Since putting up
Mock Draft 5.0 minutes after the draft lottery order was announced, we've gotten six days of feedback from NBA teams. That means it's time for Mock Draft 6.0.
Things will continue to be really fluid for the next few weeks, especially with GMs and scouts in Chicago for the 2012 NBA Draft Combine; while the prospects' play on the court won't drastically affect their draft status, physical and athletic measurements, along with interviews and medical tests will. In other words, expect even more changes when we get to Mock 7.0 next week.
But for now, here's our best stab, after talking to numerous NBA team sources, about how the draft might play out on June 28.
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New Orleans
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Anthony Davis
| Position: PF
Height: 6-foot-10
Weight: 220 pounds
Age: 19
School: Kentucky |
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Analysis: Davis is the no-brainer choice for the Hornets at No. 1. The big question now is how quickly the Hornets can become a playoff contender. Once they add Davis' salary (around $5 million in Year 1) and the No. 10 pick (around $2.25 million), plus presumably re-sign Eric Gordon, they won't have much cash left to spend. But they have enough assets to add depth all around.
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Analysis: There are three schools of thought here. One is the Bobcats go with Kidd-Gilchrist even though he's not really a player you build a team around. But his toughness and desire to win are contagious. He could bring a new spirit to the downtrodden Bobcats.
The second option is they could go with a big like Thomas Robinson or Andre Drummond. Robinson would add toughness, too, but perhaps with less upside. Drummond isn't very tough, but his upside is tremendous. The third idea is for the Bobcats to entertain moving down a few spots to pick up additional assets. With no real game-changers at No. 2 -- it might be the smartest move of all.
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Washington
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Bradley Beal
| Position: SG
Height: 6-foot-5
Weight: 195 pounds
Age: 18
School: Florida |
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Analysis: The Wizards are happy at No. 3 and I think it will come down to Kidd-Gilchrist or Bradley Beal. In this mock, MKG is off the board, so the choice is much easier. Beal would be a great get for the Wizards. The team could really use a dominant 2-guard to pair with John Wall. If the Bobcats take Beal, then landing Kidd-Gilchrist would add the toughness the team desperately lacks.
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Cleveland
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Harrison Barnes
| Position: SF
Height: 6-foot-8
Weight: 210 pounds
Age: 19
School: North Carolina |
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Analysis: Thomas Robinson may be the best player left on the board, but he's not a great fit with Tristan Thompson. If both MKG and Beal are off the board, the choice will be between Harrison Barnes and Andre Drummond. Both fit needs and Drummond has crazy upside, but the Cavs loved Barnes at the No. 4 pick last year before he decided to go back to school. I think they'll roll the dice on him again this year. Watch out for Jeremy Lamb here as well. I hear he's the wild card at No. 4.
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Sacramento
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Thomas Robinson
| Position: PF
Height: 6-foot-9
Weight: 237 pounds
Age: 21
School: Kansas |
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Analysis: The Kings, if they keep the pick, will likely try to add some athleticism, size and toughness to their front line. Drummond is bigger and is an elite athlete, but Robinson is also an explosive athlete and actually produced in college. More importantly, Robinson is a winner. He could help Sacramento turn around the team's culture. The dark horse at No. 5? I'm hearing it could be UNC's John Henson.
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Portland (via Nets)
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Andre Drummond
| Position: C
Height: 6-foot-11
Weight: 275 pounds
Age: 18
School: UConn |
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Analysis: This could be a scary pick for Portland. At some point Drummond's rewards start to outweigh his risks. The Blazers need size and Drummond has the potential to be a dominant big man if he ever improves his motor. If not Drummond, I think the Trail Blazers have to start looking at players such as Damian Lillard or Dion Waiters. Maybe they can package picks Nos. 6 and 11 and move up to get a player such as Brad Beal.
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Golden State
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Terrence Jones
| Position: PF
Height: 6-foot-8
Weight: 244 pounds
Age: 20
School: Kentucky |
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Analysis: There was a month or two during his freshman season when scouts debated whether Jones was a potential No. 1 pick in the draft. That talk has faded, but it's clear that he has enormous potential in a very unique mold. If the Warriors could get him to play hard all the time, he could be the answer for them at the 4.
