Hey guys, I do my own mock draft for fun and thought I would share it here, while also getting to see others. Please do not turn this thread into a huge argument over one posters mock. I would like to keep this mainly as a discussion thread rather than debate. If you think there will be a trade, then account for it when making your mock. Please list the trade that you think will happen before your mock. Thanks Hers's mine. Hou Trades: Lowry, 14th pick, Pat Sac Trades: 5th pick, Whiteside #1: NO Hornets- Anthony Davis, PF UK ----No-brainer here, Davis will turn this franchise around. If they can keep a healthy Eric Gordan and management doesn't screw things up, the Hornets will be contenders in 3-4 years. #2: Charlotte Bobcats- Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF UK ----All season long the Bobcats turned it in after they saw a little adversity, with MKG that will not happen. The kid is a just a gamer and he will improve this team. They'll need to make a lot of other roster moves in order to get out of the lottery next year, but MKG is a step in the right direction. #3: Washington Wizards- Thomas Robinson, PF KU ----I think the Wiz will go back and forth on Drummond and Robinson, eventually taking Robinson because he's much less of a risk. Robinson can team up with Nene down low to make a solid 4-5 combo. He will also complement John Wall very well. #4: Cleveland Cavaliers- Bradley Beal, PG UF ----Im on the fence about Beal's upside, I think he'll be a great fit with Irving though. At the least he'll be a 3 point specialist. But if he can evolve into the player that most scouts say he can be, then Cleveland is set in the backcourt for a decade. #5: Houston Rockets(Via Sac)- Harrison Barnes, SF UNC ----Once again, I think Drummonds risk factor keeps him on the board. Instead going with Barnes, who I think could win a scoring title one day. He's an elite shooter, a good finisher and a great athlete. I know a lot of people will disagree with me here because of the want and need for a big man, but look at the 4 teams still in the playoffs and you see that none of them have dominant big men. Duncan isnt dominant anymore and KG does most his work with his jumper. I think Barnes is finally the replacement to Tmac that we have all been wanting for three years now. #6: Portland Trial Blazers- Andre Drummond, C UConn ----Portland gets their big man to play alongside Aldridge. They still need a PG but I don't think they will reach that much for a PG, especially since they have the 11th pick where they could take a top 2 PG in this draft (Lillard or Marshall) #7: Golden State Warriors- Perry Jones III, F Bay ----This is another risky pick. I know Chad Ford tweeted awhile back that GS loves Sullinger, but I think PJIII is a better fit with Boget as a 4-5 combo. The athlete next to banger could be a solid combo for may years. #8: Toronto Raptors- Jeremy Lamb, SG UConn ----Damar DoRozen's time to turn potential into production is running out. I think they draft his replacement in Lamb, who could be a better Richard Hamilton IMO. Also think they could take Lillard here. #9: Detroit Pistons- John Henson, PF UNC ----Im NOT a fan of Henson, but he can be the shot blocker that Greg Monroe isn't. I think Detroit lost their guy when GS took PJIII, but Henson fits their need as well I guess. Could also see them going with a perimeter scorer. #10: NO Hornets- Kendall Marshall, PG UNC ----The Hornets should have most of the scoring taken care of with Gordan and Davis. But, with Marshall running point he can get guys that aren't scorers some easy buckets while not taking shots away from Gordan, who IMO is set to have a breakout allstar season. #11: Portland Trial Blazers- Damian Lillard, PG Weber St. ----With Lowry traded to Sac, and Dragic likely to stay in Hou because of that, they draft strictly for need and take the best available PG. I still think they will make a hard push for Nash but they get some insurance with