60 Picks' Mock Draft 2.0: UPDATED 06.18.2014
Author: Joseph Fafinski
SG/SF, Kansas (2013-2014)
Previously: 1 (--) Big Board: 1 Height: 6'8" Weight: 200 NBA Comparison: Vince Carter |
This remains the right (and safe) selection. Andrew Wiggins is an athletic specimen who will eventually terrorize opponents with his play on both ends of the court. He has higher defensive upside than Parker and is a lower injury risk than Embiid. I firmly believe he’ll be the first name Adam Silver calls out. He's the most NBA-ready prospect in the class.
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C, Kansas (2013-2014)
Previously: 2 (--) Big Board: 3 Height: 7'0" Weight: 250 NBA Comparison: Hakeem Olajuwon |
Joel Embiid has a lot to learn from the game of basketball, but he showed he’s capable of manning both ends in Lawrence. If nothing else, back issues are the reason he won't go first overall. Here’s to hoping Embiid spends the majority of his time on Lake Michigan relaxing and not pacing in the waiting room of an upper-class doctor's office.
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SF, Duke (2013-2014)
Previously: 3 (--) Big Board: 2 Height: 6'8" Weight: 235 NBA Comparison: Paul Pierce |
Jabari Parker is an explosive player whose game revolves around his natural scoring ability. This pick, especially if incumbent three Thad Young heads for happier pastures, fits like a glove. This, naturally, means you can't acquit Jabari Parker here. Plus, you know, he’d be taking away some of Michael Carter-Williams’, who sported a 40.5 field goal percentage, touches offensively, which is a beautiful thing.
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PG, Australia Institute of Sport
Previously: 4 (--) Big Board: 4 Height: 6'6" Weight: 188 NBA Comparison: Michael Carter-Williams |
If Dante Exum’s oft head-shaker of a jumper improves, there’s no telling how high his ceiling will climb. He has favorable traits that show he's a pure point guard--size, athleticism, and a knack for distributing. For now, he’s the best floor general in the class and a can’t miss at number four.
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PF, Indiana (2013-2014)
Previously: 6 (+1) Big Board: 7 Height: 6'10" Weight: 240 NBA Comparison: Chris Bosh |
It’s tough to pinpoint any weaknesses in Noah Vonleh’s game. He runs the floor like a guard, shoots well from 18 feet away, and dons swift moves in the paint. I’ll take him over Gordon or Randle any day. Marcus Smart will be considered here at length but Vonleh, not even 19, provides a more immediate need, frontcourt depth, for Utah at this point.
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PF, Arizona (2013-2014)
Previously: 7 (+1) Big Board: 8 Height: 6'9" Weight: 220 NBA Comparison: Andrei Kirilenko |
The “tweener” label may never leave him, but Aaron Gordon showed in Tucson and again at the combine that he belongs with the big men at the next level. I love his tenacity, hops, and defensive ceiling. It’s scary to think he hasn’t even turned 19 yet.
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PF, Kentucky (2013-2014)
Previously: 8 (+1) Big Board: 5 Height: 6'9" Weight: 250 NBA Comparison: Rich man's Michael Beasley |
Hard-working, athletic, and energy-producing, Julius Randle is. His contemporary style of play, aided by his eagerness in the low post, might be enough for the Lakers to anoint him the future face of the franchise. I’m sure Kobe would be pleased with this selection. I’m not so sure I buy into these supposed foot issues.
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PG, Oklahoma State (2012-2014)
Previously: 4 (-4) Big Board: 8 Height: 6'4" Weight: 220 |
Rejoice, Kings fans--for Marcus Smart is here to save. I love this pick at eight. Offensively, he’ll take off some of the load Isaiah Thomas carries distributing. Smart's character issues have been well-documented, but it’s not like Sacramento doesn’t already know what it’s like to handle a few egos.
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SF, Creighton (2010-2014)
Previously: 9 (--) Big Board: 9 Height: 6'8" Weight: 220 NBA Comparison: Rashard Lewis |
The newly-rechristened Charlotte Hornets need scoring at the three opposite Michael Kidd-Gilchrist. Simple as it may seem, this is exactly what Doug McDermott provides. With Dougie Fresh, you know exactly what you're getting.
