Dwight Howard 6-10/240 (SW Atlanta Christian Academy)-High School seniorHoward was a slight surprise at #1 over Okafor. It might take him a while to come around, so it might look like a bust in the short term. He was the Naismith Prep Basketball player of the year after averaging 25 points, 18 rebound and 8 blocked shots per game. He has also applied to the University of North Carolina, where he plans on being a part-time student...not actually playing ball. On July 7, 2004 Orlando signed Howard to a three year, $13,479,600 contract with a 4th year worth $6,061,274 at the team's option. He was named to the all rookie first team. On July 12, 2997 Orlando signed Dwight Howard to a five year, $80 million contract extension. Howard is now signed through the 2012-13 season.
Emeka Okafor 6-10/250 (UConn)-juniorCharlotte gets the guy at the top of their list, who they can build their new team around. Okafor will probably be the top guy in this class for years to come. He actually graduated a year early, so by declaring he was just giving up a year of eligibility. His first competition following the draft will be as a member of the 2004 USA Basketball Team that will compete in the Athens Summer Olympics. On July 26, 2004, Charlotte signed Okafor to a three year, $12,060,360 contract with a 4th year worth $5,427,307 at the team's option. Charlotte picke up that option. Okafor was named the Rookie of the Year with 514 total points and 77 first place votes beating UConn teammate Ben Gordon's 443 points and 43 first place votes. Dwight Howard finished a distant third followed by Andre Iguoudala. Okafor averaged 15.1 points and 10.9 rebounds, chipping in 1.7 blocks per game as a rookie. He was named to the all rookie first team. Howard was named to the All-NBA Third Team in 2007.
Ben Gordon 6-2/185 (UConn)-juniorBen was the first really significant underclassmen to declare, and was considered one of the top 3 elite PGs, but in actuality I guess he was tops in his class. Rumor had it that Chicago loved his workout, but conventional wisdom said that they wouldn't take another PG. I guess they are unconventionally wise then. On July 27, 2004, Chicago signed Gordon to a three year, $10,830,600 contract with a fourth year worth $4,881,669 at the team's option. Ben was named the 2004-2005 Sixth Man of the Year as a rookie. He was also runner up in ROY voting and he was named to the all rookie first team.
Shaun Livingston 6-7/175 (Peioria Central HS-IL)-High School seniorThe Clips wanted a PG in this draft and figured that they could trade down a couple of spots to get one. They didn't make a huge deal to move the number two pick, but acquired the fourth and 33rd picks from the Charlotte Bobcats. In addition, Charlotte agreed to select Clippers center Predrag Drobnjak in the expansion draft. On September 10, 2004, The LA Clippers signed Livingston to a three year, $9,764,640 contract with a fourth year at the team's option worth $4,404,629.
Devin Harris 6-3/185 (Wisconsin)-juniorWashington traded Jerry Stackhouse, Christian Laettner and the rights to Devin Harris to Dallas for Antawn Jamison. We were thinking that Dallas liked Podkolzine here, but they figured to get him later. Harris is a top 3 PG along with Livingston and Gordon. Only time will tell which one emerges to the top, but I think it might be Gordon. On July 2, 2004 Dallas signed Harris to a 3 year, $8,842,440 contract with a 4th year worth $3,995,003 at the team's option. Dallas picked up that option. On September 12, 2007 Dallas signed Devin to a five year, $50 million contract extension. Harris is now signed through 2012-13.
Josh Childress 6-8/205 (Stanford)-juniorJosh is one of those explosive swing men that have come into vogue. Unfortunately, it didn't look like anyone was sold on him, and he might slide, but Atlanta was pretty much sold on him. He calls himself a shooting guard, but he seems to more fit the role of small forward. In either case he can play. On July 12, 2004, Atlanta signed Josh to a three year, $8,031,480 contract with a 4th year worth $3,631,451 at the team's option. They exercised that option. He was named to the all rookie second team.
