Chad Ford 7.2

It would be greatly appreciated!

It would be greatly appreciated!

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: I know some uncertainty is still out there. There always is. But all signs continue to point to Irving as the No. 1 pick. He has a chance to be special, and in this draft, that makes him worthy of going this high.

The Cavs may not love what’s left for them at No. 4, but at least they walk away feeling that they got the best player in the draft.

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Minnesota	Derrick Williams	Position: PF Height: 6-9 Weight: 249 Age: 20 School: Arizona

Analysis: The Wolves will work the phones until the last minute looking for a trade. If they keep the pick? They are considering Enes Kanter and started telling teams around the league on Wednesday that they’re leaning in that direction.

I can see the appeal of Kanter. He probably fits a need more. But Williams is the second-best talent in this draft, and I think talent ultimately trumps need, so they’ll take Williams and sort it out later this summer.

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Utah (via New Jersey)	Enes Kanter	Position: C Height: 6-11 Weight: 260 Age: 19 Country: Turkey

Analysis: GM Kevin O’Connor is now issuing his famous "no comment" when asked about what the Jazz will do here. They are one of the most tight-lipped teams in the league. They aren’t leaking who they’ll take at No. 3.

So why did I change this from Brandon Knight to Kanter? Because it’s hard to get legit centers in the league, especially ones with Kanter’s upside. So are point guards, which is why Knight could be the pick. But as of very early Thursday, I think the Jazz will go with size and upside with Kanter.

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Cleveland	Jonas Valanciunas	Position: C Height: 7-0 Weight: 245 Age: 19 Country: Lithuania

Analysis: We had Valanciunas in this position last week. But on Monday we reported that Valanciunas’ buyout with his team in Lithuania would prohibit him from coming to the NBA next season.

The Cavs love Valanciunas, but do they love him enough to draft him even if he won’t play in the NBA right away? There are growing signals that they do. Valanciunas was in Cleveland on Tuesday meeting with Cavs brass. They conducted a physical and a workout as well, which has seemingly calmed their fears.

But another serious dark horse here is Tristan Thompson. As I reported on Wednesday, Thompson met with owner Dan Gilbert in Cleveland on Monday, and the Cavs are intrigued. As I gather more info, this is one spot where the mock could change in Version 7.1.

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Toronto	Brandon Knight	Position: PG Height: 6-3 Weight: 177 Age: 19 School: Kentucky

Analysis: GM Bryan Colangelo has been looking for defensive help, and I had been hearing during the past 24 hours that Bismack Biyombo and Kawhi Leonard had risen on the Raptors’ board. But if Knight slides this far, I don’t think they’ll pass.

Knight has tremendous upside, is a good defender in his own right and, alongside DeMar DeRozan, would give the Raptors an intriguing young backcourt.

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

Analysis: The Wizards need rebounding and would love it if Kanter was still on the board. They’ve also been huge fans of Vesely and would jump at the chance to take him here. His ability to run the floor would be a welcome fit alongside John Wall and JaVale McGee.

Tristan Thompson is the other player to watch here. The Wizards need help on the boards, and Thompson is one of the best offensive rebounders in the draft.

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Charlotte (via Sacramento)	Tristan Thompson	Position: PF Height: 6-9 Weight: 228 Age: 20 School: Texas

(Sources: Kings trade No. 7 pick to Bobcats)

Analysis: The Bobcats made the first big move of the draft Thursday when they pulled the trigger on a three-team trade that nabbed them Corey Maggette and this pick for Stephen Jackson, Shaun Livingston and the No. 19 pick.

I’ve heard they want Thompson here. But Michael Jordan did become enamored with Bismack Biyombo at a workout in Charlotte on Wednesday. I’m leaning Thompson here, but will keep digging.

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

Analysis: The Pistons have been leaning toward Thompson. But if he’s not on the board, I think their next two options are to select Bismack Biyombo or to trade down in the draft.

For now, I’m putting Biyombo here, partly as a placeholder. He has serious upside as an elite defender, and the Pistons have experience with a similar big man, Ben Wallace. Biyombo should be a good fit next to Greg Monroe.

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

Analysis: The Bobcats will be thrilled if Leonard is still on the board here. Although Leonard isn’t the same player as Gerald Wallace, he brings much of the same intensity. Bismack Biyombo also could be an option here, as well as Chris Singleton and Alec Burks.

