1. Cleveland Cavaliers: Alex Len C Maryland
The Cavs have expressed interest in drafting Len with the number one pick. If they are expressing this interest now, he must be pretty high up on their draft board. I have no idea why they don't want Otto Porter. Len might not even start right away if Varejao impresses again in training camp. Len has to work on his offensive game, but his defense and rebounding are pretty solid. I like Len more than Noel at this pick because he is not coming off of a serious injury and he is a better player right now. However, I do not think Len has more potential than Noel.
2. Orlando Magic: Nerlens Noel PF/C Kentucky
There have been reports that Noel is very unlikely to fall past the second pick in the draft. This could mean Orlando is seriously looking to trade the pick, or that they are high on picking Noel. I believe they will pick Noel, but that would be a big mistake, considering they have much bigger needs elsewhere on the team.
3. Washington Wizards: Otto Porter SF Georgetown
Since the Cavs are passing up on Porter, the Wizards should take him. Porter would start right away and he, Wall and Beal would make a nice, young trio. Porter needs to work on his shot, but he can score inside very well. The Wizards can afford to pass on Noel because they have Nene and Okafor under contract for next season.
4. Charlotte Bobcats: Ben McLemore SG Kansas
The Bobcats need a playmaker on the offensive end. Kemba Walker needs at least one weapon next to him and McLemore would provide that. He is a good three point shooter as well as an all around player. He would start right away and probably be able to score close to 20 points per game in his first season.
5. Phoenix Suns: Anthony Bennett PF UNLV
The Suns could use a playmaker who can score on their team. Bennett is an undersized power forward, but he has a lot of skill, which can make up for the size difference somewhat. The Suns may also want to look at Oladipo because they have a major void at shooting guard, but Bennett is the better player and he still fills a need.
6. New Orleans Pelicans: Shabazz Muhammad SF/SG UCLA
The Pelicans would like to take a center, but Len is off of the board at this point. Eric Gordon is either injured or pouting and he may not be on the team this coming season. The Pelicans could use a wing scorer and Muhammad is the best option at this point. He needs to work on his shot selection, but he would provide some big scoring games for the Pelicans that they really missed last season.
7. Sacramento Kings: Victor Oladipo SG Indiana
Oladipo might fall this far if Len is picked with the number one pick. The best case scenario for the Kings would be not to resign Evans and start Oladipo right away. Oldapio would provide a defensive presence and has the ability to improve his overall offensive game. Even if he does not, he would still be a lockdown defender. I would compare him to Andre Iguodala.
8. Detroit Pistons: Trey Burke PG Michigan
The Pistons catch a break with Burke falling this far. They could use more help at shooting guard or small forward, but Burke would be a welcomed addition as an outside scorer. There is nothing wrong with Calderon at point, but Burke is a long term solution. I reckon Burke would start right away or at least get big minutes off of the bench.
9. Minnesota Timberwolves: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope SG Georgia
Caldwell-Pope has started that he believes that the Timberwolves will take him, if he is still available. I think the Timberwolves like Caldwell-Pope better than McCollum because of his size. Caldwell-Pope would fill a vital need at shooting guard and would likely start right away.
10. Portland Trailblazers: CJ McCollum SG LeHigh
The Trailblazers could use some help off of the bench. McCollum is an exciting combo guard who is a lethal three point shooter. He would provide much needed scoring off of the bench as well as adding an actual three point threat. Portland might also want to look at drafting a center, but if McCollum is on the board, they need to draft him.
11. Philadelphia 76ers: Cody Zeller PF/C Indiana
Zeller needs to put on some muscle and become stronger, in order for him to become a full fledged starting center. In is first couple of years, he could be a nice asset to have coming off of the bench. Zeller is a good offensive player, who plays smart, but defers to lesser teammates too often. If he gets stronger and gets a mean streak going, he could be a very good player in 2-3 years.
