Final mock draft
1. Chicago Bulls – Derrick Rose, PG, 19, 6-3, 190 pounds (Memphis freshman): Chicago appeases the locals by taking the player that fits the culture and direction of its organization. He also brings an incredible amount of talent to the table.
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?
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 pick also could be in play.
4. Seattle SuperSonics– Eric Gordon, SG, 19, 6-3, 215 pounds (Indiana freshman): The Sonics have talked with the Clippers about swapping No. 4 for 7. If the Clippers land this, they’ll probably want Gordon. The Sonics have debated between Brook Lopez and Russell Westbrook.
5. Memphis Grizzlies – Kevin Love, PF/C, 19, 6-9, 255 pounds (UCLA freshman): The Grizzlies could take Love here but also have been heavy in trade discussions.
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.
7. Los Angeles Clippers – Brook Lopez, C, 20, 7-0, 260 pounds (Stanford sophomore): The Sonics had been debating between Lopez and Russell Westbrook, both of whom could fall to here if Seattle swaps picks with Clippers.
8. Milwaukee Bucks – Russell Westbrook, PG/SG, 19, 6-3, 187 pounds (UCLA sophomore): The Bucks don’t have need for Joe Alexander after trading for Richard Jefferson. Westbrook always had been ranked tops on their board anyway.
9. Charlotte Bobcats – Anthony Randolph, SF/PF, 18, 6-11, 220 pounds (LSU freshman): Larry Brown likes D.J. Augustin, but Randolph could be a special talent if given time to develop.
10. New Jersey Nets – Joe Alexander, 21, 6-8, 230 pounds (West Virginia junior): The Nets had been high on Alexander after his workout. Now they have a need for him after trading Richard Jefferson.
11. Indiana Pacers – Jerryd Bayless, PG/SG, 6-3, 199: A bit of a drop for Bayless, but he could get minutes in Indiana if the Pacers continue to retool their roster.
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.
13. Portland Trail Blazers – Donte Greene, SF/PF, 20, 6-10, 220 pounds (Syracuse freshman): The Blazers have time to let Greene develop.
14. Golden State Warriors – Jason Thompson, C, 21, 6-11, 250 pounds (Rider senior): Thompson has been a fast riser, and the Warriors reportedly have been interested.
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.
16. Philadelphia 76ers – Darrell Arthur, PF, 20, 6-9, 215 (Kansas sophomore): Sixers go looking for a little muscle, despite some concerns over Arthur’s health.
17. Indiana Pacers – (from Toronto) – Kosta Koufos, C, 19, 7-1, 245 pounds (Ohio State freshman): The Pacers get this pick in the Jermaine O’Neal trade and get some size in Koufos.
18. Washington Wizards – Robin Lopez, PF/C, 20, 7-0, 255 pounds (Stanford sophomore): The Wizards are in position to draft the best player available, and Lopez gives them a solid post defender.
19. Cleveland Cavaliers – JaVale McGee, C, 20, 7-0, 237 (Nevada sophomore): McGee will need time to develop, but the Cavs still have Zydrunas Ilgauskas.
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.
21. New Jersey Nets (from Dallas) – DeAndre Jordan, C, 19, 7-0, 260 (Texas A&M freshman): The Nets need size and are yearning for an athlete who can play both frontcourt positions.
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.
23. Utah Jazz – Alexis Ajinca, C, 20, 7-1, 225 (Hyeres Toulon, international): Jazz want a shot blocker, and Ajinca graded well at Eurocamp.
24. Seattle SuperSonics (from Phoenix) – J.J. Hickson, PF, 19, 6-9, 242 (N.C. State freshman): The Sonics add to their young core.
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.
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.
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.
28. Memphis Grizzlies (from L.A. Lakers) – Marreese Speights, PF/C, 20, 6-10, 245 (Florida sophomore): Memphis needs all the size it can get, and Speights eventually could give them that.
29. Detroit Pistons – Nathan Jawai, C, 21, 6-10, 282 pounds (Cairns Taipans, international): The Pistons add some bulk to their lineup, but when he will be ready to contribute?
30. Boston Celtics – Sergei Ibaka, PF, 18, 6-10, 220 pounds (CB L’Hospitalet, international): Ibaka’s agent asked teams not to draft him in the first round because he’ll be staying overseas, but that could be a smokescreen to direct him to a specific team.