Re: NBA Draft TODAY!
Final mock draft: Rubio to Thunder?
By Kerry Eggers, The Sports Xchange
15 hours, 0 minutes ago
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1. Los Angeles Clippers – Blake Griffin, PF, Oklahoma: Coach/GM Mike Dunleavy said the Clippers aren’t closing the door to a potential trade of this pick. “Obviously, if the word ‘LeBron’ was spoken, the door would open,” he said. Chances of that are about as high as the Clips taking someone other than the 6-10, 250-pound power forward, of whom Dunleavy said, “There are certain things on his shot that he’ll need to work to get better at.” Even Tim Duncan(notes) wasn’t perfect out of college, and he had four years at Wake Forest.
2. Memphis Grizzlies – Hasheem Thabeet, C, Connecticut: The 7-3 skyscraper canceled a workout with the Grizzlies, but had already visited twice with Memphis officials. The chance to get the Dikembe Mutombo(notes) of this generation of players will probably be too much to pass by for GM Chris Wallace, who also likes Ricky Rubio and Tyreke Evans.
3. Oklahoma City Thunder – Ricky Rubio, PG, Spain: Thunder GM Sam Presti has hired a Spanish law firm to assist with the process of lowering Rubio’s $6.6 million buyout of his Spanish club. In 2001, as a scout for San Antonio, Presti pushed for the Spurs to draft a teenage point guard from France named Tony Parker(notes). The Thunder might think Rubio is too good a prospect to pass up.
4. Sacramento Kings – Tyreke Evans, PG, Memphis: The Kings were a bit turned off when Rubio didn’t take part in a workout session for them. They like the 6-5 Evans, but just aren’t sure how quickly he can make the conversion to point guard, their big need. With Kevin Martin(notes) entrenched at the shooting guard, Evans would get most of his minutes at the one-spot.
5. Minnesota Timberwolves (from Washington) – James Harden, SG, Arizona State: The Timberwolves basically traded away their backcourt when they sent Mike Miller(notes) and Randy Foye(notes) to Washington. Harden has an NBA body and might be ready to step in as a starting two guard on a young ballclub. The T’wolves also have discussed packing this pick with their No. 18 selection to try to move up to No. 2.
6. Minnesota Timberwolves – Stephen Curry, PG, Davidson: Sacramento likes Curry and might take him at No. 4. If that doesn’t happen, the Wolves would go for either Curry or Jonny Flynn. Curry isn’t a pure point guard, but his shooting and passing skills can make him a productive NBA player right away.
7. Golden State Warriors – Jordan Hill, PF, Arizona: Golden State needs all kinds of help at the power positions, and Hill is the logical guy here. The Warriors have also looked at a group of point guards, including Stephen Curry, Brandon Jennings and Jonny Flynn, and could go in that direction. Hill’s stock has dropped since the draft process began, but he’s still a talented big man with toughness and an ability to finish around the basket.
8. New York Knicks – Jonny Flynn, PG, Syracuse: The Knicks were hoping to get up high enough to draft either Evans or Curry. Failing that, they’ll be happy with Flynn, a 6-foot point guard with remarkable physical talents.
9. Toronto Raptors – DeMar DeRozan, SG, Southern Cal: The Raptors’ biggest need is at the two guard. DeRozan doesn’t have 3-point range (6 for 36 at the college line as a freshman at USC), but has size, is good in transition and is a great finisher.
10. Milwaukee Bucks – Jrue Holiday, PG, UCLA: The Bucks’ most pressing need is probably at the point, and they have worked out plenty of candidates, including Holiday, Jennings, Flynn, Ty Lawson and Jeff Teague. Despite a less-than-impressive freshman year with the Bruins, Holiday is a true point with good potential offensively, excellent defensive skills and an NBA body.
11. New Jersey Nets – DeJuan Blair, PF, Pittsburgh: He’s listed at 6-7, but his actual height is about 6-5 while carrying 275 pounds on a solid frame. There are questions about his knees, too, but the Nets could use a player of his talents on the boards.
12. Charlotte Bobcats – Gerald Henderson, SG, Duke: This could come down to a choice between Henderson and Terrence Williams, who both returned for a second workout Monday. Henderson is bigger and stronger, a better passer and a better shooter than Williams, who is versatile and is outstanding in the transition game.
13. Indiana Pacers – Tyler Hansbrough, PF, North Carolina: Hansbrough, who has moved up the charts in recent weeks, impressed Pacers officials in his personal workout. Indiana president Larry Bird said the biggest needs are at a power position, point guard and wing. If Blair is gone, the pick will be Hansbrough, who has the toughness to help a team off the bench immediately.
