We are about two months from the start of the college basketball season, and the road to the 2013 NBA Draft has begun.  To kick things off, I am going to spend the next couple of weeks looking at this year’s senior class and some brief notes on areas where they need to show improvement to maximize their value at the next level.

These are not meant to replace scouting reports, which will come out during the season.  These are not all-inclusive and just meant as a brief primer for those who want to track draft prospects throughout the season.  These are also not in any particular order other than who I choose to write about each post.

Pierre Jackson, Baylor, Guard, 5’10, 180

13.8 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 5.9 apg, 1.8 spg, 46.0 FG%, 82.2 FT%, 40.8 FT%, 1.7:1 A/TO

Jackson came on strong for the Bears in his first season at the D-1 level, taking the starting point guard job over half way through the year.  Jackson did a strong job pushing the Baylor offense and creating opportunities on the defensive end.  He has a quick first step and can take the ball strong to basket or shoot his jumper off the dribble.  He does a good job playing passing lanes in the Baylor zone and creating points off of turnovers.

What he needs to show this season:  While Jackson can make some exciting things happen when he has the ball, his decision making on both ends needs to improve.  On the offensive side, he needs to do a better job handling the ball under pressure, as well as improving his shot selection and learning to make quicker decisions off the pick and roll.  On the defensive end, he needs to show that he can play on and off the ball effectively in man situations, as well as limiting the chances he takes on going for steals against good ballhandlers.

 

Matthew Dellavedova, St. Mary’s, Guard, 6’4, 190

15.5 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 6.4 apg, 44.6 FG%, 85.7 FT%, 35.5 3FG%, 2.2:1 A/TO

Dellavedova is coming off a summer spent with the Australian Olympic squad, where he started every game and helped lead them to the Quarterfinals.  Dellavedova has done a solid job at both guard positions for the Gaels over the past three seasons.  He controls the tempo for the team and keeps the offense moving smoothly.  He is very good making plays off the pick and roll, and he uses his dribble well to get into the defense.  He goes strong to the rim and can find ways to finish against bigger defenders.  Dellavedova is a good perimeter shooter, though his shot selection can still improve.  On the defensive side, Dellavedova is a good off-ball defender, playing passing lanes well and helping when needed.

What he needs to show this season: As noted above, Dellavedova is a good shooter, but he doesn’t necessarily take good shots.  His range is limited, and he will need to show that he can hit consistently beyond the college three-point line.  While he makes good decisions off the pick and roll, he needs to make sure he gets the ball out quickly when he has an opening.  Defensively, he doesn’t have great foot speed or lateral movement, and he is susceptible to being beat off the dribble.

 

C.J. McCollum, Lehigh, Guard, 6’3, 180

21.9 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 3.5 apg, 2.6 spg, 44.3 FG%, 81.1 FT%, 34.1 3FG%, 1.5:1 A/TO

McCollum, the top player in the Patriot League over the last few seasons, made himself known nationwide with a big game in leading Lehigh over Duke in last year’s NCAA Tournament.  One of the top scorers in the nation, McCollum has a versatile offensive game which makes him tough to defend.  He is a good shooter, able to knock down mid to long range jumpers consistently.  He uses his dribble well to get into the lane and draw defenders.  He is a solid rebounder for his size, and he has the ability to start the team in transition off the rebound.  He can push the ball or run the wings on the break and can finish strong at the basket.  McCollum has quick hands, and can get easy steals off of help or double teams.  He will be one of the top guards in the country this season and will finally have the whole country paying attention.

What he needs to show this season: McCollum does a good job playing off the ball, but he will probably be a point guard at the next level, so he will need to show a greater ability to run or start the offense, as well as showing the ability to make quick reads off the pick and roll.  He uses screens well now, but mostly he is looking for his shot first, which his team needs him to do.  On the defensive end, he needs to work on getting over screens better, as well as working on his lateral movement.

 

Elias Harris, Gonzaga, Forward, 6’7, 240

13.1 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 1.2 apg, 50.2 FG%, 67.2 FT%, 41.4 3FG%

Harris, who showed a lot of promise as a freshman three seasons ago, has a solid, but not spectacular, college career.  Harris has an NBA body and uses it well on both ends of the floor.  He is very effective around the rim, and has a nice touch.  He has the ability to post up other small forwards, as well as defend multiple positions on the other end.  Harris is also a very good rebounder for his size, especially on the offensive glass.  He has shown the ability to hit his jumper out to three-point range.

What he needs to show this season: While the Zags’ offense has always been very guard-oriented, Harris needs to be more aggressive when he gets opportunities, especially out on the perimeter.  He has the ability to take the ball of the dribble to the basket, but he needs to work on adding a consistent mid-range jumper to his repertoire.  On the defensive end, he is an average defender, but he needs to work on improving his foot speed and positioning out on the perimeter.

 

Mason Plumlee, Duke, Forward, 6’10, 235

11.1 ppg, 9.2 rpg, 1.6 apg, 1.6 bpg, 57.2 FG%, 52.8 FT%

Plumlee was arguably the best player on the Duke team in the 2^nd half of last season.  He showed improvement in just about every area of his game last season, but he still has a lot of work to do.  Athletic for his size, Plumlee is most dangerous on offense off of pick and rolls and offensive rebounds.  While his free-throw shooting was awful through most of his college career, he started to get the hang of it during the last half of the season.  He runs the floor well for his size and can finish in transition.  He rebounds well on the defensive end, and has slowly worked his way to an average post defender.

What he needs to show this season: Plumlee still has a way to go to develop himself as a viable post option on offense.  His footwork needs to improve, he needs to learn how to use his body better, and he needs to develop better touch around the rim.  Beyond that, he needs to show that he can consistently step out to 10 feet and be able to hit the short-mid range jumper consistently.  On the defensive end, he also needs to improve his footwork and using the lower half of his body to prevent offensive players from backing him down easily.  He is an average shot-blocker, but I would like to see him become more aggressive in that area.  Also, it is important that he continue to improve off his second-half of the season free throw shooting.

 

Erik Murphy, Florida, Forward, 6’10, 238

10.5 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 1.1 bpg, 48.7 FG%, 81.4 FT%, 42.4 3FG%

Murphy has become a reliable offensive player who can play either with his back to the basket or out on the perimeter.  He has good range on his jumper and nice touch around the basket.  He can also be used in the high post to help facilitate the offense for other shooters.  He is an average rebounder on both ends of the floor, and has improved as a defender in the post and on the perimeter.  He has also shown the ability to block shots when defending around the basket.

What he needs to show this season: Murphy has been a good role player for the past few seasons, but he will need to be a bigger part of the team’s offense this season.  His key is to continue being efficient on the offensive end with increased touches, while being more aggressive when he gets the ball.  On the defensive end, Murphy is has been solid, but he needs to continue on increasing his quickness to cover out on the perimeter, while also maintaining his good defense in the post.

Check back each day over the next 2 weeks for more senior previews.  Remember to follow me on Twitter - @NBADraftBlog or leave your comments below or send them to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  

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After a one year lockout hiatus, the NBA held their Las Vegas Summer League from July 13-22 with 23 NBA teams and the D-League Select Team.  I was there for all 10 days of games, and if you haven’t been there before, I recommend you make sure to get there next year.  I was able to see each team at least three times, and for a few teams, was able to see all five of their games.  Here is a review and my thoughts on each of the teams that were out there:

Atlanta Hawks (2-3)

The good news for Hawks’ fans is that 2012 first round pick John Jenkins did exactly what many people knew he was capable of doing.  Jenkins showed he is a great spot-up shooter from long-range and with that, he does a great job drawing defenders out to the perimeter, creating space for others.  However, while he can get defenders up in the air with a fantastic shot fake, he needs to be able to capitalize by making his next decision and movement much quicker.  2012 second round pick Mike Scott had some good moments as well during the week, but he was prone to mistakes when moving outside his comfort zone.  Scott did a very good job hitting the mid-range jumper and posting up on smaller defenders, but when he tried to make plays himself, he was definitely out of his element.  Free agent point guards Brad Wanamaker and Jordan Taylor both did an admirable job running the Hawks’ offense, though Wanamaker showed a better all-around feel for the game, and definitely showed enough to get a camp invite this fall.  Former Hawks’ draft pick Keith Benson showed a much more mature game in the post than he did at the start of last season, and with a little more work in the D-League, he may earn himself a spot in the NBA soon.  Rookie free agent John Shurna also showed a nice feel for the game, especially on the defensive end, but needs to be more aggressive if he wants to earn himself an NBA position.

Boston Celtics (3-2)

After a successful week in Orlando, the Boston Celtics’ summer league squad made their way out to Vegas and continued to impress.  2012 first round pick Jared Sullinger showed some very good promise, especially with his ability to take larger defenders off the dribble, as well as with rebounding.  Even many of his issues with larger defenders in the post can be fixed with some adjustments, like not using wasted dribbles after he catches a past around the basket.  As for the back “issue”, there was no sign of any issues while he played.  Fellow 2012 first rounder Fab Melo did a very good job defending around the basket, and was a surprise in how well he ran the floor when the tempo picked up.  2012 Second Round pick Kris Joseph showed more than expected on both sides of the floor, but he still needs to work on not forcing his shots.  Free agent guard Dionte Christmas earned himself a contract with his play over the last 2 weeks, and with good reason.  Christmas showed excellent maturity in his decision-making on the floor and it was tough to find many who out-worked him.  He is not a great shooter, but he goes hard to the basket and draws help defenders well.  I had been looking forward to watching 2011 draft picks JaJuan Johnson and E’Twaun Moore in Las Vegas, but they were traded to Houston during the week as part of the Courtney Lee deal.

