Ridiculous Upside - SB Nation NBA 2019 Blogger Mock DraftWhere Potential Is Way Cooler Than Realityhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/4212/upside-fave.gif2019-06-17T17:25:00-04:00http://www.ridiculousupside.com/rss/stream/184449972019-06-17T17:25:00-04:002019-06-17T17:25:00-04:00NBA Mock Draft: Milwaukee Bucks Select Bruno Fernando from Maryland
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<figcaption>Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>SB Nation’s NBA Network conducted a mock draft with bloggers from each team site making their team’s picks. With the 30th pick, the Bucks select Bruno Fernando.</p> <p id="Pxlvgo">NBA Mock Draft Pick <strong>#30 - Bruno Fernando, Center, Maryland</strong></p>
<p id="OvvUg4"><em>SB Nation’s Milwaukee Bucks blog </em><a href="https://www.brewhoop.com/">Brew Hoop</a><em> explains the pick:</em></p>
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<p id="pQdKt6">The Bucks hoped to get Nic Claxton’s versatile game under Mike Budehnolzer’s tutelage, but they’ll settle for Bruno Fernando, whose body is far more NBA-ready. The sophomore out of Maryland combined brute force with a soft touch around the rim, which could be a boon for a Milwaukee team that loves to attack the rim. With his ability to rim-fun following perimeter pick-and-rolls, you can already see defenses quivering at the attention Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton garner before they shovel it off to Fernando for a potential alley-oop. </p>
<p id="OHQFWF">While his defensive instincts will need plenty of work, Bud showed incredible aptitude installing a defensive system that could be built around a big who isn’t as inclined to leave the paint. There will be a learning curve on that end, but he flashes enough raw skills to make it worthwhile. And while he rarely shot from deep, his 76.3% career free throw mark points to a projectable shooter for Milwaukee as they shore up their center depth and gain some insurance in case they can’t retain Brook Lopez. </p>
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https://www.ridiculousupside.com/2019/6/17/18680472/nba-mock-draft-milwaukee-bucks-select-bruno-fernando-from-marylanddyapkowitz2019-06-17T17:20:00-04:002019-06-17T17:20:00-04:00NBA Mock Draft: San Antonio Spurs Select Nic Claxton from Georgia
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<img alt="NCAA Basketball: SEC Conference Tournament-Missoiuri vs Georgia" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/X1C5xs11FRRB2SER3ed9_Uqlkco=/0x142:3640x2569/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/64019642/usa_today_12339734.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>SB Nation’s NBA Network conducted a mock draft with bloggers from each team site making their team’s picks. With the 28th pick, the Spurs select Nic Claxton.</p> <p id="OO8dlD">NBA Mock Draft Pick <strong>#29 - Nic Claxton, Forward, Georgia</strong></p>
<p id="mWdk9T"><em>SB Nation’s San Antonio Spurs blog </em><a href="https://www.poundingtherock.com/">Pounding The Rock</a><em> explains the pick:</em></p>
<blockquote><p id="fHt78p">The Spurs were disappointed to see Samanic go off the board a few picks before 29, but they still had a number of directions they could still go with their second pick in the draft. They opted for a player who’s widely seen as a project in Claxton, but someone they think could flourish after a year of seasoning in Austin and whose upside as a versatile, grab-and-go big is worth betting on. </p></blockquote>
https://www.ridiculousupside.com/2019/6/17/18680469/nba-mock-draft-san-antonio-spurs-select-nic-claxton-from-georgiadyapkowitz2019-06-17T17:15:00-04:002019-06-17T17:15:00-04:00NBA Mock Draft: Golden State Warriors Select Ty Jerome from Virginia
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<figcaption>Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>SB Nation’s NBA Network conducted a mock draft with bloggers from each team site making their team’s picks. With the 28th pick, the Warriors select Ty Jerome.</p> <p id="3tl6XS">NBA Mock Draft Pick <strong>#28 - Ty Jerome, Guard, Virginia</strong></p>
<p id="vEbhLO"><em>SB Nation’s Golden State Warriors blog </em><a href="https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/">Golden State Of Mind</a><em> explains the pick:</em></p>
<blockquote><p id="Jinjt0">As a top heavy team, the Warriors have been trying to find young talent to back up their star power for years. With Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson out for the foreseeable future, getting some shooting ability is even more urgent than at any time in Steve Kerr’s dynastic tenure. With that in mind, Ty Jerome is someone who would complement the Warriors’ existing bench with his shooting ability as well as someone who is better prepared to step in and contribute right away than some of their recent picks. As another Tony Bennett product, Jerome would bring three things: shooting, defense, and basketball IQ. While he might not immediately jump out as a NBA athlete, his ability to make the right decision in the limited minutes he could be expected to play is pretty huge for a championship franchise that is inevitably going to experience some rough spots in the 2019-20 season. </p></blockquote>
