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SacKings2002NBAChampions
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We could get any one of these prospects (below) and possibly Adreian Payne, Rodney Hood, Dario Saric, or Jusuf Nurkic if they fall to us.
14. SUNS, Nik Stauskas, Michigan, SG, 6-6, 205
Phoenix already has a nice backcourt with Eric Bledsoe and Goran Dragic, but Stauskas is more of a prototype shooting guard who can also handle the ball. He shot 47 percent overall, 44.2 percent on 3s, packed a lot of experience in pressure situations into two college seasons -- the Big Ten Player of the Year checks a lot of boxes.
15: HAWKS, Gary Harris, Michigan St., SG, 6-4, 210
Harris' stock took a slight hit as a shooting guard who went from 45.6 percent from the field as a freshman to 42.9 in 2013-14 and from 41.1 percent on 3s to 35.2. He has good strength and can get to the rim, even though a little undersized.
16. BULLS, Tyler Ennis, Syracuse, PG, 6-2, 180
This is too low for the best true point guard available, though without physical wow factor of Exum or Smart, but it's tough to find a team with a pressing point guard need around 10 to 14 if the Magic choose Exum near the top. Ennis won over front offices and went from prospect for the future to the immediate impact of one of the best freshmen in the country with steady play and composure beyond his years.
17. CELTICS, P.J. Hairston, D-League, SG, 6-4, 220
Hairston finished his season with the Texas Legends at 21.8 points and 32.3 minutes in 26 games, reinforcing his standing as a first-rounder who can score from the perimeter or go hard to the rim. Teams will look hard at his background after being suspended by the NCAA, in part over some acquaintances.
18. SUNS, Clint Capela, Switzerland, PF, 6-10, 210
He moved well into the first round with good showings in France, then pushed into lottery contention by flashing mobility to go with the size and toughness inside. Phoenix does not want three rookies on the roster. A nice prospect who could spend another season overseas is an ideal outcome here.
19. BULLS, Kyle Anderson, UCLA, SF, 6-9, 230
He can handle the ball for a forward, is versatile, has good size and a nice feel for the game. A lack of athleticism that will hurt his ability to create and defend, though, and some teams see the possible future role as a point forward oversold because NBA defenses will take away a lot of what made him effective in college.
20. RAPTORS, Zach LaVine, UCLA, PG-SG, 6-5, 180
The chance to let LaVine develop behind Lowry is worth strong consideration amid questions from teams whether he is a true point guard. UCLA didn't play him there last season, but LaVine, an electric athlete, insists that is his true position. If he proves it, there is a real big upside.
21. THUNDER, T.J. Warren, North Carolina St., SF, 6-8, 225
For depth, because Oklahoma City seems to be in decent shape at small forward. Without any consistent 3-point range, Warren can score in bunches, has nice instincts and does damage on the boards.
22. GRIZZLIES, James Young, Kentucky, SF, 6-7, 210
Though he doesn't have ideal athleticism, Young will be a nice scoring addition for any team. Memphis in particular can use the points, and especially from the perimeter. Playing when defenses have to pay so much attention to Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph inside would be a good way to break into the league.
23. JAZZ, K.J. McDaniels, Clemson, SF, 6-6, 198
Hall of Fame coach Larry Brown called him a human stat sheet. McDaniels scores, rebounds and blocks shots as a mega-athlete who will be able to use those physical gifts to overcome the size disadvantage waiting for him in the frontcourt in the pros.
24. HORNETS, Vasilije Micic, Serbia, PG, 6-4, 190
While he won't beat many people off the dribble, a potential problem, Micic is a pass-first point guard with vision, size and the ability to deliver the ball at the right time and place. He would be a nice complement off the bench to the smaller, quicker Kemba Walker.
25. ROCKETS, Jerami Grant, Syracuse, SF, 6-8, 210
Harvey's son/Horace's nephew, a reserve for the Orangemen, scores, rebounds and has the kind of wingspan and athleticism that indicates he could become a standout defender.
