http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/draft2...ckDraft-080626
Here is the newest Mock. I hope he isn't right. What is wrong with Bayless? I do pretty find it intresting that he Pacers logo is now on pick 17.
The skinny: The Pacers have been eyeing two point guards -- D.J. Augustin and Russell Westbrook -- for a while. But now that Pacers are landing T.J. Ford, they can afford to look elsewhere.
Kosta Koufos, Darrell Arthur and Robin Lopez are three bigs who could entice Indiana. Koufos and Arthur excel on offense, while Lopez can get it done on defense.
One dark horse is Brandon Rush, a great fit in the type of offense Pacers coach Jim O'Brien likes to run.
The skinny: Sacramento will go nuts with excitement if Bayless is still on the board here. With Beno Udrih expected to sign elsewhere, the Kings need a point guard in the worst way and would be thrilled if Bayless or Augustin were to fall to them. Bayless could go as high as No. 4, but he could also slide this far.
Another option for the Kings is Roy Hibbert. He wouldn't be an upside pick, but he could step in right away and contribute. They also are big fans of Donte' Greene.
The skinny: It seems unlikely the Blazers will actually keep this pick. They are loaded with young players and have a history of draft day activity on the trade market.
As noted above, the Blazers are quite possibly on track to acquire the No. 10 pick and take D.J. Augustin.
Also, the team has been eyeing Joe Alexander and Russell Westbrook, and hoping to move up to get one of them -- but so far, the the Blazers haven't found the right deal.
But let's assume for the moment that Portland does keep the pick. For the past several weeks we've had Brandon Rush in this spot. But the more I talk to the Blazers, the more I think they may not be able to pass on Randolph, a guy with high lottery talent who slipped because teams will have to be patient with him.
The skinny: If Kosta Koufos is on the board, his combination of size and offensive skill would be a nice complement to Andris Biedrins' defensive and rebounding prowess.
If Koufos is off the board, Golden State will probably be deciding between Robin Lopez (if available), Jason Thompson and Donte' Greene. While Greene doesn't fit a need, he may be the best talent of the three. His game is reminiscent of Rashard Lewis, and he may be too good for Golden State to pass up.
The skinny: The Suns have been eyeing Rush, a college veteran who can step in and play the 2 and the 3. Rush can hit open shots, play defense and stay out of the way of the Suns' stars.
Other candidates: The Suns have major interest in Mario Chalmers and Robin Lopez, and Anthony Randolph would be very tough to pass up.
But the future is now in Phoenix, and Rush seems like the guy.
The skinny: At some point, you feel like you can roll the dice and take a flier on a young talent. The Sixers, who are in the middle of rebuilding, can probably afford to take the risk. Jordan has as much upside as anyone in the draft. He's huge, athletic, and resembles, superficially, Dwight Howard.
The problem is that Jordan doesn't know how to play yet. He is a big-time project who could take 2 to 3 years to develop. If he turns into Andrew Bynum great move. If he turns into Patrick Bryant ... yikes.
The skinny: The Pacers did just land T.J. Ford but they also know, given his injury history, that they'll need some help in the backcourt.
Chalmers ability to play both backcourt positions, combined with his defensive prowess, make him a great pick here..
apparently we also gave up our second round pick.
41. Toronto Raptors (via Indiana)
George Hill | PG | IUPUI
The Raptors need to add a backup guard to replace T.J. Ford. Hill's ability to play both the 1 and 2 will come in handy in Toronto.
Here is the newest Mock. I hope he isn't right. What is wrong with Bayless? I do pretty find it intresting that he Pacers logo is now on pick 17.
Indiana | Kosta Koufos | Position: C Height: 7-1 Weight: 265 Age: 19 School: Ohio State |
The skinny: The Pacers have been eyeing two point guards -- D.J. Augustin and Russell Westbrook -- for a while. But now that Pacers are landing T.J. Ford, they can afford to look elsewhere.
