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Blue = NC
Green = Cloud
1. Charlotte Hornets
NC: Chane Behanan
Charlotte is going to need a big man to anchor down the post and at #1 I can see them taking the best post player in the draft. Another idea for the Hornets is trying to trade down in an attempt to acquire multiple picks. Maybe the Knicks would be willing to trade 4/10 for the first pick or the Kings sending 6/12.
Cloud: Melvin Ejim
Charlotte can't afford to blow this pick, they need assets in the worst way possible, and while I don't see Ejim being a superstar by any means, I think at worst he's going to be a consistent starting caliber SF throughout his career. SF is one of the thinner positions in the league at the moment. Ejim posseses the 4th best inside scoring, the 2nd best defense, 4th best rebounding and the 9th highest potential. His potential is the highest scouted "B" in the class, which would put him right around the 78 - 80 range of potential, so after summer league he's a legitimate "A" scouted potential prospect with a strong skillset to work with.
2. Dallas Mavericks
*Can Arizona's blue chip point guard live up to his potential at the next level?*
NC: Josiah Turner
Turner is a player I think that has the best chance at blowing up in this class. I think he has high athletics, and adds a good base plus elite potential and that gives him a good chance to become great.
Cloud: Josiah Turner
I shared the above sentiments with NC when we had a discussion about the draft class following the release of his first mock draft, so my thoughts reflect what he's written above, but Turner is the guy who I think has the most compelling argument for becoming a star in this class (Which is not saying much tbh). I think he's an extremely risky pick, but Dallas is in a position where they can afford to swing for the fences and hope that they strike gold. They need a franchise cornerstone in the worst way, so if they can get blessed with the right TC, Turner may be the next great athletic PG to make his mark on the league.
3. Indiana Pacers
NC: Melvin Ejim
Ejim is the best overall player in the draft and would be too good to pass up at 3 for Indiana. Jamail Jones could slide over to shooting guard to allow Ejim to start day 1 at SF.
Cloud: Joseph Uchebo
If I'm beats at this pick, I'm probably looking to get another big man here at this stage in my rebuild. He's already got his franchise PG of the future, and he's drafted some interesting wings, but the frontcourt is the obvious weak spot right now. He's taken some pretty big swings at trying to hit on a teen who's going to become the next big thing, but that hasn't happened yet, so imo he needs to play it safe and walk away with a legitimate asset. I'm taking Uchebo here. Best rebounder in the class, 2nd best inside scorer, potential is #21 overall in the class, probably mid to low 70's which should give him a solid 3-4 TCs of development along with coaching and camps. I wouldn't at all be shocked to see Uchebo at B B B after his first TC, and he's a big bodied guy who is probably pretty strong which will lead to being a productive player on the court.
4. New York Knicks (via. Los Angeles Lakers)
*LaQuinton Ross will be a high lottery pick this June, but whether he can live up to expectations remains to be seen*
NC: LaQuinton Ross
I’m not too sure what the Knicks were doing this year. They traded away Svet for Patrick Baldwin Jr. and made some free agent signings but look to not be in the postseason this year. Ross is one of my favorite players in this draft class and the Knicks taking a wing makes since with their youth in the post and at guard.
Cloud: LaQuinton Ross
The guy I want to mock here doesn't make sense with the Knicks current roster construction (Aaron Craft), but he just feels like such a Frank guy, so I'll agree with NC here. I absolutely hate Ross' handles and the thought of him being an option, most likely lacks passing and quickness moreso than a TO guy, so just kind of a meh option without TC love but he makes the most sense with the Knicks current roster. Dudes got a million dope PGs and some interesting bigs.
5. Houston Rockets
*Aaron Craft's reaction after being selected by the Rockets on draft night*
NC: Aaron Craft
Craft has elite handles and defense and fringe outside/rebounding in addition to the 11th best potential. Craft will be a great starting piece for Houston’s rebuild.
Cloud: Aaron Craft
The former Buckeye Captain is arguably the 2nd best prospect in this class. He's a very well-rounded floor general with a good amount of untapped potential to work with. I'm sure normies will overreact and bitch about him being 22 years old, which is partially why he drops all the way to 5 here. Houston is bar none the most irrelevant franchise in the league, so it's disappointing to see an interesting prospect like Craft ending up there, especially since he'll be traded away with future picks for some overpaid, declining big man in a matter of 3 seasons anyways, but I digress.
6. Sacramento Kings
NC: Kevin Ware
Kevin Ware will be too good to pass up at 6 for Sacramento. Anthony Marshall looks much more raw than I anticipated, so I could see Sacramento taking a chance on another PG in this draft. Ware has a great base and the 2nd best potential in this class.
Cloud: Myles Mack
Sacramento has nothing cooking in the back-court and they badly need a guy who can provide a spark at the games most important position. So I agree with NC in the fact that they'll target a teen PG here... but I opt for Myles Mack. I think Mack is the most interesting teenager in this draft, he has the look and feel of a guy who's going to teen boost and become pretty good. He had better scoring volume than Ware at the collegiate level, he's got better handles, inside scoring, outside shooting and slightly better rebounding, whereas Ware has the edge defensively and with potential.
