Chad Ford mock 8.2

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	New Orleans	Anthony Davis	Position: PF Height: 6-foot-11 Weight: 222 pounds Age: 19 School: Kentucky

Analysis: Davis is the clear No. 1 pick. The Hornets are turning down all trade offers for Davis and trying to figure out the best way to build around him. Look for them to seriously consider dealing the No. 10 pick if they can get a young veteran to play alongside Davis in return. This team has no intention of being bad for the next five seasons now that Davis is in place.

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Charlotte	Thomas Robinson	Position: PF Height: 6-foot-9 Weight: 244 pounds Age: 21 School: Kansas

Analysis: The Bobcats continue to talk with teams about trading the No. 2 pick. But if they keep it, most of the signals coming out of the organization point to Robinson being the man. He is a super athletic, physical 4 who should be an instant upgrade over Tyrus Thomas and D.J. White.

I’m hearing Harrison Barnes may be in second place on their wish list. Apparently, MJ is a fan. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Bradley Beal are in the mix, too, though I’m told MKG didn’t blow anyone away in his workout for the Bobcats on Monday and also hurt his back a little.

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Washington	Bradley Beal	Position: SG Height: 6-foot-5 Weight: 202 pounds Age: 18 School: Florida

Analysis: The Wizards made the first big trade of the offseason, sending Rashard Lewis and the 46th pick to New Orleans for Emeka Okafor and Trevor Ariza. With the deal, the Wizards essentially upgraded their front court — Okafor will likely be their starting 5, Nene their starting 4 and Ariza their starting 3.

With John Wall running the point, that leaves them with one big hole at the 2. I think this makes Bradley Beal a no-brainer for the Wizards, who are lacking a lights-out perimeter shooter. He’s a perfect fit for this new roster.

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Cleveland	Michael Kidd-Gilchrist	Position: SF Height: 6-foot-8 Weight: 233 pounds Age: 18 School: Kentucky

Analysis: If Beal goes No. 3, the Cavs have a choice between Kidd-Gilchrist and Harrison Barnes. The team is high on both players and could go either direction. Kidd-Gilchrist brings toughness, defense and leadership and would be great running the floor with Kyrie Irving. Barnes is a much better shooter and scorer who could add more punch to the Cavs’ attack.

At this point I’d give Kidd-Gilchrist the slight edge over Barnes. But if the Cavs go Barnes at No. 4, MKG won’t slide past the Kings at No. 5 — he’s exactly the sort of player Sacramento needs.

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Sacramento	Harrison Barnes	Position: SF Height: 6-foot-8 Weight: 228 pounds Age: 20 School: North Carolina

Analysis: Sacramento is another team that is seriously considering moving its pick if it can. GM Geoff Petrie is on the hot seat and the Kings are once again looking for a player who can come in and contribute immediately. If they can entice a team to give up a young veteran for the No. 5 pick, I think they do it. If they keep the pick, it’s looking like they’ll play it safe and grab Barnes. Drummond is in the mix too, but he’s a much riskier proposition.

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Portland (via Nets)	Andre Drummond	Position: C Height: 7-foot-0  Weight: 279 pounds Age: 18 School: UConn

Analysis: Blazers GM Neil Olshey is a risk-taker. He also knows he has some time to rebuild this team. So, unlike Petrie, Olshey has the capital right now to take a risk or two in the draft.

It may come down to a three-way choice (assuming the top five are off the board) between Drummond, Damian Lillard and Dion Waiters. I hear the Blazers like all three, but Drummond clearly has the biggest upside of the group. He also comes with the biggest question marks.

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Golden State	Dion Waiters	Position: SG Height: 6-foot-4 Weight: 221 pounds Age: 20 School: Syracuse

Analysis: We’ve tried a number of players in this spot and none of them have stuck. Perry Jones really struggled during a workout with the Warriors. Terrence Jones didn’t wow them in workouts. And news of Jared Sullinger’s back issues have GMs in the lottery running scared.

Could the Warriors turn to Waiters? He would bring a lot of what Monta Ellis brought to the table at a much cheaper price. If the team believes Klay Thompson can slide over to the 3, or if it just wants to fill out a three-guard rotation, Waiters could be the guy.

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Toronto	Damian Lillard	Position: PG Height: 6-foot-3 Weight: 189 pounds Age: 21 School: Weber State

Analysis: The Raptors were high on Waiters early, but his stock has risen so rapidly that he could very well be off the board when they pick. If that’s the case, Lillard may be the next best thing to Waiters as a dynamic backcourt scorer, something the team has lacked.

The Raptors are also open to trading their pick for a veteran wing who could add stability to their roster. If they keep the pick, Jeremy Lamb and Austin Rivers are also in the mix here.

