1. Chicago Bulls – Michael Beasley SF/PF – Fits the Bulls need for inside scoring the best, but since they are trying to move Kirk Hinrich and Rose is from Chicago, he might end up being top selection instead.
2. Miami Heat – Derrick Rose PG – If Rose is available the Heat will draft him, otherwise Riley does not mind moving the pick for proven veterans to put the Heat in the playoffs right away.
3. Minnesota T’Wolves – Brook Lopez C – Since the T’Wolves already have young players like Foye, Telfair, and McCants at the guard positions they might shy away from Mayo and Bayless unless they really distance themselves from the field in upcoming workouts.
4. Seattle Supersonics – OJ Mayo PG/SG- Kevin Durant played out of position as a SG last year, so that is a need and they also would like to upgrade at PG, so the Sonics will likely take either Mayo or Bayless here.
5. Memphis Grizzlies – Anthony Randolph SF/PF – The Grizzlies are set at PG with three young players and have Miller and Gay on the wings, so the need more of an inside presence, although Marc Gasol is supposed to help there. Randolph is a stretch for that, but it is too high to draft other, truer big men.
6. NY Knicks – Jerryd Bayless PG/SG – Quick combo guard that could fit the running system. Another option that has been discussed is Danilo Gallinari.
7. LA Clippers – Russell Westbrook PG/SG – Great athlete who provides insurance for injured Shaun Livingston. This could change depending on the decisions that Fs Corey Maggette and Elton Brand make. Then Darrell Arthur might be the selection.
8. Milwaukee Bucks – Danilo Gallinari SF – Management has stated they need to upgrade at SF where they only have Desmond Mason and Bobby Simmons. They expect to make off-season moves though, including trade talks regarding star Michael Redd and Charlie Villanueva, so they might take a SG like Eric Gordon.
9. Charlotte Bobcats – Darrell Arthur PF – Charlotte seems to have some confidence in Felton at PG and wings are locked with Richardson and Wallace. A center would be better, but with Larry Brown as coach, they should take a more proven player. Kevin Love is another strong option.
10. NJ Nets – Kevin Love PF – The Nets have been active in trade talks, so their needs could change, but right now they are weakest inside. Eric Gordon is another good option to eventually replace Vince Carter.
11. Indiana Pacers – DeAndre Jordan C – Pacers have a need for a center, but Jordan will take a few years to develop, so if they want to win now, they might take DJ Augustin to replace Jamaal Tinsley or Eric Gordon as a value pick.
12. Sacramento Kings – Eric Gordon SG – He should not be expected to fall this far, so the Kings would take him if he did, although they already have Kevin Martin. DJ Augustin would be another possibility since PG is a need.
13. Portland Trailblazers – Joe Alexander SF – Alexander’s stock has risen as of late and should provide immediate help. The Trailblazers already have many talented wing players, especially with the expected coming of Rudy Fernandez. They do need an upgrade at PG though, so DJ Augustin could be the selection.
14. GS Warriors – Robin Lopez C – Lopez would provide needed interior defense and has great athleticism to keep up with the Warrior’s fast pace of play. JaVale McGee could also fit, but considering Don Nelson’s resistance to playing rookies, this might not be the best place to develop him.
15. Phoenix Suns – JaVale McGee – There are a bunch of wing players that fit nicely with the Suns system, but that might change with a new coach. McGee is a good backup if Amare and Shaq get in foul trouble.
16. Philadelphia 76ers – Marreese Speights PF – The 76ers would love to add an inside scoring presence to go with Evans and Dalembert, but they also need a PG to backup aging Andre Miller so Augustin could be taken here.
17. Toronto Raptors – Brandon Rush SG/SF – Rush should provide an upgrade on the wings for them, but they could also do that through trades since TJ Ford is expected to be moved. Interior toughness is also a need.
18. Washington Wizards – Kosta Koufas C – The Wizards are solid at every position, but center is the weakest with Haywood and Etan Thomas. Also, they are looking to work out some PGs, which may mean they are willing to move on from combo guard Gilbert Arenas since they played well without him last season.
19. Cleveland Cavaliers – DJ Augustin PG – They could use an upgrade at about every position, but SF. They have been unable to fill the role of PG or sidekick to LeBron yet, and are unlikely to find the answer here, but DJ Augustin should be a more pure PG than Delonte West or Boobie Gibson.
20. Denver Nuggets – Ty Lawson PG – The Nuggets have a big need for a PG and Lawson should be the best available. They will likely be active this off-season though after repeated first round exits, so their needs could change.
21. NJ Nets – Nicolas Batum SG – This player has a ton of potential, but will slide because he is very unproven and should take time to develop. The Nets might move this pick and the player selected should depend on who they took with their previous pick.
22. Orlando Magic – Chase Budinger SG – The Magic really need a SG, so they will probably take whoever they feel fits and is the best available. Another strong candidate is Chris Douglas-Roberts. More inside help may be coming with previous lottery pick Fran Vazquez finally coming over from Spain.
23. Utah Jazz – Donte Greene SF – Greene is a very talented player with a lot of potential, so he has great value here. The Jazz have no great needs, but could use some more help inside, so a player like Roy Hibbert would fit well.
24. Seattle Supersonics – Jason Thompson PF – Player from a small school who put up big numbers. After drafting Durant and Green last year and likely taking Mayo or Bayless earlier this round, an post presence is the likely selection. This could also be Roy Hibbert.
25. Houston Rockets – Roy Hibbert C – Might not drop this far because of his size, but had trouble playing in fast pace games, which would pose problems for many teams. He could be productive immediately, which would help since Yao is often injured. CDR is another option to help on the wings.
26. San Antonio Spurs – Chris Douglas-Roberts SG – The Spurs are aging fast and need to bring in young help. This will come partly with Ian Mahimi and Tiago Splitter in the frontcourt although the discussion of late is that Splitter will stay away.
27. New Orleans Hornets – Nathan Jawai PF/C – Their weak bench was apparent during the playoffs against the Spurs. A SG is another need so an explosive player like Bill Walker would go well with Chris Paul. Jawai would be stronger presence then Melvin Ely and Hilton Armstrong.
28. Memphis Grizzlies – Bill Walker SG/SF – Greatly athletic player who was highly touted and thought to be a high selection until injury took away some of his explosiveness and makes him a little riskier. Could take a strong inside presence instead like Nikola Pekovic or Joey Dorsey.
29. Detroit Pistons – Nikola Pekovic PF – Joe Dumars is one of the smartest executives in basketball, so whatever choice he makes will probably be a good one. They have solid backups at every position, but Wallace and McDyess are both nearing mid 30s.
30. Boston Celtics – J.J. Hickson PF – Celtics have no major needs and might take a chance on Hickson here since he is young and has great potential.
Other players to watch:
Serge Ibaka PF Congo – very young and athletic, but really raw. Needs time to develop
Mario Chalmers PG – Great shooter, but not a true PG
DJ White PF – Great college career, solid rebounder and scorer
Trent Plaisted C
Courtney Lee SG
Gary Forbes SF – Performed very strongly in pre-draft camp so far
Davon Jefferson SF – Has the potential, but might not have the drive
Lester Hudson PG/SG – Explosive scorer, could play the role of combo guard off the bench
