1st Round projections based on each player’s current draft stock and team needs…
1. Miami – PG Derrick Rose – All indications are that Rose is the Heat’s top choice.
2. Seattle – SF/PF Michael Beasley – Beasley and Rose will go 1-2, no matter what team needs are.
3. Minnesota – PG Jerryd Bayless – T’Wolves have big holes everywhere and no cap room for big moves yet.
4. Memphis – C Brook Lopez – With a trio of young PGs and Rudy Gay improving rapidly, a post presence is needed.
5. New York – PG OJ Mayo – Mayo can fit new coach’s system, but off-court problems may be an issue since Knicks have major problems with low character guys.
6. LA Clippers – SF Anthony Randolph – Fs Brand and Maggette both could be gone and Randolph has great potential.
7. Milwaukee – PF Kevin Love – This is likely too high for Love, but Milwaukee already has a strong backcourt, project to work on in Yi, and might be unlikely to take another foreign player like Gallinari.
8. Charlotte – C DeAndre Jordan – Project with a great deal of potential and they need a center.
9. Chicago – PF Darrell Arthur – Lots of guards, not much scoring inside.
10. New Jersey – SG Nicolas Batum – Building a young core for a possible run at LeBron. Also, insurance for Vince Carter and Richard Jefferson in coming years.
11. Indiana – PG Russell Westbrook – Pacers have been trying to oust Tinsley.
12. Sacramento – SF Danilo Gallinari – Artest may be gone and Gallinari is a young talent.
13. Portland – SG Eric Gordan – Value pick as his stock has dropped. May depend on whether Portland can sign last year’s 1st rounder Rudy Fernandez.
14. Golden State – SG Chase Budinger – Athletic wing should fit system.
15. Phoenix – C JaVale McGee – Post player with good potential. Provides depth when Shaq and Amare get in foul trouble.
16. Philadelphia – PF/C Marreese Speights – Solid frontcourt player could add inside scoring presence.
17. Toronto – C Robin Lopez – Provides energy and toughness to a soft team.
18. Washington – SF Donte Greene – Value pick if he drops here. Might depend on what happens with Arenas and Jamison in the off-season.
19. Cleveland – PF Jason Thompson – Wallace, Smith, and Z are all getting older. Expect off-season moves.
20. Denver – PG DJ Augustin – Nuggets have been looking for a PG.
21. New Jersey – C Kosta Koufos – Another young talent to add to prior pick.
22. Orlando – SG Chris Douglas Roberts – Magic need guards to go with strong frontcourt of Lewis, Hedo, and Howard with possible addition of past lottery pick Fran Vazquez.
23. Utah – SF Joe Alexander – Jazz love good white guys. Also, AK-47 has not developed as expected and not always gotten along great with Coach Sloan.
24. Seattle – PG Ty Lawson – Depends on previous first round pick.
25. Houston – PF/C Alexis Ajinca – Solid starting lineup and quality backups allow Rockets to take a chance.
26. San Antonio – SG/SF Brandon Rush – Rush can fill multiple roles on aging roster and frontcourt help is coming with rising young players Ian Mahini and Tiago Splitter.
27. New Orleans – SF Davon Jefferson – Adds even more athleticism and shooting to Hornets lineup. May target a SG or C though after drafting Wright last year.
28. Memphis – C Roy Hibbert – Depends on previous pick, but they need front-court help.
29. Detroit – PF/C DeVon Hardin – Detroit has arguably the deepest team in the NBA. Likely to target best player available with a focus on the front-court since McDyess is aging and Maxiell is under-sized.
30. Boston – SG Wayne Ellington – Another deep team that could go a number of ways with their pick.