12. Oklahoma City Thunder: Rudy Gobert C France
The Thunder need to replace Perkins immediately, which is why I am tempted to think that they will pick Kelly Olynyk out of Gonzaga, but Gobert's potential is too great to pass up on. He needs to work on his offensive game a lot, but his defense and size are too good to pass up on. Even if his offensive game never fully develops, he will still be a better player than Kendrick Perkins.
13. Dallas Mavericks: Michael Carter-Williams PG Syracuse
I have had Kentavious Caldwell-Pope mocked to Dallas for a while now, but with Portland taking him, Dallas will have to settle on taking Carter-Williams. He will give the Mavs a much needed distributive point guard. They do not want Darren Collison back and Carter-Williams should make them forget about him.
14. Utah Jazz: Dennis Schroeder PG Germany
With Carter-Williams off of the board, the Jazz will have to settle with Schroeder. That should be OK with them, Schroeder is not the distributer that Carter-Williams is, but he is a better scorer. He has a slight frame, but he should be able to put on some weight before the season ends. He is very quick and will be able to leave many defenders in the dust. He should start right away and get around 30 minutes a game in his rookie season.
15. Milwaukee Bucks: Sergey Karasev SF Russia
Karasev has been slowly climbing up draft boards and I think his likely landing spot is Milwaukee. Monta Ellis and Brandon Jennings could both be gone and the Bucks need to find a new scorer. Karasev is very crafty, but he needs to settle for less three pointers and try to get easier shots in the paint.
16. Boston Celtics: Kelly Olynyk C Gonzaga
The Celtics need a center, Kevin Garnett is not a center and even if he was, he is nearing the end of his illustrious career and he might be traded. Olynyk would provide a nice inside-outside offensive presence. He is not quite as polished inside, but he will have a lot of time work on that. He is not much of a defensive player, but his offensive game should be enough to nullify his weaknesses. He should start right away and have a very good and productive career.
17. Atlanta Hawks: Allen Crabbe SG California
The Hawks need a shooting guard who can score and Crabbe fits that bill. Crabbe often settles for three point shots more often than he should. He also has trouble creating on his own. However, of he uses his three point shot as a tool to get open elsewhere on the floor, he could become very dangerous.
18. Atlanta Hawks: Lucas Nogueira C Brazil
Nogueira's stock is starting to rise quickly, due to his showing at the Adidas Eurocamp. I still don't think he should be drafted this high, but teams love his potential and for him to show it on the court, that will have teams drooling for him. He won't start right away, but he will be a key bench player for the Hawks for a couple of seasons, until he is ready to take over.
19. Cleveland Cavaliers: Giannas Adetokoubo SF Greece
Giannas would fill the small forward need after the Cavs passes on Porter with the first pick. He needs to work on his outside game, but he could develop into a dangerous point forward. He is very athletic and can score inside very well. If he develops an outside game, he could become one of the best small forwards in the league.
20. Chicago Bulls: Steven Adams C Pittsburg
Steven Adams is a developmental project, but he has enough skills to get some rotational minutes early in his career. He has an NBA ready body and he can play solid defense, but he really needs to work on his offensive game because it is really broken. The Bulls could use a center to backup Noah and Adams reminds me of Asik early in his career.
21. Utah Jazz: Tony Mitchell SF North Texas
The Jazz need some small forward help and Tony Mitchell would bring it. He is very athletic and can from the inside. He could use some work on his outside shooting, but they have Gordon Hayward for that.
22. Brooklyn Nets: Mason Plumlee PF Duke
The Nets need some big man help. Reggie Evans played well toward the end of last season, but he may not be able to keep it up for an entire season. Plumlee would be able to help, he is a decent scoring presence, unlike Evans. He plays OK defense and is very active on the boards, much like Evans. I also think Evans would be better suited for a bench role.
