ESPN Mock Drafts

[Eddie20]

I'll update this every time Ford and/or Goodman update their mocks....


Jeff Goodman:

1Karl-Anthony TownsMinnesota TimberwolvesCOLLEGE: KentuckyHT: 6-11WT: 250POS: C
Analysis: It won't be an easy call for whichever team winds up with the No. 1 overall pick, but the Wolves already have below-the-rim big man Nikola Pekovic, and he's under contract through 2018 for big money. It's tough to imagine a Pekovic-Jahlil Okafor frontcourt, and the Wolves could use a long, skilled power forward. Towns can do more away from the basket than he displayed in his lone season at Kentucky, and it also won't hurt to have Kevin Garnett tutor Towns for a year or so.

PLAYER CARD
2Jahlil OkaforNew York KnicksCOLLEGE: DukeHT: 6-11WT: 275POS: C
Analysis: The Knicks need just about everything, so team president Phil Jackson has to go with the best player on the board -- and it'll be Okafor if Towns goes No. 1. Okafor is a rare breed, a true center who can score in the post with a variety of moves. He's a high-basketball IQ guy with tremendous footwork and hands. He would take some of the pressure off Carmelo Anthony on the offensive end, but needs to improve on the defensive side of the floor.

PLAYER CARD
3D'Angelo RussellPhiladelphia 76ersCOLLEGE: Ohio StateHT: 6-5WT: 176POS: PG
Analysis: This is a tough call for Sixers general manager Sam Hinkie. He needs a point guard after dealing Michael Carter-Williams, and the top two will be on the board: Ohio State freshman D'Angelo Russell, who can do it all, but isn't nearly as physically blessed as Emmanuel Mudiay -- a strong, athletic kid who is the New Age point guard. Russell gets the nod here. Russell, Joel Embiid and Nerlens Noel will be a nice young core.

PLAYER CARD
4Emmanuel MudiayLos Angeles LakersCOLLEGE: ChinaHT: 6-5WT: 196POS: PG
Analysis (1): The Lakers got solid production from rookie Jordan Clarkson, but the franchise won't pass on Mudiay. Mudiay is a big, strong athletic point guard who put up huge numbers in China (when healthy), though it was against subpar competition.

PLAYER CARD
5Justise WinslowOrlando MagicCOLLEGE: DukeHT: 6-6WT: 222POS: SF
Analysis: General manager Rob Hennigan will have a tough call here because he could use a skilled power forward. However, it'll be too difficult to pass on versatile power wing Winslow -- who would give the Magic even more toughness and athleticism. He's also a good insurance policy in case the team doesn't re-sign Tobias Harris.

PLAYER CARD
6Kristaps PorzingisSacramento KingsCOLLEGE: LatviaHT: 6-11WT: 220POS: PF
Analysis: The 19-year-old Latvian forward would give the Kings something they could sorely use: A forward who can step out and make shots. Porzingis played in the Spanish ACB this past year and is extremely skilled. He has size, skill and athleticism, but needs to add strength to his thin frame.

PLAYER CARD
7Mario HezonjaDenver NuggetsCOLLEGE: CroatiaHT: 6-7WT: 200POS: SF
Analysis: The Nuggets could use a big wing who can shoot it from beyond the arc. Hezonja, who played in Spain, can do just that, but questions abound about his immaturity.

PLAYER CARD
8Stanley JohnsonDetroit PistonsCOLLEGE: ArizonaHT: 6-7WT: 237POS: SF
Analysis: It's still unclear what coach Stan Van Gundy will do with his backcourt, but he needs a wing with size. Enter Johnson. His stock dropped a bit, but he's still a big, strong wing who has plenty of potential. He's young and showed flashes last season as a freshman at Arizona. If Johnson's perimeter shot improves, he could be a short- and long-term answer.

PLAYER CARD
9Willie Cauley-SteinCharlotte HornetsCOLLEGE: KentuckyHT: 7-0WT: 240POS: C
Analysis: Al Jefferson puts up numbers, but he's a major liability on the defensive end and WCS can change that. Cauley-Stein can't really score, but he will anchor the defense and provide a rim-protector that's been lacking.

PLAYER CARD
10Sam DekkerMiami HeatCOLLEGE: WisconsinHT: 6-9WT: 230POS: SF
Analysis (4): The Heat need to hit a home run here, and Dekker showed the potential with his play in the NCAA tournament. He's long, athletic and displayed a mental toughness with huge games on the sport's biggest stage. Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and Luol Deng aren't spring chickens. This team needs some fresh legs to go along with Hassan Whiteside.