26. HEAT, Elfrid Payton, La. Lafayette, PG, 6-4, 185
Payton has good size, ball skills, defends and experience with the United States under-19 national team last summer. He didn't face top competition much in 2013-14, and when he did: 6-for-19 against Baylor, 3-for-11 against Louisville, 9-for-20 against Creighton. The jumper has been a question all along.
27. SUNS, Kristaps Porzingis, Latvia, PF, 6-11, 220
It is possible Phoenix does the draft-and-stash twice in the same draft. The Suns will also look at trades. Porzingis is 18, already making a contribution for a team in Spain in the second-best league in the world and moves very well for a big man who could keep growing.
28. CLIPPERS, Glenn Robinson III, Michigan, SF, 6-6, 215
The son of Big Dog Robinson, in the lottery conversation at the start of the season, did not take advantage of the chance to star after the departures of 2013 first-rounders Trey Burke and Tim Hardaway Jr. and the injury to Mitch McGary. The Clippers were picking up a lot of small forwards -- Danny Granger, Hedo Turkoglu -- for help on the bench.
29. THUNDER, Mario Hezonja, Croatia, SG, 6-6, 200
Hezonja has been one of the top backcourt prospects in Europe for years and is still only 18, making this the first time he is draft eligible. His size and ability to score from many places equals great possibilities.
30. SPURS, Mitch McGary, Michigan, PF-C, 6-10, 260
If McGary is cleared after a serious back injury -- if -- he has a chance to be part of a big-man rotation. The Spurs wouldn't need a major contribution right away, just the certainty he will be able to play and that the NCAA suspension for marijuana use was nothing more than youthful indiscretion.
We wanted to draft Stauskas, Nurkic, Saric at #7 anyways (some of us at least$. This way, we'll end up getting one + a possible future superstar (LaVine anyone?)
I think Phoenix would be crazy to do this deal but they might like Aaron Gordon or possible Noah Vonleh if he falls. We could get a big man and a solid shooter for our picks.
Sure, maybe not NBA ready but we won't be anyways until summer 2015 by then I expect puzzle pieces to fall and our prospects to prosper.
14. SUNS, Nik Stauskas, Michigan, SG, 6-6, 205
Phoenix already has a nice backcourt with Eric Bledsoe and Goran Dragic, but Stauskas is more of a prototype shooting guard who can also handle the ball. He shot 47 percent overall, 44.2 percent on 3s, packed a lot of experience in pressure situations into two college seasons -- the Big Ten Player of the Year checks a lot of boxes.
15: HAWKS, Gary Harris, Michigan St., SG, 6-4, 210
Harris' stock took a slight hit as a shooting guard who went from 45.6 percent from the field as a freshman to 42.9 in 2013-14 and from 41.1 percent on 3s to 35.2. He has good strength and can get to the rim, even though a little undersized.
16. BULLS, Tyler Ennis, Syracuse, PG, 6-2, 180
This is too low for the best true point guard available, though without physical wow factor of Exum or Smart, but it's tough to find a team with a pressing point guard need around 10 to 14 if the Magic choose Exum near the top. Ennis won over front offices and went from prospect for the future to the immediate impact of one of the best freshmen in the country with steady play and composure beyond his years.
17. CELTICS, P.J. Hairston, D-League, SG, 6-4, 220
Hairston finished his season with the Texas Legends at 21.8 points and 32.3 minutes in 26 games, reinforcing his standing as a first-rounder who can score from the perimeter or go hard to the rim. Teams will look hard at his background after being suspended by the NCAA, in part over some acquaintances.
18. SUNS, Clint Capela, Switzerland, PF, 6-10, 210
He moved well into the first round with good showings in France, then pushed into lottery contention by flashing mobility to go with the size and toughness inside. Phoenix does not want three rookies on the roster. A nice prospect who could spend another season overseas is an ideal outcome here.
19. BULLS, Kyle Anderson, UCLA, SF, 6-9, 230
He can handle the ball for a forward, is versatile, has good size and a nice feel for the game. A lack of athleticism that will hurt his ability to create and defend, though, and some teams see the possible future role as a point forward oversold because NBA defenses will take away a lot of what made him effective in college.
