Happy Draft Night! Tonight when David Stern approaches the podium and is booed by the crowd at the Barclays Center at his final NBA Draft, we will finally have our answers.
In the meantime, Alex Len remains atop of our Final Mock as sources in Cleveland have emphatically stated the 7-footer from Maryland is on top of the Cavs’ draft board.
However, Cleveland’s first choice is to trade the pick and there are a half-dozen teams they were still talking to as of Thursday afternoon. Also, I now expect Orlando to draft Victor Oladipo over Nerlens Noel and Ben McLemore.
Phoenix has offered Cleveland the 5th and 30th pick in exchange for the top pick. That may be the best offer on the table for Cleveland. Speaking of Phoenix, the Suns may trade out of their pick at 5 if Ben McLemore were to slip to them. The Kings, Hawks, and Timberwolves all are interested in McLemore.
The Cavs, as we’ve discussed for weeks, want to trade the first pick but are struggling to find a package that meets their demands. It does not appear they will get an established star such as LaMarcus Aldridge or Kevin Love, and they are engaged in discussions with Portland to move up to No. 10 to draft Sergey Karasev.
While Cleveland has settled on Len if they keep the pick, the Orlando Magic are in a curious position. Orlando loves Victor Oladipo but are having serious discussions with Oklahoma City, Minnesota, and Portland about trading down with teams looking to grab Ben McLemore or Nerlens Noel.
The Wizards, according to a source, have placed Anthony Bennett at the top of their board. Bennett combined with John Wall and Bradley Beal would give the Wizards a dynamic threesome with plenty of offensive versatility. While some in the organization still like Otto Porter and think he is a safe choice, Bennett is the guy they are leaning toward.
It is true Portland has been listening to offers for Aldridge, who quietly wants out, but Portland expects a large sum for their All-Star. Cleveland has had talks about Aldridge for 1 and 19, but that offer was laughed at by members of the Blazers front office.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is a hot name right now, the Georgia wing has been shooting up boards and now a lock to go no later than 9th. According to a source, Oklahoma City really is intrigued by Caldwell-Pope and would consider trading up to land him. Several teams I spoke with believe he is the target of several teams looking to jump the Thunder. More on OKC’s attempt’s to trade up here.
Lehigh’s C.J. McCollum is shooting up boards and will be the 7th pick to Sacramento unless a team trades up in front of the Kings to grab the talented scorer.
It sounds like at least one of the top 7 prospects: Alex Len, Nerlens Noel, Anthony Bennett, Otto Porter, Ben McLemore, Trey Burke, or Victor Oladipo will slip to 8th to Detroit, which covets Burke.
It is true that Cody Zeller’s name is being discussed in Charlotte and Phoenix, and he could be selected in the top 5, but I suspect those teams are more inclined to move down and grab Zeller rather than reach for him.
I have been extremely high on Jamaal Franklin for some time but an ankle injury limited his availability to work out for teams and prevented him from cracking the lottery, but watch for Atlanta to possibly tab him with one of their two picks as Franklin is working out for a second time in front of Danny Ferry and company. For now, I’ve got him going to the Knicks at No. 24. (Tonight, I will be joining our special live chat with venuing.com. Click on the banner at the top to join in. He will go live at 7:20 p.m.).
As we reported first, way back in Mock 6.0, the Cavs have had discussions to acquire Shawn Marion from Dallas in a lopsided trade that would allow them to move up from No. 19 to No. 13 in the first round by relieving the Mavs of Marion’s $9.3 million salary, allowing Mark Cuban more salary cap flexibility to use on July 1. But with Doc Rivers landing with the Clippers, it appears there is no longer any chance that any team can make a run at both Chris Paul and Dwight Howard — something the Hawks had planned to do.
As for the potential Shawn Marion trade, Cleveland has the cap space to absorb Marion’s contract, and they view him as an upgrade over Alonzo Gee in their pursuit of a playoff spot next season. Sources say Cleveland has been eyeing Sergey Karasev at 13 (The trade would be Marion and No. 13 for No. 19), but he may not last that long.
On the trade front, it sounds like possibly five lottery picks could be traded tonight. Minnesota and Portland, along with the aforementioned Mavs, continue to reach out to teams to discuss potential deals as their respective draft picks are available to the highest bidder.
Watch out for these names on draft night as they are on the rise: Ricky Ledo, Jamaal Franklin, Glen Rice Jr., Tony Snell, and Myck Kabongo, all of whom have been impressive during workouts and could hear their names called during the first round. Franklin, who is still recovering from a sprained ankle, has been showcasing an improved jumper. (More on draft sleepers in this column from Tommy Dee).
