For Duke star Cameron Boozer, a lot of the NBA draft is going to come down to what happens in the first two picks. If Boozer doesn't go in the first two picks, it's almost a guarantee that he'll go third overall. Unfortunately for the young man, he likely won't be taken over by Darryn Peterson or AJ Dybantsa, and that's just the reality of the situation.
Prospect-wise, nobody should have Boozer worse than third to fifth on their board. We can certainly make the argument that he's the best prospect in the class, as he was the best player in college basketball a season ago and was awarded properly in that regard.
However, a lot of it will come down to team fit, which means that Boozer might not end up going in the first three picks, even if it makes a lot of sense for that to happen. A lot of things will depend on the lottery unfolding the way that it needs to, but as things currently stand, him going in the top three seems to be a guarantee.
The latest mock draft had him landing with the Brooklyn Nets at the third overall pick.
“This may be the easiest pick of the draft. Executives are terrified of missing on Dybantsa or Peterson if they end up reaching their full potential, but there's little doubt that Boozer will be a long-term impact player. His resume of winning is unmatched, he's physically ready for the next level and one of the smartest players in the draft. He's a big-time rebounder, passer, has terrific hands and can operate at different spots on the floor offensively. Boozer had a war of a matchup Friday night against St. John's and defensive menace Zuby Ejiofor,” Adam Finkelstein wrote.
If the Nets hold the third pick and Dybantsa and Peterson go ahead of where they're selecting, it seems very safe to say that Boozer would be the guy they go with. There's no guarantee, obviously, as a lot has to play out before the draft, but it definitely feels like the safe pick right now.