Midseason NBA Mock Draft

1. Minnesota Timberwolves - Jahlil Okafor, C, Duke - Okafor is far and away the safest prospect in this year's class. Nonetheless, he still has enough upside to be a franchise player. He's a man among boys in the paint, pulling off post moves like a 10 year veteran and grabbing rebounds with ease against the NCAA's finest bigs. The Al Jefferson comparison really works in my opinion and pairing him with Andrew Wiggins would give Minnesota a fantastic, young core.

Mudiay on the Guangdong Tigers

2. New York Knicks - Emmanuel Mudiay, PG, Congo - Before injuring his ankle, Mudiay showed his ability to hang with and even thrive against the pros. Playing in China, Mudiay was averaging 17 points, 6 boards, and 6 assists per game through 10 games. He has legitimate athleticism and natural point guard instincts. He will be a welcome addition to a dreadful Knicks roster.

3. Philadelphia 76ers - D’Angelo Russell, PG/SG, Ohio State - No player has seen his stock rise more than D’Angelo Russell. Hardly viewed as a 1st round prospect coming into the season, Russell blown expectations out of the water with the Buckeyes. Russell has displayed his phenomenal scoring ability, limitless range, and playmaking skills. With Michael Carter-Williams’ future with the 76ers unclear, Sam Hinkie would be wise to target guard with this selection.

4. Los Angeles Lakers - Stanley Johnson, SF, Arizona - Johnson is one of the top wing defenders in the entire NCAA. His relentless hustle, elite athleticism, and high basketball IQ make him a great prospect. Although he’s not a gifted scorer, Johnson never takes a bad shot. I really like the Metta World Peace comparison for him. The Lakers could use someone with Johnson’s characteristics to help usher in the post-Kobe era. 

5. Orlando Magic - Mario Hezonja, SG/SF, Croatia - This pick makes a lot of sense if the Magic opt not to retain Tobias Harris in restricted free agency. Harris, reportedly, would love to play for the Knicks, and the Knicks have the cap room to make a serious offer. If Hezonja is still on the board when the Magic are up to pick, they would be wise to save their money and draft Hezonja. Despite played limited minutes for Barcelona, Hezonja has displayed his limitless range and an array of savvy, offensive moves, He’s better in transition than many people may think and is a competent on-ball defender. He’s not a finished project, but neither are the Magic.

Notre Dame G Jerian Grant

6. Indiana Pacers - Jerian Grant, PG, Notre Dame - Although Grant is a bit of a reach at #6, the Pacers desperately need a point guard who can step in right away and score. I don’t think that anyone is convinced that George Hill is the answer, and Indianapolis needs some offensive firepower to go along with their defense if they hope to win a title with the return of Paul George. Grant is a smart and willing passer, as shown by his 3: 1 assist-to-turnover ratio, and a magnificent scorer, as demonstrated by his 17 points per game while shooting 51% from the field.

7. Utah Jazz - Kristaps Porzingis, PF/C, Latvia - Porzingis would prove to be the ultimate compliment to Rudy Gobert. Enes Kanter is an impending free agent who shouldn’t be brought back, and Derrick Favors can’t play with Gobert at the same time because their playing styles are far too similar. With that being said, Porzingis is the ultimate stretch-5 whose perimeter presence will free up room in the paint for Gobert to do his thing.

8. Detroit Pistons - Justise Winslow, SG/SF, Duke - Although Winslow has cooled off recently after his scorching start, he remains a great complimentary player. He also fills a need for the Pistons, who lack an answer at small forward. Although his long-range jump shot isn’t where it needs to be, Winslow has a nice frame, a great work ethic, and is a fantastic perimeter defender. 

9. Sacramento Kings - Myles Turner, PF/C, Texas - The Kings have reportedly been shopping Nik Stauskas for an above-the-rim defender or a stretch-4. In Turner, the Kings would get both while retaining their promising, albeit disappointing 1st rounder. Turner is averaging three blocks per game, and has shown the ability to knock down long-range shots.

