SPORTS

Rod Beard's NBA Mock Draft 2.0

After months of preparation, most teams are finishing their pre-draft workouts and finalizing their boards for Thursday's NBA draft in Brooklyn. While the overall talent pool isn't rated highly because of a lack of depth, there are a few gems that will help some of the non-playoff teams immediately. Go through the gallery to see NBA Mock Draft 2.0 by Rod Beard of The Detroit News.
After months of preparation, most teams are finishing their pre-draft workouts and finalizing their boards for Thursday's NBA draft in Brooklyn. While the overall talent pool isn't rated highly because of a lack of depth, there are a few gems that will help some of the non-playoff teams immediately. Go through the gallery to see NBA Mock Draft 2.0 by Rod Beard of The Detroit News.
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1. Sixers: Ben Simmons, 6-10, SF, LSU: There no change at the top, as the lowly Sixers take the player with the most upside. Despite Simmons not being the best roster fit for them, he's hard to pass up.
1. Sixers: Ben Simmons, 6-10, SF, LSU: There no change at the top, as the lowly Sixers take the player with the most upside. Despite Simmons not being the best roster fit for them, he's hard to pass up.
Stacy Revere, Getty Images
2. Lakers: Brandon Ingram, 6-9, SF, Duke: It's still a wait-and-see to pick whoever falls to them after the Sixers' pick. Ingram actually works out better for their needs and could be the better scorer.
2. Lakers: Brandon Ingram, 6-9, SF, Duke: It's still a wait-and-see to pick whoever falls to them after the Sixers' pick. Ingram actually works out better for their needs and could be the better scorer.
Patrick Smith, Getty Images
3. Celtics: Jaylen Brown, 6-7, SG, California: This spot is the wild card among the lottery selections, as Boston has three picks and may not be keeping them all. They're still looking to trade, if they find the right deal.
3. Celtics: Jaylen Brown, 6-7, SG, California: This spot is the wild card among the lottery selections, as Boston has three picks and may not be keeping them all. They're still looking to trade, if they find the right deal.
Gene Sweeney Jr., Getty Images
4. Suns: Marquese Chriss, 6-10, PF, Washington: They could use some size and will decide between Chriss and Dragan Bender, but Chriss' athleticism gives him the nod, with two more picks to go.
4. Suns: Marquese Chriss, 6-10, PF, Washington: They could use some size and will decide between Chriss and Dragan Bender, but Chriss' athleticism gives him the nod, with two more picks to go.
Chris Pietsch, Associated Press
5. Timberwolves: Jamal Murray, 6-4, SG, Kentucky: The young roster gets another boost with one of the draft's best scorers, which will make the Wolves much improved almost immediately.
5. Timberwolves: Jamal Murray, 6-4, SG, Kentucky: The young roster gets another boost with one of the draft's best scorers, which will make the Wolves much improved almost immediately.
Andy Lyons, Getty Images
6. Pelicans: Kris Dunn, 6-4, PG, Providence: It's surprising that Dunn even drops this far, but the Pelicans won't flinch. He solves some of their backcourt issues and could be a building block with Anthony Davis.
6. Pelicans: Kris Dunn, 6-4, PG, Providence: It's surprising that Dunn even drops this far, but the Pelicans won't flinch. He solves some of their backcourt issues and could be a building block with Anthony Davis.
Gerry Broome, Associated Press
7. Nuggets: Dragan Bender, 7-1, PF, Israel: Initially projected in the top three, Bender tumbles a little, but the Nuggets are more than happy to take him with the first of their three first-round picks.
7. Nuggets: Dragan Bender, 7-1, PF, Israel: Initially projected in the top three, Bender tumbles a little, but the Nuggets are more than happy to take him with the first of their three first-round picks.
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8. Kings: Buddy Hield, 6-5, SG, Oklahoma: The Kings don’t have a lot to celebrate, but if Hield falls to them here, it would be a start. They haven’t had success with shooting guards of late, but this is a new beginning.
8. Kings: Buddy Hield, 6-5, SG, Oklahoma: The Kings don’t have a lot to celebrate, but if Hield falls to them here, it would be a start. They haven’t had success with shooting guards of late, but this is a new beginning.
Streeter Lecka, Getty Images
9. Raptors: Skal Labissiere, 7-0, PF, Kentucky: Losing to the Cavs in the playoffs showed their need for a power forward and Labissiere gives them a luxury of going after some offensive punch with some size.
9. Raptors: Skal Labissiere, 7-0, PF, Kentucky: Losing to the Cavs in the playoffs showed their need for a power forward and Labissiere gives them a luxury of going after some offensive punch with some size.
