Fansided NBA Mock Draft: Complete First Round

Mar 15, 2014; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Arizona Wildcats forward Aaron Gordon (11) shoots against UCLA Bruins forward Travis Wear (24) during the first half in the championship game of the Pac-12 Conference college basketball tournament at MGM Grand Garden Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

6. Boston Celtics — Aaron Gordon, PF, Arizona

GM: Rich Spalding at Hardwood Houdini

With the Jazz picking up Vonleh, and with Dante Exum already off the board, Boston has to choose between Julius Randle, who has a NBA-ready post game, or Aaron Gordon, an athletic freak who can defend virtually every position on the floor.  It’s a risk, but Gordon has a huge ceiling and too much potential on both sides of the floor to ignore.  His offense may be limited to put-back and alley oops, but with Rajon Rondo running the point Gordon could wind up becoming the East Coast version of Blake Griffin.  He’s a project, but one that should reap huge long-term dividends for the Celtics.

7. Los Angeles Lakers — Julius Randle, PF, Kentucky

GM: Jacob Rude at Lake Show Life

Julius Randle is the best available player. He learned team concepts from John Calipari. He has a 7 foot wingspan and although his athleticism is not as explosive as other forwards in the draft- his standing vertical is 29″- he has a mature body and more importantly he knows how to use his body in the paint. He is a gifted rebounder who chases down misses and he has a nose for the ball and just plain hustle and aggressiveness. He can play right now. He has a good left hand and doesn’t hesitate when the ball is thrown to him in the paint. Similarly to Zach Randolph, he dominates in the post with an array of moves in his bully ball style. His motivation was evident when he lost 20 pounds in three weeks.

The Lakers need defense in the paint. They need a rebounder. They need someone they can dump the ball into in the post and who can either score or pass out of a double team. They need someone who does not give up on plays. Julius plays through traffic and the whistle. His development in the midrange will make him a complete player.

8. Sacramento Kings — Marcus Smart, PG, Oklahoma State

GM: Bryan Rose at A Royal Pain

It’s a bit of an unknown as to what is going to happen with Isaiah Thomas in potential restricted free agency and if some team is to put forth an offer too rich for the Kings blood, they’d be without a point guard on the roster. Given that, Smart is a bit of an insurance pick but I also believe he’ll be able to give the Kings another solid backcourt option regardless if Thomas is re-signed or leaves in free agency.

In essentially a ‘best available’ scenario, Smart was too difficult to pass up given the remaining players on the board don’t exactly fill a need for the Kings. He should also be able to step in and play a bench role immediately and also provides the Kings a trade chip if they’re looking to acquire another veteran to expedite a return to the postseason.

9. New Orleans Hornets — Nik Stauskas, SG, Michigan

GM: Reece Helms at Swarm and Sting

With the 9th pick in the NBA Draft, the Charlotte Hornets (yes the Hornets!) select Nik Stauskas from Michigan. Stauskas is a deadly 3 point shooter, and that is almost guaranteed to translate to the NBA level. He has also improved his ability to put the ball on the floor and create his own shot, which he’ll have to do in the pros. Stauskas has been compared to Klay Thompson, which if he can live up to that hype, he is a steal at #9 for the Hornets.

10. Philadelphia 76ers — Dario Saric, SF/PF, Croatia

GM: Drew Corrigan, The Sixer Sense

With our first selection of Andrew Wiggins, we believe we have the cornerstone of our franchise. The selection of Dario Saric gives us a dangerous combination on the court. Saric is an NBA ready prospect and has shown the ability to score in a multitude of ways on the court. Pairing him with Andrew Wiggins will help with his defensive shortcomings and we believe the pairing will develop into stardom. The 76ers have no doubt that we will be able to convince Dario Saric to come over to Philadelphia and join a team that is on the quick uprise.