Nugglove Mock Draft 1.1
In the ever changing world mock draft’s here is the second official Nugglove Mock Draft:
- Cleveland Kyrie Irving 6-3 191 Freshman Point Guard
Nothing is changing with Cleveland, but again in my humble opinion, Irving isn’t the best player in the draft. He should be a good point guard in the NBA, but will have the pressure of making Cleveland fans forget LeBron James. Irving may never make it to the same level as Chris Paul or Derrick Rose, but he could be a notch below that. - Minnesota Derrick Williams 6-9 248 Sophomore Forward
Williams may be the best player in the draft, he has the versatility to play both forward position and the skills to score inside and out. However, the Timberwolves may be the worst fit for him. They have a plethora of versatile forwards (Kevin Love, Michael Beasley, Anthony Randolph and Wesley Johnson) and in Minnesota it would waste his talent and the Timberwolves talent as well. I’d rather see them trade the No. 2 pick and Beasley/Johnson for Monta Ellis and the 11th pick. Ellis would give the Timberwolves a veteran guard to go with their young, talented roster. - Utah Brandon Knight 6-3 177 Freshman Point Guard
I like Knight, I really do. I just don’t like this pick. If this was Sacramento and the 7th pick, it’d be a steal – but it is not. Knight is like a younger version of Devin Harris and I feel the Jazz would be taking a step back instead of trading down or out of the draft to address their biggest needs. Knight could have a great career (maybe as good as Harris), but it is a pretty big drop off from Irving. - Cleveland Enes Kanter 6-11 259 Freshman Center/Power Forward
Kanter has wowed some teams in recent workouts. He has great size and athleticism to go with his basketball IQ. Kanter did lose a year after sitting out his freshman season due to suspension. He is an intriguing prospect and has potential to be another Love with some coaching and years. If he falls to the Cavaliers at four, it would be a great draft for Cleveland. - Toronto Jan Vesely 6-11 230 21 years old Forward
Vesely may be the most ready foreign prospect in the draft. At 21, he doesn’t have the potential as other foreign prospects, but is one of the more ready players in the draft. He hustles and is very competitive and is very athletic. He could potentially be another Andrei Kirilenko. - Washington Kawhi Leonard 6-7 227 Sophomore Small Forward
This was the first change in the draft, as Jonas Valanciunas’ stock continues to take a hit – mainly due to his buyout but he also said he likely won’t play in the NBA this season. The sixth pick may be a little early for Leonard, but he has the skills to be a good NBA player and one of the best in this draft. If he develops a solid jump shot you might be looking at another Danny Granger. - Sacramento Kemba Walker 6-1 184 Junior Guard
I’m not sure Walker is what the Kings need, they have a bunch of scorers but not any pure point guards and Walker is not a pure point guard. However, with his explosiveness and scoring spark he would be valuable as a sixth man in the League. He could develop into another Jason Terry or former King’ Bobby Jackson. Walker is a proven winner and his speed is incredible. There is some rumors that the Kings may be trying to trade this pick and the Denver Nuggets are an option, so this is a wait and see pick. - Detroit Bismack Biyombo 6-9 243 19 years old Power Forward
Biyombo is a player that will take some time, so a team has to be patient on him. Detroit is years from competing and if they can have at least have the luck they had with Greg Monroe they could get a nice big man duo. - Charlotte Marcus Morris 6-9 230 Junior Power Forward
Morris may be the more talented of the twins. He can score, shoot, can play both forward positions and is extremely confident. If Morris’ confidence just comes close to his game, the Bobcats can find a gem and Charlotte definitely needs one. - Milwaukee Klay Thompson 6-7 206 Junior Shooting Guard
With Alec Burks struggling with injuries, it looks like Thompson has surpassed him as the top shooting guard. Thompson is a talented shooting guard, who can put the ball in the basket. He may arguably the best shooter in the draft, but comes with a little baggage. - Golden State Alec Burks 6-6 193 Sophomore Shooting Guard
Burks may end being a better player than Thompson in the long run, but with his recent rash of injuries, Thompson has moved into the top shooting guard slot. Burks has the potential to be another Brandon Roy-type of player. - Utah Chris Singleton 6-9 230 Junior Forward
