83 Mock Draft

[Oregon Ownage]

Disclaimer: No trades are projected in this mock draft and the picks are based on what I’m hearing in conversations with DASL scouts, general managers and player agents.

1. Portland Trailblazers

Blazers are actively listening on offers for the top pick but I do not see them trading it. With a complete rebuild on the way, the Blazers take the top pick on my big board, C Ralph Sampson. A generational talent like Sampson is too good to pass up and is the perfect centerpiece for this rebuilding franchise.

2. Cleveland Cavaliers

This is where the draft starts for me where any number of players could come off the board. After acquiring Trent Tucker in the off-season last year, I see them going after a wing to complement Tucker or a point guard to help Tucker reach his potential and get better looks. My selection would be PG Derek Harper to help bring Tucker along and get that elite PG which is hard to come by.

3. Washington Bullets

Bullets again were graced by the draft lottery gods and find themselves in the top 4. Last years lottery pick Quintin Dailey proved skeptics wrong about his selection at 4 and with a nice core at C, PF and now SG, I see the Bullets selecting SF Rodney McCray.

4. Golden State Warriors

Warriors are in the great position of selecting the players above if they were to fall to them or select PG Darrell Walker. Their front court is set in Cliff Robinson and Herb Williams so addressing their hole at PG looks to be the right move.

5. Miami Heat

The Heat will be hoping that one of the top PG's falls to them as that would be ideal for them moving forward but in this mock draft, they are not fortunate in that regard. Their top big man, Mychal Thompson, will be hitting free agency so I see the Heat selecting C Steve Stipanovich as possible replacement should Thompson leave or he can provide valuable minutes off the bench as he develops.

6. Boston Celtics (from Lakers)

Celtics are in rebuild after trading away Larry Bird to the Lakers at the deadline this past season so they will be looking at all positions but I see them taking the player with the most upside available. For this pick I have the Celtics selecting SG Bryon Scott.

7. Detroit Pistons

Magic Johnson is crying out for help in Mo town and with only one year left on his contract, the Pistons need to do everything in their power to keep their star player happy. To do that, I see the Pistons selecting SG Clyde Drexler.

8. Los Angeles Lakers (from Grizzlies)

With the Lakers not expecting themselves to pick this high in a draft for the foreseeable future, I can see them taking a shot on a player with upside that becomes a potential trading piece down the line or a solid third man behind Bird and Wilkins. I have the Lakers selecting PF Sidney Green.

9. Houston Rockets

Rockets have the best young core of front court players in the league so another bigman would be a shock pick. I can see two players to pick here (Jeff Malone or Dale Ellis) that would complement their front court but I will go with SG Jeff Malone.

10. Toronto Raptors

Raptors could go many directions with this pick but with them currently in administration, they seem best positioned to draft upside. So for the 10th pick, the Raptors select SF Dale Ellis.

11. Dallas Mavericks

The Mavericks are another team where their direction looks to be in rebuild but Rolando Blackman who was acquired near the deadline propelled them to the cusp of the playoffs before falling off. With no other real star compliant piece, the Mavericks are looking for upside so I have them selecting PF Thurl Bailey.

12. Orlando Magic

Magic look set on rebuilding the roster after dealing away Reggie Theus and co the last season and a half, so they could take a swing on a prospect as they tank and hope when they take the turn for the good, this prospect can be a cornerstone for them. With the 12th pick, I have the Magic selecting SF Michael Britt.

13. Boston Celtics

As mentioned above the Celtics will be looking for upside players so they will take best available in the regard with the pick here, C Randy Breuer.

14. Houston Rockets (from SuperSonics)

Rockets need depth on their roster and also glue guys who can facilitate without being a ball hog, so I have them selecting PG John Paxton.

15. Atlanta Hawks

Hawks need help on the boards and will select PF Roy Hinson to help them hopefully climb to a mid-seed for next season.

16. San Antonio Spurs

Spurs have a solid 1-2 punch in Gervin and Worthy so this pick will need to complement them and provide support for the future. I have the Spurs selecting PG Ennis Whatley

17. Indiana Pacers

After making another run to the finals (their 3rd in 3 seasons), the Pacers have an aging squad so I can see them taking a player here to try and extend their run. I have the Pacers selecting PF Larry Micheaux.

18. Minnesota Timberwolves

Timberwolves do not have a glaring hole that can be immediately fixed sitting at 18, so I see them taking best available to provide depth. Timberwolves select C Russell Cross .

19. Portland Trailblazers (from Bulls)

Blazers need an injection of youth across the board and after dealing Griffiths, I have them selecting PG Doc Rivers as the replacement.

20. Los Angeles Lakers (from Bucks)

I am expecting a trade of some sort from the Lakers but as I cant predict that, I see the Lakers going for best available (ready now and prospect) and that would be C Granville Waiters.

21. Orlando Magic (from 76ers)

As mentioned above with the Magic, they are looking for upside, so I am going with PF Scooter McCray .

22. Detroit Pistons (from Hornets)

Pistons will look to add a contributor here and SF Leo Rautins fits the bill here.

23. Los Angeles Clippers

Clippers are in a win now mode and have a salary cap issue so they need a player here who can step in and play minutes from the get-go so the selection is C Greg Kite.

24. Denver Nuggets

Nuggets find themselves in a tough spot, good team but picking so late in the first, you wont find an instant impact player so I have them taking a shot on someone who could develop in the coming years C Jim Lampley.

25. Cleveland Cavaliers (from Nets)

Taking best available and with no long term bigs, I see them taking PF Antoine Carr.

26. Detroit Pistons (from Kings)

As mentioned above, Pistons need to add some players other than min’s so I have them taking C Mark West.

27. Sacramento Kings (from Knicks)

After a disappointing playoff run, the Kings are in a good position where they can take best available across any position and will take a shot on prospect in PG Sidney Lowe.

28. Cleveland Cavaliers (from Jazz)

As the Cavaliers round out their roster, they can take a shot on someone who can be afforded the time to grow, so I have them taking a backup to Trent Tucker in SG Randy Wittman.

29. Los Angeles Lakers (from Suns)

Best available player approach, so with the last pick in the 1st round, I have the Lakers selecting SF David Russell.

[the goat]

Nice. I don't see the Wiz or Warriors passing up Drexler though.

Also, Lakers did make a trade.

[lukeyrid13]

This is fun.

I would be shocked if the bigger names were not still selected in the top 5 as opposed to dropping in the 5-10 range


Also, you are VERY likely correct about the #1 pick. Before reading the notes I was much more open to trading down. Now that I've "scouted" a bit, I would need to be blown away to trade the #1 pick. Thankfully I have excellent tank commanders to pair with Sampson and just keep the long term rebuild in place.

[Oregon Ownage]

Nice. I don't see the Wiz or Warriors passing up Drexler though.

Also, Lakers did make a trade.

Those teams don’t have a need for a SG though. I mocked players for best fit and to fill the gaps they have. Plus Drexel is not a top 3 prospect IMO. Ignore the name value and look at the notes.

[chipper]

Drexler has never been a good player relative to who he was in RL in FBB. That’s just because of the type of player he was doesn’t translate well to this game.

[Zyme]

Poll added for player bonuses

[Oregon Ownage]

Sidney Green

Inside Scoring

[Oregon Ownage]

Sidney Green

Inside Scoring

Done