I’m not really a big mock draft guy, but I know my listeners and fans love them and want to see my input on prospects, so I will put one together. My mock draft is based upon what I believe the team should do, according to the scouting that I’ve done. I don’t shoot to have all of my picks right, I’m just sharing my thoughts and opinion on the players that I’ve scouted.
1. Minnesota T-Wolves: Karl-Anthony Towns PF/C 7’0 248 lbs Kentucky Fr.
Towns is the best prospect in the draft in my opinion and has the potential to be a difference maker on both ends of the floor. He can post, block shots, shoot, pass and rebound. Tons of upside.
2. Los Angeles Lakers: Jahlil Okafor C 6’11 270 lbs Duke Fr.
Okafor is the best post player in the draft. He has a mature inside game, soft touch, great feet and a great feel for scoring in the paint. He is also a underrated face up player as well. Could be a 15-18 ppg guy as a rookie.
3. Philadelphia 76ers: D’Angelo Russell PG/SG 6’5 193 lbs Ohio St. Fr.
The Sixers need a lead guard that can score and make plays and that is what Russell can do. He’s a knockdown shooter with range, he is a very good passer in transition and in the halfcourt and he’s a crafty lefty with a high IQ. He can play with or without the ball.
4. New York Knicks: Emmanuel Mudiay PG 6’5 200 lbs CBA/Congo
The Knicks need to add young talent with upside to their roster. Mudiay was a high school all american, the number one player in the country according to many scouts. He’s big, has good length, handles it well, passes it very well and is a elite athlete. He can get to the basket at will and is strong enough to finish through contact. Has the potential to be an elite level defender.
5. Orlando Magic: Mario Hezonja SG/SF 6’8 200 lbs Barcelona 20 years old
The Magic need an athletic, outside shooting wing and that is what Hezonja brings to the table. He can shoot it from deep, but also put it on the floor and finish above the rim. With his athleticism, he could develop into a really good wing defender.
6. Sacramento Kings: Justise Winslow SF/SG 6’7 222 lbs Duke Fr.
The Kings need to add toughness, defense, a winner and a glue guy to their team, and Winslow is the perfect fit in my opinion. He doesn’t need the ball to score, he runs hard, rebounds, defends, can hit spot up jumpers and finishes. He’ll get the 50-50 balls and just to the things needed to help his team win.
7. Denver Nuggets: Stanley Johnson SF 6’7 242 lbs Arizona Fr.
Johnson is young and talented, has a nice tough on his mid range jumper, has the body to beat up 3’s in the paint, his three point shooting improved during the as well. Johnson was also one of the best perimeter defenders in college basketball and has a Ron Artest type of body. He could really be a great, versatile defender as a pro.
8. Detroit Pistons: Myles Turner C/PF 7’0 242 lbs Texas Fr.
The Pistons will most likely lose Greg Monroe via free agency, so they need to draft his replacement. Turner is a rare prospect as a big, he can stretch the floor with his shooting, but also rebound and protect the rim. He is young, still raw as a post player, but he has a ton of potential.
9. Charlotte Hornets: Devin Booker SG 6’6 206 lbs Kentucky Fr.
The Hornets need shooting and Booker is the youngest player in the draft, but is also the best shooter. He can come off of screens from mid range and deep and make shots, and he’s deadly as a spot up shooter.
10. Miami Heat: Bobby Portis C/PF 6’11 242 lbs Arkansas So.
The Heat need help in the paint and Portis is a kid with an NBA ready body, who rebounds, defends, and can hit the mid range jumper. Even though he is only a sophomore, he’s a kid who I believe could play 12-18 minutes a game as a rookie.
11. Indiana Pacers: Cameron Payne PG 6’2 185 lbs Murray St. So.
The Pacers need a true PG, George Hill is a combo guard, and never was able to give them the playmaking that they needed at the position. Payne is a small school prospect with big time talent and can be a starting NBA point guard. He will keep defenses honest because of his scoring and shooting ability, but he is also a guy who gets his teammates involved.
12. Utah Jazz: Frank Kaminsky PF/C 7’0 231 lbs Wisconsin Sr.
Kaminsky would be a perfect fit coming off of the bench for the Jazz. He’s a true stretch 4-5 guy that can really shoot and pass the ball. Derrick Favors and Rudy Gobert would benefit greatly from his ability to pass from the high post.
13. Phoenix Suns: Willie Cauley-Stein C 7’1 242 lbs Kentucky Jr.
WCS’s calling card as a pro will be defending and once he gets stronger, rebounding. He is an elite athlete, the most versatile defender, and flourishes catching lobs and getting putbacks. He has all league defensive potential.
14. Oklahoma City Thunder: Sam Dekker SF/PF 6’9 219 lbs Wisconsin Jr.
Dekker doesn’t have star potential, but he’s a winner, knows how to play, and could be a very good role player as a pro. He will have to earn his keep as a defender, finisher at the rim, hustle guy, and as a spot up shooter. He has to work on his three point shooting if he’s to stay on the floor.
15. Atlanta Hawks: Kristaps Porzingis PF/C 7’1 222 lbs Latvia 19 years old
The Hawks love face up bigs that can stretch the floor and Porzingis is a very good shooter from deep. He will be great in pick and pop situations, and as a catch and shoot guy. I know a lot of scouts like him in the top 5, but I’m not one of those guys.