PLAYER CARD
11Frank KaminskyIndiana PacersCOLLEGE: WisconsinHT: 7-0WT: 234POS: C
Analysis: The Pacers' two most glaring needs are a front-line point guard and a power forward to replace the aging David West. There's no point guard in this portion of the draft, so the Pacers could trade down and grab Jerian Grant, Cameron Payne, Tyus Jones or Delon Wright or grab a power forward. Kaminsky was the best player in college basketball, is extremely versatile and could help fill an immediate role as a pick-and-pop big man.

PLAYER CARD
12Jerian GrantUtah JazzCOLLEGE: Notre DameHT: 6-5WT: 185POS: PG
Analysis: The Jazz have a nice, young front line with Gordon Hayward, Derrick Favors and Rudy Gobert. The need is in the backcourt, although it's still too early to tell what they have with last year's first-round selection Dante Exum. The addition of Grant would give them a combo guard with size who can play alongside Exum, Trey Burke or Alec Burks.

PLAYER CARD
13Kelly OubrePhoenix SunsCOLLEGE: KansasHT: 6-7WT: 204POS: SF
Analysis: General manager Ryan McDonough needs a big-time forward who can eventually be an upgrade over Marcus Morris. He also needs athleticism to go along with Eric Bledsoe. Oubre is the easy selection here. He's raw, but has incredible upside due to his length and explosiveness.

PLAYER CARD
14Devin BookerOklahoma City ThunderCOLLEGE: KentuckyHT: 6-6WT: 195POS: SG
Analysis: Most college freshmen struggle out of the gates shooting the ball from the perimeter, but not Booker, who has good size and can really knock down shots from long distance. He'd be a major weapon for OKC, and new coach Billy Donovan (who knows Booker well from his time as Florida's coach), especially playing with a healthy Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook.

PLAYER CARD
15Myles TurnerAtlanta HawksCOLLEGE: TexasHT: 7-0WT: 240POS: PF
Analysis (3): Most have him going higher, but NBA teams are concerned about his lack of athleticism and also the impending medical tests to determine whether he has any leg issues. Turner has size and skill, and would be an ideal fit for Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer's system.

PLAYER CARD
16Rondae Hollis-JeffersonBoston CelticsCOLLEGE: ArizonaHT: 6-7WT: 220POS: SF
Analysis: Team president Danny Ainge has a ton of picks, so he could certainly move up (or even down). The most pressing needs are shooters, and also an athletic wing with size. The truth is Ainge will go for the player he thinks has the highest upside. While Hollis-Jefferson isn't much of a shooter, he will improve, and he's a tough kid who brings length, athleticism and a guy who can really defend.

PLAYER CARD
17Bobby PortisMilwaukee BucksCOLLEGE: ArkansasHT: 6-11WT: 231POS: PF
Analysis: John Hammond has some nice young pieces in Jabari Parker, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Michael Carter-Williams. Portis would give the Bucks a big man with some length and skill who plays hard and really produced in his time at Arkansas.

PLAYER CARD
18Cameron PayneHouston RocketsCOLLEGE: Murray StateHT: 6-2WT: 180POS: PG
Analysis (2): Point guard is the need, even though Patrick Beverly went down this season. General manager Daryl Morey will have some options here, including Tyus Jones and Delon Wright. Look for him to go with Payne, the scoring floor leader from Murray State who has been well-known in NBA circles for more than a year now.

PLAYER CARD
19Trey LylesWashington WizardsCOLLEGE: KentuckyHT: 6-10WT: 235POS: PF
Analysis: The backcourt is set with John Wall and Bradley Beal, so look for the Wizards to try and grab someone who can help along the front line. There should be plentiful options on the board, especially at the power forward spot with guys like Trey Lyles, Bobby Portis, Kevon Looney and Montrezl Harrell all probably going in this range. Lyles is super-skilled and played out of position this past season at Kentucky.

PLAYER CARD
20Kevon LooneyToronto RaptorsCOLLEGE: UCLAHT: 6-10WT: 210POS: PF
Analysis: He's tough to figure out because the UCLA freshman isn't skilled enough to play the small forward position, and isn't quite big and physical enough to play the 4. However, he rebounds at a high clip, and shows flashes of being able to make shots from the perimeter. He certainly could go higher but also is a candidate to slide.

