by The GM on May 26 at 11:49AM
A couple weeks ago, I gave you my mock draft before the lottery balls had dropped. I will now give you my thoughts on the full first round now that the order has been set.
1. Chicago Bulls - Derrick Rose (PG - Memphis) - I still feel that Michael Beasley is the best player in this draft, but Rose makes the most sense for the Bulls. With Chris Duhon and Ben Gordon possibly leaving town, the Bulls will need a play maker to run the show.
2. Miami Heat - Michael Beasley (PF - Kansas State) - There are rumors that Miami could package this pick in a trade and also rumors that Miami could take OJ Mayo with this pick. However, Michael Beasley is a double-double machine and Pat Riley has an affection for players like that (Elton Brand and Carlos Boozer).
3. Minnesota Timberwolves - Brook Lopez (C - Stanford) - Lopez gives Minnesota a compliment to Al Jefferson on the inside. With Jefferson, Lopez, and Corey Brewer, the T-Wolves are adding some fine defensive players to this team.
4. Seattle Supersonics - OJ Mayo (SG - USC) - Mayo is thought to be the most complete player in the draft by some experts. Adding Mayo here to go with Kevin Durant and Jeff Green could lead to some high scoring affairs this season. Now, if we could just figure out where they are going to play this season.
5. Memphis Grizzlies - Danilo Gallinari (SF - Italy) - Memphis really confuses me with their roster. They really have no inside players at this point. They have two picks in the first round, so they could go with a post player later in the round. Gallinari will add scoring power and could possibly start if Mike Miller is traded.
6. New York Knicks - Eric Gordon (SG - Indiana) - Now that Donnie Walsh is in New York, I could see him taking the Indiana prospect. Gordon would most likely come off the bench with Stephon Marbury and Jamal Crawford in front of him, but if he can get his shot down, he could be a big time player this season.
7. Los Angeles Clippers - Jerryd Bayless (PG - Arizona) - The Clippers could be in a world of trouble if Elton Brand opts out of his contract. If he stays, then the Clippers main focus will be finding a point guard. Sam Cassell was waived last season and Shaun Livingston's contract is expiring this summer. Bayless can come in and start immediately for this team.
8. Milwaukee Bucks - Russell Westbrook (PG - UCLA) - Westbrook would be a nice addition to the Bucks back court here. He could spell Mo Williams for long periods of time or he could start. Either way, the Bucks are getting a great player here.
9. Charlotte Bobcats - Anthony Randolph (PF - LSU) - Randolph is a big, athletic body to add to the post for the Bobcats. Emeka Okafor could be gone, Sean May hasn't been healthy since being drafted, and Nazr Mohammed isn't going to do it all himself.
10. New Jersey Nets - Kevin Love (C - UCLA) - DeSagana Diop, Nenad Krstic, and Stromile Swift will all be free agents this summer. Love can come in and start immediately or fill in off the bench behind Josh Boone and Sean Williams. Adding Love here would definitely improve their front court.
11. Indiana Pacers - D.J. Augustin (PG - Texas) - The Pacers are in desperate help at the point guard position. Augustin could be the stable leader they are in need of.
12. Sacramento Kings - Joe Alexander (SF - West Virginia) - The Kings have a slew of post players right now, but they don't have many players to fill the wings effectively. Alexander can give the Kings some scoring punch off the bench and could be a starter if Ron Artest leaves town.
13. Portland Trailblazers - Chase Budinger (SG - Arizona) - It seems like Portland has 1,000 players on their roster. I am trying to see some holes that need filled and I don't really see any. I think the Blazers are in position to take the best available player and that player is Budinger.
14. Golden State Warriors - Donte Greene (SF - Syracuse) - At 6'10, Greene is the kind of player the Warriors covet. He can run the floor, play defense, and create his own shot. Golden State has seven players with expiring contracts this summer, so Greene could see a lot of minutes if they don't bring back some of those players.
15. Phoenix Suns - Brandon Rush (SG - Kansas) - It is a bit hard to believe that the Suns have the 15th pick in this draft. I like Rush here because of the fact that he is used to playing a team game with an up-tempo style to it. Rush could be a steal here at 15.
