RealGM

While mocks are always some sort of mix between BPA & team need, in general I tended towards team need in this mock. The reason is this draft has generally been graded as shallow. No tier 1 players. A couple of solid starters. A dozen or so prospects with a legit chance to develop into fringe starters or rotation players. And a lot of guessing after that. So why not gamble a bit towards team need? It’s not like a GM will be leaving a sure fire star for the next team. So here it is...


1. Cleveland - Kyrie Irving, PG
The Cadavers need so much help everywhere. Best player available.

2. Minnesota - Derrick Williams, SF/PF
Thankfully for Derrick Williams he’s likely to be traded. The Wolves are so messed up.

3. Utah - Jonas Valanciunas, C
Assuming the buyout situation is workable.

4. Cleveland - Kawhi Leonard, SF
Some will say Leonard is a reach at four, but I think the kid can play, he’s super long & works hard. He’ll get nothing but better. Kawhi is my sleeper pick to become a really good starter.

5. Toronto - Enes Kanter, C
Easy pick. Nice fit with Bargnani moving over to PF.

6. Washington - Jan Vesely, SF
Any of the three preceding picks is who the Wiz really want. Hopefully Vesely doesn’t turn out to be Rashard Lewis II. Alec Burks might be the right pick here depending on how things go with Nick Young.

7. Sacramento - Kemba Walker, PG
Great pick for the Kings with Evans moving to SG. Character issues aside, Petrie’s young roster is starting to look promising.

8. Detroit - Brandon Knight, PG
Bismack Biyombo is interesting as a Ben Wallace sequel, but sequels are almost never as good as the original. Adding Knight allows Stuckey to move over to SG.

9. Charlotte - Donatas Motiejunas, C
Too bad this kid doesn’t defend. Bismack Biyombo is an alternative. Donatas Biyombo would be a hell of a player.

10. Milwaukee - Bismack Biyombo, C
A Scott Skiles player... why is Maggette, Salmons & Gooden getting $71M these next few years? That’s gotta be killing Skiles a little bit. Another player I like for the Bucks here is Chris Singleton.

11. Golden State - Nikola Vucevic, C
Maybe a stretch, but there’s not much separating the kids in the last half of the first round. And you can’t coach size. A decent PG would also help.

12. Utah - Jimmer Fredette, PG
Graded out more athletic than originally thought. Seems a great home town pick. And he’ll get lots of time right away backing up Devin Harris & playing spot shooter minutes.

13. Phoenix - Alec Burks, SG
Vince Carter is so far gone. Burks could be a really good pick if he learns to shoot the three. Klay Thompson might be a better fit.

14. Houston - Marcus Morris, PF
Morey probably offers his two 1sts to move up a few spots in search of a center. Short of that he takes the best big guy available. Maybe Tristan Thompson? Or Lucas Nogueira?

15. Indiana - Tristan Thompson, PF
The Pacers need big guys.

16. Philadelphia - Lucas Nogueira, C
Same with the 76ers. Seems like Markieff Morris is the more likely pick, but why not take a chance on the Brazilian? Definitely a project, but he’s got size & potential, especially on D.

17. New York - Josh Selby, PG
This is the rumour. Selby certainly didn’t hurt his chances at the combine.

18. Washington - Klay Thompson, SG
This kid did a lot of good things at WSU & his dad played the game too. The Wiz might need a SG depending on what happens with Nick Young.

19. Charlotte - Jordan Hamilton, SF
What does Jordan’s team need more... scoring or size? Both I think.

20. Minnesota - Markieff Morris, PF
I have no idea what Kahn could be thinking, but it seems Markieff would be a BPA pick at this point. If there is such a thing at #20 in this draft.

21. Portland - Kenneth Faried, PF
A Nate McMillan kind of player. But they need a center in the worst way. Jeremy Tyler is probably on their radar. As is Chris Singleton.

22. Denver - Reggie Jackson, PG
I don’t think the Nuggets PG situation is stable & there’s been some good buzz about this kid.

23. Houston - Jeremy Tyler, C
They also need a center in the worst way so Jeremy Tyler gets the nod here. But they also need another SF since trading Shane Battier. Davis Bertans? Tobias Harris? Chris Singleton?

24. notSonics - Chris Singleton, SF
Hey, it’s my mock. Of course he falls to us! Honestly, though, I think this kid goes in the lottery. Maybe even top ten. Tobias Harris is a more likely pick. Also hope Presti makes an effort to sign either Grant Hill or Shane Battier.

