NBA Mock Draft: Version One

One month after the NFL draft, we are now on the NBA mock draft scene, busting up scenarios and projecting who will screw up. With this first mock draft, I will predict picks 1 through 30 on who I believe would best fit each team.

1. Portland Trailblazers - Greg Oden, C, Ohio State

The addition of Oden to a young duo out of last years draft, R.O.Y. Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge, immediately makes Portland one of the exciting young teams of the league. With the young Jarrett Jack developing nicely in his role as starting point guard, the team formerly known as the 'Jailblazers' could be on it's way to success. If they don't shoot themselves in the foot. Literally or figuratively.

2. Seattle Supersonics - Kevin Durant, G/F, Texas

Kevin Durant is the most decorated freshmen in college basketball history and could be just what the doctor prescribed to save basketball in Seattle. With Durant on the team, the team wouldn't have to worry about re-signing Rashard Lewis, who will likely demand a price higher than the team would like to pay. SG Ray Allen, teamed up with Durant at small forward, would be the most dangerous 2-3 in the league in terms of scoring.

3. Atlanta Hawks - Mike Conley, Jr., PG, Ohio State

The Hawks get a proven winner and a true point guard in Mike Conley, Jr. with this pick. Although this may be high for Conley, there isn't a wealth of NBA-ready point guards in this draft, and Conley likely won't fall to 11. Acie Law would be an option there, but he is more of a scorer and at this point, would be a huge stretch.

4. Memphis Grizzlies - Yi Jianlin, PF, China

The Grizzlies could really use a point guard, but if Conley is off the board, no other point guard could be justified here. With talks of current PF Pau Gasol being traded and front-court depth sketchy as it is, Jianlin would be a good pick here. He is big, quick and would make an immediate impact on the offensive side of the ball.

5. Boston Celtics - Julian Wright, SF, Kansas

Wright is one of the players in this draft that I am very high on. His combination of size, athleticism and versatility will make him useful wherever he goes. His normal spot is the 3, but in a smaller line-up, he can be an effective 4. Unlike alot of athletic freaks coming out of college, Wright is and NBA-ready defender and passer.

6. Milwaukee Bucks - Jeff Green, SF, Georgetown

Green is like Wright in many ways, except less athletic and a better shooter. This fills Milwaukee's need for a versatile 3 that can play the point-forward role. If Milwaukee can acquire a veteran point guard that can get it to his offensive weapons, they'll be a team to watch next year.

7. Minnesota Timberwolves - Al Horford, PF, Florida

Horford is tough in the paint, a superior defender and an outstanding passer for his size. He is a pretty safe pick, which is what the Timberwolves need at this point. A guard like Corey Brewer is an option here, but that would just make the T-Wolves already jumbled backcourt more confusing.

8. Charlotte Bobcats - Corey Brewer, SG, Florida

Every position is taken care of in term of young talent besides shooting guard (and center, depending on where you count Emeka Okafor, who usually plays center because Sean May is their power forward, even though he doesn't start). Brewer is just what this team needs on the defensive end, as he is a lockdown perimeter defender who can guard from a 1 to 3. He is also very good in the open court and finishing in transition, which is good because he gets alot of steals.

9. Chicago Bulls - Brandan Wright, PF, North Carolina

If Brandan Wright falls to the Bulls here, it would be just short of a Godsend. The Bulls need some low post scoring, and Wright knows how to get to the rim. He also has the capability to be an all-pro defender, which I'm sure he can reach learning first hand from Ben Wallace. Washington C Spencer Hawes is also an option, as he is arguably the best scoring big man in this draft.

10. Sacramento Kings - Al Thornton, SF, Florida State

With incumbent small forward Ron Artest heading towards the trading block and no other viable option on the roster, Thornton is a smart pick for the Kings. The Kings would also look at Julian Wright, Jeff Green or possibly big SG Corey Brewer at this spot. Thornton would be an upgrade over Artest on offense, and can play decent defense as well.

11. Atlanta Hawks - Spencer Hawes, C, Washington

If Conley becomes the assist-man and court leader that Atlanta needs, Hawes could become his best friend. Hawes may not be the most athletic of centers, but he knows how to get the ball through the hoop and has a variety of ways to do it.

12. Philadelphia 76er's - Jason Smith, PF, Colorado State

This is a little high as far as projections go for Smith, but he has a greater upside then the other option on the board, Florida PF Joakim Noah. Smith is tall and athletic, and has the range to shoot all the way out to the three point line. He'll need to put on strength to bang around inside, but he has the potential to become an all-star.

13. New Orleans Hornets - Joakim Noah, PF, Florida

Noah is the high energy, do-it-all type player that New Orleans needs right now. He may not be the bulkiest of big men, but he excels on defense and getting back in transition. With Desmond Mason hitting free agency, New Orleans may also opt for a swingman here.

14. L.A. Clippers - Nick Young, SG, USC

Young is another athletic freak that has the potential to be a dominant force in this league. The problem with him is that he hasn't put it all together yet. He plays well on both ends of the floor and can score on you in many different ways, but he doesn't play with an intensity that teams would like to see out of a player with his skill set.

15. Detroit Pistons - Tiago Splitter, PF, Brazil

Splitter is a talented big man with a high upside and impecable defensive and rebounding skills. He doesn't shy away from pounding dow low, but he'll need to add some meat to his frame to take it. With his contract with Tau not up until 2008, Detroit could draft him and leave him overseas for a year. They lack youth in their frontcourt, with Chris Webber, Sheed, Antonio McDyess, and Nazr Mohammed being their top four options.

