SI.Com Mock Draft 2.0 (Post Combine Edition)

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PICK TEAM POSITION PLAYER CLASS HEIGHT WEIGHT

10 PF

Jared Sullinger

Ohio State

So. 6-9 268

The void at point guard left by Chris Paul would remain unfilled, but this pick would give the Hornets a young, intriguing frontcourt in the offensive-minded Sullinger and defensive-minded Davis. Sullinger is crafty, confident and more than skilled enough to produce at the next level despite the limitations in athleticism and physique. He averaged 17.5 points and 10.2 rebounds as a sophomore, almost identical to his freshman season. Duke shooting guard Austin Rivers, the son of Celtics coach Doc Rivers and a close family friend of Hornets coach Monty Williams', is being seriously considered too. He can play both guard positions and could be a good fit with shooting guard Eric Gordon, a restricted free agent who is expected to be re-signed.

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11 SG

Dion Waiters

Syracuse

So. 6-4 221

The supremely confident Waiters is an efficient and versatile scorer who could help replace Jamal Crawford, who is expected to opt out of his contract this summer. He may have passed the likes of UConn's Jeremy Lamb, Rivers and Washington's Terrence Ross in the shooting guard category. Waiters is believed to have a promise from a lottery team, and many suspect that it's Phoenix at No. 13. (Toronto general manager Bryan Colangelo has made it clear he did not give Waiters a promise.) Pass-first North Carolina point guard Kendall Marshall could be in play as well.

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12 C

Meyers Leonard

Illinois

So. 7-1 250

Much like Lillard, Leonard was a combine All-Star by most accounts. He measured well (7-1¼ in shoes, with a 7-3 wingspan) and did more than enough to likely keep him in the lottery. After dealing Bogut, the Bucks could certainly use Leonard. He averaged 13.6 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.9 blocks for Illinois after a freshman season in which he barely played. Zeller and Syracuse center Fab Melo will likely be considered.

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13 SG

Jeremy Lamb

Connecticut

So. 6-5 179

While Waiters could be gone before the Suns have a chance to grab him, there is no shortage of talented two-guards from which to choose. Lamb is a smooth and athletic scorer (38-inch vertical) whose 6-11 wingspan gives him serious upside on the defensive end, too. He's jockeying for position here with Ross, whom I had going to Phoenix in Mock 1.0.

PICK TEAM POSITION PLAYER CLASS HEIGHT WEIGHT

14 PF

Perry Jones

Baylor

So. 6-11 234

The Rockets' front office is as calculated as they come. It has a habit of acquiring assets -- otherwise known as players -- that might not fit perfectly now but could come in handy later. But Jones, a top-10-worthy talent who has faced questions about his intensity level and inconsistent play, is both a good fit and a good asset (should the Rockets decide to trade him) if he falls this far. Though he's being billed as a small forward by his representatives, most teams see him as a power forward. He could play behind veteran forward Luis Scola while starting the process that he promises will take place: proving his critics wrong.

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15 SG

Austin Rivers

Duke

Fr. 6-5 203

The Sixers are well-equipped in their backcourt with young Jrue Holiday and Evan Turner, but Rivers could fit in nicely with his ability to create his own shot and play both positions. The bigger Ross is the better shooter and athlete of the two, but he doesn't have Rivers' versatility.

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16 SG

Terrence Ross

Washington

So. 6-7 197

As I noted when I slotted Lamb here in the first mock draft, veteran shooting guard Kevin Martin has one year left on his contract but is unlikely to return via free agency and reserve shooting guard Courtney Lee is a restricted free agent this summer. Ross, who has deep range, size and athleticism, could turn out to be a great get here.

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17 PG

Kendall Marshall

North Carolina

So. 6-4 198

Point guard is an uncertain position for the Mavericks, who have Jason Kidd about to test free agency and are set to chase Deron Williams on the open market. With free agency being settled after the draft, Dallas could use the point guard who is considered the best passer in the bunch by far. "At this next level, they have enough scorers in the NBA," said Marshall, who was second in the nation with 9.8 assists last season. "I'm not going to the NBA to average 20 points a game. I'm there to do what I do best, and that's make other guys better."

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18 PF

John Henson

North Carolina

Jr. 6-11 216

Even if Henson fell this far, the fact remains that his defensive impact and ability to contribute in other areas as well make him Anthony Davis-lite in this draft crop. He averaged 2.9 blocks last season and 3.2 in 2010-11, along with improving his scoring (from 11.7 points as a sophomore to 13.7 as a junior) and maintaining his solid rebounding (10.1 as a sophomore, 9.9 as a junior). The Wolves, who are also looking at Iowa State forward Royce White here, would welcome a rim defender like Henson who could spark stops and get out and run with point guard Ricky Rubio.

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19 PF

Arnett Moultrie

Mississippi State

Jr. 6-11 230

Moultrie told reporters in Chicago that he expected to be taken anywhere from No. 7 to No. 17, but he'd be a terrific match with the Magic. The possibility that Dwight Howard could be traded is back in play and Orlando has room for improvement anyway in a frontcourt that includes Ryan Anderson and Glen Davis. Moultrie averaged 16.4 points (on 54.9 percent shooting) and 10.5 rebounds last season.

 
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20 PG

Marquis Teague

Kentucky

Fr. 6-2 180

As good as the point guard combo of Ty Lawson and Andre Miller was for the Nuggets, Miller is a free agent and may not be back. I had Washington point guard Tony Wroten here before, but I'm told that the Nuggets have their eyes on the younger brother of Hawks point guard Jeff Teague. Marquis Teague doesn't have the aggressive scoring mentality of Wroten, but he is a speedy floor leader who would be comfortable playing at Denver's typically fast pace.

