This is huge for the Hornets and a great fit. Anthony Davis is the obvious pick here and he'll give Hornets a great core of Davis, Eric Gordon, and whoever the Hornets take with the number 10 overall pick.
2. Charlotte Bobcats: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF Kentucky Fr. (6-7, 220)
The Bobcats missed out on Anthony Davis, so they'll most likely end up with his teammate. Kidd-Gilchrist is a really hard worker and the type of competitor that Michael Jordan will love. Plus he's got the all out motor and athletic ability of a former Bobcat favorite Gerald Wallace. MKG is a jumpshot away from being a superstar, but he's such a hard worker I wouldn't be surprised if he ended up getting it.
3. Washington Wizards: Bradley Beal, SG Florida Fr. (6-5, 195)
The Wizards dropped one spot in the lottery, but it's actually not that bad for them because it means they won't have to decide between Brad Beal and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, instead they can just take the one that falls to them. Bradley Beal will be a nice fit with the pieces the Wizards already have and should move right into the starting lineup and contribute right away for Washington at the shooting guard position.
4. Cleveland Cavaliers: Harrison Barnes, SF North Carolina So. (6-8, 210)
The Cavaliers dropped down a spot in the lottery, so they'll most likely miss out on Bradley Beal and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist. The Cavs will target either Andre Drummond or Harrison Barnes, both of whom fit on the team. However, since Cleveland took Tristan Thompson last season, it seems likely they'll go with a perimeter based player this draft. Harrison Barnes didn't become the superstar that many thought he might, but he's still got 20 points a game potential and should make a great sidekick to Kyrie Irving
5. Sacramento Kings: Thomas Robinson, PF Kansas Jr. (6-9, 240)
The Kings didn't move up or down in the lottery, but because the Cavaliers moved out of the top 3, they'll be taking Harrison Barnes most likely and the Kings will have their choice of Thomas Robinson and Andre Drummond. Drummond has more potential, but he's best suited to play center, which is the same position as DeMarcus Cousins, Sacramento's best player. Thomas Robinson would be a nice fit at power forward next to Cousins, bringing a high motor, toughness, rebounding, and interior scoring for a team that could lose it's second leading rebounder in Jason Thompson.
6. Portland Trail Blazers (from Brooklyn): Andre Drummond, C Connecticut Fr. (6-11, 275)
The Blazers probably have to most talent of any lottery team and they've got two picks in the top 11 with which to work to get back to a playoff level. Andre Drummond is the last of the high level prospects and a nice fit into the massive void of the center position. Drummond doesn't always bring it on offense, despite elite tools, but he's an outstanding defender and rebounder, which is more than a lot of teams have at center and a good fit with LaMarcus Aldridge.
7. Golden State Warriors: Perry Jones III, SF Baylor So. (6-11, 235)
Golden State are always a wildcard in the draft and this year the Warriors will be especially hard to predict if they stick at the 7 spot because they're sitting just outside the top tier of the best 6 prospects in the draft. So which way will they go? They've got players locked in for a couple years at all positions except small forward, so it makes sense they go that way. Perry Jones is better suited at small forward than what he played in college and is the type of athletic, skilled player that the Warriors seem to love.
8. Toronto Raptors: Jeremy Lamb, SG Connecticut So. (6-5, 185)
The Toronto Raptors are will have a great chance to make a big leap next season because they'll be adding essentially two top 10 pick, with this pick and last year's number 5 overall pick Jonas Valanciunas coming over from Europe. Jeremy Lamb has high upside because his shooting and handle could make him a big time scorer while his length, athleticism, and quickness allow him to be a lockdown defender. Also, this pick will allow DeMar DeRozan to move to small forward, a better fit, and Lamb can slide in as the shooting guard.
9. Detroit Pistons: Jared Sullinger, PF Ohio State So. (6-9, 280)
The Pistons have been content to sit back and hit singles and doubles, in the last couple drafts and since none of the high upside top prospects fall to them here, they'll stick with that. Jared Sullingers isn't a perfect prospect, but he'll always be able to rebound, score, and pass and would be a good offensive fit next to Greg Monroe, though the frontcourt defense might be suspect. It might not be a franchise changer, but Sullinger is one of the safest prospects in this draft.
10. New Orleans Hornets (from Minnesota): Damian Lillard, PG Weber State Jr. (6-2, 185)
The Hornets have a career back and a combo guard as their point guards, so with the second of their two top ten picks, they'll likely target and point. Damian Lillard has been on a huge rise this offseason and is most likely a top ten pick and the first point off the board because of his offensive ability and basketball IQ. Lillard isn't a pure point guard, but he definitely has the ability to play the position and score 20 points a game at his peak.
