Indy Cornrows Mock Draft 3.0: How Do Trades Affect The Outcome?

Analysis: This time, not even close to being the same top five in my Mock 3.0 here. Ben McLemore has really slipped on a lot of teams boards, due to his lack of effort in workouts. He looked poor in Phoenix's workout as well, but I do not think they could pass on him here. C.J. McCollum is also majorly in play here, but I believe McLemore is higher on their board. Keep an eye on McLemore, he is slipping everyday down boards.

Analysis: The Pelicans were a tough choice for me to make in this mock draft. I love the Anthony Bennett fit for them, but it does not seem mutual from New Orleans. I went and asked one of my Pelicans' friends, Michael McNamara of Bourbon Street Shots (ESPN TrueHoop Network Blog) about what they should do. He told me that Bennett does not make much sense and if he was taken by the Pelicans, it would be in a trade scenario. Michael told me that if the draft falls this way, New Orleans would select Trey Burke. It makes sense to take Burke here, due to his high-scoring ability. The Pelicans need a leader and Burke fills that.

Analysis: Sacramento recently hired an analytics executive to run their day-to-day operations. C.J. McCollum reportedly 'wowed' in his workout at Sleep Train Arena this week. McCollum is a stat-sheet filler. He makes a ton of sense for a team needing more scoring, another ballhandler, and a guy who fits their new management philosophy.

Analysis: The Pistons have a lot of interest in grabbing a small forward and they get it here with Anthony Bennett's slide ending. Bennett fits what Detroit needs, a versatile bruiser on the wing and down low. Adding Bennett to a nucleus of Brandon Knight, Rodney Stuckey, Greg Monroe, and Andre Drummond makes the future bright up in Motown.

Analysis: After talking to Orlando Pinstripied Post's Evan Dunlap, he says that if Orlando trades down with Minnesota, they like KCP and Zeller. I tend to agree with him here, with KCP going to Orlando. They are shipping off Arron Afflalo this Summer to a team thirsty for guard help. Adding in a more explosive player, like KCP, should help round-out their future lineup.

Analysis: Portland was desperately hoping Caldwell-Pope or C.J. McCollum to slip past Minnesota, but it did not happen here. Now, the Blazers go to plan C in Cody Zeller. The power forward from Indiana looks like a gazelle when he runs in transition, who looks like he could mesh very well with Damian Lillard. Zeller can also play center, which seems like a key versatility piece for Portland as well depth-wise.

Analysis: Even though his game is relatively raw, I love Steven Adams' game. He is a bruiser down low, who could also make the 15-foot jumper if needed. With the bust trade that was Andrew Bynum last season, Philly needs to start over at the center position. Adams would be a project, but he has a high ceiling in the NBA.

Analysis: The first real big bombshell pick in my Mock 3.0 here. Michael Carter-Williams actually fits real well in Oklahoma City. He would be a big upgrade over Reggie Jackson. Having a 6'6" point guard backing up Russell Westbrook, even having them on the court at the same time. MCW to OKC is something I am starting to really love.

Analysis: Cleveland is enamored with the possibility of adding Sergey Karasev to their roster next season. Dallas is wanting shed salary for free agency, so the deal here is Shawn Marion and #13 for #31/#33. He is a lights-out shooter who would fit in very well there. After one workout in Los Angeles, Karasev shut it down in report of a promise. Ever since a month ago, everyone has circled Cleveland. I expect them to trade-up in front of Milwaukee to secure him.

Analysis: Utah is very high on Lucas Nogueria, according to Chad Ford himself. They are considering taking Nogueria with the 14th pick. If Michael Carter-Williams is off the board here, then Nogueria is likely the pick. The big man has been called the Brazilian Nerlens Noel in this draft class. If they do take Nogueria, what does that say about Enes Kanter?

Analysis: It sounds more and more like Milwaukee will not match an offer sheet for Brandon Jennings this Summer. With that in mind, Shane Larkin makes a lot of sense here. Larkin reportedly 'wowed' at the Bucks draft workout. He vaulted over Dennis Schroeder on most teams boards after workouts. Larkin and Milwaukee seem like a great fit together.

Analysis: With Shabazz Muhammad not slipping here or Giannis Anetokounmpo once again moving up, they have to go with Plan C. Boston is not in need of a starting point guard, but depth at it. Dennis Schroeder is now the pick here for the Celtics. The chaos involvingDoc Rivers makes this pick cloudy, so maybe Rajon Rondo could be traded this Summer and they go into full rebuild mode. Schroeder makes sense for Boston to add depth at point guard, but also finding an eventual starter as well.

Analysis: Shabazz Muhammad's slip finally ends here in Atlanta. The Hawks need a reliable wing who can score all around the court. This might even be the best fit for Muhammad as well here. He would become one of their top scorers, alongside Al Horford.

