With the San Antonio Spurs having disposed of the Memphis Grizzlies with surprising ease, a bit of a chill is going to overcome the NBA playoffs.
The 2013 NBA Finals won't get underway until June 6, regardless of how the remainder of the Indiana-Miami series plays out. The reality of having just one series to watch will send NBA diehards—the ones that would rather watch League Pass in November than go out to dinner with their families—into a bit of a funk.
Sure, June may bring forth the beginning of daily beautiful weather and the onset of vacation season, but it also comes with the harsh reality that NBA basketball is about to go on a four-month hiatus.
Luckily, the NBA draft process is in full swing and should provide an easy distraction before the summer lull. It's been almost two weeks since the draft's best and brightest descended upon Chicago for the combine, and a semi-consensus has started to build around prospective destinations for the top talents. The individual workout process and multi-player workouts have also begun, meaning that smokescreens are going to be boundless in the coming days and weeks.
In other words, it's still plenty of fun being an NBA diehard—even if the off-the-court action is soon going to take precedent over the minutiae of the X's and O's.
With that in mind, here is a complete breakdown of our latest mock and how the first 30 picks should go down (for now) as we prepare for the NBA Finals.
1. Cleveland Cavaliers: Nerlens Noel, C, Kentucky
According to ESPN's Brian Windhorst, the Cavs may be looking to parlay their abundance of assets, including their top pick, for a superstar to pair alongside Kyrie Irving. Big names, both from a literal and figurative sense, have been floated around in accordance with this speculation, but I'm just not comfortable going down that rabbit hole.
For now, though, Cleveland has the No. 1 pick. So in that sense, this pick stays the same as it has been since the beginning of this process.
The Cavaliers may love Georgetown's Otto Porter—as do I—but Noel's upside and potential are just too vast to pass up on here. He's not going to be ready by the beginning of next season due to the ACL tear that he suffered in February, and it'll take him a while to bulk up his toothpick 206-pound frame. Still, the potential of a Kyrie Irving-Dion Waiters-Tristan Thompson-Nerlens Noel foursome is just enormous.
Even though the rawness of his game was apparent at Kentucky, Noel was a defensive menace. His off-the-charts athleticism and shot-blocking ability make him a very good long-term fit with the Irving-Waiters backcourt, neither of whom are all that defensively sound.
2. Orlando Magic: Ben McLemore, SG, Kansas
The Magic face an interesting decision with the No. 2 pick. The general consensus about their roster composition is that point guard is the team's biggest need spot, what with Jameer Nelson decomposing on a nightly basis. That would make Michigan's Trey Burke an interesting fit here, but the problem is that fewer and fewer folks are becoming sold on the National Player of the Year's future stardom.
McLemore, on the other hand, has all the tools to be an All-Star at the next level, should he ever find the much-hallowed killer instinct. He's an off-the-charts athlete and has one of the most gorgeous jumpers in this draft, which is a two-way combination that is not yet possessed by fellow 2-guard Victor Oladipo, who is regarded as the second-best option at this position in this year's draft.
That already-honed offensive ability is what makes McLemore more intriguing than Oladipo. Orlando already has two wings with developing offensive games in Moe Harkless and Tobias Harris. Drafting Oladipo would be something of a spacing nightmare, whereas McLemore could be a top-end building block scorer down the line.
3. Washington Wizards: Otto Porter, SF, Georgetown
The Wizards would love to land Porter in this spot for the same reason everyone would: Otto Porter's game is easy to love. He's a ready-made contributor who can fit in almost any scheme, and is especially a good fit to help out the John Wall-Bradley Beal combination.
While Wall loves making plays with the ball in his hands, Porter has an elite understanding of spacing. He moves without the ball well, sets good screens and can knock down midrange shots with ease. His game, though it has point-forward skills sprinkled in, doesn't necessitate handling the ball and Porter is an unselfish kid who does whatever is asked of him on both ends.
That's especially the case defensively. Porter can guard the 3 or 4 spots without needing much help, having the lateral quickness and length to bother NBA-level talents at both positions, though adding 15 pounds wouldn't hurt. And considering the Wizards' defense-first identity and dearth of usable wings, Porter being available at No. 4 is a perfect fit from all levels.
4. Charlotte Bobcats: Alex Len, C, Maryland
Rather than blast awful pop music through the speakers at Time Warner Cable Arena, the Bobcats should just play the Charlie Brown Christmas theme on loop. They're the sad sack of the NBA on the court, and things somehow only get worse once the 82-game season ends.
