Marc Spears' Mock Draft

[Eddie20]

Interesting take on #4 and #5 as it relates to us. Magic interested in quite a few players, which means they're a prime candidate to make a trade with in order to move up 2 spots. Boston being "disappointed" if Jazz grabs Gordon echoes Mannix's comments last week.

1. Cleveland Cavaliers: Joel Embiid, Kansas, C, 7-0, 240, Fr. ? Assuming there are no serious back issues, one NBA scout says Embiid has chance to be a franchise superstar.

2. Milwaukee Bucks: Jabari Parker, Duke, SF, 6-8, 241 pounds, Fr. ? The Chicago native has been working out hard in Los Angeles, will likely go here, where he is not far from home.

3. Philadelphia 76ers: Andrew Wiggins, Kansas, SG-SF, 6-8, 197, Fr. ? Backcourt of Wiggins and Rookie of the Year Michael Carter-Williams could be a great one for a long time.

4. Orlando Magic: Dante Exum, Australian Institute of Sports, PG-SG, 6-6, 196 ? While Exum is the frontrunner, Orlando is also looking at Aaron Gordon, Noah Vonleh, Julius Randle and Marcus Smart.

5. Utah Jazz: Aaron Gordon, Arizona, PF, 6-9, 220, Fr. ? Gordon had an impressive workout with the Jazz last week. Boston would likely be disappointed if he is selected here.

6. Boston Celtics: Marcus Smart, Oklahoma St., PG-SG, 6-3, 227, S. ? The Celtics view Smart as a combo guard who could be similar defensively to former Celtics guar ? Backcourt of Wiggins and Rookie of the Year Michael Carter-Williams could be a great one for a long time.

7. Los Angeles Lakers: Noah Vonleh, Indiana, PF-C, 6-9, 247, Fr. ? The Lakers could lose starting forward Pau Gasol in free agency. Regardless, Vonleh would be a strong addition.

8. Sacramento Kings: Julius Randle, Kentucky, PF, 6-9, 250, Fr. ? While the Kings need a true point guard, selecting Randle fills a need at power forward next to DeMarcus Cousins.

9. Charlotte Hornets (from Detroit): Doug McDermott, Creighton, SF, 6-8, 218, Sr. ? The Hornets are high on McDermott, who played well at USA Basketball's senior teamd Tony Allen.

10. Philadelphia 76ers (from New Orleans): Dario Saric, Croatia Cibona Zagreb, SF-PF, 6-10, 223 ? Saric adds a versatile play-making forward to the Sixers who could further complement their young talent.

11. Denver Nuggets: Gary Harris, Michigan State, SG, 6-4, 205, So. ? Harris is an undersized two-guard who plays both ends well. He joins Ty Lawson for a strong backcourt.

12. Orlando Magic: James Young, Kentucky, SG-SF, 6-7, 213, Fr. ? Young adds an athletic shooter to the Magic who could play both wing positions. He doesn't turn 19 until Aug. 16.

13. Minnesota Timberwolves: Adreian Payne, Michigan State, PF, 6-10, 239, Sr. ? Considering Kevin Love's tenuous future in Minnesota, the T'wolves might draft for possible need rather than the best player.

14. Phoenix Suns: Nik Stauskas, Michigan, SG, 6-6, 207, So. ? Stauskas is regarded as the draft's best shooter. Three-point shooting is key to the Suns' offensive attack.

15. Atlanta Hawks: Jusuf Nurkic, Croatia Cedevita Zagreb, C, 6-11, 280 ? Selecting Nurkic would allow the Hawks to move Al Horford to his more natural power forward position.

16. Chicago Bulls (from Charlotte): Elfrid Payton, Louisiana-Lafayette, PG, 6-4, 185, Jr. ? Defensive-minded guard gives Chicago a safety net for Derrick Rose's return who has a skill their coach adores.

17. Boston Celtics (from Brooklyn): Kyle Anderson, UCLA, SF, 6-8, 220, So. ? Anderson, who played point guard for UCLA, would give the Celtics some versatility at the small forward position.

18. Phoenix Suns (from Washington):Zach LaVine, UCLA, SG, 6-6, 181, Fr. ? The Suns are already loaded with guards, but LaVine's athleticism and upside would be too much to pass.

19. Chicago Bulls: Kristaps Porzingis, Spain Sevilla PF-C, 7-0, 220 ? The Bulls are bringing over power forward Nikola Mirotic from overseas. Porzingis could be stashed for later.

20. Toronto Raptors: Tyler Ennis, Syracuse, PG, 6-2, 182, Fr. ? The Toronto-area native is probably disappointed if he falls this low, but landing with his hometown Raptors is a nice consolation.

21. Oklahoma City Thunder (from Dallas via Houston and Los Angeles Lakers): T.J. Warren, North Carolina State, SF, 6-8, 220, So. ? The talented offensive player could provide scoring off the bench like James Harden once did for the Thunder.

