[tps_header]Hornets looking for a player like Johnson[/tps_header]
[tps_title]Nos. 10 to No. 6[/tps_title]
No. 10 Miami Heat
Devin Booker, SG, Kentucky
Miami’s biggest need is at the shooting guard spot because Dwayne Wade is really the only player on the team who can produce at that position for long stretches. Booker has an NBA body at shooting guard at 6’6” and 206 pounds, which will allow him to shoot over smaller defenders. Booker, also a solid defender, can be a great complimentary player to point guard Goran Dragic on the perimeter of Dragic returns to Miami.
No. 9 Charlotte Hornets
Stanley Johnson, SF/SG, Arizona
The run on small forward-shooting guard prospects continues with Johnson going to Charlotte, which could use his defensive presence on the wing. The size of Johnson at 6’7” and 245 pounds at only 19 years old makes some draft analyst compare his physicality to established NBA wing players, including LeBron James. Charlotte reportedly is impressed with Johnson with his ability to defend all three perimeter positions as well as shoot well from the perimeter (37 percent three-point shooter at Arizona). He needs time to develop his ability to finish at the rim, but the rebuilding Hornets can afford to work Johnson along with that. Furthermore, the Hornets traded away another wing player Lance Stephenson to the Clippers, signaling the probability of taking a wing at this spot.
No. 8 Detroit Pistons
Mario Hezonja, SG/SF, Croatia
Hezonja is an explosive prospect on the wing at 6’8” and 220 pounds who can penetrate to the rim as good as anybody in the draft. Detroit coach Stan Van Gundy is reportedly shooting for a wing at this position based on need. Hezonja, Justise Winslow and Stanley Johnson are possibilities at this spot. Reports suggest that Detroit’s front office likes Hezonja’s defensive upside and his ability to make things happen off the dribble on offense.
No. 7 Denver Nuggets
Justise Winslow, SF/SG, Duke
Winslow is a possibility to go as high as No. 5 to the Magic. The Nuggets are hoping he can land with this spot because of his defensive ability on the wing and relentless style to the basket. Denver, which has yet to hire a new head coach, brought the physical 6’7” and 222-pound forward in for a workout recently and its front office reportedly came away very impressed with his overall ability. Denver, in need of an identity, requires players with winning mentalities such as Winslow, a national champion with Duke.
No. 6 Sacramento Kings
Emmanuel Mudiay, PG, China
Scouts believe Mudiay, at 6’5” and 200 pound, can evolve into one of the most dominant point guards in the NBA from a physical perspective driving to the basket, similar to Russell Westbrook with Oklahoma City. Although Mudiay went to play professionally in China rather than compete in college at SMU last season, scouts are enamored by his potential. They are impressed with his ability to run an up-tempo offense. Sacramento coach George Karl is known for that style and reportedly respects the ability of Mudiay.
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