7. Vancouver Grizzlies
NC: Wayne Blackshear
Blackshear is the 3rd former Louisville player to be taken in the top 7 and is our biggest riser from Mock Draft 1.1 to 1.2. Blackshear has jumped up the board from undrafted to 7 due to his elite potential and fringe outside shooting.
Cloud: B.J. Young
Easiest pick of the draft. Donkey continues his meme for B.J. and takes his former love-child. Young would actually be the most interesting teenager in the draft if his potential wasn't so low. He's got solid handles, good defense, and solid starting scoring ratings. If he can boost this would be a mega steal at #7.
8. Portland Trailblazers
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*Can Collier buck the trend of a non-traditional big becoming a success story? Greeme is somewhere screaming otherwise*
NC: Devon Collier
Collier has the best chance to become a volume scorer among the post players taken in the lottery in my opinion. With top 5 potential he would be a great pick for Portland.
Cloud: Devon Collier
NC and I are in lock-step again here. Collier is intriguing to me, the only sketchy part is his lack of ferocity on the boards. I think he's got enough potential to get his rebounding up to a passable level, probably B- in his prime, but his scoring and defense should makeup for his lack of effort on the glass. I project him to be a similar player to Davion Bradford, the starting Center of the Philadelphia 76ers, who I am higher on than others who seem to shit on him for reasons that have never been fully explained to me. But yeah, I've got the Oregon State product staying in state with the Blazers.
9. Brooklyn Nets
NC: Myles Mack
Myles Mack is a teen with great potential and I believe he will be a high volume scorer. He is one of the more underrated guards in this guard heavy draft in my opinion.
Cloud: Chane Behanan
Let me be perfectly clear here. I do not like Chane, like, at all. He's going to shoot horrible FT %'s and he's also going to hoist up ill-advised 3PT attempts and shoot those at a horrible clip too, he's not going to block shots, and last but not least, he's going to turn the ball over. Some idiot most likely takes the bait thinking that his ratings and potential look nice, and they'll be wrong, but what can you do. However, this is a total Scott pick if he slides all the way to #9. He'll use up his entire clock on draft night, I'll have to tag him to hurry up and pick and he'll push it to the last second and then say Behanan is his pick and say how it was a steal.
10. New York Knicks
*Luka Mitrovic is the definition of a boom or bust prospect, it'll be interesting to see if his game translates in America*
NC: Luka Mitrovic
Last year the Knicks took a 17 year old, why not do it again. Luka showed signs of good volume overseas in Europe.
Cloud: Luka Mitrovic
As we've touched on before, the Knicks have a great backcourt and some potential up front, but they don't have much of note on the wings. Frank is Ebbs cousin, and ebbs sucks the skin off of Luka Doncic (and Trae Young for some odd reason) every chance he gets, plus Frank got 2 teenagers to boost last TC, so it only makes sense Frank rolls the dice on Luka Mitrovic here. All jokes aside I actually do think Mitrovic is pretty interesting, you can't hate 3 free TCs, anything could happen.
11. Detroit Pistons
*Look, I found a picture of Pointer, doing some pointing*
NC: Sir'Dominic Pointer
Best teen available according to MAPLESCOUTING goes to Panic. Y’all understand why.
Cloud: Sir'Dominic Pointer
Panic is a clueless idiot with zero respect for anyone else's time. He has no strategy, and he doesn't even actively manage his team, he just shows up on draft night, makes us all wait forever, does his stupid "wait" shtick which btw isn't even slightly humorous, and then picks whatever teenager is left on the board, and then when they boost in TC because he is the luckiest fucking GM of all-time, he acts like he predicted the blow-up. He also just repeats every lukewarm take Zach Lowe tweets out and then regurgitates it as his own analysis in groupme. With that being said, this guy sucks and so does Sir'dominic Pointer.
12. Sacramento Kings (via. Miami Heat)
NC: Adjehi Baru
Taking Ware at 6 and Baru at 12 would give Sacramento the 2 players with the highest potential in this draft class. Baru is much more raw than Ware, but this duo would probably enter this TC as the duo with the highest combined potential in the league.
Cloud: Wayne Blackshear
Sacramento takes a chance on a high potential wing to fill their SF void and become the running mate of their new franchise Point Guard, Myles Mack, taken at #6 overall. Blackshear is one of my favorite guys in this draft, which, again, isn't saying much (this draft is really shitty), but if he's able to put his potential to work he should be a pretty respectable 2-way wing, and there's always a need for guys of that stature in the league. Might as well swing for the fences with potential this late in the lottery. I also wouldn't be surprised at ty doubling down here and taking Kevin Ware and just hoping one of him or Mack becomes that guy they need at PG, but it's probably wiser to diversify picks at different positions.
13. Milwaukee Bucks
NC: Joseph Uchebo
Uchebo is the best rebounding big in this class. The Bucks will be looking to bounce back into the playoffs next year and Uchebo could provide an immediate impact to help that happen.
Cloud: Adjehi Baru
Bol Bol is declining and will be on the final year of his contract heading into his age 34 season, so the Bucks should be looking ahead to the future by nabbing their Center of the future. Baru is certainly raw, and it'll take some time for him to arrive, but he's got the highest potential in the draft, so the payoff should be worth the investment here at the end of the lottery.
