NBA Mock Draft 3.0

    With the draft less than a week to go and the final list of players officially in the draft, it is more clear who will be taken in each spot. With many scouts and GM's reporting various things, here is my take on who each team will draft (Not who I think they should take). I am assuming in a perfect world where no trades are made so this is the official order for now.

 1. Bulls - Derrick Rose PG - John Paxson will be pressured to get the hometown favorite in Rose. With Tyus Thomas improving in the off season, it seems like they do not need a forward. It is argued that Hinrich is a good player and they do not need another point guard, but Hinrich and Rose can both be in the back court together. Hinrich is more of a shooter and a solid defender, while Rose is a distributer. This combo can work while Ben Gordon can spark the team off the bench.

2. Heat - Michael Beasley SF/PF - Pat Riley is not so high on Beasley since Haslem has been a solid player for them, but Beasley I think and other scouts think can play SF as he is 6'8" with shoes and can shoot. He will be a Carmelo Anthony type of player and with a healthy Wade this could be a Jorden-Pippen potential mix. Shawn Marion is there but it looks like he will opt out and sign with a contender. Heat are rebuilding and will need another young stud along side with Wade for the future. Memphis Grizzlies may trade Lowry and Miller to swap picks and the Heat will hope OJ Mayo is still there at #5, but if no trade is made this is still a smart pick for the Heat.

3. Timberwolves - OJ Mayo PG/SG - The Wolves have a solid lineup with Al Jefferson and Randy Foye being future stars, but they need a guy to sell tickets. Mayo is a versatile player and may be the best player in the draft. McCants has not proven he can be a reliable player in the NBA, so the Wolves need Mayo. Mayo and Foye will make the future back court very bright.

4. Sonics - Jaryd Bayless PG - Sonics have made it clear they are leaning towards a point guard and have been sold high on Bayless. He looks like a lock for this pick. He is a Gilbert Arenas type of player who can help take pressure off Durant.

5. Grizzlies - Kevin Love PF/C - The Grizzlies have been rumored to really like Love and look like they will take him here. Anthony Randolph may be the smarter pick but a guy who can ignite the fast paced team may be hard for them to pass up on. I am not sold high on Love but the Grizzlies are.

6. Knicks - Russel Westbrook PG/SG - After Westbrook worked out with the Knicks, he really left a good impression with them. He is the most athletic player in the draft and has star potential to his game. Knicks need a point guard to lead the team during their post Isiah Thomas era.

7. Clippers - Danilo Galinari SF - This is a 6'10" player who plays like a point guard. With Al Thorton, Elton Brand (if he stays), and Chris Kaman, this will be a large line up that can make some noise next year. Gallinari has a very high basketball IQ and is ready for the next level. He is a shooter and can take Corey Maggette's spot as it looks like he is leaving. They are still not sure on who will be their point guard, but if they can get Gilbert Arenas the Clippers will be back in the playoffs.

8. Bucks - Eric Gordon SG - Michael Redd is one of the best shooting guards in the NBA, but it seems like the Bucks are going with a youth movement. Redd looks like he will be traded so they will need a reliable scorer who can replace Redd. Gordon before his wrist  injury was the best player in the college basketball. He has an NBA range 3 and can create shots for other players. It also helps his old coach Sampson from Indiana is an assistant. It is all set up for them to reunite.

9. Bobcats - Alexis Ajinca C - Who? The French big man who really has been rising. Some feel this may be high, but an inside source said Larry Brown and the organization really like him. He is NBA ready as he is a 7 footer who can run the floor very well. He does everything good and he can make a great compliment to Emeka Okafur. Brook Lopez has some questions with his upside making Ajinca a good pick. This may be high for him but they need him.

10. Nets - Anthony Randolph SF/PF - Richard Jefferson is on the trading block and Randolph really impressed the Nets. He is a Lamar Odom type of player who has all the tools of becoming a stud. He is a dynamic player who makes the future of the Nets very bright. Boone, Shawn Williams, and Kristic all are solid big men and a dynamic scorer in Randolph will help the Nets out.

11. Pacers - Brook Lopez C - He has gone from potentially being a #3 pick to this, but his workouts made him drop. This would be a steal for the Pacers who need a center badly. Jeff Foster and Harrison are not the answer to compliment Jermaine O'Neal (if he is not traded). Jamal Tinsley is a good point guard and they would like to have a solid back up with DJ Augustine, but it looks like they will trade for a point guard if they have to. Dunleavy and Granger were impressive last year. If they stick with what they have and add a fierce big man in Lopez, they will be back in the playoffs.