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Detroit	John Henson	Position: PF Height: 6-foot-10 Weight: 216 pounds Age: 21 School: North Carolina

Analysis: Greg Monroe has been a revelation in the middle for the Pistons, but they really need to pair him alongside an athletic shot-blocker. Although Henson is painfully thin, he rebounds, blocks shots and defends multiple positions.

It wouldn’t be a perfect solution for Detroit, but the Pistons don’t have a lot of other options here unless they want to reach a bit for Meyers Leonard, who might be worth it after his stellar showing at the draft combine.

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	New Orleans (via Wolves)	Austin Rivers	Position: SG Height: 6-foot-5 Weight: 203 pounds Age: 19 School: Duke

Analysis: We’ve had Sullinger here the past few weeks. But just as he was working out in New Orleans, NBA team doctors were reviewing the physicals from the draft combine. As we reported on Monday, Sullinger’s physical left a number of team docs skittish.

If Sullinger isn’t the guy, there is no obvious direction for the Hornets to go next. You could make the case for a dozen players. So why Rivers? He checks off a lot of boxes (perimeter scorer, shooter, star quality) that the Hornets are looking for and gives them some insurance should Eric Gordon get too expensive as a restricted free agent this summer.

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Portland	Jeremy Lamb	Position: SG Height: 6-foot-5 Weight: 179 pounds Age: 20 School: UConn

Analysis: If the Blazers get Drummond at No. 6, they can turn their attention to their needs in the backcourt. While a point guard might be ideal, with Lillard off the board, I think they go after a 2-guard. Lamb has great length for his position, is a smooth athlete and would give Portland some scoring in the backcourt.

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Milwaukee	Meyers Leonard	Position: C Height: 7-foot-1 Weight: 250 pounds Age: 20 School: Illinois

Analysis: The Bucks gambled a few years ago on Brandon Jennings and it paid off big time. At this point in the draft, Leonard is risky but could have huge upside. The Bucks really need a center after sending Andrew Bogut to the Warriors at the trade deadline. Leonard is a work in progress but has the size and athletic ability to become a dominant big man down the road.

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Phoenix	Terrence Ross	Position: SG Height: 6-foot-7 Weight: 197 pounds Age: 21 School: Washington

Analysis: We’ve had both Waiters and Rivers associated with this pick in the past. However, if both players are off the board, Ross could be the guy.

He’s big, he’s super athletic and he can really shoot. The Suns desperately need help in their backcourt, and Ross could be a very solid addition.

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Houston	Tyler Zeller	Position: C Height: 7-foot-0 Weight: 247 pounds Age: 22 School: North Carolina

Analysis: The Rockets’ biggest need is in the middle, and Zeller should be a solid option. Scouts don’t think Zeller is going to be an All-Star someday, but he’s big, runs the floor very well and has a great touch around the basket. Leonard has passed him on our board, but Zeller should ultimately land somewhere in Picks 8-14.

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Philadelphia	Terrence Jones	Position: PF Height: 6-foot-10 Weight: 252 pounds Age: 20 School: Kentucky

Analysis: The Sixers might have a tough choice here between Jones, Sullinger and Arnett Moultrie. They need size, but also shooting. Jones may be the compromise. He measured out very well for a power forward at the combine, has an NBA body and proved to be a solid rebounder and shot-blocker in college. He has tremendous upside if he puts his heart into it.

Sullinger, meanwhile, would give the Sixers the starting-caliber replacement for Elton Brand if he can stay healthy, while Moultrie is a long, bouncy, athletic big man who could stretch the floor.

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Houston (via Knicks)	Arnett Moultrie	Position: PF Height: 6-foot-11 Weight: 223 pounds Age: 21 School: Mississippi State

Analysis: Moultrie can stretch the floor and really rebound. With the Rockets in desperate need of size, pairing Moultrie with Zeller could give them a good mix of bigs.

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Dallas	Kendall Marshall	Position: PG Height: 6-foot-4 Weight: 198 pounds Age: 20 School: North Carolina

Analysis: With Jason Kidd 39 years old and a free agent, and Rodrigue Beaubois more of a combo guard, Marshall would offer much of what Kidd brings to the table — incredible court vision and size — right away. Marshall is not a great athlete or a great shooter, but he could keep Dirk & Co. happy.

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Wolves (via Jazz)	Fab Melo	Position: C Height: 7-foot Weight: 255 pounds Age: 22 School: Syracuse

Analysis: The Wolves are praying that one of the wings, such as Ross or Rivers, slides to them here. But if they don’t, the Wolves may choose to go big with Melo. Nikola Pekovic was a revelation this season, but after that the cupboard is pretty bare. Darko Milicic has one more year on his deal, but he’s not a long-term answer in Minnesota.

