NBA draft – where dreams come true. Sixty young men find out if they have what it takes to make to the Association and fulfill their childhood dream. Who will witness their dream become reality? Our own basketball experts look into their crystal ball. The coveted lottery selection may be out of reach, but these guys are more than capable of making their names in the league. Players like Ty Lawson, Gilbert Arenas, Serge Ibaka, and Kawhi Leonard have established their stardom despite falling past the No. 14 spot. There are plenty of values to find here with cheap price tag.

15. Atlanta Hawks – Sam Dekker SF (Wisconsin, Jr.)

With both DeMarre Carroll and Paul Millsap becoming restricted free agents at the end of the season, the Hawks may not be able to retain both of them. By drafting Sam Dekker, it allows Atlanta to go all-in for Millsap. Dekker can hit the long ball, as shown in the combine and throughout the season, and like Carroll, is a very good defender and an athlete. While he struggled behind the arc in his last two years at Wisconsin, he projects as a do-it-all glue guy, but his great athleticism and ability to play inside and out are a plus. The Hawks are now being exposed with lack of depth on the wing, and Dekker could help them in that respect.

16. Boston Celtics – R. J. Hunter SG (Georgia State, Jr.)

The Celtics need a lot. Like, a lot. They need a rim protector, a shooter, and a size in backcourt. R. J. Hunter provides both incredible outside shooting and 6’ 5” presence next to diminutive Marcus Smart and Avery Bradley. While Bradley has improved as a shooter, Hunter would ultimately be a better threat due to his quick release and ball-handling ability. Also, there is no rim protector worthy of reaching at 16.

17. Milwaukee Bucks – Trey Lyles PF (Kentucky, Fr.)

John Henson allows the Bucks to go for Trey Lyles, an average athlete with numerous offensive tools. He can finish through contact, score off post moves, and even hit an occasional three. His midrange game is also one of the best in the class, and he even spent time at the small forward position this year at Kentucky. He is an effort guy as he does little things and hustles. Even though he can be a liability on the defensive end, he can hold his own and have a career as a stretch 4, and Milwaukee could use someone who can spread the floor and get buckets.

18. Houston Rockets – Jerian Grant PG (Notre Dame, Sr.)

We were torn between Jerian Grant and Tyus Jones, but ultimately chose the Notre Dame floor general on the basis that he is a better defender. While Jones may be a better fit offensive wise, Grant can provide much better defense and is more than capable of leading the second unit if necessary. If another defensive liability stands next to James Harden, even Dwight Howard can do so much. What Houston needs is a point guard who can play off the ball and set up his teammates, two things that incumbent starter Patrick Beverly struggles with. Grant played with another point guard at Notre Dame this season, is adept at dishing the ball, and can be a third option when Harden or Dwight gets tired.

19. Washington Wizards – Bobby Portis PF/C (Arkansas, So.)

Simply put, Nene is not good enough. He doesn’t have enough range to justify himself as a stretch-4 and declining athleticism is evident. Bobby Portis has shown off some major range throughout the year and even at the combine. He has great size and rebounding at the position and is an underrated rim defender, which would hold value in Washington. The postseason showed that the Wizards are willing to transition to a offense that includes a floor spacer at the power forward. Adding him to the team full of snipers like Bradley Beal and Paul Pierce only gives John Wall more weapons.

20. Toronto Raptors – Kevon Looney PF (UCLA, Fr.)

Tyler Lyles would have been perfect here, but we have to work with what we have. The Raptors’ power forwards did not match the talent it was surrounded by. Neither Patrick Peterson nor Tyler Hansbrough can protect the rim to help out Jonas Valanciunas. While Kevon Looney is a major project, he still has enough athleticism to block shots and stretch the floor for the big Lithuanian. He also crashes the boards like his life depended on it, and his ball handling ability out on the perimeter is intriguing. He’s a few years away, but is the best available player. Of course, this is if they keep the pick, which they shouldn’t.

21. Dallas Mavericks – Tyus Jones PG (Duke, Fr.)

After the failed Rajon Rondo experiment, the Mavericks need a point guard in a worst way. With Monta Ellis being a ball-dominant 2-guard, someone who can play off the ball and shoot will fit in nicely. Enter Tyus Jones. While he lacks the size and athleticism to be an effective defender, his shooting stroke and play making ability makes him a valuable asset to many teams. He loves to push the ball and find teammates on the break, and his love for pull-up and spot-up jumpers would fit in nicely with Dallas.

