Today’s NBA Draft appears to be top-heavy, with the talent pool evening out quite a bit in the middle of the lottery. Its depth is underrated, as quality players worthy of NBA minutes can be found in the latter stages of the first round, even into the second round.
With a potential work stoppage in the league’s future, a number of college prospects elected to make themselves available this year, rather than be faced with an uncertain future next season. That overflow of talent could provide a much better draft crop than some had anticipated.
While there was some early debate about who the top pick would be, that debate was quickly put to rest as the Washington Wizards made their plans quite clear. A franchise in need of any positive forces, winning the right to select first was a welcome treat.
After that, there are plenty of questions.
Hopefully, this mock draft answers some of them.
1. Washington Wizards — John Wall, G, Kentucky
While there could have been some drama with this pick, it seems the Wizards made up their minds long ago. Wall displayed incredible natural ability in his one season leading the Wildcats’ offense. He has a knack for hitting big shots, can create for his teammates, is extremely athletic and is also a great defender. He will instantly be one of the top 10 point guards in the league and has the potential to be an All-Star in the near future.
2. Philadelphia 76ers — Evan Turner, G-F, Ohio State
Turner, a classic do-it-all player, developed his game over his Buckeye career and became perhaps the most complete player in the country. His penchant for putting up triple-doubles made Ohio State an overachieving unit. While the Sixers are more in need of a big man, already having Andre Iguodala and trading away Samuel Dalembert, Turner is about as safe as it gets.
3. New Jersey Nets — Wesley Johnson, G-F, Syracuse
This is a pick that I think will end up happening, but I personally don’t agree with. It seems that the Nets have become very high on Johnson after a recent workout and are likely to pass on the two elite big men sitting right in front of them — Derrick Favors and DeMarcus Cousins. Current center Brook Lopez will definitely be a cornerstone for years to come, but Cousins would be the real prize. His upside could land him as a perennial All-Star. It’s hard to say the same for Johnson.
4. Detroit Pistons* — DeMarcus Cousins, C, Kentucky
This is currently the Minnesota Timberwolves’ pick, but I’m projecting a trade. With neither of the players they want on the board, GM David Kahn will not put his fans through another fiasco like last year. Cousins has indicated he doesn’t want to play for the ‘Wolves, just as Ricky Rubio said last year. They need to come out of this with a player who wants to be on the court. Detroit will move up to snag Cousins and give up the No. 7, Tayshaun Prince and cash. This could be the first step to bringing the “bad boy” image back to Detroit.
5. Sacramento Kings — Derrick Favors, F-C, Georgia Tech
Extremely young and extremely talented, Favors is still a huge question mark. At just 18, he played very well in his one college season, but had no help around him to really shine. The Kings, likely expecting to be able to select Johnson, traded for Dalembert earlier this week, but they won’t shy away from grabbing another big. Sacramento has a nice corps of young players now, with Rookie of the Year Tyreke Evans, Carl Landry and Jason Thompson.
6. Golden State Warriors — Al-Farouq Aminu, SF-PF, Wake Forest
I’ve really grown to like Aminu’s game. He’s not a great shooter, but has shown great improvement on his jumper during recent workouts. He’s a very smart player who knows how to get to the rim without the ball and finish. For a running team like the Warriors, his athleticism, size and court awareness could be a perfect fit alongside guards Monta Ellis and Stephen Curry.
7. Minnesota Timberwolves* — Greg Monroe, F-C, Georgetown
Per the trade with the Pistons, Minnesota could reach for Nevada’s Luke Babbitt, but I think they take the versatile Monroe. Though they already have Al Jefferson and Kevin Love, Monroe is a different type of frontcourt player who can play at the foul line and make great passes to teammates. He is more of a Lamar Odom-type than a true power forward, so he should fit in.
8. Los Angeles Clippers — Gordon Hayward, SF, Butler
The NCAA tournament darling has moved himself all the way up into the lottery after being a fringe first-round pick earlier this year. With last year’s top pick, Blake Griffin, and point guard Eric Gordon already in place, the Clipps can add a wing with good offensive ability, as well as an underrated defender. His farmboy qualities also wouldn’t be the worst thing for a team always looking to lure fans in an already saturated market.
9. Utah Jazz — Ed Davis, F-C, North Carolina
At one time, Davis was thought of as a potential No. 1 overall selection, but his team’s poor season dropped him down a bit. He has shown his abilities once again in workouts and the Jazz will likely have to prepare for a frontcourt that doesn’t include Carlos Boozer. If the Minnesota-Detroit trade does not happen, Davis is a strong candidate to go to the Pistons at No. 7.
10. Indiana Pacers — Paul George, G-F, Fresno State
This could be a bit of a reach, but George has apparently been moving up many teams’ draft boards. Indiana historically loves shooters and George is perhaps the best in this draft. The Pacers could use a point guard, and if another team offers one up for this pick, they could bite.
