NBA Mock Draft #1

Today I'm channeling my inner "8-ball" and am going to give my initial predictions for the First Round of next month's NBA Draft. A lot can change between now and then, so we'll call this Mock Draft #1. Please note that these picks are not based on what I would do, but what I think will happen. Take a look...

NBA First Round Mock #1

1. Cleveland Cavaliers select Nerlens Noel.

Cleveland's biggest need is SF, but taking Otto Porter or Shabazz Muhammed would be a stretch at #1. I do think there is a major chance they trade this pick, but I won't predict that quite yet either. Since they just drafted a SG (Waiters) in the Top 5 a year ago, I think they pass on McLemore and Oladipo and go with a big man. I'd take Cody Zeller but most teams see Noel as the top big man.

2. Orlando Magic select Ben McLemore.

The Magic have holes at nearly every spot on their roster. That brings all of the top guys into play. There has been chatter recently about Trey Burke, but I say they just take the best player available on their board, regardless of position. I believe they would value McLemore the most due to his scoring ability, athleticism, and upside.

3. Washington Wizards select Otto Porter Jr.

Similar to Cleveland, their biggest need is SF. But unlike the Cavs, this is a more appropriate spot to take one. If Noel falls to them, this would change, but right now I think Porter to the Wizards is extremely likely.

4. Charlotte Hornets select Victor Oladipo.

What Jordan has coveted over the last few drafts is "winners" regardless of if they have a true position or extremely high NBA skill. Kemba Walker and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist fit that mold. I think he continues to do that by drafting Oladipo. I think this would give him a young core (between those three) that could potentially gel and begin changing the losing culture there.

5. Phoenix Suns select Anthony Bennett.

The Suns are desperate for some wing players, so if Ben, Victor, or Otto fall, they will nab them up for sure. But in this mock they are all drafted. Bennett would help them inside right away and give them a young big man to learn from their vets.

6. New Orleans Pelicans select Trey Burke.

I nearly went with a big man here to pair with Anthony Davis, but I think they need a better floor general than what they've got. Rivers and Gordon are two guards that can score, but neither can run an offense, and that's why they need a PG. I think MCW and McCollum are possibilities here, but Burke is the better overall PG. Zeller or Len would be in the mix too if they go big.

7. Sacramento Kings select Cody Zeller.

When they decided to trade Thomas Robinson, that immediately opened up the door to draft another Top 10 PF. Zeller would be the perfect compliment to Cousins inside because Cody is everything Cousins isn't as a big man. He is more offensive minded, fast, and fundamental. That's just what the Kings now need.

8. Detroit Pistons select Shabazz Muhammed.

The Pistons are in a tough spot. Most of the top players left are point guards and big men, places I don't see them addressing with this pick. Muhammed would make a lot of sense in their system and still possesses great upside.

9. Minnesota Timberwolves select Alex Len.

Minnesota has a lot of holes but they have a big hole in the middle I think. Len would fill in nicely next to Kevin Love. Saric is a possibility here since they have plenty of foreign talent on their roster already.

10. Portland Trailblazers select CJ McCollum.

Portland could use a scoring and shooting counterpart to Lilllard. McCollum could play the off guard with Lillard and play point guard when needed too. His range would help stretch the court for Aldridge inside.

11. Philadelphia 76ers select Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.

I believe Philly will be looking to take the best available 2-4 player. Caldwell-Pope could give them some scoring punch and he is athletic with great upside too. If they can get Bynum healthy also, Caldwell-Pope could be another needed chip in returning to the playoffs.

12. Oklahoma City Thunder select Steven Adams.

A team this good getting the 12th pick overall seems unfair, but that's what happens when you trade a star like Harden. Plus, the 12th pick this year isn't what it would have been in prior years (or next year). I see them taking a center to back up and eventually replace Perkins. Adams is big, athletic, and young. He has a lot of room to grow, but I think he could be another piece to the puzzle in OKC. Note that I actually like Kelly Olynyk better here...

13. Dallas Mavericks select Michael Carter-Williams.

Much of what Dallas does here depends on their offseason moves in free agency. If they can somehow get Chris Paul or Deron Williams or something, then they don't take MCW. But in this mock, I just see them taking the best player available. MCW has a unique PG skill set and could be a solid player for years to come.

