NBA Mock Draft 1.0: Lottery loaded with big names

The season is over. Now the real work begins.

For most of the NBA's rebuilding teams -- and there seemed to be an awful lot of them this year, didn't there? -- the draft offers the best chance to reshape its rosters. And while there is no LeBron James, Dwight Howard or Anthony Davis in this year's draft, it is chock full of budding talent with enormous potential.

The buildup for the draft is a long, two-month process. There is the draft combine and individual workouts, where players' strengths and weaknesses will be dissected. Hitting on the right pick -- or picks -- could position a franchise as a playoff contender for years, while missing could set a franchise back even longer. But no pressure, really.

Now, onto SI.com's Mock Draft 1.0...

1. Milwaukee Bucks -- Andrew Wiggins, G/F,Kansas

Wiggins has quickly emerged as an early favorite amongst executives from many lottery teams. Wiggins has his warts -- a lack of aggression and tendency to drift during games being chief among them -- but his ceiling is considered higher than anyone else's. At 6-foot-7, 200 pounds, Wiggins can conceivably play two positions, though multiple executives say the best fit is the two guard spot. A Wiggins- Giannis Antetokounmpo- Larry Sanders trio is a nice core for Milwaukee to build around.

2. Philadelphia 76ers -- Joel Embiid, C, Kansas

Word around the league is that the Sixers are high on Wiggins. They will settle for Embiid, the draft's best center prospect, who would pair with Nerlens Noel to form an athletic frontcourt. Embiid's back isn't an issue -- yet. NBA executives are eager to get their hands on his medicals at next month's draft combine.

3. Orlando Magic -- Jabari Parker, F, Duke

Parker -- who as of Wednesday had still not formally declared for the draft -- is an NBA ready-scorer. Parker can score inside and out and is a strong rebounder for his position. Orlando has needs everywhere. While there are lingering questions about Parker's defense (does he play any?) and position (what forward spot does he belong?) his talent makes him a natural building block.

4. Utah Jazz -- Dante Exum, G, Australia*

The 6-foot-6, 188-pound Exum is a dynamic talent. Scouts rave about his quick first step and his jump shot has improved significantly over the past year. The combine and individual workouts will be the first time many league execs get a firsthand look at Exum but those that have seen him see a star quality in the Australian guard.

5. Boston Celtics -- Julius Randle, F, Kentucky

Boston has a pair of power forward prospects in Jared Sullinger and Kelly Olynyk. But Randle's potential could be too much to pass up. Randle possesses a diverse offensive repertoire. He can score inside and out, drawing comparisons from Zach Randolph to Michael Beasley. The Celtics figure to be active in trade talks this summer so increasing the team's frontcourt depth should not be an issue.

6. Los Angeles Lakers -- Marcus Smart, PG, Oklahoma State

The Lakers need a point guard -- the oft-injured Steve Nash is the only one under contract for next season -- and Smart is easily the most NBA-ready. A bulldog defender, Smart's size (6-foot-4, 220 pounds) fits the mold of the new NBA playmaker. Smart's perimeter game needs work but his strength and speed off the dribble will enable him to play right away.

7. Sacramento Kings -- Aaron Gordon, F, Arizona

The Kings have shuffled through several power forwards in recent years. The 18-year old Gordon is raw and his jump shot needs a complete overhaul. But his athleticism, rebounding and defense are enthralling attributes. Gordon -- who has drawn comparisons to Blake Griffin and Shawn Marion -- could solidify the Kings' power forward position for years to come.

8. Detroit Pistons -- Dario Saric, F, Croatia

The Pistons -- who are just beginning the search for a replacement for Joe Dumars -- have a need at small forward. Enter Saric, a fast developing point forward prospect. Saric leads the Adriatic League in scoring (16.3 points) and is second in rebounding (9.5). Even if the Pistons jettison some of its talent, Saric is a solid building block.

9. Cleveland Cavaliers -- Noah Vonleh, F-C, Indiana

Vonleh is extremely raw offensively, but he is a strong rebounder and a capable shot blocker. After whiffing on Andrew Bynum and with a $9.8 million team option on Anderson Varaejao, Cleveland needs help up front. In time, Vonleh could provide it.

10. Philadelphia 76ers (via New Orleans) -- Gary Harris, G, Michigan State

After dumping Evan Turner, Philadelphia has a hole at two-guard. Harris is a capable scorer and a strong defender who should fit in well alongside Michael Carter-Williams.

11. Denver Nuggets (via New York) -- Nik Stauskas, G, Michigan

Stauskas emerged as a dangerous three-point shooter last season at Michigan -- 44.2 percent -- with a quick release and an emerging all around offensive game. Defensively Stauskas is a work in progress but he has good size for his position.

12. Orlando Magic (via Denver) -- Tyler Ennis, G, Syracuse

The Magic grab the point guard they covet here in Ennis, who was one of Syracuse's most consistent players last season. Ennis isn't especially athletic or particularly accurate from deep (35.3 percent), but he thrives in the pick and roll and, well, the last 'Cuse playmaker to come into the draft turned out to be pretty good.

13. Minnesota Timberwolves -- James Young, G, Kentucky

The Wolves need shooters and Young, despite an uneven freshman year, has big-time potential. Young is fearless, which sometimes leads to questionable shot selection. He tinkered with his shooting form during the season but seemed to get it together late, when he put together some of his best shooting efforts.

14. Phoenix Suns -- Rodney Hood, F, Duke

With three first-round picks, the Suns could go several directions here. Hood put up a clunker in Duke's opening round loss to Mercer but he was a prolific scorer all season, including from beyond the three-point line (42 percent). Defense and ball handling are question marks but Hood's ability to score from the perimeter can't be overlooked.

