2007 NBA Draft
June 28, 2007
Madison Square Garden, New York City
So this has been pretty much set in stone for maybe the last three years. There's no doubt he's worth the number one. He'll be the Olajuwan to Durant's Jordan. Oden will be just simply dominant. Have you heard that he's never lost a home game in high school OR college. On July 1, 2007 Portland signed 1st round draft pick Oden to a two year, $9,673,680 contract with two more years worth $12,121,764 at the team's option. 
Horford is the safe pick, and probably hands down the third highest ranked player in the draft. He really came on strong lately. The downside. He kinda looks like some of the players that they already have. The Yi Jianlian era does not begin in Atlanta. On July 9, 2007 Atlanta signed Horford to a two year, $4,026,720 contract with two more years worth $9,752,497 at the team's option.
Memphis had to finally come off the fence and choose between big and a PG. Its hard to like this pick actually, unless you really think Conley is something special. There are too many good big men left on the board to make a reach like this. Conley is the third freshman already taken in this draft. Don't you miss having high schoolers eligible? On July 30, 2007 Memphis signed Conley to a two year, $7,007,640 contract with two more years worth $8,290,167 at the team's option.
He has shot up draft boards faster than anyone. I really thought Boston had their heart set on Jianlian though. A few weeks ago I was higher on Green than anyone, so I guess the hype finally caught up. You gotta love the Georgetown background too. They know how to make NBA players. Since this pick belongs to the Sonics now, I guess it makes sense Jianlian wasn't the one taken. Seattle trades Ray Allen and the rights to the 35th overall pick, Glen Davis in the second round to Boston for Wally Szczerbiak, Delonte West and the rights to Jeff Green. On July 4, 2007 Seattle signed Jeff Green to a two year, $6,345,840 contract with two more years worth $7,972,948 at the team's option.
The most marketable and bankable international prospect in the draft is taken a little lower than some thought, but he will have as good of an opportunity to play in Milwaukee than anywhere. He's not Yao...and I won't say not Yao "yet" even, but he could be around for a while. Interestingly enough, Jianlian chose not to work out for the Bucks, but I doubt he will choose not to play for them. On August 29, 2007 Milwaukee signed Yi to a two year $5,763,840 contract with two more years worth 7,244,899 at the team's option.
He has the height, shot, quickness and that terrible word "upside" to make him a legit SF in the NBA. Joakim Noah had to have been in their minds, but they were probably looking at Brewer for a while now. Corey was probably the better college player of the Florida trio, but its hard to say how that will translate to the NBA. On July 10, 2007 Minnesota signed Brewer to a two year, $5,261,640 contract with two more years worth $6,619,592 at the team's option. 
Wright has slipped a lot in recent weeks. He could still be the third best player in this draft, but it might take some time. Charlotte will be a great place for him to develop though. Its appropriate that another Tar Heel ends up in Charlotte. Wow, before draft night was over, Golden State got their big guy by sending Jason Richardson and the rights to Jermareo Davidson to Charlotte for Wright. On July 6, 2007 Golden State signed Brandan Wright to a two year, $4,820,400 contract with two more years worth $6,069,512 at the team's option.
This is a little low for him, as I think he could be right up their with Horford as far as NBA potential. Chicago got this draft pick in the Eddy Curry deal, being able to swap picks with New York. Chicago is the only playoff team to have a lottery pick this year. A little trivia: his mom was Miss Sweden in 1978 and his dad is tennis player Janek Noah. On July 27, 2007 Chicago signed Joakim Noah to a two year, $4,430,880 contract with two more years worth $5,584,216 at the team's option.
Not only is he big...but he can actually play too. We haven't actually seen everything that he can do yet as he is still developing his skills. He averaged 14.9 points and 6.4 rebounds which were solid but not stellar. Probably an indication of what kind of NBA career he will have. If anyone is keeping score I actually had the top 10 players right...just not necessarily in the right order. On July 5, 2007 Sacramento signed Hawes to a two year, $4,209,360 contract with two more years worth $5,307,120 at the team's option.
Law becomes the first senior drafted. Thats pretty much what I thought. Atlanta filled a need and did it in style by taking the Cousy Award Winner for the best PG in college basketball. On July9, 2007 Atlanta signed Acie Law to a two year, $2,071,680 contract with two more years worth $5,157,004 at the team's option.
Thaddeus makes the first big leap on draft day jumping surprisingly over Nick Young and Al Thornton and a sliding Julian Wright. Young was the first sophomore selected this year, for those of you keeping score at home. On July 11, 2007 Philadelphia signed Thaddeus to a two year, $3,798,840 contract with two more years worth $5,006,641 at the team's option.
He didn't slip all that much, and stuck in the lottery. New Orleans was rumored to be choosing between Wright and Nick Young with Young supposedly getting the nod, but I guess they changed their mind. When all is said and done they will probably both be very successful and similar players in the NBA. Unfortunately, Nick Young and Al Thornton become the poster boys for sad puppy dogs as they are sitting in the green room. Who will be the last to go?
