The NCAA tournament is in full swing, and several NBA teams are already out of the playoff race. So what better time to start looking for help? With that, we give you the first of many NBA mock drafts to come.
1. Charlotte - Anthony Davis, PF, Kentucky: Outstanding athlete who rules paint on defense and can do it all offensively.
2. Washington - Harrison Barnes, SF, North Carolina: Smooth with a fantastic shooting touch.
3. New Orleans - Thomas Robinson, PF, Kansas: Strong, has all the tools and plays with an edge.
4. Portland (from New Jersey) - Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SG, Kentucky: Hard-worker with big upside. Says he’s staying in school but we’ll see.
5. Toronto - Andre Drummond, C, Connecticut: Big and super athletic. Idea is to teach him the rest.
6. Sacramento - Jared Sullinger, PF, Ohio State: Strong underneath with developing perimeter game.
7. Detroit - James McAdoo, PF, North Carolina: Highly intelligent with great skills near basket.
8. Cleveland - Bradley Beal, SG, Florida: Pure scorer with zip-code range on jumper.
9. Utah (from Golden State) - Damian Lilliard, PG, Weber State: Explosive with great wingspan.
10. Milwaukee - Perry Jones, F, Baylor: Scouts love his talent, not necessarily his drive.
11. Portland - Cody Zeller, C, Indiana: Athletic and strong near basket.
12. New Orleans (from Minnesota) - Jeremy Lamb, SG, Connecticut: Lanky with a quick release on jumper.
13. Utah - Tyler Zeller, C, North Carolina: Lacks NBA skills, but fantastic athlete who can finish at rim.
14. Phoenix - John Henson, PF, North Carolina: Sound fundamentally, but scouts wonder if he may be too soft.
15. Houston (from New York) - Quincy Miller, SF, Baylor: Versatile athlete who can play both forward spots.
16. New Jersey (from Houston) - Terrence Jones, F, Kentucky: Lefty, exceptional ball-handler with large wingspan, but inconsistent.
17. Boston - Austin Rivers, SG, Duke: Top-notch scorer with solid all-around game. Could go in lottery.
18. Denver - Arnett Moultrie, PF, Mississippi State: Explosive leaper, at best in open court.
19. Atlanta - Kendall Marshall, PG, North Carolina: Good size and strength; pure point guard.
20. Philadelphia - Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois: Quick around basket; athletic defensive presence.
21. Houston (from Dallas) - Terrence Ross, SG, Washington: Long-range bomber with good athleticism.
22. Indiana - Tony Wroten Jr., PG, Washington: Good size, sees floor well, strong finisher.
23. Memphis - Royce White, F, Iowa State: Ultimate utility man, does just about everything well.
24. Boston (from L.A. Clippers) - Jeff Taylor, SF, Vanderbilt: Ultra-athletic wingman and strong defender. Can score, too.
25. Orlando - Dion Waiters, SG, Syracuse: Supremely confident, finds ways to get to basket and finish.
26. Cleveland (from L.A. Lakers) - Fab Melo, C, Syracuse: Mobile, strong and blocks shots.
27. Golden State (from San Antonio) - Doron Lamb, SG, Kentucky: Effortless scorer with strong mid-range game.
28. Miami - Moe Harkless, SF, St. John’s: Superb athlete who excels at running floor.
29. Oklahoma City - C.J. Leslie, PF, NC State: Good ball-handler, finishes at rim; improving perimeter shooter.
30. Chicago - John Jenkins, SG, Vanderbilt: Not a great athlete, but automatic shooter with super-quick release.
Others to watch:
Mason Plumlee, PF, Duke; Andrew Nicholson, PF, St. Bonaventure; Tony Mitchell, SF, North Texas; Draymond Green, SF, Michigan State; Patric Young, C, Florida; Drew Gordon, PF, New Mexico; Herb Pope, PF, Seton Hall; Will Barton, SG, Memphis; Mike Moser, PF, UNLV; Alex Young, SF, IUPUI; Kevin Jones, PF, West Virginia.
Follow Sam Amico on Twitter @SamAmicoFSO
