Mock Draft 1.0: Taking the Pulse of the Draft
Where Stock Is Rising, Falling, and Stabilizing
Draft season doesn’t truly begin until conference play tips off. This is the point in the calendar where reputations are tested, roles are clarified, and we start separating real NBA prospects from early-season noise. Conference play is underway, and this is where we find out who is really a draft prospect. No more buy games. No more neutral sites (for the most part). This is where draft stock rises and falls. This is when portal plans start to develop.
And this is when I put together my first mock draft. My philosophy when building a mock is to account for roster construction and salary situations while keeping a pulse on what’s happening in real time. For this particular mock, I used the Tankathon Lottery Simulator to generate the draft order.
So without further suspense, the results are in.
THE BROOKLYN NETS ARE ON THE CLOCK.
1. Darryn Peterson
Kansas
Freshman
Guard
6’5” | 205
Age on draft night: 19.4
Number one on my big board and number one on this mock draft. Peterson has a rare combination of shot-making, defense, and athleticism. He’s been lights out from three this season for Kansas, even in limited minutes. Assuming he’s healthy, he has the tools to eventually become Brooklyn’s number one option in the half court. The Nets get their star through the draft.
