An interesting development took place on Friday when D’Angelo Russell reportedly canceled his workout with the Philadelphia 76ers, who hold the third pick in the draft. That could mean that the Lakers have promised him that he won’t slip past the second overall pick.
New rumors have circled that Jahlil Okafor’s agent, Bill Duffy, is concerned that the Lakers could pass on the Duke big in favor of Russell, leaving Okafor to fall into the laps of the 76ers. Despite selecting Nerlens Noel and Joel Embiid in the last two drafts, they’d likely pull the trigger on Okafor over Emmanuel Mudiay. Even if Philly prefers a player like Mudiay, teams will be frantically trying to move up to make the pick at three and steal Okafor from the Knicks, who would on the outside looking in if this happens.
Nothing has changed at the top, where Karl-Anthony Towns, according to several league sources, is the clear top prospect and expected to be the first overall pick on draft night. While Flip Saunders may be coy about who he likes, the Timberwolves are in full rebuilding mode and want to surround Andrew Wiggins with as much talent as possible. Towns, who some believe is on par with Wiggins as a prospect, is the better fit with Wiggins, as Minnesota can build an athletic front line.
For Phil Jackson at No. 4, he has to decide between keeping the pick and selecting Mudiay, Justice Winslow, Kristaps Porzingis or trading the pick. At this time, it sounds like the Knicks are highly motivated to move the pick for veteran help or move down and target Murray State’s Cameron Payne or Kentucky’s Trey Lyles.
In this latest Mock Draft, we see some movement in the mid-late lottery and a few new names in round one.
1. Minnesota Timberwolves – Karl-Anthony Towns, PF, Kentucky
According to multiple sources, the Timberwolves favor Towns over Okafor and Russell and it’s not really close. Towns has the best combination of size, athleticism, offense and defense.
It’s easy to see Towns running in transition alongside Wiggins giving Minnesota fans hope of ending their playoff drought.
While some suggest Jahlil Okafor is worthy of the first pick, his lack of athleticism and style of play does not mesh with Wiggins and the club Flip Saunders envisions building.
Towns has shown the ability to play inside, but still lacks the polish for that to translate immediately to the NBA. He played limited minutes in the Wildcats’ platoon system, averaging 10.3 points, 6.7 rebounds and 2.3 blocks.
Towns has great footwork, nice court vision for a player his size and a decent touch that should become very essential to him stretching the court. Towns reminds some scouts of Chris Bosh with his offensive versatility. Due to his size and athleticism, his upside is higher than Okafor’s. Learning under Kevin Garnett next season could be the perfect situation for Towns. The future is bright in Minnesota.
2. Los Angeles Lakers – D’Angelo Russell, PG/SG, Ohio State
Phil Jackson will be crushed if this pick rings true. There are several scouts and executives that believe Russell is the best prospect in this draft and will have the biggest impact as a rookie. There is growing speculation that Russell’s camp received a promise and in turn canceled a workout with the 76ers.
Russell has been drawing comparisons to James Harden as a guard who can run the offense and create scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates. Russell needs to hit the weight room, but in time he might be the prospect with the highest ceiling in this draft.
Specifically, the Lakers have become enamored with the idea of the talented Russell becoming the primary ball-handler and learning under Kobe Bryant, who is in the twilight of his career. With Julius Randle returning healthy this year, the Lakers would have a nice 1-2 combo for the future while pairing them with Kobe and whoever they attract via free agency. While Jahlil Okafor is seen as an elite prospect by some, I believe the Lakers feel that Russell could end up being the best player in this draft.
3. Philadelphia 76ers – Jahlil Okafor, C, Duke 
Now that Russell has canceled his workout with the 76ers, expect Okafor’s name to be linked to Philly. Despite Mudiay being available here, the 76ers would be getting a perfect complement to Nerlens Noel. While Joel Embiid is still part of the plans, he has yet to play and there are some concerns over his long-term health. No question he could be traded.
Scouts have raved about Okafor’s advanced post game and that he could be the next great prospect with a dominant back-to-the-basket game. Okafor has a great post presence and is very sound fundamentally, but if he can add some range to his repertoire, watch out. But for now, he is an atrocious free throw shooter— 51 percent— but a beast in the paint, averaging 17.3 points per game on 66.4 percent shooting in his lone season at Duke.
Okafor’s lack of conditioning and explosion are concerning, but he has been trying to explain some of his shortcomings based on the system he played in and being young. While Okafor’s camp might prefer he slide to the Knicks at 4, it’s unlikely. Even if Philly chooses to pass, there should be some intriguing trade proposals from teams wanting to jump the Knicks for Okafor.
