Patrick Causey, on Twitter @PhillySportsJD
The NBA Draft is only two days away, so I thought I would put up my one and only mock draft. This is largely an exercise in futility. There is really no way to know what teams will do, who they covet, and what trades will be made. Add Sam Hinkie to the mix, and literally anything could happen.
Here is an educated guess of the lottery. Enjoy.
1. Minnesota Timberwolves: Karl Anthony-Towns, C, Kentucky: I still think Okafor is the better player, but the reports have the Timberwolves taking KAT. If he can put it all together, he could easily be the best player in this draft. But that's a big if in my book.
2. Los Angeles Lakers: Jahlil Okafor, C, Duke: The Lakers have built the success of their franchise on big men, and they get another one here in Okafor. His low post moves are a throwback to a bygone era. But the league adapts to the talent in front of it, not the other way around; and Okafor is so talented that the Lakers will make it work.
3. Philadelphia 76ers: D'Angelo Russell, PG, Ohio State: The Sixers finally get a player that can contribute the year in which he was drafted, and Sixers' fans are finally rewarded for their patience. Russell's elite passing and three point range make him an ideal floor general in today's NBA. And he could be the perfect floor spacer for Embiid and Noel (assuming Embiid ever sees the court).
4. New York Knicks: Emmanuel Mudiay, PG, China: Believe it or not, the Knicks, not the Sixers, are the wildcard of the draft. They could go any number of directions here, including trading the pick for an established vet or future first rounders. In Mudiay, they get an uber-athletic point guard that they can build around for years to come.
5. Orlando Magic: Kristaps Porzingis, C, Latvia: The Magic have plenty of athletes with length. What they lack is shooters. In Porzingis, they potentially get all three, assuming he can put it all together.
6. Sacramento Kings: Willie Cauley-Stein, C, Kentucky: The Kings have missed on draft picks lately, so it is imperative they get this one right. WCS is about as athletic a big man as the NBA has ever seen. While he will likely never become a two-way force, his defensive skills are so good that he should become a good starter.
7. Denver Nuggets: TRADE: Sixers trade Lakers top 3 protected 2016 first rounder and Oklahoma City Thunder top 15 protected 2016 first round pick to the Denver Nuggets for the Number 7 overall pick. The Sixers select: Justise Winslow, SF, Duke: one of my personal favorites in this draft. Winslow is the perfect wing for the Sixers; he has the potential to lock down multiple positions on the defensive side of the ball. And if he can consistently hit the three, he should add much needed floor spacing for the Sixers. Plus, Winslow is the perfect "glue" guy that has won every where he's gone, so he would be a great addition to the Sixers young core.
8. Detroit Pistons: Mario Hezonja, G/F, Croatia: Hezonja is confident, athletic, and a lights out shooter. He will likely never be the top dog on a team, but he could be a very solid number two or three option. And he will give the Pistons a much needed shot in the arm on the offensive side of the ball.
9. Charlotte Hornets: Devin Booker, G, Kentucky: I hate this pick, but everyone and their mother are mocking Booker to the Hornets — who desperately need a three point shooter. Booker can shoot threes no doubt, but outside of that, I don't see what else he brings to the table. While it is not as much of a danger to draft for need at this point in the draft, this still might be pushing the envelope.
10. Miami Heat: Stanley Johnson, G/F, Arizona: Johnson is a tough, physical wing that can defend multiple positions and step right in as a scoring option off the bench. Riley has little patience for young players, though, so it will be interesting if he gives Johnson a shot. Kaminsky is another possibility here.
11. Indiana Pacers: Myles Turner, C, Texas: The Pacers have had their eyes on Willie Cauley-Stein throughout the draft process, but they likely won't complain if they end up with Turner as a consolation prize. I am in the minority, but I don't see a considerable difference between Turner and KAT's game: both are 7'0 big men that can protect the rim and have range on the offensive side of the ball. Turner has the chance to be a very good NBA player, and would represent a steal at 11 if he is able to put it all together.
12. Utah Jazz: Sam Dekker, F, Wisconsin: The Jazz have a young and deep, athletic roster. While there aren't many "holes" to fill, they could use some more versatility and scoring on the front line. Enter Dekker, who is nothing if not a versatile front line player who can score and defend.
13. Phoenix Suns: Frank Kaminsky, C, Wisconsin: the Wisconsin teammates go back-to-back, with the Suns adding some much needed front court depth with the versatile 7-footer. Kaminsky is about as NBA ready as they come, and would be a perfect compliment to Suns big man Alex Len.
14. Oklahoma City Thunder: Cameron Payne, PG, Murray State: like the Hornets pick of Booker, this one almost seems preordained. The Thunder need a backup point guard for Russell Westbrook, and have seemingly locked in on the small school prospect. Payne brings an impressive array of size, passing ability and scoring touch, which should bode well for coming off the bench.
