The season is already underway, and the Sixers are currently 3-0 with wins over the Heat and Bulls, making this draft order look out of date already. This should be a very good draft and it will be interesting to see what freshman develop and become instant first round picks. Half of this draft could possibly be composed of freshman. I did not even include guys like Chris Walker, Dakari Johnson, Noah Vonleh or Kasey Hill, who could all be potential one and done first round picks.
This draft order was based on my pre season predictions. You can check those out below. Enjoy!
2014 NBA Preview and Predictions: Western Conference
2014 NBA Preview and Predictions: Eastern Conference
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This draft order was based on my pre season predictions. You can check those out below. Enjoy!
2014 NBA Preview and Predictions: Western Conference
2014 NBA Preview and Predictions: Eastern Conference
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1. Philadelphia 76ers
SG/SF Andrew Wiggins, Fr, Kansas
6'8, 197 lbs
Hometown: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Most choose to tank by resting their best players with minor injuries the second half of the season. Philadelphia decided to simply strip their roster of almost all talent. There are hardly enough NBA bodies to fill out a roster, let alone win more then 20 games. Philadelphia has set themselves up to at worst have a top five pick, with their eyes set on Andrew Wiggins.
As for Wiggins, there are already articles from the worldwide leader in sports media that is saying he should not be the number one pick. There is no mock in the world that should seriously consider anyone else at this point. Like LeBron James fresh out of high school before him, Wiggins needs to work on his defense, jump shot and energy, but those things should come. Check out YouTube to see how he can flip the light switch and flat out dominate offensively. There is a shortage of true difference making wing players in the NBA, and any of the 30 teams would take him first overall this year, and would have done the same last year. He has legit 30 point per game potential.
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2. Phoenix Suns
PF Julius Randle, Fr, Kentucky
6'9, 248 lbs
Hometown: Dallas, TX
Nearly a decade ago, the Suns were on the cusp of the NBA Finals. Then Amare Stoudemire left the bench and earned a controversial suspension, and Phoenix has been on a steady decline ever since. The talent level has finally bottomed out, and the Suns are finally going to attempt to build through the draft and with some young trade acquisitions.
Julius Randle should be a great fit offensively with what the Suns hope to do. He can run and will keep on on the fast break with Eric Bledsoe and Goran Dragic. There is little Randle cannot do offensively. He can post up and has nice range on his jump shot. He is powerful and quick. It will be interesting to see if he can develop some post moves because he was simply able to overpower guys in high school. He has the potential to be one of the better scorers in the NBA. Randle needs to work on his defense and ball security, but that is not uncommon for high school guys. He would be a nice consolation prize for the team that misses out on Wiggins.
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3. Boston Celtics
PG/SG Dante Exum, Australia
6'6, 188 lbs
Hometown: Melbourne, Australia
Say what you want about Danny Ainge, but he is not afraid to take chances. Several years ago he brought future Hall of Famers Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen to Boston, and those two players helped deliver a title to the Celtics. Now he shipped out Garnett and the best Celtic of the past 20 years, Paul Pierce, to a division rival. Boston will be bad, but they chose the right year to be bad, as they could land a player who might be the best Celtic of the next 20 years.
Dante Exum used amazing Nike Hoop Summit FIBA Under 19 performances to crash the 2014 draft party. He will only be 18 years old on draft day but if he continues to wow scouts from the other side of the world he could enter the draft directly instead of spending a year at an American college. Exum is a very talented combo guard who excels as a scorer with the ball in his hand. He has the potential to be what the Orlando Magic thought they were getting in Penny Hardaway two decades ago. Exum could take over for Rajon Rondo is he is traded or slide right in next to him. He is very young, but a potential star.
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4. Utah Jazz
SF/PF Jabari Parker, Fr, Duke
6'8, 241 lbs
Hometown: Chicago, IL
It took Utah a while, but the Jazz will finally go with a full blown rebuilding project and unleash their young guys. With a projected starting five of Enes Kanter, Derrick Favors, Gordon Hayward, Alec Burks and Trey Burke, Utah will struggle mightily for wins but position themselves well for the future by developing their young rotation and set themselves up for a high pick in the 2014 draft.
