Just for fun - its never too early, right?
Note: Please don't pay much mind to the draft order.
1. Minnesota Timberwolves - John Wall, PG, Kentucky
Right now, John Wall should be number one on every single team's draft board - even a team that drafted three PGs in the first round last year and signed another in free agency to a $16 million deal. "Even" may not be the right word. Maybe it should be "especially" since it seems they like PGs so much.
Kahn is a guy who likes to acquire assets and would employ the BPA strategy here. This situation would be on the same comedic level as when the Detroit Lions were staring at the best player in the draft, Calvin Johnson, and decided to take him even though they had made blunders by taking Charles Rodgers and Mike Williams. Taking Megatron was the right thing to do and it has paid off (well sorta) for the Lions.
Of course they would most certainly end up trading a PG. I wouldn't trade Wall, as he has the potential to turn around a franchise. This seems like the perfect time to employ my theory that says that Kurt Rambis is breeding a PG in the triangle offense to eventually trade to the Lakers. Why do I think this?
1) Jerry West spoon fed his former team Pau Gasol. McHale did the same thing for Boston by giving them KG. Now it is Rambis' turn to pay back the team that got him his head coaching job.
2) Why else would they have some many f'in point guards?
3) The league is stacked with great young point guards but the best team in the NBA currently has Derek Fisher starting for them. They really need to get their hands on one of these young PGs...
I think either Sessions or Rubio makes sense. Both are good defenders with high IQs that make them a good fit for the triangle. It doesn't look like Sessions is one of Rambis' favorites so he would have no problem trading him. Rubio would immediately do whatever he could to get out of Europe and play for the best NBA team which also resides in a very Spanish-oriented community.
Not buying it yet?
Then don't, just wait and see...
2. New Jersey Nets - Derrick Favors, PF, Georgia Tech
Favors has some deficiencies, but nothing that a good coaching staff can't fix (which is why he needs to get out of Georgia!). I was able to see him last year in person and saw him travel three times in a row (only two were called). His footwork definitely needs work, but besides that we are looking at an athletic freak with more upside than anyone other than Wall. He brings star potential to a sorry team that guys like Ed Davis, Evan Turner, Greg Monroe, and Cole Aldrich lack.
3. Utah Jazz (from the New York Knicks) - Al-Farouq Aminu, F, Wake Forest
Check out this article by Jonathan Abrams if you still believe the Jazz are a pick and roll team - http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/20/sports/basketball/20pick.html?_r=2.
4. Memphis Grizzlies - Evan Turner, SG, Ohio State
Lionel Hollins indirectly provided good reason today one why not to draft for need when you are as bad as the Grizzlies...
"Every year people can say that all those guys who were in the top 15 in the draft or the top 10, discussed about where we were or who we should take, Brandon Jennings was probably the least talked about because he had been overseas and hadn’t played very well. But everyone thought that Tyreke (Evans) was going to be a good player, and Jonny Flynn. You had (James) Harden. All the guys who were up there drafted were discussed and debated. With our team the way it was last year, we felt we needed to add some wing players and we needed to add some defensive players. Hasheem was the guy who was blocking all the shots in college and we felt like he would be able to do that in the NBA and still feel that way."
So of course, look for Memphis to focus on their "one" problem to get them over the hump! Based on 82games.com's "production by position" stats, they are doing OK in most areas, but are absolutely getting killed defensively in the backcourt (opponent's PER at PG/SG combined is at 48.7!).
Evan Turner would provide them with a good character kid who plays hard on defense and unselfishly on offense. I would hate to poison a good kid like him by putting him in Memphis...
5. Philadelphia 76ers - Wesley Johnson, SF, Syracuse
"What! Another SF for Philly?" is the obvious question. Here is how I would respond:
"One that actually fits their system. Johnson can shoot, has a well-rounded game, and is ready to contribute right away. Iggy is fine at the 2. Fitting Thaddeus in Jordan's offense just isn't working - he's probably better off at the 4 (82games.com backs that up thus far - also according to their production by position, SF is the weakest of the 5 spots on the floor)."
