NBA Draft Preview/Mock

New York Knicks

With the 8th pick in the draft, expect the Knicks to target backcourt help. I believe North Carolina State Point Guard Dennis Smith, Kentucky Shooting Guard Malik Monk and Frenchman Frank Ntilikina will be the three players Phil Jackson and the Knicks will have to choose from.

Ntilikina is the perfect fit for Jackson’s antiquated triangle offense. Jackson loves big guards and the 6’5” Ntilikina fits the bill. Ntilikina is somewhat of a combo - 3&D guard, projected to be an elite defender and solid shooter.

Malik Monk is another intriguing option for New York. Although undersized at 6’3”, Monk can light it up in a hurry; a true scorer and shooter. However, due to his lack of size and all around game, I wonder if he will ever be more than a microwave scorer in the NBA; a la Lou Williams. If Malik Monk reaches his potential, I see him as a more athletic, lesser playmaking version of C.J. McCollum.

In my opinion, Dennis Smith is the best of thus bunch; an explosive prototypical point guard that thrives attacking the rim. The Knicks and their fans have been starving for an elite point guard, frankly, since Walt “Clyde” Frazier. The former #1 high school recruit is not a typical triangle fit, but nevertheless, Phil Jackson should pull the trigger on Dennis Smith with the 8th pick.

PREDICTION: G FRANK NTILIKINA

 

Brooklyn Nets

After trading the 27th pick along with Brook Lopez to acquire D’Angelo Russell and Timofey Mozgov from the Lakers, the Nets now enter the draft with only one first round pick and a 7’0” 265-pound hole in their frontcourt. However, Nets GM Sean Marks is very strategic and could pounce at the opportunity to draft a perimeter player if someone to their liking (i.e. Donovan Mitchell, Luke Kennard, Justin Jackson, O.G. Anunoby) slips to their selection. If these perimeter options are off the board, I fully expect the Nets to select a big man with the 22nd pick.

The Nets should have a plethora of attractive frontcourt options to choose from. Justin Patton, Tony Bradley, Anzejs Pasecniks, Harry Giles, John Collins, D.J. Wilson, T.J. Leaf are among the potential options at 22. The Nets are reportedly high on Anzejs Pasecniks and D.J. Wilson, and there is some speculation that the Nets could’ve given Wilson a promise that they will be selected at 22.

I would love to see the Nets gamble on the talented, yet injury plagued, Harry Giles if available, but I think at the end of the day, the Nets will make it back to back years with Wolverines and snag a versatile, high ceiling big man.

PREDICTION: F D.J. WILSON

 

My Big Board

1)       G Markelle Fultz

2)       F Jayson Tatum

3)       G Lonzo Ball

4)       G De’Aron Fox

5)       F Josh Jackson

6)       G Dennis Smith Jr.

7)       G Malik Monk

8)       C Zach Collins

9)       F Jonathon Issac

10)    F Lauri Markannen

11)    G Frank Ntilikina

12)    G Donovan Mitchell

13)    G Luke Kennard

14)    F John Collins

15)    F Harry Giles

16)    F O.G. Anunoby

17)    F Justin Jackson

18)    C Justin Patton

19)    C Tony Bradley

20)    F D.J. Wilson

21)    F T.J. Leaf

22)    C Anzejs Pasecniks

23)    F Bam Adebayo

24)    G Terrance Ferguson

25)    C Jarrett Allen

26)    C Ike Anigbogu

27)    F Jonah Bolden

28)    F Semi Ojeleye

29)    G Josh Hart

30)    G Jawun Evans

31)    F Jordan Bell

32)    F Isaiah Hartenstein

33)    F Kyle Kuzma

34)    F Ivan Rabb

35)    F Tyler Lydon

36)    F Wesley Iwundu

37)    C Thomas Bryant

38)    G Frank Jackson

39)    F Jaron Blossomgame

40)    G Edmond Sumner

41)    G Dwayne Bacon

42)    G Frank Mason

43)    F Mathias Lessort

44)    F Caleb Swanigan

45)    F P.J. Dozier

46)    F Jonathon Motley

47)    F Alec Peters

48)    G Sterling Brown

49)    G Monte Morris

50)    F Devin Robinson

51)    G George De Paula

52)    G Tyler Dorsey

53)    F Damyean Dotson

54)    F Dillon Brooks

55)    F Cameron Oliver

56)    C Kennedy Meeks

57)    G Nigel Williams-Goss

58)    G Kobi Simmons

59)    G L.J. Peak

60)    G Sindarious Thornwell

 

 

My Mock Draft (Without Trades)

There should be numerous trades this evening. Big names Paul George, Jimmy Butler, LaMarcus Aldridge and Kristaps Porzingis are rumored to be available for the right price.

Furthermore, teams like the Thunder and Blazers are over the salary cap and may look to attach a draft pick to rid themselves of a bad contract.

In a deep draft like this one, everything is very fluid and its tough to pinpoint the selections, as well as separate the talented pool of players. Here are my predictions.

1)       Sixers – G Markelle Fultz

2)       Lakers – G Lonzo Ball

3)       Celtics – F Jayson Tatum

4)       Suns – F Josh Jackson

5)       Kings – G De’Aron Fox

6)       Magic – F Jonathon Issac

7)       Timberwolves – F Lauri Markannen

8)       Knicks – G Frank Ntilikina

9)       Mavericks – G Dennis Smith Jr.

10)    Kings – C Zach Collins

11)    Hornets – G Malik Monk

12)    Pistons – G Luke Kennard

13)    Nuggets – F John Collins

14)    Heat – G Donovan Mitchell

15)    Trail Blazers – F Harry Giles

16)    Bulls – F Justin Jackson

17)    Bucks – C Justin Patton

18)    Pacers – F Bam Adebayo

19)    Hawks – C Tony Bradley

20)    Trail Blazers – F O.G. Anunoby

21)    Thunder – F T.J. Leaf

22)    Nets – F D.J. Wilson

23)    Raptors – F Jonah Bolden

24)    Jazz – C Anzejs Pasecniks

25)    Magic – C Ike Anigbogu

26)    Trail Blazers – F Jordan Bell

27)    Lakers – C Jarrett Allen

28)    Lakers – G F Semi Ojeleye

29)    Spurs – G Terrance Ferguson

30)    Jazz – G Frank Jackson

Just missed…F Tyler Lydon, F Kyle Kuzma, F Ivan Rabb, F Isaiah Hartenstein, G Derrick White, G Josh Hart

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