15. Atlanta Hawks -- Jusuf Nurkic, C, Bosnia

Hawks GM Danny Ferry likes to tap the international market -- witness the drafting of Dennis Schroeder and Lucas Nogueira in the first round last year -- and could nab another in Nurkic, a bruising post player. Nurkic is raw but has the physical tools to develop into the type of center Atlanta needs.

16. Chicago Bulls (via Phoenix) -- T.J. Warren, F, NC State

Warren is unorthodox -- he has great size for a small forward but lacks the traditional athleticism and perimeter shooting. But Warren is a scorer (which the Bulls need) with a nice in-between game and a willingness to move without the ball that Tom Thibodeau will love.

17. Boston Celtics (via Brooklyn) -- Kyle Anderson, G, UCLA**

The success of Michael Carter-Williams this season has increased teams' fascination with taller point guards. Anderson is a natural playmaker who thrived when UCLA handed him the reigns this season. Scouts question Anderson's speed and defense but when paired with a two-guard who can defend point guards -- like, say, Avery Bradley -- those issues can be ironed out.

18. Phoenix Suns (via Washington) -- Adreian Payne, F-C, Michigan State

Payne is 23, which is the biggest thing working against him. On the floor Payne is a terrific inside-out player who rebounds and is solid from the free-throw line. The Suns' success with Channing Frye this season could motivate them to grab a player who plays a lot like him.

19. Chicago Bulls -- P.J. Hairston, G, Texas Legands***

If Hairston put up the numbers he did at Texas (21.8 points per game) at North Carolina, he would be a lottery lock. Hairston's issues at UNC will be a hot topic at the combine, but if teams like what they hear Hairston, a strong inside-out scorer, could come off the board quickly.

20. Toronto Raptors -- Doug McDermott, F, Creighton

McDermott could be off the board already as league executives see him going anywhere between 10 and 25. If he's here, McDermott's NBA-ready offensive game fills Toronto's need for a polished front court scorer.

21. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Dallas) -- Jerami Grant, F, Syracuse

Grant is a project. He's a big-time athlete with great physical tools, but it's still unclear what position he plays at the next level. Is he a small forward? Grant will need a more reliable three-point shot. Is he an undersized four? He will need to improve his strength and rebounding to play there. Grant needs time to develop. Which is exactly what Oklahoma City is in a position to give him.

22. Memphis Grizzlies -- Zach LaVine, G, UCLA

LaVine's stock soared after a hot shooting start to the season and plummeted after his shooting leveled off. LaVine is perhaps the fastest player in the draft with elite athleticism. He needs to add strength and be more consistent but there is a potential starter in him.

23. Utah Jazz (via Golden State) -- K.J. McDaniels, F, Clemson

McDaniels is a tremendous athlete whose stock has steadily improved throughout the season. He's also a fearsome shot blocker who thrives in the open floor. His offensive skills don't match his athleticism yet but if they do McDaniels has enormous potential.

24. Charlotte Bobcats (via Portland) -- Bogdan Bogdanovic, G, Serbia****

The Bobcats need perimeter shooting and Bogdanovic may be just what they are looking for. Bogdanovic is an emerging three-point shooter who can get to the basket and plays an unselfish game.

25. Houston Rockets -- Clint Capela, F, France

Capela is another dynamic athlete who thrives in transition. While the Rockets will be on the lookout for a stretch four in the offseason, Capela is a long, mobile big with a high defensive ceiling and the potential to develop into an intimidating power forward as he fills out.

26. Miami Heat -- Mitch McGary, PF, Michigan

McGary was projected by some teams as lottery pick before a back injury ended his season early. Instead, he could be a late first-round steal. A high-energy power forward with double-double potential could appeal to Miami, which will likely lose Shane Battier and Michael Beasley this summer.

27. Phoenix Suns (via Indiana) -- Vasilije Micic, G, Serbia

The Suns are already overloaded with young talent; Micic, a heady point guard, is a perfect draft-and-stash pick. The 20-year-old Micic has good size (6-4) and plays with a lot of confidence. His outside shot needs work but in a year or two Micic could be ready to step into the Suns' backcourt.

28. Los Angeles Clippers -- Shabazz Napier, PG, UConn

No player in the NCAA tournament helped his stock more than Napier. If the Clippers lose Darren Collison to free agency, Napier could be a cheaper alternative to backup Chris Paul next season.

29. Oklahoma City Thunder -- Mario Hezonja, SG, Croatia

Hezonja has been buried on the bench of his Spanish team for much of the season but scouts that have seen him play love his potential. Hezonja is a diverse scorer who can shoot from anywhere on the floor and finish in the paint. It's unclear if Hezonja plans to enter the draft. If he does, someone in the first round will scoop him up.

30. San Antonio Spurs -- Glenn Robinson III, F, Michigan

Robinson didn't develop into the lottery pick many projected he would this season. But he's a good athlete who had enough breakout games -- including a 20-point performance against Arizona -- for someone to take a chance on him. Robinson will need to significantly improve his perimeter shooting (he regressed to 30.6 percent from three this season) to make it in the NBA.

*A random drawing on Friday will determine whether Utah or Boston is slotted lower **A random drawing on Friday will determine whether Boston or Phoenix is slotted lower*** A random drawing on Friday will determine whether Chicago or Toronto is slotted lower**** A random drawing on Friday will determine where Charlotte, Portland and Miami are slotted

(This story will be updated following Friday's draw).