Rock Out With Your Mock Out 2012

1. New Orleans Hornets - Anthony Davis, PF, Kentucky

Move over Miami, there's a new big three: Eric Gordon, Anthony Davis, and The Unibrow. Is The Big Easy ready for the NBA's newest triumvirate? (Nickname suggestion: The Big Threesy?)

2. Charlotte Bobcats - Thomas Robinson, PF, Kansas

There have been whispers of a scenario in which the Cleveland Cavaliers would flip their two first round picks (4 & 24) in exchange for the Bobcat's 2nd pick. The Cavs would do this only to snatch Florida's Bradley Beal before the Wizards can with Washington's 3rd pick. Whether they make the pick at #2 or #4, Robinson is likely the guy, especially after the very recent Ben Gordon trade. He could no doubt be a player for the Bobcats with superstar capability. He's big, strong and tough, yet has surprisingly soft touch around the rim. He can shoot from the mid-range, and runs the floor like no other big. He's a selfless and confident player, who thrives in doing the dirty work. If Robinson continues to develop like he has in college, he could be a Karl Malone-caliber player.

3. Washington Wizards - Bradley Beal, SG, Florida

The recent trade bringing in Emeka Okafor and Trevor Ariza ends the tumultuous Rashard Lewis era in DC, notable more for his $21 million annual contract than the 20 wins he helped the Wiz accumulate. With a new frontline of Nenê and Okafor, Washington is seemingly set down low and they will surely look for a guard in the draft. Beal has drawn comparisons to Ray Allen and Eric Gordon, and his outside shooting should be the ideal complement to John Wall.

4. Cleveland Cavaliers - Harrison Barnes, SF, North Carolina

Again, barring Cleveland moving up in the draft to get outside scorer Bradley Beal, the hands down next best scorer available is North Carolina's Harrison Barnes. Barnes averaged a tick under 20 points per game on a tier one NCAA team, and was one of UNC's main team leaders. He could have probably been a top 3 pick in last year's NBA draft, but opted to stay for one more year under Roy Williams, and he still remains a top 5 prospect this year, showing an invaluable consistency to his game. With Alonzo Gee, Omri Casspi and Luke Walton as their Small Forward options for 2012, Barnes looks like a much better piece for Cleveland as they continue to rebuild.

5. Sacramento Kings - Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF, Kentucky

As with many of the teams at the top of the lottery, they could afford to upgrade at a few different spots. Another big man to play alongside DeMarcus Cousins could be useful, but the risk of taking the unproven and enigmatic Andre Drummond could be too great. With MKG, the Kings would get a solid wing player who can immediately add defense and rebounding to a team without a surefire starter at small forward.

6. Portland Trailblazers - Damian Lillard, PG, Weber State

Before Lillard even stepped on the court at any NBA combine or workout, a plethora of questions surrounded him: Has he played good enough competition to be legit? Can he play defense? Is he big enough? Why wasn't he highly recruited? So on, and so forth. But unlike many mid-major lottery prospects, as Lillard continued to work out for teams, the more he stood out. As for his workout with Portland, a source claimed that it was the best workout since the  team worked out Kevin Durant in 2007. Needless to say, the Blazers are impressed with what Lillard has to offer and will take him if he is still on the board at 6.

7. Golden State Warriors - Dion Waiters, SG, Syracuse

Waiters is a controversial pick at #7 because he did not even crack Syracuse's starting lineup in his sophomore year. That said, this is the Warriors we're talking about, and their questionable draft decisions are well-documented. The have new management in GM Bob Myers, but as stated before, it's the Warriors.

8. Toronto Raptors - Austin Rivers, G, Duke

This is the Raptors' chance to take a risk and snag a possible franchise player at number 8. With a tough history of failing to retain their stars (Tracy McGrady, Vince Carter, Chris Bosh), Toronto has the opportunity to create a new culture surrounding their team. Austin Rivers is a dynamic player, and leader, with possibly the most potential in this draft class. His game is more fitting to the NBA style than college, and that is probably why he fell short of expectations at Duke. And while Austin would probably rather play for his dad in Boston, the Raptors could do themselves a favor and grab themselves a possible superstar.