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Sacramento (via Milwaukee)	Jimmer Fredette	Position: PG Height: 6-3 Weight: 196 Age: 22 School: Brigham Young

(Sources: Bucks trade No. 10 pick to Kings)

Analysis: When we first reported a few weeks ago that the Kings were looking seriously at Fredette, there were mostly chuckles. But it now appears to be very close to reality. With Beno Udrih gone, it becomes even more likely that the Kings will go with a point guard. Kemba Walker is another possibility here, but his lack of shooting ability — in the absence of Udrih — tilts things toward Jimmer.

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Golden State	Klay Thompson	Position: SG Height: 6-7 Weight: 206 Age: 21 School: Washington State

Analysis: The Warriors would be thrilled with this outcome. They’ve been concerned that Thompson won’t be on the board when they pick. They’ve been high on him for weeks and feel as if he would bring them another big-time shooter to play alongside Stephen Curry and/or Monta Ellis. Chris Singleton is also a serious prospect to go here.

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

Analysis: Whewwww. I think the Jazz were leaning toward not taking Jimmer Fredette at No. 12. If he’s gone, that saves them some serious backlash in Utah. The Jazz were seriously considering Walker at No. 3. If he falls here, I don’t think they’ll pass on him.

Alec Burks also could be a possibility. I’m told they spent some serious time looking at him in the past 48 hours.

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

Analysis: I had Marcus Morris here in Mock 7.0, but I’m now hearing it’s his brother, Markieff, who is higher on the Suns’ board. Earlier this year, I wrote that some teams prefer Markieff to Marcus even though Marcus is more skilled.

Markieff has better size and is a better rebounder and shot-blocker. Meanwhile, Marcus is getting pegged as a tweener right now, which may cause him to slide. Iman Shumpert is also strongly in the mix here.

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

Analysis: The Rockets are talking to everyone — and I mean everyone — about moving up in the draft. Everyone from the Wolves at 2 to the Warriors at 11 have heard the pitch. I think someone ultimately will bite, and I think it could be Detroit.

But if not, the Rockets are likely to reach a little bit for some size in the paint. They are desperate for it, and Vucevic is the biggest man in the draft. Chris Singleton and Markieff Morris are also options.

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

Analysis: Under this scenario, the Pacers’ three biggest targets (Jimmer Fredette, Klay Thompson and Markieff Morris) are all gone. Burks didn’t work out for the Pacers, but they’ve done their homework. He’s probably the best talent left on the board, even if he does duplicate Paul George to a certain extent.

Marcus Morris, Chris Singleton and Marshon Brooks would also get looks here.

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

Analysis: The Sixers need size, but with Thompson, Vucevic and Morris all off the board, the only other big man worth taking here is Kenneth Faried. If Faried were a bit bigger, I think they’d do it. Instead, I think the Sixers will prepare for the inevitable trade of Andre Iguodala.

It may not come on draft night, but most believe it will happen sometime before the season, and that’s why Hamilton is the pick. Donatas Motiejunas is another possibility here.

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	New York	Chris Singleton	Position: SF Height: 6-9 Weight: 230 Age: 21 School: Florida State

Analysis: The Knicks have a bunch of scorers. What they really need are defenders. Singleton will get looks as high as No. 9 to the Bobcats, but I doubt he will slide any further than here. Not only is he the best defender in the draft, but he also has potential to be a spot-up 3-point shooter.

Iman Shumpert, Alec Burks and Marshon Brooks are also in the mix here.

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Washington (via Atlanta)	Marcus Morris	Position: PF Height: 6-9 Weight: 230 Age: 21 School: Kansas

Analysis: This would be a major slide for Marcus. But his insistence that he’s not really a power forward has hurt his stock a bit. Teams don’t believe he can be a 3 and now see him as somewhat of a tweener.

Still, at this point, he’s a good value and could play some 3 and some 4 in Washington.

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

(Sources: Bobcats trade No. 19 pick to Bucks)

Analysis: The Bucks want scoring and are looking for another wing now that John Salmons is gone. Brooks was one of the best scorers in college basketball and wouldn’t be a huge risk at No. 19. He could be a steal for Milwaukee here.

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Minnesota (via Memphis)	Iman Shumpert	Position: PG Height: 6-6 Weight: 221 Age: 20 College: Georgia Tech

Analysis: The Wolves added some serious offensive pop with the arrival of Ricky Rubio and, in this mock, Derrick Williams. Shumpert would give them a major defensive presence in their backcourt.

Although he’s not the most offensively gifted player in the draft, his ability to guard both backcourt positions combined with his elite athleticism make him an interesting choice at No. 20.

