CNN-SI Mock Draft

I don't think this has been posted yet. I like this one.

CNNSI.com Mock NBA Draft: First Round
Pick Team
1 Wizards -- Eddy Curry, C, South Holland (Ill.) HS
Indications are Jordan is shopping the pick for a veteran big man or point guard. If not, he could choose from among workout buddy Curry, Eddie Griffin or wild-card Tyson Chandler.


2 Clippers -- Eddie Griffin, PF, Seton Hall
If Griffin goes No. 1, L.A. could grab a similar player in Kwame Brown or finally throw in the towel on Michael Olowakandi and take Curry.


3 Hawks -- Shane Battier, SF, Duke
The young Hawks have said repeatedly they don't want another youngster. The mature Battier was one of the first players they worked out.


4 Bulls -- Tyson Chandler, PF/SF, Compton Calif. (HS)
This pick will only come to be if Jerry Krause can't trade up to get Curry. Even at 7-1, athletic wonder Chandler would be more suited to play the "small" forward than Marcus Fizer.


5 Warriors -- Kwame Brown, PF, Brunswick, Ga. (HS)
Golden State is another team that would do well to give MJ a call about moving up. If not, they couldn't afford to pass on a potential superstar like Brown, even with Antawn Jamison around.


6 Grizzlies -- Rodney White, SF, Charlotte
The buzz around White is growing fast because -- who else? -- M.J. is rumored to covet the versatile frosh if he were to trade down.


7 Nets -- Jason Richardson, SG, Michigan State
The scoring-deprived Nets would be doing cartwheels if Richardson were to fall to them.


8 Cavaliers -- Joe Johnson, SF, Arkansas
Another guy whose stock is on the rise because of his versatility. Could potentially become Cleveland's go-to guy.


9 Pistons -- Loren Woods, C, Arizona
The Pistons need a center, and while Sagana Diop is an option, Joe Dumars can't afford to wait on a project.


10 Celtics -- Sagana Diop, C, Oak Hill, Va. (HS)
The Celtics, on the other hand, are all about projects, especially a 7-footer who could easily go six picks higher.


11 Celtics -- Jamaal Tinsley, PG, Iowa State
This pick is a no-brainer, with Boston in need of a floor leader and the best in the draft available here.


12 Sonics -- Pau Gasol, SF, Spain
The Sonics are rumored to be cleaning out the kitchen and starting from scratch this summer. Why not start with a 7-1 guy whose rep is the ability to do everything. One caveat: He may still withdraw from the draft.


13 Rockets -- Steven Hunter, C, DePaul
We told you his star was rising. Houston needs to replace Hakeem Olajuwon, and Hunter seems to have far more upside than the next-best center choice, Brendan Haywood.


14 Warriors -- Omar Cook,, PG, St. John's
Cook's ascension comes in handy because the Warriors need a point guard, and their other pick was too high to take Tinsley.


15 Magic -- Zach Randolph, PF, Michigan State
Orlando could use a center, either through trading up or using its later pick. Meanwhile, Randolph is a steal this low.


16 Hornets -- Brendan Haywood, C, North Carolina
This is the second straight mock draft we've had a Tar Heel going to nearby Charlotte. So don't be surprised to see someone from California.


17 Raptors -- Michael Bradley, PF, Villanova
Toronto could use a scorer to complement Vince Carter, so shooting guard is an option here. But Bradley has offensive skills to go with his rebounding ability.


18 Rockets -- Troy Murphy, PF, Notre Dame
Bradley and Murphy are both worthy lottery picks who might slip only because of differing team needs above.


19 Blazers -- Richard Jefferson, SF, Arizona
Scottie Pippen won't be around forever, plus the defensive-minded Jefferson would be one less Blazer demanding the ball.


20 Cavaliers -- Trenton Hassell, SG, Austin Peay
Validated his stock in Chicago, but says he's still "50-50" over whether to return to school for his senior year.


21 Celtics -- Gilbert Arenas, SG, Arizona
Boston, lacking a true shooting guard, would be thrilled to have either Arenas or UNC's Joseph Forte here.


22 Magic -- Jason Collins, C, Stanford
The hot-shot Hunter seems like a good fit for the young Magic, who will take a center at some point either way. Collins is the next best thing.


23 Rockets -- Vladimir Radmanovic, SF, Yugoslavia
This is Houston's third first-round pick and it can afford to take a gamble. Radmanovic could either become a big scorer or a total bust.


24 Jazz -- Joseph Forte, SG, North Carolina
The always-exciting Forte has a chance to move up with individual workouts, but right now position counterparts Hassell and Arenas have the buzz factor.


25 Kings -- Sam Clancy, PF, USC
The bruising rebounder would be a nice stopgap if Chris Webber leaves, but Clancy says he wants an assurance he'll go top 17 (?) in order to stay in the draft.


26 Sixers -- Gerald Wallace, SF, Alabama
The Eastern Conference champs obviously don't have a lot of needs. Wallace is simply the best athlete available.


27 Grizzlies -- Alvin Jones, C, Georgia Tech
If Vancouver doesn't use its No. 6 pick on a big man, Jones is a safe choice who could push Bryant Reeves for a starting spot.


28 Spurs -- Rashad Phillips, PG, Detroit
Score one for the little guy (5-10). Size is the last thing San Antonio needs, and Phillips will provide a much-needed spark with his speed.




Next 10: Kirk Haston, PF, Indiana; Jeff Trepagnier, SG, USC; Samuel Dalembert, C, Seton Hall; Jeryl Sasser, PG, SMU; Brian Scalabrine, PF, USC; Ken Johnson, C, Ohio State; Ousmane Cisse, PF, Montgomery, Ala. (HS); Damone Brown, SF, Syracuse; Martin Rancik, SF, Iowa State; Jamario Brown, PF, Meridian, Miss. (JC).



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