Happy Draft Day. This year, I think the NBA has something really crazy in store for all of us. Yes, this draft class is one of the weakest we've ever had, but that has led to some incredible parity between projections of players. Just as important to any draft night discussion, there's a ton of trade talk going on right now. Like every year, as late Wednesday night turned to early Thursday morning, a number of teams reported they were still debating between three or four prospects on their boards. Agents and players are wringing their hands right now. No one knows who's going where. So the draft should be fun. And the mock draft? It's hard to pinpoint whom teams will take when they haven't decided yet, but we're going to try. Then try again a little later in the day. Then try again right before the draft. In other words, check back often for versions 7.1, 7.2 and 7.3 as we continue to collect information on who will go where. Here's our best stab, after talking to numerous NBA team sources, at how the draft will play out Thursday night. PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS Cleveland (via L.A. Clippers) Kyrie Irving Position: PG Height: 6-foot-4 Weight: 191 pounds Age: 19 School: Duke Analysis: I know some uncertainty is still out there. There always is. But all signs continue to point to Irving as the No. 1 pick. He has a chance to be special, and in this draft, that makes him worthy of going this high. The Cavs may not love what's left for them at No. 4, but at least they walk away feeling that they got the best player in the draft. PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS Minnesota Derrick Williams Position: PF Height: 6-9 Weight: 249 Age: 20 School: Arizona Analysis: The Wolves will work the phones until the last minute looking for a trade. If they keep the pick? They are considering Enes Kanter and started telling teams around the league on Wednesday that they're leaning in that direction. I can see the appeal of Kanter. He probably fits a need more. But Williams is the second-best talent in this draft, and I think talent ultimately trumps need, so they'll take Williams and sort it out later this summer. PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS Utah (via New Jersey) Enes Kanter Position: C Height: 6-11 Weight: 260 Age: 19 Country: Turkey Analysis: GM Kevin O'Connor is now issuing his famous "no comment" when asked about what the Jazz will do here. They are one of the most tight-lipped teams in the league. They aren't leaking who they'll take at No. 3. So why did I change this from Brandon Knight to Kanter? Because it's hard to get legit centers in the league, especially ones with Kanter's upside. So are point guards, which is why Knight could be the pick. But as of very early Thursday, I think the Jazz will go with size and upside with Kanter. PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS Cleveland Jonas Valanciunas Position: C Height: 7-0 Weight: 245 Age: 19 Country: Lithuania Analysis: We had Valanciunas in this position last week. But on Monday we reported that Valanciunas' buyout with his team in Lithuania would prohibit him from coming to the NBA next season. The Cavs love Valanciunas, but do they love him enough to draft him even if he won't play in the NBA right away? There are growing signals that they do. Valanciunas was in Cleveland on Tuesday meeting with Cavs brass. They conducted a physical and a workout as well, which has seemingly calmed their fears. But another serious dark horse here is Tristan Thompson. As I reported on Wednesday, Thompson met with owner Dan Gilbert in Cleveland on Monday, and the Cavs are intrigued. As I gather more info, this is one spot where the mock could change in Version 7.1. PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS Toronto Brandon Knight Position: PG Height: 6-3 Weight: 177 Age: 19 School: Kentucky Analysis: GM Bryan Colangelo has been looking for defensive help, and I had been hearing during the past 24 hours that Bismack Biyombo and Kawhi Leonard had risen on the Raptors' board. But if Knight slides this far, I don't think they'll pass. Knight has tremendous upside, is a good defender in his own right and, alongside DeMar DeRozan, would give the Raptors an intriguing young backcourt. PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS Washington Jan Vesely Position: PF Height: 6-11 Weight: 240 Age: 21 Country: Czech Republic Analysis: The Wizards need rebounding and would love it if Kanter was still on the board. They've also been huge fans of Vesely and would jump at the chance to take him here. His ability to run the floor would be a welcome fit alongside John Wall and JaVale McGee. Tristan Thompson is the other player to watch here. The Wizards need help on the boards, and Thompson is one of the best offensive rebounders in the draft. PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS Charlotte (via Sacramento) Tristan Thompson Position: PF Height: 6-9 Weight: 228 Age: 20 School: Texas (Sources: Kings trade No. 7 pick to Bobcats) Analysis: The Bobcats made the first big move of the