The lottery results are in and the Portland Trail Blazers and Seattle SuperSonics are the big winners this year. That means it's time for our first full mock draft of 2007.
At this point very little is set in stone. Expect this mock draft to fluctuate greatly over the course of the next five weeks.
The process of team workouts has just started. Over the next few weeks, the Orlando NBA predraft camp, the Reebok Eurocamp and hundreds of team workouts will dramatically alter the face of the draft.
But for now, here's our best stab, after talking to numerous NBA team sources, at how the draft might play out in June.
CHAD FORD'S MOCK DRAFT
PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS
1. Portland
Greg Oden Position: C
Height: 7-0
Weight: 245
Age: 19
School: Ohio State
The skinny: Jackpot! The Blazers are a good fit for Oden. With Oden and Brandon Roy, the Blazers will be a playoff contender next year.
2. Seattle
Kevin Durant Position: SF
Height: 6-10
Weight: 190
Age: 18
School: Texas
The skinny: Durant should give the Sonics the ability to let Rashard Lewis walk. But will Durant's presence save basketball in Seattle?
I wonder if the Sonics and Blazers want to talk swap. Oden would be a great fit in Seattle, while Durant would fill a bigger need in Portland.
3. Atlanta
Mike Conley Position: PG
Height: 6-0
Weight: 170
Age: 19
School: Ohio State
The skinny: The team may be devastated that they didn't get Greg Oden, but they score his teammate for the last six years, Conley.
After passing on Chris Paul, Deron Williams and Rajon Rondo in the last two drafts, it's time to take a point guard, right?
The skinny: While the lottery appears to have turned out disastrously for Memphis, Brewer does give them a long, athletic defender and scorer in the backcourt.
5. Boston
Yi Jianlian Position: PF
Height: 7-0
Weight: 246
Age: 19
Country: China
The skinny: This is the worst-case scenario for the Celtics, but Yi has enough talent to be a star.
The skinny: The Bucks need to add some toughness and defense in the paint and Horford looks like a great fit. Andrew Bogut and Charlie Villanueva are great scorers, but Brian Skinner is the only tough guy they have on the team willing to do the dirty work. Horford's also one of the most NBA-ready players in the draft.
Another option here would be North Carolina's Brandan Wright.
The skinny: The Timberwolves' biggest need is in the frontcourt. They have to get more size and athleticism, and Wright would be a steal if he falls this far. Many GMs have him ranked as the third-best prospect in the draft. He doesn't play with the intensity of Kevin Garnett, but he has a lot of similar tools.
They also could opt for point guard Mike Conley here. But if they take him, they'll have to clean up a pretty huge logjam in their backcourt.
The skinny: Wright's an athletic small forward who should be a better fit in Charlotte than Adam Morrison.
Joakim Noah's also a possibility here. Charlotte honchos Michael Jordan and Bernie Bickerstaff should be fans of Noah's energy and intensity. With Noah, Emeka Okafor, Sean May and Primoz Brezec, the Bobcats would have a number of different looks they can give you on their front line.
Also, Noah projects as one of the most marketable players in the draft, and the Bobcats are still searching for the face of the team.
9. Chicago
(via New York)
Spencer Hawes Position: C
Height: 7-0
Weight: 230
Age: 19
School: Washington
The skinny: The Bulls desperately need low-post scoring, and Hawes may be the most offensively-gifted low-post player in the draft. He can score in a variety of ways around the basket and has the toughness Scott Skiles demands from his players. The main drawback is Hawes' lack of athleticism and strength.
The Bulls really want Yi, so don't be surprised if they try to move up a few spots in the draft to get him.
10. Sacramento
Roy Hibbert Position: C
Height: 7-2
Weight: 265
Age: 20
School: Georgetown
The skinny: There are still big question marks about whether Hibbert will actually stay in the draft. If he does, the Kings are very high on him, I'm told. With Brad Miller's career winding down, they want another skilled big man with great size and passing ability. Hibbert's lack of athleticism and rebounding have many scouts wary, but apparently the Kings don't feel the same way.
If Hibbert isn't there, Conley could be the pick here given Mike Bibby's recent dissatisfaction with the team.
The skinny: The energetic big man will give the Hawks much-needed help on the defensive end.
12. Philadelphia
Jeff Green Position: SF
Height: 6-8
Weight: 225
Age: 20
School: Georgetown
The skinny: The Sixers really need a power forward, but at this point, Green is clearly the best player left on the board. He's a much better prospect than the small forward the Sixers drafted last year, Rodney Carney. He also could play as a 4 in a small-ball lineup.
