Chad Ford mock 3.0

The NBA draft combine is now behind us, and for the first time we have credible measurements, plus medical and athletic info on every prospect in the draft.

This week a number of first-round bubble players are competing in group workouts in Minnesota. From there, NBA teams will start their individual workouts in earnest.

There is still plenty of wiggle room here, as we’re still a month away from the draft. But for now, here’s our most informed take, after talking to numerous NBA team sources, about how the draft might play out in June.

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Cleveland (via L.A. Clippers)	Kyrie Irving	Position: PG Height: 6-foot-4 Weight: 191 pounds Age: 19 School: Duke

Analysis: How sure are we that the Cavs will be selecting Irving? While they say they’re bringing in a number of other prospects for a closer look, Irving has only scheduled Cleveland at this time. Unless the Cavs are persuaded to trade the pick, I think Irving is a very safe bet at the top. Long-term, the Cavs have needs everywhere, and Irving is the safest pick in the draft.

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Minnesota	Derrick Williams	Position: SF Height: 6-9 Weight: 249 Age: Turns 20 on May 25 School: Arizona

Analysis: Owner Glen Taylor said Monday that he doesn’t think the Wolves will trade their pick. That will come as a pretty big surprise to a number of GMs who claim that the Wolves are already talking to teams about the pick. The problem for the Wolves is that Williams plays the same positions as their best two players — Kevin Love and Michael Beasley.

They could trade either player (Love especially would welcome a trade), but I’m not sure Williams is an upgrade. That leaves them with dealing this valuable asset and hoping to get back a few solid veterans to stabilize the team. So that’s why I’m very confident Williams will go No. 2 — I’m much less confident on which team will actually do the drafting.

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Utah (via New Jersey)	Brandon Knight	Position: PG Height: 6-3 Weight: 177 Age: 18 School: Kentucky

Analysis: The Jazz are looking at everything at this point. Trading up, trading down, trading out and then looking at a number of prospects at No. 3. Brandon Knight, Kemba Walker, Jan Vesely, Jonas Valanciunas and Enes Kanter are all in the mix here.

But of that group, I think Knight has the edge. The Jazz love big guards, players who can defend multiple positions, guards who can shoot the basketball and high-character players. Knight checks off most of those boxes. The rest of the group all are a bit riskier.

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Cleveland	Enes Kanter	Position: PF Height: 6-11 Weight: 260 Age: 19 Country: Turkey

Analysis: Kanter had a very good week at the Chicago combine. His measurements established him as a legit NBA center prospect. He played hard, showed he was in great shape and impressed during interviews. But there are still legitimate questions about how all those things will translate at the next level.

On one hand, he could be the best prospect in the draft. On the other, he could be yet another in a long line of international workout wonders. I do think he’ll have major appeal for the Cavs. Not only does he have tremendous upside, but he is tough, can play inside and out, rebounds the basketball and has a higher basketball IQ than most kids his age. You could do a lot worse than building around Irving and Kanter.

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Toronto	Jan Vesely	Position: PF Height: 6-11 Weight: 240 Age: 21 Country: Czech Republic

Analysis: I’m still trying to get the pulse of what’s happening in Toronto. Now that Bryan Colangelo has his extension, he can afford to take more risks. The question is … who does he gamble on? Last week we had Valanciunas here. He’s still in the mix, but I’ve been told that Vesely is even higher on his list.

A terrific athlete, Vesely is ready to play right now and adds great size to Toronto’s front line. Kemba Walker is also a legit option here and if for some reason Brandon Knight falls, he won’t slip past the Raptors.

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Washington	Kawhi Leonard	Position: SF Height: 6-7 Weight: 228 Age: 19 School: San Diego State

Analysis: Leonard had a good week in Chicago as well. He measured with a 7-foot-3 wingspan and had the biggest hands in the camp. He also put on a brief shooting display for GMs on Friday morning, showing off a new and improved shot.

With GM Ernie Grunfeld’s job hanging in the balance, he doesn’t have a lot of room to take risks — especially on international players who might not come to Washington for years. Leonard’s ability to come in and provide energy, defense and length right away makes him an attractive option and a potential impact player in Year 1.

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Sacramento	Kemba Walker	Position: PG Height: 6-1 Weight: 184 Age: 21 School: UConn

Analysis: We continue to keep Walker planted here in Sacramento, though from what I can gather, Geoff Petrie is considering a number of options including trades. Petrie is in the same boat as Grunfeld. His job isn’t very safe, and the past two years Petrie has opted for a "sure-thing" player who could produce in Year 1. Walker is that guy at this point in the draft and, as an added bonus, doesn’t have the same character issues that Tyreke Evans and DeMarcus Cousins had.

