Ford's "Grade A" mock draft

[Eddie20]

Boston Celtics

Needs: PF, shooting

No. 3: Jamal Murray, PG, Kentucky
No. 16: Deyonta Davis, PF, Michigan State
No. 23: Ivica Zubac, C, Bosnia


I'm not sure the Celtics need three rookies, but GM Danny Ainge looks at everything as an asset and all three of these players bring something special to the table.

Murray may be the best pure scorer in the draft. His playmaking ability gives him versatility. He's not a great defender but he's tough and competitive.

You could make the argument for Chriss or Jaylen Brown here, too. Their upside is higher than Murray's, but Chriss doesn't really fit the Celtics' timetable and Brown's lack of shooting has me leaning Murray. I think Chriss might end up being the better player in time, and Brown has similar upside, though I'm not sure he'd get there in Boston.

Davis gives the Celtics a player who has similar athletic abilities to Chriss without the offensive versatility. Zubac is another upside pick who should be able to carve out a career in the NBA for the next decade. He's a skilled low post player -- something that's very hard to find these days.

Grade A Mock Draft
TEAM   PICK
1. 76ers   Ben Simmons
2. Lakers   Brandon Ingram
3. Celtics (via Nets)   Jamal Murray
4. Suns   Marquese Chriss
5. Timberwolves   Dragan Bender
6. Pelicans   Kris Dunn
7. Nuggets   Jaylen Brown
8. Kings   Buddy Hield
9. Raptors (via Knicks)   Henry Ellenson
10. Bucks   Furkan Korkmaz
11. Magic   Skal Labissiere
12. Jazz   Dejounte Murray
13. Suns (via Wizards)   Wade Baldwin IV
14. Bulls   Jakob Poeltl
15. Nuggets   Ante Zizic
16. Celtics   Deyonta Davis
17. Grizzlies   Domantas Sabonis
18. Pistons   Thon Maker
19. Nuggets   Tyler Ulis
20. Pacers   Malachi Richardson
21. Hawks   DeAndre Bembry
22. Hornets   Denzel Valentine
23. Celtics   Ivica Zubac
24. Sixers   Patrick McCaw
25. Clippers   Demetrius Jackson
26. Sixers   Malik Beasley
27. Raptors   Cheick Diallo
28. Suns   Juan Hernangomez
29. Spurs   Chinanu Onuaku
30. Warriors   Damian Jones

[Eddie20]

The criteria....



This mock draft is a little different, because I play the role of GM for every team and decide who the team should take.

This is what every team should do to earn an A from me when I grade the draft.


Every year I produce roughly 10 versions of my Big Board and mock draft as a way of reporting how NBA scouts and GMs rank various players in the draft and what each individual team is thinking about doing with its draft picks. Both are reported pieces that examine what NBA teams think and what they're likely to do. This is different.

Last year my final "Grade: A" mock made some better calls than the GMs on draft night (Kristaps Porzingis to the Lakers at No. 2 and Devin Booker to the Hornets at No. 9), and it made a few questionable ones (Kelly Oubre at No. 8 to the Kings and Kevon Looney at No. 12 to the Jazz).

Before digging in, here are the ground rules:

1. At each slot, I make a pick in the best interest of only the team with the pick. I won't pass on a player at No. 4 just because I like the team fit better at No. 5.

2. No trades unless they're already completed.

3. Team needs are taken into account, but value can and often will supersede need. If there's clearly a best player available on the board, I won't pass on him just to fill a need.

4. I'm not reporting or predicting who will go where. This is my opinion about what should happen -- not what will happen.

After the team-by-team breakdown, you can get the full first round below.

[boscel33]

Boston Celtics

Needs: PF, shooting

No. 3: Jamal Murray, PG, Kentucky
No. 16: Deyonta Davis, PF, Michigan State
No. 23: Ivica Zubac, C, Bosnia


I'm not sure the Celtics need three rookies, but GM Danny Ainge looks at everything as an asset and all three of these players bring something special to the table.

Murray may be the best pure scorer in the draft. His playmaking ability gives him versatility. He's not a great defender but he's tough and competitive.

You could make the argument for Chriss or Jaylen Brown here, too. Their upside is higher than Murray's, but Chriss doesn't really fit the Celtics' timetable and Brown's lack of shooting has me leaning Murray. I think Chriss might end up being the better player in time, and Brown has similar upside, though I'm not sure he'd get there in Boston.

Davis gives the Celtics a player who has similar athletic abilities to Chriss without the offensive versatility. Zubac is another upside pick who should be able to carve out a career in the NBA for the next decade. He's a skilled low post player -- something that's very hard to find these days.

Wrong Croatian, I'm hoping for Zizic with that 23rd pick.