Charlotte Bobcats (4-1)

The Charlotte entry in the Vegas Summer League was one of the most-enjoyable this week, for many reasons.  New head coach Mike Dunlap was on the sidelines leading the team, and the team looked like a group that people would associate with his hard-working style.  2012 first round pick Michael Kidd-Gilchrist played only one game due to injury, and while the numbers were impressive (18 points, 8 rebounds), his game really was not.  He did show some good defensive ability, but his offense at this point will not cut it in the NBA.  The Bobcats’ two 2011 first round picks, Kemba Walker and Bismack Biyombo, both impressed me during the week.  Walker showed that he is capable of handling both half-court and transition offenses, and his on-ball defense continues to improve.  Biyombo is far from a polished NBA player, but I was glad to see that his footwork in the post is continuing to develop, and he may be a decent player in a few more years.  Byron Mullens had some good moments during the week, but he still spends too much time taking bad jumpers on the offensive end.  2012 second round pick Jeff Taylor had a very good week, showing he is more than ready to handle playing significant minutes as a rookie.

Chicago Bulls (1-4)

Jimmy Butler was the big story this week for the Bulls, showing much improved offensive ability to go along with his already tough defense.  Butler was able to knock down mid-range jumpers off the dribble and was also strong taking the ball to the rim.  If he can start hitting his long-range jumper consistently, Butler could become a more integral part of the Bulls’ offense.  Marquis Teague, on the other hand, did very little to show why Chicago would spend a first round pick on him.  He handled the ball fairly well, but he can’t shoot, makes poor decisions, and didn’t defend well.   Free agent forward Malcolm Thomas put up good numbers (11.4 ppg, 12.4 rpg), but nothing he did really impressed.  He does play hard and has a good nose for the ball, but still lacks the polish to be an NBA player.  Free agent guards Jermaine Taylor and Ramone Moore both had some good moments, but neither was consistent enough to earn a camp invite.  Free agent forward Olek Czyz never stopped working out on the court, and plays much tougher than his size.  He needs time to develop his offense to fit the speed of the NBA game, but he isn’t as far off as many may believe.  Free agent center Henry Sims played well when he was working out of the high post, where his ability to pass and take men off the dribble could be highlighted, but he still needs to develop the toughness needed for the NBA post.

Cleveland Cavaliers (3-2)

Cleveland’s week got off to a bad start with the news that Kyrie Irving had broken his hand.  While Irving was not expected to play much in Las Vegas, it was still disappointing news.  Things only got worse when 2012 first round pick Dion Waiters took the court.  The 4^th overall pick showed very little in three games other than that he likes to force his way into the lane and take a lot of shots.  There has been talk of injury and conditioning issues, so I will just leave it there.   The Cavs’ other 2012 first round pick, Tyler Zeller, was much more impressive, showing the ability to finish in a variety of ways, while rebounding and playing tough defense on the other end of the floor.  An in-shape Samardo Samuels was also a highlight for Cleveland during the week.  While his defensive ability is still lacking, he showed improved footwork and shooting ability.  2011 first round pick Tristan Thompson also played well in limited minutes.  His athletic ability is unquestioned, but he also appeared to play much stronger and tougher than expected.  Free agent guards Donald Sloan and DJ Kennedy put up impressive efforts, playing tough defense and doing what they needed to try and keep the offense moving.

Dallas Mavericks (4-1)

The play of Dallas’ two second round picks, Jae Crowder and Bernard James, made this a successful week.  Crowder played superbly on both sides of the ball, and though he still needs to become a more consistent shooter, he finds ways to make things happen.  James showed the maturity and toughness he is known for, but was also playing very well in transition, which was a pleasant surprise.  2012 first round pick Jared Cunningham did not play, but former first round pick, Dominique Jones did and that was far from pleasant.  I saw every one of Dallas’ games in Las Vegas and Jones did nothing to merit being named a Summer League all-star.  He is a volume shooter who hasn’t improved in a few seasons.  He isn’t bad in transition, but I don’t see his time in the league lasting much longer unless he makes a serious leap soon.  I was actually more impressed by how D-League veteran Justin Dentmon ran the team and guarded the ball.  Rookie free agent Drew Gordon had some good movements, but he never seemed to get in the flow of the offense.

Denver Nuggets (1-4)

Though the Nuggets left Vegas with only one win, from what I watched, there seemed to be a lot of good that came out of the week.  Second year player Jordan Hamilton showed a lot more maturity to his game during the week, including a more complete effort on the offensive end.  He still needs to work on becoming a more efficient scorer, as well as a better perimeter defender, but he certainly looks a lot better than he did coming into the league.  2012 first round pick Evan Fournier has a very polished smoothness to his game.  Unfortunately, he accomplishes very little easily.  He needs to become much quicker with his decisions on offense, and learn how to defend much more athletic players on the perimeter.  Kenneth Faried played in three games, and he did what he does well – getting up and down the floor in transition and using his athleticism to get to missed shots.  Skill-wise, there has been a slight improvement, but he is still far from what I would call a good basketball player.   Luckily, Denver’s offense doesn’t require more from him.  2012 second round pick Quincy Miller played much more aggressive than I have ever seen him, and if he stays healthy, his best days are still ahead of him.  I was impressed with the point guard combo of Derwin Kitchen and Demonte Harper.     Both played tough defense, and Kitchen did a very good job keeping the offense moving.

Golden State Warriors (5-0)

There wasn’t much to complain about the Warriors’ time in Las Vegas.  Klay Thompson played in a pair of games and showed why he is one of the league’s top rookies last season.   He hit 10 out of 14 three-pointers attempted in the two games, and will pair well with 2012 first round pick Harrison Barnes, who also had an impressive week in Las Vegas.  Barnes showed why he may be one of the best pure scorers in this past draft class, with the ability to score in a variety of ways, including hitting the mid-range jumper off the dribble and posting up smaller defenders.  Barnes also did a good job guarding quicker players on the perimeter.  A pair of Warriors’ second round picks, Charles Jenkins (2011) and Draymond Green (2012), also had very good weeks.  Jenkins did a very good job getting into the lane and drawing contact, which translated into easy points (27-28 from free throw line.)  Green did exactly what you would expect him to do; he rebounded well, set solid screens and played tough defense.  The revelation of the week was rookie free agent Kent Bazemore.  Bazemore, who lived up to his reputation as a very good defender, also earned himself a contract by hitting open jumpers and facilitating the offense.  The Warriors’ other 2012 first round pick, Festus Ezeli, showed he can be a physical player, but needs to continue to develop some finesse to his offensive game.  Ezeli still showed more than Jeremy Tyler, who is still a few years away from being a decent NBA role player.

Houston Rockets (4-1)

The focus for the Rockets was on a slew of first round draft picks from the past two years.  2011 first round picks Marcus Morris and Donatas Motiejunas were on display, as well as 2012 picks Jeremy Lamb, Royce White, and Terrence Jones.  For many people, this was the first look at Motiejunas, and I am sure he impressed many.  He is a very good spot-up perimeter shooter, but he is nowhere near strong enough to play around the basket against normal NBA players.  Also, with some improvement, he could become an average defender, but he wasn’t even close in Vegas.  Morris was disappointing in his three appearances, not showing the toughness or scoring ability around the basket that he should.  Lamb showed he has the skills to be a good NBA scorer, especially from mid-range, but he really needs to work on his shot selection.  There was a lot of talk about White during the week, due to some spectacular passes he made.  However, I’m not sure why people tend to ignore that he has very poor decision-making skills.  For every spectacular pass he made, there were two he shouldn’t have even tried.  There is no doubt he is talented on the offensive end, but he is far from being ready to be an efficient player in the Houston offense.  Jones had the same issues that dogged him in college.  When he tries, he is a very good, especially scoring around the basket and hitting the boards.  The issue is that his effort isn’t near consistent enough that I would trust him for long stretches of time on the court.  Chandler Parsons made one appearance at Summer League, and you can already see how much his playing time last season helped him to grow as a player, especially in his aggressiveness on offense.  Free agent rookie Scott Machado did what was expected – he was very good in transition, getting to the basket or finding open teammates; also, he was not so good in the half-court, trying to force plays that weren’t there.  If he wants a spot in the NBA, he really needs to become much better at running a half-court offense.  Zoran Dragic, unfortunately, is nowhere near as talented as his brother and will likely only be remembered for a hard foul which ended Nolan Smith’s Summer League.  Courtney Fortson made some decent plays, but I would be surprised if he isn’t back in the D-League again for significant time.

Los Angeles Clippers (2-3)

The Clippers’ Summer League journey was highlighted by a free agent trying to make his own journey back to the NBA – Adam Morrison.  Morrison looked like a tougher version of the scoring machine he was in college, hitting shots from all areas and angles (20 ppg, 55% FG, 62% 3FG).  He is still not a great defender, but if a team needs a scorer off the bench, they can do a lot worse than a confident Morrison.  Eric Bledsoe did a good job getting back to his point guard roots, getting the ball to the hot hand and taking on some scoring if needed.  Talor Battle also did an admirable job as a scoring point guard when needed, and showed the ability to get his shot off at his size.  Hilton Armstrong and Marcus Hubbard both played tough around the basket, and with Gary McGhee, helped the Clippers on the boards.  While they didn’t get a lot of time, both Mickey McConnell and Cameron Moore filled their roles well and continue to improve.

Los Angeles Lakers (1-4)

One of the lowlights of the Vegas Summer League was this mess of a team that the Lakers fielded.  A lot of the problems could be directed at Darius Morris.  The ball spent way too much time in his hands, which often ended in a bad shot, for an attempt to force the ball to the basket or a teammate.  Add to that some sub-par defense, and I will be surprised if Morris sees any significant time in the NBA soon.  Christian Eyenga provided some spectacular plays with his athleticism, but unless he gets some open space on the floor, you aren’t going to get much out of him.  The two 2012 Lakers’ second round picks showed some promise during the week.  Darius Johnson-Odom didn’t really play well on the offensive end, but he played the tough on-ball defense that we expect from him.  Robert Sacre also did what he does well, playing tough defense in the post, and being able to score from 8 to 10 feet in.  He still needs to work on becoming quicker on both ends, but he still has the ability to be a solid bench player down the line.  Andrew Goudelock didn’t have a good shooting week, but a lot of that fell on the point guards, who couldn’t get him the ball in good spots.  It was a surprise to see former UCLA Bruin Reeves Nelson out there, but it was clear to see he was overmatched.  If you were hoping to read anything about Julian Khazzouh here, he was big and can hit a wide-open shot; that’s about all.