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21 C

Fab Melo

Syracuse

So. 7-0 255

At different points in the Celtics' inspired season, they publicly lamented the losses of reserve big men Jermaine O'Neal and Chris Wilcox to injury while also reportedly exploring the possibility of re-signing retired big man Rasheed Wallace. More depth down low, in other words, would be welcome. O'Neal, Wilcox and reserve center Ryan Hollins will be unrestricted free agents (not to mention Kevin Garnett), and reserve center Greg Stiemsma will be a restricted free agent. Melo is an enormous defensive presence who could find a significant reserve role.

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22 SF

Moe Harkless

St. John's

Fr. 6-8 208

With Mickael Pietrus heading into free agency, the athletic, versatile Harkless could slide into the backup small forward spot behind Paul Pierce. The Big East Rookie of the Year averaged 15.3 points last season, but he shot just 44.5 percent overall and 20.2 percent from three-point range. His impact elsewhere entices front-office types who watched him average 8.6 rebounds, 1.4 blocks and 1.6 steals. Numerous executives told me he helped his cause at the combine.

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23 SG

Will Barton

Memphis

So. 6-6 174

Barton's stock appears to be on the rise, and he'll have his chance to make his case for the Hawks when he works out in Atlanta next Wednesday. He averaged 18 points (on 50.9 percent shooting from the field and 34.6 percent from three-point range), 8.0 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.4 steals last season. His accuracy improved greatly from his freshman season, when he shot 42.8 percent overall and 26.5 percent from beyond the arc.

PICK TEAM POSITION PLAYER CLASS HEIGHT WEIGHT

24 PF

Andrew Nicholson

St. Bonaventure

Sr. 6-9 234

Cleveland will lose a big chunk of its frontcourt scoring with free agent forward Antawn Jamison's expected departure. Nicholson could provide some of that and help in other areas, too, after averaging 18.5 points (while adding a three-point shot) 8.4 rebounds and 2.0 blocks in leading St. Bonaventure to the Atlantic 10 championship and its first NCAA tournament appearance in 12 years. He worked out with Melo for Phoenix (No. 13) on Tuesday, according to the Arizona Republic, but is more likely to land in this part of the first round.

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25 PG

Tony Wroten

Washington

Fr. 6-6 203

Wroten could creep up into the teens, but he is, in many ways, a classic late first-round pick. The speed, strength and aggressive offensive game are tremendous, but he's been criticized for his decision-making (more turnovers than assists last season) and ability to play under control. He also shot only 16.1 percent from three-point range. If he figures it out, though, he could wind up proving those advocates right who compare him to Oklahoma City's Russell Westbrook. And Memphis added Gilbert Arenas to play behind Mike Conley this season, after all, so this would be worth a shot.

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26 SF

Royce White

Iowa State

So. 6-8 261

If the engaging, well-spoken White's media sessions were any indication, then he was successful in discussing what is the most complex personal situation of any prospect. White's anxiety order causes, among other things, a fear of flying that he continues to work through and says wasn't an issue last season. The 21-year-old discovered it when he was 16. "It's not as much of a challenge as people think," he told reporters after his workout with the Pacers. "But it's something I live with every day and have to be conscious of." He is a rare talent, a point-forward type with some guard skills but a guy who can also play the role of scoring and rebounding big man. He struggled shooting on the first day of the combine and was one of only four players who didn't take part in the strength and agility tests -- neither of which helps his stock.

 
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27 PF

Draymond Green

Michigan State

Sr. 6-8 236

Miami is desperate for players beyond its Big Three who can be versatile and provide some offense. Green, who performed well at the combine, would be a good addition in that regard. He averaged 16.2 points, 10.6 rebounds and 3.8 assists as a senior, including 17.7 points, 13.7 rebounds and 6.0 assists in three NCAA tournament games.

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28 SF

Jeff Taylor

Vanderbilt

Sr. 6-7 225

Taylor would give the Thunder another potential defensive stopper to go with shooting guard Thabo Sefolosha and get small forward Kevin Durant more backup help. He can score, too. Most of his offense came from attacking the rim in his first three seasons at Vanderbilt, but he started developing three-point range as a junior and made it a weapon as a senior when he shot 42.3 percent from beyond the arc while averaging 16.1 points.

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29 SG

Evan Fournier

Poitiers (France)

--- 6-7 206

With point guard and 2010-11 MVP Derrick Rose sidelined 8-to-12 months after tearing his ACL in the playoffs, and with shooting guard Richard Hamilton showing his age (34) during an injury-filled season, the Bulls could use another scorer in their backcourt. There's no way of telling just yet whether Fournier can be the penetrating, playmaking perimeter threat in the NBA that he has been while playing for France, but he's worth gambling on here.

PICK TEAM POSITION PLAYER CLASS HEIGHT WEIGHT

30 SF

Quincy Miller

Baylor

Fr. 6-10 218

The Warriors wouldn't be relying on Miller to fill their need for a starting small forward, but he has enough talent to make you wonder if he could eventually play that role. Miller, whose torn ACL during his senior season in high school set him back after he was Slam magazine's top prospect of the 2011 class in 2010, said he expects to go anywhere from the late lottery to "the 20s." But he could also fall into the second round.

 
I'll past on Sully. I want my team to draft sub zero, maybe he can run the point for us. Zero,EJ, and AD23 is a nice nucleus.
 

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