Mock draft
Florida Today NBA writer John Denton predicts how tonight’s NBA draft will unfold:
1. Portland
Greg Oden
Ohio State. C, 7-0, 250
Kevin Durant is appealing, but Oden is too much of a sure thing to pass on.
2. Seattle
Kevin Durant
Texas. SF, 6-10, 220
His arrival could send Rashard Lewis to the Orlando Magic in free agency.
3. Atlanta
Al Horford, Florida. PF, 6-9, 245
The Hawks should take Mike Conley instead, after passing on Deron Williams and Chris Paul.
4. Memphis
Mike Conley
Ohio State. PG, 6-0, 175
Conley gets a chance to get out of Oden’s shadow and become an all-star.
5. Boston
Yi Jianlian
China. PF, 7-0, 246
They could be making this pick for Minnesota or Phoenix as part of a trade.
6. Milwaukee
Jeff Green
Georgetown. SF, 6-9, 225
The Bucks need toughness and defense and might opt for Florida’s Joakim Noah instead.
7. Minnesota
Joakim Noah
Florida. PF, 6-11, 230
With Kevin Garnett probably gone, the T-Wolves must start rebuilding up front.
8. Charlotte
Corey Brewer
Florida. SF, 6-8, 190
Michael Jordan gets the steal of the draft, but might trade him for a vet.
9. Chicago
Spencer Hawes
Washington. C, 7-0, 230
The Bulls must add a low-post threat and Hawes can score with either hand.
10. Sacramento
Al Thornton
FSU. SF, 6-8, 225
The best pure athlete of the draft could replace Ron Artest, but might slide to 12.
11. Atlanta
Acie Law
Texas A&M. PG, 6-3, 185
The Hawks finally get their point guard, but will they regret not taking Conley?
12. Philadelphia
Brandan Wright
North Carolina. PF, 6-10, 220
Wright hasn’t worked out well and his stock takes a tumble as a result.
13. New Orleans
Julian Wright
Kansas. C, 6-9, 230
In the same division with the Spurs and Mavs, the Hornets must add another top defender.
14. L.A. Clippers
Nick Young
USC. SG, 6-6, 200
The California native gives the Clippers insurance in case they trade Corey Maggette.
15. Detroit
Javaris Crittendon
Georgia Tech. PG, 6-5, 198
This pick originally belonged to the Orlando Magic, who traded it for Darko Milicic.
16. Washington
Jason Smith
Colorado State C, 7-0, 230
The Wizards have to keep adding big bodies until they replace Brendan Haywood.
17. New Jersey
Gabe Pruitt
USC. PG, 6-4, 170
Jason Kidd’s career is winding down and the Nets must add guard depth.
18. Golden State
Nick Fazekas
Nevada. PF, 6-11, 235
A big man who shoots 3-pointers should be a perfect fit for Don Nelson.
19. L.A. Lakers
Rodney Stuckey
Eastern Wash. SG, 6-5, 205
The best player no one has heard of could be insurance if Kobe Bryant leaves.
20. Miami
Rudy Fernandez
Spain. PG, 6-5, 185
Jason Williams is wearing down and Gary Payton retired, so a guard is a must.
21. Philadelphia
Derrick Byars
Vanderbilt. SF, 6-7, 220
The Sixers would love to package their three picks and move into the top seven.
22. Charlotte
Wilson Chandler
DePaul. SF, 6-8, 230
A do-everything athlete similar to Gerald Wallace, who may leave Charlotte.
23. New York
Sean Williams, Boston College. C, 6-10, 235
Isiah Thomas feels he can gamble after already getting Randolph Morris.
24. Phoenix
Tiago Splitter
Brazil. PF, 6-11, 232
Under contract in Spain until 2008; the Suns don’t want additional payroll.
25. Utah
Morris Almond,
Rice. SG, 6-6, 215
The Jazz always seem to find a diamond in the rough; Almond can really score.
26. Houston
Josh McRoberts
Duke. PF, 6-10, 240
The Rockets need help at power forward after trading Juwan Howard.
27. Detroit
Glen Davis
LSU. PF, 6-8, 280
Picking him here is a stretch, but he’s proven he can play in big games.
28. San Antonio
Marco Belinelli
Italy. SG, 6-5, 192
He reminds some of Manu Ginobili; that’s enough reason to take him.
29. Phoenix
Petteri Koponen
Finland. SG, 6-4, 195
Another foreign player that the Suns can leave in Europe to mature.
30. Philadelphia
Aaron Gray
Pittsburgh. C, 7-0, 270
The Sixers have two other first-round picks and will probably trade here.