[toronto_legendsParticipant]

 

Mock Draft, Version 6.0

 

[Tongue-Out-Like-23Participant]

Too bad I’m the only one that enforces the whole "If you don’t post enough, you don’t get Insider requests".

[providencefriars1Participant]

Here it is

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/draft2012/story/_/id/8009612/nba-mock-draft-version-6

Since putting up Mock Draft 5.0 minutes after the draft lottery order was announced, we’ve gotten six days of feedback from NBA teams. That means it’s time for Mock Draft 6.0.

Things will continue to be really fluid for the next few weeks, especially with GMs and scouts in Chicago for the 2012 NBA Draft Combine; while the prospects’ play on the court won’t drastically affect their draft status, physical and athletic measurements, along with interviews and medical tests will. In other words, expect even more changes when we get to Mock 7.0 next week.

But for now, here’s our best stab, after talking to numerous NBA team sources, about how the draft might play out on June 28.

 

 

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	New Orleans	Anthony Davis	Position: PF Height: 6-foot-10 Weight: 220 pounds Age: 19 School: Kentucky

Analysis: Davis is the no-brainer choice for the Hornets at No. 1. The big question now is how quickly the Hornets can become a playoff contender. Once they add Davis’ salary (around $5 million in Year 1) and the No. 10 pick (around $2.25 million), plus presumably re-sign Eric Gordon, they won’t have much cash left to spend. But they have enough assets to add depth all around.

 

 

 

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Charlotte	Michael Kidd-Gilchrist	Position: SF Height: 6-foot-7 Weight: 210 pounds Age: 18 School: Kentucky

Analysis: There are three schools of thought here. One is the Bobcats go with Kidd-Gilchrist even though he’s not really a player you build a team around. But his toughness and desire to win are contagious. He could bring a new spirit to the downtrodden Bobcats.

The second option is they could go with a big like Thomas Robinson or Andre Drummond. Robinson would add toughness, too, but perhaps with less upside. Drummond isn’t very tough, but his upside is tremendous. The third idea is for the Bobcats to entertain moving down a few spots to pick up additional assets. With no real game-changers at No. 2 — it might be the smartest move of all.

 

 

 

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Washington	Bradley Beal	Position: SG Height: 6-foot-5 Weight: 195 pounds Age: 18 School: Florida

Analysis: The Wizards are happy at No. 3 and I think it will come down to Kidd-Gilchrist or Bradley Beal. In this mock, MKG is off the board, so the choice is much easier. Beal would be a great get for the Wizards. The team could really use a dominant 2-guard to pair with John Wall. If the Bobcats take Beal, then landing Kidd-Gilchrist would add the toughness the team desperately lacks.

 

 

 

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Cleveland	Harrison Barnes	Position: SF Height: 6-foot-8 Weight: 210 pounds Age: 19 School: North Carolina

Analysis: Thomas Robinson may be the best player left on the board, but he’s not a great fit with Tristan Thompson. If both MKG and Beal are off the board, the choice will be between Harrison Barnes and Andre Drummond. Both fit needs and Drummond has crazy upside, but the Cavs loved Barnes at the No. 4 pick last year before he decided to go back to school. I think they’ll roll the dice on him again this year. Watch out for Jeremy Lamb here as well. I hear he’s the wild card at No. 4.

 

 

 

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Sacramento	Thomas Robinson	Position: PF Height: 6-foot-9 Weight: 237 pounds Age: 21 School: Kansas

Analysis: The Kings, if they keep the pick, will likely try to add some athleticism, size and toughness to their front line. Drummond is bigger and is an elite athlete, but Robinson is also an explosive athlete and actually produced in college. More importantly, Robinson is a winner. He could help Sacramento turn around the team’s culture. The dark horse at No. 5? I’m hearing it could be UNC’s John Henson.

 

 

 

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Portland (via Nets)	Andre Drummond	Position: C Height: 6-foot-11 Weight: 275 pounds Age: 18 School: UConn

Analysis: This could be a scary pick for Portland. At some point Drummond’s rewards start to outweigh his risks. The Blazers need size and Drummond has the potential to be a dominant big man if he ever improves his motor. If not Drummond, I think the Trail Blazers have to start looking at players such as Damian Lillard or Dion Waiters. Maybe they can package picks Nos. 6 and 11 and move up to get a player such as Brad Beal.

