Despite conflicting reports about Joel Embiid's back, I think that the Cavaliers should take Embiid. He has the potential to be a Hakeem Olajuwon-type player and you can't pass that up. Cleveland needs someone that can block shots, and with Embiid they would be going in the right direction.
2. Milwaukee Bucks: Jabari Parker SF/PF, Duke
The Milwaukee Bucks were one of the worst teams offensively and need help now. Although Wiggins might have more potential, Parker can produce more right now and would be a better complement to Giannis Antetokounmpo with his freakishly long arms. With Wiggins they would have another person that is a project. So Jabari Parker is the better choice for the Bucks.
3. Philadelphia 76ers: Andrew Wiggins SG/SF, Kansas
The Sixers get their man in Andrew Wiggins. Wiggins will fit in perfectly with Hinkie's youth movement in Philadelphia. Wiggins would immediately start and be the perfect complement to MCW, he would help provide much needed perimeter defense and give them a person that can actually make a jump shot. Fans would flood into the arena to watch the electrifyingly athletic group of Noel, MCW, and Wiggins. Since Wiggins' strength is running the fast break, the Sixers' up-tempo offense would give him the best opportunity to showcase his strengths.
4. Orlando Magic: Marcus Smart PG/SG, Oklahoma State
The Magic have their eye on Marcus Smart for the last two years. I believe that they would have picked him with the #2 overall pick last year if he had decided not to stay at Oklahoma State. The Magic were enticed by Exum, but they wanted the player that they had felt good about all year. Marcus Smart would immediately have the opportunity to start and would help Oladipo switch back to his natural position of shooting guard. They would be particularly good with perimeter defense, but possibly inconsistent with their shooting.
5. Utah Jazz: Noah Vonleh PF/C, Indiana
The Utah Jazz are confident that Gordon Hayward will stay during the Free Agency, and they just drafted a point guard last year with Trey Burke. Plus, Alec Burks was a pretty good bright spot throughout the year. With the Jazz not particularly liking the lineup that involves Kanter and Favors together since they are too similar. They should pick Noah Vonleh, who has the potential to be a pretty good stretch 4 for the Utah Jazz. They would have two bigs that complement each other instead of playing the same game.
6. Boston Celtics: Aaron Gordon SF/PF, Arizona
Aaron Gordon has supposedly been promised by the Celtics that they will take him if he is available when they pick. So that is why I have in this spot. Gordon is already a good defensive player and would bring athleticism to a team that has below the rim rebounders in Kelly Olynyk and Jared Sullinger. Gordon is the sort of team player that would help the Celtics in any way possible, whether just bringing energy or just making plays that help the team. I do think that he will improve his shooting ability and could contribute at either small forward or power forward in a small lineup.
7. Los Angeles Lakers: Dante Exum PG/SG, Australia
This is a dream scenario for the Lakers. Exum has already expressed his affection for LA and its franchise, and he fits a need for a franchise that has not been in the lottery since drafting Andrew Bynum. Exum would bring the ability to create his own offense, defend the perimeter, and learn from the tutelage of one the greatest point guards in the game of Steve Nash who has gotten up there in years. The Lakers needed to try to find a superstar since Kobe Bryant is getting down to the end of his career; and Exum has the potential to become that superstar for them with comparisons to Penny Hardaway.
8. Philadelphia 76ers (trade with Sacramento Kings): Julius Randle PF, Kentucky
In this scenario, the Philadelphia 76ers traded Thaddeus Young and 3 of their 5 2nd round picks for the 8th overall pick. This would be a good scenario for both teams, because the Kings have stated that they don't want another prospect player for their team. In this trade, the Kings get a young veteran player that is has heart, can play defense, and has offensive ability that extend to the three-point line. The Sixers would also benefit from this scenario because, Thaddeus Young doesn't want to be part of the rebuilding process and could leave in free agency next year. So now they get something back with Randle, who has dropped due to report that he needs surgery even though he has been working out for teams. With Randle, the Sixers would be getting a rebounding machine that has a killer instinct and the athleticism for their up-tempo offense. However, he must improve on his jump shot to be a more respectable offensive force.
