Papa Pillman
I've got more Ho's than Jim Duggan
So the Lottery is in the books, and the NBA Draft is set(at least until a team like the Knicks or Kings tries to swing a trade for a vet). The Draft Combine concluded this past week as well, so while four teams may still be playing basketball, we're now fully deep into the NBA draft season.
This draft is incredibly strong up top, continues to look good through the lottery, and even offers a lot of high level upside past the top-20 picks, so plenty of intrigue is in the offing.
I'm gonna post my Mock Draft, feel free to rip it apart, and/or just discuss the draft, the prospects, the potential trades, etc. here.
1.Minnesota - Karl-Anthony Towns
The Wolves have young perimeter players and a lot of money tied up in Vucevic, plus a good young Center prospect in Deing. Towns makes more sense than Okafor here, as he can play the 4 spot for Minnesota. NBA Comp: Marc Gasol
2.Lakers - Jahlil Okafor
From Mikan to Wilt to Kareem to Shaq, the Lakers championship history is tied to the Center position. L.A. hit the jackpot in the Lottery to steal Okafor. NBA Comp: Al Jefferson
3.Philadelphia - D'Angelo Russell
The Sixers need a perimeter playmaker who can knock down shots from range(which is why they sent MCW packing). Russell is the perfect piece and may be the player who makes their plan actually succeed. NBA Comp: Harden
4.New York - Emmanuel Mudiay
The "tumble" to fourth still leaves the Knicks with an elite prospect at a position they need to address, but Mudiay's inconsistent shooting touch makes him a bad fit for the Triangle, and the Knicks may look to move this pick for a productive veteran to pair with Anthony in an attempt to lure a big free agent.NBA Comp: D. Rose
5.Orlando - Kristaps Porzingis
He fits the Magic mold defensively of being long-armed and position versatile and could add more interior shot blocking, plus he adds a dimension the Magic desperately lack- outside shooting.NBA Comp: Ilyasova
6.Sacramento - Justise Winslow
He could pair with Gay to create a versatile forward set-up, and he adds some perimeter defense that the team could use. But I wouldn't count out WCS for this pick either, his rim protection would free up Boogie Cousins and let him keep his focus where he would prefer it be- exclusively on the offensive end of the floor. I also wouldn't count out a trade for a vet to pair with Boogie and Gay to try and chase the playoffs and lock a deal up for Boogie.NBA Comp: Kidd-Gilchrist
7.Denver - Mario Hezonja
His shooting ability and defensive upside make him at worst a future 3-and-D role player, but his advanced feel offensively could prove him to be something far greater than that. And the Nuggets could use wing scoring and aren't shy to roster Euros. NBA Comp: Ariza
8.Detroit - Stanley Johnson
He's the perfect replacement for the corpse of Caron Butler. NBA Comp: Caron Butler(the less geriatric version)
9.Charlotte - Devin Booker
The Hornets wing shooting is dreadful from long range, Booker will fix that. And his measurements, and performance in the agility drills, at the combine justify his being draftable this high. NBA Comp: Klay Thompson
10.Miami - Kelly Oubre
Miami would be smart to acquire versatility on the wing, Oubre is the player that fills that role. NBA Comp: Rudy Gay
11.Indiana - Willie Cauley-Stein
This is the dream scenario for the Pacers as WCS is the best defensive prospect in this entire draft and he would be a STEAL outside of the top-10(and could go as high as 6). WCS could speed up the oft-rumored departure of Hibbert from Indianapolis.NBA Comp: Chandler
12.Utah - Myles Turner
The Jazz have a lot of developing young perimeter pieces, but the Kanter trade has left them thin up front. Turner is the best big man prospect left in this mock draft, especially where Utah would need him to excel- on the defensive end.NBA Comp: Larry Sanders
13.Phoenix - Frank Kaminsky
He could be pieced in with Len and the Morris twins in a number of combinations and although he doesn't do much to improve the Suns defensively, a dynamic they need, he does help them add shooting, something else they should be targeting.NBA Comp: Ryan Anderson
14.Oklahoma City - Sam Dekker
OKC's need for talented wing depth that can score was exposed by Durant's extensive absences this past season. Dekker remedies that issue.NBA Comp: Parsons
15.Atlanta - Bobby Portis
His motor and basketball IQ make him a good fit for the Hawks and he protects them if they lose Milsap. NBA Comp: Aldridge
16.Boston - Kevon Looney
