This article is part of our NBA Mock Draft series.
On Sunday, September 14, a gaggle of RotoWire basketball writers gathered at our computers to hold a mock draft. This was a head-to-head, nine-category mock in which teams had 10 active roster spots (PG, SG, G, SF, PF, F, C, C, Util, Util) and three bench spots. The RotoWire rankings for leagues with these specifications are included after each player. These rankings are weighted heavily toward counting numbers and health. Some might say too weighted. Please note that these rankings were not available to writers during the draft and are presented for informational purposes. We were shown the Yahoo rankings. Here are the proceedings with some of my comments interspersed.
Round 1
1. Kevin Durant (OKC - SF,PF) – RotoWire Head-to-Head Ranking #1
2. LeBron James (Cle - SF,PF) - #3
3. Anthony Davis (NO - PF,C) - #6
4. Stephen Curry (GS - PG,SG) - #2
5. Kevin Love (Cle - PF,C) - #14
6. James Harden (Hou - SG,SF) - #4
7. Chris Paul (LAC - PG) - #11
8. Russell Westbrook (OKC - PG) - #7
9. LaMarcus Aldridge (Por - PF,C) - #45
10. DeMarcus Cousins (Sac - PF,C) - #10
11. Carmelo Anthony (NY - SF,PF) - #18
12. Damian Lillard (Por - PG) - #8
The outlier happened to come on my pick at number nine with Aldridge. He has missed 48 games over the last three seasons, but I'm not one to predict the health of players. LMA's averages make him a worthy first-round pick. Love may have been over-drafted by a smidge because he is going to have to sacrifice some of his shot attempts for the good of the Cavaliers team ("All for one…" and all that jazz.) Love has also not been a model of health during his six seasons in Minnesota.
Round 2
13. Blake Griffin (LAC - PF,C) - #13
14. John Wall (Was - PG) - #9
15. Kyrie Irving (Cle - PG,SG) - #32
16. Serge Ibaka (OKC - PF,C) - #29
17. Andre Drummond (Det - PF,C) - #12
18. Al Jefferson (Cha - PF,C) - #35
19. Joakim Noah (Chi - PF,C) - #53
20. Kawhi Leonard (SA - SG,SF) - #62
21. Dirk Nowitzki (Dal - PF,C) - #50
22. Paul Millsap (Atl - PF,C) - #15
23. Kyle Lowry (Tor - PG) - #22
24. Michael Carter-Williams (Phi - PG) - #5
After going mostly chalk with the Yahoo rankings in the first round, drafters started to show their personal preference in Round 2. Leonard and Carter-Williams were two of the more controversial picks. Fantasy basketball players who were convinced by Leonard's performance in the 2012-13 finals were let down last year. Perhaps the fourth-year forward is ready to take more of a lead role in the regular season in 2014-15. The Rookie of the Year put up huge counting numbers in 2013-14, but was a high-volume, low-efficiency player. Some people think MCW will improve in the new season, and others think we'll see Willie Anderson.
Round 3
25. Ricky Rubio (Min - PG) - #17
26. Chris Bosh (Mia - PF,C) - #38
27. Al Horford (Atl - PF,C) - #65
28. Goran Dragic (Pho - PG,SG) - #27
29. Nicolas Batum (Por - SG,SF) - #28
30. Marc Gasol (Mem - C) - #39
31. Mike Conley (Mem - PG) - #34
32. Dwight Howard (Hou - PF,C) - #25
33. Rajon Rondo (Bos - PG) - #26
34. Ty Lawson (Den - PG) - #24
35. Klay Thompson (GS - SG,SF) - #21
36. Dwyane Wade (Mia - PG,SG) - #76
With Love in Cleveland, there's plenty of uncertainty in Minnesota. If Rubio shows that he can score just a bit better, he's a nice get here. The Spanish point guard offers plenty of assists and steals. Horford was limited to 29 games last year and has missed the majority of the season with major injuries in two of the last three seasons. Of the two Heat players picked in this round, I like Chris Bosh to have a nice uptick in value. Perhaps Wade will also return to prominence without LeBron, but it seems more likely that Wade is nearing the beginning of the end.
