Hoops League Mock Draft 3.0

1. Miami Tides – Austin Bridges, G (~)

The Tides are in need of most everything, true, but they already have solid building blocks in young star SF Lamarr Chambers, rising star PF Francisco Gerbi and C Timothy Garcia Jr. Drafting Bridges, an HLA-ready player with sky-high potential and an incredible shooting touch for a 19-year-old, would address Miami’s need at the SG position while allowing them to move on from Kacey Cunningham. A lineup of Sage Jackson – Bridges – Chambers – Gerbi – Garcia Jr. would provide the Tides with a lot of hope for the future.

2. St. Louis Archers – BJ Vandeventer, G (~)

The Archers are in bad need of a franchise PG (sorry Kyle Mason), and Vandeventer fits the bill. He’s a pass-first point guard with a raw shot, good at creating offense for others but not for himself. Such a build is perfect for St. Louis, who have a talented shooter in Jason Garcia, a rising star in Xavier Sevenade and a dominant frontcourt rotation of Sakuragi, McGeetus and Jiggs. He is also decently well-equipped to step in and start from day one, a must for a team looking to capitalize on the weakness of the East that won’t last forever. He’d be a good fit in his hometown.

3. Vancouver Summit – Joshua Owens, G (+6)

It’s becoming clear, with Kwanzy Iceberg now testing FA as well, that the Summit are staring down a long-term rebuild. As such, it would behoove them to take Owens, the player in the draft with the highest ceiling at the position where they need the most help. It will also allow them to give the Michaels-Spencer backcourt another year, as both players showed some promise. Owens may also not get as good of a chance anywhere to develop immediately. It could be a win-win for both sides.

4. San Francisco Quakes – Jake Robinson, G (~)

With a lottery pick for the third straight year, the Quakes have a true embarrassment of riches, particularly considering their already-existent hoard of 2 5 stars, 2 4 stars and a 4.5 in the starting lineup. That said, the Quakes were definitely lacking at the backup PG position last season, as Benji Phillips proved to be too much of a shoot-first guard, and Harry Mason simply isn’t getting it done. Robinson, a HLA-ready passing wizard, will instantly fill the hole there for the Quakes, stepping in from day one to take over ballhandling duties for either Stevenson or Mack.

5. New York Empire – Aaron Ford, G (~)

During last season’s draft, the Empire made the move to acquire Scottie Thompson and the pick that became Malcolm Banks in exchange for Mandawuy Aurallo and Captain Price, hoping they’d be able to return him to the fringe All-Star form he exhibited in his first stay there. Instead, Thompson put up pedestrian numbers and largely failed to produce on the glass for them the way he had in the past. The Empire can pick up his successor here in Aaron Ford, a far better passer and a superior inside scorer (though worse shooter), who will allow Thompson to play his natural position at the two with the impending departure of Malcolm Banks, and may be just what the Empire’s offense needs to start humming.

6. Atlanta Activists – Lukasz Morawski, G (-3)

With Adobo Flakes testing FA, the Activists are without a real franchise building block, and are probably looking at a long-term rebuild as well. Picking Morawski would at least be a step in the right direction, as he’s a high potential player that is still a long-term project. Though he is raw, he will be able to contribute on day one to what was the league’s most porous defense last year, as he has tremendous hands and on-ball defensive skills.

7. Portland Roses – Pippy Big Pippy, C (~)

Portland has proven, at least thus far, that they can still contend, even with diminishing output from Koality Game. Their bench has played better than expected in these playoffs so far, and a key member of the squad is rookie backup center Chibba, who will be retiring after the season. Picking Pippy would give the Roses a developed backup center that can replicate Alexander’s perimeter output without a serious drop-off on the interior on either end of the floor. He’d be a great pick for Portland if they are still looking to contend.

8. San Diego Surf – Zane Cruz, G (+3)

With the news of Ben Allen’s retirement, San Diego is in need of a bona fide sharpshooter to put next to Thomas Shoffner, Joey Bas and co. Cruz, as the draft’s best shooter out of the guard slot, fits the bill, and can play either off the bench with veteran guard Marcus Nobles at the 2, or can start from day one with a league-ready skillset. He’d be a great add for a contending team in need of a shooter, and the Surf are the highest on the board.

9. New York Empire (via LA) – Dan Glisack, C (-3)

If Glisack falls this far, the Empire would be remiss not to take him. The Empire struggled on the interior last season, and were middle-of-the-pack in rebounding, and Glisack would help in both departments. He’s got a high ceiling and is relatively ready to play, meaning he could fill in for Pierre Brodeur without a huge drop-off anywhere on the floor.

10. St. Louis Archers (via HOU) – Joel Idusohan, G (~) The Archers need a dominant scorer to truly compete, and at this point, Idusohan is the best on the board. He’s got a way to go before being a real threat, of course, but he can spend a season learning from young sharpshooter Jason Garcia before taking the reins as the 2 guard. His development timeline is perfect for St. Louis, and his potential as a Polan Stronk/Malcolm Banks type player gives St. Louis an offensive spark they will need down the line.

11. Chicago Blues – Westbrook Darius, F (-3)

The playoffs have exposed a key vulnerability of the Blues—the starting SF spot. UFA Sergio Fric showed promise last season, but was dominated by Anthony Bridges during their series last year and showed no real signs of improvement in Game 1, leading to his benching. Darius, one of the draft’s best all-around players and a natural scorer, would be able to fit in from day one with the Blues. He also makes sense as a potential replacement for Rajah Rose, as he can be a solid secondary scorer next to Yensid and Zoulou.