draft Thursday when they pulled the trigger on a three-team trade that nabbed them Corey Maggette and this pick for Stephen Jackson, Shaun Livingston and the No. 19 pick. I've heard they want Thompson here. But Michael Jordan did become enamored with Bismack Biyombo at a workout in Charlotte on Wednesday. I'm leaning Thompson here, but will keep digging. PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS Detroit Bismack Biyombo Position: PF Height: 6-9 Weight: 243 Age: 18 Country: Congo Analysis: The Pistons have been leaning toward Thompson. But if he's not on the board, I think their next two options are to select Bismack Biyombo or to trade down in the draft. For now, I'm putting Biyombo here, partly as a placeholder. He has serious upside as an elite defender, and the Pistons have experience with a similar big man, Ben Wallace. Biyombo should be a good fit next to Greg Monroe. PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS Charlotte Kawhi Leonard Position: SF Height: 6-7 Weight: 228 Age: 19 School: San Diego State Analysis: The Bobcats will be thrilled if Leonard is still on the board here. Although Leonard isn't the same player as Gerald Wallace, he brings much of the same intensity. Bismack Biyombo also could be an option here, as well as Chris Singleton and Alec Burks. PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS Sacramento (via Milwaukee) Jimmer Fredette Position: PG Height: 6-3 Weight: 196 Age: 22 School: Brigham Young (Sources: Bucks trade No. 10 pick to Kings) Analysis: When we first reported a few weeks ago that the Kings were looking seriously at Fredette, there were mostly chuckles. But it now appears to be very close to reality. With Beno Udrih gone, it becomes even more likely that the Kings will go with a point guard. Kemba Walker is another possibility here, but his lack of shooting ability -- in the absence of Udrih -- tilts things toward Jimmer. PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS Golden State Klay Thompson Position: SG Height: 6-7 Weight: 206 Age: 21 School: Washington State Analysis: The Warriors would be thrilled with this outcome. They've been concerned that Thompson won't be on the board when they pick. They've been high on him for weeks and feel as if he would bring them another big-time shooter to play alongside Stephen Curry and/or Monta Ellis. Chris Singleton is also a serious prospect to go here. PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS Utah Kemba Walker Position: PG Height: 6-1 Weight: 184 Age: 21 School: UConn Analysis: Whewwww. I think the Jazz were leaning toward not taking Jimmer Fredette at No. 12. If he's gone, that saves them some serious backlash in Utah. The Jazz were seriously considering Walker at No. 3. If he falls here, I don't think they'll pass on him. Alec Burks also could be a possibility. I'm told they spent some serious time looking at him in the past 48 hours. PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS Phoenix Markieff Morris Position: PF/C Height: 6-9 Weight: 241 Age: 21 School: Kansas Analysis: I had Marcus Morris here in Mock 7.0, but I'm now hearing it's his brother, Markieff, who is higher on the Suns' board. Earlier this year, I wrote that some teams prefer Markieff to Marcus even though Marcus is more skilled. Markieff has better size and is a better rebounder and shot-blocker. Meanwhile, Marcus is getting pegged as a tweener right now, which may cause him to slide. Iman Shumpert is also strongly in the mix here. PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS Houston Nikola Vucevic Position: C Height: 7-0 Weight: 260 Age: 20 School: USC Analysis: The Rockets are talking to everyone -- and I mean everyone -- about moving up in the draft. Everyone from the Wolves at 2 to the Warriors at 11 have heard the pitch. I think someone ultimately will bite, and I think it could be Detroit. But if not, the Rockets are likely to reach a little bit for some size in the paint. They are desperate for it, and Vucevic is the biggest man in the draft. Chris Singleton and Markieff Morris are also options. PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS Indiana Alec Burks Position: SG Height: 6-6 Weight: 193 Age: 19 School: Colorado Analysis: Under this scenario, the Pacers' three biggest targets (Jimmer Fredette, Klay Thompson and Markieff Morris) are all gone. Burks didn't work out for the Pacers, but they've done their homework. He's probably the best talent left on the board, even if he does duplicate Paul George to a certain extent. Marcus Morris, Chris Singleton and Marshon Brooks would also get looks here. PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS Philadelphia Jordan Hamilton Position: SF Height: 6-9 Weight: 229 Age: 20 School: Texas Analysis: The Sixers need size, but with Thompson, Vucevic and Morris all off the board, the only other big man worth taking here is Kenneth Faried. If Faried were a bit bigger, I think they'd do it. Instead, I think the Sixers will prepare for the inevitable trade of Andre Iguodala. It may not come on draft night, but most believe it will