Draft Empire

1. Chicago - Derrick Rose, Memphis, PG, 6'3'',196

    Chicago has been searching for a solid low-post presence for years, but it appears at this point that they are leaning toward Rose.  The emergence of young point guards (namely Chris Paul and Derron Williams) is definitely helping Rose's stock and the Jason Kidd comparisons are not hurting either.

2. Miami - Michael Beasley, Kansas State, PF/SF, 6'8'', 239

    Tanking the season seems like it will end up paying off because the Heat end up with the most polished player in the draft in Beasley.  The combination of Wade, Marion, and Beasley should help for a quick turnaround in Miami.  

3. Minnesota - OJ Mayo, USC, SG, 6'4'', 200

    This is a tough pick for the T-Wolves and their best bet is to take the best available player in Mayo.  Mayo's workouts have been impressive, and the team can have a great guard combo to complement Al Jefferson if Randy Foye can stay healthy.

4. Seattle - Brook Lopez, Stanford, C, 7'0'', 258                               

    The trade with the Clippers appears dead, and the safe pick here is Lopez.  Russell Westbrook is the more electric player, but there is more risk with that pick because Westbrook does not have a clear position.

5. Memphis - Kevin Love, UCLA, PF, 6'9'', 255                        

    Now that Marc Gasol has agreed to play for the Grizzlies next season the team would be smart to pick up another big man to complement him.  Kevin Love is one of the most NBA ready players in the draft and Chris Wallace has been impressed with Love in his workouts. 

6. New York - Russell Westbrook, UCLA, PG/SG, 6'3'', 192

   The reports are the Walsh wants a new point guard to run the team, and Westbrook looks like the choice above Gallinari. 

7. LA Clippers - Eric Gordon, Indiana, SG, 6'3'', 222

    No need to trade up to pick number four to get Gordon as he falls into their laps in this scenaro.  The teams needs a distributer, but also they need someone to score and Gordon is one of the better offensive players in the draft.

9. Charlotte - Anthony Randolph, LSU, PF, 6'11'', 197

   The Bobcats representives are said to be very impressed with Randolph from his workouts, and because players like Love and Westbrook are gone the team will have to go in another direction.  Joe Alexander is also an option with this pick.

10. New Jersey - Danilo Gallinari, Italy, SF, 6'9'', 215

11. Indiana -  Jerryd Bayless, Arizona, PG, 6'3'', 204

   TJ Ford is a great point guard when he is healthy, the trouble is that he has a history of injuries and his neck could still be a future problem.  Bayless is an accomplished scorer at this point and can learn from Ford how to refine his passing abilities.

12. Sacramento - DJ Augustin, Texas, PG, 5'11'', 172

   Beno Udrih is about to skip town and that leaves a giant hole at the point guard spot.  Augustin has been compared to Steve Nash because of a similar skill set, and Kings probably don't hate those comparisons.

13. Portland - Donte Greene, Syracuse, SF, 6'9'', 221

     The Blazers got great production out of Travis Outlaw off the bench last year, but Donte Greene has limitless upside and has the versatility to play the 2, 3, or 4 positions. 

14. Golden State - Jason Thompson, Rider, PF/C, 6'11'', 250

   Reports state that Nellie is looking for a big man in this draft and he could pick up a good one in Kosta Thompson.  Thompson can rebound and has a good overall offensive game that should complement Andris Biendrins defensive prowess. 

15. Phoenix (from ATL) - Brandon Rush, Kansas, SG, 6'6'', 200

   Grant Hill is still solid but doesn't have many years left, and in addition the Suns love that Brandon Rush is versatile enough to play both the 2 and the 3.  Rush is experienced and should be able to receive immediate playing time on a team with a thin bench.

16. Philiadelphia - Darrell Arthur, Kansas, PF, 6'9'', 216

   The 76ers need help in the front court, and Arthur is a high flyer with a solid jumper.  The team loves to run and Arthur is the best fit for their scheme at this point

17. Indiana (from TOR) - Kosta Koufos, Ohio State, C, 7'0''

   Jeff Foster is great on the offensive glass, but the team could use a center that is a bigger offensive threat.  Koufos has had a great offseason and should be a steal with this pick.

18. Washington - Robin Lopez, Stanford, C, 7'0'', 255

   It is clear that the Wizards desperatly need help up front, and Robin Lopez should crack the rotation right from the start.  If the team loses Arenas or Jamison then the team might look for more of a scorer with this pick, namely Chalmers or Arthur.

19. Cleveland - Roy Hibbert, Georgetown, C, 7'2'', 275

   Big Z isn't getting any younger and Hibbert should be able to step in right away.  Hibbert plays a little robotic, but is seeing his stock rise again after a disappointing senior year.

20. Charlotte (from DEN) - Chris Douglas-Roberts, SG, 

                                          6'6'', 200

   Douglas-Roberts is a terrific slasher and should get minutes right away.  Jason Richardson isn't the long term answer at shooting guard for the team, and even though Larry Brown wants Hibbert with this pick CDR should really help the team.              

21. New Jersey (from DAL)-DeAndre Jordan,Texas A&M, C, 7'0'', 250

   New Jersey needs a big man for the future and Jordan has limitless upside.  Jordan is probably the most risky pick in the draft because he has the talent to dominate, but has yet to prove that he can against top competition.   He is a class boom or bust prospect.