 

 

 

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Golden State	Terrence Jones	Position: PF Height: 6-foot-8 Weight: 244 pounds Age: 20 School: Kentucky

Analysis: There was a month or two during his freshman season when scouts debated whether Jones was a potential No. 1 pick in the draft. That talk has faded, but it’s clear that he has enormous potential in a very unique mold. If the Warriors could get him to play hard all the time, he could be the answer for them at the 4.

 

 

 

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Toronto	Dion Waiters	Position: SG Height: 6-foot-4 Weight: 215 pounds Age: 20 School: Syracuse

Analysis: The Raptors are filled with a roster of mostly soft jump shooters. What they really need is a tough player who can get to the basket and get his own shot at the end of games. They need a true scorer. DeMar DeRozan might get there someday, but Dion Waiters is there right now. The fact that Waiters can also play some point guard is a bonus. Damian Lillard and Jeremy Lamb are also possibilities at No. 8.

 

 

 

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Detroit	John Henson	Position: PF Height: 6-foot-10 Weight: 210 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 in Detroit, but the Pistons don’t have a lot of other options here.

 

 

 

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	New Orleans (via Wolves)	Jared Sullinger	Position: PF Height: 6-foot-9 Weight: 280 pounds Age: 20 School: Ohio State

Analysis: We’ve been assuming the Hornets would try to fill their hole at point guard here with a player like Damian Lillard or Kendall Marshall, and they might, but the last few days the buzz has been around Sullinger here. I could see why the Hornets would think pairing Davis and Sullinger would be ideal. They complement each other.

 

 

 

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Portland	Damian Lillard	Position: PG Height: 6-foot-2 Weight: 185 pounds Age: 21 School: Weber State

Analysis: If the Blazers get Drummond at No. 6, their other big need is at the point. If Lillard is here, I think he’d be tough to pass on. Although he’s not a pure point guard, he does so many things well and should be able to contribute right away. Jeremy Lamb is also a very viable option here.

 

 

 

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Milwaukee	Perry Jones III	Position: PF Height: 6-foot-11 Weight: 235 pounds Age: 20 School: Baylor

Analysis: The Bucks gambled a few years ago on Brandon Jennings and it paid off big-time. At this point in the draft, Jones is less risk and more reward. The Bucks really need him to play some 4 … not the 3 like he wants. But if he gets to play the way Ersan Ilyasova did (I expect the Bucks will lose Ilyasova via free agency) as a pick-and-pop 4, he should be happy.

 

 

 

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Phoenix	Jeremy Lamb	Position: SG Height: 6-foot-5 Weight: 185 pounds Age: 19 School: UConn

Analysis: I think the Suns would be thrilled if Lamb lasted this long on the board. He could go as high as No. 4 overall and I think this would be his floor. There’s star potential there for Lamb if he ever revs up his motor.

 

 

 

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Houston	Tyler Zeller	Position: C Height: 7-foot Weight: 235 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, he runs the floor very well and he has a great touch around the basket. Zeller should ultimately land somewhere between picks 8 and 14.

 

 

 

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Philadelphia	Terrence Ross	Position: SG Height: 6-foot-6 Weight: 190 pounds Age: 21 School: Washington

Analysis: The Sixers might have a tough choice here between Ross and Moultrie. The team needs size, but they also need shooting. Ross has very good size for his position and would give the Sixers a starting caliber sniper, which they’ve long lacked.

 

 

 

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Houston (via Knicks)	Arnett Moultrie	Position: PF Height: 6-foot-11 Weight: 225 pounds Age: 21 School: Mississippi State

Analysis: The Rockets need size and Moultrie might be a great fit. He’s long and athletic, he rebounds and he can stretch the floor with his jumper. Moultrie could be one of the real sleepers in the draft.

 

 

 

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Dallas	Kendall Marshall	Position: PG Height: 6-foot-4 Weight: 188 pounds Age: 20 School: North Carolina

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

 

 

 

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Wolves (via Jazz)	Austin Rivers	Position: SG Height: 6-foot-4 Weight: 199 pounds Age: 19 School: Duke

Analysis: The Wolves’ biggest need is at the 2 and Rivers could be a great get here. He can really shoot the basketball and has a killer crossover. He’s going to have to get comfortable playing off the ball, but playing with Ricky Rubio could really help his game.

