bd811
06-11-2002, 12:28 AM
I know Tigers already posted nbadraft.net's mock draft, but I am going to post this one too, just 'cause I like it. It gives information about why each team would pick these players.
1. Houston: Yao Ming, 7-5, C, Shanghai Sharks (China)
The Rockets are in China trying to seal a deal with Yao. They need assurances that he won't get pulled away during the season for lesser-known global events. The plan is to get this done within the next two weeks. The Rockets have said they won't wait until the last minute to get a deal done. If they can't work it out then the Rockets will look at Duke's Mike Dunleavy with the top pick or trade the Yao sweepstakes to someone else.
2. Chicago: Jay Williams, 6-2, Jr., PG, Duke
The best-case scenario for the Bulls is for the Rockets to keep the top pick and take either Yao or Dunleavy. A trade could mean someone might want to get in front of the Bulls for Jay Williams. He's the perfect fit for them and he wants to be in Chicago, something that wasn't the case when the Bulls were trying to get free agents two years ago. Chicago could look at Dunleavy if Williams weren't available. But Jay Williams says he might check out the local real estate while he's in Chicago this week. And, by the way, he says he's not going to Chicago to lose. They will win with him.
3. Golden State: Mike Dunleavy, 6-9, Jr., SF, Duke
Forget about the talk that Dunleavy doesn't want to play for the Clippers or the Warriors. His father and he both said that's absolutely not true. But he does want to see what happens with Yao Ming before deciding to stay in the draft. If a deal with Houston breaks down, Dunleavy could be the top pick and that's enough of an enticement to hold off his decision until closer to the underclassman's deadline to withdraw from the draft on June 19. The Warriors could trade this pick, but regardless who is selecting third, Dunleavy won't slip.
4. Memphis: Drew Gooden, 6-10, Jr., PF, Kansas
The Grizzlies would like to get their hands on Dunleavy -- but they'll certainly take Gooden, who could give them another versatile forward. There could be some movement with Stromile Swift and the team isn't opposed to some position shuffling. Caron Butler is a strong possibility here as well. The Grizzlies have plenty of options at this pick and Jerry West will likely be in position to make the right move as he has done in Los Angeles. Don't be surprised to see a trade, either.
5. Denver: Caron Butler, 6-7, So., SF, Connecticut
Butler could go anywhere from No. 3 to 6, depending on what happens with Dunleavy. He's one of the most ready-made players for the 2002-03 season and the Nuggets need immediate help. They can't wait on a player and Butler would give them instant offense and would help on the boards, too. The Nuggets could think about Dajuan Wagner and Nikoloz Tskitishvilli with this pick, too. The Nuggets have a pick later in this draft and a package deal could be in the works with one of them.
6. Cleveland: Chris Wilcox, 6-10, So., PF, Maryland
The Cavs could go in a few different directions. They could look at Wagner if they can't get the Andre Miller situation settled, or if it's still left in a tenuous state on draft day. The Cavs will go with the best available player and that could also mean trying to snatch Qyntel Woods instead of letting him slip down a few pegs. If Gooden or Butler were available then they won't get past the Cavs.
7. New York: Curtis Borchardt, 7-0, Jr., C, Stanford
The Knicks desperately want to move up higher in this draft, but if they can't, they still have some intriguing decisions. Borchardt answers the big man question and would be hard to pass up. He'll work out for the Knicks in the next week after completing his studies at Stanford this quarter. Borchardt still hasn't technically announced he'll stay in the draft. If he does, he won't drop too low if the Knicks pass up on this shooting big man. The Knicks are also intrigued by Wilcox and could go with him instead of he were to fall. Dajuan Wagner is an option, but the Knicks are guard heavy. The two possible sleeper picks for the Knicks are Qyntel Woods and Nene Hilario. Both would answer some scoring issues on the wing and a power player inside.
8. L.A. Clippers (from Atlanta): Nikoloz Tskitishvilli, 6-11, SF, Benetton Treviso (Italy)
The most likely pick here would be Woods, especially with some trade rumors with the Lakers. But, until that is known, it's hard to put Woods here. The Clippers could mess things up for the Suns, who covet Tskitishvilli. The word is that they wouldn't be opposed to drafting him and having him play overseas for another year or two like they have done with Marko Jaric, who is coming back this season. Tskitishvilli could use more seasoning before he arrives. Taking Wagner is also a possibility if the Clips want a clear-cut roster spot for this season.
