Mock Lock

[Jaboo]

With the lottery quickly approaching and the draft just 2 months away we have begun to gather intelligence on what some of the teams in the lottery will be looking to do during the draft. Interesting observation that 7 of the 14 lottery selections were traded. Possibly a sign why some teams are regularly this bad.

1. Portland Trailblazers (from Milwaukee): PG Cameron Payne
The do it all PG looks to be the consensus number 1 overall pick that would fit perfectly in Portlands team. However, he is easily not without risks. Payne is one of the rawest players in the league that likely today would not even start for a dleague team. But the potential to greatness is too great to ignore.

2. Golden State Warriors: PG Terry Rozier
I expect to see Rozier or Johnson selected here for Golden State but I have to give the nod to Rozier. With the impending free agency to Curry drafting Rozier will allow the Warriors tremendous flexibility. Rozier has the potential to not only be one of the leagues best defensive ballhawks but also a player that could lead the league in scoring and still average north of 7 assists per game. Rozier would allow the Warriors to pursue sign and trade options or use Rozier as an off the ball guard and go small with Lacey at SF or bring him off as an excellent 6th man option. Rozier, Lacey, Embiid and whatever they decide to do with Curry yields one of the leagues best young cores.

3. Dallas Mavericks: C Zhou Qi
Dallas is desperately in need of a PG but with Payne and Rozier gone they will look to replace what was lost with the trade of Biyombo and bring in the drafts top defensive big. Qhi has everything you are looking for in a defensive big man and reminds many of a young Dikembe Mutumbo.

4. Cleveland Cavaliers: Stanley Johnson Jr
My early favorite for rookie of the year and if he was 4 inches bigger would likely be the favorite for the top overall pick. A player that could easily average 30 points and 14 rebounds per game. Charles Barkely reincarnated all over again.

5. Brooklyn Nets : Jahlil Okafor
As the season began, many regarded Okafor as the favorite to go number 1. So why did he slide? Okafor seems to be good in a lot of areas, but not great in any. However, Brooklyn won't mind as he is the perfect complement next to WCS and could even make for some excellent practices with Okafor going up against Julius Randle night in and night out.

6. Atlanta Hawks : PG Monte Morris
After Okafor there is a steady drop off in talent and will be anyones guess who goes now. I really like Morris game and while I do not think he has the talent to be a PG, I do think he would be an even better fit for Atlanta over the aging Louis Williams. Morris can do everything Louis can do but more. Morris is a gunner from 3 point land, something that Atlanta desperately needs and will be an elite defender with quick hands. If Louis Williams can average 19 ppg I would not be surprised to see Morris top 22 by the time his rookie deal is over.

7. Indiana Pacers(from Charlotte) : SF Justin Jackson
The Pacers are in need of a SF and Jackson is the ultimate glue guy. He brings excellent height, inside scoring ability, and a very underrated jump shot. He may average the most rebounds per game as a SF while at the same time locking down the leagues top wings. He may never be an all-star, but he is exactly the type of player every championship team needs to have.

8. Los Angeles Lakers: SF DeAndre Bembry
The Lakers have most of their roster set and are mostly just waiting for everyone to develop. Similar to Jackson, Bembry will never be a star and will likely never average over 10 ppg in a season. But there is a reason why he is rated #4 on the big board. He can knock down the 3 with the best of them, will play solid defense, and is considered the smartest player in the draft. Some already consider him a head coach on the court.

9. Phoenix Suns(From Denver) : PF Brice Johnson
I will be shocked if the Suns keep this pick but if they do expect Johnson to be the pick. If the Suns have any weakness its in their front court. Johnson reminds me a lot of Alex Len, just a bit smaller, and extremely raw.

10. Dallas Mavericks(From Portland): PG Marceles Huertas
Huertas, a player who has topped the big board all year long as finally stopped his slide. Huertas comes in expecting to be the top floor general from day 1. Him and Stauskas can recreate the splash brothers while allowing Anderson and Qhi to do the dirty work defensively. Dallas should finally be heading back to the playoffs.

