Chad Ford's Mock Draft (up to the first 15 picks)

[nctarheel0619]

1. Philadelphia 76ers
Ben Simmons
LSU
Freshman
Forward
As Kevin Pelton and I noted last week, Brandon Ingram has closed the gap between himself and Simmons. And in some ways, Ingram is a better fit with the Sixers.

They will have a smooth, elite passing 4 in Dario Saric -- when he comes to the U.S. -- and Philadelphia desperately needs shooting. Ingram is much better from deep than Simmons.

2. Los Angeles Lakers*
Brandon Ingram
Duke
Freshman
Forward

The Lakers must send this pick to the 76ers if it falls to fourth or worse in the lottery. Finishing with the second-worst record would give them a 56 percent chance of keeping this pick.

Ingram's elite talent -- as well as his fit on a Lakers roster that could really use an upgrade at the 3 -- would make this a home run pick for the Lakers.

3. Phoenix Suns
Dragan Bender
Croatia
Age: 18
Forward/center

The Suns dumped starting 4 Markieff Morris at the trade deadline, opening up a perfect fit for Bender here.

Like Morris, Bender has the potential to play both inside and outside. He's shooting 48 percent from 3 this year. His playing time has been pretty limited since injuring his ankle in January, but the upside is clearly there. And unlike with Morris, there are no off-court concerns. His character is one of his best selling points to NBA teams.

Odds of winning lottery, projected record: 15.6 percent, 23-59

4. Boston Celtics*
Jamal Murray
Kentucky
Freshman
Guard

The Celtics would have a tough choice here between Murray, Kris Dunn, Henry Ellenson and Jaylen Brown. You could make an argument for all of them.

But Murray's positional versatility, jump shot (33-for-64 from 3 in his past seven games), ultra-competitiveness and high basketball IQ might give him the nod for Danny Ainge, who prizes all of those characteristics.

He's not an elite athlete, and his defense can still use work, but Murray's strengths are heavily outweighing his weaknesses at the moment.

Odds of winning lottery, projected record (via Nets): 11.9 percent, 24-58

5. Minnesota Timberwolves*
Henry Ellenson
Marquette
Freshman
Forward/center

Minnesota is loaded with young talent but is struggling to compete with the other elite teams in the West and looks destined to land yet another top-5 pick.

The Wolves already have a number of young players they love -- Andrew Wiggins, Karl-Anthony Towns, Zach LaVine, Ricky Rubio and Shabazz Muhammad -- but they could still use some help at the 4.

Ellenson is a perfect fit as a big who can rebound and spread the floor. Think of him as a poor man's Kevin Love.

Odds of winning lottery, projected record: 8.8 percent, 27-55

6. Denver Nuggets*
Jaylen Brown
Cal
Freshman
Forward

Denver owns the right to swap picks with the Knicks this year, and given how close their projected records are, it could be a tossup on which pick the Nuggets will end up using.

Brown's elite athletic abilities are what get teams excited. His 3-point shot and tendency to turn the ball over at an unusually high rate for a forward is what's keeping him out of the top 5 right now.

Odds of winning lottery, projected record: 6.3 percent, 33-49

7. New Orleans Pelicans
Buddy Hield
Oklahoma
Senior
Guard

Hield is having the best season in college basketball this year and has rocketed up the Big Board from a late first-round pick at the start of the season to a top-10 pick now.

He could be a great fit in New Orleans. Eric Gordon is a free agent, and Pelicans head coach Alvin Gentry wants to surround Anthony Davis with shooters. Hield has been the most prolific shooter in college basketball this season and could add some instant firepower to the Pelicans' offense.

Odds of winning lottery, projected record: 4.3 percent, 34-48

8. Milwaukee Bucks
Kris Dunn
Providence
Junior
Guard

Head coach and de facto GM Jason Kidd is still searching for a point guard who can really turn things around for the Bucks.

Brandon Knight wasn't it. Michael Carter-Williams is a major question mark. Dunn, who could go as high as No. 4, seems like a terrific value here. He's big and athletic, and he sees the floor. His jump shot is the only thing holding him back.

Odds of winning lottery, projected record: 2.8 percent, 34-48

9. Toronto Raptors*
Jakob Poeltl
Utah
Sophomore
Center

The Raptors get the worse of either the Knicks or Nuggets' first-round picks this year -- a huge boon to a team projected to finish with 53 wins, especially when you factor in that they gave up Andrea Bargnani to get this pick.