22. Orlando - Marreese Speights, Florida, PF, 6'10'', 245

   The Magic need help at shooting guard and clearly are not sold on JJ "Play Me or Trade Me" Redick, but the team is also thin in depth with their big men.  Speights has a great low post game and a long wingspan that allows him to excel at rebounding for his size.

23. Utah - Alexis Ajinca, France, 7'1'', PF/C, 220

   Recently Utah worked out both Alexis AJinca and Serge Ibaka and the report was that they were very impressed with both players.  If the team is content with its current roster then this gamble on Ajinca could pay off huge down the road.

24. Seattle (from PHO) - Mario Chalmers, Kansas, PG, 6'1'', 181

   The Sonics might go international with this pick, but point guard is a position that needs to be addressed. Chalmers is more of a shoot first guard, but he has great leadership skills and good slashing ability.

25. Houston - JaVale McGee, Nevada, C, 7'0'', 241

   Houston needs depth at center and McGee has great upside and talent.  He needs time to refine his skills and build strength, but is at least a body that the Rockets can use immediately.

26. San Antonio - Ryan Anderson, California, PF, 6'10'', 225

   The Spurs reportedly want to get rid of this pick, but if they can't then Anderson would be a great addition to the team.  While Anderson might not have the swiftest feet, he has a good looking jumper and good mechanics.

27. Portland (from NOH) - Nicolas Batum, France, SF, 6'8'', 210

   The acquisition of this pick could be used as ammunition to move up in the draft, combining it with pick number 13 to move up into the top ten.  If the team does keep the selection then they will most likely go international and Batum is probably the best available foreign player.   

28. Memphis (from LAL) - JJ Hickson, NC State, PF, 6'9'', 240

   If Hickson stayed in school for another year the odds were that he would be a lottery pick in next year's draft.  The Grizzlies need a lot of help of up front and Hickson's lost post moves would complement Rudy Gay nicely.

29. Detriot - Courtney Lee, Western Kentucky, SG, 6'5'', 200

   Reportedly Joe Dumars is attempting to trade the pick, but Courtney Lee has great value here.  While Arron Afflalo is a good defender, Lee offers a wider offensive skill set and is a solid three point shooter.

30. Boston - Ante Tomic, Croatia, C, 7'2'', 220

   The Celtics are in the luxury tax and want to ditch this selection, but the next best option would to be draft an international player here.  While shooting guard is the biggest position need, Tomic has been on NBA radar for years, and is worth the risk to draft him here and leave him in Europe for a few years.

31. Minnesota (from MIA) - Serge Ibaka, Congo, PF, 6'10'', 220

32. Seattle - Bill Walker, Kansas State, SF, 6'6'', 220

33. Portland (from MEM) - Nikola Pekovic, Serbia, C, 6'10'', 250

34. Minnesota -  Jamont Gordon, Miss State, SG, 6'4'', 225

35. LA Clippers - DJ White, Indiana, PF, 6'8'', 240

36. Portland (from NYK) - Omer Asik, Turkey, C, 7'0'', 225

37. Milwaukee - Nathan Jawai, Australia, C, 6'10'', 270  

38. Charlotte - Joey Dorsey, Memphis, PF, 6'7'', 260

39. Chicago -  DeVon Hardin, California, C, 6'10'', 235

40. New Jersey - Kyle Weaver, Wash State, SG, 6'6'', 200

41. Toronto (from IND) - Richard Hendrix, Alabama, PF, 6'8'', 250

42. Sacramento - Luc Richard Mbah a Mboute, UCLA, SF, 6'7'', 221

43. Sacramento (from ATL) - Josh Duncan, Xavier, SF, 6'7'', 230 

44. Utah (from PHIL) - Trent Plaisted, BYU, PF/C, 6'10'', 240

45. San Antonio (from TOR) - DeMarcus Nelson, Duke, PG, 6'2'', 196

46. Seattle (from POR) - Darnell Jackson, Kansas, PF, 6'7'', 241

47. Washington - Davon Jefferson, USC, SF, 6'6'', 215

48. Phoenix (from CLE) - Shan Foster, Vanderbilt, SG, 6'5'', 195

49. Golden State - George Hill, IUPUI, PG/SG, 6'2'', 181

50. Seattle (from DEN) - Joe Crawford, Kentucky, SG, 6'4''. 210

51. Dallas - Malik Hairston, Oregon, SG, 6'5'', 204

52. Miami (from ORL) - Mike Taylor, Iowa State, PG, 6'2'', 166

53. Utah - Tyrone Brazelton Western Kentucky, PG, 5'11'', 166

54. Houston - Gary Forbes, UMass, SG, 6'5'', 221

55. Portland (from PHO) - Semih Erden, Turkey, C, 7'1'', 240

56. Seattle (from NOH) - Pat Calathes, St. Joe's, SF, 6'9'', 205

57. San Antonio - David Padgett, Louisville, C, 6'11'', 240

58. LA Lakers - Goran Dragic, Slovenia, PG, 6'4'', 200

59. Detriot - Sonny Weems, Arkansas, SG, 6'5'',193

60. Boston - Sasha Kaun, Kansas, C, 6'11'', 247

Updated June 26th

Early Entrees on Draft Impact Page