[yashParticipant]

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Despite the fact the draft is only two weeks away, there is still a lot of confusion about who is going where.

 

 

 

"I know who is going [Nos.] 1 and 2," one lottery GM told ESPN.com. "After that, I don’t have a clue."

 

 

 

A number of GMs in the lottery are reporting the same thing, but teams are beginning to narrow down the list of who’s going where.

 

 

 

In this mock draft we’ll not only make an educated guess as to who’s going where, but we’ll also give you a look at the other possible picks for each team. Here’s our most informed take, after talking to numerous NBA team sources, on how the draft might play out.

 

 

 

 

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: Derrick Williams’ camp is doing its best to cast doubt on the Cavs’ coronation of Irving as the No. 1 pick. But with two weeks to go, all signs still point to Cleveland selecting Irving first. Williams is still in the picture here in part because the Cavs feel they could get a very good point guard (either Brandon Knight or Kemba Walker) at No. 4. But sources say it’s Irving’s to lose.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Minnesota

 

Derrick Williams

 Position: PF

Height: 6-9

Weight: 249

Age: 20

School: Arizona

Analysis: On Friday, I detailed the Timberwolves’ draft strategies in the wake of signing Ricky Rubio to a contract. Here’s the CliffsNotes version: Publicly, the team is claiming that they’re likely to hang on to the pick. Privately, they’re hoping that a team comes along and offers them an impact veteran — someone such as Pau Gasol, Monta Ellis or even JaVale McGee — for the pick.

 

If they get a good deal, they’ll be more than happy to dump the pick. Rubio is their rookie this season. If they do keep the pick, expect them to take either Williams or Enes Kanter. If they get Williams, Michael Beasley could be gone by the time the season starts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Utah

(via New Jersey)

 

Brandon Knight

 Position: PG

Height: 6-3

Weight: 177

Age: 19

School: Kentucky 

Analysis: The Jazz have already had a number of workouts but the big one comes June 15 when Knight, Walker and Jimmer Fredette are all expected to work out for the team.

 

While it’s still possible the Jazz go big with this pick and select either Kanter, Jonas Valanciunas or even Jan Vesely — they’re likely to try to select a franchise point guard if either Knight or Walker blows them away. If Fredette wins the battle on June 15, that could push the Jazz to go for a big man here and try to nab Fredette with the 12th pick.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Cleveland

 

 

 

Enes Kanter

 Position: C

Height: 6-11

Weight: 260

Age: 19

Country: Turkey 

Analysis: Kanter had just two workouts. Both were in Chicago and both had him playing against the proverbial chair. That changed on Tuesday when he went into Cleveland and worked out against Tristan Thompson and Markieff Morris.

 

Kanter would love to land in Cleveland and understands it will be tough for the Cavs to justify the pick unless he gives them more than the Nike Hoop Summit, the Chicago combine and some grainy high school video. It’s still too early to see whether the Cavs go Kanter, Valanciunas, Vesely or Kawhi Leonard, but those seem to be the four guys they’re seriously looking at with the fourth pick.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Toronto

 

 

Jan Vesely

 Position: PF

Height: 6-11

Weight: 240

Age: 21

Country: Czech Republic 

Analysis: Bryan Colangelo could go a number of ways here. He has strong interest in both Brandon Knight and Kemba Walker. If Knight’s on the board, I don’t think he gets passed on here. If Walker’s here the question for Colangelo is what to do with Leandro Barbosa and Jerryd Bayless. Both players are similar to Walker.

 

He could go with an international player, such as Valanciunas, Vesely or Bismack Biyombo. Of the three, sources say, Vesely is the highest on their board. He provides size and athleticism at the small forward position. The other dark horse here is Kawhi Leonard.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Washington

 

 

Kawhi Leonard

 Position: SF

Height: 6-7

Weight: 228

Age: 19

School: San Diego State 

 

 

Analysis: The Wizards know they aren’t taking a point guard — not with John Wall in the fold. So the question becomes, "Who’s the best player on the board?" The Wizards are very high on Vesely, but in this mock he’s off the board.

 

Valanciunas is an option. The Wizards could use more help in the middle — but he’s a bit more of a project. That leaves Leonard. He brings toughness, defense and versatility to a team that can use all three attributes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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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 (and has been for two years) the same boat as Wizards GM Ernie Grunfeld. His job isn’t very secure 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, he doesn’t have the same character issues that Tyreke Evans and DeMarcus Cousins had.