9. Detroit Pistons - Andre Drummond, C, Connecticut

His story has been told time and time again: he has the physical tools to be the most dominant player in this draft but his motor and attitude are major red flags. At some point, though, he has to come off the board, and the Pistons would be elated to have him fall into their laps here at 9, much later than projected.

10. New Orleans Hornets - Terrence Ross, G/F, Washington

No other player's draft stock has risen more than Ross' in the last couple of months. The lengthy guard was initially pegged as a 18-25 pick, but now finds himself with a green room invite, and the opportunity to be a lottery pick. The Hornets just need to go "best-available" with their 10 pick having netted future all-star Anthony Davis at the #1 spot. Ross can relieve scoring pressure from Eric Gordon, and be an option as a scorer if Gordon continues to struggle with injuries.

11. Portland Trailblazers - Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois

After taking Lillard at 6, the Blazers will look to address their other need: the gaping void left by the departure of Greg Oden and his brittle knees. Portland and its fans held on hope for five years, but when he was cut earlier this season the Oden experiment finally came to a sad end. With his height (7'1.25" with shoes) and athleticism, Leonard gives them a solid player with whom to rebuild at center.

12. Milwaukee Bucks - John Henson, PF, North Carolina

With Meyers Leonard off the board, Milwaukee can just go with a pure defensive talent here. Their true need is Center, but with the two best off the board (Drummond & Leonard), Henson's fellow Tar-Heel Tyler Zeller would be too much of a reach to fill the position. Henson is all arms and legs, and if he can get stronger and tougher in the post, could be one of the best shot blockers in the league.

13. Phoenix Suns - Jeremy Lamb, SG, Connecticut

Steve Nash willed the Suns to within 3 victories of the playoffs, but he cannot be expected to re-sign in Phoenix if they don't add offensive weapons. Lamb is a talented shooter and scorer that could perhaps make Nash feel more comfortable finishing out his career as a Sun.

14. Houston Rockets - Kendall Marshall, PG, North Carolina

Kyle Lowry appears to be on his way out of Houston, and there is no guarantee Goran Dragic will be re-sign in free agency. Marshall will be the 3rd UNC player picked in the lottery. Marshall was 2nd in the NCAA in assists, and is a pure point guard which the NBA lacks. Marshall makes his teammates better around him. And with Houston's array of scorers and depth, Marshall could be a great NBA distributor.

Philadelphia 76ers - Arnett Moultrie, PF, Mississippi State

As long as the Sixers are able to re-sign Lou Williams, they won't really have any holes on the current roster. Moultrie offers a potential replacement for the aging (and overpaid) Elton Brand, who could - despite his production - be an amnesty candidate.

16. Houston Rockets- Tyler Zeller C, North Carolina

The Rockets own the 14, 16 and 18 picks, this would indicate that they are probably wheeling and dealing with other teams to acquire some veterans or scorers in exchange for young talent. However, we can't speculate on where these picks will go. That being said, the Rockets need a center as Marcus Camby is older than dirt, and Samuel Dalembert is up there in age as well. Zeller is a 7'0" cerebral big guy with a jumper and defensive prowess. Zeller has played with Kendall Marshall for a couple years at UNC, and the combo could bring instant chemistry to Houston.

17. Dallas Mavericks - Moe Harkless, SF, St. John's

The draft is far less consequential to the Mavericks than Deron Williams' free agent decision, but if D-Will chooses to return to his hometown and join the Mavs then they will need some help on the wing. Harkless is something of a project at this point, but his size and rebounding can be of immediate use. Even if Williams stays in New Jersey, Harkless can still serve as a promising successor to Shawn Marion and Vince Carter at the small forward slot.

18. Houston Rockets - Royce White, F, Iowa State

White's anxiety, and fear of flying will probably not deter teams on taking a chance on this unique talent. He can play 3 or 4 competently without being called a "tweener." I could see teams such as Boston, Orlando or Memphis attempting to trade up to get this pick from Houston. Either way, if Houston decides to keep White, he would fill the void that was created when the Rockets traded SF Chase Budinger to Minnesota for this exact pick.

