The Minnesota Timberwolves won the NBA Draft Lottery on Tuesday night. (Photo: Getty Images)
The fifth edition of the Def Pen NBA Mock Draft is here, and we finally know what the draft order will be. The Minnesota Timberwolves won the draft lottery on Tuesday and have the rights to the first overall pick. Now that we know the official order, things should get more interesting with the picks.
1. Minnesota Timberwolves- Jahlil Okafor, C, Duke- (Previous: Karl-Anthony Towns)
Okafor or Karl-Anthony Towns will most likely go in the top two. It was reported earlier in the week that the Timberwolves like Okafor better than Towns, which is why I have Okafor here.
2. Los Angeles Lakers- Karl-Anthony Towns, PF/C, Kentucky- (Previous: Emmanuel Mudiay)
The Lakers don’t have a true center or a good one. Pair Towns with another former Kentucky Wildcat Julius Randle down low and the Lakers have a nice front court that can be the corner stone of the team for the next ten years.
3. Philadelphia 76ers- D’Angelo Russell PG/SG, Ohio State (Previous: Same)
Reports are out there that the Sixers want Russell. Unless the Wolves or Lakers try to pull a shocker and draft him, he’ll be there at three for the Sixers who need help everywhere except down low.
4. New York Knicks- Emmanuel Mudiay PG, China (Previous: Jahlil Okafor)
Jose Calderon is nice, but Mudiay is better. Some say Justice Winslow can go with this pick but the Knicks already have Tim Hardaway JR, Melo, and Cleanthony Early who all play the same position(s) as WInslow. They had the same problem before they traded Iman Shumpert and JR Smith. Mudiay and Melo, it has a nice ring to it.
5. Orlando Magic- Justice Winslow SG/SF, Duke (Previous: Same)
Tobais Harris is most likely on his way out via free agency. The Magic all ready have a young solid squad with Elfird Payton, Victor Oladipo, Aaron Gordon, and Nikola Vucevic. Enter Justice Winlow, or even possibly Stanley Johnson to the open small forward position, and this could be a team to watch out for in the future.
6. Sacramento Kings- Kristpaps Porzingiz, PF, Latvia (Previous: same)
DeMarcus Cousins needs some help down low in the post. A lot of scouts say that Porzingiz maybe the best overall player in the draft, we just don’t know as much on him compared to some of the other prospects. He possibly has the best offensive game out of any post player in the draft. Hey can score from anywhere on the floor whether its inside or out. One thing he does need to improve his rebounding and toughness as he is 7″0 but a slim 220lb.
7. Denver Nuggets- Mario Hezonja, SG/SF, Croatia (Previous: Stanley Johnson)
The Nuggets need a lot of help after a disappointing season. They have options with this pick but after trading away Aron Afflalo, they need scoring help as they don’t really have a pure scorer. Hezonja is a sharp shooter but can also get into the lane, a pure scorer.
8. Detroit Pistons- Stanley Johnson, SF, Arizona (Previous: Trey Lyles)
Greg Monroe is most likely leaving via free agency so the Pistons will want to fill that void at power forward. With Johnson dropping this far though you have to take him. Besides, it’s not like the Pistions have a great small forward situation with last years starer being Caron Butler. Johnson can shoot from anywhere on the floor but the best part of his game is his defense. He was inconsistent at times this season at Arizona but he is one of the most talented players in the draft.
9. Charlotte Hornets- Devin Booker SG, Kentucky(Previous: Mario Hezonja)
Nine maybe a little bit early for Booker but the Hornets need a shooting guard badly. The Lance Stephenson signing hasn’t worked out and the team has young talent at all the other position but shooting guard.
10. Miami Heat- Kelly Oubre SF, Kansas (Previous: Same)
Miami 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 change that though process. Oubre is a great athlete who can also shoot from both midrange and beyond the arc. His defense is in question and there are some red flags about his attitude. But the talent is there and, why nobody is going to replace LeBron James, the Heat need a reliable small forward.
11. Indiana Pacers- Willie Cauley-Stein Kentucky (Previous: Devin Booker)
Roy Hibbert has a player option on his contract for next season, plus the Pacers lack depth at the position. WCS has too much talent to pass up with this pick, plus it also fills a need.
