|
Monday, May 21
Lottery thickens draft outlook
Associated Press
OK, so it's probably early, way too early, to get a true picture on the 28 players selected in the first round of the NBA's draft on June 27 in New York.
But there are a few certainties after Sunday's draft lottery.
There is no consensus No. 1 pick, especially with Yao Ming and Jason Williams unavailable to draft.
|  | | Wizards assistant general manager Rod Higgins hit the lottery on Sunday. |
Four high school players will likely be taken in the first seven picks of the draft.
A few of them will probably be traded, packaged with a few players for picks further down in the draft (remember Kobe Bryant was drafted by Charlotte and traded to the Lakers).
The consensus is Duke senior Shane Battier will not only be the first senior taken in the draft, but is probably most ready – emotionally, physically and basketball-skill wise – to help his team next season.
There will be foreigners in the first round, a maximum of eight or a minimum of two, which is a factor that a number of the underclassmen didn't factor into the equation when they declared.
Minnesota still doesn't have a first-round pick because of the Joe Smith fiasco. No, David Stern didn't show any leniency toward the T-Wolves on lottery day.
This will be the high point for several players' careers as they get lied to by their "people" about their draft status and misled after teams rave about them at individual workouts.
The draft spots will be determined by the individual workouts over the next month.
The Chicago pre-draft camp will be a major factor for a player's draft standing. So, with the camp still a few weeks away (June 5-9), ESPN.com is ready to unveil its first of three Mock Drafts (the second will be June 11 after Chicago, and the third on June 26, the day before the draft).
|
1. Washington – Eddie Griffin, Fr., Seton Hall
|
 Forget about the attitude problems. Griffin still led the nation in blocked shots and was fifth in rebounding. He's a low-post scorer and a 3-point threat. Michael Jordan and Co., could be the perfect crew to aid in his maturity. The Wizards can't afford to keep a high school player and could opt for Duke's Shane Battier, but Griffin could contribute next season. This pick could be packaged in a trade, too. |
|
2. L.A. Clippers – Eddy Curry, Thornwood HS (Ill.)
|
 If the Bulls had won the lottery, Curry could have been the top pick. Michael Olowokandi hasn't worked out as well as the Clippers hoped and Curry would fit in with the Clippers' youth movement. He needs time to mature, but he's physically ready to make something happen in the NBA. Coach Alvin Gentry has done a nice job with the younger talent, thus far. |
|
3. Atlanta – Shane Battier, Sr., Duke
|
 This would be the Hawks' dream situation. They have made it known that they want Battier or will trade the pick. The Hawks don't want another young player after drafting DerMarr Johnson. Picking Battier, the most complete and ready player in the draft, would fit in nicely with the Hawks after the trade for Theo Ratliff and Toni Kukoc. Hawks coach Lon Kruger loved second-round pick Hanno Mottola last season and wants a proven college player. |
|
4. Chicago – DeSagana Diop, Oak Hill Academy (Va.)
|
 The Bulls need a center, but this is too high a slot for Loren Woods. Diop isn't ready to contribute and he could be packaged for a veteran reserve center. But if the Bulls have to go young, they're more apt to go with Diop than Kwame Brown or Tyson Chandler because they already have Elton Brand at power forward. Diop's upside might be better than Curry's or Chandler's over the long term. |
|
5. Golden State – Tyson Chandler, Dominguez HS (Calif.)
|
 The Warriors would love to take Chandler if they can get him. They're well aware of his talent after checking out the in-state talent. Chandler is a seven-footer who can handle the ball and plays more like a small forward than a power forward or center. Even though the Warriors need help right now, Chandler would be too good to pass up. |
