mitchweber's one and only pre-lotto mock

[pillwenney]

1. Sacramento Kings - Blake Griffin
No brainer pick here. Actually, a some brainer. But anyway, Griffin has out-of-this-world potential. Arguably a higher ceiling and definitely a higher basement than pretty much anybody in the draft. The Kings get a real franchise building block with this pick.

2. Washington Wizards - Ricky Rubio
Another "duh" pick. If this were a post-lotto mock, and the Wizards were right here, I would work a trade into, but since they positions aren't set, they keep the pick. Rubio and Arenas could make a for a very interesting back court, but I guess that's not really relevant to the discussion since Rubio would be the pick here even if he were a horrible fit.

Rubio\James
Arenas\Stevenson
Butler\Young
Jamison\Blatche\Songaila
Haywood\MgGee

3. Los Angeles Clippers - Jordan Hill
Some people like Thabeet here, but I think Jordan is showing that he could really be the team's future Center, although that's certainly not totally clear yet. Regardless, they don't have their PF position locked up for the more distant future. Randolph can fill the gap for the couple of years left on his deal and then when the late-blooming Hill takes more time to develop, he can step in, and the Clips could have a very nice looking frontcourt of the future. Note: Jennings was also considered here, but they seem to be pretty stuck with Baron, and Hill seemed like the slightly safer pick.

Davis\Taylor
Gordon\Collins
Thornton\R. Davis
Randolph\Hill
Camby\Kaman\Jordan

4. Oklahoma City Thunder - Hasheem Thabeet
Presti may want to go with the safer route here in Harden, but the fact of the matter is that they just don't really need Harden that much. Sure he's kind of a different kind of scorer than maybe what they have, but it's still more scoring. Thabo is a good fit for them right now, if not the most talented fit. Thabeet provides something that they more sorely need--interior defense. He has the potential to provide it in a way that few are able to, and he could do it while still fitting in with a relatively up tempo team. One could argue they also need a low post scorer, but I'd argue that a)Krstic is at least decent in this respect, and b) where in this draft is there a high caliber low post scorer at this point? Anyway, Thabeet helps them out like I said, but he still needs some work, and I wouldn't give him the starting spot yet.

5. Minnesota Timberwolves - James Harden
There is no real obvious pick for Minny here, and Harden isn't a totally ideal fit. But pretty much everyone else seems more well suited to a more up and down game than one that Minny looks to be playing in the future. Harden isn't a perfect fit with Foye, and he probably moves him a bit out of position, but with some PG skills, it's not that poor of a fit.

6. Memphis Grizzlies - Tyreke Evans
Memphis's biggest need is clearly at PF, but the closest thing to a PF around this pick is Clark--who I just don't buy as a PF. So they go another direction here. Evans does a few things for them. First it puts some pressure on Conley to continue to improve, and if Conley doesn't keep playing like he was later on in the season, Evans could potentially replace him, creating an interesting back court combination with Mayo. Otherwise, he's a hometown guy that could potentially give the team a different look as a nice third guard off the bench.

7. Golden State Warriors - Demar DeRozan
Jennings just seems like an awkward fit here--too similar to Monte. Clarke seemed interesting, but I feel like they already have enough young tweeners. They also have plenty of wing players right now, but not many that look to be definite pieces for the distant future, and that makes DeRozan an interesting pick here. He is athletic, good in transition, and has good defensive potential, which could be useful for them.

Ellis\Bellinelli
Crawford\Azubuike\DeRozan
Jackson\Maggette\Morrow
Wright\Randolph
Biedrins\Turiaf

8. New York Knicks - Brandon Jennings
I'm tempted to pick Lawson here as the up tempo PG of the future, but Jennings has the higher ceiling, and could likely thrive under D'Antoni. He probably won't be ready to start right away, though.

Duhon\Jennings
Richardson\Hughes
Chandler\Gallinari
Harrington\Jeffries
Lee\Curry

9. Toronto Raptors - Earl Clark
DeRozan or Evans would probably be the better fits here, but they're gone, so Clark is the guy. At SF he gives them a really solid wing scorer that can also play minutes at PF. Clark gives them their SF of the future, completing a very interesting starting frontline.
(Assuming Marion isn't re-signed)

Calderon\Ukic\Banks
Parker\Kapono
Clark\Graham
Bosh\Humphries
Bargnani\O' Bryant\Jawai

10. Milwaukee Bucks - Gerald Henderson
I was very close to reaching for a PF here. I think that if the Bucks want to keep Sessions around (which I would assume they do), they'll need to let Charlie V go this summer to avoid the tax, leaving them basically PF-less. But I figured that both the surprising Mbah a Moute, and the disappointing-but-still-too-earl-to-call-a-bust-and-guy-who-still-has-lots-of-potential Joe Alexander would both be better defensively there anyway. Regardless, reaching for a Blair or Johnson was tempting here, but instead I went for one of the BPAs and a guy that will give them insurance in case Redd can't stay healthy (and will give them some nice depth regardless) in Henderson. Henderson is a very talented, solid all-around prospect who doesn't look likely to bust.

