By David K.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!
It’s already been an eventful pre-draft with trades. Toronto rolled the dice by acquiring Jermaine O’Neal from Indiana in exchange for T.J. Ford, Rasho Neterovic, and the Raptors’ 1st round pick (#17). Charlotte acquired Denver’s first rounder (#20) for a protected future 1st round pick. Portland pretty much bought New Orleans’ first rounder (#27).
Here’s my final mock draft (which will likely be useless once a major trade among the top ten picks happens.) So many wild cards this year… I hate it…
1. Chicago- Derrick Rose, PG, Memphis
I am now of the mind-set where I would genuinely be shocked if the Bulls take Beasley. Chicago will draft a franchise changing guard in Rose and then look to trade Kirk Hinrich for an offensive-minded big.
2. Miami- Michael Beasley, PF, Kansas State
The O.J. Mayo to the Heat rumors continue to gain more and more steam. I still maintain that Beasley will be the pick, but it will be by whichever team offers enough to move into this spot.
3. Minnesota- O.J. Mayo, G, USC
The T-Wolves could swap picks with Miami. If another team moves into the two spot, Mayo will be the choice. If the Heat do grab Mayo, the T-Wolves are ecstatic to land Beasley. Love or Lopez could be a safe Kevin McHale-type pick.
4. Seattle- Jerryd Bayless, PG, Arizona
If the Sonics stay at this spot, a point guard should be the pick since current Sonic PGs Luke Ridnour and Earl Watson are not the answer. Forget drafting a post player like Love or Lopez, Durant NEEDS a point guard.
5. Memphis- Kevin Love, PF, UCLA
Grizzlies are loaded with young guards and wing players, so they need a low post player with this pick. If the Heat and Griz end up swapping picks, expect Miami to take Lopez here (and therefore destroy my mock.)
6. New York- Danillo Gallinari, SF, Italy
Mike D’Antoni wants a point guard to lead his up-tempo style of coaching but I’m not sure he thinks Westbrook is the answer. For a team in need as much as the Knicks are, taking the best available player sounds about right.
7. L.A. Clippers- Russell Westbrook, PG, UCLA
Eric Gordon seems like a good possibility as well, but Westbrook has more ability to run the point, a glaring weakness for L.A.’s “other team.â€Â
8. Milwaukee- Joe Alexander, F, West Virginia
Alexander worked out for the Bucks for a second time Monday and seems to be one of the few players who actually wants to play in Milwaukee. New head coach Scott Skiles seems to covet Alexander’s toughness. If Gallinari falls, I think he would be the better pick.
9. Charlotte- Brook Lopez, C, Stanford
Lopez would provide some immediate help up-front for Emeka Okafor. He potentially could go as high #3 to the T-Wolves and would be a solid value at this spot. Augustin and Westbrook also look like possibilities now that the Cats acquired a second 1st rounder.
10. New Jersey- Anthony Randolph, F, LSU
A lengthy, athletic forward chosen on potential, Randolph will likely need a year or two to develop physically. This pick makes more sense if the Nets are seriously shopping Richard Jefferson.
11. Indiana- Eric Gordon, G, Indiana
I’m not sold on the basketball Judas. He’s under-sized for the two and not skilled enough to run the point which is why I have him this low. With the Pacers acquiring T.J. Ford, their biggest need turns from a point to a scoring two guard. Then again, Gordon could go as high as #4.Â
12. Sacramento- D.J. Augustin, PG, Texas
The Kings are counting their blessings that Augustin falls to them. Sacramento’s biggest need is a floor leader and without the Pacers trade, were likely not getting one through the draft.
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13. Portland- Brandon Rush, G/F. Kansas
The Blazers seem to be shopping this pick in hopes of landing a small forward to come in and contribute right away. Rush is best option if a trade isn’t made because he is NBA ready and could add some shooting and defense on the wing.
14. Golden State- Kosta Koufos, C, Ohio State
The Warriors could use backcourt help in case Monta Ellis leaves via free agency or a big in case Andris Biedrins is gone after this season. Koufos is a foreign 7-footer who can hit from outside would be a nice fit in the Warriors high scoring offense.Â
15. Phoenix-Â Robin Lopez, C, Stanford
The Suns need to add some depth up-front behind Shaq. Lopez doesn’t have “superstar†written on him, but he will be a solid contributor doing the little things on both ends of the floor.
16. Philadelphia-Darrell Arthur, PF, Kansas
The Sixers need an offensive minded front court player to plug in at the four. Arthur is solid with his back to the basket or facing the hoop. In my opinion, this pick is the perfect match.
17. Indiana (from Toronto)- Roy Hibbert, C, Georgetown
With the Pacers trading O’Neal for Nesterovic (a free agent at the end of the year), they will need to add a big with one of their two picks. Hibbert seems like the safest bet at this point.
18. Washington- Jason Thompson, PF, Rider
Thompson is starting to make some noise in the middle of the draft. Rumor has him going as high as #14 to the Warriors. With Antwan Jamison possibly leaving via free agency, a power forward seems like the best option.
