ESPN Insider on 2002 Draft and Rockets picks

Taking a chance
on the lottery . . .
by Chad Ford

Also Below: Draft Rumors: Will Yao Ming go No. 1? | Writers Bloc: Breaking down Game 1 | Playoff Infirmary | Francis wants max from Rockets | Peep Show

Inside the NBA Draft: Lottery team needs
The Clutch 16: Which NBA players can be trusted with the last shot?



The Nets were the first victims of the NBA's new found parity this past weekend as the Pacers shocked New Jersey in the opening game of the NBA playoffs.

That could have been the Bucks or the Wizards pounding their chests Saturday if it wasn't for decimating injuries that tanked their season. Instead of playing this weekend, they weren't even watching. Both teams were too busy preparing for the upcoming NBA draft lottery.

"I don't even watch the playoffs," one league executive said. "Unless my team's playing, I'm watching tape, flying around the country, preparing for the draft. I don't help my team by sitting around watching the playoffs."

As lottery teams begin to scout and prepare for the draft, Insider made some phone calls, sorted through depth charts and incentive-laden contracts to give you a first look at what each lottery team will be looking for with its first round pick.

13. Milwaukee Bucks
Draft Needs: Hard-working, athletic power forward, bulky banging center, backup point guard.
Top 5 Candidates: Marcus Haislip; Chris Marcus; Melvin Ely; Amare Stoudemire; Frank Williams
The Skinny: Some inside the Bucks still believe that had Sam Cassell, Ray Allen and Glenn Robinson had been healthy, this team would be headed for the NBA Finals. George Karl isn't so sure. Either way, drafting where the Bucks will likely be drafting, there won't be anyone available who can come in and make a major impact. No one is blaming Anthony Mason, but the team will lose Darvin Ham this summer and it could use a workman-like banger. Haislip is incredibly stong (he can bench 400 pounds) and can jump out of the gym. On potential, he might be a steal at this point in the draft. Ely may be a little undersized at 6-foot-9, but he also has the bulk, shot blocking and rebounding skills to make an impact. Marcus is projected as a center, but the Bucks could use the bulk in the middle. Stoudemire probably won't be around here, but he'd be almost impossible to pass on if he was. The Bucks will let Rafer Alston slip into the sunset, providing an opening for a backup for Cassell. 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.

12. Los Angeles Clippers
Draft Needs: Backup center, shot blocking, backup power forward
Top 5 Candidates: Curtis Borchardt, Chris Marcus, Amare Stoudemire, Melvin Ely, Marcus Haislip
The Skinny: The Clippers will likely have two picks in the lottery -- expect them to go big with both of them. The Clippers own this pick and will likely get the eighth pick in the draft from the Hawks (unless they grab one of the top 3 lottery spots). They are inundated with guards and small forwards but could use some depth up front. They already have their eyes on Stanford big man Borchardt. He won't be available at 12, but they might be able to nab him with the eighth pick. If he's gone, Marcus isn't a bad consolation prize. Don't be surprised if the Clippers take a long look at Stoudemire with either their eighth or 12th pick. With Elton Brand anchoring the power forward position, they have plenty of time to develop the ultra raw Stoudemire.

11. Washington Wizards Draft Needs: A big small forward, point guard, backup center
Top 5 Candidates: Caron Butler, Jared Jeffries, Nikoloz Tskitishvili, Marcus Haislip, Chris Marcus
The Skinny: The Wizards would love to get their hands on Butler, but it's looking more and more like he will be long gone by here. Jeffries is a bigger project, but would give the Wizards the size they covet at this position. Tskitishvili is even a bigger project, but he probably has an even bigger upside than Jeffries and is the more likely to be around when the Wizards pick. Marcus is another obvious choice here. Brendan Haywood had a great year for Washington, but it can always use size.

10. Phoenix Suns
Draft Needs: Athletic power forward, backup center, backup point guard
Top 5 Candidates: Amare Stoudemire, Curtis Borchardt, Nikoloz Tskitishvili, Marcus Haislip, Chris Marcus
The Skinny: The Suns were encouraged with the play of second-round pick Alton Ford toward the end of the season, but they still continue to covet a long, athletic big man. Stoudemire has the most potential, but we're not sure the Colangelos have the patience to wait for him to develop. Haislip also fits the mold, but he may be a bit of a reach here. Marcus and Borchardt could both provide the Suns extra depth in the middle, though that's less of a priority with the late development of Jake Tsakalidis. Tskitishvili doesn't quite fit a need, but we hear that the Suns have been scouting him extensively.

