Loading ...1. Chicago Bulls – F/C Michael Beasley (6’10” – 235 lbs.), Kansas State
I don’t think you can go wrong with the top two picks however, at 6’10”, 235 pounds, Beasley can do it all. He is a very versatile player who can finish down low but can also shoot the ball very well from outside. He is very smooth and I don’t think the Bulls can afford to pass on such a talented big man. Putting him with the talent that they already have, the Bulls could be a dangerous team next year.
2. Miami Heat – PG Derrick Rose (6’3” – 190 lbs.), Memphis
Like I said, you can’t go wrong with these two. This is a heck of a consolation price to get Rose at pick number two. He is a strong ball handler who is unstoppable in the open court. Rose is very strong and can finish in the lane. He also is a great defender who will really help out the heat. A trio of Wade, Marion, and Rose will be a good place to build around for the Heat.
3. Minnesota Timberwolves – OJ Mayo (6’5” – 200 lbs.), USC
Mayo is a very talented guard who can flat out score. He is a very athletic kid who can play any guard position. He is a solid free throw shooter who has a knack for making the tough shot. He has the potential to be an above average defender in the NBA. Mayo has had some off the court issues that might stop him from being a top five pick.
4. Seattle Supersonics – PG Jerryd Bayless (6’3” – 193 lbs.), Arizona
Bayless is a great pick here for the Sonics. He is quick and can handle the ball very well. He can shoot off the dribble and can finish in traffic. The Sonics really need a point guard to help compliment Durant and I think Bayless is the best fit in this draft.
5. Memphis Grizzlies – C Brook Lopez (7’0” – 260 lbs.), Stanford
He is a very good sized player. He is big and will be an above average NBA rebounder. He also does a good job shot blocking and altering shots. He is the safe pick at this point for the Grizzlies. They need a big man. Memphis could take a little bit of a risk and go for some one like DeAndre Jordan who has a lot more potential and upside.
6. New York Knicks – SF Danilo Gallinari (6’10” – 195 lbs.), Italy
This pick is very up in the air. Why? Because the Knicks need a lot of help. I think Gallinari will be a good piece of the puzzle to start building around. He’s a player that can help the Knicks in many ways. He is a tall forward at 6’10” that can score in many different ways. For being 6’10”, he can handle the ball and shoot from deep. I don’t want to do it but from everything I have been reading it sounds like a Dirk Nowitzki replica. He sees the floor very well which allows him to also distribute the ball. Gallinari sounds like a perfect fit for new coach Mark D’Antoni. (Next stop for the Knicks, 2009 NBA Lottery.)
7. Los Anglos Clippers – PG Russell Westbrook (6’3” – 190 lbs.), UCLA
I think when people look back at the draft in ten years this could be one of the best picks. Westbrook does not get a lot of attention or recognition. He wasn’t a go-to on the UCLA team however he is a very solid player especially at the PG position. The Clippers really don’t have an answer there right now and Westbrook would be a great fit. He is extremely athletic and is a great passer. He will need to develop a little offensively, especially his jump shot. He is also an excellent defender who will fit in perfectly with the Clippers.
8. Milwaukee Bucks – SG Eric Gordon (6’3” – 215 lbs.), Indiana
I like the Bucks to take Gordon if he falls this far. This kid is also a great scorer. If the Bucks can get Gordon they will be able to trade Michael Redd and get rid of his huge contract. Gordon is a deadly shooter who can also finish in the lane. He is a very explosive player.
9. Charlotte Bobcats – SF/PF Anthony Randolph (6’10” – 205 lbs.), LSU
Randolph is a very athletic player especially for his size (6’10”). He is very good at blocking and altering shots. He is a good rebounder. He is quick and can score around the basket but will need to improve of his jump shot. He will need to bulk up a little to be able to bang with some of the big boys in the NBA but the sky is the limit for this kid.
10. New Jersey Nets – PF Darrell Arthur (6’9” – 225 lbs.), Kansas
Arthur would fit in perfect with the Nets. He is an extremely talented player. He is big, strong, and athletic. He is a good passer and plays very well with his back to the basket. He has pretty good range for a big guy. The Nets really need a low post presence and I think Arthur is the answer. He will need to bulk up a little in order to bang with some of the other big men in the NBA. I could see the Nets taking DeAndre Jordan but Arthur is the more proven player and will be able to make an impact right away.