[Evantime34]

Boston Celtics

Needs: PF, shooting

No. 3: Jamal Murray, PG, Kentucky
No. 16: Deyonta Davis, PF, Michigan State
No. 23: Ivica Zubac, C, Bosnia


I'm not sure the Celtics need three rookies, but GM Danny Ainge looks at everything as an asset and all three of these players bring something special to the table.

Murray may be the best pure scorer in the draft. His playmaking ability gives him versatility. He's not a great defender but he's tough and competitive.

You could make the argument for Chriss or Jaylen Brown here, too. Their upside is higher than Murray's, but Chriss doesn't really fit the Celtics' timetable and Brown's lack of shooting has me leaning Murray. I think Chriss might end up being the better player in time, and Brown has similar upside, though I'm not sure he'd get there in Boston.

Davis gives the Celtics a player who has similar athletic abilities to Chriss without the offensive versatility. Zubac is another upside pick who should be able to carve out a career in the NBA for the next decade. He's a skilled low post player -- something that's very hard to find these days.

Grade A Mock Draft
TEAM   PICK
1. 76ers   Ben Simmons
2. Lakers   Brandon Ingram
3. Celtics (via Nets)   Jamal Murray
4. Suns   Marquese Chriss
5. Timberwolves   Dragan Bender
6. Pelicans   Kris Dunn
7. Nuggets   Jaylen Brown
8. Kings   Buddy Hield
9. Raptors (via Knicks)   Henry Ellenson
10. Bucks   Furkan Korkmaz
11. Magic   Skal Labissiere
12. Jazz   Dejounte Murray
13. Suns (via Wizards)   Wade Baldwin IV
14. Bulls   Jakob Poeltl
15. Nuggets   Ante Zizic
16. Celtics   Deyonta Davis
17. Grizzlies   Domantas Sabonis
18. Pistons   Thon Maker
19. Nuggets   Tyler Ulis
20. Pacers   Malachi Richardson
21. Hawks   DeAndre Bembry
22. Hornets   Denzel Valentine
23. Celtics   Ivica Zubac
24. Sixers   Patrick McCaw
25. Clippers   Demetrius Jackson
26. Sixers   Malik Beasley
27. Raptors   Cheick Diallo
28. Suns   Juan Hernangomez
29. Spurs   Chinanu Onuaku
30. Warriors   Damian Jones

Zubac is a draft and stash so they are really only picking 2 rookies. I would be very happy with this draft. I'm in favor of trading up a few spots to get Davis, so him slipping to 16 is great.

[kozlodoev]

Wrong Croatian, I'm hoping for Zizic with that 23rd pick.

This. Zizic is big, strong, and has been productive in the Adriatic league. Also, he just turned 19. Good value for 23.

[Eddie20]

Boston Celtics

Needs: PF, shooting

No. 3: Jamal Murray, PG, Kentucky
No. 16: Deyonta Davis, PF, Michigan State
No. 23: Ivica Zubac, C, Bosnia


I'm not sure the Celtics need three rookies, but GM Danny Ainge looks at everything as an asset and all three of these players bring something special to the table.

Murray may be the best pure scorer in the draft. His playmaking ability gives him versatility. He's not a great defender but he's tough and competitive.

You could make the argument for Chriss or Jaylen Brown here, too. Their upside is higher than Murray's, but Chriss doesn't really fit the Celtics' timetable and Brown's lack of shooting has me leaning Murray. I think Chriss might end up being the better player in time, and Brown has similar upside, though I'm not sure he'd get there in Boston.

Davis gives the Celtics a player who has similar athletic abilities to Chriss without the offensive versatility. Zubac is another upside pick who should be able to carve out a career in the NBA for the next decade. He's a skilled low post player -- something that's very hard to find these days.

Wrong Croatian, I'm hoping for Zizic with that 23rd pick.

He has him going 15

[action781]

Boston Celtics

Needs: PF, shooting

No. 3: Jamal Murray, PG, Kentucky
No. 16: Deyonta Davis, PF, Michigan State
No. 23: Ivica Zubac, C, Bosnia


I'm not sure the Celtics need three rookies, but GM Danny Ainge looks at everything as an asset and all three of these players bring something special to the table.

Murray may be the best pure scorer in the draft. His playmaking ability gives him versatility. He's not a great defender but he's tough and competitive.

You could make the argument for Chriss or Jaylen Brown here, too. Their upside is higher than Murray's, but Chriss doesn't really fit the Celtics' timetable and Brown's lack of shooting has me leaning Murray. I think Chriss might end up being the better player in time, and Brown has similar upside, though I'm not sure he'd get there in Boston.

Davis gives the Celtics a player who has similar athletic abilities to Chriss without the offensive versatility. Zubac is another upside pick who should be able to carve out a career in the NBA for the next decade. He's a skilled low post player -- something that's very hard to find these days.

