Can we join in, too? Our first mock lottery was enjoyable yet based mainly on initial post-ping-pong conjecture. A few weeks later, there's more information (real and smokescreens) floating around, and here's an updated look at the entire first round:
1. Chicago Bulls: Derrick Rose, PG, Memphis
The Bulls finally have a coach (Vinny Del Negro), and his era will open with this dynamic point man. Subsequent move (trading
Kirk Hinrich?) will help fantasy owners figure out Rose's fantasy value as a rookie, but it could be high if he has a clear path to 30-plus minutes.
2. Miami Heat: O.J. Mayo, SG, USC
Okay, we'll buy into the word that the Heat are not sold on Michael Beasley. Mayo has been working out in Chicago with
Dwyane Wade, which only further fuels this connection. The Heat would be wise to trade out of this spot if they don't want Beasley, but they can't fall far if Mayo is their man. O.J. would play third-fiddle to Wade and
Shawn Marion in year one.
3. Minnesota Timberwolves: Michael Beasley, PF, Kansas St.
The Wolves are set at power forward with
Al Jefferson, but they'd still rush their pick to the podium if Beasley fell to this spot. It would be just like 2006, when
Brandon Roy fell into their lap. Only they traded him away moments later. Beasley and Jefferson would have to compete for rebounds, but there would probably be enough touches to go around.
4. Seattle SuperSonics: Jerryd Bayless, PG, Arizona
Lock it up. The Sonics may not know where they're playing in 2008-09, but they will pick Bayless, provided they don't trade the pick. He needs to hone his point guard skills, but the Sonics could buy time by keeping
Luke Ridnour or
Earl Watson around. Bayless probably needs a year before he'll really help fantasy leagues.
5. Memphis Grizzlies: Anthony Randolph, PF, LSU
The Grizzlies arguably need a center more than a power forward, but they'll opt for the more athletic Randolph over the tough Kevin Love or the tall Brook Lopez. Randolph seems a little like
Hakim Warrick with two more inches and more upside. We don't envision this LSU star having much value in year one, although Marc Iavaroni's system favors athleticism.
6. New York Knicks: D.J. Augustin, PG, Texas
When Bayless visited the Knicks recently, head coach Mike D'Antoni told the guard, "I have all the tools. I just need an engine to run it." Well, Bayless is off the board, and Augustin is the best point man left. The Texas guard may be undersized, but his passing and shooting skills seem tailored for D'Antoni's system. And last we checked, a pure point is a big deal in this coach's gameplan.
7. Los Angeles Clippers: Russell Westbrook, PG, UCLA
Let's hear it for the local angle! The Clippers also happen to need a point guard, as they could let
Shaun Livingston walk (we're not sure if he can run) this summer. After Westbrook, the point guard class drops sharply, so we're not afraid to push him up the board a little. He is a combo guard that needs to refine his point guard skills, but he should chip in immediately as a defensive presence.
8. Milwaukee Bucks: Eric Gordon, SG, Indiana
Okay, we're making a call. New general manager John Hammond gets a deal in place for
Michael Redd and drafts his replacement in Gordon. Yes, the crop of small forwards makes more sense here, but we're feeling bold and mixing it up. Gordon is a big-time scorer and could be interesting in fantasy leagues if he lands in the right spot.
9. Charlotte Bobcats: Brook Lopez, C, Stanford
The Bobcats have been looking at centers (DeAndre Jordan, JaVale McGee, Roy Hibbert), and they badly need someone to play alongside
Emeka Okafor. Lopez lacks upside, but he's the top center on every board and should be ready to contribute right away. Given that Larry Brown likely isn't looking for a project, Lopez makes sense.
10. New Jersey Nets: Danilo Gallinari, SF, Italy
Who are we to deny his wishes to play for either the Knicks or the Nets?
Richard Jefferson has two years left on his deal and is locked in at small forward, but that's not a problem. Gallinari could be to the Nets what
Toni Kukoc was to the Bulls in the mid-1990s, although Kukoc came over at 25 and was more ready to contribute.