11. New Orleans — Ekpe Udoh, PF, Baylor
The versatile lefty showed a lot in the NCAA tournament and should be an instant impact player on the defensive end. Many teams are worried that he is already 23 years old, but I think this is a silly concern. How often are players with the same team for 10 years, anyway? Udoh has an awkward offensive game, but it was effective. We’ve seen that players don’t need the picture-perfect shot to score just this past season with Chris Douglas-Roberts.
12. Memphis Grizzlies — Cole Aldrich, C, Kansas
While the Grizzlies used the second overall pick on a center last season, they are probably still looking for one this season. Hasheem Thabeet has not panned out yet and Aldrich can be a workhorse for this guard-heavy squad.
13. Toronto Raptors — Patrick Patterson, PF, Kentucky
There really is no position that the Raptors don’t need help at, so it seems like best player available will be their motto. They could certainly be looking at Babbitt, but I just feel like Patterson will be the guy. He showed his high skill level all season and should be able to contribute immediately.
14. Houston Rockets — Luke Babbitt, SF, Nevada
Houston GM Daryl Morey has been stockpiling talent the past few seasons and could add a great piece if Babbitt happens to fall to him. At 6’9”, Babbitt is one of the top shooters in the draft who could spell Trevor Ariza and Luis Scola, while adding a shooter alongside Kevin Martin. Morey has done very well in the draft to this point and this pick would be no exception.
15. Milwaukee Bucks — Lance Stephenson, G, Cincinnati
I must admit, I’m stealing this hunch from ESPN’s Chad Ford. Stephenson is an incredible talent who has had some attitude issues in his young career. As the all-time leading scorer in New York high school basketball, he possesses phenomenal physical tools and has had an NBA body for years. The Bucks showed last year they are not opposed to selecting players who have been labeled as character problems. It worked out amazingly well with Brandon Jennings, so they may roll the dice again. Milwaukee did just deal for swingman Corey Maggette, but there aren’t many big men of note at this point of the draft.
16. Minnesota Timberwolves — James Anderson, G, Oklahoma State
Having gotten a versatile big man in Monroe, the T’Wolves grab one of the top pure scorers on the board to add to their backcourt.
17. Chicago Bulls — Jordan Crawford, G, Xavier
This is a hunch pick on my part. Most mock drafts have Crawford going about 10-15 picks lower than this, but I think he could be a great fit for the Bulls. He always seemed like the most NBA-ready player in any game I saw him play. Anderson is also a likely pick if he is still available.
18. Oklahoma City Thunder — Craig Brackins, PF, Iowa State
The Thunder don’t have many holes to fill, but a frontcourt scorer could be one. Brackins has great range for a 6’10” player and can play defense.
19. Boston Celtics — Xavier Henry, G, Kansas
With many of its key players approaching the end of their careers, Boston must look to add depth immediately. Henry is great value and can slide in as a potential replacement for Ray Allen.
20. San Antonio Spurs — Kevin Seraphin, F-C, France
With no obvious, experienced college player falling in their lap this time around, the Spurs go back to their roots and go international, taking the beefy Seraphin to add to a thinning frontcourt.
21. Oklahoma City Thunder — Avery Bradley, G, Texas
It wouldn’t shock me to see the Thunder deal this pick, after picking up No. 18 from the Heat. Bradley appears to be the best player on the board and can be a versatile asset.
22. Portland Trail Blazers — Solomon Alabi, C, Florida State
With the injury histories of Greg Oden and Joel Przybila, the Blazers will be looking at center. Alabi is the best shot-blocker in the draft and can be an immediate presence.
23. Minnesota Timberwolves — Devin Ebanks, SF-PF, West Virginia
With their third pick of the round (for now), the ‘Wolves go after a defensive specialist in Ebanks, who is a proven rebounder and can guard different positions.
24. Atlanta Hawks — Eric Bledsoe, G, Kentucky
If Bledsoe falls to this spot, the Hawks must seriously consider him with an aging Mike Bibby and Joe Johnson heading out of town.
25. Memphis Grizzlies — Damion James, PF, Texas
Western Conference teams always need bangers. James is a physical force who can play immediately.
26. Oklahoma City Thunder — Tibor Pleiss, C, Germany
With an abundance of talent assembled, the Thunder use their third pick on a player they can keep stashed in Europe for a bit.
27. New Jersey Nets — Dominique Jones, G, South Florida
A scoring wing is still a need for New Jersey, one it likely won’t fill in free agency. Jones could fill that void.
28. Memphis Grizzlies — Hassan Whiteside, C, Marshall
It’s highly unlikely the Grizz will still own this pick when it is called, but whoever is picking will surely take a look at this athletic 7-footer.
29. Orlando Magic — Quincy Pondexter, SF, Washington
One of the smoother offensive players in the country, Pondexter scares teams due to his lack of freakish athleticism. He’ll stick somewhere for a while.
30. Washington Wizards — Greivis Vasquez, G, Maryland
The locals will be happy as the Maryland fan-favorite goes to D.C. Vasquez is worthy of a first-round pick after his continuous clutch performances.
