The waiting is almost over
The NBA draft is just hours away.
The lives of sixty young men will change tonight. Sixty dreams will come true and this is the day they have waited for. I have heard and read things like ‘this is weakest draft in years,’ ‘a talent empty draft’ and even ‘this is a draft where the best pick is at number 61!’ These young players will not take any notice of those comments this evening and should enjoy the moment. Some of these players will be at the draft in Newark, New Jersey, others will be at home with their families and a few will be watching in Europe, all waiting for their name to be called by NBA Commissioner David Stern. Probably, an hour or so after their name is called the reality of being drafted by a NBA team will set in.
Right now, where these players will be applying their trade next year is still a mystery but all will be revealed tonight.
Despite the strength or lack of in the draft, teams will select who they think can help their team for next season and beyond. There are teams who have no picks, teams who are entering the draft without a coach and also teams who will continue and start to rebuild their franchises tonight. Will the Cleveland Cavaliers pick Kyrie Irving or Derrick Williams as the first overall pick? Will Minnesota get the value they want to trade the second overall pick? What teams are going to trade up into the lottery? Maybe Boston?
There has been talk about many NBA players being used in trades during the draft including All Stars Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom, Tony Parker plus Andre Iguodala and Monta Ellis. I don’t expect any huge surprises during this draft but I expect a lot pick trading but not a lot of trades for players. Keep an eye on Detroit and Cleveland from the Eastern Conference to be active. Denver and San Antonio are the teams from the Western Conference I expect to be positive, looking to move up especially in the first round.
Here is my mock draft.
1. Cleveland Cavaliers – Kyrie Irving PG, Duke, 6-3. Kyrie Irving has all the skills but little experience. A multiple All Star if he can stay healthy. Irving is quick, has a good jump shot and a very high basketball IQ.
2. Minnesota Timberwolves. – Derrick Williams SF, Arizona, 6-9. I expect this pick to be traded but if the T’Wolves are unable find a team to trade with, Williams is the obvious choice. Although, I am not convinced he can be the 20+ point a night player HE thinks he can be.
3. Utah Jazz – Brandon Knight. PG, Kentucky, 6-3. The Jazz will get a great talent if they choose Knight. If they pick Knight they should find a way to trade Devin Harris and upgrade at the small forward position.
4. Cleveland Cavaliers. – Jonas Valanciunas PF/C, Lithuania, 6-10. This is another pick I expect to be involved in a trade but if Cavs can’t trade it then picking Valanciunas is their best option as Center is a need.
5. Toronto Raptors . – Enes Kanter C, Kentucky, 6-11. I really like Kanter despite being a year or two away from being a starter in the NBA. I see Kanter being a great help for the Raptors with his size and good post skills.
6. Washington. – Kawhi Leonard SF, San Diego, 6-7. The Wizards will surely look to a small forward in the first round. Leonard is a player who will bring them versatility and defense but he must improve his jump shot.
7. Sacramento Kings. – Jimmer Fredette PG, BYU, 6-2 I am not a great believer that the combine can make a players stock rise considerably but in Fredette’s case I think it has. Fredette could be the perfect back up guard for the Kings.
8. Detroit Pistons – Kemba Walker PG, UConn, 6-1. Alot of people say Kemba is the most NBA-ready player in the draft with his quickness and ability to score. Few would disagree. The Pistons could use him from day one if they don’t trade up for Valanciunas.
9. Charlotte Bobcats. Jan Vesely F, Czech Republic, 6-11. I will be surprised if Charlotte keep both of their first round picks but if Vesely fell down to nine, I am sure they would be take him. Vesely’s lack of speed a concern but his incredible athleticism and skill set should see him picked in the top 10.
10. Milwaukee Bucks. Klay Thompson SG, Washington State, 6-7. Thompson had a great combine and his stock was rose. This young man can shoot the basketball and with Michael Redd gone, I expect the Bucks to take Thompson or Alec Burks.
11. Golden State Warriors. Bismack Biyombo PF, Congo, 6-9. Mark Jackson has said his team will play ‘hard defense’ but ‘enjoy themselves on offense.’ The Warriors will need someone to crash the boards hard on both ends of the floor and Biyombo will certainly do that job for Jackson.
12. Utah Jazz. Chris Singleton SF, Florida State, 6-9. This is probably a bit high for Singleton but with his potential and great defensive skills he could be a very good player. Utah could do a lot worse than pick him.
