NBA Mock Draft 2005Version 1.0
1. Atlanta Hawks - Andrew Bogut PF/C (6-10, 240) Utah
- The only thing we know the Hawks don't need is a small forward after drafting three of them last year. If they end up in the top spot, Bogut should be too good to pass up, even though Chris Paul could be who they really want.
2. New Orleans Hornets - Marvin Williams, SF (6-9, 230) North Carolina - Byron Scott and Co. would love to win the lottery so they could lock up Bogut, but Williams wouldn't be a bad second option. With Dan Dickau and Speedy Claxton showing they can run the point, Jamaal Magloire holding down the post and J.R. Smith becoming a star, Williams would give them another piece. Now if they only knew what the puzzle looked like.
3. Charlotte Bobcats - Chris Paul, PG (6-1, 195) Wake Forest
- Being called the best pure point guard since Jason Kidd isn't fair, but it's obvious to every team in the league that Paul can step in right now and run an offense. No matter where Charlotte ends up in the lottery, they will do everything in their power to make sure they secure Paul.
4. Utah Jazz - Raymond Felton, PG (6-0, 180) North Carolina
- The Jazz have a million forwards (Okay, not a million) and desperately need someone to get them the ball. If the board falls this way, the Jazz will have to decide between Deron Williams and Felton. Felton won the title game and he wins here in the lottery.
5. Portland Trailblazers- Gerald Green, SG (6-7, 210) Gulf Shores Academy (HS)
- I'm still not sure the Blazers have any sort of real plan. Golden child (and 2004 #1 pick) Sebastian Telfair showed signs of star potential this season and that progress should help push them towards Green. He is the best shooting guard in the draft and only prep player worth a lottery pick.
6. Milwaukee Bucks - Deron Williams, PG (6-3, 210) Illinois
- When TJ Ford went down, so did any momentum the Bucks had been gaining as a franchise. They desperately need to bring someone in who can keep their foot on the gas. If Williams goes to the Jazz, look for Felton.
7. Toronto Raptors- Danny Granger, SF (6-8, 235) New Mexico
- At this point in the draft process, Granger is a stretch here, but he should quickly jump up draft boards after his individual workouts. People just started discovering Granger a couple months ago and he will continue to open eyes.
8. New York Knicks- Chris Taft, PF (6-10, 250) Pittsburgh
- Very few people are under more pressure to deliver with their first round pick than Isiah Thomas. If he takes a guard, there's a good chance Knicks fans will revolt. The Knicks need a post presence in the worst way and their best option here is Taft. His body is ready for the league right now, even if his offensive game is still developing.
9. Golden State Warriors - Martynas Andriuskevicius, PF (7-3, 230) Lithuania
- The first international player off the board at #9? Not likely, but the way things are right now, the Warriors are the first real fit. He gets the nod over Fran Vazquez only because he's the younger prospect.
10. Los Angeles Lakers - Fran Vazquez, C (6-10, 230) Spain
- Kobe desperately needs someone, anyone, to be a force in the paint. There are players with more upside on the board, but Vazquez can step in and help immediately.
11. Orlando Magic - Johan Petro, C (7-1, 250) France
- Dwight Howard needs some help if he is going to avoid wearing down. There doesn't seem to be any consensus on Petro and this could very well be quite a stretch, but there aren't any better options in the way of a center left on the board.
12. Los Angeles Clippers - Nemanja Aleksandrov, SF (6-10, 220) Serbia
- With no clear cut need on their roster, it makes sense to go with Aleksandrov who has the biggest upside of the players still available. Once seen as a #1 overall pick, he could be a steal here.
13. Charlotte Bobcats (from Cleveland via Phoenix) - Antoine Wright, SG (6-7, 210) Texas A&M
- The Bobcats obviously want Paul with their first pick and after that they could go in any direction the rest of the way. They haven't shown any interest in projects, so Wright could end up being the best fit for them.
14. Minnesota Timberwolves - Joey Graham, SF (6-7, 220) OK State
- With Sprewell leaving to feed his family elsewhere, the Wolves will need to find his replacement. Rather than draft a developmental project, they go with the NBA-ready Graham.
15. New Jersey Nets- Hakim Warrick, PF (6-8, 218) Syracuse
- Taking Warrick here would be a stretch, but the Nets desperately need to get more athleticism from the PF position. While they are sure to address that need through free agency, Warrick is a good way to start filling K-Mart's shoes.