Round 4
37. Derrick Rose (Chi - PG) - #92
38. Bradley Beal (Was - SG) - #58
39. Brook Lopez (Bkn - C) - #133
40. Eric Bledsoe (Pho - PG,SG) - #61
41. Jrue Holiday (NO - PG) - #20
42. Rudy Gay (Sac - SF,PF) - #36
43. Chandler Parsons (Dal - SF,PF) - #33
44. Victor Oladipo (Orl - PG,SG) - #19
45. Nikola Vucevic (Orl - PF,C) - #69
46. Jeff Teague (Atl - PG) - #37
47. Thaddeus Young (Min - SF,PF) - #57
48. Kemba Walker (Cha - PG) - #16
Almost the entire first half of the fourth round has injury concerns, which hurts many of the players in the RotoWire H2H rankings. Interestingly, Holiday's high-valued status were unaffected despite the fact that he was limited to 34 games in his first season with the Pelicans. Oladipo seems overrated as well. I'd rather have Teague or Walker. If Rose or Lopez provides first or second-round value, respectively, they could win leagues for owners.
Round 5
49. DeAndre Jordan (LAC - C) - #31
50. Gordon Hayward (Uta - SG,SF) - #43
51. Deron Williams (Bkn - PG) - #46
52. Derrick Favors (Uta - PF,C) - #44
53. Lance Stephenson (Cha - SG,SF) - #66
54. Nerlens Noel (Phi - PF,C) - #51
55. DeMar DeRozan (Tor - SG,SF) - #59
56. Monta Ellis (Dal - PG,SG) - #23
57. Tim Duncan (SA - PF,C) - #60
58. Pau Gasol (Chi - PF,C) - #110
59. Larry Sanders (Mil - PF,C) - #100
60. Kobe Bryant (LAL - PG,SG) - #56
I'm highly skeptical about the 76ers. Noel seems prone to be a foul machine in the early going. While he displayed top-notch athleticism at Kentucky, his rebound rate was somewhat low for a man his size, and his offensive game remains raw. I'd rather have Tim Duncan even at diminished minutes. Gasol should see limited minutes in the loaded Bulls frontcourt. Sanders is a very nice sleeper after his awful season in 2013-14. If Coach Kidd can keep Sanders on the straight and narrow, he could be a great value here. If Kobe can stay healthy, he should put up excellent counting numbers.
Round 6
61. Josh Smith (Det - SF,PF) - #47
62. Andrew Wiggins (Min - SF) - #130
63. Arron Afflalo (Den - SG,SF) - #137
64. Nikola Pekovic (Min - C) - #158
65. Kenneth Faried (Den - PF) - #40
66. Marcin Gortat (Was - C) - #87
67. Tony Parker (SA - PG) - #140
68. David West (Ind - PF) - #89
69. Wesley Matthews (Por - SG,SF) - #41
70. Brandon Jennings (Det - PG) - #30
71. Zach Randolph (Mem - PF,C) - #91
72. Trevor Ariza (Hou - SG,SF) - #42
The first genuine rookie from the 2014 draft class was selected in Round 6. Most rookies are overvalued. Wiggins should have more opportunities in Minnesota than he would have seen in Cleveland, but he may not take a lead role offensively with Thaddeus Young on board. Wiggins should get plenty of minutes and be a nice thief. In four years playing next to Love, Pekovic has not played in more than 62 games. He might get more shot attempts without Love. Jennings is an interesting figure since he is the most talented point guard on the Pistons roster. Will coach Stan Van Gundy allow Jennings to chuck enough to make the former Buck happy?