Memphis Grizzlies (2-3)

Josh Selby got a large amount of attention, and rightfully so.  For a week in Las Vegas, Selby started to show some of the promise that caused people to overhype him high school.  He was able to hit his jumper from all ranges, and if someone came out to guard him, he went right by him.  He played good on-ball defense, though he still tends to gamble too much, and was very good in transition.  2012 first round pick Tony Wroten was exactly what was expected, a spectacular play or two sprinkled in a mass of bad decisions and even worse shooting.  Matt Janning also played as many have come to expect, mixing in a good jumper with some tough plays.  I was impressed with how Deon Thompson played over the week, using his toughness to rebound and defend around the rim, while also showing the ability to step out and hit 10-15 jumpers.  Jeremy Pargo ran the point well in limited action, while the same can’t be said for Jerome Randle.  Mitchell Watt looked good playing the role of an athletic big man, hitting the offensive boards and getting up and down the floor well.  I would have liked to see Cam Tatum and Terrence Henry get more of a chance to show what they could do, but they looked ok in limited minutes.

Miami Heat (3-2)

The Heat fielded a mediocre Summer League squad, but there were still some highlights to their time in Las Vegas.  Probably the most impressive player for the week was big man Dexter Pittman, who used his size and skill well to overmatch most other big men he went up against.  If he can get his fitness level to the right place, he could be a viable back-up big for the World Champions.  Terrel Harris played some of the best defense I saw in Vegas, and he was able to convert it to offense on many occasions.  He also showed a good shooting stroke from the perimeter.  Norris Cole continues to underwhelm me.  He does a lot of things ok, but nothing that good.  Drew Viney did an admirable job doing the little things – setting screens, hitting the boards, playing tough defense – which helped the Heat win a few games.  Role players Trey Gilder, Damian Saunders and Mickell Gladness didn’t contribute much during the week.

Milwaukee Bucks (4-1)

Milwaukee was another team that impressed in a variety of ways during their Vegas stint.  The most promising thing to come out of Summer League was the play of 2011 first round pick Tobias Harris and 2012 first round pick John Henson.  At times, Harris was able to impose his will on opposing defenses, beating them with a good combination of speed and strength.  He also played well on the defensive end, and showed a good ability to rebound and get out in transition.  Henson showed more to his offensive game than he did in college, stretching the defense with mid to long range jumpers, while also showing good footwork and nice touch around the basket.  He also showed the defensive ability people expected, altering shots and making things difficult for anyone who came into the lane.  Big man Jarrid Famous played very well, defending the post and hitting the boards.   Second round pick Doron Lamb was ok, making some plays on the offensive end, but it is never a good sign when someone who is known for their shooting ability has trouble hitting past 10 feet.  I was very impressed by the way both Aaron Miles and Stefon Hannah handled point guard duties for the Bucks, with both able to add some scoring when the opportunity arose.  Former first round pick Larry Sanders didn’t particularly show that much, and was clearly eclipsed by Henson during the week.  While Olu Ashaolu didn’t contribute that much on either end, I love the energy he plays with when he gets the chance.

Minnesota Timberwolves (4-1)

It was a somewhat encouraging week for the Timberwolves, with 2010 first round pick Wes Johnson playing well, but 2011 first rounder Derrick Williams still struggling at times.  Johnson was able to score in a variety of ways, including a decent 9 three-pointers hit.  Williams is still struggling to adjust playing offense from the perimeter, but he did show some improvement, and he played some good defense all week.   Coby Karl played a very nice all-around game for the Wolves, showing versatility and the ability to make plays for teammates.  Luke Sikma is decent rebounder and defender, and showed some toughness around the basket.  Second round pick Robbie Hummel didn’t get much of an opportunity to show what he is capable of, and he never really got in the groove on offense when he was in.  He will have a long road ahead of him to make the team this fall.  Hopefully, Las Vegas was the last we will hear of Paulo Prestes, who ate up a chunk of minutes and showed very little, which is more than I can say for Lior Eliyahu.  The NBA game is not for everyone.  A large group of free agent guards had some decent showings, especially on the offensive end, including Corey Fisher, Kammron Taylor, and Zabian Dowdell.  Mike Harris was a pleasant surprise, showing versatility on both ends of the floor.

New Orleans Hornets (1-4)

There was some obvious disappointment from many people that Anthony Davis was added to the Olympic team and was not going to play in Las Vegas, including the NBA who seemed to schedule the Hornets’ games all in primetime.  The Hornets’ other first round pick, Austin Rivers, was ineffective for two games before sitting out the last three with an injury.  Rivers was trying too hard to force the action on the offensive end, which led to some really poor shot selection.  Another former Duke Blue Devil, Lance Thomas, was a bright spot for the Hornets in Las Vegas.  Thomas seemed to always outwork everyone around him for rebounds and loose balls which led to some good scoring opportunities for him.  He also showed some toughness on the defensive end, often guarding much stronger players.  Xavier Henry is another player who hasn’t seemed to find the right role at the NBA level.  Every time he touched the ball, he looked like he was trying to make plays to impress someone, but rarely succeeded.  Free agent point guard Brian Roberts wasn’t much of a distributor or playmaker, but he does have some decent scoring ability for his size.  2012 second round pick Darius Miller played hard, but offered very little on either end of the floor.  Denzel Bowles played some tough defense and worked hard on the boards, but his inability to finish well around the basket really hampered him.  I would have liked to have seen Jerome Dyson and Austin Freeman get more playing time, especially both are good scorers who need to get into the flow of the game.

New York Knicks (0-5)

The Knicks’ Summer League entry actually made the Lakers look good by comparison.  I will start by saying that Jerome Jordan looked good in the two games he played.  He ran the floor well, went strong after the ball, and was able to finish around the basket.  I also enjoyed watching Art Parakhouski, who seemed to be doing all of the hard work while the rest of the team took bad shots.  Free agent rookie Wesley Witherspoon had some good outings, and at times, you could see just how poorly used he was at Memphis.  Chris Copeland was very tough to watch.  Any time he touched the ball, he would either launch a shot immediately, or put his head down and try to force his way to the basket.  Other than that, he offered little else to the Knicks.  James White showed that he is good at dunking in transition, but again, not sure why the Knicks signed him.  Ahmad Nivins was good when he used his strength around the basket, but too often he tried to play on the perimeter, and his shot was just not falling.

Phoenix Suns (2-3)

Though the record may not have reflected it, I believe that Phoenix had a successful Summer League.  Markieff Morris had a nice all-around week, scoring in a variety of ways, hitting the boards hard, and showing some energy on the defensive side.  His perimeter shot is still inconsistent, but he will continue to improve.  2012 first round pick Kendall Marshall sat out the first game, but once he took the court, he showed why he is the best true point guard prospect in years.  His court vision is outstanding and it didn’t take him long to get acclimated to his new teammates.  When given the opportunity, he showed that he can get to the basket well, but he will need to continue to develop his jumper to round out his offensive game.  On the defensive end, he showed that while he may not have the quickness of many guards, he makes adjustments well and I don’t think it will take him long to bring those adjustments to the NBA.  The rotation included four free agent forwards, DeShawn Sims, PJ Tucker, Marcus Landry and Charles Garcia.  Sims and Landry showed that they can find ways to score, especially working around the baseline, but it was the awkward toughness of Tucker that seemed to impress Phoenix, who recently signed him to a deal.  The guard rotation included some shooters in Matt Gatens and Erving Walker, but Diante Garrett impressed me with his control and patience when on the floor.

Portland Trail Blazers (4-1)

The Blazers had the most talked about player all week in co-MVP Damian Lillard.  While Lillard showed that he is a high quality scorer, he still has a long way to go with his decision-making and defense at the NBA level.  I will be very curious to see how he handles not being the focal point of the offense when he is on the floor come next season.  Until an injury in his second game of the week, I was actually more impressed by Nolan Smith, who was being more aggressive with an NBA season under his belt, and showed that it is possible to score plenty of points without forcing the action.  2012 draft picks Meyers Leonard and Will Barton showed that they both have plenty of upside, but neither is ready to be major contributor soon.  Leonard’s energy levels seemed to fluctuate throughout the game, and he relies more on athleticism than skill at this point.  The same can be said for Barton, who is very good when he has some space to make a move, but an average defender should have no problem stopping him right now.  2010 first round pick Luke Babbitt had some good moments during the week, but he hasn’t really improved much since coming into the league.  Free agent rookie point guard Dee Bost seemed to improve as the week went on and he looked to be a much better defender than he was in college.  Ekene Ibekwe and Marcus Lewis handled themselves well on the defensive end in their limited minutes during the week.

Sacramento Kings (2-3)

The focus of the week for the Kings was on Jimmer Fredette, but it appeared to be the same old thing with him on the court – lots of bad shots, poor defense, and questionable decision-making.  2012 first round draft pick Thomas Robinson also had some rough patches during the week, forcing plays and bad shots, and having a lot of trouble handling many post players on the defensive end.  He did much better when he let things happen in the flow of the game, working the boards and getting out in transition.  Rookie free agent Tony Mitchell impressed with his athleticism and ability to finish in a variety of ways, and free agent Josh Akognon showed that he can be tough to stop from scoring once he gets in the lane.  I would have liked to have seen Yancy Gates and Jarrod Jones get more time to show what they could do, but the minutes at the 4 were obviously going to go to Robinson.  Free agent forward Michael Lee worked hard whenever he was on the court, and had no problem being the guy to set screens and hit the glass on both ends of the floor.  It was tough to really judge many of the players because Fredette just disrupted any flow the offense could have had, while making the team have to compensate for him on the defensive end as well.

