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Wednesday, June 20
Top 10 is set, but in what order?
By Andy Katz
ESPN.com
The first 10 players are set, or so it seems. Putting them with a particular team isn't so easy. The consensus from teams and agents over the past few days for a top 10 is: Kwame Brown, Eddie Griffin, Tyson Chandler, Rodney White, Eddy Curry, Shane Battier, Jason Richardson, Joe Johnson, DeSagana Diop and Pau Gasol. But trades and last-minute workouts will dictate the order before Wednesday's draft. The one certainty is that three high school players are likely to go in the top five and possibly No. 1, which would be a first.
Here is how players stack up one week before the draft after conversations and observations over the past month. This is ESPN.com's third mock draft. The fourth and final mock draft will occur on June 26, a day before the draft:
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1. Washington -- Kwame Brown, Glynn Academy HS (Ga.)
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 The Wizards want to trade the pick plus Richard Hamilton, possibly to Vancouver for No. 6 in exchange for point guard Mike Bibby. The plan, if that occurs, would be to get Rodney White if Chicago doesn't draft him. This could change a number of different ways. Brown is starting to emerge as the favorite and the pick with more trade value. |
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2. L.A. Clippers -- Tyson Chandler, Dominguez HS (Calif.)
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 This could change in the next few days when the Clippers see Kwame Brown and Eddy Curry. Curry could move up to this spot. They could also grab Eddie Griffin if he's available. The Clippers might be leaning toward Chandler at this early stage. But it looks more and more like the Clippers are going with a younger player again. |
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3. Atlanta -- Shane Battier, Sr., Duke
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 If Lon Kruger has his way then this pick will be Battier or maybe even Rodney White of Charlotte. But the management might want to go with Chandler if he's available or Griffin if he's still on the board. This is a tough call for the Hawks because Battier still makes sense for them right now. Atlanta has been extremely active with this pick what they do here could send a domino the rest of the lottery. Battier could slip to eight to Cleveland in a worst-case scenario. |
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4. Chicago -- Rodney White, Fr., Charlotte
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 White won't stay around too long. He could be gone by No. 1 and no later by No. 6. His workouts keep him moving higher on the charts. Jerry Krause could steal Michael Jordan's thunder if he wants to work a trade with Vancouver to get White at No. 6. If the Wizards really want White, they might need to take him at No. 1.
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5. Golden State -- Eddie Griffin, Fr., Seton Hall
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 This is a hard one to pick. The Warriors will likely take whoever is left at this point. Griffin doesn't necessarily fit their needs but he can score, rebound and block shots and has proven he can do it in college. If the Warriors take him with this pick then they are getting someone who can help them next season. |
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6. Vancouver -- Eddy Curry, Thornwood HS (Ill.)
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 The Grizzlies could use a developing big man and if Curry were available then they would likely grab him. This could also be a trade pick for the Grizzlies. Expect the Grizzlies to take whoever is left of the big six. The other possibilities are Pau Gasol or Jason Richardson.
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7. New Jersey -- Jason Richardson, So., Michigan State
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 The Nets probably wouldn't let Richardson slide past No. 7. He might be the best athlete in the draft and has proven he can compete at this level. He's also a sleeper to move up higher in the draft, but he would give the Nets more athleticism on the wing and would pair nicely with Stephon Marbury. |
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8. Cleveland -- Joe Johnson, So., Arkansas
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 The Cavs need to get bigger and better on the wing and Johnson delivers both of these qualities. If the top of the lottery begins to shake out this way then Johnson becomes the next best player. He's a sleeper and the Cavs have been successful finding hidden gems like Andre Miller. |
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9. Detroit -- DeSagana Diop, Oak Hill Academy (Va.)
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 The Pistons need a big man and Diop is climbing the charts. This could turn out to be a steal for the Pistons. They'd love to get White but he'll probably be long gone. Once again, this is a case where Diop appears to be the next must player to be taken.
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10. Boston -- Pau Gasol, FC Barcelona
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 This is the Celtics dream to get Gasol without having to make a trade. If they do then the Celtics can watch him tear up the Spanish Professional league from afar for a year. If he's taken at No. 10 then he won't come over for another season. Celtics fans would have to be patient and wait for him but it would be well worth it if he plays like he does in Spain.
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11. Boston -- Kedrick Brown, Okaloosa-Walton CC (Fla.)
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| The word on Brown is that a promise was made to get him into the top 20. The consensus was originally with the Blazers but now that has switched to the Celtics. It makes sense because the Celtics needs athletic forwards and the LSU signee fits the criteria. Brown blew off Chicago because he didn't need to attend. He was assured he would be taken care of in the draft.
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12. Seattle -- Troy Murphy, Jr., Notre Dame
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 The Sonics would like a big man but getting Murphy in this spot doesn't necessarily fill a need but it does give them a pick worthy of trading. The word on Murphy is his workouts have been making him too good to pass up at this position. Murphy probably wouldn't go higher but it doesn't appear he's slipping out of the lottery.
