SCOUT MOCK DRAFT: Lottery
Pick Team Player Pos. School
1. Raptors Andrea Bargnani SF/PF Italy
The Raptors have an obvious need at center, and despite his 6-11 frame, Bargnani is projected as a small forward. Chris Bosh has come out and said he thinks the team needs "more of a banger," all while hyping his man LaMarcus Aldridge. Yet in spite of these facts, everything we've been hearing - from the Toronto newspapers to one of our guys who is deep into the international scene - says the Raps have already decided Bargnani is their guy. With his outside shooting and one-on-one skills, the 20-year-old is the latest European prospect to draw comparisons to Dirk Nowitzki. Taking Bargnani this high is a huge gamble and a possible
PR disaster, so Toronto might in fact trade down if they think they can grab their man with a lower and safer pick. Because if Andrea turns out to be more like the next Vladimir Radmanovic instead of the next Dirk, being a No. 1 overall pick would make Toronto look even worse. We could also see the Raps trading down to get a point guard - most likely UConn's Marcus Williams.
2. Bulls (from Knicks) LaMarcus Aldridge C/PF Texas
With his ability to score in the paint, Aldridge fills Chicago's biggest need. He would have been a huge help if they had him this year against the Heat. With a front line of Aldridge, Tyson Chandler and Andres Nocioni/Luol Deng, the Bulls are looking good for another playoff run next year.
3. Bobcats Adam Morrison SF Gonzaga
The 'Cats have a solid young core with Emeka Okafor, Ray Felton, Gerald Wallace, Primoz Brezec and Sean May. What they're lacking is someone who can get buckets. Wallace led the team last year with 15 points a game, a number Morrison can easily top as a rookie.
4. Trail Blazers Brandon Roy SG Washington
Portland doesn't necessarily need Roy, having already pegged Martell Webster as their two guard of the future, but will still take the best player available. We've heard rumors that the Lakers love Roy, so don't be surprised if an L.A./Portland trade goes down sometime in the near future.
5. Hawks Randy Foye PG/SG Villanova
After they passed on Chris Paul last year, we'd like to think the Hawks won't make the same mistake twice when they're still in need of a point guard. UConn's Marcus Williams is the best pure point guard in the draft, but reports we've read say GM Billy Knight isn't feeling Williams. Foye is more of a Ben Gordon-esque combo guard (who also has "fourth-quarter killer" written all over him) than a natural point, but is probably a better all-around player than Williams.
6. Timberwolves Rudy Gay F Connecticut
The Wolves have many needs, and in such cases it's never a bad idea to just take the best player available. Gay would be the No. 1 overall pick if the draft were based solely on athletic ability and potential, but has to answer questions about his desire and killer instinct.
7. Celtics Marcus Williams PG Connecticut
Delonte West can definitely ball, but if the Celtics can pick up a true distributor like Williams, West could be better used as a sixth man/combo guard. Boston might be tempted to pick a center at this spot, but will be better off taking their chances in next year's draft, when guys like Greg Oden, Joakim Noah, Spencer Hawes and Roy Hibbert could be available.
8. Rockets Rodney Carney SF Memphis
Move Tracy McGrady back to the two and put Carney at the three and you have an explosive lineup. Carney has reportedly been working out at T-Mac's home gym, so we're assuming McGrady has taken a liking to the kid.
9. Warriors Tyrus Thomas PF LSU
The Matt Leinart Award for "Inexplicable Drop that is Somewhat Explicable at the Time" goes to Tyrus, who just a few weeks ago was considered a decent bet to be the No. 1 overall pick. Jason Richardson has been quoted in Bay Area newspapers with his opinion that the Warriors need a shot blocker/tough guy in the paint, and the one thing Thomas can unquestionably do is send shots into the sixth row.
10. Supersonics Shelden Williams PF/C Duke
The Sonics need to get tough, and Williams isn't called "The Landlord" for nothing. Someone is going to have to patrol the paint while opposing point guards continually dart past Luke Ridnour.
11. Magic Shawne Williams SF Memphis
Whether Grant Hill retires this summer or not, Orlando needs a small forward for the future. Williams and his Antoine Walker-style game make him a tantalizing prospect.
12. Hornets
Patrick O'Bryant C Bradley
The Hornets need to get big. O'Bryant is 7-2 and has skills. This is a no-brainer, really.
13. 76ers Cedric Simmons PF N.C. State
Philly could use a real point guard, but it's more important for them to get someone who can play defense and bring some toughness. Simmons is a 6-10 banger with an insanely long wingspan who can block shots and rebound.
14. Jazz J.J. Redick SG Duke
Utah's biggest need is at the two, meaning this pick probably comes down to Redick or Arkansas' Ronnie Brewer. Redick wins in our opinion because he is, at worst, one of the five best shooters on the planet. Having J.J. roaming around the perimeter will open things up inside for Carlos Boozer and Andrei Kirilenko.
