Tribune pro basketball reporter Sam Smith takes a look at how the first round might go:
TEAM, FIRST-ROUND PICK, POS., SCHOOL, COMMENT
1. WIZARDS. Kwame Brown, C, Glynn Academy H.S., Ga. –Great young athlete. Biggest upside.
2. CLIPPERS. Tyson Chandler, C, Dominguez H.S., Calif.–. Garnett-like, though not as tough
3. HAWKS. Eddy Curry, C, Thornwood High School. Finally a big, big man
4. BULLS. Shane Battier, F, Duke.–. Most immediate help and they need it.
5. WARRIORS. Eddie Griffin, F, Seton Hall– Bigtime talent with bigtime issues.
6. GRIZZLIES. Jason Richardson, F, Michigan State.– Next Jordan? Could trade Michael Dickerson
7. NETS. DeSagana Diop, C, Oka Hill Academy, Va.– Developing Dikembe Mutombo.
8. CAVALIERS. Rodney White, F, Charlotte.– Athletic forward to begin building.
9. PISTONS. Zach Randolph, F, Michigan State. A local favorite and post threat.
10. CELTICS .Pau Gasol, F/C, Spain– Next Dirk Nowitzki?
*-11. Celtics (from Nuggets) Joe Forte, G, North Carolina… Bye bye Kenny Anderson
12. Supersonics. Brendan Haywood, C, North Carolina. –Ewing didn’t work. Go young.
13. ROCKETS. Michael Bradley, C, Villanova — Won’t be getting Chris Webber.
14. WARRIORS (from Pacers). Jamaal Tinsley, G, Iowa State — Still looking for a point guard
15. MAGIC. Will Solomon, G, Clemson — Also looking point guard
16. HORNETS. Joe Johnson, G/F, Arkansas– Can play shooting guard.
17. RAPTORS. Troy Murphy., F, Notre Dame–Smart player who makes up for limitations.
*-18. SUNS (from Knicks) . Richard Jefferson, F, Arizona.– Home town guy.
19. TRAIL BLAZERS. Ken Johnson, C, Ohio State– Shot blocker who doesn’t need ball.
20. CAVALIERS (from Heat) . Loren Woods, C, Arizona– No foot problems yet.
21. NUGGETS (from Suns). Gilbert Arenas, G, Arizona– Another athlete.
22. ROCKETS (from Bucks). Ousmane Cisse, F, Montgomery, Ala.– Worth a chance for a big man
23. MAGIC (from Mavericks). Kedrick Brown, F, Okaloosa-Walton CC,– Local athlete.
24. JAZZ. Trenton Hassell, F, Austin Peay– Still need to replace Jeff Hornacek.
25. KINGS. Jason Collins, C, Stanford — Beginning to replace Chris Webber.
26. 76ers. Jeff Trepagnier, G, Southern Cal–Have to find a scorer.
27. GRIZZLIES (from Lakers). Gerald Wallace, F, Alabama–Worth a risk on athlete.
28. SPURS. Antonis Fotsis, F, Greece.– Doesn’t need him immediately.
*–Projected completion of trades
NOTE: Minnesota was stripped of first-round pick by NBA for illegal signing of Joe Smith.
