It’s well documented that this year’s NBA Draft Class is among the worst in NBA History. The draft classes of Brad Daugherty (1986), Derrick Coleman (1990), and Kenyon Martin (2000) all think this draft class sucks. But while there may only be about 2-3 all-star caliber players in this draft class, there are some players that should develop into solid contributing NBA players. But even if guys like Perry Jones from Baylor, Harrison Barnes from UNC, and Jared Sullinger from Ohio State hadn’t returned to school and decided to enter the draft, this class would still be considered one of the worst classes in the modern era. We all have our theories as to why this is so (can anyone say one-and-done rule!!); the draft is still the most cost efficient and logical way for teams to improve.
With a class this bad and teams having to offer guaranteed contracts to first round picks, I would anticipate a lot of movement and trades to happen during this draft. Teams are desperately trying to spin their first round pick into a contributing, veteran player; but teams are finding it difficult because no one wants any of these college kids on their team. Another aspect to consider is the expiring CBA (set to expire June 30th) and the pending lockout of the players by the owners, which is all but inevitable. If the lockout is anything like it was in 1998, and we have a shorten NBA season, front offices will be asked to put together their team in a hurry, with limited training camp and preseason. If we are going to see the same fate this upcoming season as in 1998, then I think front offices will do as much preparation as possible before the CBA expires to get their team ready and set, so that when basketball does resume, they are not scrambling to fill roster spots with D-leaguers, or overpay for washed up veterans. So in hindsight, this draft, while littered with mediocre talent, could become one of the more important drafts in recent history.
So without further ado, presented by yours truly, the mocketity mock of all mock drafts.
1. Cleveland Cavilers – Kyrie Irving, PG Duke
Analysis: All but confirmed that this pick will happen, Irving is the best and most talented player in the draft. The Cavs get a solid point guard that they can build around and help lead this team back to prosperity. But wouldn't it be something if they took Derrick Wiliams??
2. Minnesota Timberwolves – Derrick Williams, SF-PF Arizona
Analysis: Not as talented as Irving, but may have a more immediate impact in the league. He can play both the small and the power forward positions. This pick is supposedly up for trade and could provide major fireworks. They can also draft Enes Kanter here and shock the world.
3. Utah Jazz – Brandon Knight, PG Kentucky
Analysis: It’s either Brandon Knight or Enes Kanter. The Jazz don’t love any prospects really, but after trading Deron Williams mid-season, I see Knight getting drafted here. Knight is a big PG and can play behind Devin Harris until he is ready to assume the duties.
*UPDATE* Enes Kanter, C Turkey
Analysis: They must feel that they can get a quality PG with their #12 pick.
4. Cleveland Cavilers – Enes Kanter, C Turkey
Analysis: Cleveland may be looking to move this pick, but if they stay here, they take Kanter to go along with Irving. Kanter is the best center in the draft and will compliment Irving nicely. Valanciunas is also high on their board, but not coming over next year won’t fly with Cavs’ fans.
*UPDATE* Jonas Valanciunas, C Lithuania
Analysis: WHY, WHY, WHY??? I don’t know. A team so bad wants to wait a year or longer.
5. Toronto Raptors – Jan Vesely, SF Czech Republic
Analysis: They want Brandon Knight bad. If Knight is gone, they take Vesely here. Toronto’s GM likes drafting tissue soft Euro players. Toronto fans will either erupt with anger of this pick, or shrug their shoulders as its business as usual. Kemba Walker could land here as well.
*UPDATE* Brandon Knight, PG Kentucky
Analysis: The player they wanted all along falls to them.
6. Washington Wizards – Kawhi Leonard, SF San Diego State
Analysis: Kawhi may be a hidden jewel in this draft. He has a huge wing span and plays with a lot of heart and toughness, two attributes that you can’t coach and love having on your team. Also watch for Klay Thompson to go here, as shooting guard Nick Young is a free agent.
*UPDATE* Jan Vesely, SF Czech Republic
Analyst: He is a better athlete than Kawhi Leonard and can run the floor better with John Wall.
7. Sacramento Kings – Kemba Walker, PG UCONN
Analysis: Many, many options with this pick. If they stay here, Sacramento is in desperate need of leadership and Kemba is a natural born leader. He can get to the rack with ease and hit a jumper on command. Kawhi Leonard could also land here if he falls. Sleeper pick: Jimmer!!!
*UPDATE* Kawhi Leonard, SF San Diego State
Analysis: As much as I want to leave Kemba here, the Kings can’t pass on Kawhi’s potential.
*UPDATE* Charlotte Bobcats - Bismack Biyombo, PF Spain
Analysis: MJ likes to draft risk/reward players i.e. Adam Morrison and Kwane Brown.
