NBA Mock Draft 1.0


1. NO-ANTHONY DAVIS-PF-UK-Fr.
He's a lock as the top pick in the draft.  Now the question becomes what do the Hornets do at #10 and will they be able to keep their top scoring option Eric Gordon this summer? 
2. CHR-THOMAS ROBINSON-PF-KANSAS-JR.
The Bobcats lose out on Davis, but Robinson is a very nice consolation prize.  Robinson actually has a better offensive game than Davis right now and has a NBA body as well.  He will be the best player on the Bobcats from day one.  He's mentally tough and mature beyond his years due to the tragedy he has faced the past two years.  Many other manes will be mentioned here for the Bobcats but I think the choice is easy with Robinson.   
3. WAS-BRADLEY BEAL-SG-FLORIDA-FR. 
Beal would be the perfect fit next to John Wall.  The best part about Beal's game is his shooting touch and how he plays off the ball.  He has a high basketball IQ and lets the game come to him.  The Wizards will consider Robinson (who is from DC) and MKG as well.  
4. CLV-MICHAEL KIDD-GILCHRIST-SF-UK-FR.
Once again the Cavs are the winners in the draft.  By getting the #4 pick, they are guaranteed Robinson, Beal or MKG.  MKG is a perfect compliment to last year's #1 pick Kyrie Irving.  In fact Irving and MKG were high school teammates.  MKG does all the little things and has drawn comparisons to Scottie Pippen and Andre Iguodala with his defense, length and competitiveness.  
5. SAC-ANDRE DRUMMOND-C-UCONN-FR.
The Kings are in a good position as they have enough scorers with Demarcus Cousins, Tyreke Evans and Marcus (never saw a shot that he didn't like) Thornton.  If MKG falls to them it would be great.  If he's gone, the young, raw athletic big man Drummond should be the choice.  He will just need to get rebounds and block shot playing alongside Cousins.  
6. POR-KENDALL MARSHALL-PG-UNC-SO.
There is no guarantee that Marshall or Damian Lillard will be available at #11 so the Blazers need to pick one of them here.  Lillard is intriguing but I question taking a scoring point from a mid major this high.  Marshall is a proven leader and the best passing point guard to come out in a long time.  He can have a Rajon Rondo type of impact if he's taken by the right team.   The Ray Felton experiment was not a success last year.  The Blazers have young pieces LaMarcus Aldridge and Wes Matthews to build around.  They just need a point guard.  
7. GS-HARRISON BARNES-SF-UNC-SO.
The Warriors already have a good young backcourt with PG Stephen Curry and SG Klay Thompson.  Barnes would be a slight upgrade over incumbent Dorrell Wright at SF.   
8. TOR-AUSTIN RIVERS-SG-DUKE-FR.The Raptors need scoring and that's exactly what Rivers gives you.  He's a streaky, volume shooter but he also attacks the rim similar to Russell Westbrook.  The Raptors should draft Rivers, Jeremy Lamb or Beal (if he slips) and then move Demar DeRozan to the three.
9. DET-ARNETT MOULTRIE-PF-MISSISSIPPI ST.-Jr.
The perfect compliment to center Greg Monroe.  John Henson and Tyler Zeller could be options here too, but Moultrie is bigger than Henson and a better rebounder than Zeller.   
10. NO-JEREMY LAMB-SG-UCONN-SO.
Too good to pass up here.  The Hornets will consider drafting a center to pair with Davis but if Lamb is there they should pick him.  He will provide insurance in case Gordon leaves via free agency.  They also can afford to let Marco Belineli leave with this pick.
11. POR-TYLER ZELLER-C-UNC-SR.

A solid and safe pick for a team that has seen it's share of busts at the center position (Greg Oden and Sam Bowie).  Zeller is a solid compliment to Aldridge.  
12. MIL-MYERS LEONARD-C-ILLINOIS-SO.

The Bucks need a big man to fill the loss of Andrew Bogut whom they traded this past season.  Leonard is a work in progress who can develop slowly under current big man Drew Gooden.
13. PHO-DAMIAN LILLARD-PG/SG-WEBER ST.-JR.