The Clippers decide to go big, instead of drafting a PG. Thornton's critics say that he might have peaked, but at least he is a pretty decent player right now. He sticks in the lottery, leaving Nick Young all alone in the Green Room. All in all, there have been very few surprises so far this year. On July 5, 2007 the LA Clippers signed Al Thornton to a two year, $3,428,520 contract with two more years worth $4,714,396 at the team's option.
Detroit wasn't trying to hide anything, going after the guy they liked all along. Some people thought Stuckey might creep into the lottery, but even here its a bit of a reach. Thats not to say that he won't work out for them. Detroit got this pick in the Milicic deal. Stuckey is the second Eastern Washington player to be drafted, and when he suits up on opening day will be the first player from his school to get into a game. On July 6, 2007 Detroit signed Stuckey to a two year, $3,256,920 contract with two more years worth $4,572,166 at the team's option.
Young was flying high, thinking lottery, but he slipped to...well right about where he deserves to go. He isn't a lock to make it in the NBA, but he does have one of the better mid-range shots in the draft class. On July 5, 2007 Washington signed Nick to a two year, $3,094,200 contract with two more years worth $4,345,303 at the team's option. 
He was kicked out of Boston College for marijuana related issues after leading the nation in blocks leaving him no choice but to go pro. He was thought to be a borderline first rounder a week ago, but something happened over the last week getting him on several teams radar. It was thought that the Nets would take Jason Smith if he was still on the board though. On July 9, 2007 New Jersey signed Sean to a two year, $2,939,520 contract with two more years worth $4,131,448 at the team's option.
Crittenton is the seventh freshman selected already in this draft. Curiously, it is also the second year in a row that the Lakers have taken a PG in the first round. In their defense he has lottery potential and was probably the best player left on the board. On July 4, 2007 the Lakers signed Crittenton to a two year, $2,666,760 contract with two more years worth $3,753,917 at the team's option.
The Heat traded the rights to Jason Smith to Philadelphia for the rights to Daequan Cook, a 2009 Second Round pick and cash. Smith could contribute much more to the Sixers than he would have for the Heat. On July 11, 2007 Philadelphia signed Jason to a two year, $2,560,200 contract with two more years worth $3,606,793 at the team's option.
He was the ACC player of the year, but that sort of thing always doesn't translate to NBA success. The jury is really out on this guy as some people think he is peaking while others say we've only scratched the surface. All in all, I kind of like the guy, although it could be a gamble. Hmmm...he's only the third senior selected. On July 4, 2007 Charlotte signed Dudley to a two year, $2,359,320 contract with two more years worth $3,458,708 at the team's option.
Isiah promised that he would take him, and sure enough here he is. This might not quite be as wild as Renaldo Balkman last year, but its still a reach. On July 27, 2007 New York signed Wilson Chandler to a two year, $2,289,120 contract with two more years worth $3,385,922 at the team's option.
Phoenix traded the rights to Fernandez and James Jones to Portland for 3 million dollars cash. Fernandez is the first "over 21" International player selected. He joins Sergio Rodriguez in Portland, who coincidentally the Blazers also "bought" last year. Rudy signed a three year contract with DKV Joventut of Spain, but he can still get out of the contract if he reaches a deal to play in the NBA.
Almond might just be the best shooter in the draft. I thought that Utah might take Derrick Byars over Almond, but its sorta six of this a half dozen of that. Almond is the fourth senior selected. On July 6, 2007 Utah signed Almond to a two year, $2,087,400 contract with two more years worth $3,240,533 at the team's option. 
Brooks is a borderline first rounder, but I guess Houston thought they needed a PG bad enough. Although he is small, that hasn't been as big of a problem in recent drafts, especially if the PG falls out of the lottery. On July 7, 2007 Houston signed Brooks to a two year, $2,018,280 contract with two more years worth $3,135,212 at the team's option.
He's the fifth international player selected by the Spurs in the last six years. He was a probable lottery pick in years past, and has pulled out of the last three drafts after declaring. He doesn't need to declare anymore as he is over 21 now, becoming the second over 21 international player selected in this draft. It was almost certain that San Antonio would be looking overseas, I just didn't expect Tiago to still be available.
I thought Pruitt just might squeek into the first round, and this is pretty close. He's one of several Point Guards in this draft that should be able to stick with his team for a few years at least.
Its really unbelievable that he fell this far. He's not that good of a scorer, but he does the other things pretty well, and he can still get the junk baskets that he needs. Portland is really getting a pretty amazing group of draft pics this year. Portland signed him to a contract.
Byars certainly deserved to go in the first round and he could be a real second round steal. This pick will go to Philly for their first rounder plus cash. On September 11, 2007 Philly signed him to a contract.
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