15. Milwaukee Bucks – Kelly Olynyk, C, Gonzaga (7’0, 17.8 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 1.7 apg)
The Bucks really had something in Tobias Harris, as evidenced by his performance with the Magic.
With youngsters Larry Sanders and John Henson leading the way, the Bucks have plenty of bigs who can crash the boards and block shots. But someone like Olynyk can provide some scoring punch in the post and is a great pick-and-pop option who knocks down mid-range jumpers.
16. Boston Celtics – Gorgui Dieng, C, Louisville (6’11, 9.8 ppg, 9.4 rpg, 2.5 bpg)
The Celtics are always in the market for athletic prospects, and sources I have spoken with absolutely love Adetokunbo but are of the opinion he won’t slip out of the lottery.
While a trade could be made to snatch the Nigerian, if the Celtics stand pat they will look for an impactful big like Dieng, who soared up boards during the Cardinals’ title run. He showed he can be a starting NBA center with his midrange jumper, rebounding ability and ability to alter shots.
While Boston took Fab Melo last season, he is still raw and Dieng can come right in and play minutes.
17. Atlanta Hawks – Steven Adams, C, Pittsburgh (7’0, 7.2 ppg, 6.3 ppg, 2.0 bpg)
The Hawks have back-to-back picks and have a few directions which they can go. Adams is a physical specimen that will be able to play defense in the NBA from the moment he steps on the court. However, he is still raw and inconsistent on offense and must develop in order to reach his potential.
Under Danny Ferry, the Hawks want to slide Al Horford over to power forward, and drafting Adams would allow that.
18. Atlanta Hawks (From Houston) – Archie Goodwin, SG, Kentucky (6’4, 14.9 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 2.7 apg)
Goodwin is mostly a combo guard but can really light it up on offense as he showed in his lone season at Kentucky. Goodwin should be a great sixth man in the NBA.
There are some questions in Atlanta’s backcourt with Lou Williams coming off ACL surgery, Devin Harris entering free agency and John Jenkins not quite ready. As Ferry rebuilds the Hawks and is set to splurge in free agency over the summer,there should be room for Goodwin.
19. Cleveland Cavaliers (From LA Lakers) – Jeff Withey, C, Kansas (7’0, 13.9 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 3.9 bpg)
Cleveland lacks a legit starting center as Anderson Varejao is too fragile and better suited coming off the bench and Tyler Zeller is not strong enough and too foul-prone to bang in the post.
In Withey, the Cavs can get a player ready to start from day one and whose best skills are catered to the defensive side of the ball, where the Cavs were atrocious this season. A platoon of Withey and Zeller could be productive.
20. Chicago Bulls – Mason Plumlee, C, Duke (6’10, 17.1 ppg, 10.0 rpg, 1.4 bpg)
The Bulls could be looking for backcourt help for Derrick Rose but will not be in a position to pass up a potential lottery pick in Plumlee if he falls to them.
Plumlee is even more athletic and productive than his brother, Miles, was at Duke and should be a popular prospect during pre-draft workouts. On the offensive end Plumlee really stepped up this year and showed he can have the offense run through him.
21. Utah Jazz (From Golden State) – Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, SG, Georgia (6’5, 18.5 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 1.8 apg)
With two picks, the Jazz could go for a home run by selecting Caldwell-Pope after tabbing a point guard with their earlier pick. Caldwell-Pope is an explosive-scoring wing with good length.
While he played on a poor Georgia team, there is no denying that Caldwell-Pope will be a name that rises as we get closer to the draft.
22. Brooklyn Nets – Tony Mitchell, PF, North Texas (6’8, 13.0 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 2.7 bpg)
The Nets flirted with the idea of acquiring Josh Smith all season, and by selecting Tony Mitchell, they will get a player that will remind many of Smith.
Mitchell is a special athlete who can do special things on the backboards and the defensive end of the court but often settles for too many jumpers. Playing alongside Brook Lopez, the Nets will get a player who can help on the glass.
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I don’t think having Austin Rivers on the roster counts as great SG depth for the Pelicans.
That is not to say that drafting Burke and selling high on Vasquez is a bad idea- it’s an excellent idea- but they don’t have great SG depth. Rivers is a gigantic bust.
Shabazz to the Wizards with pick #7
Would absolutely love to see the Pelicans get Trey Burke! We’ve been needing a great PG for years.
Yeah I can’t even think of a great PG we had! Chris Paul was decent, I guess.
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