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
