by The GM on June 10 at 8:16PM
Only a few short weeks away from the biggest night of several young men. With all of the workouts underway, players can either bump their draft stock up or they can hurt themselves beyond belief. With that being said, here is a look at the new mock draft:
1. Chicago Bulls - Derrick Rose (PG, Memphis) - Still undecided on if I should put Beasley here. I'm not sure that Chicago knows what they are going to do either, but now that Vinny Del Negro is going to be the new coach, I would lean toward Rose. Del Negro is a former point guard and would have a much easier time coaching Rose over Beasley.
2. Miami Heat - OJ Mayo (G, USC) - SURPRISE! I think that Pat Riley wants Rose so badly, he will take Mayo if he can't have him. He wants to pair Dwayne Wade with someone in the back court to take some of the pressure off of him. However, having Mayo on the team might stunt Daequan Cook's development a bit.
3. Minnesota Timberwolves - Michael Beasley (PF, Kansas State) - Pairing Beasley with Al Jefferson seems a bit like fantasy league stuff, but it's happening here. Those two could turn into one of the most dominant low post duos in the league.
4. Seattle Supersonics - Jerryd Bayless (PG, Arizona) - I think that Bayless has secured the spot of the 4th best prospect in this draft. Teaming him with Kevin Durant and Jeff Green will make for some interesting games. We could be looking at the new version of "Run TMC." Although, it wouldn't have the same ring. Run JKJ? Run BDG? Eh, we'll have to work on that one.
5. Memphis Grizzlies - Brook Lopez (C, Stanford) - The Grizzlies need some low post scoring and Lopez provides that. With the plethora of guards Memphis has, they should have a nice target down low.
6. New York Knicks - DJ Augustin (PG, Texas) - This is a tough call for me right now. New York has talent, but it obviously isn't working out. Augustin gives Mike D'Antoni a solid option off the bench and if Stephon Marbury doesn't run things the way he is supposed to, Augustin could be the starter in New York.
7. Los Angeles Clippers - Eric Gordon (SG, Indiana) - The Clippers are going to be in the lottery again next year, so this pick can either be the best available player or they can go for need, which is everything. Gordon gives LA a nice shooting touch and can be their go to guy within a few years.
8. Milwaukee Bucks - Danilo Gallinari (SF, Italy) - Milwaukee is quickly turning into a mini United Nations. With players from China, Austrailia, the Netherlands, and Italy, the roster is taking on an international feel. Maybe they would compete better with FIBA rules.
9. Charlotte Bobcats - Kevin Love (C, UCLA) - Love will add to the depth of the front court for the Bobcats. If Sean May comes back healthy, opponents will have a heck of a time on the boards against this team.
10. New Jersey Nets - Anthony Randolph (PF, LSU) - Still searching for a viable big man option, the Nets jump on Randolph here. He is capable of running the floor with Devin Harris, Vince Carter, and Richard Jefferson, so he would definitely be an intriguing option for the Nets.
11. Indiana Pacers - Darrell Arthur (PF, Kansas) - Normally I would go with a point guard here, but with the players that Indiana has worked out so far, I am inclined to go in a different direction. I have a feeling that Indiana will go big here and then take a guard with their second pick. At least for now I do!
12. Sacramento Kings - Russell Westbrook (PG, UCLA) - The Kings really have nobody at the point, so Westbrook would be a welcome addition to this team. Teaming him with Kevin Martin in the back court would definitely be an exciting duo in a few years.
13. Portland Trailblazers - Joe Alexander (SF, West Virginia) - From what I've read, the Blazers really like Alexander's game. I'm not sold on a small forward that can't shoot from the outside, but that's just me. Knowing Portland, they will probably trade this one for 14 other picks in future drafts.
14. Golden State Warriors - Brandon Rush (SG, Kansas) - Golden State can go several different directions with this pick, but Rush is a proven talent and he would fit in perfectly with this team and their philosophy.
15. Phoenix Suns - Donte Greene (SF, Syracuse) - Greene won't be a big benefit right away for the Suns, but he will definitely give them energy minutes off the bench. His athleticism is off the charts and in the open court, he could end up on the finishing end of Steve Nash's passes.
