I'm going to try and keep this short and sweet. I took a look into every teams needs, and also tried to consider who might be the best player available as well. So without further ado, here we go.
1. Pistons: Cade Cunningham, PG/SG/SF, 6'7", 213 Lb's, 6'11" wingspan, Freshman, Oklahoma St.
I think Cunningham, right now today, is the best player in the draft, but not by much. Three years from now, who knows? There's not much he can't do. Great size, with terrific court vision and passing ability to take advantage of that vision. He can create his own shot and he defends. He has all those so called intangibles that every great player has. What's not to like?
2. Rockets: Jalen Green, SG, 6'6", 180 Lb's, 6'7.5" wingspan, G-League ignite.
Green may have the most tangible upside of anyone in the draft. By that I mean, he may be the most likely to reach his total potential. He has the Kobe look and feel to him. You could see him getting better with every game he played in the G-League. He has a confident air about him. I think he's a future star! Two or three years from now, it wouldn't surprise me if he's the best player to come out of this draft. Not a bad player to start your rebuild with.
3. Cavaliers: Scottie Barnes, SF/PF, 6'8", 227 Lb's, 7'2.75" wingspan, Freshman, Florida St.
The Cav's already have Allen at center, and while Mobley may end up being a better player eventually, I think it would be hard to pass up an impact player like Barnes, who I think will be a star in the NBA. Barnes seems to impact the game whenever he's on the floor. Defensively, it seemed as though there was two Barnes on the floor. If Barnes straightens out his jump shot, then nothing is holding him back.
4. Raptors: Evan Mobley, Center, 7'0", 215 Lb's, Freshman, USC.
No brainer for the Raptors. Mobley is a very skilled big man with above average athleticism and terrific shot blocking instincts. He can score at the basket, and with added strength, that part of his game will only get better. He's also shown the ability to score away from the basket, but still has work to do in that area. When you throw in that he can defend at the basket, and out on the perimeter, you have the complete package. He's a far better player than Wiseman was at the same point in time. If I had a reservation it would be that there were times when he appeared to be coasting, but they were few and far between.
5. Magic: Jalen Suggs, PG, 6'4", 198 Lb's, 6'5" wingspan, Freshman, Gonzaga.
Suggs is ready to step in and play right now. He has excellent court vision and a great feel for the game. While he's great with the ball in his hands, he's quite capable of playing off the ball, where he needs to become a more consistent 3 pt shooter, although he was a pretty good the catch and shoot. Where he struggled was off the dribble. He started off hot, and tailed off as the season went on. He can get to the basket at will, and is tough hardnosed defender. He's also an excellent rebounder for a guard.
6. Thunder: Jonathan Kuminga, SF, 6'7", 215 Lb's, 6'11" wingspan, G-League Ignite.
It wouldn't surprise me to see Kuminga slide a bit farther than six. There some serious question marks about his game, particularly his outside shot. There are some questions about his overall height and length as well. He's a very good athlete and has the tools, but he got very sloppy with the ball at times, and fell asleep on defense as well. All correctable, but when a team takes a player this high, they don't like that many questions unanswered.
7. Warriors: Davion Mitchell, PG, 6'1.25", 202 Lb's, 6'4.25" wingspan, Junior, Baylor.
The Warriors are in a win now mode, and Mitchell fits the bill. He's ready to step in and contribute now. He'll bring some much needed defense to the Warrior bench, and if his 3 pt shot translates to the NBA, then there won't be as big a drop off in offense when Curry goes to the bench.
8. Magic: Moses Moody, SG/SF, 6'6", 210 Lb's, 7'0.75" wingspan, Freshman, Arkansas.
One of my favorite players in the draft, and I can't see the Magic passing on him (I hope they do). He fits the type of team they've been putting together. Defensive minded with length at every position. He'll also bring some much needed scoring off the bench, at least to start. I see him as an eventual starter, probably sooner than later.
9. Kings: Franz Wagner, SF/PF. 6'10", 225 Lb's, Wingspan NA, Sophomore, Michigan.
Yeah, there were players with more upside, but I like what Wagner brings to the table. As I've stated before, Wagner isn't great at anything, but he's really good at everything. I think he has one of the highest floors in the draft, and I think he has a higher ceiling than most other pundits. He's one of those players you need on your team to win. And, it's possible he becomes more than that. He was a tough choice at this point between him and Jalen Johnson. I just liked Wagner's all around game better.
