2017 NBA Draft Thread

[FORKWDEVIL]

Spill the beans, fork! I need my Bateman update!

LOL

 

[Arizona_Sting]

1. Joel Embiid | C | Milwaukee Bucks
College: Kansas | Age: 19 | 7-0, 250
Bucks GM John Hammond will choose the player he thinks has the best chance of being a star. Right now it's a three-man race, but sources indicate Hammond loves the skill, size and rapid progression of Embiid. The Cameroon native is new to the game and has tremendous upside. Embiid can help the Bucks on both ends of the court, and while he recently told ESPN.com he might return to school, most feel that he'll be in June's draft.


2. Jabari Parker | SF | Philadelphia 76ers
College: Duke | Age: 18 | 6-8, 241
New GM Sam Hinkie already has a talented young point guard in Michael Carter-Williams, and they drafted a defensive presence in Nerlens Noel -- so their biggest need is a big-time scoring wing. This won't be an easy call between Parker and Wiggins, but the Sixers need someone who can be a reliable scorer and Parker is more suited to help right away.

3. Andrew Wiggins | SG | Orlando Magic
College: Kansas | Age: 18 | 6-8, 200
General manager Rob Hennigan selected Victor Oladipo in the same spot a year ago, and he could add another freak athlete to the team in Wiggins. The Magic just need to accumulate talent, and Wiggins has as much as just about anyone in this draft.

4. Julius Randle | PF | Sacramento Kings
College: Kentucky | Age: 19 | 6-9, 225
The Kings could pair DeMarcus Cousins and Randle -- a pair of ex-Kentucky Wildcats -- together on the front line. Randle would alleviate pressure from Cousins because of Randle's ability to rebound at a high level. Randle's also capable of stepping out on the perimeter, which would allow the two to play together.

5. Dante Exum | G | Utah Jazz
Country: Australia | Age: 18 | 6-6, 188
The Jazz have a terrific young point guard in Trey Burke, and a couple of bigs in Derrick Favors and Enes Kanter. Utah could use a combo guard with size and athleticism. While Exum is a risk because of his relatively low exposure, he could pay off in long run and the Jazz might be getting a star.

6. Noah Vonleh | PF | Boston Celtics
College: Indiana | Age: 18 | 6-10, 240
Celtics boss Danny Ainge will take the player he feels has the best chance of becoming a star in the league, and that's Vonleh. He's a local kid who still is figuring out where to score, but he's a versatile forward who is coachable and just scratching the surface of his immense talent.

7. Aaron Gordon | PF | Cleveland Cavaliers
College: Arizona | Age: 18 | 6-8 1/2, 210
The Cavs fired GM Chris Grant last week and it'll be interesting to see if acting GM David Griffin will be in power to make the call once the season ends. Cleveland needs to prioritize character here, and Gordon gives them a hard-playing forward who will continue to improve his weakness -- shooting the ball.

8. Tyler Ennis | PG | Los Angeles Lakers
College: Syracuse | Age: 19 | 6-2, 180
The Lakers can go from one Canadian point guard to another. Ennis has risen up the draft boards more than anyone since the start of the season because of his ability to run a team, make quality decisions and knock down the open shot.

9. James Young | SG | Denver Nuggets
College: Kentucky | Age: 18 | 6-7, 200
The Nuggets really need a knock-down shooter, and Young can become exactly that in time. Right now he's inconsistent, but he's long and can do more than just shoot the ball from deep.

10. Doug McDermott | SF | Charlotte Bobcats
College: Creighton | Age: 22 | 6-7, 210
The Bobcats get this pick from Detroit as long as it's not in the top eight. They desperately need someone to space the floor, and McDermott has proven in his college career he can score and shoot it from deep.

11. Rodney Hood | SF | Philadelphia 76ers
College: Duke | Age: 21 | 6-8, 180
The 76ers get this pick from New Orleans as long as its not in the top five. Look for them to go with a skilled wing who can shoot the ball. Why not make it a Duke double-dip for Hinkie who grabs Hood at this slot. Hood has length and can make shots from deep.

12. Nik Stauskas | SG | Minnesota Timberwolves
College: Michigan | Age: 20 | 6-6, 190
Flip Saunders could use a lights-out shooter, and Stauskas is one of the best in the country. However, he's more than just a shooter, as he has proven this season. He has size, is athletic and is extremely adept at reading ball-screens.