23. Indiana Pacers: Tim Hardaway Jr SG Michigan
The Pacers need some backcourt depth in general, but if they snag someone who can shoot, that will be an added bonus. Hardaway can shoot, but he has a hard time creating his own shot. Having a three point shooter on the roster will really help them in the playoffs when they need a reliable shooter.
24. New York Knicks: Shane Larkin PG Miami
I think the Knicks would take a player like Larkin in the first round. I do not think he belongs in the first round, but he will intrigue some team with his athleticism. New York needs a point guard since Jason Kidd retired and Pablo Prigioni is 36 years old and will not be around long. Ray Felton is still the starter, but Larkin would make a decent backup.
2. Orlando Magic: Nerlens Noel PF/C Kentucky
There have been reports that Noel is very unlikely to fall past the second pick in the draft. This could mean Orlando is seriously looking to trade the pick, or that they are high on picking Noel. I believe they will pick Noel, but that would be a big mistake, considering they have much bigger needs elsewhere on the team.
3. Washington Wizards: Otto Porter SF Georgetown
Since the Cavs are passing up on Porter, the Wizards should take him. Porter would start right away and he, Wall and Beal would make a nice, young trio. Porter needs to work on his shot, but he can score inside very well. The Wizards can afford to pass on Noel because they have Nene and Okafor under contract for next season.
4. Charlotte Bobcats: Ben McLemore SG Kansas
The Bobcats need a playmaker on the offensive end. Kemba Walker needs at least one weapon next to him and McLemore would provide that. He is a good three point shooter as well as an all around player. He would start right away and probably be able to score close to 20 points per game in his first season.
5. Phoenix Suns: Anthony Bennett PF UNLV
The Suns could use a playmaker who can score on their team. Bennett is an undersized power forward, but he has a lot of skill, which can make up for the size difference somewhat. The Suns may also want to look at Oladipo because they have a major void at shooting guard, but Bennett is the better player and he still fills a need.
6. New Orleans Pelicans: Shabazz Muhammad SF/SG UCLA
The Pelicans would like to take a center, but Len is off of the board at this point. Eric Gordon is either injured or pouting and he may not be on the team this coming season. The Pelicans could use a wing scorer and Muhammad is the best option at this point. He needs to work on his shot selection, but he would provide some big scoring games for the Pelicans that they really missed last season.
7. Sacramento Kings: Victor Oladipo SG Indiana
Oladipo might fall this far if Len is picked with the number one pick. The best case scenario for the Kings would be not to resign Evans and start Oladipo right away. Oldapio would provide a defensive presence and has the ability to improve his overall offensive game. Even if he does not, he would still be a lockdown defender. I would compare him to Andre Iguodala.
8. Detroit Pistons: Trey Burke PG Michigan
The Pistons catch a break with Burke falling this far. They could use more help at shooting guard or small forward, but Burke would be a welcomed addition as an outside scorer. There is nothing wrong with Calderon at point, but Burke is a long term solution. I reckon Burke would start right away or at least get big minutes off of the bench.
9. Minnesota Timberwolves: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope SG Georgia
Caldwell-Pope has started that he believes that the Timberwolves will take him, if he is still available. I think the Timberwolves like Caldwell-Pope better than McCollum because of his size. Caldwell-Pope would fill a vital need at shooting guard and would likely start right away.
10. Portland Trailblazers: CJ McCollum SG LeHigh
The Trailblazers could use some help off of the bench. McCollum is an exciting combo guard who is a lethal three point shooter. He would provide much needed scoring off of the bench as well as adding an actual three point threat. Portland might also want to look at drafting a center, but if McCollum is on the board, they need to draft him.
11. Philadelphia 76ers: Cody Zeller PF/C Indiana
Zeller needs to put on some muscle and become stronger, in order for him to become a full fledged starting center. In is first couple of years, he could be a nice asset to have coming off of the bench. Zeller is a good offensive player, who plays smart, but defers to lesser teammates too often. If he gets stronger and gets a mean streak going, he could be a very good player in 2-3 years.