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.

Markieff Morris, Tobias Harris, Iman Shumpert and Reggie Jackson are others to watch.

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

Analysis: I guess we can’t call Harris one of the more underrated players in the draft when he hasn’t moved off 22 in any of our mocks. 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.

Iman Shumpert, Chandler Parsons and Tyler Honeycutt are other possibilities here.

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

Analysis: At this point in the draft, you quit worrying about draft needs and you draft according to talent. Motiejunas is a major talent. He’s got flaws, but at No. 23, you live with them. If the Rockets don’t trade the pick away, Jimmy Butler is a possibility here, as is Darius Morris.

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Oklahoma City	Kyle Singler	Position: SF Height: 6-9 Weight: 228 Age: 23 College: Duke

Analysis: I don’t have Singler rated as a top-30 prospect. But I might be mistaken. A source said the Thunder are very high on Singler and believe he could be an Andres Nocioni-type player in the NBA.

He is tough, has a good motor and will be able to knock down open shots. If he plays that role in the NBA, he’s well worth the 24th pick. Reggie Jackson, Jimmy Butler and Nikola Mirotic are other possibilities here.

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Boston	Jimmy Butler	Position: G/F Height: 6-8 Weight: 222 Age: 21 School: Marquette

Analysis: If the Celtics are going to keep competing for a title, they need players who know their roles, can play without the ball in their hands and meld in. Butler brings toughness, defense and heart.

Butler epitomizes that approach with his game and would be a great fit with the Celtics as a player who can play multiple positions off the bench. Reggie Jackson is another strong possibility here, as is Norris Cole.

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

Analysis: The Mavs likely will stay primarily a veteran team. So they’ll work to add value wherever they can. Mirotic is a talented player who would go 10 spots higher if he weren’t stuck in Europe the next two or three years with a difficult contract to escape.

But the Mavs can afford to be patient with a talent like this and hope that in a few years, he’ll be ready to step in and play right away.

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	New Jersey (via L.A. Lakers)	Reggie Jackson	Position: PG Height: 6-3 Weight: 208 Age: 21 School: Boston College

Analysis: Jackson hasn’t done any workouts, has a knee injury and isn’t sharing his medical records. Why would the Nets take a player like that? Well, they, along with a lot of NBA teams, believe that another team has shut down Jackson’s workouts with a promise to draft him.

That shouldn’t stop the Nets from grabbing Jackson anyway. Yes, they have Deron Williams. But he’s not a sure thing to stay in New Jersey after next season. Even if he does, Jackson would be a terrific backup and could play off the ball in certain situations.

If Jackson hadn’t suffered a knee injury just as the draft prep began, he could have gone much higher. Norris Cole, Justin Harper, Josh Selby and Chandler Parsons also are possibilities.

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Chicago (via Miami)	Justin Harper	Position: PF Height: 6-9 Weight: 228 Age: 21 School: Richmond

Analysis: Harper was one of the best stretch 4s in college basketball last season. He also has size and is a pretty good athlete. The Bulls need perimeter shooting, and Harper should be able to give them some.

Charles Jenkins, Tyler Honeycutt and Jeremy Tyler are also possibilities.

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

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.

Bertans showed he can be a big-time shooter at the Nike Hoop Summit and adidas Eurocamp, and he’s only 18 years old. So it’s worth taking a flier on him and seeing what he can accomplish after another year or two in Europe.

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Chicago	Nolan Smith	Position: SG Height: 6-4 Weight: 188 Age: 22 School: Duke

Analysis: The Bulls need scorers in their backcourt and ultimately need to find a backup for Derrick Rose at point guard. Smith isn’t the sort of player who really wows you with one thing. But he’s a winner, he’s versatile and he’s been a solid shooter in college. He’s a perfect backup guard.

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: I know some uncertainty is still out there. There always is. But all signs continue to point to Irving as the No. 1 pick. He has a chance to be special, and in this draft, that makes him worthy of going this high.

The Cavs may not love what’s left for them at No. 4, but at least they walk away feeling that they got the best player in the draft.

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Minnesota	Derrick Williams	Position: PF Height: 6-9 Weight: 249 Age: 20 School: Arizona

Analysis: The Wolves will work the phones until the last minute looking for a trade. If they keep the pick? They are considering Enes Kanter and started telling teams around the league on Wednesday that they’re leaning in that direction.

