NBA Mock Draft 2005 Version 2.01. Milwaukee Bucks- Andrew Bogut, PF/C (6-10, 240) Utah
- All the talk is about Marvin Williams, but Bogut really should be the pick here. As good as Williams might turn out to be, Bogut can come in right away and become a top center in the east.
2. Atlanta Hawks - Marvin Williams, SF (6-9, 230) North Carolina
- Chris Paul should be the pick, but Williams has said the Hawks told him they would take him if the Bucks don't. After drafting a team of small forwards the past two seasons, it don't make much sense. But it is the Hawks we're talking about here.
3. Portland Trailblazers - Gerald Green, SG (6-7, 210) Gulf Shores Academy (HS)
- With Paul still available, there will be plenty of interest from teams looking to trade into this spot. If the Blazers stay here, Green fits best with what Portland is trying to do.
4. New Orleans Hornets - Chris Paul, PG (6-1, 195) Wake Forest
- Dan Dickau and Speedy Claxton were both good last season, but it would be borderline crazy for the Hornets not to take Paul if he falls out of the top 3.
5. Charlotte Bobcats - Deron Williams, PG (6-3, 210) Illinois
- After getting pushed out of the top three and away from the only two players they really wanted (Paul, Marvin Williams), Bernie Bickerstaff is happy to take Deron Williams as his point guard of the future.
6. Utah Jazz - Raymond Felton, PG (6-0, 180) North Carolina
- This could be too high for Felton, but the Jazz desperately need someone to run the show. If they are able to use their other first round pick (No. 27) to trade up, they'll try to grab Paul or Deron Williams.
7. Toronto Raptors- Danny Granger, SF (6-8, 235) New Mexico
- Some would argue Granger is the most versatile player in the draft. He has a sweet stroke and a nose for the ball on the boards. With his size and speed he'll be able to guard shooting guards or power forwards.
8. New York Knicks- Channing Frye, C (6-11, 250) Arizona
- While he won't make Knicks fans forget about Patrick Ewing, he will make them forget about Frederick Weis.
9. Golden State Warriors - Fran Vazquez, PF (6-10, 230) Spain
- After losing out on Frye, Golden State rebounds with the tougher Vazquez.
10. Los Angeles Lakers - Antoine Wright, SG (6-7, 210) Texas A&M
- Any kind of force in the paint is a priority, but with Phil coming back, another big guard is a necessity to run the triangle.
11. Orlando Magic - Martell Webster, SG (6-7, 235) Seattle Prep (HS)
- If Stevie Franchise is going to play the point, he needs to have a running mate that can do a bit of everything. Webster fits the bill as long as the Magic are willing to wait for him to fully develop.
12. Los Angeles Clippers - Yaroslav Korolev, SF (6-9, 215) Russia
- Without any glaring holes to fill, the Clippers go with the best prospect left on the board.
13. Charlotte Bobcats - Joey Graham, SF (6-7, 220) OK State
- With Williams and Graham in the fold, the Bobcats no longer look much like an expansion team.
14. Minnesota Timberwolves - Ike Diogu, PF (6-9, 250) Arizona State
- The Wolves aren't used to the draft, but it would be plenty hard for them to mess this pick up with so many holes. Outside of KG there isn't anyone that is locked into a spot in Minnesota.
15. New Jersey Nets- Hakim Warrick, PF (6-8, 220) Syracuse
- If the Nets don't opt for an NBA-ready power forward, Jason Kidd just might start a revolt in the New Jersey locker room. There are a handful of developmental players still on the board, but there is an immediate need at the four that needs to be addressed.
16. Toronto Raptors - Sean May, PF (6-9, 260) North Carolina
- Chris Bosh looked like a broken man at the end of too many games last season. He is in desperate need of a hard nosed player like May in the paint.
17. Indiana Pacers - Wayne Simien, PF (6-9, 255) Kansas
- After taking super-dud David Harrison last season, the Pacers get a sure thing in Simien as long as he can stay healthy.
18. Boston Celtics - Jarrett Jack, PG (6-3, 200) Georgia Tech
- If Danny Ainge decides to keep this pick, a point guard should be the pick. Monta Ellis could be an option, although that would be more of a reach.
19. Memphis Grizzlies - Charlie Villanueva, PF (6-11, 240) Connecticut
- On talent alone, Chuck should be in the lottery. Due to his lack of any real urgency while playing, he slips to the second half of the first round. Mike Fratello should be able to straighten him out.
20. Denver Nuggets - Rashad McCants, SG (6-4, 200) North Carolina
- If they keep both picks, the Nuggets need to get an athletic two guard that can score. McCants is a bit undersized for the position, but can put the ball in the basket.
21. Phoenix Suns - Chris Taft, PF (6-10, 250) Pittsburgh
- Steven Hunter was solid, but someone will over pay him in restricted free agency. Taft comes in and immediately becomes Amare's backup and the Suns' first big off the bench.
22. Denver Nuggets - Ersan Ilyasova, SF (6-9, 220) Turkey
- Without enough roster space for two rookies, Ilyasova can get a year to develop in Europe.
23. Sacramento Kings - Johan Petro, C (7-1, 250) France
- If the Kings are willing to wait, Petro can become the perfect player for Adelman's system.
24. Houston Rockets - Andrew Bynum, C (7-0, 300) St. Joseph (HS)
- The Rockets desperately need a backup for Yao and would steal Bynum if he lasted this long.
25. Seattle Sonics - Francisco Garcia, SG (6-7, 190) Louisville
- With Ray Allen due to leave in free agency, the Sonics will need to find scoring on the wing.
26. Detroit Pistons - Roko Leni Ukic, PG (6-5, 190) Croatia
- Linsey Hunter has done a solid job backing up Chauncey Billups, but Detroit could certainly upgrade with Ukic. His thin frame shouldn't scare Detroit away, seeing how their leading scorer (Rip Hamilton) has held up just fine.
27. Utah Jazz - Randolph Morris, C (6-11, 260) Kentucky
- Morris is determined to stay in the draft, even though one more year at Kentucky would serve him well. The Jazz would be happy to take him off the board at this point of the draft if they keep this pick.
28. San Antonio Spurs - Julius Hodge, SG (6-7, 205) NC State
- The Spurs find another late first round steal with Hodge, who can come in and do a little bit of everything for a team that demands just that from it's players.
29. Miami Heat - Monta Ellis, PG (6-3, 175) Lanier (HS)
- While Damon Jones was good, it's clear he isn't the long term answer. Ellis becomes the point guard of the future and eventually allows Wade to play off the ball more.
30. New York Knicks - Andray Blatche, PF (6-11, 240) South Kent Prep (HS)
- Isiah rolls the dice and hopes he gets a poor man's Amare Stoudamire.
:: Ryan 1:47 PM
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