12. Oklahoma City Thunder: Rudy Gobert C France
The Thunder need to replace Perkins immediately, which is why I am tempted to think that they will pick Kelly Olynyk out of Gonzaga, but Gobert's potential is too great to pass up on. He needs to work on his offensive game a lot, but his defense and size are too good to pass up on. Even if his offensive game never fully develops, he will still be a better player than Kendrick Perkins.
13. Dallas Mavericks: Michael Carter-Williams PG Syracuse
I have had Kentavious Caldwell-Pope mocked to Dallas for a while now, but with Portland taking him, Dallas will have to settle on taking Carter-Williams. He will give the Mavs a much needed distributive point guard. They do not want Darren Collison back and Carter-Williams should make them forget about him.
14. Utah Jazz: Dennis Schroeder PG Germany
With Carter-Williams off of the board, the Jazz will have to settle with Schroeder. That should be OK with them, Schroeder is not the distributer that Carter-Williams is, but he is a better scorer. He has a slight frame, but he should be able to put on some weight before the season ends. He is very quick and will be able to leave many defenders in the dust. He should start right away and get around 30 minutes a game in his rookie season.
15. Milwaukee Bucks: Sergey Karasev SF Russia
Karasev has been slowly climbing up draft boards and I think his likely landing spot is Milwaukee. Monta Ellis and Brandon Jennings could both be gone and the Bucks need to find a new scorer. Karasev is very crafty, but he needs to settle for less three pointers and try to get easier shots in the paint.
16. Boston Celtics: Kelly Olynyk C Gonzaga
The Celtics need a center, Kevin Garnett is not a center and even if he was, he is nearing the end of his illustrious career and he might be traded. Olynyk would provide a nice inside-outside offensive presence. He is not quite as polished inside, but he will have a lot of time work on that. He is not much of a defensive player, but his offensive game should be enough to nullify his weaknesses. He should start right away and have a very good and productive career.
17. Atlanta Hawks: Allen Crabbe SG California
The Hawks need a shooting guard who can score and Crabbe fits that bill. Crabbe often settles for three point shots more often than he should. He also has trouble creating on his own. However, of he uses his three point shot as a tool to get open elsewhere on the floor, he could become very dangerous.
18. Atlanta Hawks: Lucas Nogueira C Brazil
Nogueira's stock is starting to rise quickly, due to his showing at the Adidas Eurocamp. I still don't think he should be drafted this high, but teams love his potential and for him to show it on the court, that will have teams drooling for him. He won't start right away, but he will be a key bench player for the Hawks for a couple of seasons, until he is ready to take over.
19. Cleveland Cavaliers: Giannas Adetokoubo SF Greece
Giannas would fill the small forward need after the Cavs passes on Porter with the first pick. He needs to work on his outside game, but he could develop into a dangerous point forward. He is very athletic and can score inside very well. If he develops an outside game, he could become one of the best small forwards in the league.
20. Chicago Bulls: Steven Adams C Pittsburg
Steven Adams is a developmental project, but he has enough skills to get some rotational minutes early in his career. He has an NBA ready body and he can play solid defense, but he really needs to work on his offensive game because it is really broken. The Bulls could use a center to backup Noah and Adams reminds me of Asik early in his career.
21. Utah Jazz: Tony Mitchell SF North Texas
The Jazz need some small forward help and Tony Mitchell would bring it. He is very athletic and can from the inside. He could use some work on his outside shooting, but they have Gordon Hayward for that.
22. Brooklyn Nets: Mason Plumlee PF Duke
The Nets need some big man help. Reggie Evans played well toward the end of last season, but he may not be able to keep it up for an entire season. Plumlee would be able to help, he is a decent scoring presence, unlike Evans. He plays OK defense and is very active on the boards, much like Evans. I also think Evans would be better suited for a bench role.