20. RAPTORS, Zach LaVine, UCLA, PG-SG, 6-5, 180
The chance to let LaVine develop behind Lowry is worth strong consideration amid questions from teams whether he is a true point guard. UCLA didn't play him there last season, but LaVine, an electric athlete, insists that is his true position. If he proves it, there is a real big upside.
21. THUNDER, T.J. Warren, North Carolina St., SF, 6-8, 225
For depth, because Oklahoma City seems to be in decent shape at small forward. Without any consistent 3-point range, Warren can score in bunches, has nice instincts and does damage on the boards.
22. GRIZZLIES, James Young, Kentucky, SF, 6-7, 210
Though he doesn't have ideal athleticism, Young will be a nice scoring addition for any team. Memphis in particular can use the points, and especially from the perimeter. Playing when defenses have to pay so much attention to Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph inside would be a good way to break into the league.
23. JAZZ, K.J. McDaniels, Clemson, SF, 6-6, 198
Hall of Fame coach Larry Brown called him a human stat sheet. McDaniels scores, rebounds and blocks shots as a mega-athlete who will be able to use those physical gifts to overcome the size disadvantage waiting for him in the frontcourt in the pros.
24. HORNETS, Vasilije Micic, Serbia, PG, 6-4, 190
While he won't beat many people off the dribble, a potential problem, Micic is a pass-first point guard with vision, size and the ability to deliver the ball at the right time and place. He would be a nice complement off the bench to the smaller, quicker Kemba Walker.
25. ROCKETS, Jerami Grant, Syracuse, SF, 6-8, 210
Harvey's son/Horace's nephew, a reserve for the Orangemen, scores, rebounds and has the kind of wingspan and athleticism that indicates he could become a standout defender.
26. HEAT, Elfrid Payton, La. Lafayette, PG, 6-4, 185
Payton has good size, ball skills, defends and experience with the United States under-19 national team last summer. He didn't face top competition much in 2013-14, and when he did: 6-for-19 against Baylor, 3-for-11 against Louisville, 9-for-20 against Creighton. The jumper has been a question all along.
27. SUNS, Kristaps Porzingis, Latvia, PF, 6-11, 220
It is possible Phoenix does the draft-and-stash twice in the same draft. The Suns will also look at trades. Porzingis is 18, already making a contribution for a team in Spain in the second-best league in the world and moves very well for a big man who could keep growing.
28. CLIPPERS, Glenn Robinson III, Michigan, SF, 6-6, 215
The son of Big Dog Robinson, in the lottery conversation at the start of the season, did not take advantage of the chance to star after the departures of 2013 first-rounders Trey Burke and Tim Hardaway Jr. and the injury to Mitch McGary. The Clippers were picking up a lot of small forwards -- Danny Granger, Hedo Turkoglu -- for help on the bench.
29. THUNDER, Mario Hezonja, Croatia, SG, 6-6, 200
Hezonja has been one of the top backcourt prospects in Europe for years and is still only 18, making this the first time he is draft eligible. His size and ability to score from many places equals great possibilities.
30. SPURS, Mitch McGary, Michigan, PF-C, 6-10, 260
If McGary is cleared after a serious back injury -- if -- he has a chance to be part of a big-man rotation. The Spurs wouldn't need a major contribution right away, just the certainty he will be able to play and that the NCAA suspension for marijuana use was nothing more than youthful indiscretion.
We wanted to draft Stauskas, Nurkic, Saric at #7 anyways (some of us at least$. This way, we'll end up getting one + a possible future superstar (LaVine anyone?)
I think Phoenix would be crazy to do this deal but they might like Aaron Gordon or possible Noah Vonleh if he falls. We could get a big man and a solid shooter for our picks.
Sure, maybe not NBA ready but we won't be anyways until summer 2015 by then I expect puzzle pieces to fall and our prospects to prosper.
