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| Kemba Walker has rocketed up the boards. |
I think the NCAA tournament really improved the draft stock of a few players, but after leading his team to a national title Kemba Walker makes a huge leap. I also expect Brandon Knight to go pretty high after his good play during the tournament. For more mock drafts here is a link to my mock draft database.
Round 1
1. Cleveland-Kyrie Irving, PG, Duke- I think Kyrie Irving will declare for the draft and I think that the Cavs will not be able to pass on him. Byron Scott was a good mentor to Chris Paul early in his career, a player that Irving has been compared to. Cleveland could be a good fit for Irving if they can put some talent around him.
2. Minnesota-Harrison Barnes, SG, North Carolina- I am leaning towards Barnes staying at North Carolina, but most things that I read say he will go in the high lottery if he goes. He would fill a need in Minnesota and add to a young talented roster.
3. Washington- Derrick Williams, SF, Arizona- Williams had a great tournament and is in consideration for the first 2 picks as well. He will not drop past this spot. He would give the Wizards a scoring threat at the small forward position. The Wizards would all of a sudden be a very interesting team with Crawford, Williams, Wall, Young, and McGee.
4. Toronto- Kemba Walker, PG, Connecticut- Kemba showed that he can carry a team on his back all year. He could give Toronto a spark and would make a nice duo with DeRozan.
5. Sacramento-Perry Jones, PF, Baylor- Perry Jones has kind of fallen off the radar a little bit because his team failed to make the tournament. He would give the Kings a nice front court duo with Cousins and would also be able to play some small forward.
6. Utah- From New Jersey-Terrence Jones, SF, Kentucky- Terrence Jones would give the Jazz a huge front 3 with Favors, Jefferson and Jones. The multi talented forward would also give the team a lot of versatility with their line ups.
7. Detroit- Jonas Valanciunas, PF, Lithuania- Valanciunas is a skilled scorer around the hoop and would complement Monroe very well. They could be a good high low option because both are good passers.
8. Cleveland- From LA Clippers- Enes Kanter, C, Turkey- Kanter is a mystery because he was not allowed to play this year, but he was considered to be ready for the NBA last year. He is a good rebounder and can finish around the hoop. He will be a nice addition to a front line with Varejao and Hickson.
9. Milwaukee- Jan Vesely, PF, Czech Republic- Vesely is a physical defender and an active rebounder. He needs to improve his offensive game but he would be a good combination with Bogut.
10. Charlotte- Brandon Knight, PG, Kentucky- Brandon Knight would give the Bobcats a talented player at the point guard position. Augustine is a talented player but Brandon Knight has a lot more upside as a player.
11. Golden State- Kawhi Leonard, SF, San Diego St- Leonard would give the Warriors a player that does all the dirty work. Leonard is a great defender and rebounds very well for his position.
12. Indiana- John Henson, PF, North Carolina- Henson would give Indiana a great weak side shot blocker to help out Hibbert in the paint. He needs to bulk up and work on his offense.
13. Utah-Alec Burks, SG, Colorado- Utah needs a shooting guard that can create his own shot and Burks is the best available. He is great going to the basket but really needs to improve his jumper.
14. Houston- From Phoenix- Josh Selby, PG, Kansas-Selby had a tough year but at one point was considered a lottery pick. I think if he decides to enter the draft his stock will rise when the work outs start. Teams will remember what they liked before and he will go in the mid first round.
15. Houston- From New York- Donatas Motiejunas, PF, Lithuania- Motiejunas could have been a high pick last year but decided to withdraw his name. He is compared to Nowitzki, he could give Houston a nice low post presence as he stands at 7'0.
16. Philadelphia- Thomas Robinson, PF, Kansas- Robinson might stay in Kansas next year, but he would be a nice fit in Philadelphia. He is a big physical big man who has a lot of potential to develop into a tough player.
17. New York- From Houston- Tyler Zeller, C, North Carolina- New York lost their 7 footer Mozgov in the Anthony trade, they could replace him with Zeller. Zeller had a great year and showed that he can produce against tough competition.
18. Washington- From Atlanta- Kenneth Faried, PF, Morehead State- Faried showed how good of a rebounder he is in the first 2 rounds of the tournament. He seemed to get the ball anytime he was near it. He would be a good character pick for a young Wizards team.
19. Charlotte-From Portland, Via New Orleans- Lucas Nogueira, C, Brazil- Nogueira could become a defensive stopper in the NBA, but he will be a project for a few years. He could be a surprise like Ibaka at some point in his career.