Charlotte lost out on the Anthony Davis sweepstakes last season, leaving the team to settle for the good but offensively-challenged Michael Kidd-Gilchrist. By falling to No. 4 this season, the soon-to-be-Hornets face another frustrating draft-day decision.
Victor Oladipo, the best player remaining on the board, is an awful fit for Charlotte, from a basketball perspective. The Indiana guard would give the team three building blocks (Kemba Walker, Kidd-Gilchrist and Oladipo) who can't shoot well—four if you include Bismack Biyombo.
Barring a trade, that leaves management with a decision between two offensively-minded big men: Alex Len and UNLV's Anthony Bennett. If I'm running the team, it's a tough call, but Len would be my selection.
While there are valid questions about the former Maryland star's toughness, his skill set and NBA-ready body are too much to pass up. Len measured in with a 7'4" wingspan, among the biggest in this class, and he has arguably the smoothest touch around the basket amongst the big men that are available. His ankle injury is certainly disconcerting, but I'll go out on a limb here and say that a prolonged Len absence won't prevent the Bobcats from making the playoffs next season.
5. Phoenix Suns: Victor Oladipo, SG, Indiana
There's so much buzz around Oladipo's name at this juncture that it's doubtful he will last until No. 5. Some team will almost certainly look to trade up for the hottest name in the class, a guy who some are calling the draft's most talented player.
In this scenario, the Suns feel like the luckiest team on the face of the earth—due mainly to fit circumstances. Phoenix is in desperate need of a culture change and recommitment to excellence that seemed to leave once Steve Nash took his talents to Southern California.
By all accounts, Oladipo is that type of culture-changing personality. His competitiveness impressed teams almost as much as his 42-inch vertical leap at the combine, and there could be superstar potential if teams are willing to be patient as he grows offensively.
6. New Orleans Pelicans: Trey Burke, PG, Michigan
The Pelicans already have a starting point guard on their roster in Greivis Vasquez, who was a revelation this past season. Vazquez led the NBA in total assists and gave the team's offense a much-needed spark when the whole Austin Rivers era took an early nosedive.
That being said, Vasquez is due for a pretty hefty payday sometime over the next year—a check New Orleans might be hesitant to write. For all of Vasquez's excellent ball-distribution, he's still a questionable defender and a mediocre long-range shooter. Plus, he is already 26.
If available, Burke may be someone that is more on pace with rest of the team's learning curve. The National Player of the Year's lack of lateral quickness is understandably concerning, but he didn't get by in college with a speed-first game. Burke is already someone describable as "crafty," a guy who gets off shots and passes in the lane that few thought possible.
He would be an interesting contrast to Vasquez at the point guard spot or even an instant replacement should the Pelicans choose to let Vasquez go once he becomes a free agent.
7. Sacramento Kings: Anthony Bennett SF/PF, UNLV
The Kings know where they'll be playing and who they'll be owned by next season, but nothing else is clear with this organization. A cleaning of the house could be in order following Vivek Ranadive's full acquisition of the team, and that could mean departure time is impending for some notable faces.
As such, don't expect Sacramento to do anything but take the best player available here. And in this scenario, it's pretty obvious that the Kings would leap at the opportunity to take Bennett, whose offensive upside is enormous.
An overpowering force at UNLV, Bennett has to develop post moves at the next level. Other than that, though, he's a well-rounded offensive force in the post and his comfort shooting from distance is encouraging. With his elite athleticism and smarts around the boards, Bennett shouldn't have any trouble being an NBA power forward, despite being a little undersized.
Just don't ask him to play defense—like ever.
8. Detroit Pistons: Shabazz Muhammad, SF, UCLA
With Andre Drummond and Greg Monroe forming arguably the most promising young frontline in the league, the Pistons should focus on the backcourt on draft day. Jose Calderon injected a little lifeblood into the team after coming over from Toronto, but he's a free agent this offseason and it's unclear if he'll return.
If the Spaniard makes it clear that he'll be taking his talents elsewhere, perhaps someone like Michael Carter-Williams could fit.
But until we get a clearer picture on the situation, Muhammad remains a very good fit. While we're likely past the point of Muhammad ever transforming into a superstar, we're also to the point where folks' hatred for him has gone way overboard. It's the classic case of perception—that Muhammad is an underperforming malcontent—not lining up with reality.
