Sam is on the ball with updating his mock draft to account for today’s trade activity, and the uncertainty surrounding the Miami Heat and pick number 2. Mock drafts are always shaken up by draft day dealings, but this seemed to be an especially turbulent time. I’ll be tracking the action as it goes this evening.

7:06 - Andy Katz says the Bulls aren’t wavering on their decision to take Derrick Rose. Ric Bucher says the Heat was desperately casting around to find a trade partner, but Michael Beasley is going to be the one. Jeff Van Gundy insists that Beasley is “one of those special talents that comes around very rarely.”

7:23 - Finally, someone talking about something besides the Bulls; Sonics traitor/owner Clay Bennett and the rest of his clown show are waiting to see if they will have to stay in their lease with the city of Seattle. The Knicks are playing coy, but apparently have “got their man.” Is it Gallinari? Will the boos when he is selected overwhelm the mics?

7:31 - David Stern steps to the podium…..

7:37 - #1 Chicago Bulls select Derrick Rose. Rose is said to be one of those rare guards you cannot pass up, a more explosive Deron Williams, the best thing since sliced bread. Jay Bilas: “He’s a winner…a prototype point guard.” JVG: “He establishes ball pressure immediately.” Mark Jackson: “He’s a tough kid…’just follow my lead.’” Stephen A. gets to yell at him a little, which discloses…nothing in particular. Doris Burke chats up his mom, who is very calm and clearly thrilled that her baby is going to be right at home.

7:42 - #2 Miami Heat select Michael Beasley. This is kind of a no brainer, really. Wade and Beasley will be a dynamic combinations, though I still see his upside as really being Glenn Robinson-esque. JB: “He’s a pretty darn good defender if he puts his mind to it…a big time natural scorer.” JVG: “They are going to be very hard to guard.” John Paxson says “Rose is a perfect fit for us. He’ll make other players better.”

7:48 - #3 Minnesota Timberwolves select O.J. Mayo. Yep, it’s a crowded backcourt. No, it’s not going to be a problem. JB: “He’s ready to step into the league and play right away, more than any other guard in the draft.” JVG: “He’s got a tenacity and intensity…very nasty on the court.” MJ: “Incredible talent.” Mayo was problably overhyped coming into college, and understimated coming out. One thing: he is 21, two years older than most other freshmen entering the league. Also, the corpse of Pat Riley comes on to discuss a little of the rumor swirl around picking Beasley: “I don’t think there was any question on our part.” Oh?

7:54 - #4 Seattle Supersonics select Russell Westbrook. And the UCLA guard’s meteoric rise is complete. His numbers were not impressive (12 pts, 4 ast), but he’s a combo guard who, according to JB has “finishing ability…the best individual defender in the draft. Can he play the point guard? He’s not a natural.” JVG: “If he’s not a true point, what do you do with Durant?” Well, he’s got to be an upgrade over Earl Watson and Luke Ridenour…doesn’t he?

8:01 - #5 Memphis Grizzlies select Kevin Love. Pau Gasol’s replacement with the sweet outlet passes, high basketball IQ and questionable athleticism. JB: “A great feel for the game. Can use either hand, a pick and pop player, outstanding passer. Underrated athlete.” I love the “he can throw a chest pass 94 feet” swooning…next time I see that need on the floor, I’ll let you know.

8:07 - #6 New York Knicks select Danilo Gallinari. Yep, boos. Lots of boos. LOTS of boos. Ah, New York. Fran Fraschilla “He’s not going to be a superstar, but he’s got a great feel for the game.” Steven A. gives him a chance to say “New York is the best city in the world.” The Knicks fans aren’t buying it.

8:12 - #7 Los Angeles Clippers select Eric Gordon. OK….I’m going to be cruel here. Why does this matter? It’s the Clippers. JB: “He’s a pure scorer, explosive, can shoot from deep.” He’s going to have to carry a huge load there, and I don’t know that he can handle it.

