Jazz 2027 NBA Draft Thread

[JazzP]

Ok, I've had a few revisions of this mock that I have posted elsewhere, and I have a few snap decisions based on the still-very-early international season and the first few college scrimmages, but I figure that's how a preseason mock should be - going off of what little information there is so far of the season ahead. A few quick notes and impressions, mostly of international players because their season is already underway-
I do not have Joksimovic on my mock. His most recent game was rather impressive, but he is getting very sparse playing time and most of his resume is on the back of youth league and youth tournament performances. I absolutely think he is the real deal as a prospect, but I do not think he has demonstrated capability at anywhere close to an NBA level and I don't think he's getting enough reps to change that this year. He could still declare and very likely be a lottery pick, but I think he would have to be considered as a project who's value is solely based on development- and he is skilled enough to be able to easily afford to wait for a better opportunity next year if something doesn't change this year.

I don't think Bastien Grasshoff was talked about much last year, although he had a solid campaign and I think he was underrated. He is off to a rather strong start this year as well, and I do think he will gain a significant amount of notoriety if it continues. I don't think he has "future star" written all over him necessarily, but I think he is showing signs that he has a very strong case as a future solid longtime NBA player. He is a 6'6" shooting guard with a clean shot and was mostly a playmaker in the youth league, although it seems like Le Mans is moving him away from that role with the senior club.

I don't know how Marc-Owen Fodzo Dada will be received in NBA circles, as a small guard (around 6'2" I believe?) who is not a primary playmaker and who has been erratic throughout his few seasons in pro play- and who can't reliably hit free throws. But he is very fast and bouncy and has been generally decent, growing into a useful player and occasional starter for a decent Euroleague team. I think he is further along as a playmaker than it seems just because it isn't his role on ASVEL. I think it's entirely possible where his game is a better fit for the NBA than it is for European rules and general playstyle, although I am not sure of it or whether he is/will be good enough to make the cut. But I know he turned a few heads at youth FIBA tournaments at the beginning of last year + Eurocamp earlier this year and it does seem like he is developing reasonably well, even if there are still holes in his game. I have him on my mock for now, though, although at the end of it.

I also have Daniil Sypalo mocked, and I know he's had interest from colleges at various levels (including high major I believe) but opted to remain in Ukraine. I know that the Ukrainian Superleague is very very far from NBA level and the team he is on (Dnipro) is regularly excellent in that league but flounders even in FIBA Europe Cup when it was last included in the competition. I also know that Sypalo has been a useful/good player there for years now but has not really improved much or developed any new skills over his time as a draft eligible prospect; however, I do think his skillset offers some intrigue. He is a stellar defender at every level he has played at, and while his 3 point shot has never really gotten to a worthwhile level, he does have some ability as a jump shooter (showing midrange game and a solid free throw percentage), which could still offer developmental promise yet. He also is fluid enough to play PF as well as C and has a fair bit of experience at both positions. I feel like he is a high-risk player who is likely not NBA capable, but there is still a moderately sized reward as a skilled and versatile role player if he is able to translate his skills, and that could certainly play at the end of the draft. Whether or not he enters serious draft consideration, I wouldn't be surprised if there are a few pro eyes on him.

I also found out that a few players (namely Jeremy Fears and Mackenzie Mgbako) are redshirt juniors according to RealGM while I was writing this post, and I thought they were true seniors when I put the mock together. I'm gonna postpone worrying about that and making changes until my next draft though.

Here is my introductory mock to this forum!!