San Antonio Spurs (2-3)

Second-year player Kawhi Leonard looked good in his two games with the Spurs in Las Vegas, but it is still obvious to see that he needs to be part of a structured offense to have any impact.  When left one-on-one with a defender in space, he doesn’t have the skill to get the job done effectively.   I was very impressed by the strides Cory Joseph has made in the past year, both as a scorer and a passer.  His decision-making is still a work in progress, but I was surprised by how tough he played all week.  2010 first round pick James Anderson still seems to be struggling with inconsistency, but his all-around game has improved, especially on the defensive end.  Big men Tyler Wilkerson and Eric Dawson also impressed me with their energy levels and toughness during the week.  While neither is very skilled, they make for it with aggressiveness.  2012 second round pick Marcus Denmon looked ok in limited minutes, and at times it looked like he should eventually be able to make the transition to point guard.  I would have liked to have seen more of Luke Zeller on the court.  His shooting ability and understanding of the game make him valuable in many different sets.  Rookie free agent JaMychal Green also didn’t get enough time to really show what he is capable of on both ends of the court.  D-League vets LD Williams and Dwight Buycks continue to improve as players and should be near the top of the call-up list if they are in the D-League again next season.

Toronto Raptors (2-3)

While the team as a whole was far from impressive, the Raptors did have some bright spots.  2010 first round pick Ed Davis was much stronger and played more aggressively than I have seen him before, and it paid off on both ends of the floor.  Free agent forward Chris Wright showed why he earned a spot with Golden State last year.  He uses his athleticism well to find ways to score and he brings a high energy level to the defensive end.  Veteran free agent point guard Bobby Brown also did what he does best, pushing the ball quickly up floor looking for scoring opportunities, which benefitted 2012 first round pick Terrence Ross more than anyone.  Ross made some spectacular plays in transition, but it was very troubling to see a player who relies on his jumper to have serious consistency problems, especially from three-point range.  He did show some decent defensive skill on the perimeter, but he will need to show a lot more to justify such a big reach at #8.  Point guards Devoe Joseph and Ben Uzoh both impressed me with their play during the week – Joseph for his defense and how he ran the offense, and Uzoh for his good all-around game.  Quincy Acy was limited during the week, and while he showed his usual toughness on both ends, he also seemed to have some trouble adjusting in the two games to the speed.  Finally, Daniel Orton and Terrell Stoglin both showed why leaving school early isn’t always a good choice.  Stoglin may still have a shot a few years down the road, but I don’t know if we will ever see anything good out of Orton.

Washington Wizards (3-2)

The Wizards’ time in Las Vegas was highlighted by the debut of 2012 first round pick Bradley Beal, and though he had some ups-and-downs, he showed more than enough to satisfy his draft pick.  He has a great feel for the game on both ends of the floor, and while he still struggled with an inconsistent jumper, he found other ways to be effective when it wasn’t working.  He did seem more comfortable shooting his jumper when the pace of the offense was quicker, so it may be good that he will be paired with John Wall.  I was hoping to see improvement from 2011 first round pick Chris Singleton, but he still struggles on the offensive end too much for me.  He needs to be able to knock down the open jumper consistently.  He is still an above-average defender, but I really expected more after a year in the league.  The Wizards’ other 2011 first round pick, Jan Vesely, also showed very little other than he likes to try and dunk.  If he can’t do that, he really doesn’t give you much more at this point.  Shelvin Mack also disappointed at times during the week, but I still think he has some room to grow into a solid back-up point guard.  I think free agent forward Shavlik Randolph had a very good week and I wouldn’t be surprised if he gets an offer from a few teams this fall for camp.  He used his experience well on both ends of the court against the newer players, and I don’t recall him being outplayed often.   Tomas Satoransky seems to be intriguing, but he really is going to need a few years to understand how the NBA game is played.   He spends way too much time dribbling around, and most of time you can’t tell why.  I do like that when he was able to get past his defender on the perimeter, his long strides got him to the basket quickly, though he isn’t strong enough to finish well yet.  He also needs to work on becoming a much better shooter and defender.

D-League Select (2-3)

You can see that there are a lot of quality players in the D-League, between this team and the many D-League players which were on the other rosters.  As with the D-League itself, there wasn’t enough emphasis on defense for my liking, but these players knew how to find ways to score points.  No one player stood out, but Mardy Collins and Leo Lyons were two who stood out to me when I watched them play.  Andre Emmett reminded me of the player he was in college, lots of bad shots which found a way of going in.  Center Chris Daniels also looked better than I expected, though I would have liked to have seen him play much tougher on the defensive end.  Overall, it was a fun group to watch, and it definitely has me looking forward to watching more D-League action this upcoming season.

 

And that’s a wrap for the 2012 season for me, and I look forward to starting on the road to the 2013 NBA Draft next week.  Thank you all for the time you spent checking out the site this year, and as always, leave your comments below or email me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .  Also, follow me on Twitter - @NBADraftBlog

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It’s Summer League season, and things will kick off next week with the Orlando Summer League from July 9-13.  While the 8-team event doesn’t have the atmosphere of the much larger Las Vegas Summer League, it does make it easier to focus on the teams involved.  This year’s group includes NBA Championship runner-up, Oklahoma City, the newly christened Brooklyn Nets, and of course, the Orlando Magic, who are breaking in a new General Manager, and hopefully soon a new head coach.    Here are the rosters for the 8 teams, and a small break down of the players to watch and what to expect from each team.

 Brooklyn Nets

Name	Position	Ht	Wt	Last Team
MarShon Brooks	G	6’5	200	Nets (NBA)
Stephen Dennis	G	6’6	180	Bakersfield (D League)
Bryant Dunston	F	6’8	233	Hapoel Holon (Israel)
Jeff Foote	C	7’0	265	Springfield (D League)
Ashton Gibbs	G	6’2	190	Pittsburgh
Taurean Green	G	6’0	177	Tofas (Turkey)
Adam Morrison	F	6’8	198	Crvena Zvezda (Serbia)
Carleton Scott	F	6’8	218	Notre Dame
Tornike Shengelia	F	6’9	228	Spirou Charleroi (Belgium)
Garrett Stutz	C	7’0	255	Wichita St.
Tyshawn Taylor	G	6’3	185	Kansas
Al Thornton	F	6’8	203	Golden St. (NBA)
Julian Wright	F	6’8	225	Austin (D League)
Edwin Ubiles	G	6’6	204	Dakota (D League)

 

Who/What to Watch: There is no doubt this will be the MarShon Brooks show whenever he is in the game.  A high-volume shooter during the course of the regular season, I cringe at what he will do in a Summer League scenario.  Tyshawn Taylor will get his first run with the Nets after being chosen in the second round of the NBA Draft last week.  Look for the coaching staff to give him ample opportunity to pair up with Brooks in the backcourt.  Tornike Shengelia will also make his Nets debut, but I expect the pace of Summer League action to hamper him over the course of a few games.  Edwin Ubiles was a bright spot last year in the D-League and his ability to get to the basket should be on display in Orlando.  Two promising big men will also be in action in Jeff Foote and Garrett Stutz.  Foote operates well around the basket and Stutz is dangerous with his ability to stretch the floor.

Boston Celtics

Name	Position	Ht	Wt	Last Team
Craig Brackins	F	6’10	230	Philadelphia (NBA)
Dionte Christmas	G	6’5	205	Rethymno (Greece)
Jonathan Gibson	G	6’1	171	Enel Brindisi (Italy)
JaJuan Johnson	F	6’10	221	Boston (NBA)
Kris Joseph	F	6’7	215	Syracuse
Stephane Lasme	F	6’8	215	Obradoiro (Spain)
Fab Melo	C	7’0	255	Syracuse
E’Twaun Moore	G	6’4	191	Boston (NBA)
Jamar Smith	G	6’3	185	BK Prostejov (Czech)
Jared Sullinger	F	6’9	260	Ohio St.
Sean Williams	F/C	6’10	235	Boston (NBA)

 

Who/What to Watch: The attention here will be solely focused on Jared Sullinger.  The once-presumed Top 10 draft pick fell to #21 after a medical “red flag” was reported on his back.  While the information attached to the “red flag” was never fully explained, Sullinger still felt the effect come draft night.  Bad back or not, Sullinger was the most skilled big man in this class and I fully expect the Celtics to give people a chance to see how much of a steal they got last week.  Their other first round pick, Fab Melo¸ as well as last year’s first round pick, JaJuan Johnson, will also be on display, and out to show how the development process has been working.  Johnson had some opportunities last season with the Celtics and should continue to improve, especially with Kevin Garnett returning to Boston to finish his career.  Craig Brackins is a former first round pick (2010) who has yet to show that he can stick in the NBA for consistent playing time, but is still an intriguing player, especially on the defensive end.  Finally, Sean Williams will have another chance (3^rd, 4^th, 5^th???) to show that he deserves to be in the NBA.

Detroit Pistons

Name	Position	Ht	Wt	Last Team
Austin Daye	F	6’11	190	Detroit (NBA)
Andre Drummond	C	6’11	279	Connecticut
Kim English	G	6’6	200	Missouri
Yancy Gates	F	6’9	289	Cincinnati
Armon Johnson	G	6’3	195	New Jersey (NBA)
Brandon Knight	G	6’3	189	Detroit (NBA)
Vernon Macklin	F	6’10	227	Detroit (NBA)
Khris Middleton	F	6’7	217	Texas A&M
Patrick Richard	G	6’4	208	McNeese St.
Kyle Singler	F	6’8	228	Real Madrid (Spain)
Casper Ware	G	5’10	177	Long Beach St.

