Birthdays, Christmas, the NBA Draft. Things that I look forward to every single year. There is always so much build up to each of these events and they are gone before you know it.
Here at Oregon Sports News, we have dove head first into draft coverage. Whether it has been speculation of who the Portland Trail Blazers will target, scouting reports on many draft prospects, or yesterday’s video mailbag, we have had you covered. It all boils down to this.
To put a bow on my draft coverage for the year, here is my Mock Draft. Each year I do these and each year I am amazed at how wrong I am. There are so many variables and moving parts that anyone’s guess is as good as someone else’s. As we have approached the draft, the reports, rumors, and speculation has increased and I fully expect this draft to be filled with drama.
With all of that said, enjoy my mock draft. I wouldn’t bet my first born on its accuracy but this is a rough blueprint of what I see happening.
1 – Karl Anthony Towns, C, Kentucky
Minnesota Timberwolves
Analysis: There is a lot of talk about this No. 1 pick. At this point, there is a common belief that this is a two-man race, Towns and Jahlil Okafor. In the recent days it has been talked about more and more that Towns is the clear-cut better player that will be decided on the court in the next couple years. What I do know is Towns will add a scary element to the already young and talented roster. The worst team in the NBA has a bright future.
2 – Jahlil Okafor, C, Duke
Los Angeles Lakers
Analysis: The Lakers were a mess last year and there is no secret potion to turning this team around quickly. Even though Kobe Bryant is one of the greatest to ever play the game, Father Time is undefeated and he is coming off of a brutal injury. Even the potential of a trade for Demarcus Cousins wouldn’t completely alleviate the downfalls of this roster. There is some talent on the roster, but this is a full-blown rebuild job in Los Angeles. That is, unless they can entice a top talent in free agency (Jimmy Butler, Marc Gasol, LaMarcus Aldridge.) Okafor fits a position of need, has a high upside, and is the best player available. Big upgrade for the Lakers.
3 – D’Angelo Russell, SG, Ohio State
Philadelphia Sixers
Analysis: This is where the draft gets interesting. If either of the two big guys fall to the Sixers, they will swoop them up quickly. There is a lot of talk that the Sixers may look overseas for one of the talented international prospects. Personally, I don’t think that the Sixers can pass up Russell. When they traded Michael Kidd-Gilchrist it was a headscratcher. Kidd-Gilchrist had size, a well-rounded game, and was the point guard of the future. They can hit the reset button with the even more talent Russell.
4 – Kristaps Porzingis, FC, Baloncesto Sevilla (Spain)
New York Knicks
Analysis: Rumors abound that this pick is available for the taking. Phil Jackson is scrambling to find anything to help his reputation as the President of the Knicks. If he can get another pick and a veteran player, all the better for Jackson and the Knicks. Assets are assets for a team that has a very empty cupboard. If the Knicks keep the pick, Porzingis will be very tempting for them. He is a big guy who can spread the floor and shoot the basketball. My personal opinion is that Porzingis is the foreign Frank Kaminsky. We are all intrigued by Porzingis because we have seen him in a few workouts and that’s it. Porzingis has as high of bust potential of anyone in the draft, especially if drafted at 4th.
5 – Justise Winslow, SF, Duke
Orlando Magic
Analysis: Winslow really broke out in the March. Duke winning the national title game raised the profile of a few players on the team, nobody more than Winslow. A team like the Magic are looking to build with talented, versatile players that buy into the system. Coach Scott Skiles will have a lot of talent to play with, Elfrid Peyton, Aaron Gordon, Victor Olidipo. Nikola Vucevic, Tobias Harris. Add Winslow to this team, have good luck when it comes to health, and this is playoff team in the Eastern Conference, this season!
6 – Emmanuel Mudiay, SG, Guangdong Foshan (China)
Sacramento Kings
Analysis: Sacramento has recently been a team that has been filled with undisciplined individuals. George Karl will come in and immediately demand respect. DeMarcus Cousins is an incredibly gifted center, one of the best in the league. Add in Darren Collison, Rudy Gay, Jason Thompson and the rest of the clan, this is a very talented team. Adding a playmaking guard like Mudiay adds some additional punch to this roster. Despite going to high school in America, Mudiay is some of an unknown to most American basketball fans. What we do know is he is crazy athletic, very versatile, and can score with ease.