happen sometime before the season, and that's why Hamilton is the pick. Donatas Motiejunas is another possibility here. PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS New York Chris Singleton Position: SF Height: 6-9 Weight: 230 Age: 21 School: Florida State Analysis: The Knicks have a bunch of scorers. What they really need are defenders. Singleton will get looks as high as No. 9 to the Bobcats, but I doubt he will slide any further than here. Not only is he the best defender in the draft, but he also has potential to be a spot-up 3-point shooter. Iman Shumpert, Alec Burks and Marshon Brooks are also in the mix here. PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS Washington (via Atlanta) Marcus Morris Position: PF Height: 6-9 Weight: 230 Age: 21 School: Kansas Analysis: This would be a major slide for Marcus. But his insistence that he's not really a power forward has hurt his stock a bit. Teams don't believe he can be a 3 and now see him as somewhat of a tweener. Still, at this point, he's a good value and could play some 3 and some 4 in Washington. PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS Milwaukee (via Charlotte) Marshon Brooks Position: SG Height: 6-5 Weight: 195 Age: 22 School: Providence (Sources: Bobcats trade No. 19 pick to Bucks) Analysis: The Bucks want scoring and are looking for another wing now that John Salmons is gone. Brooks was one of the best scorers in college basketball and wouldn't be a huge risk at No. 19. He could be a steal for Milwaukee here. PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS Minnesota (via Memphis) Iman Shumpert Position: PG Height: 6-6 Weight: 221 Age: 20 College: Georgia Tech Analysis: The Wolves added some serious offensive pop with the arrival of Ricky Rubio and, in this mock, Derrick Williams. Shumpert would give them a major defensive presence in their backcourt. Although he's not the most offensively gifted player in the draft, his ability to guard both backcourt positions combined with his elite athleticism make him an interesting choice at No. 20. PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS Portland Kenneth Faried Position: PF Height: 6-8 Weight: 225 Age: 21 School: Morehead State Analysis: The Blazers fell in love with Faried last year before he withdrew from the draft. If they are fortunate enough to get a second chance at him this year, they'll grab him. His relentlessness on the boards is a nice complement to LaMarcus Aldridge's more offensive-minded style. Markieff Morris, Tobias Harris, Iman Shumpert and Reggie Jackson are others to watch. PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS Denver Tobias Harris Position: PF Height: 6-8 Weight: 223 Age: 18 School: Tennessee Analysis: I guess we can't call Harris one of the more underrated players in the draft when he hasn't moved off 22 in any of our mocks. He can play both the 3 and 4, and he has a very high basketball IQ and an NBA body. Harris doesn't do any one thing at an elite level, but he is one of the most well-rounded players in the draft. Iman Shumpert, Chandler Parsons and Tyler Honeycutt are other possibilities here. PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS Houston (via Orlando) Donatas Motiejunas Position: PF Height: 7-0 Weight: 220 Age: 19 Country: Lithuania Analysis: At this point in the draft, you quit worrying about draft needs and you draft according to talent. Motiejunas is a major talent. He's got flaws, but at No. 23, you live with them. If the Rockets don't trade the pick away, Jimmy Butler is a possibility here, as is Darius Morris. PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS Oklahoma City Kyle Singler Position: SF Height: 6-9 Weight: 228 Age: 23 College: Duke Analysis: I don't have Singler rated as a top-30 prospect. But I might be mistaken. A source said the Thunder are very high on Singler and believe he could be an Andres Nocioni-type player in the NBA. He is tough, has a good motor and will be able to knock down open shots. If he plays that role in the NBA, he's well worth the 24th pick. Reggie Jackson, Jimmy Butler and Nikola Mirotic are other possibilities here. PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS Boston Jimmy Butler Position: G/F Height: 6-8 Weight: 222 Age: 21 School: Marquette Analysis: If the Celtics are going to keep competing for a title, they need players who know their roles, can play without the ball in their hands and meld in. Butler brings toughness, defense and heart. Butler epitomizes that approach with his game and would be a great fit with the Celtics as a player who can play multiple positions off the bench. Reggie Jackson is another strong possibility here, as is Norris Cole. PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS Dallas Nikola Mirotic Position: SF Height: 6-10 Weight: 226 Age: 21 Country: Serbia Analysis: The Mavs likely will stay primarily a veteran team. So they'll work to add value wherever they can. Mirotic is a talented player who would go 10 spots higher if he weren't stuck in Europe the next two or three years with a difficult contract