Tag Archives: NBA Mock Draft

NBA Mock Draft 3.0

The NBA Draft is tomorrow and there are still many questions at the top as to what the teams will do.  Here is my latest take on what will go down tomorrow night.

1. Los Angeles Clippers- Blake Griffin, PF, Oklahoma
A no brainer for the Clippers.  Griffin is the consensus number one player in the draft and even the Clippers can’t screw this up.

Thabeet will be blocking shots in Memphis now.

2. Memphis Grizzlies- Hasheem Thabeet, C, UCONN
The Grizzlies need some interior defense and Thabeet will bring that.  His offensive game is still developing but he can contribute immediately on defense.  The Timberwolves are interested in moving up to this pick to take Thabeet too.

3. Oklahoma City Thunder- Ricky Rubio, PG, Spain
The rumor lately has been the Thunder will pick Rubio if available.  If they pick Rubio it will shift Russell Westbrook to the 2 guard.  Rubio is only 18 and has been playing professionally in Spain since he was 14.

4. Sacramento Kings- Jonny Flynn, PG, Syracuse
No one really knows what the Kings will do.  If Rubio is available he will likely be the pick but if he’s not it be a number of guys including Flynn, Evans, Holiday, or Curry.  Flynn is a leader at the point guard position and has been playing great in workouts recently.

NBA Mock Draft Part 2

In case you missed the first part of my mock draft you can check it out here.

15. Detroit Pistons- B.J. Mullens, C, Ohio State
The Pistons could lose Rasheed Wallace, Antonio McDyess, and Kwame Brown in the off season so a froncourt player is needed.  With the Piston looking toward the future they can take a chance on Mullens who will take time to develop.

Blair would give the Bulls some much needed toughness

16. Chicago Bulls- DeJuan Blair, PF, Pittsburgh
There is talk the Bulls have promised to take Mullens here but if he is off the board the next best big available is DeJuan Blair.  Blair would add some much needed toughness and despite his size (6’6) his 7’2 wingspan makes up for it.

17. Philadelphia 76ers- Eric Maynor, PG, VCU
Andre Miller is set to become a free agent this summer so addressing the point guard position is a necessity.  Maynor despite playing at VCU got plenty of media attention thanks to his NCAA tournament performances and can step in and play right away.

NBA Mock Draft

Now that the deadline for underclassman has come and gone we officially know who is in and who is out of the draft.  Some last minute withdrawals were Greivis Vasquez and Luke Harangody.  With the NBA Finals over the focus in the NBA world switches to the draft.  The draft will be held on June 25th.  With that said here is my latest NBA Mock Draft.

Good News: Blake Griffin is going to Los Angeles. Bad News: It's the Clippers

1. Los Angeles Clippers- Blake Griffin, PF, Oklahoma
This pick has been a lock since the start and apparently since last year.  Even the Clippers can’t screw this one up.  Griffin is the consensus top player in what is considered a weak draft.  The drafting of Griffin will probably force the Clippers to trade either Zach Randolph or Chris Kamen.
Previous Pick: Same

2. Memphis Grizzlies- Hasheem Thabeet, C, UCONN
This is where the drafts starts to get interesting.  The Grizzlies could take Thabeet, Ricky Rubio, or trade the pick perhaps to Sacramento.  The Grizzlies don’t have a big need at center or point guard with Marc Gasol and Mike Conely Jr. at both positions but while Gasol is a solid player you don’t pass up a player like Thabeet for him.  Thabeet will be a defensive force early and if his offensive catches up he could have a career similar to Dikembe Mutombo.
Previous Pick: Ricky Rubio

NBA Mock Draft Part 2

You can see Part 1 here.

6. Minnesota Timberwolves- James Harden, SG, Arizona State
The Timberwolves already have their frontcourt set with Al Jefferson and Kevin Love so they look to Harden as a backcourt mate for point guard Randy Foye.  Harden struggled at the end of last season especially in the NCAA Tournament but can create for himself and can finish at the rim.  Harden is also a good defender and has great range.

7. Golden State Warriors- Tyreke Evans, G, Memphis
The Warrior will be looking for someone to pair with Monta Ellis.  Whether the Warriors want to keep Ellis at the point or move him to the 2 where he will be a bit undersized.  If the Warriors select Evans that would give them great flexibility.  Evans can play both on and off the ball.  He can drive and get to the basket and would be a good fit in the Warriors up temp style of basketball.

8. New York Knicks- Stephen Curry, PG, Davidson
The Kicks are looking to upgrade everywhere on their roster but especially point guard where they would rather have Chris Duhon coming off the bench.  There have been rumors that the Knicks have promised Curry they will take him here.  If they do Curry would be a great fit in Mike D’Antoni’s offense.  Curry is a terrific scorer who can shoot the lights out and has a great basketball IQ, and has a big name making him a great fit in New York.

9. Toronto Raptors- DeMar DeRozan, SG, USC
The Raptors have a need at the two guard and DeRozan would be a good fit.  The Raptors big men like to hang out on the perimeter and the ability of DeRozan to drive to the basket would compliment them.  DeRozan struggled early on in the season but really turned it on once conference play started.  DeRozan has great athleticism and has enormous potential but was inconsistent at times in college.

NBA Mock Draft Part 1

With the draft order finally set here is my first mock draft of the season.  The NBA Draft takes place on June 25.

1. Los Angeles Clippers- Blake Griffin, PF, Oklahoma
This is a no-brainer pick for the Clippers.  The Clippers already have Zach Randolph at power forward and he has a big contract but that’s no reason to pass on Griffin.  Griffin dominated in college averaging 22.7 points and 14.4 rebounds and winning every accolade you could.  Griffin has drawn comparisons to Carlos Boozer and some have even compared him to Karl Malone.

2. Memphis Grizzlies- Ricky Rubio, PG, Spain
Rubio is considered one of the most talented prospects ever to come out of Europe and he is only 18 years old but doesn’t play like it.  Rubio isn’t a great shooter but has improved that area of his game and is a phenomenal passes and a great defender.  If the Grizzlies select Rubio they will more than likely look to move Mike Conely Jr.  The will also give a long look at Hasheem Thabeet here.

3. Oklahoma City Thunder- Hasheem Thabeet, C, UCONN
The Thunder will likely take whoever Memphis passes on being either Thabeet or Rubio.  Thabeet will give the Thunder an imposing interior presence.  His offensive game will take time to develop but the Thunder have plenty of that already.  With a nucleus of Thabeet, Kevin Durant, Jeff Green, and Russell Westbrook the Thunder have the making of a team that have a bright future.