Here goes my next 5 selections for the mock draft.
Disclaimer: Many sources have said that the Cavaliers are probably going to pick Nerlens Noel Number 1 overall. With that being said, I'm still sticking with my pick and hoping they select Otto Porter.
To recap the Top 5 as predicted by Sportacular Sports
1. Otto Porter
2. Trey Burke
3. Nerlens Noel
4. Ben McLemore
5. Victor Oladipo
6. New Orleans Pelicans
The newly named Pelicans have one piece set. That's their big Center from Kentucky, Anthony Davis, who they selected with the first overall pick last year. He didn't quite live up to the hype but produced a solid first year. In an attempt to build on their team, the Pelicans can get better in a lot of places. I actually like their backcourt in Grevis Vasquez and Austin Rivers. I think it might be smart to hold on to Eric Gordon because he can fill the stat sheet but it might not be a bad idea to move him for some role players. So, I think the Pelicans might be set...for now..with the guards and will try to solidify their front court. While this forward from UNLV may go at 3 to the Wizards, the Pelicans will gladly select ANTHONY BENNETT with the 6th overall selection. Bennett can possibly develop at the 3 position but also bang with the bigs down low when needed. He is a nice versatile option that will help build this young team.
7. Sacramento Kings
Wow, did the Kings have a season in flux last year. First off, they didn't know where they'd be playing next season. Next, they were just awful. And finally, they traded their top draft pick from last year's draft in Thomas Robinson. The Kings, for some reason, are terrible. They actually have some pieces that you would think could place them at least in the middle of the West. Demarcus Cousins, even with the character issues, is a stud center. Tyreke Evans is electric. And the bench players can fill it up from outside. The Kings, I believe are going to take another big man to compliment Cousins down low and take away some double teams. Their man will be ALEX LEN out of Maryland. Residing from Maryland, I watch Len play often and I personally would hate this pick if I were a Kings fan. Len plays soft down low and can't really dominate a game. He's being purely picked by potential and will enter the season recovering from a broken bone in his foot. Nevertheless, the Kings grab Len with the 7th selection.
8. Detroit Pistons
Like the Kings, the Pistons actually have a few nice pieces. After a decade of dominance, Detroit has been awful for the past few years. With Andre Drummond and Greg Monroe, the Pistons will look to strengthen their guards. Which is why I think they'll take MICHAEL CARTER-WILLIAMS out of Syracuse. MCW, as they nickname him, is my pick for the steal of the draft and possibly the best player in the entire draft class. Yeah I said it. Carter-Williams stands at an enormous 6-6 for a point guard and has tremendous vision. In a draft class lacking in star power, I think Carter-Williams could be the guy. It may take him a few years to develop a more consistent jump shot but I believe he has the ability to be great. The NBA is becoming more dependent on athleticism than basketball skills this day and age and that is exactly what MCW presents.
9. Minnesota Timberwolves
The T-wolves are just never healthy. They have guys like Kevin Love (all-star) and Ricky Rubio but they never ever seem to be on the floor together. Kevin Love, when healthy, is actually one of the best big men in the league. He gets the team 20 and 10 every night and can even stretch the floor with a trey ball. Rubio is the same but different. He obviously is a point guard who is an excellent facilitator. But he has two problems. He can't stay healthy and he has no one to facilitate to. Therefore, Minnesota will look for a strong wing. So for the second straight pick, a long name will be selected. KENTAVIOUS CALDWELL-POPE out of Georgia. He fits the team's need and can knock down the deep ball. Pope has great potential but will he fill out is the question.
10. Portland Trailblazers
As the draft progresses, we see that the better teams have the better pieces. The blazers have Rookie of the Year, Damian Lillard, big man LaMarcus Aldridge, and a bunch of other solid complementary pieces. I think Portland has two options at the number 10 spot. First, they could go for another big man and push Aldridge to the 4 or select a big wing like the Timberwolves a slot before. If Minnesota does select Caldwell-Pope then I believe the Trailblazers go big man at #10. So, in the final pick of today's mock draft, the Portland Trailblazers select CODY ZELLER out of Indiana. This may be a reach at 10 but my argument for why this is a reasonable pick is this. The scouts and critics say Zeller should stay an extra season at Indiana to develop his game. While I totally agree with this, Zeller is still going to be able to develop his game in the pros. So essentially he may be wasting a year in the NBA but that doesn't mean he won't be a great player when he does become fully developed. Only about a quarter of all NBA drafts have an impact on their team in their rookie season. So I think Zeller will develop into an energy guy who can aid the team.