14. Cleveland Cavaliers
NC: Shannon Scott
Scott at 14 is best case scenario for whichever team lands this pick. Super fringey guard that will need the full DLG help if he doesn’t teen pot boost.
Cloud: Kevin Ware
Cavaliers GM, Hokeyrules, literally only picks teens for whatever reason, and it usually doesn't work out for him (seriously hokey re-adjust your drafting habits), but in this case he gets lucky that Kevin Ware drops and falls into his lap and he gets a teenager with big upside. I'm weary that Ware will lack volume, but he could become a poor mans Cam Reddish if everything breaks right for him down the line.
15. Los Angeles Clippers
NC: Eric Flor
A trend in this draft is international guards having volume overseas. Flor is one of those guys.
Cloud: Marcis Vitols
The Clippers have finally transitioned out of the all out tank phase, to trying to win some games again for the first time in the post-Cloud GM era. The Clippers take the best player available in Marcis Vitols, in the perfect spot in the draft for Vitols as he now gets 2 SL's and a full D-League to help him develop. Vitols is the best scorer coming out of the draft, and he's one of the better ball handlers as well. He projects as a very promising role player and potential super sub star that any team would be happy to have on their roster.
16. Philadelphia 76ers
NC: Leo Vendrame
Leo’s defense needs a ton of work, will need time to develop as an 18 year old raw prospect.
Cloud: Fabian Jaimes
Feel like this is someone who ends up scoring well on Foreman's scouting sheet. Plus rebounder at SF, fringe inside scoring, defense isn't far off from B-. Could realistically look like B- C+ D+ B- C+ after his first SL / TC. Not a star by any stretch but could probably be a relatively interesting role player. I just can't help but look at him and feel Philadelphia being written all over him.
17. Phoenix Suns
NC: Amir Williams
Williams is the best non lottery graded big man in this class. Would be a nice snag at 17 for any team.
Cloud: Hunter Mickelson
*Insert whiney ass normie voice that all of you have in your head as you read this* Huh??? What's so special about Mickelson? He isn't a teen... he isn't a big potential guy... hE dOeSn'T eVeN hAvE fRiNgEzZzZ. This is why a lot of you are trash at drafting, everyone's so caught up in drafting the next big teen to blow up, which btw almost never happens and statistically has got to be sitting at a sub 3% success rate, instead of just taking what's available and realising that landing a solid role player at a certain point in the draft is a win in and of itself. Some asset > a wasted asset. This is why the same teams always win, but I digress. Gentleman and Jon... I present to you, the next great, hidden, block king. In 4 collegiate seasons, when extrapolated out to starter minutes, Mickelson averaged (by year) 5.2 BPG, 2.9 BPG, 5.7 BPG snd 4.6 BPG... Mans can swat with the best of them. Could I potentially interest anyone in Mickelson's Junior and Senior seasons at Kansas where he averaged extrapolated starter statistics of 12.7PPG / 11.1 RPG / 5 BPG / 2.4 SPG / 1.6 APG / 1.9 TOPG on 46.1% from the field and 77.4% from the FT Line? Anyone interested in some of that coming off their bench to spell their starters? Well, I think air and the Suns will seeing as how he's all about doing this weird thing where he accrues all of the midkey trash big men who can block, so this is the perfect landing spot for Mickelson. You're welcome for the scoop, peasants.
18. Minnesota Timberwolves
NC: Dick Nemelka
Dick has elite handles and defense with the 27th best potential. Love his rebounding at PG as well.
Cloud: Amir Williams
Why does this draft have like nothing but Ohio State players? Whatever though, Minnesota is going to need help up front with Ayton expiring and going into his age 36 season. The savvy move here would be to select Amir Williams and hope that he can take some sort of boost and eventually get to a point where he and Dave Debusschere are your frontcourt of the future. Williams was hyper efficient as a rim runner in college, and provides solid shot-blocking skills as well. He's not going to help you at the FT line and he's not going to ever make any plays with the ball in his hands, but if he can develop as a post defender and put back specialist, you'd have to be very happy with that here at #18 overall.
19. Utah Jazz (via. New Orleans Pelicans RTS)
NC: Marcis Vitols
Vitols showed signs in college that he could be a good facilitator at PG, the Jazz are still looking to help replace Aidan’s production.
Cloud: Eric Flor
Notail gets a steal at #19 with 19 year old PG Eric Flor. He's got a very solid base with nice potential to start out with, and of course he's got a chance to boost in TC as well. Utah has had a lot of success with guard development throughout this iteration of the league, so this feels like a really good match on both sides.
20. New Orleans Pelicans (via Utah Jazz)
NC: Nick Faust
The idea of a 6'8 230 PG is appealing to me. Faust has that to offer.
Cloud: Dick Nemelka
I mean, c'mon. You think henny is EVER going to pass up a chance to make endless COCK and DICK jokes off this guys first name? Dude constantly has male genitalia on his mind, so this is a match made in heaven. Seriously though, Nemelka is the poor mans version of Craft and he's really great value this late in the draft. He figures to be a very well rounded, role playing PG.
