21. Oklahoma City Thunder (from Dallas): T.J. Warren, SF, North Carolina State
Outside of Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, the Thunder offense amounts to almost nothing (which might lead to Coach Scott Brooks’ firing if they don’t go far enough in the playoffs this season). Taking an offensive-minded scorer in T.J. Warren here would give them a guy who’s familiar creating for himself (both in the post and mid-range) and depth behind KD at small forward. At 21 overall, taking potentially the 3rd best scorer in the draft behind McDermott and Parker is not a huge risk and could pay off big if he can transition to the NBA well. The major concerns with him are his limited athleticism (especially with regards to defense) and lack of consistent outside shooting, however because the Thunder already have a number of good athletes and great shooters on the roster, and there’s still hope he may be able to develop his long range jumper, it’s not a huge negative.
22. Memphis Grizzlies: Cleanthony Early, SF, Wichita State
With starting forward Tayshaun Prince looking increasingly like he should no longer be on a basketball court, the Grizzlies are in serious need of some help at the small forward position. The Grizzlies are also a team with a very established current roster (having won 50 games and nearly knocking off the Thunder in the first round) and would benefit by bringing in a guy who could contribute next season. Early, a 23 year old senior from Wichita State fulfills both needs. He also helps improve scoring, which is something Grizzlies perimeter players have struggled with in the past and his tough, physical style of play fits the team motto of “Grit and Grind”. The Grizzlies could also go with K.J. McDaniels here, as he also fits the team need and is definitely the type of player they would have on their roster. However, they might already have that guy, which is why I think they choose the more offensive-minded small forward here.
23. Utah Jazz (from Golden State): K.J. McDaniels, SF, Clemson
Even though the Jazz took a small forward at 4 overall in Jabari Parker, McDaniels further deepens that roster (which will have big holes at the small forward position after Marvin Williams and Richard Jefferson become free agents) and improves their toughness and athleticism in their front court. McDaniels, as mentioned early, is not a strong offensive player and a bit of a project, however if the Jazz can develop him properly, he could become a valuable role player in the league. Depending on who’s available, they could also go with Early or Grant here as well, since they are all similar type players at small forward.
24. Charlotte Bobcats (from Portland): Elfrid Payton, PG, Louisiana-Lafayette
Payton would be fantastic fit for the Bobcats/soon-to-be Hornets because he’s a big (6-3), physical point guard with great passing and defensive skills. The current ‘Cats point guard, Kemba Walker, is really just an under-sized shooting guard who’s a defensive liability and a borderline selfish offensive player. Payton is characterized by being long, athletic, strong defensively and unselfish, which are all more or less opposites of Walker. Taking Payton here creates a really nice complementary back court, since Kemba is a great scorer, and also improves the Bobcats defensively, which is their new (and successful) team mentality under Coach Steve Clifford. They could also go with T.J. Warren here, if he’s still available. He’s from North Carolina (something owner Michael Jordan loved to go for) and would greatly improve their scoring and depth at small forward, which are both major team issues that need to be addressed this offseason.
25. Houston Rockets: Jarnell Stokes, PF, Tennessee
The Rockets biggest needs are pure point guard play and perimeter defense, which would make Payton the ideal select here. However, since he’s off the board and their roster pretty much filled out at every position, it is tough to project what direction the team will go. I could definitely see them trading up or down from this spot if there’s not a player that really fits available. If they do stay here, I think the analytics-savy Rockets either go with another shooter or an interior player to give them some depth behind Terrence Jones at power forward. Jarnell Stokes isn’t the most exciting pick, but with limited selection at this spot in the draft, he’s the best power forward (even though slightly under-sized) on the board. Stokes provides rebounding, shot-blocking and overall an improvement in physicality, which would not take anything away from the shot creators, Harden, Lin, Parsons from being effective on offense.
26. Miami Heat: Shabazz Napier, PG, Connecticut
Napier would an interesting selection by the Heat. I think they would consider him here for a number of reason – 1. He’s got big game/championship experience from contributing to one UCONN national championship (2011) and leading the team to one in 2014, and the Heat are focused on winning now. 2. Current Heat guard, Norris Cole, who’s a similar type player to Napier may not be resigned by the team this offseason so there’s a team need. 3. He would add a scoring bunch and has a generally well rounded game. 4. Lebron has commented on how impressed he was with Napier’s play and I think would genuinely enjoy playing with him.
This selection would make sense for the Heat with Dwyane Wade getting more and more inconsistent with his injuries and the team generally aging. They will need energy, youth and quickness, which are all things Napier brings. He’s also a good defensive player, rebounder and can generally score from anywhere on the floor. While he’s not super young for a prospect, his experience and maturity of playing four years at college should also allow him to come into the NBA prepared and ready to contribute. Some of the concerns with him that might deter teams are the fact that he’s undersized (6-0), streaky and can be a bit selfish for a point guard, not making his teammates better.
27. Phoenix Suns (from Indiana): Zach LaVine, PG, UCLA
The Suns have expressed interest in taking LaVine with their lottery pick, so naturally it makes sense that after he slipped all the way down to 27, they’d still be interested. LaVine is a really difficult player to project because some teams love him and others hate him. He’s a lanky, explosive 6-5 point guard, however his poor production during his only season at UCLA, rail-thin frame and tendency to take too many shots and even get “tunnel vision” at times has some concerned. He is definitely a top 15 talent, however outside of the lottery there are only a few teams that have the roster space and time to spend developing him, which is why he might fall. If the Suns can grab him here, that would be a huge steal for them. He would fit as a backup to Bledsoe and Dragic and give them different paced player for their second unit. His superior athleticism would also be a great fit in Phoenix, since they love to run so much.
28. Los Angeles Clippers: Mitch McGary, PF, Michigan
McGary is a really tough player to project because he is coming off season-ending back surgery and was also suspended for a year by the NCAA for violating their drug policy (forcing him to declare for the draft), even though it was only for marijuana and he had no prior violations. However, he is one of the last interior players with first round talent available. The Clippers struggled due to their lack of depth behind Blake and DeAndre all season, and while they might be able to address that in free agency, McGary would give them somewhat of a long-term solution. He is a big, physical, high-energy player with great rebounding and shot-blocking skills. He’s also got a decent mid-range game and isn’t a bad athlete. If he can prove he’s healthy and not someone with real off-the-court issues (which it seems like he isn’t since he immediately owned up to his mistake in a mature manner), he could be a steal at this spot. McGary also has experience playing in big games from when he helped lead Michigan to the NCAA Championship two years ago, which would immediately help the Clippers in their own championship aspirations.
29. Oklahoma City Thunder: Kristaps Porzingis, PF, Latvia
With an already crowded roster of players that need development, taking an international prospect with their second pick allows the Thunder to potentially postpone bringing another first round pick to the roster since he might opt to play overseas for a couple more years before coming to the NBA. Porzingis also makes sense since the team could use more depth at the power forward position. I could also see the Thunder trading down into the second round to target a player maybe not valuable at this selection, but that they like.
30. San Antonio Spurs: Glenn Robinson III, SF, Michigan
Robinson would be a good fit and development project behind Kawhi Leonard. The ultra-athletic forward clearly has talent and the Spurs might be the right organization to develop him. However, no one really knows what the Spurs will do. It appears there are several players who would make sense for them in the second round who aren’t worthy of the value of a first round pick (i.e. James Michael McAdoo), so I could see them trading down. Also, I could see them just taking an international player that nobody is talking about and turn him into star. That organization is probably the best in the league, so whatever they go with, regardless of what analysts are thinking is best for them, will likely be a success.