The Best Draft Ever That Nobody Wants A Part Of
If there's one thing that this year's draft has more of than talent, it's general managers looking for veteran help. It's a mix that could open up the draft to a ton of trades. Then again, with no sure things after the top three or four, it's unclear how many teams will really be willing to deal a top notch talent for a pick. That being said, here's the second mock draft.
1. Portland Trailblazers: Greg Oden.
Oden is the obvious choice although Durant really fits the team more. Then again, do you really pass over Greg Oden because you have LaMarcus Aldridge and Zach Randolph? It's a close call but I still think you go with the franchise big man.
It would be pure comedy if Durant went #1 because that means Oden lands in Seattle, the land of the first round big man. I can just see Saer Sene, Johan Petro, and Robert Swift sitting on a couch, shaking their heads as the pick is announced, saying together, "Man, now we're never going to play." Then Chris Wilcox wanders in, "Hey, what are you guys watching?" With Durant in Seattle, the Sonics should look to deal Ray Allen and begin rebuilding around Durant immediately. The team isn't going to compete next year so they would be better getting some young talent or picks for Allen.
3. Minnesota Timberwolves: Al Horford.
Kevin Garnett is heading to Phoenix but the headline thief is Amare Stoudamire, who is heading to the ATL. The Suns realize that while Amare is a sick talent, Marion is the guy that they can't replace. The Wolves get Josh Smith, #3, and the Hawks' 2008 first rounder and some expiring deals. McHale adds KG's replacement in Al Horford.
4. Portland Trailblazers (via Memphis Grizzlies): Mike Conley Jr.
Needing a point guard and a big body to team with Pau Gasol, the Grizzles look to Portland who would love to add Greg Oden's personal point guard. The Blazers have talent to deal and give the Grizzlies an offer they can't refuse: Zach Randolph, Jarrett Jack, Joel Pryzbilla, and a late 2nd round pick for #4, Hakim Warrick and Memphis' three worst contract (Brian Cardinal. Stromile Swift, and Damon Stoudamire). Could the Zach and Jack Show lead to headaches in Memphis? What does Jerry West care, he's out the door a few days after the draft. The Blazers add Conley to be the PG of the future.
5. Charlotte Bobcats (via Boston Celtics): Corey Brewer
KG? JO? Matrix? How about Primoz Brezec? Unable to make any other deals, the Celtics trade #5, #32, Telfair, and Allan Ray for #8, #22, and Brezec. The Bobcats move up in order draft Corey Brewer to boost their defense.
6. Philadelphia 76ers (via Milwaukee Bucks): Brandan Wright
The options for the Bucks are limited since two of their choices, Yi Jianlian and Joakim Noah refused to work out for them. GM Dave Babcock has already nixed Noah from the list although he still musing over taking Yi. Brandan Wright had a great workout but they already have Charlie Villenueva. In steps Billy King who offers his three first round picks to the Bucks, who gladly move down where they could get one of the small forwards who falls and possibly some bench depth. The 76ers add the power forward of the future, the talented but not ready for prime time Wright.
7. Minnesota Timberwolves: Joakim Noah
Kevin McHale might like Spencer Hawes better but the best way to reassure the fan base is to add the second half of the Florida frontcourt, who is also one of the more affable personalities in the draft. The Noah, Horford, Josh Smith trio should be a great young core to build around. Now if only one of the dozen combo guards could step up, the Wolves might actually be fun to watch next season.
8. Chicago Bulls (via Boston Celtics): Yi Jianlian
Trading down does nothing to make life easier for Ainge as his two choices, Jeff Green and Yi JIanlian are still there staring him in the face. Yi has the higher upside but Paul Pierce will likely flip if they take him. Green is his choice but he bluffs the Bulls into taking Brian Scalabrine for Chris Duhon and a swap of picks. The Bulls don't get the post presence they were looking for but add a player who could be a steal at #8.
9. Boston Celtics (via Chicago Bulls): Jeff Green
Green will probably be ready to help from Day 1 which should appease a increasingly cranky Paul Pierce. Personally, I'm not a huge believer in Green and wouldn't be happy with this pick but The Truth should be, whie not pleased, appeased by the Duhon, Brezec, and Green additions (with one more pick coming up later in the first round).
10. Sacramento Kings: Spencer Hawes
The rumor mill hasn't had a lot to say about Mike Bibby or Ron Artest, but I do think there's a good chance that one or both of them could be moved on Thursday. One guy who they probably won't be able to move is Brad Miller but that might not be so bad as he can mentor the young Hawes, who'll probably replace him in the starting lineup after this next season. A Hawes/Martin inside/outside combo isn't too shabby.
11. Atlanta Hawks: Acie Law
Javarris Crittenton is the better talent but Acie Law is ready to play in the NBA tomorrow and that is what Billy Knight could be looking for. Law should be able to step into the starting spot and hold it down alongside Joe Johnson, Marvin & Shelden Williams and Amare Stoudamire.
12. Miwaukee Bucks (via Philadelphia 76ers): Julian Wright
Wright might have struggled during the workouts but he is still the perfect fit for the Bucks. A small forward who can facilitate the offense and help out on defense, he is the perfect fit, if not the most sure-fire prospect. 
