Hoops Rumors Polls

Poll: Who Should Be The No. 1 Pick?

April 8th, 2014 at 1:38pm CST by Chuck Myron

The college season is over, and the time for evaluating top prospects in live game conditions is through. The 2014 draft class didn’t live up to astronomically high expectations, but it still appears to be the best group in the past few years. There will be a lot riding on the decisions that teams holding lottery picks will have to make, and the greatest amount of pressure will rest on the shoulders of the GM with the No. 1 overall pick.

Andrew Wiggins entered as the most ballyhooed of them all and a surefire top overall pick, but he stumbled, and found himself behind Kansas teammate Joel Embiid, a relative basketball neophyte from Cameroon who surged to the No. 1 spot on draft boards in the middle of the season. Jabari Parker was up and down, but he appears more NBA-ready than Wiggins and Embiid. All three have been the leading candidates for the top pick for much of the season.

Chad Ford of ESPN.com has moved Wiggins back to No. 1 in his latest rankings, and that’s where Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress has him, too. Still, Wiggins is third behind Embiid and Parker on Aran Smith’s board at NBADraft.net. Teams remain undecided, and the Kings apparently have Wiggins outside their top three picks, according to Ford.

Much depends on the health of Embiid’s injured back, and the identity of the team picking first overall won’t be known until the May 20th draft lottery. There are plenty of variables that will go into the equation in the 79 days remaining before the draft, but if you were the GM picking first overall and the draft were tonight, whom would you select?

Feel free to consult our prospect profiles on Embiid, Parker and Wiggins to help you make your decision. When you’re ready, cast your vote below, and explain your choice in the comments.

Poll: Who Coaches The Knicks Next Season?

March 15th, 2014 at 8:10pm CST by Eddie Scarito

Seeing how under-the-radar it was, you may have missed hearing that Phil Jackson finally agreed to join the Knicks front office this past week. The “Zen Master” has already had a positive effect with the team winning six straight since all the chatter began about Jackson heading to New York. This surge has the team just three games out of the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Even if the Knicks continue on this torrid pace and make the playoffs, not many expect it to be a deep run, especially if they draw Miami or Indiana in the first-round.

What does this mean for coach Mike Woodson‘s future with the team? He has been on the hot-seat for most of the season, and every loss added to the talk that team owner James Dolan would cut Woodson loose. Lately the rumors have been that the team is holding onto Woodson in order to make him the scapegoat for the team’s problems, and use that to convince Carmelo Anthony to re-sign with the team.

No matter how you look at it, the Knicks coaching position will be a hot topic of conversation until Dolan or Jackson come out and definitively say that Woodson will be the coach next season, or until the ink is dry on the contract of whomever they bring in to replace him. Even then the talk might not die down, these are the Knicks after all.

Here are some of the candidates who could be walking the sidelines for the Knicks next season:

Mike Woodson: In parts of three seasons with the Knicks, Woodson has a 98-74 record. His lifetime record is 304-360, which includes his time with the Knicks and six seasons with the Hawks. Woodson has been criticized for his lack of in-game adjustments by some of the players as well as the media. There also have been reports that the coach has lost the locker room.
Phil Jackson: A long shot, but there have been rumors that Jackson might be willing to coach for a short time just to get the team moving in the right direction. The “Zen Master” has a career record of 1155-485, including 11 NBA titles as a coach, plus one as a player. The other possible reason Jackson could return to the sidelines is a ploy to re-sign Anthony, or to possible try and lure LeBron James, or other big name free-agents to the team. This is also a long shot, because the Knicks won’t have enough cap room to make a big name signing until 2015.
Tom Thibodeau: The rumors of Thibs replacing Woodson started before Phil Jackson was hired, so it’s unknown if Jackson would see him as a fit. There’s also the matter of Thibodeau being under contract with the Bulls next season. Thibodeau is regarded as one of the best defensive coaches in the NBA, and his players have extremely positive things to say about the locker room environment he creates. In four seasons of being a head coach, all with the Bulls, he has a 193-102 record.
Steve Kerr: Kerr has never been a head coach at any level. He was GM of the Suns for four seasons, and though it has been rumored he wants to try his hand at coaching, he could join the Knicks as a GM instead.
Jeff Van Gundy: Van Gundy has been out of coaching since the 2006/07 season. He has a career record of 430-318, and had previously coached the Knicks for seven seasons. He has stated he regrets leaving the team during the 2001/02 season, and reportedly has a good relationship with Dolan.
Stan Van Gundy: He’s been out of coaching since the 2011/12 season and is also well regarded around the league. Van Gundy has a career record of 371-208 over eight seasons with the Heat and the Magic.
Mark Jackson: A former Knicks player and the current coach of the Warriors in his third season with the team. Jackson’s job has been rumored to be in jeopardy thanks to the team not performing up to preseason expectations, despite their 41-26 record. His career coaching numbers are 111-104.
Kurt Rambis: Rambis served as the Lakers’ assistant GM when Jackson was hired as coach He later became an assistant coach under Jackson between 2001 and 2009. He then became head coach of the Timberwolves, and in two seasons with the team compiled a record of 32-132.
Brian Shaw: Shaw also served as an assistant coach under Jackson, then spent two years as an assistant with the Pacers before landing his first head coaching job with the Nuggets this year. He is well versed in the triangle offense, which was one of Jackson’s staples with the Lakers. His record with Denver is 29-36, but the team has been devastated by injuries this season.
John Calipari: The general consensus is that it’s only a matter of time before Calipari makes a return to the NBA as a coach. Prior to Jackson being hired, it was rumored that the Knicks would pursue Calipari after the season. In 22 seasons as a college coach, Calipari has a 591-175 record. He coached the Nets for parts of three seasons and had a record of 72-112.
Jim Cleamons: He won nine championship rings as an assistant under Jackson with the Lakers and the Bulls. He is another coach who is an expert at the triangle offense. Cleamons also played for the Knicks, and was a teammate of Jackson’s as well. He coached the Mavericks during the 1996/97 season, going 24-58. He was fired early the next season after the team went 4-12 to begin the year. There’s a possibility that he could be brought in as an assistant coach as well now that Jackson has taken over.

Who do you think will coach the Knicks next season? Cast your vote and sound off in the comments section below with your thoughts.

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Hoops Rumors Polls

Poll: Are Phil Jackson, Knicks A Good Match?

March 9th, 2014 at 10:09am CST by Eddie Scarito

The biggest news of the week is that Phil Jackson is contemplating a return to the NBA. He has been rumored to have been offered the position of president of basketball operations for the Knicks. It’s still unclear if the deal includes Jackson returning to the sidelines as coach or if it is just for an executive position. Ramona Shelburne of ESPNLosAngeles.com reported that Jackson’s made it clear to any team that has approached him that he prefers a front-office role that would allow him to shape and mold a franchise the way Heat president Pat Riley has, but he is open to the possibility of coaching for a short period of time if it were necessary in a transition period for a franchise with championship aspirations.

Jackson is considering the role in New York under the condition that the “setup is right,” and that he will have final say on basketball decisions. It’s possible that Jackson would want full assurance that owner James Dolan wouldn’t interfere or undermine his role, considering Dolan’s reputation as a meddler in team affairs. Jackson also wants assurances that the team will be able to retain Carmelo Anthony when he opts out of his deal after the season.

The responses to the idea of Jackson becoming a front office executive have been mixed. Some league officials have disparaged Jackson’s temperament and lack of qualifications to become a GM. “Phil has never scouted, has zero agent relationships and can’t recruit. He should coach or go fishing in Montana and let the fish deal with his ego. He’s not Pat Riley. Doesn’t have his charm or charisma and Riley became a full-time exec at 58, not 68 like Phil wants.”

More positive opinions have cited Jackson’s ability to be an effective recruiter for free-agents, as well as Jackson being smart enough to surround himself with quality basketball people to help offset his inexperience in the position. Most of the debate has focused on Jackson’s ability to coexist with Dolan, as well as his inexperience being an added difficulty in functioning within one of the more difficult front office positions in the league.

There can be no denying Jackson’s impressive coaching accomplishments though. He has a career record of 1,155-485 in 20 seasons with the Bulls and Lakers, and has won 11 NBA championships on the sidelines. Jackson previously had said health considerations precluded him from seriously considering a return to coaching, saying “my stock answer has been I have no intention of coaching again.” But a source with knowledge of his thinking told Ramona Shelburne of ESPNLosAngeles.com that after having several surgeries over the past few years, Jackson is “ready to go back to work.”

