Final Mock
(cutting it after the lottery teams because most of you only care about the Bulls, and my 2nd half of round 1 wouldn’t have changed much anyway from the original mock)
POR – C – Greg Oden
Insert arbitrary no-brainer comment…
SEA – F – Kevin Durant
See above…
ATL – FC – Al Horford
I would take Conley here, but it’s hard to go wrong w/ Horford. Should get a nice consolation prize at 11, either Law or Crittenton, the local flavor from G Tech…
MEM – PG – Mike Conley
Great prospect, but they sure didn’t give Kyle Lowry much of a chance. Trading down to clear a bad contract or two wouldn’t be a bad idea either, considering their cap situation…
BOS – PF – Yi Jianlian
Could be an excellent complement to Al Jefferson. Might mean Pierce is a goner this summer, or perhaps they’re just drafting him in order to move him to the highest bidder.
MIL – F – Jeff Green
One of the safest picks in the draft, would be even better if they hadn’t paid Bobby Simmons last offseason like a future HOF’er. Brandan Wright is a serious possibility as well…
MIN – GF – Corey Brewer
Foye & Brewer paired together would give the T’Wolves a formidable backcourt for the next decade (and please don't bother with the Rashad McCants BS). And for all you young Wolves fans reading at home, keep in mind you have no pick next year (Jaric trade), so make this one count…
CHA – PF – Brandan Wright
Hometown favorite, and a perfect fit. Bobcats will continue piss poor basketball for at least 2 more years, giving Wright more grooming time than any other NBA team could offer…
CHI – FC – Joakim Noah
Didn’t want him #2 overall last year, but will certainly settle for him in the 9 slot this year. I’ll save the comments and just wait for the Noah haters to chime in, but do keep in mind that he played with a shoulder injury for the majority of last season…
SAC – C – Spencer Hawes
If they’re able to get something decent in return for guys like Bibby and Artest, count on the Kings going into a full rebuilding mode. Kevin Martin & Hawes could make for a nice inside-out combination and give Sacramento something to build around…
ATL – PG – Acie Law
Crittenton is 3 years younger and has the higher upside, but Law is a proven winner, and like Jeff Green, one of the safer picks in the draft…
PHI – SF – Julian Wright
Wright’s stock is all over the place. Prior to the NCAA tourney, he was widely regarded as a top 8 pick. Some projections now have him falling out of the lottery. I’m not buying into that, he’s too talented a prospect…
NO – SG – Rodney Stuckey
Nick Young could go here as well, but I’ll go out on a limb with Stuckey. Didn’t get a good look at this kid playing for Eastern Washington, but several scouts have said (paraphrasing): “had he played in a major conference, he’d be a top 10 pick”.
LAC – F – Al Thornton
Another tough one to project. On talent, he’s a top 10 pick. Unfortunately for him, he’s quite old (23 I believe) for an NBA rookie, and he measured out much shorter than expected. Could fit in very well with a team that wants to use him in a Tyrus type of role – energy, athleticism, havoc…
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