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saintEscaton wrote:I feel like Simmons will pull another Kobe on draftnight and force his way to laland because he's always donned the purple n' gold and was high school teammates with the Snitch. At the end of the day it may not even matter who wins it
Gorilla Warfare wrote:So who's all ready for that #7 pick?
Gorilla Warfare wrote:So who's all ready for that #7 pick?
1UPZ wrote:saintEscaton wrote:I feel like Simmons will pull another Kobe on draftnight and force his way to laland because he's always donned the purple n' gold and was high school teammates with the Snitch. At the end of the day it may not even matter who wins it
I hope who ever gets a top 2 and want to draft him, LA or not, drafts him anyways. They change their minds once they start playing with their team.
Funky Tut wrote:Mutumbo already accidentally tweeted that the Sixers won the lottery like yesterday in this rigged crap.
The lottery results are in and the Philadelphia 76ers are (finally) the big winners! That means it's time for Mock Draft 7.0.
The NBA draft combine just finished last weekend and had a significant impact on our Big Board. The process of team workouts has just started. Over the next few weeks, the adidas Eurocamp and hundreds of team workouts will dramatically alter the makeup of the draft.
Remember, this mock draft doesn't say where a player should go, but rather what each team in the draft would likely do with its pick.
Here's our latest full first-round mock draft (assuming every eligible prospect who has yet to state his intentions on the draft declares), after taking into account team needs based on our discussions with NBA scouts and general managers.
1. Philadelphia 76ers
Ben Simmons
LSU
Freshman
Forward
What a huge lift this is for the Sixers. Suddenly former GM Sam Hinkie's long-term strategy of building through the draft looks much smarter, with a potential superstar landing in Philly.
There will be a lot of debate in the Sixers' front office between Ben Simmons and Brandon Ingram. But I think they'll lean Simmons.
Philadelphia coach Brett Brown knows him from his days coaching in Australia. He desperately needs a playmaker and new GM Bryan Colangelo wants a player who can contribute right now.
Ingram will be tempting. They need shooting and Ingram could really fit the bill. But right now, the odds are on Simmons going No. 1.
2. Los Angeles Lakers
Brandon Ingram
Duke
Freshman
Forward
This is a great outcome for the Lakers. They keep their pick, they can land a potential superstar and they won't have the pressure of deciding between Simmons and Ingram. They can just take whomever is left on the board. I can't tell you how many GMs told me tonight at the lottery that they'd prefer No. 2, just for this reason.
If the Sixers take Simmons, Ingram is a terrific fit for the Lakers. They need wings who can shoot, and Ingram could end up being a Kevin Durant clone.
3. Boston Celtics (via Nets)
Jamal Murray
Kentucky
Freshman
Guard
Staying at No. 3 was a tough outcome for the Celtics, because the top two players seem to tower over the rest of the draft. Celtics GM Danny Ainge has been searching for a superstar and got so, so close.
I think the Celtics will seriously explore trading this pick along with other assets, parlaying them into a veteran who can help right now.
If it's not traded, I think the pick will be between Murray, Kris Dunn and Buddy Hield. The Celtics really like Dunn, and he might eventually be better than the point guards they already have, but Murray's shooting ability and versatility might make him a more valuable player (or trade chip) for the Celtics.
4. Phoenix Suns
Dragan Bender
Croatia
Age: 18
Forward/center
While the Suns would've loved to have jumped into the top two, this isn't a bad outcome for them. They really need a stretch 4 and Bender is likely to be there for them to take.
Many GMs believe he's the third-best prospect in the draft. Bender is young and a bit inexperienced, but he could bring many of the same qualities that Kristaps Porzingis brought to the table as a Knicks rookie.
5. Minnesota Timberwolves
Kris Dunn
Providence
Junior
Guard
The Wolves' biggest need is shooting, both at the 2 and the 4 positions. If Buddy Hield and Henry Ellenson are on the board, they'll be very tempted.