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Detroit	Jonas Valanciunas	Position: PF Height: 6-10 Weight: 230 Age: 19 Country: Lithuania

Analysis: For the third straight week, the Pistons’ player changes. This time, it’s because of opportunity. In the past two mocks I’ve had Valanciunas going before the eighth pick. If he slides this far, I think the Pistons will grab him.

Yes, Detroit will also look at both Bismack Biyombo and Tristan Thompson here. But Valanciunas has two things the Pistons covet: size and major upside. They may have to wait on him a year, but many NBA scouts believe he’s the most talented international player in the draft.

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Charlotte	Bismack Biyombo	Position: PF Height: 6-9 Weight: 243 Age: 18 Country: Congo

Analysis: The Bobcats are desperate for a big man who can defend the paint. Enter Biyombo. How much do we really know about him? Not much. But the Bobcats desperately need his length, athleticism, rebounding and toughness. Michael Jordan has never been afraid to take risks and, if he is sold on Biyombo, he won’t be afraid to do it here either.

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Milwaukee	Tristan Thompson	Position: PF Height: 6-9 Weight: 228 Age: 20 School: Texas

Analysis: The Bucks are set at center and point guard, but could really use help at the 2, 3 or 4 position. If Thompson slides this far, it might be tough for them to pass on him.

Thompson would give the Bucks athleticism and toughness in the front court — something they tried to address during free agency with Drew Gooden last year. He is still a work in progress on the offensive end of the ball, but he may be the best offensive rebounding forward in the draft.

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Golden State	Marcus Morris	Position: PF Height: 6-9 Weight: 230 Age: 21 School: Kansas

Analysis: The Warriors have a lot of front court needs, especially at the 5. But without a legit center available at this point, Morris is a serious option for them. His ability to play multiple positions and score the basketball both on the perimeter and in the post, plus his maturity level, make him a great fit in Golden State.

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Utah (0.7% chance of winning lottery)	Chris Singleton	Position: SF Height: 6-9 Weight: 230 Age: 21 School: Florida State

Analysis: With Andrei Kirilenko heading into free agency this summer, the Jazz are set to lose their most versatile defender. Enter Singleton. He’s not the most polished offensive player in the world (sound familiar, AK-47 fans?), but his ability to guard multiple positions and his size for his position are intriguing for the Jazz. The question is, with Singleton rising on many draft boards … will he still be here at No. 12? Teams as high as the Raptors at No. 5 are looking at him.

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Phoenix	Alec Burks	Position: SG Height: 6-6 Weight: 193 Age: 19 School: Colorado

Analysis: The Suns are in that awkward spot between pushing for the playoffs and rebuilding. Burks takes them decidedly on the rebuilding track. He is one of the best athletes in the draft and should be a good long-term replacement for Vince Carter if he continues to work on his jump shot.

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Houston	Jordan Hamilton	Position: SF Height: 6-9 Weight: 229 Age: 20 School: Texas

Analysis: Hamilton was another player who really impressed in Chicago. His size and ability to shoot the basketball combined with his aggressive scoring instincts should fit well in Houston. Since trading away Shane Battier, small forward has been a need.

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Indiana	Jimmer Fredette	Position: SG Height: 6-3 Weight: 196 Age: 22 School: Brigham Young

Analysis: Will Pacers fans finally get the real life version of Jimmy Chitwood? Fredette’s ability to score the basketball is legendary and actually fits a need for the Pacers. In the fourth quarter of games this season, they really struggled to find a player who could hit the big shot.

I’m not sure Fredette is the point guard of the future in Indiana. He may be more of a scoring fixture (a la Ben Gordon) coming off the bench. Either way, his ability to contribute right away should give the Pacers another bump as they try to take the next step.

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Philadelphia	Markieff Morris	Position: PF/C Height: 6-9 Weight: 241 Age: 21 School: Kansas

Analysis: The Sixers really need a big man, and Morris, a Philly native, is the best left on the board. Morris has a rep as a good defender, shot-blocker and rebounder — but he also proved at Kansas this year that he can step out and hit the 3. He’s a bit rawer than his brother, but he’s a good get at this point in the draft.