12. Kings - DJ Augustine PG - This would be a steal for the Kings. They need a PG and Augustine is a player who can create his own shot and for others. He is a quick point guard who I think is second best behind Rose. They will be on the right path to getting back a playoff team with Augustine.

13. Blazers - Joe Alexander SF/PF - He really impressed the Blazers and many other scouts. He is a fierce athlete who can be a Shawn Marion type of player. He is a perfect piece to this very bright future team.

14. Warriors - Kosta Koufos C - He has top 10 talent and fits what the Warriors need. He can post and shoot 3's. They need a player like this badly and this would be a steal for them. If they can keep Davis and Ellis they will find them selves with over 50 wins and go from a upset team to a contender.

15. Suns - Brandon Rush SG - An NBA ready player who can come off the bench or start for the veteran team. A perfect fit for the Suns, while they also get a future player. He can defend and shoot at an NBA level.

16. 76ers - Marreese Speights PF - They want Elton Brand, but if they cannot, they are getting a similar player in Speights. He can be better than Al Horford and has the tools to be an effective big man. He compliments Dalembert very well and will make the 76ers a better team. They are building a future contender in the East.

17. Raptors - Robin Lopez C - He is not as an aggressive scorer as his brother, but is as physical. He compliments Bosh very well and is a huge upgrade over Rasho Nasterovic. They need a big man badly and he fits in perfectly.

18. Wizards - Roy Hibbert C - They need an NBA ready player and Hibbert is that. He will not have to leave the DC at all. He is the best passing big man and can be a good player who can split time with Haywood. Hibbert can step in now and help them get out of the first round of the playoffs.

19. Cavaliers - Darrel Arthur PF - This is a huge steal for them. He is a top 10 talent who can run the floor and score. He is an upgrade over a Joe Smith and a Verajo. He is a type of scorer they need.

20. Nuggets - DeAndre Jordan C - He has #1 pick potential but is a risk and the Nuggets just cannot pass up on him. He can learn from Camby and develop. He can be a Kwame Brown or a Dwight Howard. He is extremely athletic and will be a good fit in Denver as he can run the floor.

21. Nets - Donte Greene SF - At this point a steal. Greene should have stayed another year in college, but can shoot and is athletic enough to play in the NBA. He needs work though. If given time will be a big time player.

22. Magic - Courtney Lee SG - A scorer and shooter too good to pass up on. He is athletically and talented enough to be a star. This would be a steal for them as he can comliment Nelson, Turkoglu, and Lewis really well. Dwight Howard will get him open looks and he can knock them down or get to the basket.

23. Jazz - JaVale McGee C - If he stayed another year in college could be a top 10 pick. Has all the tools with a 7'7" wing span and is athletic enough to play in the leauge. He needs work but is what the Jazz need. He can control the paint and be a low post scorer of the future, in which they need to take pressure off Boozer.

24. Sonics - Sege Ibaka PF/C - GM Sam Presti has been sold high on him for a while now. They will let him develop in Spain as they are in no rush on making the playoffs. As he develops he has tools to be one of best big men in the league.

25. Rockets - Chris Douglas-Roberts SG - Can come in right now and help take pressure of McGrady. He is the scorer they need and if he falls to them he is tooo good to pas up on.

26. Spurs - Nicolas Batum SF - A Rudy Gay type of player who needs to develop. With Bowen aging he can take his place when Bowen hangs it up. He is too gifted to pass up on.

27. Hornets - Mario Chalmers PG - An NBA ready player who can come off the bench behind Paul. He can defend at the next level and can score. He is an upgrade over Pargo who will leave.

28. Grizzlies - JJ Hickson PF - An athletic freak who can step in to play foward for the Grizzlies. Can run the floor with the fast paced line up and compliment the team very well. A steal for them.

29. Pistons - Bill Walker SG - May have already been promised to be taken. Injury prone, but has top 5 pick potential. Joe Dumars will not pass up this opportunity as they look like to build a future team next to Stuckey.

30. Celtics - Jason Thompson PF/C - PJ Brown may be done and they need a back up to Perkins. He is a dynamic scorer who can develop and learn under KG.