The reality of the situation is that Muhammad is a kid who might lead all rookies in scoring. He's a ready-built product for the Association, not unlike Tyreke Evans was a few years ago. Muhammad may well peak in his first NBA season, much in the way Evans did, but the influx of scoring will be much-appreciated in the Motor City.
9. Minnesota Timberwolves: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, SG, Georgia
Caldwell-Pope struggled with shooting at the combine, which is a little disconcerting for folks like yours truly who touted him as a future top-10 lock. We're probably past that point now, and his ultimate destination will be wholly dependent on how the remainder of the board falls.
There just may not be a better fit for Minnesota at No. 9. The Timberwolves have built a core that should be offense-first in theory—and then you remember that the team can't shoot. With Kevin Love missing most of the 2012-13 season and with Ricky Rubio still not making much progress from the field, Minnesota ranked dead last in three-point shooting this season.
Caldwell-Pope's display at the combine wasn't too promising, but he's the best floor-spacing bet the Timberwolves have unless they want to do something crazy like draft California's Allen Crabbe this early.
10. Portland Trail Blazers: Cody Zeller, PF/C, Indiana
Zeller's impressive numbers in athleticism drills have reignited the once stagnant conversation about his draft stock. The Indiana product came into the combine as one of the least-discussed likely lottery picks, mainly because most folks thought they knew what they were getting.
By having arguably the best athletic performance at the combine, though, Zeller at least sparked interest in his name. And with Zeller and his camp continually floating his ability to play a stretch-4 role, workouts will be key for his stock. If Zeller comes in and shoots the lights out when working against others at his position, then he might vault right back into top-10 lock status.
For the Blazers, it's his supposed versatility that makes Zeller an attractive prospect. Portland had one of the more horrific benches in recent memory this past season, and if Zeller can play power forward and center, he'd be an interesting replacement for free-agent-to-be J.J. Hickson.
11. Philadelphia 76ers: C.J. McCollum, PG/SG, Lehigh
It's not too often that a team has the opportunity to draft a kid who played at a local college, fits a major need and grew up as a fan of the franchise. But that's the case for the Sixers and C.J. McCollum, a graduate of Bethlehem's Lehigh University.
Speaking about the possibility of playing for the Sixers with Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Enquirer, McCollum admitted that he'll be watching closely come pick No. 11.
"I'm a fan of the Philadelphia 76ers," McCollum said. "So it will be interesting to see what happens."
Of course, it's possible that McCollum is already long come the Sixers' selection. The score-first combo guard was impressive at the combine, showing no ill-effects of the foot injury that robbed him of a true senior season. Getting a passing grade for those tests was critical for McCollum, whose game is predicated on having a first step that is quick enough to get him into the lane.
If McCollum is on the board, though, we shouldn't see much hesitation from Philly.
12. Oklahoma City Thunder: Steven Adams, C, Pittsburgh
While many teams are tantalized by Adams' potential, most seem to agree on one thing: he's at least a year or two away from being a consistent contributor. For most lottery squads, that's good enough to cross Adams off their list. The emphasis on getting better now is just too great to take a risk on someone who may never fully develop.
Oklahoma City isn't bound by such rules. The push to "get a new James Harden" might be resting inside some fickle fans, but it's easy to forget how much Russell Westbrook's injury changed the entire postseason. With Westbrook, the Thunder are the Western Conference favorites and could still be playing basketball right now.
This is still a team that can wait a year or two for a developing young player. And with the necessity to replace the human abyss known as Kendrick Perkins becoming more apparent by the second, Adams is an intriguing option—much more so than someone like Louisville's Gorgui Dieng or Gonzaga's Kelly Olynyk.
It's possible that Adams' offensive touch never shows up at the NBA level and that he joins Hasheem Thabeet and his hair on the bench in perpetuity. The Thunder can afford to find out, though.
13. Dallas Mavericks: Dario Saric, SF, Croatia
According to a report from ESPN, the Mavericks would like to trade this pick to keep as much cap space open as possible this summer. Odds are that happens between now and June, and we'll be talking about another team in this space.
But if Dallas, for some strange reason, gets stuck with the No. 13 pick, look for the draft-and-stash rodeo to begin. International players adorn this class and we will likely see somewhere between three and six of them get drafted in Round 1.
Saric, though a nonentity defensively and a poor free-throw shooter, is the best among those possibilities. He has an elite feel for the game, and his ball-handling skills make him a versatile point-forward option for teams that are searching for that style of player.
