Martin is the safe #1 pick....Swift could be a risk that pays off at #2 more than Martin. I'm wavering, but I say they will go with Martin. I'd take Swift. They never really liked Mihm all that well anyhow. Another possible scenario is Chicago trading up for the #1 and taking Mihm.
Stromile Swift
(sophomore, 6-10/235 LSU)They've been looking for a big presence on the inside in the PF slot for some time. Swift had a great workout for them, they also would take Martin and smile. No way do they take Mihm.
Darius Miles (High
School 6-9/220)
They are still just simply going to grab talent. The Clips will take either Swift, Martin or Fizer, in that order. They don't need Mihm. There is a case to be made for them picking Darius Miles. There is a very good chance that Orlando has/will work a deal with the Clips to trade #5 and #10 for #3 to ensure they get Miles. It sounds likely so we'll put him here.
Chris Mihm (junior,
7-0/210 Texas)
For the last couple of weeks in the Windy city all draft talk centered around two guys: Chris Mihm and Darius Miles. As the draft approaches, Miles' stock keeps climbing, while Mihm boosters are few and far between. Da Bulls will gamble on getting either Mihm or Pryzbilla at #7 and grab Darius Miles if he is still here.
Orlando gets three lottery picks, so they will have the opportunity to get the best player available at each spot. Questions about Fizer's height have made people wary of him, but he is still solid. He's even being accused of being the horrible "tweener". They need to get a presence in the middle (not necessarily a center mind you), PG and best talent for the buck. Pryzbilla has done better than Mihm in Orlando workouts so he might get the nod. Mihm is the safe pick here though. Everyone knows they still want to work up to #1 to get a shot at Kenyon Martin, so this pick could belong to NJ. If this pick belongs to either the Clips or The Magic it will be Fizer.
If Darius Miles is gone, then he is at the top of their list. They have given Mike Miller several looks and like what they see, but late Tuesday, DerMarr moved up to #1 on their list.
If they tag Darius at #4 then they will grab a post player at #7. Mihm or Pryzbilla. I wouldn't be surprised if all the bad reports of Mihm's workout that came out of Chicago might have led up to just such a slide so they could grab him. They would rather have had DerMarr, but they will have to choose between Mike Miller and Courtney Alexander.
The draft picture in Cleveland has changed drastically as the big day arrives. Now they have decided that Iakovos Tsakalidis is not an option as his team has decided to keep him under contract for at least a year or two more. They traded Bobby Sura, meaning that they have decided to take Courtney Alexander if he is still around. They will get either Alexander or Pryzbilla.
Joel Pryzbilla
(sophomore, 7-1/245 Minnesota)
Houston wants to get some front court help. They might be tempted by DerMarr Johnson, but this big guy will fit their needs too well to pass on him at this point. I think that they are getting one of the "A" list players, not thinking he would slide to them here at #9. Their other option will be Jerome Moiso.
Jamal
Crawford (freshman, 6-6/190 Michigan)Face it....this kid is just skyrocketing up the draft board. If the Magic don't take him, then someone is going to make a deal with them to grab him. My best predicition is that the Magic find a way to deal this pick. They also like Erick Barkley. If this pick goes to the Clippers, then they will hope to take Courtney Alexander. If the Magic keep the pick they will have to choose between Crawford and Moiso. It will be a tough call.
The Celts are bound to grab a great player...just look at the last couple of drafts. They will have many choices. Morris Peterson is the solid shooting guard that Pitino says he is looking for. They would happily take a PG in Barkley. Its possible, but unlikely that Moiso could slip and Pitino needs to add some height. If he isn't then I will give you a top three runner up scenario: Keyon Dooling, Oyedeji, Morris Peterson as a dark horse candidate.
Keyon Dooling (sophomore,
6-3/190 Missouri)The two players that Dallas is rumored to be interested in are: Olumide Oyedeji and Keeyon Dooling. Both figure to be still available under just about any scenario, so maybe they will try to trade and add another first round pick. The Mavs also like what they see from Courtney Alexander and hope he slides. Once Nellie makes up his mind, it doesn't matter who is sliding past him....point of fact...Paul Pierce. Now the top two PGs in the draft are Keyon and Jamal...believe it or not.