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	New York	Josh Selby	Position: PG Height: 6-3 Weight: 195 Age: 20 School: Kansas

Analysis: GM Donnie Walsh may have made the biggest mistake of his career when he passed on a number of terrific young but unproven point guards in 2009 so he could draft Jordan Hill. Brandon Jennings, Ty Lawson and Jrue Holiday — and even Darren Collison, Eric Maynor and Jeff Teague — all appear to be on their way to a long NBA career. Don’t expect the Knicks to make the same mistake again.

They’ve been looking long and hard at Selby for a while, thinking he’d thrive in Mike D’Antoni’s system, which allows guards much more freedom than they get at Kansas. Selby has lottery talent but a shaky résumé. It may be a risk taking him this high, but he has a very high upside.

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Washington (via Atlanta)	Klay Thompson	Position: PG Height: 6-7 Weight: 206 Age: 21 School: Washington St.

Analysis: Nick Young is heading into free agency, and the Wizards could use another shooter in their backcourt to complement Wall. Thompson rivals Fredette as the best shooter in the draft and would be a great fit for the Wizards.

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Charlotte (via New Orleans)	Marshon Brooks	Position: SG Height: 6-5 Weight: 195 Age: 22 School: Providence

Analysis: Brooks continued his rapid rise on draft boards with a terrific performance in Chicago. Two weeks ago, when I first wrote about him after a workout in Chicago, he sat in the mid-second round on most draft boards. Now there’s talk about his ceiling being somewhere in the lottery.

For now we have Brooks going to a team that could really use an aggressive scorer. Gerald Henderson came on late in the season, but they’re totally different players.

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Minnesota (via Memphis)	Donatas Motiejunas	Position: PF Height: 7-0 Weight: 220 Age: 19 Country: Lithuania

Analysis: The Wolves have the best group of international scouts in the NBA and if Motiejunas falls this far, I think they’d snap him up. He’s an aggressive scorer and he has size — two things the Wolves could use in the post.

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Portland	Kenneth Faried	Position: PF Height: 6-8 Weight: 225 Age: 21 School: Morehead State

Analysis: The Blazers fell in love with Faried last year before he withdrew from the draft. If they are fortunate enough to get a second chance at him this year, they’ll grab him. His relentlessness on the boards is a nice complement to LaMarcus Aldridge’s more offensive-minded style.

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Denver	Tobias Harris	Position: PF Height: 6-8 Weight: 223 Age: 18 School: Tennessee

Analysis: Harris may be one of the more underrated players in the draft. He can play both the 3 and 4, and he has a very high basketball IQ and an NBA body. Harris doesn’t do any one thing at an elite level, but he is one of the most well-rounded players in the draft.

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Houston (via Orlando)	Reggie Jackson	Position: PG Height: 6-3 Weight: 208 Age: 21 School: Boston College

Analysis: Kyle Lowry is coming off a career year, but Jackson would give them a very different look. Jackson is a terrific athlete, has a ridiculous 7-foot wingspan and shot the lights out his junior year. He has virtually every quality you look for in a modern NBA point guard and would likely be a good complement to Lowry.

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Oklahoma City	Nikola Mirotic	Position: SF Height: 6-10 Weight: 226 Age: 21 Country: Serbia

Analysis: Sam Presti is an opportunist, and he is patient — two critical traits in a great GM. Mirotic, based on talent, is a lottery pick. But a massive buyout means he won’t be playing in the NBA anytime soon. If he stays in the draft — a big "if" at this point — someone will gamble on him. If it’s Presti, he could be getting a major steal down the road.

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Boston	Nikola Vucevic	Position: C Height:7-0 Weight: 260 Age: 20 School: USC

Analysis: The Celtics need size and Vucevic was one of the players who helped his draft stock the most the past week in Chicago. His measurements were off the charts and gave teams hope he could be a legit NBA center. Given his skill in the post, he could be a steal at this point in the draft.

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Dallas	Davis Bertans	Position: SF Height: 6-10 Weight: 210 Age: 18 Country: Latvia

Analysis: It’s unfair to compare any young European player to Dirk Nowitzki. But after watching Bertans shoot the lights out in practices at the Nike Hoop Summit, that’s how some scouts were referring to him. Bertans doesn’t have Nowitzki’s size or strength and looks to be a pretty serious project. But long-term, he could be a really nice addition.

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	New Jersey (via L.A. Lakers)	Justin Harper	Position: PF Height: 6-9 Weight: 228 Age: 21 School: Richmond

Analysis: Harper fits a need for New Jersey. He is big and athletic and can shoot the ball with range. After experimenting with guys like Yi Jianlian and Troy Murphy in this role over the past few years, Harper is cheaper and has more upside.

