No. 19) Atlanta Hawks: Jeff Teague: With Mike Bibby a free agent, the Hawks need a point guard to either take over or backup Acie Law. Teague is more built for the off-guard position, but he is aggressive enough as a point guard to play the position in the NBA.
With most guards focusing on scoring rather than passing, Teague would fit in perfectly. If he can improve his point guard skills and show the maturity to put in the effort to improve, he could prove to be a steal in the draft.
Comparison: Monta Ellis
No. 20) Utah Jazz: Tyler Hansbrough: The Jazz will likely lose Carlos Boozer and will need some strength behind Paul Milsap. A high energy player in college, Hansbrough's toughness and hustle could never be questioned.
He will make his living around the basket, but has been developing a solid 10 foot jumper. He is likely a role player as of now, but can become a solid starter on a team like the Spurs eventually.
Comparison: Luis Scola
No. 21) New Orleans: Gerald Henderson: The Hornets get a steal in Henderson if he drops this far. It is more likely that the Nets will take Williams and the Bobcats will take Henderson, but there always seems to be someone that drops that no one expects to.
It is also always possible that there is a trade up for Henderson, who is one of my favorite players in the draft. Not only can he play in the NBA from the start, but his aggressiveness and defense would be perfect for a team set at point guard.
Although he will never be a star, Henderson will become a solid starter that no one will argue wasn't worth a first round pick.
Comparison: Courtney Lee/Richard Jefferson
No. 22) Dallas Mavericks: Ty Lawson: Jason Kidd is on his way out and Ty Lawson could be on his way in. The Mavericks have been trying to trade up in the draft and will probably try to trade up for a bigger guard like Maynor, but Lawson is the same blur of a player that they drafted in Devin Harris a few years ago.
Smaller than Harris, but built more solid, Lawson would give them insurance in case Kidd heads elsewhere. If not, they also have the option of playing Lawson alongside Kidd or Jason Terry if they desire to have a scoring threat on the fast break.
Comparison: T.J Ford (more muscular)
No. 23) Sacramento Kings: Sam Young: The Kings grab one of the most NBA ready players in the draft, and possibly my favorite late round pick. A defensive stopper and the perfect sixth man winger off the bench, the only problem with Young is his age, which is much higher than the rest of the class.
Comparison: James Posey
No. 24) Portland Trailblazers: Chase Budinger: Portland could always trade out of this spot, especially for a veteran. Yet, with Martell Webster not panning out and a lack of a real threat from the perimeter, outside of Rudy Fernandez, Budinger gives them a potent scorer with plenty of athleticism.
Although he has problems creating his own shot, he is the prototypical shooter off the bench. Don't expect Budinger to use his athleticism much, but his shooting touch will be noticed immediately.
Comparison: Brent Barry (younger version and eventually the older vision)
No. 25) OKC Thunder: Viktor Claver: An offensive commodity with limited defensive potential, Claver will likely be stashed in Europe for some time before the Thunder call on him a year or two from now.
Expect the Spurs to trade up for Omri Casspi either to Portland sport or here at OKC's pick. More of an outside than inside threat, Claver could be good in a few years from now.
Comparison: Jorge Garbajosa
No. 26) Chicago Bulls: Omri Casspi: By having two picks, the Bulls are able to invest in the future. Although Wayne Ellington is a possibility, Casspi has more potential to have a major impact in the long-run.
Not blessed with defensive quickness, Casspi relies on his toughness and aggressiveness against smaller forwards.
Comparison: Andres Nocioni
No. 27) Memphis Grizzlies: Wayne Ellington: Ellington is a complete steal at this position by the Grizzlies. Looking for more firepower behind Ellington, Memphis gets a young dead-eye shooter who at times can get into the paint.
Coming off of screens and pulling up for the jumper is what Ellington does better than few in this draft class. His defense won't impress anyone, but Ellington is deadly from the outside.
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