With the NBA Finals in stealing the spotlight as of late, teams are working out young prospects around the nation (and overseas may I add) to find the next big name that will take the NBA playoffs by storm. Here is S2's own, J_Ray, second round of NBA Draft Projections:
Some interesting positioning. Maybe I should go check your first mock to see if you've already answered some of my questions, but I'll ask them anyway. - Isn't the general consensus that the TWolves are taking Wesley Johnson? - You not a fan of Ed Davis? I don't see him slipping past 11 or 12. - Ditto for Gordon Hayward? There are rumors that he could be off the board by pick 9. - I like the face that you don't have Aminu in the Top 8. He's too much of a tweener to be so highly rated on most draft boards. - Luke Babbit so low? He's going to be long gone by 17. - Interesting to see people's varying opinions of Daniel Orton. A lottery pick in some mocks. Late first round in others. Crazy risk on his part.
I think the consensus of Wes Johnson to Minny only really heated up this week- and that's only if we're to believe the rumors started by Cousins' camp. If we're to believe that Minny doesn't like the Love-Al Jeff combo then it would indicate that they probably would go after another big and Cousins would be perfect since hes a true C. I think with that pick there are other things to consider; if Cousins really doesn't want to be there and is a potential headcase it could look very bad for Kahn after taking Rubio last year. Also are the Wolves done with Corey Brewer? This isn't that much of a stretch but Johnson and Brewer are both somewhat unskilled and oversized for the SG position. There's always the Kahn being an imbissile factor to consider as well. I still think/hope they take Wes though lol. As for Hayward, I would rank him behind Xavier Henry, Babbit, George, and James Anderson.
I get the sense Wes Johnson is a smoke screen. I just don't see him being a top pick in this draft with all the quality big men available.
I started making this almost 2 weeks ago, so a few things have changed in how things might shake out now but Johnson to the Wolves seems more likely now. As for Babbit and Hayward slipping, this is likely since both are mainly considered shooting SF's in the eyes of a lot of people. Them going as high as Utah seems very unlikely unless some teams just don't like certain players. Then you hit a pouch of teams that just don't need SF's or don't need a SF that can't defend up to NBA standards. You look From what I read, Ed Davis just barely started workouts with teams, which is a mystery to me why. His wrist might of still been hurt, but that doesn't help his stock. If you look at Pacers, Hornets, Grizz, Rockets and Raptors, do they really take Ed Davis based on what they need and their past history? Pacers and Rockets typically are teams that take guys who have been in college for awhile, even though I had Pacers taking a risk on Aminu. Then Hornets draft for length and athleticism, which could possibly fit Ed Davis, but they also have been taking upperclassmen lately, which made the Udoh pick seem better. Finally, Raptors and Grizz simply don't need a PF at this point in time. With players that each team has been rumored to like still available, I had them taking those guys. But like I said earlier, this is 2 weeks old and new rumors are surfacing that Utah may like Ed Davis @ 9 and that the Spurs are trying to get to #10 to pick him. But if he makes it to the double digit #'s of the lottery, he could slip to a squad like Milwaukee that values defense and are in need of a real PF.
