Player of the Day: Tyler Lydon #20 - Syracuse

Strengths:
- 3 point shooting: Lydon is a good 3 point shooter. His length and quick release allow him to get his shot off.
- Versatility: Though Lydon's strengths as a defender may be hidden in the Syracuse zone, he is 6'9 with a 7'0+ wingspan and good athleticism. Lydon can guard anyone from a Shooting Guard to a Power Forward.
- Post feeds: Lydon is an ideal player for the triangle. He feeds the post well as he can see over defenders.


Weaknesses:
- Soft: Lydon avoids contact at all costs. Offensively, he prefers to hover around the perimeter and take 3 pointers, and defensively, he rarely contests shots and commonly gets stripped on the defensive boards.
- Boxouts: Lydon almost never boxes his man out. When the shot goes up he stares at the ball rather than trying to find a body to boxout. He gives up countless offensive rebounds with these tactics.
- Defensive effort: Lydon's closeouts are slow, he doesn't contest shots, and his rotations are late.


NBA Potential:
Lydon is not an NBA player. Draft websites have him as a potential first round pick because of his natural gifts, but I don't see teams drafting him even close to that high. Lydon makes no impact on the game scoring, rebounding, or defensively. I imagine he will be a net negative for any professional team he plays for. He reminds me of Skal Labissiere last year, who was also drafted because of his athletic gifts, but avoids contact at all costs.


Verdict:
- 2nd round pick
- Will play in the D-League but eventually settle for a contract in Europe.

Player of the Day: Jawun Evans #1 - Oklahoma State

Hi Everyone,

I will be writing a daily post on an NCAA prospect likely to declare for the 2017 NBA Draft. For my first post, I will look at Jawun Evans, the PG from Oklahoma State.

Jawun Evans

Strengths:
- Dynamic using ball screens: Evans likes using high ball screens to create shots; either pulling up from 3 or getting in the lane for his patented push floater.
- Pace: Evans plays at an extremely fast pace and forces opponents to do the same.
- Shooting - Evans is a good shooter, having shot close to 50% from 3 in his Freshman season, and shooting well above 50% in his Sophomore season on 2.7 attempts per game.
- Speed: Evans is very fast and does well changing speeds and beating his man to spots to get the shots he wants.

Weaknesses: 
- Size: Evans is only 5'11, which means his speed and overall skills need to be that much better than the average player at the next level. He almost always settles for floaters or midrange jumpers rather than getting to the rim because he has trouble finishing over larger defenders.
- On-ball Defense: Evans struggles to stay infront of his man on drives. Though he does a good job of fighting around screens, he has more trouble when players simply drive to the hoop.
- Selfish - Evans is a score-first PG. Using ball screens he is primarily looking to score and does not get his teammates involved enough.
- Defensive effort: Evans will give up on plays when he gets beat or is late recovering. Rather than crashing the glass he will stand around hoping his teammate gathers the rebound and gives it to him.
- Settling: Evans is a pure scorer. While Oklahoma State may rely on his scoring, he triggers shots the moment he sees some room. He needs to do a better job of picking his spots and getting teammates involved more.

NBA Potential:
Evans is a quick guard capable of putting up big scoring numbers, but his lack of basketball IQ will hurt him at the next level. No professional team will allow him the opportunities currently presented at Oklahoma State. His poor on-ball defense, combined with his lack of size will make it very tough for him to make an NBA roster. He would have to continue scoring at a very high rate to be able to stay on the floor, which I don't see happening.

Verdict:
-Undrafted
-Will not make an NBA team

NBA Draft Guidelines

The NBA Draft is the most exciting time of the year. To provide insight into my yearly projections, I have prepared the following NBA Draft Guidelines using my favourite players in this years draft class as examples:

1. Focus on the positives, not the negatives

In drafting an NBA player, I believe in focusing on a players positive abilities, what they can do, rather than their negatives, what they cannot. Not every star player is great at everything, but they have several elite skills. I scout to determine whether a player has the necessary skills to fill a certain role, whether it be a 3D guy, shooter, stretch 4, or star scorer.

