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Mock draft: Take 5

  • Chicago
    Chicago

    1. Chicago Bulls – Derrick Rose, PG, 19, 6-3, 190 pounds (Memphis freshman): Chicago appeases the locals by taking the player who fits the culture and direction of its organization. He also brings an incredible amount of talent to the table.

  • Miami
    Miami

    2. Miami Heat – Michael Beasley, PF, 19, 6-9, 235 pounds (Kansas State freshman): Are the Heat really brave enough to pass on taking the leading candidate for Rookie of the Year honors?

  • Minnesota
    Minnesota

    3. Minnesota Timberwolves – O.J. Mayo, PG/SG, 20, 6-5, 195 pounds (USC freshman): Mayo adds talent to a backcourt that had high expectations but has done very little thus far. This may not be his first choice, but they call it a draft for a reason.

  • Seattle
    Seattle

    4. Seattle SuperSonics– Brook Lopez, C, 20, 7-0, 260 pounds (Stanford sophomore): If the Sonics decide to go big, Lopez will be the choice. Russell Westbrook also figures to be in play here.

  • Memphis
    Memphis

    5. Memphis Grizzlies – Kevin Love, PF/C, 19, 6-9, 255 pounds (UCLA freshman): This may be a reach, but Memphis likes Love and needs to take a frontcourt player at all costs.

  • New York
    New York

    6. New York Knicks – Danilo Gallinari, SF, 19, 6-9, 209 pounds (Armani Jeans Milano, international): Gallinari is the first cornerstone of Donnie Walsh and Mike D’Antoni’s extensive rebuilding effort.

  • L.A. Clippers
    L.A. Clippers

    7. Los Angeles Clippers – Jerryd Bayless, PG/SG, 19, 6-3, 199 pounds (Arizona freshman): The Clippers are ecstatic to see possibly the best guard prospect in this draft slip to seven and fill their biggest team need.

  • Milwaukee
    Milwaukee

    8. Milwaukee Bucks – Joe Alexander, 21, 6-8, 230 pounds (West Virginia junior): The Bucks have a big need at small forward and will want to take a player with great athleticism and upside and a high intensity level.

  • Charlotte
    Charlotte

    9. Charlotte Bobcats – Russell Westbrook, PG/SG, 19, 6-3, 187 pounds (UCLA sophomore): Larry Brown finally got the chance to see Westbrook in person. Still, the Bobcats will be fortunate if he falls this far considering Seattle also has interest.

  • New Jersey
    New Jersey

    10. New Jersey Nets – Eric Gordon, SG, 19, 6-3, 215 pounds (Indiana freshman): Gordon can play alongside Devin Harris in the backcourt and still be able to focus on what he does best – scoring.

  • Indiana
    Indiana

    11. Indiana Pacers – Kosta Koufos, C, 19, 7-1, 245 pounds (Ohio State freshman): The Pacers don’t need D.J. Augustin after trading for Ford, so they go big with Koufos.

  • Sacramento
    Sacramento

    12. Sacramento Kings – D.J. Augustin, PG, 20 , 5-11, 175 pounds (Texas sophomore): With Mike Bibby gone and Beno Udrih a free agent, the Kings find their PG of the future in Augustin.

  • Portland
    Portland

    13. Portland Trail Blazers – Alexis Ajinca, C, 20, 7-1, 225 pounds (Hyeres-Toulon, international): Anjica has been making a charge up some draft boards. With Greg Oden expected to debut, the Blazers also have luxury of bringing Anjica along.

  • Golden State
    Golden State

    14. Golden State Warriors – Donte Greene, SF/PF, 20, 6-10, 220 pounds (Syracuse freshman): Golden State isn’t married to any of its forwards for the long term, and Donte Greene would be an excellent fit for Don Nelson’s offense.

  • Phoenix
    Phoenix

    15. Phoenix Suns (from Atlanta) – Brandon Rush, SG/SF, 22, 6-7, 211 pounds (Kansas junior): GM Steve Kerr wants greater emphasis on defense, and Rush just happens to be one of the best defenders you’ll find on the board.

