On the clock…
Every year draft “experts” put together a number of versions of their NBA mock drafts, based on information they receive from scouts, team officials and other various sources.
LTSB decided to put a different twist on our Mock Draft this time around, incorporating five readers’ opinions on who they think should be selected where, and why. Selections were finalized based on the average of prospect’s draft position by these five fans: Jeff Sealy (@GetSmackedSealy), Michael Hanley (@Magic20099), Marciel Whitehurst (@CheckmyBeard), Peter Fleischer (@peter_fleischer) and Jerome Keene (@Jrome0010). As you can imagine, a draft projection such as this made for some interesting scenarios.
Here are the final results including select commentary from each different contributor, with LTSB’s own analysis when necessary (note; average draft position included in parentheses):
- New Orleans Hornets – Anthony Davis, PF Kentucky (1): This is pretty much the only no-brainer of the draft. Everybody knows what Davis can do as far as guarding the rim and connecting his eyebrows, but the next level stuff on Davis is impressive as well. Good coordination and work ethic, great mobility, etc. – @peter_fleischer
- Charlotte Bobcats – Thomas Robinson, PF Kansas (3): Robinson, with his NBA body and most NBA ready game, will help solidify a frontcourt going forward with Bismack Biyombo, who shows flashes of a game like Serge Ibaka (minus the jumpshot). Plus, Charlotte needs guys that can play, now. Couple Robinson and Biyombo with Kemba Walker, a boatload of cap space, and a high lotto pick next offseason, and the Cats could reload quicker than most think. – @Jrome0010
- Washington Wizards – Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF Kentucky (3.2):High motor, shooting skills still need to be refined but will improve w/ game reps, gives max effort on every possession, would pair well w/ John Wall. – @Magic20099
- Cleveland Cavaliers – Bradley Beal, SG Florida (3.8): Another fantastic fit, at least in my eyes. Beal was a freshman that had to play with upperclassmen gunners last year, in Erving Walker and Kenny Boynton. Yet he still averaged 14.8 ppg, proving he doesn’t need to dominate the ball. Combining Beal with Kyrie Irving would give the Cavs one of the best young backcourts in the game moving forward. – @peter_fleischer
- Sacramento Kings – Harrison Barnes, SF North Carolina (6.2): Most have Sacramento going with a big here, but with the way Barnes tested at the combine ot dispell worries about his athleticism I can’t see him dropping out of the top 5. Plus the Kings have a larger hole at SF than PF or C right now. – LTSB staff
- Portland Trail Blazers – Jared Sullinger, PF Ohio State (6.6): Portland needs help up front, Sullinger is a terrific rebounder who can also give Portland a reliable scorer they can throw the ball to down low in the post. – @Magic20099
- Golden State Warriors – Perry Jones III, F Baylor (7): This is who they should draft given their new go big or go home mindset (e.g, San Francisco extravaganza and extreme tanking in order to keep the pick). Jones could be like Rudy Gay or Anthony Randolph, so there’s some risk. Barnes just doesn’t provide enough playmaking or athleticism needed for the Dubs. – @Jrome0010
- Toronto Raptors – Jeremy Lamb, G/F Connecticut (7.8): Toronto was void of any solid perimeter shooting and Lamb will give Casey a guy he can put on the floor & fill it up from 15 feet & beyond. – @Magic20099
- Detroit Pistons – Andre Drummond, C Connecticut (9.8): Greg Monroe came into his own for the Pistons last season but he may be more of a natural 4 than a 5. Drummond at 9 isn’t too high of a risk if he can transfer his impressive physical tools into his play on the court. – LTSB staff
- New Hornets Hornets – Damian Lillard, PG Weber State (10): I like Lillard more than Kendall Marshall and Austin Rivers in the NBA, and the Hornets have needs across the board. This gives them a great big/guard tandem to develop. – @peter_fleischer
- Portland Trail Blazers – Kendall Marshall, PG North Carolina (12.2): Fills a position of need, and doesn’t it feel like the Blazers kinda just need someone to feed the scorers and get the hell out of the way? – @peter_fleischer