14. Utah Jazz select Dario Saric.

This was actually pretty simple. The Jazz are loaded with bigs, so I believe they take the best non-big available. Saric could go before this, but I doubt he would slide past Utah.

15. Milwaukee Bucks select Mason Plumlee.

They need some help inside and Plumlee gives them help on both ends. Olynyk is another possible fit but Plumlee gives them a bit more toughness and athleticism.

16. Boston Celtics select Kelly Olynyk.

Boston doesn't have many "holes" but at the same time they are old and need to find some replacements up and down their roster. Olynyk gives them a big man that can do a little of everything. I like his ability to play off the ball which he would do a lot of with this team.

17. Atlanta Hawks select Jamaal Franklin.

The Hawks need a more athletic and taller SG and Franklin can be that guy. He is also experienced enough to make an impact right away, which is important for a playoff team.

18. Atlanta Hawks select Tony Mitchell.

With two picks in a row, Atlanta can take a risk on a player with great upside. Mitchell has massive room to grow but the talent is there. If he ends up playing SF, he would give them a drastically different player than Korver, who often plays SF now.

19. Cleveland Cavaliers select Allen Crabbe.

Since they went big with the #1 pick, they need to grab a wing player with this pick. Crabbe gives them shooting that they currently don't have. He has good size for a SG also unlike Waiters.

20. Chicago Bulls select Reggie Bullock.

I nearly went with Gorgui Dieng, but if the Heat series showed them anything it's that they need more scoring. Bullock has that ability to score from the perimeter and the size to finish inside.

21. Utah Jazz select Shane Larkin.

I think the Jazz would be pumped if the draft played out like this. Larkin could be their point guard for years to come and this would be a steal at #21. He lacks size, but he makes up for it in all other areas.

22. Brooklyn Nets select Gorgui Dieng.

The Nets could use another big man and Dieng should be that guy. He would provide the interior defense while Lopez could still provide the interior offense.

23. Indiana Pacers select Dennis Schroeder.

I could make a case that the Pacers have no needs, but also needs at every position. Assuming they resign David West and Granger can successfully return from injury, I think point guard is the position to address. Hill is a more natural shooting guard and Augustine is too small to be great in the NBA. It's why the team struggles with turnovers. Schroeder could be a better long term floor general.

24. New York Knicks select Rudy Gobert.

Rudy is big and can be a factor defensively right away. Who better to learn from than Tyson Chandler? The other option I see here is Hardaway Jr. because he would fit their 3-point heavy scheme.

25. LA Clippers select Tim Hardaway Jr.

Hardaway is a terrific catch and shoot guy and would play off the ball terrifically with Chris Paul. The Clippers could go with a big man here, but I'm not crazy about any left on the board except Jeff Withey, and I don't see them going that direction here.

26. Minnesota Timberwolves select Sergey Karasev.

With a big man already drafted at #9, they need to go with a perimeter player here. They lack a shooter and Sergey could give them one. Plus, with Kirilenko already on the team, Sergey wouldn't be the only Russian.

27. Denver Nuggets select Deshaun Thomas.

To be honest, Thomas shouldn't last until this point in the draft, but teams just aren't crazy about him. He could go as high as #19 or dip into the early second round. The Nuggets could use a little more outside scoring though, as most of their damage is done in the paint.

28. San Antonio Spurs select Giannis Antetokounmpo.

He is young with potential and the Spurs could draft and stash him overseas. This would give him time to develop, learn, and grow. When he comes over, Coach Pop and the vets on this team would be great guys to learn from.

29. Oklahoma City Thunder select Erick Green.

With a big man at #12, the Thunder will go small here. Green is a versatile player that can play at the 1 or 2 and is a great playermaker/scorer. He isn't as highly thought of as Harden was, but he could provide the same type of things... bench production.

30. Phoenix Suns select Glen Rice Jr.

He is a D-League guy that has done pretty well there. Just like the Thunder, they should go small here since they went big earlier. Glen could give you a bit more production at the SG spot and give the team more scoring ability.

By: The Sports Guys