This is not my mock draft this is not what I think will happen but this is what I think each team should do. If you look at the draft it is my personal opinion that you shouldn't necessarily draft the best available player or the player you deem has the most potential, instead you should draft the player that is going to help your team the most both present and future. If you already have 7 swingmen, ala the Hawks, and you have a glaring need at PG take the friggin point guard.Pick #1 Portland Trailblazers
Glaring Needs: A Centerpiece
3 to Consider: 1) Greg Oden 2) Kevin Durant, there are no more options and there isn't much to discuss.
The Man to Draft: They have to take Oden and find someone to take Zach Randolph off their hands. Randolph is an overpayed malcontent. I think the rumors about them wanting to pair Conley with Oden are a little far fetched but getting something decent in return for Randolph is a smart move.
Pick #2 Seattle Sonics
Glaring Needs: A Big Man, Some Toughness.3 to Consider: 1) Kevin Durant 2) Greg Oden, again there is no discussion.
The Man to Draft: Greg Oden would more fit the Sonics needs however he should be off the board. Durant gives the Sonics a future centerpiece and a cushion if they cannot resign Rashard Lewis. Regardless of whether they get Oden or Durant I think they should resign Lewis as a Lewis, Allen, Durant combo would be a lot of fun to watch.
Pick #3 Atlanta Hawks
Glaring Needs: Point Guard and Low Post Scoring
3 to Consider: 1) Al Horford, he's a beast downlow and could give a nice low post option to Atlanta. 2) Mike Conley, after years of not taking a point guard and flunctuating Joe Johnson to the point Conley would solve these issues for the forseeable future. 3) Brandan Wright, eh it's really between the first two.
The Man to Draft: I think I've convinced myself into believing that the smart move for the Hawks is to take Horford and attempt to get a point guard with their second pick. I think the dropoff in low post scoring between Horford and someone at 11 is much worse than Conley to an Acie Law IV.
Pick #4 Memphis Grizzlies
Glaring Needs: Point Guard or a Low Post Compliment to Gasol
3 to Consider: 1) Mike Conley, it really depends on how much faith they have in Kyle Lowry running the point in the future, if they were smart they wouldn't believe he is a point guard and they would target Conley. 2) Al Horford, they do have Gasol but they've been throwing guys next to him like Stromile Swift ever since he's been there. Horford would finally give him a running mate in the paint. 3) Corey Brewer, I don't really see them drafting Brewer cause they already have Gay and Mike Miller at swingman, however he would play defense which is something Gay does not do.
The Man to Draft: Whoever the Hawks pass on, if the Hawks take Conley the Grizz should take Horford and vice versa.
Pick #5 Boston Celtics
Glaring Needs: Defense, Jump Shooting, a True Center, a Veteran, Paul Pierce to stop his bitching.3 to Consider: 1) Corey Brewer, Brewer should most likely be the Celtics #1 target if they stay in the draft, he's long he's athletic he has a versatile offensive game and he can play D. Is he ever going to be the #1 player on a championship team, I'd bet no, but he's close to a sure thing as a productive draft pick. 2) Yi Jianlian, he's 7 foot and can shoot the J, I'm not quite sure why everyone is already labeling him mentally soft I think only time will tell. 3) Trade the pick + someone not named Al Jefferson for a veteran.
The Man to Draft: Just draft Brewer if he's still on the board. If he's off the board I guess trade the pick but for what? And any trade that Danny makes is just gonna piss me off regardless.
Pick #6 Milwaukee Bucks
Glaring Needs: They Are Mediocre across the Board, they have little to no hope to be great anytime soon. So just draft the best available player.
3 to Consider: 1) Corey Brewer, if for some reason Brewer, Horford or Conley don't go 1,2,3 they should take one of them. 2) Brandan Wright, I think he actually would fit best in Milwaukee, despite personally not being high on him, where they don't really have a dominant post scorer with Bogut having yet to develop into one. 3) Joakim Noah, Captain Eyebrows (Chucky V) plays no defense at all and Bogut is slow, Noah could help on the glass and with D.
The Man to Draft: Take Brandan Wright, he to me seems like a good fit into the 4 for them. Slot Bogut, Wright, Captain Eyebrows, Redd and Mo Williams and that might get you into the playoffs.
Pick #7 Minnesota Timberwolves
Glaring Needs: Anything and Everything. Once they trade Garnett depending on what they get for him they don't really have anything to build around. They need to get a stud youngster back in return.
3 to Consider: 1) Mike Conley or Corey Brewer, perchance the T-Wolves get lucky and either drops to them they will snatch them up in a second, both are doubtful to do so. 2) Brandan Wright, I'm not enamored with Wright to the Wolves however he does have a lot of athletecism and potential. 3) Jeff Green, would be a nice addition to the T-Wolves, he showed in the tourny that he can take over or allow other teammates to take over. He's the type of player that you always want on your team.
