The NBA draft is this week, and below I’ve got my mock draft for lottery teams, as well as some things to think about if your team drafts in the lottery. The Hornets snagged the first pick, and you could bet your life that they have only one option at number one.

  1. Anthony DavisNew Orleans Hornets Anthony Davis 

This one is simple. Anthony Davis has been compared to Kevin Garnett and Marcus Camby. Some consider him a combination of the two. It’s one of the biggest no brainers in the draft in the last several years. There is no debate. Davis will be key in New Orleans for years to come.

  1. Charlotte Bobcats Thomas Robinson 

Earlier in the season, most thought that Davis’ former UK teammate Michael Kidd-Gilchrist would be the consensus number two pick. However, after some combine work and a closer look at what the Bobcats needs, Thomas Robinson has been placed in this spot by most, and he gets my nod as well. Robinson’s upside is greater than MKG’s, and the Bobcats are desperate for some energy on defense. Robinson is coming into a perfect place for him to grow, and he can replace the black hole that is Tyrus Thomas. 

  1. Washington Wizards Bradley Beal 

The Wizards are making some bold moves this offseason, and they might be making another bold one with picking Beal. Beal might just be a mega sleeper for rookie of the year honors. He is coming into a young and talented team, and he has been compared to Ray Allen. With John Wall breaking down defenses, Beal will be wide open to shoot the rock, which happens to be his specialty. 

  1. Cleveland Cavaliers Harrison Barnes

This is where the decision between the aforementioned MKG and UNC’s Harrison Barnes come into play, and I’m leaning to Barnes. MKG is a talented player, but he is lacking the offensive talent to be the fourth overall pick. The Cavs really need scoring, and Barnes is the superior shooter and scorer. There could also be a possibility of the Cavs trading up with the Bobcats, but those rumors have sizzled out a bit in the last few days. 

  1. Sacramento Kings Michael Kidd-Gilchrist 

Whichever player the Cavs decide on, the Kings will not be sad at all when the one who didn’t get picked falls to them. Kidd-Glichrist would give the Kings a much needed defensive presence. However, this is where the draft will start to get interesting The Kings have reportedly been in talks with multiple teams about trading this pick. The Kings are the youngest team in the NBA. They only have one guy over the age of 30, and they could get a nice player in return for the fifth pick. 

  1. Portland Trailblazers Andre Drummond 

This is almost a unanimous consensus as well, because at this point in the draft, the Blazers are in need of a center, and Drummond will be there. Drummond quite possibly has the highest upside of any player in the draft, with the exception of Davis. Drummond is 7’0" tall, and is still only 18. Even though he has some questions, playing alongside one of the best power forwards in LaMarcus Aldridge, he should be some of what Greg Oden might have been. 

  1. Golden State Warriors Traded 

The Bay crew could also be looking to trade away their number seven pick, because at this point in the draft, the potential of the players takes a slight downgrade. If all goes as planned above, the Warriors would have a decision to make. If this pick isn’t traded by draft day, I’ll be surprised. 

  1. Toronto Raptors Dion Walters 

The Raptors could very well be the team that trades up to the Warriors’ number seven slot to pick this guy. If they have a chance to get him, and only have to give up a role player or a second round pick, they could. If they don’t and the Warriors don’t trade their pick, then the Raptors might go with Damian Lillard. They will most likely trade Jose Calderon, so point guard will be another area of focus in Canada this offseason. 

  1. Detroit Pistons John Henson 

This is another consensus pick for you, and Henson would be a great fit alongside Greg Monroe, and even though he has some muscle to build, Henson’s defense and shot blocking will be good next to an offensive center. 

  1. New Orleans Hornets Traded/Damian Lillard 

This pick could very well be Lillard, because the Hornets need a point guard, but Jarret Jack will be in town for another year, so the Hornets could decide to punt the point guard problem down the road for a year. They could also get a point guard in a trade for the number ten pick. A name that might come into play here is Kendall Marshall, but I think Lillard would be the pick if it stays in New Orleans. 

This potential trade at ten has a lot to do with whether or not the few teams ahead of them like the Kings and Warriors trade their pick, but if the scenario that both California teams keep their pick, the odds of this pick being traded could come running up into relevancy. The Hornets will already be selling Anthony Davis Hornets jerseys by the time number ten rolls around. There will still be a few teams willing to trade up to #10 especially if no picks are traded in the top nine. 

  1. Portland Trailblazers Jeremy Lamb

The Blazers still have Wes Matthews in the two guard hole, but Lamb could provide some spark off the bench as the first guard off the pine. Jamal Crawford gave them absolutely nothing in that spot last season, so I’m sure the Blazers will be looking for a nice combo guard, and Lamb is exactly that. 

  1. Milwaukee Bucks Meyers Leonard 

The big 7’1 center from Illinois has been soaring up draft boards in the last month, and it looks like he will slide into the Bucks’ front court quite nicely. They just got rid of Andrew Bogut, and while Leonard won’t bring that kind of impact, he is a talented offensive center, and has the athleticism to become a good NBA center. 

  1. Phoenix Suns Austin Rivers‘

I like Doc Rivers’ son here in this spot, and I think he is just what the doctor will order for the Suns. If Steve Nash does leave the Suns, Phoenix will need a guy with Rivers’ skill set to fill the void. Rivers can shoot and handle the ball well. The Suns will also need some star power if Nash does leave. 

  1. Houston Rockets Tyler Zeller 
To round out the lottery, I have my final consensus pick with Zeller going here at #14 to the Rockets. Houston needs some size, especially after trading Jordan Hill to the Lakers. Zeller isn’t quite the talent that Leonard is, but he will be a solid NBA center. He is a four year college player, and that means something in today’s NBA to have a 22-year old rookie.