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The fourth edition of Cavs-Warriors has been what we expected thus far: lopsided. Even if LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers win Game 3--perhaps fueled by 20+ point performance from Rodney Hood--this NBA Finals series will be over sooner rather than later, and focus will ultimately turn to the NBA draft on June 21st as the other 29 teams look to challenge the Warriors. With that in mind, here’s my second NBA Mock Draft and Big Board. (1.0 can be found here)
Mock Draft 2.0 (where they’ll end up):
Suns: DeAndre Ayton (↑1 from Mock 1.0)
Kings: Luka Doncic (down 1)
Hawks: Jaren Jackson, Jr. (↑1)
Grizzlies: Marvin Bagley III (↓1)
Mavericks: Mo Bamba (↔)
Magic: Trae Young (↔)
Bulls: Michael Porter, Jr. (↔)
Cavaliers: Miles Bridges (↑1)
Knicks: Wendell Carter, Jr. (↑1)
76ers: Mikal Bridges (↓2)
Hornets: Kevin Knox (↔)
Clippers: Collin Sexton (↔)
Clippers: Robert Williams (↔)
*Nuggets: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (↔)
Wizards: Lonnie Walker IV (N/R)
*Suns: Troy Brown, Jr. (N/R)
Bucks: Melvin Frazier (N/R)
Spurs: Jacob Evans (N/R)
Hawks: Zhaire Smith (N/R)
Timberwolves: Kevin Huerter (N/R)
Jazz: Elie Okobo (N/R)
Bulls: Keita Bates-Diop (N/R)
Pacers: Khyri Thomas (N/R)
Blazers: Chandler Hutchison (N/R)
Lakers: Mitchell Robinson (N/R)
76ers: Josh Okogie (N/R)
Celtics: De’Anthony Melton (N/R)
Warriors: Moritz Wagner (N/R)
Nets: Donte Divincenzo (N/R)
Hawks: Jalen Brunson (N/R)
*Nuggets and Suns at 14 and 16 overall are picks that could be traded on draft night, as the actual draft order will not look exactly like this once all trades are complete.
Big Board 2.0 (raw player ranks)
Luka Doncic (up 1 from Mock 2.0, ↔ from Big Board 1.0)
DeAndre Ayton (↓2, ↔)
Michael Porter, Jr. (↑4, ↔)
Jaren Jackson, Jr. (↓1, ↔)
Marvin Bagley III (↓1, ↑1)
Collin Sexton (↑6, ↓1)
Kevin Knox (↑4, ↔)
Mo Bamba (↓3, ↔)
Trae Young (↓3, ↔)
Miles Bridges (↓2, ↑2)
Wendell Carter, Jr. (↓2, ↔)
Mikal Bridges (↓2, ↓2)
Lonnie Walker IV (↑2, N/R)
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (↔, ↓1)
Khyri Thomas (↑8, ↓1)
Zhaire Smith (↑3, N/R)
Troy Brown, Jr. (↑1, N/R)
Robert Williams (↓5, N/R)
Josh Okogie (↑7, N/R)
Donte Divincenzo (↑9, N/R)
Melvin Frazier (↓4, N/R)
Jacob Evans (↓4, N/R)
De’Anthony Melton (↑4, N/R)
Kevin Huerter (↓4, N/R)
Chandler Hutchison (↓1, N/R)
Keita Bates-Diop (↓4, N/R)
Mitchell Robinson (↓2, N/R)
Jarred Vanderbilt (N/R, N/R)
Jerome Robinson (N/R, N/R)
Hamidou Diallo (N/R, N/R)
Analysis: To check out players 1-14, refer to Mock 1.0.
Lonnie Walker IV: Despite the late game miscues against Loyola-Chicago in the NCAA Tournament, Walker IV is a long, talented scorer with a very strong frame. I think he has the drive to become an excellent player in the NBA. Check here to watch his pre-draft workout.
Melvin Frazier: There is a surplus of “3-and-D” players in not only only this draft class but also in classes prior, and Frazier is a guy who can make 3-pointers (38.5% in college) and defend at a high level (2.1 SPG). His wingspan is almost 8 inches longer than his height, so the Milwaukee Bucks, who love to acquire length, are a top candidate to draft him. Watch him jam all over the UNC Tar Heels.
Zhaire Smith: Despite his relatively short appearance (6’4”) for a SG or SF and underdeveloped offensive skill set, he has serious hops (41.5” max vertical). When I got to see him play Purdue and Villanova in the East Regionals, it was noticeable that he’s a defender who has very quick feet for lateral sliding and explosive hops for rebounds. He is the man, if you recall, who pulled off a 360 dunk against the beloved Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks.
Donte Divincenzo: The “Michael Jordan of Delaware” is best known for his sensational play in this past year’s March Madness tournament run, which was capped off by a 31-point national title game. The athletic combo guard has also shown the ability to take the ball strong to the rim and defend nicely, as his stock has risen immensely over the last few weeks. Watch his NBA Draft Combine scrimmage highlights.
Jarred Vanderbilt: Vanderbilt’s stock is not particularly high at the moment (projected as a high to mid 2nd-round pick), but he could very well be the best rebounder in this draft. At Kentucky, he averaged 18.5 rebounds per 40 minutes, but he was not able to showcase all of his talents because of his injuries and the numerous big men on the team. Nonetheless, his skill set could translate well to the NBA since he is extremely versatile and strong. If he can improve his shot and develop some range, he could be a staple on a championship-caliber team for many seasons. Take a look at his impressive physique.
Hamidou Diallo: When I first saw this kid play, I thought, He’s got to be a future lottery pick; look at his arms! Standing at 6-6, he has a nearly 7-foot wingspan and also displays the same palms-to-the-floor defensive technique that similar players like Donovan Mitchell and Collin Sexton use. However, he struggled to generate consistent offense this past season at UK and in turn, his stock declined rapidly--he now projects to be a late 1st-round or early 2nd-round selection. If he can be more assertive on offense and carry over his defensive prowess, he’ll play some impactful minutes right away in the NBA. Watch him post the second best maximum vertical ever at the NBA Combine in 2017.
(Stats via The Ringer and ESPN)
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