The Suns need young athletic players.  The Steve Nash era is coming to an end and the Suns need a replacement.  If Lillard or Marshall is there at #13 the Suns need to rebuild with a new floor general.   
14. HOU-PERRY JONES-SF-BAYLOR-SO.
The Rockets should take a chance on a guy that has top 5 talent yet has questions about his work ethic, drive and ability to take over games.  
15. PHL-MOE HARKLESS-SF-ST. JOHN'S-FR.
Last year the Spurs traded up to #15 and took a long, athletic wing in Kawhi Leonard.  Harkless' game is very similar to Kawhi and Paul George.  The 76ers may lose scorer Louis Williams in free agency this summer so they will need to find someone who fill the scoring load if he leaves.  
16. HOU-DION WAITERS-SG-SYRACUSE-SO.

I don't think the Rockets will keep both picks.  They should package them to move up or will likely trade one of them for a veteran player.  If they keep this pick, Waiters would be a smart choice as a backup to Kevin Martin.
17. DAL-JARED SULLINGER-PF-OHIO ST.-SO.

If Sullinger slips, the Mavs should take a chance on a solid post player that will likely see his stock drop due to some physical limitations (lack of length and weight issues)  
18. MIN-TERRENCE ROSS-SG-WASHINGTON-SO.

The TWolves need to realize that Wesley Johnson is not a shooting guard.  Ross is true shooting guard that can give the TWolves exactly what they need, a compliment scorer to Kevin Love.  Ross has similar game to J.R. Smith and Nick Young.  He would provide great value here at #17
19. ORL-ROYCE WHITE-CF-IOWA ST.-SO.
The Dwight Howard era is ending so the Magic need to think about rebuilding and retaining the players they currently have.  Stretch four Ryan Anderson won the NBA's Most Improved Player award and is the best player on the roster not named Dwight.  They need to rebuild around him and White compliments his skill set very well.  White is the a passing three in a power forwards body (6-9/260).
20. DEN-DRAYMOND GREEN-SF-MICHIGAN ST.-SR.

I love the way this dude just knows how to play basketball.  Coach George Karl will find a place in the rotation for him the same way he found room for Kenneth Faried last year.
21. BOS-MARQUIS TEAGUE-PG-UK-FR.The Celtics need a backup for Rajon Rondo.  Teague will learn a lot playing under fellow UK product Rondo.
22. BOS-ANDREW NICHOLSON-PF-ST. BONAVENTURE-SR.

The Celtics need some youth on the front line as well.
23. ATL-JEFFERY TAYLOR-SF-VANDY-SR.

A soild player that can score, defend and has a NBA body.  The best player available for the Hawks at #23.
24. CLV-TERRENCE JONES-PF-UK-SO.A versatile lefty that can play both forward spots.  If he were 6-10, he'd be a top 10 pick.
25. MEM-JOHN HENSON-PF-UNC-JR.

Henson probably won't drop this far but if he does the Grizzlies can take him and give him time to get stronger.  I am not a fan of 210 pound power forwards.  If a team takes Henson in the top 10 or 15, they will be making a big mistake.
26. IND-DORON LAMB-SG-UK-SO.

The Pacers have enough slashers.  It was evident against the Heat that they need some shooters in their second unit.  Lamb, Evan Fournier or John Jenkins would make a lot of sense here.
27. MIA-JAE CROWDER-SF/SG-MARQUETTE-Sr.

In the NBA, Crowder will need to find a niche as an athletic lock down defender that can hit open shots.  He could use a few years being groomed by a defensive master like Shane Battier.
28. OKC-EVAN FOURNIER-SG-FRANCE-INT. 

A solid prospect that the Thunder can keep in Europe for a year or two and then bring him over in case James Harden leaves via free agency in 2013.
29. CHI-JOHN JENKINS-SG-VANDY-JR. 
A pure shooter that will find a lot of open looks playing with Derrick Rose 
30. GS-FAB MELO-C-SYRACUSE-SO. 
He's still developing but he could become a solid pro with the right coaching.  The Warriors need a backup to Andrew Bogut given his injury history.  





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