NBA Mock Draft: New York Knicks select Duke star

Mar 7, 2014; Nashville, TN, USA; Murray State Racers guard Cameron Payne (1) brings the ball up court against the Eastern Kentucky Colonels during the second half in the semifinals of the Ohio Valley Conference basketball tournament at Nashville Memorial Auditorium. Eastern Kentucky won 86-83. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

11. Indiana Pacers

It was a tough season for the Indiana Pacers without their star Paul George, but with a down season comes a lottery pick, and the Pacers will be able to add point guard Cameron Payne. Coming from Murray St., Payne is a true point guard, and will be the floor general for the Pacers. He isn’t the most athletic, but he is quick and has a very high basketball IQ, which is important at the point guard position. He has good length to be a good defender in the NBA, which will fit him in nicely in Indiana. Payne is very thin, but has the height to put on more weight without losing his quickness.

12. Utah Jazz

Last season, the Utah Jazz traded away center Enes Kanter to make way for the emerging Rudy Gobert. Alongside Derrick Favors, Gobert played very well, and in the NBA Draft the Jazz will select forward Bobby Portis to be a weapon off of the bench. Portis has great size at 6’11”, and also has a good jump shot that should allow him to play well with both Favors and Gobert who are best suited around the paint. Adding Portis will be good for floor spacing for the Jazz’s offense.

13. Phoenix Suns

With the 13th pick in the NBA Draft, the Phoenix Suns will be selecting one of the best players in college basketball last season in Frank Kaminsky. The Suns are an up-tempo team, and that figures to be the best style for Kaminsky to have success in the NBA. Kaminsky will offer the Suns a center with the ability to stretch the floor and knock down three-pointers. Kaminsky is known more as a shooter, but his post game was also very good in college. He needs to add strength, but he will be able to have a successful career in the NBA.

14. Oklahoma City Thunder

It was a tough season for the Oklahoma City Thunder last season with injuries to both Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant. A late surge to make the playoff came up just short, and now the Thunder will be selecting 14th overall. With the 14th pick in the NBA Draft, the Thunder will select Stanley Johnson from Arizona. Johnson will be able to be a great defender from day one in the NBA, as he was one of the best defenders in the country last season. Johnson’s offensive game isn’t too shabby either, as he has a good jumper and the ability to penetrate. Johnson will be an excellent player to help compliment Westbrook and Durant.

15. Atlanta Hawks (from Brooklyn Nets)

The Atlanta Hawks had the best record in the regular season last season in the Eastern Conference, as despite not having a star player, their team was able to be extremely successful. Their depth of above average players was a main reason for the their regular season success, but two of their main players are free agents this offseason. With Paul Millsap possibly on the way out, the Hawks will be drafting Myles Turner from Texas to be their big man alongside Al Horford. Turner brings the size to be able to play center in the NBA, which will allow Horford to play his natural position at power forward.

Next: Picks 16-20