Guards aplenty, where will they fall? NBA Draft Preview Part One

Tyreke Evans is one of many guards slated to be selected as one of the NBA Draft's top-ten picks. Will he be too tempting to pass up for the Sacramento Kings?

This NBA Draft is weak, compared to previous star-studded years, but still doesn’t lack intrigue. Conceivably, seven point guards could be taken in the top-10. Who will go where is still up in the air, which makes the draft that much more enticing.

Here now are my predictions for the first five teams selecting in the NBA Draft:

One. Los Angeles Clippers: Blake Griffin- The Clippers already have two centers in Marcus Camby and Chris Kaman and two power forwards in Zach Randolph and Al Thornton, but, though these four are individually talented, they are reasons why the team has been so terrible.

At least two are expendable and need to be traded to make this pick pay dividends. Aside from giving Los Angeles a reason to send some players packing, Griffin is the best player in the draft. Though he would join the talented backcourt of point guard Baron Davis and shooting guard Eric Gordon, I can’t help but feel bad for him. Fans will flock to see Griffin play, but it will take a lot more to turn this dysfunctional franchise into a winner.

Two. Memphis Grizzlies: Hasheem Thabeet- The Grizzlies were one of the worst defensive teams last season, so a 7′3″ giant with overpowering defensive skills should steer them in the right direction.

His offense is raw, needing development, but, given his size and glimpses of offensive potential at the University of Connecticut, he should morph into a double-double machine.

Their backcourt is set, with Mike Conley Jr. at point guard and O.J. Mayo at shooting guard, but rumors are flying regarding Rudy Gay, their small forward and leading scorer. There is talk that he could be trade bait, allowing the Grizzlies to move down in the draft. This doesn’t make sense, even though Gay and Mayo have had a tough time meshing, and, unless they are blown away with a proposition, I don’t believe it will happen.

27th pick: Dajuan Summers-  The 6′8″ forward would be a suitable backup for Gay, and bring some strength and rebounding that he lacks.

36th pick: Patrick Mills- Memphis needs a backup, and he fits the bill. Mills, with his intelligence, floor presence, and passing and shooting ability, could provide a spark off the bench. He has the talent that, if Conley were to struggle, he could take over.

Three. Oklahoma City Thunder: Ricky Rubio- The Thunder have a solid core, built around guards Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant and forward Jeff Green. Rubio, a point guard, would move Westbrook to his natural position of shooting guard, Durant to small forward, and Green to power forward.

It would be a small starting foursome, but with seven-foot center Nenad Kristic and backup power forward/center Nick Collison, they wouldn’t be lacking size.

Rubio, at 6′4″ is a stellar passer, but has his downsides. He isn’t a very good shooter, and has a frail build. There are doubts if he’s NBA-ready, considering his level of competition in Spain, but his flashy style would be a perfect fit with Oklahoma City’s bevvy of young talent.

25th pick: Sam Young- A physical guard out of Georgetown, Young could provide some explosion as Durant’s backup. He would give the Thunder the rebounding and physicality that Durant lacks.

Four. Sacramento Kings: Tyreke Evans- If Rubio is still on the board here, the Kings take him without hesitating. If not, Evans is the next best thing. A combo guard by trade, but he could fill their hole at the point guard position. He’s explosive with a deft scoring touch, and a willing passer.

The Kings could go with shooting guard James Harden here, since he is the best player available at this point, but he isn’t a need. Which guard they select is just about preference. Of the many capable potential point guards available, Evans could provide the scoring jolt others can’t.

31st pick: Jermaine Taylor- A prolific scorer at Central Florida, the shooting guard could help tire the opposition backing up fellow scorer Kevin Martin.

Five. Washington Wizards: James Harden- The Wizards could definitely use the Pac-10 player of the year, who was a great scorer at Arizona State, but they have talked with teams about trading the pick.

The Spurs have expressed interest, and it is reported that the Wizards made an offer, wanting Manu Ginobili in return. They tanked at the end of this season, and had the second worst record in the league, but lottery didn’t go their way, which resulted in garnering this disappointing selection.

With that said, the Wizards can benefit greatly by drafting and keeping Harden. They don’t need a center, as they have Javale McGee manning that position. Neither do they need a point guard, since Gilbert Arenas is fully recovered, a small forward, as Caron Butler, their leading scorer this past season, fills the slot, nor a power forward, as Antawn Jamison, despite trade rumors, is still with the team.

This leaves their main hole at shooting guard, a clear reason why Harden, of he falls to this pick, should be chosen. He could fight with Nick Young over the starting spot, and whoever loses out could provide a scoring spark off the bench.

32nd pick: Toney Douglas- It wouldn’t hurt to have another version of Arenas. Douglas, a combo-guard out of Florida State, averaged 21 points per game during his senior season with the Seminoles.

He’s capable of playing the point, therby moving Arenas over to the shooting guard position in certain offensive sets, and could also give Harden or Young a break as well. This would be an excellent second round choice, and give the Wizards the firepower necessary to excell next season and avenge a forgettable 08'-09' season.