NBA Draft Week is upon us. Per usual, the draft will project into many different avenues as the media combines sources, team trends, past drafts, and occasionally gut-feeling into where each individual player might end up.
We’ll get to the Mock Draft that are meant to be accurate a little closer to Draft Day, but for now, it’s much more in the Optimum Scouting style to focus more on the raw scouting information.
So, in a way to mesh the two ideas together, I’ve put together a “Mock Draft” based off of my scouting of each of these players as well as their current roster. I’ll be acting as head scout, GM, and final decision maker for each of the 30 selections in the draft.
1. New Orleans Hornets – Anthony Davis, PF/C, Kentucky – 6’10” 222lbs (Fresh)
Best Case: Kevin Garnett – Worst Case: Tyson Chandler
He’s super long, super talented, but most importantly, he’s incredibly smart. Davis should get more opportunities to shine in the NBA spotlight as the hornets will certainly lean on his offense as well as his defense. His ability to shoot, dribble, and post makes him a nightmare match-up if he continues to develop.
2. Charlotte Bobcats – Harrison Barnes, SF, North Carolina – 6’8″ 228lbs (Soph)
Best Case: Danny Granger – Worst Case: Wilson Chandler
As easy as it is to fall in love with Thomas Robinson at #2, the sexier-more business savy move would be to select the hometown star Barnes who played up the road at Chapel Hill. While critics want to pound Barnes on his unimpressive tournament run, you can not argue his potential at an NBA level. His sweet catch-n-shoot stroke added with his superb size and athleticism will help a Bobcat team in dire need or scoring and some excitement.
3. Washington Wizards – Bradley Beal, SG, Florida – 6’5″ 202lbs (Fresh)
Best Case: Eric Gordon – Worst Case: Willie Green
Following the Okafor/Ariza trade, the Wizards show a gapping hole at the 2 guard spot. On a roster where John Wall is a less than ideal perimeter shoot, Beal should be the ying to Wall’s yang in the backcourt. His ability to spread the floor should open up the paint for Wall on penetration and Nene in post-ups.
4. Cleveland Cavailers – Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF, Kentucky – 6’7″ 233lbs (Fresh)
Best Case: Andre Iguodala – Worst Case: Jeff Green
It seems pretty obvious that Cleveland would like to pair Kyrie Irving with a more polished scorer like Barnes or Beal, but settling on Kidd-Gilchrist sure isn’t a bad thing. The Cavs are extremely week on the wing, positions where Anthony Parker, Alonzo Gee, and Manny Harris got most of the burn. Kidd-Gilchrist should excel in transition with Erving running the break and will improve the team’s overall perimeter defense with his long arms and quick feet.
5. Sacramento Kings – Thomas Robinson, F, Kansas – 6’8″ 244lbs (Soph)
Best Case: David West – Worst Case: Brandon Bass
Sacramento landing Robinson at five could probably be the most ideal situation for him. His rebounding will certainly translate into the league but his offensive game is still underdeveloped, putting a lot of pressure on him if were to be drafted by the low-scoring Bobcats. On a kings team where he’ll have the luxury to defer to Tyreke Evans and DeMarcus Cousins on offense and kick out to shooters like Jimmer Freddette and Marcus Thornton, Robinson should be able to develop into a solid four man in the league.
6. Portland Trailblazers – Andre Drummond, PF/C, UConn – 7’0″ 279lbs (Fresh)
Best Case: Amar’e Stoudimire – Worst Case: Andray Blatche
The biggest questions mark of the draft falls to a Portland team full of questions. With a new coach and new GM entering the draft, the Blazers will have the luxury to draft the high risk/high reward center, a position they desperately need fill. Drummond’s shot blocking and shere size in the paint should compliment Aldridge on both ends of the floor.
7. Golden State Warriors – Austin Rivers, G, Duke – 6’5″ 203lbs (Fresh)
Best Case: Manu Ginobli – Worst Case: OJ Mayo
After an impressive rookie season by Klay Thompson which inevitably led to the Andrew Bogut –Monta Ellis trade to fill their void at center, the Warriors biggest weakness is truly at the 3 position. Unfortunately, Barnes and Kidd-Gilchrist will be off the board. Baring the Warriors trading the pick (which we are predicting at this point), selecting Rivers here makes sense. His potential aside, Rivers can prove to be the team’s best one-on-one player in his rookie season, a skill both Thompson and Curry aren’t the strongest with. His size and ball handling ability can create mismatches if coach Marc Jackson chooses to play all three guards at the same time.
8, Toronto Raptos – Jeremy Lamb, SG, UConn – 6’5″ 179lbs (Soph)
Best Case: Kevin Martin – Worst Case: Anthony Parker
With next season’s front court set with DeRozan, Barganni, and Valanciunas, it with make most sense for Toronto to address their backcourt. Lamb’s potential to become an elite shooter and scorer in this league is tough to pass up. Damian Lillard’s name may come into to play but with Jerryd Bayless and Jose Calderon still under contract and a long shot of a Steve Nash signing, their need at point guard may be put on the back burner for another season.
