1. Minnesota Timberwolves- Karl-Anthony Towns, PF/C, Kentucky (Previous: Same)
At this point I think there are no doubts about who’s going first. There were reports that the Wolves favored Okafor over Towns, but then Towns refused to workout for the Lakers which tells me that Minnesota told him they were taking him.
2. Los Angeles Lakers- Jahlil Okafor, C, Duke (Previous: Same)
The Lakers are “locked in” on taking Okafor at number two. Whether Minnesota decides to take him, then that will make things interesting. I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Lakers take D’Angelo Russell here, as teams have him rated higher than Okafor, but the Lakers post tandem of Robert Sacre, Carlos Boozer, and Jordan Hill wasn’t very intimidating last season and needs to be improved.
3. Philadelphia 76ers- D’Angelo Russell PG/SG, Ohio State (Previous: Same)
Reports are out there that the Sixers want Russell. Unless the Wolves or Lakers try to pull a shocker and draft him, as he is rising on draft boards, he’ll be there at three for the Sixers who need help everywhere except down low.
4. New York Knicks- Kristaps Porzingis, PF, Latvia (Previous: Emmanuel Mudiay)
Only because it’s the Knicks. Being serious though, I look at the Knicks big men from a year ago, Cole Aldrige, Quincy Acy, Lou Amundson, Jason Smith, like do I need to continue? The Knicks have no presence in the post. While Porzingis is more of a threat from the perimeter, he gives them a player with size who actually has talent. Porzingis is even considered by some scouts the best player in the draft. The common pick would be Emmanuel Mudiay, but the Knicks do have Jose Calderon, who is a solid starting guard. The bigger need for the team is a big man, which is why Porzingis makes sense.
5. Orlando Magic- Justise Winslow SG/SF, Duke (Previous: Same)
Tobais Harris is most likely on his way out via free agency. The Magic all ready have a young solid squad with Elfird Payton, Victor Oladipo, Aaron Gordon, and Nikola Vucevic. Enter Justise Winlow, or even possibly Stanley Johnson to the open small forward position, and this could be a team to watch out for in the future.
6. Sacramento Kings- Emmanuel Mudiay (Previous: Kristaps Porzingis)
Rumors are the Nuggets and Kings are trying to work out a trade involving Ty Lawson. The Kings do need a point guard and with Mudiay falling to six, theres no way you can pass that up if you’re Sacramento.
7. Denver Nuggets- Mario Hezonja, SG, Croatia (Previous: Same)
When Randy Foye is your starting shooting guard, you need some help at the position badly.
8. Detroit Pistons- Stanley Johnson, SF, Arizona (Previous: Same)
The team acquired Ersan Ilyasova in a trade with the Bucks meaning Greg Monroe is on his way out. Detroit clearly did this to give Andre Drummond the paint all to his self. In the trade with Milwaukee, they gave up their starting small forward Caron Butler filling a hole at that position which Stanley Johnson can replace.
9. Charlotte Hornets- Willie Cauley-Stein C, Kentucky, (Previous: Same)
Yes they have Al Jefferson but he doesn’t have a good back up. Jefferson also has battled injury issues in the past, so with a guy like WCS backing him up, he can rest more and possibly stay healthier. WCS also lets the Hornets play fast, as he’s a very athletic big man who can run the floor.
10. Miami Heat- Devin Booker, SG, Kentucky (Previous: Same)
The Heat and Dwyane Wade seem to be having issues to where Wade might be done in Miami. I don’t think he will leave but just in case, Booker provides insurance and the future. Luol Deng has a $10 million option and with his injury history you have to think he’ll opt into that. While they do need a small forward, Deng can hold that down for a season.
11. Indiana Pacers- Cameron Payne,PG, Murray State (Previous: Same)
Payne you maybe haven’t heard of because where he played but don’t let that fool you. Think of Elfrid Payton from a year ago because Payne can ball. He is a do it all guard. He can score from anywhere, has a great court awareness and IQ. He needs to improve his strength and he is a lanky guard and weighs about 180lbs. Other than that he’s a huge sleeper who will have a very good career at the next level and gives the Pacers a solid option at a spot they haven’t been strong at in recent years.
12. Utah Jazz- Trey Lyles, PF, Kentucky. (Previous: Same)
The Jazz have a solid young core of players with Trey Burke, Dante Exum, Gordon Hayward, Derrick Favors and Rudy Gobert. Lyles played out of position at UK this season but has the potential to have a solid career. He comes into Utah and backs up Derrick Favors which would give him time to develop, plus it gives Utah depth down low, something they lacked a year ago.
13. Phoenix Suns- Bobby Portis, PF, Arkansas (Previous: Same)
The Suns need help at power forward and shooting guard considering they really don’t have a player that plays that position. They play the two point guard system and two small forwards around a center. At this point they have to take the best available at either shooting guard or power forward and that’s Portis. He’s a great face up player who is incredibly tough to guard. He’s got a great mid-range game and is expanding his range to include the three ball . Defensively, he is active which leads to his fair share of deflections and steals. Portis also won SEC Player of the year beating out guys like Karl-Anthony Towns and the rest of Kentucky’s roster.
14. Oklahoma City Thunder- Kelly Oubre, SF, Kansas (Previous: Same)
The Thunder were DEVASTATED by injuries this season and lacked depth. Oubre is a 6’7 small forward who can also play shooting guard. Oubre is a pure scorer who can either shoot from the outside or get to the basket, opening up the floor for Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant.