14. Utah Jazz: Michael Carter-Williams, PG, Syracuse
After seeing his draft stock plunge during Syracuse's Big East slate of games, Carter-Williams has found himself tantalizing scouts once again. The 6'6" guard has long been a mysterious player, but he is someone with the type of court vision so rarely found by a true point guard—the type that once made Shaun Livingston a top draft pick.
And with his lateral quickness and athleticism both testing very well for a point guard at the combine, Carter-Williams is a lottery lock. The question is just how high he'll go. The Pistons, Kings and Pelicans could all give him a long look, which makes Utah landing him in this scenario nothing short of a steal.
The Jazz's need for a starting point guard has been well-noted, and they wouldn't hesitate for a moment to bring Carter-Williams into the fold—even if he still can't shoot.
15. Milwaukee Bucks: Kelly Olynyk, C, Gonzaga
Following a disappointing combine performance, this is about the top of the mark for Olynyk's draft stock. The former Gonzaga star performed miserably in the athletic drills, finishing among the worst players in just about every measurement possible. Couple that with his alligator arms and lack of toughness in the paint, and Milwaukee would be taking a bit of a risk here at No. 15.
The selection is all about fit. Olynyk is a weak defender, won't affect many shots with his length and has a varied offensive game that allows him to stretch out comfortably almost to the three-point line. Incumbent center Larry Sanders is arguably the league's best interior defender, affects almost every shot with his length and athleticism and has one of the least-varied offensive games among starting centers.
If Olynyk can transition to a stretch-4 role, these two could create a near-perfect juxtaposition.
16. Boston Celtics: Mason Plumlee, PF, Duke
For those trying to figure out what the Celtics will do this offseason, good luck. You'd have a better luck finding a redeeming quality in Donald Trump. Danny Ainge has made it quite clear that Doc Rivers will return for another season, but other than varied rumors about Paul Pierce, the situation remains as in flux as ever.
So with that in mind, we're sticking Plumlee here, mainly because he fits any possible future incarnation of this team. Should the Celtics choose to bring everyone back—highly unlikely at this point—Plumlee instantly becomes a key cog in the rotation as a gobbler of rebounds and option to spell Kevin Garnett.
Should Boston choose to blow everything up and rebuild, Plumlee has just enough potential to make him someone that you could talk yourself into as a fourth- or fift- best player on a good team. We'll know more in a month, though, so expect this selection to fluctuate regularly.
17. Atlanta Hawks: Dennis Schroeder, PG, Germany
18. Atlanta Hawks: (via Houston Rockets): Gorgui Dieng, C, Louisville
The Hawks have finally tabbed their new head coach in Mike Budenholzer, who should be a great selection. He's spent the past decade-and-a-half under Gregg Popovich in San Antonio, and that franchise knows a bit about winning.
That being said, this is a roster that is almost completely devoid of players. Al Horford and Lou Williams are the only two major contributors under contract for next season, so these back-to-back picks could be a barometer of where Atlanta stands going forward.
In Schroeder and Dieng, Atlanta would land two intriguing prospects.
Scouts have become less bullish about Dieng's ability to develop an offensive game at this late stage, as they probably should have been from the beginning. He's a nice passer and will ultimately give you 20 minutes a night of great defense and rebounding, but the post-NCAA tournament lottery hype was always a bit overzealous. Landing at No. 18 is far more a realistic representation of who Dieng is and who he will become.
Schroeder is all high-risk and high-upside. A 6'2" point guard who burst into the first-round conversation with a jaw-dropping performance at the Nike Hoop Summit, Schroeder's potential is tantalizing. He's possibly the quickest guard in the entire draft, an off-the-bounce menace who can get into the lane with the tiniest of creases. With the future of Jeff Teague up in the air, the Hawks could become an interesting fit for him.
19. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Los Angeles Lakers): Jamaal Franklin, SG/SF, San Diego State
The Cavs might wind up having better luck dealing their No. 19 pick if a player suddenly plummets on draft night, but we're mostly around fair value at this point. That means Cleveland is again stuck with drafting a young player or simply flipping the pick for another asset down the road.
Neither scenario is exactly ideal.
That being said, Franklin is a really interesting fit at this spot. He played out of position in college, so his offensive game is underdeveloped, but Franklin is a hard worker who gives everything he has on both ends—especially defensively. Athleticism and tenacity aren't going to be problems, and he might be quick enough laterally to guard three positions, depending on the matchup.
