1. New Orleans Hornets: PF Anthony Davis, Kentucky; 6'10", 222 lbs
It's fair to say that Davis is the clear #1 selection for the Hornets and that won't be changing.
2. Charlotte Bobcats: PF Thomas Robinson, Kansas; 6'9", 244 lbs
The Bobcats could improve at many positions, but they can't ignore the way Robinson matured this season. He averaged 18 ppg and 12 rpg, all while leading the Jayhawks to the National Championship game. Not to say Beal or Gilchrist couldn't go at this slot, but a big like Robinson can produce now and fit perfectly with the Bobcats.
3. Washington Wizards: SG Bradley Beal, Florida; 6'5", 202 lbs
It's safe to say that it's been a tossup between Beal and MKG for the Wizards, but after the trade they made with the Hornets, bringing in Emeka Okafor and Trevor Ariza, SG is their weakest position. With John Wall at PG, Beal will help spread the floor, letting Wall get into the lanes to score or kick it out for an open jumper.
4. Cleveland Cavaliers: SF Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Kentucky; 6'7", 233 lbs
The Cavaliers will be taking whoever isn't picked between MKG and Beal. Kidd-Gilchrist is one of the most hard-working players in this draft, and will prove that in Cleveland. He has a great ability to get to the basket and will also be very exciting alongside Kyrie Irving on the fast break.
5. Sacramento Kings: SF Harrison Barnes, North Carolina; 6'8", 228 lbs
Originally, it was looking like the Kings would take Drummond, but after workouts and interviews, they don't want to take another risk at a center like they did with Cousins. Barnes fits well with Sacramento, who often had three guards in the starting lineup this year. While he doesn't excel at one thing, Barnes is the type of player that can do it all, which will be asked for a lot from this team.
6. Portland Trail Blazers (from Nets): C Andre Drummond, Connecticut; 7'0", 279 lbs
Portland may be having flashbacks with this pick, thinking of Greg Oden and his injuries, but Drummond is exactly what they need. They've struggled to get a consistent big man alongside LaMarcus Aldridge that can anchor the defense, and he can do just that.
7. Golden State Warriors: PF John Henson, North Carolina; 6'10", 216 lbs
This is a tough spot for the Warriors. The top six picks all seem to be guys that will be worth the spot they're picked at, but after that, nothing is certain. Golden State will go with the best player available at this spot, and as of right now, it's Henson. Given the injuries to David Lee and newly-acquired Andrew Bogut, he will be added security who can work into the starting lineup over the next few years, while still getting plenty of playing time.
8. Toronto Raptors: SG Dion Waiters, Syracuse; 6'4", 221 lbs
The Raptors could really use a SF at #8, but none are really available that could go this high. DeMar DeRozan is pretty big, so they'll move him over to the three spot at times to make room for Dion. He was a good shooter last year for Syracuse, and has been moving up people's draft boards like crazy.
9. Detroit Pistons: C Meyers Leonard, Illinois; 7'1", 250 lbs
With the #9 pick, the Pistons are really looking for someone to pair up alongside Greg Monroe. They might like Henson more at this spot if he drops, but they won't mind at all if they take Meyers. He had a great sophomore season for Illinois, and will look to improve even more as he enters the NBA.
10. New Orleans Hornets (from Timberwolves): PG Damian Lillard, Weber State; 6'3", 189 lbs
Although Jarrett Jack had a great season, there's no way he's the future PG to be sharing the franchise with Anthony Davis and Eric Gordon. With it being a tossup between Lillard and Marshall, the Hornets should be taking Lillard due to what his offensive abilities can do for a team that otherwise lacks in that category.
11. Portland Trail Blazers: PG Kendall Marshall, North Carolina; 6'4", 198 lbs
Portland will be praying that one of the top two point guards will drop down to them at this spot, and there's no real reason that Kendall Marshall won't. The Trail Blazers have complained about their PG play last season, and Marshall does a great job running an offense and finding the right guys, despite his lack of offense.
12. Milwaukee Bucks: C Tyler Zeller, North Carolina; 7'0", 247 lbs
Given the fact that they traded Bogut away, and Ilyasova is a free agent, there's no way that the Bucks don't go for a big man with this pick. With Henson and Leonard off the board, Zeller is easily the best pick in this situation.
13. Phoenix Suns: SG Jeremy Lamb, Connecticut; 6'5", 179 lbs
The Suns are still in the mindset of keeping Steve Nash this offseason, and SG is their main weakness. Lamb was a great shooter at UConn last season and will fit perfectly into the Suns' system as long as Nash is still on the team.
14. Houston Rockets: PF Perry Jones III, Baylor; 6'11", 234 lbs
Houston could really use a center like Zeller or Leonard at this postion, but if they're gone, look for Perry Jones to stay in Texas for at least a few more years. PJ3's draft stock rose and fell very quickly throughout the season, mostly because scouts questioned his laziness, despite his undeniable talent. The Rockets have some ability to take a little bit of a risk on this pick, given that they have another selection just two picks later. If he never had motivation before, Jones has plenty of naysayers to prove wrong now.
15. Philadelphia 76ers: PF Arnett Moultrie, Mississippi State; 6'11", 233 lbs
The Sixers are really going to be looking to replace Elton Brand, and they have a few options at this spot. They're not going to want to take too much of a risk like Jared Sullinger, given the recent news on his back. They would like to take Perry Jones III with this pick if available, but Moutrie would also fit well with this team.