Jabari Parker is not Wiggins, but he also has 20 point per game potential on the offensive end. Parker will not wow anyone during the combine, but he is a very talented and crafty scorer. Parker has a high basketball IQ and knows how to score in a variety of ways, from the post to the perimeter. He has drawn plenty of Carmelo Anthony comparisons. Like Anthony, he is not the best athlete of the slimmest of basketball players, but he is simply too good of a scorer to defend. Once NBA nutritionists and trainers get ahold of Parker, his flabby body should tighten up. He will be a nice fit with the Jazz, and would give them yet another young player capable of some solid offensive prowess.
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5. Orlando Magic
PG/SG Marcus Smart, So, Oklahoma State
6'4, 225 lbs
Hometown: Flower Mound, TX
2012-2013 Stats: 15.4 ppg, 4.2 apg, 5.8 rpg, 3.0 spg
Orlando's first season without Dwight Howard was brutal, but they have several young players to build around, including Nikola Vucevic, Maurice Harkless, Andrew Nicholson, Tobias Harris and Victor Oladipo. The Magic smartly decided against bringing in any veterans. They will probably lose a lot more games but set themselves up to land a potential stud in the 2014 draft and continue to develop those guys.
Marcus Smart caught plenty of criticism for deciding to return to Oklahoma State for his sophomore year. He thought he had areas of his game to work on, and already has stated that he will enter the 2014 draft if he is healthy. Smart has All Star potential. He is a very strong guard who can get to the basket and has the makings of a terror on the defensive side of the ball. As a freshman, he often came up huge in Oklahoma State's biggest games, including a 20 point, 7 rebound, 7 assist, 4 steal and 4 block performance against then #6 North Carolina State last November that put him on the map. He needs to work on his shooting and limit turnovers, but there is no reason to think his decision to play one more year at Oklahoma State will cause him to slip too far, even in a deep draft like this. As far as his role in Orlando, he should be able to coexist with Victor Oladipo and give the Magic a pair of solid ball handling, tough scorers in the back court.
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6. Atlanta Hawks
SG/SF Glenn Robinson III, So, Michigan
6'6, 220 lbs
Hometown: Gary, IN
2012-2013 Stats: 11.0 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 1.1 apg
The Hawks could have positioned themselves to be a leader in the Andrew Wiggins sweepstakes, but GM Danny Ferry opted to resign Jeff Teague and bring in Paul Millsap on a short team deal. So instead, Atlanta will fight for the 8th seed and the right to get stomped by the Heat.
Twenty years ago Glenn Robinson was the first overall pick of the 1994 draft. That same year he had a child. The 2014 draft could see his talented, and much more humble son, become a lottery pick. Robinson often deferred to teammates Trey Burke and Tim Hardaway Jr. during his freshman season at Michigan, but will take on a much bigger role in 2013-2014. He has the potential to be a very good offensive player, especially if he can improve his shooting and confidence. He disappeared way too often last season. The Hawks are relying on backup level talents DeMarre Carroll and Kyle Korver to play major roles at wing positions. They need a talent upgrade at the shooting guard and small forward positions.
7. Charlotte Bobcats
The Bobcats have struggled mightily since their inception, but things are looking up. Charlotte has a solid, young nucleus, will become the beloved Hornets once again soon, and could have three draft picks in the first round.
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7. Charlotte Bobcats
PF/C Joel Embiid, Fr, Kansas
7'0, 240 lbs
Hometown: Gainsville, FL
The Bobcats have struggled mightily since their inception, but things are looking up. Charlotte has a solid, young nucleus, will become the beloved Hornets once again soon, and could have three draft picks in the first round.
Joel Embiid is a big time project who has only been playing basketball for a few years, but guys with his size and defensive potential just do not last too long on draft night. The Cameroon native is raw but he is not as raw as someone like Bismack Biyombo. He shows nice athleticism as a dunker and has shown some solid range on his jump shot. He shows nice instincts as a shot blocker and has the frame to get stronger and become a better overall post defender. Bill Self is very good as developing big men and Embiid should be a top 10 pick whenever he decides to declare. Charlotte has three of the top 18 picks in this mock draft, so this is a great spot for Embiid to go. Embiid and Biyombo would be a great pair of defensive big men to go along with offensive minded post players Al Jefferson and Cody Zeller.