Round 7
73. Greg Monroe (Det - PF,C) - #48
74. Tyreke Evans (NO - SG,SF) - #68
75. Jonas Valanciunas (Tor - C) - #117
76. Robin Lopez (Por - C) - #90
77. David Lee (GS - PF,C) - #118
78. Kyle Korver (Atl - SG,SF) - #84
79. Jose Calderon (NY - PG) - #85
80. Roy Hibbert (Ind - C) - #52
81. Brandon Knight (Mil - PG,SG) - #70
82. Taj Gibson (Chi - PF,C) - #129
83. Ryan Anderson (NO - PF,C) - #78
84. Jabari Parker (Mil - SF) - #77
Valanciunas took a nice step up in his second year, and continued progress in his 22-year-old season would make him a top-10 center in fantasy. This round was filled with center-eligible players. HIbbert might be a nice value because he could get the ball more with the Pacers in shambles. Anderson's neck injury scared away many drafters, but he is the rare center who can hit three-pointers. Knight might not be able to equal the 17.9 points he provided with Parker now on the court. The former Kentucky guard may play point guard since Milwaukee's backcourt situation is settled. I think Parker will out-produce Wiggins.
Round 8
85. Giannis Antetokounmpo (Mil - SG,SF) - #80
86. Jared Sullinger (Bos - PF,C) - #88
87. Luol Deng (Mia - SF,PF) - #95
88. Omer Asik (NO - PF,C) - #104
89. Darren Collison (Sac - PG) - #55
90. Markieff Morris (Pho - PF,C) - #72
91. Patrick Beverley (Hou - PG,SG) - #98
92. George Hill (Ind - PG,SG) - #64
93. Channing Frye (Orl - PF,C) - #75
94. Kevin Martin (Min - SG,SF) - #124
95. Enes Kanter (Uta - C) - #103
96. Jeremy Lin (LAL - PG,SG) - #54
There was a Bucks run with three picks in five selections. Antetokounmpo has enticing upside, but it's questionable whether he will produce consistently. Deng and Collison are nice value picks at this point. The long-time Bull should be happier in Miami than he was on last year's dysfunctional Cavaliers. Deng was producing 19.0 points for Chicago before getting traded. Collison has been handed the keys of offenses before and performed with mediocrity. The Kings have a lot of offensive talent, so Collison should be able to rack up dimes.
Round 9
97. Paul Pierce (Was - SF,PF) - #63
98. Jamal Crawford (LAC - PG,SG) - #99
99. Tobias Harris (Orl - SF,PF) - #136
100. Gerald Green (Pho - SG,SF) - #67
101. Nene Hilario (Was - PF,C) - #148
102. Josh McRoberts (Mia - PF,C) - #94
103. Jimmy Butler (Chi - SG,SF) - #96
104. Mario Chalmers (Mia - PG) - #49
105. Danilo Gallinari (Den - SF) - #138
106. Eric Gordon (NO - SG) - #135
107. Jordan Hill (LAL - PF,C) - #128
108. Andre Iguodala (GS - SG,SF) - #116
Round 9 bubbled with potential. Pierce and McRoberts join new teams. Can Pierce fill Trevor Ariza's shoes? I thought McRoberts was in the perfect spot with Charlotte for his talents. I don't think he'll see the ball as much in Miami. Gallinari seemed like a worthwhile risk at this point. He scored in the mid-teens for three straight seasons before missing the entire 2013-14 campaign. Gordon played in 64 games last year, his most since his rookie season. He's talented and just 25 years old.
Round 10
109. Trey Burke (Uta - PG) - #73
110. John Henson (Mil - PF,C) - #115
111. Joe Johnson (Bkn - SG,SF) - #83
112. Gorgui Dieng (Min - C) - #102
113. Jeff Green (Bos - SG,SF) - #67
114. Terrence Jones (Hou - SF,PF) - #73
115. Jameer Nelson (Dal - PG) - #157
116. J.J. Redick (LAC - SG) - #144
117. Amir Johnson (Tor - PF,C) - #113
118. Reggie Jackson (OKC - PG,SG) - #79
119. Carlos Boozer (LAL - PF,C) - #82
120. Marcus Smart (Bos - PG) - #74
With Parker and Sanders likely to start in Milwaukee, it looks like Henson could get squeezed out once again. He puts up numbers when he plays, but may be too slight to consistently check opposing bigs. Dieng could get minutes in Minny if he can play with Pekovic. Green and Jones appear to be excellent value picks here. Someone has to score in Boston, so Green seems like a prime candidate. Jones is a role player plus. Jackson was a great value here too.
