NBA Mock Draft 3.0

The deadline has passed for prospects to either remain eligible for the draft or go back to college. This mock draft is updated to account for those player’s decisions.

1. Philadelphia 76ers: Ben Simmons F LSU: Some say the 76ers are stuck on who to pick and some say they are dead set on Simmons. I believe he will be the number one pick in the draft due to his potential and upside. He needs time to develop and grow, but will be a great player in the NBA. He is not as NBA ready as some of the other players, but over time may be the best player drafted in the past 10 years.

   

2. Los Angeles Lakers: Brandon Ingram F Duke: Brandon Ingram is going to jump right into the NBA and start scoring. He will make a quicker impact than Ben Simmons does and has just as high of a ceiling. Ingram has the talent to go number one overall, but he will be available at number two. He will be an important part of the Lakers rebuild. He will be the best player in the draft.

   

3. Boston Celtics: Jaylen Brown F California: I still believe the Celtics will trade this pick, so whoever they draft won’t play for them. They are loaded with young talent and need to trade for a star to play with Isaiah Thomas. Whoever they trade with will have the rights to the player the Celtics draft and I believe it will be for Jaylen Brown. He spent time working out with Draymond Green, which will really help him become a good NBA player. He should turn into a very talented defender in the NBA. He has shown the ability to shoot, but is inconsistent.

   

4. Phoenix Suns: Dragan Bender F Croatia: The Suns need some front court help to go along with their talented guards. Dragan Bender is this year’s Kristaps Porzingis. He is a stretch four at 7’ 1”, whose stock is going to benefit from scouts being wrong on Porzingis. He has a decent three point shot and is getting strong. Being only 18 really helps him because he could mold into a good player.

   

5. Minnesota Timberwolves: Buddy Hield G Oklahoma: Buddy can score from anywhere at anytime on the floor. He is deadly from behind the arc and has developed a great all around scoring game that will translate well into the NBA. Some say his size is going to hurt him, but if we looked at size to determine ability, Isaiah Thomas wouldn’t be an all star. The Timberwolves can continue to build a dominate core that will grow into a championship caliber roster by going with Buddy.

   

6. New Orleans Pelicans:Kris Dunn G Providence: I originally had the Pelicans taking Jamal Murray here but Kris Dunn at seven was just too low. I tried to find a spot for him in the top five but I couldn’t. A few years back Damian Lillard was drafted around the same point of the draft and I think Kris Dunn can have that kind of same success as Lillard. Anthony Davis is the franchise player but they need a dominate guard to push this team into the playoffs. Dunn is arguably the best point guard in the draft. He would be a great young fit with the Pelicans.

   

7. Denver Nuggets: Jakob Poeltl C Utah: Denver has a lot of work cut out for them if they want to become a playoff team again. Poeltl would create a very solid front court alongside Kenneth Faried. Mudiay will continue to grow as a point guard, but Poeltl will give them a rim protector and a solid scoring option inside the post.
8. Sacramento Kings: Jamal Murray G Kentucky: Jamal Murray is one of the best players in this draft that is flying under the radar. He has superstar potential and is a very good three point shooter. He will be doing his bow and arrow celebration regularly in the NBA and the Kings are trying to create a new “era”. Murray can help lead the way.

   

9. Toronto Raptors:Henry Ellenson F Marquette: One of the Raptors flaws in the playoffs was front court depth. Ellenson will be able to provide that, along with his ability to stretch the floor. He will take time adjusting to the NBA game, but would be a good stretch front court player, who could also develop into a good rebounder.

   

10. Milwaukee Bucks: Marquese Chriss F Washington: Marquese Chriss is shooting up draft boards due to his athleticism. Many scouts think Chriss could go in the top five, but I don’t think he will go that high. He is very athletic and will dunk on anyone. He has a good wingspan that may allow him to become a good defender. He needs a lot of time to develop.

    

11. Orlando Magic: Denzel Valentine F Michigan State: Many scouts want to compare Valentine to Draymond Green and that is understandable. He has proven to be a good leader and a talented perimeter shooter but he lacks the quickness to be a higher pick. If he turns into the player he was in college, the Magic will have a great player for a long time.

    

12. Utah Jazz: Domantas Sabonis F/C Gonzaga: It is hard to predict what Utah will do. I think they will look to add depth and talent to their front court. Domantas Sabonis reminds me of a more offensively talented Joakim Noah:A good rebounder with tons of energy and passion. He will give you everything he’s got, 100% of the time.

    

13. Phoenix Suns: Cheick Diallo F Kansas: I originally did not have Diallo in my mock draft, but many scouts believe he will go in the lottery. The Suns have three first round picks and can afford to try and hit a home run with one of them. He will be a developmental project, but has a lot of upside and has a good motor.

    

14. Chicago Bulls: Skal Labissiere F Kentucky: Skal has the talent to be a top three pick, but had an underwhelming season at Kentucky. He has a good shot, but needs to get stronger for the NBA game. The Bulls will most likely let go of Noah, and possibly Gasol, so they will need help in the front court. Labissiere would also be a good fit for Fred Hoiberg’s system.