8. Sacramento Kings
The Kings finally have new ownership and a new front office, and will begin the process of slowly turning over the roster.DeMarcus Cousins and Ben McLemore will help usher in a new era in Sacramento, but upgrades are needed everywhere else.
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8. Sacramento Kings
PG Andrew Harrison, Fr, Kentucky
6'5, 207 lbs
Hometown: Fort Bend, TX
The Kings finally have new ownership and a new front office, and will begin the process of slowly turning over the roster.DeMarcus Cousins and Ben McLemore will help usher in a new era in Sacramento, but upgrades are needed everywhere else.
Andrew Harrison is a very talented combo guard with good size and strength. In high school he was able to get to the rim at will and score over any weak guard that tried to guard him. He has to learn to harness his potential and not get so frustrated on the court, but he has the talent to be a starting point guard on a playoff team, and should be a top ten pick. John Calipari has a great track record of developing point guards, people said a lot of the same things about John Wall coming out of high school. Harrison is not in Wall's class, but would be an upgrade on backup level talents Greivis Vasquez and Isaiah Thomas.
9. Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks decided to ship out Brandon Jennings instead of forcing him to want to play in Milwaukee, and will struggle to return to the playoffs. Unlike many, I do not think Milwaukee will bottom out. There is a lot of intriguing young talent on this roster, and they will most likely draft in the 8-12 range like they have every other year.
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9. Milwaukee Bucks
SF/PF Aaron Gordon, Fr, Arizona
6'9, 212 lbs
Hometown: San Jose, CA
The Bucks decided to ship out Brandon Jennings instead of forcing him to want to play in Milwaukee, and will struggle to return to the playoffs. Unlike many, I do not think Milwaukee will bottom out. There is a lot of intriguing young talent on this roster, and they will most likely draft in the 8-12 range like they have every other year.
Milwaukee has taken the best player available the past few years, and will most likely employ that strategy again. Aaron Gordon has Slam Dunk Champion athletic ability and will be very exciting to watch at the college level. I can't put him as a top five pick in a draft this deep because he is still very much a project and more athlete then basketball player. With the Bucks he will be able to come in and focus on providing energy behind the starters. He has drawn some comparisons to Blake Griffin for his high flying antics but he is quite a ways away from having that same type of impact.
10. Charlotte Bobcats
(from Detroit Pistons)
James Young would be a nice fit for a Bobcats back court that needs some size off the bench. Young has a nice all around game, but is not tremendous in any area. He is a nice athlete and a good shooter, and could work his way into the starting lineup at shooting guard for the Bobcats in a year or two. If he can separate himself from the likes of Alex Poythress on a deep Kentucky roster, he could be a top ten draft pick in 2014.
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10. Charlotte Bobcats(from Detroit Pistons)
SG/SF James Young, Fr, Kentucky
6'7, 202 lbs
Hometown: Rochester, MI
James Young would be a nice fit for a Bobcats back court that needs some size off the bench. Young has a nice all around game, but is not tremendous in any area. He is a nice athlete and a good shooter, and could work his way into the starting lineup at shooting guard for the Bobcats in a year or two. If he can separate himself from the likes of Alex Poythress on a deep Kentucky roster, he could be a top ten draft pick in 2014.
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11. Los Angeles Lakers
C Willie Cauley-Stein, So, Kentucky
7'0, 244 lbs
Hometown: Olathe, KS
2012-2013 Stats: 8.3 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 2.1 bpg
The Lakers are going to field a completely different team next year, and whoever they draft could be a part of a revamped rotation.
Cauley-Stein did not exactly take the starting job and run with it once Nerlens Noel went down with an injury, but he showed enough potential to get him drafted in the late lottery. You cannot teach 7 foot, and Cauley-Stein has nice rebounding and shot blocking instincts. If he shows strong development during his sophomore season, he could wind up being a better offensive version of Samuel Dalembert, and should have a nice career as a solid starting center. He would help provide some solid defense at first and will hopefully give the Lakers a long term solution in the middle.
