ESPN Insider Mock Draft #2 (1-15)

1. Houston Rockets
Insider's Pick: Yao Ming, C, China
No. 2: Mike Dunleavy, F, Duke
Sleeper Pick: Caron Butler, F, UConn
The Skinny: GM Carroll Dawson and coach Rudy Tomjanovich are in China in an effort to secure a written agreement with the Chinese Basketball Association. If they can hammer something out within the next 10 days, Yao will be a Rocket. If they can't, the team is leaning away from trading the pick. Instead they will likely grab Dunleavy at small forward. That's why the next 10 days are so crucial. They need to have a firm understanding of what happens so they can send a clear signal to Dunleavy. It's possible that Dunleavy will stay in the draft anyway, but the Rockets don't want to take the chance that they lose him and Yao. If they are blown away by a trade offer or if worse comes to worst and they can draft neither, Butler would be their guy.

2. Chicago Bulls
Insider's Pick: Jay Williams, G, Duke
No. 2: Yao Ming, C, China
Sleeper Pick: Mike Dunleavy, F, Duke
The Skinny: Don't rest too easy just yet, Bulls fans. If problems with the CBA continue to fester, Yao may fall right into Krause's enormous lap. If Yao is gone, it sure sounded Saturday like Williams was planning to set up shop in Chicago. Williams has clearly stated that he wants to play in Chicago -- a rare commodity in the NBA these days. The Bulls would be crazy to pass on the kid -- with or without Jamal Crawford. Of course, if the Cavs really are offering Andre Miller and the Clipps really do want to move Lamar Odom, Chicago may get a deal that's just too good to pass up.

3. Golden State Warriors
Insider's Pick: Mike Dunleavy, F, Duke
No. 2: Drew Gooden, F, Kansas
Sleeper Pick: Caron Butler, F, UConn
The Skinny: The team is still trying to figure out a way to land Jay Williams. However, despite the denials, they have acquired a mid-first round pick to grab either Frank Williams or Dan Dickau. So addressing the point guard position isn't as essential as it once was. If Dunleavy is still on the board, and still in the draft, they'll take him. If nothing else, he'll be fabulous trade bait for Memphis, Miami and the slew of other teams that are hungry for him. Gooden had a stellar workout in Golden State and could be the versatile combo forward that Antawn Jamison thinks he is. Butler would give them something at small forward they've never had -- a winner.

4. Memphis Grizzlies
Insider's Pick: Caron Butler, F, UConn
No. 2: Nikoloz Tskitishvili, F, Georgia
Sleeper Pick: Jared Jeffries, F, Indiana
The Skinny: Jerry West may have to throw in a top player and this pick to steal Dunleavy away from the Warriors. But if he can't, or if Dunleavy goes back to school, expect West to take a chance on Butler. Butler's first workout in Memphis went so-so, but that hasn't deterred the Warriors. They're bringing him back for another visit this week. Butler told Insider that West gave him a little message this time around, "Make sure you come to play this time." The rest of the Grizzlies brain trust loves Tskitishvili; however, West hasn't been to Italy to see him play. He's watched lots of video, but that is never the same. The only other person they've been impressed with in workouts is Jeffries, sources tell Insider. This is awfully high to take him, but the talk around Chicago was that the Heat and Grizzlies were working on a deal that would send the No. 4 pick, Michael Dickerson and Brevin Knight to Miami for the No. 10 and Eddie Jones. The Heat would take Butler or Dunleavy (which ever was available) at No. 4 and the Grizzlies would take Jeffries No. 10.

5. Denver Nuggets
Insider's Pick: Dajuan Wagner, G, Memphis
No. 2: Caron Butler, F, UConn
Sleeper Pick: Nikoloz Tskitishvili, F, Georgia
The Skinny: The Nuggets wanted Williams but with him off the board, Wagner may be the next best thing. He's not a true point guard, but the Nuggets need help at both backcourt positions. They want to make a run at Jason Kidd next year anyway, and a Wagner-Kidd backcourt would be lethal. The team also is very high on Butler, but it's unlikely he'll be around. The wildcard is definitely Tskitishvili. Nuggets assistant GM Dave Fredman has a track record of going international and Tskitishvili's skills for a 7-footer are so intriguing, he may be worth the risk.

