Steve Popper's NBA mock draft: Plenty of uncertainty at No. 1 overall

There is nothing more worrisome to an NBA front office than a question mark at the top of the draft, putting their jobs on the line with no sure thing. It's the sort of decision-making that clings to a reputation forever, for better or worse.

Who’s No. 1 in this draft? It could be any of four players and it’s not for lack of talent. Any one of them could emerge as an All-Star or All-NBA type of player. But pass on the best of them and you’re in the owner’s suite trying to explain it away.

1. Washington: AJ Dybantsa (6-8, Wing, BYU, 19 years old)

Can’t recall a less certain No. 1 pick since the Anthony Bennett draft (when he surprised at No. 1 in 2013 and Giannis Antetokounmpo was the unknown No. 15 pick), but this uncertainty is just because there are four players who could merit the top spot. None of the injury or attitude questions that accompany Darryn Peterson, so what’s not to like?

2. Utah: Darryn Peterson (6-4, G, Kansas, 19)

So many questions about his injury-riddled freshman season, but no question about his skill set. The perfect example of a player who causes front offices to be afraid to be a part of history for not picking him.

3. Memphis: Caleb Wilson (6-9, Wing, North Carolina, 19)

Could be Cam Boozer here, but hard to pass on offensive skills, athleticism and the intensity of Wilson. Has the size and toughness to be a No. 1 pick when paired with his skills. Injury may have slowed the hype, but he’s the real deal.

4. Chicago: Cam Boozer (6-8, F, Duke, 18)

While those three previous picks are all based on potential and athleticism, the below-the-rim skills of Boozer are accompanied by fundamentals in every phase of the game. Does the Jalen Brunson redraft idea translate to a power forward, too, with teams realizing that smarts, leadership and footwork matter?

5. L.A. Clippers (from Indiana): Keaton Wagler (6-5, G, Illinois, 19)

There are a handful of guards here but go with Wagler for his size and shooting. Massive jump from preseason rankings.

6. Nets: Nate Ament (6-9, Wing, Tennessee, 19)

What do you get for the team that needs everything? A smooth-shooting wing with size? Flaws are also evident, so Nets gamble on upside and growth for team that seems in perpetual rebuild.

7. Sacramento: Darius Acuff Jr. (6-2, G, Arkansas, 19)

A true point guard for a team in need of one.

8. Atlanta (from New Orleans): Aday Mara, (7-3, Big, Michigan, 21)

With CJ McCollum back and Aaron Wiggins added, a big man was the missing piece to playoff run.

9. Dallas: Brayden Burries (6-4, G, Arizona, 20)

Two-way guard who would complement Cooper Flagg nicely.

10. Milwaukee: Kingston Flemings (6-2, G, Houston, 19)

Tough to predict pick for a team that could look very different Tuesday, so we’ll just go best available.

11. Golden State: Yaxel Lendeborg (6-9, F, Michigan, 23)

A ready-to-help big with offensive skills for his size.

12. Oklahoma City (from the L.A. Clippers) Karim Lopez (6-8, F, New Zealand, 19)

Hard-nosed forward could fit in if they have to move any of their pieces for cap constraints.

13. Miami: Mikel Brown (6-3, G, Louisville, 20)

Potential Giannis Antetokounmpo deal could move this pick, but this seems like a floor for Brown despite back injury.

14. Charlotte: Hannes Steinbach (6-10, Big, Washington, 20) The only hole on the run & gun Hornets roster is a big and although Steinbach might be as much forward as center, he figures to be best option here.

15. Chicago (from Portland): Ebuka Okorie (6-1, G, Stanford, 19)

Athletic and smart PG to pair with Boozer or Wilson in Bulls rebuild.

16. Memphis (from Phoenix via Orlando): Sergio De Larria (6-6, G, Spain, 20)

Combo guard with plenty of pro experience overseas could pair with Ja Morant.

17. Oklahoma City (from Philadelphia): Koa Peat (6-7, Wing, Arizona, 19)

Feels like a Lu Dort type and could fill a similar role.

18. Charlotte (from Orlando via Phoenix): Bennett Stirtz (6-2, G, Iowa, 22)

Has impressed with shooting in workouts.

19. Toronto: Cameron Carr (6-4, Wing, Baylor, 21)

Shooting ability could open things up for Scottie Barnes.

20. San Antonio (from Atlanta): Morez Johnson (6-9, F, Michigan, 20)

Not a floor spacer, but Spurs could benefit from his toughness.

21. Detroit (from Minnesota): Isaiah Evans (6-5, Wing, Duke, 20)

They need shooting. He’s an elite shooter.

22. Philadelphia (from Houston via Oklahoma City): Dailyn Swain (6-6, Wing, Texas, 20)

Slashing, strong wing could serve as another young piece alongside backcourt of Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe.

23. Atlanta (from Cleveland): Christian Anderson ((6-1, G, Texas Tech, 20)

Speed and skill could be a replacement down the road for McCollum.

24. Knicks: Henri Veesaar (6-11, C, North Carolina, 22) Think they’ll move this, but a big as insurance for potential Mitchell Robinson departure makes sense, even if he’s more a Towns-type than Robinson.

25. Los Angeles Lakers: Chris Cenac Jr. (6-10, F/C, Houston, 19)

Athleticism and strength, but raw offensive skills. Could develop into a stretch four as shooting refines in NBA.

26. Denver: Labaron Philon (6-2, G, Alabama, 20)

Explosive point guard (with mistakes that accompany the aggressiveness).

27. Boston: Allen Graves (6-9, F, Santa Clara, 19)

Smooth shooting big came off the bench but produced for Santa Clara.

28. Brooklyn (from Minnesota via Detroit): Alex Karaban (6-7, W, UConn, 23)

Shooting and smarts have made him a mainstay for the Huskies and the sort of player who doesn’t wow in the athletic testing, but just helps win.

29. Cleveland (from San Antonio via Atlanta): Jayden Quaintance (6-9, F, Kentucky, 19)

Imagine if you will a shorter Mitchell Robinson, starting with offensive rebounding prowess and mimicking right down to free throw and injury struggles.

30. Dallas (from Oklahoma City via WAS and PHI): Meleek Thomas (6-3, G, Arkansas, 19)

A scorer who can create on his own and also converted 41.6% from three this season.

Second Round

31. Knicks (from Washington via Oklahoma City and Houston): Zuby Ejiofor, (6-8, F, St. John’s, 22)

Imagine if you took a taller, less scoring Josh Hart — a shot blocking, rebounding, hustling leader. The local link makes it alluring and it will depend on what the Knicks plan in protecting their own free agents.

55. Knicks Trevon Brazile (6-9, F, Arkansas, 23)

Athletic big man worth a gamble for defense and rebounding ability.

Others to consider for the Knicks

If they don’t take Ejiofor, they could still wind up with a St. John’s product if Dillon Mitchell is on the board at No. 55. If Karaban slips to the second round he could merit, as could his Huskies teammate, Tarris Reed, a high-motor big man.