21. Golden State Warriors
NC: Rashad Madden
Madden I believe could develop into a good FBB Point Guard.
Cloud: Red Robbins
Golden State has an ancient Bam Adebayo expiring without bird rights, as well as an aged Tyreek Smith expiring as well, the move should be to look to bolster the frontcourt, and former 3 time ABA All-Star Red Robbins would be an intriguing pick for the up and coming Warriors. Robbins was a double-double machine in his prime back in the 60's, but ironically his game fits the modern NBA style of play as a stretch four perfectly. Robbins shot 46.6 / 81.8 / 30.5 splits for his career, and would make for a nice hybrid 3/4/5 super sub. He doesn't have a ton of potential to work with, but he is a fringe C+ / B- defender with respectable C+ C+ scoring to begin his career with. People will probably sleep on Red, but they shouldn't.
22. Washington Wizards (via. Boston Celtics)
NC: Chen Linjian
The Chinese sharpshooter has shown great volume overseas and is worth the gamble late in the first round.
Cloud: Nick Faust
Washington really has nothing to lose and they'll want to begin planning towards life beyond Barrett (thank god), and with the Wizards being another team which is absurdly lucky with super generous TC's, I anticipate GM Getbeard to roll the dice on Long Beach State SG Nick Faust. He's not great at the moment, but he's interesting for his size and positional versatility.
23. Oklahoma City Thunder
NC: Dundrecous Nelson
Fringe inside and handles. Nelson also is one of the top defenders in the class.
Cloud: Shannon Scott
Every single PG on the OKC roster is expiring this off-season. All of them are flawed in one way or another. None of them are the answer. It's time for OKC to take a shot on a teenage guard like Shannon Scott here. NC is obviously much higher on him than I am (he has him going #14), but I think this is about appropriate range for a guy like the former Ohio State product (yeah seriously another Buckeye). He's the 3rd best defender in the class, but he needs a boost or he's got no place in this league and likely doesn't even make it through his entire rookie contract (especially if catdude picks him, we know he's quick to decline a rookie option).
24. Chicago Bulls
NC: George Peeples
Peeple has good potential and a solid base to work with.
Cloud: Leo Vandrame
This is another painfully predictable GM, thus, an easy pick to mock up. Ebbs loves potential, so he takes the best remaining combination of potential and age by selecting the 18 year old PG out of Japan. He's basically the same player as 19 year old PG prospect Joseph Soto, at least as far as a skillset is concerned, but you get 2 shots at a boost with Leo, and Leo's potential is higher if all else fails, so he's the better prospect.
25. Denver Nuggets
NC: Takaya Sasayama
Fringe outside shooter goes to the league’s favorite married couple Jreeme.
Cloud: Chen Linjian
Good shooter? Check? Solid potential? Check. 19? Check. Will he be good? Probably not, but he fits the Denver blueprint. Regardless of if he is good or not, we'll be told about how great he is based off preseason stats on a throwaway DC and then when he walks for nothing in FA we'll all be told that they actually think he sucks and they don't care that he left.
26. Los Angeles Lakers (via New York Knicks RTS, Atlanta Hawks)
NC: B.J. Young
Another swing for the fences type of pick taking a teen for the Lakers.
Cloud: Rashad Madden
Thanks to former GM Mentch leveraging the entire future of the team to make feeble attempts at multiple 7 seeds, the current GM, Curry, is forced to swing for the fences with Arkansas SG Rashad Madden. I wouldn't be surprised if Madden ended up having C B- C+ C+ C- ratings after TC. Madden had a well-rounded game in college, but TOs could be an issue early on. However, he's certainly worth a shot this late.
27. Vancouver Grizzlies (via. San Antonio Spurs)
NC: Matt Korcheck
Good base and potential for a late round selection.
Cloud: Myke Henry
One of my favorite players in the draft. Fringe inside scoring and defense. Solid C rebounder. C+ outside. In the range for a potential boost if he's lucky enough. Showed he was able to score with some volume in college PER 40. Only potential drawback is TOs. However, he plays a premium position at SF and you can never have enough good wings in this league, awesome guy to roll the dice on.
28. Seattle SuperSonics
NC: Erik Copes
Copes is a teen big man with fringe inside and rebounding.
Cloud: Anatoli Konev
The Ukrainian SG is interesting for positional versatility as I believe he actually could be developed at any of the 1, 2 or 3. With averages of 19.3 PPG / 6.3 RPG / 3.4 APG / 2.2 SPG on 47.6 / 75.4 / 31.5 shooting splits, Konev is worth a flier this late in the draft. He may need to work on his handles, averaging 3.4 TOPG, but he's an interesting player who can contribute all across the board.
29. Washington Wizards
NC: Trevor Lacey
Wizards are able to snag a potential 3rd/4th string rotational piece to help them repeat as BSL champions.
Cloud: George Peeples
Like the Faust pick, Washington looks to prepare for life beyond Barrett by selecting another wing who comps similarly to current role player Derrian Ford. Peeples profiles as a future 3 and d specialist, he has the 13th best potential in the class to to go along with a B- outside shot, mid-range C+ defense and C rebounding, making him a good value to end the first round.