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12. Denver Nuggets
SG/SF Wayne Selden, Fr, Kansas
6'6, 223 lbs
Hometown: Boston, MA
The Nuggets had about as bad an off season as you could possibly have. Coming off a franchise record 57 win season, gone is the NBA Coach of the Year, the NBA General Manager of the year and their two best wing defenders. Not to mention their best perimeter shooter will probably miss half the season due to serious injury. The Nuggets are in serious danger of missing the playoffs for the first time in a decade.
Wayne Selden will play second fiddle to Wiggins for one year at Kansas, and should score early and often. He has a big, strong NBA ready frame and a good ability to get to the basket and overpower defenders, at least at the high school and college level. He is tough and shows good defensive potential, something the Nuggets lost on the wing when Andre Iguodala and Corey Brewer departed.
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13. Dallas Mavericks
SF/PF Dario Saric, Croatia
6'10, 223 lbs
Hometown: Sibenik, Croatia
For the second straight year the Mavericks cleared enough cap space to sign a stud free agent, but they were never a serious contender for Chris Paul or Dwight Howard. They instead decided to sign Jose Calderon, Samuel Dalembert and Monta Ellis to fill out the starting lineup, and are a fringe playoff team in the West once again.
Dario Saric himself stated that Dallas promised to draft him with the 13th pick if he stayed in the 2013 draft, so it would only make sense to mock him to Dallas here. Saric is a solid ball handler and a good rebounder, but I think he would be a reach at this point because he is not very athletic and is simply a bad shooter. He might wind up as a power forward at the next level, and the Mavericks could let him continue to develop overseas until he is able to take over for Dirk Nowitzki.
14. Philadelphia 76ers
The Sixers could have two first round picks, thanks to the trade that sent Jrue Holiday to the Pelicans for Nerlens Noel and this pick.
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14. Philadelphia 76ers
(from New Orleans Pelicans)
C Kaleb Tarczewski, So, Arizona
7'0, 250 lbs
Hometown: Claremont, NH
2012-2013 Stats: 6.6 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 0.7 bpg
The Sixers could have two first round picks, thanks to the trade that sent Jrue Holiday to the Pelicans for Nerlens Noel and this pick.
Kaleb Tarczewski played more of a complimentary role his first season at Arizona, but should take on more responsibility as a sophomore. He showed some nice post moves, converting hooks and putbacks for points. He is not the best shot blocker in the world, but can hold his own defensively thanks to a big frame that still has the room to pack on more strength. If Steven Adams and Meyers Leonard can be chosen around this spot, I think Tarczewski can as well. Like I have said earlier, more minutes could mean a better chance to see how good of a center Tarczewski can be, or it can expose his deficiencies and label him a backup caliber talent. The 76ers have no one up front, and with two first round picks and Andrew Wiggins already aboard, could take the gamble. Size always sells in the draft.
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15. Phoenix Suns
(from Washington Wizards)
SG/SF Mario Hezonja, Croatia
6'6, 200 lbs
Hometown: Dubrovnik, Croatia
With four first round picks in this mock draft, Phoenix could definitely gamble on the potential of the flamboyant Croatian wing Mario Hezonja. Hezonja burst on the scene as a 17 year old when he averaged 30 points per 40 minutes at the Under 17 European Championship. Hezonja has played a very small role for his European professional team, but in the past has shown great offensive ability, with an ability to take over the game with the ball in his hands. He has some serious immaturity issues, but has the potential to be a solid scorer in the NBA one day. Phoenix could leave him in Europe for a couple years to work on his game.
16 .Toronto Raptors
PG/SG Spencer Dinwiddie, Jr, Colorado
6'6, 200 lbs
Hometown: Woodland Hills, CA
2012-2013 Stats: 15.3 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 3.0 apg
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17. Cleveland Cavaliers
SF Jerami Grant, So, Syracuse
6'8, 210 lbs
Hometown: Hyattsville, MD
2012-2013 Stats: 3.9 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 0.5 apg
Every year Syracuse has a talented underclassman who comes out of nowhere to put up some nice numbers. Michael Carter-Williams and Dion Waiters both were little used freshmen who stepped up and became lottery picks. Jerami Grant could be the next to follow that path. The son of Harvey and nephew of Horace, Grant is a talented scorer who has the bloodlines to succeed in the NBA. He is skinny and raw, but should have a much bigger role as a sophomore and is a potential future first round pick. The Cavaliers are building a deep roster and Grant could slowly develop. Mike Brown would like the fact that he came from Syracuse, and has surely been taught some solid defensive philosophies.