So what do you think? Is Jackson the right fit for the Knicks? Will his lack of experience hamper him and the team’s efforts to build a champion? Or is he the right man for the job? Vote below and also feel free to expand on your opinions in the comments section below.

Poll: Should Lakers Keep Brooks?

March 4th, 2014 at 7:59pm CST by Ryan Raroque

Since a very productive rookie season with the Nets a little under two years ago, MarShon Brooks has had a difficult time establishing a niche in the NBA to say the least. Following a 2011/12 campaign in which he averaged 29.4 MPG and posted 12.6 PPG, the former Providence guard saw his minutes dip to just 12.5 per game in 2012/13. After being dealt to Boston in the offseason, Brooks saw no more than 7.3 MPG in Brad Stevens’ rotation; a deal to the Warriors after 10 games with the Celtics yielded a paltry 2.1 minute average in seven contests. However, a deadline deal which sent Brooks packing for Los Angeles has brought forth a return to NBA relevance.

Coincidentally, Brooks’ Lakers debut came against Boston less than two weeks ago, and the 6’5 guard made his presence felt, scoring 14 points on 7-for-11 shooting in 23 minutes. Two nights after notching 14 points on 5-for-6 shooting in 20 minutes against Memphis, Brooks went 9-for-13 from the field en route to 23 points in 26 minutes against Sacramento. Through six games in L.A., the former first-round pick is averaging 12.6 PPG while shooting 51.8% from the field and an uncanny 88.9% from long distance. While those percentages are derived from a small sample size and will arguably move back toward the direction of his career averages sooner or later (44.2% and 32.7% respectively), it’d be difficult to dismiss his production or the idea that he is picking up where he left off in New Jersey a few years ago.

On the flip side, there are a few sobering points worth considering. For one, the Lakers aren’t remotely within playoff contention at this stage as far as this season is concerned, and one may argue that Brooks is enjoying numbers on a team without too many expectations right now. Secondly, the team has plenty of wing players to consider, including Jodie Meeks, Kent Bazemore, and Nick Young, who appears to have a mutual interest with the franchise in staying put for the long-term. Also, with ample cap space this summer and potentially in 2015 (depending on who the team adds this summer), it’s understandable to contend that a higher priority should be placed on preserving as much flexibility as possible for much more worthwhile targets, whether via free agency or trade.

Brooks is slated to hit unrestricted free agency this summer after the Celtics declined his team option for 2014/15. As it stands, the Lakers only have three guaranteed contracts on the books for next season, and will undoubtedly face an offseason of key roster decisions. Considering all this, should the Lakers re-sign Brooks after this season?

Poll: Post-Deadline Move With Biggest Impact?

March 1st, 2014 at 9:09pm CST by Eddie Scarito

The trade deadline passed over a week ago, but this doesn’t mean that GM’s are done making changes to their rosters. It has been a busy week for buyouts, waivers, and players signing contracts to finish out the year with new teams. These post-deadline deals can put the finishing touches on a contender, or help a borderline playoff team snag a spot. Listed below are the signings that have occurred so far. I’ve omitted most 10-day deals because short-term signings won’t have quite the same impact as the ones for the rest of the year. I’ve included the Jason Collins 10-day signing because all signs are pointing to him remaining with the Nets for the rest of the season.

Here are the notable signings thus far:

Jimmer Fredette signing with the Bulls. This one isn’t official, but it has been reported that he’s reached a tentative agreement for the remainder of the season. The Bulls are hoping Fredette can add some firepower to their offense, which is currently ranked 27th in both three-point makes and percentage this season. Fredette has averaged 7 PPG and 1.5 APG in his two-plus years with the Kings, while receiving minimal playing time due to their backcourt depth.
The Suns signing Shavlik Randolph for the remainder of this season with a team option for 2014/15. Randolph had been playing overseas in China, where he logged averages of 22.3 PPG and 12.3 rebounds per night, although it was in just six appearances. This move should help bolster the Suns frontcourt depth as the team looks to advance in the playoffs after missing out on three straight postseasons. Randolph is a 30-year-old power forward who’s played for four NBA teams, most recently for the Celtics in 2012/13, where he averaged 4.2 PPG and 4.4 RPG in 16 contests.
Danny Granger signing with the Clippers for the rest of the season. Granger played in 29 games for the Pacers before being traded to the Sixers, and averaged 8.3 PPG, 3.6 RPG, and 1.1 APG in 22.5 minutes per contest. He didn’t see any action for the Sixers, and last saw the court on February 19th, when he scored two points in 18 minutes versus the Timberwolves. He figures to get regular minutes in the Clippers rotation.
The Thunder inking Caron Butler for the remainder of the year. Butler, who turns 34 in March, is in the midst of one of his worst shooting seasons, connecting on just 38.7% of his shots. He’s still making 36.1% of his three-point attempts, and he averaged 11.0 points in 24.1 MPG for the Bucks.
The Grizzlies claiming Beno Udrih off of waivers. Udrih never quite fit into the Knicks rotation, and the Grizzlies signed him to upgrade their backup point guard slot behind Mike Conley. Beno’s numbers on the year are 5.6 PPG, 1.8 RPG and 3.5 APG while logging 19 MPG.
Glen Davis signing with the Clippers for the rest of the season. The 28-year-old is coming off a year in which he averaged 15.1 PPG and 7.2 RPG with a 15.0 PER in an injury-shortened 2012/13. So far in 2013/14, Davis has averaged 12.1 PPG and 6.3 RPG in 30.1 minutes per contest while struggling again with some nagging injuries. Davis is the only player on the Clippers roster to have won a championship, which will make him a valuable presence in the locker room as well as on the court.
The Nets signing Jason Collins to a 10-day contract. The Nets have been in search of a big man since before the trade deadline arrived, and that need was heightened after sending Reggie Evans to the Kings as part of the trade that brought Marcus Thornton to Brooklyn. In 713 career games, the 35-year old has averaged 3.6 PPG, 3.8 RPG and 0.9 APG, in 20.8 MPG. In his first three games with the Nets, Collins has averaged 1.0 PPG and 0.7 RPG in 8.7 MPG.

Now it’s time for your participation. Which of the above deals do you think will have the biggest impact on this year’s playoffs? Vote below and feel free to explain the choice you made in the comments section.

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Hoops Rumors Polls

Poll: Which Deadline Trade Will Have Biggest Impact?

February 23rd, 2014 at 10:09am CST by Eddie Scarito

In spite of all the big names that were talked about being moved prior to this year’s trade deadline, only one “big” trade actually happened. That was the Sixers Evan Turner and Lavoy Allen heading to the Pacers in exchange for Danny Granger and a 2015 second-round pick. Outside of this trade, the other deadline moves involved lesser names. No Carmelo Anthony, Thaddeus Young, or Rajon Rondo blockbuster deals that could instantly change the face of a franchise. But even lesser trades can have a huge impact on the playoff races, as well as prove to be the difference once a team is locked into a tough playoff series.

As a refresher, here are some of the deals that were made:

The Wizards acquired Andre Miller in a three-team deal that also saw the Nuggets receive Jan Vesely and Sixers receive Eric Maynor plus two second-round picks.
The Warriors acquired Steve Blake from the Lakers in exchange for Kent Bazemore and MarShon Brooks.
The Bobcats acquired Gary Neal and Luke Ridnour from the Bucks in exchange for Ramon Sessions and Jeff Adrien.
The Nuggets sent Jordan Hamilton to the Rockets for Aaron Brooks.
The Nets acquired Marcus Thornton from the Kings for Jason Terry and Reggie Evans. Terry is out for the season to rehab his ailing knee.
The Spurs and Raptors swapped Nando De Colo and Austin Daye.

Which of these deals do you think will have the biggest impact on this season’s quest for an NBA title? I’m omitting the Granger-Turner swap from the poll because it was easily the biggest trade of the deadline, and the Pacers are one of the teams that are heavily favored to win the crown. Feel free to sound off in the comments section below as to why you believe a particular deal will have the biggest impact.

Zach Links contributed to this post.

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Hoops Rumors Polls

Poll: Will It Be A Busy Trade Season?

February 8th, 2014 at 10:40pm CST by Cray Allred

Many expect a lot of deals to go down before the February 20 deadline, with the common assumption that a big trade or two could lead to a domino effect throughout the rest of the league. For the second year in a row, Rudy Gay has been the centerpiece for an early in-season blockbuster. The Luol Deng deal between the Cavs and Bulls followed, and there are many more names on the trading block, many of which we’ve highlighted in our Trade Candidates series. There is also a pretty clear line between teams at the top and bottom of each conference, with a handful of teams on the playoff bubble. Teams with title hopes are generally buyers, and teams that have draft hopes typically sell during the trade season, with an oft-lamented tendency for losing teams to “tank” away their season in order to improve their chances at a higher pick. This disparity is a condition that theoretically makes for easier matchmaking for teams with clear needs.