8:18 - #8 Milwaukee Bucks select Joe Alexander. He wants to be there, he’s a great athlete..can’t ask for much more. JB: “He can put the ball on the deck, learning to use that freakish athleticism to get all the way to the basket.” Too bad now that Yi Jianlian is in Jersey that he won’t get to use tha ability to speak Mandarin much in Milwaukee.

8:24 - #9 Charlotte Bobcats select D.J. Augustin. WHAT? I guess the micro backcourt will be the way to go. He’s really good, but under 6 feet. MJ: “It’s a tough situation for a young point guard.” JB: Getting a good young point guard is never a bad thing.”

8:30 - #10 New Jersey Nets select Brook Lopez. Not much of a drop for Lopez. JB: “He’s got a mean streak.”

8:34 - #11 Indiana Pacers select Jerryd Bayless. Jamaal Tinsley can now officially pack his bags. And the housecleaning in Indy is about complete.

8:41 - #12 Sacramento Kings select Jason Thompson. Who?

8:46 - #13 Portland Trailblazers select Brandon Rush. A higher lottery pick last season, but where does he play with Brandon Roy? How much young talent can you really stockpile?

8:51 - #14 Golden State Warriors select Anthony Randolph. 6′ 10″, 197 pounds. Don’t they already have this guy in Branden Wright?

8:57 - #15 Phoenix Suns select Robin Lopez. JB: “More defensive oriented than his brother.”

9:03 - #16 Philadelphia 76er select Marreese Speights. Well, if you can’t have Elton Brand, this is the next best thing. Hopefully.

9:08 - #17 Toronto Raptors select Roy Hibbert. He’s going to the Pacers in the O’Neal trade. He’s also slow as molasses, which put him him directly in the Bobcats’ sights.

9:13 - #18 Washington Wizards select JaVale McGee. And the Pacers trade Ike Diogu and Jerryd Bayless to Portland for Jarrett Jack, Josh McRoberts, and Brandon Rush. McGee is a WNBA legacy and a project. But somebody’s got to be the next Brendan Haywood. I think.

9:20 - #19 Cleveland Cavaliers select J.J. Hickson. A young big body to replace Drew Gooden.

9:25 - #20 Charlotte Bobcats select Alexis Ajinca. Their first international player, and a center to boot. Unfortunately, he’s skinny as a rail. It’s all about upside about him, and maybe not coming over right now. The 7′ 8″ wingspan is crazy.

9:33 - #21 New Jersey Nets select Ryan Anderson. He’s a shooter, not a rebounder. Or defender. But he can score from the perimiter, and he won’t be asked to be a big contributer right away.

9:38 - #22 Orlando Magic selct Courtney Lee. Shooting guards says J.J. Redick…goodbye. not many come out of Western Kentucky, but he fills a need, and hopefully will be an upgrade over Keith Bogans.

9:43 - #23 Utah Jazz select Kosta Koufos. Ok, does this surprise anyone? Koufous could be a long term replacement for Mehmet Okur.

9:48 - #24 Seattle Supersonics select Serge Ibaka. Somehow, the Sonics always have another big guy from Africa lined up to draft. And Darrell Arthur is slip sliding away…

9:56 - #25 Houston Rockets select Nicolas Batum. A jump out of the gym athlete that Fran Fraschilla compares to Rudy Gay. Apparently Darrell Arthur has a kidney problem that no one will take a chance on in the frst round. Ugly.

10:01 - #26 San Antonio Spurs select George Hill. Umm. JB says he can be a special player. Playing behind Tony parker will give him a chance to learn, and they could use a backup point guard upgrade from Jacque Vaughn.

10:07 - #27 New Orleans Hornets select Darrell Arthur. He’s going to Portland in a trade. How loaded is Portland going to be? Yes, I know I already asked that question. THE QUESTION STILL STANDS!

10:15 - #28 Memphis Grizzlies select Donte’ Green. Green’s stock was up for a while, but apparently people don’t feel he’s quite ready, concerns about shot selection primarily.

10:20 - #29 Detroit Pistons select D.J. White. He sneaks into the first round, if a Big 10 player of the year can sneak anywhere. Knee injuries have slowed him down, but he has a chance to be good.