7 – Willie Cauley-Stein, C, Kentucky
Denver Nuggets
Analysis: The unrest in Denver was well documented at the end of the season. What will happen with this roster in the coming months is one of the biggest mysteries of the off-season. They may blow it up or try to salvage what they can. Cauley-Stein adds a solid defensive presence in the front court with Kenneth Faried. Those two will grab a lot of rebounds and anchor this team that truly needs an anchor. Cauley-Stein was one of the emotional leaders for the historically successful Wildcat team. Denver needs to add a leader, a winner, and another body to this roster.
8 – Kevon Looney, F, UCLA
Detroit Pistons
Analysis: With Greg Monroe likely leaving Detroit, there will be a hole at the power forward position for the Pistons. There is a lot of speculation that the Pistons will be offering a lot of money to Draymond Green in free agency. The problem with the NBA is the Draft comes before Free Agency. This way, the Pistons have no way of knowing whether they will land Green or not. In the meantime they will draft Looney to fill the hole in the frontcourt. Looney has a ton of upside but will take a year or two to develop and contribute at a high level. But this team is a couple years from the Playoffs or contending in any sense. This would be a huge stretch but the Pistons are a team likely to reach this high in the draft.
9 – Frank Kaminsky, F, Wisconsin
Charlotte Hornets
Analysis: The Charlotte Hornets were involved in a couple trades Wednesday that shook up their roster. They traded an expiring contract to Oklahoma City for Jeremy Lamb. And they traded Noah Vonleh and Gerald Henderson for Nicolas Batum. This paves the way for Kaminsky. The talks had already begun that they had interest in Kaminsky but giving up on their lottery pick, power forward from last season tells you they are ready to move on. Kaminsky is rising on a lot of draft boards and I wouldn’t be surprised if someone traded up to grab him before the Hornets could draft him. But it he is there at 9, I believe Kaminsky is headed to Charlotte
10 – Mario Hezonja, SG, FC Barcelona II (Spain)
Miami Heat
Analysis: This is a roster hanging in the balance. There is a lot of unknown around the stars. Dwayne Wade is rumored to be flirting with a few different teams this summer. Chris Bosh is coming off of a medical condition that sat him out the end of last season. General manager Pat Reilly has his work cut out for him, but he is the best man for the job. A lot of people have Hezonja going higher than 10, so if he fell to the Heat, they would be happy to bring in the playmaking shooting guard. The Golden State Warriors showed again this year that you can’t have too many shooters or scorers on a roster. Even if Dwayne Wade is back in Miami next year, Hezonja would be able to find a very good role with this team.
11 – Stanley Johnson, G, Arizona
Indiana Pacers
Analysis: Paul George should be 100% healthy and ready to lead the Pacers. This roster, as currently constructed, is a playoff team in the Eastern Conference. The luxury for this team is they are drafting in the lottery. It is hard for me to say this is a case of the rich getting richer, but it may be. Johnson adds an extremely talented backup wing player for a team that has bit of a lack of depth. Johnson can play and defend the 2 or 3 and will add a lot to a roster that will have lofty aspirations this season.
12 – Devin Booker, SG, Kentucky
Utah Jazz
Analysis: The Utah Jazz have young talent and showed flashes of brilliance after the All-Star break. Being a fan in Portland, I hate season the Jazz continue to build their talented roster. With Rudy Gobert anchoring the defense down low, Dante Exum developing as a long and talented point guard, and a borderline All-Star in Gordon Hayward, this team is scary. The one thing they are missing is a shooting threat. Booker is that shooting threat they are looking for. Booker didn’t even start for Kentucky but is a serious shooter and after watching the continued evolution of basketball, the three-point shot is more valuable than ever.
13 – Kelly Oubre, SF, Kansas
Phoenix Suns
Analysis: One thing that has been a constant theme for the Suns in recent years is that they have been more athletic than most other teams in the league. The Suns could really draft any position and fill a hole or add depth. Oubre adds more of what the team already has, athleticism, high upside, and talent. Oubre is one of the names in the draft that has been floated around almost anywhere in the First Round. From lottery to the end of the first round.
14 – Cameron Payne, G, Murray State
Oklahoma City Thunder
Analysis: No team was as injury riddled as the Thunder. The reigning MVP missed the majority of the season. Russell Westbrook was injured on and off all season. Their depth was seriously challenged with injuries to the team’s stars. Payne can come in and facilitate and score off the bench, or when called upon to start. Payne and Westbrook may even be able to play together, which would allow Westbrook to play off of the ball which could be scary for defenders.