10. Boston Celtics - Willie Cauley-Stein, C, Kentucky - With Cauley-Stein, you know exactly what you’re getting. He’s a fantastic interior defender and rebounder with plenty of athleticism and on offense, he’s nothing more than a dump-off option and a pick-and-roll threat, much like Tyson Chandler. The Celtics’ big men aren’t necessarily intimidating, noir are they even adequate defenders, or remotely athletic.

11. Atlanta Hawks [via Brooklyn] - Kelly Oubre, SF, Kansas - The rich get richer. The Hawks have no weaknesses, but they could use some athleticism and youth on the wing. Oubre is an outstanding athlete and a great rebounder with a respectable jump shot who can catch fire at any moment and take over a game. His defense is a work in progress, but he can be worth the wait.

Is Karl Towns worth the risk?

12. Denver Nuggets - Karl-Anthony Towns, PF/C, Kentucky - I’m not as high on Towns as everyone else seems to be. He’s a really good ball-handler and has a nice jump shot to go along with prototypical size and strength, but he’s far too passive for someone of that size and he floats around the perimeter far too often. He’s a promising  prospect with a high ceiling and a low floor, but at #12, he’s more than worth the risk.

13. Oklahoma City Thunder - Devin Booker, SG, Kentucky - A bit of a reach at the end of the lottery, but a good pick nonetheless. Andre Roberson is a nice player, but he’s not OKC’s long term shooting guard. Devin Booker is a deadeye shooter and a brilliant cutter whose defense could use a little bit of work, but his ability to make plays without his number being called would add another dimension  to Oklahoma City’s offense.

14. Houston Rockets [via New Orleans] - Frank Kaminsky, C, Wisconsin - As we’ve seen recently, he Rockets sorely lack depth behind Dwight Howard, and Kaminsky would give them just that. He projects as the ideal backup center and could even log in some minutes alongside D12 as a stretch-4.

15. Charlotte Hornets - Kevin Looney, SF/PF, UCLA - Looney scares me a little as a prospect. Historically speaking “tweeners” have had a tough time succeeding in the NBA. And at 6’9” with a skinny frame and an undefined offensive game, Looney is just that. However, someone with a ceiling as high as him falling out of the lottery would be a gift for the Hornets, and they would gladly accept.

16. Philadelphia 76ers [via Miami] - Christian Wood, PF, UNLV - The 76ers find themselves in a  tough spot here. All of the best remaining players are big men, when the 76ers desperately need help on the wings. Unless they are able to trade this pick away, I believe that they will go with the highest ceiling available, and that distinction belongs to Christian Wood. He’s a fantastic athlete with a huge 6’11” frame. However, he’s very thin at 220 pounds and struggles to finish through contact. If he is able to hone in on his three-point shot and continue to thrive as a rebounder and shot blocker, the reward could be well worth the risk.

Bobby Portis is criminally undervalued

17. Milwaukee Bucks - Bobby Portis, PF, Arkansas - Portis has nice size at 6’10” and his skill and finesse more than makes up for his lack of supreme athleticism. Using his mid-range jumper and crafty inside game, Portis has been averaging 17.7 points on 56% in addition to his 8.7 boards per contest. With the Bucks’ front-court situation murky at best, it would be wise for them to go with a big man, and Portis would be an absolute steal this late.

18. Phoenix Suns - Montrezl Harrell, PF, Louisville - His offensive game is alarmingly limited for a 6’8” junior, as he can basically only score on putbacks and dump-offs. However, what Harrell lacks on offense, he makes up for with his athleticism and motor. I like the J.J. Hickson comparison for Montrezl.

19. Chicago Bulls [via Cleveland] - Tyus Jones, PG, Duke - The Bulls could use a long-term backup for Derrick Rose who can come in, and quarterback the offense. Tyus Jones fits the bill perfectly. His lack up strength and athleticism limit his upside, but he’s a natural, smooth point guard.

20. Dallas Mavericks - Trey Lyles, PF, Kentucky - The Mavericks need frontcourt depth, having traded away Brendan Wright to acquire Rajon Rondo. Lyles is an ideal third big man, capable of eventually starting once Dirk Nowitzki retires. He has a smooth mid-range jump shot and is a really good rebounder on limited minutes. The Mavs would be getting a huge steal at #20.

