1998 Mock Draft

  1. LA Clippers: Mike Bibby (Arizona) 6-2/180 *The Clips need to gamble on a playmaker and all-star...he's their best shot.
  2. Vancouver: Michael Olowokandi (Pacific) 7-0/265 *Although I think Lafrentz is the perfect fit for their team, and if I were picking he'd be here, but lately this big fella seems to be getting a lot of looks up Vancouver way. The staff loves him. Hey, Duncan and The Admiral worked, so why not Kandi and Big Country. They have also looked hard at Pierce 'cuz they need a SG and this might be the safer choice. I'd say there are only 2 prospects at this point: 55% Kandi, 45% Pierce. Watch them make a deal with either Denver or Toronto for a PF and their pick.
  3. Denver: Paul Pierce (Kansas) 6-7/220 *The Nuggets once again get shafted and will have to make do with the best available. They say they don't want another PF, and Bibby and Olowokandi are on the top of their shopping list, so its Pierce by default.
  4. Toronto: Raef Lafrentz (Kansas) 6-11/240 *Toronto needs a center, but if Olowokandi isn't there, then Raef will have to do. My top player in the draft is still Lafrentz, so I don't think they will lose too much. Antawn might not fit their team too well with Camby, who may play a similar NBA game. I have to at least report that they've been paying alot of attention to the Tractor. Maybe they'll trade down, or they could even take him at 4.
  5. Golden State: Vince Carter (UNC) 6-6/208 *Vince is moving up. He has the type of game that can draw fans, and more potential than players with better stats. Right now, I'd say he's their #1 realistic choice at five. Vince is kinda sure too as he was seen wearing a Warriors practice jersey around UNC's campus.
  6. Dallas: Larry Hughes (Saint Louis) 6-5/185 *Nellie likes his foreign prospects...look out Dirk, but there are questions about his availability because he wants to play for the German team. I think its about 60/40 favoring Hughes.
  7. Sacramento: Antawn Jamison (UNC) 6-9/222 *There have been questions about his ability to play a position in the NBA, but the College Player of the Year is still worth a top 5 pick. Unfortunately, he might end up much lower than that as no one is jockeying to get in position to take him. The Kings tend to draft based on potential...and they probably don't want to gamble on another foreign prospect sitting. They will take either Hughes or Carter if still available.
  8. Philadelphia: Robert "Tractor" Traylor (Michigan) 6-8/300 *The Sixers should go for best available, and they think that's Tractor Traylor. Their needs include center, which they can't get at 8, and SG....hmmm too bad Hughes or Carter might not get through. Lately, Traylor has stepped up to the next level, gaining alot of NBA interest. He might be the hottest mover right now.
  9. Milwaukee: Dirk Nowitzki (Germany) 6-10/215 *Dirk will slide because of the question of his availability...and he's young...originally he was going to declare for the draft to test the waters.
  10. Boston: Pat Garrity (Notre Dame) 6-9/230 *Tricky Rick is not letting on who he wants. So its pretty much a wild guess. Today I think it will be Garrity, Yesterday it was Nazr....or Keon. I think Pat could go anywhere from 10-18. He's a respected prospect with a solid game. I'll give you a top 5 for this pick: Nazr, Keon, Garrity, Lewis or Harrington.
  11. Detroit: Michael Dickerson (Arizona) 6-5/190 *Management has said if they can't get an inside player, they'll look for a versatile guard. Dickerson has been having some real good workouts and I had him as a lottery player before. I think this will be a good match and the Pistons won't pass on him for a questionable PF. If they do, they'll take either Keon Clark or Brian Skinner.
  12. Orlando: Keon Clark (UNLV) 6-11/220 *He looked good in the earlier camps, but didn't go to Chicago. There's some big question marks, but also a potential exclamantion point. I think that the Magic are looking to take Clark, Williams and one of the high schoolers. They probably won't want to risk losing either Keon or Jason to Houston with the 14th pick, who is also interested in these two, and they can still get either Harrington or Lewis with the 16th.
  13. Orlando (Utah declined the option): Jason Williams (Florida) 6-1/190 *The team has taken a whole lot of looks at him. Maybe he will be the answer a year or two down the road. He is the clear choice for the second best point guard in the draft, though. I think that the Magic will take him earlier, rather than gamble on Houston taking him.
  14. Houston: Rashard Lewis (HS) 6-10/220 *Houston can improve themselves at just about every position as their veterans retire. They'll start with a teenager, either Harrington or Lewis. If I were Houston I'd look to get 3 of these 8: Keon Clark, Sesay, Jason Williams, Corey Benjamin, Michael Dickerson, Bonzi Wells, Rashard Lewis or Harrington. It'll be either Dickerson or Clark if still on the board at 14.
  15. Orlando: Al Harrington (HS) 6-8/222 *His stock could rise, and its highly likely he will go to either Orlando or Houston with their 3 first rounders apiece. The Magic have been known to go for talent...and he probably has the most at this point and they can gamble on him.
  16. Houston (from Toronto from NY): Bonzi Wells (Ball State) 6-5/210 *They need to find someone to play the two spot and he's better than Corey Benjamin. They just might go big, too.
  17. Minnesota: Nazr Mohammed (Kentucky) 6-10/240 *they are going to take the best available big man, unless Bonzi is still available. I think realistically it will be between Nazr, Doleac and Garrity.
  18. Houston (from Toronto): Ansu Sesay (Miss) 6-9/220 *There is the Houston connection that I'd forgotten about to. Truth is, Sesay could really be what they are looking for. Remember last year when Rudy T. snagged Rhodes and shocked everyone?
  19. Milwaukee: Mike Doleac (Utah) 6-11/269 *Doleac may be able to play C in the NBA. I expect him to slide as no-one is standing up and saying I want him, but Milwaukee will risk it.
  20. Atlanta: Matt Harpring (Georgia Tech) 6-7/226 *As always, Atlanta would like to add a SF and Harpring would be a nice match, and not a stretch. Rumor has it they also like Drew, but Harpring should be a better deal.
  21. Charlotte: Brian Skinner (Baylor) 6-10/240 *He had a great Chicago Camp, proving he's the real deal. Apparently Cowens fell in love with him in workouts. Charlotte is set at just about every posiiton, so they are simply looking for depth. Skinner might also go to Minnesota.
  22. LA Clippers: Corey Benjamin (Oregon State) 6-5/200 *The Clips don't really need a frontcourt player at this point in the draft, and they have said they are looking to fill out their backcourt.
  23. Denver: Bryce Drew (Valparaiso) 6-3/185 *Not seeing anyone they are really in love with left on the board, they'll reach down and take Drew...and it'll be a good thing.
  24. San Antonio: Miles Simon (Arizona) 6-5/200 *He's been knocked lately, but he is an All American. He's concerned, because he played at the Chicago camp...and not anything too good...nor bad...just blah. If any of the above mentioned SGs or Harpring are available, the Spurs will snatch them up. They'd love Bryce Drew, but I suspect Denver will take him. The outside sleeper pick here is Cory Carr.
  25. Indiana: Jelani McCoy (UCLA) 6-10/240 *Don't be surprised if someone gambles on him higher up. I'm not sure about this one, but it makes sense since they'd love to get someone bigger than the Davis boys to back up Smits. How about local talent Andrae Patterson or Brad Miller? Also, if Larry Bird buys into the Nesterovic hype they'll take him.
  26. LA Lakers: Tyronn Lue (Nebraska) 6-0/175 *Some people had the word lottery on their lips when they said Lue, so this could be a good deal. Jerry West will want to pull another surprise out of his bag of tricks...is this it?
  27. Seattle: Radisav Nesterovic (Slovenia) 7-1/245 *The Sonics will be reaching here, and this gamble could pay off.
  28. Chicago: Vladimir Stepanija (Georgia) 7-0/240 *The Bulls never seem to go for what they need, but they'll need everything next year....besides with this pick they aren't gonna replace the big three...
  29. Utah: Mirsad Turkcan (Turkey) 6-9/230 *For a change Chicago doesn't close out the first round. Definately a best available strategy applies, and they don't want to get burned with a 3 year deal on a flash in the pan. Therefore, they would probably be wise to go for a foreign player and if they could get a center they'd even be happier. The 2 foreign center prospects will probably be gone.