10. Pelicans: James Bouknight, SG, 6'4.25", 190 Lb's, 6'8.25" wingspan, Sophomore, UCONN
Bouknight gives the Pel's a weapon off the bench, at least to start. It should be interesting to see how his game develops when he's not the number one option on his team. His ability to finish in a crowd is almost magical. He needs to become more consistent with his 3pt shot, which should happen with less defensive focus on him. Bouknight carried UCONN on his back this past season.
11. Hornets: Jalen Johnson, SF/PF, 6'9", 220 Lb's, 6'11" wingspan, Freshman, Duke.
Jalen is one the players in this draft that could/should be an eventual star, an impact player. He has a high ceiling, and he also has, in my opinion, a fairly high floor. I think he's too talented to miss, and I would have loved him on the Kings. So why didn't I pick him? A question I don't have a good answer for, other than I liked Wagner more. But I won't be disappointed if we end up with Johnson. Who shot the three well this past season, but didn't take enough of them to convince me he's a legit 40% 3 pt shooter. His ability to pass the ball, rebound the ball, and defend the ball make him a very enticing player.
12. Spur's: Josh Giddey, PG/SG/SF, 6'8", 205 Lb's, 6'8" wingspan, Adelaide 36'ers of the NBL.
You have to admit, he just seems like a Spurs type of player. Very talented kid with a terrific feel for the game. Some scouts have called him Cade Cunningham light. He has great court vision the the passing skills to use it. Still, I wonder if he can defend, and suspect he'll struggle in that area, which is why I never considered him for the Kings. His 3 pt shot is a bit suspect as well, but other than that, he's very talented offensively.
13. Pacers: Kai Jones, PF/Center, 6'11.5", 221 Lb's, 7'2" wingspan, Sophomore, Texas.
The Pacers need some athleticism in their front court, and Jones will supply that. He runs the floor like a deer and has the potential to be a good post defender. He has the tools to be a good shot blocker, and he has the quickness to guard on the perimeter. He shot the three well, but it was a very small sampling. That said, he shows the potential to be a floor spacer. He's one of the best athlete's in the draft.
14. Warriors: Corey Kispert, SF, 6'7.25", 223 Lb's, 6'7" wingspan, Senior, Gonzaga.
I can't think of a better player to join the Warriors. Kispert may be the best shooter in college, and I think he's an underrated defender. I think the combine testing showed that he's a better athlete than was advertised. His ability to square up while coming off a pick is text book. When he gets hot, he can put points on the board in a hurry. He's also excellent at playing off the ball, knowing how to find the open spot, or cut to the basket. He has very good BBIQ. I think he's underrated by a lot of the pundits, and its scary to think how many open shots he'll get on a team like the Warriors.
15. Wizards: Alperen Sengun, Center, 6'9", 240 Lb's, Wingspan NA, 18 years old, Besiktas.
I'll be honest, I've watched a lot of film on Sengun and I'll admit that offensively, he's a very talented, but limited player. And, if he is indeed only 6'9", then I don't think he'll fare any better than Holmes when defending the bigger centers in the NBA. Probably worse! He's a terrible P&R defender, and simply can't defend on the perimeter. Now if he actually is taller than 6'10", then maybe I'll revise my opinion. But his offense will have to heavily outweigh his deficiencies on defense for him to succeed. Sorry, but I just can't buy into this guy. I'll be the first to admit that I'm wrong, if I'm indeed wrong.
16. Thunder: Keon Johnson, SG, 6'4.75", 184 Lb's, 6'7.25" wingspan, Freshman, Tennessee.
With the Thunder in a total rebuild, he's a good fit, and has value at sixteen. He's likely a couple of years away from reaching his potential. Terrific athlete that needs to fine tune his skill set, particularly his 3 pt shot, and his handles. He has all the tools to be a very good defender, and to be on ESPN's nightly highlight reel. He has one of the highest ceilings in the draft. It will be fun to see what he develops into.
