Having now got off my high horse, here is my lottery predictions for this years draft:
1. Cavs - Embiid - Clearly best 2-way player in the draft. Potentially the 2nd coming of Olajuwon, but just as likely to be the next Oden.
2. Bucks - Parker - Bucks take Parker over Wiggins as they desperately need offense from their front court.
3. 76'ers - Wiggins - I think Philly would have taken Wiggins #1 if they had won the lottery, so they will be stoked that he is still available at #3.
4. Magic - Exum - Team needs + Exum's potential makes this a rather easy decision for the Magic. Exum and Oladipo could be most exciting backcourt in NBA.
5. Jazz - Vonleh - I have read a number of reports saying Jazz will trade down, but Vonleh has got Garnett-level potential, would be hard to pass up.
6. Celtics - Smart - I know, I know, Celtics already have Rondo, so why take another PG? Purely so that WHEN they trade Rondo they already another PG to fill
the void, giving them more flexibility in trade discussions for Rondo.
7. Lakers - Randle - Lakers will take best talent available, which is clearly Randle who I picture as a Z-Bo type player
8. Kings - Gordon - With the best two PG's already gone, Kings other need is a defensive PF, so Gordon makes a lot of sense, though I would be willing to bet
that the Kings trade this pick for an established player if the right deal comes along.
9. Hornets - Stauskas - Hornets need scoring, preferably a shooter, and none better in this draft than Stauskas (says the slightly biased Michigan fanatic)
10. 76'ers - Harris - Philly have been keen on Harris for awhile now, so I would be very surprised if he gets past #10. Gives Philly nice option at SG, even
though he is not quite SG size, but with MCW, Philly could have MCW guard opposing SG, or Harris could simply come off the bench
for nice bench scoring lift.
11. Nuggets - McDermott - Nuggets don't really NEED much, other than health, so they will be willing to take the risk on McDermott hoping he isn't the next
coming of Adam Morrison (ie College POY, but NBA bust)
12. Magic - Saric - Saric has said that unless he is drafted by Lakers or Celtics (he will NOT go that high) he will remain in Europe, so this may be a risky pick.
13. T/Wolves - Hood - No team is in more desperate need for outside shooting than the T'Wolves, so I don't see them going past Hood, unless there is the
very possible blockbuster Love trade, which would shift the T'Wolves needs a lot, depending on what/who they get for Love.
14. Suns -Payne - Suns need toughness on their frontline. Payne and toughness go together like cheese and crackers.
Having said all that, I would bet my house that I am not 100% correct, particularly if any of the teams trade their picks and/or Love gets traded, but having a guess is a whole lot of fun.