By: Brian Sanchez @SportsReportDU
1. New Orleans Hornets- Anthony Davis, PF/C Kentucky
The obvious pick here as Davis is a difference maker in all facets of the game. The Hornets are going to be able to contend for the 8th playoff spot as soon as this coming season.
2. Charlotte Bobcats- Thomas Robinson, PF Kansas
It seems like the Bobcats are going to go with Robinson. He is short but also very strong and athletic. The Bobcats current best player is SF Gerald Henderson and neither he or MKG can play Sg so the edge goes to Robinson. T Rob can also score better than MKG which makes the offensively starved Bobcats like him even more. Barnes is a possibility here as well as Beal.
3. Washington Wizards- Bradley Beal, SG Florida
I think Beal is highly overrated, his comparisons have been Ray Allen and Eric Gordon and frankly that's ridiculous. I do think he is good and can be a good shooter in the NBA but you can't compare him to the all time leader in NBA 3 point history. Now that the Wizards have acquired Emeka Okafor and Trevor Ariza they have no need to take MKG or T Rob. What they do need however is a SG all but assuring Beal of being the No. 3 pick.
4. Cleveland Cavaliers- Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF Kentucky
This works out very nicely for the Cavs. They choose between MKG and Harrison Barnes, and while it could very well be Barnes (who the Cavs wanted last year) I give the nod to MKG. MKG can defend, rebound, and attack the rim as well as anyone in the draft. He will be a great wing piece to go with Kyrie Irving. Irving is a big time scorer so it will be good to have the No. 2 player on the team being a hard working, defensive minded leader.
5. Sacramento Kings- Harrison Barnes, SF North Carolina
Beal locking in at 3 pushes MKG to 4 which makes Barnes avaiable at 5 which is a beautiful situation for the Kings. They really need a 3, moving Tyreke Evans to the three is a terrible idea. If Barnes goes to the Cavs at 4, then the Kings get MKG so either way this is a good spot for them. Barnes will bring them perimeter shooting from the wing and add another young piece to a team that has failed to turn good young peices in to victories.
6. Portland Trailblazers- Damian Lillard, PG Weber St.
Let's keep it simple, the Blazers want Lillard to be their next explosive PG. He will not be there at No.11, which i their next pick. So rather than going with Drummond, I think they'll go ahead and grab Lillard, if he's your guy, just take him.
7. Golden State Warriors- Dion Waiters, SG/PG Syracuse
If the draft falls this way the Warriors will be looking at 3 names: Dion Waiters, Andre Drummond, and Terrence Ross. The Warriors need a 3rd guard for the rotation, a back up big man, or a SF. Waiters represents the guard. He is short at 6'4" but he may be the toughest player in the back court in this draft. That is an area the Warriors need as Curry and Thompson are talented but not all that tough. Waiters ability to back up the 1 and the 2 makes him the pick here. I would not be surprised if the Warriors select Drummond here. He represents a big, athletic, defensive center, something this team has not had in a long time. He could back up the 4 and the 5 if the Warriors decide they want to take the chance on him (which they very well might). Terrence Ross would be the pick if the W's think he could start at the SF position right away. Ross is 6'7", a terrific shooter, good ball handler, and a good rebounder. He has a tendency to disappear during games which is why he is more of a mid first round prospect. The Warriors were not impressed by the workouts of Terrence Jones or PJIII so I think they're out of the picture. Dorrell Wright will almost certainly be traded leaving a spot open at the 3. Waiters could come off the bench at the 2 and Klay could slide to the 3 and be the back up SF.
8. Toronto Raptors- Andre Drummond, C Connecticut
The Raptors will not be thrilled with the way this draft went. They would have wanted Lillard or Waiters but both jumped ahead of the 8 spot. The Raptors make a pure value pick and take the chance on Drummond. If he pans out he becomes a player that the Raptors would never have been able to attract in free agency so he's worth the risk.
9. Detroit Pistons- Meyers Leonard, C Illinois
The Pistons would have liked to see Drummond here, but since he is gone and they need a Center they'll turn to Leonard. Meyers is a 7 footer himself and good defensively and a solid rebounder. He can play the center and move Greg Monroe to the PF and the Pistons should see an improvement.
