This is a hard draft to predict.
#6 - Dennis Schröder, Bucks
So if Quail stays the course and drafts Gobert, this is his reward. Now, Bucks fans no longer have to be subjected to the terrifying sight that is Kyrie Irving trying to run an offense. Dennis gives Kemba a very solid backup who, while still able to score (41 INS, 46 JPS, 51 JPS), can actually keep the offense running (51 HND, 50 PAS). He can't defend, like, at all (45 PRD), which will probably tempt Quail to go big again and draft 7-footer Kelly Olynyk, 6'11" Nerlens Noel, or 6'11" Mason Plumlee, but Dennis is a better all-around fit. The computer doesn't share my optimism though, which is why it has declined to give me a picture. Is it an omen?
#7 - Nerlens Noel, Spurs
Even though the cap crunch continues in San Antonio, GM Eazy's past deals continue to supply him with cheap, young talent. This year's model is named Nerlens Noel, and he projects to be a defensive freak at the center position (A potential in STL, B everywhere else...yes, even PRD), with the speed (50 QKN) to react well to damn near anything coming at him. Add that to a probable return for RFA Jordan Hill and UFA Josh Smith, and you have a strong defensive frontcourt that, when paired with Westbrook and Afflalo, can still cause trouble in the West. And even if Eazy sacrifces Josh and AA in the name of the tax, Noel/Hill/Westbrook is a very solid fresh start, especially on the defensive end.
#8 Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
After last year's pick Terrence Ross didn't pan out, the Pistons will look to try again with KCP. Now, while smart money would say that Tim Hardaway Jr. would be a better fit for Detroit's "SF of the Future" status, all he really can do is shoot, shoot, shoot, no matter what. The Pistons' overall roster is so weak, though, that they need all the help they can get. KCP has a shot at being a decent all-around player (B potential in JPS, 3PS, PRD, and STL, as well as 43 HND and 30 PAS), which has to make him a better choice to pair with the also one-dimensional Bradley Beal than Lil' Timmy. He'll also serve as a bigger backup plan if Beal, like Ross, doesn't meet expectations.
#9 - Mason Plumlee, Raptors
Aminu may be solid defensively, but having an undersized PF limits Sound's defensive gameplan somewhat. Enter Mason Plumlee, who definitely has the size (6'11") to give Whiteside the help he needs. He fits right in on the defensive end, of course, with B potential in all the right areas. What will really help is his passing ability. 46 PAS for a big is pretty darn good, and very valuable when you don't really have a reliable floor leader and need the entire team to help each other out. Honestly, Mason's a candidate to go a bit higher to the Spurs instead of Noel, because he's more likely to produce now. Should that happen, Sound'll just snap up Noel instead and put his speed to work at PF. Either way, Eazy and Sound come out of the lotto feeling pretty good.
#10 - Michael Carter-Williams, Suns
Given how set they are when it comes to frontcourt play, the Suns were probably hoping to pick up KCP as insurance for Waiters. Though the temptation remains for them to draft another gunner in Lil' Timmy, Aaron Brooks isn't getting any younger, so MCW seems like the smarter choice. At 6'6", he's a better option than Dion at SG when it comes to size, and the fact that he knows how to use his size (60 DRB) only makes things better. His B potential in passing gives him a small (very small...28 PAS) chance at eventually succeeding Brooks as Phoenix's PG moving forward, which could turn the Suns into a nightmare matchup for opposing teams with MCW joining 7'1" Moz, 6'10" Love, and 6'10" Beasley.
#11 - Robert Covington, Mavericks
We don't know much about what direction the Mavs' GM wants to take his team, but we do know a few things: DeRozan and Holiday are probably coming back, Oden's an average center, and Brook Lopez is still pretty darn good. What we don't know is how Tobias Harris will fare as the team's future SF, so that's one big reason why Covington's a good fit. Another good reason is his defense. 61 STL is great, A potential is even better, and the ability to defend the post (50 PSD) and the perimeter (48 PRD) is just extra gravy. Given that Jrue and Oden are the only Mavs that could be could be called anything other than "average" on D, Covington's the kind of guy they need to take a chance on.
#12 - Gorgui Dieng, Rockets
It seems like we've been waiting forever for the Rockets' youth movement to pay off, but it just hasn't happened yet. With Horford getting older, Diogu and Brewer UFAs, and Lawson set to get paid in RFA, now might be the time to think about what comes next. With that in mind, I think 78 will choose to draft his future C in Dieng. Dieng's NBA-ready without a doubt (56 ORB, 61 DRB, 63 PSD, and 58 BLK), and has a surprisingly nice jumper for a big (48 JPS). The potential is there for a truly terrifying defensive combo with Dieng/Biyombo, and that's exactly the kind of clear direction and rebuilding focus the Rockets seem to have been searching for.
#13 - Kelly Olynyk, Celtics
Personally, I hope he drafts Lil' Timmy for the lulz, but that doesn't make much sense from a team standpoint. Relying on Craig Smith to hold down the PF spot also doesn't make any sense, so Olynyk's a much better choice. Height is Olynyk's biggest strength, as a 7' PF sounds real good when put alongside the 7'1" Spencer Hawes. Other than that, though...Olynyk's a tweener disguised as a big, with no real standout skills other than...wait for it...3-point shooting (64 3PS with A potential). Oh joy. How's he gonna take advantage of his other decent skill (50 ORB, B potential) when he's jacking threes? Who knows. What I do know is that given what else is left on the board, this is probably the best fit Conroy can get. Scary, huh?