16. Philadelphia 76ers - Darrell Arthur (PF - Kansas) - The 76ers get a nice big man here at 16. Arthur is a little unpolished, but he can develop into the player the 76ers want within a couple seasons.
17. Toronto Raptors - DeAndre Jordan (C - Texas A&M) - Jordan is still a mystery to me. I can't decide if he is going to be a lottery pick or not. Here, he falls to the Raptors at 17 and if he becomes the player that many think he can be, then this is a steal. If not, then Jordan is just another player that came out too soon and didn't amount to much.
18. Washington Wizards - Robin Lopez (C - Stanford) - The Wizards would love to add another post player that can defend. Lopez will give Washington more defense than offense, but with Caron Butler, Gilbert Arenas, and Antwan Jamison (if Arenas and Jamison sign) on offense, they really don't need a ton of offensive contribution from the center position.
19. Cleveland Cavaliers - Marreese Speights (C - Florida) - Speights would be a PF for the Cavs, but he is a capable post player with a good sense of what is a good shot. He won't take over many games, but with LeBron on the team, he won't have to.
20. Denver Nuggets - Nicolas Batum (SF - France) - Batum is supposed to be a big time player, but I haven't seen him play much other than in some international competition last summer. Denver could add him here and he could learn from one of the best small forwards in the NBA.
21. New Jersey - Bill Walker (SF - Kansas State) - Walker was supposed to be a top-5 pick along with former teammate OJ Mayo. However, a knee injury cost him a season of play and hurt his stock. This past season playing alongside Michael Beasley, Walker was clearly getting back to his old form. A great pick for the Nets here.
22. Orlando Magic - JJ Hickson (PF - North Carolina State) - Hickson is a bit of a project, but he could learn under Dwight Howard and his rate of development could sky-rocket.
23. Utah Jazz - Roy Hibert (C - Georgetown) - Hibbert could have been a top 10 pick last season, but went back to school for a senior season full of ups and downs. Hibbert could thrive in Utah's half-court offense and regain his form.
24. Seattle Supersonics - JaVale McGee (C - Nevada) - The Sonics have some nice young pieces in place so far. Adding McGee would be another step in the right direction for this young franchise. There is potential for four starters coming out of the last two drafts for this team.
25. Houston Rockets - Kosta Koufos (C - Ohio State) - Koufos was supposed to be the next big thing at Ohio State. He was...decent. He can add a big body to the post for the Rockets. With Yao Ming's health in question, the Rockets need some help inside.
26. San Antonio Spurs - Courtney Lee (SG - Western Kentucky) - The Spurs are one of the best teams in the NBA. However, they aren't as good in the draft. With Mike Finley, Brent Barry, and Bruce Bowen aging by the second, Lee would be a great addition to this team.
27. New Orleans Hornets - Chris Douglas-Roberts (SG - Memphis) - CDR teamed with CP3 would be a nice combo. The Hornets are not sure if they will be able to keep Bonzi Wells after this season, so adding CDR here makes sense.
28. Memphis Grizzlies - Nathan Jawai (PF - Austrailia) - This draft could be one of international flair for the Grizz. Jawai might be a year away from coming to the NBA, but will be a player when he gets there.
29. Detroit Pistons - Ryan Anderson (PF - California) - Detroit is one of the best teams at adding talent in the draft. Ryan Anderson is a smart player and he will fill a need of depth at the power forward spot for the Pistons.
30. Boston Celtics - Ty Lawson (PG - North Carolina) - So he didn't get picked earlier in the draft. Oh well, Lawson just went to arguably the best team in the NBA and will get to play significant minutes behind Rajon Rondo.
There you have it. I will be updating this within the next few weeks. If you want to get in on this, ESPN has a draft machine. Fill yours out, then create the "permalink" and drop me the link on here.
1. Chicago Bulls - Derrick Rose (PG - Memphis) - I still feel that Michael Beasley is the best player in this draft, but Rose makes the most sense for the Bulls. With Chris Duhon and Ben Gordon possibly leaving town, the Bulls will need a play maker to run the show.
