RADIO
Editor's Note: Yes, we know the draft already happened. However, we thought it would be fun to look back in a Back to the Future kind of way to see what we thought before the big night in comparison to what actually happened. Staff writer Owen Elle was kind enough to share his pre-draft thoughts with us so that we can dissect what could have been. Interested in what Owen thinks about the actual picks? We'll release our grades for the first fifteen picks July 2nd.
RotoBaller's Post-Draft NBA Mock...
1: MIN- PF Karl-Anthony Towns, Kentucky, Fr., 6-11, 255
There’s not a lot to nit-pick with Towns. He has the highest ceiling in the draft, is a great defender and can score from the post. Pairing Towns with a future elite defender in Andrew Wiggins would mean great things for Minnesota. Ideally, the best scenario for the Wolves is Towns fits in at PF and Pekovic can stay healthy enough to play 60-70 games at center, allowing for both players to see starting playing time.
2: LAL- C Jahlil Okafor, Duke, Fr., 6-11, 270
Well, it’s pretty simple for the Lakers with the second pick. Take whoever’s left between Towns and Okafor. While Okafor will likely have no problem translating his scoring immediately to the NBA, the Lakers still will need to grab a couple key free agents in the offseason if they hope to contend for a playoff spot in Kobe Bryant’s last season.
3: PHI- SG D’Angelo Russell, Ohio State, Fr., 6-5, 180
The 76ers already have talented frontcourt with Nerlens Noel and Joel Embiid. Now it’s time to get talented guards. Russell is arguably the best ball-handler and passer in the draft, which should mean Noel and Embiid will have no problem with ball-distribution in 2015. (Actual pick: Jahlil Okafor)
4: NYK- PF Kristaps Porzingis, Latvia, Intl., 6-11, 220
The Latvian is a mystery to most people entering the draft. People don’t know as much about Porzingis as they do Willie Cauley-Stein and Frank Kaminsky. However, the Eastern European wildcard is described as an excellent defender and shot 37% from beyond the three-point line last year. The Knicks can find a guard in free agent. Plus New York can do better with Larkin, Galloway and Hardaway at guard then with Travis Wear and Quincy Acy at power forward, as Bargnani is almost assuredly not returning to the team for the upcoming season.
5: ORL- SF Justice Winslow, Duke, Fr., 6-6, 225
I believe the Magic would prefer to select Porzingis, as they need a power forward more than they need a 6’6 small forward. However as it is too hard and inaccurate to mock trades in the draft, Orlando takes Winslow. While Tobias Harris averaged 14.6 PPG last season, Winslow presents the best available talent on the board and has the size to slide down and play at shooting guard. He is a two-way player, meaning he has the potential in the immediate future to be Orlando’s sixth man. (Actual pick: Mario Hezonja)
6: SAC- PG Emmanuel Mudiay, China, Intl., 6-5, 200
The Kings will be more than happy to take Mudiay at sixth, considering that just a few months ago he was arguably projected to be the first overall pick. He is a good athlete that can perform a solid pick-and-roll and is a great passer. The Kings, barring any major acquisitions at guard in free agency, could be looking at Mudiay to start from opening day. (Actual Pick: Willie Cauley-Stein)
7: DEN- SG Mario Hezonja, Croatia, Intl., 6-7, 195
With uncertainty surrounding the futures of Ty Lawson, Kenneth Faried and Wilson Chandler in Denver, the Nuggets need to take the best player available in their rebuilding process. Hezonja more than held his own in the Euro League last season, meaning the 20-year old is one of the most, if not the most, pro-ready player in this draft. (Actual pick: Emmanuel Mudiay)
8: DET- SF Stanley Johnson, Arizona, Fr., 6-7, 245
Detroit might have looked at a power forward with the 8th overall pick given all of the rumors about Greg Monroe leaving the team. However, after trading for Ersan Ilyasova, this team can address its need at small forward with Johnson. Tayshaun Prince and Quincy Miller won’t do, and Johnson’s ability to score and play both shooting guard and power forward makes this pick the logical choice.