With Mike Brown coming back to give this team a renewed sense of defensive purpose, a Noel-Franklin combo would help start the process.
20. Chicago Bulls: Glen Rice Jr., SG, NBA D-League
Many expected Rice to walk into Chicago's combine as one of the draft's hottest names, but he didn't. Rice failed to impress in shooting drills, and the only part of athleticism drills where he truly excelled was in the vertical leap (40.5 inches).
While it's a bit of an overreaction—much like everything is at this juncture—it's easy to wonder just how much Rice truly improved his game in the D-League. Sure, he was phenomenal leading the Rio Grande Valley Vipers through the playoffs and to a championship, but there was also an entirely mediocre regular season where he scored just 13 points per game.
Either way, the talent is just too great for Tom Thibodeau and Co. to not find out. If there's any coach who can get the most out of the mercurial Rice, it's Thibodeau. And that entire Bulls team will be playing with a chip on its shoulder following the Derrick Rose fiasco this season. It's a perfect fit for a guy whose destination will likely play a huge role in his NBA story.
21. Utah Jazz (via Golden State Warriors): Rudy Gobert, C, France
Speaking of players who disappointed at the combine, it's probably time to cool it on the Rudy Gobert being "JaVale McGee 2.0" talk. Gobert measured freakishly long with a 9'7" standing reach and nearly 7'9" wingspan, but he also seemingly has Eddy Curry's athleticism. The Frenchman's 29-inch max vertical leap tied with Jeff Withey for the worst among all participants, and only Erik Murphy tested worse in the standing vert.
While we're not going to go overboard with what that means for Gobert—that length can make up for a whole mess of things—it does knock him pretty much out of the lottery conversation. There were plenty of folks buzzing about Gobert as a lottery selection pre-combine, and now he's settling in right about where he should be from a talent perspective.
Utah—assuming at least one part of the Al Jefferson-Paul Millsap combo departs via free agency this offseason—could be intrigued by Gobert after landing MCW at No. 14. Without a true center worth considering at this spot, Gobert's potential should win out.
22. Brooklyn Nets: Allen Crabbe, SG, California
The Nets could go any number of ways with this pick, but their No. 1 priority should be finding an instant contributor—preferably a wing that can shoot.
While Crabbe plays like he'd rather take a long walk off the Brooklyn Bridge than play anything resembling defense, he fits all the other categories. He was arguably the best pure shooter who participated at the combine, knocking down shots from all over the floor with ease. Also, teams took special notice when Crabbe, not known as a great athlete, ripped off a very nice 36-inch vertical leap.
Brooklyn might prefer someone like Tony Snell because he could shift to small forward and spell the offensively inept Gerald Wallace, but Crabbe is a better player and has a much higher likelihood of contributing from the opening tip of the season.
23. Indiana Pacers: Shane Larkin, PG, Miami
When your three biggest bench acquisitions in an offseason are Ian Mahinmi, Gerald Green and D.J. Augustin, perhaps you shouldn't be surprised when the team goes to hell in a handbasket when the starters are on the bench. The Pacers have survived and thrived nonetheless, but they won't reach the next plateau without vast improvements.
Danny Granger's return will help, as would landing Larkin if he is available at No. 23. The son of MLB Hall of Fame short stop Barry Larkin measures in at 5'11" with an equal wingspan that didn't help him at the combine, but his jumping ability certainly did.
Athleticism and quickness can make up for a whole lot in the size department, and Larkin has both. He's also a tough competitor, putting everything he has into both ends of the floor. The size factor may prevent him from ever starting in the NBA, but he's already better than Augustin.
24. New York Knicks: Jeff Withey, C, Kansas
Jeff Withey isn't the player you draft if you're looking to make a splash in the media. Heck, he wouldn't even make a mist.
But for the Knicks, Withey is exactly the type of player they need. He's a big-bodied bully on the defensive end, a guy who doesn't wilt against others of his size or back down against elite athletes flying to the rim. He'll go straight up, Roy Hibbert style, taking on the contact and playing smart, heady defense the rest of the way.
That's not to say that Withey will be Hibbert or anything close to it. For a Knicks squad that has an entire identity built around the three-ball and one rim protector atoning for the defensive mistakes of an undersized lineup, Withey is an ideal backup for Tyson Chandler going forward.