But Tom Thibodeau, the new president and coach, believes in defense first, and Kris Dunn is an elite defender -- taking him would give them flexibility should they choose to trade Ricky Rubio.
It's a tough call. But from what I could gather at the combine and the lottery, they may be leaning Dunn.
6. New Orleans Pelicans
Buddy Hield
Oklahoma
Senior
Guard
Landing Hield would be a dream scenario for the Pelicans. Two-guard Eric Gordon is a free agent, and New Orleans really needs shooting, and they want to get better fast. Hield could come in and play right away.
Dragan Bender and Kris Dunn are the other guys they're really interested in, but in this scenario, I think it's Hield.
7. Denver Nuggets
Henry Ellenson
Marquette
Freshman
Forward/center
The Nuggets don't have any obvious needs, which allows them to take the best player available.
Ellenson is an interesting fit. His ability to stretch the floor and rebound should be really attractive. Marquese Chriss may have a little more upside, but Ellenson is a surer thing. Skal Labissiere is a dark horse here.
8. Sacramento Kings
Jaylen Brown
Cal
Freshman
Forward
Sacramento needs a point guard, but Dunn and Jamal Murray are off the board and the next best point guard, Tyler Ulis, is a stretch this high. The Kings also need shooting, but again, unless they reach for Furkan Korkmaz, I think they have to opt for the best available player here.
I think the most likely scenario is for them to seek out a trade. They want to win now and don't have a lot of interest in a rookie. But if they keep the pick, Brown has all the physical tools to make him intriguing here -- as long as the team is patient.
9. Toronto Raptors (via Knicks)
Marquese Chriss
Washington
Freshman
Forward
Chriss is raw, but his size, athleticism, shooting and shot-blocking make for a unique combination.
Given the Raptors' long-term needs at power forward, he's worth a shot. And don't be surprised if they are tempted by Labissiere here. If Skal hits his potential, he could be a Channing Frye-type player in the pros.
10. Milwaukee Bucks
Jakob Poeltl
Utah
Sophomore
Center
The Bucks suffered defensively with Greg Monroe in the middle and will likely look to see what they can get on the trade market this summer. Even if they keep him, Poeltl -- the No. 1 rated center on our Board -- seems like a good fit. He's a fluid athlete with great hands who rebounds and protects the rim. He needs to get stronger, but he's a good value at No. 10.
11. Orlando Magic
Skal Labissiere
Kentucky
Freshman
Forward/center
Labissiere gives the Magic something they've lacked for a while -- a rim protector. He is a terrific shot-blocker and has the ability to stretch the floor.
He would be perfect next to Nikola Vucevic, but the Magic are going to have to be patient with him.
12. Utah Jazz
Furkan Korkmaz
Turkey
Age: 18
Shooting guard
The Jazz don't have any immediate needs, and whichever player lands here will struggle to find minutes on a loaded roster.
Three candidates stand out if Labissiere is off the board: Korkmaz, Denzel Valentine and Malachi Richardson. Valentine is a prototypical Jazz player and the most ready to play right now. Richardson has the most upside. However, Korkmaz offers shooting, upside and the ability to continue to develop in Turkey until the Jazz need him.
13. Phoenix Suns (via Wizards)
Denzel Valentine
Michigan State
Senior
Forward/guard
If the Suns grab Bender, then their needs move to the small forward position. P.J. Tucker has a team option, and while T.J. Warren has been solid, Valentine is a better talent than both.
He's a better passer and shooter, and should be able to play right away.
kennydorglas wrote:We should start the 'return of the Dragan' campaign right now.
If he's gone at 3, we'd be forced to pick Dunn and fix our logjam with another injured prospect. Not good.
AtheJ415 wrote:I'd really hate Valentine at 13. I just think there are guys with more long-term upside that a team like us should chase at that spot. SF isn't a need this year--it's a need next year, because PJ Tucker has a team option, and we will be picking it up at his measly $5 million.I would be thrilled to trade Tucker and grab somebody at the 3, but absent a trade I don't see how this is a need.