15. Hornets Ronnie Brewer SG/PG Arkansas
After getting a big man with their lottery pick, the Hornets need to address their two-guard situation. It's no secret that Byron Scott and J.R. Smith don't get along, and Arvydas Macijauskas actually said "mountains of gold" couldn't bring him back to the Hornets. That leaves Kirk Snyder all alone at the two. Brewer can potentially play both backcourt positions, so if NOK loses Speedy Claxton to free agency, Brewer can spell Chris Paul at the point when necessary.
16. Bulls Mardy Collins PG/SG Temple
Chicago's backcourt is crowded, but also undersized. Collins is a 6-6 combo guard who can effectively defend big guards. Anyone who played for John Chaney should have no problems dealing with Scott Skiles' aggressive coaching style.
17. Pacers Jordan Farmar PG UCLA
Grabbing a point guard would benefit the Pacers for two reasons: First, we don't know if Anthony Johnson's breakout showing in the playoffs will hold up for 82 games. Second, Jamaal Tinsely can't stay healthy for more than a week at a clip.
18. Wizards Hilton Armstrong C UConn
Just ask LeBron James, the Wizards are seriously lacking in the defense department, which happens to be Armstrong's forte. Hilton can also grab some boards from the five spot, another area where Washington could use some help.
19. Kings Paul Davis C/PF Michigan St.
Brad Miller was almost invisible in Sacramento's first-round loss to San Antonio. We've read reports saying he could be traded, but even if that doesn't happen, Miller at least needs a decent backup. The top candidates for that spot would appear to be Davis and Pittsburgh's Aaron Gray. Davis is a little more versatile, which makes sense for now considering that we don't know who Sacramento's coach is yet and what system he'll want to implement.
20. Knicks Quincy Douby SG/PG Rutgers
The Knicks need so much, yet seemingly have talent at every position (on paper, at least). Just pick the local kid (sort of) and get the crowd on your side.
21. Suns Rajon Rando PG Kentucky
We've seen it in this year's playoffs: the run-and-gun style is starting to wear on the Suns, namely Steve Nash and Shawn Marion. Add Nash's back condition to the equation, and it makes sense to acquire a young point guard who can give Nash more time off. Rondo has the speed, handle and passing ability to play in Mike D'Antoni's system. If he could shoot, he would be a lottery pick.
22. Nets Aaron Gray C Pittsburgh
Just like the Hornets, the Nets need to get big. Gray is 7-0 and 270 pounds. Do the math.
23. Nets Josh Boone PF UConn
Further bolstering the front line, the Nets can groom Boone to take over the four spot. He didn't live up to the hype that followed his freshman season at UConn, but is at least solid in almost every area you want from a power forward.
24. Grizzles Saer Sene C Senegal
The Grizz are hurting for someone who can score, but would be best served addressing that need in free agency (Jason Terry will be available, for instance). Meanwhile, Jake Tsakalidis and Lorenzen Wright aren't exactly Hakeem and Ralph Sampson in the middle. Sene is a project who literally started playing basketball a couple of years ago, but his size and potential will see him land in the first round.
25. Cavaliers Sergio Rodriguez PG Spain
Some scouts are saying Rodriguez has lottery-level talent as a passer and ball handler, but his defense is lacking. With Eric Snow getting older and no real backup there is a need here.
26. Lakers Richard Roby SG Colorado
Behind Redick, Roby was arguably the best shooter in college basketball last year, and the Lakers could definitely use someone who can knock down shots. Plus, at 6-6, Roby handles the ball and passes well enough to maybe even play the point in the triangle.
27. Suns Hassan Adams SG Arizona
In Phoenix's small ball lineup, Adams can play the two or the three. One of our West Coast-based guys watched Adams' high-flying act up close for four years, and swears Adams never gets tired. Sounds like the Suns' kind of player, right?
28. Mavericks Leon Powe PF Cal
The Mavs are kind of thin in the front court; Dirk's backups at the four are Keith Van Horn and Josh Powell. Powe would be a higher pick if not for a history of knee injuries, but we can see him rounding into a late-model Antonio McDyess-type of player at the four.
29. Knicks Rudy Fernandez SG Spain
The way international scouts rave about Fernandez, it sounds like he has a lot of Manu Ginobili in his game. He's young (21 years old), but still sees solid tick in the Euroleague and for the national team.
30. Trail Blazers Paul Millsap PF La. Tech
Until they picked up Brian Skinner at the trade deadline, the Blazers had no backup for Zach Randolph. Millsap is a beast on the glass; he led the nation in rebounding for three straight years.
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