9. Miami Heat
Draft Needs: Athletic small forward, point guard, backup center
Top 5 Candidates: Caron Butler, Curtis Borchardt, Nikoloz Tskitishvili, Jared Jeffries, Chris Marcus
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 that fits the description exactly. 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. Butler is the guy with the most intangibles and provides the scoring punch the Heat desperately need. If he's still available, it will be a miracle. Tskitishvili has the versatility of Odom, but doesn't play defense -- a big, big no-no for Riley. Borchardt and Marcus could provide the Heat with some insurance in the middle should Alonzo Mourning struggle with his health.

8. Atlanta Hawks
Draft Needs: Point guard, depth up front
Top 5 Candidates: Jason Williams, Mike Dunleavy, Dajuan Wagner, Chris Wilcox, Caron Butler.
The Skinny: Must send this pick to the Clippers unless they get into the Top 3. If they do land a top 3 lottery pick, they'll pray for Williams. If Dunleavy declares, he'd be an intriguing prospect. With his ball-handling skills, he could play a point-forward position similar to what Toni Kukoc does when he's healthy.

7. New York Knicks Draft Needs: Center, power forward, point guard
Top 5 Candidates: Yao Ming, Curtis Borchardt, Chris Wilcox, Dajuan Wagner, Amare Stoudemire
The Skinny: Expect Scott Layden to make a major push for Yao. Yao has identified four teams -- the Knicks, Bulls, Warriors and Wizards -- as teams he'd like to play for. The Bulls, Warriors and Wizards all wouldn't mind trading their pick if it brought in some veteran help. Yao is the type of player and shot blocker the Knicks have coveted since Patrick Ewing's glory days. If he's not around, Borchardt would be a decent backup plan, but his history of foot injuries will likely raise some concerns. Wilcox, if he's available here, would give the Knicks a young, strong and dynamic power forward. He'd be very difficult to pass up. Stoudemire is a bigger project, but he'll likely still be around. 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.

6. Cleveland Cavaliers
Draft Needs: Athletic forward, scoring guard
Top 5 Candidates: Dajuan Wagner, Caron Butler, Chris Wilcox, Qyntel Woods, Drew Gooden
The Skinny: The Cavs will try to move Lamond Murray this summer. They have Ricky Davis, but he can play either shooting guard or small forward. A player like Butler or Woods would be perfect. Either player could be around, but probably not both. Wagner would be intriguing just because the Cavs desperately need players who can slash to the basket. No one in the draft is better at attacking the basket than Wagner. Wilcox will also get a look here. The team has Tyrone Hill and Chris Mihm, but it really covets a running mate to help out Andre Miller. A Miller-Wilcox tandem would be a nightmare on the break. The Cavs love Gooden, but he probably will be gone.

5. Houston Rockets
Draft Needs: Center, small forward
Top 5 Candidates: Qyntel Woods, Caron Butler, Mike Dunleavy, Curtis Borchardt, Chris Marcus
The Skinny: They'd love to get their hands on Dunleavy. It's still unclear whether he'll be in the draft and even if he was, he probably wouldn't be available here. The team will likely look at an athletic big small forward such as Woods or Butler. Both players can put the ball in the basket, are strong and can play multiple positions -- a big requirement for any Rudy Tomjanovich player. Woods has the upper hand in athleticism and upside, but Butler is the more proven player. They could still use a center, but taking Borchardt or Marcus this early is a big reach.

4. Denver Nuggets
Draft Needs: Athletic guard, center, big small forward
Top 5 Candidates: Jason Williams, Dajuan Wagner, Qyntel Woods, Mike Dunleavy, Drew Gooden
The Skinny: The Nuggets still have a decent shot at the No. 1 pick and would take Williams in a heartbeat. If he's not around, 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. Woods is the other real intriguing prospect here. If he really is the second coming of Tracy McGrady, he'd be a great fit in Denver. If they draft a player like Gooden or Chris Wilcox, that's a pretty good indication that they feel Antonio McDyess will bail next summer.

3. Memphis Grizzlies
Draft Needs: Center, depth everywhere
Top 5 Candidates: Jason Williams, Yao Ming, Mike Dunleavy, Drew Gooden, Qyntel Woods
The Skinny: Drafting Yao makes a lot of sense, but the word from his camp is that he'd rather stay in China than play in Memphis. Drafting Duke's Williams would create an immediate conflict with the other Jason Williams. This is way too early to grab either Borchardt or Marcus, so don't be surprised if the Grizzlies try to trade down or out of this pick altogether. If they do keep it and stay at No. 3, Gooden is probably the most likely choice.