I also wouldn't be surprised if Caron Butler's name starts to be thrown around with the Sixers. Why?
1) Abe Pollin's favorite player was Caron. With him gone, there is a better chance the Wizards are willing to trade Caron.
2) Gilbert Arenas accused Caron of playing for himself. Apparently, they settled their differences, but there still has to be tension.
3) The fit. Caron doesn't fit well into Flip's offense. In Eddie Jordan's however, he has thrived. Both teams are struggling and need to shake up their rosters a little.
6. Indiana Pacers - Cole Aldrich, C, Kansas
The Pacers go with the BWPA (best white player available). Taking Cole would definitely signal a style change for Indiana. They have already have to start slowing down due to the emergence of Hibbert, plus the recent personnel additions seem to fit better in a slow offense. What I like about Aldrich is he has the versatility to be able to play at center or power forward with his improving outside shot. Him and Hibbert would form a formidable defensive pair and also complement each other on offense. Plus Aldrich is white.
7. Washington Wizards - Willie Warren, G, Oklahoma
As a rule, the Wizards have to ignore defensive capability and draft an offensive guy with loads of potential. Warren fits the bill. So far, the Wizards have been getting horrendous production for their two guards (Foye, Young, and Stevenson) so he fills a big need. Of course, he won't really help the Wizards get a championship unless he turns into D-Wade, but since when did the Wizards care about hoisting the O'Brien trophy?
8. Los Angeles Clippers - Ed Davis, F/C, North Carolina
Ed Davis can't slip any farther than this. I think he'll be a great glue guy for a playoff team, but I see his career being closer to a Brendan Haywood (although I think he'll be able to average 10+ ppg a little easier) than a Josh Smith type. He simply doesn't have a makeup of a star player. He'll provide a team with great defense and smart offensive play while being a good teammate off the court. I'd take a guy like him any day.
9. Sacramento Kings - Donatas Montiejunas, F, Lithuania
Has Petrie gotten his mojo back? After hitting the last few draft picks, he can take a swing for the fences with Montiejunas. Petrie has a long track record of drafting Euros including: Casspi, Songalia, Turkoglu, and Stojakovic. He's definitely had his best success with European forwards and Montiejunas could be added to that list. Currently, he's being coached with the intent of him being a small forward. We will see how that works out.
10. Golden State Warriors - Greg Monroe, PF, Georgetown
Chris Webber #2? I wouldn't go that far, but I could see Don Nelson trying to make him into a center. Monroe's skill set is intriging but he has to start taking over games for Georgetown.
11. Charlotte Bobcats - Solomon Alabi, C, Florida State
The Bobcats have been trying to find a shotblocker to be the backbone of their defense for the past few years under Larry Brown. Ajinca isn't making big enough strides and Chandler is looking like he's going to injury prone for the rest of his career. Heres to another chance with a 7'1'' center!
12. Chicago Bulls - Xavier Henry, SG, Kansas
First off, love the Bull's choice of Taj Gibson in the 2009 draft. He's so far advanced in help defense for a rookie in the NBA. Fun to watch.
Bulls would love to have a guy who can stroke it from outside to open of the lane for Rose and Deng. Henry can do exactly that and he also has the potential as only a freshman to be even better. The Bulls seem to love players who were on successful college teams (Hinrich, Rose, Deng, Noah, Gray, etc.) so I like this fit! Maybe their success will actually translate to championships someday.
13. Milwaukee Bucks - Durrell Summers, SG, Michigan State
Hammond may opt to skip this pick in fear of diminishing his repitation. If they do happen to get their pick in, maybe Hammond will take a player who has been hyped in Michigan even back when he was still in the state working with Dumars. Summers is an insane athlete with long, rangey arms which make him capable of defending on par with Skiles' demands. This season is very important for Summers' stock, but so far, so good.
14. New Orleans Hornets - Devin Ebanks, F, West Virginia
Blah. Getting to the point where these picks have a 5% chance of happening. I'm not even sure the Hornets will pick in the lottery now that Bower has taken over and started playing Thornton and Collison. They do need a slasher though.