Grade A Mock Draft
TEAM   PICK
1. 76ers   Ben Simmons
2. Lakers   Brandon Ingram
3. Celtics (via Nets)   Jamal Murray
4. Suns   Marquese Chriss
5. Timberwolves   Dragan Bender
6. Pelicans   Kris Dunn
7. Nuggets   Jaylen Brown
8. Kings   Buddy Hield
9. Raptors (via Knicks)   Henry Ellenson
10. Bucks   Furkan Korkmaz
11. Magic   Skal Labissiere
12. Jazz   Dejounte Murray
13. Suns (via Wizards)   Wade Baldwin IV
14. Bulls   Jakob Poeltl
15. Nuggets   Ante Zizic
16. Celtics   Deyonta Davis
17. Grizzlies   Domantas Sabonis
18. Pistons   Thon Maker
19. Nuggets   Tyler Ulis
20. Pacers   Malachi Richardson
21. Hawks   DeAndre Bembry
22. Hornets   Denzel Valentine
23. Celtics   Ivica Zubac
24. Sixers   Patrick McCaw
25. Clippers   Demetrius Jackson
26. Sixers   Malik Beasley
27. Raptors   Cheick Diallo
28. Suns   Juan Hernangomez
29. Spurs   Chinanu Onuaku
30. Warriors   Damian Jones

I agree.  I'd really prefer if we could draft a 5th year vet with one of those picks.   

[Donoghus]

Interesting he has PHX passing on Bender if he falls past Boston. 

[Evantime34]

Wrong Croatian, I'm hoping for Zizic with that 23rd pick.

This. Zizic is big, strong, and has been productive in the Adriatic league. Also, he just turned 19. Good value for 23.

I read that he wants to come to the NBA and doesn't want to be stashed. If we keep our picks and select two non draft and stash guys with our first two picks then I think we will need to select a guy to stash at 23.

[kozlodoev]

Poeltl at 14, Zizic at 15, and Sabonis at 17. Wow.

[kozlodoev]

Wrong Croatian, I'm hoping for Zizic with that 23rd pick.

This. Zizic is big, strong, and has been productive in the Adriatic league. Also, he just turned 19. Good value for 23.

I read that he wants to come to the NBA and doesn't want to be stashed. If we keep our picks and select two non draft and stash guys with our first two picks then I think we will need to select a guy to stash at 23.

So? Take him as a budget Zeller replacement with some upside. We have 3 roster spots available and 3 non-guaranteed contracts to work with here.

[Chris22]

Davis won't be available at 16.

[Evantime34]

Wrong Croatian, I'm hoping for Zizic with that 23rd pick.

This. Zizic is big, strong, and has been productive in the Adriatic league. Also, he just turned 19. Good value for 23.

I read that he wants to come to the NBA and doesn't want to be stashed. If we keep our picks and select two non draft and stash guys with our first two picks then I think we will need to select a guy to stash at 23.

So? Take him as a budget Zeller replacement with some upside. We have 3 roster spots available and 3 non-guaranteed contracts to work with here.

I'm just worried that replacing rotation players with rookies and counting on those rookies for immediate production is a bad idea. Three would be the most rookies I would want on the roster next year because that would mean we have 8 guys in the first 3 years of their NBA careers. Having that many young players might force us to play young players before they are ready.

The conversation is probably moot because there is no way they make all their picks, but if they do I'd want at least one draft and stash among our first 3 picks.

[Moranis]

I would be very disappointed in that draft from top to bottom (though I don't mind Davis, I would just rather have Poeltl or Zizic who go right before him).

[Csfan1984]

Wrong Croatian, I'm hoping for Zizic with that 23rd pick.

This. Zizic is big, strong, and has been productive in the Adriatic league. Also, he just turned 19. Good value for 23.

I read that he wants to come to the NBA and doesn't want to be stashed. If we keep our picks and select two non draft and stash guys with our first two picks then I think we will need to select a guy to stash at 23.

So? Take him as a budget Zeller replacement with some upside. We have 3 roster spots available and 3 non-guaranteed contracts to work with here.

I'm just worried that replacing rotation players with rookies and counting on those rookies for immediate production is a bad idea. Three would be the most rookies I would want on the roster next year because that would mean we have 8 guys in the first 3 years of their NBA careers. Having that many young players might force us to play young players before they are ready.

The conversation is probably moot because there is no way they make all their picks, but if they do I'd want at least one draft and stash among our first 3 picks.

DA said that last year the team should have played the young guys more. His reasoning was that the loss of AB in playoffs and 4th seed due to Crowder going down really hurt more because younger guys weren't ready to step up even in limited roles. So I 100% believe DA has no issue going younger that he believes young players can be apart of the rotation enough as to carry up to 4 rookies.

 At the very least C's need to add three big men this draft. I say they need to add three because currently only Mickey is contracted past 2016-17 season. And as you said second and third year guys are preferred for contributions in the rotation, so you draft three now to be ready to help in 2017-18 season.