 

Who/What to Watch: There is a lot to watch with this Pistons’ squad, starting with their last two first round selections, point guard Brandon Knight and center Andre Drummond.  Knight showed some of the usual growing pains in his first year, but the team still holds out hope that he will be a better-than-average NBA point guard.    Drummond is big and athletic, but very raw.  However, the Summer League style of play should allow him to show off some of the physical tools which made him a Top 10 pick.  Former first round pick Austin Daye may be battling for his roster spot at this point, especially with the debut of Kyle Singler, the highly skilled Duke forward.  Singler chose to spend last season in Spain once the lockout was announced, and by all accounts, has played very well.  Yancy Gates and Vernon Macklin will both add a very physical element to the Pistons’ frontcourt, though Macklin has a year of pro experience under his belt and should get plenty of opportunity to show what he has learned.  Second round picks Kim English and Khris Middleton will add some scoring punch, and both should make their case to be on the roster come next season.  Casper Ware went undrafted last week, but he is exciting to watch and should be good for a spectacular play or two.

 

Indiana Pacers

Name	Position	Ht	Wt	Last Team
Jarrid Famous	F	6’11	240	Petron Blaze (Philippines)
Reggie Hamilton	G	5’11	176	Oakland U
Ben Hansbrough	G	6’3	206	KRKA (Slovenia)
Matt Janning	G	6’4	220	Novipiu Casale (Italy)
Orlando Johnson	G	6’5	224	UCSB
Tyren Johnson	F	6’7	225	Rio Grande (D League)
Chris Kramer	G	6’3	215	s. Oliver Baskets (Germany)
Julian Mavunga	F	6’8	245	Miami (Ohio)
Hamady Ndiaye	C	7’0	235	Maine (D League)
Jeff Pendergraph	F	6’9	240	Indiana (NBA)
Miles Plumlee	C	7’0	252	Duke
Matt Rogers	F	6’11	225	Texas
Lance Stephenson	G	6’5	210	Indiana (NBA)
Robert Vaden	G/F	6’5	205	Tulsa (D League)

 

Who to Watch: Summer League play is exactly where Lance Stephenson is in his element.  With the ability to handle the ball and create, Stephenson should be the highlight of the Pacers’ squad, if not the whole summer league.  This year’s first round selection, Miles Plumlee, will also be in action and should impress many with his athletic ability.  Former Big East Player of the Year Ben Hansbrough will continue his journey to make the NBA for the team of his brother Tyler.  Hansbrough isn’t a great athlete, but he is skilled and has very good leadership ability.  Jeff Pendergraph has shown that he can play in the NBA during some of his stints, but he has yet to stick for significant time.  His experience should make him valuable to this group of players.  Reggie Hamilton was a great college scorer and now he will have the chance to show that he can play point guard at the next level, while another great college scorer, Orlando Johnson, will be asked to just keep scoring.  Matt Janning has been very good in previous summer league stints, but he is running out of chances to show that he belongs in the NBA.

 

Oklahoma City Thunder 

Name	Position	Ht	Wt	Last Team
Cole Aldrich	C	6’11	245	Oklahoma City (NBA)
Morris Almond	G	6’6	220	Washington (NBA)
Kent Bazemore	G	6’5	200	Old Dominion
Dwight Buycks	G	6’3	190	Tulsa (D-League)
Marquez Haynes	G	6’3	185	GC 2014 (Spain)
Lazar Hayward	F	6’6	225	Oklahoma City (NBA)
John Holland	G	6’5	205	Chorale Roanne (France)
Reggie Jackson	G	6’3	208	Oklahoma City (NBA)
Perry Jones III	F	6’11	235	Baylor
James Mays	F	6’8	227	Arecibo (Puerto Rico)
Gary McGhee	C	6’10	250	Bandirma Kir (Turkey)
Ryan Reid	F	6’8	235	Tulsa (D-League)
Garrett Temple	G	6’5	200	AS Junior Pallacanestro (Italy)
Latavious Williams	F	6’8	225	FITAC Joventut (Spain)

Who to Watch: While the roster is incomplete, it is easy to see where the attention will be.  Perry Jones III inexplicably fell to Oklahoma City in last week’s draft (yes, I know about the knee, it’s nonsense), and if there were questions about his desire before, I expect him to be out to prove that teams made a big mistake passing on him.  While he still has a long way to go to reach his potential, Oklahoma City is a great spot for him to learn.  Cole Aldrich and Tibor Pleiss will be looking to find a home next year on the Thunder roster, which may be a little more crowded with the recent agreement to sign Hasheem Thabeet.  Reggie Jackson has shown very little, and I don’t expect that to change before next season.  Kent Bazemore is a very good defender and he could make his case to get a pre-season invite if he can shut down some the guards he is matched up against in Orlando.

Orlando Magic

Name	Position	Ht	Wt	Last Team
Kevin Anderson	G	6’0	175	Strasbourg IG (France)
Bradford Burgess	G	6’6	225	VCU
Justin Harper	F	6’10	225	Orlando (NBA)
DeQuan Jones	F	6’8	221	Miami (FL)
DeAndre Liggins	G	6’6	209	Orlando (NBA)
Luke Nevill	C	7’2	265	Perth (Australia)
Andrew Nicholson	F	6’9	250	St. Bonaventure
Kyle O’Quinn	C	6’10	224	Norfolk St.
Josh Owens	F	6’8	240	Stanford
Magnum Rolle	F	6’11	235	Atlanta (NBA)
Ish Smith	G	6’0	175	Orlando (NBA)
Dominique Sutton	G	6’5	212	NC Central
Ryan Thompson	G	6’6	218	Centrale del Latte (Italy)
Maalik Wayns	G	6’1	195	Villanova
Charlie Westbrook	G	6’4	196	South Dakota

 

Who to Watch: Both of this year’s Magic draft picks, Andrew Nicholson and Kyle O’Quinn, will be on display.  Nicholson is a highly skilled big man who can score around the rim, or step out to 15 feet and hit his jumper consistently.  O’Quinn is a very active big man who can rebound and run the floor, but he will need to show that he can operate as a full-time post player.  A trio guards who went undrafted last week, Maalik Wayns, Bradford Burgess and Charlie Westbrook, will have the chance to make their case that they should be brought to a pre-season camp this fall.  Wayns could have used another year in school to hone some his weak areas, but he is still a good point guard who can get into the lane and create.  Westbrook is a quality scorer who can help out in many different spots on the floor.  Burgess is another good all-around player, and should bring a workman’s mentality to this squad.  Luke Nevill, a former Mountain West Player of the Year, is back in America to give another shot at making the NBA.  With the possibility of Dwight Howard leaving Orlando, Nevill could earn an opportunity to add some much needed size in the post.

 

Philadelphia 76ers

Name	Position	Ht	Wt	Last Team
Maurice Harkless	F	6’8	208	St. John’s
Justin Holiday	F	6’6	184	Aalstar (Belgium)
Terrence Jennings	F	6’10	230	Liege (Belgium)
Chris Johnson	F	6’6	201	Dayton
Solomon Jones	C	6’10	245	New Orleans (NBA)
Jacob Pullen	G	6’1	200	Angelico Biella (Italy)
Jeremy Richardson	G	6’7	210	Armia (Georgia)
Zach Rosen	G	6’1	175	Penn
Jon Scheyer	G	6’5	190	Maccabi Electra (Israel)
Devin Searcy	F	6’10	226	Toyama Grouses (Japan)
Xavier Silas	G	6’5	205	Philadelphia (NBA)
Clay Tucker	G	6’5	210	Lottomanica Roma (Italy)
Justin Williams	C	6’10	260	Los Angeles (D League)
Nik Vucevic	C	7’0	240	Philadelphia (NBA)

 

Who to Watch: Last week’s first round pick, Maurice Harkless, will have his chance to show Philly fans why he was worth the 15^th selection.  Harkless is very athletic and should be able to show the ability to create scoring opportunities in Orlando.  Xavier Silas performed very well in the D-League last season before a late-season call-up to the Sixers, and he will get a chance to show he should be on the team from the start next season.  Guards Zach Rosen and Jon Scheyer are both high quality players who won’t wow fans with what they do on the court, but they will impress teams and scouts.  Jacob Pullen will get another shot at trying to make the NBA after going undrafted in 2011.  A  good scorer and leader, Pullen still needs to show that he can play the point guard spot reliably.  There are a group of average big men, Nik Vucevic, Solomon Jones, and Justin Williams, who will all try to show that they have what it takes to stick around.

 

Utah Jazz

Name	Position	Ht	Wt	Last Team
Blake Ahearn	G	6’2	190	Utah (NBA)
Alec Burks	G	6’6	202	Utah (NBA)
DeMarre Carroll	F	6’8	212	Utah (NBA)
Tony Gaffney	F	6’8	215	Telekom Baskets (Germany)
Stephen Graham	G	6’6	215	Ft. Wayne (D League)
Mike Green	G	6’0	175	Sigma Barcelona (Italy)
Enes Kanter	C	6’11	267	Utah (NBA)
Justin Knox	F	6’9	240	Minsk (Belarus)
Salah Mejri	C	7’0	209	Antwerp (Belgium)
John Millsap	G	6’6	220	Guaros (Venezuela)
Kevin Murphy	G	6’6	185	Tennessee Tech
Cedric Simmons	F	6’9	235	Asefa Estudiantes (Spain)
Henry Sims	C	7’0	241	Georgetown
Michael Stockton	G	6’0		Karlsruhe (Germany)
Deron Washington	F	6’7	210	Obradoiro (Spain)
Kyle Weaver	G	6’6	201	Alba Berlin (Germany)

 

Who to Watch: Last year’s two first round picks, Alec Burks and Enes Kanter, will hope to show that they have improved over the course of the past season.  Kanter, especially, needs to show that he is going to be worth the time and money invested in him.  This year’s second round selection Kevin Murphy will be a new face to a lot of people watching, but I expect him to quickly impress with his scoring ability.  DeMarre Carroll and Blake Ahearn will be looking to solidify the chance they got last season with the Jazz, and Ahearn could earn himself a full-time spot in the NBA.   Henry Sims went undrafted last week, but I think a good showing here will get him a bigger look from the Jazz or other NBA teams.  Tony Gaffney has always shown a good skill level and very good athleticism, but needs to show consistency in order to stick around.