Sessions\Ridnour
Redd\Henderson\Bell
Jefferson\Alexander
Mbah a Moute\Allen
Bogut\Gadzuric

11. New Jersey Nets - Terrence Williams
There were a few different ways I could go here. The Nets are in a really cozy position in that they're very clearly set at PG and Center for the future. PF - Not so clear, but they have like 12 young PFs all with different skill sets, so my thinking is that they're bound to run into their PF of the future just by blindly throwing a dart in their locker room (and then injuring him, but I guess that's another story). So they get to focus on the wings here. Henderson probably would have been a more ideal fit, but Williams could be a nice guy to have as well. His playmaking will be nice when Vince is gone so that Devin doesn't necessarily have to do all the work on this end. Williams has some nice potential, but looks more likely to be a nice Doug Christie-type role player in the future.

12. Charlotte Bobcats - Jrue Holiday
I know, I know--this is a reach. I agree. But Holiday could make for an interesting pick here and an interesting back court mate next to Augustin in the future--especially if he can develop an outside shot. Otherwise, he can be a nice defensive role player off the bench. Henderson is the pick that would've made sense here. Stupid Bucks had to get in the way.

Felton\Augustin
Bell\Holiday
Wallace\Radmonavic
Diaw\May\Ajinca
Okafor\Diop\Mohammed

13. Indiana Pacers - Dejuan Blair
Let's face it--with Ford, Tinsley, Jack and Diener all under contract next year, picking a PG would just feel silly here. Some frontline depth could be quite beneficial for them, as their only current bigs under contract for next year are Hibbert, Foster and Murphy. Hibbert is obviously the only young one there, and Blair could make for a nice future frontcourt-mate for him. It won't be the quickest frontline, but it will make up for it in sheer beefyness.

Jack\Ford\Diener
Dunleavy\Rush
Granger\Daniels
Murphy\Blair
Hibbert\Foster

14. Phoenix Suns - Jonny Flynn
For a PG heir to an up tempo team, this was a toss up for me between Flynn and Lawson. I went with Flynn because I feel he has more over all potential as a scorer, and with some good tutelage from Nash, could really benefit more and become the better player.

Nash\Flynn
Richardson\Barbosa
Barnes\Dudley
Stoudemire\Amundson
O' Neal\Lopez

15. Detroit Pistons - James Johnson
Obviously a PG didn't make a ton of sense here. Really Detroit's biggest weakness with Sheed on his way out is Center, and I just don't see Dumars reaching for Mullens. Johnson gives them a different type of PF at least with some minutes at SF. He could fit in nicely as a versatile scorer with plenty of grit to him.

(roster is too up in the air to predict at this point)

16. Chicago Bulls - Patrick Patterson
There are a couple of places the Bulls could go here, but Patterson is a guy that would give the Bulls some things they lack while also fitting in nicely IMO.

17. Philadelphia 76ers - Chase Budinger
This isn't an incredible value pick, but it just makes a lot of sense. Philly needs some outside shooting in the worst way, and Budinger helps them out there.
Miller\L. Williams
Iguodola\Green
Young\Budinger
Brand\Evans\Smith
Dalembert\Speights

18. Minnesota Timberwolves - BJ Mullens
At first this didn't strike me as a McHale pick, but under my understanding, McHale isn't really in charge any more. Regardless, it fills a team need, even if it is a risky pick.

