With the Final Four upon us, players declaring for the draft and the NBA standings still in commotion, it's time for our second mock draft of the season. Here's our best stab at the first round (assuming every eligible prospect declares) taking into account team needs.
(If you want to see what your team would do with the No. 1 pick, play our
Lottery Mock Draft, which has more than 2,000 scenarios. Also check out our
Top 100 list, which is a reflection of the consensus of NBA scouts and GMs about a player's relative draft value.)
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Charlotte
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Anthony Davis
| Position: PF
Height: 6-foot-10
Weight: 220 pounds
Age: 19
School: Kentucky |
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(The Bobcats have a 25 percent chance of winning the lottery.)
Analysis: The Bobcats, along with every other team in the lottery, got a huge scare on Sunday when Davis went down with what looked like a knee injury. Davis ended up being just fine, allowing Wildcats fans and everyone to breath a sigh of relief. Whether you think this draft is really good or just so-so, it drops dramatically if Davis isn't in it.
For the Bobcats, Davis could be a franchise changer. Pair him together with Bismack Biyombo on the front line, and I'm not sure anyone will score in the paint against them.
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(The Wizards have a 19.9 percent chance of winning the lottery.)
Analysis: The Wizards got two encouraging signs this weekend: (1) Kidd-Gilchrist shook off a mini-slump to produce two of the best games of his career in propelling Kentucky to the Final Four, and (2) sources say MKG will
declare for the draft after the Wildcats' season is over.
Kidd-Gilchrist tweeted that he hasn't actually made a decision yet, but given his previous stance was that he intended to stay in school, the writing is on the wall. Adding his toughness and leadership would be crucial for a Wizards team that is in desperate need of both.
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New Orleans
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Thomas Robinson
| Position: PF
Height: 6-foot-9
Weight: 237 pounds
Age: 21
School: Kansas |
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(The Hornets have a 15.6 percent chance of winning the lottery.)
Analysis: The Hornets will have a tough call here. Andre Drummond has more upside, but if they're trying to build a team around winners, then Robinson is the man. He has carried a mediocre Kansas team on his back to the Final Four and just refuses to back down. He'll bring toughness, physicality and energy to the paint in New Orleans.
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Portland (via Nets)
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Bradley Beal
| Position: SG
Height: 6-foot-5
Weight: 195 pounds
Age: 18
School: Florida |
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(The Blazers have an 11.9 percent chance of winning the lottery.)
Analysis: The Blazers grabbed this pick from the Nets as part of the Gerald Wallace deal the teams struck before the trade deadline. It's Top 3 protected, so the pick could still revert back to New Jersey. Beal is coming off a terrific weekend in which he finally started playing like the talent he is. He would be a perfect long-term replacement for Brandon Roy.
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Toronto
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Andre Drummond
| Position: C
Height: 6-foot-11
Weight: 275 pounds
Age: 18
School: UConn |
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(The Raptors have an 8.8 percent chance of winning the lottery.)
Analysis: The Raptors have been looking for a legit small forward for the past several years and Harrison Barnes would be a perfect fit. However, after Barnes' struggles this past weekend against Ohio and Kansas, the Raptors may want to take another look to see if he still has the upside we all thought he did coming out of high school.
Drummond has been a disappointment, too, but if you are going to miss, you probably ought to miss big. Pairing him in a frontcourt with last year's lottery pick, Jonas Valanciunas, could finally make Andrea Bargnani expendable.
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Detroit
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Cody Zeller
| Position: C
Height: 6-foot-11
Weight: 210 pounds
Age: 19
School: Indiana |
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(The Pistons have a 5.4 percent chance of winning the lottery.)
Analysis: The Pistons are in desperate need of size and athleticism in the frontcourt. While I think the Pistons would prefer Drummond, Zeller would still be a great get. He's quick, tough and very polished for a freshman. Pairing him with Greg Monroe would immediately make the Pistons better -- if Zeller actually decides to declare.
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Sacramento
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Harrison Barnes
| Position: SF
Height: 6-foot-8
Weight: 210 pounds
Age: 19
School: North Carolina |
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(The Kings have a 5.3 percent chance of winning the lottery.)
Analysis: The Kings need a small forward and landing Barnes at this point in the draft could be a steal. Yes, he looked oddly passive late in the season and seems one-dimensional, but Barnes' ability to defend and shoot the jumper should be welcome in Sacramento. If he turns into a Danny Granger/Glen Rice sort of player down the road, the Kings would get great value here.
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Cleveland
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Perry Jones III
| Position: PF
Height: 6-foot-11
Weight: 235 pounds
Age: 20
School: Baylor |
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(The Cavs have a 2.8 percent chance of winning the lottery.)
