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NBA draft: Here’s the best guess on how the first round will play out

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The presumption across the NBA is that Ben Simmons from Louisiana State and Brandon Ingram from Duke are the best players in this year’s draft and they are expected to go one-two to the Philadelphia 76ers and the Lakers.

After that, it’s a big guessing game because there are no obvious standouts and many of the other prospects could easily drop or move up in the draft.

Assessing young players is a dice roll, and some of the best players in the game weren’t selected near the top of their draft classes.

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Consider two-time most valuable player Stephen Curry, the seventh pick in the 2009 draft, or his Golden State Warriors teammate and fellow All-Star Draymond Green, who dropped into the second round (35th overall) in 2012.

Spurs star Kawhi Leonard fell all the way to the 15th pick in the 2011 draft. And Thunder center Steven Adams, who is averaging a double-double in the playoffs, wasn’t a big name when he was selected with the 12th pick in 2013.

Shaped by interviews with various scouts and NBA executives, here’s the best guess at the moment for how the first round of the draft will play out June 23.

1. PHILADELPHIA. Ben Simmons, forward, 6-10, 239, LSU — The positives are his all-around skills handling the basketball, something the 76ers need. The negatives are his shooting and competitiveness.

2. LAKERS. Brandon Ingram, forward, 6-9, 196, Duke — He’s exactly what the Lakers need. He’s NBA-ready, can shoot and defend, and should be the right fit for this team.

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3. BOSTON. Dragan Bender, forward, 7-1, 225, Croatia — He didn’t play much for Maccabi Tel Aviv, but his length, defensive ability and outside shooting are too intriguing to pass up. Another Kristaps Porzingis?

4. PHOENIX. Buddy Hield, guard, 6-4, 214, Oklahoma — A four-year player who can contribute right away. He’s an incredible outside shooter.

5. MINNESOTA. Kris Dunn, guard, 6-4, 205, Providence — The Timberwolves need help at point guard. Dunn is a really good defender, but must work on his three-point shot.

6. NEW ORLEANS. Jamal Murray, guard, 6-5, 201, Kentucky — The Pelicans need a shooter to help spread the floor for Anthony Davis.

7. DENVER. Domantas Sabonis, Gonzaga, forward-center, 6-10, 231, Gonzaga — He’s tough-nosed and a strong rebounder who can play some center in a small-ball lineup.

8. SACRAMENTO. Jaylen Brown, guard, 6-7, 222, California — Brown has the size and strength to be a solid wing player for the Kings.

9. TORONTO. Deyonta Davis, forward-center, 6-10, 230, Michigan State — He has good size, a nice shooting touch for a big man and is a good rim protector.

10. MILWAUKEE. Jakob Poeltl, center, 7-1, 242, Utah — Considered the best center in the draft; a physical player.

11. ORLANDO. Furkan Korkmaz, guard, 6-7, 185, Turkish league — He’s just 18, but he can shoot the ball.

12. UTAH. Marquese Chriss, forward, 6-10, 225, Washington — The Jazz could use another athlete who has shooting range and can play on the perimeter.

13. PHOENIX. Skal Labissiere, forward-center, 7-0, 216, Kentucky — The Suns like that he is versatile enough to play two positions even, if he has to gain some weight.

14. CHICAGO. Henry Ellenson, forward-center, 6-10, 231, Marquette — He’s a “stretch 4” who can make the outside shot, but has to improve his defense.

15. DENVER. Wade Baldwin, guard, 6-3, 195, Vanderbilt — His ability to be a nice combo guard is what the Nuggets need. He could become a really good shooter.

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16. BOSTON. Brice Johnson, forward, 6-9, 230, North Carolina — Coming from a top program doesn’t hurt. He’s a strong rebounder and has a nice mid-range game.

17. MEMPHIS. Taurean Prince, forward, 6-7, 215, Baylor — A versatile forward who can defend multiple positions.

18. DETROIT. Demetrius Jackson, guard, 6-1, 194, Notre Dame — He’s a good athlete who shot well in college.

19. DENVER. Ante Zizic, center, 6-11, 240, Croatia — His size, strength and toughness are too good for the Nuggets to pass on.

20. INDIANA. Cheick Diallo, forward-center, 6-9, 219, Kansas — Though he’s only 19, Diallo has the ability to be a good defender and rebounder.

21. ATLANTA. DeAndre Bembry, guard, 6-6, 210 St. Joseph’s — Bembry is a tremendous athlete, but he needs to improve his shooting.

22. CHARLOTTE. Damian Jones, center, 6-11, 248, Vanderbilt — Jones has an NBA body, is a physical player and a good athlete.

23. BOSTON. Ivica Zubac, center, 7-1, 265, Croatia — He may be a project, but Zubac is tough, strong and has a nice back-to-the-basket game.

24. PHILADELPHIA. Juan Hernangomez, forward, 6-9, 220, Spain — The 76ers might leave him in Europe to develop more, but his game has a good upside.

25. CLIPPERS. Jaron Blossomgame, forward, 6-7, 215, Clemson — The Clippers liked his recent workout. He’s very athletic.

26. PHILADELPHIA. Ben Bentil, forward, 6-9, 235, Providence — Bentil has to work on his outside shooting, but he can play two forward positions.

27. TORONTO. Diamond Stone, center, 6-11, 255, Maryland — Though he has size and is strong, Stone has to work on his skills around the basket.

28. PHOENIX. Petr Cornelie, forward, 6-11, 220, France — The Suns most likely would leave him in Europe for a while to work on his game.

29. SAN ANTONIO. Malachi Richardson, guard, 6-6, 205, Syracuse — Richardson had a really good NCAA tournament to improve his stock.

30. GOLDEN STATE. Zhou Qi, center, 7-2, 209, China — Of course, he must gain weight and strength, but he can score down low and hit three-pointers.

broderick.turner@latimes.com

Twitter: @BA_Turner

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