Draft Preview: Nader's Final NBA Mock Draft
We are less than 24 hours away from the NBA Draft, and while I wasn’t planning on making another mock, today’s blockbuster trades changed everything. In case you missed it, the Pacers acquired Jeff Teague from the Hawks in a three-team deal that included the Jazz. George Hill was traded to Utah as part of the deal, with the Jazz sending their No. 12 pick to the Hawks. However, it’s been reported that the Hawks are now trying to package their two first-round picks in exchange for a veteran, so we could see another trade prior to the draft.
It seems as if the Teague transaction has officially kicked off trade season, as Derrick Rose and Justin Holiday were traded to the Knicks in exchange for Robin Lopez, Jerian Grant and Jose Calderon shortly after. I’m expecting a lot more moves around the league, but you can check out how today’s trades impacted my latest mock draft below. Click here to follow me on Twitter for NBA news and analysis!
To see my previous mock draft, click here. Also, be on the lookout for Ed Isaacson’s final mock draft on Thursday morning.
No. 1) 76ers- Ben Simmons, PF, LSU
The suspense is finally over, as we learned on Tuesday that the 76ers informed Simmons that he will be the No. 1 pick. His perimeter shooting needs a lot of work, but taking a 6’10” forward that can move and pass like Simmons is the right choice.
No. 2) Lakers- Brandon Ingram, SF, Duke
The Lakers have the easiest decision on draft night, and with Simmons off the board, Ingram is going to be the choice. It will take some time for Ingram to bulk up, but he has star potential and is 14 months younger than Simmons. New head coach Luke Walton has to be excited about having four building blocks for the future in Ingram, D’Angelo Russell, Jordan Clarkson and Julius Randle.
No. 3) Celtics- Jaylen Brown, SF, California
Most media outlets have Kris Dunn going here, but I’m not convinced just yet. It’s true that Dunn could have the most trade value because so many teams are in need of a point guard, so he would make some sense if the Celtics are committed to trading this pick. If they do end up keeping it, Brown has the most upside left on the board and could give the Celtics a replacement for Evan Turner on the wings.
No. 4) Suns- Marquese Chriss, PF, Washington
It’s no surprise that he’s rising on draft boards. Chriss is an elite athlete with an improving jumper, and he also showed the ability to block shots at Washington with 1.6 swats per game. He’s still pretty raw, but he’s also just 18 years old and has a ton of potential. With no power forwards under contract for next season, the Suns will likely go with Chriss or Dragan Bender here.
No. 5) Wolves- Kris Dunn, PG, Providence
The No. 3 pick is Dunn’s ceiling, but I can’t see him falling past the Wolves at No. 5. Ricky Rubio proved that he could stay healthy last season, but I’m not sure that he will be the best fit for new coach Tom Thibodeau and the Wolves have shopped him around in the past. Dunn could develop into an elite defender at the next level, and that might too tempting for Thibodeau to pass up.
No. 6) Pelicans- Buddy Hield, SG, Oklahoma
I had him going to the Kings at No. 8 in my previous mock, but that just feels too low. You can never have enough shooters on your roster, and Hield is the best one in the draft. Hield would be an ideal replacement for Eric Gordon on the wings, as he’s unlikely to return in free agency.
No. 7) Nuggets- Dragan Bender, PF, Croatia
The Nuggets have so much depth on their roster, but another power forward would be ideal considering Kenneth Faried is always on the trade block. I’m not convinced that Bender would be ready to play right away and he’s no Kristaps Porzingis, but he could develop into a very nice stretch four. He’s also just 18 years old.
No. 8) Kings- Jamal Murray, PG/SG, Kentucky
Darren Collison is in serious legal trouble, Rajon Rondo is a free agent and Ben McLemore is on the trade block, so the Kings have to take a guard here. The Kings are also hoping to finally reach the playoffs, and luckily for them, the draft really falls off after the top eight picks. Murray is probably more of a shooting guard, but he could develop into a really nice combo guard and his shooting ability should translate right away.
No. 9) Raptors- Domantas Sabonis, PF, Gonzaga
This is where the draft goes south. I think the Raptors will try to trade the pick, but if they do keep it, taking a power forward who can help right away makes the most sense. Patrick Patterson has one year left on his deal and simply isn’t good enough if the Raptors want to become a contender, so Sabonis would give them an excuse to move on. I also think the Raptors take a long look at Jakob Poeltl here as a potential replacement for Bismack Biyombo.
No. 10) Bucks- Jakob Poeltl, C, Utah
It’s no secret that the Bucks are trying to trade Greg Monroe once again, so Poeltl would give them some depth at center along with John Henson. Poeltl has great size and could be a nice two-way big at the next level.
No. 11) Magic- Skal Labissiere, PF/C, Kentucky
He’s one of the biggest projects in the draft and didn’t make any noise at Kentucky, but teams will take a chance on him for his upside. Labissiere is allergic to rebounds, but he can hit the mid-range shot and is a nice rim protector. Bringing him along slowly behind Nikola Vucevic and Aaron Gordon would be ideal.
No. 12) Hawks- Deyonta Davis, PF/C, Michigan State
Nobody knows if Al Horford will return to Atlanta in free agency, so adding a capable rim protector such as Davis might be the direction they go. However, don’t be surprised if the Hawks trade this pick in exchange for an established veteran.
No. 13) Suns- Henry Ellenson, PF, Marquette
With Phoenix’s second pick in the first round, I have a feeling that they will add another power forward to go along with Marquese Chriss. Ellenson will likely be able to step in right away and help out with his ability to rebound and score the basketball. He’s also an improving shooter and should be able to hit the 3-pointer at the next level.