 

 

 

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Orlando	Meyers Leonard	Position: C Height: 7-foot Weight: 240 pounds Age: 20 School: Illinois

Analysis: The Magic are in serious danger of losing Dwight Howard in the next year. Leonard is a far cry from Howard, but he’s big, he’s athletic and he has shown some raw promise, especially on the defensive end.

 

 

 

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Denver	Marquis Teague	Position: PG Height: 6-foot-2 Weight: 178 pounds Age: 19 School: Kentucky

Analysis: Andre Miller is heading into free agency this year and the Nuggets really lack depth at the point guard position. Had Teague stayed another year at Kentucky, he might have been a Top 10 pick. He’s a value get here.

 

 

 

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Boston	Moe Harkless	Position: SF Height: 6-foot-8 Weight: 190 pounds Age: 18 School: St. John’s

Analysis: A lot of teams see similarities between Harkless and Trevor Ariza. He’s widely considered one of the top upside players left in the draft and, for a team that’s starting to rebuild from the ground up, the Celtics need a few guys like that.

 

 

 

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Boston (via Clippers)	Andrew Nicholson	Position: PF Height: 6-foot-9 Weight: 222 pounds Age: 22 School: St. Bonaventure

Analysis: Nicholson is another draft sleeper who may 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	Tony Wroten Jr.	Position: PG Height: 6-foot-5 Weight: 205 pounds Age: 18 School: Washington

Analysis: The Hawks have been cursed at the point guard position ever since they decided to pass on Chris Paul to draft Marvin Williams. Wroten is no Paul, but he may have the most raw talent of any point guard in the draft. He’s big, he’s athletic and he can get to the basket. If his shot wasn’t broken, and if he had a better rep as a teammate, he’d be a top-10 pick.

 

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Cavs (via Lakers)	Fab Melo	Position: C Height: 7-foot Weight: 274 pounds Age: 21 School: Syracuse

Analysis: The Cavs could really use more help at the 5. Anderson Varejao is around for a few more years but after that the cupboard is bare. Melo might need a few years anyway before he’s ready to be a serious contributor at the next level.

 

 

 

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

Analysis: I’m hearing the Grizzlies are looking to stash a player over in Europe this year. Fournier, a scoring wing from France, is the best European prospect on the board.

 

 

 

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Indiana	Quincy Miller	Position: SF Height: 6-foot-9 Weight: 210 pounds Age: 19 School: Baylor

Analysis: By virtually every account, Miller was a top-10 pick coming into his freshman season and would’ve been top 10 on most draft boards in 2013. But scouts aren’t very high on him right now, and I wonder how differently they would feel had his knee been 100 percent this season. This is a steal for the Pacers if he slides this low.

 

 

 

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Miami	Draymond Green	Position: SF Height: 6-foot-6 Weight: 235 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	Jeff Taylor	Position: SF Height: 6-foot-7 Weight: 225 pounds Age: 22 School: Vanderbilt

Analysis: An elite athlete, Taylor can be a lockdown defender and has range on his jumper. He’s probably undervalued at this point, but that happens to seniors. The Thunder will capitalize.

 

 

 

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Chicago	John Jenkins	Position: SG Height: 6-foot-4 Weight: 215 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)	Royce White	Position: SF Height: 6-foot-8 Weight: 240 pounds Age: 20 School: Iowa State

Analysis: White, on talent alone, is a top-10 pick. But he’s slipping a bit as teams worry that his anxiety disorder could disrupt his development. At pick No. 30, he’s worth the risk.

 

 

 

Next five in: Doron Lamb, Festus Ezeli, Tyshawn Taylor, Scott Machado, Kostas Papanikolaou

[BasketballGuru24Participant]

 1) I doubt seeing terrence jones going before perry jones.