Without a true Center prospect that fits here, The Celts could continue to stockpile their list of guys without a clear position fit. Looney's length and microwave scoring potential adds an element Boston lacks and he could help them at both forward spots. NBA Comp: Odom
17.Milwaukee - R.J. Hunter
Swapping out Knight for MCW left the Bucks woefully short on outside shooting, and they don't have much at the the off-guard spot. Hunter could log plenty of minutes right out of the gate for them. NBA Comp: Kevin Martin
18.Houston - Cameron Payne
The minutes that the ghost of Jason Terry is giving the Rockets in this playoff run illustrates their need for a young point guard, and Payne will be a superior offensive player to Patrick Beverley from day one.NBA Comp: Jeff Teague
19.Washington - Trey Lyles
Another Kentucky frontcourt player gets stolen in this mock, as Lyles has lottery pick potential. The Wiz need more long bigs, and youth up front. Lyles is also insurance if Nene isn't long for the Nation's Capitol.NBA Comp: Carlos Boozer
20.Toronto - Montrezl Harrell
Toronto could use a youthful big with some edge, and Harrell brings a unique ferocity. Patrick Patterson would also serve as a nice mentor for Harrell's transition.NBA Comp: Faried
21.Dallas - Tyus Jones
The Rondo trade blew up in the Mavs' face, and PG is still a serious need for the club. Jones may lack explosiveness and size, but he's very good at getting into the lane, and he finds ways to score the ball when his teammates bog down offensively. His intangibles are also excellent. NBA Comp: Tony Parker
22.Chicago - Jerian Grant
The nephew of former Bull great Horace Grant would be a great fit for the Bulls as D. Rose injury insurance and even as a guy who could play some two alongside him. The Bulls could use his shooting, and while streaky, when hot Grant is deadly, even without much space to release. He does lack a little in some of the more natural PG elements. NBA Comp: Jrue Holliday
23.Portland - Rondae Hollis-Jefferson
The Blazers could use even more forward depth, and Hollis-Jefferson fits the mold of the players they seem to target. And he could mean more than just luxury depth to them next season depending on potential departures.NBA Comp: Thaddeus Young
24.Cleveland - Justin Anderson
If Love decides not to opt out, and Varejao returns healthy, Cleveland will be far more set up front than this current playoff version of the team, allowing them to focus on adding the type of wing help a guy like Anderson can offer. NBA Comp: Wesley Matthews
25.Memphis - Rashad Vaughn
Tony Allen can't shoot, and the Grizz can't go into next season counting on relying on Carter and Lee for key minutes. If Vaughn finds more consistency with his jumpshot he'd be a perfect fit for solid minutes even as a rookie. NBA Comp: Andre Iguodala
26.San Antonio - Christian Wood
Wood would represent a physical heir apparent for Duncan, and could grow bounds quickly with Timmy as a mentor.NBA Comp: John Henson
27.Lakers - Delon Wright
After adding Okafor early in the round, a versatile guard would make some sense with this pick. While an older prospect, Wright is a big two way guard with polish and a good feel who could help the Lakers right away. NBA Comp: Shaun Livingston
28.Boston - Robert Upshaw
The Celtics needed a true five man with their last pick, but would've had to reach to score one. If Upshaw falls to this spot then they are getting a value pick here later in the round to fill that need. His shot blocking would be a huge add for them. NBA Comp: Roy Hibbert
29.Brooklyn - Jarell Martin
With no way of knowing who the Nets will return for next year's roster, mocking Martin makes the most sense to me here, as he is the best prospect remaining on the board. NBA Comp: Kenyon Martin
30.Golden State - Jordan Mickey
LSU's M&Ms close out the first round mock. Mickey could play a little spot Center and give the Warriors upside talent behind Bogut and insure them against Bogut's potential injuries or foul trouble. He would help them against teams that make it hard to play big minutes with the type of small ball line-ups that Kerr can occasionally falls in love with. A back-up PG to replace Barbosa could also be a possibility with someone like Rozier or Andrew Harrison, who is rising after a strong combine, being potential names to grab this spot.NBA Comp: Taj Gibson
This draft is incredibly strong up top, continues to look good through the lottery, and even offers a lot of high level upside past the top-20 picks, so plenty of intrigue is in the offing.