Click here for a complete schedule of games, which will also be shown on NBA TV.

Check back Monday for a preview of the Las Vegas Summer League.  Follow me on Twitter - @nbadraftblog - or feel free to email me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  

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The 2012 NBA Draft is in the books, and it is time to take a look at how each of the teams fared.  Please note that the grades reflect how the teams picked based on a combination of the player’s draft value and the team’s need for that player.

Atlanta Hawks

1^st Round: John Jenkins (23^rd, Junior, SG, Vanderbilt)

2^nd Round: Mike Scott (43^rd, Senior, PF, Virginia)

Grade: B-

Analysis: While Jenkins will be able to provide the Hawks with some much needed consistency from the perimeter, he was certainly a bit of a reach at #23.  The addition of Mike Scott at 43 makes up for some of it, and gives the Hawks another good scoring option off the bench from 15 feet in.

 

Boston Celtics

1^st Round: Jared Sullinger (21^st, Sophomore, PF, Ohio State); Fab Melo (22^nd, Sophomore, C, Syracuse)

2^nd Round: Kris Joseph (51^st, Senior, SF, Syracuse)

Grade: B

Analysis: Count me among those who feel Boston may have gotten the steal of the draft with Sullinger falling because of medical “red flag.”  If he stays healthy, Sullinger will be a double-double machine immediately for the Celtics.  Melo is still going to need time to develop, but with the right coaching, he could be an above-average big man.  He is certainly an upgrade over whoever the Celtics have been using.  Joseph was a solid addition at #51 and will eventually provide some scoring off the bench.

Brooklyn Nets

1^st Round: None (Pick traded to Portland)

2^nd Round: Tyshawn Taylor (41^st, Senior, PG, Kansas); Tornike Shengalia (54^th, SF, Georgia); Ilkan Karaman (57^th, PF, Turkey)

Grade: C-

Analysis: Tyshawn Taylor was a great value pick at #41, and will immediately enter their guard rotation.  An improved shooter, Taylor will provide leadership and the ability to make plays for himself and others.  Shengelia has good size, but he can’t shoot and is nowhere near tough enough to attack the basket in the NBA.  If Karaman ever comes over to play, it will be a miracle; a complete waste of a selection.

Charlotte Bobcats

1^st Round: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (2^nd, Freshman, SF, Kentucky)

2^nd Round: Jeff Taylor (31^st, Senior, SF, Vanderbilt)

Grade: B-

Analysis: I understand some of the reasoning behind the possible selection of the “high character, hard-working” Kidd-Gilchrist, but the simple fact is that the Bobcats could have done much better at #2.  Charlotte needs someone who can create their own scoring opportunities, or at least score when they get the ball.  Kidd-Gilchrist’s inability to shoot is going to make him a detriment on the offensive end, especially since defenders can sag against him to prevent him from trying to get in the lane.  Understanding that players aren’t drafted necessarily for immediate contribution, but it will be 3-4 years before Kidd-Gilchrist helps on offense. Defensively, he will adjust to the speed of the NBA in time, but he isn’t going to be the great defender everyone expects immediately.

I think Taylor was a great value pick in the 2^nd round, and he will be more prepared than Kidd-Gilchrist to contribute immediately on both ends of the floor for the Bobcats.

Chicago Bulls

1^st Round: Marquis Teague (29^th, Freshman, PG, Kentucky)

2^nd Round: None ( sent to LA Lakers)

Grade: B

Analysis: It is still unknown how quickly Derrick Rose will recover from his ACL injury, but Teague is no position to help the team for a few years.  He doesn’t shoot well and I question his ability to run anything more complex than a pick-and-roll.  Maybe with some solid coaching for a few seasons, he may turn into a serviceable backup point guard.

Cleveland Cavaliers

1^st Round: Dion Waiters (4^th, Sophomore, SG, Syracuse); Tyler Zeller (17^th, Senior, C, North Carolina)

2^nd Round:

Grade: B

Analysis: I do not buy the Waiters hype for one minute.  He hasn’t shown that he can play consistently for any length of time, and certainly not in a starting role.  He is a good athlete, and he still may develop into a real offensive threat, but an outrageous reach at #4.  On the other hand, Zeller was a great value pick at #17 and should make the Cavaliers frontcourt significantly better from Day 1.

 

Dallas Mavericks

1^st Round: Jared Cunningham (24^th, Junior, SG, Oregon State)

2^nd Round: Bernard James (33^rd, Senior, PF, Florida State); Jae Crowder (34^th, Senior, SF, Marquette)

Grade: B+

Analysis: This grade is more of a reflection of the 2 great second round picks rather than a clear reach in the first round.  Cunningham could be an effective pro, but he will need to show that he can be a point guard in the NBA.  A good defender, but I don’t see him being effective against NBA shooting guards.  James and Crowder are going to make the Mavericks one of the more physical teams out west.  James will provide solid minutes off the bench immediately, though I don’t see him being an eventual starter.  Crowder is one of my favorite players in this draft, and all of the talk about him not having a position is nonsense.  He can be used in a variety of ways, and he will make the team work harder to keep up with him.

Denver Nuggets

1^st Round: Evan Fournier (20^th, SF, France)

2^nd Round: Quincy Miller (38^th, Freshman, SF, Baylor); Izzet Turkyilmaz (50^th, PF, Turkey)

Grade: C-

Analysis: The only thing that saved this grade was the potential value of Miller at #38.  Fournier, despite what he may think, is not even close to ready for the NBA.  A slasher who shies away from contact is not going to go far in the NBA, especially when he is no jumper to fall back on.  Miller should have definitely stayed in school another year, but with no immediate need for him, hopefully the Nuggets do what they need to to develop him.  Turkyilmaz has the best name this draft for someone who will never see the NBA.

Detroit Pistons

1^st Round: Andre Drummond (9^th, Freshman, C, Connecticut)

2^nd Round: Khris Middleton (39^th, Junior, SF, Texas A&M); Kim English (44^th, Senior, SG, Missouri)

Grade: A-

Analysis: Obviously there is still no way to tell how Drummond is going to develop, but at #9, the risk is absolutely worth the potential reward.  Worst case right now, he is still an athletic big who can help Greg Monroe on the defensive end.  Best case, Drummond will be an absolute monster in the middle.  The Pistons also did very well in the second round, adding two experienced players who can contribute immediately.  English is one of the most mature players in this draft, and will add a knockdown shooter and solid defense.  Middleton is a slasher who is still developing an all-around game, but he still has a lot of potential.

Golden State

1^st Round: Harrison Barnes (7^th, Sophomore, SF, North Carolina); Festus Ezeli (30^th, Senior, C, Vanderbilt)

2^nd Round: Draymond Green (35^th, Senior, PF, Michigan State); Ognjen Kuzmic (52^nd, C, Bosnia)

Grade: A-

Analysis: Barnes was a very solid pick, especially in a high need area for the Warriors.  He will be able to contribute scoring right away, especially with the way Curry and Thompson can spread the floor.  Ezeli adds some more toughness in the frontcourt to pair with David Lee, and also should contribute immediately.  Picking a player like Green in the second round is never a bad move.  The Warriors will be able to use his versatility on both ends, as well as gaining some much-needed maturity and leadership.  Kuzmic will likely never be seen playing in the United States.

Houston Rockets

1^st Round: Jeremy Lamb (12^th, Sophomore, SG, Connecticut); Royce White (16^th, Junior, PF, Iowa State); Terrence Jones (18^th, Sophomore, PF, Kentucky)

2^nd Round: Furkan Aldemir (53^rd, PF, Turkey)

Grade: B

Analysis: Lamb is a very good value at #12, and should be able to step in as an improvement over Kevin Martin in most areas as soon as they can move him.  White is a bit of a reach at #16, but is still a decent pick.  He has a very good understanding of the game, but he has not shown that he can defend well on the perimeter or if he knows how to operate in an offense where the ball isn’t going through him.  While he does make some spectacular plays as a “point forward”, he still makes some really bad decisions as well, so you need to hope he develops more.  Jones is another good value pick at #18, though he is entering a logjam of power forwards in the Houston organization, so the Rockets are still going to need to make some moves.  A decent rebounder, Aldemir doesn’t have the body or toughness to be effective in the NBA. Will need to see how he develops in a few years, but there were still better options available who are ready to contribute.

Indiana Pacers

1^st Round: Miles Plumlee (26^th, Senior, C, Duke)

2^nd Round: Orlando Johnson (36^th, Senior, SG, UCSB)

Grade: B

Analysis: While the reaction to Plumlee at #26 wasn’t great, it wasn’t a huge reach for him here.  Big and athletic, Plumlee understands what it takes to win basketball games, and he will be a nice backup compliment to Roy Hibbert.  Orlando Johnson knows how to score in a variety of ways, and he is exactly the kind of players that very good teams are able to bring off the bench.

Los Angeles Clippers

1^st Round: None (Sent to Boston)

2^nd Round: None (Sent to Houston)

Grade: INC

Analysis: Nothing to see here, please move on.

 

Los Angeles Lakers

1^st Round: None (Sent to Dallas via Cleveland)

2^nd Round: Darius Johnson-Odom (55^th, Senior, SG, Marquette); Robert Sacre (60^th, Senior, C, Gonzaga)

Grade: B

Analysis: People may deride the value of two very late second round picks, but the fact is that the Lakers got some very good value here.  Johnson-Odom is one of the hardest-working, toughest players around, with a great ability to score.  He will need to show he can play point guard, but I guarantee he is already better than last year’s early second round selection, Darius Morris.  Sacre is a solid player who can operate well out of the high post and is a very good defender.