2) NOH wil definitely not be drafting 2 PF with their first 2 picks

3) Jeremy Lamb, and Austin rivers won’t fall that low

[toronto_legendsParticipant]

is it only me  that dont like waiter at the 8 spot for  the raptor… they need a shooter … i would think they would  look at  jeremy lamb, terrence ross, austin river  then waiter for  that 8 spot… hopefully colangelo  make a good  pick and  not trade this  pick  for a veteran player that  would mess up the whole rebuilding processs

[RUDEBOY_Participant]

I’m hearing that Robinson has been killing it in workouts..I wasnt too high on high before the season and felt he should go in the 87 to 14 range….But he became more of a basketball player than just an athlete..The more i see Brandon Bass,the more i think Robinson can be a beter version of him…I dont think he should go at number 2..But he’s most def a top 10 pick…

Its going to be hard for Charlotte not to look long and hard at Barnes at number 2..His struggles to create for himself after Marshall got hurt,..made alot of people think he’ll have trouble creating his own shot in the pros..But UNC players sometimes fool people and become great pros…….

I’ve been saying since the season ended that Terrance Jones & Rivers will be top 10 picks after the workouts..Both guys seem like they’ll explode in the pros…

MKG has a role player’s talent..But a franchise player mentality..Nobody talks about his great post game..

[Toronto16Participant]

 I will puke if the Raptors select Dion Waiters.

[iguapops420Participant]

 I said it for mock 5.0 and I say it again, Doron Lamb will not fall out of the first round.

Now after this new mock, I add Royce White to that list. Even with his mental issues. 

[GrandmamaParticipant]

Beal isn’t going top three, nor will he go before Barnes.

 

Terrance Jones will never go as high as 7.

 

Lamb will never fall to 13.

 

The back end of this draft is pretty solid, although I think Fournier’s lack of athleticism will knock him out of the first round.

 

I’ve also got Boston taking Harkless.

[JrbenzCuse23]

All of you bombing on Dion Waiters are idiots multiple NBA scouts have said hes the only player in the draft other than AD with superstar potential and he was been tearing apart every single guard in the pool in workouts. Just blind, ignorant haters butttttt, thats mostly what you get on this site. Should be a minimum basketball IQ limit to post.

[Andrew1984Participant]

1. I don’t see Washington taking Beal over Drummond. I know Beal is going to be good, but they just let go of Nick Young for basically nothing to give Jordan Crawford more minutes, and going into his third year, Crawford is plenty young and just about to hit his prime. Crawford can score in bunches, so I don’t think the backcourt is their focus. Nene can tutor Drummond. They need and want depth there. They could go Thomas Robinson, but they just used a top 5 pick on the Jan Man last year. Having Nene while Drummond develops would be perfect; he’ll be 30 when the season starts, so by Drummond’s third year or so, he’ll be fading when Drummond is ready to dominate.

2. I like Dion Waiters a lot, but I really don’t see him surpassing Lamb or Rivers on the two-guard rankings on any team’s board. MarShon Brooks fell to the mid-20s last year and he was far more mature, more productive, and more refined than Waiters.

3. I have seen reports about how much the Cavaliers like Jeremy Lamb, but it’s really hard to fathom him even being in the conversation if Barnes and Beal are both available.

[JrbenzCuse23]

Marshon Brooks was a gunner on a bad providence team you can’t be serious here. More Productive than Waiters? He averaged like 22 Points/40 minutes on a loaded team with 7 options. He led the whole country in steals/40 minutes. His offensive array of moves and ability to get to the rim is unmatched in any prospect in the whole country. Multiple teams have already said that he is one of only 2 possible superstars in the draft, and that he is in their top 10. Do you see any other prospects getting DWade comparisons left and right? When multiple teams have already said this how can you even take yourself seriously saying you cant see it happening? LOL. Side note. Jeremy Lamb is the best SG in the draft and it is not even close. Lamb> Barnes > Beal. He is bigger, more atheltic, smoother, has deeper range, and was the 2nd best player on a championship team. If any team takes beal over Lamb they will regret that decision 100% and I don’t even think it is close.

MKG will disapoint. Perry Jones will be a pleasant surprise. Jared Sullinger will be a bust. John Henson will be a pleasant surprise.

[providencefriars1Participant]

If you say Marshon isnt good because he played on a bad team in college you must really hate guys like Lillard and Harkless. I think its proven that theres little correlation between team success in college and personal success in the NBA

[RUDEBOY_Participant]

The writer said he heard Memphis is looking to stash a player overseas for a few years? I havent heard anyone in Memphis say that…..Memphis needs outside shooting and a backup point guard…There are alot guys that will be there when they pick,that can provide immediate help in those areas,Wroten,Machado,Jenkins and Q Miller…

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