I can see the appeal of Kanter. He probably fits a need more. But Williams is the second-best talent in this draft, and I think talent ultimately trumps need, so they’ll take Williams and sort it out later this summer.

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Utah (via New Jersey)	Enes Kanter	Position: C Height: 6-11 Weight: 260 Age: 19 Country: Turkey

Analysis: GM Kevin O’Connor is now issuing his famous "no comment" when asked about what the Jazz will do here. They are one of the most tight-lipped teams in the league. They aren’t leaking who they’ll take at No. 3.

So why did I change this from Brandon Knight to Kanter? Because it’s hard to get legit centers in the league, especially ones with Kanter’s upside. So are point guards, which is why Knight could be the pick. But as of very early Thursday, I think the Jazz will go with size and upside with Kanter.

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Cleveland	Jonas Valanciunas	Position: C Height: 7-0 Weight: 245 Age: 19 Country: Lithuania

Analysis: We had Valanciunas in this position last week. But on Monday we reported that Valanciunas’ buyout with his team in Lithuania would prohibit him from coming to the NBA next season.

The Cavs love Valanciunas, but do they love him enough to draft him even if he won’t play in the NBA right away? There are growing signals that they do. Valanciunas was in Cleveland on Tuesday meeting with Cavs brass. They conducted a physical and a workout as well, which has seemingly calmed their fears.

But another serious dark horse here is Tristan Thompson. As I reported on Wednesday, Thompson met with owner Dan Gilbert in Cleveland on Monday, and the Cavs are intrigued. As I gather more info, this is one spot where the mock could change in Version 7.1.

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Toronto	Brandon Knight	Position: PG Height: 6-3 Weight: 177 Age: 19 School: Kentucky

Analysis: GM Bryan Colangelo has been looking for defensive help, and I had been hearing during the past 24 hours that Bismack Biyombo and Kawhi Leonard had risen on the Raptors’ board. But if Knight slides this far, I don’t think they’ll pass.

Knight has tremendous upside, is a good defender in his own right and, alongside DeMar DeRozan, would give the Raptors an intriguing young backcourt.

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

Analysis: The Wizards need rebounding and would love it if Kanter was still on the board. They’ve also been huge fans of Vesely and would jump at the chance to take him here. His ability to run the floor would be a welcome fit alongside John Wall and JaVale McGee.

Tristan Thompson is the other player to watch here. The Wizards need help on the boards, and Thompson is one of the best offensive rebounders in the draft.

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Charlotte (via Sacramento)	Tristan Thompson	Position: PF Height: 6-9 Weight: 228 Age: 20 School: Texas

(Sources: Kings trade No. 7 pick to Bobcats)

Analysis: The Bobcats made the first big move of the draft Thursday when they pulled the trigger on a three-team trade that nabbed them Corey Maggette and this pick for Stephen Jackson, Shaun Livingston and the No. 19 pick.

I’ve heard they want Thompson here. But Michael Jordan did become enamored with Bismack Biyombo at a workout in Charlotte on Wednesday. I’m leaning Thompson here, but will keep digging.

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

Analysis: The Pistons have been leaning toward Thompson. But if he’s not on the board, I think their next two options are to select Bismack Biyombo or to trade down in the draft.

For now, I’m putting Biyombo here, partly as a placeholder. He has serious upside as an elite defender, and the Pistons have experience with a similar big man, Ben Wallace. Biyombo should be a good fit next to Greg Monroe.

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

Analysis: The Bobcats will be thrilled if Leonard is still on the board here. Although Leonard isn’t the same player as Gerald Wallace, he brings much of the same intensity. Bismack Biyombo also could be an option here, as well as Chris Singleton and Alec Burks.

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Sacramento (via Milwaukee)	Jimmer Fredette	Position: PG Height: 6-3 Weight: 196 Age: 22 School: Brigham Young

(Sources: Bucks trade No. 10 pick to Kings)

Analysis: When we first reported a few weeks ago that the Kings were looking seriously at Fredette, there were mostly chuckles. But it now appears to be very close to reality. With Beno Udrih gone, it becomes even more likely that the Kings will go with a point guard. Kemba Walker is another possibility here, but his lack of shooting ability — in the absence of Udrih — tilts things toward Jimmer.

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Golden State	Klay Thompson	Position: SG Height: 6-7 Weight: 206 Age: 21 School: Washington State

Analysis: The Warriors would be thrilled with this outcome. They’ve been concerned that Thompson won’t be on the board when they pick. They’ve been high on him for weeks and feel as if he would bring them another big-time shooter to play alongside Stephen Curry and/or Monta Ellis. Chris Singleton is also a serious prospect to go here.