No. 14) Bulls- Wade Baldwin, PG, Vanderbilt
With Derrick Rose gone, the Bulls should look to add a point guard here unless they’re comfortable handing the keys of the offense over to Jerian Grant. Baldwin could be a potentially nice fit next to Jimmy Butler because he can shoot it from the perimeter, and Butler’s ability to run the offense should take the pressure off Baldwin during his rookie season.
No. 15) Nuggets- Furkan Korkmaz, SG, Turkey
The Nuggets could use some more 3-point shooting, and while Korkmaz may stay overseas for a bit, Gary Harris and Will Barton should be able to hold down the fort while the 18-year-old sharpshooter develops.
No. 16) Celtics- Timothe Luwawu, SG, France
The Celtics have a total of eight picks in the draft and this will be their second of the first round. They obviously aren’t going to keep all of them, but stashing prospects overseas is always a good option. Luwawu is a good 3-pointer shooter with nice potential on the defensive end, but it could be a year or two before we see him in the NBA.
No. 17) Grizzlies- Malachi Richardson, SG, Syracuse
It sounds like the Grizzlies have given him a draft promise, and he’s one of a few prospects that have really been rising on draft boards. He was pretty inefficient at Syracuse, but he actually shot over 35 percent from deep and his length makes him an intriguing prospect on both ends of the court. He’s probably worth the risk in a draft full of projects.
No. 18) Pistons- Dejounte Murray, PG, Washington
When you look at Detroit’s roster, the only pressing need that comes to mind is a backup point guard. I’m not even convinced that Reggie Jackson is the long-term answer, but that’s a story for another day. Murray is going to need a lot of time to develop, but he’s worth taking a gamble on for his size, athleticism and crafty offensive game.
No. 19) Nuggets- Juan Hernangomez, SF/PF, Spain
The Nuggets have a keen eye for international players and I’ve got a feeling that they will give Hernangomez a long look here. He’s probably better suited to be a stretch four in the NBA, but the skilled forward will probably spend at least one more year in Europe.
No. 20) Pacers- Denzel Valentine, SG, Michigan State
If the reports about his knees aren’t true, then this could be a steal for Indiana. Valentine was one of the best players in the NCAA last season and can do it all on the offensive end, but his age and athletic ability may cause some teams to pass on him.
No. 21) Hawks- Taurean Prince, SF, Baylor
Despite trading Jeff Teague, the Hawks insist that they are not rebuilding and are still looking to re-sign Al Horford and Kent Bazemore. This means that they will likely look for players who can help out right away, so Prince would be a nice fit for them on both ends of the court. He also gives them some insurance in case Bazemore leaves.
No. 22) Hornets- Damian Jones, C, Vanderbilt
The big man recently had surgery to repair a torn pectoral muscle which may cause him to slide in the draft, but he is expected to be ready for training camp. I could see the Hornets going with a shooter like Malik Beasley here if they don’t feel like Courtney Lee will re-sign, but they could certainly use a rim protector and Jones fits the bill. Also, keep in mind that Al Jefferson could leave in free agency.
No. 23) Celtics- Ante Zizic, C, Croatia
Like I’ve said for weeks, the Celtics will probably either trade this pick or take a player that they can stash overseas. The Celtics could certainly use a center if they decide to let go of Jared Sullinger, so I really like this pick for Boston.
No. 24) 76ers- Malik Beasley, SG, Florida State
The stress fracture in his leg may make some teams nervous, but Philly’s need for shooters is obvious. I can’t see Beasley falling past No. 24 and the Hornets will probably give him a long look at No. 22.
No. 25) Clippers- DeAndre Bembry, SF, St. Joseph’s
I love this pick for the Clippers because Bembry can play multiple positions and is ready to contribute right away. The Clippers looked like a serious force in the West before Chris Paul and Blake Griffin went down with injuries, and Bembry gives them some insurance in case Jamal Crawford is too expensive to bring back in free agency. I also love this pick because the Clippers need an upgrade at small forward in the worst way.
No. 26) 76ers- Demetrius Jackson, PG, Notre Dame
Ish Smith was a lot of fun to watch in Philly, but he’s a free agent now and the 76ers already missed out on their chance to trade for Jeff Teague. Jackson has three years of experience at the college level and should be able to be a reliable pick-and-roll player with some shooting.
No. 27) Raptors- Ivica Zubac, C, Croatia
Since I had the Raptors taking a power forward at No. 9, this pick will give Toronto a potential replacement for impending free agent Bismack Biyombo. I also have a strange feeling that GM Masai Ujiri might take a flier on Thon Maker.
No. 28) Suns- Thon Maker, PF, Australia
He’s the wildcard of the draft and while he doesn’t really know how to play basketball yet, there won’t be many players with his size and athletic ability. In a draft full of unknowns, I’m expecting some team to take a chance on him towards the end of the first round.
No. 29) Spurs- Brice Johnson, PF, UNC
The Spurs already have enough players stashed overseas, so Johnson could be a potential replacement for David West. Johnson had a fantastic senior season at UNC and his improving jumper could make him a nice option this late in the first round. Keep in mind that we still don’t know if Tim Duncan is going to retire.
No. 30) Diamond Stone, C, Maryland
Festus Ezeli was a joke in the NBA Finals and could leave in free agency, while Andrew Bogut is always hurt and has one year left on his deal. Stone has great size and he’s reportedly in better shape, but he’s probably going to spend a lot of his rookie season in the D-League.