15. Miami Heat - Patrick Patterson, PF, Kentucky
Talented player who can fit in with stars. Riley reaches back to his alma mater.
16. Detroit Pistons - Larry Sanders, PF, VCU
I'm not a fan of drafting for need, but the Pistons NEED to get a big man. A true PG would also work, but they missed the boat last year. Abdul Gaddy '11! Or another PG from Washington by the name of Isiah Thomas? Nah..
17. Miami Heat (from the Toronto Raptors) - Avery Bradley, G, Texas
Good shooter who gets after it on the defensive end. I saw him guide Findlay Prep to the NHSI championship in DC. Sounds like a Riley guy to me! He'd complement Wade well with his shooting.
18. Oklahoma City Thunder - Malcolm Lee, G, UCLA
Little known fact: Sam Presti and I have been in sync with the last few picks he's made. I'm predicting that he'll go with another UCLA guard this time. Book it.
19. Minnesota Timberwolves (from the Utah Jazz) - Craig Brackins, PF, Iowa State
Skilled forward could work well in Kurt Rambis' attempt at the triangle. They could also try to get a legit wing player, but I prefer to watch Ryan Gomes get blown by for dunks every night.
20. San Antonio Spurs - James Anderson, SG, Oklahoma State
Can't say I'm his biggest fan. His basketball IQ seems to be lacking and he has bad handles. He makes me think of a real poor Jason Richardson. He could probably fill the Michael Finley role though.
21. Oklahoma City Thunder (from the Phoenix Suns) - Jerome Jordan, C, Tulsa
*channeling my inner Sam Presti* "You know what we need? A big man who could potentially be a shot blocking presence and has a somewhat existent post game! Also, make sure he doesn't have tatoos or any character problems. Another thing, it wouldn't hurt if he was a local guy..."
Mr. Presti, I think I've got your guy!
22. Cleveland Cavaliers - DeMarcus Cousins, PF, Kentucky
Now that Calipari has convinced him he's a big man and not Carmelo Anthony, I feel better about Cousins' pro potential. I wouldn't be surprised to see him jump up into the lottery after an Ed Davis/Cole Aldrich-esque NCAA tournament apperance.
23. Houston Rockets - Tyshawn Taylor, PG, Kansas
I forget why I put Taylor here. I don't know think Darryl Morey's computers will like his first few games this season. Trevor Booker must look good to the Rockets, but they already have to many small power forwards, right?
24. New Jersey Nets (from the Dallas Mavericks) - Quincy Poindexter, SF, Washington
Let is be known that I love this guy. Hard working, great character guy who was one of few NBA prospects to lace his sneakers up for Team USA. He's also an incredible athlete. Something tells me he will find a way to put that athleticism to good use in the pros.
25. Orlando Magic - Kalin Lucas, PG, Michigan State
Its hard to make the Magic these days if you are a big man. With their backup PGs combined age at 69 though, they may want to add some youth.
26. Portland Trailblazers - Jan Vesely, F, Czech Republic
When it doubt, give the slipping international player to Portland! Thats the only rhyme or reason for this pick, hopefully I'll get a chance to watch Vesely soon.
27. Memphis Grizzlies (from the Denver Nuggets) - Sherron Collins, PG, Kansas
One wonders if Collins can stay motivated after he gets paid. Each offseason he balloons up 30 pounds.
28. Atlanta Hawks - Kyle Singler, F, Duke
Basically the exact opposite of Josh Smith. May work out nice. Wouldn't be bad either to have a Dukie to push Marvin Williams.
29. Boston Celtics - Kenny Boynton, G, Florida
Why does Boynton come out? Doc Rivers gives Boynton a first round promise so his son won't have any competition in two years when he becomes a Gator. Duh.
30. Memphis Grizzlies (from the Los Angeles Lakers) - Vladimir Dasic, F, Serbia
The customary "not enough room for three 1st round picks" pick. Don't ask me to write a paragraph on Dasic either.
Thats a wrap, be sure to take a look at the archives in June to laugh at what a waste of time this was.
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