10. New Orleans Hornets- Austin Rivers, SG Duke
Having already selected Anthony Davis and thus winning this draft the Hornets can just stock pile talent at any position. Rivers would have been a top 3 prospect had he stayed at Duke another year so the Hornets take the lethal scorer with the killer crossover, put him behind Eric Gordon and start building some serious depth.
11. Portland Trailblazers- Terrence Ross, SG Washington
The Blazers already got their guy in Lillard, and now they give him a running mate. The versatile 6'7" Ross can shoot the lights out, and although the Blazers didn't get a center, they did inject a shot of youth and excitement into their back court.
12. Milwaukee Bucks- John Henson, PF/C North Carolina
The Bucks swapped defense for offense with their trade of Bogut for Monta Ellis. They need to re stock their talent on the defensive end because that is the calling card of this Milwaukee team. Henson will probably be able to guard the 3, 4, and 5 positions in the NBA which is his biggest asset. Between him, Ekpe Udoh, and Luc Richard Mbah Moute the defense will be formidable again.
13. Phoenix Suns- Kendall Marshall, PG North Carolina
The Suns offense for years has revolved around a PG with great vision distributing the ball to the whole team and getting everyone else going. Marshall is no Steve Nash but he does have exceptional court vision and is a pure pass first PG. With no other PG on the roster who could start and the Nash era coming to an end, Marshall makes sense for the Suns.
14. Houston Rockets- Jeremy Lamb, SG Connecticut
The Rockets need help at center and SG and with no centers available at this pick it narrows down the options. Kevin Martin probably won't be in Houston past this year and Lamb projects to be very similar but a much better defensive prospect than Martin. Lamb could go earlier so I think if he is still there the Rockets grab him.
15. Philadelphia 76ers- Arnett Moultrie, PF/C
The 76ers want to get stronger in the middle and the certainly do so by taking Moultrie. They could certainly take Zeller here but I think the 76ers want to get a more athletic, physical player rather than the softer more skilled Zeller. Moultrie is very athletic and can rebound and block shots. He can come off the bench at both positions and will be a welcomed addition.
16. Houston Rockets- Tyler Zeller, C/PF North Carolina
Zeller isn't the most amazing prospect there is, but he sure is a good one. He has good moves in the post, especially for a 7 footer in college. He has good speed and will beat his defenders down the floor and is developing a nice mid range jumper. He probably won't be a starter but for a team that needs help down low like the Rockets do he is a very good rotational piece.
17. Dallas Mavericks- Terrence Jones, SF/PF Kentucky
Jones may rival PJIII as the biggest draft enigma. He could go #7 to the Warriors or later than this. He is a big physical specimen, he rebounds and defends well and attacks the rim. He is a good passer but a bad shooter. He reminds a lot of people of Josh Smith, for both good and bad reasons. If Jones is here for Dallas I think they should take his athleticism and toughness on the wing which is needed in Dallas.
18. Minnesota Timberwolves- Perry Jones III, SF Baylor
The Timberwolves represent the first team I can see that has no alternative options better than just taking PJIII. I can see him being an All Star just as easily as I can see him being useless. The wolves are a team that should take risks like PJIII and go for the Home Run.
19. Orlando Magic- Quincy Miller, SF Baylor
The lesser discussed of the 2 Baylor SF's is Miller, and I don't think he is much worse than PJIII. Had he not injured his ACL and missed time, I think he would be in the mix for the Warriors at 7. Had he satyed in school I think he would have been in the top 5 with Austin Rivers. That being said, he is not NBA ready but projects out to be a very good player. the Magic need all the talent they can get so they just snag him.
20. Denver Nuggets- Jared Sullinger, PF Ohio St.
Sullinger had been medically red flagged by NBA doctors leading to his fall here. Many teams have just taken him off of their board. The Nuggets have such good depth and no holes in the starting 5 that they can take Sullinger and hope for the best. If he stays healthy they get a lot better, if not, oh well. At 20 the Nuggets can afford to take that risk.