Lillard. #12: Milwaukee Bucks- Jarad Sullinger, PF Ohio St. ----I'm torn between Sully and Zeller for the Bucks. Both address needs for the most part. But Sully's upside gets him the nod IMO. #13: Phoenix Suns- Austin Rivers, SG Duke ----Steal of the 1st round here. I hear all the doubters and they sound crazy to me. Rivers can be a 22 ppg scorer and also play some PG in certain situations. I see him as a smarter Monte Ellis. #14: Sacramento Kings(Via Hou), Tyler Zeller, C/PF UNC ----The Kings are sticking with Cousins for now, but you never know when this guy can go nuts and the Kings may end up trading him. If so, Zeller can replace him. If not, Zeller can be a solid backup. #15: Philadelphia 76ers, Arnett Moultrie, PF Miss St. ----Not a huge fan of Moultrie, but he fits a need for Phily and can help their rebounding a great deal. #16: Houston Rockets- Meyers Leonard, C Illinois ----He's a work in progress, I know. But he can turn into a top 10-15 Center in this league. He's a phenomenal athlete despite what some posters believe. He has a good jumper and can rebound pretty well. He'll need to improve his strength and be more consistent overall. 6 years from now we will see Leonard as the best Center in this drat. If Hou has already addressed the Center position, I'd love to see Terrence Ross picked here. #17: Dallas Mavericks- Terrence Jones, F UK ----Jones reminds me a lot of Shawn Marion and can learn a ton from him. I think this a good fit both ways. #18: Minnesota Timberwolves- Terrence Jones, SG Wash ----Minny is gonna take the best available SG and I think Ross is a steal at this spot. If he develops into a 15-20 ppg guy (which im predicting) then he is exactly what Minny needs to become relevant again. #19: Orlando Magic- Fab Melo, C Syracuse ----This is a no-brainer. They need to be prepared to go o without Howard. Plus, even if Howard stays, they need a backup Center. Melo ca be a solid layer I believe. #20: Denver Nuggets- Dion Waiters, SG SYracuse ----Denver is pretty set at each position so they'll take the best player available. Waiters is the best player at this spot I think. #21: Boston Celtics- Quincy Miller, SF Bay ----The Celtics Big Three are in their final days and they need to start replacing the guys that will most likely be gone soon. With the uncertainty of Jeff Green next year, Miler can be a solid soon-to-be replacement for Paul Pierce. #22: Boston Celtics- Jeff Taylor, G/F Vandy ----With Avery Bradley being the likely replacement for Ray Allen next year, Taylor can be a very good player to come off the bench OR start if needed. I think this is a really solid value pick here. #23: Atlanta Hawks- Royce White, F Iowa St. ----White can be a good role player off the bench. Not sure how much he helps ATL next year, but it's a decent pick. #24: Cleveland Cavaliers- Moa Harkless, SF St. Johns ----I don't know a whole lot about this guy. But the Cavs need a SF and he seems to be the best available. #25: Memphis Grizzlies- Marquis Teague, PG UK ----Teague has potential to be a starter in the NBA but for now he'll be a solid backup to Mike Conley. #26; Indiana Pacers- Festus Ezeli, C Vandy ----The Pacers are in the same spot as Denver, no REAL needs. But Hibbert could use a better backup and Ezeli will creat competition for that backup spot. #27: Miami Heat- Daron Lamb, G UK ----Good value pick for Miami, Lamb can be a spark guy off the bench. #28: OKC Thunder- Tony Wroten Jr., PG Wash ----The Thunder have a lot of backup PGs, but no real good ones. Wroten may be a real good one. #29: Chicago Bulls- Evan Fournier, SG France ----Pretty much just adding depth at this point. Fournier can probably be a solid backup wing. #30: Golden State Warriors- Tyshawn Taylor, PG KU ----Taylor is really undervalued in my opinion. He's not gonna be a starter but he can be a GREAT backup to Curry. Thanks for reading guys, look forward to reading other mocks. I'll update my mock after the combine in this same thread.
