With the NBA draft just about to begin, GMs are working the phones frantically to explore all avenues of improving their clubs, including trades and creating cap space. The latest news appears to be the Los Angeles Lakers choosing at 2 between Duke’s Jahlil Okafor and Ohio State’s D’Angelo Russell.
As I reported in Mock 6.0.1, my sources revealed that the Lakers front office voted Russell over Okafor when polled by Mitch Kupchak. It sounds doubtful that a deal for DeMarcus Cousins will happen tonight, so I expect the Lakers to make the pick for themselves and that will be Russell.
Today it was reported that Kings owner Vivek Ranadive is considering firing George Karl for wanting to trade Cousins. While that report suggests a trade won’t happen, I continue hearing from sources the Lakers and Kings discussions continue. Ultimately the player and coach want this and the GM may also, despite his public statements to the contrary, but the owner is the biggest obstacle at this moment.
According to my sources, the Lakers are making Julius Randle, Jordan Clarkson, and all of their assets available if they can pry away Cousins from the the Kings – who pick sixth. While there is unlikely to be any resolution with Cousins tonight, the Lakers are reportedly interested in LaMarcus Aldridge, Kevin Love, DeAndre Jordan, Brook Lopez, and Marc Gasol in free agency, so it would further support why they are targeting Russell at 2.
Leading up to the draft, the two most aggressive teams according to many around the league are the Celtics and the Suns. Both teams are looking to move up as high and the Celtics are looking into a deal with Philadelphia for the 3rd pick to target Jahlil Okafor. It sounds like Marcus Smart would be involved along with at least one or two first-round picks.
While we hear of players with soaring stocks, Kentucky’s Willie Cauley-Stein is falling due to medical concerns over his ankle. It appears that the Suns are his floor but if they move up for another prospect then Cauley-Stein could free fall into the late teens.
Thanks to all their wheeling and dealing, Michael Jordan’s Hornets will be locking in a Frank Kaminsky, who the Knicks reportedly like as well if they move down to 6 or 7. If the Knicks stand pat and Okafor and Russell are off the board, look for them to target Mario Hezonja or trade the pick to a team wanting to jump the Magic to get Kristaps Porzingis.
Sources also indicated that the Kings could possibly move scoring forward Rudy Gay on or after draft night, possibly for Nuggets PG Ty Lawson. As Kings GM, Divac appears to be jumping into his new position with both feet.
If Okafor slips to 3 the 76ers will be fielding offers from many teams looking to grab the Duke big but there is a chance Philly could grab him. If they pass, they are leaning toward Emmanuel Mudiay.
Another team to watch for in a potential Cousins deal is Boston. The Celtics have as many as seven first-round picks over the next two drafts – including the 16th and 28th picks Thursday – and five former first-round picks still on rookie deals that could make for an enticing package for Cousins.
According to several executives I spoke with, the Toronto Raptors are actively exploring trades for All-Star guard Kyle Lowry, former All-Star DeMar DeRozan and even Jonas Valanciunas, who is up for an extension this summer. According to these sources, Raptors GM Masai Ujiri wants to blow up this roster because he believes it has reached its ceiling, even in the weak East.
Two names in the latter part of the NBA Lottery that are rising are Texas big man Myles Turner and Arizona SF Stanley Johnson, who are both potentially joining the top-10. I’m told Turner has been a target of teams starting around pick 7 and should be gone by the time Utah picks at 12. Johnson’s name has been linked to Detroit and Miami a lot this week and is certainly off the board by 13.
The Cleveland Cavaliers are reaching out to multiple teams looking to spend big in free agency and are offering Brendan Haywood, who has a $10 million non-guaranteed salary that vests on August 2. The Cavs are hoping to acquire wing and perimeter help for Haywood, who would provide cap room once he is waived. While Iman Shumpert is a restricted free agent, the Cavs are open to finding a potential starting guard opposite Kyrie Irving. Other names I’ve heard linked to Cleveland in a potential trade and DeRozan, Memphis forward Jeff Green and Boston guard Avery Bradley.
