Doordoor123's "the draft is soon" Mock Draft

[doordoor123]

I've been pretty up-to-date on rumors and which players are rising, etc. I've decided to create a mock draft for the first round.


1. Cavs - Joel Embiid
- There have been multiple reports that Embiid is pretty much a lock for the Cavs and they love him.
2. Bucks - Dante Exum
- Bucks love international prospects. And the reports are that the Bucks would rather have Wiggins or Exum than Jabari Parker. However, there have been a lot more chatter about the Bucks being extremely impressed with Exum.
3. 76ers - Andrew Wiggins
- 76ers desperately want Wiggins more than anyone else.
4. Magic - Noah Vonleh
- There was a report saying Magic's love for Marcus Smart is 'overstated.' On top of that, there has been more chatter about their love for Exum and Vonleh. If Exum is gone, I think they take Vonleh.
5. Jazz - Jabari Parker
- Dream come true for the Jazz. If the other four teams ignore Parker, the Jazz will end up stealing Parker.
6. Celtics - Marcus Smart
- Celtics like Aaron Gordon, but they also like Smart. With Smart looking better than ever, I don't see him slipping past 6. Celtics will snatch him up.
7. Lakers - Julius Randle
- The Lakers are going to pick up the leftovers with the best, most proven player. That's Randle.
8. Kings - Elfrid Payton
- Payton's stock has shot sky-high and the Kings really liked him after work outs.
9. Hornets - Doug McDermott
- This has been talked about since we knew which pick the Hornets had. Hornets want a scorer, but they need a shooter. McDermott fits this team like a glove.
10. 76ers - Aaron Gordon
- At this point Aaron Gordon is the best player on the board and I think the 76ers take their best option.
11. Nuggets - Dario Saric or Gary Harris
- Nuggets have a full roster for next season and they've been trying to trade it, but if they do end up drafting, Dario Saric could be a 'draft and stash' if he doesn't want to come to the NBA yet.
- If Saric drops out again or doesn't make himself available, the Nuggets are really impressed with Gary Harris' speed and gush over Harris/Lawson combo.
12. Magic - Tyler Ennis
- Magic want a point guard if they take Vonleh first and Ennis is the best point guard on the board.
13. Timberwolves - Adrien Payne
- Timberwolves really like Payne regardless if Love stays.
14. Suns - James Young
- Young has been buzzing. Teams think he's legit and the Suns could use another shooter to space the floor for Bledsoe and Dragic.
15. Hawks - Zach LaVine
- Hawks like LaVine more than any other team. With Teague and Korver as his mentors, LaVine could learn a lot. Of course. The Hawks also have Schroeder, but they're two different guards with different skills. Both could develop together.
16. Bulls - Nik Stauskas
- Bulls reportedly wanted to trade up to get Stauskas or Harris, but if they're patient, Stauskas could slide to them.
17. Celtics - TJ Warren
- Ainge said recently that Warren is a very skilled scorer and raved about him. I think they really like him.
18. Suns - Jusuf Nurkic
- Suns could use a center and Nurkic is one of a few in this draft.
19. Bulls - Shabazz Napier
- There was a report that the Bulls prefer Napier to Ennis or other point guards in this draft. Napier could be a good back up who can score.
20. Raptors - Kyle Anderson
- Ujiri likes risky picks and Anderson is a great risk/reward pick. Reports are Ujiri likes him.
21. Thunder - PJ Hairston
- Thunder need a guy that can score and won't be afraid to throw up shots and that's what Hairston will do.
22. Grizzlies - Bogdan Bogdanovic
- Grizzlies need shooters and they like to draft internationally.
23. Jazz - Jordan Clarkson
- His stock has risen into the first round and the Jazz could use a spark off the bench and/or a replacement PG or shooting guard depending on if Trey Burke plays well or if Gordon Hayward leaves.
24. Hornets - Mitch McGary
- Rumor is that a team promised him in the 20s of the first round. If anyone did that, it's the Hornets. Josh McRoberts is going to test free agency and the Bobcats need a power forward.
25. Rockets - Glenn Robinson III
- Rockets need to somehow play defense and Robinson is ready to go right away. He impressed the Rockets in his work out.
26. Heat - Russ Smith
- With Chalmers hitting free agency, the Heat could use another point guard. And rumor is, he fits the Heat's system really well. Norris Cole 2.0.
27. Suns - Clint Capela
- This is a draft and stash opportunity for the Suns who probably don't want thee rookies. And they like Capela.
28. Clippers - Jarnell Stokes
- Clippers could use back ups behind Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan. Stokes looks like a player Doc would like.
29. Thunder - KJ McDaniels
- With Sefolosha possibly leaving in free agency, the Thunder need an athletic defender and scorer. McDaniels does that and he would be terrifying next to Russell Westbrook.
30. Spurs - Vasillje Micic
- Micic seems like a Spurs pick. They'll pick him and try to make him the next Manu.

[Flight33]

LOL no freakin way the Magic pass on Parker. GM would be fired on the spot.

[dautjazz]

Embiid is getting foot surgery, has already had back, knee, and foot injuries, so he's going to slide to atleast #3 IMO, hell he was never a sure bet at #1. There is an excellent chance at him sliding to 4 or 5, but I couldn't Utah letting him slip.

[Miasma]

All reports say the Bucks love Parker, not Wiggins.

[djthesonicsfan]

21. Thunder - PJ Hairston
29. Thunder - KJ McDaniels

I like PJ Hairston at #21 given how you see the draft play out. But at #29 we'd take Micic instead of another SG.