Coming up big
The Cavs scored in landing Shaquille O'Neal, while Blake Griffin cashes in at No. 1. But not everyone looked good at the NBA draft on Thursday.
The Cavs scored in landing Shaquille O'Neal, while Blake Griffin cashes in at No. 1. But not everyone looked good at the NBA draft on Thursday.
| Pick | Team | Player | Pos | Ht | Wt | School/Country | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Round 2 1 (31) | ![]() |
Jeff Pendergraph (video) | PF | 6'9 | 230 | Arizona St. | |
Analysis: Pendergraph doesn't have great size for the NBA power positions and he lacks much range, but he can score inside. He's a tireless worker and he'll battle. Note: traded to Portland for Sergio Rodriguez, No. 38 pick Jon Brockman and cash |
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| Round 2 2 (32) | ![]() |
Jermaine Taylor (video) | SG | 6'4 | 205 | UCF | |
Analysis: Wizards are trading Taylor's rights to Houston Rockets. Note: traded to Houston for cash |
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| Round 2 3 (33) | ![]() |
Dante Cunningham (video) | SF | 6'8 | 230 | Villanova | |
Analysis: Cunningham will need to continue to improve his range if he hopes to stick in the NBA as a small forward. Note: from Los Angeles Clippers |
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| Round 2 4 (34) | ![]() |
Sergio Llull | PG | 6'3 | 179 | Spain | |
Analysis: Nuggets are trading Llull's rights to the Rockets. Note: from Oklahoma City, traded to Houston for cash |
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| Round 2 5 (35) | ![]() |
DaJuan Summers (video) | SF | 6'8 | 241 | Georgetown | |
Analysis: Summers will need to find a position at either forward position; he's not quick enough to defend most threes. Note: from Minnesota |
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| Round 2 6 (36) | ![]() |
Sam Young (video) | SF | 6'6 | 215 | Pittsburgh | |
Analysis: Young was considered a possible first-round pick. Nice pick-up for the Grizzlies here. Not much for creating his own shot, but his perimeter skills have improved. With his work ethic, he can get better. |
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| Round 2 7 (37) | ![]() |
DeJuan Blair (video) | PF | 6'7 | 265 | Pittsburgh | |
Analysis: Big get for the Spurs. Blair was considered a possible lottery pick until teams were scared off by his knees. One team official even said he couldn't find Blair's ACLs on the medical scans. Still, the Spurs don't have to invest first-round guaranteed money in him. He's a bruiser, he'll work hard and for about 12-15 minutes a night Gregg Popovich could love him. Note: from Golden State via Phoenix |
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| Round 2 8 (38) | ![]() |
Jon Brockman (video) | PF | 6'7 | 245 | Washington | |
Analysis: Brockman was a bit of a mystery because he didn't really work out for teams, leading some to speculate he had received some sort of guarantee -- even with second-round money. He'll have a legit chance to make the Kings' roster. Grinder and the Kings could use some grit. Note: from New York via Chicago, traded to Sacramento for No. 31 pick Jeff Pendergraph |
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| Round 2 9 (39) | ![]() |
Jonas Jerebko | SF | 6'9 | 223 | Sweden | |
Analysis: Jerebko has become stronger and more aggressive during his two seasons in Italy. Still doesn't have much of a perimeter game, but he's athletic enough to get the ball to the rim. Projected by some to go late first round. Note: from Toronto |
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| Round 2 10 (40) | ![]() |
Derrick Brown (video) | SF | 6'7 | 220 | Xavier | |
Analysis: Brown is tough, works hard and is a winner, so Larry Brown will like him for that. Has great wingspan, but needs to refine his offensive skills, mainly his unconventional release. Note: from New Jersey via Oklahoma City |
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| Round 2 11 (41) | ![]() |
Jodie Meeks (video) | SG | 6'4 | 208 | Kentucky | |
Analysis: He can shoot, and the NBA always needs those. The Bucks, from the experience with Michael Redd, know the value of second-round picks who can shoot. Could become a solid combo guard off the bench. |
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| Round 2 12 (42) | ![]() |
Patrick Beverley | PG | 6'1 | 172 | USA | |
Analysis: Had to leave Arkansas early, but playing in Europe helped him mature. Undersized for off-guard. Streaky shooter, but when he's on, he's really on. Bit of an enigma. Note: from Charlotte, traded to Miami for future second-round pick and cash |
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| Round 2 13 (43) | ![]() |
Marcus Thornton (video) | PG | 6'4 | 195 | LSU | |
Analysis: An athletic, slashing scorer who was a considered a late first-round pick for most of the pre-draft process. Note: from Indiana, traded to New Orleans for two future second-round picks |
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| Round 2 14 (44) | ![]() |
Chase Budinger (video) | SG | 6'7 | 203 | Arizona | |
