There's still two weeks before the early entry withdrawal deadline (June 16), but this final mock draft assumes the following players will still be in the draft. My selections are based on team needs and who I'd take, not a projection of which player a certain team may take. Essentially, I'm the GM and front office of every NBA team. Might sound selfish, so take these selections for what they're worth.
1. Chicago Bulls select Derrick Rose, Memphis point guard: The Bulls could go with Rose or Michael Beasley and be more than happy, but adding a starting point guard right away who fits the system gives Rose the edge. Plus, he's from Chicago, so it's a nice story.
2. Miami Heat select Michael Beasley, Kansas State forward: At the pre-draft camp, Beasley measured closer to 6-foot-7, so he could be more of a small forward at the NBA level. Not a big deal, though, as Beasley will probably be an immediate starter.
3. Minnesota Timberwolves select Brook Lopez, Stanford center: Not the sexiest pick considering the guards available, but Lopez will compliment rising star Al Jefferson in the post. Plus, look at all the star forwards and centers in the Western Conference. They have to be reckoned with.
4. Seattle Sonics select Jerryd Bayless, Arizona point guard: I've been somewhat critical of Bayless' game, but after going back and watching more of his freshman season, I now realize he could be a pretty solid pro, especially alongside Kevin Durant.
5. Memphis Grizzlies select Kevin Love, UCLA forward: Memphis is based on athleticism, but is in dire need of a post presence because of the Pau Gasol trade. Love is an exceptional passer, great rebounder and has shown the ability to knock down outside shots.
6. New York Knicks select OJ Mayo, USC guard: New York needs help at all positions, but Mayo is probably a good choice for first-year head coach Mike D'Antoni and his up-tempo style of play.
7. Los Angeles Clippers select Eric Gordon, Indiana guard: The Clippers' two biggest needs are health and a three-point threat. Chris Kaman and Elton Brand will be back to anchor the middle, so a guy like Gordon, with his range, could really stretch the opponents' defense.
8. Milwaukee Bucks select Danilo Gallinari, Italy forward: The top need for Milwaukee is a small forward, and Gallinari is the best European prospect available in this draft. He plays like a point forward, but also has the ability to score in bunches.
9. Charlotte Bobcats select DeAndre Jordan, Texas A&M center: Charlotte wants to move Emeka Okafor to power forward, his natural position. Jordan is teeming with potential, and Charlotte, as well as Okafor, would love to have him.
10. New Jersey Nets select Darrell Arthur, Kansas forward: The Nets are set in the backcourt, so a solid low-post player is needed. Arthur is a bit of a risk because of his struggles on the boards, but his offensive productivity could potentially be a reward.
11. Indiana Pacers select DJ Augustin, Texas point guard:
12 comments Last one added about 1 year ago — Leave a Comment
Michael Whittenberg about 1 year ago
Nice rundown, but I don't think Love is a top five pick.
Edit Comment Cancel
Max Iascone about 1 year ago
I gotta agree with Michael here, good rundown but Love isn't a top 5 guy, if Memphis doesn't trade down then Deandre Jordan or Anthony Randolph are both better than Love, if they trade down into the lower part of the lottery than Love is an option but no way he goes in the top 5. There is some talk of Kevin McHale wanting Love with the three pick (which would be a suicidal pick for McHale's already questionable future) so Brook Lopez may be there at 5, a perfect fit if I do say so myself.
One more thing, I don't see what people (like you or Chad Ford) see in Robin Lopez, Hibbert is clearly the superior players in pretty much every way other than Rebounding, and due to Hibbert's size, he could take that category eventually as well, Lopez's offensive game is severely undeveloped at best and he lacks elite athleticism.
One more critique, the Knicks need anything other than a combo guard like Mayo, that would probably be their worst option in my opinion but that's just me. Danilo Galinari would be a perfect fit in NY, he can run and score in bunches, which is good for D'Antoni's system, and he plays SF, where the Knicks are very thin. All in all, good article, just a few beefs about where certain guys fit. Keep up the good work.
Peace,
Max
Edit Comment Cancel
Gary Lloyd about 1 year ago
You mentioned Lopez lacking elite athleticism. What about Hibbert there? He is in no way athletic at 7-foot-3, and wasn't even a top 10 rebounder in the Big East.
Robin is more of a potential pick, as he's played in the shadow of his brother for two years at Stanford. He'll never be counted on to produce offensively, but he'll be a solid defender for years in my opinion.
Edit Comment Cancel
Max Iascone about 1 year ago
Fair point, but the thing about Hibbert is this, when I look at him I see a shorter, more filled out version of Yao Ming, some questions surround his tenacity and his ability on the defensive end despite his gargantuan frame, but his natural scoring ability and size will make him a bargain, he's not Yao Ming but the similarities are there in my opinion. Lopez will be a soild defender but I just don't think he's worth a first round pick if Hibbert is available. Lopez will be a fine NBA player but he's even more one dimensional than Hibbert.
Peace,
Max
Edit Comment Cancel
Tyler Smies about 1 year ago
I'd be shocked if Bill Walker drops out of the first round...Someone will draft him on his potential
Edit Comment Cancel
Ben Allaire about 1 year ago
You mean his potential... TO EAT POPCORN!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REo4WDmh8pw
Edit Comment Cancel
TJ Zwarych about 1 year ago
I dont think love is a top 5 pick either, and beasley will go first, the bulls alerady have hinrich, beasley would be a bigger asset for them
Edit Comment Cancel
Lew Wright about 1 year ago
You might be right about Kyle Weaver dropping out of the first 30 picks, but if that happens, it's a missed opportunity for someone to pick up one heckuva player. CDR is the only guard in the lower 20+ picks that is comparable to Weaver in terms of impact.
Great rundown!
Edit Comment Cancel
Gary Lloyd about 1 year ago
Agreed, Lew. In my earlier personal mocks, I had Weaver going No. 30 to the Celtics.
Edit Comment Cancel
Kevin Lynch about 1 year ago
Being from Reno, I have suffered through numerous concussions from banging my head on the hard seats in Lawlor Events Center while watching JaVale McGee. He's seven feet of wasted talent. A Bad attitude, a bad work ethic and a bad IQ are going to make him a bad pro is my estimation. Hopefully my Suns don't take him at 15, you hear that Colangelo? He'll give some organization a high paid backboard cleaner I suppose... and he probably won't even do that well. I hope you're right and he's in a Wiz uni next season (or whatever their D-league team is).
Edit Comment Cancel
Ian Zymarakis about 1 year ago
No mention of Ryan Anderson (Soph. California) at all? I know he declared for the draft, did he withdraw from it yet because I am not sure if he had hired an agent or not, if he stays in he could be a great early 2nd round pick because the kid can score.
Edit Comment Cancel
renee jackson about 1 year ago
So basically you didn't know what you were talking about when it came to Bayless and after seeing how everyone else had him ranked so high you realized that.
Edit Comment Cancel
Leave a Comment
You must register to post a comment.