11. Indiana Pacers – Cameron Payne, PG, Murray State
The Thunder, who pick 14th, reportedly promised Payne around the combine that he wouldn’t get past them, so his stock continues to rise. The Pacers lack a dominant PG, and with Paul George returning next season, having a dynamic lead guard to handle the ball and put him in easier scoring options makes sense.
Payne, who averaged 20.3 points (11th nationally) and six assists as a sophomore, could make an immediate impact. He’s lethal off the pick and roll, and is a solid shooter with great court vision who doesn’t ignore getting his teammates involved.
If Larry Bird and company pass on Payne, keep an eye on Kelly Oubre or even R.J. Hunter, who has had a string of impressive workouts recently, as the brass might choose to find a replacement for Lance Stephenson.
12. Utah Jazz – Frank Kaminsky, C, Wisconsin
Kaminsky has his share of fans and critics. Fans will point out that he was everywhere during Wisconsin’s postseason run and is an elite shooter for a 7-footer. His critics say that he isn’t strong enough for the NBA and can’t defend post players.
It’s challenging to find legitimate bigs with Kaminsky’s skill-set offensively to face up the basket, beat his man off the dribble and even shoot threes (he was 42-for-101 for the Badgers). Kaminsky does fall in love with standing outside and waiting for the ball. He needs to get stronger in order to handle the grind of playing against stronger opponents, but is very NBA-ready as a shooter.
The Jazz, fresh off trading Enes Kanter, could use a big like Kaminsky, who can stretch the court and complement Derrick Favors. Some scouts look at Kaminsky and see him as a pure shooting big man like the Clippers’ Spencer Hawes.
Danny Schayes says Kaminsky reminds him of …. himself.
13. Phoenix Suns – Stanley Johnson, SF, Arizona
At one time, Johnson was being projected as a top-five pick. It’s hard not to look at Johnson and immediately gush over his potential.
As a freshman, Johnson was more physically developed than some seniors. Watching game film, you can immediately see Johnson’s scoring prowess. If there is one area of Johnson’s offensive game that needs improvement, it’s finishing around the rim.
He led a deep Arizona team in scoring at 13.8 points per game, and his 37 percent shooting from 3-point distance was okay. He will need to show in workouts that he is capable of knocking down the longer NBA three.
Phoenix must surround Eric Bledsoe with shooters and Booker is likely gone by here. The Suns could reach for R.J. Hunter as well, but I think the upside of Johnson is too great to pass up.
14. Oklahoma City Thunder – Kelly Oubre, SF, Kansas
The Thunder really look appealing on paper next season, presuming Kevin Durant, Serge Ibaka and Russell Westbrook remain healthy. The midseason acquisition of Enes Kanter gave the Thunder a post presence on offense it had been lacking and, combined with Steven Adams, Billy Donovan has some nice pieces to work with next year.
Like many Jayhawks prospects, Oubre should be even better in an NBA system where he’ll 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. Oubre was wildly productive as a freshman with a 21.6 PER.
Oubre could be a replacement to Dion Waiters, who will be a restricted free agent, and could be an eventual successor to the James Harden role that the Thunder have been looking for since his departure. Sam Presti really has a free pick here for a team with championship aspirations, so I expect the Thunder to swing big and take a project. Kevon Looney could be a name to keep in mind as well.
15. Atlanta Hawks (From Brooklyn) – Myles Turner, C, Texas
The Hawks were abruptly swept by the Cavs and will use LeBron and company as the measuring stick going forward for improving the ball club. With Paul Millsap and DeMarre Carroll both free agents, the Hawks should be active. They may opt for a developmental international prospect here, but Turner is a great option.
Turner checks off all the boxes that make scouts and general managers go crazy for big men. As a freshman, Turner, who our Michael Scotto profiled here, showcased nice range and touch on his jumper, the legitimate size needed to play center, good rebounding ability and a 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 quick enough on his feet to not be a defensive liability. If you can look past the negatives, you see a prospect that produced at a high level and has plenty of upside.
16. Boston Celtics – R.J. Hunter, SG, Georgia State
The odds are increasing that this pick will belong to someone else on draft night, as the Celtics have four of the first 45 picks and are looking to package them to move up. While this might be too steep of a dropoff for the Knicks at four, I’d keep an eye the Nuggets (seven) and Hornets (nine). In fact, sources have told me that the Hornets really liked Hunter during his workout and could be a target to move down for.
Hunter’s calling card is offense, and he has wowed teams with his repertoire. Capable of scoring from anywhere on the court, Hunter doesn’t lack confidence. He played under his father at Georgia State, he’s crafty and plays with a high on-court IQ.
Hunter looks like a capable guard off the bench who can create his own offense or serve as a shooter. Even if the Celtics keep the pick, I could see Hunter being a shooter to help space the court for Marcus Smart and Isaiah Thomas.
Bobby Gonzalez touted him as a sleeper way back before the season started.
17. Milwaukee Bucks – Sam Dekker, SF, Wisonsin
Fresh off a playoff appearance and loaded with young talent, the Bucks can go in any number of directions on draft night. While Dekker may seem like an unneeded luxury, his style and game would make Milwaukee even longer and scarier defensively.
With Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jabari Parker, Khris Middleton and Michael Carter-Williams, the Bucks have plenty of young pieces. Dekker is more of a combo forward and a spark-plug of energy who can defend multiple positions and give the Bucks protection with John Henson.
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 match up against a variety of opponents. On this team, he wouldn’t be relied on offensively so he could develop at his own pace.
18. Houston Rockets (From New Orleans) – Jerian Grant, PG, Notre Dame
If you watched the Rockets this postseason, they were decimated by the Warriors and Clippers at PG. Choosing Grant would be an instant upgrade over Patrick Beverley.
Grant is an intelligent prospect who plays hard and has great length for the point guard position. Grant can even play off the ball at times, as he is a solid shooter, but he’s most effective when creating for himself and his teammates. Adding an additional ballhandler would be a wise move to ease the burden on James Harden.
Blessed with good size and athleticism, teams will look past his mediocre defense. He can be coached up in that area. He averaged 16.5 points and 6.7 assists per game for a very good Notre Dame squad that nearly knocked off Kentucky in the Elite Eight. His body fat percentage was a mere 5.6, lower than Kentucky’s Harrison twins.
19. Washington Wizards – Bobby Portis, PF Arkansas
Portis is one of the more impressive prospects, and playoff teams in particular have been very impressed with his motor. It’s hard not to look at Portis and see all the potential he has. Several executives I spoke with in Chicago at the combine were gushing over Portis and his competitive streak.
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 fours.
Otto Porter’s growth could impact the Wizards’ thinking, but there’s also the fact that Paul Pierce is not getting any younger and sounded uncertain about his future after Washington’s second-round loss to Atlanta. Adding Portis, who could allow Porter to slide over to SF, could help the Wizards improve even if The Truth retires or goes elsewhere.
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 – Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, SF, Arizona
The Raptors need to shake it up a bit, as they’re stuck in mediocrity. Dwane Casey is a great defensive coach and would love to see a versatile defender like Hollis-Jefferson fall into their laps.
Hollis-Jefferson could be a lockdown defender at multiple positions at the NBA level. Defense is where he’ll make his living in the NBA, but Hollis-Jefferson can also finish in transition and rebound pretty well. Due to his lack of offensive skills and polish, Hollis-Jefferson probably slips to a team in the late teens or early 20’s.
Depending on how the medical staff feels about Rashad Vaughn’s knee, that could be a name to watch, as he would be deadly when paired with DeMar DeRozan.
CONTINUE READING: PICKS 21-30