17. Grizzly's: Trey Murphy III, SF, 6'9.25", 206 Lb's, 7'0" windspan, Junior, Virginia.
If Murphy were a Freshman he'd likely be a lottery pick, and I probably have him higher than most mocks do. Once he transferred to Virginia, he took a giant leap forward, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. He's able to step in and play right now, and I think he'll eventually be a starting SF in the league. He's one of those players that might be called underrated, but NBA scouts know who he is.
18. Thunder: Usman Garuba, PF/SF, 6'9", 230 Lb's, 7'2" wingspan, International.
Another high ceiling developmental player for the Thunder. Garuba will earn his keep on the defensive side of the ball where he uses his athleticism and brute strength to his advantage. He has excellent length, and has shown promise as a good offensive rebounder. Offensively, he's limited to running the floor, dunking, layups, and being the roll man in the P&R. He has a lot to work on, but his midrange and 3 pt shot show some promise.
19. Knicks: Isaiah Jackson, PF/Center, 6'11", 206 Lb's, 7'2.5" wingspan, Freshman, Kentucky.
Jackson is one of the best athletes in the draft and he showed a lot of potential as a shot blocker averaging 2.6 blocks a game in only 20 mpg. His production improved as Calipari developed confidence in him, and there were times when he was the best player on the floor for the Wildcats. Right now he's more potential than substance, but there's a lot there to mold. He has sleeper of the draft potential.
20. Hawks: Chris Duarte, SG/SF, 6'6", 190 Lb's, Wingspan NA, Senior, Oregon.
Duarte is ready to step in and play right now. If he wasn't a Senior, he be much higher on the board. He's the complete package. Excellent 3 pt shooter averaging 44% from the three this past season. Terrific physical defender who makes his opponent very uncomfortable. I debated him going to the Warriors at fourteen. Duarte is another of my favorite players who will likely go higher in a redraft two or three years from now.
21. Knicks: Cam Thomas, SG, 6'4", 200 Lb's, Wingspan NA, Freshman, LSU.
Thomas scored a lot of points for LSU, but he wasn't the most efficient player while doing it, shooting around 29% from the three. However he shot close to 90% from the freethrow line, so that bodes well for the future. He took a lot of contested shots, and just improving his shot selection will likely improve his percentages. He apparently didn't attend the combine, so I'm not sure of his height and weight.
22. Lakers: Jaden Springer, SG, 6'4.25", 202 Lb's, 6'7.75" wingspan, Freshman, Tennessee.
Springer was Keon Johnson's running mate at Tennessee, and one could make an argument that Springer was the better player. Actually I would make that argument! Springer was the more efficient player across the board losing only in the athleticism dept. That's not to imply that Springer is a poor athlete, but that Johnson was the superior athlete. Being a results guy, I would take Springer over Johnson, but that's just me. In short, the Lakers are getting a very good player. Dam!
23. Rockets: J.T. Thor, PF, 6'9.25", 203 Lb's, 7'3.25" wingspan, Freshman, Auburn.
With Thor your betting on raw potential. Thor is a physical specimen with terrific length and athleticism. While he only shot around 30% from the three, his form looks OK and he shot 74% from the freethrow line. He has the look of a late bloomer, and could be the sleeper of the draft. Or not! He's a great value for the Rockets this deep into the 1st rd.
24. Rockets: Miles McBride, PG, 6'2.5", 195 Lb's, 6'8.75 wingspan, Freshman, W. Virginia.
If McBride were a little taller, he'd likely be going higher in the draft. He definitely has a place in the NBA. He's a skilled player who plays both ends of the court, and while he's a little undersized, he does have a plus 6" wingspan which allows him to play taller than he is. He's just a solid all around player who may not be great at anything, but is good at almost everything. Where have I heard that before, hmmm!
25. Clippers: Ayo Dosunmu, PG/SG, 6'5", 194 Lb's, 6'10.5" wingspan, Junior, Illinois.
Dosunmu was the heart and soul of the Illinois team, and should probably be a lottery pick. He does whatever needs to be done to win. He's a tough hardnosed player, whose not always pretty to watch, but gets the job done. Illinois over achieved this past season, and Dosunmu was the reason, with some help from Kofi Cockburn. The Clippers are getting a very good player that can help right away.