- Milwaukee Bucks – Tyler Zeller, C North Carolina (13): With the loss of Bogut, Bucks need an inside presence. Zeller provides the need with a little more offensive skill. – @GetSmackedSealy
- Phoenix Suns – Austin Rivers, SG Duke (13.8): Phoenix fans, Nash is gone. Someone has to put butts in the seats. Rivers needs to learn how to the share the ball much better than he did last season. But he has superstar possibility potential, as North Carolina saw last year. – @Jrome0010
- Houston Rockets – Dion Waiters, G Syracuse (14.2): Kevin Martin is probably getting traded sometime this season as an expiring contract. That leaves a hole that Waiters can fill with his scoring ability. – @Jrome0010
- Philadelphia 76ers – Arnett Moultrie, PF Mississippi State (14.6): 76ers could use another big man who can score inside especially with the increasing age and big contract of Elton Brand. – @GetSmackedSealy
- Houston Rockets – John Henson, PF North Carolina (16.4): After opting for a perimeter scorer in this scenario, the Rockets go after a shot blocker with their second first round pick. Henson way lack strength but his defensive instincts are attractive at this stage of the draft. – LTSB staff
- Dallas Mavericks – Meyers Leonard, C Illinois (17): Leonard may very well be gone by this pick in the actualt draft, but if not the Mavericks will jump at the chance to draft him to replace Brendan Haywood and as a piece to lure Deron Williams to Dallas. – LTSB staff
- Minnesota Timberwolves – Terrence Jones, PF Kentucky (19): Though his effort could be questioned at times, his potential is off teh charts, has size, can shot block and be an effective scorer for Minnesota. – @Magic20099
- Orlando Magic – Terrence Ross, G/F Washington (20.4): With Ross slotted at 20 in this scenario, he could bring the Magic a shooting guard/wing prospect to replace Jason Richardson in the near future. Ross is one of the better pure scorers in the draft with lottery pick talent, so he offers some value at this stage in the first round. – LTSB staff
- Denver Nuggets – Quincy Miller, F Baylor (21.4): George Karl asks, “How can we score more?” Draft a versatile forward who can score inside and out at two positions. Miller can be the heir apparent to Al Harrington. – @Jrome0010
- Boston Celtics – Fab Melo, C Syracuse (22.4): Melo can rebound and guard the rim right now, which the C’s can’t bring in fast enough. – @peter_fleischer
- Boston Celtics – Moe Harkless, F St. John’s (22.6): Everyone knows they will need to replace some key pieces to this team. Harkless is long, athletic, and can score. – @CheckMyBeard
- Atlanta Hawks – Andrew Nicholson, PF/C St. Bonaventure (23): Hawks could use a big man with a mid range game like Nicholson. – @GetSmackedSealy
- Cleveland Cavaliers – Royce White, PF Iowa State (24.6): Has size and a great motor, would help the Cavs stretch out opponents’ defenses on the perimeter, also will make teammates better around him. – @Magic20099
- Memphis Grizzlies – Doron Lamb, G Kentucky (25): The Grizzlies need an offensive threat at the two-spot in the worst kind of way. Lamb is NBA-ready and can hit the three. – @peter_fleischer
- Indiana Pacers – Tony Wroten, G Washington (26): The Pacers could use some depth and size at PG behind George Hill and Darren Collison. Wroten has a lot of potential and if he can develop his jump shot could be a steal this late. – LTSB staff
- Miami Heat – Festus Ezeli, C Vanderbilt (26): The Heat have been playing without a true center in the lineup for a couple of seasons now, Ezeli would give them a legit post player they could throw the ball down to. – @Magic20099
- Oklahoma City Thunder – John Jenkins, G Vanderbilt (26.2): Jenkins can flat out shoot it and you can never have enough shooters to space the floor in the NBA. He can step in right away and replace Dequan Cook or Dereck Fisher if he chooses to retire. – LTSB staff
- Chicago Bulls – Tyshawn Taylor, PG Kansas (27.8): With Rose out for most of next season, Taylor would step in and give Chicago toughness and a great floor general. – @Magic20099
- Golden State Warriors – Marquis Teague, PG Kentucky (27.8): He came out too early, but he can be serviceable if put in the right situation. – @GetSmackedSealy
Other players receiving votes as first round picks: Evan Fournier (29), Jeff Taylor (29.2), Draymond Green (29.4), Kevin Jones (29.8), Will Barton (30)
-ed.