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18. Charlotte Bobcats
(from Portland Trail Blazers)
The Bobcats have three of the top 18 picks in this mock, so they can simply go for best player available here. Christon is only a sophomore but will be 22 years old shortly after the season starts. If he was a better shooter and cut down on his turnovers he would be a lottery pick, but he is a strong point guard who knows how to get to the rack or find the open man. He would make a very solid long term backup for Kemba Walker.
19. Boston Celtics
(from Brooklyn Nets)
Montrezl Harrell did not get much run for the NCAA Champion Louisville Cardinals. Playing behind first round draft pick Gorgui Dieng, Harrell was a situational role player in 2012-2013. That should not be the case this season. He will be thrust into a starting role, and Rick Pitino is positive the sophomore will respond well. He is a very athletic, albeit raw, power forward. His offensive game relies on the ability to blow past his defender and dunk the ball. He will learn to develop more of a post up game and has the ability to hit 15 foot jumpers. He brings energy and determination to the defensive side of the ball, and should get even better as his frame fills out and his game expands. Like a lot of freshman who played a limited role, he could get exposed as an NBA role player with expanded minutes, but the talent is there to be a solid starting NBA power forward. The Celtics are in talent collecting mode, and Harrell will fight for front court minutes with Jared Sullinger, Kelly Olynyk and Vitor Faverani.
20. Utah Jazz
(from Golden State Warriors)
The Jazz added some offensive potential with their first pick Jabari Parker. Gary Harris lacks prototypical size and isn't the best shooter, but he is a very good all around shooting guard. He is a good defender, and solid scorer. He plays like a senior and bigger than his size and should be a team leader for the Spartans and could easily wind up being drafted well before this. He should have no problem overtaking Alec Burks as Utah's shooting guard of the future.
21. Phoenix Suns
With four first round picks in the mock, the Suns can go a long way towards rounding out their roster. Eric Bledsoe is locked in as the Suns long term answer at the point, but Arizona native Jahii Carson would make a great backup. Carson had to sit out his initial year at Arizona State, but made up for lost time with a tremendous freshman season. He is probably too small and too poor a defender to be a 30 minute per night player, but he is lightning quick and a great scorer and would make a great backup for Bledsoe.
22. Orlando Magic
I think Mitch McGary should have capitalized on a great tournament and entered the draft, but he chose to return to Michigan as a 21 year old college sophomore. He is the ultimate energy guy, capable of coming off the bench to provide toughness, screens, rebounds and putbacks. The Wolverines are going to ask more of him, and he could use that to either solidify a spot in the lottery or fall out of the first round all together. The Magic have minutes to spare in the front court, and McGary has a similar game to current Magic big man Glen Davis.
23. Memphis Grizzlies
The Grizzlies need youth on the wing, and PJ Hairston provides a game that fits the Grizzlies philosophy quite nicely. He is built like a tank and a very strong offensive player. Hairston should be the Tar Heels team leader and could be a mid first round pick if he can keep his body in shape and continue to improve his offensive game.
24. Oklahoma City Thunder
The Thunder like to draft talented prospects who fall to the end of the first round for one reason or another. Aaron Harrison is the less talented of the Harrison twins, but will likely declare for the draft the same time his brother does. Harrison has a nice all around offensive game. He can shoot and drive to the basket, and is a decent ball handler as well. He will likely be a mid to late first round draft pick with the potential to go higher if he can distinguish himself from a lot of other talented Kentucky Wildcats.