19. Orlando Magic - Perry Jones III, SF/PF, Baylor

Perry Jones has seen his stock fall a long way from when he first stepped foot on Baylor's campus. He still has as much upside as any player in this draft, but his inability to show consistency or demonstrate an NBA position worries a lot of GMs. Orlando could be a good fit for Jones, where floor-spacing shooters JJ Redick and Ryan Anderson could allow Jones to thrive going to the basket.

20. Denver Nuggets- Tony Wroten Jr. PG, Washington

Wroten is probably one of the most fearless and best slashers in the draft. The dude gets to the bucket. He is also a great passer, drawing double teams and finding his open Husky teammates. Over the past couple months he has been speculated to go in the lottery, or all the way in the second round. His draft stock is somewhat of an enigma. With no holes to fill, and plenty of talent, experience and youth, Denver can afford to take a risk on Wroten. Stashing him on the bench for a few years will allow Wroten to develop his jump shot, and also be under the tutelage of another lackluster shooting, yet prolific point guard, Andre Miller.

21. Boston Celtics - Jared Sullinger, PF/C, Ohio State

Sullinger's exclusion from the list of green room invitees is telling about where the stock of the former top-5 prospect currently stands. Concerns about his size, athleticism, and bad back have caused the slip, but make no mistake, the kid can play. He led his Buckeyes to the Final Four this past season and something tells me the veteran coach Doc Rivers could find a way to incorporate Sullinger into his system.

22. Boston Celtics - Andrew Nicholson, PF, St. Bonaventure

Nicholson is a flat-out efficient scorer. He ranked in the top 10 in basically every scoring efficiency category this past year. The Celtics have the chance to take a bit of a risk as they own the 21 pick as well. Nicholson is a high risk, high reward type of selection. It will remain to be seen if Nicholson can be a solid NBA player, but scouts seem to be high on his skill-set.

23. Atlanta Hawks - Fab Melo, C, Syracuse

The Hawks have been trying slide Horford over to his "natural" power forward spot for a few years now. Fab Melo isn't a huge offensive threat but the Big East Defensive Player of the Year gives them a defensive stopper, which is a good value at the #23 pick.

24. Cleveland Cavaliers - Terrence Jones, SF/PF, Kentucky

If Jones entered the draft last year, he would probably have been a top 10 pick. After another year with Kentucky, Jones has not progressed like many had hoped. He seems to have plateaued in potential. He still possesses an incredible athleticism and scrappiness, but his inconsistent jump shot is a liability. Jones may still be worth the early pick because his game may adapt differently to the NBA.

25. Memphis Grizzlies - Marquis Teague, PG, Kentucky

Teague had a shaky start to his freshman season, but he righted the ship and was able to effectively run Kentucky's offense on their way to the national championship. He surprised many with his athleticism at the draft combine and few doubt that he could be a viable backup and potential protege to Mike Conley in Memphis.

26. Indiana Pacers - Jeffery Taylor, SF, Vanderbilt

Taylor is probably one of the best on-ball wing defenders in the draft. The Pacers are pretty much set on young scorers, in their front and back court, so they might as well improve on the defensive side of the ball. Taylor could be a great spark off of the bench to create fast break opportunities, while Danny Granger gets some rest.

27. Miami Heat - Quincy Miller, PF, Baylor

The world champion Miami Heat are pretty well equipped to defend their title. The prevailing thought during the season was that the Heat would need to improve at center in order to compete with the likes of Dwight Howard, Andrew Bynum, and Pau Gasol. Fortunately for Miami, they faced none of those players in the playoffs and they were able to succeed with Chris Bosh at the 5. As it stands, the only big worth selecting here is Vanderbilt's Festus Ezeli, but they are also in the privileged position to afford to stash a high-upside guy like Baylor's Quincy Miller on their bench.

