Thank you to Walter Football for adding my mock to their great NBA Mock Draft Database.
http://walterfootball.com/nbadraftdata.php
1. CLEVELAND CAVALIERS-ALEX LEN-C-MARYLAND
7-2/255 NBA COMPARISON: RICK SMITS
In a division where you have the great frontcourts of Indiana (Roy Hibbert & David West), Chicago (Joakim Noah, Carlos Boozer and Taj Gibson) and even the emerging Pistons (Greg Monroe & Andre Drummond), Tristan Thompson and Tyler Zeller just won't cut it. I am buying the hype that the Cavs will draft Len #1. It makes a lot more sense then drafting 206 pound Nerlens Noel. Len is a work in progress but he's big and tough enough to survive in that division. The Cavs can get a solid wing player at #19, as plenty will be available.
2. ORLANDO MAGIC-NERLENS NOEL-F/C-UK-FR.
7-0/206 NBA COMPARISON: LARRY SANDERS
If the Cavs pass on Noel, the Magic may roll the dice and take him at #2. At only 206 pounds, Noel needs to bulk up. At the very most he may be able to get to 230 one day. That would give him a body similar to Chris Bosh. Noel will be pushed around if he has to play the 5. Luckily the Magic already have a good young 5 in Nikola Vucevic. If they can somehow swing a trade for Eric Bledsoe, this is how their lineup could look in a few years:
PG-Eric Bledsoe
SG or SF-2014 top 3 pick (Andrew Wiggins, Marcus Teague, Jabari Parker or Glenn Robinson III)
SF-Tobias Harris
PF-Nerlens Noel
C-Nikola Vucevic
Just add a good shooting 2 guard and some depth up front and you have a young playoff team.
We'll see how they compare to my future Bobcats team.
3. WASHINGTON WIZARDS-OTTO PORTER-SF-GEORGETOWN-SO
6-8/198 NBA COMPARISON: ELTON BRAND/PAUL MILLSAP
Porter played his college ball in the DC area at Georgetown so the Wizards know exactly what they will get with him. His defense, length and shooting are exactly what the Wizards need. With John Wall, Bradley Beal and Porter the Wizards would instantly have one of the best young 1-3 combinations. Porter will make Wizards fans forget the mistake of drafting Jan Vesely two years ago.
4. MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES-VICTOR OLADIPO-SG-INDIANA-JR. (projected trade with Charlotte for the #9 pick, #26 pick and CF-Derek Williams and PG Luke Ridnour)
6-4/213 NBA COMPARISON: TONY ALLEN/shorter Andre Iguodala
Minnesota needs to try and package the #9 pick along with young asset Derrick Williams and the expiring contract of Luke Ridnour. This trade makes PERFECT sense for both teams. Williams would instantly become the second best player on the Bobcats behind Kemba Walker. The Bobcats only have one selection this year and have a ton of needs. As for Minnesota, they need to try and package the #9 pick along with young asset Derrick Williams and the expiring contract of Luke Ridnour. Oladipo would be the perfect complement player to Kevin Love and Ricky Rubio. A move like this should put the TWolves back in the playoffs.
PS-CAN WE PLEASE STOP COMPARING OLADIPO TO DWADE!!!!!!
5. PHOENIX SUNS-BEN McLEMORE-SG-KANSAS-FR.
6-5/189 NBA COMPARISON: JR SMITH/KLAY THOMPSON
The Suns will be ecstatic if McLemore or Oladipo falls to them here. The Suns want a SG that can score. Last year they signed Eric Gordon to a near max deal offer sheet only to have New Orleans match it. McLemore may end up going as high as #1 but it would be a shock if the Suns pass on him. He gives them the scoring guard they need to help the PG duo of Goran Dragic and 2012 first rounder Kendall Marshall.
6. NEW ORLEANS PELICANS-STEVEN ADAMS-C-PITTSBURGH-FR.
7-0/255 NBA COMPARISON: BJ MULLENS/ANDREW BOGUT
Why does every mock draft have New Orleans taking Trey Burke? Does no one realize that PG Greivis Vasquez led the NBA in total assists with 704 and finished 3rd in assists per game with 9.0 (only Rajon Rondo and Chris Paul were better). The newly named Pelicans need a true center to complement last year's #1 pick Anthony Davis. Adams isn't quite as good as Alex Len right now, but in 4-6 years he may end up being the better pro. I hate to see Anthony Bennett slip but the Pelicans already have Anthony Davis and Ryan Anderson.
