Post by KingsOfKings on May 8, 2008 1:36:11 GMT -5
Mock Draft
1. Dallas Mavericks - C John Riek - already picked before this article.
2. Toronto Raptors - SG Tyreke Evans - already picked before this article.
3. Denver Nuggets - PG Kalin Lucas - already picked before this article.
4. Houston Rockets - C Derrick Favors - Jason Bennett isn't looking so great, they will probably just go with the best available player and hope it works out. They need more than just him, but none of the PG's really compare talent-wise to Favors.
5. Memphis Grizzlies - C Cole Aldrich - They will curse up a storm when Favors goes off their board. They need some size so it'll be a blessing in disguise as Favors is an undersized center. They are set at the other positions, so it's a need pick overlooking a better player or two.
6. Orlando Magic - C Kenny Kadji - After being overly predictable the last couple of drafts, they'll get an interior presence and actually allow their power forwards to play power forward instead of center and their small forwards to play small forward instead of power forward, etc. Kadji can defend and rebound out of the gate, and tho he isn't a good scorer, he isn't miles away from helping scoring-wise
7. New Jersey Nets - SF DeShaun Thomas - It's ridiculous that he'll fall this far, but a team that's already good with no big holes can pick up the best available player and sort it out from there, Thomas is that, the best available player, possibly the #1 or #2 guy in the draft.
8. Chicago Bulls - PF Michael Holmes - They are set at PG, SG, and SF, and the first 7 picks will be a nightmare watching all of the quality big men drop off the board. Holmes has some inside-outside scoring potential eventually, but it's not there from day 1. He can defend and rebound out of the gate and fit in though, so not a bad pick.
9. Philadelphia 76ers - SF Scotty Hopson - A well-balanced scorer that can handle well, he'll be able to compete with Gerald Green for the SF spot shortly after being drafted.
10. Boston Celtics - SG Xavier Henry - Where do you start on this team? It seems like every starter is good, but not quite good enough to lead the team.
11. Milwaukee Bucks (from Lakers) - PF Gani Lawal - They have to have A- defense to fit in, Lawal gives them a small measure of backup from a possible Randolph Morris contract issue.
12. New York Knicks - SF Chris Wright - They will pick up a capable defensive player that can grow into his offense while Caron Butler is around.
13. Philadelphia 76ers (from Pistons) - PG DeAndre Liggins - With Dominic James playing SG, they're a little thing at the point and he might eventually give Ramar Smith some competition.
14. San Antonio Spurs - SF Delvon Roe - They need to replace Duncan, but they're better served waiting until they suck for a year and picking up a franchise guy than anyone here. Roe could easily start next year with a good training camp.
15. Golden State Warriors - SG LaceDarius Dunn - They'll take a risk hoping for a center in free agency and take a guy they hope is one of the best available.
16. Minnesota Timberwolves - C Kenny Frease - They don't really have anyone that big and Frease would come in and replace James Mays' minutes right away.
17. Los Angeles Clippers - C John Henson - This is a good team already, they'll just pick up some depth here and try for a more major impact in free agency.
18. Phoenix Suns - PF James Johnson - Just some solid depth to fit in fairly well with the starters.
19. Milwaukee Bucks - SF Gary Johnson - Some solid defensive depth with a chance to grow
20. Toronto Raptors (from Pacers) - PG Kemba Walker - some depth and insurance if Ford gets hurt, would be a steal here.
21. Washington Wizards - SG Manny Harris - I'm sure they'll try to use their cap for an impact SG in FA, but this would be a good backup pick.
22. Atlanta Hawks - PG Patrick Mills - hard to find a hole that they'd try to fill, just pick the best available for a backup.
23. Houston Rockets (from Nets) - PG Corey Fisher - Stefan Walsh may not cut it, this would be a good value pick at this point.
24. New Jersey Nets (from Heat) - PF Deion Moss - They'll just pick one of the few remaining A potential guys in hopes of striking some gold with development
26. Seattle Sonics - SG Nolan Smith - They don't need a starter at all, they'll just grab him for bench play.
26. Sacramento Kings - PG Sergio Derrick - a backup with a long shot of replacing Baron in a year.
27. Cleveland Cavaliers - C Josh Southern - a big man to use as backup.
28. Charlotte Bobcats - SF Angel Wesley - an A-potential longshot to try and get lucky with.
29. Portland Trail Blazers - PG DerMarr Lo - an A-potential guy to try and get lucky with.
1. Dallas Mavericks - C John Riek - already picked before this article.
2. Toronto Raptors - SG Tyreke Evans - already picked before this article.
3. Denver Nuggets - PG Kalin Lucas - already picked before this article.
4. Houston Rockets - C Derrick Favors - Jason Bennett isn't looking so great, they will probably just go with the best available player and hope it works out. They need more than just him, but none of the PG's really compare talent-wise to Favors.