13. New Orleans Hornets: Nick Young
Fool me once, shame on J.R. Smith. Fool me twice, and Byron Scott will have to sit down Jeff Bower for a talk. Derrick Byars missed his workout for the Hornets which might have solidified Young as the choice for the Hornets. His attitude is questionable but his talent seems to be unmistakable. The key, of course, is defense. If Young commits to it, he'll be fine. If not, he'll be committed to Scott's doghouse ala J.R. Smith before him.
14. Los Angeles Clippers: Javarris Crittenton
Crittenton will backup the aging alien Sam Cassell and if Shaun Livingston comes back, Crittenton could still handle the shooting guard spot, giving the Clippers great size in the backcourt. Granted, all of this is moot if Elton Brand opts out and leaves next year, but for now, this is a good choice with great upside.
15. Detroit Pistons: Al Thornton
If Thornton can handle the power forward, he could be the heir apparent to Rasheed Wallace's power forward position. The Pistons basically need youth and every position and while most people have Rodney Stuckey penned in as the pick here, Thornton is simply a better prospect. He might not be the brightest bulb so there is a chance that, although already 23, he will need a year to figure out the NBA game.
16. Washington Wizards: Thaddeus Young
Jason Smith is an interesting choice but the Wizards already have Oleksiy Pecherov, last year's #1 pick, coming overseas this year and they are expected to re-sign Aundray Blatche. Thaddeus Young is the best player available and, looking long term, might be a solid replacement for Antawn Jamison and a complement to Blatche. Unless Young bombed his workout in Washington, he should go here and the Wizards will have gotten themselves the steal of the draft.
17. Charlotte Bobcats (via New Jersey Nets): Jason Smith
The Nets like Sean May and the Bobcats seem somewhat fed up with his constant feeding of himself. May hasn't kept the weight off and has had two injury prone years. The injury prone part makes him a perfect fit in New Jersey, who ships the #17 for May. The Bobcats immediately replace May with the athletic Smith, who could turn out to be a great person to pair with Emeka Okafor (and Gerald Wallace, should he re-sign) .
The Warriors might be able to move up but they're likely going to have to give up more than they want to. The Warriors decide to opt for McRoberts, who could be the perfect fit for their running offense. A Biedrins/McRoberts frontcourt could be interesting in the future.
19. Los Angeles Lakers: Rodney Stuckey
If Kobe is gone, Stuckey gives the Lakers a scorer. If Kobe stay, Stuckey is someone who can help shoulder the scoring load and also should be solid enough to handle the point guard spot in the triangle alongside Kobe (who's going to be handling the ball the whole time anyway). A Stuckey/Kobe combo should keep the Staples Center scorekeepers busy.
20. Miami Heat: Gabe Pruitt
The Heat are desperate for help at the point guard and Pruitt's defense and shooting ability should get him on the floor early and often in his rookie season. Questions about his ability to run the point might not have to be answered as Dwyane Wade will run the show more often than not.
21. Milwaukee Bucks (via 76ers): Sean Williams
The Bucks gambled on Ruben Patterson and it paid off. Ruben had a great year for the Bucks last season and seemed like a solid citizen. Larry Harris will push his luck and bring in the problematic pothead Williams to help shore up the defense.
22. Boston Celtics (via Bobcats): Glen Davis"Big Baby" is a true power forward and the kind of player who could be an absolute steal or an absolute Tractor Traylor-type bust. With the second pick, the Celtics can afford to take a risk on Davis. Tiago Splitter is a consideration, as are some of the guards, but the C's need size and they need it now, so Davis is the choice. It also helps that Davis has a very likable personality which should help if things get rough again this season.
23. New York Knicks: Daequan Cook
Wilson Chandler is rumored to have a promise but Cook would be the real prize. Isiah Thomas said he was looking for a shooter and that is Cook's specialty. Cook's potential is as high as most people who went in the lottery so this could be another David Lee level gem for Zeke.
24. Phoenix Suns: Nick Fazekas
The Suns get a shooting big man who can work alongside Garnett and Diaw. He isn't someone who is going to bang with the bigger centers or power forwards but the Suns add his skill and can get a banger with their later pick.
25. Utah Jazz: Derrick Byars
Byars could start from day one as he has the defensive presence and the attitude that the Jazz love. His shot is sporadic but he is good enough and should excel in knocking down Carlos Boozer or Deron Williams' kickouts.
26. Houston Rockets: Marco Belinelli
The run on power forwards really killed the Rockets who were expecting at least one of the middle level big men to fall their way. Tiago Splitter is an option but he can't be signed until 2008. Rudy Fernandez might be the best player available but he might sign with a team overseas and not be in the NBA next year. The Rockets settle for Belinelli, who would give the Rox a shooter off the bench and could fit into the Drazen Petrovic role in Rick Adelman's offense.
27. Detroit Pistons: Taurean Green
The Pistons need a backup point guard and Green is a good defender and has experience running an offense filled with talented yet varied players.
28. San Antonio Spurs: Rudy Fernandez
The Spurs need a big man like Spliiter but they take Fernandez when he falls this far. They can afford to wait for him but if he knows he's coming to the World Champions, Fernandez might be forego the foreign contract and come to America.
29. Phoenix Suns: Tiago Splitter
The Suns need a big man to play some defense which is what Splitter does. They also don't need anymore contract this year which Splitter won't be. Phoenix gladly waits a year for Splitter to come over.
The Bucks need a PG. Koponen could be the best of the bunch although he likely won't be ready to help too much next season. Still, none of the other point guards match his potential so he makes the most sense at this point in the draft.