28. Oklahoma City Thunder - Will Barton, SF, Memphis

The Thunder don't necessarily need anything, as their roster has great depth and its herd of superstars. They can use this pick as insurance in case they are unable to secure a contract for James Harden at the end of next season. Barton is another guy whose stock has soared. He is a great scorer, and could be the steal of the draft.

29. Chicago Bulls - John Jenkins, SG, Vanderbilt

The Bulls have needed help at the shooting guard position for a few years now. They went out and got Rip Hamilton in free agency, but he has proven to be a shadow of his former self so far. With Jenkins, they are getting a guy who can stroke from downtown and not too much else, but this late in the first round the Bulls don't need a star, just a role player to assist Derrick Rose once he returns from injury.

30. Golden State Warriors - Draymond Green, SF/PF, Michigan State

The Warriors lack defense, rebounding and toughness, which are the qualities that embody Green's game. Green stayed four years at Michigan State under one of best in the biz, Tom Izzo. Green would bring a much needed toughness to Golden State. I can see him as a DeJuan Blair type player.



Court adjourned.

Mock Draft 1.0 (Post-Unibrow Sweepstakes Edition)

1. New Orleans Hornets - Anthony Davis
Move over Miami, there's a new Big Three in town: Eric Gordon, Anthony Davis, and The Unibrow. Is The Big Easy ready for the NBA's newest triumvirate? (Nickname suggestion: The Big Threesy?)

2. Charlotte Bobcats - Harrison Barnes
Though Barnes has been slipping on draft boards, Michael Jordan isn't shy about taking fellow Tar Heels and this is his opportunity. Luckily for Jordan and his less-than-impressive track record, Barnes should be a solid pro even if it is a reach to take him at #2.


3. Washington Wizards - Bradley Beal
The Wiz could definitely use a big man here. But drafting the high-upside Andre Drummond and putting him with one of the league's foremost models of inconsistency and lack of focus (Andray Blatche) is a pretty good way to ensure he'll be a bust. A backcourt-mate to pair with John Wall is also a high priority and Beal's shooting ability makes him the best candidate.


4. Cleveland Cavaliers - Michael Kidd-Gilchrist
Alonzo Gee was the Cavs' starting small forward last year. You don't win championships with Alonzo Gee starting at small forward. If Dan Gilbert wants to make good on his guarantee to win a championship before LeBron James, he needs to not start Alonzo Gee at small forward. MKG can fix this.


5. Sacramento Kings - Thomas Robinson
As with many of the teams at the top of the lottery, they could afford to upgrade at a few different spots.  Another big man to play alongside DeMarcus Cousins could be useful with the backcourt of Tyreke Evans and Isaiah Thomas seemingly set.


6. Portland Trailblazers - Andre Drummond
A player with an NBA body and athleticism but questionable skills and determination, Drummond is the biggest enigma of the draft. Then again, Oden was supposed to be a sure thing and we all know how that turned out. Maybe this time the Blazers score big with their lottery center. Hasheem Thabeet is on the roster, so at least Drummond is guaranteed to avoid the title of worst center in Portland.


7. Golden State Warriors - John Henson
The Warriors were willing to take Ekpe Udoh with the 6th pick two years ago to provide a defensive presence inside. After sending him off to Milwaukee with Monta Ellis they should have no problem taking Henson, a player with the same shot blocking prowess but a higher offensive ceiling. Though he struggled to put on much-needed weight while at North Carolina, I see one exquisitely tasty reason why that won't be a problem for him in California.


8. Toronto Raptors - Damian Lillard
The Jose Calderon era in Toronto seems to be winding to a close. By all accounts Lillard has impressed  in workouts, and his elite ability to score the rock is unique among the point guards in the draft. (Irrelevant factoid: Lillard will become the first Weber State player in the league since Willard Sojourner in 1975.)


9. Detroit Pistons - Perry Jones III
Joe Dumars has both been hailed as a genius and ridiculed as a buffoon in his time as Pistons' GM. Perry Jones is a selection that will certainly reinforce one of those schools of thought. He's got the size and skill to be the best player in the draft, but his lack of heart and assertiveness have made him a major question mark.


