The NBA had the lottery to determine the top of the draft order on Tuesday night, and now we can start pondering which teams will find the diamond in the rough... or waste a roster spot on a complete flop. For every Tony Parker, there are two Eddy Curry's, and this year'd draft will give plenty of players the opportunity to fail.
There are eight teams with two picks in the first round, including the Bulls, and many of the elite players opted to stay in college for another year because of the looming lockout. With that in mind, let's look at which kids will try to become men in six short months.
Lee spent a lot of time at point guard at UCLA, but projects as more of a shooting guard because of his size... and willingness to shoot the ball. What's important for the Bulls, however, is that Lee can handle the ball if/when teams double DRose, and can get his own shot as well. Another strong candidate at this spot would be one of Lee's teammates at UCLA, Tyler Honeycutt. If the Bulls add players like Butler and Lee... good luck, NBA. Harper, from Richmond, adds size to an ancient frontcourt. The Spurs have always drafted players that fit their style of play no matter where they went to school, so the "mid-major" on Harper's resume wouldn't be a concern.Butler was a stud at Marquette who's a strong defender, good rebounder, and can get his own shot. He has good size, but his ability to play with the ball could make him an option as a shooting guard at the NBA level. He fits the profile of what the Bulls have all over their roster - smart and hard-working - and would also give Thibs an excuse to take Luol Deng off the floor for longer than 30 seconds at a time. This pick originally belonged to the Miami Heat.. who are on their way to being eliminated by the Bulls.The Nets acquired Deron Williams and have a strong front court, but could use someone to spread the floor for Williams at the two. Leslie has decent size and athletic ability for the 27th pick.A small forward with range and a 6-10 body? On the same team as Dirk? Sounds scary for Western Conference coaches, and would give the Mavs a nice piece to work into a rotation with Shawn Marian if he's back in Dallas next year.
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They screwed up when the traded Perkins to OKC. Williams is the best size left on the board. They're the youngest team in the playoffs, and are in the Western Conference Finals. They have the league's leading scorer and an elite point guard that can create his own shot as well. Oh, and they added Kendrick Perkins to a big front line already via trade. So what if Jimmer doesn't play defense? If he can spread the floor and rain three's, he's perfect for OKC.Houston's second pick of the first round will probably be used as a luxury, adding more size with a second power forward. The Rockets had success with Carl Landry, who is similar to Faried.Harris, only 18, can play the small or power forward and would give the Nuggets some size at the three that they have missed since dealing Carmelo Anthony to New York. When the seasons of the Knicks and Nuggets were both over, it looked more and more like the Nuggets got the better end of that deal.Unfortunately for Portland, they're dealing with Brandon Roy's awful knees and need depth at the two. Brooks is the best to fill that role on the board, but this year's class is weak at shooting guard.
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The T'Wolves second pick in the first round will be to give Kevin Love some help up front. Montiejunas is the only seven-footer projected to go in this year's first round.Johnson was a force at Purdue last year, but somehow stayed under the national radar for much of the season. He's athletic, big and has a high enough basketball IQ that Michael Jordan would love to have him in Charlotte.The Wizards have athletic bigs, but need to put some scorers around John Wall. This mock draft has them adding strong players at small forward and shooting guard, undoubtedly a best-case senario for the Wizards. I know... Reggie Jackson playing in New York? Seems too good to be true, doesn't it? Reality, however, is that the Knicks have mortgaged their souls for Amar'e Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony, but need someone to get them the rock. Jackson's the best point guard on the board here. Philly has a few pieces on their roster, but need to make a decision with Andre Iguadala. Adding size in the Eastern Conference is a good idea, and this would be a strong play by the Sixers.
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Marcus, arguably the better of the two Morris brothers, has a strong all-around game and would be a good addition to Indy's front court.Vesely, a 21-year-old from the Czech Republic, would bring some size to a front court that has been paying the ghost of Yao Ming for the last few seasons. The Suns need to think about replacing Steve Nash at some point, and Selby's not only the best point guard, but probably the best player still on the board here.Burks, 19, is a bigger two guard who would add size to Utah's roster. This is the second pick in the first round for Utah, who have the opportunity to fill a few needs this year.The Warriors have shooters everywhere, but need someone to clean up the mess inside. Markieff is the bigger of the two Morris brothers and projects as more of a center.
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The Bucks have center and point guard locked down, but need to fill in the three other spots on the floor. Biyombo is an athletic big with a strong international resume.You think Michael Jordan would pass on this kid? He put UConn on his back for a month and walked away with a national championship. He's clutch, and has the stones to put up a big shot. Tayshaun Prince isn't getting younger, and Rip Hamilton's contract continues to plague their payroll. Hamilton's a big wing that would make perfect sense in Detroit.Leonard was a stud at San Diego State this year, and is a strong wing player. The Kings might be in the market for a point guard here, but a defensive stopper might be in their better interests.A bigger, physical, athletic small forward who plays strong defense, Singleton is an ideal wing player to put next to last year's top overall pick, point guard John Wall.
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They'll look to replace Chris Bosh not only at power forward, but as the poster child for unhappy basketball players stuck in Canada. Knight, only 18 years old, is a big-time player who, with Derrick Williams, would give the the Cavs a young core to be excited about. Neither is named LeBron, but this begins the healing process in the Mistake by the Lake.Kanter, 19, was declared ineligible by the NCAA and had to sit out a year at Kentucky. That doesn't take away from his ability on the court, and his size is too tempting for the Jazz to pass on.If the Cavs pass on Irving, they're essentially screwing the T'Wolves. Minnesota has used high picks on a point guard - and failed doing so - too many times in recent memory. Irving appears to be a much better bet to impact their NBA roster than anyone named Flynn or Rubio next year, and they might be forced to take a point guard here. Again, forcing the T'Wolves to either become the butt of Draft day jokes by taking another point guard (or choosing to roll the dice on someone else) is why the Cavs could, and should, pass on Irving at number one.Williams, 20, isn't the consensus #1 guy, but there's a good chance the Cavs take him with the top overall pick. Considering the Cavs own picks 1 and 4, and that the Utah Jazz have Devin Harris at point guard, there will be a top point guard available at the fourth overall selection. Williams is an elite athlete who could be a game-changer; none of this year's point guards can say that.