5. Memphis Grizzlies - C Cole Aldrich - They will curse up a storm when Favors goes off their board. They need some size so it'll be a blessing in disguise as Favors is an undersized center. They are set at the other positions, so it's a need pick overlooking a better player or two.
6. Orlando Magic - C Kenny Kadji - After being overly predictable the last couple of drafts, they'll get an interior presence and actually allow their power forwards to play power forward instead of center and their small forwards to play small forward instead of power forward, etc. Kadji can defend and rebound out of the gate, and tho he isn't a good scorer, he isn't miles away from helping scoring-wise
7. New Jersey Nets - SF DeShaun Thomas - It's ridiculous that he'll fall this far, but a team that's already good with no big holes can pick up the best available player and sort it out from there, Thomas is that, the best available player, possibly the #1 or #2 guy in the draft.
8. Chicago Bulls - PF Michael Holmes - They are set at PG, SG, and SF, and the first 7 picks will be a nightmare watching all of the quality big men drop off the board. Holmes has some inside-outside scoring potential eventually, but it's not there from day 1. He can defend and rebound out of the gate and fit in though, so not a bad pick.
9. Philadelphia 76ers - SF Scotty Hopson - A well-balanced scorer that can handle well, he'll be able to compete with Gerald Green for the SF spot shortly after being drafted.
10. Boston Celtics - SG Xavier Henry - Where do you start on this team? It seems like every starter is good, but not quite good enough to lead the team.
11. Milwaukee Bucks (from Lakers) - PF Gani Lawal - They have to have A- defense to fit in, Lawal gives them a small measure of backup from a possible Randolph Morris contract issue.
12. New York Knicks - SF Chris Wright - They will pick up a capable defensive player that can grow into his offense while Caron Butler is around.
13. Philadelphia 76ers (from Pistons) - PG DeAndre Liggins - With Dominic James playing SG, they're a little thing at the point and he might eventually give Ramar Smith some competition.
14. San Antonio Spurs - SF Delvon Roe - They need to replace Duncan, but they're better served waiting until they suck for a year and picking up a franchise guy than anyone here. Roe could easily start next year with a good training camp.
15. Golden State Warriors - SG LaceDarius Dunn - They'll take a risk hoping for a center in free agency and take a guy they hope is one of the best available.
16. Minnesota Timberwolves - C Kenny Frease - They don't really have anyone that big and Frease would come in and replace James Mays' minutes right away.
17. Los Angeles Clippers - C John Henson - This is a good team already, they'll just pick up some depth here and try for a more major impact in free agency.
18. Phoenix Suns - PF James Johnson - Just some solid depth to fit in fairly well with the starters.
19. Milwaukee Bucks - SF Gary Johnson - Some solid defensive depth with a chance to grow
20. Toronto Raptors (from Pacers) - PG Kemba Walker - some depth and insurance if Ford gets hurt, would be a steal here.
21. Washington Wizards - SG Manny Harris - I'm sure they'll try to use their cap for an impact SG in FA, but this would be a good backup pick.
22. Atlanta Hawks - PG Patrick Mills - hard to find a hole that they'd try to fill, just pick the best available for a backup.
23. Houston Rockets (from Nets) - PG Corey Fisher - Stefan Walsh may not cut it, this would be a good value pick at this point.
24. New Jersey Nets (from Heat) - PF Deion Moss - They'll just pick one of the few remaining A potential guys in hopes of striking some gold with development
26. Seattle Sonics - SG Nolan Smith - They don't need a starter at all, they'll just grab him for bench play.
26. Sacramento Kings - PG Sergio Derrick - a backup with a long shot of replacing Baron in a year.
27. Cleveland Cavaliers - C Josh Southern - a big man to use as backup.
28. Charlotte Bobcats - SF Angel Wesley - an A-potential longshot to try and get lucky with.
29. Portland Trail Blazers - PG DerMarr Lo - an A-potential guy to try and get lucky with.