21. San Antonio Spurs - Caris LeVert, SG, Michigan - If LeVert’s foot surgery goes well, the Spurs could end up with a lottery-caliber player at #21. His ability to effectively create his own shots off the dribble in addition to his spot-up shooting ability could be very useful off the bench for San Antonio.

22. Cleveland Cavaliers [via Chicago] - Sam Dekker, SF, Wisconsin - Dekker is a player that thrives off of the attention given to his teammates. He moves very well without the ball and is a physical mismatch on the wing at 6’9”. On a talented team, Dekker could get lots of easy scoring chances, and he’s one of the best at converting those chances into points.

23. Washington Wizards - Delon Wright, PG, Utah - It’s time for Washington to invest in a backup point guard. Wright’s defensive mindset [over 2 steals per game] and excellent decision making [14.4 points per game on 54% shooting, 5.6 assists per game] make him a prototypical backup point guard despite not possessing a decent three-point shot.

Could Justin Anderson replace Terrence Ross?

24. Toronto Raptors - Justin Anderson, SF, Virginia - Anderson has been the best player on the second-best team in the country. His excellent play, particularly on the offensive end, has propelled Virginia to a 20-1 record. He is currently shooting 50% from behind-the-arc on more than four attempts per game. The Raptors could use a steady shooter at the small forward position with Terrence Ross turning out to be a bit of a disappointment.

25. Portland Trail Blazers - R.J. Hunter, SG, Georgia State - Although his shooting has regressed this year [due to the Doug McDermott treatment he’s received from opposing defenses], Hunter remains one of this year’s safest options. He projects as a nice 4th or 5th option as a spot up shooter and a smart passer. Since Wesley Matthews is an impending free-agent, it may be wise for Portland to spend this pick on insurance.

26. Boston Celtics [via Los Angeles Clippers] - Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, SF, Arizona - Hollis-Jefferson projects as a pure hustle player at the next level. He takes smart shots [10.9 points per game on 50% shooting] and rebounds very well for his position. He’s a versatile defender who can guard 2’s, 3’s, and 4’s because of his length and he has ample athleticism. The main knock on Hollis-Jefferson is his lack of a jump shot. If he doesn’t show the ability to hit three-pointers, he may experience a Jerami Grant-type fall on draft boards.

Robert Upshaw needs to get his stuff together

27. Los Angeles Lakers [via Houston] - Robert Upshaw, C, formerly of Washington [dismissed] - If Upshaw didn’t have a knack for failing drug tests and getting dismissed from schools [two in the past two years], we’d be looking at a fringe lottery pick. Before his dismissal, the behemoth [7’0”, 250 lbs.]  was leading the nation in blocks by a wide margin [4.5 per game]. In addition to his shot-swatting, he was averaging 10 points and 8 rebounds per game. Aside from his character issues, the biggest knocks on Upshaw are his free throw shooting and his offensive limitations. He might resurface in the D-League, much like P.J. Hairston, in an effort to boost his stock.

28. Memphis Grizzlies - Yogi Ferrell, PG, Indiana - Although the basic stats don’t necessarily show it [16.8/4.7/3.2], Yogi Ferrell has had an impressive season. He’s finally been handed the keys to the car this season  and he’s shown the poise necessary to run an offense in the NBA. His three-point shot has also been a pleasant surprise [44% from downtown]. He’s a solid backup point guard in the making.

29. Brooklyn Nets [via Atlanta] - Dakari Johnson, C, Kentucky - It’s a shame that Johnson plays for Kentucky, because he’d surely be racking up double-doubles for almost any other program. In 18 minutes per game, Johnson is averaging 7.9 points and 5.5 rebounds per game on 51% shooting. He has the potential to become a double-double monster in the NBA and Brooklyn may be on the hunt for a center with Brook Lopez’s impending free agency.

30. Golden State Warriors - Mouhammadou Jaiteh, C, France - If the Warriors aren’t able to trade trade this selection, they’d be wise to go draft-and-stash. Jaiteh has displayed tantalizing potential and can become a valuable center in the long run, but for now it’s important for the Warriors to save the money and roster spot while Jaiteh develops his game overseas.