NBA Mock Draft

Downtown Sports NBA Mock Draft

1.      Cleveland Cavaliers: Andrew Wiggins (SF-University of Kansas) possibly the best athlete in this draft. Can make the highlight plays in the open floor. He reminds of T-Mac. He can defend but needs to work on his jumper.

2.      Milwaukee Bucks: Dante Exum (PG/SG- Australian Institute of Sport) He has the quickness of Leonardo Barbosa and with the game breaker abilities of Penny Hardaway. Can create for himself and others. He has a nice outside shot. The only knock of him is the level of completion.

3.      Philadelphia 76ers: Jambari Parker (SF-Duke) He is the best all round player in the draft. A skill set that of the chains. He can do the step back jumper Paul Pierce. To me when I see him play he is Carmelo Anthony. The same body type and the smoothness in his moves and jump shot. He defense needs improvement. We would work well in Philly with Williams running the break.

4.      Orlando Magic: Joel Embiid-(C-Kansas) He has all the skill be an all-star. At 7’0, 250 pounds. They say he was post moves like a Tim Duncan and The Dream. A good rebounder and like The Dream and make other 4’s and 5’s look foolish. However his injury makes him my buyer beware. You would hope that he is not the next Sam Bowe or Greg Oden.

5.      Utah Jazz: Noah Vonleh (PF-University of Indiana) Yes I know Utah has already tried the Kanter experiment and it’s not working. You need a play maker for Burke. Noah might be that guy. He can defend and his post-game is coming along. He is a thinker in the court. He may not make the Sportscenter highlights plays but the Jazz need a post presence to help Burke.

6.      Boston Celtics: Marcus Smart (PG-OSU) Yes I do see flash of a young Dwayne Wade. He can attack the paint. Has a good and quick first step. Can finish with the likes of Rose, Lillard, Westbrook and Williams. At 6’3 he is a good rebounder at the one. However he needs to control his emotions.

7.      LA Lakers: Julius Randle (PF-Kentucky) The 1^st of Cap’s wildcat is off the board.  He was a strong upper body. He is great in the pick and roll. He can hit the midrange jumper. Randle is a good post defender. Loves to rebound and has a high motor. To some he is David Lee to me he is more like Zach Randolph. The only he lacks is explosiveness at the 4.

8.      Sacramento Kings: Rodney Hood (SF-Duke) The second Duke Player of the board. He is a solid athlete who can score in the midrange, 3 point and stretch the floor. Can beat you off the dribble and can pass. He was 3 point range. Can post on you. With all of that he reminds of Rashard Lewis. Not the version in Miami or in Washington. The version that I’m talking is at his prime in Seattle and in Orlando. Needs to have that post game at the 3 like Carmelo.

9.      Charlotte Hornets: James Young (SG-Kentucky) The 2^nd of the kids Wildcat of the board. I know its high at nine. However we does have skills. A very talented scorer that can beat you a number of ways. His jumper is his calling card. He can hit off the dribble and from deep. Great coming of screens he is a big 2 guard at 6’6. He reminds me of Arron Afflalo. However his shot selection needs work.

10.  Philadelphia 76ers: Zach LaVine (PG/SG-UCLA) LaVine is blessed with a high level of explosiveness. Shows electric speed and quickness. One of the best leapers in this draft. He jumped off my screen. He does have a 3 point shot to add, can create for himself. I do see the Russell Westbrook comparisons. However his Basketball IQ needs help. However in Philly with Williams running the point that backcourt could be the slash bros east.

11.  Denver Nuggets: Gary Harris (SG-Michigan St.) At 6‘4 and 205 lbs he is a well-rounded at the 2. He is unselfish player who can pass. Can set his feet well. A good jump shot and can shoot the three. He is O.J. Mayo in my eyes. With Ty Lawson he would have a shooter and with Wilson and hopefully a healthy Gallo Denver would run and gun in Mile High. However he is an undersized shooting guard and not a slasher.

12.  Orlando Magic: Elfrid Payton (PG-Louisiana Lafayette) A tall quick PG on the offensive side. Deadly 1^st step and crossover that would make Jamal Crawford (J-Crossover) very proud. At 6’3 he is a good defender. Pair him with Opladipo that backcourt have the prospects to lock you up. All he needs is a 3 point shot.

13.  Minnesota Timberwolves: Nik Stauskas (SG-Michigan) He is a pure shooter and excellent range 44% from downtown in college. Sets his feet well and quick well. High basketball IQ. Smooth player. Always loves to take the big shot. To me if you want go old school we would be Steve Kerr. However if you want a current player that best compare to his game. Look no farther in Atlanta Hawks Kyle Korver. Weaknesses lack quickness and the most fluid in terms of athleticism.

14.  Phoenix Suns: Doug McDermott (SF-Creighton) His scoring touch is in a world amazing. He stoke from the floor and from the arc is Steph, KD and Beal like. Great footwork and square his shoulders and seeing the ball of his hands is just beautiful to watch. Can shoot the Dirk 1-footer fadeaway and will make the hustle play. He can Chandler Parsons minus the leaping ability. Also can run the floor well. His a tweener and he is not the high flyer at the SF. In Hornacek’s free-flowing offense in the valley of the sun would fit.