When scouting guards (1-2), I believe in focusing on their current offensive skills, their basketball IQ and what I have seen them do.

As an example, I would prefer to draft Jamal Murray, who already possesses elite offensive skills (shooting, playmaking, IQ) over Marcus Smart, who was drafted primarily due to his size, athleticism, and defensive ability at the PG position. Smart is more of a body than a complete basketball player.

When scouting bigs, I believe the intangibles, such as their height, wingspan, athleticism, and touch, are more important. For true PFs and Cs, I am looking at the physical tools and what they can learn rather than their actual production.

I would prefer to draft a player like Cheick Diallo, who has all the physical tools (size, length, natural timing, switchable) necessary to succeed as a modern NBA C, rather than a Henry Ellenson, who already possesses great skills for a big, but will have speed and defensive problems keeping up in the NBA.

SFs and stretch PFs are a hybrid of this thinking. For example. in stretch 4s, I look for a combination of athleticism to guard 3s, size to guard 4s, and shooting ability to stretch the floor on offense. A player I would love to draft in the second half of the first round is Patrick McCaw. McCaw’s elite skill is getting steals, and he is also a good 3 point shooter and facilitator. Most importantly, though, he has the physical tools to become a lockdown defender, and should be able to switch onto a number of positions. McCaws combination of good guard skills and high athletic potential make him an intriguing prospect. 

2. Look for the star

First and foremost, I am selecting a player that I think can be a star. There is no point in drafting a role player if the team doesn’t have a star. The NBA is a stars league, and a team needs to be built around them based on their strengths and their weaknesses.

I would only draft a player near the top of the lottery if they have star potential. A player like Dragan Bender does not appear to have that, and that is why I would avoid drafting him altogether. Once the lottery is over, I look for strong all around players with an elite skill and no glaring weakness. Meaning, if I draft a wing, they should be able to shoot the 3, defend well, and have a high basketball IQ.

3. When drafting role players, ensure they have a definable NBA skill

To further my last point, non-lottery picks should have an obvious NBA skill that you know can fill a role. Even when a player is drafted for potential, such as Cheick Diallo, I know he can has the timing to block shots at the NBA level, and should be able to defend multiple positions.

Another example of a player with definable NBA skills who will likely be a late first round pick is Tyler Ulis. I like Ulis because he has NBA starter potential, but is a safe bet to be a backup PG because of his elite feel for the game. Much like Kyle Lowry of today, or Chauncey Billups in the past, he knows when to move the ball and when he needs to score. He always knows what his team needs from him and understands the game is about key points at key times. At worst, I know Ulis can be a good backup PG who can run a team no matter how many minutes he is given. Sometimes players force shots when they aren’t given big minutes, in an attempt to stay on the floor. I know this wont be a problem with Ulis, who always make the right play no matter how limited his minutes are. Despite his size, Ulis is also a great defender, who should be able to bother backup PGs other than Shaun Livingston. If Ulis maximizes his ability he could become a good NBA starting PG as he can already shoot and pass at very high level.

The stronger the skill the player possesses, the more I am willing to gamble on their weakness. Examples of this are Jamal Murray and Tyler Ulis, who both pose defensive concerns due to lateral quickness and size concerns, respectively.

4. Don’t let injury concerns deter you

I believe there is more risk drafting a player based solely on potential than taking one with skills who has injury concerns. As such, I don’t believe in focusing on injury concerns late in the first round or later, because those factors are beyond our control. For example, I would draft Caris Levert, who is the perfect modern NBA guard (high IQ, good size for a guard at 6’7, can shoot, good playmaker, switchable on D) because the value of getting a top 10-15 talent is worth the risk at that point.

5. Ignore projections. Draft each player on their own merit and stick to your guys

Drafting, in general, is a balance of current skills, body, and projected ability. You have to weigh these factors in each situation to make a draft selection. I don’t believe in the idea of “best player available” because nobody knows who that will be based on these factors. For example, I would draft Jamal Murray over Brandon Ingram. I believe people see Ingram and think Kevin Durant, but he is not that. While Ingram could become a star scorer, and has the physical size and athleticism to switch on a number of positions (which is what every team is looking for in the modern NBA), you need a star scorer first and foremost. I am certain that Jamal Murray will be that.

