[OhCanada-Participant]

 So Im headed to a local internet cafe to update my final mock draft in advance for the draft on Thursday. I cant update my mock draft from my smart phone at home so I have to go find an internet cafe on my one day off to compete with the rest pf you and won the draft competition.

Quite a bit of questions until I throw my mock draft out there.

How far does Embiid slide 3 to 10?

Who does Charlotte like knowing MJ doesnt like picking on upside? Mcdermott, Stauskas, Harris, Hood?

The big one as of today how far does Saric slide. Still in play at 10? 14 to Suns, will Boston or Chicago stash him, Atlanta, OKC who gave Porzingis a promise or out of the 1st round entirely.

Will Austin still get drafted by a warmhearted franchise that will let him live his dream. San Antonio at 60?

Any opinions are very welcome as I literally cant wait for professional analysis to leave opinions Ill go to the next best thing and ask this educated forum.

[Hector_Reyes_8Participant]

Stauskas can play now, fits a need, and still has potential at 9. Must get.

Embiid gets picked at 6 if he falls.

I see Saric falling out of the Top 20, maybe even the first round. Too lazy to update though. May go to Spurs at 30.

I REALLY WANT the Spurs to pick him at 60. He deserves to AT LEAST hear his name called. His story gave me tears

[Hector_Reyes_8Participant]

Stauskas can play now, fits a need, and still has potential at 9. Must get.

Embiid gets picked at 6 if he falls.

I see Saric falling out of the Top 20, maybe even the first round. Too lazy to update though. May go to Spurs at 30.

I REALLY WANT the Spurs to pick him at 60. He deserves to AT LEAST hear his name called. His story gave me tears

[drk3351Participant]

 I think we all feel bad for Austin. But I don’t think in a 2 round draft a team would waste a pick on someone who has a 0% chance of ever contributing. With Michael sam there are 7 rounds and he is actaully a good player who has a chance of contributing,.

[drk3351Participant]

 I think we all feel bad for Austin. But I don’t think in a 2 round draft a team would waste a pick on someone who has a 0% chance of ever contributing. With Michael sam there are 7 rounds and he is actaully a good player who has a chance of contributing,.

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

Isaiah Austin at 60 would be a great story.  They could just give him a signing bonus and a jersey.  Or, keep him on the team as a big man coach.  Maybe he can coach while finishing up his degree.

I think Embiid goes third to Philly.

I can see Jabari Parker being the guy who falls.  Utah at 5?

I have no idea who MJ likes.

Wiggins has been the real winner in the past week since Embiid’s injury.

It just sounds like Marcus Smart is getting some good buzz.  Should go 4-7.  If Exum goes in the top 3, then I can see Orlando taking him at 4.  Does he fall past LA at 7?

I really have no idea who ANYONE is going to take.

Thursday will be an AWESOME sports day starting off with USA vs. Germany in the morning. 

We also want to see Bill Simmons go "Whoa!!!". 

What pick would do that?

Who could Cleveland take for that to happen?

Well, if they don’t go with Embiid then they could use a small forward who can shoot, score, and spread the floor?

What if the Cavs take Doug McDermott at 1, if they aren’t sold on Andrew Wiggins.

THAT would be crazy, but it would make more sense than their top pick last year, so who the heck knows?

Not saying it happens, but I wonder what their draft board looks like now.

I wouldn’t be surprised if it is Wiggins, Jabari, Exum, Embiid, and Doug McDermott. 

I think the Spurs can do some damage in this draft.  Lots of opportunities at 30.  Then they get a chance to outsmart everybody at 58 and 60.

Back to Isaiah Austin.  If the Spurs get him at 60, they could sign him to any contract right?  Just make a contract for the absolute minimum, then don’t add him to the roster until the trade deadline.  Pay him a few thousand bucks to be the 14th man in the playoffs (cheaper than anyone else), and basically be an assistant coach and towel waver? 

Oh yeah, let’s try to figure out who is gonna be the last guy in the Green Room?  Me? I have no idea.

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

Isaiah Austin at 60 would be a great story.  They could just give him a signing bonus and a jersey.  Or, keep him on the team as a big man coach.  Maybe he can coach while finishing up his degree.

I think Embiid goes third to Philly.

I can see Jabari Parker being the guy who falls.  Utah at 5?

I have no idea who MJ likes.

Wiggins has been the real winner in the past week since Embiid’s injury.

It just sounds like Marcus Smart is getting some good buzz.  Should go 4-7.  If Exum goes in the top 3, then I can see Orlando taking him at 4.  Does he fall past LA at 7?

I really have no idea who ANYONE is going to take.

