Once again, this is how I would draft 1-60. Not predicting trades. (But I'd expect a ton of them.)
1. Minnesota Timberwolves - Karl-Anthony Towns, Kentucky, C, Freshman
Don't let the low numbers at Kentucky fool you, Towns is the best overall big man in the draft. Even though the NBA is going smaller and smaller an elite big like this would be dumb to pass on.
2. Los Angeles Lakers - Jahlil Okafor, Duke, C, Freshman
One of the worst defensive bigs in the history of college, least that's what it sounds like now. Skilled offensively was the top rated guy just about all year until everyone realized Towns was better.
3. Philadelphia 76ers - D'Angelo Russell, Ohio State, PG, Freshman
Can do it all. (Hopefully a lot better than Evan Turner, who put up similar numbers at OSU). Perhaps the most NBA ready guard in the Draft, could see LA grabbing him at #2.
4. New York Knicks - Justise Winslow, Duke, SG, Freshman
This is my favorite player in the Draft. I wouldn't take him over those other guys, but Winslow could be a perennial All-Star. D is there right now, O not far behind.
5. Orlando Magic - Trey Lyles, Kentucky, F, Freshman
I honestly don't know what to expect out of Lyles at the next level. Maybe the most intriguing prospect in the Draft. #5? Seems high.
6. Sacramento Kings - Emmanuel Mudiay, China, PG, International
Wish he played at SMU. I'd have a much better idea of what kind of player he is. Year in China playing Yi Jianlain had to help. Right?
7. Denver Nuggets - Kristaps Porzingis, Latvia, PF, International
Love the comparisons for Porzingis. Basically every Euro player drafted in the lottery in the last decade. Never seen him play. Probably risky to take at #7.
8. Detroit Pistons - Bobby Portis, Arkansas, PF, Sophomore
SEC Player of the Year. Love Portis. Not an above the rim type guy but I could see him being a double-double player.
9. Charlotte Hornets - Devin Booker, Kentucky, SG, Freshman
Best shooter in the Draft? Yes. Best shooter in the Draft.
10. Miami Heat - Stanley Johnson, Arizona, SF, Freshman
Expected a lot more out of him last year at Arizona, but like Lyles, so much potential.
11. Indiana Pacers - Willie Cauley-Stein, Kentucky, C, Junior
All D no O. But is he good enough at that end to be worth it? Ben Wallace was.
12. Utah Jazz - Sam Dekker, Wisconsin, SF, Junior
I like him more than his teammate Frank the Tank. Dekker can do a lot, sneaky athletic (something you say when it's a white guy).
13. Phoenix Suns - Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Arizona, SF, Sophomore
I'm a fan of Hollis-Jefferson and his ability to guard perimeter players. He's not going to score a lot, but could fit a nice role for a team.
14. Oklahoma City Thunder - Montrezl Harrell, Louisville, PF, Junior
Lottery might be high for Harrell, but this isn't the greatest draft in the world. Tough guy who can bang and shoot it a bit.
15. Atlanta Hawks - Kelly Oubre, Kansas, SF, Freshman
Expected more from Oubre this year as well. Is he James Young? Is that good? I don't know. I'd lean, yes...?
16. Boston Celtics - Myles Turner, Texas, C, Freshman
Does NOT move very well, but he's a mountain of a man. Clogs up the paint and has an offensive game to boot.
17. Milwaukee Bucks - Cameron Payne, Murray State, PG, Sophomore
How do you not like these small school PGs? Curry (Davidson), Lillard (Weber St.), Payton (La-Lafayette),
18. Houston Rockets - Frank Kaminsky, Wisconsin, PF, Senior
I just don't see him being great in the NBA. Although watching the NCAA Tournament he can shoot so that won't hurt.
19. Washington Wizards - Jordan Mickey, LSU, PF, Sophomore
Kinda wish he stayed at LSU to play with Ben Simmons. Although that would not be a Top 3 wish of mine overall.
20. Toronto Raptors - RJ Hunter, Georgia State, SG, Junior
Did not shoot it very well last year (<30% from 3), but this will have to become his calling card to be a worth while NBA player.