2. Golden State Warriors
Draft Needs: Point guard, power forward, center
Top 5 Candidates: Jason Williams, Yao Ming, Drew Gooden, Chris Wilcox, Dajuan Wagner
The Skinny: They want Williams and if they get the first pick in the draft, he'll be a lock. If they can't get their hands on him, they'll likely take Yao Ming. He makes a lot of sense from a number of different levels. He's better than any big man they have, is young and will draw in the fans. From a marketing perspective, he's a slam dunk. From a talent prospective? He's still a serious question mark.

1. Chicago Bulls
Draft Needs: Point guard, depth everywhere
Top 5 prospects: Yao Ming, Jason Williams, Mike Dunleavy, Dajuan Wagner, Qyntel Woods
The Skinny: Sources in Chicago say that Jerry Krause is in love with Yao. Would he select him over Williams if the Bulls get the No. 1 pick? The Bulls still think Jamal Crawford has a future and Jalen Rose can always play the point. Krause's vision of a huge frontline that has Tyson Chandler at small forward, Eddy Curry at power forward and either Yao or the Clippers' Michael Olowokandi at center may make Yao the first foreign player ever to go No. 1 in the NBA Draft.

Draft Rumors: Will Yao Ming go No. 1?

In case you missed it over the weekend, Yao Ming made it official and declared for the NBA draft.

His team in China, the Shanghai Sharks, says it will release him to play in the NBA next season, but had various demands. As Insider reported last Monday, Yao will make a trip to the United States within the next four to six weeks to work out for NBA teams. He'll likely pick a central place to work out (the rumor is Chicago during the pre-draft camps) and visit several teams, including the Knicks, Warriors and Wizards.

We won't know for sure where he'll land until the draft lottery takes place on May 19th, but it's doubtful he'll last past the second pick in the draft. If Chicago or (due to some David Stern lottery magic) the Knicks get the No. 1 pick, Yao could be the first foreign player in the NBA to go No. 1 sources tell Insider. . .

Maryland's Chris Wilcox will officially declare for the draft today the school said. Wilcox is considered a top 6 pick by most scouts. Though he's raw and was the third option in the Maryland offense, scouts love his athleticism, shot block ability and his pro body. Several scouts compared him to Antonio McDyess. . .

The Mario Austin saga took another wacky turn this weekend when he returned to Mississippi State, with all of his belongings in tow. Earlier, Austin had told ESPN.com that he would not return to school after officially declaring for the draft.

"I guess I was kind of surprised," MSU guard Timmy Bowers told the Jacksonville Clarion Ledger. "I had thought Mario wasn't going to come back. He told me that he felt he wasn't going to be a Top 20 pick or whatever. He wanted to come back and get better in some areas next year so he could be a higher pick." . . .

The L.A. Times is reporting that Jason Kapono is still leaning toward returning to UCLA for his senior season. Kapono would lose his eligibility if he declared for the draft, since it would be the second time he has done so.

"I am just not ready to make a decision or an announcement," he told the L.A. Times. . .

There's been a lot of speculation about whether JUCO star Antwain Barbour would play at Kentucky this year or declare for the draft.

Barbour, who is rated by scouts as one of the top 5 shooting guards in the draft and a mid-to late first-round pick, wants to play a year at Kentucky to help his draft stock get into the lottery.

"Something has to jump out at him pretty hard for him to lose focus on the college stuff," Wabash Valley coach Mark Nelson told the Lexington Herald Leader. "He's always planned to come to Kentucky. That was his plan from the get-go. For something to change that, it would have to be something he couldn't refuse." . . .

The Lexington Herald also talks with scouts Wayne Chapman and Jim Mitchell about the draftability of Tayshaun Prince.

"The consensus is 18 to 22," Mitchell said.

Chapman, a tad more optimistic, saw Prince picked "mid to late first round with an outside chance at a high lottery pick."

"The kid's smart," Mitchell said. "I think he used his intelligence more than quickness."

Said Chapman: "He's got basketball sense. I think he's going to make it. He's going to play and play a long time." . . .

Qyntel Woods is heading to Washington D.C. to work out with former NBA star Adrian Dantley in preparation for the draft.

"I thought it would be good, since [Woods] is young, to align him with a 16-year NBA veteran," agent Bill Strickland told the Memphis Commercial Appeal. "I just thought it would be a good alignment to have Qyn work with a veteran like Adrian."

Strickland said the feedback he's been getting from scouts has all been positive. "Realistically, I think we're looking at the top end of the lottery."

5. Houston Rockets