15 – Trey Lyles, SF, Kentucky
Atlanta Hawks from Brooklyn
Analysis: The Hawks were one of the surprise teams of the season. Coach Mike Budenholzer had this group of guys buy into the team concept that has been successful for Gregg Popovich and his coaching tree. With the success they obtained last season, and the majority of this team coming back together next season gives the Hawks the luxury of being able to take a high-risk, high-reward prospect. They look for size and strength with Lyles. Lyles brings pure size and skill to a team that can groom him for a year or two before counting on him becoming a starter.
16 – Myles Turner, FC, Texas
Boston Celtics
Analysis: After Kelly Olynik’s armbar on Kevin Love, do the Celtics have a chance of luring Love to Boston? That was an interesting story for a day or two, but just know that in the coming weeks, that story will resurface with a vengeance when Love opts out of his contract. Despite all of that I see the Celtics drafting Turner from Texas as an insurance plan, in case their dream of landing Love doesn’t come to fruition. Turner has size and upside. This Celtics team is young and gritty and Turner would be a good addition, and a value at 16.
17 – Bobby Portis, PF, Arkansas
Milwaukee Bucks
Analysis: Jason Kidd came into Milwaukee and had this team really playing well together despite the injuries and issues that they dealt with. Jabari Parker will be back this season. Michael Carter-Williams will have a much better grasp on the system after a full summer and training camp with the team. Giannis Antetokounmpo is another year older and going to continue to be a matchup nightmare. The young Milwaukee team could go in a lot of different directions but I believe they go with frontcourt depth. Portis has an NBA-ready body and going to be able to contribute as soon as he gets his opportunity.
18 – Tyus Jones, PG, Duke
Houston Rockets from New Orleans
Analysis: Patrick Beverly is a free agent this summer, which has raised the question, is Beverly really the answer at point guard for the Rockets? It wouldn’t surprise me to see them aggressively recruit point guards in free agency, including Rajon Rondo. In the meantime, the Rockets look to the draft to fill that hole with the playmaking Jones. While still young and raw, Jones is a rare point guard that can balance attacking and distributing.
19 – Justin Anderson, F, Virginia
Washington Wizards
Analysis: The Wizards were one of the best stories of the Eastern Conference Playoffs. This team exceeded most expectations, especially the way they beat the Raptors in the first round. The big uncertainty of the roster moving forward is whether Paul Pierce will return to Washington or head west, to Los Angeles. Anderson would be able to add a scoring punch at either the shooting guard or small forward positions. In no way can Anderson replace the leadership of Pierce, but Anderson would be a good fit for this style offense, with a point guard like John Wall.
20 – Sam Dekker, SF, Wisconsin
Toronto Raptors
Analysis: This pick could go in a lot of different directions. The Raptors could look for a big guy to bolster the frontcourt or a point guard to backup Kyle Lowry. I think they either trade this pick of choose the best player available. Dekker was seen by many as a lottery prospect. While Dekker’s value was never higher than in NCAA tournament, he truly has the tools to be a good NBA player. If he can shoot consistently he will find his way onto a starting lineup in a year or two. If he can’t shoot, he could find himself as a career role player.
21 – Tyler Ulis, G, Kentucky
Dallas Mavericks
Analysis: Rajon Rondo will not play another game in a Mavericks uniform. Raymond Felton is a few doughnuts past ever being a contributing starting point guard again. JJ Barea is a headache for opponents, and his own coaching staff. The Mavericks need point guard help. The Harrison twins have had their share of the spotlight the past couple years, in the meantime they overshadowed the better NBA prospect Ulis. Ulis is a bit undersized but plays bigger than he is. He has the chance to be a day-one starter on the right team.
22 – Christian Wood, PF, UNLV
Chicago Bulls
Analysis: For the majority of the season, I strongly believed that the Bulls would win the Eastern Conference. Injuries and contentions led to their demise. There are a lot of questions surrounding the free agency of Jimmy Butler and what the rest of the roster will look like next season. With an aging frontcourt and a new coaching regime, the Bulls look towards the UNLV power forward. Wood is a boom-or-bust prospect. His work ethic has been questioned. But he is a legitimate stretch 4 who could be a very good player with some time in the weight room.