1. Tyran Stokes, Kansas: NCAA 2007 (freshman)
2. Babatunde Oladotun, Maryland: NCAA 2008 (freshman)
3. Jason Crowe, Missouri: NCAA 2008 (freshman)
4. Jordan Smith, Arkansas: NCAA 2007 (freshman)
5. Luigi Suigo, Villanova: NCAA 2007 (freshman)
6. Toni Bryant, Missouri: NCAA 2006 (freshman)
7. Bruce Branch, BYU: NCAA 2008 (freshman)
8. Deron Rippey, Duke NCAA 2007 (freshman)
9. Dash Daniels, SE Melbourne: Australian NBL 2007
10. Tounde Yessoufou, St. John's: NCAA 2006 (sophomore)
11. Alijah Arenas, USC: NCAA 2007 (sophomore)
12. Caleb Gaskins, Miami: NCAA 2008 (freshman)
13. Davis Fogle, Gonzaga: NCAA 2006 (sophomore)
14. Caleb Holt, Arizona: NCAA 2007 (freshman)
15. Sayon Keita, North Carolina: NCAA 2008 (freshman)
16. Aiden Tobiason, Syracuse: NCAA 2006 (junior)
17. Christian Collins, USC: NCAA 2007 (freshman)
18. Dylan Mingo, Baylor: NCAA 2008 (freshman)
19. Braylon Mullins, UConn: NCAA 2006 (sophomore)
20. Hugo Yimga-Moukouri, Nanterre 92: French Elite1 + FIBA BCL 2008
21. Paul McNeil, NC State: NCAA 2006 (junior)
22. Marcis Ponder, Florida St: NCAA 2007 (freshman)
23. Neoklis Avdalas, North Carolina: NCAA 2006 (sophomore)
24. Bastien Grasshoff, Le Mans: French Elite1 + Eurocup 2007
25. Amari Allen, Alabama: NCAA 2006 (sophomore)
26. Flory Bidunga, Louisville: NCAA 2005 (junior)
27. Karter Knox, Louisville: NCAA 2005 (junior)
28. Alex Condon, Florida: NCAA 2004 (senior)
29. Silas Demary, UConn: NCAA 2004 (senior)
30. Tyler Tanner, Vanderbilt: NCAA 2006 (junior)

31. Terrence Hill, Tennessee: NCAA 2005 (junior)
32. Moustapha Thiam, Michigan: NCAA 2006 (junior)
33. Pavle Backo, Mega Basket: Adriatic ABA 2007
34. Stefan Vaaks, Illinois: NCAA 2005 (sophomore)
35. JT Toppin, Texas Tech: NCAA 2005 (senior)
36. Michael Ruzic, LSU: NCAA 2006 (freshman)
37. Thomas Haugh, Florida: NCAA 2003 (senior)
38. Billy Richmond, Arkansas: NCAA 2006 (junior)
39. Gabe Nesmith, Vanderbilt: NCAA 2008 (freshman)
40. David Mirkovic, Illinois: NCAA 2006 (sophomore)
41. Miikka Muurinen, Arkansas: NCAA 2007 (freshman)
42. Milan Momcilovic, Kentucky: NCAA 2004 (senior)
43. Juke Harris, Tennessee: NCAA 2005 (junior)
44. Joseph Tugler, Houston: NCAA 2005 (senior)
45. PJ Haggerty, Texas A&M: NCAA 2004 (RS senior)
46. Bryson Tiller, Missouri: NCAA 2005 (sophomore)
47. Miles Byrd, Providence: NCAA 2004 (RS senior)
48. Motiejus Krivas, Arizona: NCAA 2004 (senior)
49. John Blackwell, Duke: NCAA 2004 (senior)
50. Eian Elmer, Wisconsin: NCAA 2005 (senior)
51. Oscar Wembanyama, Denain: French Elite2 2007
52. Jeremy Fears, Michigan St: NCAA 2005 (RS junior)
53. Rueben Chinyelu, Florida: NCAA 2003 (senior)
54. Kwame Evans, Villanova: NCAA 2004 (senior)
55. Jarin Stevenson, North Carolina: NCAA 2005 (senior)
56. Corey Hadnot, Houston: NCAA 2004 (senior)
57. Mackenzie Mgbako, Texas A&M: NCAA 2004 (RS junior)
58. Marc-Owen Fodzo Dada, ASVEL: French Elite1 + Euroleague 2006
59. Pryce Sandfort, Nebraska: NCAA 2004 (senior)
60. Daniil Sypalo, Dnipro: UK Superleague 2005