|
6. Vancouver – Jason Richardson, So., Michigan State
|
 He's the best
athlete in the lottery and would be a steal for the Grizzlies (or Memphis
Express). Richardson could go higher. He'll likely dazzle teams in
individual workouts. Picking Richardson makes sense because he's the best
available player if the draft goes close to form in the top five. |
|
7. New Jersey – Kwame Brown, Glynn Academy HS (Ga.)
|
 The future of
Keith Van Horn is uncertain, so picking a scoring and bruising small or
potential power forward in Brown wouldn't be surprising. Brown is too good
to drop too far in the draft. He has a chance to shoot up higher in
individual workouts. But if he doesn't, then the Nets would likely grab him
at No. 7. |
|
8. Cleveland – Joe Johnson, So., Arkansas
|
 The Cavs need a scoring
wing and Johnson is shooting up the draft lottery because of his
versatility. He's a 6-8 big guard, who can put the ball on the floor and hit
the deep shot. Johnson would be a steal and is another player who could
easily shoot into the top five in individual workouts. The Cavs would love
to get a player of his caliber who could help them immediately. |
|
9. Detroit – Rodney White, Fr., Charlotte
|
 This is the biggest lock
of the lottery if White is still on the board. Detroit and Boston both have
stated to the 49ers that they won't let White slip. He's a 6-9 power forward
who has guard skills. The Pistons need his explosiveness off the offensive
backboard and versatility. He's another player who could shoot up in
individual workouts. |
|
10. Boston – Troy Murphy, Jr., Notre Dame
|
 How perfect would this
pick be for the Celtics? Murphy wouldn't have to change going from the Irish
to a team that has a Shamrock as a mascot. The Celtics could use a scoring
forward and Murphy would be a huge hit in Beantown. He might have defensive
limitations but he's a scorer and his fundamentals are as sound as anyone in
the draft. |
|
11. Denver – Loren Woods, Sr., Arizona
|
 This pick is likely heading
to Boston through a previous trade. The Nuggets could take Woods for the
Celtics or for Boston to trade. Woods might be too good to pass up at this
point in the lottery. The questions with his back were answered last season
and he proved to be a mature player during the NCAA Tournament after
immature outbursts during the regular season. |
|
12. Seattle – Michael Bradley, Jr., Villanova
|
 The Sonics would love
to see Bradley drop to 12. They need a big, but could take a scoring
forward. Bradley is a serious offensive threat, has defensive liabilities,
but would be a good zone buster next season. Bradley should interview well
and flourish in individual workouts. |
|
13. Houston – Pau Gasol, FC Barcelona
|
 The Rockets just got back
from checking out the 7-1 small forward, that's right small forward, in
Europe. Gasol is expected to go somewhere in the lottery and this is the
bottom of the lottery. Houston has three picks in the first round and could
go after frontcourt players at all three spots. |
|
14.Golden State (conveyed from Indiana) – Richard Jefferson, Jr., Arizona |
 The Warriors took this pick Monday from the Pacers, so look for the Warriors to go for a big-time athlete in Jefferson if he's available.
|
|
15. Orlando (might be conveyed to Denver) Brendan Haywood, Sr., UNC |
 The Magic is likely to keep this pick and they need to go with a big man. It might to too early for the 7-foot Haywood but he's the best of the available big men and won't last too long in the middle of the first round. |
|
16. Charlotte – Joseph Forte, So., North Carolina
|
 North Carolina
could go back-to-back with these picks because of Forte. If he's still on
the board then the Hornets would be foolish not to take him. Eddie Robinson
could be gone and the Hornets could use another scoring wing. Having the Tar
Heels' shooting guard wouldn't hurt putting fans in the seats. |
|
17. Toronto – Zach Randolph, Fr., Michigan State
|
 The Raptors could
use a big man or a point guard but if Randolph is available then they're
likely to take a chance on the unproven Spartan. They have a good track
record dipping into Michigan State after Morris Peterson worked out so well
this season. |
|
18. Minnesota
|
 The Timberwolves were penalized for the Joe Smith signing fiasco and the NBA is expected to keep the T-Wolves on the board and then announce that the pick has been taken away from them.