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Orlando	Perry Jones III	Position: PF Height: 6-foot-11 Weight: 234 pounds Age: 20 School: Baylor

Analysis: This is a long way for Jones to slip in the draft. Many believe he’s a top-5 talent, but no one knows what position he’ll play in the pros; his situation reminds me a lot of the one Josh Smith was in a few years ago. Jones may find a home in the lottery, but if he doesn’t he could slide this far. Given Jones’ raw talent, he’s definitely worth the risk at this point.

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Denver	Jared Sullinger	Position: PF Height: 6-foot-9 Weight: 268 pounds Age: 20 School: Ohio State

Analysis: A number of GMs are legitimately concerned with what their doctors found concerning Sullinger’s back. They claim it’s much more serious than what Sullinger’s camp is saying. We will continue to try to get a handle on this situation in the next few days.

Still, there will be a certain spot in the draft where Sullinger’s reward outweighs the risk. I’m not totally sure this is it, but the Nuggets need a 4 who can bang down low, so this might be a win-win for Sullinger and Denver.

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Boston	Royce White	Position: SF Height: 6-foot-8 Weight: 261 pounds Age: 21 School: Iowa State

Analysis: According to sources, White pulled out of all his remaining workouts Thursday and has gone silent. He’s not injured, and sources claim he’s received a coveted first-round promise from a team. Promises are notoriously hard to pin down, but two sources are pointing in the direction of the Celtics. As long as coach Doc Rivers can buy into what White is (a ballhandling power forward) and figure out how to play him, he could be a steal at this point in the draft.

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Boston (via Clippers)	Andrew Nicholson	Position: PF Height: 6-foot-10 Weight: 234 pounds Age: 22 School: St. Bonaventure

Analysis: Nicholson is another draft sleeper who might really rise with workouts. He’s a big stretch 4 who has drawn some comparisons to David West. He would be another welcome addition to the Celtics’ summer makeover.

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Atlanta	Moe Harkless	Position: SF Height: 6-foot-9 Weight: 207 pounds Age: 19 School: St. John’s

Analysis: Long and athletic, Harkless can put the ball on the floor and get to the basket. Atlanta is getting a value pick here. This is likely Harkless’ floor; he could go as high as the late lottery.

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Cavs (via Lakers)	Will Barton	Position: SG Height: 6-foot-6 Weight: 174 pounds Age: 21 School: Memphis

Analysis: One of the risers on draft boards the past few weeks, Barton is long and athletic and has a great midrange game. At this point, the Cavs can take a little risk.

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Memphis	Tony Wroten Jr.	Position: PG Height: 6-foot-6 Weight: 203 pounds Age: 18 School: Washington

Analysis: The Grizzlies don’t have a ton of talent behind Mike Conley, and Wroten is definitely worth the risk at this point in the draft. He is the most spectacular passer in the draft and has great size and athleticism. He just needs to fix that broken shot of his.

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Indiana	Marquis Teague	Position: PG Height: 6-foot-2 Weight: 180 pounds Age: 19 School: Kentucky

Analysis: Teague would’ve been a top-10 pick in 2013 had he decided to stay in school. Instead, he followed the rest of Kentucky’s stars into the draft. He could go as high as the mid-first round and I doubt he slips past the Pacers here. Adding Teague would allow Indiana to use Darren Collison as trade bait this summer.

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Miami	Draymond Green	Position: SF Height: 6-foot-8 Weight: 236 pounds Age: 22 School: Michigan State

Analysis: The Heat need players with experience who excel in bringing out the best in their teammates. Green can be a point-forward type who does a little of everything. Think of him as a better-passing Udonis Haslem.

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Oklahoma City	Evan Fournier	Position: SG Height: 6-foot-7 Weight: 206 pounds Age: 19 Country: France

Analysis: Fournier is the type of player that the Thunder can easily stash for a year or two in Europe. Or, given the high level he has played at in France, he might be able to come in and get minutes for them right away — especially if the Thunder decide they can’t afford to re-sign James Harden this summer.

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Chicago	John Jenkins	Position: SG Height: 6-foot-4 Weight: 212 pounds Age: 21 School: Vanderbilt

Analysis: The Bulls need a shooter, and Jenkins has one of the best strokes in the draft. His super-quick release and ability to finish at the basket make him an interesting prospect here.

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Golden State (via Spurs)	Quincy Miller	Position: SF Height: 6-foot-10 Weight: 219 pounds Age: 19 School: Baylor

Analysis: There are a lot of concerns about his knee and what position he’ll play in the NBA. But his upside is so high that it might be worth taking a gamble this low in the first round. There’s very little risk and a lot of potential reward here.