10:26 - #30 Boston Celtics select J.R. Giddens. Looks like Ray Allen gets a backup. His flaw looks to be “professionalism.” Kevin Garnett will straighten that out.

As I am about to collapse for the evening, here are my thoughts about the first round:

• Russell Westbrook really was the single player winner of this draft.
• Charlotte going for an undersized point guard and a player that won’t contribute this season really let me down. Apparently they weren’t able to swing a deal with that extra pick from Denver.
• DeAndre Jordan slipping from a lottery pick to the second round really puts him in a bind.
• Roy Hibbert went about 10 spots ahead of where I thought he would.

Your thoughts?

After earning national recognition last year for having the most accurate mock draft, I’ve got my work cut out for me this summer. No worries though, I’m excited at the possibility of handing it to Chad Ford for the second year in a row come June 26.

I try my best to ignore all the ridiculous speculation and stay focused on penning in players where I believe they will best fit. Without further ado, here is the final version of my 2008 NBA Draft mock:

1. Bulls — Derrick Rose | PG | Memphis
2. Heat — O.J. Mayo | SG | USC
3. Timberwolves — Michael Beasley | PF | Kansas State
4. Sonics — Russell Westbrook | PG | UCLA
5. Grizzlies — Kevin Love | PF | UCLA
6. Knicks — Danilo Gallinari | SF | Italy
7. Clippers — Eric Gordon | SG | Indiana
8. Bucks — Jerryd Bayless | PG | Arizona
9. Bobcats — Brook Lopez | C | Stanford
10. Nets — Joe Alexander | SF | West Virginia
11. Pacers — Anthony Randolph | PF | LSU
12. Kings — Roy Hibbert | C | Georgetown
13. Blazers — D.J. Augustin | PG | Texas
14. Warriors — Kosta Koufos | C | Ohio State
15. Suns — Brandon Rush | SG | Kansas
16. 76ers — Marreese Speights | C | Florida
17. Pacers — Mario Chalmers | PG | Kansas
18. Wizards — Darrell Arthur | PF | Kansas
19. Cavaliers — Chris Douglas-Roberts | SG | Memphis
20. Bobcats — Robin Lopez | C | Stanford
21. Nets — Jason Thompson | PF | Rider
22. Magic — Courtney Lee | SG | Western Kentucky
23. Jazz — JaVale McGee | PF | Nevada
24. Sonics — Alexis Ajinca | C | France
25. Rockets — Donte Greene | SF | Syracuse
26. Spurs — Nicolas Batum | SF | France
27. Blazers — DeAndre Jordan | C | Texas A&M
28. Grizzlies — J.J. Hickson | PF | N.C. State
29. Pistons — DeVon Hardin | PF | California
30. Celtics — Ryan Anderson | PF | California

**Sam is the host and lead writer of Southside Perspective. Have any comments or questions? Leave your thoughts or send your inquiries to spanayotovich@gmail.com.**

