Dushenski's Mock Draft
By Lawrence Dushenski
1. Cleveland Cavaliers – Kyrie Irving (Duke)
There is little doubt that the Cavs will try to build their new-look franchise around the star Duke freshman. Despite only playing in a handful of games during the season due to a serious foot injury, Irving impressed during March Madness and seems to have entrenched himself atop the draft boards.
2. Minnesota Timberwolves – Derrick Williams (Arizona)
David Kahn is in a familiar position with a high pick once again, but it seems as if this time the pick will almost make itself. Williams should slide right into the starting lineup as a SF/PF alongside Love and Beasley. His athleticism will provide opportunities for his teammates all over the court.
3. Utah Jazz – Brandon Knight (Kentucky)
This is where the draft could get interesting, but the Jazz would be wise to keep it simple and draft a replacement for Derron Williams. Knight finished the season strong for Kentucky, and his size and shooting ability should put him amongst the elite in a few years time.
4. Cleveland Cavaliers – Enes Kanter (Kentucky, Fenerbahçe Ülker)
The Cavs struck gold with two picks in the top four, and they would be wise to go big with the second one. Despite being ruled ineligible by the NCAA, Kanter is a legit big man who has talents to exceed at the next level. He should provide a solid core along with Irving and JJ Hickson for the Cavs to build around.
5. Toronto Raptors – Bismack Biyombo (Baloncesto Fuenlabrada)
This is a tough pick for the Raptors who fell a few spots in the lottery. Newly re-signed GM Bryan Colangelo was on the record as saying that the team might look to draft a player who is a few years away from contributing significantly. Biyombo is a freak athlete who needs some refinement on the offensive side of the ball. He could provide an intimidating presence if he reaches his potential.
6. Washington Wizards – Kawhi Leonard (San Diego State)
The Wiz have a decent core of players with Wall and McGee, along with a few guys who can score in bunches. But they need that athletic wing player to add to the mix. Leonard is rising quickly up draft boards, and might not even be available at this pick when all is said and done. He has great length and could become that shutdown wing that the team has lacked in recent years.
7. Sacramento Kings – Tristan Thompson (Texas)
The Kings could be on the verge of becoming a sleeper team in the West. With the emergence of Marcus Thornton and DeMarcus Cousins last year, along with star guard Tyreke Evans, the Kings have a solid nucleus moving forward. Thompson could provide some defence and energy from the four spot, and the youngster could help the Kings take the next step.
8. Detroit Pistons – Jonas Valanciunas (Lituvos Rytas)
The Pistons could be in a tough situation if names come off the board in this order. But Valanciunas could be the diamond in the rough from this draft, and might be just what the Pistons need to compliment emerging big man Greg Monroe. The big Lithuanian needs to fill out, but he has solid fundamental skills and plays hard.
9. Charlotte Bobcats – Jan Vesely (Partizan Belgrade)
The Bobcats are always a mystery come draft night. They have made more terrible picks than you can imagine, and that trend could very well continue this year. Vesely is a solid player, but he hasn't added much weight since last year and could be a lifelong tweener.
10. Milwaukee Bucks – Alec Burks (Colorado)
The Bucks badly need someone to be able to score off the ball, and Burks is just that guy. The sophomore out of Colorado impressed in the NIT, and with perfect two guard size, could find himself a job in the league for years to come.
11. Golden State Warriors – Marcus Morris (Kansas)
David Lee did not quite step into G-State and do as much as we expected, so the Warriors could look to grab another solid big body to scrap down low. They have the scoring covered in the back court, so Morris should be able to step in and provide defence down low and a presence on the glass.
12. Utah Jazz – Jimmer Fredette (Brigham Young)
The NBA is a business after all, and no one would do better for business in Utah than The Jimmer. There is no explanation needed, just prepare yourself for a generation of Jimmer madness.
13. Phoenix Suns – Tobias Harris (Tennesee)
The Suns are a team in flux, and Harris could be one of the pieces that they build around going forward. The youngster has good length and has yet to tap into his enormous potential. He is a bit undersized, but he has a solid IQ that will allow him to excel for years.
14. Houston Rockets – Kemba Walker (Connecticut)
The slide ends for Walker. One of the most impressive players in this years March Madness, Kemba might scare off some teams with his lack of size. But he could fit right in Houston where they run some of the best sets in the league. If he gets the minutes, Kemba could be a sleeper for All-Rookie.
