The Knicks won’t be able to get either of the top two big men in Thursday’s NBA draft at Barclays Center, with Karl-Anthony Towns and Jahlil Okafor expected to be off the board when Phil Jackson makes the Knicks’ selection at No. 4.
Who will be available when Jackson makes the pick? It’s virtually impossible to say, with Philly selecting at No. 3 and nobody ever having a clue as to what the Sixers will do.
As we consult our crystal ball, here’s our mock draft:
1. Minnesota Timberwolves: Karl-Anthony Towns, Kentucky, C-PF – He’s the perfect sidekick for the 2015 Rookie of the Year, Andrew Wiggins.
2. Los Angeles Lakers: Jahlil Okafor, Duke, C – He’s an undersized (6-9 ½) center who doesn’t protect the rim, but he’ll be able to score inside and will command double teams right away.
3. Philadelphia 76ers: D’Angelo Russell, Ohio State, G – The Sixers are crazy if they don’t take a guard who can score and facilitate for others and could be a superstar. But GM Sam Hinkie is always the wild card on draft night.
4. New York Knicks: Kristaps Porzingis, Latvia, C – Jackson wants a player who can help right away, which would seem to rule out Porzingis, whose body is not close to being NBA-ready. But if the top three players are off the board, his talent and work ethic will be too much to pass up.
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5. Orlando Magic: Mario Hezonja, Croatia, SG – With new Magic coach Scott Skiles overloaded with young guys who can’t shoot, Hezonja is rated by most scouts the draft’s top marksman.
6. Sacramento Kings: Emmanuel Mudiay, China, PG – Kings coach George Karl wants to run, which is one of the reasons center DeMarcus Cousins is available for the right price. Mudiay is a poor shooter, but he can at least push the pace.
7. Denver Nuggets: Justise Winslow, Duke, SF – The Nuggets need to blow up their roster (they’re trying to move PG Ty Lawson) and getting Winslow will help new coach Mike Malone establish a much-needed professional and winning culture.
8. Detroit Pistons: Stanley Johnson, Arizona, SF – Stan Van Gundy gets one of the top athletes in the draft, a player who only turned 19 last month, and the draftee who has the most upside of any player.
9. Charlotte Hornets: Devin Booker, Kentucky, SG – The Hornets have terrible perimeter/three-point shooters, so Booker, rated among the top shooters in the draft, should provide immediate help.
10. Miami Heat: Frank Kaminsky, Wisconsin, C – The question is whether he’ll only be a back-up in the NBA, or if he can overcome quickness issues and be a quality starter.
11. Indiana Pacers Willie Cauley-Stein, Kentucky, C – Although a few teams are worried about the lingering effects of a foot injury from 2014, Cauley-Stein is viewed as a game-changing defender in the mold of the Bulls’ Joakim Noah.
12. Utah Jazz: Myles Turner, Texas, C – The Jazz is in desperate need for back-up help for Derrick Favors and Rudy Gobert up front.
13. Phoenix Suns: Trey Lyles, Kentucky, PF – The Suns have been so guard oriented lately, they need a talented frontcourt player who can score and Lyles could fill the bill.
14. Oklahoma City Thunder: Cameron Payne, Murray State, PG – Fearing Payne will be gone by 11 (Indiana might take him there), the Thunder has been trying to move up in the draft, offering Mitch McGary around.
15. Atlanta Hawks (from Brooklyn): Kelly Oubre, Kansas, SF – Oubre showed flashes in his one season at Kansas and that might be good enough for the 60-win Hawks.
16. Boston Celtics: Sam Dekker, Wisconsin, SF – Keep in mind: GM Danny Ainge wants to move up in the draft, offering PG Marcus Smart around for a shot to get Cameron Payne.
17. Milwaukee Bucks: Bobby Portis, Arkansas, PF – The Bucks need to get a scoring talent for their frontcourt and the SEC Player of the Year is highly-regarded in that area.
18. Houston Rockets (from New Orleans): Jerian Grant, Notre Dame, G – The Rockets showed a weakness at PG when Patrick Beverley went down to an injury, so Grant could be a big help.
19. Washington Wizards: Tyus Jones, Duke, G – The Wizards have John Wall, but Jones is too good at this spot not to take.
20. Toronto Raptors: Montrezl Harrell, Louisville, PF – The Raptors need a live body up front who can rebound and get some put-backs and that’s what Harrell should give them.
21. Dallas Mavericks: Delon Wright, Utah, PG – The Mavs’ point guard position is a mess, with Rajon Rondo out the door and former Knick Raymond Felton among an underwhelming cast. Wright can help here.
22. Chicago Bulls: Rondae-Hollis Jefferson, Arizona, SF – New coach Fred Hoiberg is all about offense and will go for more scoring punch.
23. Portland Trail Blazers: R.J. Hunter, Georgia State, SG – The Blazers will look to add scoring before LeMarcus Aldridge bolts town via free agency.
24. Cleveland Cavaliers: Justin Anderson, Virginia, SF – It’s really whoever de facto GM LeBron James wants. Anderson shot 45% from three-point range and will provide great length for defense.
25. Memphis Grizzlies: Josh Richardson, Tennessee, SF – Grizzlies had a problem scoring in the playoffs vs. Golden State.
26. San Antonio Spurs: Rashad Vaughn, UNLV, SG – They’re considered the favorites to land LeMarcus Aldridge in free agency, so they should address their backcourt.
27. Los Angeles Lakers (from Houston): Anthony Brown, Stanford, SF – The Lakers would love to get Jimmy Butler to man their small forward spot, but if their free agent plans fails then Brown is the solid pick here.
28. Boston Celtics (from Los Angeles Clippers): Kevon Looney, UCLA, PF – As Danny Ainge is the first to admit, the Celtics are trying to package this pick to move up in the draft.
29. Brooklyn Nets: Terry Rozier, Louisville, SG – As they’re stuck with Deron Williams and Joe Johnson and their unmovable contracts, the Nets need to get younger and more athletic on the wings.
30. Golden State Warriors: Chris McCullough, Syracuse, PF – The Bronx native will have a lot to celebrate if he goes to the newly-crowned NBA champs.
Longtime New York columnist Mitch Lawrence continues to write about pro basketball, as he’s done for the last 22 years. His columns for NBCNewYork.com on the Knicks, Brooklyn Nets and the NBA, along with other major sports, will appear twice weekly. Follow him on Twitter @Mitch _ Lawrence