4. New York Knicks – Emmanuel Mudiay, PG, Guangdong (China) 
The Knicks are realistic about their chances of landing Russell, but if he falls here its a no-brainer. The current discussion in New York revolves around Mudiay, Justise Winslow and Kristaps Porzinigis, but the front office is reportedly sensitive to fans’ desire to get a player that will be in the NBA and contributing next season.
The Knicks were hoping to get one of the top three prospects, but landing Mudiay is still a coup, who gets the edge here by a nose over Winslow because he has a defined position.
Mudiay is interchangeable as the lead guard or shooting guard, much like Eric Bledsoe. At 6’5″, Mudiay is long and explosive, a combination that’s very difficult to find in many PG prospects. Another aspect of Mudiay’s game that scouts love is his tenacity on defense. At his best, Mudiay is a facilitator who’s deadly off the pick-and-roll when attacking the rim, reminding some of John Wall.
Giving Derek Fisher and Phil Jackson a lead guard to build around is a great foundation piece for the future. The Knicks are reportedly actively looking to move down though, and could target Porzingis, Cameron Payne or Trey Lyles.
5. Orlando Magic – Kristaps Porzingis, PF, Sevilla
With Scott Skiles as head coach and with GM Rob Hennigan trying to replicate the success he had under Sam Presti in Oklahoma City, it will be interesting to see what direction they go in. Already with Nikola Vucevic, Victor Oladipo, Tobias Harris, Elfrid Payton and Aaron Gordon, the Magic are going to be targeting 3-point shooting and a rim protector.
Hennigan has scouted Porzingis four times in person, which is a strong signal of Orlando’s interest in him. After withdrawing from last year’s draft, Porzingis comes in even more polished and ready to contribute in the NBA as a rookie. Some scouts believe Porzingis could go in the top three, but if he falls here, this should be a great get for the Magic.
Reminiscent of Nikola Mirotic in having a diverse offensive repertoire, Porzingis will have some GMs salivating at the thought of a seven-footer who can have the offense run through him in the mid-range, post area or step out and knock it down from beyond the arc.
Porzingis sounds like the perfect complement to Vucevic in Orlando and could be a great foundation piece moving forward. I’m hearing Philly likes him a lot as well.
Mitnick profiled him as an “under the lottery” prospect a year ago.
6. Sacramento Kings – Mario Hezonja, SF, Barcelona
There is a scenario where the Kings could see Mudiay slip to them at 6, and if so they would be racing to get their pick in. While an upgrade at PG is needed, I think the Kings will look for veteran help in that area as they try to win now.
The Kings are in need of wing help, so I expect them to look heavily at Hezonja and possibly Porzingis, who is a very skilled scorer with the versatility to play multiple positions offensively. While Justise Winslow and Stanley Johnson could also be under consideration, Hezonja makes sense because of his offensive versatility.
With Vlade Divac now in charge of Sacramento, the Kings are a bit of an unknown. A year ago, Nik Stauskas was the pick, and with Ben McLemore already blossoming, the Kings will need more of longer wing like Hezonja. While Rudy Gay is signed long term, he is getting up there in age and could slide over to PF if the Kings want to play smaller.
Hezonja is a prospect who could stay overseas for additional season or two and than come over and begin his development. Like many European prospects, the biggest knock on Hezonja is that he can be soft and not a great defender, but he will have a chance to squash those doubts during his pre-draft workouts.
With Sacramento set to open up their new arena in 2016, the Kings are trying to change the culture of losing after their ninth straight lottery appearance. So a player like Hezonja could be a great value and make an impact whenever he arrives in the NBA. Rumors are swirling that Detroit is enamored of Hezonja, since newly acquired exec Arn Tellem was a member of the agency that represents Hezonja.
For more on Hezonja, check out this fine column from colleague A.J. Mitnick.
7. Denver Nuggets – Justise Winslow, SF, Duke
The Nuggets have an interesting summer ahead, as they could entertain offers for Ty Lawson and Kenneth Faried and shake things up from a team that has plateaued the last two seasons.
Fortunately for the Nuggets, they will be in a position to grab a prospect that falls into their laps whether that’s Hezonja, Porzingis or Winslow. Winslow looked physically advanced for the college game and should be a clear top-10 pick with his offensive versatility.