PLAYER CARD
21Tyus JonesDallas MavericksCOLLEGE: DukeHT: 6-1WT: 170POS: PG
Analysis: The Mavs need a point guard after Mark Cuban's failed Rajon Rondo experiment. There should be a couple of quality ones still on the board. Jones was the best player in the Final Four, is a pure point guard and also displayed the propensity all season to make big shots from the perimeter at Duke.

PLAYER CARD
22Delon WrightChicago BullsCOLLEGE: UtahHT: 6-5WT: 178POS: PG
Analysis: The Bulls are pretty well-stocked when healthy, but the key here is health. Derrick Rose will always remain a question mark, and Kirk Hinrich isn't getting any younger. Wright is an ideal backup for Rose because he's long, can defend and will only improve his jump shot.

PLAYER CARD
23Jarell MartinPortland Trail BlazersCOLLEGE: LSUHT: 6-9WT: 241POS: PF
Analysis: The long LSU forward can make shots from midrange and this past season also showed the ability to rebound at a high level. That quieted many of the critics who questioned his toughness. Martin is a guy who has a high ceiling, and the Blazers need someone up front.

PLAYER CARD
24Terry RozierCleveland CavaliersCOLLEGE: LouisvilleHT: 6-2WT: 190POS: PG
Analysis: Cavs general manager David Griffin would like to upgrade the backup point guard spot, and Rozier would give them an athletic combo guard who can get to the basket and also is able to defend at a high level.

PLAYER CARD
25Montrezl HarrellMemphis GrizzliesCOLLEGE: LouisvilleHT: 6-7WT: 243POS: PF
Analysis: The Grizzlies could use a high-energy forward, especially one who brings the toughness that has been a trademark of the organization. Marc Gasol's and Zach Randolph's future are in doubt, so GM Chris Wallace will need to find an insurance policy up front just in case.

PLAYER CARD
26Justin AndersonSan Antonio SpursCOLLEGE: VirginiaHT: 6-6WT: 222POS: SF
Analysis: The Spurs just need to grab the best player on the board and add some youth. Anderson was one of the nation's top players when healthy, but he was banged up down the stretch and his stock fell. He's an athletic wing and shot the ball well this past season, after failing to do so his first two years at Virginia.

PLAYER CARD
27Chris McCulloughLos Angeles LakersCOLLEGE: SyracuseHT: 6-9WT: 200POS: PF
Analysis (5): He certainly looks the part -- with length and plenty of skill. There was skepticism about him leaving after an underwhelming campaign in which he missed the second half of the season with a knee injury. However, McCullough has upside and is worth the risk this late in the first round.

PLAYER CARD
28R.J. HunterBoston CelticsCOLLEGE: Georgia StHT: 6-5WT: 185POS: SG
Analysis (6): The Celtics need a knock-down shooter, and despite the disappointing numbers this past season, Hunter is just that. He's a 2-guard who can make shots from deep, and Boston doesn't have anyone like that.

PLAYER CARD
29Rashad VaughnBrooklyn NetsCOLLEGE: UNLVHT: 6-5WT: 200POS: SG
Analysis: The Nets just need to add youth, especially in the backcourt. They will likely go with the best player on the board, and Vaughn is a guy who can really get buckets in a variety of ways. He averaged 17.8 points and shot 38 percent from 3 last season as a freshman at UNLV.

PLAYER CARD
30Dakari JohnsonGolden State WarriorsCOLLEGE: KentuckyHT: 7-0WT: 255POS: C
Analysis: The Warriors could use more size up front, and Johnson is a traditional low-post player. He can score on the block, takes up space and can rebound and defend his position. Just a solid rotation big.

PLAYER CARD

[Eddie20]

Ford:

Round 1 (16) Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, G/F, So., Arizona
Round 1 (28) Robert Upshaw, C, So., Washington
Round 2 (33) Cedi Osman, G/F, Macedonia
Round 2 (45) Chris Walker, F, So., Florida