14. Phoenix Suns – Earl Clark, SF, Louisville: The 6-10, 230-pound Clark has a lot of qualities that would work in Alvin Gentry’s high-velocity transition game. All things being equal, the Suns would like to draft big. Clark is the best remaining in that category.
15. Detroit Pistons – Brandon Jennings, PG, Italy: The Pistons had planned to take a front-court player but can’t pass on a talent like Jennings, who has fallen and may be out of the lottery for a variety of reasons. Jennings’ ability to create off the dribble and get into the lane make him a prospect who might not help immediately but has great upside in the long run.
16. Chicago Bulls – Terrence Williams, SG, Louisville: If Ben Gordon(notes) is lost to free agency, Chicago will need a shooting guard. Williams, long and explosive, is an intriguing prospect with some shooting issues that could be taken care of over time.
17. Philadelphia 76ers – Eric Maynor, PG, Virginia Commonwealth: The 76ers will probably go for a point man if they keep this pick. Most likely possibilities are Maynor, Ty Lawson or Jeff Teague. Maynor is a true point guard with a great basketball IQ, considered one of the best decision-makers in college basketball last season.
18. Minnesota Timberwolves – B.J. Mullens, C, Ohio State: There are better athletes available at this spot, but Mullens is an intriguing post player who is early in his development. The Timberwolves would have a ready-made backup for Al Jefferson(notes), one who could take some time to develop.
19. Atlanta Hawks – Jeff Teague, PG, Wake Forest: Teague is a natural scorer who has thrived in an up-tempo game for the Demon Deacons. Not a great shooter or defender, but would be a nice addition to the Hawks’ backcourt.
20. Utah Jazz– Ty Lawson, PG, North Carolina: Nobody is quicker baseline to baseline that Lawson, who could go higher but is more likely to be available here. Lawson is smallish and isn’t a great perimeter shooter, but he’s strong and can push the ball in transition and would be a solid backup to Deron Williams(notes).
21. New Orleans Hornets – James Johnson, PF, Wake Forest: A combo forward who is competitive and versatile, Johnson is talented enough that he could probably fit immediately in the Hornets’ rotation. He can score and rebound but will need work at the defensive end and is a bit of a tweener.
22. Portland Trail Blazers – Omri Casspi, SF, Israel. Blazers have never been afraid to draft international players (Rudy Fernandez(notes), Sergio Rodriguez(notes), Nicolas Batum(notes)). They were there to watch Casspi in a workout in Italy. He runs the court well and is a solid rebounder, big enough that he could play some behind LaMarcus Aldridge(notes) at power forward. His biggest question is whether he is quick enough to guard NBA players at the three spot.
23. Sacramento Kings – Austin Daye, PF, Gonzaga: Kings officials aren’t enamored with Daye’s lack of strength or poor defensive skills, but they believe he has the talent to one day be an exceptional NBA player. He’ll fit in with a number of their young nucleus as they build for the future.
24. Dallas Mavericks – Darren Collison, PG, UCLA: Free agent Jason Kidd(notes) might not return, and even if he does, he is 36. Collison would have to compete with Jason Terry(notes) and Jose Barea for minutes at the point, but his high basketball IQ and strong defensive ability would make him an immediate threat.
25. Oklahoma City Thunder – Chase Budinger, SG, Arizona: Budinger has fallen on draft charts in part because NBA scouts question his toughness. He’s a solid shooter and great athlete who can jump out of the gym and is smart and unselfish offensively.
26. Chicago Bulls – Sam Young, SF, Pittsburgh: More of a ready-made NBA player than most. Strong defender and rebounder who is tough and athletic.
27. Memphis Grizzlies – Wayne Ellington, SG, North Carolina: The kid showed he can shoot from almost anywhere, and he’d come in handy on a Memphis team that can use almost everything.
28. Minnesota Timberwolves – Jonas Jerebko, SF, Italy: Has emerged late in the draft process; a potential late first-round pick, but he might not arrive in the NBA for another year. Has good size and knows how to use it on the court.
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29. New York Knicks (from L.A. Lakers) – Rodrigue Beaubois, PG, France: Beaubois’ workouts have shown his ability is of NBA quality. Very quick and athletic, he’s only 20 and is in the early stages of his development as a player. Knicks also could go big here if they take a point guard at No. 8.
30. Cleveland Cavaliers – Nick Calathes, PG, Florida: Calathes announced last month he plans to play professionally in Greece next season, but he still could be a first-round pick.
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25th June 2009, 08:19 AM
25th June 2009, 08:19 AM
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