The Man to Draft: The T-Wolves should just take the best player on the board. I think at this juncture it will be Green and thats who they should snatch up.
Pick #8 Charlotte Bobcats
Glaring Needs: All Depends on if Gerald Wallace leaves if he does they need a replacement.3 to Consider:: 1) Jeff Green, he would be the perfect replacement for Wallace. 2) Yi Jianlian, they have Okafor so his piss poor defense won't kill them. 3)Nick Young, he may be a reach here but the Bobcats aren't exactly a dynamic scoring team and he could wind up being a big time scorer.
The Man to Draft: If Green is still on the board I think the Bobcats should take him, else I think the Bobcats should roll the dice on Jianlian.
Pick #9 Chicago Bulls
Glaring Needs: Low Post Scoring, Low Post Scoring, Low Post Scoring
3 to Consider: 1) Yi Jianlian, he may not be a low post scorer but he's a big man that can put the ball in the bucket. 2)Spencer Hawes, he's tall he's white he might be able to score in the post. 3) Joakim Noah, Noah would atleast give the Bulls some enthusiasm, but he and Tyrus Thomas are practically the same players.
The Man to Draft: I don't get whats wrong with the Bulls, how do they not get this KG deal done. Give up Deng already and the #9 pick. That's certainly better for the T-Wolves than the 3-11 they are rumored to get in the Hawks-Suns 3 way deal. But they're not gonna do that, there's no way I draft Hawes I'm sorry when was the last time there was a really good white center with post moves. Just take Yi, he wants to go to Chicago and atleast you'll be able to sell millions of Bulls jerseys in China. If he's gone trade the pick.
Pick #10 Sacramento Kings
Glaring Needs: Blowup the Team and Start Over, they are terrible.
3 to Consider: 1) Julian Wright, the Kansas product is long and athletic and has potential to become a solid scorer. 2) Joakim Noah, I'm not a fan of Noah, in fact I very much dislike him however he could be a valuable piece on a playoff team and I don't think he will be a bust. 3) Jeff Green, if Jeff Green is on the board he would be the best player left and they should take him.
The Man to Draft: Trade everyone on the roster other than Kevin Martin and just draft the best avalaible player. White guys need not apply, shouldn't Sacramento be sick of big white guys after how bad Brad Miller was last year.
Pick #11 Atlanta Hawks
Glaring Needs: Pt Guard or Post Play 3 to Consider: 1) Acie Law IV, this is probably where Acie thinks and hopes he will land. 2) Javaris Crittenton, the GaTech product is probably thinking the same thing as Law except he definately wants to stay in his home town. Either could offer a solid point guard option from when/if they past on Conley. 3)Al Thornton, if they take Conley Thornton should be on the board and give them a little post play when they past on Horford.
The Man to Draft: This pick is completely dependent on where they go with their first pick and it sounds like they are going to take Horford which I belive is the right choice. If they do that than Acie Law IV is the selection, a Jason Terry esque point guard with the ability to come through in the clutch.
Pick #12 Philadelphia 76ers
Glaring Needs:A Superstar which they won't be getting in this draft.
3 to Consider: 1) Nick Young, a big time scorer to slot next to Iguodala would be nice. 2) Javaris Crittenton, Andre Miller won't be around for much longer. 3)Al Thornton, it's doubtful he's still on the board but they don't have much low post scoring either.
The Man to Draft: Draft whatever guy you think has the most potential on the board to become a superstar. Another quality guy does you no good. I probably take Crittenton hoping that at 19 he can still develop and as a 6-5 point guard he could develop the ability to dominate smaller guards that are covering him. That being said chances of him becoming a superstar are limited.
Pick #13 New Orleans Hornets
Glaring Needs: Perimeter Scoring
3 to Consider: 1) Nick Young, he's the perfect fit for the Hornets. 2) Rodney Stuckey, more of a PG/SG Stuckey could be effective with Paul on the court. 3) Acie Law IV, if Law is still on the board the Hornets might think about grabbing him and slotting him at SG which could be more of a natural position for him.
The Man to Draft: Nick Young they booted JR Smith out the building last year and they need a young shooting guard who can score to go side by side with Chris Paul for the future.
Pick #14 Los Angeles Clippers
Glaring Needs: Point Guard, with Cassell nearly on his way out and the Toothpick Man injured yet again, they need a reliable point guard to step in.3 to Consider: 1) Acie Law IV, I bet the Clips really hope the Hawks don't draft him. 2) Javaris Crittenton, and I certainly be that the Clippers are hoping that if Law is off the board that Crittenton is on the board. 3) Marco Belinelli, why not get foreign and take a little Italian pt guard who can gun up some 3s for you.
The Man to Draft: Hope and pray that Crittenton or Law are on the board else get the Clips some pasta sauce.
Ugh, these things take too long and most likely there will be about 7 flip flopper trades.
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