23 – Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, SF, Arizona
Portland Trail Blazers
Analysis: Yesterday Adrian Wojranowski went to twitter and shook Portland fans when he reported that the Blazers were trading Nicolas Batum to the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for Noah Vonleh and Gerald Henderson. This trade made a lot of people scratch their heads at first but after further examination may not be a terrible deal. Batum has underachieved, last season especially. Vonleh is a young, talented prospect that could develop into a very good power forward. Henderson provides depth and experience. But it leaves them without a starting small forward on the roster. If LaMarcus Aldridge jumps ship, power forward may still be the biggest position of need, but I still stand by my prediction that he is staying in Portland. With the Batum-to-Charlotte trade leaving a hole in the middle of the lineup the Blazers select the Arizona defensive-specialist. Hollis-Jefferson is a very good defensive specialist and may be able to become a very good three-and-D small forward. Hollis-Jefferson is versatile and can guard four positions in a lot of situations. This would be a solid depth pick for the Blazers but may be a stretch if they count on him starting from day one.
24 – Jerian Grant, SG, Notre Dame
Cleveland Cavaliers
Analysis: Kyrie Irving’s injury was a backbreaker for the Cavs. LeBron James, the best player in the world, almost won the Finals without him. Matthew Dellavadova showed a ton of grit and heart as the backup point guard. J.R. Smith and Iman Shumpert were completely underwhelming and likely to enter free agency. There was a complete lack of offense with Irving and Love out with injuries. Grant, from Notre Dame, would be able to come in and play either of the guard positions, create for his teammates and score. With a player like Grant coming off of the bench the Finals may have been different. Cavs look for offense in the draft, no question there.
25 – Montrezl Harrell, F, Louisville
Memphis Grizzlies
Analysis: The Grizzlies have been building a team to test the old adage that “defense wins championships”. As Portland fans are all too familiar with, the Grizzlies are nasty. They play a hard-nose, in your face style defense. Tony Allen, Mike Conley, Marc Gasol, and the gang take pride in their defense. Adding Harrell would add another dimension of nastiness to this team. Harrell brings energy, defense, and versatility unlike anyone else in the entire draft. This would be a great fit for the Grizzlies.
26 – R.J. Hunter, G, Georgia State
San Antonio Spurs
Analysis: Will Manu Ginobili be in the NBA next year? If Ginobili plays, will it be for the Spurs? The future Hall-of-Famer is still a question mark for Gregg Popovich’s club. With that question still looming headed into the draft, the Spurs look for a wing shooter. Maybe the best shooter in the entire draft, Hunter is an absolute perfect fit for the Spurs. Great shooter. Runs without the ball. High basketball IQ. Once again, a late draft pick can help this team for years to come.
27 – Rashad Vaughn, SF, UNLV
Los Angeles Lakers from Houston
Analysis: Already drafting at the top of the draft, the Lakers are going to draft any player that can contribute. The best player available, the most talent available. With their second pick the Lakers could really look at one of the youngest players in the draft in Vaughn. He will come into camp with an NBA-ready body and a true knack for scoring the basketball. Vaughn was the second-leading scorer of all freshman in the NCAA. If Vaughn can come in and learn from one of the best ever, Kobe Bryant, he could become a very explosive and dangerous scorer.
28 – Norman Powell, SG, UCLA
Boston Celtics from L.A. Clippers
Analysis: The Celtics made the playoffs and surprised the league at the end of the season. They are in a very different place than a lot of teams in the league. Will they continue to be stay the course and try to continue being a borderline playoff team? Will they try to rebuild? Do they feel like they are a piece or two away? In any case, the draft is a talent acquisition tool and Powell is a talent that could fit in Boston. A lot of the people think Powell is a second round pick, and that could very well be the case. Powell, however, can score in bunches and is a good perimeter defender, a couple traits the Celtics would love to add to the roster.
29 – Delon Wright, G, Utah
Brooklyn Nets from Atlanta
Analysis: The Brooklyn Nets have been in desperate need for a backup point guard. Jarrett Jack has been good at times. Deron Williams may not even be the answer for the Nets in the long-term. Bringing in Wright would give the Nets a backup point guard and an insurance policy. Wright has great size for a point guard and can defend 1s and 2s. If Wright can develop an offensive game, he could be a steal at the end of the first round. The one downfall is that Wright’s upside may not have a huge upside as he is older than most other point guards in the draft and has a mature and developed game.
30 – Jarell Martin, F, LSU
Golden State Warriors
Analysis: The world champions are enjoying their time with the crown, but Draymond Green’s impending free agency may throw a wrench in Steve Kerr’s machine. The last pick in the first round may be one of the least coveted picks because of the unpredictability of the talent at this point in the draft and because of the contract structure of first round draft picks. Martin has the chance of being a steal at the end of the first round and would fill a hole if Green were to leave. Martin can be a bruiser and has a game that would fit well in Golden State.
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