Andrew Wiggins was the first overall pick in last year’s NBA draft after speculation whether it would be him or Jabari Parker. Who Will be first this year, Karl-Anthony Towns or Jahlil Okafor? (Photo: Getty Images)
Now with the NCAA Tournament over and the NBA Playoffs right around the corner fans of NBA teams who won’t be in the playoffs need something exciting to look forward too.
That one thing is the draft, an event that brings excitement for terrible teams and their fans which gives hope to maybe a successful future. Within the next couple weeks, we will be updating our “NBA Mock Draft” leading up till the “big day.”
All trades involving picks are included.
Our draft order will just go by current standings in reverse order.
1. New York Knicks- Karl-Anthony Towns, PF/C, Kentucky-
Towns or Okafor, Okafor or Towns? Towns right now is the better overall player. His footwork in the post is incredible for someone his age, something Okafor will need to work on at the next level. Towns is just a better overall fit for the Knicks. Towns can play either center or power forward compared to Okafor who is a true center. Drafting Towns and having him play the four can give the Knicks a chance to go after Marc Gasol this summer in free agency where they will have a ton of cap space. A possible “big three” of Gasol, Towns, and Carmelo Anthony in the triangle offense could be scary.
2. Minnesota Timberwolves- Jahlil Okafor, C, Duke-
Whoever gets the second pick will already have the decision made for them by who either goes number one. Nikola Pekovic is a nice player, but Okafor has a chance to be one of the best big men to play in the league (yes he will be that good.) He still has a lot of developing to do including his foot work and his offensive game. The potential is there and whatever team ends up taking him will have a franchise player for a while. The wolves could potentially have a nice “big three” of young guys with Okafor, Zach LaVine, and Andrew Wiggins.
3. Philadelphia 76ers- D’Angelo Russell, PG/SG, Ohio State-
Sixers fans might cringe when drafting another combo guard from Ohio State. Back in 2009, the team drafted Evan Turner with the second overall pick and that didn’t work out too well. None the less, Russell is an incredible talent who can play either guard position. The Sixers are set in the post with Nerlens Noel and Joel Embiid, who the team took third overall in last years draft. The Sixers traded Michael Carter-Williams to the Bucks at the trade deadline and need guard help.
4. Los Angeles Lakers- Emmanuel Mudiay, PG, China
Originally committed to play for Larry Brown at SMU, Mudiay played this year overseas in China. Mudiay was the second best point guard recruit coming out of high school a year ago according to ESPN and fifth best player in the country. Jeremy Lin is not the future in LA and the Lakers need a point guard.
5. Orlando Magic- Stanley Johnson, SF, Arizona
The Magic will most likely lose Tobias Harris to free agency. They have a nice core nucleus already with Nik Vucevic, Elfrid Payton, Victor Oladipo, and drafted Aaron Gordon last year. Johnson who is like Harris, is 6″8 245 lbs can play both forward positions. He also can shoot from the perimeter and has great athleticism.
6. Sacramento Kings- Trey Lyles, PF, Kentucky
DeMarcus Cousins needs some help down low in the post, so enter another Kentucky Wildcat Trey Lyles. Lyles played out of position this season with the loaded talent on Kentucky’ roster but has shown his talent down near the basket. Him and Boogie would make a nice one-two punch down low.
7. Denver Nuggets- Justice Winslow, SF/SG, Duke
The Nuggets need some help so with their pick they just need to take the best player available, which is Winslow. Winslow is comparable to a former Nugget Arron Aflalo, who the team traded to Portland. While Winslow has about 20 lbs on him, they both are swing men who can score in different ways including getting to the basket, but can also shoot from the perimeter.
8. Detroit Pistons- Kelly Oubre, SF, Kansas
The Pistons can do a couple of things with this pick. Greg Monroe will be a free agent this offseason so they could go power forward if they can’t bring him back. The Pistons don’t have a “true” small forward though something that Oubre can fix.