19. Atlanta Hawks - Stephen Curry
The perfect future replacement for Bibby, and even right now, can do a lot of the things that Mike can do at a younger age. A great value pick for the Hawks

Bibby\Law
Johnson\Curry
Williams\Evans
Smith
Horford\Pachulia

20. Utah Jazz - Gani Lawal
The Jazz are a very deep team, but are most likely to lose a frontcourt player. Thus, the Lawal pick makes sense here.
(Roster too much in question to predict)

21. New Orleans Hornets - Eric Maynor
Others will argue that the New Orleans needs solid frontline depth, and that's true--but we're just fresh out right now. They go for talent here, but one that could be an interesting fit in the future. Maynor gives the Hornets another guy that can create his own shot, which they need, and offensively at least, he could be an interesting fit for stretches next to CP3. It would be undersized of course, but there are worse things.
Paul\Maynor
Butler\Brown\Peterson
Stojakovic\Wright
West\Posey
Chandler\Armstrong

22. Dallas Mavericks - Ty Lawson
If Dallas keeps Kidd, this isn't exactly a great pick for needs but otherwise it is, and regardless, it's a great value pick. Lawson at this point is likely the steal of the draft here. I'm annoyed that I feel the need to make the right pick here because I really want to push him down to my Kings, but here we are.

(with no Kidd)

Barea\Lawson
Wright\Terry
Howard\Greene
Nowitzki\Bass\Singleton
Dampier\Hollins

23. Sacramento Kings - Jeff Teague
The Kings need a PG of the future and they roll the dice here with the risky but very talented Teague. If this works out, it could really work out.

24. Portland Trail Blazers - Darren Collison
Yeah, Portland already has a bunch of PGs, but they really already have a bunch of everything. What Collison does is give them a good defensive PG--something they don't really have right now.
Blake\Bayless\Collison
Roy\Fernandez\Rodriguez
Batum\Outlaw\Webster
Aldridge\Frye
Oden\Pryzbilla

25. Oklahoma City Thunder - Marcus Thornton
I just kind of felt they could use a perimeter scorer off the bench. Whatever, I'm tired.

Westbrook\Watson
Sefolosha\Weaver\Thornton
Durant\Wilkens
Green\Collison
Krstic\Thabeet

26. Chicago Bulls - Austin Daye
With Deng's future a bit in question, the Bulls go for a high potential, unique SF. It's a bit of a risk, but at this point, they have no clear needs, and this pick would make some sense.

(with Gordon)
Rose\Hinrich
Gordon\Salmons
Deng\Daye
Thomas\Patterson
Noah\Miller

27. Memphis Grizzlies - Nick Calathes
I almost went in a different direction here, but Calathes gives them a really solid backup PG regardless of what happens with Evans. He helps with their outside shooting and versatility within the lineup.

Conley\Calathes\Jaric
Mayo\Evans
Gay\Buckner
Arthur\Warrick
Gasol\Milicic

28. Minnesota Timberwolves - Sam Young
BPA at this point IMO, and gives them some nice insurance for Brewer, I suppose.

Foye\Telfair\Brown
Harden\Miller\Carney
Brewer\Young\Cardinal
Love\Gomes\Madsen
Jefferson\Smith\Mullens

29. Los Angeles Lakers - Sergio Lllull
I think the Lakers weakest spot going forward is PG, and I really like Llull's game (from what I've read. I admittedly haven't seen him at all). He also seems like he would be a decent fit with the triangle.

30. Cleveland Cavaliers - Tyler Hansbrough
There were a few directions I could've gone here, but I ultimately decided on the philosophy of "you can never have too many bigs". Hansbrough can contribute right away for Cleveland, and can soften the blow if injuries arise and can be a really solid role player in the future for the Cavs.
Williams\Gibson
West\Pavlovic
James\Szczerbiak
Varejao\Smith\Hansbrough
Ilgauskas\Wallace\Hickson

31. Sacramento Kings - Jermaine Taylor
Everything about this guy screams "Petrie pick" to me--smaller school, a little old for a rookie, and with a lot of scoring skills. He'll be a 2nd rounder who has a very good shot at making the team next year.

Udrih\Teague
Martin\Taylor
Nocioni\Garcia
Griffin\Greene\Thomas
Hawes\Thompson

I could go on, but all of my teams picks are done, so screw you guys, I'm going home.

[MYoung23]

The Cavaliers are not going to take another undersized PF. They like JJ Hickson alot. They like Darnell Jackson who got into the rotation at the end of the year. Tyler Hansbrough wouldnt get off the bench for the Cavaliers.

The Cavaliers need size which they probably wont get at 30. They are also said to be looking for a PG and an athletic wing that can defend.

[i<3basketball]

The Cavaliers are not going to take another undersized PF. They like JJ Hickson alot. They like Darnell Jackson who got into the rotation at the end of the year. Tyler Hansbrough wouldnt get off the bench for the Cavaliers.

