Mock Draft 1.0 With Explanations (Lottery Only)

[Chriscarr9924]

1. Timberwolves: Karl Anthony-Towns, PF

The Timberwolves are set at every posistion but PF. Anthony Bennett fell out of the rotation, Garnett is pretty much an asst. coach at this point and Payne is a solid stretch-4. With Towns, the Wolves are looking at a player who can play C or PF, spread the floor and more importantly, protect the rim. His low post game is a work in progress, but he arguably has the highest upside in this draft.

2. Knicks: D'Angelo Russell, SG

The Knicks, fresh off their worst season in franchise history, need a young star to pair with Carmelo. Im sure the Knicks are dissapointed to miss out on KAT, but D'Angelo Russell has the potential to be the best player in this draft. He is a great shooter, passer and rebounder for his size. His only downsides are his weight (he is only 185lbs) and his defensive shortcomings. Okafor could work here, but he is not a great defender or rebounder and the Knicks definitely need a PG/SG to run the offense.

3. 76ers: Emmanuel Mudiay, PG

The 76ers just ended their second straight season of tanking, and still dont have the #1 pick. This is no doubt dissapointing, but Mudiay has the potential to be an All-Star PG. He is a good passer, has great size at 6'5, is a blur in transistion and is a willing passer. His shooting percentages are definitely a problem (34% 3P%, 65+% FT%) but he isnt as bad a shooter as former Sixer point guard MCW and has a higher upside.

4. Lakers: Jahlil Okafor, C

The Lakers just came off a disastrous 21-61 season and need a building block to add to the young core of Jordan Clarkson and Julius Randle. Okafor came in the year as the consensus #1 pick and falls to the Lakers, who have a long line of historic big men. His low post game is more advanced then some of the starting centers in the NBA. He isnt a great defender or rebounder and his free throw percentage was below 60%, but these can all be fixed over time. Okafor should come in and score 15-17 points a night.

5. Magic: Justise Winslow, SF

The Magic might lose Tobias Harris to FA if he becomes too expensive and Winslow could slide in the SF spot. He plays with a high motor and is a strong defender. His jump shot needs to improve but some say he could develop into a Jimmy Butler-type player down the road.

6. Kings: Kristap Porzingis, PF

The Kings need a stretch power forward to play alongside Demarcus Cousins and give him space to operate down low. Porzingis is a good shooter and is very tall, standing at 7'1. He is a poor defender, an ok rebounder and is very skinny, but if he gets in the gym and works on his game, he could develop into a valuble role player in the future.

7. Nuggets: Mario Hezonja, SG

The Nuggets need to draft talent, as they have depth at every posistion. Hezonja is a great shooter, athlete and plays with a high level of confidence. He is a poor defender and sometimes shoots himself out of the game. He has a high upside and could be a featured offensive weapon on a team willing to wait for him to put it all together.

8. Pistons: Stanley Johnson, SF

The Pistons desperately need a starting SF and 35 year old Caron Butler is not the answer. Johnson has an NBA-ready body, weighing 245lbs. He is a solid wing defender and can use his strength to body-up some PF's. His shooting is a work in progress and he isnt a good passer, but the Pistons desperately need wing help and he can fill the void.

9. Hornets: Frank Kaminsky, C

Al Jefferson's numbers fell off this season, mainly due to injuries, but he will be 31 next season and can't be relied on as much to carry the Hornets offense. Frank Kaminsky is a floor-stretching big man who can score either in the paint or from outside. He isnt a good athlete or a good defender, but Bismack Biyombo might leave this summer and the Hornets will need a backup big, preferebly one who can score.

10. Heat: Kelly Oubre, SF

The Heat shouldve made the playoffs this year. With a starting line-up of Dragic, Wade, Deng, Bosh and Whiteside, the Heat dont have any holes to fill. Depth is a serious issue though. Kelly Oubre is a great athlete and an improving defender, with a decent jumper to go along. His main problem is consistency. His freshmen season started with high hopes, but he failed to live up to expectations. His upside is atill high due to his athletic abilities. Luol Deng will be a FA next season, and the Heat will need a SF for the future.

