1) Portland – Greg Oden
When it comes down to it, you have to take the big man. Dominant big men like Tim Duncan and Shaquille O’Neal have been the staple of every championship team since Michael Jordan. While the need for a small forward is probably greater than Center, the emergence of LaMarcus Aldridge makes Zach Randolph expendable…likely fetching that final starter. If Oden fills half of his potential expect the Blazers to win a championship in 3-5 years.
2) Seattle – Kevin Durant
The best of the rest. The Sonics simply elect to take the player the Portland passes on. While Oden will likely have more championships than Durant, I expect Kevin will have better individual numbers for his career and will dominate this league for quite a while.
3) Atlanta – Al Hortford
While the primary need for the Hawks is a decent PG, Al Hortford is simply too intriguing to pass up. Plus, with several quality veteran PGs offered in trade for the Hawks’ 11 pick, expect them to take their man at 3…regardless of whether they truly NEED him or not.
4) Memphis – Mike Conley Jr.
The Grizz decide to bring in a quality PG to run the show in Memphis. While Memphis is especially high on Hortford, Conley makes more sense creating a fluid team. Paired with Pau Gasol and Rudy Gay the Grizzlies should be in a nice position to improve over last year’s pitiful season.
5) Boston – Yi Jianlin
Despite all the whining over their lottery “loss” the Celtics still land the 3rd best player in the draft. While the odds are high that this pick is traded before draft night, if they stay pat this is a solid move for them. Yi will be a solid player in this league but may take a while to translate his game…a fact that doesn’t encourage Paul Pierce.
6) Milwaukee – Jeff Green
The Bucks really need a PG at this spot, but will settle for Jeff Green if they stand pat. I wouldn’t be surprised to see them try and move the pick for a player like Jarrett Jack or Devin Harris.
7) Minnesota – Spencer Hawes
While Chicago has been crossing its fingers that either Yi Jianlin or Spencer Hawes slip to them, Hawes’ great workouts in the twin cities was enough to enamor the T-Wolves with him. Of course, a trade is definitely possible too, but this seems to only encourage the idea that Hawes will be the draft pick (and Garnett’s replacement).
8) Charlotte – Joakim Noah
With consistent injuries to Sean May (as well as the departure of Melvin Ely) the Bobcats will look to fill that cap with yet another NCAA National Champ. Michael Jordan is pretty intent on winning a few games in the next few seasons and Noah is a player that can contribute immediately.
9) Chicago – Al Thornton
The Bulls are preparing for Nocioni to walk this offseason and they’re in need of some additional offense to boot. With Hawes, Jianlin and Noah off the board they take their next best option. Of course, a trade is never out of the question with Paxson.
10) Sacramento – Brandon Wright
The Kings are in no position to contend anytime soon and can wait on a player with as much potential as Wright.
11) Atlanta – Acie Law IV
The Hawks are in obvious need of a PG and are wanting to look less like a “young team” and more mature. That is exactly the appearance that Law has…much more than say Crittendon. Honestly though, I expect this pick to be traded (possibly for Jarrett Jack or even Luke Ridnour).
12) Philadelphia – Corey Brewer
After lackluster measurements at Orlando, Corey slips in the draft. But the sixers, in need of a player to pair with Igoudala, snatches him up to build around.
13) New Orleans – Nick Young
This spot is apparently being contested between Nick and Thaddeus Young. But the primary hope for the Hornets has been to acquire shooting wings in this draft and that is exactly what Nick can do. Plus, they really need a SG. Watch for them to take Nick Young here and maybe another shooting wing like Demetris Nichols in the second round.
14) LA Clippers – Javaris Crittendon
With the continuing PF woes of the Clippers they really need to take this guy.
15) Detroit – Rodney Stuckey
The Pistons have been looking for a player like Stuckey for a while. The signing of Flip Murray didn’t work out as they would have liked and so they opt for the small school standout. Word is that Stuckey has a promise from the Pistons and the trade of Carlos Delfino encourages this view.
16) Washington – Julian Wright
Wright’s tumble down the boards ends here. Washington is never an easy call, but with as much potential as Wright seems to have hes hard to pass up.
