The "I Think We're Due for a Mock Draft" Mock Draft
Posted: Fri Jul 12, 2019 3:32 pm
So I don't typically do these, but with me having three picks this year I've done a lot of scouting (much of which hasn't helped all that much) and feel like I have enough information to provide a Mock Draft for the league. This will be a lotto mock draft only as I had a hard enough time just doing that, but I might extend it after some more scouts. Enjoy and feel free to roast it as I'm sure you all will in the comments!
1. New York Knicks
Player Selected: Jaren Jackson Jr.
My Take: I think he is head and shoulders above the rest of the class and Phil has already made it clear that he's taking him first overall. He is going to be an efficient scorer from multiple levels and will be a great rebounder/defender in the league for years to come. If he gets a +10 boost, he might be taking over the AD "best big in the league" title.
2. New York Knicks
Player Selected: Markelle Fultz
My Take: Phil is playing coy with this pick, but if he screws this up he will set his franchise back as its hard enough and near impossble to get a good PG in any league. Teams that just to get cute pay in the long run and hopefully Phil doesn't try to do that here.
3. Indiana Pacers
Player Selected: Shaquille Harrison
My Take: This is the pick that is already rumored to be going to the Lakers for #6 and Mudiay. With that said, the Lakers desperately need a PG to build around with Bagley and Harrison is the next best one after Fultz. He lacks an outside shot, but makes up for that with his incredible playmaking/handling and his superb defense. He will be a better Elfrid Payton and he has a championship ring leading a Kings team.
4. Milwaukee Bucks
Player Selected: Troy Brown
My Take: While I don't agree with this pick, this is what it sounds like Manu will end up doing come draft time. Brown is an incredibly raw player who has potential to be a very well-rounded player. He can't shoot the three ball well, but he should be able to contribute depending on how his development goes, but he won't be winning rookie of the year with how raw he will come in.
5. Detroit Pistons - from San Antonio
Player Selected: Miles Bridges
My Take: I flip flop on this by the day as I'm down to three players, but today's choice will be Miles Bridges. He is an all-around beast who can score, pass, handle, rebound, block, steal, and defend at an elite rate. His is disciplined and can hit the three. He will be a swiss army knife and once the switch to DDS19 occurs should be able to defend multiple positions and take a big step.
6. Los Angeles Lakers
Player Selected: Elie Okobo
My Take: Again, this is likely heading to the Pacers so with that said I think they go with the Lillard clone in Okobo who will provide excellent scoring for them. He can hit the three ball, score at will, won't turn the ball over and won't hurt you on defense which is all you can ask for from a player like this. I think he will have a very long and successful career and will be a big part of the young Pacers.
7. Boston Celtics
Player Selected: Landry Shamet
My Take: This might seem like an overdraft of a player, but these playoffs have shown that if McLemore goes cold the team has a hard time scoring when zoned. If they have a player like Landry, he will butcher opposing teams zone defense with Ben McL and take the Celtics to the next level. They have so much depth, but need that next piece and if he gets a +10 he will be a Monk/Klay type player which is scary to think about on that team. He won't ever be a star in the league, but any other player picked after this won't even crack 10 mpg on that team.
8. Charlotte Hornets
Player Selected: Michael Porter
My Take: The draft team has crowned him the best player in the draft and his fall from grace will end here. He is so raw, but has the potential to be a one of a kind type player who could excel in the engine switch. He has been compared to KD and I can easily see that if he develops. If he doesn't develop he will be out of the league in 4 seasons.
9. Orlando Magic - from New Orleans
Player Selected: Mikal Bridges
My Take: This team is so talented, but so beatable that its hard to watch. With literally no shooting, the joke around the league is to 9 zone them and its a guaranteed win. Willy needs to address that now if he wants to get back into the playoffs and I'm hoping this draft accomplishes that. Mikal is a stud from three and has been compared to Justin Anderson with his defense, but should provide slightly better outside shooting.
10. Philadelphia 76ers
Player Selected: Dzanan Musa
My Take: Musa has had a hard push lately and he will be a very good player in the league. He can do everything and do it pretty well. He's similar to Bridges, but lacks the strong defensive presence that Miles brings. He should be able to score more than Miles, but will be a multi-position player. He will be a great addition as a forward on the Sixers team in need of stability.
11. Cleveland Cavaliers - from Utah
Player Selected: Kaiser Gates
My Take: Josh is a defense first guy who will stick to that here. Gates is one of the best wing defenders in the draft and will come in day one able to contribute there. His lack of anything resembling an outside shot really hurts his value and will make him drop, but if he had a shot he would be a top 10 lock. With Cleveland rumored to be bringing in another defensive SG veteran, this pick would create a deadly defensive 1-3 pairing.
12. Miami Heat - from Memphis
Player Selected: John Collins
My Take: The Heat are one of the toughest teams to pick for as Silo always goes against the grain. These also could get traded as they are running out of roster spots with all of their young players, but if they keep this getting a defensive stud like Collins would be a steal this late. He would add to an already strong forward rotation and make this team that much scarier.
13. Miami Heat - from Minnesota
Player Selected: Kostas Antetokuompo
My Take: Again, no clue who they are targetting but BPA would suggest Kostas. He will be a very good player in the league who will be a top defender. He will be able to play and defend multiple positions in the league and I could see him being another player who takes advantage of the engine switch.