16. Washington Wizards - Rodney Stuckey, SG, Eastern Washington

Stuckey has the skill set to follow in the steps of other successful combo guards like Randy Foye, Monta Ellis, and Ben Gordon. He is a great ballhandler and can drive to the hoop with ease. He has good range, but can be inconsistent. With Agent Zero as his backcourt mate, Stuckey should thrive as an offensive weapon in Washington.

17. New Jersey Nets - Sean Williams, C, Boston College

With point guard Jason Kidd and wings Vince Carter and Richard Jefferson, offense isn't a major need for the Nets. What they do need is interior defense, and after Greg Oden, Williams is the best available option. He was the best shot blocker in college basketball last season until Boston College dismissed him for off-court problems. He has offensive skills, but they aren't to far along in development.

18. Golden State Warriors - Josh McRoberts, PF, Duke

McRoberts is just the type of athletic player that Nellie likes on his teams. He could've been a top 10 pick had he come out last year, but he stayed, and struggled, at Duke, where he played out of position. He's good on both ends of the floor and has good range for his size. He may never be a go-to guy, but he'll be a good big man.

19. L.A. Lakers - Acie Law, PG, Texas A&M

Although the Lakers have Jordan Farmar on their roster, Law is a much more skilled player with a higher ceiling. Law has the intensity and the scoring touch to take pressure of Kobe Bryant.

20. Miami Heat - Ante Tomic, C, Croatia

With Shaq and Alonzo Mourning on the downside of their careers, the Heat need to look towards the future in the middle. Scouts love Tomic's combination of height, ability and potential. His main problem is that he could fall through an air vent. The Heat could keep him in Europe or in the D-League a year or so to bulk up.

21. Philadelphia 76er's - Javaris Crittenton, PG, Georgia Tech

With three first-rounders, the 76er's have many options. Unlike most big point guards, Crittenton, who is 6-5, has the skills for the position. He is an excellent ball handler and passer with a decent shot. Although raw in the decision-making area, he can probably start immediately unless they bring in a veteran via trade or free agency.

22. Charlotte Bobcats - Thaddeus Young, SF, Georgia Tech

With Gerald Wallace's future with the team in question and Adam Morrison struggling, the Bobcats could get a bargain if Young falls here. He is a dynamic athlete, and, at 6-8, can guard anyone but the center. He needs to add 10-20 pounds and work on his mid-range jumper, but he has the potential to dominate the league down the road.

23. New York Knicks - Glen Davis, PF, LSU

Davis is a real wild card in this draft. We could see him go anywhere from late in the lottery to middle of the second round. I think the Knicks make sense, they need depth in their frontcourt and he seems like a player Isiah Thomas would like. Rumor is that they're also looking into SF Derrick Byars, PF Josh McRoberts and C Sean Williams.

24. Phoenix Suns - Daequan Cook, SG, Ohio State

Like many others, I expect that the Suns will try and trade this pick for one in the first half of the second round. In that case, they'd likely target a developmental swingman like SF Dominic McGuire, SF Wilson Chandler, SG Trey Johnson, or Lithuanian SG Renaldas Seibutis. If they stay here, Cook or Vanderbilt SF Derrick Byars would make the most sense, as the could use a swingman.

25. Utah Jazz - Morris Almond, SG, Rice

The Jazz have an extreme dearth of depth in their backcourt, so any point or shooting guard on the board will be looked at here. Almond and PG Gabe Pruitt are the two top options at this point, but they would probably love to see Crittenton drop this far. Although Almond is a scorer and they could use more of a defensive guard, he is such a prolific scorer that can hurt you from anywhere so he'd be hard to pass on.

26. Houston Rockets - Gabe Pruitt, PG, USC

Pruitt is another one that falls into the combo guard category. He is a dynamic scorer that plays solid defense. He'll end up playing point guard because of a logjam behind Tracy McGrady at shooting guard. A power forward also falls under the 'need' category for Houston.

27. Detroit Pistons - Derrick Byars, SF, Vanderbilt

If they take a big man with their earlier pick, they're in position to take the best player available here. Enter Byars, a good shooter with solid defense, good height, and NBA-ready strength. Another big man wouldn't be a bad pick here either, and they could also use a point guard.

28. San Antonio Spurs - Marc Gasol, C, Spain

While Francisco Elson and Fabricio Oberto aren't bad, they're hardly the best option to place with Tim Duncan. Gasol is a big man that is fundamentally sound with good strength. The downside of Gasol is that he has struggled with weight problems and isn't a great athlete. Depth at small forward also isn't great, so that may be looked at.

29. Phoenix Suns - Marcus Williams, SF, Arizona

Once again, expect the Suns to try and deal this pick, but if they don't, I wouldn't be surprised if they take another swingman with their style of play. Williams isn't like Cook in many respects, although he has a decent mid-range shot, he's a superior defender with versatility to guard 4 positions.

30. Philadelphia 76er's - Kyle Visser, C, Wake Forest

If Philadelphia drafts smartly, they can greatly improve their squad for next year. Small forward Andre Iguodala is a star in the making, and C Samuel Dalembert provides the defense in the paint. Visser is a skilled low-post scorer that can help suck defenders towards the middle, off Iguodala.