Duke in the NBA: Ball Durham’s First Round Mock Draft
No. 25: Los Angeles Lakers (via Cleveland Cavilers) – Khyri Thomas, SG – Creighton
It’s not a secret that Magic Johnson and the Los Angeles Lakers have some pretty big plans this offseason. If everything goes how they want it to, the Lakers will not have that much cap space and Thomas would be a great addition in Laker Land. Khyri Thomas would bring a defensive intensity that was clearly absent in L.A. this season along with his 15.1 points per game at Creighton last season on 53.8% shooting and 41.1% three-point shooting.
No. 24: Portland Trail Blazers – Keita Bates-Diop, SF – Ohio State
It was a very disappointing end to the season in Portland. After being swept in the First Round in the playoffs, it’s clear that the Trail Blazers need another scorer besides Dame Lillard and CJ McCollum. Averaging 19.8 points per game in his senior season at Ohio State, Bates-Diop can slide in at the small forward position in Portland to try and take the spot of his fellow Buckeye, Evan Turner.
No. 23: Indiana Pacers – Shake Milton SG/PG – SMU
One of the biggest surprises of the NBA season was the emergence of Victor Oladipo and the Indiana Pacers. In his three seasons at SMU, Shake Milton averaged double figures in all three seasons, with his best output coming this year at 18.0 points per game. While Oladipo and Darren Collison seem to have the starting guard roles in Indiana on lock, Milton could provide a spark off the bench that the Pacers were missing in the First Round series against the Cavilers.
No. 22: Chicago Bulls (via New Orleans Pelicans) – Lonnie Walker, SG – Miami
Walker opted to leave Miami after one season on the court and while his numbers certainly don’t pop out like other one and done’s in this years draft class, he could emerge into a quality role player with the Bulls. The Bulls do not look like they will be competing for a playoff spot anytime soon, but that could be beneficial to Walker as it would allow him to adjust to the NBA game and develop his own game with little pressure.
No. 21: Utah Jazz – Troy Brown, SG – Oregon
Troy Brown is another one and done player where his numbers do not stand out, however, his size and potential could be a perfect fit alongside Donovan Mitchell in Utah. With Rudy Gobert down low and Mitchell has the ability to play both on and off the ball at the guard position, Brown could excel as a win in Utah feeding off the play of those two stars.