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2008 NBA Draft - Mock Draft Version 5.0

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Editors Note: With all of the potential deals and picks traded, we've decided to do one final Mock Draft.

1. Chicago Bulls - Derrick Rose, PG, Memphis
Team Needs
Team Surplus
Cap Situation
Key Free Agents
C, PF
G, G/F
Over the Cap w/ RFA
Gordon (R), Deng (R), Duhon
The Reason - The workouts are over, the players have been interviewed and there's nothing left to do but pick and second guess yourself until opening night. The Bulls will go with the quiet confidence and leadership of Derrick Rose over the boisterous scoring of Michael Beasley. It will be the right pick and one that will give them the best chance at returning to a championship contending team. With Rose, they have their leader for the next 15 years. He wants to be there more than Beasley. Beasley is nice to sell advertising but not necessarily to get titles.

2. Miami Heat - Michael Beasley, PF, Kansas State
Team Needs
Team Surplus
Cap Situation
Key Free Agents
PG, C, G
None. They're awful
$2 million under w/o RFA
J. Williams, R. Davis, Mourning
The Reason - On second thought, I just don't think at the end of the day that Pat Riley can pass up on Michael Beasley's ability. He would fit in perfectly with Wade and Shawn Marion and unless the Grizzlies can move up and still guarantee that the Heat would get OJ Mayo, then Riley sticks with this pick and takes the All-American.

3. Minnesota Timberwolves - O.J. Mayo, SG, USC
Team Needs
Team Surplus
Cap Situation
Key Free Agents
PG, C, G/F
PF, SG
No Cap Room
Telfair (R), Doleac, Snyder (R)
The Reason - With Beasley gone, the Timberwolves have to go out and get the best player available. That happens to be OJ Mayo and it also happens to be the best pick for the Wolves. Al Jefferson is a good player but he isn't a star and that's what they need after giving away Kevin Garnett. Mayo can give them some national attention and he can develop into one of the best scoring guards in the league. Or he could be the next Isaiah Rider...

4. Seattle Supersonics - Eric Gordon, SG, Indiana
Team Needs
Team Surplus
Cap Situation
Key Free Agents
PG, C, SG
F, SF
$5 million under
Wilkins (PO), Swift (R), Elson, Gelabale
The Reason - This selection is contingent on the Clippers and Sonics swapping their picks as long as Mayo is off the board by this selection. The Clippers are worried about Memphis taking Eric Gordon so they'll move up and select him with the 4th pick. He fills a big need and is arguably the best guard available.

5. Memphis Grizzlies - Kevin Love, PF, UCLA
Team Needs
Team Surplus
Cap Situation
Key Free Agents
SG, PF, C
SF, PG
$12 million under
Kwame Brown, Juan Carlos Navarro
The Reason - Grizzlies settling for Love if Mayo and Gordon are gone is not a bad way to use your 5th pick. Love is in great shape after dropping nearly 20 pounds in the off-season and he's the best skilled big man in the draft. His passing will be able to ignite the up-tempo style in Memphis and he's the smartest decision for the Grizzlies. In 4 years, Chris Wallace can give him to the Lakers for nothing.

6. New York Knicks - Russell Westbrook, G, UCLA
Team Needs
Team Surplus
Cap Situation
Key Free Agents
PF, C, PG
SF, SG
Way the F Over
Fred Jones, Dan Dickau, R. Morris
The Reason - Westbrook falling to the Knicks here is a God-send for Mike D'Antoni and his system in New York. He's the most explosive guard in this draft and at worst will be the Leandro Barbosa for the Knicks. Putting him alongside shooters like Jamal Crawford and Quentin Richardson will pay great dividends.

