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Mock draft 3: Swiftly coming into focus
By Andy Katz
ESPN.com
Editor's note: ESPN.com's Andy Katz will hold his final mock draft live from Minneapolis on Tuesday at 5 p.m. ET. Katz will project the entire first round, taking five minutes between picks and answering users' questions along the way. Click here to send a question for the mock draft.
Finally, we have some semblance of an order to the 2000 NBA draft. Stromile Swift's announcement Wednesday that he'll stay in the draft allowed ESPN.com's mock draft to remain consistent. Had Swift returned to LSU, this draft might have looked completely different.
|  | | Mateen Cleaves is drawing interest from a number of teams that need a point guard. |
Workouts over the last 10 days have changed the status of a few players. But cracking the first round is still getting tougher for players who didn't dominate in Chicago at the pre-draft camp.
The toughest players to place in this draft remain Greek center Iakovos Tsakalidis, DePaul's Quentin Richardson, Michigan State point Mateen Cleaves, Nigerian forward Olumide Oyedeji and St. John's point guard Erick Barkley.
But a consensus is building, at least with players who will be in the first round. With only six days left until the draft in Minneapolis, our third mock draft is starting to look like the finished product.
Here's our latest list:
1. New Jersey: Kenyon Martin, 6-9, Sr., Cincinnati. Nothing is changing at the top as we head into the stretch run of draft week. The Nets still need a power player inside, especially with Jayson Williams' leg in question.
The Nets can still trade this pick to the Magic for No. 5 and 10 or ship it to Chicago for No. 4 and 7 or No. 4 and 24. But Rod Thorn is leaning toward keeping Martin. They still need to hire a coach. But the uncertainty on that front won't deter the Nets from making Martin No. 1.
2. Vancouver: Stromile Swift, 6-9, So., LSU. The Grizzlies must have let out a collective sigh of relief once Swift decided to stay in the draft Wednesday. Had Swift backed out and returned to LSU, the Grizzlies would have been in a bind. They have found the right player at the right time for their needs. And Swift actually wants to play in Vancouver.
3. Los Angeles Clippers: Marcus Fizer, 6-8, Jr., Iowa State. The Clippers aren't afraid to pick Darius Miles, even if the prep star is convinced he's going to Chicago or Orlando. But Fizer still makes more sense for the Clippers. They can add an established low-post scorer to push Michael Olowokandi in the post. If Miles goes instead of Fizer, look for the Cyclone to drop a few spots.
4. Chicago: Chris Mihm, 7-0, Jr., Texas. We're sticking with Mihm over Miles at No. 4. Even though Mihm didn't work out well against Jamaal Magloire in Chicago, the Bulls are still hot on Mihm. He makes more sense for Chicago at this pick and at this point in the team's rebuilding process. Mihm's potential offensively makes him a smarter choice than Joel Pryzbilla.
5. Orlando: Darius Miles, 6-9, HS, East St. Louis (Ill.). Miles gets his wish and stays in the top five in our third mock draft. The Magic might think about Przybilla with this pick, but Doc Rivers and Co., won't pass on the chance to grab Miles. Rivers can handle a high school player who needs mentoring like Miles. If the Magic can work out a trade with the Nets, Miles becomes more marketable than Przybilla. Miles has worked out for the Nets, probably with the intention of a possible trade.
6. Atlanta: Mike Miller, 6-8, So., Florida. Miller and Courtney Alexander could go sixth or seventh in any order. But we're sticking with Miller to the Hawks after Lon Kruger got his taste of the former Gator during the NCAA Tournament. Miller is a safe pick for the Hawks, who are looking for scorers on the wing. Miller has been selective with his workouts, and he won't slide past the seventh spot if he doesn't get taken here.
7. Chicago: Courtney Alexander, 6-5, Sr., Fresno State. Alexander won't complain if the Bulls grab him after he wanted to go in the top four. He's been dying to be a Bull ever since he met with Michael Jordan two years ago. Alexander would be the perfect fit for the Bulls, who are clamoring for a scorer on the wing. But don't rule out the Bulls trading this pick and Alexander ending up with New Jersey or Dallas.