19. Cleveland- Donte Greene, SF, Syracuse
I think a player like CD-R would be a perfect fit, but with Greene dropping this low, the Cavs can hope he develops into a Rashard Lewis-type player and help LeBron in the next year.
20. Charlotte (from Denver)- Mario Chalmers, PG, Kansas
Assuming the Cats land a big at #9, a guard is the obvious choice here. Of course, it could go vice versa and further mess up my mock. Obviously, Charlotte acquired this pick with a certain player in mind.
21. New Jersey- DeAndre Jordan, C, Texas A&M
I haven’t been high on Jordan all year. Besides, he barely cracked 20 minutes a game in his freshman season with the Aggies, but the Nets can afford to pick a young player based on potential with their second 1st round pick.
22. Orlando- Ryan Anderson, PF, California
A scoring big who can hit from the outside seems like the perfect compliment to Dwight Howard. A shooting guard could be another route for the Magic to go.
23. Utah- Marreese Speights, PF, Florida
The Jazz could lose Carlos Boozer and Mehmet Okur to free agency after next season, so drafting a young post player seems to make sense. Speights could be a great pick at this point.
24. Seattle- Alexis Ajinca, PF, France
With their second 1st rounder why not add a foreign prospect who could be a running mate for Kevin Durant. Ajinca could easily go in the late-lottery based of his potential.
25. Houston- Javale McGee, C, Nevada
Yao Ming is coming off season-ending surgery and Dikembe Mutumbo cannot play forever making a big the best option. McGee needs some seasoning before he becomes a contributor in the NBA.
26. San Antonio- Nicolas Batum, SF, France
It’s likely that he doesn’t contribute right away, but developing foreign talent is what the Spurs seem to do best. Concerns over a rumored heart issue appear to be no more.
27. Portland (from New Orleans)- Ante Tomic, C, Croatia
The Blazers don’t need to add a player who can contribute right away. Tomic can continue to develop overseas and potentially be a nice back-up for Greg Oden.
28. Memphis- Chris Douglas-Roberts, G/F, Memphis
If the Griz go with a big at #5, a two-guard seems like the logical choice here. Memphis could also opt to take a foreign player to develop overseas.
Detroit,
You better lose yourself in the #29 pick, the moment
You own it, you better never let it go
You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow
Cause opportunity comes once in a lifetime…
29. Detroit- Bill Walker, G/F. Kansas State
A knee injury during work outs hurt his stock which at the time, was on the rise. This late in the draft, Walker seems like a safe risk for the Pistons.
30. Boston- Courtney Lee, SG, Western Kentucky
Ray Allen came through big in the finals, but seemed to lose gas early in the playoffs. A NBA ready two-guard to come off the bench seems like a wise choice for the Celtics.
No Trent Meacham in the first round? LOL! There’s always the 2009 NBA Mock Draft!Â
Second Round
31. Minnesota- Jamont Gordon, G, Mississippi St.
32. Seattle- Serge Ibaka, PF, Congo Â
33. Portland- J.J. Hickson, F, N.C. State
34. Minnesota- DeVon Hardin, C, California
35. L.A. Clippers- D.J. White, PF, Indiana
36. Portland- Gary Forbes, G/F, UMass
37. Milwaukee- Kyle Weaver, SG, Washington St.
38. Charlotte- Goran Dragic, PG, Slovenia
39. Chicago- Trent Plaisted, C, BYU
40. New Jersey- Nikola Pekovic, PF, Serbia
41. Indiana- Richard Hendrix, PF, Alabama
42. Sacramento- Joey Dorsey, PF, Memphis
43. Sacramento- George Hill, PG, IUPUI
44. Utah- Nathan Jawai, PF, Australia
45. San Antonio- Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, SF, UCLA
46. Seattle- Sonny Weems, SG, Arkansas
47. Washington- Davon Jefferson, SF, USC
48. Phoenix- Chris Lofton, G, Tennessee
49. Golden State- Anton Ponkrashov, PG, Russia
50. Seattle- Omer Asik, C, Turkey
51. Dallas- Shan Foster, G/F, Vanderbilt
52. Miami- Pat Calathes, PF, St. Joseph’s
53. Utah- Sean Singletary, G, Virginia
54. Houston- Malik Hairston, SG, Oregon
55. Portland- Semih Erden, C, Turkey
56. Seattle- Mantas Kalnietis, PG, Lithuania
57. San Antonio- Joe Crawford, SG, Kentucky
58. L.A. Lakers- Bryce Taylor, SG, Oregon
59. Detroit- Josh Duncan, PF, XavierÂ
60. Boston- Othello Hunter, PF, Ohio State
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Sadly, Drew Neitzel did not make the cut, but on the plus side, mentioning this gives me another reason to post a picture of his hot sister Erin. Also, why is “Drew Tang Clan” flicking off the photographer in this picture
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