NBA Mock Draft I

The NBA Draft is 23 days away and the NBA Finals have not even started yet but with this draft holding importance for the Celtics (and also because I'm bored at work), here is my first Mock Draft. 1. Portland TrailBlazers: Kevin Durant, SF, Texas Why Durant and not Oden? Who knows. A front line of Zach Randolph, LaMarcus Aldridge and Durant would make the Blazers a contender and by passing on Oden, Portland won't be forced to take pennies on the dollar for Randolph in a trade. 2. Seattle Sonics: Greg Oden, C, Ohio State With Oden controlling the paint, Ray Allen will get open looks on offense and will have a premiere defender behind his back for the first time in his career. 3. Atlanta Hawks: Corey Brewer, SF, Florida They need a point guard but they may not want Conley this high. They have a glut of athletic forwards (Josh Smith, Marvin Williams, Josh Childress) so Brandon Wright makes little sense here. But with the team possibly looking to shop Joe Johnson, Brewer would be an ideal fit as a small forward or shooting guard. 4. Memphis Grizzlies: Al Horford, PF, Florida Memphis will be glad to take a 6-10 power player who can score near the basket. It will help them trade away Pau Gasol. 5. Boston Celtics: Mike Conley Jr., PG, Ohio State The C's will hold Conley for ransom. A package of Conley and Theo Ratliff to Seattle for Rashard Lewis in a sign-and-trade or Conley and Ratliff to Atlanta for Joe Johnson? Take your pick Danny Ainge. 6. Milwaukee Bucks: Joakim Noah, C, Florida Noah's "stock" has dropped in many eyes but the skills he has -- rebounding, defense, passing, passion, winning -- would be a great fit in Milwaukee next to former No. 1 pick Andrew Bogut. 7. Minnesota Timberwolves: Julian Wright, SF, Kansas Wright is extremly versatile and would be a nice piece to add in Minnesota after drafting Randy Foye in 2006. 8. Charlotte Bobcats: Brandon Wright, PF, North Carolina Wright played his one year of college ball just down the road in Chapel Hill and his raw athleticism and upside fit nicely with a team building around Emeka Okafor, Adam Morrison, Sean May, Primoz Brezec and Ray Felton. 9. Chicago Bulls: Yi Jianlian, PF, China The Bulls are rumored to be hot after the 19-year-old (or is it 22?) Chinese prospect but for a team on the brink of making a run in the weak Eastern Conference, I don't see the wisdom in taking an untested Chinese rookie. 10. Sacramento Kings: Jeff Green, PF, Georgetown Green would be a perfect replacement for the Kings when they finally trade Ron Artest. His skills will complement those of Kevin Martin and Mike Bibby. 11. Atlanta Hawks: Acie Law IV, PG, Texas A&M If the Hawks don't find a point guard at No. 3, Law would be a very good choice. If they do find that point guard before this selection, Spencer Hawes could be the pick. 12. Philadelphia 76ers: Javaris Crittenton, PG, Georgia Tech Crittenton is a big, athletic point guard who would benefit from playing with Andre Iguodala. 13. New Orleans Hornets: Al Thornton, SF, Florida State With Chris Paul running the show and Tyson Chandler holding things down inside, Thornton's offensive skills will fit in nicely with the Hornets. 14. Los Angeles Clippers: Rodney Stuckey, SG, Eastern Washington The Clippers are at a crossroads. After making the second round of the 2006 playoffs, they failed to make the postseason this year. Stuckey is a sleeper but can play both guard positions. 15. Detroit Pistons: Gabe Pruitt, PG, USC With Chauncey Billups a possibility to leave via free agency and the Pistons on the verge of being broken up, a young point guard would be a wise pick for Joe Dumars. 16. Washington Wizards: Spencer Hawes, C, Washington Hawes is considered the top interior scorer in this draft and with most of the Wizards' offense coming from the wing -- Gilbert Arenas, Caron Butler, Antwan Jamison --Hawes would offer them balance. 17. New Jersey Nets: Nick Young, SG, USC Vince Carter is a free agent and the Nets will sorely miss his offense. Young is a scorer who will get many good looks playing alongside Jason Kidd. 18. Golden State Warriors: Jason Smith, PF, Colorado State In their great playoff run, the one thing that the Warriors lacked was an offensive presence inside. Smith runs the floor well and would be a nice addition for Don Nelson. 19. Los Angeles Lakers: Thaddeus Young, SF, Georgia Tech As long as the Lakers are stuck in mediocrity and picking in the middle of the first round they will need to gamble to add players capable of helping Kobe get the Lakers back into championship contention. Young is raw but has tons of talent. 20. Miami Heat: Sean Williams, PF, Boston College The Heat got very old in 2006-2007 and just one year after winning the NBA championship, they were swept in the first round by the Bulls. Williams comes with strings attached (his love of pot got him kicked out of BC) but he can instantly impact the Heat with his interior defense. 21. Philadelphia 76ers: Tiago Splitter, PF, Brazil Splitter will most likely stay in Europe so the 76ers can gamble that Splitter will develop into a talent worthy of being in the lottery when he does come to the NBA. 22. Charlotte Bobcats: Daequan Cook, SG, Ohio State Cook lacks experience but his shooting makes him a nice pick at No. 22. 23. New York Knicks: Josh McRoberts, PF, Duke The Knicks struck it rich with David Lee and McRoberts could possibly be in the Lee mold of an athletic power forward with offensive ability. 24. Phoenix Suns: Morris Almond, SG, Rice Almond is an unknown but his shooting range may be unmatched in this draft. 25. Utah Jazz: Derrick Byars, SF, Vanderbilt His impressive showing in the NCAA Tournament against Jeff Green and Georgetown put Byars on the map. Jerry Sloan has had success in the past with physical swingmen (Bryon Russell). 26. Houston Rockets: Jared Dudley, SF, Boston College Dudley is seen as a second round pick by many "experts" but the reigning ACC Player of the Year and four year starter at BC would be a great player for the Rockets in the Shane Battier model. 27. Detroit Pistons: Glen Davis, PF, LSU Big Baby could be the eventual replacement for the aging frontline of Rasheed Wallace, Antonio McDyess and Chris Webber. His weight is a question but he can score inside. 28. San Antonio Spurs: Marco Belinelli, SG, Italy The Spurs are famous for their success with drafting foreign guards (Tony Parker and Manu Ginobilli) so don't ever be shocked when they go with a European. 29. Phoenix Suns: Alando Tucker, SF, Wisconsin The Suns may be looking to trade this pick (as well as the No. 24 pick) but if they keep this pick, Tucker would be a very good selection. 30. Philadelphia 76ers: Kyle Visser, C, Wake Forest The 76ers could use an inside scorer.