NBA Mock Draft v. 1.0
Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2012 8:37 pm
1. New Orleans Hornets - Anthony Davis
This will be the only easy pick of the night. He was the best player in college and looks to have the most potential in the draft. He and Eric Gordon could end up forming quite the dynamic duo.
2. Charlotte Bobcats - Thomas Robinson
Michael Jordan likes to pick winners. He's been burned picking for potential alone before (see: Kwame Brown). Thomas Robinson can step right in and be the team's best PF from day 1 and the counterpart to Bismack Biyombo.
3. Washington Wizards - Bradley Beal
After their trade with New Orleans, they have a young small forward in Trevor Ariza, so while MKG may be enticing here, they ultimately select their shooting guard of the future and a nice running mate for John Wall.
4. Cleveland Cavaliers - Harrison Barnes
If reports hold true that Barnes has cancelled his workout with the Kings, it appears he may have a promise somewhere in the 2-4 pick range. Barnes would be an excellent fit with the Cavs, giving them another offensive weapon outside of Rookie of the Year point guard, Kyrie Irving.
5. Sacramento Kings - Michael Kidd-Gilchrist
The Kings will be thrilled if MKG falls to them at this spot. He may not be the greatest fit with Tyreke Evans as neither are what you would call pure shooters, but he is too talented to pass up here. Look for the Kings to possibly make a move or two on draft day or shortly after.
6. Portland Trailblazers - Andre Drummond
Assuming that Nicolas Batum re-signs with the Blazers in the offseason and LMA can keep healthy, Portland can have an incredibly talented front court in the future if Drummond pans out to be the player he is expected to.
7. Golden State Warriors - Moe Harkless
The first reach of the draft, but if anyone were to reach, would it be surprising if it was the Warriors? Harkless oozes potential and if brought along slowly, he and swingman Klay Thompson could complement each other extremely well.
8. Toronto Raptors - Jeremy Lamb
Jeremy Lamb underachieved a little bit in his sophomore year but many scouts believe his game is more suited for the pros. Demar DeRozan has shown that his skill set may be better suited for the small forward position, allowing Lamb to slide right in at shooting guard.
9. Detroit Pistons - John Henson
John Henson is another player that has tons of potential. His shot blocking ability should fit in very well with Greg Monroe going forward.
10. New Orleans Hornets - Meyers Leonard
After trading away Emeka Okafor and with Chris Kaman coming off the books, this is the Hornets best opportunity to pair their first pick, Anthony Davis, with a decent prospect at center.
11. Portland Trailblazers - Damian Lillard
It is no secret that Raymond Felton did not mesh well with the Trailblazers and they are looking for an upgrade at point guard. Portland would be thrilled if Lillard is here when they are due to pick. If Drummond is gone before their sixth overall pick, Lillard could be looked at there as well.
12. Milwaukee Bucks - Tyler Zeller
Andrew Bogut was traded to the Warriors and now the Bucks have a hole at center. Zeller is one of the more polished players in the draft, although has less potential than most, but he should be able to come in right away and contribute if needed.
13. Phoenix Suns - Dion Waiters
It sounds like Waiters has a promise at the tail end of the lottery and most assume that promise came from Phoenix. Phoenix has a lot of holes in their roster so they must believe that he is the best player available and simply too talented to pass up if he slips to them.
14. Houston Rockets - Austin Rivers
With Rivers measuring in at 6'5" in shoes, he has now solidified himself as a great shooting guard prospect, rather than simply another combo guard. I would be surprised to see him fall any further than this.
15. Philadelphia 76ers - Perry Jones III
16. Houston Rockets - Kendall Marshall
17. Dallas Mavericks - Terrence Jones
18. Minnesota Timberwolves - Terrence Ross
19. Orlando Magic - Tony Wroten Jr.
20. Denver Nuggets - Arnett Moultrie
21. Boston Celtics - Jared Sullinger
22. Boston Celtics - Royce White
23. Atlanta Hawks - Draymond Green
24. Cleveland Cavaliers - Quincy Miller
25. Memphis Grizzlies - Evan Fournier
26. Indiana Pacers - Marquis Teague
27. Miami Heat - Andrew Nicholson
28. Oklahoma City Thunder - Will Barton
29. Chicago Bulls - John Jenkins
30. Golden State Warriors - Fab Melo
*Lottery picks given explanations. More to come.