11. Dallas Mavericks (From Oklahoma City): PG Demetrius Jackson
After taking a PG at pick 10, Dallas will surpriise the league and take another PG in back to back picks. Jackson is actually the perfect compliment to Huertas. Huertas is already 32 years old and by the time his rookie deal ends he will likely be out of the league, this allows ample time for Jackson, an extremely raw but talenteed PG, to develop his skills behind what will likely be the best passing PG CSL has ever seen and will be ready to step in.

12. Brooklyn Nets (From Toronto): Taurean Prince
With Huertas and Jackson goinoin back to back would throw Brooklyns war room into chaos. Outside of Dallas there is no other team that needs a PG quite as badly as Brooklyn but with no other PGs worthy of going this high and a front court that is loaded with young talent the Nets will have to select another wing. All indications suggest that to be Prince. Prince is another defensive minded SFs who will be expected to come in and fight for minutes alongside RHJ and Bruno Caboclo while bringing an added 3 point shot something that outside of Dion Waiters this team sorely lacks.

13. Indiana Pacers : SF Juan Hernangomez
The Pacers having talent every where else will look to select the best available and word is that they have their eyes on the 6'9 wing out of Spain. Juan has the handles, passing, and size to play 4 positions on the court. With an excellent inside game, he can easily post up smaller guards or can step out and take PFs off the dribble. He needs to work on his rebounding to really round out his game though.

14. Philadelphia 76ers (from LA Clippers): Joel Bolomboy
The 76ers could use a PG to bring along slowly as Deron Williams ages but with none available and the impending free agency for Noel, the Sixers will look to bring in a replacement in case Noel gets a ridiculous offer. Bolomboy may never average 5 ppg but will bring solid rebounding, defense, and shot blocking. As they say, you never have enough shot blocking.

[andrei]

Good Read

Dallas with 3 lottery picks again - lets see what they can do with them.

Unlike last year, look like there are only two playoff teams in he lottery which is a good sign

[lakeshowak7]

Good article.

I can all but guarantee we trade out. These role players and long term projects (2nd year in a row is not good for the league) are not something I want to invest my team's future in.

[Rob]

Im winning the lottery.

[Rizzo]

Very interesting to see Qi at #3. He's going to draw some attention from Brett because he looks like the CSL's version of Festus Ezeli from the NLL haha. I think as long as I'm in the top-3 or top-4 I'll find a player I can take that will help us next season. If we drop past the top-4 then I will seriously think about moving the pick.

[Chilikonkarne]

This draft should be really interesting. Except 3/4 names who should go high, I have absolutely no idea who will be lottery!

[Dennis]

I think Jaboo has the special sheets, if he does, this is a smokescreen all over after pick 5 .

[StOfTheStep]

Great article. Love these draft mocks, but hate writing them because I feel like it gives away my draft strategy. Anyway, I'm curious to see how this will change once the lottery takes place.

[emplep7]

The top 5 will be big time players in the league. From there it is all up in the air, but its a good luxury for Brett to have that many picks to work with this year.

[Rizzo]

The top 5 will be big time players in the league. From there it is all up in the air, but its a good luxury for Brett to have that many picks to work with this year.

Ok fine I'll take a top-5 pick then.

[OneNole]

Very interesting to see Qi at #3. He's going to draw some attention from Brett because he looks like the CSL's version of Festus Ezeli from the NLL haha. I think as long as I'm in the top-3 or top-4 I'll find a player I can take that will help us next season. If we drop past the top-4 then I will seriously think about moving the pick.

Haha, thats actually kind of funny that you mention that as I was planning on writing a draft article and mentioning that. I love me some ezeli.

[Jaboo]

I think Jaboo has the special sheets, if he does, this is a smokescreen all over after pick 5 .

It really wasnt! While I did not use the sheet to help me decide on this mock, I did use the sheet to determine who I will scout and I only listed players ive scouted and the ones mentioned are some of the best ive scouted and I also took into account team need as best as I could as well.

I guess I need to scout better.

[NuggOlesk]

I hope PHX gets a nice player! Wouldn't mind that!