[JazzP]

I wanted to update this after a few more college scrimmages and pro games this past weekend. I saw a video analyzing Joksimovic, HYM, and Dash Daniels; I definitely do think that Joksimovic needs a bit more of a role to feel more confidently about including him but it does seem like there are encouraging signs in the tape of even the limited minutes he has. I think this year's draft is underrated but it still does seem like depth is an issue and that there are quite a few question marks, even if there is encouraging talent. I wanted to include him again in my mocks.
However, as promising as I find Oladotun, I did see questions about spacing issues with him and Pharrel Payne sharing the frontcourt for Maryland- and while one scrimmage doesn't mean a heck of a lot in the grand scheme of things, Maryland seemed to answer that question in their scrimmage against West Virginia by... not playing Oladotun much, only about 10 minutes. Payne looked great, Maryland looked great (in that game), and I can see if they decide to bring him along more slowly. He DID reclassify from the 2027 class, and he did not play at a prep school. I can certainly see if he is still a one-and-done, as lofty of a prospect as he is (sort of similar to the Joksimovic situation), but I can see a scenario where he does ultimately stay in college for more than one year, and that's what I'm going with for now.
For as much as I was discussing Sypalo and Fodzo Dada, I took them off my mock for now. Fodzo Dada has seen his playing time take a nosedive, especially with the ASVEL signing of Tyty Washington. And Sypalo had a rough game or two- I still absolutely think there is something there and I may waffle with including him throughout the year, but I do think that while the middle of this draft has some concerns, I wouldn't be surprised if it has some reasonable late depth and a safer rotation piece options.
I have also seen a few choices for the #1 overall pick, which surprises me. I would really like to see more of Jordan Smith, who I haven't seen too much of yet. Clearly opinions of him are high; I feel like he is still somewhat limited as a 6'2" guard who isn't quite a true PG yet, but there must be obvious talent for him to be rated so highly. I am very intrigued by what I have seen of Jason Crowe. However, I perceive Stokes as a definitive #1 prospect at the moment.


This is where I'm at for now:
1. Tyran Stokes, Kansas: NCAA 2007 (freshman)
2. Jason Crowe, Missouri: NCAA 2008 (freshman)
3. Bruce Branch, BYU: NCAA 2008 (freshman)
4. Jordan Smith, Arkansas: NCAA 2007 (freshman)
5. Stefan Joksimovic, Baskonia: Spanish ACB + Euroleague 2008
6. Marcis Ponder, Florida St: NCAA 2007 (freshman)
7. Caleb Holt, Arizona: NCAA 2007 (freshman)
8. Caleb Gaskins, Miami: NCAA 2008 (freshman)
9. Luigi Suigo, Villanova: NCAA 2007 (freshman)
10. Deron Rippey, Duke: NCAA 2007 (freshman)
11. Sayon Keita, North Carolina: NCAA 2008 (freshman)
12. Kayden Mingo, Baylor: NCAA 2007 (sophomore)
13. Toni Bryant, Missouri: NCAA 2006 (freshman)
14. Davis Fogle, Gonzaga: NCAA 2006 (sophomore)
15. Dash Daniels, SE Melbourne: Australian NBL 2007
16. Dylan Mingo, Baylor: NCAA 2008 (freshman)
17. Alijah Arenas, USC: NCAA 2007 (sophomore)
18. Hugo Yimga-Moukouri, Nanterre: French Elite1 + FIBA BCL 2008
19. Andre Mills, Maryland: NCAA 2006 (RS sophomore)
20. Braylon Mullins, UConn: NCAA 2006 (sophomore)
21. Moustapha Thiam, Michigan: NCAA 2006 (junior)
22. Malachi Moreno, Kentucky: NCAA 2006 (sophomore)
23. Amari Allen, Alabama: NCAA 2006 (sophomore)
24. Aiden Tobiason, Syracuse: NCAA 2006 (junior)
25. Mantas Juzenas, St. Mary's: NCAA 2006 (sophomore)
26. Billy Richmond, Arkansas: NCAA 2006 (junior)
27. Bastien Grasshoff, Le Mans: French Elite1 + Eurocup 2007
28. Jake Hall, New Mexico: NCAA 2007 (sophomore)
29. Paul McNeil, NC State: NCAA 2006 (junior)
30. Terrence Hill, Tennessee: NCAA 2005 (junior)

