| Final Mock Draft Authored by Keith Berzanske - June 28, 2005 - 1:21 pm
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It appears that several NBA teams have actually caught on to the fact that Channing Frye and Hakim Warrick are among the best players in the draft. But while the seniors are on the rise, so are the high schoolers. Martell Webster is now rated by most on par with Gerald Green. I did see more film on both players, and Webster sure can shoot. I guess which player you like better would depend on which style of guard you prefer, the Dale Ellis type (Webster) or the Clyde Drexler type (Green).
The same thing goes for the point guards - style will dictate a lot, as Deron Williams, Chris Paul, Raymond Felton, and Jarrett Jack are all outstanding prospects. I would compare Williams to Jason Kidd, Paul to Kevin Johnson, Felton to Rod Strickland, and Jack to Chauncey Billups, although in each case the incoming prospect is probably a touch below the player I have compared him to (I mean, let's not get carried away).
Trades will also play a huge part in the draft. It now appears that the Hawks will draft Marvin Williams, meaning that either Al Harrington or Williams himself will be on the move. Portland and Utah are likely to swap picks, and Toronto and Charlotte each have two high picks to work with, if they want to make a deal.
But anyway, enough stalling...
MOCK DRAFT (updated 6/27)
1 Bogut, Andrew - Milwaukee
no brainer
2 Williams, Marvin - Atlanta
The Hawks desperately need a point guard, but they are the Hawks. Williams may be the best player in the draft, or may just turn out to be another really good forward. Obviously he'll be good, but will he be a superstar? What the Hawks do with this pick and #30 will shape this moribund franchise for years to come.
3 Williams, Deron - Portland
Probably picking for Utah, although Williams is versatile enough to play with Telfair. That would be a small backcourt, though.
4 Paul, Chris - New Orleans
I think the Hornets need a small forward more (Granger), given Dickau's development, but Paul is too good to pass up and they like him.
5 Green, Gerald - Charlotte
This is where it gets sticky. They may pass on Felton here and hope he slides to 13.
6 Webster, Martell - Utah
Probably picking for Portland; Webster and Telfair would be a nice future backcourt. Webster would also fit well in Utah.
7 Granger, Danny - Toronto
Toronto could go a number of ways - Felton, Frye, Granger, or Green or Webster if they slide. Picks 7-9 will cause a domino effect that will dictate the rest of the selections.
8 Bynum, Andrew - New York
Isiah should take Frye, but I have a feeling he'll try and get cute here.
9 Frye, Channing - Golden State
Too good to pass up if he's still here. If Frye is gone, look for them to take Granger or Warrick.
10 Warrick, Hakim - LA Lakers
perfect fit for triangle offense
11 Vasquez, Fran - Orlando
Size deprived Magic should go big, whether it's Vasquez or someone else.
12 Wright, Antoine - LA Clippers
bench scoring arrives
13 Felton, Raymond - Charlotte (from Cleveland)
This would be a dream come true, although in reality I imagine Felton will get snatched up earler.
14 Garcia, Francisco - Minnesota
replacement for Sprewell
15 Villanueva, Charlie - New Jersey
local boy fills a need
16 Jack, Jarrett - Toronto (from Philadelphia)
Rafer Alston not proven reliable
17 May, Sean Indiana
more help for Jermaine O'Neal
18 Ukic, Roko - Boston
Payton may not return
19 Graham, Joey - Memphis
If Cleveland acquires this pick, look for Graham and McCants to be reversed here.
20 McCants, Rashad - Denver (from Washington)
Denver desperately needs a shooter. If McCants, Webster, and Garcia are all gone, they make resort to reaching for Stoudamire here or at 22
21 Petro, Johan - Phoenix (from Chicago)
athletic big man can run with the small ball masters
22 Andriuskevicius, Martynas - Denver
extra pick enables them to take a chance on a project
23 Taft, Chris - Sacramento
Best gamble, and a team with 3 guys in place like Bibby, Miller, and Stojakovic can afford to take a risk
24 Simien, Wayne - Houston
Not sure which PF they will take, but Simien as good as any. May go Turiaf or Diogu or even Lee
25 Diogu, Ike - Seattle
another banger that will fit right in with Fortson and Evans
26 Korolev, Yaroslav - Detroit
Deep team can take a chance on potential
27 Head, Luther - Utah (from Dallas)
Even though they already nabbed one guard, still need help in backcourt. May end up with Illinois teammates together again.
28 Hodge, Julius - San Antonio
Hodge would give the Spurs a scoring option at small forward who also knows how to play the game.
29 Gelabale, Mickael - Miami
versatile small forward is ready to contribute immediately
30 Ilyasova, Ersan - New York (from Phoenix)
Since Knicks are obviously rebuilding, they can add another project to Bynum
The second round is pretty much a crapshoot, as it's hard to tell who will be picked until the first 30 picks are done. Here's my best attempt - my goal is to at least have the right guys, although I harbor no illusions about getting them in the correct order.
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31 Ellis, Monta - Atlanta
32 Blatche, Andray - LA Clippers (from Charlotte)
33 Turiaf, Ronny - New Orleans
34 Lee, David - Utah
35 Stoudemire, Salim - Portland
36 Morris, Randolph - Milwaukee
37 Ewing, Daniel - LA Lakers (from New York)
38 Maxiell, Jason - Toronto
39 Gilchrist, John - LA Lakers
40 Winston, Kennedy - Golden State
41 Robinson, Nate - Orlando
42 Gomes, Ryan - LA Clippers
43 Williams, Louis - New Jersey
44 Thompson, Dijon - Orlando(from Cleveland)
45 Kleiza, Linas - Detroit (from Philadelphia)
46 Miles, CJ - Indiana
47 Ilic, Mile - Minnesota
48 Taylor, Donell - Seattle (from Memphis)
49 Bass, Brandon - Washington
50 Walsh, Matt - Boston
51 Gigli, Angelo - Utah (from Chicago)
52 Rivera, Filiberto - Denver
53 Banks, Sean - Boston (from Sacramento)
54 Wade, Tirus - New York (from Houston)
55 Marshall, Rawle - Seattle
56 Diener, Travis - Detroit
57 Lorbek, Erazem - Phoenix (from Dallas)
58 Simmons, Tre - Toronto (from Miami)
59 Gortat, Marcin - Atlanta (from San Antonio)
60 Basden, Eddie - Philadelphia (from Phoenix)
Any way you look at it, the draft should be a lot of fun, as always. I will keep a running draft diary and post my comments tomorrow, as well as my take on how the new Collective Bargaining Agreement may help the Cavaliers get their shooter AND keep Zydrunas Ilgauskas.
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