PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS
#1: GREG ODEN
Ohio State, 7-0, 258 The big question has been whether Portland has the guts to pass on perhaps the next great center even though Kevin Durant appears more talented. Apparently not.
SEATTLE SUPERSONICS
#2: KEVIN DURANT
Texas, 6-9, 225 The greatest consolation prize since Michael Jordan.
ATLANTA HAWKS#3: AL HORFORD
Florida, 6-10, 245 The hot rumor late Wednesday was ownership pushing for China’s Yi Jianlian here after an Amare Stoudemire trade fell through.
MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES
#4: MIKE CONLEY JR.
Ohio State, 6-1, 180 This has confused some because Grizzlies supposedly love Kyle Lowry. New coach Marc Iavaroni, coming from Phoenix, sees the next Steve Nash, but watch out for Joakim Noah here.
BOSTON CELTICS
#5: JEFF GREEN
Georgetown, 6-9, 235 Coach Doc Rivers pushing for son’s ex-teammate from Georgetown. Looks like Celtics are out of trade rumors. Yi’s name keeps coming up here as well.
MILWAUKEE BUCKS
#6: YI JIANLIAN
China, 7-0, 238 The latest rumor is the Bucks will trade out to Dallas for Wisconsin’s Devin Harris and Dallas will take Yi.
MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES
#7: JOAKIM NOAH
Florida, 7-0, 223 A little wacky, which should appeal to general manager Kevin McHale. Maybe he even will persuade Kevin Garnett to stay and party, dude.
CHARLOTTE BOBCATS
#8: COREY BREWER
Florida, 6-8, 185 MJ sees him as the next Scottie Pippen because of his long arms and defense, and if he is, heck, maybe Jordan will play again.
BULLS
#9: SPENCER HAWES
Washington, 7-1, 244 Ben Wallace shouldn’t worry about his job yet. But unless the NBA changes to a 6-8-and-under league, the Bulls need size and he has the most legitimate post skills of anyone other than Oden.
SACRAMENTO KINGS
#10: BRANDAN WRIGHT
North Carolina, 6-10, 200 He’s the Paul Pierce of this draft, inexplicably slipping to 10 as Pierce did in 1998. His stickman build scared off teams, but he could be a steal here.
ATLANTA HAWKS
#11: ACIE LAW
Texas A&M, 6-4, 186 Pick in play with numerous teams, including Seattle, Phoenix, Golden State and New York. The Hawks take the point guard if they keep it.
PHILADELPHIA 76ERS
#12: JULIAN WRIGHT
Kansas, 6-9, 211 Another unselfish player as they become the anti-Iversons.
NEW ORLEANS HORNETS
#13: AL THORNTON
Florida State, 6-7, 221 Jordan also liked him, and his college coach, Leonard Hamilton, was Jordan’s first coach in Washington. Just in case (when) Peja Stojakovic breaks down again.
LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS
#14: NICK YOUNG
USC, 6-7, 206 He should be the beginning of the end of the Corey Maggette era with Maggette having an opt-out clause after next season.
DETROIT PISTONS
#15: RODNEY STUCKEY
Eastern Washington, 6-5, 207 Pistons are worried about retaining Chauncey Billups and will begin stocking up on guards.
WASHINGTON WIZARDS
#16: JASON SMITH
Colorado State, 7-0, 233 Said to be a little on the soft side, but he’s an athlete who can run with Wizards and maybe a way finally to be rid of Brendan Haywood.
NEW JERSEY NETS
#17: THADDEUS YOUNG
Georgia Tech, 6-8, 210 Nets are looking to deal Richard Jefferson, so he might fit there eventually.
GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS
#18: JERMAREO DAVIDSON
Alabama, 6-11, 230 Don Nelson kind of running center Nelson has in Andres Biedrins, which suggests the they could trade Biedrins to move up.
LOS ANGELES LAKERS
#19: JOSH McROBERTS
Duke, 6-10, 240 Big man who would fit the triangle offense, though they have more geometric problems there than that, like the box Kobe Bryant has put them in.
MIAMI HEAT
#20: JAVARIS CRITTENTON
Georgia Tech, 6-5, 194 He could be a nice break if he drops this far as he has star potential if he develops. Heat needs a point guard.
PHILADELPHIA 76ERS
#21: TIAGO SPLITTER
Brazil, 6-11, 232 He has told his Spanish team he’s leaving for certain after next season, which could get him a buyout now.
CHARLOTTE BOBCATS
#22: MORRIS ALMOND
Rice, 6-5, 215 Need perimeter shooting and he could help with an “Almond Joy” advertising campaign as Jordan is great with commercial possibilities.
NEW YORK KNICKS
#23: WILSON CHANDLER
DePaul, 6-8, 230 Isiah Thomas likes the Chicago kids, though Chandler is from Michigan. Another energetic athlete to complement Eddy Curry.
PHOENIX SUNS
#24: PETTERI KOPONEN
Finland, 6-4, 190 The Steve Nash of Finland. Probably also the Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson. Finland’
UTAH JAZZ
#25: MARCO BELINELLI
Italy, 6-4, 190 Shooting guard remains one of Jazz’s few holes. And Italy remains one of the few countries not represented on its roster.
HOUSTON ROCKETS
#26: SEAN WILLIAMS
Boston College, 6-10, 230 Big-time shot-blocker who got rejected himself out of college, though John Lucas says it’s all a misunderstanding.
DETROIT PISTONS
#27: TAUREAN GREEN
Florida, 6-1, 173 Another point guard and a winner who can make a shot.
SAN ANTONIO SPURS
#28: SUN YUE
China, 6-8, 200 Intriguing point guard prospect, and you know Spurs never draft anyone from the United States.
PHOENIX SUNS
#29: GLEN DAVIS
LSU, 6-8, 290 A fan favorite wherever he goes. If he can get up and down the court, he could score in Suns’ system.
PHILADELPHIA 76ERS
#30: RUDY FERNANDEZ
Spain, 6-4, 180 Combo guard who has some potential, though the talk is the pick is being auctioned off and 76ers would like to sell it.