Memphis Grizzlies

1^st Round: Tony Wroten (25^th, Freshman, PG, Washington)

2^nd Round: None (Sent to Brooklyn via Philadelphia)

Grade: B-

Analysis: I admit that Wroten is a physical freak who can do some amazing things with the basketball.  He can also be that much of a train wreck when he has the ball as well.  For a playoff contender, they need to be able to back-up Conley with someone better than this, so I wouldn’t expect him to play any role for a few seasons.  If he ever gets it together, could end up being the steal of the draft.

Miami Heat

1^st Round: None ( Sent to Philadelphia)

2^nd Round: Justin Hamilton (45^th, Junior, C, LSU)

Grade: D

Analysis: This is not a knock on Hamilton, who I like as a player who can give some valuable minutes to a team with no quality big men.  The Heat really needed to shore up the center position, and would have been better off keeping the pick, Arnett Moultrie, or taking Festus Ezeli.  One very good thing about Hamilton – he is an above average perimeter shooter for his size, and if he can draw defenders away from the rim, James and Wade could have an easier time than they do now.

Milwaukee Bucks

1^st Round: John Henson (14^th, Junior, PF, North Carolina)

2^nd Round: Doron Lamb (42^nd, Sophomore, SG, Kentucky)

Grade: B+

Analysis: Henson was a steal for the Bucks at #14, and he will be an immediate defensive presence, and certainly a slight upgrade over Ekpe Udoh and Larry Sanders.  While his offensive game still needs work, he did improve a lot during this past season, and should continue to do so.  Lamb was also a very solid pick at #42.  He is a pure shooter, and with Brandon Jennings and Monta Ellis’ ability to draw defenders, Lamb can put up some pretty good numbers.

Minnesota Timberwolves

1^st Round: None (Sent to Houston)

2^nd Round: Robbie Hummel (58^th, Senior, PF, Purdue)

Grade: C

Analysis: I actually liked the deal the Timberwolves made for Chase Budinger, giving up the 18^th pick overall, so I won’t hold that against them here.  Hummel is an incredibly smart player who can knock down shots from the perimeter.  After coming back and playing the way he did his senior year after two ACL tears, Hummel is going to give everything he has out there to make the team better.

New Orleans Hornets

1^st Round: Anthony Davis (1^st, Freshman, PF, Kentucky); Austin Rivers (10^th, Freshman, SG, Duke)

2^nd Round: Darius Miller (46^th, Senior, SF, Kentucky)

Grade: A

Analysis: The combination of Davis and Rivers will not only produce well into the future for the Hornets, but both will generate a style of play which will want others to play with them.  Davis has a chance to be dominant at the NBA level, but that is still a long way off.  I still think Rivers will eventually move to the point guard spot in the NBA, but for now, he is one of the best in this class at taking his man off the dribble, and as he matures physically, he will be able to finish better.  Miller was a solid middle of the second round pick who can contribute immediately on perimeter defense and knocking down open shots.

New York Knicks

1^st Round: None (Sent to Houston)

2^nd Round: Kostas Papanikolaou (48^th, SF, Greece)

Grade: B-

Analysis: Papanikolaou became well-known after his play in the Euroleague Finals, but he is still a long way from being ready to have an impact at the NBA level.   Maybe in 3 years, if he comes over, he may be an average player, which isn’t that bad for the 48^th pick.

Oklahoma City Thunder

1^st Round: Perry Jones III (28^th, Sophomore, PF, Baylor)

2^nd Round: None (Sent to Minnesota)

Grade: A

Analysis: Just a remarkable turn of events for the Thunder here.  On potential and talent, Jones is still a lottery pick.  However, the questions over motivation and a possible knee problem caused an almost unprecedented slide.  Jones may have found the perfect spot for him to continue to develop, and if there are issues with his desire or motivation, you only used the 28^th pick on him.

Orlando Magic

1^st Round: Andrew Nicholson (19^th, Senior, PF, St. Bonaventure)

2^nd Round: Kyle O’Quinn (49^th, Senior, C, Norfolk State)

Grade: B+

Analysis: A great first draft for new GM Rob Hennigan.  Nicholson is long and skilled, with the ability to stretch the floor or score around the rim.  O’Quinn is a fighter and he will do whatever the team needs of him.  You aren’t going to get Dwight Howard’s replacement at #49, but they did get a very good back-up who will bring great energy levels.

Philadelphia 76ers

1^st Round: Maurice Harkless (15^th, Freshman, SF, St. John’s); Arnett Moultrie (27^th, Junior, PF, Mississippi State)

2^nd Round: None (Sent to Miami)

Grade: B+

Analysis: Harkless may have been a small reach at #15, but he is very athletic and still raw, so with the right coaching the Sixers may have a potential long-term starter here.  I am not a big fan of Moultrie.  He is big and athletic, but his skill level is poor.  However, there is nothing bad you can say about taking him at #27, especially when you need to add some size to the team.

Phoenix Suns

1^st Round: Kendall Marshall (13^th, Sophomore, PG, North Carolina)

2^nd Round: None (Sent to Atlanta)

Grade: B+

Analysis: Marshall was the best pure point guard in this class, and a great addition with Steve Nash ‘s time in Phoenix being over.  While the Suns will need to add some more scorers around him, he will make everyone around him better.  There are issues with his foot speed and lateral movement on the defensive end, but he knows how to play defense, and he can continue to work on his athleticism.

Portland Trail Blazers

1^st Round: Damian Lillard (6^th, Senior, PG, Weber State); Meyers Leonard (11^th, Sophomore, C, Illinois)

2^nd Round: Will Barton (40^th, Sophomore, SG, Memphis)

Grade: B

Analysis: With the 6^th and 11^th picks, the Trail Blazers had the opportunity to do something great, but came away with Lillard and Leonard.  I like Lillard and he should be a decent scoring point guard, but his value is a bit lower than 6^th.  He can score, get into the lane, and continues to work hard to get better, but he is just average as a “point guard”, so he really needs to learn how to develop the ability to create for others and how to play when he is not the focal point of the offense.  Leonard is an athletic big man who is still developing at the center position, but even at his full potential, I don’t see him as 11^th pick value.  Barton could be a great get at the 40^th spot.  He is a nice athlete who can provide some scoring pop off the bench.

Sacramento Kings

1^st Round: Thomas Robinson (5^th, Junior, PF, Kansas)

2^nd Round: None (Sent to Indiana)

Grade: A-

Analysis: Sacramento ended up not making a move paid off and they got possibly the 2^nd best player of the draft at #5.  Robinson will be a nice compliment to DeMarcus Cousins and should instantly elevate Sacramento closer to playoff contention.

San Antonio Spurs

1^st Round: None (Sent to Golden State)

2^nd Round: Marcus Denmon (59^th, Senior, SG, Missouri)

Grade: B+

Analysis: A fantastic value pick at #59, Denmon has a legitimate shot of making the roster, and should eventually make a move to being a back-up point guard.  He can knock down open shots and knows how to play tough perimeter defense.  Not much more you can ask for from the second to last pick of the draft.

Toronto

1^st Round: Terrence Ross (8^th, Sophomore, SG, Washington)

2^nd Round: Quincy Acy (37^th, Senior, PF, Baylor); Tomislav Zubcic (56^th, SF, Croatia)

Grade: C

Analysis: Ross going with the 8^th pick may be the worst of some absolutely baffling picks made in this draft.  A good athlete, solid defender, and knockdown shooter, there is nothing about Ross that screams Top 10 pick.  He can’t create his own shot, and Toronto doesn’t exactly have the playmakers to get him open looks.  I like Acy, and he will bring some much needed toughness to Toronto, but #37 was still a reach for him.  Zubcic is a decent shooter, but is a long way from being a NBA player.

Utah

1^st Round: None (Sent to Houston)

2^nd Round: Kevin Murphy (47^th, Senior, SG, Tennessee Tech)

Grade: B+

Analysis: I love the Murphy pick at #47, and I expect him to be able to provide some wing scoring off the bench rather quickly for the Jazz.  He will need to become a more consistent shooter, especially from mid-range, but when he gets hot, it is tough to guard him.

Washington

1^st Round: Bradley Beal (3^rd, Freshman, SG, Florida)

2^nd Round: Tomas Satoransky (32^nd, SG, Czech Republic)

Grade: A-

Analysis: The Beal pick gave them an A, but wasting a high second round pick on Satoransky is ridiculous.  Beal will be a great compliment to John Wall in the Wizards backcourt, and should continue to improve at a rapid rate for a few years still.  Satoransky is a shooting guard who can’t shoot, but he does have good size and a decent understanding of the game.

 

That wraps up the 2012 NBA Draft.  Thank you for reading this year, and I will start work on 2013 prospects next week.  Hope to see many of you in Las Vegas for Summer League.

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Finally, just hours before the NBA Draft, and I am ready to provide Version 1 of my NBA Mock Draft.  This is not based on what I, or others, have heard.  This is solely based on what would be the best move for each team.  

1.     New Orleans – Anthony Davis, Freshman, PF, Kentucky

Davis will give the Hornets an instant boost on the defensive end, and as he matures, should develop into a legitimate offensive threat out to 15-18 feet.  Even bigger, the addition of Davis could boost New Orleans as a high-profile destination for future big-name free agents who want to play with him.

2.    Charlotte – Thomas Robinson, Junior, PF, Kansas

While the Bobcats could use players at almost any position, Robinson is the player most ready in this range to come in and produce at a high-level quickly.  Pairing Robinson with Bismack Biyombo will allow him to focus more on helping Charlotte on the offensive end more to start.

3.    Washington – Bradley Beal, Freshman, SG, Florida

Contrary to his one year college shooting percentages, Beal is one of the top shooters in this draft and should show it with John Wall opening up space on the floor for him.  A solid defender and ballhandler already, look for Beal to be the real future star in Washington.

4.    Cleveland – Harrison Barnes, Sophomore, SF, North Carolina

Barnes will provide an instant offensive threat to pair with Kyrie Irving out on the perimeter, and his ability to score with his jumper or at the basket will make him a tough match-up for many defenders, and will also make it tough for defenses to key on Irving.