Luol Deng 6-8/220 (Duke)-freshmanPhoenix trades the rights to No. 7 pick Luol Deng to Chicago for the rights to No. 31 pick Jackson Vroman and a future first-round pick. Chicago toyed with taking Deng at #3, but fell in love with Gordon instead. I guess when Phoenix decided they could do without a draft pick this year (probably to free up some money to go after some free agents), Chicago was an easy buyer. On July 27, 2004, Chicago signed Deng to a three year, $7,331,760 contract with a fourth year worth $3,320,339 at the team's option. He was named to the all rookie first team.
Rafael Araujo 6-11/280 (BYU)Araujo has the honor of being the first senior taken this year. He climbed ahead of Luke Jackson and Jameer Nelson at the last minute. As always, Toronto was looking for help at PG, but the big three were out of range. Their next item on the wish list was a big man. I thought they might take one of the international big men, but they went with the more mature known talent. On July 3, 2004 Toronto signed Araujo to a three year deal worth $6,716,880with a fourth year worth $3,046,794 at the team's option.
Andre Iguodala 6-6/207 (Arizona)-sophomoreThere was talk of him going at 3 or 4, but I thought he could be a slider because no one team said he was their guy. He has a lot of versatility as a swing player, and might even be able to log a little time at PG. On July 2, 2004 Philadelphia signed Iguodala to a three year, $6,174,120 contract with a fourth year worth $2,804,889 at the team's option. Philly exercised their option. He was named to the all rookie first team.
Luke Jackson 6-7/215 (Oregon)They were also looking at Jameer Nelson, but Cleveland, along with some other teams, decided he might not have the NBA body and skills that he once was considered to have. Luke was clearly the team leader, and was one of the elite seniors. He has done well in workouts, and his all-around game with a good three point shot have him on a lot of team's wish lists. He was the second senior taken, and had become a lottery lock in recent days. On July 1, 2004 Cleveland signed Luke to a 3 year, $5,865,360 contract with a 4th year worth $2,666,637 at the team's option, making him the first draft pick to sign with a team.
Andris Biedrins 6-10/235 (Latvia)Rumor had it that Golden State had a deal in place for Biedrins. I thought he might go higher, as usually there is a big man run on draft day in the 7-10 range. He has the potential to be the best big man in this draft, but they are all really close. He was the first international player taken. It is also the lowest the first international pick has come off the board since 2000 when Hidayet Turkoglu was picked at 16. On July 7, 2004 Golden State signed Andris Biedrins to a three year, $5,572,080 contract with a fourth year worth $8,208,776 at the team's option. Golden State picked up that option.
He got a lot of looks from a lot of teams, hoping that he will be an NBA center of the future, but he didn't actually do any workouts. That means he was set up to go higher than he was projected in the 15-20 range. Well looky here, he's a lottery pick! On July 14, 2004 Seattle signed Swift to a three year, $5,293,440 contract with a 4th year worth $2,601,113 at the team's option.
Sebastian Telfair 6-0/160 (Lincoln HS-NY)-High School seniorMost people expected Portland to take him with their next pick, but they really like him and didn't want ot lose him, so how can you argue with that? He had already signed a shoe deal with Adidas, and is Stephon Marbury's cousin, so those things also gave him a little edge to be picked in the lottery. He is also the fourth High School player taken in the lottery this year. On July 12, 2004 Portland signed Telfair to a three year, $5,028,720 contract with a fourth year worth $2,563,426 at the team's option. Boston exercised that option. On Draft Day in 2006 Portland traded Sebstian Telfair, Theo Ratliff, and a 2008 seconnd round draft pick to Boston for Dan Dickau, Raef LaFrentz, and the rights to #7 pick Randy Foye. On July 30, 2007 Minnesota traded Kevin Garnett to Boston for Al Jefferson, Ryan Gomes, Gerald Green, Sebastian Telfair, Theo Ratliff, Boston's 2009 1st round draft pick (lottery protected), the 1st round draft pick that Minnesota originally traded to Boston in 2006 (Wally Szczerbiak trade), and cash.