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

Analysis: Whewwww. I think the Jazz were leaning toward not taking Jimmer Fredette at No. 12. If he’s gone, that saves them some serious backlash in Utah. The Jazz were seriously considering Walker at No. 3. If he falls here, I don’t think they’ll pass on him.

Alec Burks also could be a possibility. I’m told they spent some serious time looking at him in the past 48 hours.

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

Analysis: I had Marcus Morris here in Mock 7.0, but I’m now hearing it’s his brother, Markieff, who is higher on the Suns’ board. Earlier this year, I wrote that some teams prefer Markieff to Marcus even though Marcus is more skilled.

Markieff has better size and is a better rebounder and shot-blocker. Meanwhile, Marcus is getting pegged as a tweener right now, which may cause him to slide. Iman Shumpert is also strongly in the mix here.

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

Analysis: The Rockets are talking to everyone — and I mean everyone — about moving up in the draft. Everyone from the Wolves at 2 to the Warriors at 11 have heard the pitch. I think someone ultimately will bite, and I think it could be Detroit.

But if not, the Rockets are likely to reach a little bit for some size in the paint. They are desperate for it, and Vucevic is the biggest man in the draft. Chris Singleton and Markieff Morris are also options.

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

Analysis: Under this scenario, the Pacers’ three biggest targets (Jimmer Fredette, Klay Thompson and Markieff Morris) are all gone. Burks didn’t work out for the Pacers, but they’ve done their homework. He’s probably the best talent left on the board, even if he does duplicate Paul George to a certain extent.

Marcus Morris, Chris Singleton and Marshon Brooks would also get looks here.

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

Analysis: The Sixers need size, but with Thompson, Vucevic and Morris all off the board, the only other big man worth taking here is Kenneth Faried. If Faried were a bit bigger, I think they’d do it. Instead, I think the Sixers will prepare for the inevitable trade of Andre Iguodala.

It may not come on draft night, but most believe it will happen sometime before the season, and that’s why Hamilton is the pick. Donatas Motiejunas is another possibility here.

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	New York	Chris Singleton	Position: SF Height: 6-9 Weight: 230 Age: 21 School: Florida State

Analysis: The Knicks have a bunch of scorers. What they really need are defenders. Singleton will get looks as high as No. 9 to the Bobcats, but I doubt he will slide any further than here. Not only is he the best defender in the draft, but he also has potential to be a spot-up 3-point shooter.

Iman Shumpert, Alec Burks and Marshon Brooks are also in the mix here.

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Washington (via Atlanta)	Marcus Morris	Position: PF Height: 6-9 Weight: 230 Age: 21 School: Kansas

Analysis: This would be a major slide for Marcus. But his insistence that he’s not really a power forward has hurt his stock a bit. Teams don’t believe he can be a 3 and now see him as somewhat of a tweener.

Still, at this point, he’s a good value and could play some 3 and some 4 in Washington.

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

(Sources: Bobcats trade No. 19 pick to Bucks)

Analysis: The Bucks want scoring and are looking for another wing now that John Salmons is gone. Brooks was one of the best scorers in college basketball and wouldn’t be a huge risk at No. 19. He could be a steal for Milwaukee here.

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Minnesota (via Memphis)	Iman Shumpert	Position: PG Height: 6-6 Weight: 221 Age: 20 College: Georgia Tech

Analysis: The Wolves added some serious offensive pop with the arrival of Ricky Rubio and, in this mock, Derrick Williams. Shumpert would give them a major defensive presence in their backcourt.

Although he’s not the most offensively gifted player in the draft, his ability to guard both backcourt positions combined with his elite athleticism make him an interesting choice at No. 20.

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.

Markieff Morris, Tobias Harris, Iman Shumpert and Reggie Jackson are others to watch.

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

Analysis: I guess we can’t call Harris one of the more underrated players in the draft when he hasn’t moved off 22 in any of our mocks. 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.

Iman Shumpert, Chandler Parsons and Tyler Honeycutt are other possibilities here.

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

Analysis: At this point in the draft, you quit worrying about draft needs and you draft according to talent. Motiejunas is a major talent. He’s got flaws, but at No. 23, you live with them. If the Rockets don’t trade the pick away, Jimmy Butler is a possibility here, as is Darius Morris.