26. Nuggets: Sharife Cooper, PG, 6'1", 180 Lb's, Wingspan NA, Freshman, Auburn.
With Cooper your betting on his playmaking ability, which is excellent. However, offensively he wasn't very efficient shooting around 23% from the three, and only 39% overall. And while he puts out the effort defensively, he's no Davion Mitchell, which if your going to be undersized, you'd better be. I confess to letting other pundits and mocks influence me with Cooper, most of which have him going higher. I don't see it. I think if your undersized, you have to be special. Maybe I'm missing something!
27. Nets: Day-Ron Sharpe, Center, 6'11", 265 Lb's, Wingspan NA, Freshman, N. Carolina.
I probably have Sharpe higher than most, but the Nets could use some muscle in the middle, and Sharpe fits the bill. Sharpe is very agile for a player his size, and I would be betting on his athleticism going forward. I like him better than most, because there's something about him that intrigues me. I see him as an eventual defensive stopper. What surprised me was his ability to move his feet while defending on the perimeter. Offensively he took a grand total of 2 three point attempts, and missed both, so I'm not optimistic that he'll ever be a threat from there. But plug him into the middle and surround him with good shooters, and well, you have the Nets.
28. 76'ers: Ziaire Williams, SF, 6'9.75", 188 Lb's, 6'10.25" wingspan, Freshman, Stanford.
Williams, who had a terrible year at Stanford, has too much talent to pass up at this point. Covid, along with deaths in the family, and injuries all contributed to his poor showing. The team couldn't even play in front of their home crowd. Williams is first rd talent, and probably deserves to go higher, but, his season did put doubt in some minds, and thus, here he is at 28.
29. Suns: Quentin Grimes, SG/PG, 6'5.25", 205 Lb's, 6'8" wingspan, Junior, Houston.
Grimes was the star of the combine scrimmages, and he opened some eyes with his all around game. He shot the three well, defended, and created for others. He looked like a pro among boys at times. He also had a very good year at Houston where he shot 40% from the three. He's more of a SG than a PG, but he can fill in at the point if needed. He'd be a great addition to an already talented team in the Suns.
30. Jazz: Tre Mann, SG/PG, 6'4.25", 178 Lb's, 6'4" wingspan, Sophomore, Florida.
Mann is another player I really like. He's an excellent off the dribble shooter, and has no trouble creating his own shot. He has a killer crossover/stepback that's broke a few ankles, and is almost un-guardable. He does lack a little length, but makes up for it with tenacity and athleticism. He shot just a tick under 40% from the three. Despite his lack of length he's a very good rebounder averaging 5.6 a game. While he's more of a SG, he's quite capable of playing the point where he averaged 3.6 assists. Throw in 1.6 steals, and you have pretty good value at 30.
Note: I'm not going to post a 2nd rd mock. There are so many players of equal ability that its one big crap shoot. However I will list some players that I favor for the Kings in the 2nd rd, and in no particular order.
1. Neemias Queta: Center, 7'0", 245 Lb's.
2. Josh Christopher: SG, 6'5", 200 Lb's, 6'7.5" wingspan.
3. Ibou Dianko Badji: Center, 7'1", 230 Lb's, 7'8" wingspan
4. Nah'shan (Bones) Hyland: SG, 6'3.5", 170 Lb's, 6'9.25" wingspan
5. Joe Wieskamp: SF/SG, 6'7.25", 204 Lb's, 6'11" wingspan
6. Isaiah Todd: PF, 6'10", 219 Lb's, 7'1.25" wingspan
7. Charles Bassey: Center, 6'10.25", 230 Lb's, 7'3" wingspan
8. Jericho Sims: Center, 6'10", 250 Lb's, 7'3.25" wingspan
9. Aaron Henry: SG, 6'6", 210 Lb's, 6'10.25" wingspan
10. Sandro Mamukelashvili: Center/PF, 6'10", 239 Lb's, 7'1.25" wingspan
11. E. J. Onu: Center, 6'11", 240 Lb's, 7'8" wingspan
12. Brandon Boston: SF, 6'7", 185 Lb's, 6'11.5" wingspan
13. Vrenz Bleijenbergh: PG/SG/SF, 6'10", 209 Lb's, Wingspan NA
14. Reluctantly- Greg Brown: SF, 6'8.5", 206 Lb's, 7'0.25" wingspan.
I suspect that at least one of these players will be available when we pick in the 2nd round. Probably several.....