Poeltl has the talent of a top-6 pick. I could see both Milwaukee and Toronto taking long looks at him. He has been terrific all year. While a center is far from the most pressing need for the Raptors, the value is so high, it's hard to see them passing on him.

Odds of winning lottery, projected record (via Knicks): 1.7 percent, 34-48

10. Sacramento Kings*
Furkan Korkmaz
Turkey
Age: 18
Forward

The Kings still have major questions in the backcourt. Ben McLemore, Marco Belinelli and James Anderson just haven't been up to the task at the 2.

While the Kings aren't likely to rely on a rookie to improve their playoff odds next season, Korkmaz is a talent worth investing in. He is shooting 48 percent from 3 and has the prototypical size and skills of an NBA 2.

Odds of winning lottery, projected record: 1.1 percent, 35-47

11. Orlando Magic
Marquese Chriss
Washington
Freshman
Forward

Chriss is a pretty big gamble this high in the draft, but his combination of size, athletic ability, versatility, jump shooting and shot-blocking skills make him a unique prospect.

He could be an excellent fit next to Nikola Vucevic in the paint. He won't be ready right away, but I think he could be a potent addition to the Magic if they can be patient and continue to develop him. He has as much upside as anyone left on the board.

Odds of winning lottery, projected record: 0.8 percent, 36-46

12. Phoenix Suns*
Deyonta Davis
Michigan State
Freshman
Forward

Phoenix gets this pick from Washington as part of the Morris trade if it falls outside of the top nine.

Davis is another raw prospect. However, his athleticism and shot-blocking skills are coveted by scouts, and he has shown semblances of a solid midrange game this year. This is an upside pick all the way for the Suns, but they shouldn't be afraid to roll the dice.

Odds of winning lottery, projected record (via Wizards): 0.7 percent, 39-43

13. Houston Rockets*
Diamond Stone
Maryland
Freshman
Center

Houston is fighting Utah for that last spot in the Western Conference playoffs. The only upside for the Rockets falling short of the postseason is that they would avoid sending this pick to Denver.

With Dwight Howard's future very much up in the air, Stone would be a nice get for the Rockets. He might be the most offensively polished center in the draft.

Odds of winning lottery, projected record: 0.6 percent, 40-42

14. Detroit Pistons
Ivan Rabb
Cal
Freshman
Forward/center

The Pistons are also caught in a very tight race for the Eastern Conference playoffs. If they fall short, they can add another young big with significant upside.

Rabb has proved to be an effective rebounder and has added a nice midrange jumper to his game. He needs to get stronger, but I could see him as an Ed Davis-type player in the pros.

Odds of winning lottery, projected record: 0.5 percent, 42-40

15. Utah Jazz
Denzel Valentine
Michigan State
Senior
Forward/guard

Valentine was considered a second-round pick by most scouts after his junior season, but his strong play as a senior has now put him on the cusp of the lottery.

He looks like a terrific fit in Utah for a team that needs to continue to add shooting and passing on the wing. The Jazz would value Valentine's basketball IQ and versatility too. The fact that he's ready to come in and contribute right now is a bonus.

 

Hornets pick:

19. Charlotte Hornets
Caris LeVert Michigan Senior Guard/forward
The Hornets added Courtney Lee at the trade deadline to shore up their depth at the wing, but he's a free agent this summer, and LeVert may be a better long-term fit.
He has missed 14 out of the past 15 games with a lower leg injury. Still, his ability to shoot the ball, play three positions and see the floor make him an interesting prospect if he can convince teams that he can stay healthy.
Projected record:44-38

 

 

[davideinstein]

Hield should go top 5.

[bLACKpANTHER]

Other than Simmons- I have no idea who these guys are.. it is cool to be in the last month of the season and looking at the postseason for HOPE instead of the draft and FA..

 

similar to the Panthers.. I have no idea who we should take in the draft - but "In Gettleman I Trust", not so much in Cho and Co.

[nctarheel0619]

49 minutes ago, bLACKpANTHER said:

Other than Simmons- I have no idea who these guys are.. it is cool to be in the last month of the season and looking at the postseason for HOPE instead of the draft and FA..

 

similar to the Panthers.. I have no idea who we should take in the draft - but "In Gettleman I Trust", not so much in Cho and Co.

This is a draft where is Hield or Valentine falls, you take either one of them.  Wouldn't be shocked if Cho and company would take Brice Johnson.  If LeVert is there, I wouldn't be mad either.  

[OldNorthPowell]

I would take Brice Johnson if I were them. He has upside still and would add depth on the bench till he figures out the league. We already have the shooters if we can keep them all but adding a big man is key.