25. Los Angeles Clippers: Tim Hardaway, Jr., SG, Michigan
The Clippers were arguably the NBA's deepest team last season, and yet they somehow failed to invest in consistent outside shooting. By the time the Memphis Grizzlies rolled around in the postseason, Los Angeles had no one to stick in a corner for spacing—a critical roster miscalculation that became especially apparent when Jamal Crawford disappeared.
Hardaway, though not on a Crabbe level of outside greatness, could be that fit. The former Michigan guard spent the past year being overshadowed by Burke, Glenn Robinson III and even Mitch McGary, yet the ball was often in his hands when the Wolverines needed a bucket. He's a heady player who knows how the NBA works, having spent his entire childhood around the Association during his father's solid playing career.
Junior might not ever exceed the heights of his father, but he'd be a very good fit for a Clippers team that is in need of someone with his skill set.
26. Minnesota Timberwolves: Giannis Antetokounmpo (G-F, Greece)
Count me among the folks that are not sold on Antetokounmpo. He's played against rec-league competition his entire career, and he has done so at a position (point guard) that NBA teams wouldn't even think twice about putting him at. There is some real potential in his game, but the risk of wasting a first-round pick is higher with Antetokounmpo than it is with any other player currently getting consideration.
That being said, he has promise, and it would only make sense for a team to take a risk on him this early if it had two first-round picks, one of which they would plan on using for an instant contributor.
Minnesota fits the bill in both cases and has had success drafting and stashing foreign players before, like Ricky Rubio. The Timberwolves' new management might not be pushing the international buttons as much as David Kahn did, but they are one of a select few teams where I wouldn't spend my entire night making fun on Twitter.
27. Denver Nuggets: Tony Snell, SF/PF, New Mexico
The Nuggets have enough assets and are desperate enough for shooting that it wouldn't surprise me to see them target Crabbe via a trade. If they stick in this spot, though, they could grab perhaps one of the few men who shot better than Crabbe at the combine.
A mercurial talent during his time at New Mexico, Snell's decision to enter the 2013 draft seemed curious at the time. His numbers were mostly stagnant across the board from his freshman to his sophomore year, and the lack of consistent effort on both ends was noticeable on film.
George Karl doesn't react well to players who don't give effort, but Snell's performance at the combine was strong, and he seems to have made a real commitment to getting better from the moment he left school.
28. San Antonio Spurs: Sergey Karasev, SG, Russia
San Antonio isn't exactly the place one thinks of when the words "cultural diversity" come into play, but you wouldn't know that based on the city's basketball team. The Spurs have long had the league's most respected international scouting department, a commitment that ultimately brought stalwarts like Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker and Tiago Splitter into the fold.
Karasev could be the next very good player in a long line of international home runs. Though he hasn't gotten the hype of Antetokounmpo and isn't an athlete on Schroeder's level, Karasev may be the international player that is most ready to compete at the NBA level. The Russian guard has an incredible feel for the dribble-drive game, getting to the basket in a variety of ways and hitting an innumerable amount of tough shots.
Some of those tough shots are necessary. Karasev isn't a great athlete and needs to add some more bulk to his frame to withstand NBA punishment.
As a basketball player, he has the open-court smarts and finishing ability that could make him an interesting long-term replacement for Ginobili.
29. Oklahoma City Thunder: Isaiah Canaan, PG, Murray State
Much like at No. 12, the world is that the Thunder could pick anyone from Steven Adams to Roseanne Barr. Especially in this year's draft, these draft picks are about how Sam Presti feels about this team's prospects, both in 2013-14 and going forward. It's obvious that size and bench scoring are two major needs, and Canaan might become that microwave bench scorer OKC has missed without Harden.
He's a little smaller than what the Thunder would ideally like, and he creates some redundancy problems with Reggie Jackson, but it's easy to forget how good Canaan was last season. An explosive volume shooter from all over the floor, Canaan put Murray State on his back almost on a nightly basis. He's also an elite shooter who knocked down better than 40 percent of his threes in three of his four collegiate seasons.
30. Phoenix Suns (via Miami Heat): Pierre Jackson, PG, Baylor
There's no wrong selection for Phoenix in this scenario. The Suns need help all over the floor, and after landing Oladipo at No. 5, perhaps they go big here with Marcin Gortat's future with the franchise in question.
I'm going to stick Jackson here, though, mainly because the team has zilch in the scoring options department. And while Jackson is a Lilliputian, he can score in just about every way imaginable and comes from the Nate Robinson school of shot creation.
There are a plethora of options here, and all would be just fine, but Jackson could make a real impact as a rookie.
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