7. SACRAMENTO KINGS-ANTHONY BENNETT-PF-UNLV-FR.
6-7/242 NBA COMPARISON: ELTON BRAND/PAUL MILLSAP
Drafting a guy like Bennett would be a smart move for a team like Sacramento. Bennett is a strong PF that can also step outside and hit an open jumper. He would take some pressure off of DeMarcus Cousins down low. At #7 he is an absolute steal.
8. DETROIT PISTONS-MICHAEL CARTER WILLIAMS-PG-SYRACUSE-SO.
6-6/184 NBA COMPARISON: GREIVIS VASQUEZ/poor man's PENNY HARDAWAY
I feel that MCW will end up having the best career out of any prosepect. He is a pass first PG that is big and athletic enough to guard 2 guards. His offensive game is similar to Greivis Vasquez coming out of college, yet he is much more athletic. 6-6 PG's with MCW's passing ability come along once every decade. Drafting MCW would be a smart move for Detroit as this would allow young guard Brandon Knight to play off the ball. Knight has proved ineffective as a PG the past two seasons and would benefit from having a big PG that can guard the 2 spot.
9. CHARLOTTE BOBCATS-CODY ZELLER-C/F-INDIANA-SO. (projected trade down with Minnesota)
7-0/230 NBA COMPARISON: DAVID LEE
Regardless of who they draft at #4 the Bobcats will struggle once again next year. They will hope to get a franchise player in the 2014 draft like Andrew Wiggins, Jabari Parker, Glenn Robinson III or Marcus Teague. It makes sense to trade down and get more players. Zeller really helped his stock at the draft combine measuring 7-0/230 and showing great athletic ability with a 37.5 inch max vert and putting up 17 reps on the bench. If Zeller can add some toughness and a consistent mid range game, he could end up being the best overall player in this draft. Zeller is an instant upgrade over BJ Mullens and Bismack Biyombo
10. PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS-CJ McCOLLUM-CG-LEHIGH-SR.
6-3/197 NBA COMPARISON: BOBBY JACKSON
Portland is in a nice spot to draft the best player on the board regardless of position. McCollum can play both guard positions which is exactly what Portland needs. Rookie of the Year Damien Lillard and 2 guard Wes Matthews both averaged over 34 minutes per night last year. Adding a scorer off the bench will help their starters a great deal.
11. PHILADELPHIA 76ERS-TREY BURKE-PG-MICHIGAN-SO.
6-1/187 NBA COMPARISON: JAMEER NELSON/KEMBA WALKER
A lot of people have Burke in the top 8. I think his physical limitations make him a big risk in the top 8. He would be a good fit in Philly to back up PG Jrue Holiday (who averaged nearly 40 minutes per game last year. At 6-4/205, Holiday is big enough to play the 2 guard, so Philly could use Burke and Holiday together in certain lineups. Burke has all the intangibles you look for in a floor general, but his height and lack of elite NBA level quickness may regulate him to a career back up.
12. OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER-LUCAS NOGUIERA-C-BRAZIL-INT.
7-0/220 NBA COMPARISON: SAMUEL DALEMBERT/EKPE UDOH
The Thunder are the only team picking in the lottery that can have the patience to wait for the raw big man from Brazil. The Thunder will need an upgrade over Kendrick Perkins. Nogueira may one day be the type of role player that fellow Brazilian big men Anderson Varejao and Tiago Splitter are.
13. ATLANTA HAWKS-SHABAZZ MUHAMMAD-SF-UCLA-FR. (projected trade with Dallas for #18 and #47)
6-6/222 NBA COMPARISON: CORY MAGGETTE
With two back to back picks at 17 & 18 the Hawks can afford to trade up. Muhammad was projected top five pick but his stock slipped after an average Freshman season at UCLA. GM Danny Ferry needs a SF as both Josh Smith and Kyle Korver are free agents.
14. UTAH JAZZ-SHANE LARKIN-PG-MIAMI-SO.
5-11/171 NBA COMPARISON: ERIC BLEDSOE/NATE ROBINSON
Larkin was the biggest winner of the NBA draft combine. Larkin led everyone at the combine with an incredible 44 inch max vert. His size and athletic ability are similar to that of former slam dunk champion Nate Robinson. Larkin however has a much higher basketball IQ and is a lot better than Nate was coming out of Washington in 2005. The Jazz are going to be one of the youngest teams in the league if they let both Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap leave in free agency. They have nice young role players with F/G Gordon Hayward, PF Derrick Favors and C Enes Kanter, adding a mature PG with a high basketball IQ and leadership abilities like Larkin would be the smart move. They may also try to trade up to get MCW or Burke.
