2008 NBA Mock Draft

By: Dwight Richardson

1. Chicago Bulls - Derrick Rose, PG, Memphis
You got to love the NBA lottery.  The Bulls came in with only a 1% chance of getting the first pick in the draft, and robbed the Heat, Sonics, and the Timberwolves by grabbing the first overall pick.  I could see the Bulls go either way with this pick.  Point guard is a huge need, especially in wake of Kirk Hinrich’s horrible play last season and proving not to a solid floor general.  Drew Gooden looked revived after two horrible seasons with Cavs and added that post scoring presence, and Tyrus Thomas is still developing.  Derrick Rose is that next great point guard and the Bulls would be foolish to pass up on that.

2. Miami Heat - OJ Mayo, SG, USC
Now that Shawn Marion has decided not to opt out, it really doesn't make sense to select Michael Beasley, especially since the Heat already have two capable SF's in Ricky Davis and Udonis Haslem.  Mayo will be able to replace the lackluster Jason Williams.  Can you imagine the threat Wade and Mayo will be together?  That is one heck of a scary backcourt!  Rumors are circulating that the Heat wants to trade away this pick.  I wouldn't, unless they can get a solid starting center.

3. Minnesota Timberwolves - Michael Beasley, SF, Kansas State
Beasley is finally out of the top 2, but I just cannot see him falling under the top 3.  Beasley is very versatile, so in my opinion if the Wolves want to play him as a shooting guard, I think he can do it.  I mean if Kevin Durant can play SG, why can't Beasley?  Will bring that scoring punch the Timberwolves perimeter desperately needs.  Will be a nice outside scoring compliment to Al Jefferson inside.

4. Seattle SuperSonics - Russell Westbrook, PG, UCLA
Being forced to select at number 4 in the draft may actually be a blessing for the Sonics, who will no longer be forced to select Beasley.  It is no secret that point guard is a huge need.  Earl Watson is a valuable player, but he is nothing more then a solid reserve point guard.  The Sonics desperately need a solid point guard to lead this team and be a solid component for Durant, Green, and Wilcox.

5. Memphis Grizzlies - Kevin Love, PF, UCLA
The Grizzlies front court is in shambles with Hakim Warrick and Darko Milicic starting at the four and five spot.  Kevin Love is the best power forward in the draft (if you consider Beasley a SF).  Love will add the post scoring presence that you desperately need (just ask Chicago).  Warrick is serviceable, but weighing only 219 pounds; is easily abused inside when guarding bigger players.  Darko is another solid reserve, but as a starter he just does not get the job done.

6. New York Knicks - Jerryd Bayless, PG, Arizona
The Knicks need a new leader at the point guard position.  To say Stephon Marbury's tenure in New York was a circus is a huge understatement.  With Isiah Thomas no longer coaching this team, and no longer the team president, the Knicks can finally start to rebuild.  Bayless will be a great fit for the Knicks new offense.  Plays solid perimeter defense, which is something the Knicks really need.

7. Los Angeles Clippers - Eric Gordon, SG, Indiana
Nobody knows for sure if Elton Brand is going to opt out of his contract or not.  I personally think that he will stay for one more season if the Clippers prove that they actually want to win.  The Clippers have invested too much in Shaun Livingston to just abandon him without giving him a proper opportunity and insurance that he will be the starting point guard.  Maggette is as good as gone, but with Al Thorton impressing his rookie season I wouldn’t call small forward a huge need.  Mobley on the other hand has regressed so much these two seasons that he really isn’t a starter in this league anymore.  Gordon can step in from day one and be that perimeter scorer that the Clippers really need.  Gordon can also play some point guard which would allow Mobley to run the shooting guard position.

8. Milwaukee Bucks - Joe Alexander, SF, West Virginia
Desmond Mason is no longer a starter in this league while Bobby Simmons seems to have disappeared.  Defense is a huge need for the Bucks especially with the new regime of Scott Skiles defense will be a pressing requirement for any player who joins the Bucks.  Alexander, a good defender will also be able to contribute on the offensive end.  So basically, the Bucks are killing two birds with one stone.  If Yi develops the Bucks could really make a push in the east.

9. Charlotte Bobcats - Brook Lopez, C, Stanford
Nazr Mohammed is a solid reserve center, but if the Bobcats want to make the playoffs, they’ll need to add a dominate big man next to Okafor.  Speaking of Okafor, he is a restricted free agent and his future is in question, especially since the Bobcats failed to reach a contract extension with Okafor last summer.  I have concerns with Okafor, especially his slow offensive development and how he becomes a non factor against tougher competition.  Still he is a double double post player that any team would love to have.  Can you imagine a front court comprised on Okafor, Lopez, and May?

10. New Jersey Nets - Danillo Gallinari, SF, Italy
With Richard Jefferson's future in New Jersey in question, the Nets need to draft his successor.  The Nets need to put a stick of dynamite to their current roster and blow up the current roster.  Jefferson and Carter really need to go.  Gallinari will eventually become the scoring punch that Jefferson brings to the Nets squad.

11. Indiana Pacers - DJ Agustin, PG, Texas
Jamaal Tinsley has the go immediately.  A huge liability on and off the court and is a disease to his team.  The Pacers will never win with Tinsley being the quarterback for their team.  He is an offensive liability - only shooting 38% from the field and averaging 11.9 points per game.  Would make a solid reserve if he could stay out of trouble but can you really count on him to make the right decisions?

12. Sacramento Kings - Robin Lopez, C, Stanford
Retaining Beno Udrih is the number one priority for the Kings this offseason.  Ron Artest may not opt out of his contract, but if he does I’d expect the Kings to be all over Danilo Gallinari with this pick.  If Artest stays, then the pick has to be JaVale McGee.  Kings fans might not like this pick, but let me explain it. Brad Miller seems to have lost a step, and now at the age of 32, it doesn’t look like he is going to be back to his old self anytime soon. And, the Kings selected Spencer Hawes in the first round last year, which is fine. I have the Kings either moving Hawes or Lopez to PF to replace Mikki Moore. Lopez is a really raw prospect, but I think he will develop into a double double beast if managed right.

13. Portland Trailblazers - Anthony Randolph, SF, LSU

14. Golden State Warriors - Brandon Rush, SF, Kansas
15. Phoenix Suns - Kosta Koufos, C, Ohio State
16. Philadelphia 76ers - Marreese Speights, PF, Florida
17. Toronto Raptors - DeAndre Jordan, C, Texas A&M
18. Washington Wizards - Roy Hibbert, C, Georgetown
19. Cleveland Cavaliers - JaVale McGee, C, Nevada
20. Denver Nuggets - Jason Thompson, PF, Rider
21. New Jersey Nets - Nicolas Batum, SG/SF, France
22. Orlando Magic - Serge Ibaka, PF, Congo
23. Utah Jazz - Donte Greene, SF, Syracuse
24. Seattle SuperSonics - Alexis Ajinca, C, France
25. Houston Rockets - Mario Chalmers, PG, Kansas
26. San Antonio Spurs - Omer Asik, C, Turkey
27. Portland TrailBlazers - Ryan Anderson, PF, California
28. Memphis Grizzlies - J.J. Hickson, PF, North Carolina State
29. Detroit Pistons - Nikola Pekovic, PF, Serbia
30. Boston Celtics - Chris Douglas-Roberts, SG, Memphis