June 27th live from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, the NBA Draft kicks off. Drafts bring a lot of hope to teams around the league. This is their chance to draft a new focal point for their franchise that can turn things around.
So here is FanSided’s NBA Draft Big Board:
1. Ben McLemore, SG, 6,5″, Kansas
He is an explosive athlete that will be an offensive weapon in any offensive system. With a 42″ vertical at the combine he can elevate and get to the rim, dunks sell tickets too, ask the Clippers. As a red shirt freshman he averaged about 16 points. He isn’t just a dunker and can score from behind the arc as well.
2. Otto Porter, SF, 6’8″, Georgetown
Porter was the 2013 Big East Player of the Year behind an average of 16 points and 7.5 boards a game. He led Georgetown to a #2 seed in the NCAA Tournament. For a big forward, he hit 42% of his three-point attempts in 12-13, up from 22% the previous season.
3. Nerlen Noels, C, 6’11”, Kentucky
As if there is any doubt Noels will be the number one overall pick. Everyone always is looking for that elusive next dominate big man and Noels is the next draftee carrying that mantle. Can anyone resist a Kentucky player lately either? Noels is a shot blocking machine, and at one point in the season blocked 45 shots over a six game stretch. That has him labeled as a defensive game changer you want protecting the rim. He tore his ACL in February and that has some teams hesitant, but the way players have come back from those injuries lately might have teams less worried. He is also only 206 pounds and that could worry NBA teams, he’ll need to bulk up.
4. Alex Len, C, 7’1″, Maryland
Teams like big men and good ones are hard to come by. He is a versatile player who can play with his back to the basket in the post but can also hit a mid-range jumper. He has a 7’3″ wingspan and good foot speed. Defensively he is solid as well.
5. Victor Oladipo, SG, 6’5″, Indiana
Similar to Michael Kidd-Gilchirst a year ago, he wowed men’s hoops crowds with his athleticism and drive. Originally considered a 2nd round pick he has rocketed up big boards. He rounded out his game by expanding his offensive skill set. His 3 point percentage climbed from 20% to 44% and finished the season shooting around 60% from the floor. He also improved his ball-handling and playmaking abilities becoming a threat in the half court situations.
6. Trey Burke, PG, 6’1″, Michigan
Burke was named National Player of the Year and led the Wolverines to the NCAA National Championship game. In the Big 10, which is arguably the toughest conference, he averaged nearly 18 points a game and seven assists. While he might not be the most athletic point guard in the draft, he has the “intangibles” teams like: heart and leadership. He should go higher in the draft but won’t and a team will get a steal.
7. Cody Zeller, PF, 7′, Indiana
According to results from the combine, Zeller is the most athletic of the big men. He averaged 16.5 point and 8.1 boards a game for a top-tier program in a tough conference. He’s more of an offensive weapon than a defensive player, but he can make opposing defenses work to keep up.
8. C.J. McCollum, G, 6’3″, Lehigh
He is another player coming of an injury last season. McCollum broke his foot in January, and isn’t a terribly worrisome injury. When he went down he was second in the country in scoring. That score first mentality serves him sell as an offensive threat. But he might be a better undersized shooting guard than a point guard, facilitating isn’t his strength. His role would probably be best served as a sixth man like Jason Terry who can come on the court and give his team an offensive spark.
9. Anthony Bennett, SF, 6’7″ UNLV
He has explosive athleticism and an imposing physical frame that will make him a beast at the next level. He averaged 16 points and 8 boards at UNLV as a freshman. He splits time at PF but is undersized to play that position exclusively. He’d almost have to stick primarily to SF to be successful in the NBA.
10. Jamaal Franklin, SF, 6’5″, San Diego State
Franklin led his team in points, rebounds, assists and steals. The only NBA prospect to do this. He is a well-rounded and versatile player and a dynamite athlete who could succeed on the wing. At 6’5″ he averaged 9.5 boards, that is remarkable for someone his size.
11. Michael Carter-Williams, PG, 6’6″, Syracuse
He has incredible size for a point guard, but he posses a pass first mentality, he finished 3rd in the country in assists. He also led the Orange to a Final Foul appearance. He has all the natural talent, the size and athleticism. If he can expand his range and consistency and decision-making he could be great. All that can come with time and practice.
12. Shane Larkin, PG, 5’11”, Miami
The cons against him are clear, he is undersized. But he has a 44″ vertical, the second highest mark at the event in its entire history. He is a floor general who can balance scoring with facilitating. He was arguably one of the best pick and roll guards in the country last year. He also converted 40% from behind the arc.
13. Dennis Schroeder, PG, 6’2″, Germany
He got a lot of attention at the Nike Hoops Summit and that’s when his name was getting thrown around as a potential first round pick. Schroeder had his way with a USA team consisting of a number of potential top-10 picks in 2014. He has a wide frame with long arms and a quick first step. This gives him the ability to break down defenses. In a pick and roll situation he could be deadly with his ability to attack the hole, pass or pull up and knock down shots.
14. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, SG, 6’6″ Georgia
The SEC Player of the Year, he has long arms and great athleticism. He also has great size. As a sophomore he drained 84 buckets from behind the arc. A great pick if your team needs some back court athleticism, shot making ability and a potential lockdown defender.
