RTM's Mock Draft Thread (6/23)

[sofakingbad]

Minnesota won't pass on Cousins.

This +1

[RTM]

According to DX (from their twitter):

"Hearing Cousins won't work out in Minnesota. Apparently they have their mind made up on Wes Johnson. Jives w/everything else we're hearing."

[Downtown]

Paul George, Armon Johnson, Craig Brackens for Memphis. While I don't expect the Grizzlies to hang onto all three first round picks, if they did then I could see this mix of a small forward at #12, a pointguard or combo guard at #25, and the best big man available at #28.

Whether it's these three or someone else I don't know. But the mix is right.

[RTM]

6/18 Update (1st Round):

1. Washington Wizards - John Wall (6' 4" PG, Kentucky, Fr.)
2. Philadelphia 76ers - Evan Turner (6' 7" G/F, Ohio St., Jr.)
3. New Jersey Nets - Derrick Favors (6' 10" PF, Georgia Tech, Fr.)
4. Minnesota Timberwolves - Wesley Johnson (6' 7" SF, Syracuse, Jr.)
5. Sacramento Kings - DeMarcus Cousins (6' 11" F/C, Kentucky, Fr.)
6. Golden State Warriors - Al-Farouq Aminu (6' 9" F, Wake Forest, So.)
7. Detroit Pistons - Greg Monroe (6' 11" F/C, Georgetown, So.)
8. Los Angeles Clippers - Paul George (6' 7" F, Fresno St., So.)
9. Utah Jazz (from NYK) - Luke Babbit (6' 8" F, Nevada, So.)
10. Indiana Pacers - Ed Davis (6' 9" PF, North Carolina, So.)
11. New Orleans Hornets - Cole Aldrich (6' 11" C, Kansas, Jr.)
12. Memphis Grizzlies - Xavier Henry (6' 6" G/F, Kansas, Fr.)
13. Toronto Raptors - Avery Bradley (6' 3" G, Texas, Fr.)
14. Houston Rockets - Ekpe Udoh (6' 10" PF, Baylor, Jr.)
15. Milwaukee Bucks (from CHI) - Patrick Patterson (6' 8" PF, Kentucky, Jr.)
16. Minnesota Timberwolves (from CHA) - Gordon Hayward (6' 7" SF, Butler, So.)
17. Chicago Bulls (from MIL) - James Anderson (6' 6" G/F, Oklahoma St., Jr.)
18. Miami Heat - Eric Bledsoe (6' 1" PG, Kentucky, Fr.)
19. Boston Celtics - Solomon Alabi (7' 1" C, Florida St., So.)
20. San Antonio Spurs - Damion James (6' 7" F, Texas, Sr.)
21. Oklahoma City Thunder - Daniel Orton (6' 10" C, Kentucky, Fr.)
22. Portland Trailblazers - Hassan Whiteside (7' 0" C, Marshall, Fr.)
23. Minnesota Timberwolves (from UTA) - Larry Sanders (6' 10" F/C, Virginia Commonwealth, Jr.)
24. Atlanta Hawks - Dominique Jones (6' 4" G, South Florida, Jr.)
25. Memphis Grizzlies (from DEN) - Craig Brackens (6' 10" PF, Iowa State, Jr.)
26. Oklahoma City Thunder (from PHX) - Quincy Pondexter (6' 7" F, Washington, Sr.)
27. New Jersey Nets (from DAL) - Armon Johnson (6' 3" G, Nevada, Jr.)
28. Memphis Grizzlies (from LAL) - Elliot Williams (6' 4" SG, Memphis, So.)
29. Orlando Magic - Jordan Crawford (6' 4" G, Xavier, So.)
30. Washington Wizards - Tibor Pleiss (7' 0" C, Germany, Intl.)

[coordinator0]

I would like to see the Warriors pass on Monroe to take Aminu, but it won't happen IMO. Monroe is just too good of a fit for the Warriors, while I'm not sure how Aminu fits in. Right now I'm thinking that the Pistons end up with Aminu, but Keith Langlois (we Pistons fans know he is ) said that he thinks we would take Udoh over him. The closer to the draft we get the more confused I become about the direction Detroit wants to go in the draft.

[RTM]

I would like to see the Warriors pass on Monroe to take Aminu, but it won't happen IMO. Monroe is just too good of a fit for the Warriors, while I'm not sure how Aminu fits in. Right now I'm thinking that the Pistons end up with Aminu, but Keith Langlois (we Pistons fans know he is ) said that he thinks we would take Udoh over him. The closer to the draft we get the more confused I become about the direction Detroit wants to go in the draft.

I kind of disagree. They take Cousins IMO, because he can flat out score down low, which the desperately need. But Monroe isn't exactly quick, and isn't exactly an athlete. His passing is nice, but with Curry or Monta always having the ball in hand, he wouldn't really get to show it off. He's not the best shooter either. Besides, the Warriors already have one good center they don't play, and are paying him 9 million a year.

