Ahhh, the National Basketball Association, my favorite pro sport. We haven't even finished this year's playoffs and already it is time to consider the upcoming NBA Draft on June 26, 2008. Fear not dear readers, because NBA Fantasy Expert Tom Lorenzo and I have dug into the prospects and team needs, and we've got our respective forecasts for who'll go where when the clock starts ticking! Let's kick off the upcoming NBA season in style, with my mock draft below. Pick | Team | Needs | Selection | Position | | 1 | Chicago Bulls | PG, SG | Derrick Rose, Memphis | PG | Best player available; Hinrich falling off so Bulls need depth | 2 | Miami Heat | PF, C | Michael Beasley, K-State | PF | Need bigs badly, and Beasley is the best in the draft | 3 | Minnesota Timberwolves | PG, SG, C | O.J. Mayo, USC | PG/SG | Foye fits better as a 2-guard next to Mayo, but Minny could go C to move Al Jefferson to PF | 4 | Seattle Supersonics | PG, C | Jerryd Bayless, Arizona | PG/SG | Could opt for a C instead, but PG is a bigger need | 5 | Memphis Grizzlies | PF, C | Brook Lopez, Stanford | C | Hurting for Bigs and could reach for Love, but likely to take Lopez here | 6 | New York Knicks | SG, SF | Eric Gordon, Indiana | SG | Fits with D'Antoni, and Q-Rich can play SF (health permitting) | 7 | Los Angeles Clippers | PG, SG | D.J. Augustin, Texas | PG | Will take best PG available unless Gordon is still there, Livingston's status uncertain | 8 | Milwaukee Bucks | SF, PF | Anthony Randolph, LSU | SF/PF | Rostered options are uninspiring, and they need a big, athletic forward next to Bogut | 9 | Charlotte Bobcats | C | Kevin Love, UCLA | C | Will take either Love or DeAndre Jordan, whoever is left on board | 10 | New Jersey Nets | PF, C | DeAndre Jordan, Texas A&M | C | Not the best fit for their style, but they need size badly | 11 | Indiana Pacers | PG, SG | Russell Westbrook, UCLA | PG/SG | Best PG left, but could take best upside in Danilo Gallinari (SF) instead | 12 | Sacramento Kings | PG, PF | Darrell Arthur, Kansas | PF | Need shot-blocking inside presence, and he fits the bill | 13 | Portland Trailblazers | PG, SF | Joe Alexander, WVA | SF | Best player on board, and the Martell Webster experiment has failed | 14 | Golden State Warriors | C, PF, PG | Danilo Gallinari (International) | SF/PF | Good fit. If Baron walks away, PG more of a need, but remaining PGs would be a reach | 15 | Phoenix Suns | SG, SF, C | Brandon Rush, Kansas | SG/SF | Since when does Phoenix draft great shooters? Best fit on board. | 16 | Philadelphia 76ers | SG, PF, C | Donte Green, Syracuse | SF/PF | Not the ideal fit for team needs, but good value here | 17 | Toronto Raptors | SF, C | Kosta Koufos, Ohio State | C | Best fit for Toronto given what is available | 18 | Washington Wizards | SF or best available | Nicolas Batum (International) | SF | Fits team needs and is great defender, nice fill-in for Butler's annual injury | 19 | Cleveland Cavaliers | PG, SG | Chris Douglas-Roberts, Memphis | SG/SF | Still need perimeter threat next to LeBron, and CDR fits the bill | 20 | Denver Nuggets | PG, PF | Ty Lawson, North Carolina | PG | Anthony Carter? No way. Welcome Ty Lawson. | 21 | New Jersey Nets (from DAL) | PF, C | Roy Hibbert, Georgetown | C | Big, athletic, and NBA-ready after 4 years in NCAAs | 22 | Orlando Magic | SG, SF, C | Chase Budinger, Arizona | SG/SF | Fills gaping hole. Might go big, but swingman more important if they're smart. | 23 | Utah Jazz | C, SG | JaVale McGee, Nevada | C | Sloan won't play rookies, so they'll go with a high upside big and develop him | 24 | Seattle Supersonics (from PHO) | PG, C | Jason Thompson, Rider | C | Need size and immediate impact. Experienced Senior fits the bill. | 25 | Houston Rockets | SG, SF, C | Bill Walker, Kansas State | SF | Rockets need a backup swingman with size and scoring ability. Great fit | 26 | San Antonio Spurs | C, SF | Courtney Lee, Western Kentucky | SG/SF | Need backup SF with inside scoring and solid defensive abilities | 27 | New Orleans Hornets | C, SG, PG | Alexis Ajinca (International) | C | Hornets can take a year to develop him while figuring out if Hilton Armstrong will work out | 28 | Memphis Grizzlies (from LAL) | C, PF | DeVon Hardin, California | C | Need inside bruiser with size who can step into starting lineup. Best option left. | 29 | Detroit Pistons | C, PF, SG | Robin Lopez, Stanford | PF/C | Will be thrilled if Lopez falls to them - provides freedom to trade 'Sheed for cap relief. | 30 | Boston Celtics | C, PG | Marreese Speights, Florida | PF/C | They'd prefer a defensive backup C or a backup PG, but will take best available |
So there you have it. 30 teams, 30 prospects, and 30 picks. Let the debate begin. Tom and I will debate our picks next week before the "real world" draft starts, so check back for more analysis from our powerhouse team here at RotoExperts. Tommy Landry thinks he knows everything. Tommy Landry knows he knows nothing. Such is the path he takes. Fantasy existentialism or something. Think you know better? Email him at
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