Round 11
121. DeMarre Carroll (Atl - SF,PF) - #86
122. Alec Burks (Uta - PG,SG) - #101
123. Isaiah Thomas (Pho - PG) - #105
124. Elfrid Payton (Orl - PG) - #111
125. Spencer Hawes (LAC - PF,C) - #109
126. Draymond Green (GS - SF) - #93
127. J.R. Smith (NY - SG,SF) - #81
128. Ersan Ilyasova (Mil - SF,PF) - #152
129. Terrence Ross (Tor - SG,SF) - #114
130. Wilson Chandler (Den - SG,SF) - #152
131. Miles Plumlee (Pho - PF,C) - #112
132. Andrew Bogut (GS - C) - #147
Carroll had a career year with Hawks, but Horford's return could reduce his offensive opportunities. Thomas is a curiosity. The Suns already have two point guards, so does he provide an offensive spark off the bench? Hawes could provide a similar role for the Clippers and stretch opposing defenses. Things can only get better for Smith and Ilyasova. Smith bounced back nicely after the break last year. After hitting at least 44 percent of his three-pointers for two seasons, Ilyasova hit just 28 percent from long range last season. Bogut is a better player than Plumlee, but the Sun will likely put up much better counting numbers.
Round 12
133. Anderson Varejao (Cle - PF,C) - #170
134. Aaron Gordon (Orl - PF) – not ranked
135. Tyson Chandler (Dal - C) - #139
136. Dion Waiters (Cle - SG) - #122
137. Dante Exum (Uta - PG) - #97
138. Solomon Hill (Ind - SF) - #172
139. Evan Turner (Bos - SG,SF) – not ranked
140. Manu Ginobili (SA - SG,SF) - #146
141. Otto Porter Jr. (Was - SF) – not ranked
142. Jodie Meeks (Det - SG) - #141
143. Tiago Splitter (SA - C) - #164
144. K.J. McDaniels (Phi - SF) - #106
There was plenty of speculation going on in Round 12. Varejao and Chandler could provide boards if they can stay upright. Waiters and Meeks are both nice three-point additions. Turner and Porter are both former top-three picks who have not panned out yet. The former Ohio State star could enjoy playing with Jared Sullinger (something he didn't get to do in Columbus). Porter could get some tutoring from Pierce and be a productive player. McDaniels is a nice flyer from Philadelphia. Someone has to man the wing for the 76ers.
Round 13
145. Mason Plumlee (Bkn - PF,C) - #107
146. Avery Bradley (Bos - PG,SG) - #171
147. Rodney Stuckey (Ind - PG,SG) - #165
148. Corey Brewer (Min - SG,SF) - #151
149. Danny Green (SA - SG,SF) - #119
150. Henry Sims (Phi - C) - #156
151. Timofey Mozgov (Den - C) - #132
152. Maurice Harkless (Orl - SF) - #108
153. Ed Davis (LAL - PF,C) - #195
154. Andray Blatche (Bkn - PF,C) – not ranked
155. Julius Randle (LAL - PF) - #169
156. JaVale McGee (Den - C) - #173
Ah, that last round when fantasy owners pick through the refuse in their queue to find that one sparkling gem. Plumlee could be put to use by new Nets coach Lionel Hollins. In the draft room, we had a spirited debate about the pros and cons of Sims. The former Hoya put up 11.4 points and 6.9 boards after the break for the woeful 76ers. Can he play next to Noel? Mozgov's numbers were almost that good for the entire season, and he had that memorable 23-point, 29-board game against the Warriors at the end of the season. His playing time will be limited if McGee comes back.