Kosta Koufos, Darrell Arthur and Robin Lopez are three bigs who could entice Indiana. Koufos and Arthur excel on offense, while Lopez can get it done on defense.
One dark horse is Brandon Rush, a great fit in the type of offense Pacers coach Jim O'Brien likes to run.
Sacramento | Jerryd Bayless | Position: PG Height: 6-3 Weight: 204 Age: 19 School: Arizona |
The skinny: Sacramento will go nuts with excitement if Bayless is still on the board here. With Beno Udrih expected to sign elsewhere, the Kings need a point guard in the worst way and would be thrilled if Bayless or Augustin were to fall to them. Bayless could go as high as No. 4, but he could also slide this far.
Another option for the Kings is Roy Hibbert. He wouldn't be an upside pick, but he could step in right away and contribute. They also are big fans of Donte' Greene.
Portland | Anthony Randolph | Position: PF Height: 6-10 Weight: 197 Age: 18 School: LSU |
The skinny: It seems unlikely the Blazers will actually keep this pick. They are loaded with young players and have a history of draft day activity on the trade market.
As noted above, the Blazers are quite possibly on track to acquire the No. 10 pick and take D.J. Augustin.
Also, the team has been eyeing Joe Alexander and Russell Westbrook, and hoping to move up to get one of them -- but so far, the the Blazers haven't found the right deal.
But let's assume for the moment that Portland does keep the pick. For the past several weeks we've had Brandon Rush in this spot. But the more I talk to the Blazers, the more I think they may not be able to pass on Randolph, a guy with high lottery talent who slipped because teams will have to be patient with him.
Golden State | Donte' Greene | Position: SF Height: 6-9 Weight: 221 Age: 20 School: Syracuse |
The skinny: If Kosta Koufos is on the board, his combination of size and offensive skill would be a nice complement to Andris Biedrins' defensive and rebounding prowess.
If Koufos is off the board, Golden State will probably be deciding between Robin Lopez (if available), Jason Thompson and Donte' Greene. While Greene doesn't fit a need, he may be the best talent of the three. His game is reminiscent of Rashard Lewis, and he may be too good for Golden State to pass up.
Phoenix (via Atlanta) | Brandon Rush | Position: SG Height: 6-7 Weight: 205 Age: 22 School: Kansas |
The skinny: The Suns have been eyeing Rush, a college veteran who can step in and play the 2 and the 3. Rush can hit open shots, play defense and stay out of the way of the Suns' stars.
Other candidates: The Suns have major interest in Mario Chalmers and Robin Lopez, and Anthony Randolph would be very tough to pass up.
But the future is now in Phoenix, and Rush seems like the guy.
Philadelphia | DeAndre Jordan | Position: C Height: 6-11 Weight: 250 Age: 20 School: Texas A&M |
The skinny: At some point, you feel like you can roll the dice and take a flier on a young talent. The Sixers, who are in the middle of rebuilding, can probably afford to take the risk. Jordan has as much upside as anyone in the draft. He's huge, athletic, and resembles, superficially, Dwight Howard.
The problem is that Jordan doesn't know how to play yet. He is a big-time project who could take 2 to 3 years to develop. If he turns into Andrew Bynum great move. If he turns into Patrick Bryant ... yikes.
Indiana (via Toronto) | Mario Chalmers | Position: PG Height: 6-2 Weight: 170 Age: 22 School: Kansas |
The skinny: The Pacers did just land T.J. Ford but they also know, given his injury history, that they'll need some help in the backcourt.
Chalmers ability to play both backcourt positions, combined with his defensive prowess, make him a great pick here..
apparently we also gave up our second round pick.
41. Toronto Raptors (via Indiana)
George Hill | PG | IUPUI
The Raptors need to add a backup guard to replace T.J. Ford. Hill's ability to play both the 1 and 2 will come in handy in Toronto.
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