16. Philadelphia 76ers - DeAndre Jordan (C, Texas A&M) - Jordan is still unproven to say the least, but he is big and athletic. At the very least, he could duplicate Samuel Dalembert's contributions on the defensive end.
17. Toronto Raptors - Chase Budinger (SG, Arizona) - Toronto would be blessed to have Budinger fall to them. With Chris Bosh on the inside, Toronto really benefits from the outside shot. Budinger is capable of knocking down shots from all over the floor and his athleticism allows him to get the rim on a regular basis.
18. Washington Wizards - Marreese Speights (PF/C, Florida) - With Antwaan Jamison a free agent and Gilbert Arenas opting out of his contract, the Wizards could be in trouble. However, Arenas said that if they sign Jamison, he will come back. Either way, the Wizards still need inside help. Speights can be a nice, big body for this team.
19. Cleveland Cavaliers - Robin Lopez (C, Stanford) - Lopez will be a great backup to Zydrunas Ilgauskas and will provide the interior defense that Ben Wallace was supposed to. This is a nice pick for the Cavs.
20. Denver Nuggets - Kosta Koufos (C, Ohio State) - Denver's big men are falling apart. Nene, Kenyon Martin, and Marcus Camby all have various ailments and it is really stifling this team's success. Koufos will add depth to the unit and can be a nice scoring option in a year or two, just like Linas Kleiza and Eduardo Najera.
21. New Jersey Nets - Bill Walker (SF, Kansas State) - Walker is long and athletic, a great combination for this team. If they add Anthony Randolph and Bill Walker this year, the Nets could have one of the better teams in the East this season.
22. Orlando Magic - JJ Hickson (PF, North Carolina State) - Paired with Dwight Howard, Hickson could have a tremendous rookie season. He has impressed with his workouts apparently, so he might go higher than 22.
23. Utah Jazz - Roy Hibbert (C, Georgetown) - Big, slow, immobile. Just how Utah likes them. In the mold of Mark Eaton, Thurl Bailey, Greg Ostertag, and whichever Collins twin the Jazz had, Hibbert will take up space...and that is about it.
24. Seattle Supersonics - DJ White (PF, Indiana) - White has had good workouts and is starting to creep up the draft boards of many teams. He could benefit by not having to be a focal point of the offense and solely work on his defense and getting to glass for a team that will be jacking up a ton of shots.
25. Houston Rockets - Nicolas Batum (SF, France) - I don't like this pick, but I guess Houston is in love with this kid. If Houston wants to get to the top of the Western Conference, they would be wise to draft someone that will benefit them this season.
26. San Antonio Spurs - Mario Chalmers (PG, Kansas) - Chalmers will give the Spurs a much needed lift of leadership off the bench with their second unit. I don't ever see him taking over at the point unless Tony Parker gets injured.
27. New Orleans Hornets - Chris Douglas-Roberts (SG, Memphis) - CDR could take over Bonzi Wells' spot in the rotation. He is one of the best shooters in this draft and the Hornets would really benefit from his touch.
28. Memphis Grizzlies - Courtney Lee (SG, Western Kentucky) - Lee could be the type of player that Michael Dickerson started out to be when he came into the league. He has a nice touch from outside and has the ability to take it to the rim when he wants to.
29. Detroit Pistons - DeVon Hardin - (C, California) - Detroit could have another defensive stopper on their hands in Hardin. He has great length and will provide depth for the aging front court.
30. Boston Celtics - Serge Ibaka (PF, Congo) - Boston can afford to take a player that won't be immediately available to them this season. Ibaka can season for a year or two under Kevin Garnett, or in the NBDL. He is only 18, so there is no rush for getting in the rotation.
There you go, a lot of things could still develop in the next few weeks, so keep your eyes and ears open.
* Don't forget to send your picks to me at ardthomp@iupui.edu by June 24th. The draft takes place on June 26th. For complete contest rules, click here.
1. Chicago Bulls - Derrick Rose (PG, Memphis) - Still undecided on if I should put Beasley here. I'm not sure that Chicago knows what they are going to do either, but now that Vinny Del Negro is going to be the new coach, I would lean toward Rose. Del Negro is a former point guard and would have a much easier time coaching Rose over Beasley.