9. Phoenix: Jared Jeffries, 6-10, So., SF, Indiana
Jeffries bulked up 20 pounds (which seems implausible) since the Final Four and looks thicker. He has been a hit on the workout scene and the buzz in Chicago was that he would move up in the draft. If Tskitishvilli isn't available and the Suns bypass Woods then Jeffries because the next target. He fits their need for another scoring forward and if he has proven that he can take the physical pounding then he makes more sense in the top 10.
10. Miami: Dajuan Wagner, 6-2, Fr., PG, Memphis
The Heat say they're not looking to deal, but if they do then taking Wagner at No. 10 for themselves or someone else makes sense. The Heat needs a scoring guard, preferably a point. They could end up with one through a trade but taking Wagner still makes sense if he drops to No. 10. Wagner would be a scorer who needs the ball in his hands to make something happen. Putting him with a lesser-known point like Allen Iverson's running mate in Eric Snow could ultimately work in Miami.
11. Washington: Qyntel Woods, 6-8, PF, Northeast Mississippi CC
The Wizards would love to get Woods if he's available this low. He gives them a legit scoring wing, who could replace Michael Jordan if he doesn't play or is only on the roster for one more season. Woods might be long gone by No. 11, and if he is, then the Wizards might try to get Jeffries or Wagner, who could both slip to this spot. The Wizards might get scared away by Amare Stoudemire, only because they already have one high school project in Kwame Brown.
12. L.A. Clippers: Amare Stoudemire, 6-10, PF, Cypress Creek (Fla.) H.S.
The Clippers can't let Stoudemire drop below here if he's still on the board. They have had success with high school players. Keeping this team younger wouldn't be a reach. Stoudemire is also coveted by Portland and he could become trade bait if the Clippers want to make a deal. They do have cap space and are a willing participant in trades and love to accrue draft picks. Obviously, what happens at No. 8 affects what they do at No. 12. But the word in Chicago is that Stoudemire could end up being one of the best players in this draft, although he won't go as high as his potential talent would normally dictate.
13. Milwaukee: Maybyner "Nene" Hilario, 6-9, PF, Vasco de Garna, Brazil
The Bucks are interested in Hilario and are hoping he'll be available this late. Hilario's stock is soaring because of his workouts in which he is taking over the backboard. He's a presence in person and could be the enforcer on the boards that the Bucks covet. Hilario has moved ahead of Marcus Haislip on the depth charts of teams and could go as high as No. 6 to the Cavs. The Bucks would look at Haislip if Hilario is gone and Stoudemire is a possibility if both of them are off the board, too. A point guard like Dan Dickau or Frank Williams is also being discussed.
1. Houston: Yao Ming, 7-5, C, Shanghai Sharks (China)
The Rockets are in China trying to seal a deal with Yao. They need assurances that he won't get pulled away during the season for lesser-known global events. The plan is to get this done within the next two weeks. The Rockets have said they won't wait until the last minute to get a deal done. If they can't work it out then the Rockets will look at Duke's Mike Dunleavy with the top pick or trade the Yao sweepstakes to someone else.
2. Chicago: Jay Williams, 6-2, Jr., PG, Duke
The best-case scenario for the Bulls is for the Rockets to keep the top pick and take either Yao or Dunleavy. A trade could mean someone might want to get in front of the Bulls for Jay Williams. He's the perfect fit for them and he wants to be in Chicago, something that wasn't the case when the Bulls were trying to get free agents two years ago. Chicago could look at Dunleavy if Williams weren't available. But Jay Williams says he might check out the local real estate while he's in Chicago this week. And, by the way, he says he's not going to Chicago to lose. They will win with him.
3. Golden State: Mike Dunleavy, 6-9, Jr., SF, Duke
Forget about the talk that Dunleavy doesn't want to play for the Clippers or the Warriors. His father and he both said that's absolutely not true. But he does want to see what happens with Yao Ming before deciding to stay in the draft. If a deal with Houston breaks down, Dunleavy could be the top pick and that's enough of an enticement to hold off his decision until closer to the underclassman's deadline to withdraw from the draft on June 19. The Warriors could trade this pick, but regardless who is selecting third, Dunleavy won't slip.
4. Memphis: Drew Gooden, 6-10, Jr., PF, Kansas
The Grizzlies would like to get their hands on Dunleavy -- but they'll certainly take Gooden, who could give them another versatile forward. There could be some movement with Stromile Swift and the team isn't opposed to some position shuffling. Caron Butler is a strong possibility here as well. The Grizzlies have plenty of options at this pick and Jerry West will likely be in position to make the right move as he has done in Los Angeles. Don't be surprised to see a trade, either.