15. MILWAUKEE BUCKS-JAMAL FRANKLIN-SG-SAN DIEGO ST.-JR.
6-5/191 NBA COMPARISON: COREY BREWER/TONY ALLEN
There's a good chance both Monta Ellis and JJ Redick leave via free agency this summer. The Bucks would be smart to draft the defensive minded, athletic Franklin to pair with 'Sir Chucks A Lot' Brandon Jennings. Franklin's game is very similar and just a notch below Victor Oladipo. Like former San Diego St. product Kawhi Leonard, he could end up being a major steal at #15.
16. BOSTON CELTICS-DENNIS SCHROEDER-PG-GERMANY-INT.
6-2/165 NBA COMPARISON: DARREN COLLISON
The Celtics need a backup PG to complement/relieve star Rajon Rondo. Schroeder is a raw, athlete that given the right environment can succeed at the NBA level. If he's thrown in the fire too early, he will be a bust. Going to a franchise like Boston would be the best thing for him.
17. ATLANTA HAWKS-MASON PLUMLEE-C-DUKE-SR.
7-0/238 NBA COMPARISON: ROBIN LOPEZ/CHRIS 'BIRDMAN' ANDERSEN
Plumlee is a NBA ready big man that is has the size and athletic ability to be a starting center in the league. At the very least, he can fill the backup role that free agent Zaza Pachulia had with the Hawks. The Hawks would like to find a true center so they can move stud big man Al Horford to PF,
18. DALLAS MAVERICKS-GIANNIS ANTETOKOUNMPO-SF-GREECE-INT. (projected trade down with Atlanta)
6-9/205 NBA COMPARISON: NIC BATUM/MARVIN WILLIAMS
GA the Greek (that is what I will call him now, please someone come up with a nickname soon!!!) is an ultra long 3 that has a lot of potential. He is only 19 years old and has never played against top competition. He will need more time than any of the other foreign prospects to develop, but he also has the biggest upside. The Mavs should trade down and then draft a Euro stash player. The Mavs have kept Nick Calathes in Greece forever, maybe they can bring Calathes and GA the Greek together in 2015.
19. CLEVELAND CAVALIERS-KENTAVIOUS CALDWELL POPE-SG-GEORGIA-SO.
6-6/204 NBA COMPARISON: NICK YOUNG
This is why you don't draft Oladipo or McLemore #1. The Cavs are in a great position to draft a solid wing player at #19. KCP, Sergey Karasev,Tim Hardaway Jr., Glen Rice Jr. and Allen Crabbe should all be available. KCP is the best scorer out of all of them. His stock is rising and he may go as high as #9 to Minnesota if the TWolves are unable to trade up. Great value pick here for the Cavs.
20. CHICAGO BULLS-KELLY OLYNYK-C/F-GONZAGA-SO.
7-0/234 NBA COMPARISON: SPENCER HAWES/MATT BONNER
Olynyk is projected by some to be a lottery pick, but his athletic limitations and lack of intensity make him a prototypical back up. The good thing is that he has the size to back up at both the 4 and 5. The Bulls already have enough tough big men with Noah, Boozer and Gibson. Adding a finesse big man that can stretch the defense will add another dimension to the Bulls already good team.
21. UTAH JAZZ-GLENN RICE JR.-SG/SF-NBADL
6-6/211 NBA COMPARISON: DORRELL WRIGHT
He is the son of former all star and early Miami Heat legend Glenn Rice. Like his dad, he is a knock down shooter with size to play both the 2 and 3. Rice Jr. has some character concerns stemming from some incidents at Georgia Tech. He has revitalized his game and hopefully his maturity in the D-League this past year. In the D-League he was nearly unstoppable at times. The best thing for Rice would be to land in a small market like Utah or Indiana where he won't have as much opportunity to get into trouble off the court.
22. BROOKLYN NETS-SERGEY KARASEV-SF/SG-RUSSIA-INT.
6-7/197 NBA COMPARISON: GORDON HAYWARD
The Nets and their Russian billionaire owner get the best Russian prospect since Andrei Kirilenko. Karasev is a young, developing wing with a great shooting stroke. He is also a good ball handler and passer for someone his size.