9. Charlotte Bobcats: Nik Stauskas SG, Michigan
The Charlotte Bobcats desperately need someone that can shoot the basketball. So the pick came down to either Nik Stauskas or Doug McDermott. I picked Stauskas over McDermott because I believe that Stauskas would play be able to keep up with players on defense more effectively than McDermott. Plus while watching both players, Stauskas had better control with his dribbling than McDermott and could potentially have an easier time with creating his own shot against defenders. With Stauskas, the Bobcats could have someone that could make buckets and have defenses respect the Bobcats on the three-point line.
10. Philadelphia 76ers: James Young SG/SF, Kentucky
Already have an athletic group with MCW, Wiggins, Randle, and Noel. So to go with the theme of young players that are athletic I picked James Young because his shooting ability, athleticism, and size for the position. Although his defense is suspect on the perimeter, he would not be as exposed with MCW and Wiggins perimeter defending and Noel blocking people that come inside the paint. Plus, he is so young that the Sixers could mold him and help improve his defense. The Sixers are all about the future and next year they won't be competing for championship or possible playoffs, so they have the time to wait and develop their players.
11. Chicago Bulls (trade with Denver Nuggets): Gary Harris SG/PG, Michigan State
The Chicago Bulls traded their 2 first round picks for the Nuggets' 11th overall pick in the draft. So that they could grab a guy that could possibly play if Derrick Rose gets hurt at point guard, or could play alongside him as an undersized shooting guard. Harris is the prototypical player that I think that the Bulls would covet because of his ability to play defense, shoot the ball, and dribble the basketball. Since he is a little short to be playing the 2, he could kick into point guard if Rose gets hurt.
12. Orlando Magic: Doug McDermott SF/PF, Creighton
With the Orlando Magic picking Marcus Smart already, the Magic then choose to add depth to their front court by selecting Doug McDermott. The Magic would need someone that can shoot after drafting Marcus Smart and having Oladipo, so why not pick the best shooter in the draft. McDermott would bring shooting, scoring ability, and depth to the Magic that needs someone like that. In my opinion, the Magic would not pick Dario Saric because it would remind them too much of the Fran Vasquez fiasco in which he stayed oversees and has yet to come to the US.
13. Minnesota Timberwolves: Adreian Payne PF/C, Michigan State
With Kevin Love almost on his way out of Minnesota, the Timberwolves would most likely want to bring in a big man that could try to replace him. So they should try to pick Payne because his ability to be a stretch 4, have scoring abilities, and rebounding the basketball. Plus, Payne would bring athleticism that would be perfect for Rubio to throw alley oops to and the shooting ability for Rubio to find for three points.
14. Phoenix Suns: Zach Lavine SG/PG, UCLA
The Phoenix Suns are an up and coming team that has a bunch of athleticism on its team. So why wouldn't they pick someone with some great athleticism that can shoot the 3. By picking Lavine, it would allow him to learn from Eric Bledsoe, Goran Dragic, or Gerald Green on how to use all that ability that he has. He wouldn't be pressured to produce immediately and could develop to possibly become a Russell Westbrook-like player that uses his extreme athleticism to his advantage.
15. Atlanta Hawks: Dario Saric SF/PF, Croatia
Even though he most likely won't come over to the US for another year because of him specifically saying he would only play immediately for the Lakers and the Celtics. But since he has said that, I think that he will drop right into the Hawks' lap at No. 15. They have had their eye on Kristaps Porzingis, but since Dario dropped to them they are ecstatic because they didn't think he would be available at this point in the draft. Saric would bring versatility, experience, and point-forward capabilities that would truly benefit a team like the Hawks that have shooters all over the place to pass to.
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