I've just checked the board and noticed that there are very few surprises, especially inside the lottery. Here are my first thoughts:

- Gordon Hayward at # 9, that's too high in my opinion. They had other needs, and Hayward isn't considered the player with the most upside.

- Patrick Patterson at # 14 is a great value pick for Houston. I'm really expecting much from that Rockets team, especially if Yao stays healthy.

- Great draft for the Thunder. They achieved their goal and landed a likely rotation player in the trade for Cole Aldrich. Plus, they also got German 2nd rounder Tibor Pleiss in a trade with the Hawks, who will spend a few more seasons in Europe and may come over as a valuable player.

- Kevin Seraphin, Lazar Hayward and Trevor Brooker getting picked that high surprised me, didn't expect that one.

- Great value picks of Vasquez and Daniel Orton in the late 20s. Vasquez is a true playmaker, although it remains to be seen if his game translates to the NBA. But the Grizzlies needed a PG, and they got a quality one.

Orton for the Magic makes sense if they consider him a PF. In SVG and his assistants he has a coaches team that will kick his ass if he gets lazy.

- Hassan Whiteside slipping to # 33? Wow, i knew he was going low, but that low? Could be this draft's 2nd round sleeper. I definately expect the Kings to hand him a contract.

Just read on Fanhouse.com that his ADD may have been the reason for his drop off.

- Other 2nd round sleepers could be Solomon Alabi, Gani Lawal and Willie Warren, who were once considered lottery picks. Alabi got dealt to the Raptors, who added massive front court depth in Ed Davis and him.

- Stanley Robinson getting picked at # 59 surprised me too. Great pick, again, for the Magic though.

- Not picked at all: Brian Zoubek, Alexey Shved, Mikhail Torrance (please, my Bulls, get him!), Miroslav Raduljica, Sherron Collins, Tommy Mason-Griffin, Charles Garcia, Jon Scheyer. Lots of PG, maybe the Pacers will try to get one.

- 2nd rounders absolutely not on my radar (some i haven't even heard about): Landry Fields, Paulo Prestes, Magnum Rolle, Pape Sy, Jeremy Evans, Ryan Reid (???). Weird.

- I haven't figured out the winners of this year's draft yet, because there are quite a few trades that went on, but it seems like the Thunder (who got Aldrich via trade), Magic (Orton and Robinson as late round picks), Mavs (got Dominique Jones from the Griz and Alabi in 2nd round -> he got dealt to the Raptors) and Pistons (in the end got a great Center in Monroe, plus 2nd rounder Terrico White) can be seen as winners at first sight (besides the other teams picking in the lottery of cause). 

Portland got quite a few valuable pieces too (Babbitt and Armon Johnson), although i don't know how much impact Babbitt will have for the Blazers, who have lots of players on his position right now.

Another team that suddenly looks much more improved are the Clippers. Expect Aminu to have a sudden impact as a starting SF. And they added backcourt depth in getting Bledsoe as backup-PG and combo guard Willie Warren. Add to this de-facto rookie Blake Griffin and the fact that the Clips have a lot of money to offer in free agency...scary.

- Teams that i don't understand: Knicks (Rautins and Fields??? C'mon!), Wolves (Johnson, Hayward, Bjelica -  SF-overload!), and i don't exactly figure out why the Pacers drafted another SF when they already have Granger - are they planning to play him as a SG? Granger and George are basically the same player types

And the Wizards trade for Hinrich's contract...i don't know, i think they could have done better. As a Bulls fan i'm happy with this trade. It gives the Bulls the chance to sign two top free agents (although i really like Hinrich and wish him all the best). This trade makes more sense for the Wiz if they can trade Arenas though.

- Just read that the Blazers fired Pritchard right before the draft. First thought: embarassing... Pritchard now in the race for Suns GM?

- My last mock went not that great. Here's what i got right (at least): the top 4, including Favors to NJ instead of the Wolves, Sanders to the Bucks, Bledsoe at # 18 (although i had Miami pick him), Vasquez to the Griz (although i had him at # 28, not # 25).

I expect more trades the next few weeks. I heard that Detroit is still trying to get Cousins, and there are more rumours. Should be pretty interesting.