10. New Orleans Hornets - Jeremy Lamb 
After taking Davis with the top pick, the Hornets will want to improve at point guard in particular. But if Jeremy Lamb is available at 10, he is too talented to pass up, especially with Eric Gordon's health always in question.

11. Portland Trailblazers - Kendall Marshall
With all the mystery surrounding Andre Drummond, the one thing we know is that he can finish alley-oops. Portland would be wise to take college basketball's best passer, a player who can get Drummond the ball in position to score. As is, the three-headed monster of Raymond Felton, Nolan Smith, and Jonny Flynn doesn't exactly strike fear in the hearts of opponents, so Marshall's presence would be welcomed with open arms.

12. Milwaukee Bucks - Tyler Zeller
For three painful months since the Andrew Bogut trade, there has been a white, 7-foot, somewhat athletic, fairly offensively-skilled void in Milwaukee. Tyler Zeller simply  has all the requisites to fill that void.

13. Phoenix Suns - Terrence Ross
It remains to be seen whether Steve Nash will return to the Suns, and they would probably prefer to bring in his protegé, but both point guards worth selecting at 13 will likely be off the board. Grant Hill won't be able to play forever (unless he is the next Kobe robo-knee surgery recipient) so they'll need help on the wing. Ross is an excellent shooter and slasher and should fit well in an uptempo system.


14. Houston Rockets - Austin Rivers
Kyle Lowry appears to be on his way out of Houston, and there is no guarantee Goran Dragic will be re-sign in free agency. Rivers isn't a prototypical point guard -- if he can even be considered a point -- but he's got a rare ability to get to the hoop and has good potential for a #14 pick.

More mock drafts to come as the draft approaches.

Court adjourned.

Birds of a Feather Mock Together

If you thought my associate Danny was going to be the only one at Court of Appeals to experience the incomparable joy of making a mock draft, think again. Less than 24 hours before David Stern announces the first selection at tomorrow's draft, I've got updated first round predictions based on the murmurs around the NBA over the past few days.

1. Cleveland Cavaliers - Kyrie Irving (PG - Duke) At some point since the end of the tourney, Irving and Derrick Williams have both been favorites to go first to Cleveland, with Enes Kanter even getting some consideration. Over the past 72 hours it grew more likely that Irving would be the top pick, with Cleveland recently stating their intention to take Irving. My hope -- just for the sake of the drama -- is that the Cavs have been bluffing about Irving all along and end up taking Williams here, thus spurring this draft's greatest story line:

Notoriously illogical Minnesota GM David Kahn finally lured his 2009 selection, Ricky Rubio, to the States, creating a logjam at point with Jonny Flynn and Luke Ridnour already on the roster. Then, with Irving falling to him at #2, he is faced with the dilemma of drafting the team's fourth point guard or overlooking him to make a reach for Enes Kanter, Jonas Valanciunas, or Bismack Biyombo.

2. Minnesota Timberwolves - Derrick Williams (SF/PF - Arizona) Though Enes Kanter hasn't been tied to the T-Wolves hardly at all, today the NBA world has been buzzing about Minnesota's stated intention to take him at the #2 slot. When Derrick Williams worked out for Wolves' staff he was described as a "monster," so the recent news that Kanter would be the guy here is somewhat surprising. While Kanter would not be a bad pick for Minny, the chatter surrounding him is more likely an attempt to garner more interest from teams looking to trade up to the #2 pick. But, if Minnesota keeps the second pick, Derrick Williams has the slight edge.

3. Utah Jazz - Enes Kanter (PF/C - Kentucky) No team would be happier than the Utah Jazz if the Timberwolves' interest in Kanter is genuine. Derrick Williams would give the Jazz just what they need in an hard-nosed, athletic combo forward who can step outside at shoot also. That being said, if he is off the board, the debate at #3 becomes Enes Kanter vs. Brandon Knight. While Knight fills more of a need for the Jazz, the reports are that they plan to take the best player available regardless of position, which is Kanter in this case.