Analysis: The Cavs need talent and, based on pure talent, there are few players who hold a candle to Jones. He's struggled to stay engaged offensively and defensively for Baylor, which is a huge concern -- if Jones didn't have those issues, he'd be battling Davis for the No. 1 pick. But at some point in the draft the reward outweighs the risk. What do the Cavs have to lose here?
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Utah (via Warriors)
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Damian Lillard
| Position: PG
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 185 pounds
Age: 21
School: Weber State |
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(The Jazz have a 1.7 percent chance of winning the lottery.)
Analysis: The Jazz need a point guard, but this draft doesn't appear to have an elite PG prospect right now. The question is whether to go with Lillard (an explosive scorer who can play both positions), Kendall Marshall (a pure point guard who is an excellent facilitator) or Tony Wroten Jr. (the most talented of the group, but also the riskiest). I think they split the difference and go with Lillard, but the truth is this decision is very much up in the air right now.
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Milwaukee
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James Michael McAdoo
| Position: PF
Height: 6-foot-9
Weight: 233 pounds
Age: 19
School: North Carolina |
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(The Bucks have a 1.1 percent chance of winning the lottery.)
Analysis: McAdoo had a breakout game against Kansas in the Elite Eight, scoring 15 points in 19 minutes. He's unproven, but his athleticism, versatility and upside make him a pretty safe pick at No. 10. McAdoo isn't really a need for the Bucks, but they can keep collecting talent.
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Portland
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Tyler Zeller
| Position: C
Height: 7-foot
Weight: 235 pounds
Age: 22
School: North Carolina |
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(The Blazers have a 0.8 percent chance of winning the lottery.)
Analysis: If the Blazers can land Beal with their first pick, they would likely look to fill one of their holes at center or point guard. In a weak point guard draft, their two available options at the 1 would be Marshall and Wroten. While both have strengths, I think the Blazers would rather go big and take Zeller. He's not going to be a star, but the senior runs the floor like a guard and has improved each season.
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New Orleans
(via Wolves)
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Kendall Marshall
| Position: PG
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 188 pounds
Age: 20
School: North Carolina |
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(The Hornets have a 0.7 percent chance of winning the lottery.)
Analysis: Marshall helped his stock more than any player in the tournament last weekend, even though he didn't play a minute. North Carolina, with all of its talent, struggled to find a coherent offense without Marshall conducting the show. He's not Chris Paul, but he would make everyone around him better in New Orleans.
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Phoenix
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Jared Sullinger
| Position: PF
Height: 6-foot-9
Weight: 280 pounds
Age: 20
School: Ohio State |
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(The Suns have a 0.6 percent chance of winning the lottery.)
Analysis: Sullinger doesn't necessarily fill a need -- the Suns drafted Markieff Morris to play the 4 last year -- but he's the best player left on the board and the type of guy who could immediately give Phoenix a very different but dominant look in the paint.
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Houston
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Jeremy Lamb
| Position: SG
Height: 6-foot-5
Weight: 185 pounds
Age: 19
School: UConn |
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(The Rockets have a 0.5 percent chance of winning the lottery.)
Analysis: Lamb is a versatile swingman somewhat in the mold of Kevin Martin. But with Martin heading into the last year of his deal in Houston, Lamb could be a nice long-term replacement.
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Houston (via Knicks)
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John Henson
| Position: PF
Height: 6-foot-10
Weight: 210 pounds
Age: 21
School: North Carolina |
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Analysis: The Rockets lack long, athletic bigs, and Henson would give them a defensive presence who can guard both forward positions. He's still raw offensively, but he has a little Andrei Kirilenko in his game.
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Denver
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Terrence Jones
| Position: PF
Height: 6-foot-8
Weight: 244 pounds
Age: 20
School: Kentucky |
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Analysis: Jones has enough talent to be five or six spots higher in the draft, but his inconsistent attitude may push him down a few spots. He'd be a great fit for the Nuggets, another versatile player who can play either forward position and shoot the basketball.
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Minnesota (via Jazz)
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Austin Rivers
| Position: SG
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 199 pounds
Age: 19
School: Duke |
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Analysis: The Wolves would get this pick if the Jazz fall out of the lottery. Minnesota's biggest need is at 2-guard and Rivers would be a fantastic fit. His abilities to get to the basket and shoot from downtown are coveted, and with alpha dogs Ricky Rubio and Kevin Love already in place, Rivers may actually start playing to his strengths instead of trying to take over the team like he did at Duke.
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Boston
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Royce White
| Position: SF
Height: 6-foot-8
Weight: 240 pounds
Age: 20
School: Iowa State |
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Analysis: White has as much talent as virtually anyone in this draft. But there are questions about some off-court issues and an anxiety disorder that includes the fear of flying. I think Doc Rivers might be the perfect coach to get through to him.