Kris Humphries 6-8/240 (Minnesota)-freshmanHis stock was rising as the draft approached. He was high on team's lists looking for an inside rebounding presence. Many thought Utah would tag him a little later, but with their first choice, Araujo, gone he seemed to be the best choice for them. He was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Year and First Team All-Big Ten, also Honorable Mention All-American. Kris was the first freshman to lead the Big Ten in scoring and rebounding in the same season. He put up the numbers right away in college, so he might not have to wait too long in the NBA either. On July 12, 2004 Utah signed Humphries to a three year, $4,777,320 contract with a 4th year worth $2,522,913 at the team's option.
He's got mad skills, but not quite enough to get him into the lottery. On July 3, 2004 Boston signed Jefferson to a three year, $4,538,400 contract with a 4th year worth $2,480,885 at the team's option. Boston exercised that opion. He was named to the all rookie second team. On July 30, 2007 Minnesota traded Kevin Garnett to Boston for Al Jefferson, Ryan Gomes, Gerald Green, Sebastian Telfair, Theo Ratliff, Boston's 2009 1st round draft pick (lottery protected), the 1st round draft pick that Minnesota originally traded to Boston in 2006 (Wally Szczerbiak trade), and cash.
Kirk Snyder 6-6/219 (Nevada)-juniorMost teams liked him, and most people didn't think he would last this long, but Utah got a steal. On July 12, 2004 Utah signed Kirk to a three year, $4,311,600 contract with a 4th year worth $2,358,433 at the team's option. On August 2, 2005 the largest trade in NBA history occurred with 5 teams and 13 players involved. In a sign-and-trade, Boston first re-signed Antoine Walker to a 6 year, $53 million contract. Boston traded away Antoine Walker and received Curtis Borchardt, Qyntel Woods, the draft rights to Albert Miralles, a 2nd round draft pick in 2006, a 2nd round draft pick in 2007 or 2008, and cash from Miami. Miami traded away Eddie Jones, Qyntel Woods, Rasual Butler, the rights to Albert Miralles, a 2nd round draft pick in 2006, a 2nd round draft pick in 2007 or 2008, and cash and received Antoine Walker, Jason Williams, James Posey, Andre Emmett, and the draft rights to Roberto Duenas. Memphis traded away Jason Williams, James Posey, Andre Emmett, and Greg Ostertag and received Eddie Jones and Raul Lopez. New Orleans traded away the draft rights to Roberto Duenas and received Rasual Butler and Kirk Snyder. Utah traded away Curtis Borchardt, Raul Lopez, and Kirk Snyder and received Greg Ostertag. On July 14, 2006 New Orleans traded Kirk Snyder to Houston for cash and a conditional second round draft pick in 2008.
When he declared there was debate if he could be top three, and then more recently, where he would slide in the lottery. Nobody expected he would plummet this far, but he has a lot of potential. On July 12, 2004 Atlanta signed Josh to a three year, $4,096,080 contract with a 4th year worth $2,243,543 at the team's option. They exercised that option. He was named to the all rookie second team.
He had been slipping a little bit recently, but New Orleans took a good gamble that he will be able to help their team in a couple of years. On July 6, 2004 New Orleans signed J.R.to a three year, $3,891,240 contract with a 4th year worth $2,134,067 at the team's option. On July 14, 2006 New Orleans traded P.J. Brown and J.R. Smith to Chicago for Tyson Chandler. Almost immediately, on July 20, 2006, Chicago traded J.R. to Denver for Howard Eisley and two 2007 second round draft picks. After inserting him into the staring lineup to start the 2006-2007 NBA season, Denver picked up his option.
I though he was moving up, ahead of some of the other high schoolers, but he is right about where he was a month ago. That is 8 high school players in the top 20. On July 27, 2004, Miami signed Wright to a three year, $3,716,040 contract with a 4th year worth $2,040,746 at the team's option. They exercised their option.