9, Detroit Pistons – John Henson, North Carolina, PF, North Carolina – 6’11” 216lbs (Soph)
Best Case: Marcus Camby – Worst Case: Samuel Dalembert
Detroit needs a front court player. Period. The guard heavy Piston team is now entering year four of it’s rebuilding process. With players like Meyers Lenord and Tyler Zeller still on the board, Henson makes the most sense because of his elite shot blocking on a very poor defensive team. His length and quick feet makes him a very intriguing fit next to the veteran Prince and their young up-n-coming center Monroe.
10 New Orleans Hornets – Kendall Marshall, PG, North Carolina – 6’4″ 198lbs (Soph)
Best Case: Andre Miller – Worst Case: Jamaal Tinsley
After hitting a homerun with Davis at #1, and all signs leading to management matching any offer to shooting guard Eric Gordon, the Hornets have some options here. While taking the best player available talent wise for such a young team may seem logical, it’s more important to get a distributor to both develop alongside Anthony Davis’s offensive development as well as give Eric Gordon his shots to make sure he stays successful. What Marshall lacks in shooting, he makes up for in outstanding vision and passing, two things that will aid the two potential superstars on their roster.
11. Portland Trailblazers – Damian Lillard, PG, Weber State – 6’3″ 189lbs (Junior)
Best Case: Rodney Stuckey – Worst Case: Randy Foye
It was a rough year last season for the Blazer’s backcourt, and with all signs pointing Raymond Felton signing elsewhere and a Jamal Crawford trade/release, Lillard would fill a void in both the short-term and future of the Blazer’s franchise. Lillard’s excellent shooting touch and ability to get into the paint will certainly open-up the offense of the team’s other cornerstones, Aldrirdige and Batum. Factor in a potential Drummond draft at #6 and the future all of a sudden looks like a lot brighter following the injury plagued departures of Brandon Roy and Greg Oden.
12. Milwaukee Bucks – Tyler Zeller, C, North Carolina – 7’0″ 247lbs (Senior)
Best Case: Marcin Gortat – Worst Case: Spencer Hawes
The Bucks played nearly the entire 2011-2012 season without a center. Following the Bogut injury and eventual trade, Milwaukee was forced to play players like Drew Gooden, Ekpe Udoh, and Larry Sanders out of position for the majority of the season. With the Illyasova most likely signing elsewhere, the Buck’s front court continues to get thinner which makes Zeller the smart pick. His shot blocking aside, his maturity and high basketball IQ alone with do wonders for a very young and immature roster.
13. Phoenix Suns – Dion Waiters, PG/SG, Syracuse – 6’4″ 221lbs (Fresh)
Best Case: Evan Turner – Worst Case: Wes Mathews
Barring any new developments in the “Free Steve Nash” Campaign for the two time MVP to sign elsewhere, the Suns need to address their back-court. With both top point guards off the board already, combo guard Dion Waiters provides the Suns with some relief.
14. Houston Rockets – Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois – 7’1″ 250lbs (Soph)
Best Case: Chris Kaman – Worst Case: Jason Smith
The Rockets spent last season trying to fill their void at center to pair with Louis Scola in the front court with the signing of Samuel Dalembert and the trade for Marcus Camby. Neither got their team into the playoffs. Leonard is a different animal at the 5 hole in the sense that he’s not necessarily a prototypical center. His high motor and NBA-ready body adds new energy to the Rockets front court and allows them to further develop their transition game. Although Leonard maybe a work in progress in his rookie season, his potential and rookie-wage salary makes filling the team’s need at center via draft makes more sense than a quick fix by overspending in free agency.
15. Philadelphia 76ers – Jared Sullinger, F/C, Ohio State
With an aging Elton Brand on the roster no real low post threat on the block, the Sixers’s could steal the draft by drafting the highly talented, highly questionable Sullinger. In weeks leading up to the draft, scouts and GM’s have questioned Sullinger’s back and weight issues. What most forget is how incredibly talented this kid was the last two seasons. Getting drafted outside the lottery will surely motivated Sullinger. Adding him to another former buckeye Evan Turner could prove to be one of the better young nucleolus’s in the eastern conference.
16. Houston Rockets – Marques Teague, PG, Kentucky
Goran Dragic will be a hot commodity in free agency this summer. It’s also been rumored that Coach Kevin McHale and Kyle Lowry have not seen eye to eye. Either way, you can expect the Rockets to select Teague to fill the void following the departure of Dragic or Lowry.
17. Dallas Mavericks- Terrance Jones, F, Kentucky
Dallas finds themselves in a position where they can draft the best player available regardless of position. Lucky for them, Jones’s NBA-ready frame and versatile skill allows them Mavericks to plug him into the rotation right away and take the minutes held by Odom, Brandon Wright, and Yi Jianlian last season.