Andy Lyons, Getty Images
10. Bucks: Dejounte Murray, 6-5, PG, Washington: He’s shot up draft boards in recent weeks and the Bucks need to upgrade at point guard. They could look to go big as well, but likely solidify things with a distributor.
10. Bucks: Dejounte Murray, 6-5, PG, Washington: He’s shot up draft boards in recent weeks and the Bucks need to upgrade at point guard. They could look to go big as well, but likely solidify things with a distributor.
John Locher, Associated Press
11. Magic: Henry Ellenson, 6-11, PF, Marquette: They need a scoring big man and Ellenson is solid, but they’ll have a choice between Deyonta Davis and Jakob Poeltl (among others) as well.
11. Magic: Henry Ellenson, 6-11, PF, Marquette: They need a scoring big man and Ellenson is solid, but they’ll have a choice between Deyonta Davis and Jakob Poeltl (among others) as well.
Julie Jacobson, Associated Press
12. Jazz: Wade Baldwin IV, 6-4, PG, Vanderbilt: With a solid frontcourt, the Jazz will swing again at fixing the backcourt, looking for a solid point guard. Baldwin fits the bill with size and athleticism.
12. Jazz: Wade Baldwin IV, 6-4, PG, Vanderbilt: With a solid frontcourt, the Jazz will swing again at fixing the backcourt, looking for a solid point guard. Baldwin fits the bill with size and athleticism.
Frederick Breedon, Getty Images
13. Suns: Deyonta Davis, 6-10, PF, Michigan State: With their second first-round pick, they continue to build the frontcourt, giving them another athletic big. Davis will take time to develop, but the Suns have nothing but time.
13. Suns: Deyonta Davis, 6-10, PF, Michigan State: With their second first-round pick, they continue to build the frontcourt, giving them another athletic big. Davis will take time to develop, but the Suns have nothing but time.
Joe Robbins, Getty Images
14. Bulls: Jakob Poeltl, 7-1, C, Utah: With the uncertainty surrounding big men Joakim Noah and Pau Gasol, the Bulls will be happy to see Poeltl drop this far. They have several question marks, but this could be one of the answers.
14. Bulls: Jakob Poeltl, 7-1, C, Utah: With the uncertainty surrounding big men Joakim Noah and Pau Gasol, the Bulls will be happy to see Poeltl drop this far. They have several question marks, but this could be one of the answers.
David Zalubowski, Associated Press
15. Nuggets: Furkan Korkmaz, 6-7, SG, Turkey: With three picks, they could take some chances or trade and try to get a veteran. Korkmaz is lauded for his shooting, but he could take some more time to be NBA-ready.
15. Nuggets: Furkan Korkmaz, 6-7, SG, Turkey: With three picks, they could take some chances or trade and try to get a veteran. Korkmaz is lauded for his shooting, but he could take some more time to be NBA-ready.
FIBA
16. Celtics: Domantas Sabonis, 6-10, PF, Gonzaga: The Celtics have the picks to wheel-and-deal, but if Sabonis falls this far, this is one they’d keep. His versatility inside and outside makes him a keeper.
16. Celtics: Domantas Sabonis, 6-10, PF, Gonzaga: The Celtics have the picks to wheel-and-deal, but if Sabonis falls this far, this is one they’d keep. His versatility inside and outside makes him a keeper.
Jamie Squire, Getty Images
17. Grizzlies: Malachi Richardson, 6-6, SG, Syracuse: His athleticism and slashing ability are attractive, but he’s a bit of a streaky shooter. The Grizzlies could also look at a big, but Richardson has high potential.
17. Grizzlies: Malachi Richardson, 6-6, SG, Syracuse: His athleticism and slashing ability are attractive, but he’s a bit of a streaky shooter. The Grizzlies could also look at a big, but Richardson has high potential.
Streeter Lecka, Getty Images
18. Pistons: Demetrius Jackson, 6-1, PG, Notre Dame: They still could package the pick in a trade to get a veteran, but they have a huge need at point guard after trading Spencer Dinwiddie.
18. Pistons: Demetrius Jackson, 6-1, PG, Notre Dame: They still could package the pick in a trade to get a veteran, but they have a huge need at point guard after trading Spencer Dinwiddie.
Streeter Lecka, Getty Images
19. Nuggets: Denzel Valentine: 6-5, SG/SF, Michigan State: He’s dropped this far because of questions about his knees. The Nuggets can use this spot in a trade but if Valentine’s knee checks out, this could be a bargain.
19. Nuggets: Denzel Valentine: 6-5, SG/SF, Michigan State: He’s dropped this far because of questions about his knees. The Nuggets can use this spot in a trade but if Valentine’s knee checks out, this could be a bargain.