Analysis: Pistons trading Budinger to Rockets for future second and cash. Budinger was considered to go in the 20s at one point, but questions about his physicality dropped him. Still, he has a good set of skills. Note: traded to Houston for future second-round pick and cash |
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| Round 2 15 (45) | ![]() |
Nick Calathes (video) | PG | 6'6 | 194 | Florida | |
Analysis: T'wolves are trading Calathes' rights to Dallas. He got a nice guaranteed contract from a team in Greece, so that probably dropped him on some NBA draft boards. More second-round picks would be wise to take his lead and earn good money while developing their games overseas. Note: from Philadelphia via Miami |
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| Round 2 16 (46) | ![]() |
Danny Green (video) | SG | 6'6 | 210 | North Carolina | |
Analysis: Has offensive game to be a small forward, but will struggle as a perimeter defender. Smart and played for winning program. Should fit Cavs' locker room well if he sticks. Note: from Chicago |
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| Round 2 17 (47) | ![]() |
Henk Norel | PF | 6'11 | 226 | Netherlands | |
Analysis: Norel could stay overseas. Good length and energy. Given time, could eventually develop into an NBA contributor. Note: from Miami |
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| Round 2 18 (48) | ![]() |
Taylor Griffin | SF | 6'7 | 230 | Oklahoma | |
Analysis: He can't compare to his brother, but then no one else in this draft can, either. |
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| Round 2 19 (49) | ![]() |
Sergiy Gladyr | SG | 6'5 | 190 | Ukraine | |
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Analysis: Likely won't be appearing in an NBA arena near you next season. |
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| Round 2 20 (50) | ![]() |
Goran Suton | PF | 6'10 | 249 | Michigan St. | |
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Analysis: Had a nice Final Four run with the Spartans. |
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| Round 2 21 (51) | ![]() |
Jack McClinton (video) | SG | 6'1 | 185 | Miami (FL) | |
Analysis: Doesn't have good size for a shooting guard, but compensates with his athleticism. Tremendous shooter and the Spurs might be able to find room for one of those. Note: from New Orleans via Toronto |
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| Round 2 22 (52) | ![]() |
A.J. Price (video) | PG | 6'2 | 187 | Connecticut | |
Analysis: Had troubled career at UConn marked with discipline issues and injuries. Rebounded from ACL injury to have solid senior season. Note: from Dallas |
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| Round 2 23 (53) | ![]() |
Nando De Colo | SG | 6'5 | 191 | France | |
Analysis: Spurs drafted a French guard. How novel. Unlike TP, De Colo doesn't figure to be starting in San Antonio anytime soon. Note: from Houston |
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| Round 2 24 (54) | ![]() |
Robert Vaden | SG | 6'5 | 205 | UAB | |
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Analysis: Sam Presti has something for project players (remember Jackie Butler?) and Vaden qualifies as one. Note: from San Antonio, traded to Oklahoma City for cash |
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| Round 2 25 (55) | ![]() |
Patrick Mills | PG | 5'10 | 175 | St. Mary's | |
Analysis: Lightning-quick PG who opened eyes in 2008 Olympics when he played well against Chris Paul and Deron Williams. Good court sense and unselfishness could help him stick. Note: from Denver |
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| Round 2 26 (56) | ![]() |
Ahmad Nivins (video) | PF | 6'9 | 235 | St. Joseph's | |
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Analysis: A rapidly improving PF who was Atlantic 10 and Big 5 Player of the Year. One of only four players in America to average 19 points and 11 rebounds. Strong rebounder, shot-blocker whose shooting range has improved over past season. Note: from Portland |
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| Round 2 27 (57) | ![]() |
Emir Preldzic | SG | 6'9 | 222 | Slovenia | |
Analysis: His versatility gives him potential as a point forward, but he'll need more time to develop. And, really, who doesn't? Note: from Orlando via Oklahoma City |
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| Round 2 28 (58) | ![]() |
Lester Hudson | SG | 6'0 | 196 | Tenn-Martin | |
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Analysis: Measured smaller than expected at pre-draft camp. Had only two years of Division I experience, but was one of the top college shooters. |
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| Round 2 29 (59) | ![]() |
Chinemelu Elonu | C | 6'10 | 225 | Texas A&M | |
Analysis: Elonu stunned Texas A&M by deciding to stay in the draft. Even more stunning: If he takes minutes from any of the Lakers' big men next season. |
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| Round 2 30 (60) | ![]() |
Robert Dozier (video) | PF | 6'9 | 215 | Memphis | |
Analysis: Decided to not return to Memphis. Now he'll likely need to make transition to three if he wants to stick in NBA. Note: from Cleveland |
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