25. Boston - Jordan Williams, C
Why did they trade Kendrick Perkins?

26. Dallas - Davis Bertans, SF
Nowitzki didn’t turn out too bad.

27. New Jersey - Justin Harper, SF/PF
He can shoot. He’s got length. He’s a senior so he might be able to contribute sooner.

28. Chicago - Marshon Brooks, SG
I wonder how Michael Redd would look in a Bulls uniform?

29. San Antonio - Tobias Harris, SF
How did Tobias Harris fall this far? How is it the Spurs always seem to draft a good player?

30. Chicago - Nolan Smith, SG,
Rose needs a backup. Charles Jenkins, Shelvin Mack, Norris Cole & Darius Morris all get a look here.

Not horrible for the Bobcats, but if it did pan out like this I would rather Burks @ #9 and Tyler @ #19.

I also think that Knight is a better fit with the Kings and Walker is a better fit with the Pistons.

I think Utah goes with Enes over Jonas. Also I am not all that stoked about Jimmer at 12, but it is pretty plausible and actually fills a need.

Marshon Brooks at #20 for the Wolves.

On some levels, I really like the Vucevic pick for GSW. I am big fan of his and I think he has a really well rounded offense game. But the problem is his speed, and assuming the Warriors are still a run & gun type team, I think his lack of speed could be an issue.

Definitely a bold mockdraft overall, but nothing terrible in there

Houston Rockets PFs:

Patrick Patterson > Marcus Morris
Scola
Chuck (yes he is a PF)
Hill

so we need another PF lol

try to draft a SF or C for Houston

Here’s my final mock ahead of the 23rd. Thanks in advance for your comments!

1. Cleveland - Derrick Williams, F
Williams is just as talented as Irving. And Irving isn’t that much better than either Kemba Walker or Brandon Knight.

2. Minnesota - Kyrie Irving, PG
Amazingly, Kahn is forced to draft yet another PG. Phones lines are burning.

3. Utah - Enes Kanter, C
Stick a fork in Mehmet Okur. He’s old. He’s injured. He’s done. Kanter is the best & safest pick at center. Which is weird since he hasn’t actually played bball since forever. I’m not buying the Brandon Knight idea for Utah. He’s probably going to be good, but he’s not all-star material… sorta like Devin Harris.

4. Cleveland - Brandon Knight, PG
Ok, so now they got Knight, Williams, Hickson & Varejao. It’s a start. Too bad the Cadavers wasted their 2009 pick on Christian Eyenga. Seriously. They could’ve had any number of legit role players with that pick… Dante Cunningham, Sam Young, DeJuan Blair, Marcus Thorton, Chase Budinger... oh well.

5. Toronto - Kawhi Leonard, SF
This kid will become a good starter in the NBA. He’s got all the tools, a great attitude & a better work ethic. He will lift weights. He’s only going to get better. You guys can say I told you so later. Also, Colangelo lucks out & Barbosa goes home. Colangelo uses his new found cap space to make Sammy Dalembert a serious offer. A good move even if he over pays a bit as it enables Bargnani to play PF. If Barbosa sticks around, or if it seems Dalembert is taking his talents to South Beach, Biyombo is a legit pick here. Who cares if he can’t shoot. He can defend & rebound.

6. Washington - Jonas Valanciunas, C
Will the Wiz resign Nick Young? Will they go after an aging free agent if they don’t? Or do they draft a young SG like Alec Burk? My bet is they’re keeping Nick Young. So it’s best player available who’s not a PG. Here’s to hoping this doesn’t become Rubio II.

7. Sacramento - Kemba Walker, PG
Good pick for the Kings. Tyreke Evans becomes the SG. If the team matures through their character issues they have a chance to become good.

8. Detroit - Bismack Biyombo, C
Dumars has to like the idea of Monroe & Biyombo playing together.

9. Charlotte - Donatas Motiejunas, C
They need size & shooting. They get size here. Looks like Kwame Brown has finally found a teacher in Silas. Ironic as hell it’s on Jordan’s team. Motiejunas fits in as Kwame’s backup.

10. Milwaukee - Alec Burks, SG
Too bad the Bucks crippled themselves with so many long term contracts for mediocre players. Their young core (Jennings, Bogut, Sanders & Ilyasova) is promising.