15.  Atlanta Hawks: Jabari Brown (SG-Missouri) First and foremost he is a good shooter from the perimeter. He loves and can make the three ball. Get though screens with ease. Also he can finish and can put you in a poster. Some say he is Bradley Beal or James Harden. Jeff Teauge does need a shooter and we would fit well in the ATL. However his handle has improved but his defense needs a lot of help.

16.  Chicago Bulls: Shabazz Napier (PG-UConn) The UConn player off the board. He is a gamer and a winner. He can score and a can make get decisions with the ball. Has a three point shot. Plays with a swagger that you can find at Rucker Park. The Bulls should draft Napier you do need at some point to find a replacement for D-Rose. Napier tends to over dribble. He is a streak shooter and needs to get to free throw line more often than his 4.6 free throw attempts in college.

17.  Boston Celtics: Kyle Anderson (SF-UCLA) He does have great court vision thanks to his 6’9 frame. He can post up small PG, SG and SF. Good outside shot. A very smart player and a great passer. Can Play the PG, SG, SF and the PF. Now I won’t go as far that he is Magic Johnson 2.0 but if can be Lamar Odom at his prime then the Celtics will have a player. Does not have lateral quickness.

18.  Phoenix Suns: Aaron Gordon (PF-Arizona) The most athletic PF in this draft. Plays with a high motor. Have a good nose for the ball. Strong and loves contact. Can leap off the gym. Can move in the paint and will put in a poster. Have a high basketball IQ. He can be Blake Griffin. However he needs to work at the offensive level. With that high tempo in Phoenix they would be with Dragic, Bledsoe and hopefully with McDermott. The Suns might be the next Golden State Warriors.

19.  Chicago Bulls: Adreian Payne (PF-Michigan State) An PF with Dirk like shooting range in college. Shot 42.3% from downtown. He a good pick and pop player on the floor. Have decent post moves. A tough player in the paint. However not a high leaper. We will be Drew Godden.

20.  Toronto Raptors: Tyler Ennis (PG-Syracuse) Ennis is a cerebral and a very unselfish point guard. He has a desire to be great and win. Very coachable. Can get to the lane at will. Can change speeds on a dime. Good outside shooter and can make 3’s. Can defend. To me he fits the profile of a Jrue Holiday. However he lacks speed and athleticism.

21.  Oklahoma City Thunder: Glen Robinson III (SF-Michigan) A SF that can jump off the gym. He can play above the rim. Can finish via the break and the alley-oop. Can drive with either hand. Solid shooter that can stretch the floor. Shooting 49% from the floor and can defend. He does remind me of Trevor Ariza. However can be passive on offense. He is a good fit in OKC with Durant, Westbrook and Ibaka. They might have their new James Harden.

22.  Memphis Grizzles: TJ Warren (SF-NC State) Warren is a big time scorer and player with great instincts. He a works hard at both ends of the floor. Good midrange game. Runs the floor very well and rebounds very well. He does have the skill set of a Caron Butler. He does not have a define position. However he can be the replacement for Prince.

23.  Utah Jazz: CJ Wilcox (SG-Washington) Deadly shooter who also bring above athleticism. Great shooting mechanics and can be a playmaker. He is a good defender on the perimeter. He can be in the mold of a Klay Thompson and the perfect partner for Trey Burke. However Wilcox can’t create for himself.

24.  Charlotte Hornets: Jordan Adams (SG-UCLA) A competitive scorer and player. Can get though screens. His midrange game is fantastic and defend SG’s. Can post SG’s very well. He has the game of a Rip Hamilton. He is not a great passer and can’t finish in the paint.

25.  Houston Rockets: CJ Fair (SF-Syracuse) Fair is a smooth SF with a good offense skill set. He can shoot and defends. Run the break very well and does have some hops. He reminds me of Jeff Green. Needs to better create for himself.

26.  Miami Heat: Cleanthony Early (PG/SG-Colorado) He is a dual threat. He averaged 18.9 points and 4.1 assists per 40 minutes over his last two seasons at Colorado. Can draw a lot of fouls. Solid three point shooter and make crisp passes. He does remind me of a poor’s man CP3. His knee injury worries me and will he be a well-rounded PG.

27.  Phoenix Suns: Jerami Grant (SF-Syracuse)  A very athletic forward prospect with top notch physical tools Projects to be a wing, and has good size for the position at 6’8, and possesses outstanding length to match. Good finisher around the rim and defend as well. He is like Thaddeus Young. He needs to put on some weight and needs a variety of moves.

28.  Los Angeles Clippers: Mitch McGary (C-Michigan) He is quick for a big man. Have a high basketball IQ. Moves very well. Willing to make the hustle plays. He is a team player. May not crack the starting five. But we will find a role. He is like Nick Collinson. Not has explosive and was banned for the NCAA last year for drug use.

29.  Oklahoma City Thunder: Clint Capella (PF/C Switzerland) His one of the best athletes overseas. Loves to finish around the rim. Also can run the floor and every dangerous in the pick and roll and can defend. He can be somewhat like Nene. The knock on him is his low basketball IQ.

30.  San Antonio Spurs: Bogdan Bogdanovic (SG-Serbia) At 6’6 he has the perfect size for a SG. He poise to play some PG. He can slash in the paint and has great good vision. His weakness is that he does have the elite PG quickness like a Westbrook or a Dragic. He can be Manu like.