Green, like Andre Iguodala, has some serious point-forward skills and should provide more glue to a team that was starting to come together in the second half of the season.
13. New Orleans
Al Thornton Position: SF
Height: 6-7
Weight: 210
Age: 23
School: Florida State
The skinny: With Desmond Mason hitting free agency, the Hornets will look for a swingman to play alongside Peja Stojakovic, if he can get healthy. Brewer is the ideal fit, but if he's gone I expect they'll decide between Thornton and Thaddeus Young.
Thornton is the more NBA ready of the two players, though it looks like Young has the higher ceiling.
The skinny: With Shaun Livingston's future up in the air, the Clippers need to seriously think about adding another point guard. Sam Cassell can't run the show forever, and Law would be a good replacement.
Like Cassell, he's a scoring guard who is fearless at the end of games. He should be able to step in and contribute immediately.
The skinny: Some may raise their eyebrows if Stuckey goes this high, and I don't have specific information that says Detroit would take him. He just seems like the type of player Detroit likes and would be an excellent fit.
Stuckey is a Randy Foye-type combo guard who can play some point but really excels by putting the ball on the floor and getting to the basket. He would be a big upgrade over Flip Murray.
16. Washington
Thaddeus Young Position: SF
Height: 6-8
Weight: 210
Age: 22
School: Georgia Tech
The skinny: Small forward isn't a huge need for Washington, but Young has too much talent and upside to pass on at this point. Wizards fans will just have to be a little patient with him.
The Wizards also like Brazil's Tiago Splitter, but they made a similar pick last year in Oleksiy Pecherov.
17. New Jersey
Nick Young Position: SG
Height: 6-6
Weight: 200
Age: 21
School: USC
The skinny: This really shows how deep the draft is. In a normal year, Young's probably a top 10 pick, but this year he could slip this far. If he does, New Jersey has excellent insurance should Vince Carter bolt via free agency.
Like Carter, Young is a super-athletic 2 guard who can shoot the basketball and deliver the highlight-reel dunk.
18. Golden State
Jason Smith Position: PF
Height: 7-0
Weight: 230
Age: 21
School: Colorado State
The skinny: Smith is the perfect type of player for Nellie. He is tall and athletic, gets up and down the floor and can score from just about anywhere on the floor. He also plays with great energy.
The skinny: Phil Jackson loves big point guards and Crittenton, at 6-foot-5, has a lot going for him. He is an excellent athlete, can shoot and has enough ball-handling skills to play full-time at the point guard position.
Long-term, he's an upgrade over Jordan Farmar, though he may take a year or two to develop.
The skinny: Splitter has enough talent to go a few spots higher, but he won't be able to get out of his contract until the 2008-09 season, which should make him slide a bit.
Splitter is a Euroleague veteran with great size and good mobility. He's a tough defender, but his offensive game still needs some work.
With Shaq's career starting to taper off, along with Alonzo Mourning's, the Heat need to start thinking about adding another big man.
The skinny: Sixers GM Billy King loves Duke players, and McRoberts has a lot more talent than his box scores at Duke suggest. He's tall, athletic and very skilled, but he played most of his career out of position at Duke.
He's not a go-to type player, but he should be a better, more athletic version of Luke Walton.
The skinny: The Bobcats fill their need at 2 guard with one of the more underrated players in the draft.
Rush has great size for the position, is a good athlete, plays solid defense and has an excellent perimeter stroke. He's been a little passive at times at Kansas, but he's a hard worker who should be a good fit.
23. New York
(via Chicago)
Sean Williams Position: C
Height: 6-10
Weight: 230
Age: 20
School: Boston College
The skinny: Williams was ranked as a late-lottery prospect by many NBA scouts before he was dismissed from Boston College at midseason. Everyone knows he has had off-court issues, but this late in the draft someone is going to pull the trigger on the best shot-blocker in the draft.
Knicks president Isiah Thomas seems like the perfect candidate.
24. Phoenix
(via Cleveland)
Ante Tomic Position: C
Height: 7-2
Weight: 237
Age: 20
Country: Croatia
The skinny: I wouldn't be surprised to see the Suns try to package this pick along with the No. 29 pick to move up a few spots in the draft or to facilitate a trade to get rid of Marcus Banks and/or Boris Diaw.
If they do keep it, I suspect they'll go international so they can keep the player in Europe and off the payroll. Tomic has great size and ability at the center position, but he needs to add strength and toughness.
The skinny: Byars is a bit of a sleeper. He really didn't come on strong at Vanderbilt until his senior season.
The Jazz want to add a shooter who can play the 2 and 3 and play some defense. Italy's Marco Belinelli and Rice's Morris Almond are also possibilities here.