25. San Antonio Spurs
PG Vasilije Micic, Serbia
6'4, 195 lbs
Hometown: Kraljevo, Serbia
The Spurs draft foreign talent at the end of the first round and stash them for a few years. That is just what they do, and it usually pays off. San Antonio is very deep and any player they draft at the end of the first round would spend more time in the D-League than the active roster, so the Spurs go with Vasilije Micic here. He is an average athlete but shows advanced point guard instincts and could grow into a solid starter and possible replacement for Tony Parker in the upcoming seasons.
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26. Phoenix Suns
(from Indiana Pacers)
SF Alex Poythress, So, Kentucky
6'7, 215 lbs
Hometown: Clarksville, TN
2012-2013 Stats: 11.2 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 0.7 apg
Alex Poythress started the year out as a possible top five pick, but by the end of the year he fell out of Kentucky's starting lineup. Poythress often found himself in John Calipari's doghouse for some very bad offensive decisions and poor play. At his best, he is a tough player and a potential asset on defense. He is motivated to step his game up because he faces big time competition for minutes on a deep Wildcat team. He is a no brainer pick for the Suns here. This is the fourth first round pick the Suns have, and Poythress has top five talent and could provide some much needed defensive ability for this roster.
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27. Houston Rockets
SF Doug McDermott, Sr, Creighton
6'8, 225 lbs
Hometown: Ames, IA
2012-2013 Stats: 23.2 ppg, 7.7 rpg, 1.6 apg
27 picks into this draft and we have the first senior drafted. Doug McDermott is about as good as a college scorer as we have ever had. His skill set will most likely not result in becoming a high draft pick. McDermott is a very smart player and a heck of a shooter and scorer, and should be able to carve out a role as a backup forward on a playoff team that will draft him at this point.
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28. Chicago Bulls
SG CJ Wilcox, Sr, Washington
6'5, 195 lbs
Hometown: Pleasant Grove, UT
2012-2013 Stats: 16.8 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 1.9 apg
The Bulls have lacked shooting for years, and have not been able to rectify that problem. Aging veterans like Richard Hamilton and Mike Dunleavy are not the answer. Whoever they draft here will probably not be the answer either, but CJ Wilcox could come in and provide some offense off the bench for 15 minutes or so per night. He is not good enough to be anything more then a backup shooting guard, but has a sweet stroke and could hit a couple threes a game.
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With four first round picks in this mock draft, Phoenix could definitely gamble on the potential of the flamboyant Croatian wing Mario Hezonja. Hezonja burst on the scene as a 17 year old when he averaged 30 points per 40 minutes at the Under 17 European Championship. Hezonja has played a very small role for his European professional team, but in the past has shown great offensive ability, with an ability to take over the game with the ball in his hands. He has some serious immaturity issues, but has the potential to be a solid scorer in the NBA one day. Phoenix could leave him in Europe for a couple years to work on his game.
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16 .Toronto RaptorsPG/SG Spencer Dinwiddie, Jr, Colorado
6'6, 200 lbs
Hometown: Woodland Hills, CA
2012-2013 Stats: 15.3 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 3.0 apg
There is going to be a big time rebuilding project going on in Toronto. Masai Ujiri would like to rid his team of Rudy Gay and DeMar DeRozan, and will need to find someone to step in and provide some scoring. Spencer Dinwiddie has shown some nice shooting and scoring potential, and really had a nice season as a sophomore after he moved to the point guard spot. He is a player who could provide scoring off the bench at both guard spots and could develop into a starter at either position.
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17. Cleveland CavaliersSF Jerami Grant, So, Syracuse
6'8, 210 lbs
Hometown: Hyattsville, MD
2012-2013 Stats: 3.9 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 0.5 apg
Every year Syracuse has a talented underclassman who comes out of nowhere to put up some nice numbers. Michael Carter-Williams and Dion Waiters both were little used freshmen who stepped up and became lottery picks. Jerami Grant could be the next to follow that path. The son of Harvey and nephew of Horace, Grant is a talented scorer who has the bloodlines to succeed in the NBA. He is skinny and raw, but should have a much bigger role as a sophomore and is a potential future first round pick. The Cavaliers are building a deep roster and Grant could slowly develop. Mike Brown would like the fact that he came from Syracuse, and has surely been taught some solid defensive philosophies.
