Early Look At The NBA Draft
The NBA finals are currently underway as the Golden State Warriors try to win their first NBA title since 1975. Golden State was the best team all season, but LeBron James and his Cleveland Cavaliers hope to rewrite history and steal a title.
Though the NBA finals may last until June 19, the NBA draft looms. On June 25, hundreds of college basketball players across the country will hope to hear their name during the 60 pick draft. This year’s draft class is dripping with talent and potential.
Here is my first Top 10 NBA mock draft.
No. 1 Minnesota Timberwolves (16-66)
Pick: Karl-Anthony Towns, Center, Kentucky, Freshman
Karl-Anthony Towns was one of the most electrifying big men and freshmen this past season. Towns was able to lead Kentucky to a perfect regular season, but fell short of a 40-0 season. Towns can really move up and down the court for his 7-foot frame. The New Jersey native is a rebounding machine who has the perfect size to make an immediate impact in the NBA.
Although Towns lacks true post skills, he has proven that he can hit a jumper or two and still finish around the rim. The Timberwolves are a young and talented team and with the addition of Towns they should be making consistent playoff runs in just a few years.
No. 2 Los Angeles Lakers (21-61)
Pick: Jahlil Okafor, Center, Duke, Freshman
After doing a little research, the 2004 NBA Draft was the last time two centers went in the first two picks (Dwight Howard and Emeka Okafor), and even then it is a stretch to call Okafor a true NBA center. This year’s draft is going to bring back the big man aspect of the NBA. For the past couple of years professional basketball has been dominated by guards and shooters. I can’t remember the last time a true back to the basket center controlled a game.
Okafor is everything you want in a center. The Chicago Native has some of the most developed post skills NBA scouts have seen in years. Okafor’s soft hands make it easy for the big fella to get easy baskets and when he is doubled he has the basketball IQ to find the open man.
Although Okafor is a shaky free throw shooter he will be a giant pick for the Lakers, especially with Julius Randle expected to be fully healthy next season.
No. 3 Philadelphia 76ers (18-64)
Pick: Emmanuel Mudiay, Point Guard, Congo
Unfortunately I have not been able to see much of Emmanuel Mudiay’s play due to the fact that he never enrolled at SMU and decided to play a year of basketball in China. However, from what I have seen Mudiay is a traditional point guard. He has some of the best ball handling skills I have ever seen and he has a knack for dishing out some stellar passes.
Though Mudiay has a tough time hitting jump shots consistently, he has the ability to blow by defenders to get to the hole. The Congo native has been compared to Tyreke Evans, but experts say he is much more talented and has a much larger upside. Others have said he is the second coming of John Wall. Mudiay does have the talent and potential to be drafted number one overall, but the options of Jahlil Okafor or Karl-Anthony Towns do not come around too often.
Another great thing about Mudiay is that he was playing professional basketball for the past year. This year of development against stiff overseas competition may give him an early advantage in the NBA compared to D’Angelo Russell, Cameron Payne and Delon Wright.
No. 4 New York Knicks (17-65)
Pick: D’Angelo Russell, Point Guard, Ohio State, Freshman
D’Angelo Russell was one of the most fundamentally sound point guards in all of college basketball. Russell has all the intangibles necessary to succeed at the next level. The Kentucky native may be young, but he doesn’t let his inexperience ever take control of his game. Russell has shown over and over he can stay cool, calm and collected even in the biggest games. Russell is a pick and roll expert, something that will translate very well to the NBA game.
The only thing that concerns me about Russell is whether or not he will be able to extend his range to the NBA 3-point line. Other than that the Knicks will have a guy they can start to build their franchise around.
No. 5 Orlando Magic (25-57)
Pick: Justise Winslow, Shooting Guard/Small Forward, Duke, Freshman
Justise Winslow came onto the college basketball scene by storm. During March Madness Winslow willed his Duke Blue Devils to their first national title since 2010. Winslow might be the most athletic player in this entire draft. He has a motor that never ends and has the ability to score in a variety of ways.
Winslow is able to take defenders to the basket or step out and hit a three pointer. The Texas native has a nice touch and has the ability to make defensive stops as well. Winslow has had NBA size since he was in high school, so the Magic are really getting a solid pick with him at number five.
No. 6 Sacramento Kings (29-53)
Pick: Stanley Johnson, Small Forward, Arizona, Freshman
Stanley Johnson is one of the most versatile and athletic wings in this entire draft class. Johnson thrives in transition situations where he can take his long and strong frame to the rim. Although Johnson is gifted offensively it is his defense that has caught the eyes of scouts. Johnson’s athleticism gives him the ability to guard multiple positions.
The California native has regularly drawn comparisons to Ron Artest and Kawhi Leonard; however, I think Johnson will be better than both of them. If Johnson can improve his finishing touch around the rim he will be a force to be reckoned with in the NBA.
No. 7 Denver Nuggets (30-52)
Pick: Kristaps Porzingis, Power Forward, Latvia
Much like Emmanuel Mudiay I have not seen a ton of Kristaps Porzingis. From what I have seen I can tell Porzingis will be another dependable foreign big man much like Pau Gasol. Porzingis has great size and is able to run the court pretty well considering his 7-foot-1, 220 pound frame. The Latvia native will need to gain strength if he plans to become one of the best in the NBA, but his potential is through the roof.
No. 8 Detroit Pistons (32-50)
Pick: Mario Hezonja, Shooting Guard/Small Forward, Croatia
Mario Hezonja is another fantastic player coming from outside of the United States. He is very quick for his height and is able to handle the ball fairly well. Hezonja is one of the more athletic players in this draft and that is really saying something given this year’s class.
The Croatia native has a pretty nice stroke as well, but really needs to improve his ability to get to the basket. Defenders will be able to lock Hezonja down if he is unable to create his own shot.
No. 9 Charlotte Hornets (33-49)
Pick: Trey Lyles, Power Forward, Kentucky, Freshman
Trey Lyles is the second Kentucky player in this draft I expect to be picked. Lyles has an enormous 7-foot-4 wingspan giving him one of the more impressive frames in the draft. Lyles can run the floor pretty well and is able to finish near the rim even in traffic. The Indianapolis native has displayed instances of great footwork and touch, but is not the quickest or most defensively skilled of athletes. Lyles would be a great fit for the Hornets.
No. 10 Miami Heat (37-45)
Pick: Cameron Payne, Point Guard/Shooting Guard, Murray State, Sophomore
Cameron Payne is the third best point guard in this draft, but what makes him special is his all around skill-set. Payne has the ability to score in traffic, knock down the outside shot and find open teammates. Payne can do it all. It is unfortunate Murray State was unable to make it to this year’s NCAA Tournament, because who knows what Payne could have done.
He does not have nearly as good of a shot, but his size and style of play reminds me a little of Steph Curry. The two are both 185 pounds while Curry stands one inch taller than the 6-foot-2 Payne. Payne is great in pick and roll situations, but is going to need to gain some muscle if he plans on taking defenders to the rack.
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