8. Cleveland: Joel Pryzbilla, 7-0, So., Minnesota. If Mihm is gone at No. 4, Przybilla moves up as the next center. But the Cavaliers will give a long look to Iakovos Tsakalidis if his contract situation is settled by next Wednesday. Przybilla gives the Cavs a shot blocker and rebounder in the post, a definite need with Zydrunas Ilgauskas status unknown.
9. Houston: DerMarr Johnson, 6-9, Fr., Cincinnati. This is the scenario that should unfold for the Rockets to tab Johnson. They plan on re-signing Cuttino Mobley, but they could slide in Johnson at shooting guard or small forward. The Rockets will take a look at Tsakalidis or Jerome Moiso with this pick, even if Johnson is on the board. Finding a "big" is almost as pressing a need for Houston as grabbing another versatile scorer.
10. Orlando: Jerome Moiso, 6-10, So., UCLA. The hottest name during June workouts is Moiso. He has been to Orlando twice and sources close to the Magic say they won't pass on Moiso if he's available at No. 10. The Magic need an athletic wing, a big man and a point guard. Grabbing Moiso satisfies two of the three. Moiso can play either small forward, power forward or center. This is also a potential trade pick for the Magic. But if they can't land Martin, they'll keep Moiso. Another option here is a point guard. Taking Quentin Richardson might not make sense if Miles is kept at No. 5.
11. Boston: Quentin Richardson, 6-6, So., DePaul. OK, the Celtics do need a big man and will think about Tsakalidis if he's still on the board and his contract has cleared. Olumide Oyedeji is a possibility here, too. But Richardson would be too hard to pass up at this point. Getting him would be a sound political move for the Celtics. Richardson's agency represents some of the top free agents who might some day come calling. Richardson gives the C's another scorer and rebounding big guard.
12. Dallas: Iakovos Tsakalidis, 7-1, AEK Greece. Tsakalidis might know his contract status over the weekend. Dallas would be willing to take the gamble. His size and potential to score in the low post make him too intriguing to the Mavs. Don Nelson has always been fond of foreign-born players, and Tsakalidis would fall in line with his thinking. The Mavs could look at Oyedeji, Moiso if he's available and Mamadou N'Diaye.
13. Orlando: Jamal Crawford, 6-6, Fr., Michigan. The third need for the Magic is a point guard. But they could wait a year and use this pick to trade for another rebounder inside. If the Magic take Crawford, expect a trade to either Portland or Philadelphia. Crawford hasn't been to Orlando yet, but he's high on the Magic's point guard list, along with Cleaves. Crawford's size makes him a lottery selection.
14. Detroit: Mateen Cleaves, 6-2, Sr., Michigan State. The Pistons are all over the map with what they could do, and Cleaves is right along with them. If Moiso slipps, the Pistons would grab him. But that seems unlikely. They could go for one of the remaining "bigs" like Magloire, N'Diaye or Etan Thomas, but the sensible pick is to get a point guard and take Cleaves. Everyone will be happy in Detroit and the state of Michigan with this pick.
15. Milwaukee: Etan Thomas, 6-9, Sr., Syracuse. The Bucks covet the big men who will likely be gone before they select. Next on their list is Thomas. If he's there, they'll take him. He's a rebounder and a shot blocker, and he fits their needs. This might be one of the safest picks in the draft if big men fall in the order mentioned above.
16. Sacramento: Morris Peterson, 6-7, Sr., Michigan State. Peterson has worked out for nearly the entire first round, but he's still too good to pass up at No. 16. The Kings have flirted with taking a backup point or going with DeShawn Stevenson. But they could use a bit more pop next season and can't afford to wait for Stevenson to develop into a scorer in two to three years. Peterson brings experience and would be a good blender in the locker room for a team that has found its chemistry the past two seasons.
17. Seattle: Olumide Oyedeji, 6-10, DJK Wurzburg. The Nigerian rebounder might not be ready to contribute right away. That's why Dallas might pass on him at No. 11. Seattle needs a power player and/or rebounder at No. 17. They've got a choice of N'Diaye, Magloire and Jason Collier. But Oyedeji will be afforded the luxury of developing without the pressure of producing. The Sonics are a playoff team that doesn't need a player demanding time.
18. Los Angeles Clippers: Keyon Dooling, 6-3, So., Missouri. The Clippers will take a point guard with their second pick. The favorite still seems to be Dooling over Speedy Claxton and Barkley. Dooling has better size and would fit in well with Lamar Odom, even though Barkley played with him back in New York. The Clippers might think about Stevenson, but the safer pick here is a point guard.