Thursday will be an AWESOME sports day starting off with USA vs. Germany in the morning. 

We also want to see Bill Simmons go "Whoa!!!". 

What pick would do that?

Who could Cleveland take for that to happen?

Well, if they don’t go with Embiid then they could use a small forward who can shoot, score, and spread the floor?

What if the Cavs take Doug McDermott at 1, if they aren’t sold on Andrew Wiggins.

THAT would be crazy, but it would make more sense than their top pick last year, so who the heck knows?

Not saying it happens, but I wonder what their draft board looks like now.

I wouldn’t be surprised if it is Wiggins, Jabari, Exum, Embiid, and Doug McDermott. 

I think the Spurs can do some damage in this draft.  Lots of opportunities at 30.  Then they get a chance to outsmart everybody at 58 and 60.

Back to Isaiah Austin.  If the Spurs get him at 60, they could sign him to any contract right?  Just make a contract for the absolute minimum, then don’t add him to the roster until the trade deadline.  Pay him a few thousand bucks to be the 14th man in the playoffs (cheaper than anyone else), and basically be an assistant coach and towel waver? 

Oh yeah, let’s try to figure out who is gonna be the last guy in the Green Room?  Me? I have no idea.

[King CaluchaParticipant]

I think someone can give Austin a summer league short contract and let him play some minutes.

[King CaluchaParticipant]

I think someone can give Austin a summer league short contract and let him play some minutes.

[Flameres15Participant]

 

 

The Hornets should go with Stauskas. McDermott is a tweener, without much athleticism. Stauskas is athletic and a great shooter. His comparison to Klay Thompson is accurate, and the Hornets need that type of player. Hood and Harris are decent players, but their ceiling is low, and Stauskas is ready to go.

 

 

 

Saric will fall until at least 17 to the Celtics. He could also go 18 or 19 to the Suns or Bulls respectively. He won’t fall farther than that, but any earlier and he may not go to the NBA.

 

 

[DaGuywhodidurmaParticipant]

 Mcdermott tested as an average athlete at the combine. I personally think he is going to be a very good player.

[DaGuywhodidurmaParticipant]

 Mcdermott tested as an average athlete at the combine. I personally think he is going to be a very good player.

[Flameres15Participant]

 

 

The Hornets should go with Stauskas. McDermott is a tweener, without much athleticism. Stauskas is athletic and a great shooter. His comparison to Klay Thompson is accurate, and the Hornets need that type of player. Hood and Harris are decent players, but their ceiling is low, and Stauskas is ready to go.

 

 

 

Saric will fall until at least 17 to the Celtics. He could also go 18 or 19 to the Suns or Bulls respectively. He won’t fall farther than that, but any earlier and he may not go to the NBA.

 

 

[Flameres15Participant]

Embiid will slide out of the top 4 at least, maybe past the Jazz if they deem the injuries too much of a risk. Expect Embiid to be drafted 5th by the Jazz or 7th by the Lakers. The Celtics won’t pick Embiid because of the injury risk.

  The Hornets should go with Stauskas. McDermott is a tweener, without much athleticism. Stauskas is athletic and a great shooter. His comparison to Klay Thompson is accurate, and the Hornets need that type of player. Hood and Harris are decent players, but their ceiling is low, and Stauskas is ready to go.

 Saric will fall until at least 17 to the Celtics. He could also go 18 or 19 to the Suns or Bulls respectively. He won’t fall farther than that, but any earlier and he may not go to the NBA I can see the Mavericks drafting Isaiah Austin at 51. Cuban would use the pick for publicity and ticket sales. Cuban already said he would have drafted Britney Griner and signed Jason Collins if it wouldn’t disrupt the locker room.

[Flameres15Participant]

Embiid will slide out of the top 4 at least, maybe past the Jazz if they deem the injuries too much of a risk. Expect Embiid to be drafted 5th by the Jazz or 7th by the Lakers. The Celtics won’t pick Embiid because of the injury risk.

  The Hornets should go with Stauskas. McDermott is a tweener, without much athleticism. Stauskas is athletic and a great shooter. His comparison to Klay Thompson is accurate, and the Hornets need that type of player. Hood and Harris are decent players, but their ceiling is low, and Stauskas is ready to go.

 Saric will fall until at least 17 to the Celtics. He could also go 18 or 19 to the Suns or Bulls respectively. He won’t fall farther than that, but any earlier and he may not go to the NBA I can see the Mavericks drafting Isaiah Austin at 51. Cuban would use the pick for publicity and ticket sales. Cuban already said he would have drafted Britney Griner and signed Jason Collins if it wouldn’t disrupt the locker room.