https://www.ridiculousupside.com/2019/6/17/18680466/nba-mock-draft-golden-state-warriors-select-ty-jerome-from-virginiadyapkowitz2019-06-17T17:10:00-04:002019-06-17T17:10:00-04:00NBA Mock Draft: Brooklyn Nets Select Luka Samanic from Croatia
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<p>SB Nation’s NBA Network conducted a mock draft with bloggers from each team site making their team’s picks. With the 27th pick, the Nets select Luka Samanic.</p> <p id="vCLcYp">NBA Mock Draft Pick <strong>#27 - Luka Samanic, Forward, Croatia</strong></p>
<p id="hiZldJ"><em>SB Nation’s Brooklyn Nets blog </em><a href="https://www.netsdaily.com/">NetsDaily</a> <em>explains the pick:</em></p>
<blockquote><p id="UqyAfi">Luka Samanic, at 6’11”, is an ideal fit for the Nets who are always looking for three-point shooting bigs and Samanic qualifies. He came to this year’s NBA Draft Combine and in one scrimmage showed that he has NBA skills (if not yet an NBA body). Not to mention that Sean Marks’ last three picks --in the 2017 second round and both rounds last year-- were all Europeans taller than 6’9”! Marks reportedly scouted Samanic personally last January on his annual European trip.</p></blockquote>
https://www.ridiculousupside.com/2019/6/17/18680465/nba-mock-draft-brooklyn-nets-select-luka-samanic-from-croatiadyapkowitz2019-06-17T17:05:00-04:002019-06-17T17:05:00-04:00NBA Mock Draft: New Orleans Pelicans Select KZ Okpala from Stanford
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<figcaption>Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>SB Nation’s NBA Network conducted a mock draft with bloggers from each team site making their team’s picks. After a trade, with the 26th pick the Pelicans select KZ Okpala.</p> <p id="NBnpdT">NBA Mock Draft Pick <strong>#26 - KZ Okpala, Guard, Stanford</strong></p>
<p id="iX8ttA"><em>SB Nation’s New Orleans Pelicans blog </em><a href="https://www.thebirdwrites.com/">The Bird Writes</a><em> explains the pick:</em></p>
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<p id="sNyijo">Rated as the seventh-best small forward in the draft, Okpala had a breakout season for the Cardinals this season, averaging 16.8 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 2.0 assists, earning a place on the All-PAC-12 First Team. A 6’9, 215 pound greyhound, he is as good an athlete as there is in this draft not named Zion Williamson. He excels in the open floor and as a finisher at the rim. Okpala has demonstrated the ability to create off the dribble and has an excellent first step. His off the ball movement has been lauded by scouts as well. With his height and length, combined with his athletic gifts, he has the potential to defend multiple positions as a pro. </p>
<p id="NTXDhb">It seems as if Okpala has only begun to scratch the surface of his potential. He improved his shooting from 39 percent as a freshman to better than 46 percent last season. He made an even bigger jump as an outside shooter, making 36.8 percent of his three point attempts after converting fewer than 23 percent his freshman year. He’ll need to continue to improve his strength, jump shot, and he has a ways to go on the defensive end, but Okpala is an incredibly enticing prospect, and could flourish in the Pelicans high speed attack. </p>
<p id="U7otdF">These are the terms of the trade in our Blogger Mock Draft between the New York Knicks, Cleveland Cavaliers, and New Orleans Pelicans:<br>Knicks receive: Anthony Davis<br>Cavaliers receive: 3rd Pick<br>Pelicans receive: 5th Pick, 26th pick, Dennis Smith Jr,. Kevin Knox, Dallas 2021 1st (unprotected), Dallas 2023 1st (1-10 protected).</p>
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https://www.ridiculousupside.com/2019/6/17/18680462/nba-mock-draft-new-orleans-pelicans-select-kz-okpala-from-stanforddyapkowitz2019-06-17T17:00:00-04:002019-06-17T17:00:00-04:00NBA Mock Draft: Portland Trail Blazers Select Tyler Herro from Kentucky
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<figcaption>Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>SB Nation’s NBA Network conducted a mock draft with bloggers from each team site making their team’s pick. With the 25th pick, the Blazers select Tyler Herro.</p> <p id="SuNprw">NBA Mock Draft Pick <strong>#25 - Tyler Herro, Guard, Kentucky</strong></p>
<p id="sqKZjC"><em>SB Nation’s Portland Trail Blazers blog </em><a href="https://www.blazersedge.com/">Blazers Edge</a><em> explains the pick:</em></p>
<blockquote><p id="bwZd6w">The Trail Blazers get lucky and snatch up Kentucky youngster Tyler Herro as the first round comes to a close. Herro could ease the pain caused by the potential departures of Rodney Hood and Seth Curry this summer. He is a natural fit inside coach Terry Stotts’ perimeter-friendly offense and would provide the Blazers with much-needed floor spacing. If he reaches his potential as a pick-and-roll operator, Portland’s President of Basketball Operations Neil Olshey could have another potential steal on his hands. Herro’s age and shooting provide Portland with the best of both worlds. It is possible he could fit on the timelines of both Anfernee Simons and Damian Lillard. Portland could be tempted to try and move the No. 25 pick in an attempt to unlock the full MLE, but Herro’s lottery-level talent would be too tough to pass on if he endures a draft-day slide.</p></blockquote>
