My approach to a mock draft is to take into consideration what a team’s biggest need is, gather information from as many sources as possible as to what they’re hearing the team might do and then factor in my ratings of the individual players. So it’s a combination of what I think the team should do and what I’m hearing the team might do. It’s not the greatest formula in the world, but then again this is just a mock draft. So if eight of my picks end up matching what the actual draft ends up being, I’ll be thrilled. With that said, here is the first of what will be two mock drafts. One today and then one on draft day, June 26th.
1st ROUND
1 Cleveland – JOEL EMBIID – Center – Kansas – 7’1 -255 Embiid is the pick for the Cavaliers only IF he passes all of the medical tests on his back. If he does, he is the perfect “FIT” for Kyrie Irving and the Cavs defense. He’ll be able to play “Pick n Roll” on offense and be the rim protector the Cavs so desperately need. Plus he may have the most upside of any player in this draft. If he does not pass all the medical tests or there are any red flags, I would then have the Cavs select Andrew Wiggins first overall.
2 Milwaukee – JABARI PARKER – Small Forward – Duke – 6’9 – 241
3 Philadelphia – ANDREW WIGGINS – Small Forward – Kansas – 6’8 – 200
4 Orlando – DANTE EXUM – Point Guard – Australia – 6’6 – 195
5 Utah – NOAH VONLEH – Power Forward – Indiana – 6’10 – 245
6 Boston – AARON GORDON – Power Forward – Arizona – 6’9 – 225
7 LA Lakers – JULIUS RANDLE – Power Forward – Kentucky – 6’9 -240
8 Sacramento – MARCUS SMART – Point Guard – Oklahoma St. – 6’4 – 220
9 Charlotte – DOUG McDERMOTT – Small Forward – Creighton – 6’8 – 220
10 Philadelphia – NIK STAUSKAS – Shooting Guard – Michigan – 6’6 – 205
11 Denver – JAMES YOUNG – Shooting Guard – Kentucky – 6’6 – 215
12 Orlando – GARY HARRIS – Shooting Guard – Michigan St. – 6’4 – 210
13 Minnesota – RODNEY HOOD – Small Forward – Duke – 6’8 – 210
14 Phoenix – ADREIAN PAYNE – Power Forward – Michigan St. – 6’10 – 240
15 Atlanta – ZACH LaVINE – Shooting Guard – UCLA – 6’5 – 181
16 Chicago – TYLER ENNIS – Point Guard – Syracuse – 6’2 – 181
17 Boston – P.J. HAIRSTON – Shooting Guard – UNC/ NBA D-League – 6’4 – 228
18 Phoenix – DARIO SARIC – Small Forward – Croatia – 6’10 -235
19 Chicago – CLEANTHONY EARLY – Small Forward – Wichita St. – 6’7 – 210
20 Toronto – CLINT CAPELA – Power Forward – Switzerland – 6’10 – 210
21 Oklahoma City – ELFRID PAYTON – Point Guard – Louisiana Lafayette – 6’4 – 185
22 Memphis – T.J. WARREN – Small Forward – North Carolina St. – 6’8 – 220
23 Utah – KYLE ANDERSON – Small Forward – UCLA – 6’9 – 230
24 Charlotte – JERAMI GRANT – Small Forward – Syracuse – 6’8 – 215
25 Houston – GLEN ROBINSON III – Small Forward – Michigan – 6’7 – 212
26 Miami – JUSUF NURKIC – Center – Bosnia – 6’11 – 280
27 Phoenix – C.J. WILCOX – Shooting Guard – Washington – 6’6 – 195
28 LA Clippers – K.J. McDANIELS – Small Forward – Clemson – 6’6 – 200
29 Oklahoma City – JARNELL STOKES – Power Forward – Tennessee – 6’8 – 260
30 San Antonio – KRISTAPS PORZINGIS – Power Forward – Latvia – 7’0 – 220
2nd ROUND
33 Cleveland – JORDAN ADAMS – Shooting Guard – UCLA – 6’5 – 210 If the Cavs take Embiid number #1 overall, they will look here to take the best wing player available and that could be Adams if he is still on the board.
