Evaluating the 2008 NBA draft

A team-by-team analysis of Thursday night’s NBA draft in New York:

Atlanta: The Hawks did not have a first- or second-round pick.

Boston: Completed the first round by taking New Mexico guard J.R Giddens. Traded cash to Washington for 6-6 forward Bill Walker from Kansas State.

Charlotte: There’s no question that D.J. Augustin – all 5-11 of him – will be a terrific ballhandler and distributor for the Bobcats, who ignored conventional thinking that they needed to go big. With a second pick, took Alexis Ajinca, a long, athletic center from France. With the third pick, drafted Kyle Weaver, 6-6 guard from Washington State.

Chicago: No horns of a dilemma as the Bulls charge ahead with South Side native Derrick Rose, 19. The strong, athletic Memphis freshman backcourt playmaker will create easier scoring opportunities for a shooting-challenged team. .

Cleveland: Snatched another freshman, 6-9 forward J.J. Hickson from North Carolina State. He’s a young, strong frontcourt player the Cavaliers need with aging Ben Wallace on the roster.

Dallas: No first-round pick but took sharpshooting guard Shan Foster from Vanderbilt in the second round.

Denver: The Nuggets did not have any picks in the draft.

Detroit: D.J. White, a 6-9 senior forward from Indiana, quickly was traded to Seattle for two future second-round picks.

Golden State: Anthony Randolph, another super freshman, is tall enough at 6-10, but is he strong enough at about 200 pounds? The Warriors’ biggest issue remains the backcourt and the futures of Baron Davis and Monta Ellis.

Houston: Nicolas Batum, a French league star, is a 20-year-old guard who is another import project for the Rockets.

Indiana: Larry Bird means business as he rebuilds the Pacers, first by trading Jermaine O’Neal to Toronto for guard T.J. Ford. They drafted Arizona guard Jerryd Bayless but traded his rights to Portland for Brandon Rush. At 6-7, Rush is a nice long-distance shooter. .

L.A. Clippers: Eric Gordon is a fabulous gunner at guard, but can the Big Ten freshman of the year round out his game to justify his lottery selection? DeAndre Jordan, a 6-11 freshman from Texas A&M, needs to develop offensive capabilities.

L.A. Lakers: Did not have a first-round pick, but took 6-4 Kentucky guard Joe Crawford in the second.

Memphis: Grizzlies score by getting USC’s O.J. Mayo in a late-night trade. Taken third overall by the Timberwolves, Mayo is a capable shooter and tenacious defender. Also drafted 6-10 forward Donte Green of Syracuse, a lanky outside scorer who will have to work on his total game.

Miami: The draft’s biggest mystery ended with the Heat grabbing multitalented Kansas State strongman Michael Beasley, a scorer who dominates the boards with a pterodactyl-like wingspan. Picked up Mario Chalmers, a guard from Kansas who is a heady player on defense, from Minnesota.

Milwaukee: With the eighth pick, the Bucks grabbed 6-8 forward Joe Alexander, an athletic frontcourt player who will find it more difficult to create scoring opportunities away from the Big East. Has real potential but is far from a refined product.

Minnesota: Acquired from Memphis, Kevin Love gives Minnesota a skilled big man who can shoot from the outside, post up and pass with the best of them. A consistent, ready-made NBA player who should be a reliable player for years to come.

New Jersey: Desperately needed help in the paint and got it with 7-footer Brook Lopez. Earlier, dealt Richard Jefferson to Milwaukee for forwards Yi Jianlian and Bobby Simmons in a salary cap-clearing move. Second pick was Ryan Anderson, a 6-10 long-range shooter from Cal. Guard Chris Douglas-Roberts from Memphis fell into the Nets’ laps at No. 40.

New Orleans: Trade of first-round pick Darrell Arthur of Kansas to Portland is pending. Skilled on offense and a capable defender.

New York: Euro star Danilo Gallinari will be popular out on the perimeter but he better produce in Madison Square Garden or adverse reaction by Knicks’ fans Thursday night will be even worse. GM Donnie Walsh loves the 6-9 Italian as an NBA prototype forward. So does coach Mike D’Antoni, who told ESPN: “He has the potential to be a star.”

Orlando: Courtney Lee, a senior guard from Western Kentucky, is a complete player who should immediately help the Magic.

Philadelphia: Marreese Speights, one of the most talented big men available, had his conditioning questioned at Florida. Has some possible downside if he isn’t serious about his game.

Phoenix: Robin Lopez, a center at Stanford, is a shot-blocker and rebounder. Eventually should provide the Suns what they’ve missed for years – a consistent defender.

Portland: Traded with the Pacers for the rights to Jerryd Bayless, a top-notch long-distance shooter, and picked up Darrell Arthur from New Orleans.

Sacramento: The Kings’ selection of Jason Thompson, a 6-11 upperclassmen from Rider, raised more than a few eyebrows. He’s a versatile player who can provide some instant frontcourt relief. Grabbed Patrick Ewing Jr., who impressed at pre-draft camp with his leaping ability.

San Antonio: George Hill, a small combo guard, is talented and a real sleeper for the Spurs, who like his conditioning and defense.

Seattle: The No. 4 selection of UCLA combo guard Russell Westbrook gives the Sonics a promising backcourt project. A great defender. Needs to get “old” fast – he is only 19. With their second selection, the 24th pick overall, the Sonics took Serge Ibaka, a 6-10, 228-pound forward from Congo. Very athletic and a long-term project, so watch for him in Oklahoma City. Later selected Joey Dorsey, a 6-7, 265-pound forward from Memphis.

Toronto: Traded for the big man it wanted in Jermaine O’Neal.

Utah: Kosta Koufos, a 7-footer from Ohio State, will be made tougher and stronger by Jazz coach Jerry Sloan.

Washington: The Wizards tried to whip up some magic with JaVale McGee, a 7-foot forward who was a sophomore at Nevada. He has size but still needs plenty of seasoning.