Welcome to the Front Office ’12 1st round mock draft. Everybody who blogs for the Front Office chipped in on this post. We did a mock draft everybody rotating picks to keep it interesting. Check out how we think the 1st rd of the June 28th draft will go.
Key: Pick, blogger, team, player.
1. Nate– New Orleans Hornets- Anthony Davis, C, Kentucky- Paired with Chris Kaman in the Hornets’ front court Anthony Davis could have a large impact in New Orleans where he ended his NCAA career as a champion. Long, athletic, intelligent basketball player is the obvious choice at No.1 regardless of which team won the lottery.
2. Martel- Charlotte Bobcats- Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SG/SF. Kentucky- Almost wanted to take Harrison Barnes but MKG is the safer pick. Will come in and play good defense,rebound,and do all the little things to help his team win and could eventually turn into a star.
3. Ron- Washington Wizards- Andre Drummond, C, Connecticut– Drummond is a physical specimen that has the potential to be a great player. The Wizards traded Javale McGhee for Nene to solidify their play in the paint. I feel that Nene is better suited to play the Power Forward position even though he has played Center for most of his career. Though, the Wizards do have Andray Blatche I see him being moved in the off-season due to his erratic behavior and questionable work ethic. With a solid player in Nene grooming Drummond the Wizards will be solid in the paint for years to come.
4. JT- Cleveland Cavaliers- Bradley Beal, SG, Florida – The Cavs need a little bit of everything but the biggest need is a wing player to run with last years 1st pick Kyrie Irving. Beal will provide an explosive scoring threat, who can shoot the long ball and attack the rim. Beal already has NBA size and could provide a nice one/two punch with Irving.
5. Nate- Sacramento Kings- Harrison Barnes, SF, North Carolina- With a need for a defensive big and Anthony Davis off the board the Kings could pick up Harrison Barnes. Over the last two years he’s showed flashes of what many experts anticipated out of HS. In his rookie year would be a great player to have come off the bench at the shooting guard or small forward spot.
6. Martel- Portland Trail Blazers- Kendall Marshall, PG, North Carolina- Some would say it’s a little early to select Marshall but i think he’s the best point guard in the draft and Portland will need a point if they lose Felton. Marshall proved his worth when he went down in the post season and he will help the Trailblazers a lot. Marshall will eventually lead the league in assist multiple times.
7. Ron- Golden State Warriors- Jeremy Lamb, SG/SF. Connecticut- Picking Lamb at this position is a stretch due to the late development of then Klay Thompson. Lamb is a smooth two guard that can fit into Head Coach Mark Jackson’s up-tempo style of play. Steph Curry, Jeremy Lamb, and Klay Thompson would be a formidable trio to pair with Andrew Bogut and David Lee controlling the paint.
8. JT- Toronto Raptors- Perry Jones III, SF/PF, Baylor- The Raptors need other wing player to go with Derozan. They already have a pass first pg in Calderon. Jones has a lot of potential plays like a wing player despite his size. If he gets to the right situation could be the steal of the draft.
9. Nate- Detroit Pistons- Thomas Robinson, PF, Kansas- Fits the Pistons’ style of play while adding something they lack, toughness. A good defender, doesn’t require the ball in his hands, but knows what to do with it when he gets it.
10. Martel- New Orleans Hornets- Austin Rivers, PG/SG, Duke- Drafting Davis gives the Hornets a building block to build around upfront and with their 2nd lottery pick they should look to the back court. In case the Hornets lose Gordon in free agency Rivers could be the replacement. If Gordon stays the Rivers could be instant offense off of the bench. Rivers played some point at Duke and he and Gordon could play in the back court together.
11. Ron-Portland Tra il Blazers- Tyler Zeller, C, North Carolina- The Portland Trailblazers have had a string of bad luck in recent memory. The retirement of Brandon Roy and the injuries to Greg Oden left gaping holes to a team that was expected to be one of the best teams in the NBA due to their talent and youth. Since then things have not been rosy for the team that plays in the Rose Garden. Since the injuries sustained to Greg Oden The Blazers have used Joel Pryzbilla, Marcus Camby, and Kurt Thomas at that position. By drafting Zeller it gives the Blazers a legitimate 7 footer with the ability to score. Zeller may be a Spencer Hawes type of player on the next level due to their size and skill set.
12. JT- Milwaukee Bucks- Jared Sullinger, PF, Ohio State- Sullinger will provide the Bucks a much-needed post presence. After acquiring Ellis for oft injured Bogut the Bucks had nobody in the post that could get buckets. Sully will be able to score on the block and hit the mid range shot.
13. Nate- Phoenix Suns- Damian Lillard, PG, Weber State- With the possibility of Steve Nash leaving the Suns they should look for someone capable of stepping in and learning from Nash or leading the way. Possesses good shooting range, can create a shot for himself or a teammate.
14. Martel- Houston Rockets- Myers Leonard, C, Illinois- The sudden retirement of Yao Ming Left a huge whole in the middle that the Rockets need to try to fill. Leonard is no Yao but he has a lot of talent and huge upside. With work he could be a solid starter in the NBA.