[ColdCutsParticipant]

 If I was MJ I would go with the safest pick and thats McDermott at #9, they need another option to score. Its all on Kemba so I think McDermott to the Hornets would be a wonderful pairing.

 

If I was the decision maker in LA I would keep the 7th pick and sit and wait to see who falls, and who can help the team right away. My 3 top prospects for the Lakers is; Marcus Smart, Julius Randle, Aaron Gordon. 

 

Joel Embiid is a superstar or bust prospect, he’s the scariest prospect in the draft. He’s either Tim Duncan or Greg Oden.

[ColdCutsParticipant]

 If I was MJ I would go with the safest pick and thats McDermott at #9, they need another option to score. Its all on Kemba so I think McDermott to the Hornets would be a wonderful pairing.

 

If I was the decision maker in LA I would keep the 7th pick and sit and wait to see who falls, and who can help the team right away. My 3 top prospects for the Lakers is; Marcus Smart, Julius Randle, Aaron Gordon. 

 

Joel Embiid is a superstar or bust prospect, he’s the scariest prospect in the draft. He’s either Tim Duncan or Greg Oden.

[DolanCareParticipant]

Hmm. I like how you phrased some of these questions….

 1) I doubt that Embiid will slip #3. Even though the last thing they need is an injured/slightly unproven big, I think he’s too valuable to give up on. And Exum, Vonleh, Randle, Smart… none of these other prospects fit what the Sixers are trying to do anyways. 

2) Even though it doesn’t fit your quesiton’s premise, I would draft Lavine if I were Charlotte. Even though he’s a project, he could still get minutes behind Henderson and MKG as a defender. Plus, I wouldn’t be surprised if he proved to be a servicable floor-spacer even in his first year. But, to answer your question- I’d go with Staukas. The criticism of him is getting ridiculous. I’m confident that he’ll be just as competant of a defender as Steph Curry or Damian Lillard. While those two players may have the lateral quickness edge, Staukas is taller and longer than both of them. So IMO it evens out. He will be able to give Al Jefferson breathing room, and I could see him playing big minutes for Charlotte in his rookie season. 

3) It’s no secret that I’m a Saric supporter. I think on the right team he’s an All-Star. If I’m the Denver GM, I grab him at 10. If he slips past Phoenix at 14 it’s a crime against the game of basketball. He possesses real NBA skills and the knocks on him defensively are even more ridiculous than what Staukas faces. Saric will be a solid team defender, similar to Nowitzki, but IMO even better. 

4) And I can’t really comment on the Austin scenario. It’s the saddest basketball news in some time. I’d probably shed a tear if he got drafted, but I don’t blame anyone if he goes without hearing his name on Thursday. 

 

 

 

 

 

[DolanCareParticipant]

Hmm. I like how you phrased some of these questions….

 1) I doubt that Embiid will slip #3. Even though the last thing they need is an injured/slightly unproven big, I think he’s too valuable to give up on. And Exum, Vonleh, Randle, Smart… none of these other prospects fit what the Sixers are trying to do anyways. 

2) Even though it doesn’t fit your quesiton’s premise, I would draft Lavine if I were Charlotte. Even though he’s a project, he could still get minutes behind Henderson and MKG as a defender. Plus, I wouldn’t be surprised if he proved to be a servicable floor-spacer even in his first year. But, to answer your question- I’d go with Staukas. The criticism of him is getting ridiculous. I’m confident that he’ll be just as competant of a defender as Steph Curry or Damian Lillard. While those two players may have the lateral quickness edge, Staukas is taller and longer than both of them. So IMO it evens out. He will be able to give Al Jefferson breathing room, and I could see him playing big minutes for Charlotte in his rookie season. 

3) It’s no secret that I’m a Saric supporter. I think on the right team he’s an All-Star. If I’m the Denver GM, I grab him at 10. If he slips past Phoenix at 14 it’s a crime against the game of basketball. He possesses real NBA skills and the knocks on him defensively are even more ridiculous than what Staukas faces. Saric will be a solid team defender, similar to Nowitzki, but IMO even better. 

4) And I can’t really comment on the Austin scenario. It’s the saddest basketball news in some time. I’d probably shed a tear if he got drafted, but I don’t blame anyone if he goes without hearing his name on Thursday. 

