Barnes, Sullinger and Jones III

I know this site loves a good hypothetical, so I will raise one. Had the 3 most notable returnees, Harrison Barnes, Jared Sullinger and Perry Jones III, for next year had entered this years draft, where do you think they would have gone? They were all sure fire lottery picks, and while you would even call all of them possible top 5 picks, I have a feeling one or two might have fallen outside of those parameters. Still, doubt any of them fell too far. Brings some interesting questions though:

• Would the Cavs draft Barnes #1? The Cavs are incredibly scarce on the wing, and while they might be drafting Derrick Williams to fill that void, would they maybe want more of a true wing player in Harrison Barnes? I am guessing Barnes would have done quite well in athletic testing, and his length is nearly equal too that of Williams. Or, would Kyrie Irving still be the pick with the heady play he showed in his 11 games at Duke.
• Who would be your pick between Jared Sullinger and Enes Kanter? Yes, it has been reiterated how well Kanter played against Sullinger in the Hoop Summit, but at the same time, I did not see Kanter stopping Sullinger in the paint either. Sullinger seems to be much more polished, and his length might indeed make him incredibly close to Kanter by those parameters. Sully’s athleticism is not elite, and maybe below that of Kanter’s, but his strength and wide body make him a nightmare to guard and box out. Not to mention, as a 1st Team All-American of a team that many had as the favorite to take home the NCAA title, Sullinger has shown his ability to compete at a high level, while Kanter does indeed leave you guessing.
• Would Perry Jones III be chosen in the top 5 due to his immense potential and unique physical tools, or would he have slipped due to his perceived lack of aggression and questionable motor? If you are talking about upside, I do not think anyone has a higher ceiling. However, does anyone know if he will ever reach it? Perry showed flashes during his first year at Baylor, and after his suspension at the end of the season, which will still cost him 5 games next year, he seemed like a sure one and done. But, he also seemed to go through long stretches of being invisible, coast on the perimeter far too often and showed very little ability to score down low. The guy has an ideal physique for basketball, and athleticism incredibly rare for a player his size. Just a question of when he will put things together and dominate. The Kevin Durant/Tracy McGrady comparisons seem incredibly unfair, and it appears he will probably play the 4 in the NBA. But, is he a franchise cornerstone, or a solid rotation starter? Is he Kevin Garnett, or Anthony Randolph? Does he really have the hunger to become an elite player? These are questions that could have kept Perry Jones out of the Top 5.

Yes, I know that I will get some, "What about Terrence Jones? Jeremy Lamb? Kendall Marshall?" questions, but lets focus on the three that would have really potentially shaken up the top of the draft. Here is what I think would have been a likely scenario had these three players entered the draft:

1. Harrison Barnes, Cleveland Cavaliers

Why? I think they might have gone with the most sure wing player available, not to mention a player who seems to be heady, hungry and have a will to improve. Barnes athleticism would have been impressive, and while I think Kyrie Irving and Derrick Williams might have still been in the hunt, they go with a need and an incredibly safe pick in the best true wing had he entered the draft.

2. Derrick Williams, Minnesota Timberwolves

Why? Think they still go with the player most people assume they will go with. Rubio has made them look past Kyrie Irving, and while Kanter or Jones III could be potential picks here as well, I see the Wolves taking Williams and maybe trying to get a package with Beasley for an established veteran. They indeed could have traded this pick, which they still might, and probably would have had more interested suitors with the chances of Irving, Jones III, Kanter and Sullinger making things very interesting.

3. Kyrie Irving, Utah Jazz

Why? I know people believe that Devin Harris could be the answer, but he could easily be traded somewhere else as well. In Irving, they get their PG of the future and someone who you could see leading a team in the right direction. I think it is indeed possible the Jazz like Brandon Knight more than Irving, but I do not know if that is true. Still, even with the perceived lack of big game experience, the questionable body fat % (which could easily be brought down) and people questioning why he is "hiding out" from competition through this process, Irving could easily be the best player in the draft. He has a competitive fire and basketball IQ you cannot teach.

4. Jared Sullinger, Cleveland Cavaliers

Why? I think this would have been the dream scenario for Cleveland. My guess is that these guys might have been at the top of their draft board. Sullinger would be an odds on favorite to win rookie of the year, and probably the most ready to contribute immediately out of anyone had he entered the draft. The Cavs would get a forward duo they could really build a team around, not have to worry about where they have to trade Baron Davis’ contract and have two bonafide competitors who showed great things over a full college season. Irving/Kanter seems pretty nice for them now, but something tells me they might have preferred this scenario.

