21. Dallas Mavericks – Tyus Jones, PG, Duke
If you watched any of Duke’s tournament games, you could see how big of an impact Jones had as a true freshman. Jones is a throwback PG that creates great scoring opportunities for his teammates, but he also has the ability to hit the big shot or convert when he’s open, sort of like Chris Paul.
While Jones is not big, he has tons of heart and is a true leader. In a point guard-driven league, especially coming off the games he had in the latter stages of the NCAA Tournament, he could make a solid impact immediately. While he is a smallish guy, he plays with tremendous heart and has a large basketball IQ.
Dallas, fresh off the Rajon Rondo debacle and relying on Raymond Felton to play minutes in the playoffs, will be hard-pressed to pass on a player like Jones. He has the chance to be capable of playing early in his career and give Dirk Nowitzki and company better scoring opportunities. I’ve heard the Bulls are also interested in Jones as an upgrade over backup PG Aaron Brooks, so Dallas will need to grab Jones here.
22. Chicago Bulls – Robert Upshaw, C, Washington
Are we looking at the next DeAndre Jordan?
Upshaw is a long center with a great wingspan and frame who has shown the ability to move well in space and defend the pick-and-roll.
Having blocked 4.5 shots per game at Washington, Upshaw clearly has embraced being a rim protector. On the offensive end, Upshaw is limited beyond finishing at the rim and is a horrible foul shooter. Like I said, think DeAndre Jordan.
Whether Tom Thibodeau is back coaching in Chicago next season, and rumors are suggesting he won’t be, selecting Upshaw gives the Bulls protection. They are believed to be a team that will be active on draft night with players like Taj Gibson and Joakim Noah available. Anyone who saw the playoffs knows that changes are coming in Chicago. Upshaw is a fine defensive player who can contribute immediately.
23. Portland Trail Blazers – Kevon Looney, PF, UCLA
Looney is the type of prospect teams drafting in the mid-to-late first round love because of his freakish length, a great motor and good athleticism.
As Looney develops physically, he should have the ability to mix it up down low against NBA bigs. Looney will need patience from the team that drafts him, but could be a high-ceiling type of pick later in round one. He is reminiscent of current Blazer Nicolas Batum but projects as a bigger body.
If disaster strikes and LaMarcus Aldridge leaves as an unrestricted free agent, some are saying that scenario is more likely than Aldridge has led people to believe, Looney is the type of player who can step right in and be an NBA starter from the get-go. He was very impressive at times as a freshman at UCLA and is another candidate whose stock could rise quickly and reach the middle of round one.
24. Cleveland Cavaliers – Terry Rozier, PG, Louisville
In a league dominated by great PG play, Rozier had a great season for the Cardinals and appears ready to make the jump to the NBA. Rozier was one of the best players to participate in the 5-on-5 portion of the combine, and many executives I spoke to were impressed with Rozier’s game.
Blessed with great length, speed and skills, Rozier is a true lead guard who can do everything from grab boards, facilitate for his teammates and play aggressive on-the-ball defense. He is NBA-ready and Cleveland is seeing just how thin they are at PG if Kyrie Irving is injured.
A player like Rozier would be an excellent backup and could spell Irving when he needs rest in the regular season while not making LeBron James and company completely dependent on Matthew Dellavedova, his breakout performance in Game 6 versus the Bulls not withstanding.
Cleveland traded away next year’s number one, so this is a pick they will need to make whether its for them or someone else. Also, watch on draft night as the Cavs’ name could be involved in several trade scenarios. Brendan Haywood’s non-guaranteed contract can be unloaded to improve the roster.
25. Memphis Grizzlies – Justin Anderson, SF, Virginia
Anderson has a solid frame and is a rugged defender who will intrigue teams drafting in the late first round.
Offensively, Anderson must become a more consistent shooter and ball-handler.
Incidentally, Anderson reminds me a bit of Tony Allen in his defensive ability and versatility to defend multiple positions. And we all just learned in the second round exactly how important Allen is to the Grizzlies.
