1. Cleveland – Nerlens Noel, C
Cavs now have a big man to compliment Kyrie Irving.
2. Orlando – Ben McLemore, 2G
This one is tough. I say go for the best guy available and figure the rest out later. Aaron Afflalo can move to the 3 spot for the short term.
3. Washington – Otto Porter, SF
Great pick here. Local college star fills a need at the 3 spot.
4. Charlotte- Anthony Bennett, PF
Good pick. Charlotte has about as bad a situation at PF as you can get in the NBA. Tyrus Thomas is way overpaid and the only PF under contract for next situation.
5. Phoenix –Victor Oladipo, 2G
Raw but athletic, Oladipo can get minutes right away and make a smooth transition playing the slashing role as a compliment to good outside shooters in Dragic and Dudley.
6. New Orleans – Trey Burke, PG
Another tough choice. Small forward is the need but this may be too high for Shabazz Muhammad. While Greivis Vasquez had a surprising season, the team could still upgrade at this spot and Burke is the best PG in the draft.
7. Sacramento- Alex Len, C
If nothing else, the Kings get their backup center. If Cousins doesn’t mature, Len may find himself in the starting lineup sooner than you think or Cuz could move to PF and they play together.
8. Detroit – Shabazz Muhammad, SF
The Pistons need wing help and Shabazz gives them much needed scoring at the 3 spot.
9. Minnesota- Rudy Gobert, C
Huge reach here. Wolves bank on Gobert’s long term potential.
10. Portland – Cody Zeller, C/PF
Pretty good steal here for Portland. Zeller’s stock has risen due to a strong performance at the combine. He can start right away in the middle.
11. Philadelphia – C.J. McCollum, 1/2G
Versatile guard can fill in for Holiday at times or even start at the 2 spot.
12. Oklahoma City- Kelly Olynyk, C
Late bloomer can eventually start in the pivot for the Thunder. Team would be wise to let him come along slowly though.
13. Dallas- Dennis Schroder, PG
Dirk’s countryman gets the nod here. Dallas doesn’t have a PG under contract and with the team likely throwing most of their cap money at Dwight Howard, the Mavs can fill a perimeter need here.
14. Utah- Shane Larkin, PG
Mo Williams and Earl Watson have seen better days. Larkin’s stock has been rising lately so this looks to be a good pick for the late lottery.
15. Milwaukee- Tim Hardaway Jr., 2G
The Bucks aren’t sure who will be at the shooting guard position since Monta Ellis and J.J. Redick are both free agents. Hardaway provides insurance in case either or both leave.
16. Boston – Reggie Bullock, SF
Surprise pick this early but Bullock is the perfect Celtic. Hard worker is Doc’s type of guy.
17. Atlanta- Tony Mitchell, SF/PF
Call me crazy but I still think Atlanta has a shot at both CP and Dwight Howard. While unlikely, they should plan accordingly, meaning you take anything but a PG or C. They have no SF on the roster so this looks like a decent pick if Mitchell can bounce back to form from a year ago.
18. Atlanta-Deshaun Thomas, SF
See above
19. Cleveland- Michael Carter Williams, PG
Williams does the free fall as other PG prospects make late charges to the lottery.
20. Chicago-Steven Adams, C
Adams was impressive at the combine. Noah is the only C under contract for the Bulls and this year’s backup, Nazr Mohammed, may be hanging them up.
21. Utah- Kentavious Caldwell Pope, 2G
Jazz go with arguably the best player available.
22. Brooklyn- Gorqui Deng, C
The Nets are capped out and with only the mini mid level exception available, it’s no sure thing that Blatche will be back so they go with insurance here.
23. Indiana-Allen Crabbe, 2G
The payroll is getting high so Pacers probably won’t be spending money this offseason on free agents. Therefore, I see them taking a bench need as there is no backup 2G on the books.
24. New York-Lucas Noquera, C
Tyson Chandler showed signs of slowing down this year and Camby is flat out washed up.
25. L.A. Clippers-Mason Plumlee, C/PF
The Clips could go in a few directions here but settle on best big man available.
26. Minnesota-Sergey Karasev, SF
After going big with the first pick, look for the Wolves to get wing help here with Andrei Kirilenko’s countryman.
27. Denver-Jamaal Franklin, 2G
Andre Igoudola and Corey Brewer are both free agents. Ideally, they’d like to keep both but it may be too expensive so taking the best 2G available may make sense.
28. San Antonio-Jeff Withey, C
Good pick this late in the game. Spurs have deep connections with KU.
29. Oklahoma City-Giannis Adetokoubo, SF/PF
Rumor has it that this guy has a promise so it’s doubtful he would fall this far but after going big with the first pick, Thunder take a guy who can give KD a breather late in the first.
30. Phoenix-Dewayne Dedmond, C
Huge reach here. Suns go with long term hope after going with a perimeter guy in the lotto.