5. Brandon Knight, Toronto Raptors

Why? I have long thought the Raps should go with Knight if given the chance, and even with Kanter, Vesely, Valanciunas, Jones III and even Kemba Walker being possible options, I think the Raptors would love to see Knight running the team. He is an incredibly smart player, a hard worker and somone who can create for himself, not to mention has great potential to create for others. He is a major competitor and got better as the season progressed. He also wants the ball in his hands with the game on the line, and you have to like that. Those players would be difficult to pass up, and the Raptors would have to deal with Calderon and Bayless, but getting a potential floor general here seems like it would have been the right move to give this team a new direction.

6. Enes Kanter, Washington Wizards

Why? I have heard the Wizards are incredibly enamored with Vesely, but I think they would grant Kanter his wish of playing with John Wall. Kanter would be a major help on the boards, and probably would play the 4 next to JaVale McGee. The Wizards could potentially ship some guys for some depth on the wing, and than have Kanter as a potential go to guy for Wall down low. It could still happen, but I like the odds much better in the hypothetical than in the present.

7. Perry Jones III, Sacramento Kings

Why? The Kings would probably love it if this happened. They would see the potential of an Evans, Jones and Cousins line-up, one full of physical freaks that over time could lead to become incredibly imposing. If all of these players grow together and reach their potential, you could be talking about a very high level team. Of course, that is a MAJOR if. But, Jones at 7 would probably make the Kings a very happy team and would give Evans and Cousins something to smile about as well.

8. Jan Vesely, Detroit Pistons

Why? Kemba Walker might get serious consideration as the teams new PG, and I could see Jones Valanciunas being in play here as well, but I think they take a strong athlete and play him next to Greg Monroe, and Vesely fits the bill. They are in rebuilding mode, and I do not see them winning immediately with really anyone they take here, so they load up with a talented combo forward and see what the future brings.

9. Kemba Walker, Charlotte Bobcats

Why? This seems like an incredibly likely Michael Jordan pick to me. I think that Michael really likes Kemba’s competitive fire, not to mention the Bobcats have been lacking a player with Kemba’s potential offensive abilities. S-Jax could use another player putting points on the board, and Walker is probably much more to his liking than DJ Augustin, who I see them trying to move. Valanciunas could be a potential grab here, as they still are incredibly thin up front, but I think Walker or maybe even Jimmer Fredette could be on Charlotte’s mind.

10. Alec Burks, Milwaukee Bucks

Why? I think they are going with Burks here, and I think this scenario probably would not have changed that. Burks is a great potential wing to have next to Jennings, and his smooth play would probably give the Bucks nice stability. The Bucks do have some wing players, but they are all expendable and I would not be surprised at them looking for a change. Tristan Thompson could go here as well, and possibly even Valanciunas, though he and Bogut might make for a strange front court.

11. Marcus Morris, Golden State Warriors

Why? It is about time the Warriors go against the grain of what they tend to do, which is draft long, rangy 4’s. Morris is versatile and would see time at either forward spot. Tristan Thompson and Jonas Valanciunas might have been given strong looks, even Bismack Biyombo just based on his potential rebounding and defensive abilities, but I think Morris would be a very safe and more than likely smart pick. Kawhi Leonard might be more of a true wing, but I think Morris is probably the more likely pick by the W’s, unless Jerry West sees things differently.

12. Kawhi Leonard, Utah Jazz

Why? This could even be a possible 1-4 combo for Cleveland, at least it looked possible early on when Kawhi was apparently soaring up draft boards. But, he slips too a team that could use a new life injection on the wing, and get a guy who is not afraid to rough things up and attack the boards. Think that Irving/Leonard would make Jazz fans pretty happy, whether it happens here or in the actual draft.

13. Tristan Thompson, Phoenix Suns

Why? Just could really see this being a good fit. I know that people dream of Steve Nash teaching Jimmer the ropes, and maybe getting a new big in Jonas Valanciunas, but I could see Tristan bringing some new life to this team. He is long, can grab some boards and can run the floor. His comparisons to Ed Davis are justified, and he could be as nice a pick at 13 as Ed is looking to be.

14, Jonas Valanciunas, Houston Rockets

Why? I think this is Jonas’ floor in the draft, and I seriously thought about putting him higher in this scenario. Still, he is a long, athletic potential Center, and Houston probably would love to have his services. He has major upside and appears to be willing to work and hungry to improve. Plus, you really like that he is not afraid to mix it up downlow, not to mention he seems to show touch you cannot really teach. 

So, I leave out some big names, some who will be potential lottery picks in this draft. These include Jimmer Fredette, Donatas Motiejunas, Bismack Biyombo, Chris Singleton and Klay Thompson. Anyone have thoughts or opinions as to where these guys would have gone? Any criticism in my picks (Ready for lots of that :)? Well, would definitely like to here peoples thoughts on this hypothetical scenario.