Final 2008 NBA Mock Draft
As we all know, the weeks leading up to the draft can make for an overwhelming flurry of inside scoops, conspiracy theories and rumors from all around the internet; this year appears to be no different. Fortunately, Hoops Addict has been in attendance at NBA pre-draft workouts to put it all in perspective. While there is a lot up in the air, this is our best attempt to get through all the speculation and give you some insight into what NBA teams will do Thursday evening after attending pre-draft workouts at the Air Canada Centre and Verizon Center this month.
1. Chicago - Derrick Rose (Memphis): John Paxson refuses to announce who he’ll draft with this pick but countless sources indicate it will be hometown favourite Derrick Rose. While Rose will be a great player in the NBA, I can’t help but wonder why the Bulls would pass on Beasley who would instantly step in and provide the team with the low post scorer they’ve craved since Elton Brand was traded to Los Angeles. Plus, Rose would form a log jam in the backcourt with Larry Hughes, Kirk Hinrich and Ben Gordon if he’s re-signed.
2. Miami - Michael Beasley (Kansas State): There’s talk that Pat Riley isn’t enamored with Beasley but I’m not buying this. All through his freshman season he was easily the top player in NCAA hoops and I don’t agree with a strong tournament elevating Rose over Beasley. There’s a chance that O.J. Mayo could go here but if that happens it’s a decision the Heat will regret for years to come.
3. Minnesota - O.J. Mayo (USC): I know they already have a combo guard in Randy Foye, but if there’s one golden rule about the NBA Draft, it’s that you don’t draft based on need, you draft the best player available. You only need to look at the Toronto Raptors and the mess they found themselves in by drafting Rafael Araujo. Mayo is clearly the third best player in the draft so the Timberwolves will snatch him and find a way to play him in the backcourt with Foye.
4. Seattle - Jerryd Bayless (Arizona) - An Inside Look: Even though Luke Ridnour was invited to try out for the United States national team last summer, it’s clear, neither he nor Earl Watson are the long term solution at the point for the Sonics. Look for the team to draft the top point guard left, Bayless, and pair him in the backcourt with Kevin Durant for the next decade.
5. Memphis - Kevin Love (UCLA): There’s talk of Love being drafted as high as third or as low as at the end of the lottery. Personally, I see Love falling somewhere in the middle of the lottery and the Bucks would be an ideal spot because this is too high for the franchise to snag a point guard like D.J. Augustin or Russell Westbrook.
6. New York - Eric Gordon (Indiana): Yes, I know the Knicks already have a glut of guards on their roster but Gordon is the best player left so the Knicks will gobble him up. There’s also a chance the Knicks could snag Danilo Gallinari here but I’ve heard Mike D’Antonio isn’t a huge fan of the European sensation.
7. Los Angeles Clippers - Russell Westbrook (UCLA): This is a player who’s not getting a lot of love on the mock drafts but is a player who could go even earlier than this. He could go as high as sixth to the Knicks but he won’t fall any lower than twelfth to Sacramento.
8. Milwaukee - Joe Alexander (West Virginia): An area of need for Milwaukee is the wing and Alexander fills the role of scorer off the bench to perfection. This may be a bit high for Alexander but he’s been soaring up the rankings for most NBA teams after some impressive pre-draft workouts.
9. Charlotte - Brook Lopez (Stanford) - An Inside Look.: This is a player who could go as high as number three to Minnesota or free fall to the edge of the lottery. I think three is a bit too high but he would be a great fit on Charlotte as it would allow the team to play Emeka Okafor at power forward (if they re-sign him) and Gerald Wallace at small forward.
10. New Jersey - Danilo Gallinari (Italy) - An Inside Look: Gallinari’s agent has told NBA teams that his client will only play in New York or New Jersey next season. While there’s talk the Knicks might take him with the sixth pick, I don’t think Mike D’Antoni’s sold on this player. Look for the Nets to jump at the chance to draft Gallinari or for the Bucks to take another risk and take him with the eighth pick.
11. Indiana - D.J. Augustin (Texas) - An Inside Look: Augustin finds himself in a similar situation to Westbrook in that both players aren’t getting a lot of love on the mock drafts, but he, too, could go as high as sixth to the Knicks, but no lower than 12th to the Kings. Most draft experts have Augustin going ahead of Westbrook but I think the UCLA guard has an advantage due to his height and increased experience playing in the NCAA Tournament.
12. Sacramento - Anthony Randolph (LSU) - An Inside Look: This is one of the relative unknowns in the lottery as there wasn’t a lot of buzz surrounding him this season. However, much like former LSU forward Tyrus Thomas, scouts are in love with his athletic ability and it looks like an NBA team will bite on him in the lottery because of his hops and height. There’s talk he could go as high as Memphis with the fifth pick and it’s unlikey that he’ll fall out of the lottery.
13. Portland - Brandon Rush (Kansas) - One of the few areas of need for Portland is at the wing and Rush can step in and be the perfect role player for the Blazers. Some other options here are Chris Douglas-Roberts and Darrell Arthur.
14. Golden State - Donte Green (Syracuse) - Green provides some insurance in case Andris Biedrins walks through free agency this summer or if Brandon Wright doesn’t pan out. Green isn’t your traditional 6′10″ post player, and is instead more of a wing, but with the way Golden State plays they’ll be able to use his height to be their “big” as a non-traditional power forward.
15. Phoenix -DeAndre Jordan (Texas A&M) - 7′0″, 260 lbs.
16. Philadelphia - JaVale McGee (Nevada) - 7′0″, 237 lbs.
17. Toronto - Robin Lopez (Stanford) - In The Media Scrum - 7′0″, 255 lbs.
18. Washington - Chris Douglas-Roberts (Memphis) - In The Media Scrum - 6′7″, 200 lbs.
19. Cleveland - Darrell Arthur (Kansas) - 6’9”, 215 lbs.
20. Denver - Marreese Speights (Florida) - In The Media Scrum - 6′10″, 245 lbs.
21. New Jersey - Kosta Koufos (OSU) - 7′1″, 245 lbs.
22. Orlando - Alexis Ajinca (International) - 7′1″, 225 lbs.
23. Utah - Roy Hibbert (Georgetown) - 7′2″, 272 lbs.
24. Seattle - Mario Chalmers (Kansas) - In The Media Scrum - 6′2″, 170 lbs.
25. Houston - Ryan Anderson (Cal) - Exclusive Interview - 6′10″, 240 lbs.
26. San Antonio - Courtney Lee (Western Kentucky) - 6′5″, 200 lbs.
27. New Orleans - J.J. Hickson (NC State) - 6′9″, 240 lbs.
28. Memphis - DeVon Hardin (Cal) - 6′11″, 250 lbs.
29. Detroit - Bill Walker (Kansas State) - 6′6″, 250 lbs.
30. Boston - Jason Thompson (Rider) - 6′11″, 250 lbs.
This article was written by:
Ryan McNeill - who has written 208 posts on Hoops Addict.
Ryan McNeill is the editor for Hoops Addict and has appeared on NBA XL and WSRQ 1220. Ryan has covered the NBA with media credentials since the 2007 season.
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