2. Miami Heat - OJ Mayo (G, USC) - SURPRISE! I think that Pat Riley wants Rose so badly, he will take Mayo if he can't have him. He wants to pair Dwayne Wade with someone in the back court to take some of the pressure off of him. However, having Mayo on the team might stunt Daequan Cook's development a bit.
3. Minnesota Timberwolves - Michael Beasley (PF, Kansas State) - Pairing Beasley with Al Jefferson seems a bit like fantasy league stuff, but it's happening here. Those two could turn into one of the most dominant low post duos in the league.
4. Seattle Supersonics - Jerryd Bayless (PG, Arizona) - I think that Bayless has secured the spot of the 4th best prospect in this draft. Teaming him with Kevin Durant and Jeff Green will make for some interesting games. We could be looking at the new version of "Run TMC." Although, it wouldn't have the same ring. Run JKJ? Run BDG? Eh, we'll have to work on that one.
5. Memphis Grizzlies - Brook Lopez (C, Stanford) - The Grizzlies need some low post scoring and Lopez provides that. With the plethora of guards Memphis has, they should have a nice target down low.
6. New York Knicks - DJ Augustin (PG, Texas) - This is a tough call for me right now. New York has talent, but it obviously isn't working out. Augustin gives Mike D'Antoni a solid option off the bench and if Stephon Marbury doesn't run things the way he is supposed to, Augustin could be the starter in New York.
7. Los Angeles Clippers - Eric Gordon (SG, Indiana) - The Clippers are going to be in the lottery again next year, so this pick can either be the best available player or they can go for need, which is everything. Gordon gives LA a nice shooting touch and can be their go to guy within a few years.
8. Milwaukee Bucks - Danilo Gallinari (SF, Italy) - Milwaukee is quickly turning into a mini United Nations. With players from China, Austrailia, the Netherlands, and Italy, the roster is taking on an international feel. Maybe they would compete better with FIBA rules.
9. Charlotte Bobcats - Kevin Love (C, UCLA) - Love will add to the depth of the front court for the Bobcats. If Sean May comes back healthy, opponents will have a heck of a time on the boards against this team.
10. New Jersey Nets - Anthony Randolph (PF, LSU) - Still searching for a viable big man option, the Nets jump on Randolph here. He is capable of running the floor with Devin Harris, Vince Carter, and Richard Jefferson, so he would definitely be an intriguing option for the Nets.
11. Indiana Pacers - Darrell Arthur (PF, Kansas) - Normally I would go with a point guard here, but with the players that Indiana has worked out so far, I am inclined to go in a different direction. I have a feeling that Indiana will go big here and then take a guard with their second pick. At least for now I do!
12. Sacramento Kings - Russell Westbrook (PG, UCLA) - The Kings really have nobody at the point, so Westbrook would be a welcome addition to this team. Teaming him with Kevin Martin in the back court would definitely be an exciting duo in a few years.
13. Portland Trailblazers - Joe Alexander (SF, West Virginia) - From what I've read, the Blazers really like Alexander's game. I'm not sold on a small forward that can't shoot from the outside, but that's just me. Knowing Portland, they will probably trade this one for 14 other picks in future drafts.
14. Golden State Warriors - Brandon Rush (SG, Kansas) - Golden State can go several different directions with this pick, but Rush is a proven talent and he would fit in perfectly with this team and their philosophy.
15. Phoenix Suns - Donte Greene (SF, Syracuse) - Greene won't be a big benefit right away for the Suns, but he will definitely give them energy minutes off the bench. His athleticism is off the charts and in the open court, he could end up on the finishing end of Steve Nash's passes.
16. Philadelphia 76ers - DeAndre Jordan (C, Texas A&M) - Jordan is still unproven to say the least, but he is big and athletic. At the very least, he could duplicate Samuel Dalembert's contributions on the defensive end.
17. Toronto Raptors - Chase Budinger (SG, Arizona) - Toronto would be blessed to have Budinger fall to them. With Chris Bosh on the inside, Toronto really benefits from the outside shot. Budinger is capable of knocking down shots from all over the floor and his athleticism allows him to get the rim on a regular basis.