22. Chicago Bulls – Delon Wright PG/SG (Utah, Sr.)

Raise your hand if you’re confident that Derrick Rose can stay healthy. That’s what I thought. Delon Wright is a big guard who is a lock-down defender. He fits the scheme that is already in place (even though who knows what will happen when Tom Thibodeau leaves) and he gives the Bulls a reliable backup that can also play together with Rose to shoulder a defensive responsibility. While the Bulls have had success with smaller point guards on one-year deals the past few years, getting a 6’6” point guard who is a stout defender and excellent floor general on a rookie contract would be better for them.

23. Portland Trail Blazers – Robert Upshaw C (Washington – dismissed, So.)

The Trail Blazers lack depth in, well, pretty much all positions. However, with Robin Lopez and LaMarcus Aldridge possibly leaving the team via free agency, the frontcourt needs desperate help. While the Blazers have Meyers Leonard, a very very fine prospect in our eyes, behind LA, there is close to no depth behind Lopez. Robert Upshaw may had some off-court issues, but his talent is undeniable. Simply stated, he’s huge, in every definition of the word, using every inch of his body to lock down the paint and rebound. His rim-protecting prowess is top-10 worthy, and he could be the biggest steal in the draft.

24. Cleveland Cavaliers – Rondae Hollis-Jefferson SF (Arizona, So.)

Justin Anderson was a tempting pick, but we decided on a defensive stopper, and the best in the draft is Rondae Hollis-Jefferson. While the Cavs appear to be on a mission to collect as many shooters as possible, Hollis-Jefferson and his broken jumper are almost necessary to this team. Behind LeBron James, they lack athleticism in backup small forwards that includes Mike Miller and James Jones. Adding some toughness, and youth, to that group would be able to give an aging LeBron more breaks defensively.

25. Memphis Grizzlies – Montrezl Harrell PF (Louisville, Jr.)

Never really like the tweeners. We see the likes of Derrick Williams crash from a second overall pick to a player without a position. Montrezl Harrell is not big by any means, but his energy, athleticism, wingspan, and defense is just what the Grizzlies need. He doesn’t need to be the go-to scorer, and could be lighting in a bottle when Zach Randolph needs a breather. His effort and hustle would also fit in perfectly with the Grit and Grind philosophy in Memphis.

26. San Antonio Spurs – George Lucas PG (International, 19)

A bit of a mystery player from Brazil, he is a classic Spurs pick. Big for his position, while he doesn’t have a consistent jump shot, Lucas is a superb athlete who can stuff the stat sheet. Still only 19 years old, he has an unlimited potential that can evolve him into a star. He is 6’6” with a 7’0” (!) wingspan. At 18 years old, this guy could be the heir to Tony Parker’s point guard throne. Just imagine him and Kawhi Leonard lining up together on defense.

27. Los Angeles Lakers – Christian Wood PF (UNLV, So.)

After drafting Jahlil Okafor, the Lakers can use a rim protector to complement the Duke big man. While Christian Wood is widely known as a floor spacer, his 6’ 11”, 220 lb frame can put some work in the paint. Long and athletic, Wood plays above the rim and on the perimeter, a natural complement to Okafor’s post-happy ways. If he puts on some extra bulk, he can be a great complimentary piece.

28. Boston Celtics – Jordan Mickey PF (LSU, So.)

After addressing their shooter need in R. J. Hunter, the Celtics can find their rim protector in the LSU forward. Jordan Mickey turned many heads during combine thanks to his freaky athleticism. His five-on-five performance where he blocked shot after shot showed the glimpse of what he could do. With a team that lacks athleticism in the front court, Mickey will undoubtedly stand out amongst the celtics earth-bound big men.

29. Brooklyn Nets – Justin Anderson SF/SG (Virginia, Jr.)

The Nets need to take a best talent available, and that is Justin Anderson. A great athlete with potential range, he can take over the small forward role right away or be the understudy of Joe Johnson and polish his offensive game. But most importantly, he is a young talent that Brooklyn desperately needs to gather.

30. Golden State Warriors – Rakeem Christmas PF/C (Syracuse, Sr.)

Evan insisted that Rakeem Christmas is going to be a first-rounder, so here he is. That being said, the Warriors need someone who can come off the bench right away, not a raw prospect. Christmas is a polished post player who can rebound and play defense, and actually has more size than most give him credit for, checking in at the combine at 6’10” with a 7’2” wingspan. With David Lee and Marreese Speights aging, it’s not too bad for the Dub City to pick out their successor, and Christmas can play right away.