Tommy Landry updates his mock draft picks now that the list is final. The NBA Draft is fast approaching. This past week a handful of guys like Ty Lawson and Chase Budinger decided to stay in school at least one more year, much to the chagrin of the Tar Heels' and Wildcats' upcoming opponents. So now that we actually know who'll make the leap, it's time for Tom Lorenzo and me to update our mock drafts. View Tom's updated mock here. We played this straight by omitting potential trades when predicting the picks. In reality, I wouldn't be surprised to see a team or two move up to get one of those top tier point guards. There are so many bigs in this class that it makes sense for a team with a high pick to trade down, take a big, and get an extra pick in the deal. That, my friends, is what we call a win-win situation, so let's see if I'm right about that one! Do you agree with me? Think Tom did a better job of forecasting? Send us your questions about any differences, even if you disagree with both of us, and we'll publish an answer before the draft. Pick | Team | Needs | Selection | Position | Comments | 1 | Chicago Bulls | PG, SG | Derrick Rose, Memphis | PG | Best player available; Bulls have to be seeking replacement for Kirk Hinrich as starting PG. | 2 | Miami Heat | PF, C | Michael Beasley, K-State | PF | Need bigs badly, and Beasley is best in the class. | 3 | Minnesota Timberwolves | PG, SG, C | O.J. Mayo, USC | PG/SG | Foye would be better as a 2-guard, but Wolves could go for a C to move AJ back to PF. | 4 | Seattle Supersonics | PG, C | Jerryd Bayless, Arizona | PG/SG | Could opt for a C instead, but PG is bigger need. | 5 | Memphis Grizzlies | PF, C | Brook Lopez, Stanford | C | Hurting for Bigs and could reach for Love, but more likely to take the talented sophomore. | 6 | New York Knicks | SG, SF | Eric Gordon, Indiana | SG | Fits with D'Antoni's offensive philosophy, and Q can move over to starting SF (health permitting). | 7 | Los Angeles Clippers | PG, SG | D.J. Augustin, Texas | PG | Take best PG available unless Gordon is still there. Clips have to take measures in case Livingston can't get back to full health. | 8 | Milwaukee Bucks | SF, PF | Anthony Randolph, LSU | SF/PF | Rostered options at PF are uninspiring, and they need a good starting forward next to Bogut. | 9 | Charlotte Bobcats | C | Kevin Love, UCLA | C | It'll be either Love or DeAndre Jordan here, whichever is left on the 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 player 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 | Some argue he is player left (NBA-ready) and the Martell Webster experiment has failed. | 14 | Golden State Warriors | C, PF, PG | Danilo Gallinari (International) | SF/PF | Good fit. If Baron walks, PG would be more of a need, but D.G. is better pick than remaining PGs. | 15 | Phoenix Suns | SG, SF, C | Brandon Rush, Kansas | SG/SF | Since when does Phoenix draft great shooters? Best fit left on the board for the Suns. | 16 | Philadelphia 76ers | SG, PF, C | Donte Green, Syracuse | SF/PF | Not ideal fit, 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; he'll be a nice fill-in for Butler's annual injury. | 19 | Cleveland Cavaliers | PG, SG | Chris Douglas-Roberts, Memphis | SG/SF | Cavs still seeking perimeter threat next to LeBron, and CDR fits the bill. | 20 | Denver Nuggets | PG, PF | Mario Chalmers, Kansas
| PG | They need a PG badly, bad enough to reach here. | 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 | Courtney Lee, Western Kentucky | SG/SF | Fills gaping hole at SG, but Magic could take a Center and shuffle the starting lineup. | 23 | Utah Jazz | C, SG | JaVale McGee, Nevada | C | Sloan won't play rookies, so go with a high upside big and develop him, possibly in D-League. | 24 | Seattle Supersonics (from PHO) | PG, C | Jason Thompson, Rider | C | Need size and immediate impact. Experienced Senior will look good with Bayless and Durant. | 25 | Houston Rockets | SG, SF, C | Bill Walker, Kansas State | SF | Rockets need backup swingman with size and scoring ability. Welcome to Houston, Mr. Walker.
| 26 | San Antonio Spurs | C, SF | Marreese Speights, Florida | PF/C | Spurs prefer a SF, but can't pass up a versatile big with his potential. But they'll take Walker if there. | 27 | New Orleans Hornets | C, SG, PG | Alexis Ajinca (International) | C | Hornets have a year to develop Ajinca while figuring out what they have in Hilton Armstrong. | 28 | Memphis Grizzlies (from LAL) | C, PF | DeVon Hardin, California | C | Need inside bruiser with size who can step into starting lineup. Good pick here.
| 29 | Detroit Pistons | C, PF, SG | Robin Lopez, Stanford | PF/C | Pistons will be thrilled if Lopez falls to them - it will give them the freedom to trade 'Sheed. | 30 | Boston Celtics | C, PG | J.J. Hickson, NC State | PF | With plenty of existing depth, Celtics go for a young guy with crazy upside at this pick. |
So the 2007-08 NBA season just ended, and it's already time to start prepping for 2008-09. Good luck with your favorite team snagging that prize rookie which they covet. I, for one, cannot wait! 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
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it to comment, debate, or call him out!
 |
Basketball 
Subscribe to this comment's feed