 43.2 percent from deep.

29. Toronto Raptors | Theo Maledon, PG, ASVEL

Fred VanVleet is a free agent bound for a big deal, and Kyle Lowry will turn 35 this coming season. A young guard who can play on or off the ball would be useful.

30. Boston Celtics | Isaiah Stewart, C, Washington

A 6-9, 250-pound shot-blocking rebounder, he’s already a brute at just 19.

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