The NBA Draft is finally here and for some teams and fans its a exciting time to lay the road map for future success. This is the last and final edition of the Def Pen NBA Mock Draft before the real one begins.
1. Minnesota Timberwolves- Karl-Anthony Towns, PF/C, Kentucky (Previous: Same)
Pretty sure this is the consensus pick at this point.
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, 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. However, with Joel Embiid’s setback, the Sixers may try to go big. The Sixers are interesting because Sam Hinkie has been quiet and while everyone think’s they’ll draft Russell, nobody really has any idea what Hinkie will do.
4. New York Knicks- Kristaps Porzingis, PF, Latvia (Previous: Same)
While this pick may not sit well with Knicks fans, it’s a position that gave the Knicks nothing last season. Look at the Knicks big men from a year ago, Cole Aldrige, Quincy Acy, Lou Amundson, Jason Smith, 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: Same)
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. However, rumors are that the Kings are very interested in Mario Hezonja, or possibly trying to move down in the draft. Like the Sixers, Vlade Divac in his first draft as the “decision maker” is making things very intriguing.
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- Terry Roizer, PG, Louisville (Previous: Delon Wright)
Insurance for Derrick Rose, simple as that.
23. Portland Trailblazers- Justin Anderson, SG/SF, Virginia (Previous: Christian Wood)
The Blazers traded Nic Batum for Noah Vonleh and Gerald Henderson. Vonleh who was a top pick last year would most likely replace LaMarcus Aldridge should he leave via free agency. Batum was the teams starting small forward, a position that Anderson could fill. Anderson is a deadly jump shooter and could play either the 2 or the 3.
24. Cleveland Cavaliers- Delon Wright, PG/SG, Utah (Previous: Kevon Looney)
We saw in the Finals that the Cavs just need talent. Wright had a great NCAA Tournament and helped carry Utah to the Sweet 16. He can play either guard position and can knock down the three point shot with ease.
25. Memphis Grizzlies- RJ Hunter, SG, Georgia State (Previous: Justin Anderson)
The Grizzlies have maybe one guy on the entire team who can shoot a three pointer. We saw what RJ Hunter could do from beyond the arc in the NCAA Tournament, Memphis just needs to grab somebody in this draft who can let it fly from deep.
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)- Rashad Vaughn, SG, UNLV (Previous: RJ Hunter)
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- Kevon Looney, SF/PF, UCLA (Previous: Rashad Vaughn)
Looney is a project who is still raw but has tremendous upside. He’s not the best 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 great on pick and rolls, something that he and Marcus Smart could be good at. If theres any coach in the league who can develop young players it’s Brad Stevens. We saw what he did at Butler, developing two teams that went to the National championship, and the emergence of Tyler Zeller, Jared Sullinger, and Evan Turner this season speaks to what Stevens can do to help players improve.
29. Brooklyn Nets (from Hawks)- Olivier Hanlan, PG/SG, Boston College (Previous: Terry Roizer)
Whoever the Nets pick here needs to a guard. Joe Johnson and Deron Williams are way past their primes.
30. Golden State Warriors- Christian Wood, PF, UNLV (Previous: Olivier Hanlan)
A very athletic power forward who fits with the Warriors scheme. At 6’10 he give them size down low, is a monster on the boards as he averaged ten a game in college, is a great defender and high energy player. His offensive game needs work but on a team like the Warriors, I think he’ll be ok in that department.
