Ford: Mock Draft 4.0

PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS


Charlotte

Anthony Davis

Position: PF
Height: 6-foot-10
Weight: 220 pounds
Age: 19
School: Kentucky
(The Bobcats have a 25 percent chance of winning the lottery.)

Analysis: Well, that 23-game losing streak combined with the worst winning percentage in the history of the NBA better pay off. If the Bobcats land Davis, they have their frontcourt of the future and a young point guard, Kemba Walker, to start building around. If they miss out on Davis, the task becomes much more difficult.


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Washington

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist

Position: SF
Height: 6-foot-7
Weight: 210 pounds
Age: 18
School: Kentucky
(The Wizards have a 19.9 percent chance of winning the lottery.)

Analysis: The Wizards desperately need Kidd-Gilchrist's leadership, toughness and work ethic. But they could also really use Brad Beal's shooting ability. I think the Beal versus Kidd-Gilchrist scenario is a toss-up right now, but I'd be surprised if there's anyone else seriously in the mix for the Wizards at No. 2.


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Cleveland

Bradley Beal

Position: SG
Height: 6-foot-5
Weight: 195 pounds
Age: 18
School: Florida
(The Cavaliers have a 13.8 percent chance of winning the lottery.)

Analysis: If the Cavs can stay in the top 3, it's a huge outcome for them. The Cavs scored big time when they landed Kyrie Irving last year. They would complete their backcourt overhaul if they could put Beal next to him. That would give them two high-octane scorers who can both handle the ball, get to the rim and shoot it -- an ideal scenario for the Cavs.


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New Orleans

Thomas Robinson

Position: PF
Height: 6-foot-9
Weight: 237 pounds
Age: 21
School: Kansas
(The Hornets have a 13.7 percent chance of winning the lottery.)

Analysis: The Hornets need both size and a point guard. But since there isn't really a point guard worthy of going this high in the draft, their choices are Robinson or Drummond. While Drummond might be the sexy pick here, Robinson is more of a sure thing and brings a toughness that the Hornets value.


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Sacramento

Andre Drummond

Position: C
Height: 6-foot-11
Weight: 275 pounds
Age: 18
School: UConn
(The Kings have a 7.6 percent chance of winning the lottery.)

Analysis: I can't really think of a more ideal pick for the Kings. Every year they tend to get the really huge upside guy who other teams pass on because of major red flags. In Drummond's case, the red flags are production. He has the physical talent to be a dominant pro, but only showed it in flashes as a freshman. If he puts it together, Drummond and DeMarcus Cousins would be a devastating front line.


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Portland (via Nets)

Harrison Barnes

Position: SF
Height: 6-foot-8
Weight: 210 pounds
Age: 19
School: North Carolina
(The Blazers have a 7.5 percent chance of winning the lottery.)

Analysis: The Blazers grabbed this pick from the Nets as part of the Gerald Wallace trade. It's top 3 protected so if the Nets win one of the top three spots in the lottery, the pick will revert back to New Jersey/Brooklyn.

The Blazers need help at both backcourt positions and at center. Not sure that Barnes really qualifies as a 2-guard and, in some ways, he duplicates what the team has in Nic Batum. But Portland needs shooters and players who can score the basketball and Barnes is terrific at that.


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Golden State

Perry Jones III

Position: PF
Height: 6-foot-11
Weight: 235 pounds
Age: 20
School: Baylor
(The Warriors have a 3.6 percent chance of winning the lottery.)

Analysis: The Warriors dodged a huge bullet on Friday when they won the coin toss and landed the No. 7 pick. Unless a team ranked No. 8 or below leapfrogs them in the lottery (there's roughly a 29 percent chance of that) they won't have to send this pick to the Jazz. I guess tanking pays off sometimes.

Jones has the talent to be a top 3 pick and many scouts believe his best pro position will be at the 3, which is a need for Golden State. If he lives up to his potential, this is a home run of a pick. But the Warriors have had their share of athletic, underperforming tweeners (Anthony Randolph, Brandan Wright) in the past.