I have taken issue with a number of picks in the past that seem to be drafted due to their player comparisons. Ingram is compared to Durant because of his long skinny frame and shooting ability, but because Murray doesn’t have a similarly impressive comparison, he isn’t being touted as the next great PG.

Similarly, Kristaps Porzingis’ rookie success will help other 7-foot athletic European players, such as Dragan Bender. I don’t believe Bender deserves to be anywhere near the top 5, and I actually prefer Juan Hernangomez. We don’t have enough evidence of Bender being great to warrant a top 5 pick, and all scouts agree he will never be an elite scorer or defender. So my question is, why even draft him?

Projections seem to decide a player’s draft stock. I believe in having a list of players you like and sticking to drafting those players, no matter where they are projected. I would draft players like Hernangomez and Yabusele over Jakob Poeltl, Henry Ellenson, and Skal Labissiere. Poeltl, Ellenson, and Labissiere have glaring holes as players, and Hernangomez and Yabusele have the offensive skillset, aggression, and natural athleticism to succeed.

6. In the second round, shoot for the stars

I believe in drafting stat stuffers from smaller NCAA schools late in the draft. Lots of teams draft players with potential who have not actually produced on the court and were highly touted prospects at big schools. Instead, I prefer drafting a star from a small school such as Kay Felder. Felder is an elite scorer and passer, despite his size. We have seen him put up big numbers (37 pts, 9 asts) vs. Michigan State and there is a chance he becomes a very good NBA player just like Isaiah Thomas. We don’t yet know how good Felder can be, but he did all he could for Oakland. Another similar situation to this was Damian Lillard. People questioned Lillard because he played at a small school, but how much better could anyone do than the numbers he put up?

Another player I love in the second round is Ben Bentil. Bentil put up big numbers in his second year at Providence, and I still question why he isn’t a projected first round pick. He is thick enough to guard big 4s in the post, and has extended his shot to the 3-point line. He had a huge increase in production this past season and its worth a shot seeing if that steady incline can continue.

Zach Lavine, you the real MVP

There was plenty of hype surrounding the 2014 NBA Draft. After the players were drafted, and the dust settled, it was time to head to Las Vegas for the NBA's Summer League. The Las Vegas Summer League has been the first opportunity for young drafted hopefuls to showcase their talent. 

Some players, such as T.J. Warren of the Phoenix Suns and Doug McDermott of the Chicago Bulls, showcased their already notorious scoring ability. Others, such as Josh Davis of the Charlotte Hornets, got the opportunity to display their definable NBA skill (rebounding) in an attempt to make an NBA roster.

Despite all the impressive performances throughout the last two weeks, the real MVP of the Summer League was Zach Lavine of the Minnesota Timberwolves. Lavine, who played one year at UCLA, was thought to be a long term project. His play over the course of the Summer League, though, proved that despite his diminishing minutes this past season at UCLA, he is NBA ready. Similar to Terrence Ross, drafting a player like Lavine is always a safe bet due to his elite athleticism and natural shooting ability. But, Lavine has shown he is capable of far more. Lavine was able to run the Point effectively, consistently making the right decisions and never forcing shots. Lavine used his jumping ability to elevate and get off a jumper whenever he pleased. Plenty of teams will regret passing on Lavine because he was perceived as more of a raw athlete than a basketball player. Lavine possesses all the tools to not only play the PG position, but excel this coming season in the NBA.

If I were Flip Saunders, the decision is easy. Move Kevin Love to Cleveland for Andrew Wiggins and pair the two most athletic players from this year's draft in an unstoppable backcourt tandem. 