15. Atlanta Hawks (from Nets) Frank Kaminsky, PF/C, Wisconsin. (Previous: Same)
Paul Millsap is also a free agent this summer, and there are questions to whether or not he’ll return. Frank the Tank can play either position down low, and like Millsap can step out side the arc and shoot the three ball.
16. Boston Celtics- Sam Dekker, SF, Wisconsin (Previous: Same)
With all the picks the Celtics have in the next few years they will have tons of depth and talent. Evan Turner is their small forward right now, and while he had a good year leading the team to the playoffs, Sam Dekker can be the future. A 6’9 swing man who can shoot from the outside, Dekker can also get to the basket and finish at the rim.
17. Milwaukee Bucks- Myles Turner, PF/C, Texas (Previous: Same)
The Bucks need to find someone to replace Larry Sanders and just need a post presence in general. Reports are they will try to go after Brook Lopez and Tyson Chandler in free agency. Myles Turner is someone who can step in with the Bucks from day one and give them that presence that they lack, if they can’t lure a big name free agent to Milwaukee.
18. Houston Rockets (from Pelicans)- Tyus Jones, PG, Duke (Previous: same)
How many true point guards to the Rockets have on their roster. Yeah If you count Pat Beverly, who is a free agent this summer, and Pablo Prigioni I guess two. Still those aren’t reliable guys who can start on a constant basis. Jones was the Most outstanding player of the Final Four. He’s a do it all player. He can Drive and kick to James Harden, feed Dwight Howard down low, and his a deadly shooter. The Rockets love to play fast, which is how Jones led Duke to the National Title this year, so Jones to the Rockets is really a perfect fit for both sides, with Jones not having much competition for a starting job.
19. Washington Wizards- Montrezl Harrell, PF, Louisville. (Previous: Same)
Nene is old. The team drafts his replacement with this pick. The Brad Beal and John Wall future looks bright in a more uptempo system, as we saw Paul Pierce get a lot of action at the 4 this post season. Harrell is 6’9 240 but very athletic and can run the floor. Scouts say if he can develop a better jumper that he could even be a small forward at the next level. If Washington decides to move to a faster tempo in years to come, Harrell would be a perfect fit at a position that they need.
20. Toronto Raptors- Rondae Hollis-Jefferson SF, Arizona (Previous: Same)
This pick is solely based off defense, as RHJ might be the best defender in the draft. The Raptors didn’t play much defense is the playoffs, and the Terrence Ross experiment doesn’t seem to be working out.
21. Dallas Mavericks- Jerian Grant, PG, Notre Dame (Previous: Same)
Rajon Rondo is out so the Mavs are drafting their point guard of the future.
22. Chicago Bulls- Delon Wright, PG/SG, Utah (Previous: Same)
Insurance for Derrick Rose, simple as that.
23. Portland Trailblazers- Christian Wood, PF, UNLV (Previous: Same)
LaMarcus Aldridge is a free agent and it looks like he won’t be back in Portland. The Blazers don’t have much depth up front already so no matter who is on the team, this pick needs to be used to add depth to the front court.
24. Cleveland Cavaliers- Kevon Looney, SF/PF, UCLA (Previous: same)
Looney is a project who is still raw but has tremendous upside. He’s not the greatest athlete but is an animal on the boards and can shoot a consistent jumper. Looney is a tweener which is why he still raises some question marks. He’s simply is a boom or a bust, (Much like a former Cavs Anthony Bennet who had the same issue as Looney) They already had the bust in Bennett, maybe now they have the boom with Looney. Plus the Cavs have that LeBron guy, who makes everybody better.
25. Memphis Grizzlies- Justin Anderson, SG/SF, Virginia (Previous: same)
Who is the Grizzlies shooting guard? They need a shooting guard who can actually shoot the ball (Tony Allen.) Anderson can play guard or small forward but is a spot up jump shooter. He needs to improve getting to the basket, but in Virginia’s pro style half court offense, Anderson was the Cavs leading scorer as a jump shooter. He’s also very good playing perimeter defense and will only get better at that playing with Tony Allen.
26. San Antonio Spurs- Jarrell Martin, PF, LSU (Previous: Same)
The eventual replacement to Tim Duncan. Martin is a 6’10 version of Draymond Green. A big man who plays tough defensive and can shoot from the outside.
27. Los Angeles Lakers (from Rockets)- RJ Hunter, SG, Georgia State (Previous: Same)
The Lakers need to find a replacement for Kobe who’s retiring after the season. They address that need with this pick.
28. Boston Celtics- Rashad Vaughn, SG, UNLV (Previous: Same)
Avery Bradley and James Young are really the only true shooting guards on the team. Rashad Vaughn is a big guard who can shoot the lights out while addressing Boston’s need at the position.
29. Brooklyn Nets (from Hawks)- Terry Roizer, PG, Louisville (Previous: Same)
Whoever the Nets pick here needs to a guard. Joe Johnson and Deron Williams are way past their primes.
30. Golden State Warriors- Oliver Hanlan, PG/SG, Boston College (Previous: Rakeem Christmas)
The Warriors just won a title playing small and shooting threes, so why not add another weapon, a shooting guard who is deadly from behind the arc. The team proved they can win without having the biggest size on the floor, and if they really want a big man, they can address it in free agency.
