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IndianaBasketball 15 years ago.
kimmy
Samuelindo1The 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)
Position: PG
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 191 pounds
Age: 19
School: DukeAnalysis: 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
Position: SF
Height: 6-9
Weight: 249
Age: Turns 20 on May 25
School: ArizonaAnalysis: 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)
Position: PG
Height: 6-3
Weight: 177
Age: 18
School: KentuckyAnalysis: 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
Position: PF
Height: 6-11
Weight: 260
Age: 19
Country: TurkeyAnalysis: 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
Position: PF
Height: 6-11
Weight: 240
Age: 21
Country: Czech RepublicAnalysis: 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
Position: SF
Height: 6-7
Weight: 228
Age: 19
School: San Diego StateAnalysis: 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
Position: PG
Height: 6-1
Weight: 184
Age: 21
School: UConnAnalysis: 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
Position: PF
Height: 6-10
Weight: 230
Age: 19
Country: LithuaniaAnalysis: 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
Position: PF
Height: 6-9
Weight: 243
Age: 18
Country: CongoAnalysis: 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
Position: PF
Height: 6-9
Weight: 228
Age: 20
School: TexasAnalysis: 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
Position: PF
Height: 6-9
Weight: 230
Age: 21
School: KansasAnalysis: 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)
Position: SF
Height: 6-9
Weight: 230
Age: 21
School: Florida StateAnalysis: 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
Position: SG
Height: 6-6
Weight: 193
Age: 19
School: ColoradoAnalysis: 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
Position: SF
Height: 6-9
Weight: 229
Age: 20
School: TexasAnalysis: 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
Position: SG
Height: 6-3
Weight: 196
Age: 22
School: Brigham YoungAnalysis: 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
Position: PF/C
Height: 6-9
Weight: 241
Age: 21
School: KansasAnalysis: 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
Position: PG
Height: 6-3
Weight: 195
Age: 20
School: KansasAnalysis: 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)
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)
Position: SG
Height: 6-5
Weight: 195
Age: 22
School: ProvidenceAnalysis: 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)
Position: PF
Height: 7-0
Weight: 220
Age: 19
Country: LithuaniaAnalysis: 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
Position: PF
Height: 6-8
Weight: 225
Age: 21
School: Morehead StateAnalysis: 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
Position: PF
Height: 6-8
Weight: 223
Age: 18
School: TennesseeAnalysis: 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)
Position: PG
Height: 6-3
Weight: 208
Age: 21
School: Boston CollegeAnalysis: 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
Position: SF
Height: 6-10
Weight: 226
Age: 21
Country: SerbiaAnalysis: 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
Position: C
Height:7-0
Weight: 260
Age: 20
School: USCAnalysis: 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
Position: SF
Height: 6-10
Weight: 210
Age: 18
Country: LatviaAnalysis: 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)
Position: PF
Height: 6-9
Weight: 228
Age: 21
School: RichmondAnalysis: 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)
Position: G/F
Height: 6-8
Weight: 187
Age: 20
School: UCLAAnalysis: 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
Position: C
Height: 6-11
Weight: 263
Age: 19
Team: Tokyo ApacheAnalysis: 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
Position: SG
Height: 6-3
Weight: 217
Age: 22
School: HofstraAnalysis: 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;
, PG, Michigan;
, F/C, Maryland;
, C, Brazil;
, SG, Georgia
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