Jamie Squire, Getty Images
20. Pacers: Juan Hernangomez, 6-9, SF/PF, Spain: They could use some frontcourt depth and Hernangomez can stretch the defense with his shooting. They could be tempted to go after Tyler Ulis as well.
20. Pacers: Juan Hernangomez, 6-9, SF/PF, Spain: They could use some frontcourt depth and Hernangomez can stretch the defense with his shooting. They could be tempted to go after Tyler Ulis as well.
FIBA
21. Hawks: Damian Jones, 6-11, C, Vanderbilt: Uncertainty around Al Horford's status means the Hawks will need some insurance. He has a good perimeter shot and his athleticism is hard to pass up.
21. Hawks: Damian Jones, 6-11, C, Vanderbilt: Uncertainty around Al Horford's status means the Hawks will need some insurance. He has a good perimeter shot and his athleticism is hard to pass up.
Joe Robbins, Getty Images
22. Hornets: Thon Maker, 7-1, PF, Australia: The Hornets could be looking to move up to get a shooter, but if they stay here, they could gamble on Maker. He's raw but athletic and could take some time to develop. They'd love a better, more-seasoned option.
22. Hornets: Thon Maker, 7-1, PF, Australia: The Hornets could be looking to move up to get a shooter, but if they stay here, they could gamble on Maker. He's raw but athletic and could take some time to develop. They'd love a better, more-seasoned option.
Gregory Payan, Associated Press
23. Celtics: Ante Zizic, 6-11, C, Croatia: This could be another trade, but if they keep it, improving frontcourt depth isn't a bad plan. If they choose to stash him overseas that's another option.
23. Celtics: Ante Zizic, 6-11, C, Croatia: This could be another trade, but if they keep it, improving frontcourt depth isn't a bad plan. If they choose to stash him overseas that's another option.
Roberto Serra, Getty Images
24. Sixers: Malik Beasley, 6-5, SG, Florida State: They complete a nice draft with an underrated shooter. He has good range on his jump shot and they have enough big men already.
24. Sixers: Malik Beasley, 6-5, SG, Florida State: They complete a nice draft with an underrated shooter. He has good range on his jump shot and they have enough big men already.
Mark Wallheiser, Associated Press
25. Clippers: Tyler Ulis, 5-9, PG, Kentucky: They don't have many needs, but as Chris Paul ages and if Jamal Crawford looks at free agency, they could add another point guard for protection.
25. Clippers: Tyler Ulis, 5-9, PG, Kentucky: They don't have many needs, but as Chris Paul ages and if Jamal Crawford looks at free agency, they could add another point guard for protection.
John Bazemore, Associated Press
26. Sixers: Patrick McCaw, 6-6, SG, UNLV: With their three picks, this one might be a luxury selection. But with their futility the last few seasons, they've more than earned the right to take some gambles.
26. Sixers: Patrick McCaw, 6-6, SG, UNLV: With their three picks, this one might be a luxury selection. But with their futility the last few seasons, they've more than earned the right to take some gambles.
Ethan Miller, Getty Images
27. Raptors: Ivica Zubac, 7-1, C, Croatia: Toronto also could choose to look at a shooting guard, in case DeMar DeRozan chooses to leave in free agency, but Zubac is a good gamble with his size, range and athleticism.
27. Raptors: Ivica Zubac, 7-1, C, Croatia: Toronto also could choose to look at a shooting guard, in case DeMar DeRozan chooses to leave in free agency, but Zubac is a good gamble with his size, range and athleticism.
FIBA
28. Suns: Cheick Diallo, 6-9, PF, Kansas: He had a good showing at the draft combine and while they're taking chances with their multiple draft picks, he's a good project with his size and athleticism.
28. Suns: Cheick Diallo, 6-9, PF, Kansas: He had a good showing at the draft combine and while they're taking chances with their multiple draft picks, he's a good project with his size and athleticism.
Orlin Wagner, Associated Press
29. Spurs: DeAndre Bembry, 6-5, SF, St. Joseph's: They'll have a couple of spots where they could improve, but Bembry will work out to continue their legacy of toughness and skill, as he showed in his career at St. Joseph's.
29. Spurs: DeAndre Bembry, 6-5, SF, St. Joseph's: They'll have a couple of spots where they could improve, but Bembry will work out to continue their legacy of toughness and skill, as he showed in his career at St. Joseph's.
Patrick Smith, Getty Images
30. Warriors: Brice Johnson, 6-10, PF, North Carolina: Some of their struggles in the Finals showed they could use an athletic big man to accentuate their versatility. Johnson's size and athleticism would be a good fit.
30. Warriors: Brice Johnson, 6-10, PF, North Carolina: Some of their struggles in the Finals showed they could use an athletic big man to accentuate their versatility. Johnson's size and athleticism would be a good fit.
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