9. Charlotte Hornets- Mario Heznoja, SG/SF, Croatia.
Other than Kemba Walker, the Hornets don’t really have much talent. Yes they have Al Jefferson, but he’s getting up there in age and hasn’t been healthy this season. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist is still only 21 but so far hasn’t lived up to the hype since coming out of Kentucky and the whole Lance Stephenson signing has been a disaster. Charlotte can go many different ways with this pick. I think they need to find a way to trade Stephenson, get something back for him and draft a shooting guard like Heznoja.
10. Miami Heat- Sam Dekker, SF, Wisconsin
Miami is another team that has options with this pick. At the beginning of the year most would probably say they would take a center. The emergence of Hassan Whiteside may chance that though process, but Whiteside can also leave via free agency so it should be interesting. The Heat just need to take someone who can help them now and Dekker is a guy who can help on the offensive end.
11. Indiana Pacers- Cameron Payne, PG, Murray State
All those Pacers teams that challenged the Lebron James led Heat the past four seasons lacked the same position every year, point guard. After Russell and Mudiay, Payne is the next point guard available for the Pacers to take. Payne can knock down a jumper with very little room and great at setting his teammates up. He does need to get bigger and stronger, but that is really his only weakness.
12. Utah Jazz- Kristpaps Porzingiz, PF, Latvia
The Jazz have a solid young core of players with Trey Burke, Dante Exum, Gordon Hayward, Derrick Favors and Rudy Gobert. Porzingiz is a 7’1 big man who can shoot from outside, adding scoring to the Jazz’s front line.
13. Phoenix Suns- Montrezl Harrell, PF, Louisville
The Suns don’t have a true power forward on their team. Harrell is a guy who would fit perfectly into the Suns system. Harrell is one of the best big men in the draft at running the floor, has great athleticism, and a good face up game. Playing back to the basket isn’t his strength, but the Suns like to run and use athleticism to out work opponents, a perfect fit for Harrell.
14. Oklahoma City Thunder- Devin Booker, SG, Kentucky
Who is the Thunder current starting shooting guard? Andre Roberson? They can use this pick so solidify their starting shooting guard, move Roberson to more of a primary defensive role play 2/3 and use the combo of Booker and Dion Waiters to shoot the lights out.
15. Boston Celtics- RJ Hunter, SG, Georgia State
Maybe I’m still hyped up on the performance he put on in the NCAA tournament, and maybe 15 might be a little to early for Hunter but the guy showed he can score. Last year the team drafted James Young, who along with Evan Turner and Avery Bradley are the current Celtic shooting guards. That trio is ok, but they’re not guys who can get hot at any second, something Hunter can do. The future is bright in Boston, who have an absurd amount of first rounders in the coming years. With one of those picks they need to find a shooter who can score, which is why I like Hunter in this situation. Also If this means anything, Hunter is originally from Indianapolis, a city Celtics head coach Brad Stevens is very familiar with while at Butler so they have that going for them
16. Atlanta Hawks- Kevon Looney, SF/PF, UCLA
The Hawks are the best team in the East and get a pick this high, must be nice. (Curse the Joe Johnson trade.) Anyway Demare Carroll is a nice player, Looney is better and can play both forward position. The Hawks really don’t need much help and can draft a bunch of different guys, I just think Looney can eventually end up starting on that team.
17. Milwaukee Bucks- Willie Cauley-Stein, C, Kentucky
Ok I doubt he falls this far, that would be something. I’m doing this mock draft based on team needs and Milwaukee needs a center after Larry Sanders left the team. If WCS falls to them here that would be a steal for them, while filling a team need.
18. Houston Rockets (from Pelicans)- Jerian Grant, PG, Notre Dame
How many true point guards to the Rockets have on their roster. Yeah If you count Pat Beverly and Pablo Prigioni I guess two. Still those aren’t reliable guys who can start on a constant basis. Grant is a perfect pick who can help set guys like James Harden and Dwight up. Grant is also very strong at 6″4 205lb. Drive and kick to James Harden would be ideal for the Rockets as Grant has a great first step at getting to the basket. Whether it’s Grant or not, Houston needs a point guard, badly.