15. Indiana Pacers – Donatas Montiejunas (Benneton Treviso)
Monteijunas needs to fill out, but he has the potential to be a Pau Gasol type player if he does. He has solid range as well, and could stretch the opposing teams defence. The Pacers have a great core, and they should be able to give Monteijunas time to develop.
16. Philadephia 76ers – Markieff Morris (Kansas)
The 76ers are another team with a solid core of players who could always use some more grit inside. The other Morris brother should be able to provide that for them and work hard off the bench. He is not as much finesse as his brother, but he can bang on the inside all day.
17. New York Knicks – Josh Selby (Kansas)
Selby has been flying up draft boards since be made his way to Vegas to work out at Impact following his one year at Kansas. The former top high school player in the nation does not have ideal size, but he can score with the best of them, and could be groomed to take over for Chauncey in a years time.
18. Washington Wizards – Darius Morris (Michigan)
As the Thunder have proven, you need to have more than just a flash and dash point to be successful. Morris should be able to compliment Wall well, and be the Maynor to Wall's Westbrook. Morris has solid size, and is more of a true one than Wall.
19. Charlotte Bobcats – Tyler Honeycutt (University of California, Los Angeles)
The Bobcats go after another hit-or-miss player. Honeycutt might be able to develop into a lengthy wing player, but he also might never make it off the bench. He is going to struggle defending bigger players in the league, so we shall see if he can add the weight necessary.
20. Minnesota Timberwolves – Klay Thompson (Washington State)
The T-Wolves have struggled to get production out of their two spot for years, but Thompson may be the man to change all that. He has a game similar to Brandon Roy, and if he can take that next step, he could be a sleeper for Kahn.
21. Portland Trailblazers – Lucas Nogueira (Asefa Estudiantes)
With the potential of losing Greg Oden to an offer sheet, the Blazers could look to Brazil for their next big man. Nogueira is very raw, but he has excellent offensive tools that could be honed in Portland. He can elevate with the best of them, but needs to work on the fundamentals.
22. Denver Nuggets – Kenneth Faried (Morehead State)
The Nuggets are trying to develop something resembling a team identity following the Melo trade, and Faried could step in and help with just that. The bruising big man burst onto the scene when Morehead State defeated Louisville in March Madness, and he should be able to translate that into a solid career.
23. Houston Rockets – Kyle Singler (Duke)
While many don't think Singler has the athleticism to be a legit NBA player, Houston is the perfect system for his to excel. He is a solid fundamental player and has the experience necessary to excel at the next level.
24. Oklahoma City Thunder - Davis Bertans (Union Olimpija)
The Thunder are entering a the territory that the Blazers found themselves in a few years ago. Too many talented players and not enough roster spots. They should be able to stash Bertans overseas for a few years while he develops his game.
25. Boston Celtics – Chris Singleton (Florida State)
The Celtics are a team in flux. Allen, Garnett and Pierce are on their last legs, and Rondo and Jeff Green are the future. Singleton brings energy on both ends of the floor, and despite a raw offensive game, he should be able to step in and do the little things to help Doc Rivers win games.
26. Dallas Mavericks – Trey Thompkins (Georgia)
The Mavericks are another team without any glaring needs going forward. But Thompkins is a big man with a soft touch who could come off the bench and knock down shots from all over the court. He is not a flashy athlete, but does everything needed of him.
27. New Jersey Nets – Jordan Hamilton (Texas)
The Nets look to Texas again, just a year after drafting Damion James. Hamilton can play all over the court, but does not excel in any one category. He has an NBA level jumper, and could become a solid role player for the Nets.
28. Chicago Bulls – Travis Leslie (Georgia)
The only hole in the Bulls roster this year has been the two guard spot, where various specialists have been brought in to either knock down shots or lock down opposing defenders. Leslie is an experienced college player with good length who could be groomed for the job.
29. San Antonio Spurs – Nikola Mirótic (Real Madrid)
The Spurs grab another solid Euro player who will step into the lineup in a few years and make an impact. San Antonio has this drafting this down to an art form, and they continue to do what they do best.
30. Chicago Bulls – Marshon Brooks (Providence)
The Bulls might as well spend both first round picks on two guard. Brooks can score in bunches, and has good size for the NBA level.
Editor's Note: Lawrence Dushenski is a regular contributor for 'the Basketball Post', providing his insight on college hoops. More of his stuff can be found here and he can be followed on twitter @LD10.