Green = Cloud
1. Charlotte Hornets
NC: Chane Behanan
Charlotte is going to need a big man to anchor down the post and at #1 I can see them taking the best post player in the draft. Another idea for the Hornets is trying to trade down in an attempt to acquire multiple picks. Maybe the Knicks would be willing to trade 4/10 for the first pick or the Kings sending 6/12.
Cloud: Melvin Ejim
Charlotte can't afford to blow this pick, they need assets in the worst way possible, and while I don't see Ejim being a superstar by any means, I think at worst he's going to be a consistent starting caliber SF throughout his career. SF is one of the thinner positions in the league at the moment. Ejim posseses the 4th best inside scoring, the 2nd best defense, 4th best rebounding and the 9th highest potential. His potential is the highest scouted "B" in the class, which would put him right around the 78 - 80 range of potential, so after summer league he's a legitimate "A" scouted potential prospect with a strong skillset to work with.
2. Dallas Mavericks
*Can Arizona's blue chip point guard live up to his potential at the next level?*
NC: Josiah Turner
Turner is a player I think that has the best chance at blowing up in this class. I think he has high athletics, and adds a good base plus elite potential and that gives him a good chance to become great.
Cloud: Josiah Turner
I shared the above sentiments with NC when we had a discussion about the draft class following the release of his first mock draft, so my thoughts reflect what he's written above, but Turner is the guy who I think has the most compelling argument for becoming a star in this class (Which is not saying much tbh). I think he's an extremely risky pick, but Dallas is in a position where they can afford to swing for the fences and hope that they strike gold. They need a franchise cornerstone in the worst way, so if they can get blessed with the right TC, Turner may be the next great athletic PG to make his mark on the league.
3. Indiana Pacers
NC: Melvin Ejim
Ejim is the best overall player in the draft and would be too good to pass up at 3 for Indiana. Jamail Jones could slide over to shooting guard to allow Ejim to start day 1 at SF.
Cloud: Joseph Uchebo
If I'm beats at this pick, I'm probably looking to get another big man here at this stage in my rebuild. He's already got his franchise PG of the future, and he's drafted some interesting wings, but the frontcourt is the obvious weak spot right now. He's taken some pretty big swings at trying to hit on a teen who's going to become the next big thing, but that hasn't happened yet, so imo he needs to play it safe and walk away with a legitimate asset. I'm taking Uchebo here. Best rebounder in the class, 2nd best inside scorer, potential is #21 overall in the class, probably mid to low 70's which should give him a solid 3-4 TCs of development along with coaching and camps. I wouldn't at all be shocked to see Uchebo at B B B after his first TC, and he's a big bodied guy who is probably pretty strong which will lead to being a productive player on the court.
4. New York Knicks (via. Los Angeles Lakers)
*LaQuinton Ross will be a high lottery pick this June, but whether he can live up to expectations remains to be seen*
NC: LaQuinton Ross
I’m not too sure what the Knicks were doing this year. They traded away Svet for Patrick Baldwin Jr. and made some free agent signings but look to not be in the postseason this year. Ross is one of my favorite players in this draft class and the Knicks taking a wing makes since with their youth in the post and at guard.
Cloud: LaQuinton Ross
The guy I want to mock here doesn't make sense with the Knicks current roster construction (Aaron Craft), but he just feels like such a Frank guy, so I'll agree with NC here. I absolutely hate Ross' handles and the thought of him being an option, most likely lacks passing and quickness moreso than a TO guy, so just kind of a meh option without TC love but he makes the most sense with the Knicks current roster. Dudes got a million dope PGs and some interesting bigs.
5. Houston Rockets
*Aaron Craft's reaction after being selected by the Rockets on draft night*
NC: Aaron Craft
Craft has elite handles and defense and fringe outside/rebounding in addition to the 11th best potential. Craft will be a great starting piece for Houston’s rebuild.
Cloud: Aaron Craft
The former Buckeye Captain is arguably the 2nd best prospect in this class. He's a very well-rounded floor general with a good amount of untapped potential to work with. I'm sure normies will overreact and bitch about him being 22 years old, which is partially why he drops all the way to 5 here. Houston is bar none the most irrelevant franchise in the league, so it's disappointing to see an interesting prospect like Craft ending up there, especially since he'll be traded away with future picks for some overpaid, declining big man in a matter of 3 seasons anyways, but I digress.
6. Sacramento Kings
NC: Kevin Ware
Kevin Ware will be too good to pass up at 6 for Sacramento. Anthony Marshall looks much more raw than I anticipated, so I could see Sacramento taking a chance on another PG in this draft. Ware has a great base and the 2nd best potential in this class.
Cloud: Myles Mack
Sacramento has nothing cooking in the back-court and they badly need a guy who can provide a spark at the games most important position. So I agree with NC in the fact that they'll target a teen PG here... but I opt for Myles Mack. I think Mack is the most interesting teenager in this draft, he has the look and feel of a guy who's going to teen boost and become pretty good. He had better scoring volume than Ware at the collegiate level, he's got better handles, inside scoring, outside shooting and slightly better rebounding, whereas Ware has the edge defensively and with potential.