5.    Sacramento – Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Freshman, SF, Kentucky

Kidd-Gilchrist will be a nice addition to a developing Kings’ team and his ability to defend on the perimeter should be able to take some pressure off of DeMarcus Cousins to act as a help defender too often.  In a few years, he may develop into a legitimate NBA offensive threat.

6.    Portland (from Brooklyn) – Damian Lillard, Junior, PG, Weber State

With Portland seriously in need of point guard help, they will reach a bit to take Lillard here.  More scorer than distributor, Lillard will need to show that he can be effective as both without being the team’s primary option.

7.    Golden State – Tyler Zeller, Senior, C, North Carolina

With Andrew Bogut coming off of an injury, and Jeremy Tyler and Andris Biedrins as possible backups, the Warriors look to take the more polished of the 1^st round big men in Zeller.  Zeller’s rebounding and ability to get out in transition should  be a big lift for the Warriors.

8.    Toronto – Austin Rivers, Freshman, SG, Duke

With likely first choice Lillard off the board, the Raptors turn to Rivers, who should provide a scoring lift to the anemic Toronto offense.  With Jonas Valanciunas likely to be here next season, the Raptors look for backcourt help and Rivers could eventually become their future point guard.

9.    Detroit – John Henson, Junior, PF, North Carolina

With Zeller gone, but Drummond possibly still available, the Pistons will go for the known quantity, who has also been one of their main targets since the beginning.  The combination of Henson and Greg Monroe will instantly become one of the more formidable in the Eastern Conference, and should be a solid foundation for the Pistons to add new pieces around.

10.    New Orleans (from Minnesota) – Andre Drummond, Freshman, C, Connecticut

Though there are obviously other areas the Hornets could look to fill, having Drummond fall to them here is too much for them to pass up on.  The combination of Davis and Drummond could be the best in the NBA 3 or 4 years down the road – assuming Drummond develops as he should.

11.    Portland – Meyers Leonard, Sophomore, C, Illinois

Having found their point guard for the future at #6 with Lillard, the Blazers turn their attention to their hole in the middle and take the best available option, legit seven-footer Leonard.  While raw, with the right coaching, Leonard can turn into a long-time contributor.

12.    Houston (from Milwaukee) – Jeremy Lamb, Sophomore, SG, Connecticut

With Leonard, Zeller and Drummond all gone, the Rockets turn to the best available option on the board.  Lamb could be the replacement for the one-dimensional Kevin Martin and should help the Rockets on the offensive end fairly quickly.

13.    Phoenix – Dion Waiters, Sophomore, SG, Syracuse

Despite all of the smokescreens being thrown around, Waiters falls down to the top of his actual draft value.  With Phoenix looking for help at almost every position, Waiters will be able to fill in nicely in the backcourt rotation immediately.

14.    Milwaukee (from Houston) – Terrence Ross, Sophomore, SG, Washington

Having traded back to the end of the lottery, Milwaukee took themselves out of the running for one of the big men they covet, but they can get the knockdown shooter they also need.  With Brandon Jennings and Monta Ellis, Ross should be able to get the right spacing he needs to get his shot off.

15.    Philadelphia – Perry Jones III, Sophomore, PF, Baylor

With Elton Brand’s Sixer career coming near its end, the ultra-talented, but raw, Jones may be the type of risk worth the 15^th pick.  With the correct coaching, Jones could become a dominant player on both ends of the floor, and even at his floor, he will still be a valuable contributor.

16.    Houston (from New York) – Kendall Marshall, Sophomore, PG, North Carolina

The Rockets are assuming that Goran Dragic won’t be back, and Kyle Lowry is being dangled as trade bait, so the need is there for a point guard, and Marshall may be the best pure point in the class.  Whatever the Rockets look like next year, Marshall will make the team better.

17.    Dallas – Moe Harkless, Freshman, SF, St. John’s

A year removed from their championship, Dallas is desperately in need of some young talent, and Harkless certainly fills that need.  Very athletic, with the ability to play inside and out, Harkless could be one of the best in this class 10 years down the road.

18.    Houston (from Utah via Minnesota) – Terrence Jones, Sophomore, PF, Kentucky

This could turn out to be one of the best value picks in the draft, and the Houston culture plus Kevin McHale may be what Jones needs to fulfill his potential.  Immediately, he will give the Rockets the toughness at the power forward position that Scola lacks.

19.    Orlando – Royce White, Junior, PF, Iowa State

With the Dwight Howard, plus coaching, situations still up in the air, the maturity of White should be exactly the kind of thing that new GM Rob Hennigan needs to start off his new position.  White is not great at anything in particular, but he is good at many, and should be a valuable addition whether Howard is there or not.

20.    Denver – Arnett Moultrie, Junior, PF, Mississippi State

Athletic big man Moultrie should fit in very well with the Denver style of play, and his lack of any real post skills shouldn’t hinder him in the Nuggets’ offense (see Kenneth Faried.)  If Moultrie and Faried are on the floor, what the team lacks in skill, will be made up with lots of rebounding and athletic play.

21.    Boston – Jared Sullinger, Sophomore, PF, Ohio State

Back issue or not, Sullinger is the most skilled big man in this class, and if, as I assume, the issue is manageable, Sullinger will be the steal of this draft.  He will be an instant upgrade for the Celtics in the low post.

22.    Boston (from LA Clippers) – Andrew Nicholson, Senior, PF, St. Bonaventure

Yes, they just took Sullinger the pick before, but Nicholson is too much of a talent to pass up.  He has a better ability than Sullinger to step out and play in the high post or perimeter, so it would even be possible to play them both together.  Too much value to pass up here.

23.    Atlanta – Jeff Taylor, Senior, SF, Vanderbilt

Taylor will be an instant upgrade defensively for the Hawks, plus will give them some additional shooting power from the perimeter.  A smart player, Taylor will adapt well to any offense and be a major asset going forward.

24.    Cleveland (from LA Lakers) – Fab Melo, Sophomore, C, Syracuse

When Anderson Varejao is who you have in the middle, you need to upgrade the center position.  While Melo will still need time to develop, he will provide a solid big man presence immediately.

25.    Memphis – Quincy Miller, Freshman, SF, Baylor

Miller’s decision to go pro may have been one of the worst in this draft, Memphis could still take the risk on the athletic, but raw, Miller.  At 6’10, Miller could create all kinds of mismatch problems for opponents, but there will still be concerns about whether his knee will hold up long term.

26.    Indiana – Draymond Green, Senior, PF, Michigan State

Not many ways you can go wrong by picking the multi-talented Green here.  He should be able to provide rebounding and passing off the bench to start, while also being the kind of player who can pick up scoring when needed.

27.    Miami – Festus Ezeli, Senior, C, Vanderbilt

A solid center that is an upgrade over anyone they have at the position now.  His toughness and ability to bang in the post should make the NBA Champions even a better team next season.

28.    Oklahoma City – Will Barton, Sophomore, SF, Memphis

A solid, low-risk pick here for the Thunder.  Barton still needs time to develop, both his game and physically, and will have at least a year to do so behind James Harden.  His development could help make the decision on Harden’s future in Oklahoma.

29.    Chicago – Evan Fournier, SF, Poitiers (France)

Not a bad player right now at 19 years old, Fournier still needs to develop his perimeter game and toughness to be a legitimate NBA player.  Still, there is a good risk/reward ratio for the Bulls taking him in this spot.

30.    Golden State (from San Antonio) – Marquis Teague, Freshman, PG, Kentucky

The Warriors add a solid long-term addition to the guard rotation, especially with Stephen Curry’s injury history.  Teague is far from ready for the NBA, but the Warriors could hope they don’t need him for more than spot minutes each game as he matures.

ROUND 2 Picks

31. Charlotte – John Jenkins, SG, Vanderbilt

32. Washington – Tyshawn Taylor, PG, Kansas

33. Cleveland – Doron Lamb, SG, Kentucky

34. Cleveland (from New Orleans) – Tony Wroten, PG, Washington

35. Golden State (from Brooklyn) – Darius Miller, SF, Kentucky

36. Sacramento – Jared Cunningham, SG, Oregon State

37. Toronto – Kostas Papanikolaou, SF, Olympiakos (Greece)

38. Denver – Scott Machado, PG, Iona

39. Detroit – Miles Plumlee, C, Duke

40. Portland (from Minnesota) – Jae Crowder, SF, Marquette

41. Portland – Kim English, SG, Missouri

42. Milwaukee – Drew Gordon, PF, New Mexico

43. Atlanta (from Phoenix) – Orlando Johnson, SG, UCSB

44. Detroit (from Houston) – Bernard James, PF, Florida State

45. Philadelphia – Kyle O’Quinn, C, Norfolk State

46. New Orleans (from Dallas via Washington) – Darius Johnson-Odom, SG, Marquette

47. Utah – Kevin Jones, PF, West Virginia

48. New York – Kevin Murphy, SG, Tennessee Tech

49. Orlando – Mike Scott, PF, Virginia

50. Denver – Tomas Satoransky, PG/SG, Sevilla

51. Boston  - William Buford, SG, Ohio State

52. Golden State (from Atlanta) – JaMychal Green, PF, Alabama

53. Los Angeles Clippers – Khris Middleton, SF, Texas A&M

54. Philadelphia (from Memphis) – Tu Holloway, PG, Xavier

55. Dallas (from LA Lakers) – Kris Joseph, SF, Syracuse

56. Toronto (from Indiana) – Quincy Acy, PF, Baylor

57. Brooklyn (from Miami) – Henry Sims, C, Georgetown

58. Minnesota (from Oklahoma City) – Furkin Aldemar, PF, Galtasaray

59. San Antonio – Olek Czyz, SF, Nevada

60. Los Angeles Lakers – Hollis Thompson, SG/SF, Georgetown

 

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