Washington Wizards- John Wall- PG (Kentucky)
With all the rumors circulating as the draft approaches, there's one thing you can take to the bank: John Wall will be sporting a Wizards' jersey on opening night.
Philadelphia 76ers- Evan Turner- SG (Ohio State)
There is still an outside chance that Favors or Cousins moves into this spot or that Philly finds a taker for Elton Brand, but staying put and drafting Turner makes much more sense.
New Jersey Nets- Derrick Favors- PF/C (Georgia Tech)
I'm convinced that the "Nets want Wes Johnson" rumors were nothing but a smokescreen, and I really hope David Khan doesn't do something stupid. After a strong workout for New Jersey, DeMarcus Cousins has a shot here too.
Minnesota Timberwolves- Wesley Johnson- SG/SF (Syracuse)
Minnesota badly needs a wing, and they're reportedly very high on Johnson. I still believe he would be available at #7 if he makes it this far, but the Wolves will stay put and get their guy at #4.
Sacramento Kings- DeMarcus Cousins- C (Kentucky)
Sacramento strikes gold again. Down the line, Cousins will be regarded as the second best player in this draft class, and he and Tyreke Evans can work on persuading Coach Cal to join them in Cali.
Golden State Warriors- Ekpe Udoh- PF (Baylor)
Weeks ago, Udoh was considered a risky pick because of his age (23). However, showing up to his Warriors' workout in a suit was apparently enough to win over the Golden State brass. Whatever floats your boat, I guess.
Detroit Pistons- Greg Monroe- PF/C (Georgetown)
I like Monroe and he provides good value at #7, but I really don't like his fit in Detroit. He likes to pop out to the elbow and play the pivot, when what Detroit really needs is a low-post banger.
Los Angeles Clippers- Al-Farouq Aminu- SF/PF (Wake Forest)
This is nearly the perfect scenario for the Clippers, so I'm sure they'll find some way to screw it up. I still wouldn't be surprised to see Hassan Whiteside or Daniel Orton picked here.
Utah Jazz- Luke Babbit- SF (Nevada)
Word is that Utah is high on Monroe, Davis, and a trio of white players (Babbit, Aldrich, and Hayward). Guess which route I'm expecting? Babbit can score from the three spot and play some emergency four if needed, providing some much needed versatility to Utah's frontcourt.
Indiana Pacers- Ed Davis- PF (North Carolina)
It still wouldn't surprise me to see the Pacers throw a Hail Mary and pick Gordon Hayward here, but their second straight UNC power forward is a better value, and frankly, given Tyler Hansbrough's career prospects, a bigger need.
New Orleans Hornets- Patrick Patterson- PF (Kentucky)
I'll probably be kicking myself for not picking Paul George at this spot, but I would love to see Patterson play alongside Chris Paul.
Memphis Grizzlies- Paul George- SG/SF (Fresno State)
George has great size and nice range, but his confidence seems to be his greatest asset. He would give Memphis a nice safety net if Rudy Gay leaves this summer.
Toronto Raptors- Avery Bradley- PG/SG (Texas)
Toronto seems to be in the market for a guard and a big man, but with everyone and their brother trying to acquire a late first-rounder, they may have to settle for one pick. They'll expect a big man in any Chris Bosh S&T, so drafting a guard is a safe play here.
Houston Rockets- Cole Aldrich- C (Kansas)
I think I started saying Houston needed a backup center around, um, my FIRST mock of the year. I softened on that stance a while back, but Aldrich is great value here. Word is that Oklahoma City will try to move up for him, but if not, he's a great fit with the Rockets.
Milwaukee Bucks (from Chicago)- Larry Sanders- PF/C (Virginia Commonwealth)
After trading for Chris Douglas-Roberts and Corey Maggette, it's fairly clear what the Bucks need to do with this pick. If none of the lottery-level power forwards drop, Milwaukee would be happy to settle for Sanders.
Minnesota Timberwolves (from Charlotte)- Xavier Henry- SG (Kansas)
Hi, my name is A.J and I'm a Timberwolves' fan. There, I said it. Now please, David Kahn, I'm begging you, DON'T TRADE THIS PICK. This draft is about 18 players deep and this pick is well within the range that will fetch a good player. Henry and Johnson, or Henry and Favors for that matter, would be a great addition to a Ricky Rubio- Kevin Love core.
Chicago Bulls (from Milwaukee)- James Anderson- SG (Oklahoma State)
Anderson to the Bulls- all is right with the world. I don't even care if this doesn't happen, I've been picking it for too long to give up now.
Oklahoma City Thunder (from Miami)- Eric Bledsoe- PG (Kentucky)
There's a 0% chance that the Thunder pick Bledsoe, but I think someone will, and they'll go through Sam Presti to get it done.
Boston Celtics- Jordan Crawford- SG (Xavier)
Solomon Alabi might be in play at this spot, but I still doubt that Ray Allen will be back, and Crawford is the best replacement available.