*-strong possibility for a trade

As of 6:41 EST

1. Chicago Bulls- Derrick Rose: 95% sure.
2. Miami Heat- Michael Beasley*: If they pass up Beasley, they will regret it. They don’t need either player (Mayo and Beasley) so it is highly likely they trade down to snatch either one of them later or get value they actually need.
3. Minnesota T-Wolves- OJ Mayo*: T-Wolves know the Heat covets Mayo, so they know they will be getting something in return if they do trade him. However, the Wolves are looking to trade down to snatch either Lopez or Love.
4. Seattle Sonics- Brook Lopez*: They aren’t risking Lopez gets taken with the 7th pick.
5. Memphis Grizzlies- Kevin Love*: They need a big man, but they want Beasley badly. Sources have said that the Grizzlies have a 50/50 chance of picking at the 5th and 28th spot, which means that the Grizzlies are actively looking to trade up. A deal with the Heat involving Mike Miller, Conley, or Lowry is in the talks, and it is very possible the Grizzlies move up to the 2 spot to draft Beasley. However, if they can’t find a deal, they’ll go for Kevin Love.
6. New York Knicks- Danilo Gallanari: They love Mayo, but chances are slim. Unless they give up David Lee, there is really no chance of trading up, and getting Mayo at the same time. Reports are saying that the Nets are trading up after finding out that the Knicks will take Gallanari. Is this 100% true? I don’t know, but it is definitely a harbinger for the Italian prospect’s name to be called come 6th pick.
7. Los Angeles Clippers-Eric Gordon: Gordon or Bayless? Clippers apparently like Gordon more.
8. Milwaukee Bucks- Russell Westbrook: What seemed like a lock for Alexander has quickly vanished after the pending RJ trade. They most likely go after a guard, and Westbrook is the best guard left.
9. Charlotte Bobcats- DJ Augustin: Larry Brown loves him, and so why not? Screw the other guys. This guy is a true PG.
10. New Jersey Nets- Anthony Randolph*: Randolph will solve the Net’s woes down low, but in the long run. However, if they trade with the Grizzlies, they’ll most likely take Kevin Love with the 5th pick.
11. Indiana Pacers- Jerryd Bayless: Larry Bird should be the happiest guy in the draft room.
12. Sacramento Kings- Joe Alexander: Augustin is gone. What do they do? Get the best player left.
13. Portland Trail Blazers- Donte Greene*: They are pursuing a trade with the Nets for the 10th pick to snatch Augustin, but I don’t see if happening if the Nets find themselves with Alexander at the 10th pick. The Blazers are also attempting to trade their pick to the Grizzlies, which may very well happen. I don’t see the Blazers choosing with this pick, but Greene will be their choice if they do.
14. Golden State Warriors- Kosta Koufos: Warriors can go many ways, but Koufos is slowly rising up the boards. Warriors will most likely go big, and I can definitely see them picking the former Buckeye.
15. Phoenix Suns- Brandon Rush: Rush is their guy. Grant Hill is good for two years at the most and they need a backup SF as well. Rush is underrated in my books.
16. Philadelphia 76ers- Darrell Arthur: The Sixers are one of the few teams that can afford to gamble on a player like Darrell Arthur. The Sixers will draft a big man, and it is really down to Arthur or Speights.
17. Indiana Pacers- Robin Lopez: They need a big man after they draft a player like Eric Gordon. Word on the grapevine is that Bird has a strong penchant for Robin Lopez.
18. Washington Wizards- JaVale McGee*: They like either McGee or Arthur, but Arthur’s medical problems should scare away the Wizards. Trade talks are looming with the Houston Rockets. If they drop to 25, expect them to still pick McGee.
19. Cleveland Cavaliers- Marresse Speights: Danny Ferry is looking to insert a young talent into their veteran-laden frontcourt. Speights is the wise choice.
20. Charlotte Bobcats- Roy Hibbert: After choosing a project Randolph, they need a NBA-ready player for Larry Brown. Hibbert is the optimum pick for them.
21. New Jersey Nets- Jason Thompson: They need a reliable scorer in the paint and Thompson can provide that.
22. Orlando Magic- Courtney Lee: They like Lee, so why not?
23. Utah Jazz- Ryan Anderson: They need an NBA-ready big guy and he’s the best option left.
24. Seattle Sonics- DeAndre Jordan: Funny how he was a top 10 pick a week ago. Don’t like this kid as well. A huge question.
25. Houston Rockets- Chris Douglas Roberts*: The sleeper of this year’s draft. Can be very, very good.
26. San Antonio Spurs- Nicholas Batum*: History tells me the Spurs will go for an international talent, and they should continue their trend with a variety of quality international players in the late first round. They can go for Batum, Jawai, Tomic, or even Ajinca.
27. Portland Trail Blazers-Alexis Ajinca: Has been wowing scouts in workouts last week.
28. Memphis Grizzlies-JJ Hickson: Would have been a top 15 pick next year if he stayed with NC State, but heres a player that can have an impact down the road given time.
29. Detroit Pistons- DeVon Hardin: The Pistons need a player who can defend and rebound. Hardin fits in.
30. Boston Celtics-Nathan Jawai: Celtics don’t really need anyone in particular but they can definitely take a role player in Courtney Lee as a solid bench option.