|
|
19. Houston (from N.Y. via Phoenix and Orlando) Alvin Jones Jr., Sr., Ga. Tech |
| The Rockets don't know the future of Hakeem Olajuwon. But they do know they need a big man in the next two seasons. Picking Jones Jr. would be a safe bet to get a developing scorer and an
already proven shot blocker. |
|
20. Portland – Jeff Trepagnier, Sr., USC
|
 Figuring out the Blazers
in the draft is usually a fulltime job. Portland likes and needs to get more
athletic and the hit of the Desert Classic was Trepagnier. He shot the ball
well and could be a sleeper to move up to No. 20 in this draft. Portland
could go in a number of different directions with this pick, which would
likely affect the rest of the first round. |
|
21. Cleveland (from Miami) – Jason Collins, So., Stanford
|
| The Cavs
need a big man with the future of Zydrunas Ilgauskas in question. Chris Mihm
is a power forward, but the Cavs could play Collins next to him. He could
also play some power forward. The Cavs would likely have to check out
Collins' knee before picking him at this spot. |
|
22. Boston (from Phoenix) – Jamaal Tinsley, Sr., Iowa State
|
| The
Celtics are expected to get this pick through a trade from Denver and
Phoenix. Boston needs a point guard and won't get one in the lottery. That
means Tinsley. He's the best point guard in the draft and would be likely
chosen ahead of St. John's freshman Omar Cook and Cincinnati sophomore Kenny
Satterfield. |
|
23. Houston (from Milw.) – Kedrick Brown, So., Okaloosa-Walton JC (Fla.)
|
| If the Rockets get Gasol and Jones Jr. with their first two picks then they'll likely look for an athletic player who can play multiple positions. That could very well be Brown, an LSU signee. He's a scoring face the basket forward, which would help the Rockets. This third Rockets pick could definitely be traded.
|
|
24. Orlando (from Dallas) – Omar Cook, Fr., St. John's
|
| The Magic
need a point guard and next up would either be Cook or Satterfield but the
nod at this juncture goes to Cook. He's erratic, but he's worth the risk at
this juncture. The Magic is successful with younger players as seen by the
development of Mike Miller and Tracy McGrady. |
|
25. Utah – Vladimir Radmanovic, FMP Zeleznik (Yugoslavia) |
 The Jazz
is expected to get 1999 first-round pick Andrei Kirilenko for next season,
meaning they could go foreign again and not need the player next season. If
that's the case then the logical choice here is Radmanovic, who they could
keep in Europe for another season. |
|
26. Sacramento – Sam Clancy, Jr., USC
|
 The Kings are likely to lose
Chris Webber and need a scoring power forward. The answer could be Clancy.
He's a steal at No. 26 if he's around because he can score facing the basket
or with his back to the basket. Clancy is moving up the charts with
impressive workouts in Los Angeles. |
|
27. Philadelphia – Trenton Hassell, Sr., Austin Peay
|
 The Sixers
have Speedy Claxton coming back from an injury but would have to look at the
best available scoring guards remaining. That means Hassell, who would stay
in the draft, even though he's going to earn back a fourth season of
eligibility. Hassell is a big-time scoring guard, who could come off the
bench in Philly. |
|
28. Vancouver (from Lakers via N.Y.) – Gilbert Arenas, So., Arizona |
| Arenas would be too good to pass up if he drops this far in the draft. He's an athlete and a scorer and the Grizzlies are likely going to be blown up for next season. That means no spot is safe and Arenas could find time on this club.
|
|
29. San Antonio – Tayshaun Prince, Jr., Kentucky
|
 The Spurs could go in a variety of directions with the last pick but if the draft were to fall in this order then the SEC MVP would be a nice fit. He can score, even though he's slender, and would slide in as scoring big guard/small forward for the Spurs. |
Andy Katz is a senior writer at ESPN.com.
 Send this story to a friend | Most sent stories
|
|
|
|
Underclassmen rankings
NBA Early Entry List
Under-21 foreign players eligible for draft
Bounce goes Wizards' way with No. 1 pick
|
 |
