NBA Mock Draft Part II 15-30 5/25

15. Milwaukee Bucks: F/G Gordon Hayward- Hayward could easily go higher than this, but if he lasts to the Bucks pick, he will be in Milwaukee next season. Hayward can play either the 2 or 3, and should be a significant contributor for the Bucks. He has a high basketball I.Q. and should become a serious starter in this league for years to come.

16. Minnesota Timberwolves: SG James Anderson- Anderson is a good fit for the T-Wolves as he gives them great depth at shooting guard. Anderson doesn’t always get credit for being a top quality guard, but I think he will transition well to the NBA. He is a great outside shooter and will make Minnesota a more balanced team.

17. Chicago Bulls: C Daniel Orton- Chicago doesn’t have a major need at center, but Orton has major upside and would be a nice fit for the Bulls. Orton brings plenty of length and ability to the Bulls frontline, and should develop into a starting caliber center.

18. Miami Heat: PG Eric Bledsoe– The Heat have been looking for a point guard, and Bledsoe is a nice fit for them. He is still raw and will need to come along slowly, but the upside is there.

19. Boston Celtics: G/F Paul George– Boston needs to get younger and George could be the perfect fit for them. He is a bit raw, but possesses the talent and athleticism to succeed in the NBA. He also gives them depth on the wing where they are pretty thin.

20. San Antonio Spurs: F Luke Babbitt– Babbitt gives the Spurs some depth behind Richard Jefferson who had an up and down year last season. The Spurs could use a center, but Babbitt can play some power forward as well, allowing Duncan to stay inside.

21. Oklahoma City Thunder: F/C Larry Sanders– Sanders gives the Thunder length inside, and someone who can help out on defense right away. Sanders is still working on his offensive game and needs to add more bulk, but would be an excellent pick up for the Thunder.

22. Portland Trail Blazers: SF Damion James- James would be excellent value for the Trail Blazers here. While he might not have the elite upside of some players, he should find a good role in the NBA. His offensive game is behind his defensive game, but the Trail Blazers can already score plenty of points.

23. Minnesota Timberwolves: C Solomon Alabi- While it is likely the T-Wolves use their last pick on an international player to stash overseas, they shouldn’t let Alabi get past them. Minnesota still needs a true center to allow Jefferson a good amount of minutes at the 4. Alabi will allow the Timberwolves to rotate Love and Jefferson more, and give them legit size inside. Overall he is a major project, but if he pans out, this draft class could turn the T-wolves into contenders.

24. Atlanta Hawks: SG Terrico White- Joe Johnson could be heading for another team, and while Jamal Crawford could slide into the starting role the Hawks will need some depth there. White has a good bit of upside, and while I’m not sure if he will ever develop into a starter, he should be a solid player off the bench for Atlanta.

25. Memphis Grizzlies: G Willie Warren– Warren isn’t the classic point guard the Grizzlies need, but he will help out at the position. The Grizzlies are a young team with a ton of potential so needs aren’t as great, but one area they lack is at point guard.

26. Oklahoma City Thunder: PF Patrick Patterson- Patterson was a good college player, but it is hard to know if he will make it in the NBA. He has the requisite size and solid basketball I.Q., but he isn’t the most athletic 4 in country. If he had a better outside shot then he might make more sense, since he could be a threat from the perimeter, but I don’t see him going in the top 20 picks. He is good value here for the Thunder since they already have some depth at power forward. Patterson can work on his game while only needing about 10 minutes a game.

27. New Jersey Nets: SF Quincy Pondexter- Pondexter has been rising up draft boards this season, and with pretty good reason. He is a scorer through and through and consistently showed that he could beat defenders to the basket. He isn’t much of an outside shooter, but should be a nice player for the Nets who are thin at SF.

28. Memphis Grizzlies: SG Jordan Crawford- Again Memphis could look for another international player, one that would stay overseas, but I think Memphis will take someone who can play right away. The Grizzlies are a good team, and are developing a deep bench. That kind of talent will give them a cheap roster and plenty of trade chips. Crawford made a name for himself during Xavier’s tournament run as a premium scorer. He has very impressive range and athleticism, and should be a valuable option off the bench for the Grizzlies. He can help out a little at point guard as well, making him a great option for the Grizzlies.

29. Orlando Magic: SF Devin Eubanks- The Magic don’t have a lot of needs but adding an athletic, long wing player would be a good fit. Eubanks has a ton of upside and should be a great player off the bench for the Magic.

30. Washington Wizards: PF Craig Brackins- Brackins could go easily 10 picks earlier, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see him fall this far. A lot of people knock him for being a few years older (22), but he has defined himself into a quality player. He has a good basketball I.Q. and should find success in the NBA. The Wizards are razor thin in their front court, and while they will look to address the position in free agency there are no guarantees. Adding a big man has to be their priority here.