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13. Houston -- Vladimir Radmanovic, FMP Zeleznik (Yugoslavia)
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 Radmanovic was the hot name at the Chicago pre-draft camp even though he only participated in a private workout with Gerald Wallace and Jason Collins. The Rockets are intrigued with Radmanovic, although Houston is likely only going to keep one of the three picks. Radmanovic is a versatile forward who has the moves to go one-on-one for a post-up jam while also being able to shoot a 3-pointer. Radmanovic is moving up and could crack the top 10. |
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14.Golden State -- Brendan Haywood, Sr., North Carolina |
| Haywood's potential still intrigues the Sonics and could he go higher. The Warriors need a big man and he's always shown flashes of being a dominant big man. The word is he has moved ahead of Loren Woods.
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15. Orlando -- Zach Randolph, Fr., Michigan State |
 Randolph could go much higher in this draft if his workouts are sensational. But he's still a bit small for some of the teams that need a true center. He won't go ahead of the high school seniors. The Raptors would grab him in a second if he were available for them at 17. |
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16. Charlotte -- Richard Jefferson, Jr., Arizona
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 The Wildcats could go back-to-back at this point in the draft. Jefferson gives the Hornets an athletic, defensive-oriented wing. He would fit in nicely alongside the high-flying Hornets, led by point Baron Davis. He's one of the best athletes in the draft, probably behind Richardson if not better than him.
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17. Toronto -- Michael Bradley, Jr., Villanova
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 Bradley is a hard one to figure in this draft. He's got the scoring skills for a big man that teams covet, especially with the new zone rules. If he slips to No. 17, then the Raptors might have to grab him at this spot.
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18. Houston -- Loren Woods, Sr., Arizona
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| The Rockets need a center and Woods could be on the board when they pick at No. 18. If that's the case then he'll probably be the best big man available. Woods is a safe bet defensively and got better offensively throughout the Final Four. His back seems to be fine after playing a full season and leading the Wildcats to the Final Four. Houston could also trade this pick.
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19. Portland -- Joseph Forte, So., North Carolina |
 Forte could go higher but in reality this might be the best spot for him. He's an undersized shooting guard for the NBA. But he finds a way to get into the lane and finish. Portland can use a player like Forte, and if not, he has trade value. |
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20. Cleveland -- Jason Collins, 7-0, So., Stanford
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| Collins was impressive in a private workout in Chicago. Enough with the knee, it's fine. He's a versatile center who has 3-point range and could be a major steal this deep in the draft. But the problem is the depth of big men in this year's draft. He'll probably be the seventh center drafted -- behind the four high school seniors, Haywood and Woods. The Cavs have had problems with centers, but Collins could play next to Chris Mihm (remember, he played next to his 7-foot twin brother Jarron at Stanford).
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21. Boston -- Jamaal Tinsley, Sr., Iowa State
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| The Celtics need to get a point guard out of this draft and Tinsley is the best of the bunch. Tinsley's leadership and ready-made talent makes him a safe pick for the Celtics, although they could shock the draft and take Omar Cook or Tony Parker ahead of him.
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22. Orlando -- Omar Cook, Fr., St. John's
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| The Magic will try and get a point guard out of this draft. Cook played well enough in Chicago to stay in the first round. He still doesn't shoot well but he's strong enough and savvy enough to step in and contribute.
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23. Houston -- Steven Hunter, So., DePaul
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| Hunter climbed during the Chicago draft camp and is a shot blocker who could come in as a defensive specialist. Reading Hunter will be a tough go because he could go higher or slip to the top of the second round. He's also a potential trade pick depending on what the Rockets do earlier in the draft.
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24. Utah -- Jeff Trepagnier, 6-4, Sr., USC |
 The Jazz need athletes and getting Trepagnier would make perfect sense. If the Blazers don't pick him, then he probably won't slip past Utah. He was the MVP of the Desert Classic in Tempe, Ariz., showing that he's not just a runner and jumper. He can make shots and would help ease the transition for the Jazz as they try to get younger and quicker.
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25. Sacramento -- Gilbert Arenas, 6-3, So., Arizona
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 He's too talented to fall much deeper in the draft. Arenas didn't wow anyone at the Chicago pre-draft camp and he's still an undersized shooting guard. But he can score and the Kings might need scorers depending on what happens with free agency. The main need is a power forward but they probably can't pass up Arenas if he's still on the board. |
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26. Philadelphia -- Brian Scalabrine, 6-9, Sr., USC
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 Scalabrine continued to impress at the Chicago pre-draft camp, playing with an aggression seen throughout the season for the Trojans. He's an inside-out scorer and doesn't appear to be a defensive liability. He plays hard and that's something that the Larry Brown camp covets. |
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27. Vancouver -- Kirk Haston, 6-10, Jr., Indiana |
| His inside-out shooting display in Chicago has put Haston in the late first round and if he's assured of at least this spot he'll stay in the draft. Haston would be a good get for the Grizzlies if they keep the pick. He's a scorer and a hard worker who is continuing to grow and mature as a basketball player.
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28. San Antonio -- Tony Parker, Paris Basket Racing (France)
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 Parker's stock is climbing and could be the third point guard taken in the first round. Real Madrid's Raul Lopez is also a possibility as is Austin Peay's Trenton Hassell. The Spurs could use a backup like Parker and he's ready to play next season. |
Andy Katz is a senior writer at ESPN.com.
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