CBS Sports released a new NBA mock draft on Monday, and writer Cameron Salerno paired former Duke basketball stars [autotag]Jared McCain[/autotag] and [autotag]Kyle Filipowski[/autotag] with some of the best teammates in the sport.
McCain went first out of the two, the 16th overall pick to the Philadelphia 76ers in the projection. A 41.4% 3-point shooter with three 30-point performances as a freshman, Salerno said the Sacramento native is arguably the best marksman in the class.
“McCain projects as more of an off-ball guard at the next level, but his strong rebounding skills make him equipped to thrive at the next level,” Salerno wrote.
The projection, should it come true, puts McCain on the same team as 2022-23 NBA MVP Joel Embiid.
Filipowski, his All-American teammate from last year, would also play with a former MVP. Salerno slotted the 7-footer in as the 23rd pick to the Milwaukee Bucks alongside two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo.
With 2.8 assists last season, the former Blue Devil’s ability to facilitate from the inside-out makes him an enticing option.
“Filipowski is probably the most skilled player offensively his size in this class,” Salerno wrote. “(He) is more of a four than a five at the next level, but his archetype is what NBA teams are looking for.”
The NBA draft gets underway on June 26.