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SG, Michigan (2012-2014)
Previously: 12 (+2) Big Board: 12 Height: 6'6" Weight: 205 |
Nik Stauskas continues to rise on the charts, in part to his shooting touch and his handle on the ball. I like Philly as a destination because they need scoring ability (notice that Jabari Parker, the third pick, is also slated to the City of Brotherly Love). His intangibles would be put to excellent use here. The only things truly separating Stauskas from the elite shooting guards in the NBA are his strength (or lack thereof) and lateral movement defensively.
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PF, Croatia
Previously: 11 (--) Big Board: 11 Height: 6'10" Weight: 230 NBA Comparison: Boris Diaw |
The most NBA-ready of the European bigs, Dario Saric runs the floor like a guard and has a solid mid-range game. Of course, that’s what they said about Darko Milicic.
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SG, Michigan State (2012-2014)
Previously: 10 (-2) Big Board: 10 Height: 6'5" Weight: 205 |
Gary Harris is perhaps the jack-of-all-trades in this class. Although he’s not spectacular in any regard, he’s practically a surefire lottery selection. Also, it’s fun to imagine an Orlando backcourt with Victor Oladipo, Dante Exum, and Harris.
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PG, UCLA (2013-2014)
Previously: 15 (+2) Big Board: 16 Height: 6'5" Weight: 180 NBA Comparison: Gerald Green |
Point guard enthusiast David Kahn may have left Minnesota but mediocre, backup incumbent JJ Barea hasn’t. The Pups will do anything short of committing a crime to rid themselves of the Puerto Rican. This is where Zach LaVine comes into play. With elite athleticism and a jump so high (like Cleopatra, Joan of Arc, or Aphrodite), LaVine could become the next 2013-14 Gerald Green when, like Green learned in Phoenix, he matures. I promise that’s a good thing.
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PG, Louisiana-Lafayette (2011-2014)
Previously: 18 (+4) Big Board: 19 Height: 6'3" Weight: 190 NBA Comparison: Rajon Rondo |
Phoenix needs backcourt depth and Elfrid Payton reminds us of Rajon Rondo, who the Suns were shortchanged for in the 2006 draft. Passing up the second coming of him would prove daunting. The guy passes, defends, and rebounds at an elite level--what more could you desire in a floor general? In completely unrelated news, I'm president of the unofficial Elfrid Payton Fan Club.
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SF, Kentucky (2013-2014)
Previously: 13 (-2) Big Board: 15 Height: 6'8" Weight: 215 NBA Comparison: Chandler Parsons |
Not a flashy pick at all but James Young is too talented to let slip this far. A three and D guy would be nice to see in Atlanta.
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PF, Michigan State (2010-2014)
Previously: 16 (--) Big Board: 20 Height: 6'10" Weight: 245 NBA Comparison: Robert Horry |
Adreian Payne is very talented in a number of facets. If he’s still there at 16 the Bulls will pounce, especially when considering the likely departure of amnesty-bound Carlos Boozer.
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SF, Duke (2013-2014)
Previously: 19 (+2) Big Board: 18 Height: 6'8" Weight: 215 |
Rodney Hood played a lot of small forward for Coach K. The biggest piece in Hood's draft puzzle is his position. He doesn’t possess the necessary strength to mesh with NBA small forwards. Slide him to the two here in Boston and it’s a decent value pick. Versatility is Hood's middle name, so I don't expect him to bust in the NBA.
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SF, NC State (2012-2014)
Previously: 14 (-4) Big Board: 14 Height: 6'8" Weight: 215 NBA Comparison: OJ Mayo |
T.J. Warren is one of the best scorers in the draft. He could help take the point load off Goran Dragic in Phoenix. Even this far into the first round, it could be a monumental day if the Suns scoop Payton and Warren out of the draft sundae.
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PG, Connecticut (2010-2014)
Previously: 20 (+1) Big Board: 22 Height: 6'1" Weight: 182 NBA Comparison: Andre Miller |
A prototype of sorts, Shabazz Napier possesses traits that lead one to believe he can become an able point guard at the next level. Just rewatch the Final Four. If Derrick Rose returns to full form and DJ Augustin bolts town, as expected, the Bulls have to pluck the star of the most recent edition of "One Shining Moment."
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PG, Syracuse (2013-2014)
Previously: 18 (-2) Big Board: 12 Height: 6'2" Weight: 180 NBA Comparison: Delonte West |
Tyler Ennis doesn’t occupy a plethora of strengths, but he could be a solid contributor off the bench somewhere. Meanwhile, Toronto, Ennis' hometown, needs to make a decision regarding imcumbent backcup Greivis Vasquez. It looks more and more likely every day that starter Kyle Lowry will re-sign with Canada’s lone club. This may open up a slot for the Syracuse product on the bench.