Where Winslow needs to prove himself is playing against bigger and longer defenders, after struggling against them at times, but he’s a great potential glue guy who can get blocks and steals on defense and hold his own on offense. Winslow also is not a knockdown shooter and could really flourish in the NBA if he improves in that category.
The Nuggets could target more of a scorer, but with all the pieces they currently have, a player like Winslow would be a great addition as more teams look for players with his skill set. Winslow is the epitome of efficiency when it comes to shot selection. There were only three games all season in which he shot poorly from the field for the Blue Devils.
8. Detroit Pistons – Trey Lyles, PF, Kentucky
The Pistons are very fond of Hezonja but if he fails to drop to them, I could see Stan Van Gundy opting for an insurance policy with Greg Monroe set to hit free agency and someone who can play off of Andre Drummond and learn under new acquisition Ersan Ilyasova.
Lyles came into his freshman season as arguably the most hyped prospect in this year’s class for Kentucky. While he had an up-and-down year, Lyles really took off around tourney time and showcased why his skill set for a player with his size— 6’10″— makes him an intriguing choice and could be a steal in several seasons.
With Detroit looking to rebound and challenge for the playoffs with a veteran group, Lyles could get plenty of minutes as a rookie. If the Pistons can exercise patience with Lyles they could have a potential All-Star as he has unique skills and athleticism for a player his size.
The Pistons could target a wing here as well, but with Monroe’s future in doubt I think this pick is more likely.
9. Charlotte Hornets – Devin Booker, SG, Kentucky
The Hornets are in dire need of more shooting, and grabbing Booker if Hezonja is off the board makes sense. Booker’s stock has blown up after his combine performance in which he showcased great athleticism, touch and range. Teams are now re-thinking Booker’s ceiling and whether he was pigeonholed at Kentucky because of the roster.
Looking at the bigger picture, 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. The Warriors are looking to rebound and return to the playoffs next season and adding a lockdown shooter would certainly help.
When watching the game tape, Booker seems to lacks the length and explosion you’d want in a starting caliber wing, but there is no denying his combine performance could be an eye opener to teams looking for a starting caliber SG.
10. Miami Heat – Willie Cauley-Stein, C, Kentucky
The Heat are in unfamiliar territory drafting in the Lottery after four straight NBA Finals appearances, but this is an opportunity for Pat Riley to infuse the franchise with some talent and youth.
With reports of Dwyane Wade’s displeasure with the organization over his contract and an aging Luol Deng, the Heat might want to find a wing to groom. However, if Cauley-Stein falls all the way to Miami, it’s had to see them passing on him.
Cauley-Stein has established himself as an elite post defender and rim protector. The comparisons to DeAndre Jordan are accurate, and in a draft this wide open, any lottery team looking for an impact big will be looking hard at Cauley-Stein. He might not be an ideal fit from a personality standpoint, similar to Hassan Whiteside, but his talent and skill-set allow that to be looked past.
For a team looking to return to the playoffs, Cauley-Stein is a more mobile and active version of Hassan Whiteside and could play right away — if not start — as a rookie.
CONTINUE READING: PICKS 11-20 | PICKS 21-30
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Am I crazy or is the blinding truth moving down and picking Dekker as a scorer to back up MKG (possibly stealing starting honors) and Connaughton from ND in the second round??? Something crazy will happen and someone juicy will drop and our phones will be ringing, I would bet we can even get another pick out of the deal, maybe Delon Wright as the big backup PG we crave? Booker seems like the “obvious” pick but we with Jefferson possibly leaving and Hendo possibly leaving and Lance leaving we are in win now mode. Drafting Booker (a kid) could be great in a few years but would be throwing away a #9 pick for MAYBE a role player in three years. Not to mention the quiet log jam we are building behind Lance, Hendo, PJ, and Troy Daniels? Connaughton would be a contributor right away off the bench at 22 years old and looks to be a real pro. Dekker and Conny could show true grit and be real helpers off the bench during real crunch time years. Am I crazy? I see the flaws but they all seem fixable….
The sixers will not draft okafor, and keep him. Embiids injury worries are about 8%. Scott O’Neill is on philly radio saying he can’t wait for the fans of philly to see what he’s seeing in practice with embiid. He can’t hide his excitement, it’s in his voice. He’s the next great center in the nba, he’s not going anywhere. Okafor has one above average skill, post offense. Every other skill is below average… Rebounding? 32min, lived in the paint, the biggest dude on the floor, and he averaged 8reb!!! Defense? About as bad as it gets. Mid range game? Nope. Athletic? Nope. Free throws? Nope.