he_gets_buckets's Mock Draft

When you have a choice between elite wings and an elite big, you have to go with the big. His potential is tantalising, could be a franchise changer. However, if red flags about his back pop up he could definitely fall.

Philly pick up the piece out of the top 3 and still come away extremely happy. You get arguably the best contributor right now from this draft, could easily come in and drop 18 a game as a rookie in Phillys up and down system.

Jazz are an up and coming team and they are looking to instill a hard working culture. I think Aaron Gordon brings that as well as extreme versatility in spades. Granted, he will never be a 20+ a game scorer, he will work harder then any guy on the court and 18 he was one of the best defensive players in the NCAA. Gerald Wallace 2.0 is easily accomplishable for this guy. I think when we look back at this draft, if Aaron falls out of the top 8 picks a lot of people will be wondering why.

With most of the star power of the board, I think the Lakers swing for the fences her on Lavine hoping to get a steal. He has the potential to be one of the best players from this draft. LA will be hoping he can pick up some tips from his idol Kobe and Steve Nash can give him some pointers to turn this guy into a stud. I think he really is a bigger boom or bust guy we've seen in years. I could see him petering out really unspectacularly and I can also see him turning into a star in LA and making the teams who passed on him look silly.

MJ gets a shooter to bolster the Hornets pitiful perimeter shooting. McDermott is an almost polar opposite to pair with MKG on the wing and perhaps even give MKG some tips on his form.