I’m not going to lie; I’m a major NBA Draft junkie. I sort of like the NFL Draft, but it takes way too long and there’s nowhere near the excitement that there is in the NBA.
Major stars get traded every year on draft night (All-Star, Jermaine O’Neal has already been moved) and a team can it’s identity over night with wheeling and dealing (see the 2008 champ Boston Celtics).
I don’t have a ton of NBA sources like Chad Ford or Stephen A. Smith, but I do have a couple. I’ve also covered the last two NBA Pre-Draft camps in Orlando, Florida as well as covering the Orlando Magic, AAU basketball and Conference USA basketball.
While predicting the draft is an inexact science because of the many trades I’ve mentioned earlier, here are my predictions on who will be drafted where. This mock doesn’t factor in trades, but it does predict the order that NBA Commissioner David Stern will call the players names.
UPDATE: It's become convential wisdom that O.J. Mayo isn't going to drop to No. 6, which is where I originally had him falling. That changes my top 10 a little.
First Round
1. Chicago Bulls – Derrick Rose, Guard, Memphis
I don’t really think that Rose is the best player in the draft, or the best player for the Bulls, but it seems obvious to everyone that this is where he will be selected. I think Rose will be decent, but let’s slow down on the comparisons to Chris Paul and Deron Williams.
2. Miami Heat – Michael Beasley, Forward, Kansas State
It’s been decades since two guards were taken with the first two picks of the draft and it’s not going to happen tonight. The Heat, or the team that trades for this pick, will select Beasley.
If Miami does take Beasley, he shouldn’t get too comfortable in his new hat. I have a feeling a deal might be in the works to get Elton Brand from the Clippers in a swap for Beasley.
Everyone is asking why Riley would pass on Beasley. But after spending some time with him at the Pre-Draft Camp it’ pretty easy to see why Riley wouldn’t like him.
2 comments Last one added about 1 year ago — Leave a Comment
Aron Glatzer about 1 year ago
You've got Robin listed twice (in Brook's spot). If Minnesota is smart, they trade down a spot or two and take Brook Lopez to fit in nicely next to Al Jefferson. If Minnesota is Minnesota (Kevin McHale factor), it will take Mayo at No. 3 and have 30 combo guards on its roster.
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Marcus Hagness about 1 year ago
Still can't believe CDR slipped to the second round. The Nets had a very good night collecting talent.
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