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Philadelphia
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Terrence Ross
| Position: SG
Height: 6-foot-6
Weight: 190 pounds
Age: 21
School: Washington |
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Analysis: Jodie Meeks is the closest thing the Sixers have to a great 3-point shooter. Adding Ross should be an instant upgrade at the backup shooting guard spot.
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Memphis
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Meyers Leonard
| Position: C
Height: 7-foot
Weight: 240 pounds
Age: 20
School: Illinois |
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Analysis: Leonard isn't the most polished big man in the draft, but that seems to be the sort of thing owner Michael Heisley loves. Marc Gasol is great, but after him the Grizzlies really do need some help in the middle.
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Houston (via Mavs)
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Quincy Miller
| Position: SF
Height: 6-foot-9
Weight: 210 pounds
Age: 19
School: Baylor |
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Analysis: Here the Rockets go for a player with a lot more talent than his draft position suggests. Miller is still working through some issues from an ACL surgery in his senior year of high school and was not a primary option for Baylor this season. But if he declares, he has tremendous upside at the 3.
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Boston (via Clippers)
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Dion Waiters
| Position: SG
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 215 pounds
Age: 20
School: Syracuse |
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Analysis: Danny Ainge has never been one to shy away from troubled talent, and in Waiters he could land a star. While size is a much bigger need, Waiters' abilities to get to the basket and score in transition are impressive. If he has matured, the Celtics could be getting a steal here.
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Atlanta
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Tony Wroten Jr.
| Position: PG
Height: 6-foot-5
Weight: 205 pounds
Age: 18
School: Washington |
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Analysis: The Hawks continue their search for a real point guard. Jeff Teague has been solid this season, but Wroten has so much more upside. On talent alone, he should be a top-5 pick. He's a steal if the Hawks get him here.
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Indiana
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Patric Young
| Position: C
Height: 6-foot-9
Weight: 245 pounds
Age: 20
School: Florida |
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Analysis: The Pacers are always looking for toughness and defense in the frontcourt, and Young brings both. Jeff Foster's midseason retirement has been a blow, but Young could end up doing some of the same things. He doesn't do much of anything on the offensive end, but he has Ben Wallace-like potential on defense. Young has stated that he'll be returning to Florida for his junior season.
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Cleveland (via Lakers)
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Jeff Taylor
| Position: SF
Height: 6-foot-7
Weight: 225 pounds
Age: 22
School: Vanderbilt |
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Analysis: Taylor is another elite athlete who can play way above the rim. What he's lacked for most of his career is a great jump shot. But Taylor has improved dramatically in that area lately, making him a lethal weapon on both ends of the floor. The Cavs really need help at the 3, making this a nice match.
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Orlando
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Arnett Moultrie
| Position: PF
Height: 6-foot-11
Weight: 225 pounds
Age: 21
School: Mississippi State |
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Analysis: Moultrie has all the physical tools to be a dominant NBA player. He is long and super athletic and can even get things done on the perimeter. He's just taken a little longer to develop.
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Golden State
(via Spurs)
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Moe Harkless
| Position: SF
Height: 6-foot-8
Weight: 190 pounds
Age: 18
School: St. John's |
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Analysis: The Warriors could really use some help at the small forward position. Harkless reminds me a little of Trevor Ariza. He is a terrific scorer and defender who needs to get a more settled jump shot.
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Miami
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Draymond Green
| Position: SF
Height: 6-foot-6
Weight: 235 pounds
Age: 22
School: Michigan State |
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Analysis: The Heat need players with experience who excel in bringing out the best in their teammates. Green can be a point-forward type who does a little bit of everything. Think of him as a better-passing Udonis Haslem.
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Oklahoma City
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Mason Plumlee
| Position: PF
Height: 6-foot-10
Weight: 230 pounds
Age: 22
School: Duke |
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Analysis: Plumlee's upside is probably similar to that of the Pacers' Jeff Foster. While he won't be a dominant player on either end of the floor, he's big, he'll defend and he'll flush things around the rim.
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Chicago
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Andrew Nicholson
| Position: PF
Height: 6-foot-9
Weight: 222 pounds
Age: 22
School: St. Bonaventure |
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Analysis: Nicholson has gotten dramatically better every season and has some David West to his game. He would be a good fit in Chicago -- especially since the Bulls wouldn't mind finding a new home for Carlos Boozer this summer.
Next Five In: C.J. Leslie, NC State;
Tony Mitchell, North Texas;
B.J. Young, Arkansas;
C.J. McCollum, Lehigh;
Josh Smith, UCLA.