7. Vancouver Grizzlies
NC: Wayne Blackshear
Blackshear is the 3rd former Louisville player to be taken in the top 7 and is our biggest riser from Mock Draft 1.1 to 1.2. Blackshear has jumped up the board from undrafted to 7 due to his elite potential and fringe outside shooting.
Cloud: B.J. Young
Easiest pick of the draft. Donkey continues his meme for B.J. and takes his former love-child. Young would actually be the most interesting teenager in the draft if his potential wasn't so low. He's got solid handles, good defense, and solid starting scoring ratings. If he can boost this would be a mega steal at #7.
8. Portland Trailblazers
*Can Collier buck the trend of a non-traditional big becoming a success story? Greeme is somewhere screaming otherwise*
NC: Devon Collier
Collier has the best chance to become a volume scorer among the post players taken in the lottery in my opinion. With top 5 potential he would be a great pick for Portland.
Cloud: Devon Collier
NC and I are in lock-step again here. Collier is intriguing to me, the only sketchy part is his lack of ferocity on the boards. I think he's got enough potential to get his rebounding up to a passable level, probably B- in his prime, but his scoring and defense should makeup for his lack of effort on the glass. I project him to be a similar player to Davion Bradford, the starting Center of the Philadelphia 76ers, who I am higher on than others who seem to shit on him for reasons that have never been fully explained to me. But yeah, I've got the Oregon State product staying in state with the Blazers.
9. Brooklyn Nets
NC: Myles Mack
Myles Mack is a teen with great potential and I believe he will be a high volume scorer. He is one of the more underrated guards in this guard heavy draft in my opinion.
Cloud: Chane Behanan
Let me be perfectly clear here. I do not like Chane, like, at all. He's going to shoot horrible FT %'s and he's also going to hoist up ill-advised 3PT attempts and shoot those at a horrible clip too, he's not going to block shots, and last but not least, he's going to turn the ball over. Some idiot most likely takes the bait thinking that his ratings and potential look nice, and they'll be wrong, but what can you do. However, this is a total Scott pick if he slides all the way to #9. He'll use up his entire clock on draft night, I'll have to tag him to hurry up and pick and he'll push it to the last second and then say Behanan is his pick and say how it was a steal.
10. New York Knicks
*Luka Mitrovic is the definition of a boom or bust prospect, it'll be interesting to see if his game translates in America*
NC: Luka Mitrovic
Last year the Knicks took a 17 year old, why not do it again. Luka showed signs of good volume overseas in Europe.
Cloud: Luka Mitrovic
As we've touched on before, the Knicks have a great backcourt and some potential up front, but they don't have much of note on the wings. Frank is Ebbs cousin, and ebbs sucks the skin off of Luka Doncic (and Trae Young for some odd reason) every chance he gets, plus Frank got 2 teenagers to boost last TC, so it only makes sense Frank rolls the dice on Luka Mitrovic here. All jokes aside I actually do think Mitrovic is pretty interesting, you can't hate 3 free TCs, anything could happen.
11. Detroit Pistons
*Look, I found a picture of Pointer, doing some pointing*
NC: Sir'Dominic Pointer
Best teen available according to MAPLESCOUTING goes to Panic. Y’all understand why.
Cloud: Sir'Dominic Pointer
Panic is a clueless idiot with zero respect for anyone else's time. He has no strategy, and he doesn't even actively manage his team, he just shows up on draft night, makes us all wait forever, does his stupid "wait" shtick which btw isn't even slightly humorous, and then picks whatever teenager is left on the board, and then when they boost in TC because he is the luckiest fucking GM of all-time, he acts like he predicted the blow-up. He also just repeats every lukewarm take Zach Lowe tweets out and then regurgitates it as his own analysis in groupme. With that being said, this guy sucks and so does Sir'dominic Pointer.
12. Sacramento Kings (via. Miami Heat)
NC: Adjehi Baru
Taking Ware at 6 and Baru at 12 would give Sacramento the 2 players with the highest potential in this draft class. Baru is much more raw than Ware, but this duo would probably enter this TC as the duo with the highest combined potential in the league.
Cloud: Wayne Blackshear
Sacramento takes a chance on a high potential wing to fill their SF void and become the running mate of their new franchise Point Guard, Myles Mack, taken at #6 overall. Blackshear is one of my favorite guys in this draft, which, again, isn't saying much (this draft is really shitty), but if he's able to put his potential to work he should be a pretty respectable 2-way wing, and there's always a need for guys of that stature in the league. Might as well swing for the fences with potential this late in the lottery. I also wouldn't be surprised at ty doubling down here and taking Kevin Ware and just hoping one of him or Mack becomes that guy they need at PG, but it's probably wiser to diversify picks at different positions.
13. Milwaukee Bucks
NC: Joseph Uchebo
Uchebo is the best rebounding big in this class. The Bucks will be looking to bounce back into the playoffs next year and Uchebo could provide an immediate impact to help that happen.
Cloud: Adjehi Baru
Bol Bol is declining and will be on the final year of his contract heading into his age 34 season, so the Bucks should be looking ahead to the future by nabbing their Center of the future. Baru is certainly raw, and it'll take some time for him to arrive, but he's got the highest potential in the draft, so the payoff should be worth the investment here at the end of the lottery.