https://www.ridiculousupside.com/2019/6/17/18680460/nba-mock-draft-portland-trail-blazers-select-tyler-herro-from-kentuckydyapkowitz2019-06-17T16:55:00-04:002019-06-17T16:55:00-04:00NBA Mock Draft: Phoenix Suns Select Jontay Porter from Missouri
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<figcaption>Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>SB Nation’s NBA Network conducted a mock draft with bloggers from each team site making their team’s pick. After a trade, with the 24th pick the Suns select Jontay Porter.</p> <p id="jy3Okh">NBA Mock Draft Pick <strong>#24 - Jontay Porter, Forward, Missouri</strong></p>
<p id="oj8K3A"><em>SB Nation Phoenix Suns blog </em><a href="https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/">Bright Side Of The Sun</a><em> explains the pick:</em></p>
<blockquote><p id="UTrcO2">The Phoenix Suns have traded the #32 pick and next year’s Milwaukee Bucks pick (likely late first, protected 1-7) to take 6’11” Jontay Porter. The Suns are excited to add a guy taller than 6’8” to the roster! With free agency approaching, the Suns have only one player who qualifies as a “big” under contract for the 2019-20 season (20 year old Deandre Ayton), and we feel that Jontay Porter is worth nabbing here. Porter has some skills that should keep him in the league for a long time.</p></blockquote>
<p id="XnO4DZ">These are the terms of the trade in our Blogger Mock Draft between the Philadelphia 76ers and Phoenix Suns:</p>
<blockquote><p id="D6JGcp">76ers receive: 32nd Pick, Bucks 2020 1st<br>Suns receive: 24th Pick</p></blockquote>
<p id="l2agmE"><a href="http://www.libertyballers.com">Liberty Ballers</a> explains why this trade made sense for the Sixers:</p>
<blockquote><p id="0hNpgX">After Matisse Thybulle was taken by the Cavaliers at 21st overall, the Sixers saw their targeted player pool shrink down to “guys we like” without any “guys we love”. Furthermore, of these players we like, we feel very confident that quite a few of them will be available when our handful of 2nd round picks hit the clock. Trading back while landing an (albeit likely late) 1st round pick was a no-brainer given the lack of certainty we previously had that we would even have an opportunity to draft in 2020’s 1st round.</p></blockquote>
https://www.ridiculousupside.com/2019/6/17/18680456/nba-mock-draft-phoenix-suns-select-jontay-porter-from-missouridyapkowitz2019-06-17T16:50:00-04:002019-06-17T16:50:00-04:00NBA Mock Draft: Minnesota Timberwolves Select Chuma Okeke from Auburn
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<figcaption>Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>SB Nation’s NBA Network conducted a mock draft with bloggers from each team site making their team’s pick. After a trade, with the 23rd pick the Timberwolves select Chuma Okeke.</p> <p id="phloCk">NBA Mock Draft Pick <strong>#23 - Chuma Okeke, Forward, Auburn</strong></p>
<p id="JexNfk"><em>SB Nation’s Minnesota Timberwolves blog </em><a href="https://www.canishoopus.com/">Canis Hoopus</a><em> explains the pick:</em></p>
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<p id="1cVl6S">We think Chuma Okeke is a lottery talent, something we couldn’t pass up at this point in the draft. We will not rush his return from ACL surgery, and are prepared to sit him out for the entire season if that is the advice of our medical personnel. We think he’ll be worth it. We love his defensive abilities, and think he’ll be able to effectively switch several positions. His balanced offensive skill set also appeals to us. He should be able to stretch the floor effectively, crash the offensive boards, and eventually we think he’ll be able to do some attacking off the dribble.</p>
<p id="ZGqjqK">The trade is: The Wolves trade Andrew Wiggins and Dario Saric for Jae Crowder, Dante Exum, Kyle Korver, and pick #23. A no brainer from the Wolves perspective, we were able to jettison our most onerous contract and get back a pick as well as some useful players. Saric will be missed, we hated to part with him, but that’s the cost of doing business. The Jazz were eager to acquire Saric. This trade gives us more financial flexibility this summer as well as in years to come. We like Jae Crowder very much, and have a year to see how he fits with what we are trying to do. We would love to convince Korver to come back for his final year and help us, but we’ll see about that. If not, it gives us further flexibility. And we will give Dante Exum, the only player we acquired who is under contract beyond this upcoming season, every chance to stay healthy and turn those flashes of his upside into consistent play in the back court.</p>
<p id="yvTxLJ">These are the terms of the trade in our Blogger Mock Draft between the Utah Jazz and Minnesota Timberwolves:<br>Jazz receive: Andrew Wiggins, Dario Saric<br>Timberwolves receive: Jae Crowder, Kyle Korver, Dante Exum, 23rd Pick</p>
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https://www.ridiculousupside.com/2019/6/17/18680453/nba-mock-draft-minnesota-timberwolves-select-chuma-okeke-from-auburndyapkowitz