13. Phoenix Suns. Marcus Morris PF, Kansas, 6-9. This is a great fit for Morris and the Suns. Marcus is better than his twin Markieff and will give Phoenix good flexibility and great energy.
14. Houston Rockets. Jordan Hamilton G/F, Texas, 6-8. Hamilton is my big sleeper in the first round. I don’t see him being taken before here. Houston should select a very talented player who can play guard or forward and shoots the ball really well.
15. Indiana Pacers. Tristan Thompson PF, Texas, 6-9. Turn on the film and watch Thompson shut down Derrick Williams in the NCAA Tournament. He has very impressive footwork and is very athletic. The Pacers will be delighted if he falls to here despite not being a need.
16. Philadelphia 76ers. Markieff Morris PF, Kansas, 6-9. Markieff impressed when he worked out with the Sixers. With toughness a need for this young Philly team, Markieff bring this with a lot of intensity and skill.
17. New York Knicks. Marshon Brooks SG, Providence, 6-5. On film Brooks looks the part. I love his jump shot. Brooks has quick hands, scoring ability and good size. The Knicks need more options at guard and Brooks can certainly help in a D’Antoni offense.
18. Washington Wizards. Kenneth Faried PF, Morehead State, 6-7. This guy is a beast. Although, the Wizards are unlikely to use both first round picks, if Leonard and Faried fell to them this would be drastically improve them defensively. Faried is a rebounding machine but he needs work on his offensive skills.
19. Charlotte Bobcats. Alec Burks SG, Colorado, 6-6. This would be a big fall for Burks who could go in the top 10 but the hype around Klay Thompson may cause him to fall. Bobcats need a guard but not as much as they need a Center. I think they should trade up for Kanter.
20. Minnesota Timberwolves. Donatas Motiejunas F/C, Lithuania, 7-0 – Motiejunas has good size and an ability to score. He reminds some people (not myself) of Dirk Nowitzki. Playing defense is not his best asset. This is the reason why I have him falling this far down the draft.
21. Portland Trail Blazers. Josh Selby G, Kansas, 6-3. Selby kind of sums up this draft class, there are a lot of risks but they could be worth taking. Selby gives them a solid back up option and could be a possible replacement to Andre Miller.
22. Denver Nuggets. Tobias Harris SF, Tennessee, 6-8. Small forward is certainly a position Denver must address in the draft either by selection or trade. I would like to see the Nuggets trade up for Derrick Williams but the question is what can they offer Minnesota in return?
23. Houston Rockets. Darius Morris PG, Michigan, 6-4. After moving Aaron Brooks and the uncertainty of Dragic returning, Morris would be a safe but not spectacular pick for Houston. Morris doesn’t have great speed but is a pure point guard and the Rockets will need help in that position next season.
24. Oklahoma City Thunder. Kyle Singler SF, Duke, 6-8. This might be too high for Singler but it depends on how impressive his workouts were with NBA teams. Oklahoma have to give Kevin Durant a breather at times (unfortunately) and Singler has the skills to come in off the bench and contribute.
25. Boston Celtics. JuJuan Johnson PF, Purdue, 6-10. At some point the Celtics have to start looking to rebuild their forward-line and selecting Johnson would be a good start. A good player inside who can knock down shots from short to mid range.
26. Dallas Mavericks. Charles Jenkins SG, Hofstra, 6-3. Jenkins’ stock has risen in the past few weeks but I didn’t see enough on film for him to be considered any higher than here. Finding a role off the bench won’t be a problem for Jenkins.
27. New Jersey Nets. Davis Bertrans F, Latvia, 6-10. Probably the best shooter in the draft, Bertrans is along way from the finished product but spending more time in Europe to help his game is vital to his progression. If they choose to go in his direction, the Nets will have a better play in two years time.
28. Chicago Bulls. Tyler Honeycutt SF, UCLA, 6-8. For a small forward Honeycutt is very athletic and rebounds the ball very well. He has the ability to score but the UCLA product just doesn’t have a killer instinct. Chicago would be a nice fit.
29. San Antonio Spurs. Trey Thompkins PF, Georgia, 6-10. I believe the Spurs need to use the draft to get younger and quicker. I see them trading up to the lottery picks and not having this pick but depth at power forward is a must if they can’t find a team to trade with.
30. Chicago Bulls. Justin Harper PF, Richmond, 6-10. Harper can shoot the ball as well as any forward in this draft. Chicago will like his size and athleticism but whether they are on the clock here remains to be seen.
Article courtesy of Michael Roberts.
