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NBA Mock Draft Edition 1

1. Milwaukee Bucks Joel Embiid, C
Even with the Sixers going on a historically bad losing streak, the Bucks are still the worst team in the NBA because of a weak offensive with no presence down low. Embiid will give Milwaukee a monster in the paint with loads of offensive potential.
2. Philadelphia Sixers Jabari Parker, SF-PF
Parker is going to meet with Coach K this week to discuss his future with Duke but if he goes Philly should take a chance on him. His offensive versatility and size puts him way ahead of the rest of his position.
3. Orlando Magic Andrew Wiggins, SF
The Magic have shown signs of a bright future with Victor Oladipo but they lack offensive playmakers. If Wiggins drops, he should be a steal for Orlando; he is lethal in transition and could defenses problems when combined with Oladipo.
4. Boston Celtics Dante Exum, PG
No international player in this year's draft is anywhere near on the same level as Exum. The 6'6" Australian is an excellent ball handler and playmaker and can get to the rim. If Boston believes Rondo is still a piece of their future, they can play Exum at shooting guard.
5. Los Angeles Lakers Noah Vonleh, PF
Noah Vonleh
Quietly no player increased his draft stock like Vonleh who has skyrocketed up draft boards after his lone year with Indiana. Vonleh has an NBA body and is dominant on the boards with the potential to improve in big ways offensively.
6. Utah Jazz Julius Randle, PF
Few players in this draft will bring the versatility that Randle can bring. He has the strength to bully people in the post and he can also step up and stretch the court. Having him on the court would really help Trey Burke continue his development.
7. Sacremento Kings Marcus Smart, PG
Although questions may arise about Smart's ego and how he will fit in with Demarcus Cousins, the Kings cannot pass up Smart. He is a streaky shooter but he can change games and he does it all defensively.
8. Detroit Pistons Gary Harris, SG
Perhaps no team in the NBA needs floor spacers like the Pistons. Detroit has to get a shooter in this draft and Harris will give them that. He also has an NBA body and Harris played at nearby Michigan State.
9. Cleveland Cavaliers Rodney Hood, SF
It is obvious what Cleveland really lacks right now. They really need a wing to complement Kyrie Irving and it certainly doesn't appear like Anthony Bennett will be the answer. Hood had a great year at Duke and he can brings an offensive weapon that can attack in so many ways.
10. Philadelphia Sixers Kyle Anderson, G/F
Evan Turner never worked out with Philadelphia as he never found the scoring or versatility that he had while at Ohio State. Anderson handles the ball very well for being 6'9" and he could help bring the versatility that Turner lacked.
11. Atlanta Hawks Aaron Gordon, SF-PF
Gordon has draw comparisons to Blake Griffin because of his tremendous athleticism and highlight dunks. Though, defending him is not very difficult; he isn't much of a shooter and he only really does damage on the drive.
12. Denver Nuggets Zach LaVine, SG
Picking LaVine is a huge risk but there isn't denying the potential that the former Bruin possesses. He has fabulous athleticism and is great on the drive but he is a tweener who doesn't really fit a shooting guard or point guard role and faded down the stretch this year.
13. Minnesota Timberwolves Jerami Grant,SF-PF
The Timberwolves definitely need frontcourt help and Grant could give them a powerful big man with massive upside. He is a great rebounder who also brings shot-blocking help on defense and could end up being the long-term replacement to Kevin Love.
14. Phoenix Suns Doug McDermott, PF
Many will argue that McDermott's game won't transfer to the NBA but Phoenix will be a great place to start his career because it isn't a big market and the spotlight won't be on him. He still has great size and could fit in nicely at the small forward slot.
15. Orlando Magic Montrezl Harrell, PF
Orlando has seen flashes of brilliance from Tobias Harris up front but they still need help up front. Harrell really dominated when Chane Behanan was dismissed from the team and his size and strength will help him at the NBA level.
16. Chicago Bulls Tyler Ennis, PG
It would definitely make sense for the Bulls to select a point guard considering the state of Derrick Rose's career. Ennis may end up being the best point guard in the draft because of his poise and how he can command an offense.
17. Phoenix Suns Nik Stauskas, SG
As great as Goran Dragic and Eric Bledsoe are in the Phoenix backcourt, neither of them are great shooters. Stauskas is deadly from deep and has improved off the dribble for Phoenix.
18. Boston Celtics Adreian Payne, F/C
Even though it was really wrecked by injuries, Adreian Payne was dominant when healthy this year. He can stretch the floor very well and also brings a great rebounder to Boston who needs another young big man.
19. Chicago Bulls T.J. Warren, SF
Warren dominated this year for NC State and won the ACC Player of the Year and his scoring punch will really help Chicago. Other than Joakim Noah, the Bulls' frontcourt have very little scoring.
20. Toronto Raptors Elfrid Payton, PG
Kyle Lowry appears like he may on his way out for Toronto because he could attract a lot on the open market. Payton was fantastic this year in the Sun Belt with Lousiana-Lafayette and is extremely athletic and should replace Lowry.
21. Memphis Grizzlies James Young, SG
The Grizzlies' big men do a great job of spacing the floor for their guards but their backcourt lacks a proven perimeter scorer. Young is a superb shooter who has great size for a shooting guard.
22. Oklahoma City Thunder Willie Cauley-Stein, C
The one obvious thing that appears like it may be missing from the Thunder is a proven big man. Serge Ibaka is great but Cauley-Stein will bring the size (7 feet) and shot-blocking ability that Oklahoma City has lacked at times.
23. Utah Jazz Jordan Adams, SG
Adams is a do-it-all guard for UCLA who should bring a number of things to an NBA team. He doesn't have All-Star potential but he could bring a solid scorer who will play defense and will work hard off the bench.
24. Charlotte Bobcats Shabazz Napier, PG
Kemba Walker has had his best year with the Bobcats so his job shouldn't be on the hot seat, making this a depth pick. Napier showed just how lethal of a shooter he can be this tourney, but he lacks NBA size.
25. Houston Rockets Jordan Clarkson, SG
Missouri fell apart late last year and Clarkson's struggles were a big reason why. The shooting guard is inconsistent, but he has top-flight athleticism and can attack defenses very well off the dribble.
26. Phoenix Suns Vasilje Micic, PG
At the moment the Suns' backcourt is pretty full, but this pick is all about the future. Micic, a Serbian product, could stay overseas a couple more years and needs to develop offensively more but is a gifted passer and leader who could contribute years from now.
27.Los Angeles Clippers Markel Brown, G/F
Brown is well known for his highlight-reel dunks while at Oklahoma State but his game also has some substance. He has great size for a wing and can attack off the dribble and is a great-rebounding guard.
28. Oklahoma City Thunder Cleanthony Early, PF
Depth is a need for the Thunder and they could get some of it with Early who has been fantastic the last two years for the Shockers. Early is a fantastic rebounder who also has developed a great mid range game.
29. Miami Heat Semaj Christon, PG/SG
Mario Chalmers is great for Miami but he isn't much of a scorer and Christon could add some depth to the Heat roster. Christon is a great scorer who was fantastic with Xavier and has the potential to grow into a leader.
30. San Antonio Spurs Thanasis Antetokounmpo, F
You may recognize that last name, Thanasis is the younger brother of budding Milwaukee Bucks Giannis. The Greek stud has been great in the D-League and has the potential and length to turn into a great player for the Spurs although he may be a stretch here.


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