Analysis: Celtics fans are rightfully stoked that this year's squad made the playoffs. But it came at huge price. There are 10 to 12 real difference-makers in this draft and the Celtics fell to 16. If it cost them a chance at a rim protector like Cauley-Stein or Turner, or an upgrade at small forward like Winslow or Hezonja, this year's run hurt the franchise long term. I confess that Hollis-Jefferson is one of my favorite players in this draft. I know he can't shoot and the Celtics need someone who can do more than play hard. But man, does he do everything else so well. He's so tough, so versatile and if he could ever get his jump shot straightened out, he could be a Kawhi Leonard-type player. I don't know how the Celtics would score with Marcus Smart, Avery Bradley and Hollis-Jefferson on the floor. But I also don't know who could score against them. Upshaw is the one guy who could be a big factor for them. He has major off-the-court red flags, but he was the best shot-blocker in the country last year and if he can stay out of trouble will be an absolute steal for the Celtics at No. 28. He's worth the risk given the Celtics' needs. Osman is also a great get as a potential point-forward down the road. He's already playing big minutes in Turkey and while he might not be ready for prime time yet, he's the type of Euro who could develop into something special with another season or two in Europe. Walker is a crazy athlete who, if he ever developed a jump shot, could be a really nice player in the NBA someday. He was ranked as a lottery pick over the course of his freshman year. At No. 45, he's worth a shot.

The ground rules

1. At each spot, I make a pick in the best interest of only the team with the pick. I won't pass on a player at No. 5 just because I like how he fits better at No. 7 or No. 10.
2. There are no trades. I note team needs, but not all picks are specifically to hit a need -- same as the draft.
3. This is not a projection. It's more a look at how I currently value players at each slot.

With that in mind, here are the picks:

'Grade: A' Draft


Round 1
PICK   TEAM   POSITION   PLAYER   SCHOOL
1.   Minnesota   F/C   Karl-Anthony Towns   Kentucky
2.   NY Knicks   PG   Emmanuel Mudiay   China
3.   Philadelphia   G   D'Angelo Russell   Ohio State
4.   LA Lakers   C   Jahlil Okafor   Duke
5.   Orlando   F/C   Kristaps Porzinigs   Latvia
6.   Sacramento   F/C   Myles Turner   Texas
7.   Denver   F   Justise Winslow   Duke
8.   Detroit   G/F   Mario Hezonja   Croatia
9.   Charlotte   G/F   Kelly Oubre   Kansas
10.   Miami   F   Sam Dekker   Wisconsin
11.   Indiana   F/C   Willie Cauley-Stein   Kentucky
12.   Utah   F   Kevon Looney   UCLA
13.   Phoenix   PG   Cameron Payne   Murray State
14.   Oklahoma City   SG   R.J. Hunter   Georgia State
15.   Atlanta   G/F   Stanley Johnson   Arizona
16.   Boston   G/F   Rondae Hollis-Jefferson   Arizona
17.   Milwaukee   C   Frank Kaminsky   Wisconsin
18.   Houston   G   Jerian Grant   Notre Dame
19.   Washington   PF   Bobby Portis   Arkansas
20.   Toronto   PF   Montrezl Harrell   Louisville
21.   Dallas   PG   Tyus Jones   Duke
22.   Chicago   PG   Delon Wright   Utah
23.   Portland   PF   Trey Lyles   Kentucky
24.   Cleveland   SG   Devin Booker   Kentucky
25.   Memphis   F/C   Christian Wood   UNLV
26.   San Antonio   G/F   Justin Anderson   Virginia
27.   LA Lakers   G   Tyler Harvey   Eastern Washington
28.   Boston   C   Robert Upshaw   Washington
29.   Brooklyn   G   Terry Rozier   Louisville
30.   Golden State   F   Jarell Martin   LSU

Round 2
PICK   TEAM   POSITION   PLAYER   SCHOOL
31.   Minnesota   SG   Rashad Vaughn   UNLV
32.   Houston   PF   Cliff Alexander   Kansas
33.   Boston   G/F   Cedi Osman   Macedonia
34.   LA Lakers   G/F   Michael Qualls   Arkansas
35.   Philadelphia   F   Chris McCullough   Syracuse
36.   Minnesota   PG   Kenneth Smith   Louisiana Tech
37.   Philadelphia   SG   Michael Frazier II   Florida
38.   Detroit   C   Dakari Johnson   Kentucky
39   Charlotte   G   Joseph Young   Oregon
40.   Miami   C   Guillermo Hernangomez   Spain
41.   Brooklyn   C   Mousa Diagne   Senegal
42.   Utah   SF   Aleksander Vezenkov   Cyprus
43.   Indiana   G   Andrew Harrison   Kentucky
44.   Phoenix   SF   Timothe Luwawu   France
45.   Boston   F   Chris Walker   Florida
46.   Milwaukee   C   Nikola Milutinov   Serbia
47.   Philadelphia   F   Vince Hunter   UTEP
48.   Oklahoma City   PG   Guillermo Vives   Spain
49.   Washington   F/C   Mouhammadou Jaiteh   France
50.   Atlanta   PF   Alan Williams   UC-Santa Barbara
51.   Orlando   G/F   Nedim Buza   Serbia
52.   Dallas   SG   Marc Garci   Spain
53.   Cleveland   PF   Jordan Mickey   LSU
54.   Utah   G/F   Anthony Brown   Syracuse
55.   San Antonio   PF   Richaun Holmes   Bowling Green
56.   New Orleans   F   Paul Zipser   Germany
57.   Denver   PG   Keifer Sykes   Green Bay
58.   Philadelphia   G   George de Paula   Brazil
59.   Atlanta   G   Olivier Hanlan   Boston College
60.   Philadelphia   C   Arturas Gudaitis   Lithuania

