NBA Mock Draft

As the NBA Draft nears us, hear are my Mock Draft Picks for the Lottery.

Pick 1: Pelicans: Zion Williamson: Duke

This one is pretty obvious. After trading AD, the Pelicans need a PF and scorer, and Zion is both of these. He’s the best prospect in this draft and hopes to help rebuild the Pelicans with Lonzo Ball and Brandon Ingram.

Pick 2: Grizzlies: Ja Morant: Murray State

With Mike Conley getting older, the Grizzlies may be look for a replacement. This is the perfect opportunity. Ja Morant is the best point guard this year, drawing comparisons to Russell Westbrook and D’Aaron Fox. He might play SG with Mike, and when Mike Conley retires, then he will take over the starting role.

Pick 3: Knicks: RJ Barrett: Duke

RJ was the sidekick to Zion all season, and has a great ability to shoot. Now that the Knicks have a PG in Dennis Smith Jr, their shooting guard could be upgraded and what would be better than getting the best in this class.

Pick 4: Pelicans: Jarrett Culver: Texas Tech

Now that the Pelicans also have pick #4, they could use this asset as a trade, or if they keep it, they could use improvement at the SG position. Josh Hart would be the starter if they didn’t get a new SG, and Jarrett Culver is a great scorer and would add to the young core of Zion, Lonzo, Ingram and Randle.

Pick 5: Cavaliers: De’Andre Hunter: Virginia

Well, the Cavs were supposed to get Culver to pair up with young star Collin Sexton, but it would make more sense to go to the Pelicans. The Cavs need a little bit of everything, so why not take best available. De’Andre Hunter played great in the national title game, against Culver and the Texas Tech Red Raiders. He has good size, defense and scoring.

Pick 6: Suns: Darius Garland: Vanderbilt

Well, Garland was supposed to go to the Lakers at 4, but they don’t have that pick anymore. The Suns already had Devin Booker at the SG and Deandre Ayton at the C. They need a point guard and some wings, but the PG controls the team, so that should be first priority. Darius Garland is the 2nd best PG in this class behind Ja Morant.

Pick 7: Bulls: Coby White: North Carolina

The Bulls have a SG in Zach Lavine, SF in Otto Porter Jr, PF in Lauri Markkanen and Centers in Robin Lopez and Wendell Carter Jr. All they need is a PG and Kris Dunn is not going to cut it (no offense.) With the Bulls picking at 7, and most of the better PG’s probably off the board, and Coby White being the 3rd best in this class, he is the obvious choice.

Pick 8: Hawks: Jaxson Hayes: Texas

The Hawks have 2 good building blocks in Trae Young and John Collins. They also have Kevin Huerter at SG. All they need is a center and SF. They should take the best center in Jaxson Hayes. This year’s center’s aren’t as good as past years, but when you have the chance to get the best one, you should get him. They could get Demarcus Cousins this off season, and play Hayes off the bench, which would not be a terrible option.

Pick 9: Wizards: Cam Reddish: Duke

Cam Reddish was like the Chris Bosh of a big 3. Not the vocal point but delivered. That is was Reddish this past year in the shadow of RJ and Zion. The Wizards struggled this year with John Wall going down and maybe missing all of next year too, and Bradley Beal having to carry the offensive load. Reddish could help with, with a natural knack for scoring the ball. He needs to work on his 3-point shot and defense, but if can improve those then he will be in good shape. Reddish is the 3rd best SF in this class, behind De’Andre Hunter and RJ Barrett (who is a SG really but he is 6′ 7″.)

Pick 10: Hawks: Brandon Clarke: Gonzaga

PF Brandon Clarke had a coming out party in March Madness with blocks and multiple over 20-point games. Now with the Hawks having 2 picks in the top-10 and their focus being big guys, why not take Clarke. Clarke is a great blocker and inside scorer and he could develop his mid-range game. He would be the backup to John Collins who had the best season of his career last year. Brandon Clarke is the 3rd ranked PF in this years class.

Pick 11: Sekou Doumbouya: France

Sekou is the best international player in this draft, predicted to go to Minnesota at pick 11. He is like Pascal Siakam, tall, lengthy, athletic with not much of a jump-shot. Siakam has improved his shot and hit some big shots in the NBA Finals this year. If Doumbouya continues to improve, he will be the starting PF for the T-Wolves with Wiggins and Towns alongside him.

Pick 12: Hornets: Nassir Little: North Carolina

Little is a very raw guy who showed flashes of potential in his time at UNC. Even though he played few minutes at UNC, teams are hoping that they can develop him into a star. Little is the 4th best SF in this class. Also, if Little is on the board when the Hornets are picking, Micheal Jordan will take no hesitation in choosing another Tar Heel.

Pick 13: Heat: Rui Hachimura: Gonzaga

Hachimura was a very solid player at Gonzaga, showing his ability to finish around the rim and shoot the ball. He is solid on both sides of the ball and will no doubt be a great role player in the league. Hachimura is the 5th best PF in the class.

Pick 14: Celtics: Tyler Herro: Kentucky

Herro was a great player at Kentucky, a scorer/slasher. The Celtics need some answer for their team. Herro will provide some shooting and depth off of the bench. He would be a good fit for any team. Herro is the 5th best SG in the class.

I hope you agree with all these mock picks, please leave a comment on who you think will go #1 and if your team is getting a good player in this years NBA Draft. Please watch the NBA Draft on Thursday, June 20th, and a post on the Draft with opinions of the right or wrong picks.