16. Boston Celtics: Trey Lyles PF 6’10 241 lbs Kentucky Fr.
Lyles is a very skilled basketball player who played out of position in college due to need. He can face up and beat bigs off of the bounce, or post up smaller players. He has a decent midrange jumper and he can pass. He’s a kid who’s best basketball is ahead of him in my opinion.
17. Milwaukee Bucks: Kelly Oubre SF/SG 6’7 203 lbs Kansas Fr.
The Bucks could really use a big man who can rebound, protect the rim and score a little bit, but there aren’t any left on the board that warrants this high of a pick. Oubre is super long, very athletic, has a good spot up jump shot, and great potential as a wing defender.
18. Houston Rockets: Delon Wright PG 6’6 181 lbs Utah Sr.
The Rockets could really use a backup PG, a guy who can allow James Harden not to have to play on the ball so often and Wright is that guy. He has a NBA pedigree, his brother Dorell has played for over a decade in the league, he’s smart, takes care of the ball and can defend both guard positions.
19. Washington Wizards: Jerian Grant PG 6’4 198 lbs Notre Dame Sr.
Grant is a local kid that’s mature, great in pick and roll situations, finds guys in their spots and has a NBA ready body. He comes from NBA bloodlines, and is ready to contribute as a reserve from day one.
20. Toronto Raptors: Monrezl Harrell PF/C 6’8 253 lbs Louisville Jr.
The Raptors could use more size, defense and rebounding in the paint. Even though he’s undersized height wise, his 7’4 wingspan, strength, and athleticism more then make up for it. He’ll have a long career as a rebounder, defender, high energy guy.
21. Dallas Mavericks: Rondae Hollis-Jefferson SF/SG 6’7 211 lbs Arizona So.
The Mavericks could really use young talent on their roster, and RHJ is young, with high potential as wing defender as a pro. He guarded 1-4 in college and was taught very well by Sean Miller. He scores a majority of his points finishing at the rim in transition or via offensive rebounds and will have to develop a jump shot to force teams to defend him. He has Tony Allen defensive potential.
22. Chicago Bulls: Jarell Martin SF/PF 6’9 240 lbs LSU So.
Martin is the best player on the board, he’s a young face up PF prospect who can also play some SF as well. He’s a NBA level athlete who finished above the rim with ease and he can put it on the floor and beat bigger players off of the dribble.
23. Portland Trail Blazers: Christian Wood PF/C 6’11 216 lbs UNLV So.
Wood is a very talented big man with perimeter skills. He really fits in with the skills of this generation’s 4 and 5 men. He has a great touch from mid range and can attack guys off of the dribble and finish above the rim. He also rebounds well despite being rail thin and he protects the rim. Lottery type talent that I wouldn’t be surprised if he was selected earlier then 23.
24. Cleveland Cavaliers: R.J. Hunter SG 6’6 185 lbs Georgia St. Jr.
The Cavs have Lebron James, who draws double teams and is a willing passer. Having shooters around him is a must. Hunter is a knockdown shooter with NBA range. He’s play 12-15 years just because of his shooting ability.
25. Memphis Grizzlies: Kevon Looney PF 6’9 222 lbs UCLA Fr.
Z-Bo and Marc Gasol are still getting it done, but drafting Looney at 25 would give them a young stretch 4 prospect with upside. He’ll learn from two of the best in the game, and won’t be rushed to play. I think it would be a perfect fit.
26. San Antonio Spurs: Rashad Vaughn SG 6’5 200 lbs UNLV Fr.
Vaughn is a tough shot maker, in the mold of JR Smith, which is a good and bad thing. He really has great range on his jump shot and he’s only 18 years old, full of potential. He’s coming off of a knee injury, probably will redshirt his first year, and will benefit from a organization who knows how to develop talent.
27. Los Angeles Lakers: Timothe Luwawu SF/SG 6’7 205 lbs France 20 years old
Luwawu is a young, athletic wing prospect from France with great defensive fundamentals, great athleticism, and he finishes well above the rim. A definite developmental, late first round prospect.
28. Boston Celtics: Tyus Jones PG 6’2 185 lbs Duke Fr.
Jones is the best player on the board right now, and has the potential to be a very good backup NBA PG. He’s tough, a winner, not afraid, and is a big game player. He needs time to work on his body and become a more consistent shooter.
29. Brooklyn Nets: Cliff Alexander PF/C 6’9 240 lbs Kansas Fr.
Alexander was a very overrated prospect heading into college, but he is young, strong, rebounds the ball very well and plays hard. He has very long arms, and in today’s NBA can play both the 4 and the 5 spots. He needs serious work on his game in the post, but he’s young and could develop into on fo the game’s best rebounders.
30. Golden State Warriors: Rakeem Christmas PF/C 6’10 243 lbs Syracuse Sr.
The Warriors could use a young big man to eventually replace David Lee and Andrew Bogut, and Christmas would be a good selection to end the first round. He’s mature, has a NBA ready body, and he can rebound and protect the rim. He showed during the NBA combine and in workouts that he’s developing a 15 foot jump shot as well.
Muslim Football Scout 