NBA Mock Draft: One final mock before Thursday’s NBA draft lottery

The Cleveland Cavaliers seem to live at the top of the lottery so much that their needs are pretty defined. They have three guards who have played either one or two seasons and three big men who they cannot seem to quit. The wing seems like the biggest need, even as Cedi Osman acquits himself well.

Deni Avdija is the best forward in this draft and fits what this team needs very well. Avdija can play three positions, allowing the team to get experimental with a young roster looking to see what sticks. He can shoot, he can handle, he can pass. As the Cavs fully commit to a (hopefully) new era he fits perfectly. He even would help set up All-Star big man Andre Drummond in a contract year.

The Detroit Pistons are in desperate need of a point guard. While drafting for need does not make much sense for a team entering a rebuild Haliburton compliments the roster so well that it almost does not matter. He is tall for his position (6’5”) and has a great wingspan. He is a brilliant passer that will make the young players on the Pistons better.

Haliburton is a good shooter who has played both the primary and secondary role on a team. He will be ready to work with whoever is on this roster and imaging him alongside Christian Wood and kicking to Luke Kennard would be plenty of fun for a team in desperate need of some.