Good job. I like the idea of having a fun discussion with the draft. Here is my version. Trades: Kevin Martin and Luis Scola to Boston for picks 21 and 22 Kyle Lowry and Chase Budinger to Toronto for pick 8 and Jose Calderon Trade picks 14 and 21 to Golden State for pick 7 Trade picks 16 and 22 and Patrick Patterson to Sacremento for pick 5 Entering the draft we would now hold picks 5,7, and 8. 1) Hornets: Anthony Davis 2) Bobcats: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist 3) Wizards: Thomas Robinson 4) Cavaliers: Harrison Barnes 5) Rockets: Bradley Beal SG Florida: Our biggest need is getting a premier perimeter scorer. Beal has a good chance of becoming one. 6) Blazers: Damian Lillard 7) Rockets: Andre Drummond C UConn: When I look at this kid, if he finds his offensive game over time I see Andrew Bynum hopefully minus the injuries. For his size he is very athletic and while he may never dominate offensively, he surely can defensively. 8) Rockets: John Henson PF North Carolina: You can never have enough size, so I go for the next best big on my board. Henson like Drummond is going to protect the paint. He is furthur along offensively but still has enough room for improvment. Being aronnd 6'11'', once he adds some more weight he can be add versatility by playing both big positions. I strongly considered Jones III here, he has a much greater offensive game at this point, but I worry that he will dominate the ball at bad times like Westbrook. With all these young guys I'm putting together, I don't want to add a potentially harmfull selfish player. 9) Pistons: Perry Jones III 10) Hornets: Jared Sullinger 11) Blazers: Arnett Moultrie 12) Bucks: Tyler Zeller 13) Suns: Kendall Marshall 14) Warriors: Austin Rivers 15) 76ers: Jeremy Lamb 16) Kings: Terrence Ross 17) Mavs: Dion Waiters 18) Wolves: Doren Lamb 19) Magic: Fab Melo 20) Nuggets: Myers Leonard 21) Warriors: Terrence Jones 22) Kings: Marquis Teauge 23) Hawks: Evan Fournier 24) Cavs: Tony Wroten 25) Grizzles: Quincey Miller 26) Pacers: Draymond Green 27) Heat: Royce White 28) Thunder: Tyshawn Taylor 29) Bulls: Moe Harkless 30) Warriors: Jeff Taylor Coming away from this draft, I woulden't expect us to do much in FA exept retain Dragic, Lee and Camby. This would put us at around 40 million towards the cap with Calderon's 10.5 mill coming off after the season along with the few million we gave Camby once he most likely retires. We can then keep this space untill our young guys pan out and are ready for there raises, or if we miss on most then we would be major players in FA or go the draft route again. Heading into the 12/13 season our rotation would look like this: Dragic/Calderon Lee/Beal/Dragic Parsons/Morris Montiejunas/Henson/Morris Camby/Drummond/Montiejunas This team would struggle no doubt, but at least we can now be playing young guys and see who develops. I'm not just banking on young guys, I'm banking on young guys with great upside who even if they don't fully max out, they still have enough solid traits to be decent players. There is still enough veteran leadership on this team (Dragic, Calderon, Lee and Camby) to keep the young guys grounded and theres enough young guys to keep each other motivated and provide challenges. This team has all the things we have been desperate for moving forward. Size, youth, athleticism and star potential. The major weakness of this team in the beginning will be the 4 spot. Along with the youth this would be enough to keep us out of playoff contention next season. However, I still see this team as more then a bottom feeder and if some of the guys catch on early, they could hover around .500 for most of the season. Then going into the following offseason you have crazy cap space and a pretty good 1st round pick to play with. That leads me to believe that with these changes this team could be ready to compete as early as the 13/14 season.
Harrison Barnes is awful. Inconsistent shooter and the type of player that, if he doesn't get the ball for several possessions, will chuck the first crappy shot he sees. AWFUL.
Fun, but not very realistic. 14 and 21 won't get you a number 7 because that would mean 14 and 16 would get you a 5. Teams won't trade down from star potential to pick up role players, even good ones.
I thought I read somewhere that while the Warriors were happy they got to retain their pick, there not to thrilled at 7 and are willing to move down to collect picks.
My mock... 1) New Orleans Hornets - Anthony Davis 2) Charlotte Bobcats - Thomas Robinson 3) Washington Wizards - Michael Kidd-Gilchrist 4) Cleveland Cavaliers - Bradley Beal 5) Sacramento Kings - Andre Drummond 6) Portland Trailblazers - Jared Sullinger 7) Golden State Warriors - Harrison Barnes 8) Toronto Raptors - Damian Lillard 9) Detroit Pistons - Tyler Zeller 10) New Orleans Hornets - Perry Jones 11) Portland Trailblazers - Kendall Marshall 12) Milwaukee Bucks - Meyers Leonard 13) Phoenix Suns - Jeremy Lamb 14) Houston Rockets - Dion Waiters What makes this draft so interesting is everything kind of depends on what the Bobcats do at #2. I feel like there's a strong chance we trade for the 5th or 6th pick if Drummond, Beal, Sullinger, or Barnes are available (at least one of them will be).