 

Leonard would be another possibility if he’s still available — the Kings still need help at the small forward position. And don’t count out Jimmer Fredette if Walker is off the board. Petrie loves shooters and Fredette would be a nice fit next to Evans.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Detroit

 

 

Jonas Valanciunas

 Position: C

Height: 6-10

Weight: 230

Age: 19

Country: Lithuania 

Analysis: After changing up the Pistons’ mock for three straight weeks, we’re finally steadying the boat a bit. The Pistons are really looking at five players: Valanciunas, Knight, Vesely, Biyombo and Tristan Thompson.

 

Biyombo and Thompson are the best fits of the group, but with new owner Tom Gores giving Joe Dumars some freedom to remake the Pistons don’t be surprised to see the Pistons swing for the fences. Valanciunas is a risk, but his upside is high and he could be the long-term answer for the Pistons in the middle.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Charlotte

 

 

Marcus Morris

 Position: PF

Height: 6-9

Weight: 230

Age: 21

School: Kansas 

Analysis: The Bobcats haven’t been the greatest drafters the past few years. Michael Jordan is determined to change that. The thinking in Charlotte is to not take big risks — to go with a proven product and swing for a double instead of a home run.

 

Morris, with his versatility, toughness and Kansas pedigree is a very good option. Klay Thompson, Chris Singleton and Jordan Hamilton are all in the mix here as well.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Milwaukee

 

 

Alec Burks

 Position: SG

Height: 6-6

Weight: 193

Age: 19

School: Colorado 

Analysis: Last summer the Bucks went out and tried to boost their scoring output by re-signing John Salmons and trading for Corey Maggette. It didn’t go so well. Between injuries and chemistry issues the Bucks stumbled.

 

Burks is one of the best scorers in the draft. His ability to get to the basket should give the Bucks a potent young backcourt.

 

Jordan Hamilton, Klay Thompson, Tristan Thompson and Bismack Biyombo are other possibilities here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Golden State

 

 

Klay Thompson

 Position: PG

Height: 6-7

Weight: 206

Age: 21

School: Washington St. 

Analysis: The Warriors have a new owner, a new head coach and new management. Of the three, the most important addition might be Jerry West, who knows how to build winners and is far from a wallflower.

 

The first shoe is already beginning to drop with word that the Warriors are open to moving Monta Ellis. His replacement? The sweet shooting Thompson, who has wowed in recent workouts. He has size, the pedigree and, most of all, the blessing of West. Marcus Morris and Alec Burks are other possibilities here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Utah

 

 

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.

 

With Singleton rising on many draft boards, the question is: Will he still be here at No. 12? Teams with picks as high as the Raptors (No. 5) are looking at him. Tristan Thompson, Jimmer Fredette and Alec Burks are all possibilities here, too. Ditto for Bismack Biyombo.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Phoenix

 

 

Tristan Thompson

 Position: PF

Height: 6-9

Weight: 228

Age: 20

School: Texas 

Analysis: The Suns are in that awkward spot between pushing for the playoffs and rebuilding. Lon Babby says the team will be emphasizing defense and Thompson takes them decidedly in that direction.

 

He is a solid athlete, an excellent rebounder and gives the Suns some desperately needed toughness in the paint. Pair him in the frontcourt with Marcin Gortat and the Suns finally have some swagger. Burks, Fredette and Biyombo are all possibilities here as well.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Houston

 

 

Bismack Biyombo

 Position: PF

Height: 6-9

Weight: 243

Age: 18

Country: Congo 

 

 

Analysis: Biyombo is in the conversation as high as No. 5, but the general lack of information about him may cause his stock to slip. He’s got the physical abilities to be excellent in the league, but he’s a wild card.

 

The Raptors, Wizards, Pistons, Bucks and Jazz all will give him strong looks. I doubt he slips further than Houston. While small forward is a big need too (they like Marcus Morris, Jordan Hamilton and Tobias Harris there), at this point Biyombo is more reward than risk.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Indiana

 

 

Jimmer Fredette

 Position: PG

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. Tristan Thompson, Kenneth Faried and Markieff Morris are all options here as well.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Philadelphia

 

 

Jordan Hamilton

 Position: SF

Height: 6-9

Weight: 229

Age: 20

School: Texas 

Analysis: The Sixers have been looking for a big man in the draft but the team could go in a different direction now that it appears Andre Iguodala is back on the block. The Sixers have also been hungry for shooters, and Hamilton is one of the most lethal scorers in the draft. Markieff Morris, Nikola Vucevic and Kenneth Faried are also possibilities here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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New York

 

 

Josh Selby

 Position: PG

Height: 6-3

Weight: 195

Age: 20

School: Kansas 

Analysis: GM Donnie Walsh has lost his job, but he’s still calling the shots for the Knicks on draft night. Expect Walsh to go out with a bang. The Knicks are essentially looking at five players right now — Klay Thompson, Fredette, Selby, Marshon Brooks and Kenneth Faried. Thompson and Fredette are off the board in our mock.