    

15. Denver Nuggets: Furkan Korkmaz: G Turkey: International players are always tough to judge because of the level of competition they play against, but Furkan Korkmaz is a natural born scorer. He is 6’7”, so he may even be able to play some small forward as well as shooting guard. His offensive game is completely well-rounded and because he is so good offensively, his defensive game is behind. He may be a bit of a developmental project, but has a lot of upside. Denver has the time to wait for this pick to develop.

    

16. Boston Celtics: Stephen Zimmerman JR C UNLV: Zimmerman is a very talented seven footer. He has above average handling ability for his size and has a very consistent mid-range jumper. He was plagued with injuries throughout the year that did not allow him to become a dominant player. He needs to hit the weights because he is skinny and will get pushed around in the NBA. With all that being said, he’s only 19 years old and could develop into a potential all star in the right system, with the right coaches.

    

17. Memphis Grizzlies: Malik Beasley G Florida State: Memphis is a team that grinds out games and plays a tough, physical defensive style. They usually struggle with having a go-to scorer. Beasley would provide an excellent scoring option for the Grizzlies. Some scouts say his weakness is creating for others, but with Mike Conley Jr. at the point, he would not have to create shots for others. He would be a perfect fit with the Grizzlies.

    

18.  Detroit Pistons:Caris LeVert G Michigan: The Pistons took a big step under Stan Van Gundy this year by making the playoffs. Now they need to add depth to take another step in the playoffs. LaVert would be a viable option off the bench and could develop into a long-time starter.

    

19. Denver Nuggets: Deyonta Davis F Michigan State: This would be Denver’s third pick of the first round. It is possible they use all three picks to trade up, but if they decide to keep all three of the picks, they would try to take the best player available, Devonta Davis. Davis is big and has been molded by Tom Izzo. His game may grow in the NBA, but as of now he is an offensive liability. Time will tell if he can develop his offensive game, but he is NBA ready on the defensive end.

    

20. Indiana Pacers: Tyler Ulis G Kentucky: Paul George is a superstar and Myles Turner has shown brilliant flashes. For the Pacers to take the next step they need to find a solid point guard and drafting Ulis would give them that. The common knock on Ulis is that he is too small. If you watched any Kentucky games you know he made up for his size in his ability to create for his teammates and score. He is a gritty team leader and Indiana would get a quality player if they drafted Ulis

    

21. Atlanta Hawks: Taurean Prince: F Baylor: Atlanta needs a player who can defend against other teams’ best players in the playoffs. With Teague, Horford and Millsap the Hawks have plenty of scoring. In reality, they need someone to slow down LeBron if they want to get further in the playoffs. Prince has great length and good defensive instincts. He would be a great fit with the Hawks.

    

22. Charlotte Hornets: Brice Johnson F North Carolina: Brice Johnson had a tremendous year for North Carolina. He is very athletic and is a high percentage shooter. He needs to bulk up some for the NBA, but that should happen over time. Brice Johnson could be the piece the Hornets need to make a deeper playoff run next season.

    

23. Boston Celtics: Thon Maker F/C Australia: This would be the third pick for the Celtics and they could afford to take a risk. The Celtics may trade, but if they don’t, I see them taking a very talented, yet unknown, Thon Maker. He is a freak athlete at 7’1”, who has great handles for his size. He could turn out to be the best player in the draft, or the worst. Only time will tell.

    

24. Philadelphia 76ers: Patrick McCaw G UNLV: McCaw was UNLV’s leading scorer and at 6’7” he has great size for the NBA. He can play on the ball and off the ball. His versatility and athleticism is what will intrigue teams. He is also good for at least one steal that leads to a breakaway dunk per game, as he did it regularly while at UNLV.

    

25. Los Angeles Clippers: Demetrius Jackson G Notre Dame: Jackson has a nice burst of explosion and has a great assist to turnover ratio. He is polished, developed and will be one of the older players drafted. Because of his age you expect to get a more mature player who is capable of dictating an offense. The Clippers will look to add depth and Jackson would be a good second option to have behind Chris Paul.

    

26. Philadelphia 76ers:Timothe Luwawu G France: There is a chance the Sixers package picks 24 and 26 to move up for a better guard, but if they keep both picks look for them to take Timonthe Luwawu who is a bit of an unknown from France. He stands at 6’7” which is great for a guard. He is quick off the dribble and a good three point shooter.

    

27. Toronto Raptors: Malachi Richardson G Syracuse: A lot of teams have started to fall in love with Richardson. He has the ability to create shots, but needs to develop other parts of his game. This pick may take a while to develop but they may need him sooner if Demar DeRozan leaves this summer.

    

28. Phoenix Suns: DeAndre Bembry G St Joesph’s: The Suns may not have a huge need for another guard, but they have three first round picks. Bembry can score from any part of the floor and would be a good option for anyone needing some scoring.

    

29. San Antonio Spurs: Gary Payton II G Oregon State: Tony Parker isn’t getting any younger and the Spurs need to look at developing his replacement. Payton is just like his dad when it comes to getting his hands on the ball defensively and  Gregg Popovich will love that. He is also very explosive and athletic and he could be a great piece to go along with LaMarcus Aldridge and Kawhi Leonard.

    

30. Golden State Warriors: Damian Jones F/C Vanderbilt: Damian Jones is a very athletic seven footer who was instrumental in the success of Vanderbilt. Drafting Jones would create a deeper front court for the Warriors.