1. Pistons: Cade Cunningham, PG/SG/SF, 6'7", 213 Lb's, 6'11" wingspan, Freshman, Oklahoma St.
I think Cunningham, right now today, is the best player in the draft, but not by much. Three years from now, who knows? There's not much he can't do. Great size, with terrific court vision and passing ability to take advantage of that vision. He can create his own shot and he defends. He has all those so called intangibles that every great player has. What's not to like?
2. Rockets: Jalen Green, SG, 6'6", 180 Lb's, 6'7.5" wingspan, G-League ignite.
Green may have the most tangible upside of anyone in the draft. By that I mean, he may be the most likely to reach his total potential. He has the Kobe look and feel to him. You could see him getting better with every game he played in the G-League. He has a confident air about him. I think he's a future star! Two or three years from now, it wouldn't surprise me if he's the best player to come out of this draft. Not a bad player to start your rebuild with.
3. Cavaliers: Scottie Barnes, SF/PF, 6'8", 227 Lb's, 7'2.75" wingspan, Freshman, Florida St.
The Cav's already have Allen at center, and while Mobley may end up being a better player eventually, I think it would be hard to pass up an impact player like Barnes, who I think will be a star in the NBA. Barnes seems to impact the game whenever he's on the floor. Defensively, it seemed as though there was two Barnes on the floor. If Barnes straightens out his jump shot, then nothing is holding him back.
4. Raptors: Evan Mobley, Center, 7'0", 215 Lb's, Freshman, USC.
No brainer for the Raptors. Mobley is a very skilled big man with above average athleticism and terrific shot blocking instincts. He can score at the basket, and with added strength, that part of his game will only get better. He's also shown the ability to score away from the basket, but still has work to do in that area. When you throw in that he can defend at the basket, and out on the perimeter, you have the complete package. He's a far better player than Wiseman was at the same point in time. If I had a reservation it would be that there were times when he appeared to be coasting, but they were few and far between.
5. Magic: Jalen Suggs, PG, 6'4", 198 Lb's, 6'5" wingspan, Freshman, Gonzaga.
Suggs is ready to step in and play right now. He has excellent court vision and a great feel for the game. While he's great with the ball in his hands, he's quite capable of playing off the ball, where he needs to become a more consistent 3 pt shooter, although he was a pretty good the catch and shoot. Where he struggled was off the dribble. He started off hot, and tailed off as the season went on. He can get to the basket at will, and is tough hardnosed defender. He's also an excellent rebounder for a guard.
6. Thunder: Jonathan Kuminga, SF, 6'7", 215 Lb's, 6'11" wingspan, G-League Ignite.
It wouldn't surprise me to see Kuminga slide a bit farther than six. There some serious question marks about his game, particularly his outside shot. There are some questions about his overall height and length as well. He's a very good athlete and has the tools, but he got very sloppy with the ball at times, and fell asleep on defense as well. All correctable, but when a team takes a player this high, they don't like that many questions unanswered.
7. Warriors: Davion Mitchell, PG, 6'1.25", 202 Lb's, 6'4.25" wingspan, Junior, Baylor.
The Warriors are in a win now mode, and Mitchell fits the bill. He's ready to step in and contribute now. He'll bring some much needed defense to the Warrior bench, and if his 3 pt shot translates to the NBA, then there won't be as big a drop off in offense when Curry goes to the bench.
8. Magic: Moses Moody, SG/SF, 6'6", 210 Lb's, 7'0.75" wingspan, Freshman, Arkansas.
One of my favorite players in the draft, and I can't see the Magic passing on him (I hope they do). He fits the type of team they've been putting together. Defensive minded with length at every position. He'll also bring some much needed scoring off the bench, at least to start. I see him as an eventual starter, probably sooner than later.
9. Kings: Franz Wagner, SF/PF. 6'10", 225 Lb's, Wingspan NA, Sophomore, Michigan.
Yeah, there were players with more upside, but I like what Wagner brings to the table. As I've stated before, Wagner isn't great at anything, but he's really good at everything. I think he has one of the highest floors in the draft, and I think he has a higher ceiling than most other pundits. He's one of those players you need on your team to win. And, it's possible he becomes more than that. He was a tough choice at this point between him and Jalen Johnson. I just liked Wagner's all around game better.