 

 

 

 

 

[SwatLakeCityParticipant]

The Embiid injury makes this one tough draft to mock. I can see him going 3rd to Philly and then being involved a trade with Cleveland for the #1 pick so the Sixers can get Wiggins. I also know that if Philly can’t interest the Cavs in a trade to get Wiggins, then they have to decide to between Randle, Vonleh, or Exum. Exum is the best out of the 3, but he doesn’t fit very well with MCW. MCW has been talked about in a trade specifically with the Lakers in order to turn their 10th pick into the 7th pick and then land Randle. And thats what I think is the best option. I don’t think Hinkie will go the injury rout again and take Embiid. I also don’t think the Cavs will be interested in trading Wiggins. They need to win now, and you can’t do that by taking an injured player (Embiid) and then hoping Sixers trade you Thad Young, and/ or the 10th pick and then hoping McDermott is still available at 10. Could happen, but the Cavs still have an early 2nd rounder. They can use that pick on a center as well. (Capela, or McGary) They just hired David Blatt, he could get Capela to come over right away. Going that rout and sticking with the picks seems like the safest and smartest route and that’s really what the Cavs need to do to get back to the playoffs.

That leads me back to Philly at 3. I think they’ll take Exum, because Hinkie won’t take injury route again. Exum is the best out of Randle and Vonleh. So you have to go BPA over two players that are certainly a reach with the 3rd pick. Hinkie knows that is not smart, especially if you are trying to rebuild. If he drafts Exum, then he is most certainly going to to deal MCW. A lot of people are against trading the ROY. I was too at first but know I see why the Sixers are considering it. 2013 was a really weak draft. So the ROY race was really just a crap shot. MCW was the most ready player to contribute and he went to the perfect destination where he got a lot of opportunities. He’s 23 years old, so he really doesn’t have much potential left before he hits his prime. (Probably just 2-3 more years) while an 18 year old such as Exum has potentially 7 years before he hits his prime. And it should be quite a prime. (Penny Hardaway, come on do you really think MCW will be better than that, of course not, yet Exum could very well be like Penny Hardaway.) Also I think the Lakers want Thad. Young more than the Cavs do. Pau Gasol is leaving next year (probably to sign with Dallas) They do like Randle a lot but next year is a big man draft. If they opt for Thad. Young, then they could still land a SG with the 10th pick (LaVine.) Kobe can mentor him, and you have an All-star waiting to happen when Kobe retires. That’s a win-win. Sixers can still get Randle with the 7th pick, and he should work beautifully next to Noel. I like the lineup of Exum, Randle, Noel and possibly Deandre Daniels with the 32nd pick,  better than MCW, Vonleh, Noel and then Daniels with the 32nd pick. 

Embiid I think falls to 4. Magic can’t pass up on the ultimate banger (Embiid) still being available at 4. They want a banger next to Vucevic. Yeah he may be injured but the Magic have already tried Vucevic at Center and it has worked out. So just use that lineup again until Embiid is healthy, they aren’t going to lose anything by doing that again. 

Which leaves Vonleh to the Jazz, perfect fit if you ask me. 

MJ and the 9th pick. I have it narrowed down to McDermott or Stauskas. They also have the 24th pick. You can still probably get a SF or SG with that pick too. Hood, McDaniels, GR3, Grant, Early, and Warren could all be available at 24. So could Hairston and Clarkson. So the Hornets could just select whoever they like the best between McDermott and Stauskas, and then at 24 pick the best SG available (if you go for McDermott at 9) or the SF available (if you go for Stauskas at 9). MJ at 9, is pretty tough. Clarkson is really impressing teams in workouts and his stock is moving up. So I think he will chose McDermott at 9 and Clarkson at 24.

I don’t think Austin gets drafted, but that doesn’t mean he won’t be signed on by a team. he can still go undrafted, then get signed on by a contender, and they can give him a jersey, an MLE contract and use him as a big man coach. He could probably still finish school while doing that, and still earn big bucks. Or he could just go back to school and finish his degree, be a coach with Baylor, and then once he finishes his degree, he goes to the NBA and still ends up being a big man coach. Yeah, its unfortunate he won’t be able to play in the NBA. (Broke my heart when I heard that) but at least he can still be a big man coach in the NBA and now he can finish his degree! 