If you still have doubts about Lavine, watch this:

THE BIG WINNERS FROM DRAFT NIGHT

There was shock and horror amongst all Toronto Raptors fans as they drafted Bruno Caboclo with the 20th pick, a player no fans of any extremity had heard of. Of all the picks in the first round, Caboclo was the most unknown player. Some fanbases, though, can take pride in their newly acquired talent. While teams drafting near the top are obviously pleased with their decisions, here are the real winners of the draft:

1. Los Angeles Lakers - I am beginning to believe the more players are seen, the lower they fall in the draft. Teams do not seem to have interest in known quantities, even when the result is good. Julius Randle slipped to the Lakers at 7, and could potentially be the best player from this draft class. Randle led Kentucky to the NCAA Championship game behind a relentless attack, both scoring, and on the offensive glass. In addition to randle, the Lakers were able to nab Jordan Clarkson through a trade with the Washington Wizards. Clarkson, from Missouri, is a Combo Guard with great size and athleticism, in the same vein as Russell Westbrook (obviously less athletic). Clarkson could end up being a great rotation player, and the Lakers got a real steal drafting him at 46.

2. Minnesota Timberwolves - The Timberwolves took a huge risk on one of the best athletes to come into the NBA in years by drafting Zach LaVine with the 13th pick. LaVine is raw, but can already shoot the ball, and jump out of the gym. LaVine claims to be a Point Guard, but no matter what position he plays at the next level, he has unlimited potential. In the second round, the Timberwolves drafted Glenn Robinson III, another one of my favourite prospects in this year's draft. Robinson has genes on his side, and is the perfect glue guy on any team, as he was with Michigan on the road to their NCAA Championship game appearance.

3. Charlotte Hornets - The Charlotte Hornets drafted my favourite player in this year's draft, P.J. Hairston. Hairston has the scoring gene, capable of filling it up from three, and also using his thickness to get to the rim and finish with contact. Hairston was a star for the Texas Legends of the D-League this past season, having numerous 40 point games, and averaging 21.8 points per game. The Hornets were also able to nab Noah Vonleh with the 9th pick. Though I don't like Vonleh as a prospect, his physical tools cannot be denied, and he certainly has loads of potential. It makes little sense drafting Cody Zeller and Vonleh in back to back years, with the Hornets best player, Al Jefferson, being a PF/C. I guess it is a good problem to have, though.

4. Orlando Magic - The Magic were looking for a Point Guard, and got just the one they wanted with Elfrid Payton Jr. While a 1-2-3 combo of Payton-Oladipo-Gordon can shut down opposing teams with elite defending, they seriously lack outside shooting. I believe the team will need a Power Forward who can shoot and stretch the floor to make up for this issue. Nevertheless, the team is at the talent evaluation stage, and these young players have plenty of room to grow and prove themselves before any changes are made. It will be interesting to see how Aaron Gordon's shooting stroke has improved, considering how well he was said to have shot in the Magic workout.

MOCK DRAFT 2.0

Look, we are all going to be way off. But taking into account what I've heard, here is my last ditch effort before I turn off all communication and prepare mentally to be let down yet again.