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18. Charlotte Bobcats(from Portland Trail Blazers)
PG Semaj Christon, So, Xavier
6'3, 190 lbs
Hometown: Cincinnati, OH
2012-2013 Stats: 15.2 ppg, 4.6 apg, 2.9 rpg
The Bobcats have three of the top 18 picks in this mock, so they can simply go for best player available here. Christon is only a sophomore but will be 22 years old shortly after the season starts. If he was a better shooter and cut down on his turnovers he would be a lottery pick, but he is a strong point guard who knows how to get to the rack or find the open man. He would make a very solid long term backup for Kemba Walker.
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19. Boston Celtics(from Brooklyn Nets)
PF Montrezl Harrell, So, Louisville
6'8, 235 lbs
Hometown: Tarboro, NC
2012-2013 Stats: 5.7 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 0.7 bpg
Montrezl Harrell did not get much run for the NCAA Champion Louisville Cardinals. Playing behind first round draft pick Gorgui Dieng, Harrell was a situational role player in 2012-2013. That should not be the case this season. He will be thrust into a starting role, and Rick Pitino is positive the sophomore will respond well. He is a very athletic, albeit raw, power forward. His offensive game relies on the ability to blow past his defender and dunk the ball. He will learn to develop more of a post up game and has the ability to hit 15 foot jumpers. He brings energy and determination to the defensive side of the ball, and should get even better as his frame fills out and his game expands. Like a lot of freshman who played a limited role, he could get exposed as an NBA role player with expanded minutes, but the talent is there to be a solid starting NBA power forward. The Celtics are in talent collecting mode, and Harrell will fight for front court minutes with Jared Sullinger, Kelly Olynyk and Vitor Faverani.
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20. Utah Jazz(from Golden State Warriors)
SG Gary Harris, So, Michigan State
6'4, 210 lbs
Hometown: Fishers, IN
2012-2013 Stats: 12.9 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 1.4 apg
The Jazz added some offensive potential with their first pick Jabari Parker. Gary Harris lacks prototypical size and isn't the best shooter, but he is a very good all around shooting guard. He is a good defender, and solid scorer. He plays like a senior and bigger than his size and should be a team leader for the Spartans and could easily wind up being drafted well before this. He should have no problem overtaking Alec Burks as Utah's shooting guard of the future.
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21. Phoenix Suns
(from Minnesota Timberwolves)
PG Jahii Carson, So, Arizona State
5'11, 180 lbs
Hometown: Mesa, AZ
2012-2013 Stats: 18.5 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 5.1 apg
With four first round picks in the mock, the Suns can go a long way towards rounding out their roster. Eric Bledsoe is locked in as the Suns long term answer at the point, but Arizona native Jahii Carson would make a great backup. Carson had to sit out his initial year at Arizona State, but made up for lost time with a tremendous freshman season. He is probably too small and too poor a defender to be a 30 minute per night player, but he is lightning quick and a great scorer and would make a great backup for Bledsoe.
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22. Orlando Magic
(from New York Knicks)
PF/C Mitch McGary, So, Michigan
6'10, 255 lbs
Hometown: Chesterton, IN
2012-2013 Stats: 7.5 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 0.7 bpg
I think Mitch McGary should have capitalized on a great tournament and entered the draft, but he chose to return to Michigan as a 21 year old college sophomore. He is the ultimate energy guy, capable of coming off the bench to provide toughness, screens, rebounds and putbacks. The Wolverines are going to ask more of him, and he could use that to either solidify a spot in the lottery or fall out of the first round all together. The Magic have minutes to spare in the front court, and McGary has a similar game to current Magic big man Glen Davis.
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23. Memphis Grizzlies
SG/SF PJ Hairston, Jr, North Carolina
6'6, 220 lbs
Hometown: Greensboro, NC
2012-2013 Stats: 14.6 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 1.4 apg
The Grizzlies need youth on the wing, and PJ Hairston provides a game that fits the Grizzlies philosophy quite nicely. He is built like a tank and a very strong offensive player. Hairston should be the Tar Heels team leader and could be a mid first round pick if he can keep his body in shape and continue to improve his offensive game.
