With a can’t-miss prospect at the top and questions surrounding the group of five players projected behind him, this NBA draft is filled with question marks after No. 1. And fittingly, there is a lot of talk of trading up and down. So these picks are more big board than fit for teams. Speaking of moves, we include the Knicks at No. 50, although the front office has made a habit of shifting up and down through the second round.

1. Dallas Mavericks: Cooper Flagg, Duke, 6-8 wing

All kinds of comps (Scottie Pippen, Larry Bird, Jayson Tatum is pretty lofty company), but how do you prepare for a player who is just 18 years old and is already so far ahead of the pack? Learning curve is eased by his ability to do so many things well — and a rep as a tireless worker.

2. San Antonio Spurs: Dylan Harper, Rutgers, 6-5 guard

Following his father, Ron, and brother, Harper is entering the NBA with much more hype. But unlike his father, he brings up comps to Jalen Brunson with well-trained footwork and skills.

3. Philadelphia 76ers: VJ Edgecombe, Baylor, 6-4 guard

Like Flagg, not just a scorer and the Long Island Lutheran product's defense might help immediately.

Baylor guard VJ Edgecombe.

4. Charlotte Hornets: Tre Johnson, Texas, 6-5 wing

Some scouts have put him at No. 2 potential in the draft with immediate scoring ability.

5. Utah Jazz: Ace Bailey, Rutgers, 6-8 wing

Lots of talk about dropping, but Danny Ainge doesn’t pass on talent.

6. Washington Wizards: Jeremiah Fears, Oklahoma, 6-3 guard

Advanced point guard skills, but defensive shortcomings and shooting woes (27% from three) are question marks.

7. New Orleans Pelicans: Kon Knueppel, Duke, 6-7 wing

More than a complementary piece to Flagg, he shot 40.6% from three and could serve as a primary ballhandler with size and passing skills.

Duke's Khaman Maluach.

8. Nets: Khaman Maluach, Duke, 7-1 center

Already loaded with skill at 7-1 and just skimming the surface of his potential.

9. Toronto Raptors: Carter Bryant, Arizona, 6-7 wing

Has 3-and-D promise with elite athleticism.

10. Phoenix Suns (from Houston): Kasparas Jakucionis, Illinois, 6-5 guard

Skilled playmaker and promising scorer.

11. Portland Trail Blazers: Derik Queen, Maryland, 6-9 big

Good numbers and size but didn’t live up consistently to promise.

12. Chicago Bulls: Thomas Sorber, Georgetown, 6-9 big

Old school big-man skills — more Othella Harrington than Patrick Ewing at 6-9.

13. Atlanta Hawks (from Sacramento): Collin Murray-Boyles, South Carolina, 6-7 forward

Versatile defender who has drawn Draymond Green comps.

14. San Antonio Spurs (from Atlanta): Danny Wolf, Michigan, 7-foot big

Move to Michigan showed that what he did at Yale was real. Seven-footer with guard skills on offense.

15. Oklahoma City (from Miami via Clippers): Cedric Coward, Washington State, 6-5 wing

Fits the profile for Thunder — smooth shooting wing who has the athleticism to fit right in.

16. Memphis (from Orlando): Egor Demin, BYU, 6-8 guard

Hailed as best passer in the draft with size to see over defense.

17. Minnesota (from Detroit via Knicks, Oklahoma City and Houston): Joan Beringer, Cedevita, France, 6-10 big

Shades of Mitchell Robinson as a rookie, athletic big man who can run, catch lobs and block shots immediately.

18. Washington (from Memphis): Liam McNeeley, UConn, 6-7 wing

After the lottery you need an elite skill and his is shooting if given space. Cocky, tough-minded player.

19. Nets (from Milwaukee via Knicks, Detroit, Portland and New Orleans): Noa Essengue, Ratiopharm Ulm, France, 6-9 wing

Young (just three days older than Flagg) and loaded with all sorts of potential — but a long path to fulfill it.

20. Miami (from Golden State): Will Riley, Illinois, 6-7 wing

Athletic scorer who seemed almost LaMelo Ball-like in his freshman season, firing — and often hitting — from all angles.

21. Utah (from Minnesota): Noah Penda, Le Mans Sarthe Basket, France, 6-8 wing

Ready-for-the-NBA defender. At 20 years old, he figures to come over immediately to the NBA.

22. Atlanta (from the Lakers via New Orleans): Nique Clifford, Colorado State, 6-5 wing

Unlike most of the prospects, he’s 23 years old, spent five years in college, but has ready-made skills on both ends.

23. New Orleans (from Indiana): Nolan Traore, Saint-Quentin BB, France, 6-3 guard

Speed burner with ability to shake defenders and excels in float game.

24. Oklahoma City (from the LA Clippers): Asa Newell, Georgia, 6-9 forward

High school teammate of Flagg is already versatile defensively and shows signs of developing more than inside game offensively.

25. Orlando (from Denver): Walter Clayton Jr., Florida, 6-2 guard

Elite shooter and leader with a high floor.

26. Nets (from Knicks): Drake Powell, North Carolina, 6-5 wing

Ready defensively for the NBA level and shows hints of offensive promise.

27. Nets (from Houston): Rasheer Fleming, Saint Joseph’s, 6-8 forward

Bruising finisher who has developed a three-point shot.

28. Boston: Maxime Raynaud, Stanford, 7-foot center

Developed ability to space the floor and could fit as cap issues might cost Celtics Kristaps Porzingis or Luke Kornet.

29. Phoenix (from Cleveland via Utah): Jase Richardson, Michigan State, 6-foot guard

Not just the Spartans connection that runs through Phoenix now or the bloodline of following father, Jason, to the NBA. He has legit scoring potential and lead guard skills.

30. LA Clippers (from Oklahoma City): Ryan Kalkbrenner, Creighton, 7-1 center

Skilled but slow-footed center.

50. Knicks: Koby Brea, Kentucky, 6-7 wing

Hard to predict since the Knicks don’t have a coach or a style, but a shooter (49.8% from three at Dayton two years ago and 43.5% at Kentucky in his fifth year) with good size seems like it fills a need.

Meet the Mets' new dance team

TOP STORIES

LONG ISLAND LIFE

EXCLUSIVE INVESTIGATIONS

TRUMP'S IMPACT ON LI

NEWSDAY TV SPECIALS

EXCLUSIVE SERIES & MORE

ENVIRONMENT & CLIMATE CHANGE

FEED ME

GILGO BEACH KILLINGS

YOUR SCHOOLS

HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS

ROADS & RAILS

YOUR HEALTH

LONG ISLAND TIKTAWK

OUR REPORTERS

THINGS TO DO

BUSINESS & REAL ESTATE

NEWSDAY LIVE

MUST-WATCH DOCUMENTARIES