Saric could go at 14 to the Suns. (perfect spot if you ask me) He could also 17 to the Celtics or 21 to the Thunder. Suns have 3 first round picks but they aren’t going to have 3 rookies come next year. They’ll probably just have 2. They need a SF and PF. Saric is a PF so that’s one of their needs. Since he won’t come over right away, the Suns still need to fill the PF with the 18th or 27th picks. Well there are still good players available with those picks. Warren at 18 and Stokes at 27

 

 

 

 

[SwatLakeCityParticipant]

The Embiid injury makes this one tough draft to mock. I can see him going 3rd to Philly and then being involved a trade with Cleveland for the #1 pick so the Sixers can get Wiggins. I also know that if Philly can’t interest the Cavs in a trade to get Wiggins, then they have to decide to between Randle, Vonleh, or Exum. Exum is the best out of the 3, but he doesn’t fit very well with MCW. MCW has been talked about in a trade specifically with the Lakers in order to turn their 10th pick into the 7th pick and then land Randle. And thats what I think is the best option. I don’t think Hinkie will go the injury rout again and take Embiid. I also don’t think the Cavs will be interested in trading Wiggins. They need to win now, and you can’t do that by taking an injured player (Embiid) and then hoping Sixers trade you Thad Young, and/ or the 10th pick and then hoping McDermott is still available at 10. Could happen, but the Cavs still have an early 2nd rounder. They can use that pick on a center as well. (Capela, or McGary) They just hired David Blatt, he could get Capela to come over right away. Going that rout and sticking with the picks seems like the safest and smartest route and that’s really what the Cavs need to do to get back to the playoffs.

That leads me back to Philly at 3. I think they’ll take Exum, because Hinkie won’t take injury route again. Exum is the best out of Randle and Vonleh. So you have to go BPA over two players that are certainly a reach with the 3rd pick. Hinkie knows that is not smart, especially if you are trying to rebuild. If he drafts Exum, then he is most certainly going to to deal MCW. A lot of people are against trading the ROY. I was too at first but know I see why the Sixers are considering it. 2013 was a really weak draft. So the ROY race was really just a crap shot. MCW was the most ready player to contribute and he went to the perfect destination where he got a lot of opportunities. He’s 23 years old, so he really doesn’t have much potential left before he hits his prime. (Probably just 2-3 more years) while an 18 year old such as Exum has potentially 7 years before he hits his prime. And it should be quite a prime. (Penny Hardaway, come on do you really think MCW will be better than that, of course not, yet Exum could very well be like Penny Hardaway.) Also I think the Lakers want Thad. Young more than the Cavs do. Pau Gasol is leaving next year (probably to sign with Dallas) They do like Randle a lot but next year is a big man draft. If they opt for Thad. Young, then they could still land a SG with the 10th pick (LaVine.) Kobe can mentor him, and you have an All-star waiting to happen when Kobe retires. That’s a win-win. Sixers can still get Randle with the 7th pick, and he should work beautifully next to Noel. I like the lineup of Exum, Randle, Noel and possibly Deandre Daniels with the 32nd pick,  better than MCW, Vonleh, Noel and then Daniels with the 32nd pick. 

Embiid I think falls to 4. Magic can’t pass up on the ultimate banger (Embiid) still being available at 4. They want a banger next to Vucevic. Yeah he may be injured but the Magic have already tried Vucevic at Center and it has worked out. So just use that lineup again until Embiid is healthy, they aren’t going to lose anything by doing that again. 

Which leaves Vonleh to the Jazz, perfect fit if you ask me. 

MJ and the 9th pick. I have it narrowed down to McDermott or Stauskas. They also have the 24th pick. You can still probably get a SF or SG with that pick too. Hood, McDaniels, GR3, Grant, Early, and Warren could all be available at 24. So could Hairston and Clarkson. So the Hornets could just select whoever they like the best between McDermott and Stauskas, and then at 24 pick the best SG available (if you go for McDermott at 9) or the SF available (if you go for Stauskas at 9). MJ at 9, is pretty tough. Clarkson is really impressing teams in workouts and his stock is moving up. So I think he will chose McDermott at 9 and Clarkson at 24.

I don’t think Austin gets drafted, but that doesn’t mean he won’t be signed on by a team. he can still go undrafted, then get signed on by a contender, and they can give him a jersey, an MLE contract and use him as a big man coach. He could probably still finish school while doing that, and still earn big bucks. Or he could just go back to school and finish his degree, be a coach with Baylor, and then once he finishes his degree, he goes to the NBA and still ends up being a big man coach. Yeah, its unfortunate he won’t be able to play in the NBA. (Broke my heart when I heard that) but at least he can still be a big man coach in the NBA and now he can finish his degree! 

Saric could go at 14 to the Suns. (perfect spot if you ask me) He could also 17 to the Celtics or 21 to the Thunder. Suns have 3 first round picks but they aren’t going to have 3 rookies come next year. They’ll probably just have 2. They need a SF and PF. Saric is a PF so that’s one of their needs. Since he won’t come over right away, the Suns still need to fill the PF with the 18th or 27th picks. Well there are still good players available with those picks. Warren at 18 and Stokes at 27

 

 

 

 

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