The fascinating thing about the days leading up to a NBA Draft is the “experts”, the movers and shakers in many franchises’ war rooms, start to believe the hype around the young adults that they are about to make very rich. No matter if you are Blake Griffin, Eric Maynor, Wayne Ellington, or Brandon Jennings, the team that selects those players are drafting as much on potential as anything else. In essence, the word potential is the optimism that all 30 teams have at the start of training camp. Title contenders feel they have the potential of winning it all, while some very bad teams feel new players and a new attitude can equal the potential of having a special season. Our latest, and next to last Mock Draft(last one on Thursday, just hours before the actual one), shows little movement at the top, however some players are starting to see their names bounce in and out of the lottery.
1. Clippers – Blake Griffin – The only drama surrounding this pick is whether being named to be the coverboy for NCAA 2010 video game will cause a Madden-like curse.
2. Grizzlies – Hasheem Thabeet – My gut feeling says the Grizz trade this pick, whether moving down later in the Top 10 to take a guard like Jonny Flynn or moving into the late teens, early 20s, and going with a James Johnson, Austin Daye caliber player.
3. Thunder – James Harden – I think this is pretty much set. The New Big 3(Durant, Westbrook, Harden) are gonna bring some excitement to OKC next year.
4. Kings – Ricky Rubio – There’s no way the Kings let Rubio slip past them, right? Stranger things have happened, but unless they get an offer they simply can’t refuse, Rubio should be able to land right in there laps here.
5. Wizards – Jordan Hill – Another pick I feel will likely belong to someone else before the week is out. Hill is coveted by many teams, including the Mavericks and Knicks, and they might both put on a full court press to move up.
6. Timberwolves – Tyreke Evans – Evans has seen his draft stock remain steaddy around the 4-8 range. The Wolves have been rumored to move up to possibly take Rubio, however someone needs to send them a memo that Evans will be a better pro.
7. Warriors – Jrue Holiday - If Jamal Crawford thought he was buried on the Warriors bench last year, wait until GSW makes this move. The Warriors also have seen Monta Ellis come out and say he is dedicated to being a Warrior, but that doesn’t mean much to management. Holiday and Evans could easily swap here, but the UCLA guard winds up in Oakland in this mock.
8. Knicks – Stephen Curry – Other than Blake going to the Clippers, this pick is as predictable as they come. The Knicks will take Curry, if he is here, even though Jonny Flynn(projected better pro) and DeMar DeRozan(potential All-Star) will be sitting in the green room.
9. Raptors – DeMar DeRozan – The next Vince Carter, or Tracy McGrady, heads to Canada. Raptors fans should either rejoice or prepare to watch him leave thier team in three years now.
10. Bucks – Jonny Flynn – The Bucks can’t pass up on Flynn at this spot. Don’t be surprised if some teams watch how the draft is shaking out, and start ringing the Bucks’ phone with trade offers.
11. Nets – Gerald Henderson – Henderson’s arrival can mean Vince is on his way somewhere soon.
12. Bobcats – Earl Clark – The Bobcats get it right on Draft Day(finally). Clark is a bit of a tweener between a 3 and a 4, but could potentially develop into a poor mans Rashard Lewis on the wing.
13. Pacers – James Johnson – The Pacers are quietly putting together a very good young team. Johnson along with Danny Granger and Troy Murphy will cause problems.
14. Suns – Brandon Jennings - Steve Kerr rolls the dice in the most important draft of his GM career. Jennings is brought in to learn from Steve Nash on how to run the Run-N-Fun. Perfect situation for Young Money to develop.
15. Pistons - Tyler Hansborough – The UNC star will be a solid pro in the league, and the Pistons are a good fit for his hard nosed, workmanlike style.
16. Bulls – DeJuan Blair – I believe this pick will eventually not be Chicago’s, but they may draft Blair for a team they will make a trade with.
17. Sixers – Eric Maynor – Everyone has all but penciled in Maynor to go here.
18. Wolves - B.J Mullens – Mullens and Kevin Love on the same front line? Possibly, but not probable. This pick will get dealt.
19. Hawks – Terrence Williams – Williams athleticism and potential gives the Hawks another scorer. I think Acie Law will get one more year to develop, rather than the Hawks taking a point guard.
20. Utah Jazz – Austin Daye – Daye can and will be the replacement for Carlos Boozer or Paul Millsap, whichever one departs.
21. Hornets – Ty Lawson – Lawson is a great talent, and the matchup problems that a CP3/Lawson backcourt.
22. Mavericks – Sam Young – A younger version of Jerry Stackhouse, potentially.
23. Kings – Wayne Ellington – Sacramento gets a steal here. Ellington will get playing time on a losing team, and could develop nicely in a year or so.
24. Blazers – Omri Cassipi – Another capable rebounder who can add depth to the front court.
25. Thunder – Patrick Mills - Mills and Westbrook provide OKC with one of the best young backcourts in the league, potentially.
26. Bulls – Jeff Teague - Teague is the best player available at this spot, and while Chicago already has Rookie of the Year Derrick Rose at the point, Teague can offer up valuable minutes with the second team.
27. Grizzlies -Derrick Brown - Derrick Brown could be the sleeper of the NBA Draft, seriously.
28. Timberwolves – Taj Gibson – Depth, Depth, Depth…
29. Lakers - Jack McClinton – McClinton could potentially provide the Lakers with added depth, and should Lamar Odom or Trevor Ariza leave, play critical in the repeat hopes.
30. Cavaliers – Marcus Thornton - Another big front court player to help Lebron in his quest for the ring.
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