I like Aminu for them because he has a nose for the ball, defends either forward slot, rebounds well, runs the floor with ease and can throw down. He could be put out on the floor with Curry, Monta, Randolph, and Morrow/Azubuike/Williams and thrive being their dirty work guy in a small ball lineup, or be put next to Randolph and Beidrins for a long, athletic, defensive lineup. He's a hard working, good character guy. He can't shoot well, but everyone else on GS (sans Biedrins and Turiaf) can, so it's not a huge deal.

While I could definitely see Detroit going with Udoh over Aminu, I think Monroe goes over both, and I think he could be there.

[BucksRUS]

Listening to an interview with the Warriors GM Riley. They aren't picking for Nelson's system this year. They will go BPA. Seemed to like Monroe a lot. They would take whichever falls to them of Cousins, Monroe, and Johnson. Most others he considered reaches.

[RTM]

Listening to an interview with the Warriors GM Riley. They aren't picking for Nelson's system this year. They will go BPA. Seemed to like Monroe a lot. They would take whichever falls to them of Cousins, Monroe, and Johnson. Most others he considered reaches.

I had read in a Chad Ford article that all but one of the teams polled had Monroe, Davis and Aminu on the same tier (3rd), so I don't think there's a huge gap between the two. If they aren't picking for the system, they could go for Monroe, but for now, I'll leave Aminu there. I'll keep that tidbit in mind when I do my next mock.

[RTM]

6/23 (With some 1st round commentary):

1. Washington Wizards - John Wall (6' 4" PG, Kentucky, Fr.)
2. Philadelphia 76ers - Evan Turner (6' 7" G/F, Ohio St., Jr.)
3. New Jersey Nets - Wesley Johnson (6' 7" SF, Syracuse, Jr.)

NJ gambles on getting a top tier FA PF (Bosh, Amare, Boozer, Lee), and selects a player who plays great defense, can rebound well for his position, and is a great shooter. Wes is on the rise.

4. Minnesota Timberwolves - Derrick Favors (6' 10" PF, Georgia Tech, Fr.)

Minny grabs the best prospect on the board. His defensive game could be a great fit with Al or Love long term. He's got star potential.

5. Sacramento Kings - DeMarcus Cousins (6' 11" F/C, Kentucky, Fr.)
6. Golden State Warriors - Ekpe Udoh (6' 10" PF, Baylor, Jr.)

This pick is all about defense. Udoh may not have the offensive talent that Monroe does, but with all the firepower Golden State has, Udoh is a player who can do it all on the other end of the court. According to Ford (who love him or hate him, I trust), if Cousins is off the board, Udoh's the next choice here.

7. Detroit Pistons - Greg Monroe (6' 11" F/C, Georgetown, So.)

Cousins is the favorite, but if he's off the board, it's between Monroe and Davis. Monroe has the size to play center, and is reportedly above Davis on their board.

8. Los Angeles Clippers - Al-Farouq Aminu (6' 9" F, Wake Forest, So.)

DX reports he has a promise here, and he cancelled his workout in Detroit with the hopes he'll end up here.

9. Utah Jazz (from NYK) - Luke Babbit (6' 8" F, Nevada, So.)
10. Indiana Pacers - Ed Davis (6' 9" PF, North Carolina, So.)
11. New Orleans Hornets - Cole Aldrich (6' 11" C, Kansas, Jr.)
12. Memphis Grizzlies - Paul George (6' 7" F, Fresno St., So.)
13. Toronto Raptors - Xavier Henry (6' 6" G/F, Kansas, Fr.)

The Raptors said they will pick the best available player. At this point in the draft, I believe it's Henry.

14. Houston Rockets - Patrick Patterson (6' 8" PF, Kentucky, Jr.)
15. Milwaukee Bucks (from CHI) - Larry Sanders (6' 10" F/C, Virginia Commonwealth, Jr.)

Sanders has been a riser, and with the additions of Maggette and Douglas-Roberts, and with Patterson, Davis and Udoh off the board, Sanders makes sense here.

16. Minnesota Timberwolves (from CHA) - Gordon Hayward (6' 7" SF, Butler, So.)

Minnesota badly wants a versatile 3, and they get one (albeit, not the one they initially targeted) in Hayward.

17. Chicago Bulls (from MIL) - Avery Bradley (6' 3" G, Texas, Fr.)

Bradley can defend both guard positions and can hit the outside shot. He can be a better Kirk Hinrich for the Bulls.