23. SACRAMENTO KINGS -TONY SNELL-SF-NEW MEXICO-JR. (projected trade with Indiana, Indiana receives Jimmer Fredette and Sacramento also receives Gerald Green)
6-7/198 NBA COMPARISON: MARTELL WEBSTER
I hate crazy rumors that have teams trading superstars for top 5 picks, it just doesn't happen often. I LOVE rumors that involve role players and that benefit both teams. I am buying the Jimmer to Indiana rumors. The Pacers need a backup PG that can shoot, Jimmer fits the bill and would be an upgrade over DJ Augustin. The Kings are said to be very interested in Snell. The Kings need shooters to take pressure off of DeMarcus Cousins and Snell also has the length to develop into a solid defender. A mutually beneficial trade for both teams.
24. NEW YORK KNICKS-TONY MITCHELL-CF-NORTH TEXAS-SO.
6-9/236 NBA COMPARISON: THADDEUS YOUNG/ANTHONY MASON
Shot blocking centers Gorgui Dieng, Jeff Withey and Rudy Gobert would make a lot of sense as a backup to Tyson Chandler. However, Mitchell is too good to pass up here. He can bring the Knicks some physicality and athleticism they need. He can compliment Carmelo Anthony very well in that he can do the little things. The Knicks can play Melo at the 4 and Mitchell at the 3 together or have Mitchell backup the 4. Mitchell's game is similar to that of former Knick Anthony Mason.
25. LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS-ALLEN CRABBE-SG-CAL-JR.
6-6/197 NBA COMPARISON: FRANCISCO GARCIA/COURTNEY LEE
The Clippers need an offensive 2 guard for the future as Chauncey Billups is set to be a free agent and is 36 years old. Crabbe is a knock down shooter that is good at catch and shoot and coming off of screens. His dribbling is below average and he'll struggle to create his shot in the NBA. He won't need to create his shot if he is playing alongside Chris Paul.
26 CHARLOTTE BOBCATS-TIM HARDAWY JR.-SG-MICHIGAN-JR. (projected trade down with Minnesota)
6-6/199 NBA COMPARISON: DANNY GREEN/AARON AFFALO
Unlike Glenn Rice Jr., Hardaway Jr. plays a game that is very different from his famous father. Hardaway Sr. was a flashy PG and the king of the crossover. The younger Hardaway is a spot up shooter with a high basketball IQ. I made the Danny Green comparison because both players are similar in size and have the ability to hit clutch shots.
Look at how good the Bobcats roster could be in 2014-15, with the moves I have them making this draft.
PG-Kemba Walker
SG-Tim Hardaway Jr.
SF-2014 top 2 pick (Andrew Wiggins or Jabari Parker)
PF-Derek Williams
C-Cody Zeller
6th Man/defensive specialist-Michael Kidd Gilchrist
Too bad Jordan won't make any of these moves. He'll probably trade the #4 pick for an injured vet like Eric Gordon or Danny Granger. No Jordan front office move would surprise me.
27. DENVER NUGGETS-RUDY GOBERT-C-FRANCE-INT.
7-2/238 NBA COMPARISON: SHAWN BRADLEY
You can't teach Gobert's length. He has a freakish 7-9 wingspan and a 9-7 standing reach. He can provide insurance of JaVale McGee gets out of line or goes insane (both very likely). The Nuggets would prefer to keep him overseas at least one more season.
28. SAN ANTONIO SPURS-LIVIO JEAN CHARLES-SF-FRANCE-INT.
6-9/217 NBA COMPARISON: GERALD WALLACE
The French Connection (not just a classic crime movie) is what the Spurs have. Tony Parker, Boris (I have man boobs) Diaw and Nando de Colo. It only makes sense for the Spurs to take Jean-Charles here. He is a long athletic defender that has been compared by some to Nic Batum. I don't know if he'll ever develop a jumper like Batum but that's OK because the Spurs already have great shooters on the wings with Danny Green, Gary Neal and Kawhi Leonard.
29. OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER-REGGIE BULLOCK-SF-UNC-JR.
6-7/200 NBA COMPARISON: ALAN ANDERSON
You can never have enough shooters when you have a team with two guys that command double teams in Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. I had the Thunder taking Snell in my previous mock draft, Bullock has a very similar skill set. Both are average athletes but good spot up shooters. Bullock knows what it is like playing in a winning culture after playing three years at UNC. He knows he will have to pay his dues before getting any playing time in OKC.
30. PHOENIX SUNS-GORGUI DIENG-C-LOUISVILLE-SR.
7-0/222 NBA COMPARISON: ANDERSON VAREJAO
Dieng is a solid shot blocker that can be an instant backup at the 5 spot. The Suns could use a solid backup for Marcin Gortat. Dieng has little to no post game, but proved last year that he can hit the 15 footer with consistency.