11. Golden State - Klay Thompson, SG
They didn’t hire Jerry West to keep the status quo. The Curry & Ellis backcourt is not long for this world.

12. Utah - Jimmer Fredette, PG
Drafting Jimmer at #12 is another reason O’Conner goes with Kanter at #3 ahead of Knight. Not only is Jimmer the hometown kid who will help Jazz Marketing, but I think he will actually become a legit role player in the league. And ya, I’m saying this even though I still remember Frank Oleynick who, oddly enough, was a complete waste of a previous #12 pick for the notSonics.

13. Phoenix - Jan Vesely, SF
He drops this far in my mock because he can’t shoot. But most others still like him lots… he probably gets drafted higher, but I don’t think he should. Playing fast & furious in the Sun’s system with Nash suits his talents.

14. Houston - Nikola Vucevic, C
Sucks that the Ming dynasty is over.

15. Indiana - Marcus Morris, PF
A good pick for the Pacers.

16. Philadelphia - Tristan Thompson, PF
The 76ers are happy to add another big guy. They also announce the Iggy for Kaman trade.

17. New York - Josh Selby, PG
How is it owners can fire a GM but still ask them to run their draft? This pick is a total guess based on the rumor we all heard & his combine tests which were great.

18. Washington - Jordan Hamilton, SF
Singleton is another option here. Has there ever been a more overpaid role player than Rashard Lewis?

19. Charlotte - Chris Singleton, F
He might not be the shooter they’re looking for, but Silas will like this guy a lot.

20. Minnesota - Marshon Brooks, SG
Too many Wolf Cubs? I’d bet the Hawks wind up with this pick.

21. Portland - Kenneth Faried, F
A Nate McMillan kind of player. But they need a center in the worst way. Jeremy may be on their radar.

22. Denver - Markieff Morris, PF
I think they resign Wilson Chandler & Nene but not Martin. They also need to resolve their PG situation.

23. Houston - Tobias Harris, F
The second coming of Shane Battier? A home run if Harris is half that good.

24. notSonics - Tyler Honeycutt, SF
Speaking of Shane Battier, wouldn’t he be a great free agent signing for the notSonics on a low price, two year deal?

25. Boston - Jeremy Tyler, C
Perkins traded. Shack retired. Krstic left. O’Neill done. Too bad there’s no chance this kid can help now... if he ever gets his act together enough to actually contribute. Maybe they can talk Nazr Mohammed into joining them?

26. Dallas - Davis Bertans, SF
The Nowitzki comparisons are too much for the sentimental Cuban.

27. New Jersey - Justin Harper, F
Free agent Carl Landry would look good in a Nets uniform. Senior Harper likely helps as much as any available draft pick at this point.

28. Chicago - Reggie Jackson, PG
Rose needs a backup. Charles Jenkins, Nolan Smith, Shelvin Mack, Norris Cole & Darius Morris all get a look here.

29. San Antonio - JaJuan Johnson, PF
McDyess ain’t coming back.

30. Chicago - Scotty Hopson, SG
I wonder how Michael Redd would look in a Bulls uniform?

31. Miami - Nolan Smith, PG
I’m so glad they lost to the Mavericks I thought I’d include them in my mock! They’re going to try like hell to talk Sammy Dalembert into joining their team. If not Sammy, then Nazr.

Honestly, given the recent comments coming from Mark Jackson, I would be very surprised if we did break up the Curry/Ellis backcourt. He seems committed to making it work.

If I was Mark Jackson I would be building relationships with the players on my team too. Jackson has no idea if, when or what his front office winds up doing.

I doubt that. It doesn't make sense to bring in a new coach then totally ignore his input in front office matters.

Not saying it WON'T happen, just that it's unlikely.

Not saying his input is going to be ignored. Good management teams are inclusive. But it's not his job to make trades. That's the GM's job. And it takes at least two teams to make a trade. And before a GM settles on a trade he's probably had dozens of exploratory discussions with other teams on related deals. So in the end there's a lot of talking about deals that rarely, if ever, happen. Jackson, on the other hand, like every new coach has a group of guys he needs to get to know towards getting as many wins as possible. It would not be prudent for Jackson to say or do anything that isn't building team cohesion.

I'm sure you've read many of the arguments in various places, but I don't think there's much chance at all that the Cavs pass on Irving.

And I'd be pretty darn happy if Brooks dropped to 20 for the Wolves, but I doubt he drops that far either.