Timberwolves team president Flip Saunders is skeptical of a lot of movement this trade season, describing a gridlock due to heightened values for draft picks. Teams are certainly hanging on to picks more tightly than they have in some previous eras, careful to build rosters around as many inexpensive contracts as possible to avoid paying the increasingly punitive repeater tax levied under the current CBA against franchises that exceed the luxury-tax line in consecutive seasons. Another dampening CBA component is the Stepien Rule, which prohibits teams from trading away first round picks in consecutive years. This rule prevents a team like the Nets from parting with upcoming picks they hold, even though they would otherwise meet the profile of a team willing to deal picks to bolster their short-term championship window.

Those teams on the playoff bubble could swing league activity, depending on how their next couple weeks go and how strong the commitment to a playoff run is in their front office. The Pistons, for example, have won four home games in a row and edged just a half-game behind the current eighth-seed Bobcats. A run like that could remove the temptation for a team like Detroit to give up on their core and part with any of their players for future assets.

What do you think? Will this trade season be “epic,” as ESPN’s Chad Ford has predicted, or will it underwhelm as it has in many years before?

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Hoops Rumors Polls

Poll: Is Evan Turner Worth 2014 First-Rounder?

February 6th, 2014 at 9:00am CST by Chuck Myron

The Sixers continue to seek a first-round pick from teams in return for either Evan Turner or Spencer Hawes, tweets Marc Stein of ESPN.com. It appears they’re looking specifically for a pick between Nos. 10 and 15 in this year’s draft, according to fellow ESPN.com scribe Chad Ford. Philadelphia appears to be seeking a first-rounder for Thaddeus Young, too, even though they’re apparently less inclined to ship him out.

The Sixers appear more anxious to deal Turner than Hawes or Young. Philadelphia has had talks with the Suns and Thunder, and the Clippers, Hawks, Bobcats and Mavs appear to have interest, too. The stumbling block is Philly’s insistence on getting a first-round pick in return. One GM told Sean Deveney of The Sporting News that he’d be hesitant to surrender assets for a player he could sign as a free agent this summer. Turner is set for restricted free agency, but the Sixers appear coy about extending a fairly sizable $8,717,226 qualifying offer, which would tie up a chunk of their cap space. Without the qualifying offer, Turner would become an unrestricted free agent, and teams could strike as they please without worrying that Philadelphia would match offers.

Still, Turner is having a career year, and was the No. 2 overall pick in 2010. He seems like a talented player on the rise. Let us know if you think he’s worth a first-round pick in this year’s draft, and share your thoughts in the comments.

Poll: Who Was The Biggest All-Star Snub?

February 1st, 2014 at 7:42pm CST by Eddie Scarito

With the NBA All-Stars being announced recently, it opens up the inevitable discussion as to who was left off the squad. Every year a number of deserving players don’t make the cut. Sometimes it’s simply a matter of too much talent in their conference at a particular position. But other times, there can be some real shocks. Veteran players will sometimes get the nod over rookies, just as more established stars, or All-Star game regulars, will sometimes get picked over new blood.

Everyone has a player they believe should have made the cut. Let’s take a look at eight players that didn’t make the team:

Kyle Lowry (Raptors): He’s averaging 16.8 PPG and 7.6 APG, and the Raptors are leading the Atlantic Division with a 25-21 record, which is good for third-best in the East. It’s possible that DeMar DeRozan‘s selection may have hurt Lowry’s chances. His biggest competition for a reserve spot was Kyrie Irving, who was named to the team.Irving’s numbers are 21.6 PPG, and 6.1 APG, for a bad Cavaliers squad.
DeMarcus Cousins (Kings): Cousins ranks 10th in the NBA in scoring with an average of 22.6 PPG and is sixth in rebounding at 11.6 RPG. It’s possible that his negative reputation amongst coaches played a part in him not being selected. The argument can be made his numbers are more impressive than reserve Dirk Nowitzki, who is putting up 21.8 PPG, and 6.2 RPG.
Anthony Davis (Pelicans): Davis missed out on a Western Conference All-Star berth because he’s 20 years old and his team is not very good, writes James Herbert of SB Nation.com. Davis has put up impressive stats this season, averaging 20.4 PPG, 10.4 RPG and a league-leading 3.3 BPG. His numbers compare very favorably to reserves Nowitzki and Blake Griffin, who is averaging 23.0 PPG, and 9.7 RPG. Griffin is obviously a bigger attraction, thanks to his athleticism and dunks.
Goran Dragic (Suns): Dragic is averaging 19.7 PPG and 6.1 APG for the Suns, who are one of the NBA’s biggest surprise teams. He’s also kept the Suns in the hunt after the injury to Eric Bledsoe. His biggest competition was from reserve Tony Parker, who is averaging 18.1 PPG and 6.2 APG.
Al Jefferson (Bobcats): Jefferson is averaging 19.3 PPG and 10.5 RPG, for the eighth-seeded Bobcats. His competition came from reserve Joakim Noah, who is averaging 11.7 PPG, and 11.4 RPG, for the Bulls.
Lance Stephenson (Pacers): Joe Johnson made the team with averages of 15.6 PPG, 3.3 RPG, and 2.8 APG for a bad Nets team. Stephenson plays for the team with the best record in the league, and is putting up 14.2 PPG, 7.2 RPG, and 5.4 APG. Dwyane Wade might not play, which could possibly open up a spot for Stephenson.
Mike Conley (Grizzlies): Conley is stuck in a conference with a wealth of talent at point guard. His numbers of 18.0 PPG, and 6.3 APG are comparable to Tony Parker‘s.
Arron Afflalo (Magic): Afflalo plays for a bad team, which definitely hurt his chances. His numbers of 20.0 PPG, 4.3 RPG, and 3.7 APG compare well against the previously mentioned Joe Johnson‘s.

So which of these players do you think got the rawest deal in not being named to the All-Star team? There aren’t enough spots for every worthy player, but the case can be made for a number of players on this list to be on the team over their counterparts. Sound off in the comment section below with your thoughts.

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Hoops Rumors Polls

Poll: Who Will Be The First Pick In The Draft ?

January 29th, 2014 at 8:41pm CST by Eddie Scarito

The upcoming 2014 NBA Draft is being touted as one of the deepest in years. Since last year, experts have been hyping the talent level of the college prospects that will be available, and team executives have been salivating over quite a few of the projected lottery picks. Unlike last year’s draft, there are a number of players that can be a true franchise changer.

Basketball is a team sport, and one player won’t get a team a championship on his own. Just ask the Cavaliers, who made the Finals in 2006/07, but were swept by the Spurs, during what would be their only appearance during LeBron James‘ tenure with the team. Even the great Michael Jordan needed the right pieces to fall into place before he led the Bulls on their incredible run.

A draft pick is simply a building block. Making the right pick might not get your team a ring, but it can be the first step in the right direction. It’s with that thought in mind we look ahead to draft night. The draft order is still in flux, as there is still half the schedule left to play, and the ping-pong balls yet to be chosen for the lottery order. In addition, team need will play a role in what player gets the honor of being the first name new commissioner Adam Silver calls. The other factor involved is whether or not all of the projected picks will declare for the draft. Top prospects like Joel Embiid and Jabari Parker have hinted that they might stay in school another year, which would alter the draft projections greatly.

Let’s examine the possibilities for the first overall pick in the draft. You can also check out the draft boards of Chad Ford of ESPN.com (Insider) and Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress for more information on this year’s prospects.