5. Denver: Caron Butler, 6-7, So., SF, Connecticut
Butler could go anywhere from No. 3 to 6, depending on what happens with Dunleavy. He's one of the most ready-made players for the 2002-03 season and the Nuggets need immediate help. They can't wait on a player and Butler would give them instant offense and would help on the boards, too. The Nuggets could think about Dajuan Wagner and Nikoloz Tskitishvilli with this pick, too. The Nuggets have a pick later in this draft and a package deal could be in the works with one of them.
6. Cleveland: Chris Wilcox, 6-10, So., PF, Maryland
The Cavs could go in a few different directions. They could look at Wagner if they can't get the Andre Miller situation settled, or if it's still left in a tenuous state on draft day. The Cavs will go with the best available player and that could also mean trying to snatch Qyntel Woods instead of letting him slip down a few pegs. If Gooden or Butler were available then they won't get past the Cavs.
7. New York: Curtis Borchardt, 7-0, Jr., C, Stanford
The Knicks desperately want to move up higher in this draft, but if they can't, they still have some intriguing decisions. Borchardt answers the big man question and would be hard to pass up. He'll work out for the Knicks in the next week after completing his studies at Stanford this quarter. Borchardt still hasn't technically announced he'll stay in the draft. If he does, he won't drop too low if the Knicks pass up on this shooting big man. The Knicks are also intrigued by Wilcox and could go with him instead of he were to fall. Dajuan Wagner is an option, but the Knicks are guard heavy. The two possible sleeper picks for the Knicks are Qyntel Woods and Nene Hilario. Both would answer some scoring issues on the wing and a power player inside.
8. L.A. Clippers (from Atlanta): Nikoloz Tskitishvilli, 6-11, SF, Benetton Treviso (Italy)
The most likely pick here would be Woods, especially with some trade rumors with the Lakers. But, until that is known, it's hard to put Woods here. The Clippers could mess things up for the Suns, who covet Tskitishvilli. The word is that they wouldn't be opposed to drafting him and having him play overseas for another year or two like they have done with Marko Jaric, who is coming back this season. Tskitishvilli could use more seasoning before he arrives. Taking Wagner is also a possibility if the Clips want a clear-cut roster spot for this season.
9. Phoenix: Jared Jeffries, 6-10, So., SF, Indiana
Jeffries bulked up 20 pounds (which seems implausible) since the Final Four and looks thicker. He has been a hit on the workout scene and the buzz in Chicago was that he would move up in the draft. If Tskitishvilli isn't available and the Suns bypass Woods then Jeffries because the next target. He fits their need for another scoring forward and if he has proven that he can take the physical pounding then he makes more sense in the top 10.
10. Miami: Dajuan Wagner, 6-2, Fr., PG, Memphis
The Heat say they're not looking to deal, but if they do then taking Wagner at No. 10 for themselves or someone else makes sense. The Heat needs a scoring guard, preferably a point. They could end up with one through a trade but taking Wagner still makes sense if he drops to No. 10. Wagner would be a scorer who needs the ball in his hands to make something happen. Putting him with a lesser-known point like Allen Iverson's running mate in Eric Snow could ultimately work in Miami.
11. Washington: Qyntel Woods, 6-8, PF, Northeast Mississippi CC
The Wizards would love to get Woods if he's available this low. He gives them a legit scoring wing, who could replace Michael Jordan if he doesn't play or is only on the roster for one more season. Woods might be long gone by No. 11, and if he is, then the Wizards might try to get Jeffries or Wagner, who could both slip to this spot. The Wizards might get scared away by Amare Stoudemire, only because they already have one high school project in Kwame Brown.
12. L.A. Clippers: Amare Stoudemire, 6-10, PF, Cypress Creek (Fla.) H.S.
The Clippers can't let Stoudemire drop below here if he's still on the board. They have had success with high school players. Keeping this team younger wouldn't be a reach. Stoudemire is also coveted by Portland and he could become trade bait if the Clippers want to make a deal. They do have cap space and are a willing participant in trades and love to accrue draft picks. Obviously, what happens at No. 8 affects what they do at No. 12. But the word in Chicago is that Stoudemire could end up being one of the best players in this draft, although he won't go as high as his potential talent would normally dictate.
13. Milwaukee: Maybyner "Nene" Hilario, 6-9, PF, Vasco de Garna, Brazil
The Bucks are interested in Hilario and are hoping he'll be available this late. Hilario's stock is soaring because of his workouts in which he is taking over the backboard. He's a presence in person and could be the enforcer on the boards that the Bucks covet. Hilario has moved ahead of Marcus Haislip on the depth charts of teams and could go as high as No. 6 to the Cavs. The Bucks would look at Haislip if Hilario is gone and Stoudemire is a possibility if both of them are off the board, too. A point guard like Dan Dickau or Frank Williams is also being discussed.