31. Flory Bidunga, Louisville: NCAA 2005 (junior)
32. Thomas Haugh, Florida NCAA 2003 (senior)
33. Milan Momcilovic, Kentucky: NCAA 2004 (senior)
34. Tyler Tanner, Vanderbilt: NCAA 2006 (junior)
35. Alex Condon, Florida: NCAA 2004 (senior)
36. Karter Knox, Louisville: NCAA 2005 (junior)
37. Motiejus Krivas, Arizona: NCAA 2004 (senior)
38. Rodney Rice, USC: NCAA 2002 (RS senior)
39. David Mirkovic, Illinois: NCAA 2006 (sophomore)
40. Miikka Muurinen, Arkansas: NCAA 2007 (freshman)
41. Matas Vokietaitis, Texas: NCAA 2004 (junior)
42. John Blackwell, Duke: NCAA 2004 (senior)
43. Robert Wright, BYU: NCAA 2005 (junior)
44. Stefan Vaaks, Illinois: NCAA 2005 (sophomore)
45. Rueben Chinyelu, Florida: NCAA 2003 (senior)
46. JT Toppin, Texas Tech: NCAA 2005 (senior)
47. Oscar Wembanyama, Denain: French Elite2 2007
48. Jeremy Fears, Michigan St: NCAA 2005 (RS junior)
49. Michael Ruzic, LSU: NCAA 2006 (freshman)
50. Pavle Backo, Mega Basket: Adriatic ABA 2007
51. Eian Elmer, Wisconsin: NCAA 2004 (senior)
52. PJ Haggerty, Texas A&M: NCAA 2004 (RS senior)
53. Miles Byrd, Providence: NCAA 2004 (RS senior)
54. Joseph Tugler, Houston: NCAA 2005 (senior)
55. Silas Demary, UConn: NCAA 2004 (senior)
56. Elliot Cadeau, Michigan: NCAA 2004 (senior)
57. Mouhamed Faye, Paris: French Elite1 + Euroleague 2005
58. JP Estrella, Michigan: NCAA 2004 (senior)
59. Christian Reeves, Kansas: NCAA 2003 (RS senior)
60. Kwame Evans, Villanova: NCAA 2004 (senior)

[JazzP]

With the NCAA season officially underway, I figured this mock was due an update!
I have seen a couple mocks/big boards that have a few seniors in the lottery (usually Krivas and Haugh), and I definitely think I was underrating them in my initial mocks, and did adjust accordingly. The success of Yaxel Lendeborg could further influence a draft trend- however, I think the lottery is still a bridge too far for either of them. I think both are promising prospects and I am intrigued by the potential of Haugh, but I don't think either are quite future stars. I think Krivas is going to be a reliable NBA player, but I think having him as the 7th ranked prospect (as I believe both ESPN and NBA Draft Room do) is a bit out of sorts.