4. Cleveland Cavaliers - Jonas Valanciunas (C - Lithuania) The Cavs would like to see Kanter available here, but that seems unlikely at this stage of the game. Cleveland reportedly likes Valanciunas' game, but is hesitant about waiting one or more years for him to play in the NBA because of the contract situation with his Lithuanian club team. In a perfect world, the Cavs would have their franchise point guard (Irving) and their fourth pick playing immediately and developing alongside one another. For that reason, Cleveland is reportedly also considering Tristan Thompson at this pick. In the end, I believe they will make the sacrifice of waiting in order to get the better prospect in Valanciunas.

5. Toronto Raptors - Brandon Knight (PG - Kentucky) Jose Calderón has had some success in Toronto, at least in terms of his own statistics, but at 30 years of age he does not appear to be in the team's future plans. Knight displayed considerable talents throughout his freshman campaign at Kentucky, highlighted by a series of clutch performances in the postseason, and the Raptors believe that his length, skills, and defense will allow him to be a part of the team's core moving forward.

6. Washington Wizards - Jan Vesely (SF/PF - Czech Republic) Tristan Thompson is also getting consideration at #6, but the consensus seems to be that the Wiz will take Vesely here. He is known for being a high-flyer who likes to get out in transition, which is music to the ears of the Wizards management as long as John Wall is at the helm. If we learned anything from Tyson Chandler's tenure playing with Chris Paul, any athletic player can be dominant when his point guard knows where to get him the rock. Let's just hope for the Wizard's sake that this pick doesn't turn out like their last Eastern European project.

7. Sacramento Kings - Kemba Walker (PG - Connecticut) Sacramento has a lot of options with this pick including Jimmer, Kawhi Leonard, Tristan Thompson and Kemba. The Kings have been relegated to the lottery each of the past five seasons and in order to prevent this team from relocating they could use a player that could help them win immediately. The Tyreke Evans experiment at point guard has seemingly failed and Kemba could be just the solution. There are questions about Walker's ability as a pure point, much like Evans, but the Kings would have the luxury of putting them both on the floor to play point guard by committee.

8. Detroit Pistons - Tristan Thompson (PF - Texas) The Pistons would prefer to add a point guard, as they are not committed to Rodney Stuckey as a part of this team's core. However, at the #8 pick three top PGs (Irving, Knight, and Walker) will likely be unavailable. There is also a need and power forward and the accepted theory is that the PFs available at 8 are more valuable than the point guard they might be able to select (perhaps the fabled Jimmer.) Marcus Morris is also in the mix here, but Tristan Thompson's upside is enough to entice the Pistons to take him instead.

9. Charlotte Bobcats - Marcus Morris (PF - Kansas) Supposedly, the Bobcats are targeting one particular player with the #9 selection, and if he is unavailable they will look to move the pick. Though the have kept quiet just who it is that they seek, Marcus Morris is a distinct possibility. Morris' game is similar to current Charlotte forward Tyrus Thomas, but his versatility and ability to play on the wing could fill the void left in the aftermath of the mid-season Gerald Wallace trade.

10. Milwaukee Bucks - Alec Burks (SG - Colorado) Milwaukee is looking for a player to replace Michael Redd, as it appears his career --at least with the Bucks -- is over. The Bucks will eye sharpshooter Klay Thompson as well, but it is Burks' ceiling that makes him more enticing. Burks already proved he is a great scorer (over 20 PPG in the Big XII) that needs to add strength, but his skill set could allow him to be one of the best NBA players from this draft class a few years down the road.

11. Golden State Warriors - Klay Thompson (SG - Washington State) It is no secret that the Warriors covet Thompson at #11, and assuming he is still on the board they should waste no time selecting him. In college, Thompson faced tight defense and double teams as WSU's primary ball handler/scorer, but in Golden State's system, Thompson should get better looks as scorers Monta Ellis and Stephen Curry force the defense to collapse.

12. Utah Jazz - Jimmer Fredette (PG/SG - BYU) Utah's fan base already had the pleasure of experiencing "Jimmer-mania" throughout BYU's 2010-11 run, but in this case the rich get richer and Jimmer stays in town. He fulfills a few separate needs for the Jazz: a point guard, a shooter, and a jersey-selling machine.

