Post by derrenattheoffice on May 29, 2014 19:16:28 GMT -5
My first mock draft based on what I think teams will do:
1. Cleveland: Jabari Parker
They struck out badly last year when they took Anthony Bennet with the 1st overall pick. And with the possibility of Kyrie Irving bolting for free agency, they need the closest sure thing they can bet on. While Embiid and Wiggins have higher upside, Jabari is closer to be a sure thing than either of them.
2. Milwaukee: Joel Embiid
The Bucks already have a young and talented Small Forward named Giannis Antetokuombo who is close to breaking out into stardom. But they may lose their young Center who once was on his way to being the cornerstone of the franchise (Larry Sanders). The Bucks will bank on Embiid being his replacement, and fulfilling the role of cornerstone franchise player.
3. Philadelphia: Andrew Wiggins
They got a pretty good player in last year's draft (Michael Carter-Williams) and it looks like they're going to add the player who has the highest upside in this year's draft. Andrew Wiggins is a tremendously gifted athlete who can be a great two way player.
4. Orlando: Dante Exum
A promise to take him at 4? A backcourt tandem of Oladipo and Exum is going to be entertaining and electrifying. Both can run the offense and shoulder the scoring load. And with Vucevic in the post, they've got a good nucleus of young talent to build with.
5. Utah: Aaron Gordon
Marcus Smart is an option, and is Julius Randle or Noah Vonleh. But the Jazz invested a lottery pick on Trey Burke, and they have solid depth in the frontcourt, so I can see them turning their attention to a athletic defensive wing player. Gordon just seems like the kind of player Utah likes -- hard working basketball guys who play team ball.
6. Boston: Julius Randle
We have Sullinger and Olynyk, yes I know. But Randle is potentially an impact scorer and rebounder, and he trumps both in athleticism (comes in handy when alley ooping the ball). When it comes down to it, Randle can impact the game in more ways than Vonleh and Marcus Smart.
7. Los Angeles Lakers: Marcus Smart
They gotta start somewhere, why not at the Point?
8. Sacramento: Noah Vonleh
Pairing DeMarcus Cousins with a defensive minded big who can stretch out beyond the arc will take some pressure off of him.
9. Charlotte: Doug McDermott
They have their inside presence in Big Al Jefferson. They have their catalyst at the Point in Kemba Walker. Now they need a perimeter threat to give them the triple threat. Enter Doug McDermott. He's going to a good situation because the Hornets are on the verge of being a playoff team.
10. Philadelphia: Gary Harris
They can't get McDermott, so they go with Harris. Maybe not as prolific a perimeter shooter as Doug, but Harris is a complete 2 guard.
1. Cleveland: Jabari Parker
They struck out badly last year when they took Anthony Bennet with the 1st overall pick. And with the possibility of Kyrie Irving bolting for free agency, they need the closest sure thing they can bet on. While Embiid and Wiggins have higher upside, Jabari is closer to be a sure thing than either of them.
2. Milwaukee: Joel Embiid
The Bucks already have a young and talented Small Forward named Giannis Antetokuombo who is close to breaking out into stardom. But they may lose their young Center who once was on his way to being the cornerstone of the franchise (Larry Sanders). The Bucks will bank on Embiid being his replacement, and fulfilling the role of cornerstone franchise player.
3. Philadelphia: Andrew Wiggins
They got a pretty good player in last year's draft (Michael Carter-Williams) and it looks like they're going to add the player who has the highest upside in this year's draft. Andrew Wiggins is a tremendously gifted athlete who can be a great two way player.
4. Orlando: Dante Exum
A promise to take him at 4? A backcourt tandem of Oladipo and Exum is going to be entertaining and electrifying. Both can run the offense and shoulder the scoring load. And with Vucevic in the post, they've got a good nucleus of young talent to build with.
5. Utah: Aaron Gordon
Marcus Smart is an option, and is Julius Randle or Noah Vonleh. But the Jazz invested a lottery pick on Trey Burke, and they have solid depth in the frontcourt, so I can see them turning their attention to a athletic defensive wing player. Gordon just seems like the kind of player Utah likes -- hard working basketball guys who play team ball.
6. Boston: Julius Randle
We have Sullinger and Olynyk, yes I know. But Randle is potentially an impact scorer and rebounder, and he trumps both in athleticism (comes in handy when alley ooping the ball). When it comes down to it, Randle can impact the game in more ways than Vonleh and Marcus Smart.
7. Los Angeles Lakers: Marcus Smart
They gotta start somewhere, why not at the Point?
8. Sacramento: Noah Vonleh
Pairing DeMarcus Cousins with a defensive minded big who can stretch out beyond the arc will take some pressure off of him.
9. Charlotte: Doug McDermott
They have their inside presence in Big Al Jefferson. They have their catalyst at the Point in Kemba Walker. Now they need a perimeter threat to give them the triple threat. Enter Doug McDermott. He's going to a good situation because the Hornets are on the verge of being a playoff team.
10. Philadelphia: Gary Harris
They can't get McDermott, so they go with Harris. Maybe not as prolific a perimeter shooter as Doug, but Harris is a complete 2 guard.
