The NBA Draft will take place late June in New Jersey. A month out from the draft, this is my first mock draft.
My Lottery Big Board
1. Kyrie Irving PG – Cleveland Cavaliers
Freshman/Duke, 6’3” 191 lbs– 17.5ppg, 4.3ast, 3.4rpg
Irving is almost unanimously thought to be the best player in the draft. The Cavs have a very shallow roster at all positions and as such, need should not be a factor in this selection.
Irving has a pure point guard’s game and the potential to be a borderline All-Star down the road. He is coming off a food injury last season with Duke but it probably won’t hurt his stock come draft night.
2. Derrick Williams SF– Minnesota Timberwolves
Sophomore/Arizona, 6’9” 248 lbs – 19.5ppg, 8.3rpg, 1.1ast
Williams is a very solid player and the only player other than Irving to be considered a top three lock. Although not possessing the upside that Irving has, Williams does have potential to be a second or third option on a good team.
The Wolves have a pretty decent rotation at SF and so Williams probably won’t fit well. This would likely lead to at least one of Michael Beasley, Wes Johnson or even Williams himself to be traded on draft night.
If the Wolves were picking on need they might selected Enes Kanter or trade down for Bismack Biyombo.
3. Brandon Knight PG – Utah Jazz
Freshman/Kentucky, 6’3” 177 lbs – 17.3ppg, 4.2ast, 4rpg
Although Knight wont be the best available at the 3rd pick the Jazz probably wont want to gamble on Kanter.
Knight, a scoring point guard had a slow start to the season for Kentucky, but performed strongly in the tournament in March. He is one of the best shooters in the draft and thrives from behind the 3pt line.
He has plenty of upside and should equate to a solid guard in the mould of Jason Terry or a weaker Chauncey Billlups.
4. Enes Kanter C Turkey– Cleveland Cavaliers
19 YOA/Turkey, 6’11” 259 lbs, DNP 2010-11
Kanter didn’t play a game in 2010-11 but despite that he should still make the top five. A non-traditional euro big-man, Kanter makes his money in the paint. A strong back-to-the-basket game and good floor running ability make him an asset to any team.
There were concerns over his attitude this week, after he refused to interview with Utah, instead saying he wants to play for the Washington Wizards.
Despite the trouble, the Cavs should pick him for his high talent level if he is available.
5. Jan Vesely SF – Toronto Raptors
21 YOA/Czech Republic 6’11” 240 lbs – 10.3ppg, 4.4rpg, 1.3ast
Vesely has been the best young talent in Europe for a while now. Really hitting his stride in December and January Vesely is pushing hard now while it matters.
Vesely does his best work above the ring and loves to get out in transition.
The Raptors would really like a center to allow Bargnani to move to the four. This could mean they’ll make a trade, possibly involving this pick.
6. Kawhi Leonard SF – Washington Wizards
Sophomore/San Diego State 6’7” 227 pounds – 15.5ppg, 10.6rpg, 3.5ast
It’s no secret that the Wizards would much rather take Enes Kanter here. They’ll probably have to settle for Leonard though, as the other big options are likely to fall before the 6th pick.
Leonard was great all year for the Aztecs, thriving in his scoring power-forward role.
There are problems though, with most suggesting his lack of height will lead him to push over to the SF spot. The adjustment is likely to be a difficult one, and he could have a tough first year in the league.
7. Kemba Walker PG – Sacramento Kings
Junior/Connecticut 6’1” 184 pounds – 23.5ppg 5.4rpg, 4.5ast
There were true concerns about his height pre-combine but he surprisingly measured up at a true 6’1”.
Walker was impressive all year at UConn and led the Huskies to a national championship on the back of his impressive scoring and floor running abilities.
The Kings have needed a better playmaker than Tyreke all season and it looks like they should get him.
8. Bismack Biyombo PF – Detroit Pistons
18 YOA/Spain (from Congo) 6’10” 240 pounds – 6.4ppg, 5.1rpg, 2.3bpg (17.1mins)
Biyombo splashed onto the scene less than a month ago after a spectacular showing at the Nike Hoops Summit. Scouts are hoping he can turn into an impressive shot blocker who could compare loosely to Serge Ibaka.
There are concerns about his age however, with reports saying he could be closer to 24 than 18.
9. Tristan Thomson PF – Charlotte Bobcats
Freshman/Texas 6’9” 227 pounds – 13.1ppg 7.8rp 2.4bpg
Undersized at the four, Thomson is still a good talent. In the mould of a poor man’s Josh Smith, Thomson is still very raw. He does his best work off the ball and so won’t find it too hard in the league.
There are rumours that Toronto may take him, being a native of the region.
10. Alec Burks SG – Milwaukee Bucks
Sophomore/Colorado 6’6” 193 pounds – 20.5ppg 6.5rpg, 2.9ast
There have been rumblings about Burks going to Milwaukee for weeks. He fits their need for an off-the-dribble creator well and could fit nicely into the rotation.
It’s rumoured that Bucks PG Brandon Jennings is on the block, and if it’s true it could mean the Bucks package this pick with him, or else possibly move up in the draft.
They still would like to get deeper at the backup point and center positions.
11. Jonas Valanciunas C – Golden State Warriors
19 YOA/Lithuania 6’11” 240 pounds – 7.6ppg, 5.6rpg, 0.6bpg (14.9mins)
Valanciunas is both the best player and also a need filler for the Warriors at this pick. There are concerns about his lack of a rounded post game and his slow development.
If he can be a decent contributor on defence and a part time offense player he could start for the Warriors and help them make a playoff run next season.
12. Marcus Morris PF – Utah Jazz
Junior/Kansas 6’9” 230 pounds – 17.2ppg, 7.6rpg, 0.6bpg
One of the two Morris twins, Marcus has recently taken a step above his brother Markieff. Marcus is a little undersized for the 4, but has a solid offensive game. He could look to be a sold role player for a few years and maybe eventually turn into an NBA starter.
13. Jimmer Fredette PG – Phoenix Suns
Senior/BYU 6’3” 195 pounds – 28.9ppg, 3.4rpg, 4.2ast
Jimmer was the best scorer in the college game last year and almost single headedly led his team to the round of 16.
He’s not particularly strong or fast but is one of the best shooters in any league in the world. The Suns would be hoping that with some guidance from Steve Nash and a bit of luck he could be their PG for the future. Most scouts think that Jimmer will be a sixth man at best for the rest of his career.
14. Jordan Hamilton SF – Houston Rockets
Sophomore/Texas 6’8” 225 pounds – 18.6ppg, 7.7rpg, 2.1ast
The young forward from Texas is a solid talent who could compete for minutes right now on the current Rockets squad. A potent offensive threat, Hamilton compares somewhat to a much less talented Joe Johnson.
Hamilton has been the number 1 scorer for Texas all year and so might have some troubles sliding into an off ball role alongside Kevin Martin.
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