13. Phoenix Suns - Chris Singleton (SF/PF - Florida State) On a team that could use some toughness on the wing and in the frontcourt (sorry, Vince Carter and Channing Frye) Singleton provides just that. Grant Hill won't keep playing forever (we think) and Chris Singleton could be a serviceable backup until he is ready to take the reins. Markieff Morris is another tough forward that could be in play with this pick.

14. Houston Rockets - Bismack Biyombo (PF - Congo) Houston is not without depth on their roster, but they lack a true star. All signs point Rockets' trading this pick for more established veterans, however if they do retain #14, Biyombo is an an option that immediately provides defense, rebounding, and hustle. With Hasheem Thabeet and Biyombo out on the floor, they should theoretically be able to block every shot in sight (though the Rockets would probably have to be down by 30 to put those two on the court together.)

15. Indiana Pacers - Kawhi Leonard (SF - San Diego State) Because of his versatility, athleticism, and size, Leonard will get looks as high as Toronto at 5. However, he is a player that I have slipping out of the lottery because of his perceived lack of offensive potential. Teams don't doubt his ability to be a contributor to in the NBA for seasons to come, but with a top selection most GMs would like to take a player with a higher ceiling.

16. Philadelphia 76ers - Donatas Motiejunas (PF/C - Lithuania) In contrast to Kawhi Leonard, Donatas Motiejunas is a player with one of the highest ceilings in the whole draft. He is a 7-foot tall player with an advanced skill set, but his intensity and strength remain big question marks. Motiejunas likely suffers from the fact that he has been on scouts' radars for much longer than other Euro prospects (Biyombo, Vesely, Valanciunas) and thus has had his weaknesses picked apart. He would still be a great value pick for the Sixers at #16, especially after being in the top 5 conversation before pulling out of the draft last year.

17. New York Knicks - Markieff Morris (PF - Kansas) The Knicks are lucky enough to have Amar'e Stoudemire under contract. But beyond that, their front line is as follows: Jared Jeffries, Shelden Williams, and Ronny Turiaf. Needless to say, they need to improve in the post. The elder Morris twin (by 7 minutes) can step in and provide intensity, rebounding, and the occasional bucket without taking shots from more offensively-adept teammates Amar'e, Carmelo, and Billups.

18. Washington Wizards - Tobias Harris (SF/PF - Tennessee) For a team looking to rebuild with youth in the post-Agent Zero era, they may be inclined to take the 18-year-old combo forward out of Tennessee. In his one season in Knoxville, Harris showed a variety of skills that make him intriguing to teams picking in the latter half of the first round. His basketball IQ is a strength that will be needed in Washington.

19. Charlotte Bobcats - Iman Shumpert (PG - Georgia Tech) After letting Raymond Felton go in favor of his protegé, D.J. Augustin, the Bobcats have seemingly soured to the idea of him as the lead guard of the future. Iman Shumpert has tested incredibly well athletically leading up to the draft and there is no doubt he can handle the rock, but his decision making has been the main slight on his game. With hyper-athletic points such as Rose and Westbrook taking over the sport, Charlotte can they will turn Shumpert's strengths into on-court production.

20. Minnesota Timberwolves - Nikola Vucevic (PF/C - USC) Like Iman Shumpert, Vucevic was another player who benefitted tremendously from the draft combine. In his case, it was the measurements, not the athleticism testing, that played to the Serbian big man's advantage. He measured in at 6'11.75" in shoes, with a 7'4.5" wingspan and 9'4.5" standing reach. For a team that already has Kevin Love controlling the boards down low, they do not need another traditional banger in the post. Vucevic can stretch the defense with his shot and also has the ability to create with his back to the basket.

21. Portland Trailblazers - Kenneth Faried (PF - Morehead State) Portland has no shortage of players that can put the ball in the hoop, but they could certainly use a player like Faried whose sole purpose on the court is to defend and rebound. I'm sure Portland wishes they had Greg Oden to do just that, but as he heads into free agency they will look to find a player that can contribute on the glass to complement budding star LaMarcus Aldridge.