1. Cleveland Cavaliers - Andrew Wiggins

2. Milwaukee Bucks - Jabari Parker

3. Philadelphia 76ers - Joel Embiid

4. Orlando Magic - Dante Exum

5. Utah Jazz - Aaron Gordon

6. Boston Celtics - Julius Randle

7. Los Angeles Lakers - Marcus Smart

8. Sacramento Kings - Noah Vonleh

9. Charlotte Hornets - Doug McDermott

10. Philadelphia 76ers - Zach LaVine

11. Denver Nuggets - Dario Saric

12. Orlando Magic - Elfrid Payton Jr.

13. Minnesota Timberwolves - Nik Stauskas

14. Phoenix Suns - T.J. Warren

15. Atlanta Hawks - Gary Harris

16. Chicago Bulls - Rodney Hood

17. Boston Celtics - James Young

18. Phoenix Suns - Adreian Payne

19. Chicago Bulls - Shabazz Napier

20. Toronto Raptors - Clint Capela

21. Oklahoma City Thunder - Kyle Anderson

22. Memphis Grizzlies - Tyler Ennis

23. Utah Jazz - P.J. Hairston

24. Charlotte Hornets - Jordan Clarkson

25. Houston Rockets - Mitch McGary

26. Miami Heat - Glenn Robinson III

27. Phoenix Suns - K.J. McDaniels

28. Los Angeles Clippers - Jusuf Nurkic

29. Oklahoma City Thunder - C.J. Wilcox

30. San Antonio Spurs - Damien Inglis

2014 NBA MOCK DRAFT

Tomorrow is the 2014 NBA Draft. As such, here is my 1st round Mock Draft. These are what I think teams will do, not what I would do. 

Let me take this time to bring up my quarrels with the NBA Draft process. I fully expect teams to make irrational mistakes like drafting Noah Vonleh over Julius Randle. That is why the same teams end up here every year. Managers fail to realize that these guys actually have to play the game, no matter what their measurements and analytics say. 

Side note on Dante Exum: Has he looked great in what we've seen of him? Hell yeah! But, do we have a large enough sample size for him to be picked top 3 in a loaded draft? Hell no! Just pick Randle! He is a guaranteed 20/10 guy! He has proven it in a number of games on the biggest stage in college basketball. O.K., now that's my rant. I love Randle, now onto my mock…and this is assuming there are no trades, unless I've said the pick will be traded.

1. Cleveland Cavaliers - Andrew Wiggins, SF, Kansas.

Nobody knows where the Cavaliers are going with this pick. It has been rumoured that owner Dan Gilbert and the team's front office are at odds as to who to draft: Wiggins or Parker. I think Parker is a more polished offensive player at the moment, but Wiggins is special. You have to take the best athlete to come into the league in years, and expect he will pan out. Plenty of "Draft Experts" have compared Wiggins ceiling to Paul George, but I believe he will be a lot better than that. Whether the Cavs keep the pick, or trade it (the Magic offer of Afflalo, and picks 4 and 12 is intriguing), Wiggins is the guy.

2. Milwaukee Bucks - Jabari Parker, SF, Duke.

Parker showed a complete offensive arsenal this past season at Duke. While Parker reminds most of a combination between Paul Pierce and Carmelo Anthony, we saw Parker play against a number of zones as Duke's Power Forward or Center. In the NBA, Parker is a Small Forward, or stretch Power Forward. We know he can hit open shots and beat ACC frontlines to the punch, but can he do it against NBA level athletes, particularly at a stacked Small Forward position, with some of the league's best offensive and defensive players? (LeBron, Durant, George, Leonard, Carmelo) I have no doubt he can, but he will have to be hidden, at least for now, on defence against those top flight players. Nevertheless, Parker has a natural feel for scoring, and once he trims down, he will surely be a 20 point scorer for years to come.

3. Philadelphia 76ers - Dante Exum, PG, Australia.

Exum is a mystery wrapped in an enigma. We have seen him play Junior Basketball for Australia, and look fantastic in a Nike Hoop Summit loaded with talent. The Sixers appear to want to move their current Point Guard prospect Michael Carter-Williams, and I expect them to do so, replacing him with Exum. Word is Exum has a poor shooting stroke, but his off-the-chart athletic testing makes up for that. Particularly, in the Nike Hoop Summit, he showed a rare combination of basketball IQ and fluidity that has made some compare him to Penny Hardaway, and even Kobe. While I would avoid Exum and draft what I believe to be a sure thing in Randle, this is a make or break pick for a General Manager.

4. Orlando Magic - Noah Vonleh, PF, Indiana.

I don't like this pick. But, I don't trust the Magic, and expect them to make a bad decision. Vonleh's size and athletic testing rocketed him up draft boards. He appears to have a similar frame as Chris Bosh. But, Vonleh, on an average Indiana team, failed to show a killer instinct. He appears to be too soft of a kid to pan out. I would compare him to drafting Marvin Williams, as he possesses the physical attributes teams are looking for, but has yet to actually go out on the court and make it happen. While his jump shot has excited many teams, I believe, from watching his workouts, he possesses bad form. He is certainly capable of proving me wrong, but I would rather draft a player that has proven their value at a high level of NCAA ball.