14. Brooklyn Nets
Player Selected: Collin Sexton
My Take: This team needs a PG so badly and one lands in their lap in Sexton. Hes an all-around solid player who is incredibly good on the defensive end, which will help a team like the Nets. He can't shoot from three, but the good thing about Sexton is he can come in and play significant meetings right away and should supplant a lot of D Los starting minutes since that's not good for anyone.
Again, enjoy the read and slay away below...
1. New York Knicks
Player Selected: Jaren Jackson Jr.
My Take: I think he is head and shoulders above the rest of the class and Phil has already made it clear that he's taking him first overall. He is going to be an efficient scorer from multiple levels and will be a great rebounder/defender in the league for years to come. If he gets a +10 boost, he might be taking over the AD "best big in the league" title.
2. New York Knicks
Player Selected: Markelle Fultz
My Take: Phil is playing coy with this pick, but if he screws this up he will set his franchise back as its hard enough and near impossble to get a good PG in any league. Teams that just to get cute pay in the long run and hopefully Phil doesn't try to do that here.
3. Indiana Pacers
Player Selected: Shaquille Harrison
My Take: This is the pick that is already rumored to be going to the Lakers for #6 and Mudiay. With that said, the Lakers desperately need a PG to build around with Bagley and Harrison is the next best one after Fultz. He lacks an outside shot, but makes up for that with his incredible playmaking/handling and his superb defense. He will be a better Elfrid Payton and he has a championship ring leading a Kings team.
4. Milwaukee Bucks
Player Selected: Troy Brown
My Take: While I don't agree with this pick, this is what it sounds like Manu will end up doing come draft time. Brown is an incredibly raw player who has potential to be a very well-rounded player. He can't shoot the three ball well, but he should be able to contribute depending on how his development goes, but he won't be winning rookie of the year with how raw he will come in.
5. Detroit Pistons - from San Antonio
Player Selected: Miles Bridges
My Take: I flip flop on this by the day as I'm down to three players, but today's choice will be Miles Bridges. He is an all-around beast who can score, pass, handle, rebound, block, steal, and defend at an elite rate. His is disciplined and can hit the three. He will be a swiss army knife and once the switch to DDS19 occurs should be able to defend multiple positions and take a big step.
6. Los Angeles Lakers
Player Selected: Elie Okobo
My Take: Again, this is likely heading to the Pacers so with that said I think they go with the Lillard clone in Okobo who will provide excellent scoring for them. He can hit the three ball, score at will, won't turn the ball over and won't hurt you on defense which is all you can ask for from a player like this. I think he will have a very long and successful career and will be a big part of the young Pacers.
7. Boston Celtics
Player Selected: Landry Shamet
My Take: This might seem like an overdraft of a player, but these playoffs have shown that if McLemore goes cold the team has a hard time scoring when zoned. If they have a player like Landry, he will butcher opposing teams zone defense with Ben McL and take the Celtics to the next level. They have so much depth, but need that next piece and if he gets a +10 he will be a Monk/Klay type player which is scary to think about on that team. He won't ever be a star in the league, but any other player picked after this won't even crack 10 mpg on that team.
8. Charlotte Hornets
Player Selected: Michael Porter
My Take: The draft team has crowned him the best player in the draft and his fall from grace will end here. He is so raw, but has the potential to be a one of a kind type player who could excel in the engine switch. He has been compared to KD and I can easily see that if he develops. If he doesn't develop he will be out of the league in 4 seasons.
9. Orlando Magic - from New Orleans
Player Selected: Mikal Bridges
My Take: This team is so talented, but so beatable that its hard to watch. With literally no shooting, the joke around the league is to 9 zone them and its a guaranteed win. Willy needs to address that now if he wants to get back into the playoffs and I'm hoping this draft accomplishes that. Mikal is a stud from three and has been compared to Justin Anderson with his defense, but should provide slightly better outside shooting.
10. Philadelphia 76ers
Player Selected: Dzanan Musa
My Take: Musa has had a hard push lately and he will be a very good player in the league. He can do everything and do it pretty well. He's similar to Bridges, but lacks the strong defensive presence that Miles brings. He should be able to score more than Miles, but will be a multi-position player. He will be a great addition as a forward on the Sixers team in need of stability.
11. Cleveland Cavaliers - from Utah
Player Selected: Kaiser Gates
My Take: Josh is a defense first guy who will stick to that here. Gates is one of the best wing defenders in the draft and will come in day one able to contribute there. His lack of anything resembling an outside shot really hurts his value and will make him drop, but if he had a shot he would be a top 10 lock. With Cleveland rumored to be bringing in another defensive SG veteran, this pick would create a deadly defensive 1-3 pairing.
12. Miami Heat - from Memphis
Player Selected: John Collins
My Take: The Heat are one of the toughest teams to pick for as Silo always goes against the grain. These also could get traded as they are running out of roster spots with all of their young players, but if they keep this getting a defensive stud like Collins would be a steal this late. He would add to an already strong forward rotation and make this team that much scarier.
13. Miami Heat - from Minnesota
Player Selected: Kostas Antetokuompo
My Take: Again, no clue who they are targetting but BPA would suggest Kostas. He will be a very good player in the league who will be a top defender. He will be able to play and defend multiple positions in the league and I could see him being another player who takes advantage of the engine switch.
14. Brooklyn Nets
Player Selected: Collin Sexton
My Take: This team needs a PG so badly and one lands in their lap in Sexton. Hes an all-around solid player who is incredibly good on the defensive end, which will help a team like the Nets. He can't shoot from three, but the good thing about Sexton is he can come in and play significant meetings right away and should supplant a lot of D Los starting minutes since that's not good for anyone.
Again, enjoy the read and slay away below...