11.Portland Trail Blazers: Dion Waiters, SG Syracuse So. (6-4, 215)
The Blazers would love to end up with Bradley Beal with their first pick, but they didn't move up in the lottery. Since they don't get Beal, they'll target Jeremy Lamb, Dion Waiters, Terrence Ross, or Austin Rivers with their second lottery pick. Waiters has been on the rise in workouts and could be the second or third shooting guard off the board.
12. Milwaukee Bucks: Tyler Zeller, C North Carolina Sr. (7-0, 250)
When the Bucks traded often-injured Andrew Bogut mid-season, they traded their only legitimate center, leaving them with two shot-blocking, but offensively inept pseudo-centers in Larry Sanders and Ekpe Udoh, meaning they were getting defense but little else from the 5. Tyler Zeller isn't a perfect prospect, he can be pushed around in the paint and isn't an explosive player, but he's also a skilled offensive big man who can rebound and block shots, a rarity in the NBA. Plus Zeller is very good at running the floor, which will be an asset with Brandon Jennings and Monta Ellis as your guards.
13. Phoenix Suns: Terrence Ross, SG Washington So. (6-7, 190)
With the Steven Nash era in Phoenix likely ending, the Suns will be searching for pieces to build around for the future. Terrence Ross has the size,smooth athleticism, handle, and shooting ability of a prototype NBA shooting guard, which is a serious area of need for Phoenix with Michael Redd and Shannon Brown leaving for free agency. If Ross reaches his potential, he could jumpstart the Suns rebuilding project.
14. Houston Rockets: Austin Rivers, SG Duke Fr. (6-4, 200)
The Rockets have two draft picks in this draft, so they'll continue to add even more trade assets, which they'll try to turn into a star (Pau Gasol?), but if they can't land one, they'll still need to find a backup to the often injured Kevin Martin, as Courtney Lee is entering free agency, and they don't have anything else there. Austin Rivers has his issues, but he can score from anywhere and will be a perfect scoring combo guard off the bench and can fill in for Martin if he continues to get banged up.
15. Philadelphia 76ers: Terrence Jones, PF Kentucky So. (6-8, 245)
The 76ers have maxed out the talent on their current roster, so unless they make a big trade (possible, but unlikely) they'll have to swing for the fences in the draft with hopes of landing a major contributor. Terrence Jones isn't boom or bust because he'll always be able to contribute, but he's got a really high upside because of a combination of length, athleticism, shooting, ball handling, rebounding and defense.
16. Houston Rockets (from New York): John Henson, PF North Carolina Jr. (6-10, 210)
The Rockets have talent at a number of positions, but they lack a long, athletic, shot blocking power forward. John Henson will be quite a defensive weapon and he's gotten better on offense each year, if Kevin McHale can continue that development he could be a star, but if not Henson will still be one of the best rim protectors in the league.
17. Dallas Mavericks: Tony Wroten, PG Washington Fr. (6-5, 205)
While most believe that Dallas will be the free agent destination of Deron Williams, but nothing will be certain at the time of the draft. What is certain is that Jason Kidd, Jason Terry, and Delonte West will all be free agents this summer and the Mavericks will be in desperate need of backcourt players. Tony Wroten is extremely talented but is also raw and somewhat wild, he's a high upside lottery ticket at this point in the draft and could be a great asset for Dallas.
18. Minnesota Timberwolves (from Utah): Quincy Miller, SF Baylor Fr. (6-9, 210)
The Timberwolves would love for one of the top 5 shooting guards to fall to them, but it probably won't happen. In that case, they'll target the best player available. Quincy Miller has top 5 upside and there's a chance he goes in the top 10 if he does well in workouts, but right now questions about his fit and the health of his knee have dropped him right now. Miller will fit well on Minnesota, taking Michael Beasley's spot at small forward.
19. Orlando Magic: Moe Harkless, SF St. John's Fr. (6-8, 200)
The Magic are a wildcard team because they're just as likely to make a massive, crippling trade as they are to sit on their hands and do nothing. Moe Harkless isn't a typical Magic player because he isn't a great shooter, but he's the type of player they need. An athletic, high motor slashing wing who can get to the rim and excells in transition.
20. Denver Nuggets: Arnett Moultrie, PF Mississippi State Jr. (6-11, 225)
The Nuggets don't have a ton of needs, with great depth and young players two deep at most positions. Therefore, they're able to draft for upside. Arnett Moultrie has huge potential and could be a lottery pick due to his inside-out game, rebounding, and physical tools. It's possible, due to some character concerns, that he could fall down here to the Nuggets.
