Some teams in this draft are in the perfect position to take the big gamble on project players. These are the players that come in with huge potential and question marks to match.
Picking one of these guys is not for the faint of heart. A lot of time GMs can be staking their jobs on these picks.
A couple of picks that turn out to be busts and execs are playing with fire.
In my mock draft below, the teams who are in a good position to draft one of the project players are highlighted with extra attention.
1. Charlotte Bobcats: Anthony Davis, PF, Kentucky
Anthony Davis will be well served to add a little muscle, but make no mistake about it, he is not a project pick. He will be good from the beginning.
2. Washington Wizards: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF, Kentucky
Kidd-Gilchrist has excellent size and athleticism. He is the prototypical NBA small forward.
3. Cleveland Cavaliers: Andre Drummond, C, Connecticut
Why the Cavs Can Afford to Take a Project Player
Cleveland got amazing returns on their 2011 No. 1 draft pick, Kyrie Irving. If Irving does not get voted Rookie of the Year, they should just do away with the award because something crooked is going on.
Irving gives the Cavs fans a player whose bright future is immediately apparent. He is a sign of hope in their rebuilding process.
This will allow them a sort of grace period to bring in a player who is not as immediately effective. Drummond is one of those guys.
He is big and strong enough to contribute right away, but his post game and pick-and-roll defense need polishing. This will lead to moments of frustration, but his size and athleticism are well worth the risk. He is a potential All-Star canter.
4. New Orleans Hornets: Thomas Robinson, PF, Kansas
Robinson is a pro-ready stud who will contribute on the glass and pour in points.
5. Sacramento Kings: Bradley Beal, SG, Florida
The Kings need a legitimate shooting guard, and Beal is the best one in this draft.
6. Portland Trail Blazers (via New Jersey Nets): Harrison Barnes, SF, North Carolina
Portland has to reshape this roster, and Barnes' potential is a good starting point.
7. Golden State Warriors: Jared Sullinger, PF, Ohio State
Sullinger will be an excellent fit in the frontcourt with Andrew Bogut. One's strength is the other's weakness.
8. Toronto Raptors: Jeremy Lamb, SG, Connecticut
Toronto will benefit from the scoring pop Lamb will bring to their backcourt.
9. Detroit Pistons: Perry Jones III, SF, Baylor
Jones is an exciting and unique prospect, and the Pistons need some youth at small forward.
10. New Orleans Hornets (via Minnesota Timberwolves): Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois
Why the Hornets Can Afford to Take a Project Player
Plain and simple, the Hornets can afford to take a project player because this is their second pick in the first round.
It is vital that the Hornets find someone with their first pick who will contribute right away. Their downtrodden fanbase needs someone to be excited about. Robinson will definitely provide them with that.
This will allow them to identify someone who will be a nice fit with Robinson in their frontcourt, but unless they manage to score huge in the lottery and that other person is Anthony Davis, they are going to have to take someone who is more of a prospect.
Leonard is a good fit. He has length and shot-blocking ability that Robinson does not. He will have to add some muscle to be truly effective, but he has big potential.
11. Portland Trail Blazers: Damian Lillard, PG, Weber State
Was their a bigger disappointment than Raymond Felton this year? The Blazers have to find someone to take his place.
12. Milwaukee Bucks: Arnett Moultrie, PF, Mississippi State
The Bucks must add someone with scoring potential to their frontcourt. Moultrie is athletic and has solid touch.
13. Phoenix Suns: Austin Rivers, SG, Duke
Shannon Brown is better suited coming off the bench. Rivers will help send him there.
14. Houston Rockets: Tyler Zeller, C, North Carolina
The Rockets desperately need some frontcout length. Zeller definitely has that.
15. Philadelphia 76ers: Kendall Marshall, PG, North Carolina
The Sixers' offense is in need of a true point guard. Marshall will give them that.
16. Houston Rockets (via New York Knicks): Dion Waiters, SG, Syracuse
For whatever reason, most likely contractual, the Rockets' relationship with SG Kevin Martin is fracturing. Waiters will give them the flexibility to deal him.
17. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Utah Jazz): Terrence Jones, SF, Kentucky
Jones will give the Timberwolves a lockdown wing defender with good length.
18. Dallas Mavericks: John Henson, PF, North Carolina
In case you didn't notice, Lamar Odom did not work out in Dallas. They need to find some frontcourt depth somewhere.
19. Orlando Magic: Doron Lamb, SG, Kentucky
Lamb will give the Magic another outside scoring threat to help maximize the full effect of having Dwight Howard underneath.
20. Denver Nuggets: Moe Harkless, SF, St. John's
You just know the long, athletic, defensive-minded Harkless has caught Gearge Karl's eye.
21. Boston Celtics: Terrence Ross, SG, Washington
The Celtics have to find a long-term replacement for Ray Allen. Ross is a perfect fit. He plays good D, and he has a nice shooting touch.
22. Boston Celtics (via Los Angeles Clippers): Fab Melo, C, Syracuse
Fab Melo will give the Celtics another interior defensive presence, which will be vitally important if they don't bring back Kevin Garnett.
23. Atlanta Hawks: Andrew Nicholson, PF, St. Bonaventure
The Hawks could use some frontcourt depth, and Nicholson will be a nice fit.
24. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Los Angeles Lakers): Jeffery Taylor, SF, Vanderbilt
Taylor has the potential to bring some scoring punch to the Cavs' wing.
25. Memphis Grizzlies: John Jenkins, SG, Vanderbilt
Yes, the Grizzlies are crowded at shooting guard, but Jenkins will allow them to approach a trade with more gusto.
26. Indiana Pacers: Tony Mitchell, SF, North Texas
Mitchell is a long and athletic small forward who will be a nice fit on the young Pacers.
27. Miami Heat: Festus Ezeli, C, Vanderbilt
Why the Heat Can Afford to Take a Project Player
The Heat can afford to take a project player because they are already awesome. They will have two choices in this draft: 1) They can either take a player with some holes who will compete with the long line of incomplete veterans that fill out their roster, or 2) they can target a guy with big potential.
Essentially, it would be a waste to bring in a young guy who isn't going to offer something they can't find in a veteran on a minimum contract.
Ezeli will give them a center to groom for the future. He has a great body for the NBA and decent athleticism. His game needs serious polish and refining, but the risk/reward is well worth it here.
28. Oklahoma City Thunder: Tony Wroten, PG, Washington
Wroten can get up and down the court, and he is a solid defender. He is an ideal backup for Russell Westbrook.
29. Chicago Bulls: Draymond Green, PF, Michigan State
Green is a heady player who has an amazing all-around game. He is perfect for the Bulls.
30. San Antonio Spurs: Kevin Jones, PF, West Virginia
Jones will be able to come in and learn from Tim Duncan, and help spell him in the process.
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