15. Ron- Philadelphia 76ers- Arnette Moultrie, PF, Mississippi State- Drafting Moultire seems more than ideal. Spencer Hawes is a free agent and it is likely that Elton Brand would be a victim of the amnesty clause. Moultrie and Lavoy Allen, and Nikola Vucevic would provide the Sixers a young and talented group for years to come. Moultire will give the 76ers an athletic presence that can score and rebound.
16. JT- Houston Rockets- Royce White, SF/PF, Iowa State- We all know White’s problems off the court but when on the court he is too talented to pass up. With various Rockets maybe on the trading block White will provide a presence of the block and able to provide point 4 skill set a la Anthony Mason.
17. Nate- Dallas Mavericks- Doron Lamb, SG, Kentucky- The Mavericks could expect Lamb to come in as a role player off the bench and provide efficient minutes; scoring and some ball handling.
18. Martel- Minnesota Timberwolves- Dion Waiters, SG, Syracuse- The T-Wolves are on the come up and are pretty solid at every position except two guard. Waiters could fill that void and he could possible be one of the best players in this draft.
19. Ron- Orlando Magic- Terrence Jones, SF/PF, Kentucky- Who knows what players will be around in Orlando due to the Dwight Howard fiasco. Drafting Jones would give them a young talented player that can play the small or power forward positions. Jones is an inside and outside threat that will be a solid player on the next level.
20. JT- Denver Nuggets- Terrence Ross, SG, Washington- This team has no real hole, so no matter the pick its luxury. Ross gives the team an athletic scorer who would fit right in with the run n gun style they like to play with.
21. Nate- Boston Celtics- John Henson, PF, North Carolina- Henson could be a solid defensive addition to the Celtics roster, and with Garnett would learn how to manage being a slim power forward in the NBA. Would seem to be a welcome addition for Rondo as he can also run the floor well.
22. Martel- Boston Celtics- Quincy Miller, SF, Baylor- Miller was solid in his freshmen year at Baylor and showed a lot of natural ability. A knee injury in his senior of high school set him back a little because before he was spoke of in the same breath as Davis. This could turn out to be a still for the Celtics and Miller could be the future replacement for Paul Pierce.
23. Ron- Atlanta Hawks- Fab Melo, C, Syracuse- The other Melo will give the Hawks a legitimate Center that will allow Al Horford slide to his natural position which is power forwards. Atlanta’s Hawks front office and Fab Melo have a lot in common meaning that they are not very bright. Melo seems like an ideal pick for Atlanta, but with Atlanta’s latest draft history they are prone to draft a small forward or someone who they do not need.
24. JT- Cleveland Cavaliers- Moe Harkless, SF, St. John’s- If the chips fall right for the Cavs they will have nice young wing players to build around. Harkless is a do it all type of player who can create and finish at the rim.. Needs to improve his jumper but very versatile, something the Cavs need. Could be one of the best players in this draft.
25. Nate- Memphis Grizzlies- Jeff Taylor, SF, Vanderbilt- The Grizzlies need someone who can come in and play the small forward position when Rudy Gay is off the floor. Taylor could be that guy; a slasher, decent shooter and defender.
26. Martel- Indiana Pacers- Tony Wroten, PG, Washington- The Pacers are solid upfront with options on the wing. The one thing that I’m not sure of is if Collision or Hill the future at point. They both are solid but not dynamic. Wroten is a big point with great court vision.If he improves his jump shot and his maturity he could be an all-star point guard.
27. Ron- Miami Heat- Festus Ezili, C, Vanderbilt- The only thing is uglier than Ezilli’s name is the Center play of the Miami Heat. Joel Anthony, Dexter Pittman, and Roni Turiaf are not starting Centers in the NBA, but by default.
28. JT- Oklahoma City Thunder- Draymond Green, SF/PF, Michigan State- The Thunder have no glaring needs but maybe a little more firepower off of the bench. Green is a jack of all trades type of player with not having the world on his shoulders if drafted by the Thunder he will provide a player who can handle the rock, post up and able to play both forward positions.
29. Nate- Chicago Bulls- Marquis Teague, PG, Kentucky- With an obvious need for a backup point guard for Derrick Rose, Teague could step in and be a solid ball handler and defender for the Bulls. An athletic guard who plays at both ends of the floor.
30. Martel- Golden State Warriors- Kevin Jones, PF, West Virginia- Jones isn’t anything special but he’s the type of player every championship team needs. The Warriors have enough offensive minded players and Mark Jackson will love a player like Jones who will do all the little things including rebounding. Jones is a great rebounder who knows how to find the ball.
That wraps up our mock draft. Let us know how you think we did good or bad we all have tough skin. I bet if some GM’s see this they will hope some of these picks come true and there are a few that probably don’t want the chips to land who we see fit. All in all it was a fun process.
I just want to thank, Ron, Martel and Nate for helping me with this mock draft.
