Mock Draft 4.0: Let the Draft Games Begin – Oladipo Rises, McLemore Slides

8. Detroit Pistons – Shabazz Muhammad, SG, UCLA (6’6, 17.9 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 0.8 apg)

The past few years, GM Joe Dumars has sat patiently and watched talented players drop to him in the middle of the lottery. That strategy has paid off as Dumars has arguably the NBA’s most talented young post duo in Greg Monroe and Andre Drummond.

The Pistons could choose to upgrade the point guard position in hopes of getting more of a “true” point guard on the roster as the jury remains out on Brandon Knight.

When on the court, Muhammad has shown he is a talented scorer and was solid for much of his freshman season. Unfortunately, he never dominated his opponents but has the skills and physique to do so.

Muhammad would add to an already impressive core and give the Pistons the scoring punch they need. While he has good bulk and a long wingspan, Muhammad still seems undersized to be a full-time small forward in the NBA.

9. Minnesota Timberwolves – C.J. McCollum, PG/SG, Lehigh (6’3, 23.9 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 51.6% 3pt)

For a team looking to move up and get their player, this could be the spot. With Flip Saunders now at the helm, repairing the relationship with Kevin Love and showing an immediate plan to win is at the top of his list.

The Wolves ideally would like to move this pick for an established wing player to help them now and are rumored to be dangling Derrick Williams, the No. 2 overall pick from two years ago. They are in desperate need of a shooter/scorer to put on the perimeter and would trade this pick for a trustworthy wing.

If Minnesota stays put, the next best option would be McCollum, who reminds some of Mo Williams. While not the ideal fit considering he doesn’t have a prototypical shooting guard frame, he brings the immediate shooting and scoring the Wolves need. If not for the injury that caused him to miss most of the season, McCollum’s name could be talked about much higher than ninth.

The Wolves will face a lot decisions this offseason with Nikola Pekovic, Chase Budinger and potentially Andrei Kirilenko set to hit the free agent market. It could very well shape how they approach this pick and later picks. Drafting a center as insurance for Pekovic this summer is also a possibility here.

10. Portland Trail Blazers – Steven Adams, C, Pittsburgh (7’0, 7.2 ppg, 6.3 ppg, 2.0 bpg)

Portland is another team looking to package its pick in hopes of getting a player able to contribute now. GM Neil Olshey is open to moving the pick, preferably for a big man who can provide the defense and rebounding they need.

Like the Wolves, the Blazers are team looking to take the next step and show LaMarcus Aldridge that they’re on the rise. Drafting Damian Lillard was a large step in that direction last year.

While Adams may not put up big numbers, he would provide Portland with the defense and rebounding it is looking for. Adams interviewed well at the combine, shot the ball well and showed some skills that weren’t on display at Pittsburgh throughout the season.

While Adams still has a lot of developing to do, some scouts believe he may be ready to contribute at a higher level than originally anticipated as a rookie. Even with Adams being a good fit, the Blazers don’t seem to be infatuated with any player with this pick.

11. Philadelphia 76ers – Cody Zeller, C, Indiana (7’0, 16.5 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 1.3 bpg)

New GM Sam Hinkie will have his work cut out for him, including figuring out what to do with Andrew Bynum, who didn’t appear in a single game this season. Hinkie must decide who can help the Sixers get back to the playoffs after a huge step back to the lottery this season.

Every year on draft night, there is a highly talented big that falls into the late lottery; this year, it looks to be Zeller. Despite better than expected athletic testing at the combine, there are still concerns with Zeller’s position, short arms and whether his game will translate at the next level.

With that said, his offensive game is advanced for his age, and big men with his polish and touch are hard to find. Zeller also begins working out for clubs this week and will be able to showcase his NBA 3-point range.

Zeller is a good fit for the Sixers regardless of whether or not they keep Bynum. He could play a role similar to that of Pau Gasol when Bynum was in Los Angeles, or he could fit in well with a team without Bynum that likes to get out in transition.

12. Oklahoma City Thunder (From Toronto) – Rudy Gobert, C, Cholet (7’0, 8.0 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 1.3 bpg)

Throughout GM Sam Presti’s tenure in Oklahoma City, he has been searching for a center that fits what the team is built upon: athleticism, length and defense. He initially brought over Nenad Krstic as a stopgap, traded for Kendrick Perkins and attempted to trade for Tyson Chandler. Three centers and six years later, Presti is still looking for a long, athletic center.

This is where Gobert comes into play. He is a long, athletic big who could give opposing teams nightmares. Gobert is not your typical European big with his length, athleticism and penchant for shot-blocking.

Coming from the San Antonio tree, Presti has shown strength in international drafting and is more than willing to take a chance on European prospects. While still raw in some areas and needing to develop, Gobert may be the center Presti has been looking for.

If McCollum makes it this far, the Thunder will take him. He would provide them with the scoring and creating option off the bench they have lacked since James Harden left.

13. Dallas Mavericks – Michael Carter-Williams, PG, Syracuse (6’6, 11.9 ppg, 7.3 apg, 4.9 rpg)

In what is set to be a very interesting offseason for owner Mark Cuban, the draft presents the Mavericks with several different options, including trading the pick, which helps Dallas get further under the cap and make a huge splash in free agency.

If Dallas keeps the pick it sounds like it is down to Carter-Williams or Dario Saric, whom the Mavs could stash overseas for a season — thereby keeping him off their cap.

If they do stay put, Carter-Williams presents the best option. Without Jason Kidd last season, there was a hole at guard that ended up being filled by journeyman Mike James. Carter-Williams gives the Mavs similar versatility to Kidd in his ability to guard multiple perimeter positions as well as being a quality facilitator and passer.

14. Utah Jazz – Dennis Schroeder, PG, New Yorker Phantoms-Germany (6’1″, 8.3 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 3.3 apg)

With Mo Williams set to hit free agency, and the Jazz playing most of the season with Earl Watson and Jamaal Tinsley, point guard is at the top of the list for Utah this offseason. Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap are set to hit free agency as well, but Enes Kanter and Derrick Favors are good enough up front for the Jazz to focus on the backcourt in the draft.

Schroeder is the explosive playmaker the Jazz have been lacking since Deron Williams left. Schroeder is still developing and will likely have some rough patches early on. But his physical skill set, unique talents and ceiling make him worth the pick.

With the league becoming more guard-oriented, having a player who can challenge and also defend opposing point guards is very important. If Schroeder gets past Utah, he won’t fall much farther.