Mock Draft Picks 21-30 - Ian Thomsen

Posted: Wednesday May 21, 2008 11:05AM; Updated: Wednesday May 21, 2008 11:47AM

Ian Thomsen

INSIDE THE NBA

Mock Draft No. 1 (cont.)

Mario Chalmers

Kansas

Jr.

6-1

190

Chalmers is on his way to developing NBA playmaking skills. He's a smart defender who could overtake Marcus Williams as the Nets' backup point guard.

Courtney Lee

Western Kentucky

Sr.

6-5

200

An excellent shooter and smart player, but those who want a top-drawer athlete should look elsewhere. The Magic will be looking for help at this position and Lee could contribute immediately.

Roy Hibbert

Georgetown

Sr.

7-2

275

Hibbert fills Utah's need for size up front. He'll be a solid backup center and fit nicely in their half-court offense.

Serge Ibaka

L'Hospitalet (Spain)

6-10

220

A long-term investment who will need a couple of more years in Europe or in the D-League as he has been playing organized basketball for a short time. The rebuilding Sonics can afford to let the 18-year-old from Congo develop.

Alexis Ajinca

Hyeres-Toulon (France)

7-1

240

The 20-year-old showed big improvement this year. He's long and nimble with perimeter shooting skills, but he needs to keep building his strength.

Jason Thompson

Rider

Sr.

6-11

250

A long, unselfish big man who might be able to help the Spurs off the bench as a scorer and rebounder in a year or two. He needs to get stronger, but he's skilled.

Kosta Koufos

Ohio State

Fr.

7-0

265

A versatile center who could affect the Hornets' rotation as a rookie. He can score inside and from the perimeter, but he'll never be an elite athlete.

F/C

Marreese Speights

Florida

Soph.

6-10

245

A big man with abundant physical tools and soft touch around the basket, but he has a lot to learn. Fortunately for him, coach Marc Iavaroni takes pride in developing big men.

Ty Lawson

North Carolina

Soph.

5-11

195

A small point guard but arguably the fastest player in the draft. Lawson isn't a great shooter but he'll push tempo and could learn to cause problems for a few minutes per game defensively in the mode of Lindsey Hunter.