Trades: Kings send Tyreke Evans to Toronto and a lotto-protected future pick for their first round pick this year. Raptors don't want a lot of rookies, need a point guard, and need to make a splashy move. Kings need to get rid of Evans. Also, because Beal will be off the board in my scenario, the Raptors trade their pick (I think if Beal is around at number 8, they pick him). Kings then send that pick to Houston for Lowry, Scola, and the knicks' pick. Houston sends Martin and Morris for Derrick Williams, Brad Miller, and #18. Hornets trade Emeka Okafor to Portland for their 1st round pick. Portland gets a proven, but still young big man to play with Aldrige. Hornets trade their 2012 and 2015 2nd round pick to Miami for their number 27 pick. 1) Hornets: Anthony Davis Reasoning: N/A 2) Bobcats: Kidd-Gilchrist Reasoning: Bobcats need a lot of help, especially at the wings. I wouldn't be surprised if Jordan orders Cho to pick Barnes, but if that doesn't happen they pick MKC. 3) Wizards- Andre Drummond Reasoning: Assuming they don't trade their pick (60/40 chance they do) I think they go with a big man here. For Andre's sake, I hope they keep Blatche far, far away. 4) Cavaliers- Harrison Barnes Reasoning: They need a swingman, and I doubt they take a risk on PJIII when they already have an undersized PF in Tristan Thompson. I think if Andre falls, they take a chance on him though. 5) Sacramento- Perry Jones III Reasoning: They lack forwards of either sort, so this is a good fit for Jones. They can play him next to Cousins or on the perimeter and see what suits him better. 6)Portland- Bradley Beal Reasoning: Portland needs a point guard and shooting guard. Beal is an interesting propect, I think the Blazers take a chance on him. 7) Golden State Warriors- Thomas Robinson Reasoning:They like Sullinger, but Robinson at 7? That's a steal. No way they pass that up. 8) Houston ( via Sac via Tor)- Jeremy Lamb Reasoning: We need a shooting guard, and Lamb is not only that, but a very solid piece to build around. 9) Detroit- Jared Sullinger Reasoning: With Knight and Stuckey- they're set in terms of guards. Sullinger has the potential to be the athletic four with Monroe. 10) Hornets- John Henson Reasoning:Monty Williams wants a big team, so he drafts Henson to pair with Davis. He replaces Emeka Okafor. 11) Hornets (via Portland)- Kendal Marshall With Eric Gordon and two big men, they take a point guard who can spread the ball around. 12) Bucks- Meyers Leonard Reasoning: The Bucks need a big man to replace Bogut. 13) Phoenix-Damian Lillard Reasoning: They need a point guard to replace Nash, so they take the best one available. 14) Houston- Tyler Zeller Reasoning: I like Moultrie better than Zeller, but I think Morey likes Zeller more. 15) Philadelphia- Arnett Moultrie Reasoning: Moultrie provides the 76ers a younger big man to replace Elton Brand and maybe even man the center spot at times. 16) Sacramento- Terrence Ross Reasoning: The Kings draft a shooting guard to make up for Evans' and Garcia's departure. I don't agree with this pick, but think that the Kings will do it simply because they're enamored with scoring guards. 17) Mavericks-Austin Rivers Reasoning: Mavericks won their championship on the back of J.J Barea, and Terry and Kidd are getting up there. Rivers might be able to replace one of those guys. 18) Houston (from Minnesota)- Marquis Teague With Lowry gone, Houston needs a backup point guard. 19) Orlando Magic- Dion Waiters Magic are in a massive state of influx. With no clue as to what they need, they go with a safer pick. 20) Nuggets- Andrew Nicholson Nuggets have no real needs. I just put this guy’s name here, I have no clue who they take. 21) Celtics- Daron Lamb Lamb can be an excellent 6th man for years to come. A backcourt of Rondo/Bradley/Lamb is a very solid one. 22) Celtics- Quincy Miller Like the OP, I like this pick. Celtics need to groom a replacement for Pierce. 23) Atlanta Hawks- Fab Melo Hawks will probably trade Horford or Smith and will need a new center regardless. They take a chance on Melo. 24) Cavaliers- Evan Fournier Cavs need a center and shooting guard. They go with the safe bet two guard with the hope he can benefit from playing with Irving. 25) Memphis- Tony Wroten Jr. Gilbert Arenas was their backup point guard. GILBERT ARENAS!!! Memphis fills that need here. 26) Indiana Festus Ezeli Again, like Denver the Pacers are deep everywhere. They roll the dice with Ezeli. 27) New Orleans (via Miami)- Royce White With this draft, the Hornets have a solid young player at nearly every position. White rounds it out with a glue guy/6th man. 28) Oklahoma City- Kevin Jones Projected to be pick 31, Jones is the prototypical late pick. Unatheltic, but with a high motor. This upperclassmen is really only good at fighting for offensive rebounds and loose balls. For a well-rounded contender like OKC, Jones is a nice addition. 29) Chicago- Draymond Green Projected to go at 32nd, Draymond is a big and long small forward who can play defense and shoot open threes. Perhaps he’ll take over some of Deng’s minutes. 30) Golden State- Jeffery Taylor I don’t like Taylor at all and think he’ll amount to a Gerald Green type player. Nevertheless, Golden State might as well take a chance on him.