13. Willie Cauley-Stein | C | Orlando Magic
College: Kentucky | Age: 20 | 7-0, 220
Though the Magic have burgeoning star Nikola Vucevic, Hennigan needs a legitimate big man who can protect the rim -- and that's where Cauley-Stein comes in. He's not overly skilled, but he still is raw and has an NBA-ready body.

14. Marcus Smart | PG | Memphis Grizzlies
College: Oklahoma State | Age: 19 | 6-4, 225
He was regarded as a high lottery pick a year ago, and his stock has dropped somewhat due to the incident at Texas Tech. But it's taken a more significant hit because his perimeter shot hasn't improved. Smart would be an ideal backup to Mike Conley Jr., giving the team a physical defensive-minded guard.

15. Dario Saric | SF | Chicago Bulls
Country: Croatia | Age: 19 | 6-10, 223
The Bulls unloaded team stalwart Luol Deng, trading him to the Cleveland Cavaliers for an assortment of draft picks. Saric is long and skilled, but to be able to produce in the NBA he needs time to gain strength. He can get that opportunity in Chicago.

16. Gary Harris | SG | Atlanta Hawks
College: Michigan State | Age: 19 | 6-4, 210
The Hawks have a couple of quality forwards in Al Horford -- when healthy -- and Paul Millsap. What they need is a reliable wing scorer. Harris gives them that -- and also someone who can defend his position.

17. Zach LaVine | SG | Phoenix Suns
College: UCLA | Age: 18 | 6-5, 180
New general manager Ryan McDonough loves speed and athleticism, and LaVine has no shortage of both. He's raw, but he is a freak athlete who can also shoot the ball from the perimeter.

18. Jordan Clarkson | G | Chicago Bulls
College: Missouri | Age: 21 | 6-4, 180
Bulls general manager Gar Forman needs to cover himself in case Derrick Rose continues to be injury-prone. In the event of yet another Rose injury, while Clarkson isn't a pure point guard, he can play both backcourt spots and offer the Bulls some insurance.

19. P.J. Hairston | SG | Boston Celtics
NBA D-League: Texas Legends | Age: 21 | 6-5, 220
Hairston is lighting up the D-League, which isn't all that much to brag about. Ainge won't be concerned with Hairston's problems at North Carolina. Instead, he'd be ecstatic to add a tough, strong wing who has deep range and can also finish around the basket.

20. Kyle Anderson | PG | Toronto Raptors
College: UCLA | Age: 20 | 6-9, 235
The Raptors might need a point guard with the potential loss of impending free agent Kyle Lowry either at the trade deadline or at the end of the season. While Kyle Anderson doesn't necessarily look the part, he is 6-foot-9, can initiate offense and makes those around him better.

21. Mario Hezonja | SF | Utah Jazz
Country: Croatia | Age: 18 | 6-7, 200
The Jazz can match any offer for Gordon Hayward after the season, but they could use an insurance policy. There's uncertainty whether Hezonja will be in June's draft, but he has tremendous skill and potential.

22. Wayne Selden | SG | Oklahoma City Thunder
College: Kansas | Age: 19 | 6-5, 230
Sam Presti has to be concerned about Russell Westbrook's health, and Selden could be a nice addition to the backcourt in time. The question is whether Selden decides to come out or not.

23. Jerami Grant | SF | Phoenix Suns
College: Syracuse | Age: 19 | 6-8, 203
This is the second of three first-round picks for the Suns. While the team has fared well with its underwhelming front line, McDonough will likely try and upgrade. Grant is long, athletic and his skill level is constantly improving.

24. Adreian Payne | PF | Houston Rockets
College: Michigan State | Age: 22 | 6-10, 225
Terrence Jones is playing well, but GM Daryl Morey won't be able to pass up on Payne if he slips all the way to No. 24. Payne is a skilled and versatile forward who can score in a multitude of ways. He could add to the Rockets' stash of young, athletic reserve players.

 

[Arizona_Sting]

25. Semaj Christon | PG | Los Angeles Clippers
College: Xavier | Age: 21 | 6-3, 185
The Clippers could use a backup for Chris Paul, because they aren't certain whether Darren Collison is the answer, as well as the fact that Collison is an unrestricted free agent. Christon is a scoring point who could certainly spell CP3 and learn the position from one of the best point guards in the game.

26. T.J. Warren | SF | Charlotte Bobcats
College: NC State | Age: 20 | 6-8, 233
The Bobcats have seen plenty of Warren down the road in Raleigh. He can really put the ball in the basket. He's a big, strong guard/forward who can come off the bench and get buckets. He doesn't have the deepest range, but he's got a great feel for the game.