[TheFlex]

I really don't want RHJ. How much of an upgrade is he over Crowder? I'm curious if anyone has followed him a lot this year.

[TA9]

I really don't want RHJ. How much of an upgrade is he over Crowder? I'm curious if anyone has followed him a lot this year.

Followed him during the tournament and I don't that he is an upgrade over Crowder as of right now. RHJ is a good defender, but he has some work to do; especially in regards to his shooting form.

I can't imagine a team picking him that early, but I would still pick him with the 28th pick. He could potentially become something in the lines of "Bruce Bowen" if he ever manages to fix his shot. 

[Eddie20]

I really don't want RHJ. How much of an upgrade is he over Crowder? I'm curious if anyone has followed him a lot this year.

Well, he's an amazing athlete, while Crowder is just an average one. He just really needs to fix his jumper, which has a hitch, but his shooting elbow is tucked, his release point is fine, and his follow through is solid. I think it can be fixed.

Right now, think a young, but bigger Tony Allen in terms of play style.


Good video on him..
http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/draft2015/insider/story/_/id/12603442/nba-draft-examining-rondae-hollis-jefferson-draft-stock-pro-future

[Evantime34]

I really don't want RHJ. How much of an upgrade is he over Crowder? I'm curious if anyone has followed him a lot this year.

RHJ is a considerably better athlete than Crowder, he is also longer and a better creator.

He won't come into the NBA being better than Crowder immediately, but I think he has a much higher upside.

[Eddie20]

I really don't want RHJ. How much of an upgrade is he over Crowder? I'm curious if anyone has followed him a lot this year.

RHJ is a considerably better athlete than Crowder, he is also longer and a better creator.

He won't come into the NBA being better than Crowder immediately, but I think he has a much higher upside.

Exactly. I've seen people say that he'd be a top 5 pick if he could shoot and that's hard to argue with when you look at his athleticism, ability to attack the rim, ballhandling, motor, length, and great defense.

[Maurice98]

This guy is a typical DA pick . This kid represent what a Celtic should be: defense, motor, strength and toughness. He looks like a bigger Tony Allen but with a better IQ and upside. Remember that TA would have probably been a better player if not for those knee surgeries? Anyone this kid can develop a decent shot from 3 land or from mid range. THe thing that is underrated of his it's his fta per game which was around 7 and we lack that.

He's my favorite player on this draft, what is not to like in this kid (except shooting). Just think about that D on the perimeter. AB-MS-RHJ would not score a lot of points but who will score aganst them? 

[Tr1boy]

I would be pleased with rjh and rj hunter with our 1sts

[Tr1boy]

Wood not listed. We get him at 33 along with rhj, rj hunter and this ends up being a great draft for the Celts

[Tr1boy]

http://youtu.be/aA7sjVV0cQM
http://youtu.be/wpHsf0WSWgk

[Eddie20]

Wood not listed. We get him at 33 along with rhj, rj hunter and this ends up being a great draft for the Celts

Yeah, Goodman doesn't have Wood in his top 30, but Ford has him #25.

[Evantime34]

Wood not listed. We get him at 33 along with rhj, rj hunter and this ends up being a great draft for the Celts

That is pretty ridiculous that Wood isn't listed.

I am really hope Goodman is right about Grant, Dekker, Booker and Kaminsky all going before us. Those are guys I'm not really interested in that could push someone I like to us.

[The One]

I'll update this every time Ford and/or Goodman update their mocks....

Thanks for doing this...now and in the future.

[jpotter33]

Ford has WCS at 11 (!) and Stanley Johnson falling all of the way to 15th? I really don't see that happening, but I'd fully expect us to trade up to get one of those two if so.