Without further ado, here is Mock Draft 8.0:
1. Cleveland Cavaliers – Alex Len, C, Maryland (7’1, 11.9 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 2.1 bpg)
This is the sixth straight Mock Draft that I have Alex Len going to Cleveland. After talking to numerous sources, I say with 100 percent confidence that the Cavs will draft Len or they will trade the pick.
The Cavs feel that Len’s ability on both ends of the court better mix with budding star Kyrie Irving and would give the team the dynamic combo it needs to push for the playoffs. While Len may not have as much upside defensively as Noel, he is a significantly better offensive option and a productive rebounder and shot blocker.
Len’s signature right now is his developed offensive game in the post and facing the basket. With Irving and Len, Cleveland could have a really impressive pick-and-pop game. As Cleveland makes a push for the playoffs having a center that can score gives their roster balance as well as the flexibility to potentially move Anderson Varejao at some point.
(RELATED: SHERIDAN PODCAST: WHY THE CAVS LIKE LEN OVER NOEL)
2. Orlando Magic – Victor Oladipo, SG, Indiana (6’5, 13.6 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 2.1 apg)
The Magic prefer Victor Oladipo over Ben McLemore and Nerlens Noel. Orlando believes they have the ammunition to acquire Eric Bledsoe from the Clippers and if paired with Oladipo would have an excellent, young, and athletic backcourt to build around.
Oladipo is one of the most athletic players in the draft and his maturity would help this young Magic roster.
Numerous teams wanting to draft Noel have been speaking to the Magic, and here i a strong chance this pick gets dealt.
(SHERIDAN PODCAST: What will Magic Do at No. 2?)
3. Washington Wizards – Anthony Bennett, PF, UNLV (6’8, 16.1 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 1.2 bpg)
Based on fresh intel, we are keeping Bennett at 3 ahead of Otto Porter, who many believe is the safer choice — and certainly the more popular one since he played up the road at Georgetown.
The Wizards are looking to pair somebody with John Wall and Brad Beal to form a talented, young Big 3.
While undersized, Bennett will be excellent offensively and can play some 3 or 4. Scouts and stat gurus alike praise Bennett for his tenaciousness on offense and recognize he has plenty of upside. The Wizards are focused on making the playoffs next season and can count on Bennett providing them with a punch instantly as a rookie.
4. Charlotte Bobcats – Ben McLemore, SG, Kansas (6’5, 15.9 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 42% 3pt)
Charlotte is all over the board right now. Reports are that MJ and Rich Cho like Otto Porter, Alex Len, and Cody Zeller but are also entertaining trade offers.
Ben McLemore is here because teams are pressing the Bobcats to make a deal to grab the Kansas guard. Charlotte needs more offense and Porter makes sense if they are to keep the pick.
If Cody Zeller is the target, the Bobcats can afford to move down a few spots and add an asset or two. I’m told the Kings, Hawks, and Timberwolves all are interested in McLemore and might be prepared to move up and grab him.
5. Phoenix Suns – Nerlens Noel, C, Kentucky (6’10, 10.5 ppg, 9.5 rpg, 4.4 bpg)
New GM Ryan McDonough is high on two players in the top-5, Victor Oladipo and Nerlens Noel. With Oladipo likely gone by this pick there is a chance a player like Noel could slip.
Phoenix has reportedly offered Cleveland the 5th and 30th picks for the 1st pick in order to take Noel.
If McLemore does slip here I expect McDonough’s phone to blow up with teams trying to trade up and land the Kansas guard. The Suns would love to have someone take one or two of their bad contracts — Channing Frye is due to make $13.2 million over the next two years, and Michael Beasley has two years left at $12.2 million.
It seems strange to think of Noel slipping this far but this is a going to be a wild night and I am confident that the Suns will wind up with Noel.
6. New Orleans Pelicans – Trey Burke, PG, Michigan (6’0, 18.6 ppg, 6.7 apg, 3.2 rpg)
No chance New Orleans passes on Burke. Austin Rivers showed he is not a point guard, and if given the chance to take Burke – who once had an outside shot at being the top pick – the Pelicans will rush the stage on draft night.
With Rivers and Eric Gordon, the Pelicans are deep at shooting guard and can even entertain trade offers for Gordon, who is signed to a massive extension but was emphastic in his desire to play for the Suns when they signed him to an offer sheet last season.
The Pelicans took their centerpiece last year in Anthony Davis. Now New Orleans must surround him with talent. Burke is one of the quickest guards in the draft and can get by most defenders. With as much success as rookie point men have had the last few seasons (see Damian Lillard, Kyrie Irving), the Pelicans will look to get theirs.
Did this guy get any picks correct? His sources said that Len was 100% going number 1 if the Cavs kept the pick…
Nice work. Do you get paid to be this wrong?
Now I know why Kotoch entitles his Kreskin-like annual prognostication “Mock Draft.” With emphasis on the “Mock.” Get rid of this guy.