15. Atlanta Hawks: Trey Lyles, PF, Kentucky: Next to Winslow, Lyles is one of my sleepers in this draft. He is a highly skilled big that can stretch the floor and take his man off the dribble. Teams will regret passing on Lyles simply because he isn't an explosive athlete; mark my words.
16. Boston Celtics: Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, SF, Arizona: If Hollis-Jefferson had a shot, he would likely be a top 10 pick. He is a physically imposing wing that is arguably the best defensive player in this draft. While he will likely never become a consistent shooter, he should have a long career as an elite defensive wing.
17. Milwaukee Bucks: Kelly Oubre, SF, Kansas: the Bucks have bigger needs elsewhere, but Oubre represents too much value to pass up at this point in the draft. Once thought to be a high lottery pick, Oubre's stock has taken a hit based on concerns over his production and character. But if he can put it all together, he projects as an ideal "3 and D" specialist, which would fit well with what the Bucks are building.
18. Houston Rockets: Tyus Jones, PG, Duke: this pick makes perfect sense for both team and player. Jones is a favorite of the analytic community, so it's no wonder he has been mocked to the Rockets by pretty much everyone. The Rockets need depth in their back court, and Jones' play making ability, confidence, and willingness to take the big shot would be a welcomed addition to the Rockets.
19. Washington Wizards: Bobby Portis, PF, Arkansas: While back-up point guard is a big need for the Wizards, Chad Ford recently reported that the Wizards are hoping to land a power forward. Portis is not the best athlete, but his combination of skill, rebounding, and energy off the bench make him an ideal big to add to an exciting young nucleus that includes John Wall, Bradley Beal and Otto Porter.
20. Toronto Raptors: Kevon Looney, PF, UCLA: Looney represents good value here, as he was once projected as a lottery pick. He's a "tweener" which used to be a dreaded term 5 years ago. But the modern trend is for teams to use positions interchangeably, so the Raptors should find a way to make use of Looney's impressive skills and offensive rebounding.
21. Dallas Mavericks: Jerian Grant, PG, ND: the Mavericks desperately need back court help, and Grant, brother of Sixers' Jerami Grant, could be an ideal fit. Grant is a fifth-year senior, so he is ready to contribute right away. He has good size for a point guard and can facilitate offense with his drive and dish capabilities.
22. Chicago Bulls: Delon Wright, PG, Utah: With question marks surrounding Derek Rose's balky knees, the Bulls could be looking to add some point guard depth here. Wright has the chance to be a very good backup point guard in this league. He has size, good passing ability, and is an above average defender; if he can add a consistent shot to his game, he could be a great get for the Bulls at 22.
23. Portland Trailblazers: Rashad Vaughn, SG, UNLV: With Wesley Matthews heading into free agency, the Trailblazers need help at the shooting guard position. Vaughn is a great wing scorer that put up big numbers at UNLV, and can also fill in as a backup point guard if need be.
24. Cleveland Cavaliers: Justin Anderson, SF, Virginia: Even if Kevin Love comes back, the Cavs need help stretching the floor and on defense. Enter Anderson, who would be the perfect "3 and D" candidate for the Cavs, as he can guard multiple positions and shot 45% from 3 as a junior last year.
25. Memphis Grizzlies: R.J. Hunter, SG, Georgia State: the Grizzlies need to get better from beyond the arc, and Hunter should instantly provide that off the bench. He is also a good facilitator from the two guard, and his defensive limitations won't be as much of an issue given the Grizzlies front court depth.
26. San Antonio Spurs: Christian Wood, PF, UNLV: He is a perfect fit for the Spurs system. He is a big man that can spread the floor with his shooting touch, but can also serve as a point forward that can facilitate offense and take his man off the dribble. He might take some time to develop, but he could be an ideal player off the bench for the Spurs in a few years.
27. Los Angeles Lakers: Terry Rozier, PG, Louisville: With the Lakers taking Okafor #2, they can turn their attention towards improving their back court depth. Rozier is a scoring point guard that can bring some toughness and fire power off the bench for the Lakers.
28. Boston Celtics: Motrezl Harrell, PF, Louisville: the Louisville teammates go back to back here, with Harrell providing the Celtics with some much needed athleticism to add to their front court.
29. Brooklyn Nets: Chris McCullough, PF, Syracuse: McCollough is a swing for the fences type pick, which is what the Nets need to go for given their current state of their roster. McCollough tore his acl, but has lottery talent. If he is given time, he could be a talented player.
30. Golden State Warriors: Jarell Martin, F, LSU: Martin has good skill, is a very good NBA athlete, and rebounds at a high clip. The Warriors don't have many needs, as they have one of the deeper rosters in the NBA. Martin could be a great get for the Warriors this late.
