Official Pre-Lottery Draft Predictions for two first round picks

[HomerSapien]

#5 - draft Vonleh

Trade back with Utah for 23 and 35.

#23 - Jordan Adams.  I'd rather Gary Harris, but Adams is a late 1st rounder guy I've really liked all year.  I'm glad he entered the draft.

#35 Mitch McGary or GRIII

[footey]

Not familiar with Adams, I will check him out, thanks.

[Tr1boy]

Adams is a good shooter and scorer. Good size for a sg. Plays hard. But has a body like Kyle Anderson and that won't cut it in the next level. If he comes to the combine in great shape, will be drafted in the early 20's

[Kane3387]

I'm not moving that clippers pick man. Their future is up in the air and that could be an incredible asset next year.

I'm drafting Julius randle at five and BPA at 17.

[The One]

Nice topic!

5 - Smart

17 - James Young

[HomerSapien]

I could see Adams being a Wes Matthews type wing (though 2 inches shorter). He's a got a sturdy build, is good shooter, and gets a ton of steals.

Not sure I see the Kyle Anderson body comparison though.

[Watch them all]

If Danny is right  -- and I think he is -- the most important player needed is a defensive stud/rim protector, and other than Embiid the best long term choice is Vonleh at No.5. Remember he's only 18 and may still be growing. You can trade for that guy too, but I don't like the choices out there that may be realistically available via that route, including Asik, who in my mind just not a dynamic/athletic enough player, and we probably have to give up too much to get him anyway.

At 17, I' want a 6'5-6'8 SG/SF who can get into the paint, has a very good perimeter shot and has can guard big SGs. There are several potential guys that could fill that position including Harris, Stuaskis, and PJ Hairston. I, like others, would move up to get this guy, trading at least one of our down-the- road 1sts to get him.

[cltc5]

5- Gordon

17-  tj Warren

[footey]

I'm not moving that clippers pick man. Their future is up in the air and that could be an incredible asset next year.

I'm drafting Julius randle at five and BPA at 17.

Randle, huh?  You don't worry that he won't be able to play his game in the NBA against the bigger bodies?  I just am real skeptical about him. Plus I don't see the fit with Sully and KO.

You may be right about the Clip pick; maybe the Sixer quasi pick, or our own lottery protected 2015 pick.

[colincb]

Vonleh at 5.

Stauskas at 17.  Some wing like Warren, Anderson, or Bogdanovich if not.

[footey]

If Danny is right  -- and I think he is -- the most important player needed is a defensive stud/rim protector, and other than Embiid the best long term choice is Vonleh at No.5. Remember he's only 18 and may still be growing. You can trade for that guy too, but I don't like the choices out there that may be realistically available via that route, including Asik, who in my mind just not a dynamic/athletic enough player, and we probably have to give up too much to get him anyway.

At 17, I' want a 6'5-6'8 SG/SF who can get into the paint, has a very good perimeter shot and has can guard big SGs. There are several potential guys that could fill that position including Harris, Stuaskis, and PJ Hairston. I, like others, would move up to get this guy, trading at least one of our down-the- road 1sts to get him.

I like your choice on the 17. I want to like Vonleh, but I don't think he is a quintessential rim protector.  The more I look at his tape, he reminds me of a cross between a poor man's Al Jefferson and Kendrick Perkins.  Seems to some of Al Jeff's post moves, though not nearly as efficient or developed, and also seems to be able to put a body on centers, and very good rebounder like the old Perk who played with us back in the day.  But he is not athletic enough to be a rim protector.  That is why I would take Aaron Gordon. I think his athleticism would be a good upgrade for us in that department. If we draft Vonleh, I think it would be in conjunction with moving Sully.  Their games are just too similar.

[colincb]

I'm not moving that clippers pick man. Their future is up in the air and that could be an incredible asset next year.

I'm drafting Julius randle at five and BPA at 17.

Randle, huh?  You don't worry that he won't be able to play his game in the NBA against the bigger bodies?  I just am real skeptical about him. Plus I don't see the fit with Sully and KO.

We should also have a poll on who we'd avoid. Randle and Gordon would be on my list. Assuming we're picking at 5, then Smart is my next best  pick after Vonleh.

[Mr October]

5. Aaron Gordon
17. PJ Hairston

*bonus: try to trade up from 17 to around 14 to get Stauskas if he is still on board.

For those hoping for a trade up from 17 to 10, that move is going to be expensive. At a minimum, that big a jump into the lottery will cost the Clipper pick next year. Probably more.

[Celtics18]

#5--Smart (even if Exum is still on the board)

#17--Warren

[sofutomygaha]

#35 Mitch McGary or GRIII

If we can add McGary with our 2nd rounder, that will be very exciting. If he makes a full recovery from back surgery, he's better than a lot of guys who will go in the top half of the first round. That's a risk-reward proposition I'd love to take with a 2nd round pick. I bet someone picking late in the 1st will beat us to it, though.