18. Washington Wizards - Marreese Speights (PF/C, Florida) - With Antwaan Jamison a free agent and Gilbert Arenas opting out of his contract, the Wizards could be in trouble. However, Arenas said that if they sign Jamison, he will come back. Either way, the Wizards still need inside help. Speights can be a nice, big body for this team.
19. Cleveland Cavaliers - Robin Lopez (C, Stanford) - Lopez will be a great backup to Zydrunas Ilgauskas and will provide the interior defense that Ben Wallace was supposed to. This is a nice pick for the Cavs.
20. Denver Nuggets - Kosta Koufos (C, Ohio State) - Denver's big men are falling apart. Nene, Kenyon Martin, and Marcus Camby all have various ailments and it is really stifling this team's success. Koufos will add depth to the unit and can be a nice scoring option in a year or two, just like Linas Kleiza and Eduardo Najera.
21. New Jersey Nets - Bill Walker (SF, Kansas State) - Walker is long and athletic, a great combination for this team. If they add Anthony Randolph and Bill Walker this year, the Nets could have one of the better teams in the East this season.
22. Orlando Magic - JJ Hickson (PF, North Carolina State) - Paired with Dwight Howard, Hickson could have a tremendous rookie season. He has impressed with his workouts apparently, so he might go higher than 22.
23. Utah Jazz - Roy Hibbert (C, Georgetown) - Big, slow, immobile. Just how Utah likes them. In the mold of Mark Eaton, Thurl Bailey, Greg Ostertag, and whichever Collins twin the Jazz had, Hibbert will take up space...and that is about it.
24. Seattle Supersonics - DJ White (PF, Indiana) - White has had good workouts and is starting to creep up the draft boards of many teams. He could benefit by not having to be a focal point of the offense and solely work on his defense and getting to glass for a team that will be jacking up a ton of shots.
25. Houston Rockets - Nicolas Batum (SF, France) - I don't like this pick, but I guess Houston is in love with this kid. If Houston wants to get to the top of the Western Conference, they would be wise to draft someone that will benefit them this season.
26. San Antonio Spurs - Mario Chalmers (PG, Kansas) - Chalmers will give the Spurs a much needed lift of leadership off the bench with their second unit. I don't ever see him taking over at the point unless Tony Parker gets injured.
27. New Orleans Hornets - Chris Douglas-Roberts (SG, Memphis) - CDR could take over Bonzi Wells' spot in the rotation. He is one of the best shooters in this draft and the Hornets would really benefit from his touch.
28. Memphis Grizzlies - Courtney Lee (SG, Western Kentucky) - Lee could be the type of player that Michael Dickerson started out to be when he came into the league. He has a nice touch from outside and has the ability to take it to the rim when he wants to.
29. Detroit Pistons - DeVon Hardin - (C, California) - Detroit could have another defensive stopper on their hands in Hardin. He has great length and will provide depth for the aging front court.
30. Boston Celtics - Serge Ibaka (PF, Congo) - Boston can afford to take a player that won't be immediately available to them this season. Ibaka can season for a year or two under Kevin Garnett, or in the NBDL. He is only 18, so there is no rush for getting in the rotation.
There you go, a lot of things could still develop in the next few weeks, so keep your eyes and ears open.
* Don't forget to send your picks to me at ardthomp@iupui.edu by June 24th. The draft takes place on June 26th. For complete contest rules, click here.
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Comments
It strikes me that a lot of people have forgotten DJ White. I understand the short comings. He isn't ideally tall for the post. Not quite quick enough to play small forward. But he is very complete as he is. I think in the flash of Gordon people lost sight of how complete White was. He may not be able to become a focal point but has the overall ability to be plugged into a lot of places and contribute instantly with maturity, some size, and a nose for the ball.
Rose #1 fo sho'. But Mayo #2.....I'd be shocked. I read that Chad Ford article as well. They'd be crazy to pass on the next Melo for the next Larry Hughes (and I mean that as kind of a compliment, he was pretty good there for a while.).