ICYMI: The WBN 2014 NBA Mock Draft
By Tyler Cox
Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
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#16 Chicago Bulls – Zach LaVine SG 6’6 181 UCLA
Team Needs: Small Forward, Point Guard, Center
Explanation: I think the Bulls like Jimmy Butler, they may be like to be moving toward someone more productive. While shooting guard isn’t exactly one of their biggest needs right now, I don’t think the Bulls can pass up on a guy like Zach LaVine, especially when they have the 19th pick as well. If they don’t take him now you can bet the Celtics will snatch him. He has tremendous upside, not to mention an already good outside shot. Just like fellow 6’6 shooting guard Nick Stauskas, he has great size for his position.
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#17 Boston Celtics – Kyle Anderson SF 6’9 230 UCLA
Team Needs: Power Forward, Small Forward, Shooting Guard
Explanation: Kyle Anderson is one of the most versatile players in this years draft. He played point guard at UCLA, and played it well, but in the NBA he will probably see his best minuets playing small forward. Since he did play point guard in college, he has outstanding ball handling skills for a guy his size, not to mention great court vision. Who knows, if the Celtics decide to trade away Rajon Rondo, Anderson could step right in and play the point for Boston. He would do a great job at it too.
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#18 Phoenix Suns – Adrian Payne PF 6’10 239 Michigan State
Team Needs: Small Forward, Center, Power Forward
Explanation: The Suns took care of their small forward need when they drafted James Young earlier with the 14th pick. Now, the Suns take care of their need at the power forward position when they draft the extremely talented Adrian Payne. Payne can shoot from the outside, inside, over you, where ever he needs to. What allows him to score most of the time is his nasty length that he has. That is just the offensive side of the ball, don’t come into the lane soft and not expect Payne to swat away your shot. Adrian is an example of how good some one could be if they stayed all four years in college.
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#19 Chicago Bulls – Tyler Ennis PG 6’2 182 Syracuse
Team Needs: Small Forward, Point Guard, Center
Explanation: Unfortunately for the Bulls and Marquis Teague, the experiment didn’t go as planned as they traded away Teague to the Nets. With Rose constantly getting hurt, the Bulls need to seriously consider possibly finding Rose’s replacement, incase Rose becomes injured again and can’t play anymore. Tyler Ennis could be that guy. Ennis showed great poise as a freshman point guard among a team of upperclassman and lead his team to a great season.
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#20 Toronto Raptors – Kristaps Porzingis PF/C 7’0 220 Sevilla
Team Needs: Power Forward, Small Forward, Center
Explanation: Patrick Patterson has done great things for the Toronto Raptors since being traded to them from the Kings. The Raptors however still need more talent, depth and more size in their front court. Kristaps Porzingis provides just that. He is a very explosive big man who can handle the ball, and can run the floor extremely well, probably best running big man in this draft. A good comparison would be like an Anthony Davis only with a better outside shot, yeah, I said it. He also has a little LeMarcus Aldridge in his game with the post jumpers.