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C, Bosnia
Previously: 29 (+8) Big Board: 26 Height: 6'11" Weight: 280 NBA Comparison: Rich man's Chris Mihm |
Jusuf Nurkic will be a project, of course, but this pick might not make too much sense given Steven Adams’ emergence at center the last few months. Nonetheless, the upside and other-worldly strength of Nurkic are too hard to pass on.
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PF, Tennessee (2011-2014)
Previously: 25 (+3) Big Board: 25 Height: 6'8" Weight: 260 NBA Comparison: Rich man's Chuck Hayes |
Jarnell Stokes is a stud in the professional sense of the word. He won’t light up a statsheet but rather do the little things, like pull down offensive boards or trap a man in the post, to help a squad win basketball games. Stokes played high school ball in Memphis and collegiately in Knoxville. The fans want him to remain a Tennessean.
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SF, UCLA (2012-2014)
Previously: 21 (-2) Big Board: 17 Height: 6'9" Weight: 235 NBA Comparison: Hedo Turkoglu |
If there's one thing the Utah Jazz yearn for, other than Dante Exum falling to the fifth spot, it's production at the small forward. Kyle Anderson, who often played the role of point forward at UCLA, won’t give you that immediately, for he needs to mature, but the long term value is unquestionably present.
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SG, North Carolina (2012-2013)
Previously: 27 (-3) Big Board: 24 Height: 6'5" Weight: 228 NBA Comparison: Ben Gordon |
P.J. Hairston’s biggest pros lie in his smooth shooting touch and prior experience with professionals. Charlotte is still fairly young in the backcourt and could use a scoring option out top. Hairston lit up AAA scoreboards all winter and hopes to do so in the big leagues.
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PF, Switzerland
Previously: 24 (-1) Big Board: 28 Height: 6'11" Weight: 222 NBA Comparison: Rony Seikaly |
Clint Capela has untouched potential at this pick. The Rockets aren’t necessarily stacked at power forward, and you could make a case that the Swiss product, if picked here, could see valuable minutes as soon as this winter. He possesses defensive potential and an uncanny wingspan.
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PG, Missouri (2013-2014)
Previously: 30 (+4) Big Board: 31 Height: 6'5" Weight: 193 NBA Comparison: Tyreke Evans |
Clarkson and UCLA’s Jordan Adams are probably the two point guards Miami will look at for this pick. The greater of two Jordans, Clarkson could prove to be the guy they need on the perimeter, if only he works on his outside shot. Then again, a scoring touch is seemingly required to dwell in the Miami backcourt.
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C, Michigan (2012-2014)
Previously: 26 (-1) Big Board: 30 Height: 6'10" Weight: 265 |
Standing 6'10 and weighing in at 265 pounds, Mitch McGary is a mammoth presence in the paint. He possesses a high basketball IQ and is able often able to see plays as they're happening. I was going to make a pot joke here but I'm caked.
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SF, Wichita State (2010-2014)
Previously: 28 (--) Big Board: 27 Height: 6'7" Weight: 210 NBA Comparison: Derrick Williams |
Cleanthony Early, 23, brings energy to the small forward position for the Clipshow. I’m going on the record as saying this would be a steal at this point of the draft. He's energetic, poised, and athletic. Doesn't sound like a 28th overall selection to me.
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SF, Clemson (2011-2014)
Previously: 22 (-7) Big Board: 21 Height: 6'6" Weight: 200 NBA Comparison: Renaldo Balkman |
K.J. McDaniels or Jerami Grant? It’s an underwhelming decision, especially because neither possesses a scoring gene. But seriously—who better to learn from than MVP Kevin Durant? I’ll go with Clemson's McDaniels, if only because he possesses extreme defensive potential and athleticism. I wouldn’t be shocked, however, if OKC snags a point guard here with Derek Fisher on his way out of town.
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C, France
Previously: N/A Big Board: N/A Height: 7'3" Weight: 265 |
A big body, Walter Tavares is fairly unknown but seems like the most Spurs pick ever at number 30. Of course, once San Antonio picks him, Tavares will become a 12-8 guy with great defense. It's just the blessing of playing under Gregg Poppovich.
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