23. Indiana Pacers – Lucas Noegueira, C, Estudiantes (6’11, 5.3 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 1.1 bpg)
Like a lot of teams drafting late, the Pacers are looking for a player who can play right away. With his injury and contract, Danny Granger’s future in Indiana is in doubt, so the Pacers will be looking for a potential shooting guard to start next to Paul George.
Loading up on shooters like Crabbe would be a good idea. He is a pure shooter and can score the ball, an area of need for the Pacers. Crabbe doesn’t create his own shot well, but playing in Frank Vogel’s system should allow him to flourish.
After an impressive week in Chicago, Crabbe opened eyes with his touch, range and 6-11 1/4 wingspan.
24. New York Knicks – Shane Larkin, PG, Miami (5’11, 14.5 ppg, 4.6 apg, 3.8 rpg)
With Jason Kidd at 40 and Pablo Prigioni at 35, 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 who can push the pace at times off the bench, which is something Larkin does well.
While in Chicago, Larkin was one of the most athletic point guards and really helped himself. He recorded a 44-inch vertical leap — a combine record.
25. Los Angeles Clippers – Jeff Withey, C, Kansas (7’0, 13.9 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 3.9 bpg)
Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan were among the best big duos in the league this season, but the Clippers played them heavy minutes due to a lack of options off the bench.
Withey would provide the Clippers with a valuable reserve big who could pick up right where Jordan left off; blocking shots, rebounding and getting easy buckets underneath. He may not be an athlete, but the way he contested shots in college illustrates how he can help Los Angeles.
As a team that aspires to be contending for titles, Los Angeles wants players who can contribute. Withey will do that.
26. Minnesota Timberwolves (From Memphis) – Lucas Noegueira, C, Estudiantes (6’11, 5.3 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 1.1 bpg)
With two picks in the first round, the Timberwolves face a big decision in the offseason with Pekovic expected to command a large contract on the open market as a restricted free agent.
Even if Pekovic is re-signed, the Wolves still need additional size up front. Noguiera provides them with an interesting option due to his length, agility and shot-blocking ability.
Noegueira is a pesky defender and rebounder who will be able to play minutes in any rotation right away. He still needs to develop but is ready to come over after flirting with the draft a few years ago.
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 pick. 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. He is young with plenty of room to continue developing.
28. Oklahoma City Thunder – Gorgui Dieng, C, Louisville (6’11, 9.8 ppg, 9.4 rpg, 2.5 bpg)
Taking Gobert at 12 is a good start for the Thunder, who need to add frontcourt depth. They can add even more with Dieng, whose activity would be a good fit for their up-tempo style.
Since there is no offensively proficient big man available, the next best thing is Dieng. He showed an impressive 15-foot jumper during Louisville’s title run. While Dieng can contribute offensively, his true value is defensively, where he can help shut down the paint much in the same fashion as Serge Ibaka does.
29. San Antonio Spurs – Mouhammadou Jaiteh, C, Boulogne (6’9, 16.2 ppg, 9.9 rpg, 0.9 bpg)
The Spurs are another team that loves to draft-and-stash players, and Jaiteh would be a great fit for that model. Not ready to play in the NBA yet possessing NBA size, frame and some skills, Jaiteh would be able to continue to develop in Europe and come over when ready.
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.
30. Phoenix Suns (From Miami) – Archie Goodwin, SG, Kentucky (6’4, 14.9 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 2.7 apg)
The Suns need more punch and must get aggressive offensively. Goodwin has a very intriguing skill set and talent that could fit well in Phoenix.
After an awful week in Chicago where he couldn’t buy a basket, Goodwin could see himself slide down boards. However, when Goodwin is on, he is able to score all over the court and can fill it up rather quickly.
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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.
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.