The NBA Draft will be held June 28.
Here's my first peek at how I think the first round will look like:
1. Portland: Greg Oden (7-0, Ohio State)
Frank Says: The last time this franchise had an opportunity to draft a center as talented as this guy was in 1974 and the player’s name was Bill Walton.
2. Seattle: Kevin Durant (6-9, Texas)
Frank Says: Suddenly it doesn’t seem quite as imperative that the Sonics resign Rashard Lewis.
3. Atlanta: Brandan Wright (6-9, North Carolina)
Frank Says: The player the Hawks need is Mike Conley but Wright has too much value to pass up with this selection.
4. Memphis: Joakim Noah (6-11, Florida)
Frank Says: He’s the most versatile post in the draft pool. Now, if he only had a jump shot . . .
5. Boston: Jeff Green (6-8, Georgetown)
Frank Says: If Oden isn’t the Rookie of the Year in 2008, it will be this guy – regardless of who selects him.
6. Milwaukee: Al Horford (6-8, Florida)
Frank Says: He’ll team with Andrew Bogut and Charlie Villanueva for a nifty frontcourt.
7. Minnesota: Yi Jianlian (7-0, China)
Frank Says: He could go as early as fourth or as late as 10th.
8. Charlotte: Corey Brewer (6-7, Florida)
Frank Says: The Bucks and Timberwolves will be tempted to take him.
9. Chicago: Spencer Hawes (6-11, Washington)
Frank Says: The most offensively skilled post player in this draft pool, he could be nabbed beforehand by Minnesota.
10. Sacramento: Mike Conley (6-1, Ohio State)
Frank Says: The most promising of the point guards could be long gone before the Kings are on the board.
11. Atlanta: Acie Law (6-3, Texas A&M)
Frank Says: But this pick takes place only if the Hawks don’t end up with Conley
12. Philadelphia: Al Thornton (6-8, Florida State)
Frank Says: Even at 12 I might be undervaluing him. But, at 24 on Dec. 7, he’ll be the elder statesman of rookies. Kevin Durant doesn’t turn 19 until Sept. 29.
13. New Orleans: Nick Young (6-6, USC)
Frank Says: One of the three or four best “scorers” in the draft pool.
14. L.A. Clippers: Julian Wright (6-7, Kansas)
Frank Says: Like Noah, he could have been a character in The Wizard of Oz who bemoaned to Dorothy “If I only had a jump shot!”
15. Detroit: Tiago Splitter (6-10, Brazil)
Frank Says: Could spell both Rasheed Wallace and Chris Webber.
16. Washington: Jason Smith (7-0, Colorado State)
Frank Says: The Wizards could be tempted to go with McRoberts.
17. New Jersey: Josh McRoberts (6-10, Duke)
Frank Says: The Nets will be tickled if McRoberts or Smith is still for the taking when they’re doing the taking.
18. Golden State: Thaddeus Young (6-8, Georgia Tech)
Frank Says: Assuming Don Nelson is still coaching, Young would seem to fit the spread the floor and drive it or shoot it-approach well.
19. L.A. Lakers: Rodney Stuckey (6-4, Eastern Washington)
Frank Says: Scouts go about 50-50 as to whether he’s a point or scoring guard.
20. Miami: Javaris Crittenton (6-5, Georgia Tech)
Frank Says: He’s much more a “scorer” than “true point guard” at the moment.
21. Philadelphia: DeVon Hardin (6-10, Cal)
Frank Says: Hampered by injuries the past two seasons, he’s the true sleeper among post prospects in the draft.
22. Charlotte: Daequan Cook (6-5, Ohio State)
Frank Says: Athletically, he is as good as it gets in this draft at the two-guard slot.
23. New York: Rudy Fernandez (6-6, Spain)
Frank Says: He can shoot it deep and take it to the rim. How physical is he?
24. Phoenix: Marco Belinelli (6-5, Italy)
Frank Says: He’ll give Steve Nash another guy to set up in transition.
25. Utah: Ante Tomic (7-2, Croatia)
Frank Says: He’s on the thin side (230ish) but has a lot of ways to score.
26. Houston: Gabe Pruitt (6-4, USC)
Frank Says: He’s not a “point guard”, per se, quite yet – but he’s a lot closer to fitting into that mold since coming under the tutelage of Tim Floyd.
27. Detroit: Wilson Chandler (6-8, DePaul)
Frank Says: A player whose stock will climb before June 28.
28. San Antonio: Nick Fazekas (6-11, Nevada)
Frank Says: No, he’s nothing approaching the “next Tim Duncan” but he’s good enough to evolve into a multi-skilled post contributor for the Spurs.
29. Phoenix: Marc Gasol (7-0, Spain)
Frank Says: If he’s two-third the prospect his brother was at the same stage, he’ll be in the NBA for a while.
30. Philadelphia: Sean Williams (6-9, Boston College)
Frank Says: He’s probably closer to 6-8 than the 6-10 he is listed in other places but there is no exaggerating his rebounding and shot-blocking abilities.
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