7. Los Angeles Clippers - Brook Lopez, C, Stanford
Team Needs
Team Surplus
Cap Situation
Key Free Agents
PG, SG, SF
PF, C
$3 million under w/ RFA
E. Brand (PO), Maggette (PO), Livingston (R)
The Reason - Brook Lopez is the pick for the Sonics, assuming that they swap draft picks like stated previously. The Sonics need size still despite their best efforts to acquire centers in previous drafts and Brook Lopez is arguably the best center left on the board. Lopez gives the Sonics a scoring presence with his back to the basket and guys like Jeff Green and Kevin Durant can benefit from that the most.

8. Milwaukee Bucks - Jerryd Bayless, PG, Arizona
Team Needs
Team Surplus
Cap Situation
Key Free Agents
C, PF, PG
SG, G/F
No cap room
Voskuhl, M. Ruffin, R. Ivey, A. Storey, D. Noel
The Reason - Bayless falling this far means that the Bucks would be stupid to not select him. Even with the money they have locked into Mo Williams, they still need a point guard of the future that can run the offense more than score meaningless points. Bayless is the best player available at this point and is the kind of big point guard that Scott Skiles loves.

9. Charlotte Bobcats - D.J. Augustin, PG, Texas
Team Needs
Team Surplus
Cap Situation
Key Free Agents
PG, PF, SG
C, SF
$13 million under w/ RFA
Okafor (R), D. Anderson, McInnis, Boykins
The Reason - The Bobcats' acquisition of the 20th pick from Denver allows them to grab Augustin here and take a big man later on in the draft. Any big man they get here would be a project, so they might as well take the best player remaining, fill a need, and grab a project big man 11 picks from now. This was a great deal by the Bobcats and Michael Jordan deserves a pat on the back for pulling off such a trade. All they gave up was a protected pick, which should be easy to give up by the time it's actually available to Denver.

10. New Jersey Nets - Danillo Gallinari, SF, Italy
Team Needs
Team Surplus
Cap Situation
Key Free Agents
C, SF, SG
PF, PG
No Cap Room
Swift (PO), Magloire, Nachbar, Diop, Krstic (R)
The Reason - Gallinari was smart to stay in this draft because his workouts have netted him a top-10 pick. The Nets love this guy and will take him despite the fact that he doesn't really fit in and will probably never be an All Star caliber player. Gallinari is a good role player who can find the open man and knock down perimeter shots. With Jefferson gone, he slides right into the starting small forward position.

11. Indiana Pacers - Joe Alexander, F, West Virginia
Team Needs
Team Surplus
Cap Situation
Key Free Agents
SG, SF, PF, C
PG
No Cap Room
Foster (PO), Harrison (R), Rush, Greene
The Reason - The trade of Jermaine O'Neal makes this selection possible. Despite having Danny Grangers and Mike Dunleavy, the Pacers need more shooters and athletic forwards in Jim O'Brien's system. Alexander gives them a big scoring option and with TJ Ford now, they have someone to get the ball to him. Alexander also can be moved during the draft for a big man.

12. Sacramento Kings - Mario Chalmers, PG, Kansas
Team Needs
Team Surplus
Cap Situation
Key Free Agents
PG, SF,C
PF, SG
No Cap Room
Artest (PO), Lue, Wright, A. Johnson, Udrih
The Reason - Kings hope that Bayless or Augustin can fall to them, but they'll gladly take Chalmers instead. Chalmers is a winner that doesn't do anything great as a point guard but he doesn't do anything poorly either. He provides a big need for this young Kings team and will be able to give them a veteran presence early on in his career.

13. Portland Trailblazers - Brandon Rush, SG, Kansas
Team Needs
Team Surplus
Cap Situation
Key Free Agents
SG, SF
PG, PF, C
No Cap Room
James Jones (PO), Von Wafer
The Reason - If Alexander or Gallinari fall here then it's a no brainer that the Blazers take one of those guys. But Rush isn't a bad fall back option. Rush's knee history is a bit of a concern, but the Blazers are deep and young enough to take the risk. Rush can play both the 2 and the 3 and allows them to use their versatility and play Brandon Roy anywhere they want. Rush will knock down open jumpers and shots off the bounce. His scoring will be a great addition to the best young team in basketball.