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Oklahoma City	Kyle Singler	Position: SF Height: 6-9 Weight: 228 Age: 23 College: Duke

Analysis: I don’t have Singler rated as a top-30 prospect. But I might be mistaken. A source said the Thunder are very high on Singler and believe he could be an Andres Nocioni-type player in the NBA.

He is tough, has a good motor and will be able to knock down open shots. If he plays that role in the NBA, he’s well worth the 24th pick. Reggie Jackson, Jimmy Butler and Nikola Mirotic are other possibilities here.

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Boston	Jimmy Butler	Position: G/F Height: 6-8 Weight: 222 Age: 21 School: Marquette

Analysis: If the Celtics are going to keep competing for a title, they need players who know their roles, can play without the ball in their hands and meld in. Butler brings toughness, defense and heart.

Butler epitomizes that approach with his game and would be a great fit with the Celtics as a player who can play multiple positions off the bench. Reggie Jackson is another strong possibility here, as is Norris Cole.

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

Analysis: The Mavs likely will stay primarily a veteran team. So they’ll work to add value wherever they can. Mirotic is a talented player who would go 10 spots higher if he weren’t stuck in Europe the next two or three years with a difficult contract to escape.

But the Mavs can afford to be patient with a talent like this and hope that in a few years, he’ll be ready to step in and play right away.

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	New Jersey (via L.A. Lakers)	Reggie Jackson	Position: PG Height: 6-3 Weight: 208 Age: 21 School: Boston College

Analysis: Jackson hasn’t done any workouts, has a knee injury and isn’t sharing his medical records. Why would the Nets take a player like that? Well, they, along with a lot of NBA teams, believe that another team has shut down Jackson’s workouts with a promise to draft him.

That shouldn’t stop the Nets from grabbing Jackson anyway. Yes, they have Deron Williams. But he’s not a sure thing to stay in New Jersey after next season. Even if he does, Jackson would be a terrific backup and could play off the ball in certain situations.

If Jackson hadn’t suffered a knee injury just as the draft prep began, he could have gone much higher. Norris Cole, Justin Harper, Josh Selby and Chandler Parsons also are possibilities.

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Chicago (via Miami)	Justin Harper	Position: PF Height: 6-9 Weight: 228 Age: 21 School: Richmond

Analysis: Harper was one of the best stretch 4s in college basketball last season. He also has size and is a pretty good athlete. The Bulls need perimeter shooting, and Harper should be able to give them some.

Charles Jenkins, Tyler Honeycutt and Jeremy Tyler are also possibilities.

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

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.

Bertans showed he can be a big-time shooter at the Nike Hoop Summit and adidas Eurocamp, and he’s only 18 years old. So it’s worth taking a flier on him and seeing what he can accomplish after another year or two in Europe.

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Chicago	Nolan Smith	Position: SG Height: 6-4 Weight: 188 Age: 22 School: Duke

Analysis: The Bulls need scorers in their backcourt and ultimately need to find a backup for Derrick Rose at point guard. Smith isn’t the sort of player who really wows you with one thing. But he’s a winner, he’s versatile and he’s been a solid shooter in college. He’s a perfect backup guard.

^ Thanks a lot, man!

^ Thanks a lot, man!

Good stuff. I have a strong feeling the Mavs will take Bertans or Mirotic.

Will Motie really slide that far? I don’t think so.

Good stuff. I have a strong feeling the Mavs will take Bertans or Mirotic.

Will Motie really slide that far? I don’t think so.

Very similar to mine. Maybe I did do a good job.

Very similar to mine. Maybe I did do a good job.

 Raptors seem to prefer Biyombo/Utah wants to move up to 8 to nab Fredette.

 Raptors seem to prefer Biyombo/Utah wants to move up to 8 to nab Fredette.

Chris Mannix is reporting the Wolves are contemplating trading the No. 2 overall pick for Monta Ellis.

Chris Mannix is reporting the Wolves are contemplating trading the No. 2 overall pick for Monta Ellis.

Ford just said he finished up 7.3, should be posted really soon.

Ford just said he finished up 7.3, should be posted really soon.

 he said hes got bismack to raptors…Kawai to pistons…Knight to Bobcats…and alec burks over Kemba 2 the jazz…im fkkkkkkkked….LOL

 he said hes got bismack to raptors…Kawai to pistons…Knight to Bobcats…and alec burks over Kemba 2 the jazz…im fkkkkkkkked….LOL

He also said he might regret making those changes.

I could see him losing his job over this.

Not really.

He also said he might regret making those changes.

I could see him losing his job over this.

Not really.