10. Pelicans: James Bouknight, SG, 6'4.25", 190 Lb's, 6'8.25" wingspan, Sophomore, UCONN
Bouknight gives the Pel's a weapon off the bench, at least to start. It should be interesting to see how his game develops when he's not the number one option on his team. His ability to finish in a crowd is almost magical. He needs to become more consistent with his 3pt shot, which should happen with less defensive focus on him. Bouknight carried UCONN on his back this past season.
11. Hornets: Jalen Johnson, SF/PF, 6'9", 220 Lb's, 6'11" wingspan, Freshman, Duke.
Jalen is one the players in this draft that could/should be an eventual star, an impact player. He has a high ceiling, and he also has, in my opinion, a fairly high floor. I think he's too talented to miss, and I would have loved him on the Kings. So why didn't I pick him? A question I don't have a good answer for, other than I liked Wagner more. But I won't be disappointed if we end up with Johnson. Who shot the three well this past season, but didn't take enough of them to convince me he's a legit 40% 3 pt shooter. His ability to pass the ball, rebound the ball, and defend the ball make him a very enticing player.
12. Spur's: Josh Giddey, PG/SG/SF, 6'8", 205 Lb's, 6'8" wingspan, Adelaide 36'ers of the NBL.
You have to admit, he just seems like a Spurs type of player. Very talented kid with a terrific feel for the game. Some scouts have called him Cade Cunningham light. He has great court vision the the passing skills to use it. Still, I wonder if he can defend, and suspect he'll struggle in that area, which is why I never considered him for the Kings. His 3 pt shot is a bit suspect as well, but other than that, he's very talented offensively.
13. Pacers: Kai Jones, PF/Center, 6'11.5", 221 Lb's, 7'2" wingspan, Sophomore, Texas.
The Pacers need some athleticism in their front court, and Jones will supply that. He runs the floor like a deer and has the potential to be a good post defender. He has the tools to be a good shot blocker, and he has the quickness to guard on the perimeter. He shot the three well, but it was a very small sampling. That said, he shows the potential to be a floor spacer. He's one of the best athlete's in the draft.
14. Warriors: Corey Kispert, SF, 6'7.25", 223 Lb's, 6'7" wingspan, Senior, Gonzaga.
I can't think of a better player to join the Warriors. Kispert may be the best shooter in college, and I think he's an underrated defender. I think the combine testing showed that he's a better athlete than was advertised. His ability to square up while coming off a pick is text book. When he gets hot, he can put points on the board in a hurry. He's also excellent at playing off the ball, knowing how to find the open spot, or cut to the basket. He has very good BBIQ. I think he's underrated by a lot of the pundits, and its scary to think how many open shots he'll get on a team like the Warriors.
15. Wizards: Alperen Sengun, Center, 6'9", 240 Lb's, Wingspan NA, 18 years old, Besiktas.
I'll be honest, I've watched a lot of film on Sengun and I'll admit that offensively, he's a very talented, but limited player. And, if he is indeed only 6'9", then I don't think he'll fare any better than Holmes when defending the bigger centers in the NBA. Probably worse! He's a terrible P&R defender, and simply can't defend on the perimeter. Now if he actually is taller than 6'10", then maybe I'll revise my opinion. But his offense will have to heavily outweigh his deficiencies on defense for him to succeed. Sorry, but I just can't buy into this guy. I'll be the first to admit that I'm wrong, if I'm indeed wrong.
16. Thunder: Keon Johnson, SG, 6'4.75", 184 Lb's, 6'7.25" wingspan, Freshman, Tennessee.
With the Thunder in a total rebuild, he's a good fit, and has value at sixteen. He's likely a couple of years away from reaching his potential. Terrific athlete that needs to fine tune his skill set, particularly his 3 pt shot, and his handles. He has all the tools to be a very good defender, and to be on ESPN's nightly highlight reel. He has one of the highest ceilings in the draft. It will be fun to see what he develops into.