18. Miami Heat - Eric Bledsoe (6' 1" PG, Kentucky, Fr.)
19. Boston Celtics - James Anderson (6' 6" G/F, Oklahoma St., Jr.)
20. San Antonio Spurs - Solomon Alabi (7' 1" C, Florida St., So.)
21. Oklahoma City Thunder - Daniel Orton (6' 10" C, Kentucky, Fr.)
22. Portland Trailblazers - Hassan Whiteside (7' 0" C, Marshall, Fr.)

Talent grab for Portland. Whiteside can be a long term replacement for Camby.

23. Minnesota Timberwolves (from UTA) - Jordan Crawford (6' 4" G, Xavier, So.)
24. Atlanta Hawks - Dominique Jones (6' 4" G, South Florida, Jr.)

Jones can get to the rim and finish, and while not a shooter, can be a good replacement for some of the scoring lost if JJ leaves.

25. Memphis Grizzlies (from DEN) - Craig Brackens (6' 10" PF, Iowa State, Jr.)
26. Oklahoma City Thunder (from PHX) - Damion James (6' 7" F, Texas, Sr.)
27. New Jersey Nets (from DAL) - Armon Johnson (6' 3" G, Nevada, Jr.)
28. Memphis Grizzlies (from LAL) - Elliot Williams (6' 4" SG, Memphis, So.)

Williams is a Memphis guy who could be flipped to Portland (who likes him) for the #35 and cash.

29. Orlando Magic - Terrico White (6' 5" G, Mississippi, So.)
30. Washington Wizards - Tibor Pleiss (7' 0" C, Germany, Intl.)

31. New Jersey Nets - Kevin Seraphin (6' 9" C, France, Intl.)
32. Oklahoma City Thunder (from MIN) - Quincy Pondexter (6' 7" F, Washington, Sr.)
33. Sacramento Kings - Devin Evanks (6' 7" SF, West Virginia, So.)
34. Washington Wizards - Gani Lawal (6' 8" PF, Georgia Tech, Jr.)
35. Portland Trailblazers (from GSW) - Darington Hobson (6' 7" F, New Mexico, Jr.)
36. Detroit Pistons - Ryan Richards (6' 10" PF/C, United Kingdom, Intl.)
37. Milwaukee Bucks (from PHI) - Stanley Robinson (6' 9" F, Connecticut, Sr.)
38. New York Knicks - Lance Stephenson (6' 5" SG, Cincinnati, Fr.)
39. New York Knicks (from LAC) - Jerome Jordan (7' 0" C, Tulsa, Jr.)
40. Indiana Pacers - Trevor Booker (6' 7" PF, Clemson, Sr.)
41. Miami Heat (from NOH) - Willie Warren (6' 4" G, Oklahoma, So.)
42. Miami Heat (from TOR) - Tiny Gallon (6' 10" PF, Oklahoma, Fr.)
43. Los Angeles Lakers (from MEM) - Artisom Parahouski - (6' 11" C, Radford, Sr.)
44. Milwaukee Bucks (from GSW) - Robin Benzing (6' 7" SF, Germany, Int.)
45. Minnesota Timberwolves (from HOU) - Jarvis Varnado (6' 9" PF, Mississippi St., Sr.)
46. Phoenix Suns (from CHA) - Greivis Vazquez (6' 5" G, Maryland, Sr.)
47. Milwaukee Bucks -Dexter Pittman (6' 10" C, Texas, Sr.)
48. Miami Heat - Nemanja Bjelica (6' 10" F, Serbia, Intl.)
49. San Antonio Spurs - Miroslav Raduljica (7' 0" C, Serbia, Intl.)
50. Dallas Mavericks - Derrick Caracter (6' 9" PF/C, UTEP, Jr.)
51. Oklahoma City Thunder - Samardo Samuels (6' 8" PF/C, Louisville, So.)
52. Boston Celtics - Mikhail Torrance (6' 5" G, Alabama, Sr.)
53. Atlanta Hawks - Brian Zoubek (7' 1" C, Duke, Sr.)
54. Los Angeles Clippers (from DEN) - Alexey Shved (6' 5" G, Russia, Intl.)
55. Utah Jazz - Sherron Collins (5' 11" PG, Kansas, Sr.)
56. Minnesota Timberwolves (from PHX) - Luke Harangody (6' 7" F, Notre Dame, Sr.)
57. Indiana Pacers (from DAL) - Lazar Hayward (6' 6" F, Marquette, Sr.)
58. Los Angeles Lakers - Manny Harris (6' 4" G, Michigan, Jr.)
59. Orlando Magic - Jerome Randle (5' 10" PG, California, Sr.)
60. Phoenix Suns (from CLE) - Charles Garcia (6' 10" PF/C, Seattle, Jr.)

[BucksRUS]

For milwaukee, Sanders is probably the pick. In the 2nd, I don't think the selections are the ones they will make. At 37, Willie Warren would be the pick. At 44, Gallon would be the pick if there.At 47, Caracter or Samuels. Don't think they are interested in Pittman.