Joel Embiid (Kansas): Embiid is a 7’0″, 240-pound center, and is 19 years-old. He is currently averaging 11.2 PPG, 7.4 RPG, and 2.8 BPG. He is easily the most talented big man in the draft, and in addition to being a defensive presence in the middle, he is developing an offensive game to match. He has mentioned that many of the great NBA big men have stayed in school for more than one season. So it remains to be seen if he’ll stay another year to refine his game, or declare for the draft, where he’s all but assured of being a top 3 pick.
Andrew Wiggins (Kansas): Wiggins is a 6’8″, 200 pound swingman, and is 18 years-old. He was the preseason pick for the top player in the draft, but his inconsistent play has called that into question. He’s averaging 15.8 PPG, 6.0 RPG, and 1.6 APG. Despite Wiggins’ occasional disappearing acts, such as a three point effort against Oklahoma State, he still has a ton of raw potential.
Jabari Parker (Duke): Depending on who is asked, this 6’8″, 241-pound, small forward might be the most talented player in the draft. Parker has the potential to be a stat sheet filler, and is currently averaging 18.8 PPG, 8.1 RPG, and 1.3 APG. Parker has also hinted that he might stay in school, not just to refine his game, but also to play alongside his friend, and incoming freshman Jahlil Okafor. There is also the possibility that Parker might go on a Mormon mission after the season. Would a team picking first overall be willing to wait a full season before having his services on the court?
Dante Exum (Australia): The son of former player Cecil Exum has made it known that he’s skipping college to enter the NBA Draft. This 6-6, 188 pound 18 year-old can play either guard spot, but scouts project him to be a star at point guard. Chad Ford of ESPN.com (Insider) was quoted as saying: “Exum hasn’t played basketball since December and it’s probably helping his stock right now. As scouts start to become disillusioned with the players they are seeing every night, it’s easy to pine for players like Exum who left a sweet taste in the mouth the last time they played (in Exum’s case, last summer). … Strong workouts could push him all the way to the top of this draft. But more likely, he’ll fall in the 3-5 range on draft night.” Exum averaged 18.0 PPG, and 4.0 RPG in FIBA under-19 competition.
Julius Randle (Kentucky): Randle, the 6’9″, 225 pound forward isn’t as athletic as some scouts would like. Scouts also worry how his short wingspan will translate to the pro game. He’s currently averaging 16.6 PPG, 10.5 RPG, and 1.7 APG. His offensive game is well above his defensive production, which means that if he has a difficult time getting his shot off against taller defenders, his value will be diminished greatly.
Marcus Smart (Oklahoma State): If Smart would have entered last year’s draft, there is a very good chance he would have been the first overall pick. His production has been inconsistent this year, and he’s losing ground as the top point guard to Exum and Tyler Ennis. Exum because of his upside and physical tools, and Ennis because of his more consistent play. Smart is no slouch though, and is averaging 17.3 PPG, 5.7 RPG, and 4.4 APG. Smart already has an NBA body, but is seen as a “tweener” in the backcourt. His outside shot is suspect, which would limit his value if a team wanted to move him to shooting guard.
Aaron Gordon (Arizona): Gordon is a long-shot for the number one pick, but thanks to his athleticism has quite a bit of upside and potential. He’s 6’8″, 210 pounds, and has been compared to the Nuggets’ Kenneth Faried as far as NBA potential goes. His numbers are 12.3 PPG, 7.8 RPG, and 1.6 APG.
Noah Vonleh (Indiana): Vonleh, a 6’10”, 240 pound forward, is starting to move up the draft boards. Scouts like his length, and outside shot better than Randle’s, and he is statistically a better defender. His numbers are 12.0 PPG, 9.6 RPG, and 1.3 BPG.
Dario Saric (Croatia): Saric is a bit of a wildcard. The word is that a number of NBA scouts and GMs will be heading overseas once the trade deadline is passed to get a better assessment of him. He’s 6’10”, 223 pounds, and has a great outside shot. He projects as a small forward in the NBA, though he could see action as a stretch-four. His numbers in Europe are 15.5 PPG, 8.4 RPG, and 2.5 APG.
Tyler Ennis (Syracuse): This freshman is shooting up the draft boards. He’s 6’2″, 180 pounds, and isn’t a spectacular athlete. His value is in how steady his play is, and his excellent basketball IQ. His numbers are 12.0 PPG, 3.3 RPG, and 5.4 APG. He’s the starting point guard on the No. 2 ranked team in the country, which speaks volumes for his maturity. He has a 4-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio, shoots 40 percent from 3-point range, and averages 2.5 steals a game. With the premium placed on the point guard position in the NBA, he has a chance to be off the board quickly. If he continues to produce the way he has, and leads Syracuse deep into the tournament, his stock could skyrocket.

There are the top prospects in this year’s draft. Quite a bit can change between now and draft night. A hot NCAA tournament, players staying in school, as well as potential injuries, can all impact where a player is taken. Plus, if an NBA team drafts for positional need, then the order can be altered even further. So, who do you think will end up being the first overall pick? Vote below, and don’t be shy about telling us whom you picked and why in the comments section.

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