15. Milwaukee Bucks – Dario Saric, SF, Cibona Zagreb (6’8, 10.2 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 2.2 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.
Adding a prospect like Saric – a versatile player with an impressive offensive game – gives them someone who can come in and provide production at either forward position.
In watching Saric you see a player very comfortable as a facilitator. He also is an underrated scorer who just turned 19.
16. Boston Celtics – Kelly Olynyk, C, Gonzaga (7’0, 17.8 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 1.7 apg)
The Celtics are always in the market for athletic prospects, and sources I have spoken with say Danny Ainge absolutely loves Adetokunbo. However, there is a gaping hole in the middle in Boston.
Olynyk would provide the Celtics with the ability to play right away. He is one of the most skilled offensive bigs in the draft and showed it in Chicago with a great mid-range jumper.
Olynyk is also a very good pick-and-roll defender, something that Boston takes pride in. As Olynyk rises up boards, the Celtics will have a tough decision to make on draft night.
17. Atlanta Hawks – Giannis Adetokunbo, SF, Filathlitikos (6’9, 9.5 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 1.4 apg)
With two picks in hand, Hawks GM Danny Ferry will be have a lot of options. Considering Atlanta’s cap space this summer, taking a flier on an international prospect is very likely.
Based off his history, Ferry isn’t afraid to pick an international prospect, and landing Adetokunbo here could be a coup. Adetokunbo is one of the most physically gifted players in this draft. If given time to develop, he could be a quality starter in the league.
Adetokunbo is believed to have a promise from a team. It is not known i it is the Hawks.
18. Atlanta Hawks (From Houston) – Mason Plumlee, C, Duke (6’10, 17.1 ppg, 10.0 rpg, 1.4 bpg)
One of the problem areas the Hawks have had for years is the lack of a true center. It would be wise for the Hawks to take advantage of this draft, which is deep in big men.
Plumlee can come in and contribute right away and showed progress offensively at Duke this past season.
As a bonus, Plumlee, who is an explosive athlete for his size, would allow the Hawks to slide Al Horford to his more natural position of power forward.
19. Cleveland Cavaliers (From LA Lakers) – Reggie Bullock, SG, North Carolina (6’7, 13.9 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 2.9 apg)
With Noel at the top, the Cavs will look to address their hole at small forward. While Adetonkbo would be intriguing, Cleveland could stay at 19 and land a player like Bullock, who proved himself to be a dynamic shooter and very good defender.
In Bullock – who has been steadily rising since the end of the season – the Cavs could get a Danny Green-like wing with the ability to lock up defenders and knock down open shots.
Bullock has great length and athleticism and is a great shooter, especially from outside. After a great week in Chicago, Bullock looks like a first-round lock and could easily supplant Alonzo Gee at small forward.
20. Chicago Bulls – Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, SG, Georgia (6’5, 18.5 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 1.8 apg)
With Derrick Rose coming back fully healthy next season, the Bulls would be best suited to give him something he has always lacked: a true running mate. The Bulls really need a scorer who can create his own shot to pair with Rose, and Caldwell-Pope can do that.
Caldwell-Pope is a talented scorer with great length for his position and would allow the Bulls to ease the pressure on Rose offensively.
As scouts have gotten a closer look at Caldwell-Pope, his stock has continued to rise. Unfortunately, Caldwell-Pope struggled to connect on his jumper in Chicago but has plenty of opportunities during predraft workouts to change the minds of GMs.
21. Utah Jazz (From Golden State) – Jamaal Franklin, SG, San Diego State (6’5, 17.0 ppg, 9.5 rpg, 3.3 apg)
Franklin was in the lottery in my most recent mock but has a sprained ankle. In missing time and not performing in front of scouts, Franklin missed a chance to open some eyes with his improved handle and consistent jumper to go with his tenacious defensive and rebounding ability.
What will have teams most excited about Franklin is his 6-11 1/4 wingspan and large hands, reminding many teams of former Aztecs teammate Kawhi Leonard. Once healthy, Franklin should be able to climb back up draft boards.
22. Brooklyn Nets – Tony Mitchell, PF, North Texas (6’8, 13.0 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 2.7 bpg)
With the current state of the team, the Nets are a team in search of player able to contribute right away. Mitchell is still raw but flashes the type of ability and athleticism that cause many to think he could be a very good NBA player.
While Mitchell frustrates coaches and scouts by shooting too many jumpers, there is no denying how good a shot-blocker and rebounder he can be. Brooklyn has long been intrigued by Josh Smith, whom Mitchell compares with very favorably.
Yes! Finally something about oklahoma lottery pick 3.
Plumlee is not projected by anyone as a five. He’s a four Horeford is more of a five honestly. Next.,., Schroder wont last until utah…in MHO, he’s the best player in the draft. The new Rondo. (i do think utah gave him the promise)…..but I cant see Gopert going anywhere near that high. WHY? He’s years from being ready, if ever. Karasev will go higher for sure. Top twelve. I guess its just me, but Burke is being way overrated right now. Small, not overly fast….he’s a nice player, but not elite. Schroder is better on both ends….but especially on D. Agree adams will keep rising. You have Bebe being picked twice. I suspect Shabaaz falls., He is selfish, a bad shooter…..(high volume shooter is code for bad shooter) and wont pass ever. He’s dropping out of the lotto.
If you honestly think the Wizards are considering Len over Bennett (besides Porter) then the guy who wrote this, is a complete moron.
i think they might well look at Len. For one reason Bennett is already hurt. Now i know Len is too, but Bennett’s had a series of niggly injuries…..and it might drop him down. Len is huge….and probably still growing. I love Bennett but his health would worry me. Guys that carry that much weight around that are breaking down already, are scary.