12. Utah Jazz- Trey Lyles, PF, Kentucky. (Previous: Willie Cauley-Stein)
The Jazz have a solid young core of players with Trey Burke, Dante Exum, Gordon Hayward, Derrick Favors and Rudy Gobert. Lyles played out of position at UK this season but has the potential to have a solid career. He comes into Utah and backs up Derrick Favors which would give him time to develop, plus it gives Utah depth down low, something they lacked a year ago.
13. Phoenix Suns- Bobby Portis, PF, Arkansas (Previous: Same)
The Suns need help at power forward and shooting guard considering they really don’t have a player that plays that position. They play the two point guard system and two small forwards around a center. At this point they have to take the best available at either shooting guard or power forward and that’s Portis. He’s a great face up player who is incredibly tough to guard. He’s got a great mid-range game and is expanding his range to include the three ball . Defensively, he is active which leads to his fair share of deflections and steals. Portis also won SEC Player of the year beating out guys like Karl-Anthony Towns and the rest of Kentucky’s roster.
14. Oklahoma City Thunder- RJ Hunter, SG, Georgia State (Previous: Same)
The Thunder were DEVASTATED by injuries this season and lacked depth. They also lack a true shooting guard. 14 maybe early for Hunter but he’s an upgrade from Andre Roberson. Hunter can score, create his own shot, and would be a nice addition next to Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook.
15. Atlanta Hawks (from Nets) Myles Turner, C, Texas. (Previous: Same)
The Hawks are the one seed in the East and basically get a lottery pick. They aren’t deep down low, and while yes they have Al Horford, Turner provides size and defensive off the bench. Also either Horford and Turner can slide down and play the four, so when giving Paul Millsap a rest, the Hawks can play big, something they can’t do now with their lack of size.
16. Boston Celtics- Sam Dekker, SF, Wisconsin (Previous: Same)
With all the pick the Celtics have in the next few years they will have tons of depth and talent. Evan Turner is their small forward right now, and while he had a good year leading the team to the playoffs, Sam Dekker can be the future. A 6’9 swing man who can shoot from the outside, Dekker can also get to the basket and finish at the rim. Maybe even Larry Legend 2.0? (Please don’t take that too seriously)
17. Milwaukee Bucks- Frank Kaminski, PF/C, Wisconsin (Previous: Same)
Back to back Badgers with Dekker and Kaminski. Frank the Tank gets to stay in the state of Wisconsin with this pick. The Bucks need to find someone to replace Larry Sanders. While Zaza Pachulia is ok, he’s not a starter. Personally, I see Frank as a power forward at the next level, but Jason Kidd likes to play small, like moving Paul Pierce to the four with the Nets last year, and Jabari Parker likely to play the 4 when he comes back next season. With the way the Bucks play, Kaminski fits the system perfectly while still getting to play the way that made him successful in college, at the five.
18. Houston Rockets (from Pelicans)- Tyus Jones, PG, Duke (Previous: same)
How many true point guards to the Rockets have on their roster. Yeah If you count Pat Beverly, who is a free agent this summer, and Pablo Prigioni I guess two. Still those aren’t reliable guys who can start on a constant basis. Jones was the Most outstanding player of the Final Four. He’s a do it all player. He can Drive and kick to James Harden, feed Dwight Howard down low, and his a deadly shooter. The Rockets love to play fast, which is how Jones led Duke to the National Title this year, so Jones to the Rockets is really a perfect fit for both sides, with Jones not having much competition for a starting job.
19. Washington Wizards- Montrezl Harrell, PF, Louisville. (Previous: Same)
Nene is old, it’s simple as that. The team drafts his replacement with this pick. The Brad Beal and John Wall future looks bright in a more uptempo system, as we saw Paul Pierce get a lot of action at the 4 this post season. Harrell is 6’9 240 but very athletic and can run the floor. Scouts say if he can develop a better jumper that he could even be a small forward at the next level. If Washington decides to move to a faster tempo in years to come, Harrell would be a perfect fit at a position that they need.