11. Pacers: Willie Trill Cauley-Stein, C

Larry Bird has pretty much stated that Roy Hibbert doesnt fit into Indiana's future plans as a fast paced team. Willie Trill is an great athlete and defender. He also plays with a high motor, something Hibbert did not possess. He doesnt have an offensive game other than dunks, but his ability to run and defend should fit right in with the Pacers new style of play. He is seasoned enough that he should be starting at C day one for the Pacers.

12. Jazz: Myles Turner, C

The Jazz were one of the most improved teams this season, espically after trading Enes Kanter. They took on the identity as a defensive minded team and Turner was an exceptional shot-blocker at Texas. He can also stretch the floor a little with his shooting, something the Jazz desperately need. Chad Ford says if Turner's "awkward way of running" is fixed he could be drafted as high as 6th. He has a developing low post game and is not very athletic, but Utah needs a backup C and have a good track record of drafting projects (Rudy Gobert).

13. Suns: Trey Lyles, PF

The Suns are in the exact posistion they didnt want to be in, the dreaded "too bad to make the playoffs but good enough to stay out of the lottery" state. Phoenix has Markieff Morris starting at the PF posistion, but with his recent off the court issues and his lowered efficency, you have to think he is better filling a sixth man-type role. Trey Lyles could develop into a very valuble starter with his blend of shooting and size. He isnt great at one thing though and his defense is a work in progress.

14. Thunder: Devin Booker, SG

The Thunder desperately need 3PT shooting. Booker is the best shooter in this class and his length gives him the potential to become a lockdown defender. The Thunder's current crop of SG's are not very good: Roberson cant shoot at all, Waiters isnt much better and Lamb doesnt play. Booker may not be a polished player, but in time he could give the spacing the Thunder desperately need.







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[djthesonicsfan]

14. Thunder: Devin Booker, SG

The Thunder desperately need 3PT shooting. Booker is the best shooter in this class and his length gives him the potential to become a lockdown defender. The Thunder's current crop of SG's are not very good: Roberson cant shoot at all, Waiters isnt much better and Lamb doesnt play. Booker may not be a polished player, but in time he could give the spacing the Thunder desperately need.

Agree that SG is the focus, however, Waiters is a lot better than you think, Morrow shoots lights out from the bench, we've got Eurostash Abrines ready to come over and maybe just maybe a new coach is all that Lamb needs to unleash his potential. But maybe you're right and Booker can become a solid two way player. It's a solid choice at 14. My sleeper pick here is Justin Anderson... let's see how he does in workouts. My dream is moving up for Justise Winslow.

Backup PG is covered for now with DJ Augustine. He did a great job for us last year. And Christon did a lot of good things in the NBADL last year towards earning the #3 PG job. But maybe Presti decides to draft another PG for when Augustine leaves. Still think a two way SG is the priority, but we will see. There are literally 6 guys (7 if you count Singlar) already on the team competing for the SG spot.

[bondom34]

Agree w/ DJ Anderson is a sleeper there and his combine numbers were great. I'm starting to think he's in play. That said, I think they're mostly fine w/ Roberson and Morrow at the 2, Roberson is one of the better wings on the team TS wise actually and plays his role perfectly, I'd rather a backup PG myself as Augustin only has 1 year left on his deal and then its up for grabs. Grant could be a solid pickup, or Delon Wright. Wright's advanced numbers are fantastic and he's one of the more NBA ready guys.

[djthesonicsfan]

Roberson is certainly a plus defender. A candidate for all NBA defense... if he got more minutes. But he can't shoot the three. End of story because that's what the notSonics absolutely need from their starting SG. 3 & D. Especially in the playoffs. But that's just my take. It will be interesting to see how Donovan approaches this. And the "who starts at center" issue could be related. A lot of moving pieces need sorting.