15. Mason Plumlee, C, 7′, Duke
Despite his size he can score on the move and get above the rim. He can make plays off the ball, he can tip in misses, clean the glass, bury lobs and protect the rim while blocking shots. His scoring ability improved from his junior year (11.1 points) to his senior year (17.1 points).
16. Shabazz Muhammad, SF, 6’6″, UCLA
Last season he averaged 18 points on 37.7% shooting from behind the arc. He’s been criticized in the media for his locker room presence. He also has been labeled as a ball hog who isn’t committed to playing defense. He had just 0.8 assists per game. But his competitiveness and scoring ability are unquestionable. If a coach can take his scoring ability and improve his facilitating he could be a great player.
17. Steven Adams, C, 7′, Pittsburgh
When he first announced he was entering the draft there was some skepticism. The NBA Combine was his friend though. His touch, size, mobility and engaging personality wowed NBA personnel.
18. Lucas Nogueira, C, 7′, Brazil
Another Nike Hoops Summit stand out. The dude has a 7’6″ wingspan to pair with his height. The NBA loves size and length, paired with his athleticism and he is an NBA staffers dream. Nogueira will convert lobs into dunks and be ready for dump off passes inside. He could also be a defensive asset protecting the rim.
19. Sergey Karasev, SF, 6’7″, Russia
He led Russia’s top league in scoring and he dominated the Nike Hoops Summit. He could be the one international prospect most prepared to make an immediate impact in the NBA. He is accurate from behind the arc with a clean yet quick release. He can also create for teammates. He is a player that doesn’t make too many mistakes either. His one con, whether he’ll be able to defend quicker and stronger NBA competition.
20. Glen Rice Jr, SG/SF, 6’5″, Rio Grande Valley Vipers
He has had an interesting journey. He got booted from Georgia Tech and went to the D-League. There he averaged 18 points, 8 boards, 2.5 assists and 43% from behind the arc for the eventual league champions. This was all against former NBA first round picks and players. That should be enough to get him a shot at the next level.
21. Giannis Antetokounmpo, PG/SF, 6’9″, Greece
He’s been playing in the second division in Greece. He’s a ball-handler who can create off the dribble and elevate. He is too oversized to be a point guard probably, but he could play a hybrid point forward position. The thing with this kid is that it’s high-risk and high-reward.
22. Ricky Ledo, SG, 6’6″, Providence
Ledo is considered a potential sleeper in the first round. He was ruled ineligible for his freshman year but was allowed to practice with the team so he is in basketball shape but his resume is his high school track record. In HS, he was considered one of the most prolific scorers. He has an ideal size and the athleticism to match. He is also a streaky shooter but has the ability to create off the dribble. He also could be considered high risk high reward.
23. Allen Crabbe, SG/SF, 6’6″, California
He generates offense off the ball by using screens and movement to create separation. He averaged 18.4 points per game scoring from mid-range to behind the arc mostly. He lacks the explosiveness to get to the rim but his touch makes him a consistent deep threat.
24. Tony Mitchell, PF, 6’9″, North Texas
He was considered a Top 10 prospect after his freshman year, but his numbers took a dip. His offensive skill set and natural position both in question. He was 44% from behind the arc, but that dipped to 30%. He is an athlete who has the size, strength, explosiveness, length and hops. The problem is he might be more athlete and less basketball player.
25. Isaiah Canaan, PG, 6′, Murray State
He appeared on radars on the back of Murray State’s 31-2 season and NCAA Tournament appearance. He is quick and explosive recording a 40.5″ vertical. Canaan shoots over 40% from behind the arc in three out of four college seasons. He needs to improve as a half court facilitator to excel at the next level but he has shown promise running pick and rolls.
26. Kelly Olynyk, C, 7′, Gonzaga
He improved his scoring from 5.8 points to a dominating 17.8 points per game. This man clearly put some work in between seasons. He has a back to the basket post game and the ability to hit a jump shot. But he lacks the athleticism some of the other big men posses and he struggles to elevate.
27. Erik Green, G, 6’3″, Virginia Tech
He was the country’s leading scorer averaging 25 points a game which be put up in a power conference. Not something to take lightly. His 47.5 shooting percentage shows how efficient and consistent he is as a scorer. He can score off the dribble or pull up. He is only 178 pounds which makes him undersized for a point guard, but his natural position is SG. That is what is holding him back. He’ll be limited to running the point in a secondary role in less he can bulk up. Otherwise he could be a dynamic sixth man.
28. Livio Jean-Charles, F, 6’9″, France
Another Nike Hoops Summit where he put up 27 points and 13 rebounds against the USA. He has been blessed with the physical tools and instincts. He has the ability to slash cut and finish at the rim but the mid range jumper to round out the game.
29. Tony Snell, SG/SF, 6’7″, New Mexico
He has a wingman’s size and length with a 6’11.5″ wingspan. Snell shot over 38% from beyond the arc in back to back years and plays as a off the ball slasher and spot up shooter. He needs to prove he can defend the wing and knock down shots consistently to cement his role in someones rotation.
30. Gorgui Dieng, C, 6’11”, Louisville
Was a key role player at center for the NCAA National Champions.He isn’t the strongest offensive threat but he can score around the basket and knock down elbow jumpers. It’s his interior presence and nimble footwork as a rim protector which makes him a force.