Oh my god I forgot about Terrence Jones!!! Ignore what I said about Quincy Miller, the Celtics pick Terrence Jones to replace Paul Pierce!
1) New Orleans Hornets - Anthony Davis 2) Charlotte Bobcats - Thomas Robinson 3) Washington Wizards - Bradley Beal 4) Cleveland Cavaliers - Michael Kidd-Gilchrist 5) Sacramento Kings - Harrison Barnes 6) Portland Trailblazers - Damian Lillard 7) Golden State Warriors - Andre Drummond 8) Toronto Raptors - Perry Jones 9) Detroit Pistons - Terrence Jones 10) New Orleans Hornets - Tyler Zeller 11) Portland Trailblazers - Kendall Marshall 12) Milwaukee Bucks - Jared Sullinger 13) Phoenix Suns - Jeremy Lamb 14) Houston Rockets - Terrence Ross 15) Phillidelphia 76ers - John Henson 16) Houston Rockets - Dion Waiters 17) Dallas Mavericks - Austin Rivers
1) New Orleans Hornets - Anthony Davis 2) Charlotte Bobcats - Thomas Robinson 3) Washington Wizards - Michael Kidd-Gilchrist 4) Cleveland Cavaliers - Andre Drummond 5) Sacramento Kings - Harrison Barnes 6) Portland Trailblazers - Bradley Beal 7) Golden State Warriors - Damian Lillard (traded to Toronto) 8) Toronto Raptors - John Henson (traded to Warriors) 9) Detroit Pistons - Jeremy Lamb 10) New Orleans Hornets - Jared Sullinger 11) Portland Trailblazers - Kendall Marshall 12) Milwaukee Bucks - Meyers Leonard 13) Phoenix Suns - Dione Waiters 14) Houston Rockets - Perry Jones III (traded to GS for John Henson) Or Austin Rivers to keep (Obviously the teams trading down would get more from the other team than just a lower pick)
My 2012 Mock Draft - Top 16: #1 New Orleans Hornets: Anthony Davis PF/C - At this point its a forgone conclusion that N.O. is picking Anthony Davis, no surprises here. #2 Charlotte Bobcats: Thomas Robinson PF - The Bobcats biggest need is at the wing. But the best players to take at this spot are Beal and Robinson. I see them taking Robinson I think his skill set and athletic ability is to high for them to pass up on him. This gives them a very athletic front line with Bismack Biyombo at center. #3 Washington Wizards: Bradley Beal SG - The wizards already have two young athletic wings in Chris Singleton and Jan Vesely, who also plays the 4. So I don't see them taking a wing. I do see them adding a shooter, in Bradley Beal, to space out the court for all the slashers on the wizards team. Not to mention it adds a second ball handler to relieve some pressure off of John Wall. #4 Cleveland Cavaliers: Harrison Barnes SF - Cleveland was high on Barnes last year before he pulled out of the draft. There's been rumors that they're still high on him. Plus it gives cleveland a legitimate scoring threat from the perimeter which is something they lacked this past season. #5 Sacramento Kings: Michael Kidd Gilchrist SF - For a team that lacks maturity and lack of leadership, Gilchrist would be a great addition. The Kings lack a wing for the long run, and drafting a defensive wing with leadership qualities, and offensive potential would be a no brainer. #6 Portland Trailblazers: Andre Drummond C - Like the Rockets the biggest position of need for the Portland Trail Blazers is at the 5. Drummond, despite his rawness, is the best center prospect in this draft. He's a gamble, but a gamble worth taking. #7 Golden State Warriors: Perry Jones III SF/PF - Golden States biggest need comes at the wing position and some front line help at the 4. PJ III can help at both fronts, being the most gifted tweener in this draft. #8 Toronto Raptors: Damian Lillard PG - I think Toronto's need at PG is pretty much