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| Okafor and Towns will be #1 and #2 in some order. |
Considering that this is the first mock draft, I decided to only expand on my thoughts on the Lottery picks, since this mock draft will definitely change.
1. Minnesota Timberwolves – Karl-Anthony Towns, PF/C Kentucky
Many analysts disagree on this pick, but recently there has been more of a consensus on Towns going #1. He is not nearly as polished in the post as Jahlil Okafor, but is much more athletic and a better defender. Towns fits better with Andrew Wiggins and company in a faster offensive scheme, and right now makes the most sense as this pick.
2. Los Angeles Lakers – Jahlil Okafor, C Duke
Okafor is the most polished prospect in this draft and will immediately contribute to what could be a much improved and competitive Lakers team next season after free agency runs its course. Okafor should be an anchor for the franchise for many years, and pair well with Julius Randle on the offensive and defensive glass.
3. Philadelphia 76ers – D’Angelo Russell, PG/SG Ohio State
The 6’5″ guard showed an impressive ability to create his own shot and knock down 3s during his freshman year at Ohio State. Scouts are very high on him since the combine as well, with great vision as a point guard to pair with his scoring ability. It’ll be either him or Emmanuel Mudiay here at #3, but Russell holds the edge after a spectacular year on the NCAA circuit and more certainty.
4. New York Knicks – Emmanuel Mudiay, PG Dallas, Texas/Guangdong Southern Tigers
Mudiay was one of the most heralded players of last year’s freshmen class before choosing to forgo college to instead play overseas. He’s a tall, very athletic point guard who possesses all the skills to be elite at his position. Some scouts even consider his playing abroad more important than playing in college, although either way it does not seem to be hurting his draft sock. Ultimately, he has the most potential to be a star out of any player left.
5. Orlando Magic – Justise Winslow, SG/SF Duke
A spectacular defender during his only year at Duke and showed a great ability to be his team’s primary scorer at times as well. With Tobias Harris potentially on his way out, Winslow would be a good, safe addition for the Magic to pair with Elfrid Payton, Victor Oladipo, and Nikola Vucevic.
6. Sacramento Kings – Willie Cauley-Stein, PF/C Kentucky
The Kings could go many ways here, but Cauley-Stein would be an excellent fit alongside DeMarcus Cousins in the front court. The Kings have drafted guard-heavy recently and should instead try their luck with another Kentucky big man this year.
7. Denver Nuggets – Mario Hezonja, SG/SF Croatia
Hezonja is considered a wild-card by many because of his limited playing time professionally, but his talent and potential will land him in the top 10. He might not be ready for a few years, but his 6’8″ frame, above-the-rim talent, and shooting ability all could make him a star one day. The Nuggets are not competing in the West with whomever they pick here, so Hezonja’s development will be worth the wait.
8. Detroit Pistons – Stanley Johnson, SF Arizona
Johnson may never be a team’s primary scorer, but he is an outstanding wing defender and could learn some offense. The Pistons could really use a forward like Johnson who excels at leading his team and doing the hard work to win.
9. Charlotte Hornets – Kelly Oubre, Jr., SG/SF Kansas
Oubre might not be ready to succeed in the NBA right away, but he has the potential to be a very good two-way player. Lance Stephenson has shown that he’s not the Hornets’ answer at wing so far, and Ombre could be his replacement down the line.
10. Miami Heat – Kristaps Porzingis, PF Latvia
An extreme athletic, 7’1″ forward, Porzingis has a well-developed jump-shot that can extend beyond the three-point line. Porzingis could easily go in the top 5 based on potential alone. The Heat have both Chris Bosh and Hassan Whiteside in their front court, but his talent is too much to pass on here this late in the draft.
11. Indiana Pacers – Myles Turner, PF/C Texas
Turner is a very intriguing prospect who showed an incredible ability to shoot as a big man and to block shots on defense. The Pacers could use an upgrade at several positions, but Turner would be a good fit alongside Roy Hibbert with David West aging, and probably Hibbert’s eventual replacement.
12. Utah Jazz – Devin Booker, SG Kentucky
Booker is one of my favorite players in this draft. He played limited minutes in his freshman year on a loaded Kentucky roster, but proved to be the dominant, primary scorer when he was on the court. He has a very polished jumper that should extend beyond the three-point line, and he also showed the ability to drive and play above the rim. Dante Exum had a very disappointing rookie year, and Booker could be the electrifying scorer the Jazz missed out on when they selected Alec Bucks two picks after the Warriors nabbed Klay Thompson (who Booker plays like).
13. Phoenix Suns – Frank Kaminsky, C Wisconsin
I expect Kaminsky to be a very good NBA player. His game is very similar to the Morris brothers’, but he has the potential to be an even better inside-out player. I expect the Suns to re-sign Brandon Knight at all costs, and with him and Bledsoe anchoring the backcourt, I suspect the Suns to take the best player available in Kaminsky over a SF prospect like teammate Sam Dekker or Arizona’s Rondae Hollis-Jefferson.
14. Oklahoma City Thunder – Kevon Looney, PF UCLA
Looney is athletic, has good size and length, and was a tenacious rebounder during his freshman year at UCLA. Looney, the Milwaukee native, will need to add some weight and develop a better shot in order to become a viable starter in the NBA, but he will instantly provide versatility off the bench for the Thunder.
Here is the rest of the 1st round after the lottery picks:
15. Atlanta Hawks – Bobby Portis, PF Arkansas
16. Boston Celtics – Jerian Grant, PG Notre Dame
17. Milwaukee Bucks – Trey Lyles, PF Kentucky
18. Houston Rockets – Cameron Payne, PG Murray State
19. Washington Wizards – Tyus Jones, PG Duke
20. Toronto Raptors – Sam Dekker, SF Wisconsin
21. Dallas Mavericks – R.J. Hunter, SG Georgia St.
22. Chicago Bulls – Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, SF Arizona
23. Portland Trail Blazers – Christian Wood, PF UNLV
24. Cleveland Cavaliers – Montrezl Harrell, SF/PF Louisville
25. Memphis Grizzlies – Rashad Vaughn, SG UNLV
26. San Antonio Spurs – George de Paula, PG/SG Brazil
27. Los Angeles Lakers – Delon Wright, PG Utah
28. Boston Celtics – Robert Upshaw, C Washington
29. Brooklyn Nets – Rakeem Christmas, PF Syracuse
30. Golden State Warriors – Jarell Martin, PF LSU