Jameer Nelson 6-0/193 (St. Joseph's)He should have been a lottery player, but as we know these things can change. He was named the college basketball player of the year, winning the Wooden Trophy. He was the best senior in the country, and maybe the best college basketball player too, but is probably only in the top 4 in PG prospects in this draft. Orlando traded a future first rounder to Denver for Jameer. He could still pay off big, even though his stock has fallen. There is no reason to count him out just yet. On July 7, 2004 Orlando signed Nelson to a three year, $3,567,480 contract with a fourth year worth $1,961,609 at the team's option. He was named to the all rookie second team.
Pavel Podkolzine 7-5/300 (Italy)He declared last year and then withdrew after an injury slowed him down. He looked like he might have dispelled the doubts about him, and he might take his place in the lottery, but team were not sold on him. Dallas liked what they saw though, and got him pretty cheap, all things considered. Dallas traded their 2005 first round pick to Utah for the rights to Pavel. He could still be the best center in this draft. On July 29, 2004, Dallas signed Podkolzin to a three year, $3,424,680 contract with a fourth year worth $1,945,435 at the team's option.
He looked like a first rounder last year, and looked just as good this year. New Jersey traded the pick to Portland straight up for Eddie Gill. Many thought Porland made the dead to take Telfair. On July 16, 2006 Portland signed Viktor to a three year, $3,287,760 contract with a 4th year worth $1,982,598 at the team's option.
Most assumed he would end up in Utah with one of their picks, but he slid all the way here. There is a rumor there is a problem with his contract buyout. Khryapa and Monya were teammates in Russia and are reunited on the Blazers. Portland signed him to a 2 year deal with 2 years at the team's option on July 26, 2005, finally bringing him over to the states. On February 23, 2006, in a four team trade, Denver traded away Earl Watson, Voshon Lenard, Bryon Russell, and a second round draft pick and received Reggie Evans, Ruben Patterson, and Charles Smith; Seattle traded away Vitaly Potapenko and Reggie Evans and received Earl Watson, Bryon Russell, and a second round draft pick; Portland traded away Ruben Patterson, Sergei Monia, and Charles Smith and received Voshon Lenard and Brian Skinner; Sacramento traded away Brian Skinner and received Vitaly Potapenko and Sergei Monia.
There was a lot of speculation on who Boston would have to pick from. I don't think he was high on their wish list, but not much was left for them, I guess. On July 3, 2004 Boston signed West to a three year, $3,030,000 contract with a 4th year worth $1,889,760 at the team's option. Boston exercised that option.
Allen is the fourth senior taken in the draft and leaps into the first round after doing excellent in camps and workouts. On July 3, 2004 Boston signed Allen to a three year, $2,908,800 contract with a 4th year worth $1,868,141 at the team's option.
He was the NCAA scoring leader at 24.9 ppg. He has not been bad at workouts, but he also hasn't been standing out so I thought he might still be a second rounder, but Sacramento felt otherwise. On July 7, 2004, Sacramento signed Kevin to a three year, $2,812,320 contract with a fourth year worth $1,808,121 at the team's option. On August 29, 2007 Sacramento signed Kevin Martin to a five year, $50 million contract extension.
GM Mitch Kupchak really liked him, and he kinda sorta had a mini slide to get to LA.
After an excellent Chicago Pre-Draft Camp, Beno appeared on the radar and became a lock to be a first rounder. On July 14, 2004 San Antonio signed Beno to a three year, $2,714,400 contract with a 4th year worth $1,747,096 at the team's option. They exercised that option.
Harrison was all over mock draft boards, so the last pick in the first round probably suits him. On July 7, 2004, Indiana signed Harrison to a three year deal worth $2,694,600 with a fourth year worth $1,734,316 at the team's option.
Minnesota forfeits their first round pick...again...
Second Round
Now might finally be the time for this guy, who has appeared on draft radar the last few years and pulled out at the last minute. I thought he would still stick in the first round, though. On July 23, 2004, Orlando traded Drew Gooden, Steven Hunter, and the rights to Anderson Varejao to Cleveland for Tony Battie and two second round draft picks. Cleveland signed him to a three year contract.