Anyways, this is what I have:
1. Tyran Stokes, Kansas: NCAA 2007 (freshman)
2. Jason Crowe, Missouri: NCAA 2008 (freshman)
3. Jordan Smith, Arkansas: NCAA 2007 (freshman)
4. Bruce Branch, BYU: NCAA 2008 (freshman)
5. Quentin Coleman, Illinois: NCAA 2008 (freshman)
6. Stefan Joksimovic, Baskonia: Spanish ACB + Euroleague 2008
7. Adonis Ratliff, USC: NCAA 2007 (freshman)
8. Obinna Ekezie, Louisville: NCAA 2008 (freshman)
9. Sayon Keita, North Carolina: NCAA 2008 (freshman)
10. Caleb Holt, Arizona: NCAA 2007 (freshman)
11. Marcis Ponder, Florida St: NCAA 2007 (freshman)
12. Dylan Mingo, Baylor: NCAA 2008 (freshman)
13. Alijah Arenas, USC: NCAA 2007 (sophomore)
14. Caleb Gaskins, Miami: NCAA 2008 (freshman)
15. Braylon Mullins, UConn: NCAA 2006 (sophomore)
16. Thomas Haugh, Florida: NCAA 2003 (senior)
17. Darius Ratliff, USC: NCAA 2007 (freshman)
18. Deron Rippey, Duke: NCAA 2007 (freshman)
19. Billy Richmond, Arkansas: NCAA 2006 (junior)
20. Dash Daniels, SE Melbourne: Australian NBL 2007
21. Toni Bryant, Missouri: NCAA 2006 (freshman)
22. Ivan Kharchenkov, Arizona: NCAA 2006 (sophomore)
23. Motiejus Krivas, Arizona: NCAA 2004 (senior)
24. Miikka Muurinen, Arkansas: NCAA 2007 (freshman)
25. Andre Mills, Maryland: NCAA 2005 (RS sophomore)
26. Kayden Mingo, Baylor: NCAA 2007 (sophomore)
27. Chase Foster, Pittsburgh: NCAA ? (freshman)
28. Davis Fogle, Gonzaga: NCAA 2006 (sophomore)
29. Alex Condon, Florida: NCAA 2004 (senior)
30. Cheickh Niang, Trento: Italian Lega A1 + Eurocup 2008

31. Patrick Ngongba, Duke: NCAA 2006 (junior)
32. Rodney Rice, USC: NCAA 2002 (RS senior)
33. Hugo Yimga-Moukouri, Nanterre: French Elite1 + FIBA BCL 2008
34. Jake Hall, New Mexico: NCAA 2007 (sophomore)
35. Milan Momcilovic, Kentucky: NCAA 2004 (senior)
36. Malachi Moreno, Kentucky: NCAA 2006 (sophomore)
37. Flory Bidunga, Louisville: NCAA 2005 (junior)
38. Amari Allen, Alabama: NCAA 2006 (sophomore)
39. Michael Ruzic, LSU: NCAA 2006 (freshman)
40. Jeremy Fears, Michigan St: NCAA 2005 (RS junior)
41. JT Toppin, Texas Tech: NCAA 2005 (senior)
42. Tyrin Jones, UNLV: NCAA 2006 (sophomore)
43. Oscar Wembanyama, Denain: French Elite2 2007
44. Moustapha Thiam, Michigan: NCAA 2006 (junior)
45. Miles Byrd, Providence: NCAA 2004 (RS senior)
46. Rueben Chinyelu, Florida: NCAA 2003 (senior)
47. Aiden Sherrell, Indiana: NCAA 2004 (junior)
48. Pavle Backo, Mega Basket: Adriatic ABA 2007
49. Joseph Tugler, Houston: NCAA 2005 (senior)
50. Amani Hansberry, Virginia Tech: NCAA 2004 (senior)
51. PJ Haggerty, Texas A&M: NCAA 2004 (RS senior)
52. Bastien Grasshoff, Le Mans: French Elite1 + Eurocup 2007
53. Eian Elmer, Wisconsin: NCAA 2004 (senior)
54. Mouhamed Faye, Paris: French Elite1 + Euroleague 2005
55. Kevin Overton, Auburn: NCAA 2004 (senior)
56. Dior Johnson, UCF: NCAA 2004 (RS senior)
57. Silas Demary, UConn: NCAA 2004 (senior)
58. John Blackwell, Duke: NCAA 2004 (senior)
59. Cruz Davis, Texas Tech: NCAA 2003 (RS senior)
60. Kwame Evans, Villanova: NCAA 2004 (senior)