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CHAD FORD'S MOCK DRAFT
Portland
Greg Oden Position: C
Height: 7-0
Weight: 245
Age: 19
School: Ohio State
The skinny: Blazers GM Kevin Pritchard told me in Orlando he hasn't made up his mind yet. Both Oden and Kevin Durant will visit to meet the staff and go through a battery of interviews. But unless Oden raises a red flag somehow, I believe he's the man.
Seattle
Kevin Durant Position: SF
Height: 6-10
Weight: 190
Age: 18
School: Texas
The skinny: Sonics president Lenny Wilkens says he isn't trading the pick. But the same can't be said for the rest of the roster if Durant's the pick. Expect the team to rebuild around Durant.
By the way, after talking to Durant on Thursday, I think it's safe to say that if Portland passes on him, he'll try to drop 50 on the Blazers in their first meeting.
Atlanta
Brandan Wright Position: PF
Height: 6-10
Weight: 210
Age: 19
School: North Carolina
The skinny: In our last mock draft we posited that the Hawks essentially had to take point guard Mike Conley.
Well, the intel out of Orlando is that they are leaning toward the athletic Wright and will sort out the point guard situation with the No. 11 pick.
Wright has one of the biggest risk/reward factors of anyone in the draft. And I'm just not sure how well he fits on a team filled with such similar players as Josh Smith and Marvin Williams.
Memphis
Al Horford Position: PF
Height: 6-9
Weight: 235
Age: 20
School: Florida
The skinny: With Horford measuring out in Orlando at an impressive 6-foot-9¾ with a 7-foot-3 wingspan, any concerns that he might be too small to play the 4 are gone.
This move gives the Grizz some toughness up front and allows them to either move Pau Gasol back to the 5 or trade him this summer.
Corey Brewer and Mike Conley are also possibilities here.
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Boston
Yi Jianlian Position: PF
Height: 7-0
Weight: 246
Age: 19
Country: China
The skinny: This is a tough call since the future of the Celtics is so murky. Yi has the most upside at this point but also carries a significant risk that Celts boss Danny Ainge might not want to bear. And with Paul Pierce stumping for immediate help, it might be an unpopular pick.
I wouldn't be surprised if the Celtics traded the pick -- the Warriors and Bulls would like to move up here and grab Yi.
If the Celtics go with Corey Brewer instead, it might mean the end of the Paul Pierce era in Boston.
PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS
Milwaukee
Mike Conley Position: PG
Height: 6-0
Weight: 170
Age: 19
School: Ohio State
The skinny: The Bucks likely will decide between Conley and Julian Wright here. With Mo Williams hitting free agency, Conley's a good pick and a better pure point guard prospect in the long run.
Wright would fill a void at small forward and give the Bucks an athletic facilitator in their frontcourt.
PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS
Minnesota
Corey Brewer Position: SG
Height: 6-8
Weight: 185
Age: 21
School: Florida
The skinny: The Timberwolves' biggest need is in the frontcourt. However, Brewer's too good to let fall any further. The Wolves could play him at the 2 and 3 and get an immediate defensive boost.
Joakim Noah, Julian Wright and Spencer Hawes are also possibilities here.
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Charlotte
Joakim Noah Position: PF
Height: 6-11
Weight: 230
Age: 22
School: Florida
The skinny: The Bobcats likely will go after free agent Rashard Lewis to handle their scoring woes. They also need to improve their rebounding, which is where Noah comes in. Bernie Bickerstaff and Michael Jordan will be fans of his energy and the intensity he brings to the game.
If they Bobcats put him with Emeka Okafor, Sean May and Primoz Brezec, they would have a number of different looks they could give opponents on their frontline.
Besides, Noah projects as one of the most marketable guys in the draft and the Bobcats are still searching for players like that.
PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS
Chicago
(via New York)
Spencer Hawes Position: C
Height: 7-0
Weight: 230
Age: 19
School: Washington
The skinny: The Bulls desperately need low-post scoring, and Hawes might be the most offensively-gifted low-post player in the draft.
The team also likes Julian Wright, though he isn't nearly the best fit here.
The Bulls really want Yi, however, so don't be surprised if they try to move up a few spots in the draft to get him.
This pick could also be a target for the Blazers. They'd love to get their hands on Jeff Green or Julian Wright. The Bulls could trade this pick and P.J. Brown (in a sign-and-trade) for Zach Randolph.
PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS
Sacramento
Julian Wright Position: SF
Height: 6-9
Weight: 220
Age: 20
School: Kansas
The skinny: With Ron Artest likely packing for a new destination this summer, they'll want to replace his versatility on the defensive end. Wright is not the scorer that Artest is, but he's a better facilitator.
That would be a welcome change for Mike Bibby and Kevin Martin, who both thought Artest controlled the offense too much.
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Atlanta
(via Indiana)
Javaris Crittenton Position: PG
Height: 6-5
Weight: 180
Age: 19
School: Georgia Tech
The skinny: If the Hawks go big with pick No. 3, they have to go point guard here ... right? After the Hawks passed on point guards Chris Paul, Deron Williams and Rajon Rondo in the last two drafts, will Crittenton be able to fill those shoes? He's big, athletic and he can shoot the ball, but he lacks ideal quickness and experience.
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Philadelphia
Jeff Green Position: SF
Height: 6-8
Weight: 225
Age: 20
School: Georgetown
The skinny: The Sixers really need a power forward, but at this point, Green is clearly the best player left on the board. He's a much better prospect than the small forward the Sixers drafted last year, Rodney Carney. He also could play a little 4 in a small-ball-type lineup.
Green, like Andre Iguodala, has some serious point forward skills and would provide more glue to a team that looked like it was starting to come together in the second half of the season.
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New Orleans
Al Thornton Position: SF
Height: 6-7
Weight: 210
Age: 23
School: Florida State
The skinny: With Desmond Mason hitting free agency, the Hornets will look for a swingman to play alongside Peja Stojakovic, who they hope can return to health. Brewer is the ideal fit, but if he's gone I expect they'll try to decide between Thornton and Nick Young.
Thornton is the more NBA ready of the two, though it appears Young might be a better fit.
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L.A. Clippers
Acie Law Position: PG
Height: 6-3
Weight: 185
Age: 22
School: Texas A&M
The skinny: With Shaun Livingston's future up in the air, the Clippers need to think about adding another point guard. Sam Cassell can't run the show forever, and Law would be a good replacement.
Like Cassell, he's a scoring guard who is fearless at the end of games. He should be able to step in and contribute immediately.
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Detroit
(via Orlando)
Rodney Stuckey Position: SG
Height: 6-4
Weight: 205
Age: 21
School: Eastern Wash.
The skinny: Many NBA scouts raised their eyebrows when I listed Stuckey this high, but I still think he'll be the pick for Detroit. He just seems like the type of player Detroit likes and he's an excellent fit.
Stuckey is a Randy Foye-type combo guard who can play some point but really excels by putting the ball on the floor and getting to the basket. He would be a big upgrade over Flip Murray.
Nick Young and Thaddeus Young also are possibilities here.
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Washington
Thaddeus Young Position: SF
Height: 6-8
Weight: 210
Age: 18
School: Georgia Tech
The skinny: Small forward isn't a huge need for Washington, but Young has too much talent and upside to pass on at this point. Washington fans would just have to be a little patient with him.
The Wizards also like Brazil's Tiago Splitter, but they made a similar pick last year in Olexsiy Pecherov.
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New Jersey
Sean Williams Position: C
Height: 6-10
Weight: 230
Age: 20
School: Boston College
The skinny: The Nets desperately need some interior defense and Williams is the best shot-blocker in the draft.
Off-court problems got him kicked off the team at Boston College, but at this point in the draft the reward starts to exceed the risk.
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Golden State
Jason Smith Position: PF
Height: 7-0
Weight: 230
Age: 21
School: Colorado State
The skinny: Watch the Warriors closely. They are very high on Yi Jianlian and will try to move up in the draft.
If they can't, Smith is the perfect type of player for Nellie. He is tall and athletic, gets up and down the floor and can score from just about anywhere on the floor. He also plays with great energy. He could be a real sleeper in the draft.
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L.A. Lakers
Nick Young Position: SG
Height: 6-6
Weight: 200
Age: 21
School: USC
The skinny: Young is a steal if he slips this far in the draft. He could go as high as No. 8 to Charlotte or No. 13 to New Orleans.
He doesn't fit a need, but it's tough to see the Lakers passing on the local Laker fanatic if he lasts this long. And his shooting ability and athleticism make him a valuable asset.
Don't be surprised if this pick gets moved as part of a trade to bring in another star for Kobe.
If the Pacers were to send Jermaine O'Neal to L.A., for example, you can bet they'd want to grab a shooter like Young.
PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS
Miami
Gabe Pruitt Position: PG
Height: 6-4
Weight: 170
Age: 21
School: USC
The skinny: The Heat are hurting at the point. Jason Williams is coming up on a contract year and the Heat prefer to play Dwyane Wade at the 2.
Pruitt is a combo guard who has great size for the point, excellent athleticism and a beautiful stroke on his jumper.
However, the Heat are also a likely candidate to trade their pick.
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Philadelphia
(via Denver)
Josh McRoberts Position: PF
Height: 6-10
Weight: 230
Age: 20
School: Duke
The skinny: Sixers GM Billy King loves Duke players, and McRoberts has a lot more talent than his box scores at Duke suggest. He's tall, athletic and very skilled, but he played most of his career out of position at Duke.
He's not a go-to type player, but he should be a better, more athletic version of Luke Walton.
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Charlotte
(via Toronto)
Morris Almond Position: SG
Height: 6-6
Weight: 215
Age: 22
School: Rice
The skinny: The Bobcats would fill their need at 2-guard with one of the more underrated players in the draft. Almond has great size for the position and might be the best long-range shooter in the draft.
The Bobcats thought they got outside shooting when they drafted Adam Morrison last year, but Almond is a much better shooter.
This pick is another one that looks like it might be for sale.
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New York
(via Chicago)
Daequan Cook Position: SG
Height: 6-5
Weight: 210
Age: 20
School: Ohio State
The skinny: Cook has great upside, but he's not ready. Right now he's a good shooter and athlete, but he doesn't have much of an in-between game.
But the Knicks are looking for perimeter shooting and Cook might just have too much talent to pass up here.
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Phoenix
(via Cleveland)
Tiago Splitter Position: PF
Height: 7-0
Weight: 240
Age: 22
Country: Brazil
The skinny: I wouldn't be surprised to see the Suns try to package this pick along with No. 29 to move up a few spots in the draft or to facilitate a trade to get rid of Marcus Banks or Boris Diaw.
If they do keep it, I suspect they'll go international so that they can keep the player in Europe and off the payroll.
Splitter has enough talent to go a few spots higher, but he won't be able to get out of his contract until 2008.
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Utah
Derrick Byars Position: SF
Height: 6-7
Weight: 220
Age: 23
School: Vanderbilt
The skinny: The Jazz want to add a shooter who can play the 2 and 3 and play some defense.
Byars is a bit of a sleeper. He really didn't come on strong at Vanderbilt until his senior season.
Italy's Marco Belinelli and Rice's Morris Almond are also possibilities here.
PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS
Houston
Glen Davis Position: PF
Height: 6-9
Weight: 290
Age: 21
School: LSU
The skinny: Davis has amazing skills for a big guy -- the problem is that he's just so big. If he can keep his weight down, he could end up being a steal this late. But that's a big if. Workouts will be very important for him.
PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS
Detroit
DeVon Hardin Position: C
Height: 6-11
Weight: 235
Age: 20
School: California
The skinny: If the Pistons go with a guard with pick No. 15, you can expect them to add a big man to balance things out in the frontcourt.
Hardin has all the physical tools to be an excellent pro, but is still a long way from contributing. Look for the Pistons to put him on the same two-year development plan that's worked so far for Amir Johnson.
PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS
San Antonio
Marco Belinelli Position: SG
Height: 6-6
Weight: 200
Age: 21
Country: Italy
The skinny: As long as Tim Duncan is around to hold down the middle, the Spurs could use some improvement in their shooting in the backcourt.
Belinelli has one of the best pure strokes in the draft. He also comes with great experience in the Euroleague and should be able to step in and help right away.
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Phoenix
Rudy Fernandez Position: SG
Height: 6-6
Weight: 172
Age: 22
Country: Spain
The skinny: Suns likely will try to trade this pick, but if they keep it, they'll likely go international.
Fernandez had a breakout season in Spain this year. He's an excellent athlete with a good shooting stroke and the ability to play some point. His lack of strength and durability are the only things keeping his stock this low at the moment.
PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS
Philadelphia
(via Dallas)
Marc Gasol Position: C
Height: 7-0
Weight: 265
Age: 22
Country: Spain
The skinny: The likelihood of the Sixers' keeping all three picks is slim … but if they do, they'll probably take an international player they can stash overseas.
Gasol, the brother of Grizzlies forward Pau Gasol, made huge strides in Spain this year and could be a decent backup center down the road.
