How the draft pans out from my point of view. (Note: there's no way in hell this is how it goes):

1. Cleveland (from L.A. Clippers): Kyrie Irving, PG, Duke. That's the prediction for the selection, not who the selection should be.
2. Minnesota: Derrick Williams, PF, Arizona. Strong, smart, tough, relentless, nice shooting touch ... what's not to like about this guy? Wolves might want to consider trading Kevin Love instead of this pick.
3. Utah (from New Jersey): Enes Kanter, C, Kentucky. He never got to play for the Wildcats, but those in the know have seen enough of the Turk to consider his talent All-Star quality someday.
4. Cleveland: Jonas Valanciunas, C, Lithuania. Cavs had a good experience with another Lithuanian center in Zdrunas Ilgauskas, and this kid has better feet and scoring touch.
5. Toronto: Brandon Knight, PG, Kentucky. Maybe the Raptors make a deal to move up and make sure they get Knight, but they could use an athletic floor leader like him.
6. Washington: Kawhi Leonard, SF, San Diego St. Wizards can team Leonard up with John Wall and Jordan Crawford for an extremely athletic trio.
7. Sacramento: Kemba Walker, PG, Connecticut. Smallish, but paired next to Tyreke Evans should balanced the size problem.
8. Detroit: Jan Vesely, PF, Czech Republic. Needs to fill out, but has a nose for the hoop down low.
9. Charlotte: Jimmer Fredette, G, BYU: Bobcats could keep him, but a few teams are itching to trade up for the Stormin' Mormon.
10. Milwaukee: Marcus Morris, PF, Kansas. The first of the Philly twins should go by this pick, but it might not be the Bucks. The late-lottery teams are itching to trade out of here.
11. Golden State: Donatas Motiejunas, PF/C, Lithuania. He has been dropping hard in many mock drafts, but I don't buy it. Way too much skill in this 7-footer to get him out of the lottery picks.
12. Utah: Chris Singleton, SF, Florida State. Jazz always seem to find some experienced college player who can step in and contribute, and Singleton has NBA-ready defensive skills.
13. Phoenix: Klay Thompson, SG, Washington State. Maybe the worst draft ever for shooting guards. This guy can be a slightly better version of Kyle Korver. And he's the first shooting guard selected.
14. Houston: Markieff Morris, PF, Kansas. Rockets always make a smart first-round pick. Always. Motiejunas won't get past them, but if he's gone the other Morris is a nice consolation prize.
15. Indiana: Alec Burks, SG, Colorado. He's young and showed poise as the go-to guy for a lousy program.
16. 76ERS: Nikola Vucevic, C, Southern Cal: If Motiejunas can't be had, this is the next-best option. Has Spencer Hawes' outside touch, but a stronger body and hits the boards.
17. New York: Bismack Biyombo, PF/C, Congo. Eh, let the Knicks take the Yinka Dare clone.
18. Washington (from Atlanta): Tristan Thompson, PF, Texas. His best asset is getting to the free-throw line. His worst asset is free-throw shooting. Who the hell wants that?
19. Charlotte (from New Orleans via Portland): Marshon Brooks, SG, Providence. He certainly isn't reluctant to shoot the rock. Bobcats could use a scorer.
20. Minnesota (from Memphis via Utah): Tobias Harris, SF, Tennessee. Smart player who put up nice numbers as a freshman in the SEC. He could be a surprise lottery guy.
21. Portland: Kenneth Faried, PF, Morehead State. He unquestionably can rebound. You accept that skill at this stage of the draft.
22. Denver: Trey Thompkins, PF, Georgia. The Nuggets want to move up. The last time they had a first-round pick they took Julius Hodge with the pick they received from Orlando for trading Jameer Nelson.
23. Houston (from Orlando via Phoenix): Iman Shumpert, SG, Georgia Tech. Impressive athlete who could work well alongside Kyle Lowry.
24. Oklahoma City: Nikola Mirotic, PF, Montenegro. Thunder can afford to draft and wait on this kid.
25. Boston: Nolan Smith, G, Duke. Celtics need to prepare for life without Paul Pierce and Ray Allen. Smith can give quality minutes from the get-go.
26. Dallas: Jordan Hamilton, SF, Texas. Mavs go for a local guy with a nice spot-up shot.
27. New Jersey (from L.A. Lakers): Davis Bertans, Latvia. He's 18 and a long way from contributing, but the talent is there.
28. Chicago (from Miami via Toronto): Keith Benson, PF/C Oakland. Bulls like big men who can defend.
29. San Antonio: Darius Morris, PG, Michigan. The Spurs love finding late pearls, and Morris has a chance to be a nice insurance policy for the former Mr. Eva Longoria.
30. Chicago: JaJuan Johnson, PF, Purdue. Pretty polished guy you don't mind having under contract for four years.


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