  • Philadelphia
    Philadelphia

    16. Philadelphia 76ers – DeAndre Jordan, C, 19 , 7-0, 260 pounds (Texas A&M freshman): At this point in the draft Jordan’s upside and physical tools outweigh the many question marks about his skill level.

  • Indiana
    Indiana

    17. Indiana Pacers – (from Toronto) – Robin Lopez, PF/C, 20, 7-0, 255 pounds (Stanford sophomore): The Pacers get this pick in the Jermaine O’Neal trade and get a solid post defender in Robin Lopez, provided he’s still around.

  • Washington
    Washington

    18. Washington Wizards – JaVale McGee, C, 20, 7-0, 237 pounds (Nevada sophomore): The Wizards are in position to draft the best player available, and McGee has talent, even if it will take time to develop.

  • Cleveland
    Cleveland

    19. Cleveland Cavaliers – Anthony Randolph, SF/PF, 18, 6-11, 220 pounds (LSU freshman): Randolph will need time to develop, but this could end up being a steal if he drops this far.

  • Charlotte
    Charlotte

    20. Charlotte Bobcats (from Denver) – Roy Hibbert, C, 21, 7-2, 272 pounds (Georgetown senior): After acquiring this pick from the Nuggets, the Bobcats go big and get a shot blocker in Hibbert.

  • New Jersey
    New Jersey

    21. New Jersey Nets (from Dallas) – Marreese Speights, PF/C, 20, 6-10, 245 pounds (Florida sophomore): The Nets need size after taking a SF with their first pick and are yearning for an athlete who can play both frontcourt positions. GM Rod Thorn also is said to favor Koufos if he drops this far.

  • Orlando
    Orlando

    22. Orlando Magic – Courtney Lee, SG/SF, 22, 6-5, 200 pounds (Western Kentucky senior): The Magic have been looking for a quality SG for some time now, and Lee is a high-character, extremely versatile defender who can space the floor for Dwight Howard.

  • Utah
    Utah

    23. Utah Jazz – Jason Thompson, C, 21, 6-11, 250 pounds (Rider senior): Thompson has been a fast riser on some draft boards and might not even be here for Utah.

  • Seattle
    Seattle

    24. Seattle SuperSonics (from Phoenix) – Darrell Arthur, PF, 20, 6-9, 215 Kansas sophomore): The Sonics add to their young core with Arthur.

  • Houston
    Houston

    25. Houston Rockets – Chris Douglas-Roberts, SG/SF, 21, 6-7, 200 pounds (Memphis junior): The Rockets are looking at slashing wing players who are tough and can defend, and CDR surely fits the bill.

  • San Antonio
    San Antonio

    26. San Antonio Spurs – Nicolas Batum, SF, 19, 6-8, 214 (Le Mans Sarthe Basket, international): The French forward’s medical reports reportedly came back clear one day before he worked out for the Spurs.

  • Portland
    Portland

    27. Portland Trail Blazers (from New Orleans) – Mario Chalmers, PG, 22, 6-1, 190 pounds (Kansas junior): The Blazers bought this pick from the Hornets. If they don’t draft an international player to leave overseas, Chalmers could help strengthen their point guard stable.

  • Memphis
    Memphis

    28. Memphis Grizzlies (from L.A. Lakers) – Nathan Jawai, C, 21, 6-10, 282 pounds (Cairns Taipans, international): Memphis needs all the size it can get, and Jawai eventually could give the Grizzlies that.

  • Detroit
    Detroit

    29. Detroit Pistons – Ryan Anderson, PF, 20, 6-10, 240 (California sophomore): What team doesn’t have room for another shooter?

  • Boston
    Boston

    30. Boston Celtics – DeVon Hardin, C, 21, 6-11, 250 pounds (California senior): The Celtics could end up dealing the pick to keep from adding to their luxury-tax hit. If they keep it, Hardin gives them a tough, defensive-oriented, athletic backup center.