Rumor has it that Dallas has acquired this pick. Dallas will pick between Oyedeji and Etan Thomas. The Magic will have those two to mull over, plus throw rick Barkley into the mix.
For those of you that have been watching my page for the past few weeks you will notice that I am relenting, letting him drift out of the lottery. Not because I think he can't play, just because that is the way winds will be blowing on draft day. If they don't take either Morris or Cleaves there will be riots in the motor city. They need both a PG and a replacement (?) for Grant Hill. Jamal Crawford and Keyon Dooling would probably be picked if they are still on the board.
Even though Milwaukee has tried to deal their pick, they will have to use it. Their short list includes Oyedeji and Etan Thomas with the big foreign prospect getting a slight edge because he can get some minutes at center.
This is the type of player the Kings can afford to gamble on. He's not their first choice, but the other guys will be gone by now. He brings defense, rebounding and the ability to score to the table. "Q"'s stock is improving, but at one time he was fading from view.
It is no secret that Seattle wants to trade up in the draft and take a shot at either Crawford or one of the top 3. They might have a shot at a sliding player though. Their wish list also includes Tsakalidis, Oyedeji, Desmond Mason, Etan Thomas and Keyon Dooling.
They will be lucky to get a solid PG here. Two or three of these PGs that will be going in the mid first round could very easily have been lottery picks if the team's needs dictated it. They will go with the best available, and he probably is...and fills a need. Barkley is the other one they will consider.
Magloire has moved to the top of Charlotte's wish list, followed by Carrawell as a close second.
They need to add another explosive scorer like Larry Hughes. They will also be considering Deshawn Stevenson and Desmond Mason, but I think they will decide to pass. This kid from Turkey has gotten the most attention though the past few days and weeks and should move to #1 on their draft board.
Everyone knows they need a PG. They would rather have Dooling, but will have to choose between who's left.
Donnell is starting to get a little attention lately and could find himself drafted in the 20s. Another tough call. The Knicks might want to add another big body...since they usually do. I don't think they are going to go with a PG here, unless they can get a sliding Cleaves or Barkley. Their big man depth chart now reads Magloire then Donnell Harvey.
They really need some size and skills in the swing position. They could gamble on Deshawn Stevenson or take someone that could help them right away like Desmond Mason. They have given Deshawn careful consideration and I think that he has passed their tests.
I don't think they will take a PG until their second round selection. They will get their pick of what's left.
I figure their best bet is to get fouls for Shaq, but they might actually look to gamble on some talent with DeShawn Stevenson or Desmond Mason if they're still here. Collier is falling like a rock, so they are going to have to look harder for a second choice.
So who are the Nuggets looking at with this pick? They made the trade so they must have seen something they liked. They've given a hard look at both Magloire and Mottola. Magloire will probably be gone.
Jason Collier (7-0/250 Georgia Tech)
They have a pretty deep team, except in the middle, but I don't see any of these big guys helping them....but that hasn't stopped them from drafting the big stiff...take a look at their bench. They have also indicated that they would like to add a PG. I also like Mark Madsen here, after having a great run in the camps.
Iakovos Tsakalidis
(7-2/220, Greece)Tsakalidis is tied to his contract for another year or two, so someone will have to be willing to wait.
Shaq needs a backup, but the Lakers never seem to draft a big stiff...er center. I would put A.J. here if it was just Jerry West decision...but Phil Jackson likes his guards big.
Jaron Rush
(sophomore, 6-6/215 UCLA)He hasn't been impressive in workouts, but he might impress the local fans.
He's the guy Nellie has his eye on.
Now the Bulls can get a PG.
Rumor has it he's the only guy that the Heat have worked out.
Brown's stock is either falling or rising depending on what reports you read...who knows...he's big and he's a gamble.