12. Boston Charms – Melo Hayes, C (~)

a. The Charms have been rumored for a while now to be looking to move on from former 6MOTY Tyler Moore, and if he falls here, Hayes would be a fantastic replacement. Though his inside-dominant style is more of a callback to Maxwell Goodson than anything else, he is simply too talented to pass up if he falls to this slot. A better rebounder and shot blocker than Moore already, he’d be a great piece for the still-contending Charms, and could provide enticing trade bait to acquire a veteran or two if they so choose.

13. New York Empire (via MIA) – The Kryptonite, F (+1)

The Empire are in need of consistent three-point shooters, particularly out of the forward position, and Kryptonite has the potential to be that in time. With an HLA-ready skillset comparable to that of Xavier Sevenade’s, Kryptonite could help alleviate the impending loss of Cacio Way and would give the Empire a solid forward for the future.

14. St. Louis Archers – Tobias Miller, F (+3)

Though The Kryptonite would really be the ideal pick for the Archers, Miller will suffice, as he’s a solid shooter and rebounder who should be able to build on the Archers’ strengths while addressing some of their weaknesses simultaneously. With a decent ceiling and a few polished skills, Miller would be a fine find in the second round.

15. Vancouver Summit – George Georgeson, F (~)

The Summit look likely to lose Kwanzy Iceberg in this coming FA period, and Georgeson should be a capable replacement. A solid player already with a skillset similar to Iceberg’s, Georgeson would fit nicely into Vancouver’s existing scheme, while not taking too many touches away from players like Jamie Spencer or Lukasz Morawski. The Summit may want to trade up from here, however, given their need for more high potential players.

16. San Francisco Quakes – Jerry Platinum, F (~)

I don’t expect the Quakes to keep this pick given their roster and cap constraints, but if they do, Platinum would be a nice find. He’s a pretty league-ready player with a diverse skillset, and provides a better potential backup for Samuel James/Car Lo than Daws 20.

17. Atlanta Activists (via NY) – Brooke Reid, C (-4)

If Reid falls here, the Activists have to take him. He’s as solid of a backup center as one is going to find at this point in the draft, with a great shooting stroke and solid defensive capabilities. He’s also got a pretty high ceiling compared to the rest of the talent on the board here. He’d be a fine compliment to Zach Vega and co. in the frontcourt with his best-in-class shooting touch for a center.

18. Atlanta Activists – Hawk Rosario, G (~)

If the Activists really do lose Kyron Hickman, they will need some guard depth, in which case Rosario could be a solid second-round acquisition. A solid two-way player with a particular knack for picking pockets and cleaning the glass, Rosario would be a fine backup for either Jon Rahm or Fred Fredericks, and would be a steadier backup than Antonio Rondao.

19. Portland Roses – King Ntilikina, G (NEW)

The Roses are here to stay as a power in the league, at least judging by this off-season. If they believe that, Ntilikina would be a great pick. He’s one of the draft’s best players on both sides of the ball, and is arguably its most-HLA ready player, particularly on the offensive side of the ball. He profiles as a solid replacement for Mikey Williams. That said, he has probably the draft’s lowest ceiling, meaning Portland—or whoever picks him—has to want to win now.

20. New York Empire (via SD) – Simon Szyzkowski, G (-1) The Empire could use some guard depth, and Syz is a good find this deep into the second round. He’s a solid two-way player already, capable of producing a couple of points per game right off the bat, but also as a defensive stopper and passer. He’ll be a fine backup for the young Aaron Ford as of now.

21. Los Angeles Stars – W. R. Asher, F (~)

The Stars have just one pick in this draft, it being this one, but they don’t really have that many needs. Taking Asher here would allow them to send either or both of Collin Adams and Demar Langley to the D League by significantly improving their forward depth, and it would make sense also for the simple reason that he’s the best player left on the board here.

22. Houston Cosmos – Damian Merrit, G (-2)

The Cosmos are going to need a guard to replace the soon-to-depart The Captain, and though signing one in FA or acquiring one via trade would certainly be ideal, Merritt will fill it amiably for now. He can score on occasion, but his true calling card is his unique skill as a pickpocket, something that Houston— the league’s leading team in SPG—will make great use of.

23. Chicago Blues – Nicholas Patnella, F (~)

The Blues have developed a penchant for finding great talent in the back ends of drafts and/or in the UFA pool, and Patnella would be a great addition for the team. He won’t do much besides play defense, but that’s really all they need him to do. As one of the draft’s best defenders, he could start at any position as necessary, and would be a great lockdown piece of the bench. He is low ceiling and highly specialized, but for the Blues, that’s a perfect fit.\

24. Boston Charms – Jalen Hood, C (~) Hood is a great defender, perhaps already one of the league’s best blockers, making him a great acquisition for any team already in the contending phase. He could work as a spot starter against teams with shot-heavy centers, and will be a solid relief player for Cedric Hardwicke without a huge drop-off in defensive quality. He’ll likely spend a lot of time in the D-League, but he could be useful for the Charms at times as well.

25. Portland Roses (Percy Snow) – Luigi Datome, F (~)

Datome has decent potential, particularly for a forward this low in the draft, and though he’s a cliché archetype for a forward, he could certainly be useful given time. This is a draft-and-stash pick for Portland.

26. Miami Tides (via POR) (Mikey Williams) – Louis Lavander, G (NEW)

Having traded Javaun Hicks at the deadline for this pick, the Tides have a great opportunity to replace Hicks with the final pick in the draft. Lavander is a poor player on both sides of th ball for the most part, but he can hold on to the ball well and is a good pass-first option, which the Tides are in need of.