20. Toronto Raptors- Rondae Hollis-Jefferson SF, Arizona (Previous: Same)
This pick is solely based off defense, as RHJ might be the best defender in the draft. The Raptors didn’t play much defense is the playoffs, and the Terrence Ross experiment doesn’t seem to be working out.
21. Dallas Mavericks- Cameron Payne, PG, Murray State (Previous: Same)
So Rajon Rondo is gone so the team needs a point guard. Payne you maybe haven’t heard of because where he played but don’t let that fool you. Think of Elfrid Payton from a year ago because Payne can ball. I originally had him in the lottery but his stock seems to be slipping but that doesn’t mean much. Payne is a do it all guard. He can score from anywhere, as a great court awareness and IQ. He needs to improve his strength and he is a lanky guard and weighs about 180lbs. Other than that he’s a huge sleeper who will have a very good career at the next level.
22. Chicago Bulls- Jerian Grant, PG, Notre Dame (Previous: Same)
Insurance for Derrick Rose, simple as that.
23. Portland Trailblazers- Christian Wood, PF, UNLV (Previous: Same)
LaMarcus Aldridge is a free agent and there are reports that he may leave Portland. The Blazers don’t have much depth up front already so no matter who is on the team, this pick needs to be used to add depth to the front court.
24. Cleveland Cavaliers- Kevon Looney, SF/PF, UCLA (Previous: same)
Looney is a project who is still raw but has tremendous upside. He’s not the greatest athlete but is an animal on the boards and can shoot a consistent jumper. Looney is a tweener which is why he still raises some question marks. He’s simply is a boom or a bust, (Much like a former Cavs Anthony Bennet who had the same issue as Looney) They already had the bust in Bennett, maybe now they have the boom with Looney. Plus the Cavs have that LeBron guy, who makes everybody better.
25. Memphis Grizzlies- Justin Anderson, SG/SF, Virginia (Previous: same)
Who is the Grizzlies shooting guard? They need a shooting guard who can actually shoot the ball (Tony Allen.) Anderson can play guard or small forward but is a spot up jump shooter. He needs to improve getting to the basket, but in Virginia’s pro style half court offense, Anderson was the Cavs leading scorer as a jump shooter. He’s also very good playing perimeter defense and will only get better at that playong with Tony Allen.
26. San Antonio Spurs- Cliff Alexander, PF, Kansas (Previous: Same)
The eventual replacement to Tim Duncan. At the beginning of the season, Alexander was projected to be a top 5 pick. After an ok season at Kansas, in which he sat out the remaining eight games due to an NCAA investigation, Alexander decided to declare for the draft. There was a reason there was so much hype on Alexander when he left high school, he can play. Having him learn under Pop and Tim Duncan can only make him play to his true potential.
27. Los Angeles Lakers (from Rockets)- Rashad Vaughn, SG, UNLV (Previous: Robert Upshaw)
The Lakers need to find a replacement for Kobe who’s retiring after the season. They address that need with this pick.
28. Boston Celtics- Jarrell Martin PF, LSU (Previous: same)
I like to compare Martin to a 6″10 version of Draymond Green. A big guy who can shoot from the perimeter but bang down low in the post. He has great size for a NBA power forward at 6″10 240 and just adds to the Celtics young talent.
29. Brooklyn Nets (from Hawks)- Delon Wright, PG/SG, Utah (Previous: Same)
From D-Will to D-Wright. Deron Williams is on the down side of his career. Whether Wright will even be available this late is questionable but if he is the Nets have no choice but to take him. He’s the younger brother of sharp shooter Dorrell Wright, and yes he can shoot like his brother. He can play both guard positions at 6’5, but his natural position is point guard. The Nets need to get younger and better especially in the back court, enter Delon Wright.
30. Golden State Warriors- Robert Upshaw, C, Washingtom (Previous: Dakari Johnson)
Get this team some size! Size is just something that this team lacks badly. Upshaw gives them that standing at 7″0 tall. The Warriors can shoot they don’t need help with that, but basically they can use this pick to draft someone 6’9 or higher who can get rebounds and it will be a great pick.
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