21. Dallas Mavericks - Delon Wright, Utah, G, Senior
Poor man's D'Angelo Russell. He is also the brother of Dorell Wright.
22. Chicago Bulls - Jospeh Young, Oregon, G, Senior
Perhaps the best scorer in the Draft. He returned for his senior year and was the PAC-12 Player of the Year. Fun to watch, little Allen Iverson-ish.
23. Portland Trail Blazers - Robert Upshaw, Washington, C, Sophomore
Guy has reach for days. He can block shots, not sure what else.
24. Cleveland Cavaliers - Rashad Vaughn, UNLV, SG, Freshman
Solid shooter. Come to think of it, "Shooter" with Mark Walhberg was a solid film.
25. Memphis Grizzlies - Tyus Jones, Duke, PG, Freshman
Nice little point guard. Emphasis on the "little."
26. San Antonio Spurs - Mario Hezonja, Croatia, G/F, International
Everyone has him going in the lottery. I get scared off easy. For every Dirk & Gasol there's a ton of Jan Vesley's, Tskitishvili's, Yi's, etc.
27. Los Angeles Lakers - Jerian Grant, Notre Dame, PG, Senior
Harvey Grant's son, Horace's nephew. Solid player for the Irish.
28. Boston Celtics - Aaron Harrison, Kentucky, SG, Sophomore
Harrison (both really) were so overrated to the point where I now think they are a bit underrated. Maybe they won't go in Round 1, but I'll take
29. Brooklyn Nets - Dakari Johnson, Kentucky, C, Sophomore
Clearly I like the Kentucky guys more than anyone else. I saw them play more than anyone else. I think Johnson could be a decent rotational big.
30. Golden State Warriors - Kevon Looney, UCLA, PF, Freshman
NBA body who can rebound. I wonder if he will ever be able to score consistently.
2nd Round:
31. Timberwolves - Justin Anderson, Virginia, SF, Junior
32. Rockets - Andrew Harrison, Kentucky, PG, Sophomore
33. Celtics - Larry Nance Jr., Wyoming,
34. Lakers - Christian Wood, UNLV, PF, Sophomore
35. 76ers - Cliff Alexander, Kansas, PF, Freshman
36. Timberwolves - Michael Frazier, Florida, SG, Sophomore
37. 76ers - Rakeem Christmas, Syracuse, PF, Senior
38. Pistons - Terry Rozier, Louisville, PG, Sophomore
39. Hornets - Jonathan Holmes, Texas, F, Senior
40. Heat - Chris McCullough, Syracuse, PF, Freshman
41. Nets - J.P. Tokoto, North Carolina, SG, Junior
42. Jazz - Pat Connaughton, Notre Dame, SG, Senior
43. Pacers - Vince Hunter, UTEP, PF, Sophomore
44. Suns - Anthony Brown, Stanford, SF, Senior
45. Celtics - Josh Richardson, Tennessee, SG, Senior
46. Bucks - Dez Wells, Maryland, SG, Senior
47. 76ers - Michael Qualls, Arkansas, SG, Junior
48. Thunder - D.J. Newbill, Penn State, SG, Senior
49. Wizards - Terran Petteway, Nebraska, SG, Junior
50. Hawks - Branden Dawson, Michigan State, PF, Senior
51. Magic - Marcus Thornton, William & Mary, G, Senior
52. Mavericks - Olivier Hanlan, Boston College, G, Junior
53. Cavaliers - Norman Powell, UCLA, SG, Senior
54. Jazz - Richaun Holmes, Bowling Green, PF, Senior
55. Spurs - Ryan Boatright, UConn, PG, Senior
56. Pelicans - Brandon Ashley, Arizona, PF, Junior
57. Nuggets - Cady Lalanne, UMass, PF, Senior
58. 76ers - Chris Walker, Florida, PF, Sophomore
59. Hawks - Quinn Cook, Duke, PG, Senior
60. 76ers - T.J. McConnell, Arizona, PG, Senior