2. Miami Heat - Michael Beasley (PF - Kansas State) - There are rumors that Miami could package this pick in a trade and also rumors that Miami could take OJ Mayo with this pick. However, Michael Beasley is a double-double machine and Pat Riley has an affection for players like that (Elton Brand and Carlos Boozer).
3. Minnesota Timberwolves - Brook Lopez (C - Stanford) - Lopez gives Minnesota a compliment to Al Jefferson on the inside. With Jefferson, Lopez, and Corey Brewer, the T-Wolves are adding some fine defensive players to this team.
4. Seattle Supersonics - OJ Mayo (SG - USC) - Mayo is thought to be the most complete player in the draft by some experts. Adding Mayo here to go with Kevin Durant and Jeff Green could lead to some high scoring affairs this season. Now, if we could just figure out where they are going to play this season.
5. Memphis Grizzlies - Danilo Gallinari (SF - Italy) - Memphis really confuses me with their roster. They really have no inside players at this point. They have two picks in the first round, so they could go with a post player later in the round. Gallinari will add scoring power and could possibly start if Mike Miller is traded.
6. New York Knicks - Eric Gordon (SG - Indiana) - Now that Donnie Walsh is in New York, I could see him taking the Indiana prospect. Gordon would most likely come off the bench with Stephon Marbury and Jamal Crawford in front of him, but if he can get his shot down, he could be a big time player this season.
7. Los Angeles Clippers - Jerryd Bayless (PG - Arizona) - The Clippers could be in a world of trouble if Elton Brand opts out of his contract. If he stays, then the Clippers main focus will be finding a point guard. Sam Cassell was waived last season and Shaun Livingston's contract is expiring this summer. Bayless can come in and start immediately for this team.
8. Milwaukee Bucks - Russell Westbrook (PG - UCLA) - Westbrook would be a nice addition to the Bucks back court here. He could spell Mo Williams for long periods of time or he could start. Either way, the Bucks are getting a great player here.
9. Charlotte Bobcats - Anthony Randolph (PF - LSU) - Randolph is a big, athletic body to add to the post for the Bobcats. Emeka Okafor could be gone, Sean May hasn't been healthy since being drafted, and Nazr Mohammed isn't going to do it all himself.
10. New Jersey Nets - Kevin Love (C - UCLA) - DeSagana Diop, Nenad Krstic, and Stromile Swift will all be free agents this summer. Love can come in and start immediately or fill in off the bench behind Josh Boone and Sean Williams. Adding Love here would definitely improve their front court.
11. Indiana Pacers - D.J. Augustin (PG - Texas) - The Pacers are in desperate help at the point guard position. Augustin could be the stable leader they are in need of.
12. Sacramento Kings - Joe Alexander (SF - West Virginia) - The Kings have a slew of post players right now, but they don't have many players to fill the wings effectively. Alexander can give the Kings some scoring punch off the bench and could be a starter if Ron Artest leaves town.
13. Portland Trailblazers - Chase Budinger (SG - Arizona) - It seems like Portland has 1,000 players on their roster. I am trying to see some holes that need filled and I don't really see any. I think the Blazers are in position to take the best available player and that player is Budinger.
14. Golden State Warriors - Donte Greene (SF - Syracuse) - At 6'10, Greene is the kind of player the Warriors covet. He can run the floor, play defense, and create his own shot. Golden State has seven players with expiring contracts this summer, so Greene could see a lot of minutes if they don't bring back some of those players.
15. Phoenix Suns - Brandon Rush (SG - Kansas) - It is a bit hard to believe that the Suns have the 15th pick in this draft. I like Rush here because of the fact that he is used to playing a team game with an up-tempo style to it. Rush could be a steal here at 15.
16. Philadelphia 76ers - Darrell Arthur (PF - Kansas) - The 76ers get a nice big man here at 16. Arthur is a little unpolished, but he can develop into the player the 76ers want within a couple seasons.