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Toronto

Damian Lillard

Position: PG
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 185 pounds
Age: 21
School: Weber State
(The Raptors have a 3.5 percent chance of winning the lottery.)

Analysis: The Raptors need help at both the wing and the point. Lillard can play some of both. His versatility and ability to shoot and score the basketball should serve them well.


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Detroit

John Henson

Position: PF
Height: 6-foot-10
Weight: 210 pounds
Age: 21
School: North Carolina
(The Pistons have a 1.7 percent chance of winning the lottery.)

Analysis: The Pistons really need both length and athleticism in their frontcourt. We've had Jared Sullinger in Detroit the past few mock drafts, but I'm getting a sense that a player like Henson, or even Arnett Moultrie or Meyers Leonard, may have a better shot. All three seem like a bit of a reach at No. 9, but long athletes don't grow on trees and the Pistons might have to just take a risk here.


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New Orleans
(via Wolves)

Kendall Marshall

Position: PG
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 188 pounds
Age: 20
School: North Carolina
(The Hornets have a 1.1 percent chance of winning the lottery.)

Analysis: We have the Hornets taking a power forward with their first pick (No. 4). The question here is whether they go for a point guard like Kendall Marshall or whether they add some help in the middle. Marshall is a pass-first point guard who makes everyone around him better.


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Portland

Tyler Zeller

Position: C
Height: 7-foot
Weight: 235 pounds
Age: 22
School: North Carolina
(The Blazers have a 0.8 percent chance of winning the lottery.)

Analysis: The Blazers don't have much of anything in the middle. Although Zeller doesn't project to be a star, he is big, runs the floor well and has a soft touch around the basket.


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Milwaukee

Jared Sullinger

Position: PF
Height: 6-foot-9
Weight: 280 pounds
Age: 20
School: Ohio State
(The Bucks have a 0.7 percent chance of winning the lottery.)

Analysis: Ersan Ilyasova had a breakout year for the Bucks at the power forward position this season, but he's a free agent and Milwaukee may not be able to afford to keep him. Sullinger might be a terrific alternative. He's a bit undersized, but his rebounding ability and offensive prowess make him a very attractive option at this point in the draft.


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Phoenix

Austin Rivers

Position: SG
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 199 pounds
Age: 19
School: Duke
(The Suns have a 0.6 percent chance of winning the lottery.)

Analysis: The Suns need a little bit of everything, but what they really need is star power. With Steve Nash possibly on the move this summer, someone has to sell tickets. If Rivers ever lives up to his potential, he could be a great get this low. He's going to have to rein in his game and get comfortable with who he is at the NBA level, but the talent is definitely there.


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Houston

Terrence Jones

Position: PF
Height: 6-foot-8
Weight: 244 pounds
Age: 20
School: Kentucky
(The Rockets have a 0.5 percent chance of winning the lottery.)

Analysis: The Rockets drafted in the same spot last year and came away with Marcus Morris. Jones has some similar talents, but with more upside. At this point, the Rockets take the player with the most upside.


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Philadelphia

Terrence Ross

Position: SG
Height: 6-foot-6
Weight: 190 pounds
Age: 21
School: Washington
Analysis: Jodie Meeks is the closest thing the Sixers have to a great 3-point shooter right now. Adding Ross would be an instant upgrade at the backup shooting guard spot.


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Houston (via Knicks)

Arnett Moultrie

Position: PF
Height: 6-foot-11
Weight: 225 pounds
Age: 21
School: Mississippi State
Analysis: Moultrie has been steadily rising on draft boards the past few weeks as GMs and scouts go back and look at tape. His size, elite athletic ability and rebounding prowess make him worth the risk. In fact, I wonder if he'll really go this low. The Pistons could grab him at No. 9.