22. Denver Nuggets - Jordan Hamilton (SF - Texas) With J.R. Smith likely leaving Denver in free agency, they will look to replace his offensive productivity. Smith brought size and outside shooting to the table and for the most part that is what they would be receiving in Hamilton. For a team looking for another scoring threat Marshon Brooks and Jordan Hamilton are in the picture here, with Hamilton ultimately winning out based on his future potential.

23. Houston Rockets - Marshon Brooks (SG - Providence) One thing is certain about Marshon Brooks: he can score the basketball. After being the sole focus of opposing Big East defenses on a weak Providence team, he still managed to lead the conference in scoring, ahead of Kemba Walker and Ben Hansbrough. For a team like the Rockets with no glaring holes to fill, Brooks could get picked simply as the best player still on the board.

24. Oklahoma City Thunder - Reggie Jackson (PG - Boston College) The Thunder could use an offensive-minded post to alleviate the pressure on Westbrook, Harden, and Durant to score, but it appears the Thunder plan to address another area. Rumor has it that the Thunder have made a promise to draft Jackson if he is available at #24. OKC is apparently shopping backup PG Eric Maynor (perhaps for another big) and Jackson could fill Maynor's role behind Westbrook.

25. Boston Celtics - Tyler Honeycutt (SG/SF - UCLA) With this pick, the Celtics have the choice of either addressing their need at power forward and center or on wing. Ray Allen and Paul Pierce aren't getting any younger, and it became clear with the Jeff Green trade that GM Danny Ainge is looking to add more youth to the wings to succeed Allen and Pierce. Unlike Green, Honeycutt has shown the ability to be an explosive scorer at times, though he lacked consistency throughout his two years at UCLA. He is a player with high upside though, and could be worth the risk so late in the first round.

26. Dallas Mavericks - Jeremy Tyler (PF - USA) Jeremy Tyler has had quite the circuitous road to the NBA draft after skipping his senior year of high school to play in Israel and then Japan. Despite concerns about his attitude, the fact remains that he has one of the best packages of size and skill of any big man in the in the draft, especially from a player his age. As reigning champions, the Mavericks can afford to take a chance on Tyler though he may need to step in earlier on if they are unable to sign Tyson Chandler (very unlikely.)

27. New Jersey Nets - Justin Harper (PF - Richmond) New Jersey has one more season with Deron Williams to convince him that he should remain with the Nets. For that to happen they will have to make substantial progress towards becoming a contender in the Eastern Conference, and the first step is drafting a player ready to contribute. At #27 there are plenty of projects available (Nikola Mirotic and Davis Bertans, to name a few) but the Nets will want to take a proven college player like Harper with NBA shooting ability to provide immediate help.

28. Chicago Bulls - Davis Bertans (SF/PF - Latvia) If there is anything that the Bulls learned from watching the Finals, it is that they need some shooters to spread the floor. They will surely address that in free agency, but may also choose to do so with one or both of their first round selections. Bertans is only 18 and will need time to develop overseas, but scouts recognize that his shooting ability is elite and therefore believe he is worth the wait.

29. San Antonio Spurs - JaJuan Johnson (PF - Purdue) Tim Duncan's run as an elite power forward is coming to a close, and he needs a successor in San Antonio. JaJuan Johnson is already a polished post player who was able to leader Purdue to considerable success throughout his four seasons in West Lafayette. With a few years playing understudy to Duncan and Tiago Splitter, Johnson could be the next great find for general manager R.C. Buford and the Spurs.

30. Chicago Bulls - Nolan Smith (PG - Duke) Should Darius Morris fall to #30, he and Norris Cole are options here, but I see Chicago going with a more versatile player with the final pick of the first round. Nolan Smith is a fierce competitor that has also shown the ability to play off the ball, which could be a positive for the Bulls, who have a surefire star already at point in MVP Derrick Rose.

Court adjourned.