You probably already know who the top prospects in this year's NBA draft are, so I won't bore you by highlighting them extensively.
Instead, let's talk about several prospects at the end of the first round who have NBA Jam potential.
That's right, the high-flyers, mid-air contortionists, power dunkers and highlight reels in the making. The guys who finish their dunks accompanied by "oooohs" and "aaaaaahs" from the crowd.
I've found three guys toward the end of this draft that should live above the rim. Enjoy the highlights.
1. New Orleans Hornets: Anthony Davis, PF (Kentucky)
Not only do they get a franchise player of the future, he might be enough to keep Eric Gordon in town. The Hornets can draft one stud and potentially retain another. Suddenly, things are looking up in New Orleans.
2. Charlotte Bobcats: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF (Kentucky)
Charlotte has options here, but I think they'll go for the guy with the most upside. Even if he never becomes an elite scoring option, MKG is a complete player who will help the team in just about every area.
3. Washington Wizards: Thomas Robinson, PF (Kansas)
This could also be Bradley Beal, but I think the fact that Robinson can step in right away and contribute next year alongside John Wall will make him the pick. Don't be surprised if Robinson is Rookie of the Year next season.
4. Cleveland Cavaliers: Bradley Beal, SG (Florida)
Beal is the perfect complement to Kyrie Irving in the backcourt, and the pair will be a dominant duo for the next decade.
5. Sacramento Kings: Perry Jones III, PF (Baylor)
If there was a point guard worth taking this high here, that would be the pick. But since there isn't, adding a power forward to pair with DeMarcus Cousins should be the direction this team heads in. He may be risky, but no other player at this point has the potential upside at the position of Jones.
6. Portland Trail Blazers (via New Jersey): Andre Drummond, C (Connecticut)
With Hasheem Thabeet looking like a bust, the Trail Blazers should roll the dice on the immensely athletic but often underachieving Drummond. If he ever ratchets up his intensity, he could be a true force inside for Portland.
7. Golden State Warriors (from Utah): Harrison Barnes, SF (North Carolina)
This pick is as obvious as any in the draft. Needing a scoring option on the wing, the Warriors will snatch up Barnes, easily the most consistent scoring option at small forward in this draft.
8. Toronto Raptors: Jeremy Lamb, SG (Connecticut)
The Raptors could go any number of directions, but adding a silky-smooth jump shooter like Lamb makes a lot of sense. He moves without the ball like Richard Hamilton and is almost as good a catch-and-shoot option as Barnes.
9. Detroit Pistons: Jared Sullinger, PF (Ohio State)
He isn't the sexiest option available, but he'll rebound, play solid defense and provide points in the paint. His offensive game will be limited at the next level, but he'll find a way to give a team 12 to 15 points a night.
10. New Orleans Hornets (via Minnesota): Damian Lillard, PG (Weber State)
Unless the team is satisfied with the play of Jarrett Jack moving forward, adding a point guard should be a priority. With Lillard, Jack and Eric Gordon rotating in the backcourt, the Hornets will have three players capable of handling the ball and scoring the rock.
11. Portland Trail Blazers: Kendall Marshall, PG (North Carolina)
Raymond Felton has not produced in Portland and this team needs a solid point guard moving forward. Marshall won't score many points in the NBA, but he'll collect assists.
12. Milwaukee Bucks: Tyler Zeller, C (North Carolina)
And with this pick, Andrew Bogut has been replaced.
13. Phoenix Suns: Dion Waiters, SG (Syracuse)
His upside is that of a poor man's Dwyane Wade. Not a bad upside.
14. Houston Rockets: John Henson, PF (North Carolina)
He'll need to continue evolving his offensive game to be a complete player, but he'll certainly rebound and block his fair share of shots in the NBA.
15. Philadelphia 76ers: Austin Rivers, SG (Duke)
This pick may not make sense if Lou Williams stays in Philly, but he's a restricted free agent and could be gone. With the Sixers desperately needing an elite scoring option, adding Rivers—who should be able to score in the NBA in the vein of a Monta Ellis—is an attractive possibility.
16. Houston Rockets (via New York): Meyers Leonard, C (Illinois)
He's a project, but when your primary option at center is Sammy Dalembert, you should be willing to take a chance on a a project.
17. Dallas Mavericks: Terrence Jones, PF (Kentucky)
Dallas should take the best available player with this pick. While I don't know who they will deem that player to be, on my board it would be Jones.
18. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Utah): Terrence Ross, SG (Washington)
If Ross falls to them at 18, the Wolves should run to the podium. He would instantly fix this team's need for a solid 2-guard.
19. Orlando Magic: Quincy Miller, SF (Baylor)
He's a project, but if he develops, he could be one of the steals of this draft. He's got game.
20. Denver Nuggets: Arnett Moultrie, PF (Mississippi State)
He may go in the top 10 when all is said and done. He should be a double-double machine at the next level.
21. Boston Celtics: Moe Harkless, PF (St. John's)
Harkless averaged 15.3 points and 8.6 rebounds as a freshman, and he may end up going higher than this. He could be a sneaky steal if he does drop to the Celtics, and he flashes surprising athleticism for a man his size.
I could see him having an impact at the 3 or 4 next season, and he should make an instant impact in Boston next year.
22. Boston Celtics (via Los Angeles Clippers): Jeffery Taylor, SG (Vanderbilt)
A long player on the wing that plays plus defense and shoots a high percentage from the perimeter? Sounds like a Boston player to me.
23. Atlanta Hawks: Tony Wroten, Jr., PG (Washington)
He's more a combo guard than a pure point, but his size, defensive abilities and athleticism make him a very appealing prospect.
24. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Los Angeles Lakers): Fab Melo, C (Syracuse)
For a player who earned Big East Defender of the Year and is a solid shot-blocker, Melo sure doesn't rebound well. He also has a rather unpolished offensive game, making him the definition of the term "project."
25. Memphis Grizzlies: Royce White, SF (Iowa State)
White is a strong kid who has great burst and explodes off the floor with the ability to finish powerfully at the hoop.He averaged 13.1 points and 9.3 rebounds last season and was potent in the NCAA tournament, turning heads in the NBA. And with his ability to finish strong at the rack, he'll put a few opponents on posters in his career.
He's also had character concerns in the past, a well-documented anxiety disorder and a fear of flying, so he has his concerns. But at this point in the draft, he's worth the risk.
26. Indiana Pacers: Marquis Teague, PG (Kentucky)
Teague has a long way to go before he's a pure point guard, but he's better than people think after being overshadowed on Kentucky's talented roster.
27. Miami Heat: Draymond Green, PF (Michigan State)
His ability to rebound and be a plus passer at the power forward position makes him an intriguing option in Miami.
28. Oklahoma City Thunder: Andrew Nicholson, PF (St. Bonaventure)
He's NBA-ready and is a solid scoring and rebounding option. A nice find for OKC here.
29. Chicago Bulls: Will Barton, SG (Memphis)
Last year's Conference USA Player of the Year averaged 18.1 points, 8.1 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.4 steals per game last season. He's versatile, extremely athletic and a solid defender, and yet he's not a first-round prospect in a lot of mock drafts I've read.I don't get it. If I were a general manager in the later portion of the draft, he'd be on my radar.
Frankly, I think he's a perfect fit in Chicago. Don't be surprised to see Barton finish a few Derrick Rose lobs next season.
30. Golden State Warriors (via San Antonio): Doron Lamb, SG (Kentucky)
Lamb has limited upside, but he's one of the better shooters in this draft. He's worth a look at this point in the draft.
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