As we all now know, teams need a guy like Allen, Kawhi Leonard or Draymond Green to become one of the NBA’s elite teams. Allen’s hamstring problems slowed the Grizzlies down to a certain extent over the second half of this season, and Allen’s NBA shelf life may be nearing an end. Anderson would be a nice guy to have around to learn from Allen while he is still in Memphis.
26. San Antonio Spurs – R.J. Hunter, SG, Georgia State
With Tony Parker getting older, Manu Ginobli possibly retiring and Danny Green an unrestricted free agent, the Spurs may look for backcourt help. Hunter’s calling card is offense and he could be a great replacement, eventually, for Ginobli.
Capable of scoring from anywhere on the court, Hunter doesn’t lack confidence. Hunter played under his father at Georgia State and is a crafty, but physically limited player.
Hunter looks like a capable guard off the bench that can create his own offense or serve as a shooter. Until Tim Duncan announces his retirement, expect the Spurs to continue to target players that fit into their system and complement their core nucleus.
Bobby Gonzalez touted him as a sleeper way back before the season started.
27. Los Angeles Lakers (From Houston) – Rakeem Christmas, PF, Syracuse
Christmas had one of the most promising performances in Chicago, showcasing a diverse offensive repertoire that scouts had not seen on a consistent basis during his collegiate career.
Christmas has always been known for his ability to protect the rim and hit the glass, but the flashes of offense make him an intriguing prospect to watch. Word from around the NBA is that Christmas should be a popular prospect for teams to work out during the pre-draft process.
Despite a four-year career at Syracuse, Christmas still has some upside because of a solid frame, a freakish 7’5″ wingspan and good mobility for a big. He could play either PF or C depending on whether the Lakers choose to play small ball.
This is somewhat of a freebie pick for the Lakers; they got it for taking on the contract of Jeremy Lin.
28. Boston Celtics (From Los Angeles Clippers) – Delon Wright, PG, Utah
Wright is a four-year player who capped off a great collegiate career and should be a very serviceable PG from day one in the NBA.
NBA coaches love long point guards who can cover opponents, and Wright sure can do that. Offensively, Wright is a very capable scorer who can attack the rim or stroke it from beyond the arc.
Yes, Marcus Smart, Isaiah Thomas and Avery Bradley would seem to form the core of a strong backcourt going forward for Danny Ainge, so I would not be surprised if this pick changes hands and Ainge tries to turn the piece the Celtics acquired in exchange for letting Doc Rivers out of his contract into something bigger and better. Expect this pick to be swapped or the Celtics to go international here if they keep it.
29. Brooklyn Nets (From Atlanta) – Timothe Luwawu, SF, Antibes
Expect to hear Luwawu’s name called in round one as teams are going to target this high-upside prospect.
Due to a manageable contract buyout, Luwawu can come over right away or spend another season or two in France.
Luwawu has the potential to be a very good defender because of his length, athleticism and quickness to guard multiple positions. On the offensive end, Luwawu is a solid shooter who will serve as a Danny Green type of role player.
Despite their losing record, the Nets will be picking way down here because the Hawks used the right to swap picks. Expect Brooklyn to buy up second-round picks as they did a year ago. Luwawu is a name to watch closely, as several championship contenders could be targeting him in the first with the idea of stashing him overseas for another year or two.
30. Golden State Warriors – Jarell Martin, PF, LSU
Martin is a prospect with great skills, including rebounding, but his combine measurements will go a long way toward determining how high he is drafted. The Tigers listed him at 6-foot-10, but he measured 6’8″ without shoes at the Combine with 10.1 percent body fat.
Martin will be best suited to defend power forwards in the NBA, but also has some versatility facing up to draw out defenders and help space the court. That makes him similar in that regard to Draymond Green, who will be testing free agency this summer.
Martin played almost 35 minutes per game at LSU, averaging 16.9 points and 9.2 rebounds while shooting 51 percent from the field and making 14 of 52 3-point shots. In Steve Kerr’s system, playing alongside Klay Thompson and Steph Curry could really bolster Martin’s chances to blossom in the NBA.
(RELATED: TOP 5 EUROPEAN PROSPECTS)
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. Follow him on Twitter.