18. Minnesota Timberwolves – Terrance Ross, SF, Washington
The Glaring hole on Minnesota’s roster is at 2 guard, a positioned that was filled last season with point guards (Luke Ridnour) and Small Forwards (Wes Johnson & Martell Webster). Ross’s length and size give the Timberwolves flexibility along the perimeter and a another weapon on offense to complement Love and Rubio.
19. Orlando Magic – Perry Jones III, F, Baylor
With Dwight Howard saga never ending, new management in Orlando will certainly be targeting some front court help. Jones’s ability to shoot 3’s and put the ball on the floor makes him both an intriguing prospect to pair with Howard or potentially blossom in the star he could be,
20. Denver Nuggets – Moe Harkless, SF, St. Johns
Entering next season, Denver will be come one of the more versatile teams in the league. With a full year of Wilson Chandler next season, potentially at the 4, Harkless provides an ideal backup to he and Danillo Gallinarri. His ability to rebound at his size and length paired with stud second year forward Kenneth Faried makes Denver’s front deeper in a George Karl rotation that runs ten deep.
21. Boston Celtics – Royce White, F, Iowa State
With the injuries to Jeff Green and Jermaine O’neal, and Brandon Bass opting out of his contract, Ainge and company will sure look to bolster the front court to support Garnett and the rest of the aging Celtics for one more title run. White’s game is somewhat comparable to Green’s, in the sense he has the ability to play both the 3 and 4. He excelled in transition during his tenure with the Cyclones, its hard to imagine that playing with Rondo won’t take his game to the next level.
22. Boston Celtics – Fab Melo, C, Syracuse
As much has Boston Fans enjoyed Steimsma-mania last season, the Celtics have an opportunity to steal a legitimate long term solution to their hole at center. Although Melo’s immaturity and focus has come into questions during his time in Syracuse, his knack for shot blocking brings an elite skill to the Celtics. Learning from the other in’s and out’s of the game from Kevin Garnett would surely accelerate Melo’s
23. Atlanta Hawks – Arnett Moultrie, PF, Mississippi State
It was nothing short of spectacular what the undersized Hawks achieved last season without their All-Star center Al Horford out for most of the season. But unless Hawk fans want to witness another season of Ivan Johnson and Jason Collins, it’s time that management got Horford and front-court-mate Josh Smith some help up front. Moultrie’s size gives him the flexibility to guard both 4’s and 5’s in the league.
24. Cleveland Cavaliers – Josh Jenkins, SG, Purdue
If there is one thing the Cav’s need to address this offseason it’s three point shooting. Lucky for them, Jenkins should be available at 24 for their taking. A knock down shooter like Jenkins should see plenty of opportunities to shine off of penetration and kick-outs from Irving.
25. Memphis Grizzlies – Doran Lamb, G, Kentucky
With Darrell Arthur coming back from injury and the possibily of the team re-signing Maurice Speights, the Grizzlies will certainly look to add to their backcourt. Lamb could very will replace retricted free agent OJ Mayo as the team’s combo guard to back up Tony Allen and Mike Conley while adding a burst of scoring off the bench.
26. Indiana Pacers – Andrew Nicholson, F, St. Bonaventure
Tough to see where the deep and verstile Pacers team will go in this seasons draft. With the retirment of Jeff Foster, the long and atheltic Nicholson will surely add some much needed depth at both the 4 and 5 for the Pacers.
27. Miami Heat – Jay Crowder, F, West Virginia
When Chris Bosh went down this season in the playoffs, the team went small, playing Shane Battier at the 4 spot, which gave Lebron and Co. ample drive and kick opporuntiies to spread the defense. Insert Crowder, and undersize 4 man with terrific range and build. He’s and ideal back-up at both the 3 and 4 behind the likes of James, Battier, Bosh, and Haslem.
28. Oklahoma City Thunder – Draymond Green, F, Michigan State
If OKC’s real plans are to play Durant at the 4 more, then drafting Green makes alot of sense. The former Spartan is one of the few players drafted this late that can make an impact right away for this team. Although he’s to small to play a 4 and not quick enough to play a 3, pairing him with Durant on some sets takes pressure off of Durant in rebounding situations and also adds a big body who can still knock down a 15 footer with consistency.
29. Chicago Bulls – Tony Wroten, PG, Washington
Most Bulls fans are already cashing out for next season’s playoff run due to Rose’s injury that will certainly keep him out of the 2012-2013 season. Drafting a combo guard like Wroten gives the Bulls another defender on the perimeter and a prospect who most scouts are unsure of how high a ceiling this kid may have at the next level. With Rose out, he should get plenty of opportunities to showcase his talents.
30. Golden State Warriors – Quincy Miller, SF, Baylor
Miller’s height, length, and ability to shoot from three gives the Warriors another weapon on their second unit that can play multiple posistions. Like many other players in this draft, Miller’s ceiling is still undetermined and could end up being one of the steals of this draft.
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