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Chicago (via Miami)	Tyler Honeycutt	Position: G/F Height: 6-8 Weight: 187 Age: 20 School: UCLA

Analysis: The Bulls continue to look for long-term answers at the 2, and Honeycutt could be a really nice steal here if he slides this far. He not only has a great basketball IQ and the ability to handle the ball but is also a good shooter who can stretch the defense.

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	San Antonio	Jeremy Tyler	Position: C Height: 6-11 Weight: 263 Age: 19 Team: Tokyo Apache

Analysis: The Spurs have done a good job over the years of finding young international players and stashing them overseas for a few years until they’re ready. Tyler doesn’t quite fit that model. He stashed himself overseas … but the point is he’s got tremendous upside for a team willing to be patient with him. Given the strong reaction to Tyler at the predraft camp, I’m not sure he lasts this long on the draft board.

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Chicago	Charles Jenkins	Position: SG Height: 6-3 Weight: 217 Age: 22 School: Hofstra

Analysis: The Bulls need scorers in their backcourt and ultimately need to find a backup for Derrick Rose at point guard. Jenkins’ ability to play both backcourt positions is intriguing. He is big, strong, a very good shooter and one of the best pure scorers in the draft. He is a real sleeper.

Next Five In: Nolan Smith

, G, Duke;

Darius Morris

, PG, Michigan;

Jordan Williams

, F/C, Maryland;

Lucas Nogueira

, C, Brazil;

Travis Leslie

, SG, Georgia

Chad’s mocks are always excellent and most of his picks make sense, Motiejunas seems to have fallen a bit, I wonder if he’d go past the Knicks although Josh Selby would be a good pick up for them with Billups to help develop him along.

We would not pass on Jeremy Tyler if he fell to us at #27 I just don’t see it happening with us shipping Favors.

Motiejunas seems to have fallen a bit

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No, NBAdraftnet has overrated him from day 1. This mock is excellent. Ironic that if Utah doesnt pick Fredette, it appears he will end up in Indiana.

 Only thing – Klay Thompson is no PG.

 I think switch Motie and Brooks

 I don’t get Thompson to the Bucks, they just drafted Larry Sanders last year and he’s shown potential. Burks would be a much better fit.

Burks isnt good…They have like 5 guys who play the 2 and 3.

 Irving 6.4?

Tyler Honeycutt at 28 seems kinda odd I dont think he will fall that low to my chicago bulls with his talent . Dont get me wrong he’s a perfect fit maybe a starter in some years but for now with making it all the way to the conference finals he definitly is going to wait his turn with coach thibs stating he dont play young guys.

 Knight is not going 3rd.  He’s going 5th.

 Hahaha Kyrie is growing before our eyes, he measured in under 6’2 in shoes so naturally he’s now 6’4

He actually measured taller than 6’3" in shoes if i remember the combine result correctly and they rounded up

Jeremy Tyler is to Tim Duncan as Tim Duncan is to David Robinson. Next all star, called it.

 did you just say Jeremy Tyler is the next Tim Duncan? That dude totally reminds me of Sean Williams of the Texas Legends.

Kyrie Irving measured to 6’3.5" in shoes.  Him growing half an inch isn’t out of the question.

Jeremy Tyler is a poor mans DeMarcus Cousins. And Cousins struggled a bit this past season with the same maturity problems Tyler did to an extent, both show shooting touch, big bodies and raw skills.

 where do we get all these JEREMY TYLER comparisons???  NO one knows shyt about his game including GM’s and scouts…there were no scouts in Japan…he flew under the radar…all anyones got to work on really is his combine performance and measurements….not allot of information…with that being said, he does LOOK pretty good…LOL!!!

Jeremy Tyler is a Marreese Speights copy

 ^ I actually like that comparison

I’m not surprise Chad Ford doesn’t have him in the 1st round. He had a bad senior year in terms of what was expected out of him. His jump shot isn’t consistent and he is very unathletic compared to some of the other small fowards. But I think he can make a roster as a 2nd round pick.

He’s one of those players that should have went early when his stock was at it’s highest.

I don’t see him as a pure point guard. Plus the Knicks already have a guy like him on the roster named Toney Douglas.

Selby is one of those classic undersize guards that can’t play the point, but could help a team coming off the bench as a scoring guard.

1st round bust, 2nd round steal

Fredette to the Pacers?

He’s a great scorer and shooter, and that’d definitely feel a need here, but I wonder how he’d fit in on the defensive end.

I think most fans would like the pick.