Canzano: Bald-Faced Mock NBA Draft

June 26, 2012, 6:03 pm

On Tuesday on the Bald Faced Truth radio show (3-6p on 750-AM) host John Canzano interviewed eight writers from eight newspapers that cover the NBA teams that will draft in front of Portland at No. 6 and No. 11.

Basically, an in-depth mock draft with audio from each city. I asked each of the writers which players their team might pick, and whether they thought their team would keep --- or trade --- the pick. Who will pick before the Blazers?

What will they do?

The Bald-Faced Truth Mock NBA Draft as of press time:

No. 1 (Hornets): The Hornets will select Anthony Davis, Kentucky. But after that, they immediately begin talking about what to do with the No. 10 pick, which they also hold.

No. 2 (Bobcats): Rick Bonnell, beat reporter at The Charlotte Observer who covers the Bobcats believes that GM Rich Cho is in "asset-collection" mode. He learned in Oklahoma City. Bonnell's gut tells him the Bobcats will try to move back in the draft, and pick up additional assets. If not, Bonnell likes Charlotte to select Thomas Robinson (PF, Kansas), "because he's the safest pick out there and this is an organization that can't afford to make another mistake."

LISTEN: Rick Bonnell - The Charlotte Observer

No. 3 (Wizards): Michael Lee of the Washington Post says the Wizards have been focused on improving their perimeter scoring. They feel like John Wall is their point guard of the future and would look to add Bradley Beal (SG, Florida) alongside him.

LISTEN: Michael Lee - The Washington Post

No. 4 (Cavaliers): Jason Lloyd, of the Akron Beacon Journal says the Cavaliers aren't in love with any one player in this draft. The Cavs don't see this as a particularly deep draft. There's nobody that they feel is as good as Kyrie Irving anywhere in this draft, and as a result, they might look to trade the pick for the right deal. If they keep the pick, Lloyd said it's either Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (SF, Kentucky) or Harrison Barnes (SF, North Carolina)... he says Kidd-Gilchrist.

LISTEN: Jason Lloyd - The Akron Beacon Journal

No. 5 (Kings): Jason Jones of the Sacramento Bee said that the Kings have so many needs that it's unlikely they'd move the pick. They have interest in Damian Lillard, but probably not enough to make him the No. 5 selection in a draft that has so many players they like. Jones said the pick here is either small forward... Kidd-Gilchrist or Barnes, whichever the Cavaliers pass on.

LISTEN: Jason Jones - The Sacramento Bee

No. 6 (Blazers): The Trail Blazers have needs at point guard and center. Also, they have painful lessons in prior drafts about drafting solely on need. If you believe the banter about owner Paul Allen loving Weber State PG Damian Lillard, he feels like a decent pick here. By Tuesday afternoon, though, there was growing talk about Portland liking Austin Rivers so much that they might use the No. 6 selection on him. The Andre Drummond (C, Connecticut) talk has died down, and Blazers fans seem pleased that the team isn't fawning over a big guy who has a suspect motor.

No. 7 (Warriors): Tim Kawakami, columnist at the SJ Mercury News, likes Dion Waiters (G, Syracuse) to the Warriors, if he's still on the board. And on this board, Waiters is there. Kawakami said GS would look at Andre Drummond as well.

LISTEN: Tim Kawakami - The San Jose Mercury

No. 8 (Raptors): Mike Ganter of the Toronto Sun said he believes the Raptors will trade this pick... possibly to Houston, who would probably take C Andre Drummond if he's available.

LISTEN: Mike Ganter - The Toronto Sun

No. 9 (Pistons): Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free Press said he believes John Henson, North Carolina center, is the pick here. They need a big. So they go big.

LISTEN: Vince Ellis - The Detroit Free Press

No. 10 (Hornets): John Reid, who covers the Hornets for the Times-Picayune said Monty Williams loves Austin Rivers but would probably be forced to go with Tyler Zeller (F/C North Carolina) or Drummond because the Hornets badly need a big. A need outweighs the best available player here.

LISTEN: John Reid - The Times Picayune

No. 11 (Blazers): If the Blazers go PG at No. 6 they'd probably love to add either a center or pray that Austin Rivers (G, Duke) falls to No. 11. I doubt Rivers will be there, and I don't like the centers who might be available there.

So you play GM... what do you do at No. 6 and No. 11?

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