15. Milwaukee Bucks – Shane Larkin, PG, Miami (5’11, 14.5 ppg, 4.6 apg, 3.8 rpg)
With news that Dario Saric withdrew from the draft, the Bucks are back to square one. There is no doubt Milwaukee also needs help on the wing, especially with Monta Ellis opting for free agency and Tobias Harris having been stolen by Rob Hennigan.
The Bucks are talking about moving up to get Sergey Karasev but will need to jump Oklahoma City in order to do so.
With the future of unrestricted free agent Brandon Jennings unclearl, the Bucks might opt to play it safe and take Shane Larkin, who had a spectacular season for Miami. Larkin showed he can score, shoot, and create for others. Additionally, Larkin tested out as one of the top athletes at the NBA Combine.
Shabazz Muhammad also warrants consideration by the Bucks.
16. Boston Celtics – Kelly Olynyk, C, Gonzaga (7’0, 17.8 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 1.7 apg)
Never afraid of taking chances on players, the Celtics are high on Giannis Adetokunbo and also would be very intrigued if Dennis Schroeder falls to them.
With Doc Rivers’ departure and rumors of Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce potentially being traded, the rebuild has officially started in Boston. Larkin falling here would be a coup for the Celtics.
Its only a matter of time until Rajon Rondo is traded, and grabbing Larkin or Dennis Schroeder makes sense. With neither prospect remaining, I expect the Celtics to select Olynyk, who is one of the most productive bigs in this draft and will give Boston a new look offensively.
Olynyk is highly regarded amongst the analytic community and the Celtics must find a replacement at center for Kevin Garnett.
(RELATED: SHERIDAN PODCAST: Who will coach the Celtics? Why not David Blatt?)
17. Atlanta Hawks – Giannis Adetokunbo, SF, Filathlitikos (6’9, 9.5 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 1.4 apg)
Similar to the Mavericks, the Hawks are in a position where they are gearing up for a free-agent run that hopefully will result in landing Dwight Howard. The Hawks also have the cap room to get a second max free agent.
GM Danny Ferry has positioned the Hawks well enough to where they could have only three guaranteed contracts on the books next season – Al Horford, Lou Wiliams and John Jenkins (Jeff Teague and Ivan Johnson are eligible for qualifying offers that would make them restricted free agents). While the 17th pick won’t weigh too much against the cap, every dollar counts when it comes to luring top-tier free agents.
Ferry has long been comfortable taking international players and has always done a good job of scouting Europe. According to sources, Adetokunbo is a player Atlanta likes a lot, so much so that it is very likely this could be as far as the “Greek Freak” falls as the Hawks look to be the team that gave him a promise.
(RELATED: Israeli-based coach/columnist AJ Mitnick is not at all enamored of the Greek Freak.)
18. Atlanta Hawks (From Houston) – Shabazz Muhammad, SG, UCLA (6’6, 17.9 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 0.8 apg)
Even though the Hawks will be going after big time free agents this offseason, having two first-round picks gives them the option to take a player that could help right away. Atlanta has been exploring options to package their picks and move up and would love to acquire Ben McLemore if he slips to Phoenix, or acquire Kidd-Gilchrist from Charlotte if the Bobcats trade him, according to our sources.
However, if the Hawks stand pat, watch for them to draft a wing that can play right away. Muhammad has his issues including struggles creating at times, failing to dominate, and often going left, but he also has the chance to be a quality wing because of his scoring ability and NBA-ready body.
19. Cleveland Cavaliers (From LA Lakers) – Tim Hardaway Jr., SG, Michigan (6’6, 14.5 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 2.4 apg)
I fully expect this pick to belong to another team tonight. Cleveland is often aggressive on draft night and will explore dealing up, down, or even out.
If Cleveland doesn’t move the pick, drafting a wing to pair with Len and Irving makes sense. ‘
Hardaway Jr. has moved up boards throughout the draft process and is a great shooter. Teams love Hardaway and I hear that Cleveland could decide to deal this pick to a team wanting to jump Chicago, which is leaning toward Hardaway.
20. Chicago Bulls – Mason Plumlee, C, Duke (6’10, 17.1 ppg, 10.0 rpg, 1.4 bpg)
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. However, Plumlee would be too hard to pass on.
Plumlee could be the forgotten big man in this draft class because of the depth at the center position. Plumlee improved every year at Duke, produced at a high level, will be able to defend from Day 1 and tested very well athletically. He won’t be a star in the NBA but likely will have a very good career. The Bulls need a long-term replacement for Omer Asik as Joakim Noah’s backup.
With the future unclear for Carlos Boozer (it is likely the Bulls will amnesty him after the 2013-14 season, claring room to bring in EuroStud Mikola Mirotic), adding a quality big to the rotation for the Bulls would be a wise move. The Bulls could certainly use a wing that can score, but there are not many options for one at this point in the draft unless they choose Franklin. Chicago also likes Hardaway Jr. a lot.
(RELATED: Bulls would be crazy to trade Mirotic)
21. Utah Jazz (From Golden State) – Lucas Noegueira, C, Estudiantes (6’11, 5.3 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 1.1 bpg)
As Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap appear to be leaving via free agency, adding a big man to the rotation behind Derrick Favors and Enes Kanter makes sense — even if they have to wait on him for a year or two.
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.
In the past week Noegueira has soared up draft boards and it would not be a surprise his name mentioned in the late lottery, but for now he fills a need in Salt Lake City. Despite signing a new deal in Europe, Noegueira is worth taking as a Eurostash asset and could be a great get for the Jazz down the road.
22. Brooklyn Nets – Gorgui Dieng, C, Louisville (6’11, 9.8 ppg, 9.4 rpg, 2.5 bpg)
Dieng is a mature prospect who is physically ready to play in the NBA. As a bonus for the Nets, Dieng’s strengths are rebounding and blocking shots — something they always need. Armed with an improved 15′ jumper, Dieng could be a functional player on the offensive end.
Adding a great shooter could also make sense for the Nets as they try to get better spacing on offense. But we’re going with Dieng. Reggie Evans, Kris Humphries and Andray Blatche all played alongside Brook Lopez last season, and Dieng could be teamed in a Twin Towers lineup with Lopez.
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.