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Toronto
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Dion Waiters
| Position: SG
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 215 pounds
Age: 20
School: Syracuse |
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Analysis: The Raptors are filled with a roster of mostly soft jump shooters. What they really need is a tough player who can get to the basket and get his own shot at the end of games. They need a true scorer. DeMar DeRozan might get there someday, but Dion Waiters is there right now. The fact that Waiters can also play some point guard is a bonus. Damian Lillard and Jeremy Lamb are also possibilities at No. 8.
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Detroit
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John Henson
| Position: PF
Height: 6-foot-10
Weight: 210 pounds
Age: 21
School: North Carolina |
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Analysis: Greg Monroe has been a revelation in the middle for the Pistons, but they really need to pair him alongside an athletic shot-blocker. Although Henson is painfully thin, he rebounds, blocks shots and defends multiple positions. It wouldn't be a perfect solution in Detroit, but the Pistons don't have a lot of other options here.
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New Orleans
(via Wolves)
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Jared Sullinger
| Position: PF
Height: 6-foot-9
Weight: 280 pounds
Age: 20
School: Ohio State |
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Analysis: We've been assuming the Hornets would try to fill their hole at point guard here with a player like Damian Lillard or Kendall Marshall, and they might, but the last few days the buzz has been around Sullinger here. I could see why the Hornets would think pairing Davis and Sullinger would be ideal. They complement each other.
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Portland
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Damian Lillard
| Position: PG
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 185 pounds
Age: 21
School: Weber State |
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Analysis: If the Blazers get Drummond at No. 6, their other big need is at the point. If Lillard is here, I think he'd be tough to pass on. Although he's not a pure point guard, he does so many things well and should be able to contribute right away. Jeremy Lamb is also a very viable option here.
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Milwaukee
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Perry Jones III
| Position: PF
Height: 6-foot-11
Weight: 235 pounds
Age: 20
School: Baylor |
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Analysis: The Bucks gambled a few years ago on Brandon Jennings and it paid off big-time. At this point in the draft, Jones is less risk and more reward. The Bucks really need him to play some 4 ... not the 3 like he wants. But if he gets to play the way Ersan Ilyasova did (I expect the Bucks will lose Ilyasova via free agency) as a pick-and-pop 4, he should be happy.
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Phoenix
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Jeremy Lamb
| Position: SG
Height: 6-foot-5
Weight: 185 pounds
Age: 19
School: UConn |
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Analysis: I think the Suns would be thrilled if Lamb lasted this long on the board. He could go as high as No. 4 overall and I think this would be his floor. There's star potential there for Lamb if he ever revs up his motor.
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Houston
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Tyler Zeller
| Position: C
Height: 7-foot
Weight: 235 pounds
Age: 22
School: North Carolina |
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Analysis: The Rockets' biggest need is in the middle and Zeller should be a solid option. Scouts don't think Zeller is going to be an All-Star someday, but he's big, he runs the floor very well and he has a great touch around the basket. Zeller should ultimately land somewhere between picks 8 and 14.
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Philadelphia
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Terrence Ross
| Position: SG
Height: 6-foot-6
Weight: 190 pounds
Age: 21
School: Washington |
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Analysis: The Sixers might have a tough choice here between Ross and Moultrie. The team needs size, but they also need shooting. Ross has very good size for his position and would give the Sixers a starting caliber sniper, which they've long lacked.
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Houston (via Knicks)
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Arnett Moultrie
| Position: PF
Height: 6-foot-11
Weight: 225 pounds
Age: 21
School: Mississippi State |
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Analysis: The Rockets need size and Moultrie might be a great fit. He's long and athletic, he rebounds and he can stretch the floor with his jumper. Moultrie could be one of the real sleepers in the draft.
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Dallas
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Kendall Marshall
| Position: PG
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 188 pounds
Age: 20
School: North Carolina |
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Analysis: With Jason Kidd 39 and a free agent and Rodrigue Beaubois more of a combo guard, Marshall would bring much of what Kidd brings to the table -- incredible court vision and size -- right away. He's not a great athlete or a great shooter, but he could keep Dirk and company happy.
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Wolves (via Jazz)
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Austin Rivers
| Position: SG
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 199 pounds
Age: 19
School: Duke |
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Analysis: The Wolves' biggest need is at the 2 and Rivers could be a great get here. He can really shoot the basketball and has a killer crossover. He's going to have to get comfortable playing off the ball, but playing with Ricky Rubio could really help his game.