6. Cleveland Cavaliers
Insider's Pick: Drew Gooden, F, Kansas
No. 2: Chris Wilcox, F, Maryland
Sleeper Pick: Maybyner "Nene" Hilario, F, Brazil
The Skinny: Gooden may be going higher, but if he's around here the Cavs will likely bite. He may not be the most athletic prospect in the draft, but he's very polished, has shown great strides every year, is very versatile and, most importantly, can help the Cavs out right now. Wilcox will also get a look here, but Wilcox may be a little raw for the Cavs' purposes. The Cavs have also been keeping close tabs on Nene, but you wonder, with DeSagana Diop already in the fold, whether they really need another raw international big man. If GM Jim Paxson is going to save his job in Cleveland, he can't wait around for another long-range prospect to develop.

7. New York Knicks
Insider's Pick: Chris Wilcox, F, Maryland
No. 2: Curtis Borchardt, C, Stanford
Sleeper Pick: Dajuan Wagner, G, Memphis
The Skinny: Knicks president Scott Layden wants Yao, but he doesn't have enough assets to work out a trade. Wilcox, if he's available here, would give the Knicks a young, strong and explosive power forward they've been looking for. Lots of folks have Borchardt projected here just because he's a big man. The problem is that the Knicks still believe in Marcus Camby as a center. There are a lot of rumors about Wagner and the Knicks floating around New York, but they're mostly hype. Unless Layden can find a way to move Charlie Ward or Mark Jackson, he just can't afford to put another guard on the roster.

8. Los Angeles Clippers (from Atlanta)
Insider's Pick: Maybyner "Nene" Hilario, F/C, Brazil
No. 2: Curtis Borchardt, C, Stanford
Sleeper Pick: Qyntel Woods, F, Northeast Mississippi CC
The Skinny: If the Clippers keep this pick, then expect them to shore up the middle and draft either Borchardt or Hilario as insurance in case Michael Olowokandi decides to bolt. The fact that teams are beginning to project Hilario as a center could make him a smart pick for L.A. However, the Clippers have been working the phones trying to move their picks and several teams are interested. The Blazers are trying to sneak into the top 10 so they can select a big man (either Nene or Amare Stoudemire). But perhaps the biggest story is the Lakers last minute attempt to get into the mid to late lottery. Insider exclusively reported that the Lakers have their eye on Qyntel Woods and have scheduled a secret workout with him in New York this week.

9. Phoenix Suns
Insider's Pick: Nikoloz Tskitishvili, F, Georgia
No. 2: Maybyner "Nene" Hilario, F, Brazil
Sleeper Pick: Amare Stoudemire, F, HS Senior
The Skinny: The Suns love Wilcox and may be willing to trade up to get him. If they can't they'll have a tough decision among three raw fours. Tskitishvili is the most fundamentally sound and the most versatile. But, he'll have to add another 30 pounds to his frame to be effective in the low post. If Hilario is around, he'd be hard to pass up. Nene already has the NBA body, but doesn't have much of an offensive game. Still, the Suns could use his shot blocking a rebounding. No one is sure exactly what you'll get with Stoudemire. He too has an NBA body and plays with a lot of determination. But he is very raw on both ends of the court -- no one is sure exactly what he can do besides dunk. Still several teams told Insider that with the proper coaching (Stoudemire bounced around a lot in high school) he could be the best power forward in the draft.

10. Miami Heat
Insider's Pick: Jared Jeffries, F, Indiana
No. 2: Nikoloz Tskitishvili, F, Georgia
Sleeper Pick: Qyntel Woods, F, Northeast Mississippi CC
The Skinny: Pat Riley has pined for a tall small forward in the mold of Lamar Odom for the last few years. There really isn't a player in this draft who fits the description exactly. He'd love to get his hands on Butler, but he'll like have to part with Eddie Jones to do it (see above). Jeffries may be the closest, but doesn't have the athleticism that Odom does. Considering he was recruited by Bob Knight, however, means he must have the discipline that Riley covets. Tskitishvili has the versatility of Odom, but doesn't play defense -- a big, big no-no for Riley. It's doubtful he'll be around here anyway. Woods is the athlete Riley has searched for, but his off-the-court issues will likely scare the Heat away.