11. Indiana Pacers: DeAndre Jordan, C, Texas A&M
Based solely on athleticism and size, Jordan is garnering
Amare Stoudemire and
Dwight Howard comparisons. He is raw and carries some questions about his work ethic, though. The Pacers badly need help at the point, but our particular mock had a run on that position earlier. The club also needs big man help, even if Jermaine O'Neal isn't traded.
12. Sacramento Kings: Kevin Love, PF, UCLA
It's awfully tough to pin down Love's value. He has the skills and IQ to go in the top-five, but teams are wary about his size and lack of quickness and leaping ability. The Kings should have been able to scout him all year, and unless the club really likes
Mikki Moore,
Kenny Thomas, or Shelden Williams, Love is too talented to pass on if he slips this far.
13. Portland Trail Blazers: Joe Alexander, SF, West Virginia
Alexander is often linked with the previous pick (Kings), and he won't likely fall past this point in the proceedings. Point guard would be the Blazers' priority should Augustin or Westbrook slip through.
Martell Webster and
Travis Outlaw are already around at small forward, which would make Alexander's immediate future a little hazy. The Blazers will likely be working the trade phones.
14. Golden State Warriors: Donte Greene, SF, Syracuse
After a 48-34 season, the Warriors aren't sitting as pretty as one might think. They're trying to figure out contracts with
Baron Davis,
Andris Biedrins, and
Monta Ellis, for starters. That's our way of saying this pick is a bit of a wildcard, as Chris Mullin may be prepared to spin this club in a new direction. Greene and center JaVale McGee were our two considerations here. Both picks are projects.
15. Phoenix Suns: Brandon Rush, SG/SF, Kansas
Unless they plan to unload
Steve Nash and Shaquille O'Neal, the Suns are still in "win now" mode. Rush will be able to contribute right away and add to a shooting guard/small forward rotation that includes
Raja Bell,
Grant Hill, and
Gordan Giricek. Some fresh legs would be welcome. Rush wouldn't have fantasy value until Steve Kerr is forced to blow up this roster down the road.
16. Philadelphia 76ers: Marreese Speights, PF/C, Florida
The rising 76ers badly need someone who can score a bucket from the block, which is why Speights is the pick. He may not be as polished as, say, Roy Hibbert, but Speights is much more athletic and will be able to flow up and down the floor with his new teammates. He'd likely rotate in behind
Reggie Evans as he adjusts to the next level.
17. Toronto Raptors: Alexis Ajinca, C, France
Why not throw a wrinkle into the mix? According to a recent ESPN report, Ajinca's stock has been rising, and there's always a team or three who makes a draft pick we don't quite understand. The Raptors will claim they're aiming to bulk up this 7-1 big man to play him alongside
Chris Bosh. Ajinca needs at least one year to adjust to the NBA, if not longer.
18. Washington Wizards: JaVale McGee, PF/C, Nevada
The Wizards will spend their summer trying to sign
Gilbert Arenas and
Antawn Jamison. Those negotiations will undoubtedly sway this selection. Provided the two stars stay, McGee would be a nice addition to a frontcourt. The Nevada product needs to pack on some pounds and work on his low-post game, but his athleticism will pay immediate dividends on defense.
19. Cleveland Cavaliers: Chris Douglas-Roberts, SG, Memphis
Provided the Cavaliers don't trade for a shooter like
Michael Redd, CDR feels like a solid selection. He can knock down shots, drive to the hoop, and play defense. Plus, Douglas-Roberts has big-game experience and could contribute immediately. He'd be a seventh or eighth man.
20. Denver Nuggets: Darrell Arthur, PF, Kansas
Power forward isn't a major need for the Nuggets, but Arthur is the best talent left on the board. And, heck,
Kenyon Martin's knees aren't getting any younger. Arthur has the skills to go about eight picks higher than this, but he disappointed a little in his sophomore season at Kansas and has some glaring weaknesses.