14. Golden State Warriors - DeAndre Jordan, C, Texas A&M
Team Needs
Team Surplus
Cap Situation
Key Free Agents
PG, C, SG, PF
SF
$8 million with RFA
Pietrus, Barnes, Biedrins (R), O'Bryant, Ellis, Croshere, Azuibuike, Davis (PO)
The Reason - DeAndre Jordan is simply full of too much potential to pass up here for the Warriors. They desperately need size that can develop into something special and Andris Biedrins isn't a sure thing. Jordan can run the floor and should be able to find plenty of easy scoring opportunities by getting up the court.

15. Phoenix Suns (via Atlanta) - Donte Greene, SF, Syracuse
Team Needs
Team Surplus
Cap Situation
Key Free Agents
PG, SF, PF/C
SG
No Cap Room
Grant Hill (PO), Piatkowski, Skinner, Giricek
The Reason - After the Shaq trade, the Suns badly missed Shawn Marion at times throughout the season and playoffs. With the selection of Greene here, they potentially get someone that can do the things that Shawn did. Greene has all of the same skills and is better at creating his own shot. Greene would be a top-10 pick in next year's draft so the Suns have to feel good about getting him here if they don't try to move up for Brandon Rush.

16. Philadelphia 76ers - Kostas Koufos, C, Ohio State
Team Needs
Team Surplus
Cap Situation
Key Free Agents
PG, SG
F, PF, C
$20 million under w/ RFA
Iguodala (R), L. Williams, Ollie, Randolph
The Reason - Koufos has been a workout wonder so far and has really improved his draft stock. He gives them a scoring big man to go along with Samuel Dalembert. The main problem is Koufos' defense and rebounding. He needs to improve in both aspects of the game if he wants to be a full time starter for years to come. But if the pre-draft workouts are any indication, then he's going to be just fine in those fields of the game.

17. Indiana Pacers (via Raptors) - Anthony Randolph, PF, LSU
Team Needs
Team Surplus
Cap Situation
Key Free Agents
SG, SF, PF, C
PG
No Cap Room
Foster (PO), Harrison (R), Rush, Greene
The Reason - Now that the Pacers have traded away their franchise big man, they need to begin to fill that role. Since they don't plan on winning right away, they can take a chance on someone like Randolph. With Randolph being considered as high as 8th to the Bucks, he's clearly full of potential and intrigue. Randolph gives Jim O'Brien a fast, athletic freak that can fly up the floor and crash the offensive boards. Pacers have to take him if he's still here.

18. Washington Wizards - JaVale McGee, C, Nevada
Team Needs
Team Surplus
Cap Situation
Key Free Agents
PG, PF, C
SF, SG
$5 million under w/o PO
Jamison, Arenas (PO), Mason
The Reason - With Randolph gone, the Wizards go back to Plan A, which was JaVale McGee. They need a big man that can score with his back to the basket and McGee is the best option in the draft with that ability. McGee is probably 3 year away from contributing, but he's talented enough to still get on the floor to get valuable experience behind Brendan Haywood.

19. Cleveland Cavaliers - Darrell Arthur, PF, Kansas
Team Needs
Team Surplus
Cap Situation
Key Free Agents
PG, SG, PF
SF, C
No Cap Room
Devin Brown, Daniel Gibson
The Reason - If Arthur free falls this much in the draft, then he'll be a no-brainer for Cleveland at #19. Ben Wallace at power forward is NOT the answer and they need someone that can stretch the offense a bit. Arthur has a great face-up and spot-up jump shot that LeBron can trust in drive and kick situations. Arthur will be yet another good young power forward that the Cavs have employed in the past few seasons. Great pick for them here.

