Fanball.com - New NBA Mock Draft

NBA Mock Draft

by Fanball Staff - Fanball.com
Friday, June 24, 2005
After weeks of speculation, draft day is finally on the horizon. Of course, that only means the rumor mill is turning faster and faster with teams jockeying for the guys who have impressed them the most in recent weeks. The Hawks, Blazers, Hornets, Bobcats, Jazz, and Lakers are all working the phones to land in their ideal spot, and the team with the top pick just canned their coach. The conjecture is too wild for even us to wade through, so we'll leave everyone where they are as of today, while noting where and when the trades may take place.

1. Milwaukee Bucks: Andrew Bogut, C, Utah After both Bogut and Marvin Williams visited Cheesetown earlier this week, no definitive decision seemed to come out of either player's workout. Both impressed, but the general feeling from Milwaukee is that they'll take the big man. It's probably the safer pick (read: boring), and the Bucks have proven that they're not afraid to take a chance on a big, ugly guy from Utah (Keith Van Horn).

2. Atlanta Hawks: Chris Paul, PG, Wake Forest Word on the street is that A-Town is down with the Bucks' leftovers, be it Bogut or Marvin Williams, but a quick scan of Mike Woodson's roster suggests that point guard is the play. Paul is an immediate upgrade over Tyronn Lue and Royal Ivey and would be a good fit with last year's rooks Josh Smith and Josh Childress who already occupy Marvin's small forward spot. If the Hawks are satisfied with either Paul or Deron Williams, they could get more picks by moving down a few spots.

3. Portland Trail Blazers: Marvin Williams, F, North Carolina What makes Paul Allen happier than a Microsoft stock split? Just catch him on his Blackberry and tell him that Marvin Williams slipped to No.3. This is likely the only way the Trailblazers hang on to this pick, since they have Sebastian Telfair firmly entrenched at the point. For the sake of his long-term development, we can imagine better places for Marv.

4. New Orleans Hornets: Deron Williams, PG, Illinois Williams has performed so well in workouts that some are beginning to wonder whether he's actually the top point guard in the draft ahead of Paul. Rumors are beginning to surface that he could actually be an option with the second overall selection. However, if the Hawks are willing to take him at No. 2, they'll be able to trade down and still get him. No matter who owns the pick, Williams is likely to be the fourth player selected and is on the short list of immediate fantasy impact rookies.

5. Charlotte Bobcats: Gerald Green, G/F, Gulf Shores Academy (H.S.) Green is the top high school player in the draft and is a perfect fit for a team that isn't expected to win many games. He has had maturity issues in the past and will need to spend the summer bulking up, but his raw athleticism is too great to be ignored. He's probably not going to help too many fantasy teams out early in the year, but he'll be a name to remember if he works his way into the Bobcats rotation.

6. Utah Jazz: Raymond Felton, PG, North Carolina A point guard platoon of Raul Lopez, Keith McLeod and Howard Eisley was nothing more than a stop-gap last season. He's exactly the floor general the Jazz needs, and if he starts, assists and steals should be there for the taking. On the other side of the floor, he'll be the best defensive point guard the Jazz have seen since Stockton.

7. Toronto Raptors: Danny Granger, SF, New Mexico Granger's stock has risen to the point where he's now being compared to Shawn Marion. The Raps will think about Felton (if he's around) since they need help at the point, but Granger is simply too good an athlete to pass up. He has a chance to step in at small forward and be a primary option for the Raptors right away, meaning he could be one of the biggest statistical contributors of this year's fantasy class.

8. New York Knicks: Channing Frye, C, Arizona This selection is about as locked in as Tim Duncan's legacy. The Knicks finished last in the NBA in blocked shots and have just one big man (something called Bruno Sundov) over 6-10. Frye should be able to step into a starting role early on and, at the least, contribute on the defensive end.

9. Golden State Warriors: Hakim Warrick, PF, Syracuse With the Warriors possibly modeling themselves after the Suns and Sonics, it's only proper to grab an athletic forward who can run the floor and flush the rock. He'll make Baron Davis look like a bearded, chubby version of Steve Nash.