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24. Oklahoma City Thunder
SG Aaron Harrison, Fr, Kentucky
6'5, 210 lbs
Hometown: Fort Bend, TX
The Thunder like to draft talented prospects who fall to the end of the first round for one reason or another. Aaron Harrison is the less talented of the Harrison twins, but will likely declare for the draft the same time his brother does. Harrison has a nice all around offensive game. He can shoot and drive to the basket, and is a decent ball handler as well. He will likely be a mid to late first round draft pick with the potential to go higher if he can distinguish himself from a lot of other talented Kentucky Wildcats.
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25. San Antonio SpursPG Vasilije Micic, Serbia
6'4, 195 lbs
Hometown: Kraljevo, Serbia
The Spurs draft foreign talent at the end of the first round and stash them for a few years. That is just what they do, and it usually pays off. San Antonio is very deep and any player they draft at the end of the first round would spend more time in the D-League than the active roster, so the Spurs go with Vasilije Micic here. He is an average athlete but shows advanced point guard instincts and could grow into a solid starter and possible replacement for Tony Parker in the upcoming seasons.
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26. Phoenix Suns(from Indiana Pacers)
SF Alex Poythress, So, Kentucky
6'7, 215 lbs
Hometown: Clarksville, TN
2012-2013 Stats: 11.2 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 0.7 apg
Alex Poythress started the year out as a possible top five pick, but by the end of the year he fell out of Kentucky's starting lineup. Poythress often found himself in John Calipari's doghouse for some very bad offensive decisions and poor play. At his best, he is a tough player and a potential asset on defense. He is motivated to step his game up because he faces big time competition for minutes on a deep Wildcat team. He is a no brainer pick for the Suns here. This is the fourth first round pick the Suns have, and Poythress has top five talent and could provide some much needed defensive ability for this roster.
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27. Houston RocketsSF Doug McDermott, Sr, Creighton
6'8, 225 lbs
Hometown: Ames, IA
2012-2013 Stats: 23.2 ppg, 7.7 rpg, 1.6 apg
27 picks into this draft and we have the first senior drafted. Doug McDermott is about as good as a college scorer as we have ever had. His skill set will most likely not result in becoming a high draft pick. McDermott is a very smart player and a heck of a shooter and scorer, and should be able to carve out a role as a backup forward on a playoff team that will draft him at this point.
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28. Chicago BullsSG CJ Wilcox, Sr, Washington
6'5, 195 lbs
Hometown: Pleasant Grove, UT
2012-2013 Stats: 16.8 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 1.9 apg
The Bulls have lacked shooting for years, and have not been able to rectify that problem. Aging veterans like Richard Hamilton and Mike Dunleavy are not the answer. Whoever they draft here will probably not be the answer either, but CJ Wilcox could come in and provide some offense off the bench for 15 minutes or so per night. He is not good enough to be anything more then a backup shooting guard, but has a sweet stroke and could hit a couple threes a game.
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29. Miami Heat
SF/PF James McAdoo, Jr, North Carolina
6'9, 230 lbs
Hometown: Norfolk, VA
2012-2013 Stats: 14.4 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 1.1 apg
No one quite knows what the Miami Heat will look like next season. They could be starting completely over minus their three stars, or they could be going for another championship. James McAdoo's stats increased with more minutes, but he drew plenty of flack for a lack of quality production. It looks like he might be nothing more then a role player in the NBA, but he still has the talent to become a solid rotation player. He is worth a look as a nice upside, low risk pick by a playoff team here.
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30. Los Angeles Clippers
SG/SF Allesandro Gentile, Italy
6'6, 200 lbs
Hometown: Madaloni, Italy
The Clippers are going for it all and are two deep with veterans at every position. Whoever they draft here will not make an impact so they opt to go the overseas route. Gentile is one of the most talented wing players in Europe. He is not a great athlete and is a poor defender, but has the ability to be a nice spot up shooter at the NBA level.
2 comments:
Whoever wrote this mock has claimed D. Saric and G. Harris, to be bad shooters, when they're projected to be two of the best shooters in this draft class. Go watch some college ball.
I wrote it. What college does Saric play for?
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