NBA mock draft
By Marcus Thompson II
Contra Costa Times
Not even the teams know what's going to go down in today's NBA draft. Only the Chicago Bulls can possibly know what they're going to do, and they may not even be sure. With that said, here is exactly how the first round is going to play out:
School/ Pick, Team Player Country Pos. HT/WT
1. Chicago Derrick Rose Memphis PG 6-3, 190
Anyone other than Rose (or Dwyane Wade) wouldn't make sense for Bulls
2. Miami Michael Beasley Kansas State PF 6-8, 235
President Pat Riley is reportedly down on Beasley. Another sign he's lost it
3. Minnesota Brook Lopez Stanford C 7-0, 260
T'wolves already have a scoring guard (Randy Foye). They need a big man
4. Seattle O.J. Mayo USC SG 6-5, 200
They covet Beasley, but Mayo provides the help Kevin Durant needs
5. Memphis Kevin Love UCLA PF 6-9, 255
Grizzlies in desperate need of frontcourt help after trading Pau Gasol to L.A.
6. New York Danilo Gallinari Italy SF 6-8, 210
Adding another PG would be like covering musty pits with cologne
7. L.A. Clippers Jerryd Bayless Arizona PG 6-3, 200
Even if the Clippers keep Shawn Livingston, Bayless can also play SG
8. Milwaukee Joe Alexander W. Virginia SF 6-8, 230
He would make Charlie Villanueva exendable
9. Charlotte Russell Westbrook UCLA PG 6-3, 187
Best player available, and Raymond Felton needs the competition
10. New Jersey Eric Gordon Indiana SG 6-4, 215
Gives them immediate bench help, could eventually replace Vince Carter
11. Indiana Anthony Randolph LSU PF 6-10, 197
After acquiring T.J. Ford from Toronto, the Pacers no longer need a PG
12. Sacramento D.J. Augustin Texas PG 6-0, 180
Just who the Kings wanted: Beno Udrih's replacement
13. Portland Robin Lopez Stanford C 7-0, 255
Who da thunk it? Joel Przybilla and Channing Frye are now trade bait
14. Golden State Donte Greene Syracuse SF 6-9, 220
If they can't trade down and scoop up Rider's Jason Thompson
15. Phoenix Brandon Rush Kansas SF 6-6, 210
Because Grant Hill can't possibly have much left in the tank
16. Philadelphia DeAndre Jordan Texas A&M C 7-0, 260
The clock starts ticking on the Samuel Dalembert project
17. Indiana Darrell Arthur Kansas PF 6-9, 255
Now they have two athletic big men for Jim O'Brien's up-tempo offense
18 Washington Roy Hibbert Georgetown C 7-2, 278
He has local ties and is a better defender than Brendan Haywood
19. Cleveland Chris Douglas-Roberts Memphis SG 6-7, 200
A reach, but he's a proven winner who can contribute immediately
20. Charlotte(ASTERISK) Marreese Speights Florida PF 6-10, 245
Bobcats want Hibbert, but Speights is their Sean May do-over
21. New Jersey Javale McGee Nevada C 7-0, 237
A good deal this late, McGee gives Nets a big man project to work on
22. Orlando Courtney Lee W. Kentucky SG 6-5, 200
Bye-bye, J.J. Redick. The Magic needs a scorer, not just a shooter
23. Utah Jason Thompson Rider PF 6-10, 245
Experienced, hard-working, skilled — perfect for Jerry Sloan
24. Seattle Kosta Koufas Ohio St. C 7-1, 265
How long can they wait on Robert Swift?
25. Houston Ryan Anderson Cal PF 6-10, 240
He's no Steve Novak; just the polished, versatile player Rockets need
26. San Antonio Mario Chalmers Kansas PG 6-1, 190
Seriously, Jacque Vaughn has been the Spurs backup PG
27. Portland% Nicolas Batum France SF 6-8, 190
With Travis Outlaw already in tow, the Blazers can bring him along slowly
28. Memphis Alexis Ajinca France C 7-0, 215
Combined with Love, the Grizzlies frontcourt looks much more promising
29. Detroit Bill Walker Kansas St. SF 6-6, 225
They need more perimeter talent and athleticism off the bench
30. Boston Serge Ibaka Congo PF 6-10, 228
Good thing he's not ready for NBA, because Celtics don't need him yet
Acquired from Toronto for Jermaine O'Neal
(ASTERISK) Acquired from Denver for future, protected first-round pick
% Acquired from New Orleans for cash considerations