I'm gonna post my Mock Draft, feel free to rip it apart, and/or just discuss the draft, the prospects, the potential trades, etc. here.
1.Minnesota - Karl-Anthony Towns
The Wolves have young perimeter players and a lot of money tied up in Vucevic, plus a good young Center prospect in Deing. Towns makes more sense than Okafor here, as he can play the 4 spot for Minnesota. NBA Comp: Marc Gasol
2.Lakers - Jahlil Okafor
From Mikan to Wilt to Kareem to Shaq, the Lakers championship history is tied to the Center position. L.A. hit the jackpot in the Lottery to steal Okafor. NBA Comp: Al Jefferson
3.Philadelphia - D'Angelo Russell
The Sixers need a perimeter playmaker who can knock down shots from range(which is why they sent MCW packing). Russell is the perfect piece and may be the player who makes their plan actually succeed. NBA Comp: Harden
4.New York - Emmanuel Mudiay
The "tumble" to fourth still leaves the Knicks with an elite prospect at a position they need to address, but Mudiay's inconsistent shooting touch makes him a bad fit for the Triangle, and the Knicks may look to move this pick for a productive veteran to pair with Anthony in an attempt to lure a big free agent.NBA Comp: D. Rose
5.Orlando - Kristaps Porzingis
He fits the Magic mold defensively of being long-armed and position versatile and could add more interior shot blocking, plus he adds a dimension the Magic desperately lack- outside shooting.NBA Comp: Ilyasova
6.Sacramento - Justise Winslow
He could pair with Gay to create a versatile forward set-up, and he adds some perimeter defense that the team could use. But I wouldn't count out WCS for this pick either, his rim protection would free up Boogie Cousins and let him keep his focus where he would prefer it be- exclusively on the offensive end of the floor. I also wouldn't count out a trade for a vet to pair with Boogie and Gay to try and chase the playoffs and lock a deal up for Boogie.NBA Comp: Kidd-Gilchrist
7.Denver - Mario Hezonja
His shooting ability and defensive upside make him at worst a future 3-and-D role player, but his advanced feel offensively could prove him to be something far greater than that. And the Nuggets could use wing scoring and aren't shy to roster Euros. NBA Comp: Ariza
8.Detroit - Stanley Johnson
He's the perfect replacement for the corpse of Caron Butler. NBA Comp: Caron Butler(the less geriatric version)
9.Charlotte - Devin Booker
The Hornets wing shooting is dreadful from long range, Booker will fix that. And his measurements, and performance in the agility drills, at the combine justify his being draftable this high. NBA Comp: Klay Thompson
10.Miami - Kelly Oubre
Miami would be smart to acquire versatility on the wing, Oubre is the player that fills that role. NBA Comp: Rudy Gay
11.Indiana - Willie Cauley-Stein
This is the dream scenario for the Pacers as WCS is the best defensive prospect in this entire draft and he would be a STEAL outside of the top-10(and could go as high as 6). WCS could speed up the oft-rumored departure of Hibbert from Indianapolis.NBA Comp: Chandler
12.Utah - Myles Turner
The Jazz have a lot of developing young perimeter pieces, but the Kanter trade has left them thin up front. Turner is the best big man prospect left in this mock draft, especially where Utah would need him to excel- on the defensive end.NBA Comp: Larry Sanders
13.Phoenix - Frank Kaminsky
He could be pieced in with Len and the Morris twins in a number of combinations and although he doesn't do much to improve the Suns defensively, a dynamic they need, he does help them add shooting, something else they should be targeting.NBA Comp: Ryan Anderson
14.Oklahoma City - Sam Dekker
OKC's need for talented wing depth that can score was exposed by Durant's extensive absences this past season. Dekker remedies that issue.NBA Comp: Parsons
15.Atlanta - Bobby Portis
His motor and basketball IQ make him a good fit for the Hawks and he protects them if they lose Milsap. NBA Comp: Aldridge
16.Boston - Kevon Looney
Without a true Center prospect that fits here, The Celts could continue to stockpile their list of guys without a clear position fit. Looney's length and microwave scoring potential adds an element Boston lacks and he could help them at both forward spots. NBA Comp: Odom