23. Indiana Pacers: Tim Hardaway Jr SG Michigan
The Pacers need some backcourt depth in general, but if they snag someone who can shoot, that will be an added bonus. Hardaway can shoot, but he has a hard time creating his own shot. Having a three point shooter on the roster will really help them in the playoffs when they need a reliable shooter.
24. New York Knicks: Shane Larkin PG Miami
I think the Knicks would take a player like Larkin in the first round. I do not think he belongs in the first round, but he will intrigue some team with his athleticism. New York needs a point guard since Jason Kidd retired and Pablo Prigioni is 36 years old and will not be around long. Ray Felton is still the starter, but Larkin would make a decent backup.
25. LA Clippers: Jamaal Franklin SG San Diego State
The Clippers need a shooting guard. Chauncey Billups is getting old and has not been able to hold up in recent years. Jamal Crawford played great last season, but he is also getting up there in age and he is better suited as a sixth man. Franklin would bring athleticism, but he could use some work on his jump shot.
26. Minnesota Timberwolves: Jeff Withey C Kansas
The Timberwolves need some front court depth behind Pekovic and Love. Withey would provide a shot blocking and defensive presence, something that neither Pekovic or Love can provide. Withey's offensive game is raw, but it improved in his senior year. However, there is not much potential there.
27. Denver Nuggets: Gorgui Dieng C Louisville
The Nuggets would be very lucky if Dieng fell to them. With Lucas Nogueira souring up draft boards, there is a chance that Dieng fell to them. He would give Denver an actual defensive presence on the inside, while brining an offensive game that no other Nugget center has. He can hit the mid range shot, which will give Ty Lawson a lot of options when he drives into the lane. Dieng would be a day one starter for the Nuggets since he is not only the best center, but there is no more George Karl to hold back rookies.
The Clippers need a shooting guard. Chauncey Billups is getting old and has not been able to hold up in recent years. Jamal Crawford played great last season, but he is also getting up there in age and he is better suited as a sixth man. Franklin would bring athleticism, but he could use some work on his jump shot.
26. Minnesota Timberwolves: Jeff Withey C Kansas
The Timberwolves need some front court depth behind Pekovic and Love. Withey would provide a shot blocking and defensive presence, something that neither Pekovic or Love can provide. Withey's offensive game is raw, but it improved in his senior year. However, there is not much potential there.
27. Denver Nuggets: Gorgui Dieng C Louisville
The Nuggets would be very lucky if Dieng fell to them. With Lucas Nogueira souring up draft boards, there is a chance that Dieng fell to them. He would give Denver an actual defensive presence on the inside, while brining an offensive game that no other Nugget center has. He can hit the mid range shot, which will give Ty Lawson a lot of options when he drives into the lane. Dieng would be a day one starter for the Nuggets since he is not only the best center, but there is no more George Karl to hold back rookies.
28. San Antonio Spurs: Reggie Bullock SG/SF UNC
Bullock would provide a very good three point shooting presence off of the bench for the Spurs. Ginobli is in the last year of his contract and he may not be retained, while Kawhi Leonard does not have a proper backup. Bullock has a hard time creating his own shot, but with Tony Parker running the show, he wont have to.
29. Oklahoma City Thunder: Ricky Ledo G/F Providence
The Thunder need someone behind Durant so he can actually get some rest. Ledo has loads of potential, but he did not get to play since he was ruled ineligible.
30. Phoenix Suns: Glen Rice JR NBADL
The Suns need a small forward and Rice would be the best one on the board at this point. Rice is good at a lot of things, but not great at one. Add that to his off the court issues, he falls to the end of the first round.
The Thunder need someone behind Durant so he can actually get some rest. Ledo has loads of potential, but he did not get to play since he was ruled ineligible.
30. Phoenix Suns: Glen Rice JR NBADL
The Suns need a small forward and Rice would be the best one on the board at this point. Rice is good at a lot of things, but not great at one. Add that to his off the court issues, he falls to the end of the first round.
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