    Second Round

  30. Dallas: Roshown McLeod (Duke) 6-8/220 *He didn't have the stats as good as the boys at UCLA, but he's a better pro prospect.
  31. LA Lakers: Ruben Patterson (Cincinnati) 6-6/225 *Ruben has helped himself the most in post-season camps...maybe into the first round.
  32. Seattle: Brad Miller (Purdue) 6-11/240
  33. Seattle: Felipe Lopez (St. John's) 6-6/190 *He deserves to go higher, in the first round, but I can't see where.
  34. Chicago: Andrae Patterson (Indiana) 6-8/240
  35. Dallas: Cory Carr (Texas Tech) 6-4/200
  36. Sacramento: Alexander Koul (George Washington) 7-0/285
  37. Philadelphia: Casey Shaw (Toledo) 6-11/260
  38. New York: Rafer Alston (Fresno State) 6-2/180
  39. Milwaukee: Charles Jones (Long Island) 6-3/180
  40. Detroit: JR Henderson (UCLA) 6-9/223
  41. Houston: Sam Jacobson (Minnesota) 6-6/210 *Some scouts have him in the first round....could happen.
  42. Orlando: Jerome James (Florida A&M) 7-1/290
  43. Washington: DeMarco Johnson (UNC-Charlotte) 6-8/245
  44. New York: Simon Dwight (Australia) 6-8/220
  45. LA Lakers: Ricky Davis (Iowa) 6-5/195
  46. Minnesota: Toby Bailey (UCLA) 6-5/205
  47. Toronto: Jeff Sheppard (Kentucky) 6-3/190
  48. Cleveland: Torraye Braggs (Xavier) 6-8/235
  49. Atlanta: Shammond Williams (UNC) 6-2/180
  50. Charlotte: Bakari Hendrex (Gonzaga) 6-9/23
  51. Miami: Jahidi White (Georgetown) 6-9/290
  52. San Antonio: Clayton Shields (New Mexico) 6-8/210
  53. Dallas: Korleone Young (HS) 6-7/220 *He hasn't really impressed anyone since he declared for the draft...was it a mistake?
  54. Denver: Sean Marks (California) 6-10/250
  55. Denver: Sam MacKinnon (Australia) 6-6
  56. Vancouver: Corey Brewer (Oklahoma) 6-1/190
  57. Utah: Tyrone Nesby (UNLV) 6-6/230
  58. Chicago: Winfred Walton (Fresno St) 6-9/225

Italicized Players are Underclassmen
Indicates player is moving up
Indicates player is moving down

Last Updated June 23, 1998

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