Mandatory Credit: Beth Hall-USA TODAY Sports
16) Boston Celtics (DJ): Bobby Portis (Traded to Washington)
Part of the fun of a mock draft is that there are no rules against shameless collusion, allowing me and Oz to manufacture a deal solely for the purpose to send Bobby Portis to the Wizards.
DC basketball fans would be rightfully wary about taking a power forward whose primary comparison might be Andray Blatche, but Portis has shown no signs of the infuriating laziness and selfishness that destroyed his NBA career. Portis could be the player Blatche should have been – and I firmly believe that Blatche should have been a superstar.
…That might be a little much, but I’m a big fan of Portis’ motor and diverse offensive game, and I think he’s equipped to be a solid contributor right away.
Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
17) Milwaukee Bucks (Ben): Trey Lyles (Traded to New York)
The Bucks are all about versatility and stacking young talent. Trey Lyles’ role with the Kentucky Wildcats was a bit reduced, given that he played with 3+ other future NBA players, but he does have the talent to become a contributor at the next level.
Lyles can score inside and out, and with Ersan Ilyasova gone, he’d give Jason Kidd some more front court depth. At the very least, he would be a good trade chip…
DJ: Remember how I said being a Knick is Kristaps Porzingis’ destiny? Well, I’m not Phil Jackson, and I actually have the license to role-play in a universe that the Knicks don’t always choose the stupidest possible option.
It’s no secret that the Knicks are very keen on Trey Lyles, who has the potential to be an absolute matchup nightmare in the NBA – meanwhile, John Henson, still just 24 years old, has quietly turned into a superb defender and is deserving of a bigger role than he was getting in Milwaukee. The Knicks wouldn’t be in bad shape with these two young guys in their frontcourt moving forward.
Trade: Bucks receive Kristaps Porzingis, Shane Larkin, 2016 second round pick – Knicks receive Trey Lyles, John Henson
Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
18) Houston Rockets (John): Jerian Grant
It’s no secret that the Houston Rockets mainly feature James Harden handling the point guard duties. With that said, once their starting point guard, Patrick Beverley, went down with a season ending injury, a few elements of Harden’s game (running off screens getting open and transition three pointers) were taken away as he had to essentially slide over to point during the playoffs.
The Rockets’ best option at backup point guard throughout the playoffs was Jason Terry. Yes, the same Jason Terry that is a few months older than certified old head Paul Pierce. Enter Jerian Grant.
While Harden would still dominate and control the ball most of the time, Grant is able to create his own offense and to keep defenses honest with his court vision. Something that defensive specialist Beverley has trouble with doing while on the floor for Houston. With Beverley’s status still being a question mark going into next season, Grant could step in and make the Rockets a better, more dangerous team.
Grant does have his own question marks. He disappeared in a few important ACC games last year that Notre Dame needed for him to have a good performance. Also, while Grant is tall for a point guard (6’5″), his build/frame is slight.
The Rockets would probably like for Grant to put on a few pounds of muscles to avoid injury in a long, grinding NBA season.
Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
19) Washington Wizards (DJ): R.J. Hunter (Traded to Boston)
With the pick they get from the Wizards in the Portis trade, the Celtics take Georgia State’s RJ Hunter, the kind of high-scoring wing they could really use.
The Celtics suffered from a lack of outside shooting last season, and while Hunter regressed in his shooting last season, he flashes NBA range and NBA onions.
I tried to work out a trade with Indiana to move up and get Devin Booker, but Celtics fans probably wouldn’t be too disappointed if they have to settle for Hunter, one of college basketball’s breakout stars after an NCAA Tournament performance most memorable for the time he made his dad fall out of his chair.
Trade: Wizards receive Portis and 28th overall pick from Celtics for 19th overall pick, 49th overall pick, 2016 first round pick (lottery protected)
Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
20) Toronto Raptors (DJ): Rondae Hollis-Jefferson
All in all, I’m lukewarm at best on RJ Hunter. Not a ton of enthusiasm. On the other hand, I’m extremely enthusiastic about Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, one of my favorite players in the draft.
RHJ flies around the court like a condor, gives it 1000% at all times, and can guard four positions. Rondae Hollis-Jefferson has NBA All-Defense potential, and if he develops a jump shot, watch the hell out. I love this guy with a fervor that both surprises and disturbs me. I need to take a cold shower after I watch his highlights.
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson dunks on people with such explosion and such anger that it reminds you that RHJ can also stand for “Really High Jumper.” Need I go on?
Next: Picks 21-25 including a trade