The skinny: The Rockets could use some improvement in their outside shooting, and Belinelli has one of the best pure strokes in the draft. He also comes with great experience in the Euroleague and should be able to step in and help right away.
The skinny: The Pistons could really shore up their backcourt here with a young, athletic shooter who got limited opportunity at Ohio State this season.
Cook still needs to work on his handle and his defense, but he'd be an excellent fit coming off the bench in Detroit. A big man like DeVon Hardin is also a possibility here.
The skinny: Pruitt is a combo guard who has great size for the point, excellent athleticism and a beautiful stroke on his jumper.
His decision-making and leadership skills need to improve and he needs to add more strength, but he could be a late first-round steal for a team like San Antonio, which is looking for more depth in the backcourt.
The skinny: Suns will likely try to trade this pick, but if they keep it, they'll likely go international.
Fernandez had a breakout season in Spain this year. He's an excellent athlete with a good shooting stroke and the ability to play some point. His lack of strength and durability are the only things keeping his stock this low at the moment.
30. Philadelphia
(via Dallas)
Glen Davis Position: PF
Height: 6-9
Weight: 290
Age: 21
School: LSU
The skinny: Davis has amazing skills for a big guy -- the problem is that he's just so big. If he can keep his weight down, he could end up being a steal this late. But that's a big if. Workouts will really matter for him.
__________________
We are all atheists about most of the gods that humanity has ever believed in. Some of us just go one god further. -- Richard Dawkins
ill b piss if charlotte uses my raptors pick on brandon rush
thatll b both kareem and brandon we gave up
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Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, "VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY," says the Lord.
Crittenden would be a good pick for LA, but i'd personally prefer Nick Young. Phil likes his Tri players to be as versatile as possible and he usually likes having 2 guards play the one.
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am i missing on how portland needs durant more than oden? they got webster and outlaw to develop for the small forward. and who do they have for center in the future? joey pryzibilla? aldridge can't play center
am i missing on how portland needs durant more than oden? they got webster and outlaw to develop for the small forward. and who do they have for center in the future? joey pryzibilla? aldridge can't play center
word
i mean durant will be a beast but u cant pass up oden
big man win championships, what has kobe done without shaq?
plus u have webster, miles (waive him)m outlaw
__________________
Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, "VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY," says the Lord.
am i missing on how portland needs durant more than oden? they got webster and outlaw to develop for the small forward. and who do they have for center in the future? joey pryzibilla? aldridge can't play center
He means right now Durant is a better fit, and I agree with him. Webster still has potential and Outlaw showed late last year he can play...but Durant is leaps and bounds ahead of both of those guys.
But don't forget about Udoka, he played great last year, but he's probably gone now.
We don't have to get rid of Randolph right at next year, It's not like Oden and Aldridge are going to be superstars out of the gate.
__________________
We are all atheists about most of the gods that humanity has ever believed in. Some of us just go one god further. -- Richard Dawkins
He means right now Durant is a better fit, and I agree with him. Webster still has potential and Outlaw showed late last year he can play...but Durant is leaps and bounds ahead of both of those guys.
But don't forget about Udoka, he played great last year, but he's probably gone now.
We don't have to get rid of Randolph right at next year, It's not like Oden and Aldridge are going to be superstars out of the gate.
Obviously he's better than them, but if you develop those guys along with Oden, you have a dynasty in the making. Especially with a guy like McMillan, who seems to be a good coach around young guys.
Obviously he's better than them, but if you develop those guys along with Oden, you have a dynasty in the making. Especially with a guy like McMillan, who seems to be a good coach around young guys.
Yeah I agree...I had a momentary lapse in judgement after we won the lottery. I totally forgot we still had the #3 pick from two ago lol. We should take Oden.
But who says we can't keep Randolph anyway? Have a three-headed monster in the front court for years with Oden, Randolph and Aldridge. With Outlaw and Webster at the SF spot and Jack, Roy & Rodriguez in the backcourt.
__________________
We are all atheists about most of the gods that humanity has ever believed in. Some of us just go one god further. -- Richard Dawkins
There is no way Detroit picks 2 SG in this draft. It wouldn't make any sense whatsoever. I haven't seen this Stuckeye guy play. Can anybody vouch for him? Is he any good?
Celts now need Sean Williams at #32 since hes a mini-Oden. he might be better defensively.
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Yall read it and weep
The demons that keep you from the path just laugh
Thats why my ink pad looks like Stained Glass
A collage of art, that show scenes from the Nazarene's past' - leo angel
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1st round Mock Draft
aldridge can't play center