8. Detroit Pistons – Bismack Biyombo, PF Spain
Analysis: Detroit supposedly wants Kemba in the worst way so that they can move Rodney Stuckey to the 2-guard. If Kemba is gone, Biyombo is their guy. A Ben Wallace comparison, he would add additional size to the front line and can play next to last year’s rookie Greg Monroe.
*UPDATE* Kemba Walker, PG UCONN
Analysis: The Pistons get there point guard and can now move Rodney Stuckey to the 2-guard.
*UPDATE* Tristan Thompson, PF Texas
Analysis: Size rules and questions about Kemba's health starts to scare off teams.
9. Charlotte Bobcats – Tristan Thompson, PF Texas
Analysis: Whoever they pick, it will be MJ making the call. Charlotte is also on the Kemba bandwagon, but Kemba won’t get pass Detroit. Thompson is a solid big man who they can play at the 4 and allow them to move Boris Diaw to the 3. Biyombo can also go here too.
*UPDATE* Kawhi Leonard, SF San Diego State
Analysis: Adding Biyombo and Leonard will bloster their weak front line.
10. Milwaukee Bucks – Klay Thompson, SG Washington State
Analysis: Thompson is the best shooting guard in the draft and would complement Brandon Jennings nicely. He also could be the best shooter in the draft and would help stretch the floor for the Bucks, who haven’t had a good shooter on their team since Michael Redd was healthy.
*UPDATE* Sacramento Kings - Jimmer Fredette, PG BYU
Analysis: The owners get there guy and the front office saves face by drafting Jimmer, but not too high.
11. Golden State Warriors – Alec Burks, SG Colorado
Analysis: The Warriors can go in several directions. They really want Klay Thompson, but if gone, can add to the front line with players like Jonas Valanciunas, Marcus Morris, or Biyombo. They add Burks, who is a slashing 2 guard and allows them to explore trades for Monta Ellis.
*UPDATE* Bismack Biyombo, PF Spain
Analysis: Warrior draft yet another PF who can hopefully develop and provide some interior D.
*UPDATE* Klay Thompson, SG Washington State
Analysis: The 2-guard with great size and shooting ability they coveted from the beginning.
12. Utah Jazz – Chris Singleton, SF Florida State
Analysis: Andrei Kirilenko is a free agent (but still has the greatest contract with his wife!!) and while everyone in Utah may want Jimmer Jammer, Singleton is the best pick here. He is a solid defense and could take over the role left behind by Kirilenko as that lock-down defender.
*UPDATE* Jimmer Fredette, PG BYU
Analysis: Provo goes bananas!!!!
*UPDATE* Kemba Walker, PG UCONN
Analysis: Heart are broken across Utah as Jimmer is gone, but the front office gets their guy.
13. Phoenix Suns – Jimmer Fredette, PG BYU
Analysis: This is the perfect landing spot for Jimmer. He is the exact same type of player that Steve Nash was coming out of Santa Clara. Jimmer could be tutored by Nash on how to be an effective PG in the NBA while still being an efficient scorer. Plus, have you been to Scottsdale?
*UPDATE* Chris Singleton, SF Florida State
Analysis: The Suns plan on waiving Vince Carter, leaving only Jared Dudley as their only SF.
14. Houston Rockets – Jonas Valanciunas, C Lithuania
Analysis: This is the basement for Valanciunas. While he probably won’t come over to the States this upcoming season, causing him to fall this far, Houston is for whatever reason committed to giving Yao one last chance, so they can sit and wait for Valanciunas.
*UPDATE* Nikola Vucevic, C USC
Analysis: The Rockets can’t keep running out Chuck Hayes and a broken foot to play Center.
15. Indiana Pacers – Tobias Harris, PF Tennessee
Analysis: Indiana is praying that Jimmer falls to them. I don’t see that happening as there are enough teams that want him ahead of Indiana. So when in doubt, draft a big man. Harris is a polished big man who could complement to rough style of Tyler Hansbourgh.
*UPDATE* Markieff Morris, PF Kansas
Analysis: They apparently like him better than his brother.
16. Philadelphia 76ers – Marcus Morris, PF Kansas
Analysis: The Sixers are trying desperately to get out of the horrible contract that is Elton Brand. Morris would be a good fit, as he has a nice outside jumper to go along with his rebounding skills. Jordan Hamilton could also go here, as they also try to trade Andre Iguodala.
17. New York Knicks – Nikola Vucevic, C USC
Analysis: Supposedly they are trying to move up for Jimmer, as it is what the owner wants to do. If their basketball people have any say, they would draft Vucevic. He’s the last 5 on the board. The Knicks have no true 5 as Ronny Turiaf or Amare share the position currently.