19. Charlotte: Chris Carrawell, 6-6, Sr., Duke. The consensus still has Carrawell going to the Hornets. He has been one of the best-kept secrets this spring. Few have seen him since Duke was eliminated from the NCAA Tournament. But Hornets coach Paul Silas is high on Carrawell, and they need athletic muscle from the wing. Carrawell can answer that call at No. 19.
20. Philadelphia: Hidayet Turkoglu, 6-8, Turkey. This pick continues to get a lot of pub because it's not a traditional get. But Turkoglu has been impressive in workouts. He's a scorer who can cause matchup problems. The Sixers might need Turkoglu if Toni Kukoc doesn't re-sign with the club. This is also potential trade bait to Orlando for Crawford. The Sixers would seriously think about taking Dooling if he's on the board.
21. Toronto: Craig "Speedy" Claxton, 5-11, Sr., Hofstra. The Raptors will take a point guard. But which one? Claxton continues to make sense if Dooling and Crawford have been selected, and, regardless if Cleaves is or isn't available. Claxton is more mature than the rest of the points, so Lenny Wilkens can lean on him during this transition period.
22. New York: Donnell Harvey, 6-8, Fr., Florida. Harvey is a perfect fit for Jeff Van Gundy's practices and games. He's tough, hungry and has a nose for the ball. His offensive skills are limited, but that's OK for the Knicks' reserve post players. Harvey would get the nod over Magloire because of his work ethic and his tenacity around the backboard. Harvey could fill Kurt Thomas' minutes next season with his status in doubt.
23. Utah: Desmond Mason, 6-6, Sr., Oklahoma State. The Jazz have to go for an athletic prospect with this pick. They could look at St. John's Lavor Postell or go with Mason. The consensus in the NBA is they will take Mason. If this occurs, Postell might drop out of the first round. But if he does, he'll still get a guaranteed contract high in the second.
24. Chicago: Erick Barkley, 6-1, So., St. John's. Barkley will be blue if he slips to the mid-20s after coming out this season. But he shouldn't whine if he gets to Chicago. The Bulls need a point guard and can promise Barkley serious minutes in year one. That wouldn't be the case in Detroit or Orlando. Barkley has a bit more size and would be add to a stellar Bulls' class with Mihm and Alexander.
25. Phoenix: DeShawn Stevenson, 6-5, HS, Washington Union (Fresno, Calif.). The Suns could use another big body, but Luc Longley is still in uniform. Rex Chapman's career is closer to ending than beginning, meaning a shooting guard isn't a reach. Stevenson worked out well in Phoenix and will go in the first round. Learning under Scott Skiles would give him a chance to get tougher in a hurry.
26. Denver: Mamadou N'Diaye, 7-0, Sr., Auburn. The Nuggets grabbed this pick in a deal with Utah on Friday. The Jazz will receive the lowest of Denver's three 2001 first-round picks. The Nuggets could go for size with N'Diaye or use the Auburn big man as trade bait for a team that's looking to go big.
27. Indiana: Jason Collier, 7-0, Sr., Georgia Tech. If the Suns and Jazz pass on Collier, the Pacers might gobble him up at No. 27. Rik Smits is closer to retiring, and Collier can hit a similar mid-range shot. He would be a fit for the Pacers as they begin a transition period. The Pacers will still lean on the perimeter shot, even from their big men, regardless of who takes over as head coach.
28. Portland: Jamaal Magloire, 6-11, Sr., Kentucky. Magloire might be one of the hottest names during workouts, but he's still a difficult fit for teams higher up in the draft. If Portland takes him, they've got plenty of options. He could stay where he would be welcomed to give them more size and defense against O'Neal and the Lakers. But trading Magloire to Orlando is a possibility. The Magic are high on Magloire and might not end up getting the big man they covet at No. 10.
29. Los Angeles Lakers: Hanno Mottola, 6-9, Sr., Utah. The Lakers want another forward and would look at Mason, Mottola and Mark Madsen. But Mottola is a better scorer and could play either small forward offensive and power forward defensively. Mottola's workouts have been good enough to keep him in the first round.
Andy Katz is a senior writer at ESPN.com.
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