11. Indiana Pacers – Kelly Oubre, SF, Kansas
Like many Jayhawks prospects, Oubre should be even better in an NBA system where he will have more scoring opportunities. As a rookie Oubre should be able to hit open jumpers, and if he develops his ball-handling skills to create his own scoring opportunities he could be very good.
He averaged 9.3 points and 5.0 rebounds in just 21 minutes per game for Kansas, his best game coming when he got to the line 19 times (making 15) in a late-season victory over TCU.
The epitome of a guy whose value could rise and/or fall like a penny stock depending on how he looks in workouts.
12. Utah Jazz – Devin Booker, SG, Kentucky
Booker strikes me as a shooting specialist in the NBA, and showcased great touch and range as a freshman.
Playing on a deep team like Kentucky might have actually helped Booker as he was more efficient and is prepared for a similar role in the NBA coming off the bench.
Unfortunately, Booker lacks the length and explosion you’d want in a starting caliber wing. But could he become a guy who turns into the next Jimmy Butler.
That is a question Kevin O’Connor has to ask himself.
13. Phoenix Suns – Sam Dekker, SF, Wisconsin
Dekker became the X-factor for the Badgers during their run in the Big Dance.
Dekker may not conventionally be a SF or PF in the NBA, but he will be out on the court playing because of his fearless style of play and infectious energy. He does it all — scoring, shooting, rebounding, defending.
Dekker’s biggest weakness right now is a lack of a consistent shooting stroke, but as he becomes more consistent he can play forward in the NBA and matchup against a variety of opponents. After making one-third of his 3-point attempts for the Badgers, my hope would be that he is currently shooting 1,000 a day prior to his individual workouts.
14. Oklahoma City Thunder – Myles Turner, C, Texas
Turner checks off all the boxes that make scouts and GM go crazy for big men.
Turner has showcased nice range and touch on his jumper, has legitimate size to play center, is a good rebounder, and has nice touch in the post. On the flip side Turner is not a great athlete, and as the NBA picks up the pace of play Turner must show he can be fleet of foot enough to not be a defensive liability.
The Thunder made a nice move getting Enes Kanter at the trade deadline, and it will be interesting to see if they go for another true center — or with more of a pure scorer as insurance in case Kevin Durant departs as an unrestricted free agent in July of 2016.
(MORE ON TURNER: EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH MIKE SCOTTO OF SHERIDANHOOPS.COM)
15. Atlanta Hawks (From Brooklyn) – Frank Kaminsky, C, Wisconsin
Kaminsky’s name was everywhere during the Badger postseason run, and for good reason.
It’s challenging to find legitimate centers with Kaminsky’s skill set offensively to face up the basket, beat his man off the dribble and even shoot 3s (he was 42-for-101 for the Badgers).
Kaminsky does fall in love with standing outside waiting for the ball, and needs to get stronger to handle the grind of playing against stronger opponents, but he is very NBA-ready.
Danny Schayes says Kaminsky reminds him of …. himself.
16. Boston Celtics – Montrezl Harrell, PF, Louisville
Harrell is an imposing physical specimen — which often improves draft stock but does not necessarily translate into a full NBA skill set.
In a league where undersized but gritty players are finding roles and rotation spots, Harrell should be next in line.
Coming from a blue chip program like Louisville and knowing the ins and outs of playing defense, the biggest questions with Harrell will be his offensive and what position he is most suited for standing 6-foot-8.
He averaged 16.7 points and 9.3 rebounds for the Cardinals. Out of all the guys in my top 16, he has the most potential to rise up the draft board between now and late June. One red flag at the draft combine was his body fat percentage of 11.9 percent.
17. Milwaukee Bucks – Jerian Grant, PG, Notre Dame
Teams will fall in love with Grant during pre-draft workouts.
He is an intelligent prospect who plays hard and has great length for the position. Grant can even play off the ball at times as he is a solid shooter but is most effective creating for himself and his teammates.
Blessed with good size and athleticism, teams will look past his mediocre defense as he can be coached up in that area.
He averaged 16.5 points and 6.7 assists per game for a very good Fighting Irish squad that nearly knocked off Kentucky in the Elite Eight.
His body fat percentage was a mere 5.6, lower than the two Harrison twins from Kentucky.
18. Houston Rockets (From New Orleans) – Cameron Payne, PG, Murray State
Not many players in college average 20.3 points (ranked 11th nationally) and 6 assists, but Payne did as a sophomore.
Payne is a solid shooter but doesn’t ignore getting his teammates involved and has great court vision. Overall, Payne is a very productive player with good burst and quickness and could be a great pickup for a team outside of the lottery.
And the Rockets are desperate for help at that position, finding themselves using Pablo Prigioni and Jason Terry at the point during this year’s NBA playoffs.
Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress.com has him at No. 20, but I rate him just a little bit higher based on the Rockets’ need at the position.
He measured 6’1″ at the combine with a 6’7″ wingspan.
19. Washington Wizards – Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, SF, Arizona
Hollis-Jefferson is an intriguing prospect that could be a lockdown defender of multiple positions at the NBA level.
Hollis-Jefferson will make his living in the NBA as a defender but can also finish in transition and is a very good rebounder. Due to his lack of offensive skills and polish, Hollis-Jefferson probably slips to a team in the late teens to early 20s.
The growth of Otto Porter could impact the Wizards’ thinking, but there also is the fact that Paul Pierce is not getting any younger and sounded uncrtain after Washington’s Game 6 loss to Atlanta whether he will pick up his player option and return next season.
Porter’s play in the second round will have a major impact on which need the Wizards choose to address in the draft.
20. Toronto Raptors – Bobby Portis, PF Arkansas
It’s hard not to look at Portis and see all the potential he has.
Portis has tremendous length and moves well for his size. Combined with the ability to face up and step out beyond the arc, Portis can be an inside-out threat — and we all know how much NBA teams value stretch 4s.
In fact, the Raptors probably have more of a need for a stretch-4 than any other team in the NBA not named the Knicks.
Definitely must get stronger to play in the NBA and be effective rebounding at that level.
He measured 6’0″ and weighed 246 pounds at the combine.
CONTINUE READING: PICKS 21-30