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Dallas

Jeremy Lamb

Position: SG
Height: 6-foot-5
Weight: 185 pounds
Age: 19
School: UConn
Analysis: This would be a very surprising slide if Lamb drops this far. A few GMs believe he's a top 7 or 8 talent. But his laid-back nature and so-so shooting ability have given some teams pause. If he went 10 spots higher I wouldn't be surprised. But if he slipped this low I wouldn't be shocked, either. With the Mavs looking to shore up young talent just about anywhere on their roster, Lamb is a great get at 17.


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Wolves (via Jazz)

Dion Waiters

Position: SG
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 215 pounds
Age: 20
School: Syracuse
Analysis: The Wolves' biggest need is at the 2-guard spot right now. While I'm sure they'd prefer a better shooter, Waiters' ability to put the ball on the floor and get to the basket should make him a coveted pick here. Like Moultrie, Waiters has been moving up draft boards the past few weeks. I could easily see him in the lottery by draft night.


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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.


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Denver

Quincy Miller

Position: SF
Height: 6-foot-9
Weight: 210 pounds
Age: 19
School: Baylor
Analysis: The Nuggets don't have any real glaring needs right now, which gives them the luxury of taking the best player left on the board. Had Miller stayed in school another year, he would've likely been a top 10 pick in 2013. He's great value here.


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Boston

Fab Melo

Position: C
Height: 7-foot
Weight: 274 pounds
Age: 21
School: Syracuse
Analysis: The Celtics are in desperate need of size. While Melo is miles away from being ready, he is big and can block shots and rebound. If he stays focused and in shape, he could be good value here.


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Boston (via Clippers)

Royce White

Position: SF
Height: 6-foot-8
Weight: 240 pounds
Age: 20
School: Iowa State
Analysis: White is an enigma. He's clearly one of the most talented players in the draft, but concerns about an anxiety disorder and fear of flying will lower his stock. Celtics president Danny Ainge hasn't been afraid to gamble in the past and White could be worth the risk at this point in the draft.


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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 CP3, but he may have the most 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.


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Cavs (via Lakers)

Moe Harkless

Position: SF
Height: 6-foot-8
Weight: 190 pounds
Age: 18
School: St. John's
Analysis: Harkless reminds me a little of Trevor Ariza. He is a terrific scorer and defender who needs to get a more settled jump shot. Put him on the floor with Kyrie Irving, Brad Beal, Tristan Thompson and Anderson Varejao and the Cavs suddenly have a team that should be fighting for the playoffs again.


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Memphis

Jeff Taylor

Position: SF
Height: 6-foot-7
Weight: 225 pounds
Age: 22
School: Vanderbilt
Analysis: Taylor is an elite athlete who can defend multiple positions. And this year he added a jump shot to top things off. With O.J. Mayo likely out the door, he's a good replacement.


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Indiana


Marquis Teague

Position: PG
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 178 pounds
Age: 19
School: Kentucky
Analysis: Not only do the Pacers need more help at the point, but Teague is an Indy native who would be a great get here. He's not the pure point guard the Pacers really need, but he can push the ball effectively, get to the basket and create problems as a defender.


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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.


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Oklahoma City

Evan Fournier

Position: SG
Height: 6-foot-7
Weight: 206 pounds
Age: 19
School: France
Analysis: This draft is pretty thin on international players, with Fournier the only player with a serious shot at landing in the first round. He's a scorer who is putting up impressive numbers in Europe at a young age, making him a nice pick-and-stash prospect for the Thunder.


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Chicago

Doron Lamb

Position: SG
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 195 pounds
Age: 20
School: Kentucky
Analysis: The Bulls are always looking for shooters and would have a tough decision between Lamb and Vandy's John Jenkins here. Both are lights out from long range, but I give Lamb the nod because he has a little more versatility than Jenkins.


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Golden State
(via Spurs)

Andrew Nicholson

Position: PF
Height: 6-foot-9
Weight: 222 pounds
Age: 22
School: St. Bonaventure
Analysis: Nicholson has gotten dramatically better every season and has some David West to his game. He would be a good fit in Golden State as a backup to David Lee.

If we don't trade up I would be very happy with these picks especially Moultrie.