14. Cleveland Cavaliers
NC: Shannon Scott
Scott at 14 is best case scenario for whichever team lands this pick. Super fringey guard that will need the full DLG help if he doesn’t teen pot boost.
Cloud: Kevin Ware
Cavaliers GM, Hokeyrules, literally only picks teens for whatever reason, and it usually doesn't work out for him (seriously hokey re-adjust your drafting habits), but in this case he gets lucky that Kevin Ware drops and falls into his lap and he gets a teenager with big upside. I'm weary that Ware will lack volume, but he could become a poor mans Cam Reddish if everything breaks right for him down the line.
15. Los Angeles Clippers
NC: Eric Flor
A trend in this draft is international guards having volume overseas. Flor is one of those guys.
Cloud: Marcis Vitols
The Clippers have finally transitioned out of the all out tank phase, to trying to win some games again for the first time in the post-Cloud GM era. The Clippers take the best player available in Marcis Vitols, in the perfect spot in the draft for Vitols as he now gets 2 SL's and a full D-League to help him develop. Vitols is the best scorer coming out of the draft, and he's one of the better ball handlers as well. He projects as a very promising role player and potential super sub star that any team would be happy to have on their roster.
16. Philadelphia 76ers
NC: Leo Vendrame
Leo’s defense needs a ton of work, will need time to develop as an 18 year old raw prospect.
Cloud: Fabian Jaimes
Feel like this is someone who ends up scoring well on Foreman's scouting sheet. Plus rebounder at SF, fringe inside scoring, defense isn't far off from B-. Could realistically look like B- C+ D+ B- C+ after his first SL / TC. Not a star by any stretch but could probably be a relatively interesting role player. I just can't help but look at him and feel Philadelphia being written all over him.
17. Phoenix Suns
NC: Amir Williams
Williams is the best non lottery graded big man in this class. Would be a nice snag at 17 for any team.
Cloud: Hunter Mickelson
*Insert whiney ass normie voice that all of you have in your head as you read this* Huh??? What's so special about Mickelson? He isn't a teen... he isn't a big potential guy... hE dOeSn'T eVeN hAvE fRiNgEzZzZ. This is why a lot of you are trash at drafting, everyone's so caught up in drafting the next big teen to blow up, which btw almost never happens and statistically has got to be sitting at a sub 3% success rate, instead of just taking what's available and realising that landing a solid role player at a certain point in the draft is a win in and of itself. Some asset > a wasted asset. This is why the same teams always win, but I digress. Gentleman and Jon... I present to you, the next great, hidden, block king. In 4 collegiate seasons, when extrapolated out to starter minutes, Mickelson averaged (by year) 5.2 BPG, 2.9 BPG, 5.7 BPG snd 4.6 BPG... Mans can swat with the best of them. Could I potentially interest anyone in Mickelson's Junior and Senior seasons at Kansas where he averaged extrapolated starter statistics of 12.7PPG / 11.1 RPG / 5 BPG / 2.4 SPG / 1.6 APG / 1.9 TOPG on 46.1% from the field and 77.4% from the FT Line? Anyone interested in some of that coming off their bench to spell their starters? Well, I think air and the Suns will seeing as how he's all about doing this weird thing where he accrues all of the midkey trash big men who can block, so this is the perfect landing spot for Mickelson. You're welcome for the scoop, peasants.
18. Minnesota Timberwolves
NC: Dick Nemelka
Dick has elite handles and defense with the 27th best potential. Love his rebounding at PG as well.
Cloud: Amir Williams
Why does this draft have like nothing but Ohio State players? Whatever though, Minnesota is going to need help up front with Ayton expiring and going into his age 36 season. The savvy move here would be to select Amir Williams and hope that he can take some sort of boost and eventually get to a point where he and Dave Debusschere are your frontcourt of the future. Williams was hyper efficient as a rim runner in college, and provides solid shot-blocking skills as well. He's not going to help you at the FT line and he's not going to ever make any plays with the ball in his hands, but if he can develop as a post defender and put back specialist, you'd have to be very happy with that here at #18 overall.
19. Utah Jazz (via. New Orleans Pelicans RTS)
NC: Marcis Vitols
Vitols showed signs in college that he could be a good facilitator at PG, the Jazz are still looking to help replace Aidan’s production.
Cloud: Eric Flor
Notail gets a steal at #19 with 19 year old PG Eric Flor. He's got a very solid base with nice potential to start out with, and of course he's got a chance to boost in TC as well. Utah has had a lot of success with guard development throughout this iteration of the league, so this feels like a really good match on both sides.
20. New Orleans Pelicans (via Utah Jazz)
NC: Nick Faust
The idea of a 6'8 230 PG is appealing to me. Faust has that to offer.
Cloud: Dick Nemelka
I mean, c'mon. You think henny is EVER going to pass up a chance to make endless COCK and DICK jokes off this guys first name? Dude constantly has male genitalia on his mind, so this is a match made in heaven. Seriously though, Nemelka is the poor mans version of Craft and he's really great value this late in the draft. He figures to be a very well rounded, role playing PG.