16. Houston Rockets (from Knicks): SF Terrence Ross, Washington; 6'7", 197 lbs
Now that they hopefully got the concerns with a big man out of the way, the Rockets will look for a perimeter player to shoot the ball within the offense. Ross could end up being a great fit for the team in the future, even replacing Kevin Martin when that time comes.
17. Dallas Mavericks: SG Austin Rivers, Duke; 6'5", 203 lbs
Rivers has slipped in my mock draft, but there just hasn't been a team where he seems to be a good fit for. He is perfect for the Mavs, given that they're losing Jason Kidd and Jason Terry, and also that he can play both guard positions when needed.
18. Minnesota Timberwolves (from Jazz): SF Moe Harkless, St. John's; 6'8", 207 lbs
Minnesota has a nice, young roster building as we speak, but they don't have a shooter that can really spread the floor. Harkless did a great job both driving to the basket and at creating his own shot as a freshman at St. John's last year. Especially with Rubio healthy, the Timberwolves will finally have that new element to their game that they've been needing.
19. Orlando Magic: PF Jared Sullinger, Ohio State; 6'9", 268 lbs
Of all teams in this area, the Magic are the ones that really need to take a risk like Sullinger that will hopefully keep Dwight on the team for more than just this year. His agent has been really downplaying the back concerns, citing a doctor that blamed it on tight hamstrings, but only time will tell on this one.
20. Denver Nuggets: SG John Jenkins, Vanderbilt; 6'4", 212 lbs
Denver is a very solid team all around, and they don't really have a glaring weakness. I see them going for bench depth, and someone who can shoot the three-ball when coming in for Afflalo. With John Jenkins scoring 20 ppg and shooting 44% from behind the arc for Vanderbilt, the Nuggets won't have to look any further for the guy they need.
21. Boston Celtics: F Terrence Jones, Kentucky; 6'9", 252 lbs
With the possibility of losing both Kevin Garnett and Brandon Bass to free agency, the Celtics go for a big with this pick. Jones slipped a little bit, due to a surplus of capable power forwards in the middle of the draft, but he has a solid post game and can also stretch out the defense a little.
22. Boston Celtics (from Clippers): SG Doron Lamb, Kentucky; 6'5", 199 lbs
The Celtics are most likely going to lose Ray Allen this offseason, and while Avery Bradley is a great young player, he isn't much of a shooter. Lamb shot just over 46% from three last season, and can really excel with Rondo running the point.
23. Atlanta Hawks: PF Royce White, Iowa State 6'8", 261 lb
Royce has the talent of a player going much higher in the draft, but due to his anxiety issues, lottery teams won't be taking that risk on him. If he can get over that, he will be well worth the pick for the Hawks. White can play either forward position alonside Josh Smith, and would be a good replacement for him in the future.
24. Cleveland Cavaliers (from Lakers): PF Andrew Nicholson, St. Bonaventure; 6'9", 234 lbs
Cleveland addressed their weakness on the wing with picking Kidd-Gilchrist, so they go with Nicholson with this pick. He is a lengthy defender who did a great job at blocking shots, but he also shot an incredible 43% from three, so he can spread out the floor, and the Cavs will love that.
25. Memphis Grizzlies: SG Will Barton, Memphis; 6'6", 174 lbs
The Grizzlies are planning on losing OJ Mayo to free agency, so they will look no further than Memphis guard Will Barton. He was a great scorer for the Tigers, netting 18 ppg, and even adding in 8 rpg, which is great for a 6'6" guard. Expect him to fit well within the offense.
26. Indiana Pacers: PF Draymond Green, Michigan State; 6'7", 236 lbs
The Pacers had a great run this season, and don't have too many weaknesses as a team. However, looking into the future a little bit, Green will be a great fit on the team replacing David West. Hansbrough is a good player, but he just can't be a starter on an elite team, which Indiana is going for. Green is a complete player, averaging a double-double in his senior season, and is everything you look for in an offensive power forward.
27. Miami Heat: C Fab Melo, Syracuse; 7'0", 255 lbs
This pick is almost too scary to be true. Miami's biggest need is a solid center to anchor the defense and get rebounds, and Fab Melo is just that guy. Despite the academic problems at Syracuse, he still managed to be the Big East Defensive Player of the Year. If he manages to fall to the Heat, there's no way they don't pick him.
28. Oklahoma City Thunder: SF Quincy Miller, Baylor; 6'10", 219 lbs
Some of you may be thinking that there's no way the Thunder pick a small forward, considering their best player and the league's scoring champion, Kevin Durant, plays that position. The problem is, they don't really have a player to come in when Durant sits on the bench. Miller is a little bit of a risk, but is very explosive around the rim and fits well for the team.
29. Chicago Bulls: PG Tony Wroten, Jr., Washington; 6'6", 203 lbs
Given the injury to Derrick Rose, the Bulls are really going to be looking someone that can score at either guard position. He does a great job penetrating the lane, finishing around the rim, and finding the passing lanes. He struggles with the three-point shot, but the Bulls have plenty of guys for that. He still has a mid-range jumper, scoring 15 ppg as a freshman.
30. Golden State Warriors (from Spurs): SF Jeffrey Taylor, Vanderbilt; 6'7", 213 lbs
Since the Warriors went big with their first pick, expect them to fulfill their concerns at SF with the last pick of the first round. He's a do-it-all player who can shoot threes, rebound, and finish around the rim. He is also very mature and polished, and can produce for the Warriors right now if they asked for it.
Written by Wes B.
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