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Orlando
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Meyers Leonard
| Position: C
Height: 7-foot
Weight: 240 pounds
Age: 20
School: Illinois |
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Analysis: The Magic are in serious danger of losing Dwight Howard in the next year. Leonard is a far cry from Howard, but he's big, he's athletic and he has shown some raw promise, especially on the defensive end.
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Denver
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Marquis Teague
| Position: PG
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 178 pounds
Age: 19
School: Kentucky |
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Analysis: Andre Miller is heading into free agency this year and the Nuggets really lack depth at the point guard position. Had Teague stayed another year at Kentucky, he might have been a Top 10 pick. He's a value get here.
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Boston
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Moe Harkless
| Position: SF
Height: 6-foot-8
Weight: 190 pounds
Age: 18
School: St. John's |
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Analysis: A lot of teams see similarities between Harkless and Trevor Ariza. He's widely considered one of the top upside players left in the draft and, for a team that's starting to rebuild from the ground up, the Celtics need a few guys like that.
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Boston (via Clippers)
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Andrew Nicholson
| Position: PF
Height: 6-foot-9
Weight: 222 pounds
Age: 22
School: St. Bonaventure |
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Analysis: Nicholson is another draft sleeper who may really rise with workouts. He's a big stretch 4 who has drawn some comparisons to David West. He would be another welcome addition to the Celtics' summer makeover.
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Atlanta
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Tony Wroten Jr.
| Position: PG
Height: 6-foot-5
Weight: 205 pounds
Age: 18
School: Washington |
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Analysis: The Hawks have been cursed at the point guard position ever since they decided to pass on Chris Paul to draft Marvin Williams. Wroten is no Paul, but he may have the most raw talent of any point guard in the draft. He's big, he's athletic and he can get to the basket. If his shot wasn't broken, and if he had a better rep as a teammate, he'd be a top-10 pick.
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Cavs (via Lakers)
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Fab Melo
| Position: C
Height: 7-foot
Weight: 274 pounds
Age: 21
School: Syracuse |
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Analysis: The Cavs could really use more help at the 5. Anderson Varejao is around for a few more years but after that the cupboard is bare. Melo might need a few years anyway before he's ready to be a serious contributor at the next level.
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Memphis
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Evan Fournier
| Position: SG
Height: 6-foot-7
Weight: 206 pounds
Age: 19
School: France |
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Analysis: I'm hearing the Grizzlies are looking to stash a player over in Europe this year. Fournier, a scoring wing from France, is the best European prospect on the board.
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Indiana
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Quincy Miller
| Position: SF
Height: 6-foot-9
Weight: 210 pounds
Age: 19
School: Baylor |
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Analysis: By virtually every account, Miller was a top-10 pick coming into his freshman season and would've been top 10 on most draft boards in 2013. But scouts aren't very high on him right now, and I wonder how differently they would feel had his knee been 100 percent this season. This is a steal for the Pacers if he slides this low.
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Miami
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Draymond Green
| Position: SF
Height: 6-foot-6
Weight: 235 pounds
Age: 22
School: Michigan State |
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Analysis: The Heat need players with experience who excel in bringing out the best in their teammates. Green can be a point-forward type who does a little of everything. Think of him as a better-passing Udonis Haslem.
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Oklahoma City
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Jeff Taylor
| Position: SF
Height: 6-foot-7
Weight: 225 pounds
Age: 22
School: Vanderbilt |
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Analysis: An elite athlete, Taylor can be a lockdown defender and has range on his jumper. He's probably undervalued at this point, but that happens to seniors. The Thunder will capitalize.
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Chicago
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John Jenkins
| Position: SG
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 215 pounds
Age: 21
School: Vanderbilt |
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Analysis: The Bulls need a shooter and Jenkins has one of the best strokes in the draft. His super-quick release and ability to finish at the basket make him an interesting prospect here.
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Golden State
(via Spurs)
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Royce White
| Position: SF
Height: 6-foot-8
Weight: 240 pounds
Age: 20
School: Iowa State |
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Analysis: White, on talent alone, is a top-10 pick. But he's slipping a bit as teams worry that his anxiety disorder could disrupt his development. At pick No. 30, he's worth the risk.