17) New Jersey – Josh McRoberts
With the Nets looking to shore up their frontline they’ll shoot for a guy like McRoberts that can do a little of everything.
18) Golden State – Thaddeus Young
With Mickael Pietrus likely to bolt in FA this offseason (with the Raptors supposedly setting aside their entire MLE for him) they’ll look to fill the hole with a quality replacement. Word has been though that their pick is actually for sale.
19) LA Lakers – Gabe Pruitt
For the second year in a row, the Lakers take a local big PG. Pruitt has a lot of potential to be a great player and may be a significant steal in this draft.
20) Miami – Sean Williams
The Heat are looking to retool their frontcourt and Williams is a player with huge potential. The problem is that hes also a recovering addict. It’s a gamble, but somebody is going to swing it.
21) Philadelphia – Jason Smith
The Sixers continue their newfound youth movement with a quality big man.
22) Charlotte – Jared Dudley
This pick is another likelihood to be traded, but if it stays it will probably go to a strong NCAA player. Glen Davis would be a likely pick for them, but with Noah coming earlier in the draft they probably go with a wing instead.
23) New York – Wilson Chandler
Isiah Thomas has already stated that he going to gamble with this pick. That’s exactly what Chandler is. But with successes like David Lee and, to an extend, Renaldo Balkman its hard to deny his past prior good judgment (at least in terms of late draft picks).
24) Phoenix – Marco Belinelli
This pick gets traded. Period. But, for this mock’s sake, the Suns take a foreign player they can stash overseas that can shoot shoot shoot.
25) Utah – Morris Almond
The Jazz have been trying to fill Raja Bell’s hole for a while now. Devin Brown and Ronnie Brewer haven’t filled those needs yet. But the Jazz are wanting more scoring (especially outside scoring) and that is one thing that Almond can do.
26) Houston – Nick Fazekas
After trading Juwan Howard the Rockets are prime for another PF. After drafting Steve Novak last year it is apparent that they are also willing to draft players that can shoot and little else. While Fazekas is likely the best shooter in the whole draft, he also has many quality big man skills to boot and will spread the floor the Yao.
27) Detroit – Derrick Byars
The Pistons snatch up the multi-dimensional player from Vandy. Byars seems to be a good fit for a system like the Pistons and will fill a need for them immediately.
28) San Antonio – Rudy Fernandez
The Spurs are well known for taking foreign players late in the draft and turning them into quality role players and All-Stars. Rudy Fernandez is simply the next in line of that tradition and the steal of this draft. While his talent is not unknown, his buyout issues overseas are much the same. With offers coming from FC Barcelona it is likely teams fear drafting the next Fran Vasquez and pass on him. The Spurs have time to wait though and they snatch him up.
29) Phoenix – Petteri Koponen
Again, this pick will be traded. But assuming it isn’t, Koponen makes too much sense for this team not to take…especially considering the quality of Marcus Banks.
30) Philadelphia – Daequan Cook
The Sixers continue to set the table for their rebuilding effort.
I just think that Noah gets picked by 6 at the latest, Brewer is too low at 12, Dudley, Chandler and Fatzekas are in the late 20's if not 2nd rounders.
Other than that, good attempt.
Corey Brewer measured out well below what everyone thought he was. A lot of the mystique around him disappeared quickly and he seems to have lost some ground. Dudley is probably too high, but my other thought was Glen Davis...and taking Joakim Noah at 8 kinda burned that idea up for the Bobcats. Chandler is probably just right at 23 and Fazekas has had some connections with the Rockets as of late.
That being said, this draft is going to be way off because we'll have a flurry of trades that will mess it all up.
I know you're in love with Rudy Fernandez, but it sounds like he's staying in Spain. Forever. His Spanish team is offering him a deal that would pay him more than a rookie contract. Combined with the buyout it would take for him to come to the U.S., he would really lose cash.
Why is Chicago taking YET ANOTHER small forward?
Not a bad mock... I see the Spurs going foreign too. They spend so much time scouting overseas...that has become their MO.
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