The Cavaliers need size which they probably wont get at 30. They are also said to be looking for a PG and an athletic wing that can defend.

Agreed. Better picks for the Cavs there: Dajuan Summers, Danny Green, Wayne Ellington

[john2jer]

Wolves get Harden, so they get BJ. I likey.

Your depth chart for the Wolves is a bit off, and we'd probably prefer someone like Casspi at #28 than Young.

But altogether, I'd be happy with Mullens and any of the top big guards; Evans, Harden, or DeRozan.

[Winter Wonder]

Can't complain much as Harden is probably the pick there, though, j2j does mention the others that would be looked at heavily. Mullens at 18 would be a steal and makes the earlier pick much more palatable. At 28, even Llull may be a better pick than Young. I understand the BPA there, and the rookie salary structure makes drafting a euro difficult in the late 1st, but Cassipi or Lull would be my thoughts on a late pick to keep free a roster spot. Nicely done.

[gswhoops]

I think the Warriors would take Jennings over DeRozan. We need an actual PG a lot more then another SG.

[pillwenney]

The Cavaliers are not going to take another undersized PF. They like JJ Hickson alot. They like Darnell Jackson who got into the rotation at the end of the year. Tyler Hansbrough wouldnt get off the bench for the Cavaliers.

The Cavaliers need size which they probably wont get at 30. They are also said to be looking for a PG and an athletic wing that can defend.

Agreed. Better picks for the Cavs there: Dajuan Summers, Danny Green, Wayne Ellington

I strongly considered Green. I could change that pick. I also considered Summers, as I think they could use another full-sized SF. For that reason, I thought Ellington was kind of repetitive, and it didn't seem like they needed a PG. West is capable of stepping as basically the backup with Boobie playing the SG offensively off the bench.

But yeah, I'll get around to changing it to Green or Summers later.

I think the Warriors would take Jennings over DeRozan. We need an actual PG a lot more then another SG.

So am I to take that to mean that the Warriors are going to be playing Ellis at SG more permanently? If so, how do you think Jennings and Monte would fit together? It seems to me like they would be kind of repetitive. Rubio would be an amazing fit with you guys, but it seems that with Monte at SG, you need a particular type of PG. But I'd be interested in hearing your further thoughts on this.

[Cammo101]

Evans to Memphis makes zero sense. Mayo and Gay are already ball dominators.

Holiday to Charlotte makes little sense too, as he and DJ Augustin are too short to play in the same backcourt.

All in all though a solid mock.

[vincecarter4pres]

I like your mock, it's on point and the comments are entertaining.
Have to agree with the Cleveland fans, don't like Hansborough there, Ellington or Christmas make a lot more sense, even Collison, because I think he is a bit of a reach for him to go that high and Portland is more likely to take a Euro they can stash or another 3 or a bull to play the backup 4.
Love the Patterson pick, makes a lot of sense and he might be the steal of the draft, even though he is undersized, he is a lot of what Chicago is missing.

[big3_8_19_21]

I like BJ Mullens at 18 for the Wolves, but I am actually leaning towards Curry, Lawson or Maynor at that pick. Mullens could be incredible value there, the ultimate boom or bust pick...however...we need a PG in the worst possible way and those 3 guys are way less likely to bust than Mullens. If Pekovic is telling the front office that he's coming over in 2010, I definitely go with a PG.

[Wade2k6]

I would imagine if Mullens or Lawson are on the board, Philly is got to take either. I listen to phillys sport radio and all they do is constantly complain about how bad Dalembert is LOL, it's actually kind of funny.

(Take Lawson assuming Miller leaves)

[djthesonicsfan]

Presti won't pass on Harden at #4 or Young at #25.

[PhilasFinest]

i cant see how Philly, especially with Miller likely gone and NO real backup PG, passes on Curry,Lawson,Teague or Mills @ 17 who all fill 2 voids, outside shooting and a need for a young PG

[pillwenney]

i cant see how Philly, especially with Miller likely gone and NO real backup PG, passes on Curry,Lawson,Teague or Mills @ 17 who all fill 2 voids, outside shooting and a need for a young PG

Is Miller really likely to be gone? Where and for how much?

[Vindicater]

i cant see how Philly, especially with Miller likely gone and NO real backup PG, passes on Curry,Lawson,Teague or Mills @ 17 who all fill 2 voids, outside shooting and a need for a young PG

Is Miller really likely to be gone? Where and for how much?

This was my exact question