to escape. But the Mavs can afford to be patient with a talent like this and hope that in a few years, he'll be ready to step in and play right away. PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS New Jersey (via L.A. Lakers) Reggie Jackson Position: PG Height: 6-3 Weight: 208 Age: 21 School: Boston College Analysis: Jackson hasn't done any workouts, has a knee injury and isn't sharing his medical records. Why would the Nets take a player like that? Well, they, along with a lot of NBA teams, believe that another team has shut down Jackson's workouts with a promise to draft him. That shouldn't stop the Nets from grabbing Jackson anyway. Yes, they have Deron Williams. But he's not a sure thing to stay in New Jersey after next season. Even if he does, Jackson would be a terrific backup and could play off the ball in certain situations. If Jackson hadn't suffered a knee injury just as the draft prep began, he could have gone much higher. Norris Cole, Justin Harper, Josh Selby and Chandler Parsons also are possibilities. PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS Chicago (via Miami) Justin Harper Position: PF Height: 6-9 Weight: 228 Age: 21 School: Richmond Analysis: Harper was one of the best stretch 4s in college basketball last season. He also has size and is a pretty good athlete. The Bulls need perimeter shooting, and Harper should be able to give them some. Charles Jenkins, Tyler Honeycutt and Jeremy Tyler are also possibilities. PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS San Antonio Davis Bertans Position: SF Height: 6-10 Weight: 210 Age: 18 Country: Latvia Analysis: The Spurs have done a good job over the years of finding young international players and stashing them overseas for a few years until they're ready. Bertans showed he can be a big-time shooter at the Nike Hoop Summit and adidas Eurocamp, and he's only 18 years old. So it's worth taking a flier on him and seeing what he can accomplish after another year or two in Europe. PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS Chicago Nolan Smith Position: SG Height: 6-4 Weight: 188 Age: 22 School: Duke Analysis: The Bulls need scorers in their backcourt and ultimately need to find a backup for Derrick Rose at point guard. Smith isn't the sort of player who really wows you with one thing. But he's a winner, he's versatile and he's been a solid shooter in college. He's a perfect backup guard.
Second Round: 31. Miami Heat (via Minnesota) JaJuan Johnson | F | Purdue The Heat are hoping that Reggie Jackson falls this far. But if a team snatches Jackson up, Johnson would be a nice fit. He is long, shoots the ball well and has four years of experience. 32. Cleveland Cavaliers Chandler Parsons | SF | Florida If the Cavs get a point guard and a big man early in the draft, don't be surprised to see them reach a bit for Parsons here. He has great size, is very skilled and has been one of the best workout players in the draft. 33. Detroit Pistons (via Toronto) Norris Cole | PG | Cleveland State In our mock, the Pistons miss out on Kemba Walker, but Cole isn't a bad substitute. He's a classic point guard who can fly up and down the floor, make a great pass and get into the lane. He could be the sleeper of the draft. 34. Washington Wizards Jordan Williams | C | Maryland The Wizards added some flash with their first two picks in the draft. With the third one, they add some toughness and rebounding. Williams doesn't have ideal size, nor is he a great athlete. But he's a tough rebounder. 35. Sacramento Kings Tyler Honeycutt | G/F | UCLA The Kings' other big need right now is at small forward, and Honeycutt could be a great fit. He's got a high basketball IQ, has point-forward skills and he's a solid shooter. 36. New Jersey Nets Bojan Bogdanovic | SF | Croatia Bogdanovic was the second-leading scorer in the Euroleague this year. If he could come to the U.S. this year or next, he'd likely be a first-round pick. In the second round, he's a steal. 37. Los Angeles Clippers (via Detroit) Josh Selby | PG | Kansas The Clippers have always been a team willing to take chances on young college players who didn't always live up to expectations. If Selby falls this far in the draft, he's a steal here. There's nothing to lose, and a lot to gain. 38. Houston Rockets (via Los Angeles Clippers) Darius Morris | PG | Michigan The Rockets would like to add some size in the backcourt and have been fans of Morris for a while. At No. 38, he's worth the risk. He has a lot of Andre Miller to his game. 39. Charlotte Bobcats Malcolm Lee | PG | UCLA The Bobcats really need a big point guard to play when teams overwhelm D.J. Augustin with size. Lee is one of the best perimeter defenders in the draft and has terrific upside. 40. Milwaukee Bucks Jeremy Tyler | C | Tokyo Apache The Bucks have never been afraid to roll the dice on a player with major upside. They did it with Brandon Jennings and it paid off big-time. Here, Tyler isn't a huge risk. He's big, athletic and can play both the 4 and the 5. He needs time to develop, but he has great potential. 