1. Bulls — Derrick Rose | PG | Memphis
2. Heat — O.J. Mayo | SG | USC
3. Timberwolves — Michael Beasley | PF | Kansas State
*4. Clippers — Eric Gordon | SG | Indiana
5. Grizzlies — Kevin Love | PF | UCLA
6. Knicks — Russell Westbrook | PG | UCLA
*7. Sonics — Brook Lopez | C | Stanford
8. Bucks — Jerryd Bayless | PG | Arizona
9. Bobcats — Anthony Randolph | PF | LSU
10. Nets — Danilo Gallinari | SF | Italy
11. Pacers — Joe Alexander | SF | West Virginia
12. Kings — D.J. Augustin | PG | Texas
13. Blazers — Brandon Rush | SG | Kansas
14. Warriors — Kosta Koufos | C | Ohio State
15. Suns — Mario Chalmers | PG | Kansas
16. 76ers — Marreese Speights | C | Florida
17. Pacers — Robin Lopez | C | Stanford
18. Wizards — Darrell Arthur | PF | Kansas
19. Cavaliers — Roy Hibbert | C | Georgetown
20. Bobcats — Alexis Ajinca | C | France
21. Nets — Jason Thompson | PF | Rider
22. Magic — Chris Douglas-Roberts | SG | Memphis
23. Jazz — JaVale McGee | PF | Nevada
24. Sonics — Nicolas Batum | SF | France
25. Rockets — Donte Greene | SF | Syracuse
26. Spurs — Ryan Anderson | PF | California
27. Blazers — DeAndre Jordan | C | Texas A&M
28. Grizzlies — J.J. Hickson | PF | N.C. State
29. Pistons — Courtney Lee | SG | Western Kentucky
30. Celtics — Nathan Jawai | PF | Australia

Don’t forget to catch yours truly on Sports Talk San Antonio with Mike Taylor today at 4:20 p.m. CT. on Ticket 760 AM. See you there!

**Sam is the host and lead writer of Southside Perspective. Have any comments or questions? Leave your thoughts or send your inquiries to spanayotovich@gmail.com.**

To listen online, head over to the website and click on “Listen Live” at the respective time. We’ll be talking all things draft and previewing one of the craziest NBA Drafts in recent memory. See you there!

My best friend Chad Ford reports that the Seattle Sonics and Los Angeles Clippers will swap their selections, Nos. 4 and 7 respectively, if O.J. Mayo is selected in the first three picks. I’ve had the Clips taking Eric Gordon out of Indiana in my latest mock, but they are worried about the Grizzlies stealing him away. Look for L.A. to sneak up on Memphis and snag E.J. at No. 5, while the Sonics are confident that the falling Brook Lopez will still be on the board at the seventh spot.

Also, Marc Stein broke a huge deal between the New Jersey Nets and the Milwaukee Bucks. The Bucks are sending Yi Jianlian and Bobby Simmons to New Jersey for Richard Jefferson, a deal that basically wipes out the almost-guaranteed selection of Joe Alexander at No. 8. Milwaukee can now address their nagging need at the point guard position and should select Jerryd Bayless. Anthony Randolph is also an option.

I’m hearing rumors of the Portland Trailblazers moving all the way up to the fifth pick. They are very high on their native son Kevin Love and are willing to pull the trigger by getting rid of Travis Outlaw, Channing Frye and future considerations. Memphis has been taking plenty of offers in the past few days, yet nothing has pleased GM Chris Wallace. The latest falling out occurred with the Knicks when David Lee told his agent he did not want to play in Memphis and would not sign a future contract extension.

Stay tuned everyone. This could get ugly.

No worries though, I’m excited at the possibility of handing it to Chad Ford for the second year in a row come June 26.