5. Utah Jazz - Aaron Gordon, SF, Arizona.

From listening to David Locke's podcast, the Jazz appeared to like Gordon. Everyone is raving about his personality and work ethic. Here is the problem: he can't shoot. Gordon, and some teams, have said his shooting stroke has been fixed. Gordon is a freak athlete and glue guy capable of guarding almost any position on defence. Because of his lack of shooting ability, though, this is a high risk, high reward pick. If Gordon pans out, he can become the next Shawn Marion. But, if he cannot fix his shot, he may face the same future as Michael Kidd-Gilchrist. The NBA is relying increasingly on shooting, and Gordon needs to be able to hit open jumpers to stay out on the floor. 

6. Boston Celtics - Joel Embiid, C, Kansas.

I really have no idea where Embiid goes. It is very possible he goes as high as 3, but I can't see him slipping past Boston here. Ainge, and Boston super fan Bill Simmons, would be ecstatic acquiring this type of asset. Embiid was all but certain to become the top pick of the draft, until it was revealed he had broken navicular bone in his foot. This is another high risk, high reward pick, as since Greg Oden, every team is deadly afraid of drafting an injury plagued Centre. 

7. Los Angeles Lakers - Julius Randle, PF, Kentucky.

The Lakers are a smart organization. Word was their workout with Randle went extremely well. Randle is a killer, a Kobe type of player. He can come in immediately, start, and be effective for the Lakers. It is absolutely insane that Randle could fall this far, that is how deep this draft is. Randle was consistently double and triple teamed in the post this past year, and still found ways to score and grab offensive boards. Once he proves he can make the 15 footer in the NBA, which I believe is already in his offensive arsenal, he will be impossible to stop. I expect Randle to be a 20/10 guy in the league, and could end up being the best player out of this draft. I pray teams aren't stupid enough to draft Vonleh over him, but ANYTHING IS POSSSIBBLLLEE!!!!

8. Sacramento Kings - Marcus Smart, PG, Oklahoma State.

Smart appears to be the Kings top target. He has great size for a Point Guard, but his lack of shooting ability scares me. Nevertheless, if he can fix his jumpshot, he has incredible potentially because of his 2-way game. Smart, at worst, can become a lockdown defender for the Kings, and could potentially play Shooting Guard. I don't believe Smart is the leader everyone thinks he is because of his lack of success with Oklahoma State these past two seasons, playing alongside NBA prospects Markel Brown and LeBryan Nash. It is also possible the Kings deal this pick for a proven Point Guard. One thing is certain from watching their Draft 3.0 video, they are immediately focused on finding a starting Point Guard.

9. Charlotte Hornets - Doug McDermott, SF, Creighton.

Word out of Charlotte is that they are desperate for a shooter to space the floor, and their selection is down to Doug McDermott and Nik Stauskas. While Stauskas will have a great career as a lights out shooter, McDermott has more potential, as the leading scorer in the NCAA this past season. McDermott shot 45% from three this past season, and if all else fails, he will always be able to stretch the floor for the Hornets.

10. Philadelphia 76ers - Zach LaVine, SG, UCLA.

This pick may depend on who the 76ers draft 3rd overall. Philly is in full-on rebuild mode, and drafting LaVine, a player with enormous upside, makes a whole lot of sense. LaVine is raw, but he is an insane athlete with a good shooting stroke. From watching Terrence Ross these past 2 seasons in Toronto, that is a pretty deadly combination. Getting LaVine, who has one of the highest ceilings in this draft, at 10, is a real win for Hinkie. A backcourt of Exum and LaVine has unlimited potential. 

11. Denver Nuggets - Dario Saric, SF, Croatia.

Saric just signed a 3 year deal with Turkish Club Anadolu Efes, and is ineligible to enter the NBA for another 2 years. The good news is that he has confirmed he will come to the NBA for the 2016/17 season. Saric has an amazing all around game. He is essentially a Point-Forward, similar to Hedo Turkoglu, but with more athleticism. Despite having to wait for 2 years, Saric has enormous potential, and this is a great value pick for the Nuggets at 11.

