Best, worst fits from first round of NBA Draft

Now that the NBA Draft is completed, it's time for us to weigh in on the best and worst fits from the first round. 

BEST | Spurs, Victor Wembanyama (No. 1 overall): The 7-foot-5 Wembanyama would have fit well on any roster, but there is no organization better equipped to develop such a generational talent than the San Antonio Spurs. Wembanyama lands with the winningest coach of all time in Gregg Popovich, who has an extensive history of mentoring foreign-born stars.  

With his length, defensive prowess and shooting capabilities, Wembanyama is the ideal addition to San Antonio's crop of versatile frontcourt players, pairing nicely with starters Keldon Johnson and Devin Vassell. If Wembanyama proves to be as dominant as anticipated, the Spurs could make a legitimate attempt to surpass their record of 22 consecutive playoff appearances.  

BEST | Rockets, Amen Thompson (No. 4 overall): Arguably the best passer in the draft, Thompson should have an immediate impact on a Houston team that managed the fewest assists in the NBA last season. With Kevin Porter Jr. still on the roster, Thompson might not start immediately, but it shouldn't take long until HC Ime Udoka finds a way to maximize his young core's potential.

Thompson's skill-set should gel perfectly with new backcourt companion and prolific scorer Jalen Green, as the Rockets begin their new era under Udoka. Aside from the roster versatility Thompson's selection brings, the pick gives Houston the flexibility to sign a variety of free agents at multiple positions in the future.  

BEST | Mavericks, Dereck Lively II (No. 12 overall): Despite trading back from the 10th pick in an effort to free cap space, Dallas still landed its rim protector in Lively. Last offseason's acquisition, Christian Wood, struggled as a Maverick. With both he and starting center Dwight Powell entering free agency, Lively could see a significant role as a rookie.

Lively, a former No. 1 high school prospect, won't command the ball after averaging just 5.2 points at Duke. That won't be an issue playing with Luka Dončić and potentially Kyrie Irving, who will shoulder the load on offense while Lively serves as a strong pick-and-roll partner.

BEST | Heat, Jaime Jaquez Jr. (No. 18 overall): If there was a list of prospects who embody "Heat Culture," Jaquez's name wouldn't be far down. The four-year UCLA starter was the lifeblood of a Bruins team that made a remarkable run from the First Four to the Final Four during the 2021 NCAA Tournament. 

At 6-foot-6, 225 pounds, Jaquez is an effective multi-positional defender for Miami who can crash the boards and has the willingness to sacrifice his body to help his team win. With the 34-year-old Kevin Love heading for free agency this summer, it's likely that Jaquez, who averaged 17.8 points and 8.2 rebounds last season, will assume his duties in 2023. 

WORST | Magic, Jett Howard (No. 11 overall): Orlando started off the night strong, selecting a promising two-way player in Arkansas' Anthony Black at pick No. 6, but made the puzzling decision to reach for Howard. The son of two-time champion Juwan Howard was projected to be the 19th pick in ESPN's final mock draft and now Orlando finds itself drowning in guards.

Howard's impressive shooting range and 6-foot-8 frame likely won the Magic over, as the team was seventh-worst in three-point percentage last season (34.6%). Although Howard can make shots from the logo, he is not as efficient as Gradey Dick, the 13th pick, posting a 36.8% average from beyond the arc compared to Dick's 40.3%.

WORST | Hawks, Kobe Bufkin (No. 15 overall): By no means is Bufkin a terrible prospect, but when you have a team built around Trae Young and Dejounte Murray, it's a questionable selection. Bufkin improved dramatically during his second season at Michigan, raising his scoring average from three to 14 points per game.

Perhaps he can be counted on as a spark plug off the bench, though he doesn't have the passing ability of Young or Murray. The point guard averaged 2.9 assists last season while turning the ball over nearly twice a game. He will likely play off the ball more at the pro level, which might not be the smartest move given his 32.5 career three-point percentage. 

Atlanta has reportedly been shopping multiple players on its roster, including forwards John Collins and De'Andre Hunter, and those moves could very well happen this offseason. And if that's the case, the Hawks squandered an opportunity to draft a suitable replacement in favor of unnecessary depth.