9: CHA- C Willie Cauley-Stein, Kentucky, Jr., 7-0, 242
The Hornets had a bad year, but they had a very talented roster in a weak Eastern Conference. They figure to rebound and make the playoffs this season. Even after trading away Lance Stephenson, Charlotte has depth at both guard positions, but could use another big. Cauley-Stein, one of the best defenders in the NCAA the past three years, would figure to only help the Hornets both now and in the future. (Actual pick: Frank Kaminsky)
10: MIA- C Frank Kaminsky, Wisconsin, Sr., 7-0, 242
Despite the success Hassan Whiteside had in the second half of last season, he is still a relative unknown. Kaminsky, who saw his draft stock soar during March Madness, has progressively gotten better in each of his four seasons at Wisconsin. The seven-footer needs to improve on his defense, however his offensive should be up-to-par with most centers in the NBA. (Actual pick: Justise Winslow)
11: IND- PG Cameron Payne, Murray State, So., 6-2, 180
Cameron Payne is essentially the 2015 equivalent of Elfrid Payton. Both guards came from small schools and rose up draft boards late in the process due to their ridiculous athleticism. Payne figures to be a project for Indiana that can reap benefits in the future while George Hill remains the starter at the point guard position. (Actual pick: Myles Turner)
12: UTA- C Myles Turner, Texas, Fr., 6-11, 240
While Turner has a plethora of concerns such as his durability, three-point shooting and his athleticism, he is an excellent rim-protector and was an elite shot blocker in college. Rudy Gobert came into his own during the end of last season, but adding another center to the mix wouldn’t hurt. (Actual pick: Trey Lyles)
13: PHX- PF Bobby Portis, Arkansas, PF., 6-11, 242
The SEC Player of the Year would fit nicely with Phoenix. A power forward with the size Portis possesses would mean that he could immediately backup center Alex Len. There are no concerns over his scoring ability and could be the future at power forward. (Actual pick: Devin Booker)
14: OKC- SF Kelly Oubre Jr., Kansas, Fr., 6-7, 200
Oklahoma City, barring injuries, could have made it to the Finals last season. The Thunder could use a talented depth piece like Oubre to learn behind Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and Serge Ibaka among others allowing him to grow at his own pace and not be thrown into any amount of time without being ready. (Actual pick: Cameron Payne)
15: ATL- SG Devin Booker, Kentucky, Fr., 6-6, 206
Booker, who made 41% of his three-point attempts, should have no problem translating his long-range shooting to the NBA level. Adding another young guard to a group that features Jeff Teague, Dennis Schroder and Kyle Korver makes sense for this Atlanta team. (Actual pick: Kelly Oubre traded to the Washington Wizards)
16: BOS- SF Sam Dekker, Wisconsin, Fr., 6-9, 230
An overall intelligent player, Dekker should ride his March Madness success to a great spot for him on the Celtics, a team with a need for a small forward. (Actual pick: Terry Rozier)
17: MIL- PF Kevon Looney, UCLA, Fr., 6-9, 220
Still a work in progress, after trading Ersan Ilyasova, the Bucks are in need for a power forward to groom for the future. (Actual Pick: Rashad Vaughn)
18: HOU- PG Tyus Jones, Duke, Fr., 6-1, 190
Jones is a smart player who at times has flashed brilliance. The Rockets adding a point guard to compete with Patrick Beverley would be beneficial. (Actual Pick: Sam Dekker)
19: WSH- PF Trey Lyles, Kentucky, Fr., 6-10, 235
With the 19th overall pick, selecting a player with a high-upside is all the Wizards can ask for with a non-top ten pick. (Actual pick: Jerian Grant traded to the New York Knicks)
20: TOR- PF Montrezl Harrell, Louisville, Jr., 6-8, 240
After three seasons at Louisville, Harrell could immediately contribute to some degree to Toronto’s Eastern Conference playoff run. (Actual pick: Delon Wright)
21: DAL- PG Jerian Grant, Notre Dame, Sr., 6-5, 204
While Grant is rather old for entering the NBA Draft, he had a fantastic last season at Notre Dame. Rajon Rondo is likely not returning to the Mavericks and Grant should have a fair amount of chances to stand out in Dallas. (Actual pick: Justin Anderson)
22: CHI- PG Delon Wright, Utah, Sr., 6-5, 190
Much like Grant, Wright is a senior entering the draft. Given Chicago is picking with a mid-late first round pick, taking out an insurance policy for Derrick Rose would be wise, as it is well-documented he is extremely injury-prone. (Actual pick: Bobby Portis)
23: POR- SF Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Arizona, So., 6-7, 220
Hollis-Jefferson would give Portland depth at shooting guard and small forward while being an excellent defender in his small amount of playing time to start off. (Traded to the Brooklyn Nets)
24: CLE- PG Terry Rozier, Louisville, So., 6-1, 190
At this point in time, all Cleveland is looking for is role-players. Rozier likely won’t see any meaningful minutes in his rookie season, but hopefully he can learn a thing or two behind Kyrie Irving and Matthew Dellavadova. R.J Hunter also would make sense at this pick. (Actual pick: Tyus Jones traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves)
25: MEM- SG R.J. Hunter, Georgia State, Jr., 6-6, 190
A solid shooter from range, Hunter has the chance early on to find his niche with Memphis. (Actual pick: Jarell Martin)
26: SA- PF Christian Wood, UNLV, So., 6-11, 220
Pinpointing a position of need for San Antonio is difficult, so selecting an athletic power forward to grow and develop is only logical. (Actual pick: Nikola Milutinov)
27: LAL- SF Justin Anderson, Virginia, Jr., 6-6, 228
Anderson quasi-falls to the Lakers at 27. (Actual pick: Larry Nance Jr.)
28: BOS- PF Chris McCullough, Syracuse, Fr., 6-10, 220
Despite having torn his ACL in his lone season at Syracuse, his upside trumps any concern, especially with such a low pick. (Actual pick: R.J. Hunter)
29: BKN- SG Rashad Vaughn, UNLV, Fr., 6-6, 210
Vaughn is a young player who put up over 18 PPG at UNLV last season. He presents value to the Nets this late in the draft. (Actual pick: Chris McCullough)
30: GS- PF Jordan Mickey, LSU, So., 6-8, 235
The possibility of David Lee being traded out of Golden State means finding depth at power forward should be a priority. (Actual pick: Kevon Looney)
Check back tomorrow when we release our grades for the first half of the draft based on what actually happened...