17. Grizzly's: Trey Murphy III, SF, 6'9.25", 206 Lb's, 7'0" windspan, Junior, Virginia.
If Murphy were a Freshman he'd likely be a lottery pick, and I probably have him higher than most mocks do. Once he transferred to Virginia, he took a giant leap forward, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. He's able to step in and play right now, and I think he'll eventually be a starting SF in the league. He's one of those players that might be called underrated, but NBA scouts know who he is.
18. Thunder: Usman Garuba, PF/SF, 6'9", 230 Lb's, 7'2" wingspan, International.
Another high ceiling developmental player for the Thunder. Garuba will earn his keep on the defensive side of the ball where he uses his athleticism and brute strength to his advantage. He has excellent length, and has shown promise as a good offensive rebounder. Offensively, he's limited to running the floor, dunking, layups, and being the roll man in the P&R. He has a lot to work on, but his midrange and 3 pt shot show some promise.
19. Knicks: Isaiah Jackson, PF/Center, 6'11", 206 Lb's, 7'2.5" wingspan, Freshman, Kentucky.
Jackson is one of the best athletes in the draft and he showed a lot of potential as a shot blocker averaging 2.6 blocks a game in only 20 mpg. His production improved as Calipari developed confidence in him, and there were times when he was the best player on the floor for the Wildcats. Right now he's more potential than substance, but there's a lot there to mold. He has sleeper of the draft potential.
20. Hawks: Chris Duarte, SG/SF, 6'6", 190 Lb's, Wingspan NA, Senior, Oregon.
Duarte is ready to step in and play right now. If he wasn't a Senior, he be much higher on the board. He's the complete package. Excellent 3 pt shooter averaging 44% from the three this past season. Terrific physical defender who makes his opponent very uncomfortable. I debated him going to the Warriors at fourteen. Duarte is another of my favorite players who will likely go higher in a redraft two or three years from now.
21. Knicks: Cam Thomas, SG, 6'4", 200 Lb's, Wingspan NA, Freshman, LSU.
Thomas scored a lot of points for LSU, but he wasn't the most efficient player while doing it, shooting around 29% from the three. However he shot close to 90% from the freethrow line, so that bodes well for the future. He took a lot of contested shots, and just improving his shot selection will likely improve his percentages. He apparently didn't attend the combine, so I'm not sure of his height and weight.
22. Lakers: Jaden Springer, SG, 6'4.25", 202 Lb's, 6'7.75" wingspan, Freshman, Tennessee.
Springer was Keon Johnson's running mate at Tennessee, and one could make an argument that Springer was the better player. Actually I would make that argument! Springer was the more efficient player across the board losing only in the athleticism dept. That's not to imply that Springer is a poor athlete, but that Johnson was the superior athlete. Being a results guy, I would take Springer over Johnson, but that's just me. In short, the Lakers are getting a very good player. Dam!
23. Rockets: J.T. Thor, PF, 6'9.25", 203 Lb's, 7'3.25" wingspan, Freshman, Auburn.
With Thor your betting on raw potential. Thor is a physical specimen with terrific length and athleticism. While he only shot around 30% from the three, his form looks OK and he shot 74% from the freethrow line. He has the look of a late bloomer, and could be the sleeper of the draft. Or not! He's a great value for the Rockets this deep into the 1st rd.
24. Rockets: Miles McBride, PG, 6'2.5", 195 Lb's, 6'8.75 wingspan, Freshman, W. Virginia.
If McBride were a little taller, he'd likely be going higher in the draft. He definitely has a place in the NBA. He's a skilled player who plays both ends of the court, and while he's a little undersized, he does have a plus 6" wingspan which allows him to play taller than he is. He's just a solid all around player who may not be great at anything, but is good at almost everything. Where have I heard that before, hmmm!
25. Clippers: Ayo Dosunmu, PG/SG, 6'5", 194 Lb's, 6'10.5" wingspan, Junior, Illinois.
Dosunmu was the heart and soul of the Illinois team, and should probably be a lottery pick. He does whatever needs to be done to win. He's a tough hardnosed player, whose not always pretty to watch, but gets the job done. Illinois over achieved this past season, and Dosunmu was the reason, with some help from Kofi Cockburn. The Clippers are getting a very good player that can help right away.