1. Cleveland Cavaliers – Kyrie Irving (Duke)
There is little doubt that the Cavs will try to build their new-look franchise around the star Duke freshman. Despite only playing in a handful of games during the season due to a serious foot injury, Irving impressed during March Madness and seems to have entrenched himself atop the draft boards.
2. Minnesota Timberwolves – Derrick Williams (Arizona)
David Kahn is in a familiar position with a high pick once again, but it seems as if this time the pick will almost make itself. Williams should slide right into the starting lineup as a SF/PF alongside Love and Beasley. His athleticism will provide opportunities for his teammates all over the court.
3. Utah Jazz – Brandon Knight (Kentucky)
This is where the draft could get interesting, but the Jazz would be wise to keep it simple and draft a replacement for Derron Williams. Knight finished the season strong for Kentucky, and his size and shooting ability should put him amongst the elite in a few years time.
4. Cleveland Cavaliers – Enes Kanter (Kentucky, Fenerbahçe Ülker)
The Cavs struck gold with two picks in the top four, and they would be wise to go big with the second one. Despite being ruled ineligible by the NCAA, Kanter is a legit big man who has talents to exceed at the next level. He should provide a solid core along with Irving and JJ Hickson for the Cavs to build around.
5. Toronto Raptors – Bismack Biyombo (Baloncesto Fuenlabrada)
This is a tough pick for the Raptors who fell a few spots in the lottery. Newly re-signed GM Bryan Colangelo was on the record as saying that the team might look to draft a player who is a few years away from contributing significantly. Biyombo is a freak athlete who needs some refinement on the offensive side of the ball. He could provide an intimidating presence if he reaches his potential.
6. Washington Wizards – Kawhi Leonard (San Diego State)
The Wiz have a decent core of players with Wall and McGee, along with a few guys who can score in bunches. But they need that athletic wing player to add to the mix. Leonard is rising quickly up draft boards, and might not even be available at this pick when all is said and done. He has great length and could become that shutdown wing that the team has lacked in recent years.
7. Sacramento Kings – Tristan Thompson (Texas)
The Kings could be on the verge of becoming a sleeper team in the West. With the emergence of Marcus Thornton and DeMarcus Cousins last year, along with star guard Tyreke Evans, the Kings have a solid nucleus moving forward. Thompson could provide some defence and energy from the four spot, and the youngster could help the Kings take the next step.
8. Detroit Pistons – Jonas Valanciunas (Lituvos Rytas)
The Pistons could be in a tough situation if names come off the board in this order. But Valanciunas could be the diamond in the rough from this draft, and might be just what the Pistons need to compliment emerging big man Greg Monroe. The big Lithuanian needs to fill out, but he has solid fundamental skills and plays hard.
9. Charlotte Bobcats – Jan Vesely (Partizan Belgrade)
The Bobcats are always a mystery come draft night. They have made more terrible picks than you can imagine, and that trend could very well continue this year. Vesely is a solid player, but he hasn't added much weight since last year and could be a lifelong tweener.
10. Milwaukee Bucks – Alec Burks (Colorado)
The Bucks badly need someone to be able to score off the ball, and Burks is just that guy. The sophomore out of Colorado impressed in the NIT, and with perfect two guard size, could find himself a job in the league for years to come.
11. Golden State Warriors – Marcus Morris (Kansas)
David Lee did not quite step into G-State and do as much as we expected, so the Warriors could look to grab another solid big body to scrap down low. They have the scoring covered in the back court, so Morris should be able to step in and provide defence down low and a presence on the glass.
12. Utah Jazz – Jimmer Fredette (Brigham Young)
The NBA is a business after all, and no one would do better for business in Utah than The Jimmer. There is no explanation needed, just prepare yourself for a generation of Jimmer madness.
13. Phoenix Suns – Tobias Harris (Tennesee)
The Suns are a team in flux, and Harris could be one of the pieces that they build around going forward. The youngster has good length and has yet to tap into his enormous potential. He is a bit undersized, but he has a solid IQ that will allow him to excel for years.
14. Houston Rockets – Kemba Walker (Connecticut)
The slide ends for Walker. One of the most impressive players in this years March Madness, Kemba might scare off some teams with his lack of size. But he could fit right in Houston where they run some of the best sets in the league. If he gets the minutes, Kemba could be a sleeper for All-Rookie.
15. Indiana Pacers – Donatas Montiejunas (Benneton Treviso)
Monteijunas needs to fill out, but he has the potential to be a Pau Gasol type player if he does. He has solid range as well, and could stretch the opposing teams defence. The Pacers have a great core, and they should be able to give Monteijunas time to develop.
