23. Indiana Pacers – Reggie Bullock, SG, North Carolina (6’7, 13.9 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 2.9 apg)
Watching the Eastern Conference finals, it became obvious that the Pacers need to upgrade their bench. The starters were able to hold their own, but the bench production was lackluster and unreliable. Indiana could focus on a PG if one were to slip, but I don’t think reaching for Isaiah Canaan is wise.
Bullock is versatile enough to play either 2 or 3 and is tremendous defender that has a great touch from deep. Bullock has been compared to Danny Green, another Tar Heel, but is more athletic and has more upside.
With Danny Granger possibly being dealt, Bullock can come in a spell Paul George and Lance Stephenson or possibly start in front of Stephenson for Frank Vogel. Keep an eye on Jamaal Franklin here as well.
24. New York Knicks – Jamaal Franklin, SG, San Diego State (6’5, 17.0 ppg, 9.5 rpg, 3.3 apg)
According to sources, the Knicks are another team that will be focused on a point guard with their first-round pick. But they may go for the best available player if Larkin is off the board — even if he duplicates Iman Shumpert to a certain degree.
Franklin may not be a 20-point scorer, but he could do everything for his team. He is an improving shooter, as evidenced by his pre-draft workouts, he really impressed in New York.
Adding intrigue to Franklin in New York is his ability to defend and rebound. Franklin projects to be an immediate contributor for a team with a weak bench. Some around Franklin have compared him to J.R. Smith, who is a free agent this summer.
Talking to sources in New York, the Knicks are not in love with anyone they expect to be available at 24.
25. Los Angeles Clippers – Allen Crabbe, SG, California (6’6, 18.1 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 2.6 apg)
Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan were among the best big duos in the league this season, but the Clippers were thin behind them. There is now some skepticism regarding the long-rumored reports that L.A. will trade Eric Bledsoe for Aaron Afflalo and Andrew Nicholson.
The Clippers, according to a source, are very high on Hardaway Jr. and feel his ability to shoot would be a perfect compliment to Chris Paul, Blake Griffin, and company. With Doc Rivers now on board, the Clippers seem safe in assuming Chris Paul will re-sign.
With that said Crabbe would make the most sense of the prospects left on the Clippers board because he is a terrific shooter who can play off the ball and benefit from open looks created by Paul. Crabbe is not an elite athlete but is a long wing that is polished and can contribute right away.
With Jordan very much available, as evidenced by the trade talks with Boston, GM Gary Sacks could look for a contributor like Jeff Withey.
(RELATED: Mark Heisler pens another Dear Donald letter to Sterling — and congratulates him)
26. Minnesota Timberwolves (From Memphis) – Jeff Withey, C, Kansas (7’0, 13.9 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 3.9 bpg)
With many decisions looming for the Wolves, this will be a very useful pick for them to address some holes that may be left after free agency. The Wolves will likely receive a lot of calls from teams looking to move back into the first round to grab a player who is falling.
Nikola Pekovic is set to be a free agent and will command an eight-figure annual salary, and adding Withey would be a great insurance policy for the Wolves. Withey is a proven rebounder and an elite shot blocker. While Withey may not be an elite starter, he will be a solid contributor for many years.
Drafting Mike Muscala is another possibility here as well.
27. Denver Nuggets – Tony Mitchell, PF, North Texas (6’8, 13.0 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 2.7 bpg)
With the recent departure of GM Masai Ujiri, the Nuggets could go in a few directions. Tim Connelly, Ujiri’s replacement, has many pieces already in place but could use some depth in the frontcourt that features Kenneth Faried, Kosta Koufos and JaVale McGee.
Denver is shifting to the triangle offense, and Mitchell, with his ability to face the basket and play out of the high post could be a great pickup here for the Nuggets.
Denver is trying to win now, and selecting Mitchell makes a lot of sense.
28. San Antonio Spurs – Rudy Gobert, C, Cholet (7’0, 8.0 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 1.3 bpg)
The Spurs are another team that loves to draft-and-stash players, and with Tiago Splitter a free agent they might pull the trigger on Gobert if he drops this far.
Gobert is an extremely long rim protector who could use a year or two overseas to continue to develop. San Antonio has needs at other positions as well but probably can’t pass up Gobert, who might go as high as 14.
(RELATED: The long road and missed honeymoon to Atlantis that led Gary Neal to the Spurs)
29. Oklahoma City Thunder – Ricky Ledo, SG, Providence (6’6″, ruled ineligible for his freshman season)
Despite having Jeremy Lamb on the roster, GM Sam Presti would be wise to go with Ledo as he is the type of long, athletic wing that Presti loves to collect. Although his freshman season was wiped out due to eligibility issues, Ledo has a lot of upside.
Ledo is most comfortable with the ball in his hands and would be an excellent sixth man in OKC, which could use his creativity. Still young and raw, Ledo has time to mature and develop but would be able to eventually slide between Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant or take over the James Harden role.
Don’t rule out a more traditional point guard such as Myck Kabongo or even Isaiah Canaan here if Presti feels Ledo is too much of a risk.
30. Phoenix Suns (From Miami) – Tony Snell, SF, New Mexico (6’7″, 12.5 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 2.9 apg)
The Suns have the ability to go in any direction with this pick, and depending on what they do at 5 could opt for a combo-guard, wing, or a center.
While the frontcourt is crowded right now, opting for a wing like Snell makes sense as Michael Beasley is not a favorite of Ryan McDonough.
Snell is an excellent shooter with great length and could give Phoenix an instant contributor. Sacramento is said to love Snell and will try to move back into the 20’s to grab him.
MORE FROM JOE KOTOCH:
Mock Draft 6.0.1
Mock Draft 5.0.1
Mock Draft 4.0
Mock Draft 3.0.1
Top International Early Entry Candidates
Early Entry Candidates: Who Is Missing?
Mock Draft 2.0.1
Risers and Fallers from 2013 NCAA Tournament
Mock Draft 1.0.1
Top Scorers in the NCAA; A Closer Look
Top 20 Picks: Pre-March Madness
Top 2013 Draft Prospects: Centers
Top 2013 Draft Prospects: Power Forwards
Top 2013 Draft Prospects: Small Forwards
Top 2013 Draft Prospects: Point Guards
Top 2013 Draft Prospects: Shooting Guards
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.
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.