**Comments/Criticism more than welcome to help make this mock draft as realistic as possible.
This will be the only easy pick of the night. He was the best player in college and looks to have the most potential in the draft. He and Eric Gordon could end up forming quite the dynamic duo.
2. Charlotte Bobcats - Thomas Robinson
Michael Jordan likes to pick winners. He's been burned picking for potential alone before (see: Kwame Brown). Thomas Robinson can step right in and be the team's best PF from day 1 and the counterpart to Bismack Biyombo.
3. Washington Wizards - Bradley Beal
After their trade with New Orleans, they have a young small forward in Trevor Ariza, so while MKG may be enticing here, they ultimately select their shooting guard of the future and a nice running mate for John Wall.
4. Cleveland Cavaliers - Harrison Barnes
If reports hold true that Barnes has cancelled his workout with the Kings, it appears he may have a promise somewhere in the 2-4 pick range. Barnes would be an excellent fit with the Cavs, giving them another offensive weapon outside of Rookie of the Year point guard, Kyrie Irving.
5. Sacramento Kings - Michael Kidd-Gilchrist
The Kings will be thrilled if MKG falls to them at this spot. He may not be the greatest fit with Tyreke Evans as neither are what you would call pure shooters, but he is too talented to pass up here. Look for the Kings to possibly make a move or two on draft day or shortly after.
6. Portland Trailblazers - Andre Drummond
Assuming that Nicolas Batum re-signs with the Blazers in the offseason and LMA can keep healthy, Portland can have an incredibly talented front court in the future if Drummond pans out to be the player he is expected to.
7. Golden State Warriors - Moe Harkless
The first reach of the draft, but if anyone were to reach, would it be surprising if it was the Warriors? Harkless oozes potential and if brought along slowly, he and swingman Klay Thompson could complement each other extremely well.
8. Toronto Raptors - Jeremy Lamb
Jeremy Lamb underachieved a little bit in his sophomore year but many scouts believe his game is more suited for the pros. Demar DeRozan has shown that his skill set may be better suited for the small forward position, allowing Lamb to slide right in at shooting guard.
9. Detroit Pistons - John Henson
John Henson is another player that has tons of potential. His shot blocking ability should fit in very well with Greg Monroe going forward.
10. New Orleans Hornets - Meyers Leonard
After trading away Emeka Okafor and with Chris Kaman coming off the books, this is the Hornets best opportunity to pair their first pick, Anthony Davis, with a decent prospect at center.
11. Portland Trailblazers - Damian Lillard
It is no secret that Raymond Felton did not mesh well with the Trailblazers and they are looking for an upgrade at point guard. Portland would be thrilled if Lillard is here when they are due to pick. If Drummond is gone before their sixth overall pick, Lillard could be looked at there as well.
12. Milwaukee Bucks - Tyler Zeller
Andrew Bogut was traded to the Warriors and now the Bucks have a hole at center. Zeller is one of the more polished players in the draft, although has less potential than most, but he should be able to come in right away and contribute if needed.
13. Phoenix Suns - Dion Waiters
It sounds like Waiters has a promise at the tail end of the lottery and most assume that promise came from Phoenix. Phoenix has a lot of holes in their roster so they must believe that he is the best player available and simply too talented to pass up if he slips to them.
14. Houston Rockets - Austin Rivers
With Rivers measuring in at 6'5" in shoes, he has now solidified himself as a great shooting guard prospect, rather than simply another combo guard. I would be surprised to see him fall any further than this.
15. Philadelphia 76ers - Perry Jones III
16. Houston Rockets - Kendall Marshall
17. Dallas Mavericks - Terrence Jones
18. Minnesota Timberwolves - Terrence Ross
19. Orlando Magic - Tony Wroten Jr.
20. Denver Nuggets - Arnett Moultrie
21. Boston Celtics - Jared Sullinger
22. Boston Celtics - Royce White
23. Atlanta Hawks - Draymond Green
24. Cleveland Cavaliers - Quincy Miller
25. Memphis Grizzlies - Evan Fournier
26. Indiana Pacers - Marquis Teague
27. Miami Heat - Andrew Nicholson
28. Oklahoma City Thunder - Will Barton
29. Chicago Bulls - John Jenkins
30. Golden State Warriors - Fab Melo
*Lottery picks given explanations. More to come.
**Comments/Criticism more than welcome to help make this mock draft as realistic as possible.