21. New Jersey Nets: Kosta Koufos, C, Ohio State
After grabbing Gallinari earlier, the Nets will address their frontcourt, which has turned into a committee effort. Between Koufos,
Nenad Krstic,
Josh Boone, and
Sean Williams, the club should be able to get enough quality minutes up front - in theory. Koufos is a seven-footer with a nice shot, but he tends to shy away from contact.
22. Orlando Magic: Robin Lopez, C, Stanford
Yes, they already have
Dwight Howard, but it doesn't hurt to add another big man to the mix. This Lopez is good on the boards and can block shots. Robin isn't very skilled on offense, but the Magic don't need more scorers. He could step into the rotation immediately and become the man who absorbs fouls against opposing big men. The Magic don't need Howard expending all his energy on defense.
23. Utah Jazz: Jason Thompson, PF, Rider
The Jazz picked players from Rice (Morris Albert) and Louisiana Tech (
Paul Millsap) in recent drafts, so the small school background is not an issue. Lopez and Roy Hibbert will be on their radars, but we're opting for a bit more of a wildcard pick. Thompson dominated in his senior season (20.4 points, 12.1 rebounds, 2.7 blocks) and has an NBA body at 6-11 and 250 pounds. The Jazz need big men for depth.
24. Seattle SuperSonics: Roy Hibbert, C, Georgetown
This selection is too amusing to pass up. How long have the Sonics been searching for a center? Have they had a true pivot since Jack Sikma moved to Milwaukee in 1986? Hibbert could battle 2004, 2005 and 2006 first-round picks
Robert Swift,
Johan Petro and
Mouhamed Sene for the starting center spot. That's fun for the whole family.
25. Houston Rockets: Mario Chalmers, PG, Kansas
The Rockets are still scarred from their playoff experience, when
Rafer Alston was gimpy. Alston turns 32 this summer and is coming off ankle surgery. They could use another scorer and some depth in the frontcourt, but Chalmers is a winner who can knock down shots and play tough defense.
26. San Antonio Spurs: Nicolas Batum, SF, France
It doesn't seem right if the Spurs don't pick a project from overseas. Batum's name is higher on a lot of mock draft boards, and the Spurs would likely be overjoyed to land him here. They need to groom a replacement for
Bruce Bowen, and while Batum hasn't shown the same heart for defense, he has more than enough athleticism. The Spurs will pound the aggressiveness into him.
27. New Orleans Hornets: Courtney Lee, SG, W. Kentucky
Lee is a shooter and scorer who lacks potential in pretty much every other category. We're picking him for the Hornets, though, because they need two-guard help and because the 22-year-old should be mature enough to earn some minutes immediately. The Hornets tried to fill the backup shooting guard role with a
Bonzi Wells trade this past year. Wells is a free agent.
28. Memphis Grizzlies: Joey Dorsey, PF, Memphis
Who says you can't play the local angle with a first-round pick? The club grabbed the rail-thin Anthony Randolph with their prior choice, and Dorsey would bring toughness to their soft frontcourt. Dorsey doesn't have much offensive game, but the dude can board, play defense, and run. The Grizzlies want to work a Suns-like offense, and Dorsey could log minutes as an undersized center.
29. Detroit Pistons: Bill Walker, SF, Kansas State
Walker recently tore the meniscus in his right knee, but he stayed in the draft. He also has multiple ACL tears in his past, which is an issue. However, Walker is a wonderful athlete with tremendous potential. The Pistons are building up young depth in the hopes of shortening or even eliminating a potential rebuilding period. Walker would have a chance to sit for the better part of a season, heal up, and then burst onto the scene.
30. Boston Celtics: J.J. Hickson, PF, N.C. State
We end with another best-talent-available selection. Hickson, 19, isn't short on size, skills or toughness. He just needs experience. Many scouts believe Hickson should have returned for a sophomore season at N.C. State and could have moved up this board quite a bit. The veteran Celtics can groom him on the bench for a year or two.