widely known. If they can't land Kyle Lowry via trade, then they can't go wrong with drafting Damian Lillard at # 8. His widely considered the best PG in this draft. #9 Detroit Pistons: John Henson PF - Detroits need's a shot blocker to put next to Greg Monroe, and they can't do any better then Henson. Who is a shot blocking machine. #10 New Orleans Hornets: Kendall Marshall PG - Since the departure of Chris Paul they have lacked a creative playmaker. With Marshall they get one of the best play makers in this draft. #11 Portland Trailblazers: Jeremy Lamb SG - With the retirement ROY, Jeremy Lamb's upside gives them a chance at a another all-star guard. #12 Milwaukee Bucks: Jared Sullinger PF - With Ilyasova probably leaving this off-season, and Sanders and Udoh manning the 5. Sullinger gives them a good replacement at the 4. Not to mention a great bargain at this pick, specially considering he was projected as a top 5 pick last year. #13 Phoenix Suns: Dion Waiters SG - With rumors of the Sun's promising Dion Waiters of drafting him at 13, I put him here. He gives them a guy who can create a shot for himself, and other's. Which is important given the possible departure of Steve Nash in FA this summer. #14 Houston Rockets: Meyers Leonard C* - Meyers Leonard is a true legitimate center prospect. That has the talent and upside to one day anchor a contending team's defense and with Camby still on board for the Rockets, it gives us a luxury to develop him and bring him on slowly. Not to mention he would compliment D-Mo very well inside, creating the future front court of the Rockets. #15 Philadelphia Sixers: Terrence Jones PF - With Elton Brand entering his last year of his contract, drafting his longterm replacement doesn't seem like a bad idea. Jones is a skilled versatile forward, and that can be the long term starting 4 for the Sixers. #16 Houston Rockets: Austin Rivers SG* - With the possible departure of Courtney Lee, drafting a young SG with great upside would be a no brainer. With Rivers you get a guy who can create off the dribble for himself and others, which is something that C. Lee lacked.
Updated a bit 1) New Orleans Hornets - Anthony Davis 2) Charlotte Bobcats - Thomas Robinson 3) Washington Wizards - Michael Kidd-Gilchrist 4) Cleveland Cavaliers - Andre Drummond 5) Sacramento Kings - Harrison Barnes 6) Portland Trailblazers - Bradley Beal 7) Golden State Warriors - Damian Lillard (traded to Toronto) 8) Toronto Raptors - John Henson (traded to Warriors) 9) Detroit Pistons - Jeremy Lamb 10) New Orleans Hornets - Jared Sullinger 11) Portland Trailblazers - Kendall Marshall 12) Milwaukee Bucks - Meyers Leonard 13) Phoenix Suns - Dione Waiters 14) Houston Rockets - Perry Jones III 15) Philadelphia 76rs - Terrence Jones !6) Houston rockets -Tyler Zeller
1) New Orleans Hornets - Anthony Davis 2) Charlotte Bobcats - Michael Kidd-Gilchrist 3) Washington Wizards - Thomas Robinson 4) Cleveland Cavaliers - Bradley Beal 5) Sacramento Kings - Harrison Barnes 6) Houston Rockets - Andre Drummond(traded with Kyle Lowry, Samuel Dalembert, 14th pick for 6th pick and Nolan Smith) 7)Golden State Warriors - Jared Sullinger 8)Toronto Raptors - Damian Lillard 9) Detroit Pistons - John Henson 10) New Orleans Hornets - Jeremy Lamb 11) Portland Trailblazers - Meyers Leonard 12) Milwaukee Bucks - Tyler Zeller 13) Pheonix Suns - Dion Waiters 14) Portland Trailblazers - Austin Rivers 15) Philidelphia 76ers - Terrence Jones 16) Houston Rockets - Terrence Ross I could actually see this happening.
