Ladies and Gentleman,
Many people didn't really understand our Wednesday mock draft that it was what teams should do, rather than what they will do. Our resident draftologist decided to put together a post on what he thinks the teams will actually do. After the jump, enjoy/hate/whatev. Let Steve know what you think.
Scott
Changed Nick Calathes because he is withdrawing from the draft and signing in Greece.
1.Clippers- Blake Griffin PF (Oklahoma Sophomore)
Dunleavy already said they are picking him, so don't be mad about this one. Maybe Baron tries a little harder next year and the Clippers make the playoffs. They need to move Camby since they won’t be able to trade Zach Randolph. The Clippers will be much better next year, but need some perimeter defense which can be addressed in Free agency.
2. Grizzlies- Ricky Rubio (DKV Joventut, Spain)
Memphis tries the Spanish Connection again. First it was Juan Carlos Navarro to Pau Gasol and now it will be Ricky Rubio to Marc Gasol. Everyone thinks Rubio will be a stud so this is a no-brainer pick and they can trade Conley for a power forward. Rubio, Gay and Mayo will be fun to watch. Rubio might not end up in Memphis though because his agent, Dan Fegan, said he does not want to go there or Oklahoma City. Remember, Fegan was Yi’s agent who tried to get out of Milwaukee a few years ago.
3. Thunder- Hasheem Thabeet (UCONN Junior)
I might have been wrong on my lottery prediction but the Thunder still get a stud. Thabeet is exactly what they need. The Thunder are really high on him and hopefully he doesn’t turn out to be a bust like past Thunder lottery big men. See Saer Sene, Johan Petro, Robert Swift.
4. Kings- Brandon Jennings (Lottomatica Roma, Italy)
This is when the draft gets interesting. Beno Udrih doesn’t cut it for us and the Kings need an exciting Point Guard as they rebuild their team. Kings fans liked Jason Williams (White Chocolate) and they will like Jennings
5. Wizards- James Harden (Arizona State Sophomore)
The Wizards are looking to trade this pick but Harden is a good fit for them. I think they need better big men but Harden would fit well with their team and share minutes with Nick Young, another up and coming shooting guard.
6. Wolves- Demar DeRozen (USC Freshman)
Corey Brewer has been a bust for the Wolves so I'll give them DeRozen, a player who can maybe one day be their go to guy. He can jump outta the gym and, if he develops like he can, will form a good inside outside combination with Al Jefferson for many years to come.
7. Warriors- Tyreke Evans (Memphis Freshman)
Evans can flat out score. The Warriors love scorers. Evans has the build of a 2 but can play 1. Monta Ellis is built like a point guard but is more like a shooting guard. It works perfectly for this quirky backcourt.
8. Knicks- Stephen Curry (Davidson Junior)
Mike D’antoni likes shooters and Curry is the best one in this draft. He can develop his point guard skills but he is also friends with a certain person from Akron, Ohio.
9. Raptors- Gerald Henderson (Duke Junior)
Henderson can jump out of the gym and break guys down off the dribble. He'll bring a bit of tough juice, which is exactly what the soft Raptors need.
10. Bucks- Jordan Hill (Arizona Junior)
The Bucks will not resign Charlie “Twitter” Villanueva and Hill falls to them, because nobody else after five will be looking for a big. I think he is a bit overrated but the Bucks would be elated to get a guy like Hill to fall to them at 10.
11. Nets- DeJuan Blair (Pitt Sophomore)
New Jersey said they want to draft a “moose”. Who is more of a moose in this draft than Blair? No one and that is why he is the pick here and the Nets will have a solid frontcourt.
12. Bobcats- Jrue Holiday (UCLA Freshman)
Didn’t the Bobcats take D.J. Augustin last year? Yes they did but Holiday can still play the 2 since he is 6’4’’. Nice solid pick.
13. Pacers- Jonny Flynn (Syracuse Sophomore)
Flynn will be the Point guard for Indiana as he's able get the ball to the shooters on the wing. If he figures out how to shoot, watch out. Flynn's got upside.
14. Suns- Earl Clark (Louisville Junior)
The Suns are a tough team to project because I’m unsure what direction they are going to go. So, I did what was easy and took the best player on the board.
15. Pistons- Ty Lawson (UNC Junior)
The Pistons made a big mistake when they traded Chauncey Billups last season, but it should help them for the future. Stuckey isn't a true point guard, but Lawson is. Don’t be surprised if he gets the Pistons back atop the East, especially if they sign Boozer with their ample cap space.
16. Bulls- James Johnson (Wake Forest Sophomore)
Chicago traded Nocioni last season and probably missed him in the playoffs. Johnson plays similar to Nocioni and is a wide-body so the Bulls draft him. With them trying to move Tyrus Thomas, I think they're hoping Blair falls to them - but not in this case.
17. Sixers- Jeff Teague (Wake Forest Sophomore)
Andre Miller is probably leaving this summer so the Sixers need a PG. Teague is their man. I like his explosiveness.
18. Wolves- B.J. Mullens (Ohio State Freshman)
Minnesota hasn't had a true center in awhile and, if nothing else, Mullens provides that for the Wolves. Because the Wolves won’t be making the playoffs anytime soon, he has time to develop and turn into a solid big man, learning from the Jefferson and Love in the mean time.
19. Hawks- Eric Maynor (VCU Senior)
Mike Bibby's losing his mojo and Acie Law was a bust. The Hawks need a point guard and Maynor is a good leader.
20. Jazz- Tyler Hansbrough (UNC Senior)
Well, Neff put him here as well, so sorry Utah fans. Feel free to post your own mock draft in the Fan Post's with Hansbrough going 31st. -- Scott
21. Hornets- Austin Daye (Gonzaga Sophomore)
This pick will more than likely be traded. The Hornets are looking to save money but if they don’t trade it Daye is a big body that they could use. Many think he will go between 10-15 because of his potential but we are not sold.
22. Mavs- Terrence Williams (Louisville Senior)
The Mavs need toughness and athleticism. Williams gives them that and is already better than Antoine Wright, the Mavericks starting shooting guard this year.
23. Kings- Chase Budinger (Arizona Junior)
The Kings have their point guard in Jennings, they've drafted big men the last 2 drafts and Kevin Martin is their shooting guard. A small forward makes sense and Budinger is a good fit.
24. Blazers- Wayne Ellington (UNC Junior)
Ellington could be very valuable for the Blazers and give them another shooter. Help out on Roy and he'll just dish out to Wayne and 3 points for the Blazers.
25. Thunder- Patty Mills (St. Mary’s Sophomore)
The Thunder might not be sold on Westbrook as a point guard yet since he turns the ball over quite a bit. Move over RW0 and insert Mills. Sounds good to me.
26. Bulls- Marcus Thornton (LSU Senior)
Thornton is a good shooter who can hot quick.
27. Grizzlies- Gani Lawal (Georgia Tech Sophomore)
Lawal is an athletic 4. Third times the charm?
28. Wolves- Darren Collision (UCLA Senior)
Tough player but his lack of shooting will make him fall in the draft.
29. Lakers- Sam Young (Pitt Senior)
Trevor Ariza and Lamar Odom are free agents so they'll have a need at SF. Young is the best available and he brings them toughness. He would be a steal for the Lakers.
30. Cavs- Omri Casspi (Maccabi Tel Aviv)
The Cavs don’t need anyone here so they pick an overseas player and if he develops it’s great for them.
First Round Bubble: Victor Claver, Marcus Thornton, Toney Douglas, Jermaine Taylor, DaJuan Summers
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