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Washington

(via Atlanta)

 

Marshon Brooks

 Position: SG

Height: 6-5

Weight: 195

Age: 22

School: Providence 

Analysis: Nick Young is heading into free agency and, coincidentally, Brooks has been compared to Young. Both players are long, athletic and can score. Brooks may have a little more killer instinct, though, that could make him a star. Tobias Harris, Markieff Morris, Kenneth Faried and Donatas Motiejunas are other possibilities here as well.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Charlotte

(via New Orleans)

 

Markieff Morris

 Position: PF/C

Height: 6-9

Weight: 241

Age: 21

School: Kansas 

Analysis: A month ago I was in Florida with the Morris twins and big topic of discussion was the inevitability of the two brothers breaking up when they were drafted by different teams. We explored a number of options that could reunite them on the same team. This is really the only plausible one, and it’s more plausible than you think.

 

The Bobcats are one of those teams that thinks the twins can play together. If it happens, you’ll see two very happy twins on draft night. Brooks, Faried and Reggie Jackson are other names who could land here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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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 here. He’s an aggressive scorer and has size — two things the Wolves could use in the post. Brooks, Faried, Nikola Mirotic and Charles Jenkins are also possibilities here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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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, Darius Morris, Reggie Jackson and Nikola Vucevic are other players to watch.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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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. Nikola Vucevic, Charles Jenkins and Tyler Honeycutt are other possibilities here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Houston

(via Orlando)

 

Nikola Vucevic

 Position: C

Height: 7-0

Weight: 260

Age: 20

School: USC 

Analysis: Even though we have the Rockets going big at No. 14, don’t be surprised if they do it again here. Vucevic has helped himself as much as anyone in the workout process. He’s got size, toughness and skill. He’s not going to be a superstar thanks to a lack of explosive athleticism, but he’ll be a very solid addition to the Rockets. Mirotic, Justin Harper and Darius Morris are other possibilities.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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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. 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. If Mirotic is off the board, Bogan Bogdanovic and Lucas Nogueira are possibilities.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Boston

 

JaJuan Johnson

 Position: PF

Height: 6-10

Weight: 220

Age: 22

School: Purdue 

Analysis:The Celtics need size, and Johnson is an intriguing pick here. He is long and athletic and stretches the floor with his jump shot. He needs to add strength, but his production at Purdue is hard to ignore. Justin Harper, Nikola Vucevic, Jon Leuer and Jeremey Tyler are also possibilities.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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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. Jon Leuer, JaJuan Johnson, Chandler Parsons and Jeremy Tyler could all be drafted here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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New Jersey

(via L.A. Lakers)

 

Reggie Jackson

 Position: PG

Height: 6-3

Weight: 208

Age: 21

School: Boston College 

Analysis: Yes, the Nets 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 a player who could play off the ball in certain situations.

 

Had he not had a knee injury just as the draft evaluations began, he could’ve gone much higher. He’s great value here. Justin Harper, Tyler Honeycutt, JaJuan Johnson and Jeremy Tyler are all options here, too.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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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 shooting, and Harper should be able to give them some from the perimeter. Charles Jenkins, Tyler Honeycutt and Jeremy Tyler are possibilities here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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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 pre-draft camp, I’m not sure he lasts this long on the draft board.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Chicago

 

 

Charles Jenkins

 Position: PG

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. Tyler Honeycutt, Nolan Smith and Andrew Goudelock are possibilities here as well.

 

 

Next Five In: Tyler Honeycutt, G, UCLA; Nolan Smith, G, Duke; Darius Morris, PG, Michigan; Jordan Williams, F/C, Maryland; Lucas Nogueira, C, Brazil

 

[GottaBeTheShoesParticipant]

 Someone posted this a while ago already

[i’m jus so offendedParticipant]

 this is old dude

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