This NBA Draft, probably the last of its kind, is deep with talent … and question marks

The most anticipated NBA draft in years is here, and it may be the last of its kind because of the league’s new anti-tanking rules.

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As many as 10 teams during this past season played to lose for the express purpose of gaining a lottery pick in this draft filled with potential future stars. The centerpiece is a local, Brockton native AJ Dybantsa, who is projected to be taken first by the Wizards.

But it’s not a cinch. The main competitor to Dybantsa for the first choice is Kansas guard Darryn Peterson, a gifted scorer who enters the league with some red flags about his health after being limited to 24 games with the Jayhawks.

The question Peterson had to answer is whether his body can withstand an 82-game schedule after he struggled with a 35-game slate during his lone college season. Peterson has pointed to creatine use as a reason for his constant cramping injuries. And his confidence is apparent, working out only for the Wizards.

While Dybantsa emerged as the favorite for the No. 1 pick a few weeks ago, Peterson has been gaining momentum because of his overall skill set and fit in Washington. The Wizards have amassed a bevy of lottery picks and a crowded frontcourt with Alex Sarr, Kyshawn George, and Anthony Davis. Washington could use a shooting guard, but Dybantsa’s star potential may be too good to pass up.

The Jazz have the second pick and gladly will accept whoever is left. Dybantsa has Utah ties, having played at BYU and attended prep school there, and it’s difficult to find young players who would actually embrace playing in Salt Lake City.

The consensus third pick is Cameron Boozer, the former Duke All-American who doesn’t bring the dazzle or athleticism of his two predecessors, but has enough maturity and a versatile skill set for a long career. He is exactly the type of stable, can’t-miss pick the Grizzlies need.

Caleb Wilson of North Carolina seems to be a lock at four for the Bulls. Rebuilding Chicago needs to hit on this pick with its new management, and Wilson flourished during his short time with the Tar Heels.

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The top four picks have separated themselves from the rest of the class, but the remainder is loaded with potential stars but a lot of one-and-dones and players who may take time to contribute. One standout is Arkansas guard Darius Acuff Jr., a dynamic player who could immediately start and develop into a cornerstone. The Kings, with the seventh pick, have taken to Acuff and need a franchise caliber point guard after the departure of De’Aaron Fox.

There are a handful of quality point guards who should be snapped up in the lottery. Illinois’ Keaton Wagler, Louisville’s Mikel Brown Jr. and Houston’s Kingston Flemings all should go in the top 10. The next tier is filled with bigs — Tennessee’s Nate Ament, Michigan’s Aday Mara and Yaxel Lendeborg, and Washington’s Hannes Steinbach. All should land in the middle of the first round.

Any mock draft could be influenced by pre-draft trades, and the late-night swap of Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Heat will obviously impact the destination of several prospects.

What makes this draft unique is the depth, and the teams who were successful this season have an opportunity later in the draft to land a quality player who could turn into a cornerstone. But as the first round prospects come off the board, the concerns and questions will increase. Kentucky center Jayden Quaintance could be an impact defender and rebounder but still hasn’t completely recovered from a torn ACL.

Santa Clara forward Allen Graves became a draft sensation after his performance in the NCAA Tournament, but he played just one college season in the West Coast Conference. Is he ready for the NBA? Labaron Philon Jr., Christian Anderson Jr., and Cameron Carr didn’t draw major raves in college, but flourished in the combine.

The Celtics have scored in the past with late first-round picks, including Payton Pritchard and Baylor Scheierman in recent years, and could nab a quality player at 27 such as Duke’s Isaiah Evans, Nashua, N.H., native Ebuka Okorie of Stanford, and UConn’s Tarris Reed Jr. All could still be on the board by the time they pick.

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