21. Boston Celtics: Fab Melo, C Syracuse So. (7-0, 275)
Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen are going to be free agents this summer, so the Celtics will likely be building around Rajon Rondo, Avery Bradley, and Paul Pierce without much else on the roster. These two back to back picks will be very important for the Celtics. One of their biggest areas of need is center, so if a true center like Fab Melo is available for them, they'll leap at the opportunity to draft him.
22. Boston Celtics (from L.A. Clippers): Evan Fournier, SG France (6-7, 200)
The next step in the Celtics rebuilding after the Big 3 era is figuring out a way to get consistent offense, because even with Allen and Garnett, they struggled to score. Evan Fournier is a tremendous offensive player, a big slashing wing that can get to the rim, find teammates, and score in the in between game. He's got big upside and wants to come to the NBA right away, a nice high upside pick who has a chance to be a star and a steal.
23. Atlanta Hawks: Jeff Taylor, SF Vanderbilt Sr. (6-7, 225)
Is this the offseason the Hawks finally shake up their roster with a big trade? No matter what trades they make, one thing is sure, this team needs wing depth. Jeff Taylor is long, extremely athletic with lockdown defensive ability and shot 42% from 3 this season. Taylor will be an excellent bench option and likely push for a starting spot ahead of Marvin Williams.
24. Cleveland Cavaliers (from L.A. Lakers): Meyers Leonard, C Illinois So. (7-0, 240)
Last year the Cavaliers passed on a true center, Jonas Valanciunas, only to see their starting center go down for the season and be forced to play scrap heaps guys and players out of position. Anderson Varejao will be back from injury, by he's had season ending injuries the last two years and doesn't have much in way of a back up. Meyers Leonard is raw, but has huge upside.
25. Memphis Grizzlies: Kendall Marshall, PG North Carolina So. (6-4, 190)
The Grizzlies are locked in at all their starting positions, so they'll just be looking for bench depth. Backup point guard is particularly a problem, with Gilbert Arenas manning the spot last year. Kendall Marshall is a great value here, he only falls because of a lack of need for point guards, and is very similar to a former Grizzlies backup point guard Greivis Vasquez, who really worked well in their system.
26. Indiana Pacers: Doron Lamb, SG Kentucky So. (6-4, 195)
The Pacers could lose both Leandro Barbosa and Dahntay Jones to free agency this summer, so they'll need to restock in the backcourt. Plus, despite the fact that they were one of the best three point shooting teams in the NBA last season, they were in the bottom third in attempts. Doron Lamb is one of the best shooters in this draft (it's him or John Jenkins) and can score in a variety of ways.
27. Miami Heat: Draymond Green, SF Michigan State Sr. (6-6, 235)
The Heat need a legitimate center who can score and defend, however so do half the teams in the league, as they just aren't easy to come by, especially late in the first round. The other big need for the Heat is bench help, as their bench has been pathetic this season. Draymond Green has the potential to be a great role player because of the shooting, rebounding, passing, and leadership he brings to the table. He'll never be a star but he'll bring it every game.
28. Oklahoma City Thunder: Hollis Thompson, SF Georgetown Jr. (6-8, 205)
Hollis Thompson will most likely never be a star, but he's a dead eye shooter with the size, length, and athleticism to guard 2s and 3s, these skills alone should keep him in the league, as it has James Jones, Dorell Wright, James Posey, and Chris Singleton. The Thunder could use another shooter on the wing and Thompson would fit in nice OKC.
29. Chicago Bulls: Marquis Teague, PG Kentucky Fr. (6-2, 180)
Derrick Rose will be out for the first couple of month of the season next year and probably won't be himself until 2013 season. Not only will Marquis Teague help to pick up that slack while Rose is out, he'll be a dynamic backup and possible trade chip down the line, especially if he reaches his considerable upside as a super-quick, athletic point guard with good defensive ability. Think a slightly less athletic, purer point guard version of Eric Bledsoe.
30. Golden State Warriors (from San Antonio): Will Barton, SG Memphis So. (6-6, 170)
The Warriors are in a position to grab the best player who falls in the draft with this last pick of the final round. Will Barton is a great value here and will add some much needed backcourt depth, with Brandon Rush and Nate Robinson set to be free agents. Barton has really high upside, he's athletic, a natural scorer and a great rebounder who'll provide a nice change of pace to Klay Thompson.