12. Orlando Magic - Elfrid Payton Jr., PG, Louisiana Lafayette.

After missing out on Dante Exum, and deciding against Marcus Smart with their first pick, the Magic want a PG here. They want a true Point Guard to pair with Victor Oladipo. Elfrid Payton Jr. is the perfect pick. Payton has great size for a PG. He is an amazing defender and competitor. His shooting needs some serious work, but his ability to get to the rim and create for teammates with ease makes him an easy choice for the Magic here.

13. Minnesota Timberwolves - Nik Stauskas, SG, Michigan.

I have heard the Timberwolves are looking for a shooter, and here they get the best pure shooter to enter the league in years. Stauskas is a lights out shooter, and also a great ball handler. He can contribute immediately, whether he starts or comes off the bench, and can play either guard position. Stauskas has unlimited confidence in his abilities, and may very well become a great all around scorer.

14. Phoenix Suns - Clint Capela, C, Switzerland.

This pick is predicated on the Suns resigning Channing Frye. If the Suns fail to re-sign Frye, I expect them to draft Payne here. The Suns need a shot blocker, and here they take Clint Capela, an extremely long athlete with elite shot-blocking timing. The Suns, who play one big at the basket, can bring in Capela as a backup for Miles Plumlee, and continue to space the floor with shooters around him. Capela fits nicely with the Suns signature run and gun offence.

15. Atlanta Hawks - Gary Harris, SG, Michigan State.

If you watched a minute of the Hawks this season, you saw a lot of threes being launched. Here the Hawks get the prospect they dreamed of. Harris is an excellent three point shooter, and all around two way player. Harris has good feel for the game and he has potential to become a Bradley Beal type of player. 

16. Chicago Bulls - Rodney Hood, SF, Duke.

The Bulls are looking to use their picks as the main assets to move up in the draft and grab a shooter, or potentially land a star. If the Bulls keep the pick, I expect them to draft Hood, who has a great shooting stroke, and can provide a much needed scoring punch off the bench. While this is a relatively safe pick, I don't like Hood because of his lack of potential. I don't see Hood being a good NBA player.

17. Boston Celtics - James Young, SF, Kentucky.

Here Ainge makes another great pick. Young is, well, young, but has loads of potential. He has a smooth stroke, and is a good athlete, capable of getting to the rim. His defined shooting skill will allow him to play immediately, but he has real potential to be a great player in the league. With Embiid and Young, Ainge has two great assets to move forward with, or package for a star player.

18. Phoenix Suns - Adreian Payne, PF, Michigan State.

A big that can stretch the floor? Exactly what the Suns wanted! If the Suns lose Frye, then they can't risk losing out on Payne, and draft him at 14. But, assuming they do re-sign him, they can draft Capela with the 14th pick, and hope Payne falls here. Payne has a great inside-outside game, and, like Frye, can actually defend the post. I trust Tom Izzo to have his players ready for the league, and Payne can come in and contribute from Day 1.

19. Chicago Bulls - Shabazz Napier, PG, Connecticut.

Prediction: The Bulls trade this pick to Miami. Napier carried UConn to the NCAA title this past season. Napier has it all, but because teams believe the draft is about potential, and, as a senior, his potential has been tapped, he falls to 19. Napier can contribute immediately as a backup PG, and has starting PG potential. Having averaged 6 rebounds and 5 assists in his senior season, Napier has great feel for the game. With his championship pedigree he will be a welcome addition to the Heat's roster. 

20. Toronto Raptors - Kyle Anderson, SF, UCLA.

I think my Raptors draft board looks like this: 

1. Capela

2. Payne

3. Anderson

4. Ennis

5. Clarkson. 

This is just a guess, but I think they loved Capela, and know they need a shot blocker. Assuming Capela and Payne don't fall here, I think they go with Anderson. Anderson is a unique Point-Forward type player, with great rebounding and passing skills. I do not know what position he will play in the NBA, but he will definitely keep the ball moving. Despite knocks on his athleticism, his size, potentially as a backup Point Guard, can make up for it. While I personally want to see the Raptors draft P.J. Hairston or Glenn Robinson III, this is who I believe the Raptors will take. 