16. Philadephia 76ers – Markieff Morris (Kansas)
The 76ers are another team with a solid core of players who could always use some more grit inside. The other Morris brother should be able to provide that for them and work hard off the bench. He is not as much finesse as his brother, but he can bang on the inside all day.
17. New York Knicks – Josh Selby (Kansas)
Selby has been flying up draft boards since be made his way to Vegas to work out at Impact following his one year at Kansas. The former top high school player in the nation does not have ideal size, but he can score with the best of them, and could be groomed to take over for Chauncey in a years time.
18. Washington Wizards – Darius Morris (Michigan)
As the Thunder have proven, you need to have more than just a flash and dash point to be successful. Morris should be able to compliment Wall well, and be the Maynor to Wall's Westbrook. Morris has solid size, and is more of a true one than Wall.
19. Charlotte Bobcats – Tyler Honeycutt (University of California, Los Angeles)
The Bobcats go after another hit-or-miss player. Honeycutt might be able to develop into a lengthy wing player, but he also might never make it off the bench. He is going to struggle defending bigger players in the league, so we shall see if he can add the weight necessary.
20. Minnesota Timberwolves – Klay Thompson (Washington State)
The T-Wolves have struggled to get production out of their two spot for years, but Thompson may be the man to change all that. He has a game similar to Brandon Roy, and if he can take that next step, he could be a sleeper for Kahn.
21. Portland Trailblazers – Lucas Nogueira (Asefa Estudiantes)
With the potential of losing Greg Oden to an offer sheet, the Blazers could look to Brazil for their next big man. Nogueira is very raw, but he has excellent offensive tools that could be honed in Portland. He can elevate with the best of them, but needs to work on the fundamentals.
22. Denver Nuggets – Kenneth Faried (Morehead State)
The Nuggets are trying to develop something resembling a team identity following the Melo trade, and Faried could step in and help with just that. The bruising big man burst onto the scene when Morehead State defeated Louisville in March Madness, and he should be able to translate that into a solid career.
23. Houston Rockets – Kyle Singler (Duke)
While many don't think Singler has the athleticism to be a legit NBA player, Houston is the perfect system for his to excel. He is a solid fundamental player and has the experience necessary to excel at the next level.
24. Oklahoma City Thunder - Davis Bertans (Union Olimpija)
The Thunder are entering a the territory that the Blazers found themselves in a few years ago. Too many talented players and not enough roster spots. They should be able to stash Bertans overseas for a few years while he develops his game.
25. Boston Celtics – Chris Singleton (Florida State)
The Celtics are a team in flux. Allen, Garnett and Pierce are on their last legs, and Rondo and Jeff Green are the future. Singleton brings energy on both ends of the floor, and despite a raw offensive game, he should be able to step in and do the little things to help Doc Rivers win games.
26. Dallas Mavericks – Trey Thompkins (Georgia)
The Mavericks are another team without any glaring needs going forward. But Thompkins is a big man with a soft touch who could come off the bench and knock down shots from all over the court. He is not a flashy athlete, but does everything needed of him.
27. New Jersey Nets – Jordan Hamilton (Texas)
The Nets look to Texas again, just a year after drafting Damion James. Hamilton can play all over the court, but does not excel in any one category. He has an NBA level jumper, and could become a solid role player for the Nets.
28. Chicago Bulls – Travis Leslie (Georgia)
The only hole in the Bulls roster this year has been the two guard spot, where various specialists have been brought in to either knock down shots or lock down opposing defenders. Leslie is an experienced college player with good length who could be groomed for the job.
29. San Antonio Spurs – Nikola Mirótic (Real Madrid)
The Spurs grab another solid Euro player who will step into the lineup in a few years and make an impact. San Antonio has this drafting this down to an art form, and they continue to do what they do best.
30. Chicago Bulls – Marshon Brooks (Providence)
The Bulls might as well spend both first round picks on two guard. Brooks can score in bunches, and has good size for the NBA level.
Editor's Note: Lawrence Dushenski is a regular contributor for 'the Basketball Post', providing his insight on college hoops. More of his stuff can be found here and he can be followed on twitter @LD10.
Nice work on the mock draft. I've added you to our database so let me know if you do any updates in the future.
Reply to this
Tristan Thompson played for Texas.
Reply to this
The Rockets are going big or they are going to sign free agent center, they have no need at power forward, and already have a good point guard backup for Lowry in Dragic.
Reply to this