20. Charlotte Bobcats (via Nuggets) - Roy Hibbert, C, Georgetown
Team Needs
Team Surplus
Cap Situation
Key Free Agents
PG, SG
SF, PF, C
No Cap Room
E. Najera, J.R. Smith (R), A. Carter, Y. Diawara
The Reason - Bobcats took this pick so that they could use their 9th pick to grab D.J. Augustin. Larry Brown and Michael Jordan are high on Hibbert and think he can be a valuable distributor in their offense. Hibbert was probably looking at a second round selection before this deal and will now get guaranteed first round money. No matter what you think of Hibbert, this is a great play by the Bobcats in order to get their point guard.

21. New Jersey Nets (via Dallas) - Marreese Speights, C, Florida
Team Needs
Team Surplus
Cap Situation
Key Free Agents
C, SF, SG
PF, PG
No Cap Room
Swift (PO), Magloire, Nachbar, Diop, Krstic (R)
The Reason - Speights is a big time project but he's good and athletic enough to take a chance anywhere from the late lottery to the rest of the draft. He fills a big need in New Jersey here and allows them to have a very good and young front court with Yi Jianlin, Josh Boone and Sean Williams. His selection could mark the end of the Nenad Krstic experiment.

22. Orlando Magic - Courtney Lee, SG, Western Kentucky
Team Needs
Team Surplus
Cap Situation
Key Free Agents
C, PF, SG, PG
SF
$1 million under
Carlos Arroyo, Garrity, Dooling, Evans
The Reason - Courtney Lee has been my sleeper of the draft and I think he's one of the top-10 players in this draft. He falls here because he's a couple inches too short for the typical NBA shooting guard and he went to a small program. Fortunately for him, he's a pure scorer and has an NBA body so he'll be able to take the Magic's starting shooting guard spot immediately.

23. Utah Jazz - Robin Lopez, C, Stanford
Team Needs
Team Surplus
Cap Situation
Key Free Agents
C, SG, PG
SF, PF
No Cap Room
C.J. Miles
The Reason - Robin Lopez is the need here because he plays defense, will help the weak Jazz interior defense, and the Jazz are a little concerned about the contract situation of Mehmet Okur and Carlos Boozer. Lopez isn't a very good rebounder and any points he gives you are a bonus, but he'll be a solid defensive presence and can set screens for Deron Williams.

24. Seattle Supersonics (via Phoenix) - Serge Ibaka, PF, Congo
Team Needs
Team Surplus
Cap Situation
Key Free Agents
PG, C, SG
F, SF
$5 million under
Wilkins (PO), Swift (R), Elson, Gelabale
The Reason - Ibaka is not a short term solution to any need. He's very raw and is about 4 or 5 years away from contributing in this league. However, when those 4 or 5 years are up, he coudl very easily be the next David West. He's a great low-post scorer and the Sonics could desperately need his athleticism in the front court next decade.

25. Houston Rockets - Alexis Ajinca, PF, France
Team Needs
Team Surplus
Cap Situation
Key Free Agents
PF, C, SF
SG, PG
No Cap Room
Chuck Hayes, Mutombo, G. Green
The Reason - With Ajinca available, the Rockets will gladly take him and hope to put him alongside Yao Ming within the next 3 seasons. Ajinca's ability to knock down jumpshots and play with his back to the basket makes him a great sidekick to Yao Ming. They now have the option to go high-low with both players, which Rick Adelman employs better than any other coach in this league.

26. San Antonio Spurs - Ante Tomic, C, Croatia
Team Needs
Team Surplus
Cap Situation
Key Free Agents
PG, SG, SF
C, PF
No Cap Room
K. Thomas, Horry, Finley, Stoudamire
The Reason - Tomic is a classic Spurs first round pick. Take a Euro big man in the end of the first round, keep him in Europe for a few years and bring him over when he's ready to contribute on a championship level. Tomic isn't going to be an All Star but he'll be a fantastic young player when Tim Duncan is at the end of his line.