19. Washington Wizards- Frank Kaminsky, PF, Wisconsin.
Nene is old, it’s simple as that. The team drafts his replacement with this pick and what’s not to love about Frank the Tank. His offensive game is superb, his footwork is better than some big men currently in the league and is a pretty good defender. His only downside is athleticism, as Frank isn’t the worlds greatest athlete.
20. Toronto Raptors- Jarrell Martin, PF, LSU
Amir Johnson is an undersized 4 and Toronto really doesn’t have anyone behind him. Patrick Patterson does come off the bench but his bread and butter in on the perimeter. Martin gives them a power forward with size standing at 6’9 and about 240lbs.
21. Chicago Bulls- Tyus Jones, PG, Duke
Derrick Rose seems to be always hurt. It’s sad to say the former MVP may not be the player he once was so the Bulls need some insurance. Tyus Jones showed the nation what he can do after winning Most Outstanding Player at the Final Four. Yes he is small, but that is his biggest weakness. Jones can play and that’s what the Bulls need, a skilled point guard.
22. Dallas Mavericks- Cliff Alexander, PF, Kansas
The eventual replacement to Dirk? This might be too early of a spot to take Alexander but the Mavs need to find someone to take over for Dirk soon. Coming into this season, Alexander was projected in most mock drafts to go in the Top 3. After finishing his freshmen year at KU, where he didn’t live up to the hype fo him being the second best player in the country behind of Jahlil Okafor, Alexander decided to leave school after sitting out the teams final eight games due to a NCAA investigation. Alexander is still young and the potential is there, and if he can somehow become the player people expected him to be at Kansas, the Mavs can get a steal at 22.
23. Cleveland Cavaliers- Myles Turner, C, Texas
Timofey Mozgov has been a nice addition to the Cavs this season. Yes, the team gave up multiple first round picks to get him, but is really their future center? Maybe he is but the Cavs still need depth up front. Turner can also play power forward, his natural position is center, but he’s good enough to slide down to the four. He can be insurance just incase Kevin Love does decide to leave, as he is an unrestricted free agent this summer.
24. San Antonio Spurs- Chris McCullough, PF, Syracuse
This is a match made in heaven for both sides. McCullough most likely would have been a lottery pick had he not tore his ACL this season. Gregg Popovich usually doesn’t play rookies a significant chunk of minutes anyway, so McCullough can sit out next season and watch the greatest power forward of all time Tim Duncan, learn from him, and come back and possibly ready to take over for Duncan in the 2016-2017 season.
25. Boston Celtics- Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, SF, Arizona
A guy who can do it all goes to a team with a bunch of young talent. Hollis-Jefferson is a great slasher who can also shoot from the outside.
26. Portland Trailblazers- Christian Wood, PF, UNLV
Blazers need to get a post player with this pick to add depth to a “not so sexy” front line.
27. Cleveland Cavaliers Norman Powell, SG, UCLA
Powell’s game is getting to the basket and finishing, like Lebron James. JR Smith and Iman Shumpert are good players, but Shump’s game is defense and JR just likes to throw up threes. Powell can get to the basket and free things up for Lebron and Kyrie.
28. Los Angeles Lakers- Delon Wright, PG/SG, Utah
Wright might also be the best player you never heard of after leading Utah to the sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament this year before losing to the champion Duke Blue Devils. He can play either guard positions and could make a nice tandem with Emmanuel Mudiay. Kobe Bryant is at the end of next season so the Lakers need to try to “replace him.”
29. Brooklyn Nets- Kris Dunn, PG, Providence.
Deron Williams is not the player he used to be, neither is Joe Johnson. Dunn can come in and give the Nets youth at a position where they lack that trait. Dunn’s best attribute is defense as he locks down on the perimeter. Dunn was the Big East Conference Co-Player of the year, as well as Co-Defensive Player of the year as well.
30. Golden State Warriors- Buddy Hield, SG, Oklahoma
When you are the best team in the league, what do you need? The Warriors love to shoot the three pointer, so why not keep adding to that arsenal. Hield would be a nice complement to Klay Thompson to give Golden State some more offense off the bench.
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