20. Minnesota- From Memphis- Jordan Hamilton, SF, Texas- Hamilton is another player trying to decide whether to enter or not. Minnesota has a ton of young players with potential, and Hamilton would add another. He would most likely sit on the bench or play in the D-league next year, but he could become a good scorer at this level.
21. Portland- Markieff Morris, PF, Kansas- Markieff is the better rebounder and shot blocker of the Morris twins, and he would help out Portland's front line. He would bring a lot of energy off the bench for Nate McMillan.
22. Denver- Bismack Biyombo, PF, Congo- Biyombo is a 6'9 foward with a 7'7 wing span. He is very athletic and is another player being compared to Serge Ibaka.
23. Phoenix- From Orlando- Jimmer Freddette, PG, BYU- Phoenix could use Aaron Brooks for a few years while Freddette develops and eventually becomes the main man.
24. Oklahoma City- Marcus Morris, PF, Kansas- Morris would give Oklahoma even more depth. They have such a deep talented roster already that anybody they add is just going to be a luxury.
25. Dallas- Nikola Mirotic, SF, Serbia- Dallas needs help at the small forward position. Nikola Mirotic is a big 6'10 small forward who has a great shot. He could be compared to Peja, although he is not that high of caliber shooter yet.
26. Boston- Patric Young, C, Florida- Patric Young does a lot of the same things that Kendrick Perkins did for Boston, although by the time he develops it may be too late.
27. Chicago- From Toronto, Via Miami- Tobias Harris, SF, Tennessee- Harris is a smart player and has a very good jump shot. He could find his niche on Chicago's roster as long as he learns how to defend.
28. New Jersey- From LA Lakers- Mason Plumlee, PF, Duke- Humphries might leave in free agency, Plumlee plays the same way that Humphries does. He is athletic, rebounds and plays defense. Plumlee could develop into a nice player.
29. Chicago-Klay Thompson, SG, Washington State- Chicago fills the hole at shooting guard with the sharp shooting Thompson.
30. San Antonio-JaJuan Johnson, PF, Purdue- JaJuan is a multi talented forward who has improved each year at Purdue. He is also a great shot blocker and has a huge wing span.
Round 2
31. Cleveland- Jereme Richmond, SF, Illinois
32. Miami- From Minnesota-Reggie Jackson, PG, Boston College
33. Washington- Jeff Taylor, SF, Vanderbilt
34. Detroit- From Toronto- Tyler Honeycutt, SF, UCLA
35. Sacramento- Darius Morris, PG, Michigan
36. New Jersey- Scotty Hopson, SG, Tennessee
37. LA Clippers- From Detroit- Kyle Singler, SF, Duke-
38. Houston- From LA Clippers- Marshon Brooks, SG, Providence
39. Milwaukee- Bojan Bogdanovic, SF, Serbia
40. Charlotte- Travis Leslie, SG, Georgia
41. LA Lakers- From Golden State- Nolan Smith, PG, Duke
42. Indiana- Shelvin Mack, PG, Butler
43. Chicago- From Utah-C.J. Leslie, PF, NC State
44. Golden State- From Chicago, Via Phoenix- Festus Ezeli, C, Vanderbilt
45. LA Lakers- From New York- Khris Middleton, SF, Texas A&M
46. New Orleans- From Philadelphia- Trey Thompkins, PF, Georgia
47. LA Clippers- From Houston- Elias Harris, SF, Gonzaga
48. Atlanta- Charles Jenkins, SG, Hofstra
49. Philadelphia- From New Orleans- Norris Cole, PG, Cleveland St.
50. Memphis- Andrew Nicholson, PF, St. Bonaventure-
51. Portland- Demetri McCamey, PG, Illinois
52. Detroit- From Denver- Tyshawn Taylor, PG, Kansas
53. Orlando- Jordan Williams, C, Maryland
54. Cleveland- From Oklahoma City- Justin Harper, PF, Richmond
55. Dallas- Mouphtaou Yarou, PF, Villanova
56. Boston- Chris Singleton, SF, Florida State
57. LA Lakers- From Miami- Jeremy Tyler, PF, Japan
58. LA Lakers- Keith Benson, C, Oakland
59. Sacramento- From Milwaukee, Via Chicago- Chandler Parsons, SF, Florida
60. San Antonio- Malcolm Lee, PG, UCLA
Kanter should be taken way higher than 8. At least top 5
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