San Antonio Spurs- Solomon Alabi- C (Florida State)
San Antonio needs some youth up front, and Alabi has great size at 7'1". Gordon Hayward could also be in play at this spot if he's still on the board.
Oklahoma City- Gordon Hayward- SF (Butler)
Word is that Oklahoma City is looking to move into the lottery for Hayward, so they would be thrilled to get him at #21. What role he plays in OKC is another issue entirely.
Portland Trail Blazers- Dominique Jones- SG (South Florida)
In the past 24 hours, I've heard that the Blazers are after no less than five players with this pick. However, I Jones is Portland because he and Nicolas Batum would be the league's best perimeter defensive duo. (Sorry Kobe and Ron-Ron.)
Minnesota Timberwolves (from Utah)- Hassan Whiteside- C (Marshall)
Minnesota's draft plans are such a mystery to me that I think I can feel an ulcer coming on. With that said, if they stay here, Whiteside would be a great choice, and if they don't, he could be the target for a trade partner like Cleveland, Toronto, or New York.
Atlanta Hawks- Damion James- SF (Texas)
James is NBA-ready and very versatile. He should give Atlanta quality minutes at the three and the four from day one.
Memphis Grizzlies (from Denver)- Kevin Seraphin- PF (France)
Like Minnesota, Memphis has multiple picks and myriad choices, especially at this spot. If they stay, an international player like Seraphin or Tibor Pleiss will be the pick. If not, a team like Portland or Washington could move in for Seraphin's rights.
New York Knicks (from Oklahoma City from Phoenix)- Greivis Vasquez- SG (Maryland)
Man, I can't wait for draft night! The early-to-mid 20's will be absolutely nuts. Several teams want in, and several teams are willing to move out for the right price. Reports are circling that the Knicks covet Vasquez, who has reportedly received a promise from Miami at #32, meaning Donnie Walsh and company will have to ante up to get him.
New Jersey Nets (from Dallas)- Lance Stephenson- SG (Cincinnati)
The Nets could use a replacement for Chris Douglas-Roberts if they hold onto this pick. I would love to see Stephenson succeed, but I think playing in the greater New York area could be the death blow to his NBA prospects.
Memphis Grizzlies (from LA Lakers)- Willie Warren- PG/SG (Oklahoma)
Memphis is one of the teams that may be interested in moving up to draft Eric Bledsoe, but if they can't, they settle for Warren, who was once considered a surefire lottery pick.
Orlando Magic- Mikhail Torrance- PG/SG (Alabama)
Torrance is flying under the radar, but he has good size (6'5"), displayed a consistent jump shot at the Combine, and has the ability to play both guard spots. Think of him as a more athletic J.J. Redick. (Sorry that was redundant. Bazinga!)
Washington Wizards (from Cleveland)- Tiny Gallon- PF (Oklahoma)
Gallon is a good outside shooter and incredibly strong. He is definitely a project, but his upside is worth the risk at this point in the draft.
New Jersey Nets- Tibor Pleiss- C (Germany)
Miami Heat- Daniel Orton- PF/C (Kentucky)
Sacramento Kings- Ryan Richards- C (England)
Portland Trail Blazers- Quincy Pondexter- SF (Washington)
Washington Wizards- Devin Ebanks- SF (West Virginia)
Detroit Pistons- Armon Johnson- PG (Nevada)
Milwaukee Bucks- Elliot Williams- SG (Memphis)
New York Knicks- Craig Brackins- PF (Iowa State)
New York Knicks- Darington Hobson- SF (New Mexico)
Indiana Pacers- Sherron Collins- PG (Kansas)
Miami Heat- Stanley Robinson- SF (Connecticut)
Miami Heat- Gani Lawal- PF (Georgia Tech)
LA Lakers- Terrico White- SG (Mississippi)
Milwaukee Bucks- Matt Bouldin- PG (Gonzaga)
Minnesota Timberwolves- Jerome Jordan- C (Tulsa)
Phoenix Suns- Trevor Booker- PF (Clemson)
Milwaukee Bucks- Artsiom Parakhouski- C (Radford)
Miami Heat- Jeremy Wise- PG (Bakersfield Jam- D League)
San Antonio Spurs- Jarvis Varnado- PF (Mississippi State)
Dallas Mavericks- Nemanja Bjelica- SF (Serbia)
Oklahoma City Thunder- Brian Zoubek- C (Duke)
Boston Celtics- Derrick Caracter- PF (UTEP)
Atlanta Hawks- Charles Garcia- PF (Seattle)
Los Angeles Clippers- Thomas Heurtel- PG (France)
Utah Jazz- Paulao Prestes- PF (Brazil)
Minnesota Timberwolves- Da'Sean Butler- SG (West Virginia)
Indiana Pacers- Sylven Landesberg- SG (Virginia)
Los Angeles Lakers- Latavious Williams- SF (Tulsa 66ers- D League)
Orlando Magic- Alexey Shved- PG (Russia)
Phoenix Suns- Miroslav Raduljica- C (Serbia)
No comments:
Post a Comment