How The Lottery SHOULD'VE Gone

 

Rodney Davis:

This article is purely based on how I think teams should make their picks in the lottery. I’ll keep things simple, so I’ll pretend like no one is going to make any trades and just pick how things are set up now. So lets get to it.                                                                    

                                                                                                                                                                                      BleacherReport.com

1) Cleveland Cavaliers- Jabari Parker SF (Duke, Freshman)The Cavaliers whiffed on last year’s 1st overall pick with Anthony Bennett, he was the fifth number one overall pick to not make either all-rookie team since 1988. When its all said and done I believe Andrew Wiggins will be a better player than Jabari Parker but Parker is too sure of a player to pass up here. Parker will come in and provide some much needed leadership to a young locker room and new coach.

2) Milwaukee Bucks- Andrew Wiggins SG (Kansas, Freshman)
The Bucks have needs pretty much across the board, so taking the player with the most upside makes the most sense. An obvious pick, Wiggins athleticism and flashes of an ability to takeover games at Kansas makes this pick a no brainer. Coupled with the Bucks 1st round pick last year, Giannis Antetokounmpo, the length and athelticism on the wings will be a nice building block for Milwaukee.

3) Philadelphia 76er’s- Noah Vonleh PF (Indiana, Freshman)
At first glance this seems like a reach taking Vonleh with the 3rd overall pick. A lot of people believe the Sixers will trade their current point guard Michael Carter-Williams in order to clear space for Donte Exum to be drafted at this spot. Unlike some, I believe MCW can be a solid point guard assuming he can improve his jumper and decision making. Vonleh is very similar to Wiggins with this pick being based more on potential than production. The Sixers are looking to trade Thaddeus Young (which they will at some point) so Vonleh will fit very nicely along side Nerlens Noel at the PF spot.

4) Orlando Magic- Dante Exum PG (Australia)
I was really tempted to put Marcus Smart at this spot but Exum has more upside. A 6’6” point guard, Exum has a lot of natural ability and will need some seasoning. There are doubts he is a true PG but Orlando like Oladipo at both guard spots so having Exum will create a lot of flexibility with either him or Oladipo playing either guard spot. Defensively that backcourt will be able to reek havoc and will be fun to watch at an up-tempo pace under coach Jacque Vaughn.

5) Utah Jazz- Marcus Smart PG (Oklahoma St, Sophomore)
Yes I know the Jazz drafted Trey Burke just last year in the 1st round but I am not sold on him as an NBA caliber PG. Smart has the ability, like Exum, to be a combo guard so he can play along side Burke as well. Smart can also provide some much needed perimeter defense for Utah. The Jazz have a glaring need at the SF position so I expect them to try there best to trade up and take Jabari Parker.

6) Boston Celtics- Joel Embiid C (Kansas, Freshman)
Embiid was the clear cut favorite to be the #1 pick before the news of his foot surgery that will sideline him for up to 6 months. If the Celtics cant aquire Kevin Love via trade, they’ll look to shop Rondo and go into full rebuilding mode which allows them to be patient with Embiid. Obviously the major concern here is Embiid’s injury history but at the 6th pick in the draft the benefits may outweigh the risk.

                                                                                                                                                                                          rantsports.com

7) Los Angeles Lakers- Julius Randle PF (Kentucky, Freshman)
The Lakers come into this draft with needs at just about all positions. Randle will provide LAL a much-needed low post presence if Pau Gasol decides to sign elsewhere this offseason. Even if Pau decides to re-sign Randle can play alongside him, especially as he continues to improve his mid range game. Randle draws comparison to Zach Randolph but with a bit more athleticism and will give the Lakers some immediate offensive production in Kobe Bryant’s final years there.

8) Sacramento Kings- Aaron Gordon PF (Arizona, Freshman)
The PF spot has been a weak point on the Kings roster for quite sometime. Gordon has the ability to fill that void for many years to come. He has drawn comparison to Blake Griffin, although his offensive skill is still raw. Gordon’s athleticism, rebounding and toughness will compliment DeMarcus Cousins nicely.

9) Charlotte Hornets- Nik Stauskas  SG (Michigan, Sophomore)
The artist formerly known as the Bobcats are coming off a very surprising 2013-2014. First year coach Steve Clifford installed a lot of toughness and effective defensive principles that allowed Charlotte to have a solid season despite their offensive struggles. Stauskas will allow the Hornets to have a secondary ball handler besides Kemba Walker as well as some floor spacing as he shot 44% from the 3-point line in both of his years at Michigan.

10) Philadelphia 76er’s- Gary Harris SG (Michigan St., Sophomore)
This pick was a toss up between Harris and McDermott. With the Sixers finishing the season dead last in points allowed (109 ppg) drafting a player with questions on defense like Doug McBuckets wont help that at all. Harris is an undersized 2 guard but is very gritty on the defensive end. He reminds me of Victor Oladipo without as much athleticism but with a little more offensive polish. Harris had a poor shooting season during his sophomore year at Michigan St. but after shooting 41% from 3 his freshman year, I look for that type of shooting to be more consistent from Harris once he enters the NBA.

11) Denver Nuggets- Rodney Hood SF (Duke, Sophomore)
Hood is a very under the radar player in this draft. At 6-9, his length on the perimeter will allow for Denver to have a nice array of wing player assuming Gallinari can return back into form from his ACL surgery. Hood is an underrated shooter, leading the ACC in 3-point percentage. His ability to shoot as well as run the floor will allow him to mesh with Denver’s up-tempo style effectively.

12) Orlando Magic- Zach Levine PG/SG (UCLA, Freshman)
This pick is purely based on talent and upside as well as Orlando inevitably trading Aaron Afflalo. Levine will be a project player, only averaging 9.2 ppg at UCLA as a 6th man. With Exum already being picked in this mock draft, as well as Oladipo and Nelson being on the roster already, Levine will have an ample amount of time to develop for a year or two.

13) Minnesota Timberwolves- Adrian Payne PF (Michigan St., Senior)

                                                                                                                                                                                     rushthecourt.net

With the expected trade of Kevin Love, the T-Wolves will have a big hole at their big men position. Even if they trade for a starter like David Lee, a 3rd big man is a big need for this team. Payne is no KLove, but he can rebound as well as stretch the floor with a 3-point shot. Payne is a solid defender and can come in and make an immediate impact. However, his ceiling is lower than most in this draft.

14) Phoenix Suns- Dario Saric SF/PF (Croatia)
With the recent news of Saric staying over in Europe, the Suns have an opportunity to stash a player with top 10 talent. The Suns have two other first round picks as well as 2nd round picks so they can afford to wait on Saric to come over from Europe. Not much is known about Saric but anytime a player who has top 10 talent drops this far in the draft, you take that opportunity.