Analysis: Atlanta, especially Danny Ferry, would be jumping up-and-down in their war room if they come out with Shabazz and Giannis. Atlanta is pretty much set on taking Giannis Adetokunbo, if he is on the board. Adding Muhammad and Giannis gives them a scary duo on the wing for years to come (Giannis comes ovefr in 2016).

Analysis: Here is the trade here: Houston sends Thomas Robinson to Cleveland for the 19th pick. Houston, like Dallas, is trying to shed a ton of cap for this Summer. If they end up in the first round, there is a 100% chance they take a European. The best Euro prospect on the board here is Rudy Gobert from France. He will not come over for at least a year or two, but his freakish athleticism and wingspan make him an asset.

Analysis: I have been flip-flopping big man and shooting guards for Chicago the past three weeks. If Mason Plumlee is on the board here at 20, I believe they would take him. Chicago is also in on the Thomas Robinson sweepstakes, so that makes you think they are targeting a big man.

Analysis: With taking their big man, Lucas Nogueira at 14, Utah will likely go with a point guard at 21. The best available point guard on the board here is Isaiah Canaan of Murray State. Utah also is interested in Jimmer Fredette, but Indiana has been much more aggressive in trade talks with Sacramento. Taking Canaan here solves Utah's issue for another scorer in the backcourt alongside Alec Burks. Coming out with Nogueria and Canaan would make a ton of Jazz' fans happy.

Analysis: The Nets are in desperate need of a backup to Brook Lopez. Gorgui Dieng's slide once again ends in Brooklyn here. He has the potential to play power forward alongside Lopez, which could make for some problems for other teams on offense. Dieng can be a defensive anchor for Brooklyn, a key need for Jason Kidd to start off his coaching career.

Analysis: I seriously was considering trading this pick for Jimmer (why formatting is screwed up and Pacers logo does not show up), but from what I have been told, Olynyk is in their "top five" prospects that they hope are there to avoid not trading the pick. The four others are Isaiah Canaan, Shane Larkin, Dennis Schroeder, and Giannis Adetokunbo.

If Olynyk falls to Indiana, like he does here, then they will take him. The Pacers are high on Olynyk, as I was told. If the board falls this way, Olynyk has to be the pick. He fills a need down low and creates big-time mismatches. Olynyk can spread the floor with a nice touch from 15-20 feet. Also, Kelly can hit the three as well. No other big man in this draft class can do this well at all. Olynyk could become a big contributor off the bench for the Pacers, and even replace David West down the road. His jumpshot and overall offensive ability makes him a much more attractive choice then lets say Tony Mitchell at forward. If the draft falls this way, I expect Indiana to run the card up to David Stern.

Below is the prospect breakdown of Olynyk from Draft Express, his NBA Job Interview with Grantland (ESPN), and Chad Ford's positives and negatives on him.

Analysis: From what I have been told the Knicks love Tony Mitchell, but if Franklin is here, they will take him. New York needs more versatile wings along the edge who could also put the ball in the basket. Franklin gives them a player who has the defensive potential of his former teammate, Kawhi Leonard.

Analysis: Ricky Ledo's name has been gaining some serious steam with over half the NBA. He has shined in group workouts and has displayed the abilityt to score well on the next level. As shown in high school, Ledo has sky-high potential. From what I have been told, Ledo is not slipping past 25.

Analysis: There is a trade that is close to being complete, but likely will not happen until they are on the clock. Brooklyn and Minnesota have been in discussions about trading Marshon Brooks for the 26th pick. Brooklyn would be targeting a shooter in Tim Hardaway Jr. here. If somehow Orlando gets this pick from the Oladipo deal, then it will be dealt as well here. He is an upgrade over Brooks and fits in well there with their current backcourt.

Analysis: Memphis is desperately trying to get into the late first round to snatch up Tony Snell, from what I was told. He would take Tony Allen's spot next season under the new regime. Snell will be in play in the early-mid 20's, but I could not find a good fit for him. Tony has the length and athleticism that could attract a team like Memphis to take him. As mentioned, Tony Allen's replacement here

Analysis: Livio Jean-Charles is such a typical Spurs pick. San Antonio really does not need much help this year from the draft, especially this weak one. Getting a draft-and-stash kind of player, like Jean-Charles, could pay dividends years down the road. Jean-Charles is expected to come over around 2014 or 2015.

Analysis: Once again, Oklahoma City can take a flyer on a player who can shoot the lights out, in Crabbe. Allen is slipping on a ton of teams' boards, due to his one-dimensional ability. Crabbe is a great fit to eventually replace Thabo Sefolosha on this roster, down the road.

Analysis: To wrap-up my final mock draft, we have another Kansas Jayhawk going to Phoenix once again. After drafting Ben McLemore at 5, they will need a big man to help down low for extra depth. Adding in a defensive-oriented big man, like Withey, should help out Phoenix's putrid defense. Phoenix is slowly becoming Kansas University, 3.0 for their former players.