As I discussed above, the Celtics are the most aggressive team in talks right now, exploring ways to move up in the draft and possibly add a star such as Cousins. GM Danny Ainge wants to make a splash this summer. Watch for a possible deal with the Knicks involving multiple first-rounders. If that falls through, I think Ainge targets a move to No. 7 with Denver. I am hearing the Celtics’ target in a possible trade up to 4 or 7 would be Kristaps Porzingis, but they also are very intrigued by Cauley-Stein as they lack a rim protector in their stable of bigs.
You may have noticed Porzingis linked with nearly every team. The 7-2 Latvian forward has been very good in workouts, and his game impresses a lot of executives. One team not currently in position to take Porzingis has him as the top prospect on their board. Right now, Porzingis’ range is 2-5 as I hear Magic GM Rob Hennigan has scouted Porzingis four times in person.
In this latest Mock Draft, we see some movement in the mid-to-late lottery and a few new names in round one.
1. Minnesota Timberwolves – Karl-Anthony Towns, PF, Kentucky
The Wolves sit at the top of the draft with the easiest decision to make. Several weeks ago I reported that Towns to the Timberwolves was a done deal and nothing has changed. Towns is seen as a game-changer with the ability to play both big spots. Towns has the best combination of size, athleticism, offense and defense of all the bigs in this draft.
Once Towns is paired with Andrew Wiggins, watching the Timberwolves in transition will give Minnesota fans hope of ending their playoff drought. Towns has shown the ability to play inside but still lacks the polish for that to translate immediately to the NBA. He played limited minutes in the Wildcats’ platoon system but was extremely productive and efficient. With Kevin Garnett in Minnesota, he will have a great mentor to learn from.
Then the fun begins.
2. Los Angeles Lakers – D’Angelo Russell, G, Ohio State
I’ve had Russell going to L.A. since Mock 5.0 and nothing is changing. My sources say the front office is in favor of him over Okafor. This pick could still be a part of a Cousins deal but I’m told not to expect anything tonight.
Playing and and learning alongside Kobe Bryant for a year or possibly two could do wonders for his development. Russell can play PG as a rookie and eventually slide over and replace Kobe.
Several NBA scouts I spoke with believe Russell could be the best player in the draft three or four years from now. As the end of the Kobe era approaches, the Lakers are in search of their next franchise player. Adding Russell along with the maximum salary space they have pegged for a star could thrust the Lakers back into playoff contention. With plenty of bigs including Marc Gasol, DeAndre Jordan, and LaMarcus Aldridge the Lakers are better off going Russell.
3. Philadelphia 76ers – Jahlil Okafor, C, Duke 
My sources with Philadelphia say Mudiay is gaining steam here but I get the sense Sam Hinkie will be blown away by some team’s offer to move up in order to take Okafor. Either way the Sixers would be justified in drafting Okafor with Joel Embiid’s foot issues, and he would compliment Nerlens Noel quite well.
While Philly likes Porzingis it sounds like they weren’t thrilled with his workout recently. With Okafor and Porzingis on the board I think Hinkie, an avid collector of assets, becomes overwhelmed by a team like the Celtics – flush with first round picks and young players like Marcus Smart, and cuts a deal.
4. New York Knicks – Mario Hezonja, SF, Barcelona
Phil Jackson will be heartbroken if the top three shakes out like this. In the last few hours the buzz on Hezonja has grown if the Knicks stay at 4. Trading down here would be likely for Frank Kaminsky, who Jackson is impressed with.
Hezonja has the moxie New Yorkers love and is a very skilled shooter and scorer that can play alongside Carmelo and fit in nicely to the Triangle offense.
The Knicks are realistic about their limited chances of landing Russell or Okafor, but if either falls here, it’s a no-brainer. The current discussion in New York revolves around trading down for Kaminsky, Trey Lyles and Sam Dekker.
