| NBA Mock Draft: Round 1 Cont. |
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16Julian Wright |
Forward
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Kansas (So.)
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6-8
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218 lbs.
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The Wizards have tired of waiting for Jarvis Hayes to develop consistency and may let him go in free agency. That would open up an immediate backup spot for Wright, a team-oriented forward who could prove a perfect glue guy supporting scorers Gilbert Arenas, Antawn Jamison and Caron Butler. In time, Wright's body will fill out and enable him to score down low. For now, his versatility and rebounding are strengths.
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17Jason Smith |
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Forward
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Colorado State (Jr.)
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7-0
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230 lbs.
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Smith's ability to shoot on the perimeter is very attractive for a team that employs one of the best point guards in NBA history in Jason Kidd. The Nets clicked last season when Mikki Moore unexpectedly became a good catch-and-shoot option, and Smith can provide that skill with even more range. He's also a better rebounder than he's given credit for and should be more proficient in that area as he fills out his frame.
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18Tiago Splitter |
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F/C
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Tau Ceramica (Spain)
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6-11
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232 lbs.
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The Warriors are still trying to figure out if center Patrick O'Bryant is a fit for their team, and if that question is answered in the negative, Splitter can join the team for the 2008-09 season after playing one more season in Spain. The Brazilian big man is not flashy or explosive, but he is a fine athlete and dependable rebounder and defender who can score enough to keep defenses honest.
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19Gabe Pruitt |
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Guard
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USC (Jr.)
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6-4
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178 lbs.
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The Lakers have bid a not-so-fond farewell to Smush Parker, who was never a good fit for the triangle offense. While the Lakers like last year's first-round pick, Jordan Farmar, they would like another point guard with more size to help defend bigger guards. Pruitt offers size as well as a good reputation for creating shots for teammates without accumulating many turnovers.
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20Derrick Byars |
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Guard
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Vanderbilt (Sr.)
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6-7
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220 lbs.
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Byars is one of the few players in this draft who appears to be ready to step in and compete right away, which Miami will need if it loses James Posey in free agency as expected. As a senior, Byars showed real leadership. He has the versatility to fit in with almost any team and could surprise some observers with his immediate production.
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21Thaddeus Young |
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Forward
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Georgia Tech (Fr.)
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6-8
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210 lbs.
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Philadelphia is considering using this pick for an international player who could be left to develop overseas. But I'm thinking the Sixers would not pass up a player with the scoring potential that Young possesses. Young must develop more variety in his offensive repertoire, but just about every team that has worked out Young believes in his potential to be an eventual starter.
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22Morris Almond |
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Guard
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Rice (Sr.)
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6-6
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215 lbs.
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Almond was a great player on a team that had no national profile. He was third in the nation in scoring (26.4 ppg) and is a deadly three-point shooter (45.6 percent) who is also adept at getting to the line (8.9 attempts per game). Despite Almond's credentials, he has little name recognition among even ardent college basketball fans. Like Hersey Hawkins, people will know him soon.
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23Daequan Cook |
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Guard
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Ohio State (Fr.)
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6-6
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203 lbs.
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Isiah Thomas has made comments about making a surprise pick again this year, just as he did in taking South Carolina's Renaldo Balkman at No. 20 last year (we had Balkman going 27th). That could mean Boston College's Sean Williams or DePaul's Wilson Chandler. But New York needs a zone-busting-type shooting guard, and Cook could be that in time, although he's not likely to break into the playing rotation right away. Whatever you do, don't shut off the TV on draft night before New York makes its pick.
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24Marco Belinelli |
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Guard
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Climamio Bologna (Italy)
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6-5
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180 lbs.
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Belinelli experienced a tough season. His jump shot was streaky and his team, usually among the strongest in Italy, failed to provide much support. Still, Belinelli has the size, physical ability and mental approach to eventually be a successful NBA shooting guard. Belinelli has indicated his willingness to join the NBA right away if drafted.
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25Josh McRoberts |
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Forward
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Duke (So.)
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6-10
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240 lbs.
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McRoberts wasn't versatile enough to be a savior at Duke as a sophomore, but he has the skill and size to come into the NBA and play a role, especially on a structured team such as the Jazz. McRoberts can handle the ball and pass it down low from the high post, something that should endear him to low-post beast Carlos Boozer.
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26Glen Davis |
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Forward
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LSU (Jr.)
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6-9
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289 lbs.
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The trade of Juwan Howard to Minnesota for point guard Mike James obviates the need for the Rockets to pick a point guard. With only restricted free agent Chuck Hayes in the picture at power forward, the Rockets may call on "Big Baby" to provide frontcourt depth. Davis is a highly skilled low-post player who would go higher if not for questions about his long-term conditioning.
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27Dominic McGuire |
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Forward
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Fresno State (Jr.)
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6-8
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220 lbs.
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Joe Dumars has made it clear that the Pistons intend to get more athletic next season, and an all-purpose forward like McGuire fits that description. He might not be a great shooter, but McGuire can rebound, pass, block shots, get garbage baskets inside and defend. With all the scorers on board in Motown, McGuire's skill package should be a good fit.
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28Rudy Fernandez |
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Guard
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DKV Joventut (Spain)
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6-5
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185 lbs.
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Recent reports indicate that Winterthur FC Barcelona, one of the wealthiest teams in Europe, has made a substantial contract offer to Fernandez, who has publicly spoken of his lifelong dream of playing in the NBA. Could it be a dream deferred? Barcelona can pay far more than a rookie-scale contract. Fernandez, 22, could play for Barcelona for a few years and still come to the Spurs while he's still a young player. This formula worked for the Spurs with Manu Ginobili.
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29Petteri Koponen |
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Guard
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Honka (Finland)
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6-5
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190 lbs.
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The Suns struck out by signing Marcus Banks to be Steve Nash's backup. Now they have a chance to develop this young understudy who impressed NBA observers at the Nike Hoop Summit and in subsequent team workouts by demonstrating poise under ball pressure and creating good shots for his teammates with a minimum of turnovers.
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30Kyrylo Fesenko |
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Center
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Cherkasy (Ukraine)
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7-0
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240 lbs.
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If the 76ers keep all three of their first-round picks, it's likely that at least one of them will be an international player who can remain in Europe and develop for another year or two before joining the team. Fesenko is an aggressive rebounder and a promising offensive center who can score facing the basket.
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