1. Los Angeles Clippers—Blake Griffin
This one is a no-brainer. He oozes talent. Even though they have Zach Randolph, Marcus Camby, Chris Kaman, and DeAndre Jordan, they will add another big talent. Griffin is too good to pass up.
2. Memphis Grizzlies—Jordan Hill
The popular pick is point guard Ricky Rubio, but Memphis has Mike Conley. With O.J. Mayo and Rudy Gay, they can’t move one to the shooting guard spot. Hasheem Thabeet doesn’t make sense because they have Marc Gasol at Center. The logical choice becomes Jordan Hill, to play power forward.
3. Oklahoma City—Hasheem Thabeet
Rubio would, again, slide simply because there is no room for him. Like Memphis, Oklahoma City is set with Russell Westbrook, Kevin Durant, and Jeff Green. Unless they can trade down, they’ll take Thabeet, who will give them a game changer on defense. With the scorers they already have in place, this could end up being better than getting Griffin.
4. Sacramento Kings—Ricky Rubio
Sacramento got screwed by the lottery system, which is totally flawed, but are happy to find Ricky Rubio fall into their laps. He gives them the play-maker they have missed since Mike Bibby left town.
5. Washington Wizards—James Harden
The Wizards are much better than they played last year. Adding a polished scorer like Harden to go along with Gilbert Arenas—if he can ever get healthy—Caron Butler, and Antawn Jamison makes perfect sense.
6. Minnesota Timberwolves—Brandon Jennings
Forget about using Randy Foye at Point Guard. Sebastian Telfair still can’t shoot. Adding a top notch Point Guard with crazy upside makes too much sense. Thankfully, Kevin McHale isn’t drafting or they’d take another undersized shooting guard.
7. Golden State Warriors—Ty Lawson
I know he’s rated much lower, but adding Lawson to a team that loves to get out and run makes too much sense. He isn’t going to worry about his shots, instead getting the ball to the likes of Stephen Jackson, Monta Ellis, and company. If he gets the minutes, he’ll be among the league leaders in steals.
8. New York Knicks—Jonny Flynn
Flynn knows what it’s like to play on the big stage of Madison Square Garden. He can not only get out and run, but has great vision. Flynn should be a great fit in the Knicks’ system.
9. Toronto Raptors—DeMar DeRozan
Toronto could use DeRozan’s explosiveness and athleticism at shooting guard or small forward. Jose Calderon would have a field day tossing alley-oops to him.
10. Milwaukee Bucks—Stephen Curry
Curry can flat out score. He’s probably a tweener at the NBA level, but too talented to pass up.
11. New Jersey Nets—DeJuan Blair
While he lacks ideal size, Blair is a big body to bang down low with Brook Lopez.
12. Charlotte Bobcats—Wayne Ellington
The Bobcats lack a pure shooting guard, and they don’t have to go far to add one.
13. Indiana Pacers—Eric Maynor
The bigs in this draft aren’t great outside of the first couple, and the Pacers could use some help at point guard, as Jamaal Tinsley’s days are likely numbered.
14. Phoenix Suns—Earl Clark
The good point guards are gone, so the Suns turn to a big small forward who can make an immediate difference on defense.
15. Detroit Pistons—Tyler Hansbrough
The Pistons need bigs badly. In a normal draft, Hansbrough would probably slide further, but this draft is lacking in size. Hansbrough is a tireless worker who seems to thrive when he’s disliked. Sounds a little like Bill Laimbeer.
16. Chicago Bulls—Tyreke Evans
Memphis was a good place to find last year’s top pick, so why not go back for seconds? Evans is not a bad option if Ben Gordon walks.
17. Philadelphia 76ers—Jeff Teague
The Sixers’ point guard cupboard is bare, even if they are to re-sign Andre Miller, making Teague an attractive pick.
18. Minnesota Timberwolves—BJ Mullens
The Wolves take a true center that should allow them to slide Al Jefferson to the four at times when Kevin Love is out.
19. Atlanta Hawks—Patrick Mills
If Mike Bibby leaves, the Hawks would be left without a point guard. Even if he does return, the Hawks could groom Mills to be his replacement. Acie Law doesn’t appear to be the guy.
20. Utah Jazz—Gerald Henderson
The Jazz are pretty set, assuming Okur and Boozer are back. They could use a solid shooting guard, and Henderson fits the bill.
21. New Orleans Hornets—Chase Budinger
Budinger gives them versatility as he can play the two or three.
22. Dallas Mavericks—Jrue Holliday
If Kidd leaves and Terry slides to Point, the Mavs will need a shooting guard. At this point, Holliday could be the best option. He could log minutes at both Guard positions.
23. Sacramento Kings—James Johnson
The Kings are fortunate again as Small Forward James Johnson slides to them.
24. Portland Trail Blazers—Darren Collison
The Blazers are pretty well set. Why not add a play-maker like Collison?
25. Oklahoma City—Gani Lawal
They added Thabeet earlier. Adding Lawal would give them another big body.
26. Chicago Bulls—Derrick Brown
They take a shooting guard with their first pick and a small forward with their second.
Memphis falls for Young’s versatility.
28. Minnesota Timberwolves—Terrence Williams
The Wovles finish off a solid draft with a shooting guard to go with the point guard and center they took earlier.
29. Los Angeles Lakers—Omri Casspri
This pick gives them another outside threat, and they can afford to let him develop.
30. Cleveland Cavaliers—DaJuan Summers
Originally published at
LestersLegends.com.
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