Mock Draft 2.0 by Joe Kotoch: We Have a New No. 1

23. Indiana Pacers – Dario Saric, SF, Cibona Zagreb (6’8, 10.2 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 2.2 apg)

The Pacers are a prime candidate to select an international player under GM Kevin Pritchard, based on speculation and his track record in Portland.

Indiana is talented and has some depth, but adding a prospect like Saric – who could be a combo forward in the NBA – would be interesting. Saric can do a little bit of everything on offense. While he is a defensive liability, in time he could be a productive rotation player.

24. New York Knicks – Shane Larkin, PG, Miami (5’11, 14.5 ppg, 4.6 apg, 3.8 rpg)

The Knicks need some lightning to combine with Raymond Felton’s thunder. In Larkin, the Knicks would be getting a dynamic young point guard with plenty of upside.

Larkin singlehandedly carried Miami this season as he had a Trey Burke-like impact on the Hurricanes. In New York, fans want a point man that can push the pace at times off the bench, which is something that Larkin does well.

25. Los Angeles Clippers – Allen Crabbe, SG, California (6’6, 18.4 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 2.6 apg)

The Clippers could use a solid and productive guard like Crabbe. The current roster includes Chauncey Billups and Willie Green, and the Clippers need some youth in their backcourt, especially since Eric Bledsoe is likely going to be somewhere else next season.

Crabbe is a solid shooting wing with good size who won’t rock the boat, which is exactly what a title-contending team is looking for.

26. Minnesota Timberwolves (From Memphis) – Lucas Noegueira, C, Estudiantes (6’11, 5.3 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 1.1 bpg)

The same way Maybyner Hilario is known as Nene, his compatriot Noegueira is known as Bebe. He would give the Wolves a big that can come in and back up Nikola Pekovic right now or spend another season overseas developing his offensive game.

Bebe is a long, athletic big who plays with tons of energy. This could be a great pick at this point. But don’t be surprised if this pick were packaged for more veteran help.

27. Denver Nuggets – Sergey Karasev, SF, Triumph Moscow (6’8, 18.7 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 2.3 apg)

The Nuggets have so many pieces already that they seem to be a great draft-and-stash candidate with their late first-round selection. Karasev is one of the top international prospects and should be in the NBA in a season or two.

Currently playing for Triumph under his father, Karasev is an aggressive player who attacks opponents on offense and is young with plenty of room to continue developing.

28. Oklahoma City Thunder – Mouhammadou Jaiteh, C, Boulogne (6’9, 16.2 ppg, 9.9 rpg, 0.9 bpg)

Don’t rule out a big at some point for the Thunder as they might want to start grooming a replacement for Kendrick Perkins. Jaiteh is only 18 and has legit center size.

While his arrival to the NBA is several years away, Jaiteh could be a great prospect by that time. Being French, he should get plenty of opportunities to develop against top international competition.

29. San Antonio Spurs – Reggie Bullock, SG, North Carolina (6’7, 13.9 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 2.9 apg)

The Spurs already have Danny Green, but Bullock is a better prospect than fellow Tar Heel Green ever was. Bullock has great length and athleticism and is a great shooter, especially from outside.

In the current system that the Spurs run, Bullock should be an excellent fit and could see the court early playing alongside or behind Kawhi Leonard and Green.

30. Phoenix Suns (From Miami) – B.J. Young, SG, Arkansas (6’3, 15.2 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 3.4 apg)

The Suns need more punch and must get aggressive offensively. Young is not a great shooter nor an efficient scorer but is an exceptional athlete who can be a SG or a combo guard.

With Phoenix still looking for a GM, this pick could change. But a player of Young’s ability is sorely needed.

 

Joe Kotoch is the Editor-in-chief of Pro Basketball Draft, a leading scouting service in the world of professional basketball. Before Joe created PBD he served as an NBPA & FIBA certified agent and scouted players all across the world. Born and raised in Cleveland, Joe also contributes to Fox Sports Ohio and the Cleveland Plain Dealer. You can follow Joe on Twitter @Probballdraft.