17.Milwaukee - R.J. Hunter
Swapping out Knight for MCW left the Bucks woefully short on outside shooting, and they don't have much at the the off-guard spot. Hunter could log plenty of minutes right out of the gate for them. NBA Comp: Kevin Martin
18.Houston - Cameron Payne
The minutes that the ghost of Jason Terry is giving the Rockets in this playoff run illustrates their need for a young point guard, and Payne will be a superior offensive player to Patrick Beverley from day one.NBA Comp: Jeff Teague
19.Washington - Trey Lyles
Another Kentucky frontcourt player gets stolen in this mock, as Lyles has lottery pick potential. The Wiz need more long bigs, and youth up front. Lyles is also insurance if Nene isn't long for the Nation's Capitol.NBA Comp: Carlos Boozer
20.Toronto - Montrezl Harrell
Toronto could use a youthful big with some edge, and Harrell brings a unique ferocity. Patrick Patterson would also serve as a nice mentor for Harrell's transition.NBA Comp: Faried
21.Dallas - Tyus Jones
The Rondo trade blew up in the Mavs' face, and PG is still a serious need for the club. Jones may lack explosiveness and size, but he's very good at getting into the lane, and he finds ways to score the ball when his teammates bog down offensively. His intangibles are also excellent. NBA Comp: Tony Parker
22.Chicago - Jerian Grant
The nephew of former Bull great Horace Grant would be a great fit for the Bulls as D. Rose injury insurance and even as a guy who could play some two alongside him. The Bulls could use his shooting, and while streaky, when hot Grant is deadly, even without much space to release. He does lack a little in some of the more natural PG elements. NBA Comp: Jrue Holliday
23.Portland - Rondae Hollis-Jefferson
The Blazers could use even more forward depth, and Hollis-Jefferson fits the mold of the players they seem to target. And he could mean more than just luxury depth to them next season depending on potential departures.NBA Comp: Thaddeus Young
24.Cleveland - Justin Anderson
If Love decides not to opt out, and Varejao returns healthy, Cleveland will be far more set up front than this current playoff version of the team, allowing them to focus on adding the type of wing help a guy like Anderson can offer. NBA Comp: Wesley Matthews
25.Memphis - Rashad Vaughn
Tony Allen can't shoot, and the Grizz can't go into next season counting on relying on Carter and Lee for key minutes. If Vaughn finds more consistency with his jumpshot he'd be a perfect fit for solid minutes even as a rookie. NBA Comp: Andre Iguodala
26.San Antonio - Christian Wood
Wood would represent a physical heir apparent for Duncan, and could grow bounds quickly with Timmy as a mentor.NBA Comp: John Henson
27.Lakers - Delon Wright
After adding Okafor early in the round, a versatile guard would make some sense with this pick. While an older prospect, Wright is a big two way guard with polish and a good feel who could help the Lakers right away. NBA Comp: Shaun Livingston
28.Boston - Robert Upshaw
The Celtics needed a true five man with their last pick, but would've had to reach to score one. If Upshaw falls to this spot then they are getting a value pick here later in the round to fill that need. His shot blocking would be a huge add for them. NBA Comp: Roy Hibbert
29.Brooklyn - Jarell Martin
With no way of knowing who the Nets will return for next year's roster, mocking Martin makes the most sense to me here, as he is the best prospect remaining on the board. NBA Comp: Kenyon Martin
30.Golden State - Jordan Mickey
LSU's M&Ms close out the first round mock. Mickey could play a little spot Center and give the Warriors upside talent behind Bogut and insure them against Bogut's potential injuries or foul trouble. He would help them against teams that make it hard to play big minutes with the type of small ball line-ups that Kerr can occasionally falls in love with. A back-up PG to replace Barbosa could also be a possibility with someone like Rozier or Andrew Harrison, who is rising after a strong combine, being potential names to grab this spot.NBA Comp: Taj Gibson