10. Los Angeles Lakers: Fran Vazquez, PF, Spain There is a lot of talk about the Lakers either moving out of this spot or taking Shaq-sized center prospect Andrew Bynum here. All we know is that while Vazquez is a polished, experienced big man who could help the Lakers, he's not going to be the difference in taking Phil Jackson back to the playoffs. It would shock us if the Lakers didn't make a move—potentially jumping up to grab one of the three dynamic point guards—but in the event that this is the pick, Vazquez is a nice value.

11. Orlando Magic: Martell Webster, SG, Seattle Prep (WA) After years of training with Mr. Papadapolis, Webster is ready to take his talents to the NBA. Martell is a sharpshooter who can fill it up from anywhere on the floor. He also has a knack for rebounding that is uncommon for an 18-year-old. Like any high-schooler not named LeBron, it would be unwise to expect steady fantasy contributions from Webster right away.

12. Los Angeles Clippers: Yaroslav Korolev, SF, Russia If you reflect on that high school sweetheart of yours who showed no faults, provided an enjoyable after-prom, and was rewarded with a cute promise ring, then you'll understand the relationship the Clips reportedly have with Korolev. Rumors persist that Korolev has been given a promise by the Clippers that, if he's there when they pick at 12, they will select him. It's hard to blame them given his athleticism, long-range shot, and solid ball-handling skills, but he will get pushed around by more physical defenders. Not unlike you when the popular jock stole your prom date.

13. Charlotte Bobcats: Joey Graham, SF, Oklahoma State Having already grabbed the next T-Mac (Green) earlier, this pick is essentially wide open. With Emeka Okafor and Green already in the fold to build around, the athletic Graham fits in well as a complementary piece. He played at the highest level in college ball and tested out physically as one of the best athletes in the draft. He should be able to step in and contribute right away for the Cats; in fact, he'll probably make a bigger fantasy impact than Green, selected eight spots ahead of him.

14. Minnesota Timberwolves: Antoine Wright, SG, Texas A&M The Wolves have been loosely tied to high school big man Andrew Bynum, but it would be absurd for them to pass up on either Graham or Wright here. Wright is a 6-7 swingman with a deft outside touch, good handles, and solid rebounding skills. The Wolves need someone who can help now and replace Latrell Sprewell. Wright fits the bill.

15. New Jersey Nets: Ike Diogu, PF, Arizona State The missing piece to the Nets' puzzle is found in the desert. Diogu will fill the gap that was missing after Kenyon Martin darted to Denver. He came into the draft season with concerns about his size, but measured up with a wingspan that has scouts thinking Elton Brand. He fills up the paint with his wide frame and would provide the Nets with a much-needed post presence.

16. Toronto Raptors: Andrew Bynum, C, St. Joseph's (NJ) The age-old adage says you can't teach height. Outside of super-sizing it regularly, you can't really teach weight either, which explains why the 7-0, 300-pound Bynum is attracting a ton of attention as draft day approaches. The 17-year-old has reportedly shown much more polish that scouts expected, and teams in the lottery are clamoring for his enormous body. The Raptors can play Chris Bosh at the four and new small forward Granger at the three, leaving the pivot to Bynum for years to come.

17. Indiana Pacers: Martynas Andriuskevicius, PF, Lithuania Marty has been compared to both Dirk Nowitzki and Arvydas Sabonis by various scouts. The Sabonis comparisons abound because of his great passing skills and his ability to shoot from the outside might be downright Dirk-like. The Pacers are hopeful he will develop into a clone of either of those players, and they have a roster that affords them the luxury of bringing him along slowly.

18. Boston Celtics: Roko Ukic, PG, Serbia The Celtics are probably inclined to let veteran Gary Payton walk this offseason, which would create a void at the point guard spot. Ukic has virtually all the traits you want there—athleticism, quickness, ball-handling, and the work ethic necessary to address any deficiencies (jump shot). With Delonte West playing well as a rook, the Celtics can take their time developing him and building up his slight frame.

19. Memphis Grizzlies: Jarrett Jack, PG, Georgia Tech Jack thought about withdrawing from the draft, but his decision pays off even though he is the fifth point guard to be selected. The Grizzlies have not been discreet about their unhappiness with Jason Williams, and they very well may lose free agent Earl Watson. Jack's a good floor general with size, athleticism, and leadership that will endear him to Jerry West. His fantasy potential depends largely on what happens with Williams and Watson.