21. Golden State Warriors
NC: Rashad Madden
Madden I believe could develop into a good FBB Point Guard.
Cloud: Red Robbins
Golden State has an ancient Bam Adebayo expiring without bird rights, as well as an aged Tyreek Smith expiring as well, the move should be to look to bolster the frontcourt, and former 3 time ABA All-Star Red Robbins would be an intriguing pick for the up and coming Warriors. Robbins was a double-double machine in his prime back in the 60's, but ironically his game fits the modern NBA style of play as a stretch four perfectly. Robbins shot 46.6 / 81.8 / 30.5 splits for his career, and would make for a nice hybrid 3/4/5 super sub. He doesn't have a ton of potential to work with, but he is a fringe C+ / B- defender with respectable C+ C+ scoring to begin his career with. People will probably sleep on Red, but they shouldn't.
22. Washington Wizards (via. Boston Celtics)
NC: Chen Linjian
The Chinese sharpshooter has shown great volume overseas and is worth the gamble late in the first round.
Cloud: Nick Faust
Washington really has nothing to lose and they'll want to begin planning towards life beyond Barrett (thank god), and with the Wizards being another team which is absurdly lucky with super generous TC's, I anticipate GM Getbeard to roll the dice on Long Beach State SG Nick Faust. He's not great at the moment, but he's interesting for his size and positional versatility.
23. Oklahoma City Thunder
NC: Dundrecous Nelson
Fringe inside and handles. Nelson also is one of the top defenders in the class.
Cloud: Shannon Scott
Every single PG on the OKC roster is expiring this off-season. All of them are flawed in one way or another. None of them are the answer. It's time for OKC to take a shot on a teenage guard like Shannon Scott here. NC is obviously much higher on him than I am (he has him going #14), but I think this is about appropriate range for a guy like the former Ohio State product (yeah seriously another Buckeye). He's the 3rd best defender in the class, but he needs a boost or he's got no place in this league and likely doesn't even make it through his entire rookie contract (especially if catdude picks him, we know he's quick to decline a rookie option).
24. Chicago Bulls
NC: George Peeples
Peeple has good potential and a solid base to work with.
Cloud: Leo Vandrame
This is another painfully predictable GM, thus, an easy pick to mock up. Ebbs loves potential, so he takes the best remaining combination of potential and age by selecting the 18 year old PG out of Japan. He's basically the same player as 19 year old PG prospect Joseph Soto, at least as far as a skillset is concerned, but you get 2 shots at a boost with Leo, and Leo's potential is higher if all else fails, so he's the better prospect.
25. Denver Nuggets
NC: Takaya Sasayama
Fringe outside shooter goes to the league’s favorite married couple Jreeme.
Cloud: Chen Linjian
Good shooter? Check? Solid potential? Check. 19? Check. Will he be good? Probably not, but he fits the Denver blueprint. Regardless of if he is good or not, we'll be told about how great he is based off preseason stats on a throwaway DC and then when he walks for nothing in FA we'll all be told that they actually think he sucks and they don't care that he left.
26. Los Angeles Lakers (via New York Knicks RTS, Atlanta Hawks)
NC: B.J. Young
Another swing for the fences type of pick taking a teen for the Lakers.
Cloud: Rashad Madden
Thanks to former GM Mentch leveraging the entire future of the team to make feeble attempts at multiple 7 seeds, the current GM, Curry, is forced to swing for the fences with Arkansas SG Rashad Madden. I wouldn't be surprised if Madden ended up having C B- C+ C+ C- ratings after TC. Madden had a well-rounded game in college, but TOs could be an issue early on. However, he's certainly worth a shot this late.
27. Vancouver Grizzlies (via. San Antonio Spurs)
NC: Matt Korcheck
Good base and potential for a late round selection.
Cloud: Myke Henry
One of my favorite players in the draft. Fringe inside scoring and defense. Solid C rebounder. C+ outside. In the range for a potential boost if he's lucky enough. Showed he was able to score with some volume in college PER 40. Only potential drawback is TOs. However, he plays a premium position at SF and you can never have enough good wings in this league, awesome guy to roll the dice on.
28. Seattle SuperSonics
NC: Erik Copes
Copes is a teen big man with fringe inside and rebounding.
Cloud: Anatoli Konev
The Ukrainian SG is interesting for positional versatility as I believe he actually could be developed at any of the 1, 2 or 3. With averages of 19.3 PPG / 6.3 RPG / 3.4 APG / 2.2 SPG on 47.6 / 75.4 / 31.5 shooting splits, Konev is worth a flier this late in the draft. He may need to work on his handles, averaging 3.4 TOPG, but he's an interesting player who can contribute all across the board.
29. Washington Wizards
NC: Trevor Lacey
Wizards are able to snag a potential 3rd/4th string rotational piece to help them repeat as BSL champions.
Cloud: George Peeples
Like the Faust pick, Washington looks to prepare for life beyond Barrett by selecting another wing who comps similarly to current role player Derrian Ford. Peeples profiles as a future 3 and d specialist, he has the 13th best potential in the class to to go along with a B- outside shot, mid-range C+ defense and C rebounding, making him a good value to end the first round.