41. Los Angeles Lakers (from Golden State via New Jersey) Shelvin Mack | PG | Butler The Lakers need to replace Derek Fisher at some point and Mack would be a great candidate; they are both tough combo guards who can shoot the ball. Mack reminds me a bit of a poor man's Joe Dumars. He could bring a lot to the table in L.A. 42. Indiana Pacers Charles Jenkins | PG | Hofstra The Pacers really need a player who can create for himself off the dribble. Jenkins is a poor man's Jimmer. He was one of the best scorers in college basketball this past season and can play multiple positions. He'd be a nice fit here. 43. Chicago Bulls (via Utah) Jon Leuer | PF | Wisconsin The Bulls continue to stock up on shooters by adding Leuer to the mix. He was one of the best shooting bigs in the NCAA, and he's a good get at this spot of the draft. 44. Golden State Warriors (From Phoenix via Chicago) Trey Thompkins | PF | Georgia The Warriors could always use some low-post scoring and Thompkins actually has a lot of talent scoring in the low block. He's got to get in better shape, but at this point in the draft, he's worth the risk. 45. New Orleans (via Philadelphia) Greg Smith | C | Fresno State Smith is raw. But he has an NBA body, good athleticism and huge hands. He's a project, but a very solid one. 46. Los Angeles Lakers (From New York) Malcolm Thomas | PF | San Diego State Thomas is an elite athlete who can run the floor, rebound and block shots. He's still raw offensively, but he has lots of upside for the 46th pick. 47. Los Angeles Clippers (From Houston) Giorgi Shermadini | C | Georgia Shermadini is a talented big man who can really score. He may not come over for a few years, but down the road he could be a very good pickup for the Clippers. 48. Atlanta Hawks Travis Leslie | SG | Georgia The Hawks can always use more athletes in the backcourt, and Leslie may be the best leaper in the draft. The question is whether he'll ever learn how to shoot the ball. 49. Memphis Grizzlies Cory Joseph | PG | Texas Mike Conley has cemented himself as the Grizzlies' point guard of the future, but Joseph could be an interesting backup down the road. He should've stayed in school, but there's raw talent there. 50. Philadelphia 76ers (From New Orleans) Keith Benson | C | Oakland The Sixers continue to need bigs and Benson is one of the biggest players in the draft. He's skilled and a very good athlete for his size; he just needs to get stronger and improve his motor. 51. Portland Trail Blazers Diante Garrett | PG | Iowa State The Blazers are looking for a point guard and Garrett has turned a lot of heads with his excellent play in draft camps. 52. Detroit Pistons E'Twaun Moore | SG | Purdue Moore is one of the toughest players in the draft. He's an excellent shooter and can even play a little point guard. He's probably a bit of a steal at this point. 53. Orlando Magic Scotty Hopson | SG | Tennessee Hopson is not only one of the best athletes in the draft, but he also can shoot the ball. He was inconsistent at Tennessee, but the talent is still there. 54. Cleveland Cavaliers (From Oklahoma City via Miami) Jereme Richmond | SF | Illinois Richmond is an athlete and little else right now. But as a long-term project, he still has major upside. 55. Boston Celtics Jamine Peterson | SF | NBDL Peterson is one of the best scorers in the draft. He's a great athlete as well. He may have some question marks about his background, but the Celtics have never shied away from players like him. 56. Los Angeles Lakers Brad Wanamaker | PG | Pittsburgh Wannamaker is a pure playmaker who is coming off a great career at Pittsburgh. I know it's another point guard for the Lakers, but his toughness is tough to pass up at this point. 57. Dallas Mavericks Michael Dunigan | C | Oregon Dunigan has size and athletic ability. Oh, and he dominated the Estonian league this year. Need I say more? 58. Los Angeles Lakers (From Miami) Julyan Stone | SG | UTEP The Lakers like big point guards and they like defenders, and Stone fits the bill. Just don't ask him to score. 59. San Antonio Spurs DeAndre Liggins | SG | Kentucky The Spurs love guys who can defend multiple positions, and Liggins can do just that. 60. Sacramento Kings (From Chicago via Milwaukee) Andrew Goudelock | SG | College of Charleston The Kings like shooters, and Goudelock is one of the best in the draft.
since the bobcats leapfrogged the pistons to nab tristan thompson, our draft depends on how much the pistons want their second option (biyombo). is #14 and #23 better than biyombo? if the pistons think so, the rockets get biyombo. if the rockets think so, the rockets get vucevic and motiejunas. honestly, i'd stick with the latter. here's why. biyombo could turn out to be the next ben wallace, or a complete bust. vucevic doesn't have a high ceiling but he will be a serviceable big man. similar to asik. a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush, right? (no dirty jokes please lol) plus, incase he doesn't work out you also get motiejunas who has a very high ceiling on offense. one of the 2 will work out. hopefully both.