11. Washington Wizards
Insider's Pick: Qyntel Woods, F, Northeast Mississippi CC
No. 2: Curtis Borchardt, C, Stanford
Sleeper Pick: Dan Dickau, G, Gonzaga
The Skinny: If Woods falls this far, the Wizards will snatch him up. Some scouts still insist that on talent alone, he's the best player in the draft. Michael Jordan is looking for a dynamic small forward to replace him when he retires at the end of next season and if Woods is anywhere near the talent scouts say he is, he's worth the risk. A year playing under the watchful eye of Jordan should be enough to teach this kid what he needs to do to succeed in the NBA. If Woods is gone, Borchardt may be the best player left on the board. Dickau is a real sleeper here. This may seem high, but Jordan would really like to upgrade the point guard position. The early word is that he likes him.

12. Los Angeles Clippers
Insider's Pick: Curtis Borchardt No. 2: Kareem Rush, G, Missouri
Sleeper Pick: Bostjan Nachbar, F, Croatia
The Skinny: If team can add Nene with the No. 8 pick, it can add Borchardt as even more insurance. He's a different player than Nene anyway and would give the team a big man who can pull his defender away from the basket. Point guard Keyon Dooling is close with Rush and the early word around the league is that the team is very high on Kareem. If the Clippers can't move this pick (Portland would be interested if Stoudemire was on the board), and Borchardt was gone, Nachbar could be an alternative. They'll eventually have to replace Eric Piatowski's shooting and Nachbar could save them some money by staying over in Europe for a year.

13. Milwaukee Bucks
Insider's Pick: Amare Stoudemire, F, HS Senior
No. 2: Marcus Haislip, F, Tennessee
Sleeper Pick: Frank Williams, G, Illinois
The Skinny: No one is blaming Anthony Mason, but the team will lose Darvin Ham this summer and it could use a workman-like banger. Both Stoudemire and Haislip are incredibly strong (Haislip can bench 400 pounds) and can jump out of the gym. On potential, either player might be a steal at this point in the draft. However, the edge goes to Stoudemire because of his toughness, offensive rebounding and shot blocking. It's quite a reach to project Frank Williams here -- but he's got the defensive tenacity that reminds some of Karl's favorite player, Gary Payton.

14. Indiana Pacers
Insider's Pick: Kareem Rush, G, Missouri
No. 2: Jiri Welsch, G, Czech Republic
Sleeper Pick: Dan Dickau, G, Gonzaga
The Skinny: The Pacers don't have any glaring holes. They're young, but have solid players at every position. Eventually the team will need to figure out how to replace Reggie Miller. Rush may be a steal if he falls this low. He's one of the more polished players in the draft. He can shoot the NBA three, is silky smooth taking the ball to the hole and has nice size at shooting guard. The Pacers are also looking for some help at the point. Welsch is an interesting choice here because of his ability, a la Jalen Rose, to play several positions. Given the Pacers cap woes, they could also keep him in storage overseas for a season. Dickau seems like a stretch, but the team has put on the full court press to get him into workouts. With Jamaal Tinsley already on the roster, you wonder whether there's room, but he would give them the shooting ability that Tinsley lacks.

15. Houston Rockets (from Toronto)
Insider's Pick: Bostjan Nachbar, F, Croatia
No. 2: Marcus Haislip, F, Tennessee
Sleeper Pick: Jiri Welsch, G, Czechoslovakia
The Skinny: If the Rockets get Yao, and if Stoudemire (who they love) is off the board, expect them to address their need at small forward with pick No. 15. The best small forward left on the board is Nachbar, a sharp shooting 6-foot-8 forward who also has the athleticism to take it the basket. Earlier this year, Nachbar was virtually unstoppable for his team, Benetton Treviso. He leveled off toward the end of the year and his stock slipped just a bit. Teams compare him to the Sonics' Vladimir Radmanovic. At 22, he will be able to contribute right away.