21. Oklahoma City Thunder - P.J. Hairston, SG, Texas Legends.

I have Hairston being drafted here because he provides a need, whether the Thunder keep this pick or trade it to the Knicks. Hairston would provide a much needed scoring and shooting punch for the Russell Westbrook fast break and Kevin Durant isolation squad. Hairston is one of my favourite players in the Draft. He is a great scorer, with long range, and a strong build. He plays with swagger, and I have no doubt he can be a star in the NBA. 

22. Memphis Grizzlies - T.J. Warren, SF, North Carolina State.

Warren provides a much needed scoring punch for the Grizzlies. Warren is not a great shooter, but has a special scoring touch. Reports have said Warren is crushing everyone in workouts, and sometimes guys, like Paul Pierce, just have a natural knack for scoring. If he falls here, the Grizzlies have to pounce on him, as he has star potential.

23. Utah Jazz - Jordan Clarkson, PG, Missouri

Clarkson has great size for a PG, and could potentially play SG. He is a Russell Westbrook type of player, though obviously not that caliber of athlete. Clarkson has great athleticism for his size. From the few games I watched of Clarkson this past season, he appears to have it all. This is a great value pick for the Jazz, drafting a player with loads of potential. 

24. Charlotte Hornets - C.J. Wilcox, SG, Washington. 

As mentioned earlier, the Hornets are seeking shooters, and Wilcox fits the bill. Wilcox was a great shooter at Washington, and can defend the position well. He can immediately contribute off the bench for the Hornets.

25. Houston Rockets - K.J. McDaniels, SF, Clemson.

The Rockets need a special type of wing defender to make up for James Harden's lack of defensive effort/ability. Bringing in McDaniels, a Small Forward who can block shots, and truly impact the game on the defensive end, would be a welcome addition. 

26. Miami Heat - Glenn Robinson III, SF, Michigan. 

Glenn Robinson III is a Miami Heat type of player. He has good size and athleticism to be able to switch on pick and rolls, and his three point shooting capability make him perfect for spacing the floor for the Heat's star players. Robinson would effectively be picking up his role from his Freshman season on Michigan, having played alongside ball dominant guards Trey Burke and Tim Hardaway Jr. 

27. Phoenix Suns - Tyler Ennis, PG, Syracuse.

I believe Ennis will be "the player" who falls in this year's Draft. Ennis has great feel for the game, but lacks the shooting and physical tools to be a great NBA player. He will be able to run a team, though, and will be seen as a steal here at 27 for the Suns (or whoever they draft for here).

28. Los Angeles Clippers - Jusuf Nurkic, C, Bosnia. 

Everyone knows the Clippers need help with their big man rotation. Nurkic, who is being discussed as a potential pick in the teens, is a monster, and has good scoring touch around the rim. This would be a steal for the Clippers.

29. Oklahoma City Thunder - Jordan Adams, SG, UCLA. 

The Thunder need some help in the backcourt. With Sefolosha aging, Reggie Jackson should be given increased minutes, and we may see more Jackson-Westbrook backcourts than in the past. As such, the Thunder can bring in Adams, an effective scorer, who can bring immediate help off the bench.

30. San Antonio Spurs - Damien Inglis, SF, France.

Of course this happens. The Spurs, notorious for finding great value wherever they draft, find another European stud.At only 19 years of age, Inglis is an all around player that plays both sides of the ball well. He has good size, athleticism, and strength. He will fit in well with the Spurs system. He is what we can now label a "typical" French Small Forward (Diaw, Batum). While Inglis needs to improve his shooting, he has solid form, and with the help of the Spurs coaching staff, that shouldn't be a problem fixing. 

Welp, that does it folks! Can't wait to see how wrong I am.

-Wes