21. Boston Celtics- Royce White, PF Iowa St.
Chad Ford has reported that White has cancelled his remaining workouts which means he got a first round promise. White has an anxiety disorder which leaves him unable to fly in airplanes without using so much energy that he is physically exhausted after landing. Ford reported that most of his sources are telling him the Celtics gave him the promise. He is a high risk, high reward pick and with back to back first rounders the Celtics obviously feel he's worth it.
22. Boston Celtics- Doron Lamb, SG Kentucky
I've had Fab Melo here, but with the Celtics taking a risk on White, I think they need a safer pick and a SG. Lamb is an efficient offensive player who can shoot 3's and plays an old school style of ball. I think he fits the Celtics nicely.
23. Atlanta Hawks- Marquis Teague, PG Kentucky
This would be so cool. The Hawks like their current starter Jeff Teague but would like a back up and eventual replacement should they lose Jeff in free agency. Why not go with Jeff's brother Marquis? Marquis is pretty good at every aspect of the game but not great at anything. He will be a solid back up and may help turn team chemistry around by playing with his brother.
24. Cleveland Cavaliers- Fab Melo, C Syracuse
The Cavs already got MKG and I think they are pretty happy about that. Melo is still on the board and the Cavs can use depth inside. He is a risk because he doesn't seem to be the smartest or hardest working player, but the Cavs should give him a go. If he pans out, cleveland could be back on the map.
25. Memphis Grizzlies- Evan Fournier, SG France
It's been reported that the Grizzlies are looking to stash a pick over seas in this draft and Fournier is the best international prospect in a weak international class. He is 19 but he can shoot very well and is a good scorer.
26. Indiana Pacers- Jeffrey Taylor, SF Vanderbilt
The Pacers want a PG, but without one worth it on the board, I don't think they'll force it. Taylor is the best player available as he compares very much to Thabo Sefolosha. A great defender, good athlete, and even has a decent long stroke. He can be a back up 2 and 3 and fill a role in the starting 5 in case of an injury or trade.
27. Miami Heat- Andrew Nicholson, PF St. Bonaventure
The Heat really need to improve their depth down low. Nicholson can block shots, rebound, and score in the post and with a mid range jumper. The only knock on him is the lesser competition he faced in college. Nicholson can both play alongside Bosh or in his place making him a valuable piece.
28. Oklahoma City Thunder- Tony Wroten, PG/SG Washington
Wroten is one of the ultimate boom or bust prospects in this draft. At 6'6" he has the ability to play both guard positions. He is a terrible shooter, but is extremely athletic and can get to the rim at will. The Thunder don't need anything so they may as well take Wroten, give him time to develop and see if they can hit another home run with a first rounder.
29. Chicago Bulls- John Jenkins, SG Vanderbilt
The Bulls need better perimeter shooting from the 2 spot and it comes down to Jenkins and Lamb. Jenkins has shown in workouts that he has the ability to score from all over and has the athleticism to get in the lane and be more than a jump shooter. He is more consistent than Doron Lamb so I would look for Jenkins to go here.
30. Golden St. Warriors- Festus Ezeli, C Vanderbilt
The Warriors have a lot of options here. They could go Draymond Green, Jared Cunnigham, Kevin Jones or Will Barton. I think they will go with Ezeli the 7 foot defensive presence at center. With David Lee and Andrew Bogut already on the team, adding Ezeli gives them another big post player allowing them to never let Biedrins see the floor again and giving Jeremy Tyler more time to develop. Ezeli has good blocking skills and can also rebound a little. Ezeli is NBA strong right now and won't be there at pick 35 and a lot of good wing men will be.
First Ten Picks of the Second Round
1. Charlotte Bobcats- Jared Cunningham, SG Oregon St.
2. Washington Wizards- Draymond Green, SF/PF Michigan St.
3. Cleveland Cavaliers- Will Barton, SG Memphis
4. Cleveland Cavaliers- Furkan Aldemir, PF Turkey
5. Golden State Warriors- Kris Middleton, SF Texas A&M
6. Sacramento Kings- Kyle O'Quin, PF/ C Norfolk St.
7. Toronto Raptors- Tyshawn Taylor, PG Kansas
8. Denver Nuggets- Tomas Satoransky, PG/SG Czech Republic
9. Detroit Pistons- Darius Miller, SF Kentucky
10. Portland Trailblazers- Drew Gordon, PF New Mexico
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