I try my best to ignore all the ridiculous speculation and stay focused on penning in players where I believe they will best fit. Without further ado, here is the third version of my 2008 NBA Draft mock:

1. Bulls — Derrick Rose | PG | Memphis
2. Heat — O.J. Mayo | SG | USC
3. Timberwolves — Michael Beasley | PF | Kansas State
4. Sonics — Jerryd Bayless | PG | Arizona
5. Grizzlies — Kevin Love | PF | UCLA
6. Knicks — Russell Westbrook | PG | UCLA
7. Clippers — Eric Gordon | SG | Indiana
8. Bucks — Joe Alexander | SF | West Virginia
9. Bobcats — Brook Lopez | C | Stanford
10. Nets — Danilo Gallinari | SF | Italy
11. Pacers — Anthony Randolph | PF | LSU
12. Kings — D.J. Augustin | PG | Texas
13. Blazers — Brandon Rush | SG | Kansas
14. Warriors — Kosta Koufos | C | Ohio State
15. Suns — Mario Chalmers | PG | Kansas
16. 76ers — Marreese Speights | C | Florida
17. Pacers — Robin Lopez | C | Stanford
18. Wizards — Darrell Arthur | PF | Kansas
19. Cavaliers — Roy Hibbert | C | Georgetown
20. Bobcats — Alexis Ajinca | C | France
21. Nets — Jason Thompson | PF | Rider
22. Magic — Courtney Lee | SG | Western Kentucky
23. Jazz — JaVale McGee | PF | Nevada
24. Sonics — Nicolas Batum | SF | France
25. Rockets — Donte Greene | SF | Syracuse
26. Spurs — Ryan Anderson | PF | California
27. Blazers — DeAndre Jordan | C | Texas A&M
28. Grizzlies — J.J. Hickson | PF | N.C. State
29. Pistons — Chris Douglas-Roberts | SG | Memphis
30. Celtics — Nathan Jawai | PF | Australia

**Sam is the host and lead writer of Southside Perspective. Have any comments or questions? Leave your thoughts or send your inquiries to spanayotovich@gmail.com.**

Last year, they bought the 24th pick from the Suns for the same price. That pick was Rudy Fernandez and Rudy will be joining the Blazers this season to wreak havoc on the league.

What does Pritchard have in store this time? Who knows, but things just got more interesting. The Blazers now hold the 13th and 27th picks and could package them both to move up in the top 10. In fact, the 13th pick, 33rd pick and Jarrett Jack are being packaged to the Nets for Trenton Hassell and the 10th pick.

Why can’t other GMs get on the ball like Pritchard? Nobody else has $3 million to spare for a pick? I know my Sixers are well under the cap and certainly could have used the second pick to put themselves in the position that the Blazers are in now. I take it that they are trying to build next year’s all-rookie team all by themselves.

All the Blazers need is a franchise point guard and they will be set. The guy they are rumored to be targeting is D.J. Augustin, but don’t be surprised if they end up getting Russell Westbrook. If they actually pull that off, watch out.

It didn’t take long for another team to respond. The Charlotte Bobcats just traded a future protected #1 pick to the Nuggets for the 20th selection. They also are in position to move up and get Westbrook or take a guy like Mario Chalmers at 20 and keep their pick at 9.

Denver’s VP of Basketball Operations, Mark Warkentien, is quoted as saying, “Tough roster to make. You look at a young guy coming in, where does he go?” Seriously, Mark? You started Anthony Carter as your point guard all year and then in the postseason, George Karl puts Kenyon Martin on Kobe because he feels like there’s nobody else on the roster who can guard him. That’s just plain lazy to say that you have no holes in your roster.

Have you seen your team play defense? Oh, that’s right. Nobody has seen the Nuggets defend other than Martin and Marcus Camby. But you have nowhere to play a young guy because you have guys out there who are busy trying to outscore the opponent. Yes, Anthony Carter is the answer. Right. I’m glad to see that Michael Jordan takes advantage of this nonsense by giving the Nuggets an opportunity to delay the process for another year. Great move, Jordan.