Singleton may be the top defender in the draft and also is one of the few that can help out immediately. Singleton would be a nice replacement for Kirilenko and could fit in nicely with Derrick Favors and Gordon Hayward. - Phoenix Jimmer Fredette 6-2 196 Senior Point Guard
What better place for Fredette to learn than to play behind Steve Nash. The two have nearly identical games, with endless range and great ballhandling skills. Behind Nash, Fredette could develop a long career in the NBA. - Houston Jonas Valanciunas 6-11 240 19 years old Center
Valanciunas has been dropping down the draft board because of his buyout and there is no certainty when he will be in the NBA. His size and athleticism has many experts comparing him to Andris Biedrins or Joakim Noah. - Indiana Marshon Brooks 6-5 195 Senior Shooting Guard
The Pacers, like the Nuggets, need a go-to guy and Brooks can come in and help Danny Granger and Tyler Hansbrough take the next step. - Philadelphia Jordan Hamilton 6-8 228 Junior Shooting Guard
Hamilton doesn’t have a lot of potential, but he would be a solid pick at the next level and could give the 76ers a nice role player to help them replace Andre Iguodala. - New York Tristan Thompson 6-9 227 Freshman Power Forward
With all of the moving and shaking in this draft, somebody has to drop and Thompson is unlikely to be the one to drop this far, but if he is it would be a steal for the Knicks who need help on defense and on the frontcourt. - Washington Markieff Morris 6-9 241 Junior Power Forward
The Wizards will have to decide between Morris or Donatas Motiejunas and Morris is more of the sure-thing. He doesn’t have the talent of his brother, but he is bigger and brings an enforcer attitude. In fact, one scout has compared him to former Pacer big man Dale Davis. - Charlotte Kenneth Faried 6-8 225 Senior Power Forward
Faried may be another steal from the draft, one reason why is he knows his role in the NBA. He isn’t there to score, but to rebound and play defense. Jordan seemed really high on him after workouts and probably sees a little Dennis Rodman in Faried. - Minnesota Nicola Vucevic 7 260 Junior Power Forward/Center
Vucevic has impressed teams in recent workouts and is a near lock for the first round. He has great size and could be another Nenad Krstic or Spencer Hawes. - Portland Darius Morris 6-5 190 Sophomore Point Guard
If the Blazers drafted for a need, they will draft the best point guard available and Morris is very similar to current Blazer Andre Miller. Morris is bigger and could be the best passer in the draft. There is rumors that the Blazers have already given a promise to Reggie Jackson. - Denver Tobias Harris 6-8 223 Freshman Forward
George Karl wants to find a smart player in the draft, and Tobias Harris has incredible IQ for his age. He also works hard and is extremely versatile. If he falls to the Nuggets at the 22nd spot it would be a steal for Denver. - Houston Donatas Motiejunas 7 224 21 years old Power Forward
The Rockets are considering Motiejunas with the 14th pick and won’t pass on him if he drops this far. He is a 7-footer that can shoot the ball, but he won’t be at the Dirk Nowitzki-level, but which big man will? - Oklahoma City Kyle Singler 6-9 228 Senior Forward
Singler is one of the few NBA ready players, he won’t be much more than a role player at the next level. - Boston Jeremy Tyler 6-11 262 20 years old PF/C
Tyler is a project at nature. His value isn’t as high as Biyombo, but with his size, talent and athleticism he is worth taking a gamble on late in the draft and see if he amounts into a player. - Dallas Nikola Mirotic 6-10 225 20 years old Forward
Like most of the foreign players in the draft, Mirotic is a project. He can shoot the ball, but the question is how good will he be in the NBA. - New Jersey Davis Bertans 6-10 211 19 years old Forward
There isn’t a lot the Nets can do with a late draft pick. They are a lottery team without a lottery pick and drafting a project isn’t out of the question for New Jersey. - Chicago Justin Harper 6-9 228 Senior Power Forward
Harper can go in two directions, he can develop into a more complete player like Lamar Odom or he could just develop into a role player like Robert Horry or Channing Frye. No matter what, he should help the Bulls out. - San Antonio Tyler Honeycutt 6-8 187 Sophomore Shooting Guard
Honeycutt is a San Antonio-type player and would be an absolute steal if fell into the Spurs laps this late in the draft. He should be a great role player for a playoff team, just what the Spurs need. - Chicago Shelvin Mack 6-2 205 Junior Guard
Mack has been projected to go to the Bulls in a few mock drafts and he could help Chicago by taking some pressure of Derrick Rose. The best comparison for Mack is Randy Foye.