17. Toronto Raptors - DeAndre Jordan (C - Texas A&M) - Jordan is still a mystery to me. I can't decide if he is going to be a lottery pick or not. Here, he falls to the Raptors at 17 and if he becomes the player that many think he can be, then this is a steal. If not, then Jordan is just another player that came out too soon and didn't amount to much.
18. Washington Wizards - Robin Lopez (C - Stanford) - The Wizards would love to add another post player that can defend. Lopez will give Washington more defense than offense, but with Caron Butler, Gilbert Arenas, and Antwan Jamison (if Arenas and Jamison sign) on offense, they really don't need a ton of offensive contribution from the center position.
19. Cleveland Cavaliers - Marreese Speights (C - Florida) - Speights would be a PF for the Cavs, but he is a capable post player with a good sense of what is a good shot. He won't take over many games, but with LeBron on the team, he won't have to.
20. Denver Nuggets - Nicolas Batum (SF - France) - Batum is supposed to be a big time player, but I haven't seen him play much other than in some international competition last summer. Denver could add him here and he could learn from one of the best small forwards in the NBA.
21. New Jersey - Bill Walker (SF - Kansas State) - Walker was supposed to be a top-5 pick along with former teammate OJ Mayo. However, a knee injury cost him a season of play and hurt his stock. This past season playing alongside Michael Beasley, Walker was clearly getting back to his old form. A great pick for the Nets here.
22. Orlando Magic - JJ Hickson (PF - North Carolina State) - Hickson is a bit of a project, but he could learn under Dwight Howard and his rate of development could sky-rocket.
23. Utah Jazz - Roy Hibert (C - Georgetown) - Hibbert could have been a top 10 pick last season, but went back to school for a senior season full of ups and downs. Hibbert could thrive in Utah's half-court offense and regain his form.
24. Seattle Supersonics - JaVale McGee (C - Nevada) - The Sonics have some nice young pieces in place so far. Adding McGee would be another step in the right direction for this young franchise. There is potential for four starters coming out of the last two drafts for this team.
25. Houston Rockets - Kosta Koufos (C - Ohio State) - Koufos was supposed to be the next big thing at Ohio State. He was...decent. He can add a big body to the post for the Rockets. With Yao Ming's health in question, the Rockets need some help inside.
26. San Antonio Spurs - Courtney Lee (SG - Western Kentucky) - The Spurs are one of the best teams in the NBA. However, they aren't as good in the draft. With Mike Finley, Brent Barry, and Bruce Bowen aging by the second, Lee would be a great addition to this team.
27. New Orleans Hornets - Chris Douglas-Roberts (SG - Memphis) - CDR teamed with CP3 would be a nice combo. The Hornets are not sure if they will be able to keep Bonzi Wells after this season, so adding CDR here makes sense.
28. Memphis Grizzlies - Nathan Jawai (PF - Austrailia) - This draft could be one of international flair for the Grizz. Jawai might be a year away from coming to the NBA, but will be a player when he gets there.
29. Detroit Pistons - Ryan Anderson (PF - California) - Detroit is one of the best teams at adding talent in the draft. Ryan Anderson is a smart player and he will fill a need of depth at the power forward spot for the Pistons.
30. Boston Celtics - Ty Lawson (PG - North Carolina) - So he didn't get picked earlier in the draft. Oh well, Lawson just went to arguably the best team in the NBA and will get to play significant minutes behind Rajon Rondo.
There you have it. I will be updating this within the next few weeks. If you want to get in on this, ESPN has a draft machine. Fill yours out, then create the "permalink" and drop me the link on here.
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Comments
Is Pargo staying in? I hadn't seen if he was or not. Good work. I noticed you have Bill Walker going to the Cavs. That could be a deadly combination!
I thought Pargo was going back for his senior season. Haven't looked it up, but I thought that decision had been made awhile back.
From my understanding, he is going to wait till the last minute to decide. I think he is a late 1st-mid 2nd round prospect, so I would assume he is going to stay in. There is little he could do in his senior year to help his stock.
Mock
That is one I just made. The only notable things to it really are that I don't have Lawson or Hibbert going in the first. I have Chalmers going off the board at 20 as well.
I would have Pargo going to the Celtics with the last pick as well, but he wasn't available.