26. Nuggets: Sharife Cooper, PG, 6'1", 180 Lb's, Wingspan NA, Freshman, Auburn.
With Cooper your betting on his playmaking ability, which is excellent. However, offensively he wasn't very efficient shooting around 23% from the three, and only 39% overall. And while he puts out the effort defensively, he's no Davion Mitchell, which if your going to be undersized, you'd better be. I confess to letting other pundits and mocks influence me with Cooper, most of which have him going higher. I don't see it. I think if your undersized, you have to be special. Maybe I'm missing something!
27. Nets: Day-Ron Sharpe, Center, 6'11", 265 Lb's, Wingspan NA, Freshman, N. Carolina.
I probably have Sharpe higher than most, but the Nets could use some muscle in the middle, and Sharpe fits the bill. Sharpe is very agile for a player his size, and I would be betting on his athleticism going forward. I like him better than most, because there's something about him that intrigues me. I see him as an eventual defensive stopper. What surprised me was his ability to move his feet while defending on the perimeter. Offensively he took a grand total of 2 three point attempts, and missed both, so I'm not optimistic that he'll ever be a threat from there. But plug him into the middle and surround him with good shooters, and well, you have the Nets.
28. 76'ers: Ziaire Williams, SF, 6'9.75", 188 Lb's, 6'10.25" wingspan, Freshman, Stanford.
Williams, who had a terrible year at Stanford, has too much talent to pass up at this point. Covid, along with deaths in the family, and injuries all contributed to his poor showing. The team couldn't even play in front of their home crowd. Williams is first rd talent, and probably deserves to go higher, but, his season did put doubt in some minds, and thus, here he is at 28.
29. Suns: Quentin Grimes, SG/PG, 6'5.25", 205 Lb's, 6'8" wingspan, Junior, Houston.
Grimes was the star of the combine scrimmages, and he opened some eyes with his all around game. He shot the three well, defended, and created for others. He looked like a pro among boys at times. He also had a very good year at Houston where he shot 40% from the three. He's more of a SG than a PG, but he can fill in at the point if needed. He'd be a great addition to an already talented team in the Suns.
30. Jazz: Tre Mann, SG/PG, 6'4.25", 178 Lb's, 6'4" wingspan, Sophomore, Florida.
Mann is another player I really like. He's an excellent off the dribble shooter, and has no trouble creating his own shot. He has a killer crossover/stepback that's broke a few ankles, and is almost un-guardable. He does lack a little length, but makes up for it with tenacity and athleticism. He shot just a tick under 40% from the three. Despite his lack of length he's a very good rebounder averaging 5.6 a game. While he's more of a SG, he's quite capable of playing the point where he averaged 3.6 assists. Throw in 1.6 steals, and you have pretty good value at 30.
Note: I'm not going to post a 2nd rd mock. There are so many players of equal ability that its one big crap shoot. However I will list some players that I favor for the Kings in the 2nd rd, and in no particular order.
1. Neemias Queta: Center, 7'0", 245 Lb's.
2. Josh Christopher: SG, 6'5", 200 Lb's, 6'7.5" wingspan.
3. Ibou Dianko Badji: Center, 7'1", 230 Lb's, 7'8" wingspan
4. Nah'shan (Bones) Hyland: SG, 6'3.5", 170 Lb's, 6'9.25" wingspan
5. Joe Wieskamp: SF/SG, 6'7.25", 204 Lb's, 6'11" wingspan
6. Isaiah Todd: PF, 6'10", 219 Lb's, 7'1.25" wingspan
7. Charles Bassey: Center, 6'10.25", 230 Lb's, 7'3" wingspan
8. Jericho Sims: Center, 6'10", 250 Lb's, 7'3.25" wingspan
9. Aaron Henry: SG, 6'6", 210 Lb's, 6'10.25" wingspan
10. Sandro Mamukelashvili: Center/PF, 6'10", 239 Lb's, 7'1.25" wingspan
11. E. J. Onu: Center, 6'11", 240 Lb's, 7'8" wingspan
12. Brandon Boston: SF, 6'7", 185 Lb's, 6'11.5" wingspan
13. Vrenz Bleijenbergh: PG/SG/SF, 6'10", 209 Lb's, Wingspan NA
14. Reluctantly- Greg Brown: SF, 6'8.5", 206 Lb's, 7'0.25" wingspan.
I suspect that at least one of these players will be available when we pick in the 2nd round. Probably several.....