.16. Toronto Raptors (from Philadelphia via Denver and New Jersey)- Martell Webster, SG (6-7, 235) Seattle Prep (HS)
- If they land Granger with their first pick, they can afford to go potential with this one. Webster is the second best HS prospect on the board and could have too much upside for the Raptors to ignore.
17. Indiana Pacers - Peja Samardziski, C (7-1, 255) Macedonia
- David Harrison obviously isn't the answer and the Pacers are aware of that fact. With Jermaine O'Neal doing most of the heavy lifting down low, Peja wouldn't be forced to try and do things he isn't built to do.
18. Boston Celtics - Marko Tomas, SG (6-8, 220) Croatia
- The biggest decisions the Celtics have to make is if they are going to try and re-sign Antoine Walker and/or Gary Payton. With no real position of need, Tomas could be the best choice, giving them quite a bit of flexibility on the wing.
19. Memphis Grizzlies - Channing Frye, C (6-11, 250) Arizona
- The Czar needs someone in the post other than Gasol. Jerry West has pulled some odd rabbits out of his hat the past two seasons and he could surprise everyone again, but Frye seems to make sense at this point.
20. Denver Nuggets (from Washington via Orlando) - Rudy Fernandez, SG (6-5, 200) Spain
- Finally, the Nuggets can fill their gaping hole at shooting guard. Fernandez' versatility and defense will be a perfect fit in George Karl's system.
21. Phoenix Suns (from Chicago) - Andray Blatche, PF (6-11, 240) South Kent Prep (HS)
- After having a bit of luck with a big kid out of high school a few years ago, the Suns would be crazy not to go back to the well again if Blatche is still on the board. They certainly have plenty of time to wait for a return on their investment.
22. Denver Nuggets - Charlie Villanueva, PF (6-11, 240) Connecticut
- A draft duo of Fernandez and Villanueva could be a homerun. Both players have not only the ability to play right away, but are both versatile enough to contribute at multiple positions.
23. Sacramento Kings - Sean May, PF (6-9, 260) North Carolina
- Being on the verge of a title, someone as polished as May would be a welcome addition to the Kings. A bit undersized, but his stock will never be higher, thus making him a steal this late in the first round.
24. Houston Rockets - Ersan Ilyasova, SF (6-9, 220) Turkey
- The Rockets would be best suited for the best available talent and Ilyasova seems to fit the bill at this point. He is still recovering from an ankle injury, but is said to have lottery-type talent.
25. Seattle Sonics - Rashad McCants, SG (6-4, 200) North Carolina
- Outside of Robert Swift, the Sonics have shown a preference for taking seasoned college players. With Ray Allen still possibly leaving via free agency, the Sonics are sure to need someone to score.
26. Detroit Pistons - Kennedy Winston, SF (6-6, 230) Alabama
- The Pistons might not even have a spot for a rookie next season, which could prompt them to trade this pick. If they stay here and Winston is on the board, he'd be a perfect fit. His offensive game is NBA ready and Larry Brown (if he sticks around) would make sure he improves on the defensive end of the floor.
27. Utah Jazz (via Dallas) - Francisco Garcia, SG (6-7, 190) Louisville
- If the Jazz decide to trade Boozer or Okur, they could go in a different direction with both of their first round picks, but Garcia is the best fit. His stock has fallen lately and there's a good chance he will fall into the lap of the Jazz here.
28. San Antonio Spurs - Michael Gelebale, SF (6-7, 210) France
- The Spurs love to take flyers on international players late in the draft and have done pretty well with Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili and Beno Udrih. Gelebale is said to have the skill but lack the bulk. San Antonio is a nice place to get yourself bulked up.
29. Miami Heat - Jason Maxiell, PF (6-7, 250) Cincinnati
- With Udonis Haslem likely leaving Miami for riches elsewhere, the Heat will need to bring in some big bodies to stand next to Shaq.
30. New York Knicks (from Phoenix via San Antonio) - Deji Akindele, C (7-0, 240) Chicago State
- Because what would a Knicks draft be without everyone scratching their head over one of their picks? Everyone has conceded that Isiah Thomas will screw up at least one of their first round picks. Hopefully for Knicks fans, it's this one and not the lottery pick. Akindele is an interesting prospect, but odds are he'll be there for them in the second round.
:: Ryan 10:51 PM
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