Mock Draft Picks 11-20 - Ian Thomsen

Posted: Wednesday June 11, 2008 1:14PM; Updated: Wednesday June 11, 2008 1:49PM

Ian Thomsen

INSIDE THE NBA

Mock Draft No. 2 (cont.)

DeAndre Jordan

Texas A&M

Fr.

6-11

250

They need a point guard, but D.J. Augustin may be too small. So they'll fill another looming need at center by going with this 20-year-old with lots of upside.

Joe Alexander

West Virginia

Jr.

6-8

220

A versatile player who had one good year and can still improve, Alexander gives the Kings another player around whom to build as they look ahead to the post-Ron Artest era.

G/F

Brandon Rush

Kansas

Jr.

6-6

210

Don't be surprised by anything the Blazers do here. They're so talent rich and have so much salary-cap space next year that they could trade up, trade back or use this pick on a long-term project like 18-year-old Serge Ibaka. For the meantime, figure them to go with a winner and a sure thing in Rush, who provides another scorer to space the floor around LaMarcus Aldridge and Greg Oden.

D.J. Augustin

Texas

Soph.

5-11

171

Augustin provides Baron Davis with a true backup as the Warriors try to extend his career by reducing his minutes. Augustin will be happy pushing the tempo for Don Nelson.

Nicolas Batum

Le Mans (France)

6-8

210

With Rush off the board, the Suns will provide Boris Diaw with a countryman in Batum, a flashy swingman who may be even more valuable for his perimeter defense.

Kosta Koufos

Ohio State

Fr.

7-0

265

Unless a better option emerges, why not go for a scorer with shooting range to complement Samuel Dalembert?

Robin Lopez

Stanford

Soph.

7-0

245

His twin is the better scorer, but this Lopez will be a solid defender while helping to reduce Chris Bosh's minutes at center.

Darrell Arthur

Kansas

Soph.

6-9

216

Arthur enters the league with a feel for scoring in the paint as well as an emerging face-up game, and he can run the floor. He's raw but provides good mid-round value as the Wizards shore up their front line.

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. LeBron James needs teammates to space the floor and Lee could contribute immediately.

Ty Lawson

North Carolina

Soph.

5-11

195

If the Nuggets don't trade the pick, they could fill their need at the point with Lawson, arguably the fastest player in the draft. He isn't a great shooter but he'll push tempo and could learn to cause problems for a few minutes per game defensively.

Picks 1-10

Picks 21-30