Post by James on Jun 11, 2007 21:39:11 GMT -5
1: Chris Paul PG 6'0'' 175 20 B- C B+ B- C- A
Philadelphia need help everywhere, so the number 1 pick is completely open to them as they do not have to worry about doubling up on a position. Wake Forest point guard Chris Paul is clearly the best player in the 05 class and will be taken number 1 by the 76ers and inevitably utilised as the clubs franchise player. Paul already has great ball control, solid defense and a basketball IQ rarely seen in a rookie.
2: Deron Williams PG 6'3'' 210 21 C+ C+ B B C- A
The Nuggets would love to land Williams at 2. They are in dyre need of both a point guard and a big man, so I wouldn't be surprised to see the Nuggets take Bogut, however their GM's interest in creating a back court to die for including LeBron James is to much, so I see them taking Deron Williams with pick number 2.
3: Andrew Bogut C 7'0'' 245 20 B- C- C+ C B- A
Utah will be satisfied to land anywhere inside the top 3, as the class' 3 best players are in positions that Utah are in need of. They could take Williams with this pick to create a Williams-Iguodala back court or most likely, nab Bogut at 3 and team him up with young Al Jefferson. An interesting scenario that many teams would love to face, this pick will either be Williams or Bogut, whoever the Nuggets don't select.
4: Monta Ellis SG 6'3'' 175 18 B- C+ C+ C D+ A
This is a difficult selection. Sources have confirmed Sacramento's non-interest in Gerald Green if they land a pick this high, however I can't see them shying away from a shooting guard so I'm going to say they take a gamble with Ellis at 4. His potential to improve and scoring ability at such a young age is to appealing to pass up on my opinion.
5: Gerald Green SG 6'8'' 200 18 B- C+ C C C A
The Nets would love to land either Ellis or Green, so whoever goes first, the alternative will be just fine. Adding one of these high flyer's to newly acquired Steve Francis will make for exciting times in New Jersey. Even with New Jersey being 'high' on drafting a scoring guard, don't be surprised to see them take Livingston and play Francis at the 2 this season. Green and Ellis are very similar to Francis, so taking somebody with a different set of skills may be in order.
6: Andrew Bynum C 7'0'' 285 18 C+ D+ D+ C+ C+ A
The Warriors have already expressed that they want to move up in the draft if they fall outside the top 5, however if the above pans out and they manage to find themselves being able to take Andrew Bynum, they will be quite content with 6. Bynum is a long term project, however sticking him along side Emeka Okafor and watching that potential duo grow over a number of years may be to much to pass on. If Ricky Davis decides to leave, Danny Granger is also an option here.
7: Shaun Livingston PG 6'7'' 180 19 C+ C B B C A
Miami have no point guard to speak of, so taking Livingston (if he falls this far) would be ideal. Livingston is a very safe pick and at 19, definetly has room to improve his scoring ability. A great passer (just as good as Paul and Williams), and solid defender, expect to see him in the weight room early and bulking up as he definetly has the ability to be a legit BBS starter.
8: Danny Granger SF 6'8'' 225 22 B- C+ C B+ C B
I think the draft falls away slightly at the very next pick. Because of this, Boston would love to fall inside the 8 and take the best player available, Danny Granger. Granger is the drafts best defender, and even though they already have Josh Howard at the 3, moving either to the guard position won't be to much of a hassle for the Celtics.
9: Ike Diogu PF 6'8'' 250 21 B C C C+ C+ B
Diogu would make for a nice 3-4-5 trio in Cleveland if the Cavaliers can take him at 9. Paired with the experience of Glen Robinson and stellar play of Raef Lafrentz, Diogu would be ideal in Cleveland. Other options include Martell Webster to be placed alongside Leandro Barbosa or alternativly, Channing Frye. This pick is crucial and can most definetly fill a void in Ohio.
10: Josh Childress SG 6'8'' 210 22 C+ C+ C B C A
Detroit are packed down low, and up front, so taking Childress who is a versatile 2-3 man is perfect. He is rather raw however is a great defender and would fit well within the Pistons offense and defense. I can see Martell Webster being an option here and also Kevin Martin, although I think taking Childress who is expandable is the right option.
11: Martell Webster SG 6'9'' 210 18 C B+ C C C A
If Miamit can draft a back court in this draft including Shaun Livingston and Martell Webster, their 2005 draft can easily be marked down as a huge success for the Heat franchise. Placing Livingston and Webster in positions where they don't have to carry the team straight away thanks to the likes of Gasol and Boozer, would be a great addition.
12: Channing Frye C 6'11'' 248 22 B- C D+ C+ C+ A
I'm not sure if the Nets take Frye here as they already have a capable big man in Shawn Bradley. Frye however could easily be moved to the 4 and serve as a great rebounder/defender for the Nets. I think if Childress falls this far, he would be a wise selection although adding a young big can't do any harm
13: Kevin Martin SG 6'7'' 185 22 C B+ C C D+ B
New York need a 2 man desperatly, and I can see a guy like Kevin Martin coming into the Knicks roster and contributing straight away. The Knicks need some outside scoring and either Martin himself or Webster could provide it for the Knicks. They already have a stacked front court so the odds of them taking Frye are slim, although a perimeter shooting guard is the ideal selection for New York.