5. Orlando Magic – Kristaps Porzingis, PF, Sevilla
The Magic’s wish list includes shooting and a rim protector. I believe Willie Cauley-Stein will appeal to them but he is moving down on some boards because of a medical issue with his ankle. So look for Porzingis to be the pick.
Magic GM Rob Hennigan has personally scouted Porzingis four times and we would fit in nicely with Nikola Vucevic, Elfried Payton, Tobias Harris, and Victor Oladipo. While Justice Winslow’s name has been linked here as well, the Magic have plenty of athletic players that can’t shoot, so I’m sticking with Porzingis.
6. Sacramento Kings – Emmanuel Mudiay, PG, Guangdong (China)
This is a scenario where the Kings could see Mudiay slip to them, and if so they would be racing to make their pick. While an upgrade at point guard is needed, I think the Kings will also look at bigs and possibly shooters like Hezonja or Porzingis and could look to move up.
While the Kings actively explore deals for DeMarcus Cousins, he would make a nice pairing with Mudiay, the new brand of point guard with blazing speed, electric in transition and capable of defending multiple positions.
7. Denver Nuggets – Justise Winslow, SF, Duke
This pick could be on the move as the Nuggets are the most active team this side of New York when it comes to exploring deals for their lottery pick. While I’m hearing Ty Lawson, Danilo Gallinari, and Kenneth Faried’s names attached to many potential trades, I think the Nuggets would prefer to keep Faried if they can.
Winslow is very attractive to teams because he is an NBA athlete and a winner but has yet to demonstrate the skills needed to succeed as a SF in the NBA, mainly as a shooter.
Fortunately for the Nuggets, they will be in a position to grab a prospect that falls into their laps, whether that is Hezonja, Mudiay, or Winslow. Winslow looked physically advanced for the college game and should be a clear top-10 pick with his offensive versatility.
8. Detroit Pistons – Stanley Johnson, SF, Arizona
Detroit is looking for help along the wing and while they would be thrilled to see a shooter like Hezonja slip to them. I hear Johnson’s name has been mentioned here a lot recently. Johnson is a talented defender and while he is not the shooter that Booker or Hezonja are, he is more complete and has plenty of upside that appeals to Stan Van Gundy.
With Greg Monroe set to be a free agent, the Pistons could opt for a big as insurance but would need someone with face up skills to complement Andre Drummond. Detroit could be in play to move up as well for Hezonja, but if the cupboard is bare for shooters keep an eye on Sam Dekker here.
9. Charlotte Hornets – Frank Kaminsky, PF, Wisconsin
This pick is looking like a lock. Charlotte really likes Devin Booker, too, but after acquiring Nicholas Batum and Jeremy Lamb, going big is the direction Michael Jordan wants to go. Charlotte really likes Kaminsky’s shooting touch and that’s important as the Hornets were the worst 3-point shooting team in the NBA.
The Hornets are looking to rebound and return to the playoffs next season. The trade of Lance Stephenson landed Spencer Hawes, who should improve their shooting. Adding another knockdown shooter regardless of position would certainly help. I’ve heard Charlotte likes R.J. Hunter but would target him later in the draft.
10. Miami Heat – Devin Booker, SG, Kentucky
Besides Booker, the Heat have been linked with Frank Kaminsky, Hezonja, and Johnson. This is an opportunity for Pat Riley to infuse the franchise with some talent and youth.
I expect Booker to be the choice as he is ready to play immediately and ability to stretch the court would help Goran Dragic and Dwyane Wade, if he returns. With reports of Wade’s displeasure with the organization over his contract and an aging Luol Deng, the Heat might have to find a wing to groom.
I expect the Heat to bring back Wade and point guard Goran Dragic, so look for Miami to focus on their frontcourt.
CONTINUE READING: PICKS 11-20 | PICKS 21-30