*UPDATE* Alec Burks, SG Colorado
Analysis: The Knicks need players who can shoot and stretch the floor.
18. Washington Wizards – Markieff Morris, PF Kansas
Analysis: Unlike his twin brother, Markieff is more of a banger in the paint. He would be a nice fit with JaVale McGee and if they do indeed draft Kawhi Leonard at #6, Washington would be a force on the boards from all front line positions. Marshon Brooks is also a possibility here.
*UPDATE* Tobias Harris, PF Tennessee
Analysis: The Wizards continue to add to their front line.
19. Charlotte Bobcats – Jordan Hamilton, SF Texas
Analysis: They traded Gerald Wallace mid-season and we all know what you are going to get from Stephen Jackson, so SF is a need position. Texas Forever lives in Charlotte if they do follow up their Tristan Thompson selection with Hamilton. They can grab a PG here as well.
20. Minnesota Timberwolves – Donatas Montiejunas, PF Lithuania
Analysis: The Timberwolves are always good for drafting a Euro in a draft. Montiejunas offers great size and if he can’t come over this year, it wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world. Markieff Morris could also go here as well if he falls.
21. Portland Trail blazers – Kenneth Faried, PF Morehead State
Analysis: Other than Irving and Williams go 1-2, this has been the most consistent pick in all my rough mock drafts. While Portland already has LaMarcus Aldridge, they have no solid backup for him. Faried is a monster rebounder, something the Trail Blazers need on their front line.
22. Denver Nuggets – Iman Shumpert, PG Georgia Tech
Analysis – Raymond Felton is not happy being a backup to Ty Lawson and Lawson is clearly going to be the starter next season. If, or when, the Nuggets trade Felton, they will need a backup PG and Shumpert is climbing up draft boards. Shumpert could go as high as the Knicks.
23. Houston Rockets – Tyler Honeycutt, SF UCLA
Analysis – The Rockets traded Shane Battier mid-season and need to fill the void at SF. Honeycutt is an athlete small forward who is a better player than he has shown while at UCLA. Shumpert or Reggie Jackson could also go here to provide the backup PG they need as well.
24. Oklahoma City Thunder – Kyle Singler, SF Duke
Analysis – All signs point to this being a promise pick, assuming they don’t “sell” this pick or trade for a veteran. The Thunder are in need of a quality backup for Durant. Singler can be a contributor off the bench and provide some outside shooting. They can also pick up a big man.
25. Boston Celtics – Jon Leuer, PF Wisconsin
Analysis – It was pretty obvious that Boston missed the presence of Kendrick Perkins in the middle. Leuer is a beast in the middle who could maybe convert to the Center position and fill the void left by the Perkins trade and Krstic signing overseas. A combo guard is also a need.
*UPDATE* Marshon Brooks, SG Providence
Analysis: Ray Allen can’t play forever. Stay local with a combo guard.
26. Dallas Mavericks – Nikola Mirotic, SF Serbia
Analysis – The Mavericks are in no immediate need for help from a first round draft pick. They are a prime candidate to “sell” eerrrr “trade” this pick. If they do keep it, I see them taking a Euro that they can keep overseas for a while and let him develop.
27. New Jersey Nets – Jeremy Tyler, PF Japan
Analysis – The Nets are going to need a PF now that Kris Humphries will soon fall victim to the curse that is becoming a Kardashian. As evidence, see Mr. Lamar Kardashian. Brook Lopez is going to need help in the paint and Tyler is a ready player having played in Japan professionally.
28. Chicago Bulls – Marshon Brooks, SG Providence
Analysis – Chicago needs a shooting guard in the worst way and while Marshon is more of a combo guard, he can definitely score the ball. Marshon could also serve as a backup for Derrick Rose. They could sell this pick, but Chicago could actually use a talent influx.
*UPDATE* Nolan Smith, PG-SG Duke
Analysis: Can backup both guard positions and adds depth.
29. San Antonio Spurs – Justin Harper, PF Richmond
Analysis – Time has run out on the Spurs. They need to seriously consider blowing things up and start over. They are trying move up in the draft to get better talent, but as of now, we’ll have them here taking Harper. This makes sense as Duncan isn’t the same contributor anymore.
30. Chicago Bulls – Davis Bertans, SF Latvia
Analysis – The second of two first round picks, Chicago can afford to use this pick on a Euro and maybe have him stay overseas until he is ready to come over. Remember, they did finish first in the East, so while they could use the talent provided with this pick, it’s not a necessity.
Mr. Armchair Speaking
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