Today is the NBA Draft, so Sam and I have decided to do one last mock draft of the first round. I will be making the odd picks and Sam will be making the even picks. Sam and I agreed to try to make this as realistic as possible. I do not have some the guys this high but they will almost certainly be selected that high. I think it’s very beneficial to deal as much in reality as possible. Let’s get started.
1. Philadelphia 76ers- Ben Simmons (PF, LSU)
Simmons has been the guy since the Sixers won the lottery. You can make some really compelling arguments for Brandon Ingram but I think Simmons will be the better player. He’s a big body with a ton of athleticism and point guard skills. The Sixers will be able to run the whole offense through Simmons. He might even be able to solve the Sixers problems at point guard. The Sixers have reportedly already decided on Simmons and I think they made the right call.
Note from Sam: Simmons is in my mind the best player in this draft. What he brings to the floor with his incredible passing ability, rebounding, and ability to create mismatches with his size and athleticism is second to none in this draft. While the comparisons to LeBron James are way to lofty at this point, there is no denying seeing some of LeBron James game in Ben Simmons.
The Sixers hope to have one transcendent player on their roster already in Joel Embiid. Pairing him with a player like Ben Simmons could be a fantastic duo for years in Philadelphia.
2. Los Angeles Lakers- Brandon Ingram (SF, Duke)
With Simmons off the board, Ingram is the obvious choice for the Los Angeles Lakers. Ingram provides a wing player who can come in and be an above average shooter (41% from deep at Duke), and can get to the basket as well. Ingram will need to add size, which he will, but he is a perfect fit for this Lakers roster.
3. Boston Celtics- Dragan Bender (PF, International)
Obviously this is contingent upon the Celtics keeping their pick. They want to trade this pick for an established star, but that really seems like a long shot. The Celtics have been all over the place in terms of the rumored pick but I think Bender is the obvious selection. The Celtics don’t have a single 2 way player in their frontcourt currently, but I think Bender can be that guy. He will take time to develop into that player but the Celtics need to patient here. No other player left on the board is remotely close to Bender in my opinion. I love his combination of size, athleticism and skill. He profiles as the perfect modern big man. He is a guy who could allow you to play smallball without actually having to go small, which is incredibly intriguing.
4. Phoenix Suns- Marquese Chriss (PF, Washington)
An intriguing prospect for sure, Chriss makes a interesting selection here for Phoenix. With the trade of Markieff Morris, the Suns are in need of a big man, and with Bender off the board Chriss is the next best available. Chris has been a riser up draft boards in recent weeks, and brings the ability to stretch the floor and is a terrific athlete with a high ceiling.
5. Minnesota Timberwolves- Kris Dunn (PG, Providence)
I don’t think this is the pick I would make for Minnesota but the Wolves reportedly love Dunn. I think Ricky Rubio is probably a better player than Dunn could probably hope to be but I’m not sure the Wolves see it that way and Dunn might fit their timeline a little better. I wouldn’t hate the move if the Wolves could select Dunn and move Rubio for something of value. I don’t know how long the two could coexist in Minnesota, but the Wolves seem eager to make this pick.
6. New Orleans Pelicans- Jamal Murray (SG, Kentucky)
Injury prone guard Eric Gordon could walk in free agency, and Murray is a good replacement. Murray is a fantastic shooter, can play both the shooting guard and point guard, and can be a go-to scorer if needed. Anthony Davis and Jamal Murray would be a really good one-two punch on the offensive side of the ball.
7. Denver Nuggets- Buddy Hield (SG, Oklahoma)
This is another pick I don’t love but that I think the Nuggets will make him the number 7 pick if he is still on the board. They reportedly love his shooting and ability to have an immediate impact in the NBA. The Nuggets desperately need to space the floor and probably feel like Hield could grow into a starting caliber NBA player. Still, I wonder if he is any better than incumbent starting shooting guard Gary Harris. I personally think that the Nuggets should target some athleticism on the wing in the form of Jaylen Brown but I doubt they make that selection.
8. Sacramento Kings- Jaylen Brown (SF, Cal)
Jaylen Brown is a very versatile forward who can play the power forward when teams go with small ball. He brings above average defense, above average athleticism, and if he can develop his jumper Brown has the chance to be a really good pro, which is something the Kings need a lot of.
9. Toronto Raptors- Deyonta Davis (C, Michigan State)
The Raptors are in a bit of a tough spot as they have the 9th pick what many regard as an 8 player draft. They really need a stretch 4 but I feel like neither Henry Ellenson or Skal Labissiere deserve to go this high while Marquese Chriss is already off the board. I think the best player left that the Raps could realistically target is Deyonta Davis. Davis has the potential to play both frontcourt spots, something a team that started Luis Scola in playoff games and will most likely lose Bismack Biyombo in free agency, needs. In the immediate future, he will be a solid bench big for the team and hopefully in the future he can develop into a starting center or maybe even a starting power forward next to Jonas Valancuinas. The fit isn’t perfect but I don’t like anyone else on the board for Toronto.
10. Milwaukee Bucks- Jakob Poeltl (C, Utah)
The Bucks can certainly use a big man, and I believe Poeltl is a really good fit for them. He is an above average rim protector, brings great size, and is a true big man by taking nearly all of his shots around the basket.
11. Orlando Magic- Skal Labissiere (PF, Kentucky)
12. Atlanta Hawks- Wade Baldwin (PG, Vanderbilt)
13. Phoenix Suns- Timothe Luwawu (SG, International
14. Chicago Bulls- Henry Ellenson (PF, Marquette)
15. Denver Nuggets- Furkan Korkmaz (SG, International)
16. Boston Celtics- Denzel Valentine (SG, Michigan State)
17. Memphis Grizzlies- Domantas Sabonis (PF, Gonzaga)
18. Detroit Pistons- Malachi Richardson (SG, Syracuse)
19. Denver Nuggets- Paul Zipser (SF, International)
20. Indiana Pacers- Thon Maker (PF, High School)
21. Atlanta Hawks- Deandre Bembry (SF, Saint Joe’s)
22. Charlotte Hornets- Brice Johnson (PF, North Carolina)
23. Boston Celtics- Ante Zizic (C, International
24. Philadelphia 76ers- Malik Beasley (SG, Florida State)
Beasley suffered a stress fracture before the season and that has hurt his draft value. However, Beasley is a very good shooter and a fantastic athlete at a position the Sixers have a glaring hole at, Shooting Guard. Perfect fit at this spot for the Sixers.
(Note from Chris: I would prefer McCaw but Beasley is fine in my book)
25. Los Angeles Clippers- Taurean Prince (SF, Baylor)
26. Philadelphia 76ers- Demetrius Jackson (PG, Notre Dame)
Once again the Sixers address a need at guard, except this time it’s point guard. Jackson is good pick and roll player, which is ideal with the bigs the Sixers have. In his two years in college, Jackson shot over 41% from 3-point range as well. Could provide solid backup point guard minutes right away.
(Note from Chris: I agree with this pick)
27. Toronto Raptors- Juan Hernangomez (PF, International)
28. Phoenix Suns- Guerschon Yabusele (PF, International)
29. San Antonio Spurs- Patrick McCaw (SG, UNLV)
30. Golden State Warriors- Damian Jones (C, Vanderbilt)
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