20. Denver Nuggets: Francisco Garcia, SG, Louisville The Nuggets need to fill their void at shooting guard, and it makes sense for them to accomplish their goal with the first of their two picks. Garcia is a polished sharpshooter with a big heart and leadership skills, and we have to believe that George Karl isn't looking to add a project to his burgeoning club. Garcia can help right away, although he probably wouldn't be much of a fantasy factor with 'Melo and the other Denver scorers.

21. Phoenix Suns: Sean May, PF, North Carolina May is a great fit for the Suns, sans the baby fat. He'll help Amare Stoudemire focus solely on filling it up while he morphs into a glass-cleaning aficionado. You have to like any capable player in the Suns potent system, and May has the potential to be a double-double monster down the road. If the Suns have Kurt Thomas in the fold by draft night, they may look for a swingman to replace Q-Rich. Turkey's Ersan Ilyasova fits the bill.

22. Denver Nuggets: Ersan Ilyasova, SF, Turkey With two picks in the first round, and Garcia addressing the Nuggets need for a shooter, there's no pressing need for an immediate impact guy. Ilyasova might be a higher prospect than Korolev if not for an ankle injury he's just now getting over. Be it overseas or in the NBDL, Denver can make sure he's healthy and getting experience before they throw him to the fire.

23. Sacramento Kings: Rashad McCants, SG, North Carolina McCants isn't dropping this far because teams don't believe in his talent. Instead, his size and frequent attitude problems are causing him to fall. Nobody at this point of the draft is without question marks, so if McCants can keep his head on straight and work hard to improve his game, the Kings may get a steal.

24. Houston Rockets: Wayne Simien, PF, Kansas The Rockets might be tempted by Chris Taft, but this is the safer pick. His durability and defense has never been questioned by scouts, and neither does anyone doubt he has the ability to play the four at the next level. He should compete immediately for playing time and eventually take over as the starter. That being said, he is unlikely to offer much fantasy value in his rookie season beyond rebounding digits.

25. Seattle Sonics: Charlie Villanueva, PF, Connecticut To put it mildly, the Sonics are in need a few big bodies. They had a void inside to begin with, and now they could lose Jerome James and Vitaly Potapenko to free agency—not that having either would prevent them from going big. They already have a center project in 2004 draft pick Robert Swift, and Villanueva is far too talented to pass on at this point, despite his questionable attitude. He's a gifted scorer and would be a physical presence in the paint for the Sonics.

26. Detroit Pistons: Julius Hodge, SG, N.C. State We went through this agony last weekend when trying to buy a Father's Day gift. What do you give a team that has everything? The Pistons have no free agents and no major needs. However, it would be nice to add a guy who can fill minutes behind Hamilton and Prince, and the N.C. State senior would be able to fill that role immediately.

27. Utah Jazz: Johan Petro, C, France This is a pet project for Jerry Sloan, one that could drive the longest tenured NBA coach to an early grave. Petro needs to develop his game, but he's got the size (7-1, 250) of a true NBA center. He could be a great complimentary player to AK-47 and Carlos Boozer if given the right guidance. However, he's at least another year or two away from making any fantasy impact.

28. San Antonio Spurs: Mickael Gelebale, SF, France As usual, the champs have most of the pieces in place. Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili are all locked up long term, meaning the Spurs need to keep populating their bench with complementary role players. Gelebale is a 6-7 hustler who plays aggressive defense and shoots it from deep. Sounds just about perfect.

29. Miami Heat: Kennedy Winston, SF, Alabama Winston averaged almost 18 points a game as a junior for the Crimson Tide last season and is one of the better pure scorers available at this point in the draft. The Heat could use another reliable weapon to compliment their two megastars, but Winston has to learn to buckle down on defense if he wants to see enough burn to help out your fantasy team.

30. New York Knicks: Chris Taft, PF, Pittsburgh What a difference a season makes. Taft began the collegiate season as an undisputed top-10 pick, but after a season in which he lacked assertiveness and effort, his stock fell like a ton of bricks. Still, his mix of size, athleticism, strength, and power is a rarity that scouts covet. When draft season opened, Taft was a possible option for the Knicks at No. 8, so there's little reason to pass on him at No. 30. Of course, Isiah may have just traded his only legitimate big man (Thomas) for another pass-second, 40-percent field goal shooter (Richardson), so all bets are off.