11. Indiana Pacers – PG DJ Augustine (5’11” – 175), Texas
If he is still available here, the Kings need to take him. Augustine is a pure PG and is a leader, which is exactly what Sacramento needs. He is very quick and loves to penetrate. He is the kind of player who makes his team better (See Texas Longhorns the past two seasons). The Kings could go a couple of different ways here but if he is on the board I think they can pass him up.
12. Sacramento Kings – DeAndre Jordan (7’0” – 260 lbs.), Texas A&M
Pure athlete. The potential and upside for Jordan is high. He is a very good defender. He uses his height and large wingspan to black and alter shots. He is a good rebounder and can run the floor pretty well for a guy his size. He has very good touch for a big guy. Jordan might be picked a little higher but I have him falling right now because he is more NBA prospect that NBA ready right now.
13. Portland Trailblazers – Joe Alexander (6’8” – 230 lbs.), West Virginia
I think the Blazers draft Joe Alexander for a couple of different reasons. He is pretty athletic for his size. He can score if a variety of different ways. Alexander has a good post up game with soft touch and can finish around the hoop. He is also a pretty good shooter for his size. He will need to improve from downtown but with the amount of talent the Blazers have right now; I think the former Mountaineer is the perfect pick. He will fit in well with SG Brandon Roy, PF LaMarcus Aldridge, and C Greg Oden. By adding SF Alexander and a true point guard the Blazers could be on to something.
14. Golden State Warriors – PF/C Kevin Love (6’10” – 260 lbs.), UCLA
Love was arguably the most dominate player in college basketball last year. He has a big body frame that will allow him to be a good rebounder in the NBA. He can also shoot the ball very well for a guy his size. He isn’t the most athletic player in the draft, but has the potential to be a good NBA player for years to come. He always seems to be in the right spot and is an excellent passer. Love is a safe pick and will definitely be able to contribute right away.
15. Phoenix Suns – SF Brandon Rush (6’7” – 211 lbs.), Kansas
Rush is a good all around player. His size combined with his athletic ability make him a candidate to make and immediate impact in the NBA. There are definitely players in the 2008 NBA draft that have more potential however the Suns could really use a player like Rush. He is a do-it-all player. He can score in a variety of ways. He is a great passer and has the potential to be a great defender in the NBA. Another plus, the kid is a proven winner. He doesn’t need to be in the spotlight and that will fit in perfect with the Suns style of basketball.
16. Philadelphia 76ers – PF/C Kosta Koufos (7’1” – 245 lbs.), Ohio State
17. Toronto Raptors – SF Donte Greene (6’10” – 220 lbs.), Syracuse
18. Washington Wizards – C Robin Lopez (7’0” – 255 lbs.), Stanford
19. Cleveland Cavilers – PG/SG Mario Chalmers (6’1” – 190 lbs.), Kansas
20. Denver Nuggets – C Roy Hibbert (7’2” – 270 lbs.), Georgetown
21. New Jersey Nets (from Dallas) – SF Nicholas Batum (6’8” – 215 lbs.), France
22. Orlando Magic – C JaVale McGee (7’0” – 237 lbs.), Nevada
23.Utah Jazz – SG/SF Chris Douglas-Roberts (6’7” – 200 lbs.), Memphis
24. Seattle Supersonics (from Phoenix) – PF Serge Ibaka (6’10” – 220 lbs.), Congo
25. Houston Rockets – PF/C Marreese Speights (6’10” – 245), Florida
26. San Antonio Spurs – SG/SF Courtney Lee (6’5” – 200 lbs.), Western Kentucky
27. New Orleans Hornets – C Alexis Ajinca (7’1” – 225 lbs.), France
28. Memphis Grizzlies (from LAL) – PG/SG/SF Bill Walker (6’6” – 235 lbs.), Kansas State
29. Detroit Pistons – PF Ryan Anderson (6’10” – 225 lbs.), California
30. Boston Celtics – SF Devon Jefferson (6’8” – 215 lbs.), USC