27. Glenn Robinson III | SF | Miami Heat
College: Michigan | Age: 20 | 6-6, 210
The son of the "Big Dog" is frustratingly inconsistent, but he's still blessed with tremendous athleticism. If there's a team that can afford to roll the dice and has a guy who can help get Robinson to play hard every night, it's Miami and LeBron James.

28. Montrezl Harrell | PF | San Antonio Spurs
College: Louisville | Age: 20 | 6-8, 235
The Spurs are getting old and need athleticism and fresh legs. Harrell is an energy guy who can help on the glass and also learn from watching Tim Duncan for a year or two.

29. C.J. Fair | F | Oklahoma City Thunder
College: Syracuse | Age: 22 | 6-8, 212
I'm not sure whether Fair is a small forward or a power forward, but he's a player, and the word is Oklahoma City general manager Presti is a fan of his production and versatility. Fair is athletic, long, a gifted runner and can jump through the roof.

30. Clint Capela | PF | Phoenix Suns
Country: Switzerland | Age: 19 | 6-10, 215
The Suns, with three first-round picks, will likely go the international route with at least one, and Capela fits what the Suns need -- an athletic big man who can run the floor, rebound and block shots.

 

[Orange602]

I hope that the Suns can find a way to trade into the top 10 picks.

 

[Jonas_steven]

I really like the jerami grant pick. He is very good at stretch the floor and would be a nice anchor for the defense.

 

[Arizona_Sting]

Mock Draft- 2014 NBA Mock Draft Version 1.0 | isportsweb

 

[Arizona_Sting]

Mock Draft- DraftExpress: Mock Draft

 

[Arizona_Sting]

Mock Draft with gifs (oh deyyy fancy, huh?)- 2014 NBA Mock Draft: Pre-March Madness Edition | The Big Lead

 

[caleyear01]

So I was checking out this website that is very useful (Draft pick trades are really confusing to me ahaha) and it says that if the Timberwolves need to finish over top 13 in order for the Suns to get their pick. If you think about it the Suns can have 4 first round picks this upcoming draft.

 

[caleyear01]

Here is the website
2014 NBA Draft Pick Pending Transactions

 

[The Derski]

Would not mind Zach LaVine or James Young.

 

[SunsGiantsNiners]

I haven't seen much of Lavine, I hear he might not be ready?

 

[The Derski]

I haven't seen much of Lavine, I hear he might not be ready?

His draft stock is based on potential. He can be an explosive scorer and can dunk with the best of them. Check out some YouTube videos. He probably should stay another year at ucla but he's definitely a first round talent.

 

[Clayton]

7. Aaron Gordon | PF | Cleveland Cavaliers
College: Arizona | Age: 18 | 6-8 1/2, 210
The Cavs fired GM Chris Grant last week and it'll be interesting to see if acting GM David Griffin will be in power to make the call once the season ends. Cleveland needs to prioritize character here, and Gordon gives them a hard-playing forward who will continue to improve his weakness -- shooting the ball.

13. Willie Cauley-Stein | C | Orlando Magic
College: Kentucky | Age: 20 | 7-0, 220
Though the Magic have burgeoning star Nikola Vucevic, Hennigan needs a legitimate big man who can protect the rim -- and that's where Cauley-Stein comes in. He's not overly skilled, but he still is raw and has an NBA-ready body.

14. Marcus Smart | PG | Memphis Grizzlies
College: Oklahoma State | Age: 19 | 6-4, 225
He was regarded as a high lottery pick a year ago, and his stock has dropped somewhat due to the incident at Texas Tech. But it's taken a more significant hit because his perimeter shot hasn't improved. Smart would be an ideal backup to Mike Conley Jr., giving the team a physical defensive-minded guard.

No way do any of these guys fall to these spots. Aaron Gordon will be top 5

 

[Arizona_Sting]

If the season ended today the Suns would have the 14th, 17th and 26th picks.

 

[Arizona_Sting]

Looking more and more like we'll end up with a lottery pick

 

[Arizona_Sting]

With the 14th pick in the 2014 NBA Draft... the Phoenix Suns select ____________.

 

[LeChuck421]

With the 14th pick in the 2014 NBA Draft... the Phoenix Suns select ____________.

Not so fast....

 

[FORKWDEVIL]

I would love this. Parker is like the next Grant Hill, however better!

 

[azsportsman6]

With the 14th pick in the 2014 NBA Draft... the Phoenix Suns select ____________.

Dougie Mcbuckets or Adreian Payne... Would love either of those guys!