Phoenix got this pick in the deal that gave Chicago the #7 pick, they also got a future first rounder. I don't think anyone moved up quicker and faster than Vroman. At the end of the NCAA season, he wasn't even in a position to be drafted. Phoenix signed him to a 2 year deal with the second year at the team's option. On January 21, 2005 New Orleans traded Jim Jackson and a 2005 2nd round draft pick to Phoenix for Casey Jacobsen, Maciej Lampe, and Jackson Vroman.
Ramos probably had the biggest slide from possible early teens to all the way into the second round. Washington signed him to a deal.
The Clips got this in the deal that sent the #2 pick to Charlotte. The Clippers signed him to a deal.
Seattle traded this pick to Memphis for a second round pick in 2005 and cash. Memphis signed him to a two year deal.
Memphis acquired this pick from Orlando for cash. Memphis signed him to a two year deal.
On August 14, 2005 Chicago matched Toronto's 3 year, $9 million offer sheet to restricted free agent Chris Duhon. Thus, Duhon remains with Chicago.
Toronto traded the rights to #39 Albert Miralles to Miami for the rights to #47 Pape Sow and a 2nd round draft pick in 2005. On August 2, 2005 the largest trade in NBA history occurred with 5 teams and 13 players involved. In a sign-and-trade, Boston first re-signed Antoine Walker to a 6 year, $53 million contract. Boston traded away Antoine Walker and received Curtis Borchardt, Qyntel Woods, the draft rights to Albert Miralles, a 2nd round draft pick in 2006, a 2nd round draft pick in 2007 or 2008, and cash from Miami. Miami traded away Eddie Jones, Qyntel Woods, Rasual Butler, the rights to Albert Miralles, a 2nd round draft pick in 2006, a 2nd round draft pick in 2007 or 2008, and cash and received Antoine Walker, Jason Williams, James Posey, Andre Emmett, and the draft rights to Roberto Duenas. Memphis traded away Jason Williams, James Posey, Andre Emmett, and Greg Ostertag and received Eddie Jones and Raul Lopez. New Orleans traded away the draft rights to Roberto Duenas and received Rasual Butler and Kirk Snyder. Utah traded away Curtis Borchardt, Raul Lopez, and Kirk Snyder and received Greg Ostertag.
Boston signed him to a deal.
Seattle signed him to a deal.
San Antonio traded a 2005 second round pick and cash to Orlando for this pick.
New York signed him to a one year deal. On February 22, 2006 Orlando traded Steve Francis to New York for Anfernee Hardaway and Trevor Ariza. Hardaway was later released.
New Orleans signed him to a one year deal.
Charlotte signed him to a contract.
He slipped quite a bit, many thinking he would flirt with the first round. On July 31, 2006 Milwaukee traded Jamaal Magloire to Portland for Steve Blake, Brian Skinner, and Ha Seung-Jin.
Sacramento signed him to a deal to bring him into camp.
Houston got this pick back from Dallas for the right to Luis Flores (#55) and cash. On July 19, 2006, after waiting two years, Houston signed Vassili to a three year, $5 million contract.
He has a nice outside shot, but isn't the most commanding inside presence. He left Florida after two years to play in Europe.
San Antonio signed him to a three year minimum contract with only part of the first year guaranteed.
Miami signed him to a deal.
On August 24, 2004, Dallas traded Eduardo Najera, Christian Laettner, the draft rights to Luis Flores, the draft rights to Mladen Sekularac, a first round draft pick and cash to Golden State for Erick Dampier, Evan Eschmeyer, and the draft rights to Steve Logan. On February 24, 2005 Denver traded Nikoloz Tskitishvili and Rodney White to Golden State for Eduardo Najera, Luis Flores, and a 1st round draft pick in 2007 originally from Dallas (top 7 protected).
On September 14, 2004, Indiana signed Rashad to a one year, non-guaranteed contract.