22. Memphis Grizzlies: Rodney Hood, Duke, SG-SF, 6-8, 208, So. ? The well-rounded Hood could be an eventual replacement for veteran starting small forward Tayshaun Prince.

23. Utah Jazz (from Golden State): K.J. McDaniels, Clemson, SF, 6-6, 196, Jr. ? McDaniels would add a defensive wing presence and serve as insurance if free-agent forward Gordon Hayward leaves.

24. Charlotte Hornets (from Portland): Jordan Adams, UCLA, SG, 6-5, 209, So. ? The offensive-minded Adams could be a replacement for Gerald Henderson if Henderson is dealt this offseason.

25. Houston Rockets: P.J. Hairston, D-League Texas Legends, SG, 6-5, 229 ? Character concerns are the only reason why Hairston falls this far. He'd give the Rockets another shooter.

26. Miami Heat: Shabazz Napier, Connecticut, PG, 6-1, 175, Sr. ? LeBron James has said he is a fan of Napier, who could be insurance if Mario Chalmers leaves in free agency.

27. Phoenix Suns (from Indiana): Clint Capela, France Chalone, PF, 6-11, 222 ? The Suns would add a very athletic big who can run the floor and play alongside center Alex Len for a long time.

28. Los Angeles Clippers: Mitch McGary, Michigan, C, 6-10, 263, So. ? The Clippers would add size, rebounding and a physical presence behind Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan.

29. Oklahoma City Thunder: Nikola Jokic, C, Serbia Mega Vizura, 6-11, 253 ? Proved to be a good scorer and passer at Hoop Summit practices and could be stashed overseas to blossom.

30. San Antonio Spurs: Walter Tavares, C, Spain Gran Canaria, 7-3, 265 ? He's an enormous center who has showed promise as an elite shot-blocker. Limited on the offensive end.

[mmmmm]

Sadly, that draft looks pretty realistic to me.

Dear Danny -

Please trade our pick!   Up.  Down.  Out.   'Doesn't matter.   Just trade it.

Thanks,

M5

[Celtics18]

1 through 3 is exactly the same as DraftExpress' most recent.  After that, it gets all kinds of topsy turvy.  I expect the same from the real draft. 

[Rondo9]

I'd love Marcus Smart and Kyle Anderson!

[Rondo9]

Sadly, that draft looks pretty realistic to me.

Dear Danny -

Please trade our pick!   Up.  Down.  Out.   'Doesn't matter.   Just trade it.

Thanks,

M5

Don't be sad, there's a chance that Danny keeps the pick!

[bdm860]

Looks like a copy and paste issue with the C's pick at #6, so for those on the edge of their seat about what former Celtic player Smart compares to:

6. Boston Celtics: Marcus Smart, Oklahoma St., PG-SG, 6-3, 227, So. - The Celtics view Smart as a combo guard who could be similar defensively to former Celtics guard Tony Allen.

[The One]

I'd love Marcus Smart and Kyle Anderson!

I would love Smart and McDaniels!

The NBA version of the Legion of Boom!

[nacceltic]

The more that comes out about DA's "Love" or "Desire" to grab Gordon at #6, the less I believe it...Too much being leaked for that to be true.

[Eddie20]

The more that comes out about DA's "Love" or "Desire" to grab Gordon at #6, the less I believe it...Too much being leaked for that to be true.

My sentiments exactly. Ainge is to coy to have so much leaked out. I think it's misinformation in order to have someone he really wants (Smart, Vonleh, etc. ) drop.

[Wedman#8]

I'd love Marcus Smart and Kyle Anderson!

I would love Smart and McDaniels!

The NBA version of the Legion of Boom!

I'm with you.  Smart and McDaniels would be fun to watch.  Hope Danny feels the same way if we keep the picks.

[celticmania]

I want Exum. Say Orl takes him and we take smart sixth, and trade smart and 17 for Exum

[Boston Garden Leprechaun]

I'd love Marcus Smart and Kyle Anderson!

I would love Smart and McDaniels!

The NBA version of the Legion of Boom!

lol

[dreamgreen]

I want Exum. Say Orl takes him and we take smart sixth, and trade smart and 17 for Exum

You got my vote.

[TheTruthFot18]

I'd love Marcus Smart and Kyle Anderson!

Same here. At least if we keep the pick (6) Smart is the better pick over the bigs (Randle, Vonleh, Gordon) although Gordon is said to be a possible 3 like Shawn Marion. Idk how anyone can have their heart set on one guy at this pick.

[greg683x]

The more that comes out about DA's "Love" or "Desire" to grab Gordon at #6, the less I believe it...Too much being leaked for that to be true.

My sentiments exactly. Ainge is to coy to have so much leaked out. I think it's misinformation in order to have someone he really wants (Smart, Vonleh, etc. ) drop.

I do agree that you cant trust Ainge much more than youd trust a politician before an election, but i'ts not completely unheard of for his intentions or favorite players to get leaked.  It's happened before.

i will say though it's starting to become comical how we see a new article every week about how the celtics love another player