27. Portland Trailblazer (via Hornets) - Nicolas Batum, SF, France
Team Needs
Team Surplus
Cap Situation
Key Free Agents
PG, SG, C
SF, PF
No Cap Room
Bonzi Wells, Pargo (PO), Ely
The Reason - The Blazers have purchased this draft pick from the Hornets in order to ensure that they get Batum. Until Batum's concerns about his heart (physically not mentally) in a previous workout, the Blazers apparently were going to take him with the 13th pick. Now that everything has been cleared for Nicolas to play again, GM Kevin Pritchard was happy to purchase the pick and end up with a guy that they're very high on.

28. Memphis Grizzlies (via Lakers) - J.J. Hickson, PF, NC State
Team Needs
Team Surplus
Cap Situation
Key Free Agents
SG, PF, C
SF, PG
$12 million under
Kwame Brown, Juan Carlos Navarro
The Reason - J.J. Hickson has a lot to work on but can provide good scoring in the post and athleticism on the boards. The Grizzlies have a weak core of big men and if they can replenish that in the draft then they've walked away successfully.

29. Detroit Pistons - Chris Douglas-Roberts, SG, Memphis
Team Needs
Team Surplus
Cap Situation
Key Free Agents
C, SF
PF, PG, SG
No Cap Room
Dixon, Hunter, Herrmann, Ratliff
The Reason - CDR is not a starter in this league by any means, but off the bench he could be what Ron Mercer should have been. He's a natural scorer that can provide a spark off the bench in a similar way that Bobby Jackson does. The Pistons will love having his scoring off the bench and putting him on the same team as Richard Hamilton could really turn him from a good scorer to a great scorer in this league.

30. Boston Celtics - Jamont Gordon, SG, Mississippi State
Team Needs
Team Surplus
Cap Situation
Key Free Agents
PG, SG, C
PF, SF
No Cap Room
Posey (PO), T. Allen (R), Pollard, P.J. Brown, Cassell
The Reason - Another sleeper at the guard position. Jamont Gordon can play both guard positions and is nearly impossible to stop when he attacks the basket. He's a consistent three-point jumper away from being the next Rodney Stuckey and would be a great addition to back up Ray Allen next season.

2nd Round Mock Draft
31. Minnesota - Bill Walker, SF, Kansas State
32. Seattle - Kyle Weaver, PG/SG, Wisconsin
33. Portland - Jason Thompson, PF, Rider
34. Minnesota - Nathan Jawai, PF, Australia
35. LA Clippers - Davon Jefferson, SF, USC
36. Portland - D.J. White, PF, Indiana
37. Milwaukee - Devon Hardin, C, Cal-Berkeley
38. Charlotte - Ryan Anderson, PF, Cal-Berkeley
39. Chicago - Trent Plaisted, C, BYU
40. New Jersey - J.R. Giddens, SG, New Mexico
41. Indiana - Omer Asik, C, Turkey
42. Sacramento - Damjan Rudez, SF, Croatia
43. Sacramento - Nikola Pekovic, C, Serbia
44. Utah - Anton Ponkrashov, PG, Russia
45. San Antonio - George Hill, PG, IUPUI
46. Seattle - Goran Dragic, PG, Slovenia
47. Washington - Richard Hendrix, PF, Alabama
48. Phoenix - Sasha Kaun, C, Kansas
49. Golden State- Josh Duncan, SF, Xavier
50. Seattle - Bryce Taylor, SG, Oregon
51. Dallas - Joey Dorsey, PF, Memphis
52. Miami - Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, SF, UCLA
53. Utah - Sonny Weems, SG Alabama
54. Houston - Malik Hairston, SG, Oregon
55. Portland - Mantas Kalnietis, PG, Lithuania
56. Seattle - Semih Erden, C, Turkey
57. San Antonio - Sean Singletary, PG, Virginia
58. LA Lakers - Darnell Jackson, PF, Kansas
59. Detroit - C.J. Giles, C, Oregon State
60. Boston - Shan Foster, SG, Vanderbilt


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