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| Nerlens Noel and Alex Len |
The Wizards are a mess; highly paid offseason acquisitions Trevor Ariza and Emeka Okafor are having the worst seasons of their careers while John Wall has yet to play a game and Nene is hobbled. If the Wizards get the number 1 overall pick, they'll have their choice of a big man or Shabazz Muhammad. Nerlens Noel makes the most sense for the Wizards because he'll be a good fit with Wall and Nene while anchoring Washington's defense. Noel is raw on offense but has the potential to be a monster defensive player who blocks shots (3.9 bpg this season), gets steals, (2.8 spg), rebound (9 rpg), and defend inside and out.
2. Cleveland Cavaliers: Shabazz Muhammad, G/F UCLA Fr. (6-6, 225)
Two years in a row, the Cavaliers have reached for prospects and the results have been mixed for both Dion Waiters and Tristan Thompson. This draft, they have options, especially if Anderson Varejao is traded. If Varejao is gone, Cody Zeller and Alex Len will be in the mix with Shabazz Muhammad. The cupboard is very bare on the wing for Cleveland (Luke Walton gets playing time), so Muhammad would provide a huge upgrade as well as an All-Star upside to pair with Kyrie Irving. At his best, a dominating physical and athletic force, Muhammad isn't at 100% yet this season, but he's still be averaging 17.3 points a game with a very good 48%/47%/75% slash line.
3. New Orleans Hornets: Alex Poythress, SF Kentucky Fr. (6-7, 215)
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| Alex Poythress |
4. Oklahoma City Thunder (from Toronto): Alex Len, C Maryland So. (7-1, 225)
The Thunder received this draft pick as part of the James Harden trade, provided the Raptors finish outside the top 3 in the lottery. If the Thunder get this pick and are able to take either Alex Len or Cody Zeller, giving them a legitimate post player, they'll have the most explosive, versatile offense in the NBA. Len can do it all from the 5 position on both ends of the floor, scoring inside and out, passing, rebounding, and blocking shots.
5. Charlotte Bobcats: Cody Zeller, C Indiana So. (6-11, 220)
The Bobcats have a strong defensive player big man in Bismack Biyombo, but after that they have nothing, Byron Mullins is an awful player, Brendan Haywood has nothing left in the tank, and Tyrus Thomas is best off the bench. Cody Zeller has fit issues and he isn't overly long or explosive, so I think the talk of top overall pick, or even the top 3 is fading/ However, he still has a lot of skills and can really run the floor, which fits the Bobcats uptempo style. He'll also fit well next to the physical defense of Biyombo.
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| Otto Porter |
The Pistons are set at power forward and center with Greg Monroe and Andre Drummond, while they have a lot invested in backcourt mates Brandon Knight and Rodney Stuckey. With Tayshaun Prince likely on the way out via a trade, Detroit will be looking for a new wing player. Otto Porter has a lot of skills and Detroit has had a lot of success with Georgetown players. I worry about Porter's ability to be a go to offensive player because he doesn't draw a lot of fouls, but as a Nicolas Batum type player, he has a lot of value.
7. Sacramento Kings: Michael Carter-Williams, PG Syrcause So. (6-6, 185)
The Sacramento Kings have one of the worst constructed rosters you'll ever see, they need to trade as many of their current players as they can. One of the biggest issues is that just about everyone on this team is a shoot first player who wants the ball in their own hands. Michael Carter-Williams is the best passer in college basketball, he loves to set up teammates and will be able to run a team at the next level. He also has upside as a scorer, but right off the bat he'll brings so much needed unselfishness to the Kings.
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| Rudy Gobert |
8. Phoenix Suns: Archie Goodwin, SG Kentucky Fr. (6-5, 195)
The cupboard is pretty bare in the Phoenix backcourt, Goran Dragic is a very good point guard, but Shannon Brown is a third guard and after him they've got nothing. Archie Goodwin is best suited to play shooting guard, but he's got enough point guard skills to play that position on a limited basis. As a 2, he's a great athlete who's impossible to stay in front of and can really fill it up from all over the floor. He's a little wild at times, but the comparisons to a young Russell Westbrook aren't totally crazy.
9. Orlando Magic: Rudy Gobert, F/C France (7-1, 220)
The Magic's roster is a difficult to evaluate because they have a lot of interesting pieces, but no one who is set in stone as a building block. Rudy Gobert is a top 3 physical talent, with great size, athleticism, and a 7-9 wingspan. He's a really good rebounder and shot blocker, but he also has questions about offense and teams seem to be more wary of European prospects theses days. Gobert has a chance to be a cornerstone piece for Orlando, but he also carries less than significant risk.
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| Anthony Bennett |
The Lakers aren't likely to end up in the top ten, or even the lottery, but it's not impossible and if they do they'll be targetting players that will thrive playing for Mike D'Antoni and can contribute without a ton of touches. Anthony Bennett is getting better and better as a shooter and should be above average from 3 for a big man soon. He's also a high motor player who can rebound and block shots with a high upside.
11. Dallas Mavericks: Marcus Smart, PG Oklahoma State Fr. (6-4, 225)
The Mavericks have had problems at point guard all season, with Darren Collison disappointing and Derek Fisher of all players starting and playing 25 minutes a game. Marcus Smart is a big, physical, explosive athlete who is still learning the point guard position, but it so intelligent, tough, and hardworking that combined with his physical tools, he can become a starting point guard who makes a whole team better.
12. Portland Trailblazers: Isaiah Austin, PF Baylor Fr. (7-0, 215)
The Trailblazers are in an interesting position, they've got young talent, both proven and unproven at all 5 positions, so right now they're drafting for depth and upside. Isaiah Austin certainly has upside, as he's super skilled and very long and athletic. He can do everything on the floor on both ends, but teams have big questions about his fit and style of play have pushed him down.
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| Ben McLemore |
13. Philadelphia 76ers: Ben McLemore, SG Kansas Fr. (6-5, 195)
Philadelphia has struggle offensively this season and part of the reason is the losses of Andre Igoudala and Lou Williams. Ben McLemore, who could be a top 5-10 pick easily by the end of the season, is kind of a combo of Williams and Igoudala. He's a big, athletic guard with tremendous defensive potential, but he can be an explosive scorer from all over the floor.
14. Houston Rockets: Mason Plumlee, PF Duke Sr. (6-10, 230)
The Rockets have so many young players, they really need to try to trade this pick for a veteran. If they can't find a deal, they'll be best served just taking the best player available. Given how much offense the Rockets get from their perimeter, it makes sense to surround them with high motor, athletic players. Mason Plumlee is an athletic rebounder and defender who can finish around the rim, but also lacks huge upside. A safe, if lower upside pick.
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