This year’s draft has been labeled as “weak.” But lets be honest, we could be picking between 32 Darko Milicic’s and you will still read this column. Mock drafts are the best. Although there aren’t any Dwight Howard or LeBron James instant-impact #1-future-superstar-picks the draft is loaded with role players would could either immediately step in on a contender, or become apart of a rebuilding process. The Thunder didn’t get good when they drafted Kevin Durant. They won 20 games the next year. It took a few drafts, and a solid plan of building a team around Durant that let them take off. There are also a number of foreign players that could have either be complete busts or future Manu’s. So without further delay, here is DSS’s 4th annual NBA Mock Draft.
*All picks are guaranteed.
1. Cavs - Kyrie Irving
It's a point guard's league and this one is a no-brainer. DW is tempting, so let's see if the Cavs swing something and snag #2, as well. RP
2. Wolves – Derrick Williams
Makes absolutely no sense on paper, which means they will either be trading Beasley shortly or trading this pick to someone. But he is getting picked in this position. SV
3. Jazz - 3 - Brandon Knight
I don't think the Jazz trust Devin Harris. And they already have a bunch of solid, skilled big men, so they will go PG here and take Knight. Knight can create his own shot and create for others, and will give them some size in the backcourt. VC
4. Cavs - Enes Kanter
I'm not into the hype of Z's nephew, Jonas Valanciunas, with all the concerns with his contract over in Europe. We may not know much about Enes, but at least he can come in and contribute right away. Seems like the safe play. RP
5. Raptors – Jan Vesely
From my YouTube scouting of this dude, he can actually dunk. That is rare for a true Euro. With Colangelo still running the team you know they will want to run, and this guy can get out on the break and apparently actually dunk. SV
6. Wizards - Jonas Valanciunas
The Wizards need size and a Center, so Jonas is the perfect pick for them. He's 18 and since the Wizards are rebuilding, they might be willing to wait a year for him to get to the NBA. From watching his YouTubes and reading the information on the Draft sites, it looks like he is a very good pick and roll player. That should give the Wiz a nice little pick and roll combo with him and John Wall in Washington. VC
7. Kings - Kawhi Leonard
In a suspect draft, it wouldn't be so bad for them to grab a potential glue guy. Solid defensive player and played for a winner in college. Hopefully some of that translates to the pros. RP
8. Pistons - Tristan Thompson
This kid could've used another year in college, but he came out in this "weak" draft for a reason. This is a big kid that can run like a deer. Needs work on his offensive game, but he's a high energy guy that will fit right in with the Pistons. SV
9. Bobcats - Kemba Walker
I highly doubt he falls to 9, but if he does, look for the Bobcats to scoop him up. He will give their anemic offense a boost right away. Kemba and Henderson would make a nice backcourt, and this would allow Augustine to come off the bench and run the second unit as well. VC
10. Bucks - Alec Burks
The hope is that "Bucs", as our fearless leader lovingly refers to him, is going to be able to put up points in the NBA. Pickings are slim in this draft, literally in the case of Bucs, as he really needs to pack on some pounds to play in our league. RP
11. Warriors – Klay Thompson
Hello Klay Thompson. Goodbye Monte Ellis. According to a few internet sources, Jerry West loves this guy. SV
12. Jazz - JIMMER!
If you are Utah, how can you not take Jimmer here? There might be riots if they don't scoop him. He also just hung with Kemba in a workout in Utah, and his stock is rising. But if the Jazz already took Knight at 3, look for them to either trade this pick or take Chris Singleton with this pick. VC
13. Suns - Donatas Motiejunas
Just seems like a Phoenix-type dude. Finesse big man that likes to face up. Let's be honest, nobody knows about these Euros, outside of what Chad Ford and YouTube mix-tapes tell us. RP
14. Rockets - Chris Singleton
I think the Rockets would love to draft the Jonas brother here and put him on ice for a year if available. If not, they need to upgrade their SF position. Singleton might be the best defender in this draft and has a jumper to boot. SV
15. Pacers - Marcus Morris
Look for the better of the two brothers to goto this all NCAA legends team. Morris would give them a nice core of young players that they can build around. VC
16. 76ers - Markieff Morris
It just seems right that the brothers are taken back-to-back. Plus, Philly seems like a good situation for him to come in and contribute. RP
17. Knicks – Bismack Biyombo
He has been projected a lot higher in most mock drafts, so I don’t know how the Knicks can pass him up in this scenario. They need some toughness inside as well which he could provide. SV
18. Wizards - Jordan Hamilton
Hamilton can fill it up on offense, so he'd fit in perfectly on the Wizards since they will probably be running and gunning a lot. He's a big, strong, athletic wing, who can also shoot well. VC
19. Bobcats - Kenneth Faried
Looks like a sure-thing, as far as being an NBA player. We keep hearing that rebounding translates best of all skills. Hopefully MJ doesn't F it up like usual. RP
20. Wolves - Marshon Brooks
Doesn't seem like GM David Kahn really drafts based on need. He just drafts whoever he thinks is the best player available, and decides what to do with them later. I think Marshon Brooks is the best scorer left. Wes Johnson isn't really a 2 guard. SV
21. Blazers - Tobias Harris
The kid is very versatile and would fit in really well with the Blazers. Since he is so raw, he will definitely need another year before he can make an impact. This works out perfectly for the Blazers because they have good depth at his position. VC
22. Denver - Nikola Vucevic
Can never go wrong going big at this juncture. Might get lucky. I don't see any potential studs left, so when in doubt... RP
23. Rockets – Iman Shumpert
With Kevin Martin and Kyle Lowry in the backcourt they lack size, pause. Shumpert is a big poin guard, good defender, and has been rising up draft boards according to the internet. SV
24. Thunder - Kyle Singler
Torn between Singler and Harper from Richmond, but will go with Singler. He is experienced and can shoot, two things I feel like the Thunder are looking for. He should be able to fill in the spot left by Jeff Green. VC
25. Celtics - Norris Cole
They could use a reserve PG. Not bad value here. Plus hair is cool and my boy, Mank, loves him. RP
26. Mavericks – Justin Harper
The defending champs could either select a Euro to stash away for a few years, or take a player who could help defend their title. I see Mark Cuban being aggressive here and playing for the moment.. Harper has the kind of athleticism to play right away in the NBA. SV
27. Nets - Tyler Honeycutt
Honeycutt is an athletic and versatile wing player, and showed a lot of flashes last year. He is very young/raw, but they can afford to wait, since they aren't very good anyways. VC
28. Bulls – Shelvin Mack
Maybe a reach compared to other mocks, but the Bulls desperately need backcourt help. Mack can provide a boost off the bench as a combo guard and more importantly as a reliable shooter alongside D-Rose in crunchtime. Proven winner and absolutely will contribute immediately. RP
29. Spurs - Jeremy Tyler
Rumors are that the Spurs are sick of Tony Parker and are willing to deal. With how they looked against the Grizzlies in the playoffs they need to start looking to the future. I think they swing for the fences with Tyler here. They have little to lose, and maybe Popovich can work his magic on the kid with lottery talent. SV
30. Bulls - Jimmy Butler
I'm torn between Butler and Selby here, but I will go with Butler because he fits the mold of the Chicago Bulls. He's a hard working, lunch box type of guy that the Bulls love, and that Gar talked about targeting in this Draft. He might not become an All Star, but Butler is very versatile and is someone who can play in this League for a long time, and his defense is the reason why. He did a terrific job of locking down some of the best players in the country night in and night out in the Big East, including Marshon Brooks. And if you need another reason to root for this kid, check out this story about him. VC
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