Should they decide to trade up, the Bobcats two picks are higher than the Blazers two picks. With Raymond Felton as the only point guard on their roster, it appears that the Bobcats are looking to acquire one of the draft’s elite guards. Gerald Wallace and Emeka Okafur need help in the paint as well, so the Bobcats could just as well stand pat and address two needs on their roster.

This is just the beginning of what promises to be an intense draft day. I fully expect half of the top ten picks to be involved in trades. Hopefully, your GM is on the ball. Get ready for anything, people. Things are happening…

UPDATE: The Indiana Pacers and Toronto Raptors have agreed in principle to a trade. The Pacers acquire T.J. Ford, Rasho Nesterovic and the 17 th pick in the draft from the Raptors for Jermaine O’Neal. The Pacers are likely to acquire another player in the deal to match salaries. The deal will be finalized once the players pass their physicals. Stay tuned…

UPDATE AGAIN: The Pacers are denying that a deal’s been reached. The Raptors are in talks with four or five teams for T.J. Ford and the 17th pick. No deal can be finalized with Ford until after July 1st.

FINAL UPDATE: Yes, Jermaine O’Neal confirms that he’s going to the Raptors.

1. Michael Beasley, F (Memphis) - B-Easy is the total package.  He can go inside or outside and play either forward position.  People knock his attitude and question his height, but you can’t deny that the dude has some serious skill.  There’s no better talent in this draft when it comes to being a man in the paint.  No flopping allowed.

2. Kevin Love, F (UCLA) - Love is probably going to make his bread and butter by taking big men out to the perimeter.  His wide body and sweet shooting stroke make him an ideal pick and roll player.  He’ll be a solid threat from the high post where his passing abilities will be on display, but the low block could present problems for him due to his lack of athleticism.

3. Anthony Randolph, F (LSU) - He’s raw and athletic, like Chris Bosh was when he got drafted.  He’s a better ballhandler than Bosh, showing the ability to lead the fast break and make good decisions with the ball.  His post game is still developing and he’s best when facing the basket.

4. Brook Lopez, C (Stanford) - This is the best center in the draft and the most conventional one at that.  A classic back-to-the-basket player, Lopez is a cross between Brad Daugherty and Tim Duncan.  He should be a solid player in the NBA and have a long career.

5. JaVale McGee, C/F (Nevada) - Raw but extremely talented, McGee has range on his jumper and a frame that resembles Andrew Bynum.  He’s a late bloomer who’s improved quickly and has room to grow.  He will become dominant.

6. Mareesse Speights, F/C (Florida) - After escaping the shadow of Joakim Noah and Al Horford, Speights declares for the NBA draft.  He’s not quite NBA ready, but has the tools to succeed at the next level.  He tends to shy away from contact, but the skill is there.

7. Darrell Arthur, F (Kansas) - Arthur has a good frame and is very active in the paint.  He runs well and gets up and down in transition better than most big men.  When he’s aggressive, he can be dominant.  He’s pretty good at getting to the rim and posting up on the block, making him a tough matchup for opponents.

8. Richard Hendrix, F (Alabama) - At 6′8″ and 253 pounds, this guy is a load.  He’s very athletic as well.  One of the strongest players in the draft, Hendrix crashes the boards and controls the paint.

9. J.J. Hickson, F (N.C. State) - Hickson is a classic low post scorer.  He’s got average size for the power forward position and a polished back-to-the-basket game.  Unfortunately for his teammates, he doesn’t pass the ball well and commits too many turnovers.

10. Robin Lopez, C (Stanford) - The other Lopez is a bigger and more skilled version of Anderson Varejao.  He did the dirty work for the Cardinal while being the team’s second leading scorer.  Lopez really impressed in Orlando earlier this month, dominating other big men in this draft class with his physical play and superb defense.

Honorable Mention: Serge Ibaka, Alexis Ajinca, Kosta Koufos, Jason Thompson, Roy Hibbert, Devon Hardin, Nikola Pekovic, DeAndre Jordan and Ante Tomic

Previously on NBADU: Ranking the top international talent