Victor Oladipo has made his way up to No. 2 on Chad Ford's latest mock draft.
With NBA team workouts now in full swing, it's time for another update of our mock draft.
Over the course of the past few weeks I've been speaking with numerous NBA team sources about how the draft might play out June 27.
Here's our latest update on how we see things going.
1) Nerlens Noel (C)
COLLEGE: Kentucky
AGE: 18
HT: 7-0
WT: 206
Analysis: Typically, by this juncture in the draft, we know who the No. 1 pick is. Right now, however, we're just offering educated guesses. That's because Cavs sources say that the team won't be close to making a decision until workouts are done and the team has a chance to make a thorough pass through the medical information. With three potential top picks unable to work out because of injuries, those reports have never been more important.
Until we hear otherwise, Noel is the default pick here. General manager Chris Grant has been a fan of Noel's all year and even recommended his doctor. Assuming the rehab is going well (his doctor, James Andrews, insists Noel is ahead of schedule while other NBA team doctors are wringing their hands a little), Noel should come out on top. He's the top prospect in the draft and the Cavs can afford to be patient while he gets back to full health and gains a little weight. If the Cavs decide to go in another direction, Georgetown's Otto Porter and Maryland's Alex Len appear to be the top candidates to supplant Noel.
2) Victor Oladipo (SG)
COLLEGE: Indiana
AGE: 20
HT: 6-4
WT: 213
Analysis: According to sources, the Magic are still wide open. They say they have nine (gulp) players who they are considering. Michigan's Trey Burke was in this slot in Mock 3.0, but I'm hearing the Magic aren't sold on him as the second-best player in the draft. They might take him, but he's not an outright front-runner, despite the need.
The Magic are eyeing other young point guards such as Eric Bledsoe. If they make a trade, starting 2-guard Arron Afflalo will be the bait. Assistant GM Scott Perry (who helped Afflalo in Detroit) doesn't want to give him up, but given where the Magic are as team, it might be the only way to trade for a point guard upgrade. If Afflalo goes, the 2-guard position opens up. Both Oladipo and McLemore would be upgrades long-term anyway. While McLemore is a better shooter, Oladipo's toughness, defense and leadership might be more appealing to a rebuilding team.
3) Otto Porter (SF)
COLLEGE: Georgetown
AGE: 19
HT: 6-9
WT: 198
Analysis: The Wizards are sitting pretty at No. 3. The two players they really like -- Porter and UNLV's Anthony Bennett -- are both on the board here. The need help at both the 3 and the 4, and sources say their front office is split between them. Porter's versatility and his ability to affect the game without shooting the ball are major pluses on a team that already has several starters who like to score the ball. Bennett's ability to stretch the floor as a 4 is also appealing, as is his upside. Aside from Noel, many NBA GMs believe Bennett might have the highest upside of anyone in the draft. This one could go down to the wire, but I'm giving the edge to Porter because of the question marks around Bennett's injured shoulder.
4) Anthony Bennett (PF)
COLLEGE: UNLV
AGE: 20HT: 6-8
WT: 240
Analysis: Truthfully, the Bobcats need help at the 2, the 4 and the 5. I think this will come down to a choice between Ben McLemore, Bennett and Len. All three players are young and blessed with incredible upside. Sources say Bennett might have the edge right now for two reasons. First, the Bobcats have been completely devoid of frontcourt scoring and Bennett's ability to score both inside and outside is appealing.
Second, the Bobcats front office (like a lot of NBA front offices) has questions right now about McLemore's mental approach to the game. Does he have the aggressiveness he needs to maximize his potential? Those questions are growing louder the closer we get to the draft. As for Len, the questions about his foot loom large as does the fact that he'd miss Summer League -- a critical development period for young players.
5) Ben McLemore (SG)
COLLEGE: Kansas
AGE: 20
HT: 6-5
WT: 189
Analysis: The Suns are another team that could go in just about any direction. Phoenix lacks young building blocks. But its biggest need might be a scorer in the backcourt. If McLemore is still on the board here, he'll be hard to pass up. He's one of the few players with All-Star upside. But don't count out Lehigh's C.J. McCollum either. McCollum is a better scorer and can play two positions on the floor.
6) Alex Len (C)
COLLEGE: Maryland
AGE: 19
HT: 7-1
WT: 225
Analysis: The Pelicans will take a long, hard look at both Burke and Syracuse's Michael Carter-Williams. But I'm not sure they'll bite. This team drafted Austin Rivers last year to be its point guard of the future and sources say that the team hasn't given up on Rivers, despite a miserable rookie season. With Greivis Vasquez also in the backcourt, point guard isn't a huge need if they're happy with Vasquez and Rivers. That makes Len an attractive option here.
The Pelicans see Anthony Davis as a 4 in the NBA and aren't convinced Robin Lopez is the long-term answer at the 5. Len has enormous potential at the 5. He can score, rebound and block shots. If his foot wasn't injured, I think he'd get much more consideration at No. 1. He could be a steal for the Pelicans here.
7) Trey Burke (PG)
COLLEGE: Michigan
AGE: 20
HT: 6-1
WT: 187
Analysis: It's hard to project anything for the Kings right now until a new GM is in place. The truth is, whoever comes in is likely to clean house. The Kings will be starting over to some extent. Other GMs are salivating at the possibility of DeMarcus Cousins being available, but unless the Kings are blown away with an offer, I doubt they'll trade him before the draft. So, I'm just placing the next player on our Big Board here. However, Burke actually does make sense for Sacramento. He's more of a true point guard than anyone currently on the roster, and he's a winner -- something the Kings need.
8) Michael Carter-Williams (PG)
COLLEGE: Syracuse
AGE: 21
HT: 6-6
WT: 184
Analysis: The Pistons have a lot of interest in grabbing a small forward here, but right now I don't think there's anyone on the table except for Shabazz Muhammad, and I'm not sure that's the right play for Detroit. I'm hearing with increasing frequency the Pistons might target a point guard. The team thinks Brandon Knight might be more effective at the 2, and if they could get a big point guard like Carter-Williams, he could be the perfect fit in the backcourt with Knight. They really would like a pure playmaker who can help their young guys get better. Given Carter-Williams' significant upside, he might be a great play here.
9) Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG)
COLLEGE: Georgia
AGE: 20
HT: 6-6
WT: 204
Analysis: New Timberwolves GM Flip Saunders has made no secret of his desire to acquire a shooter on the wing. He already has auditioned several in Minnesota (Caldwell-Pope, Allen Crabbe and Tim Hardaway Jr. worked out for him Thursday) and traveled to Vegas to see Russian Sergey Karasev Friday. I think Caldwell-Pope might have the most upside of any shooter left on the board. I'm hearing the Wolves agree.
10) C.J. McCollum (PG)
COLLEGE: Lehigh
AGE: 21
HT: 6-3
WT: 197
Analysis: The Blazers would like to continue to add shooters. Enter McCollum. While he commonly gets compared to Damian Lillard, they are different players and could nicely complement each other in the backcourt. I'm also hearing Croatia's Dario Saric is a strong possibility here, too.
my bad
There is no way Muhammed slides all the way to the Celtics.
