NBA Draft 2007: June 28
The NBA Draft is just 11 days from Sunday. Greg Oden has all but locked up the number 1 pick, but you can bet there will be some drama on draft day. A first-round contract carries a guarantee of two years and $1.8 million.
Here is a quick look at the top 10:1. Greg Oden
Draft Express: 1
NBADraftNet: 1
Oden has been blogging at Yardbarker.com/users/gregoden. I've been reading it, you can tell he's young, but he's chill. I especially like "I was on the plane when it happened, but as soon as I landed I had 22 messages that all said 'Portland 1 Seattle 2.' It was a total shock to me not to be funny, but I forgot those two teams where even in the lottery."
2. Kevin Durant
Draft Express: 2
NBADraftNet: 2
Headlines screamed "Durant Can't Bench Press 185". With a 7-5 wingspan, I chalk this up to Vince Young's score on the wonderlic test. Durant would be a perfect replacement for Rashard Lewis in Seattle. Seattle was 31-51 last season, but had injuries to its main stars Ray Allen and Lewis, they also have promising young big men in Johan Petro and Robert Swift.
3. Al Horford
Draft Express: 4
NBADraftNet: 3
Horford was a powerful force for the Gators repeat national championships. Horford continues to prove he's worked hard to get to where he is. Horford or Brandan Wright could go 3 to the Hawks. Atlanta has drafted forwards with the past 5 first round picks. Horford has "the total package" and is being highly considered to go #3.
4. Brandan Wright
Draft Express: 3
NBADraftNet: 4
Wright has a freakishly long wing-span and was the catalyst in the most recent Tar Heel title run. The Bucks have the 6th pick and appear very ready to select Wright with their pick. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel wrote that the team said the 19-year-old needed to add strength but is just a young pup with room to grow. Wright work-out with the Bucks was only his second, after auditioning in Boston on last Monday. He will work out for Memphis and Atlanta next week - expect Wright to go 3 or 4, but no team should pass on him after that.
5. Yi Jialian
Draft Express: 9
NBADraftNet: 5
Are you wondering why Celtics GM Danny Ainge is trying to trade away his #5 overall pick? It's because he doesn't want to be the guy who gambled on Yi Jialian. Although Yi could turn out to be a better version of Yao - which after studying many YouTube videos, I think he's got serious Yao potential - gambling on foreign players is sometimes hit or miss (Dirk vs Darko). Draft Express has Joakim Noah at 5th, but I don't see Boston drafting Noah. The Celtics could take Yi, but the next best choices are swing-forwards Corey Brewer, Jeff Green or Julian Wright.
6. Corey Brewer
Draft Express: 8
NBADraftNet: 6
Mock drafts have put Brewer at 6th-9th overall in the same group as Jeff Green, Julian Wright and Joakim Noah. Brewer is a skinny, 6-foot-9 defensive forward who was the most outstanding player of the Final Four. The Bucks and Wolves have both expressed interest in selecting Brewer. If Jeff Green doesn't go 6th, Brewer would make a great fit in Minneapolis. "I wouldn't mind being up [in Minnesota] with KG and Foye and those guys. But we won't know until June 28."
7. Jeff Green
Draft Express: 8
NBADraftNet: 10
Green was picked as pre-season all Big East, but didn't become a household name until the Hoyas run at the Final Four this past season. Green has explosive speed, is a great defender and has an all-around game. His potential is great and could make a nice fit for the Wolves at #7. If the Wolves cant get Brewer, they might go Noah or Green. Of the 5 different draft experts on HoopsWorld.com - there are 5 different players for who the Timberwolves are going to pick.
8. Joakim Noah
Draft Express: 5
NBADraftNet: 8
Noah might have been the first overall pick if he had left college for the pros last season. Instead, Noah has another NCAA championship and another year of experience and confidence. Noah, the most vocal of the "Gator Boys", would immediately be a media darling for whichever NBA city he lands in. At #8, Noah could make a great addition to the Baby Bobcats.
9. Spencer Hawes
Draft Express: 7
NBADraftNet: 12
Hawes is a young 7-footer with a lot of potential. The Bulls already have good guard play in Hinrich, Gordon and Duhan so they'll likely pass on the best PG in the draft Mike Conley and draft a big man. If Noah somehow falls to the 9th, the Bulls will be laughing their way to the Eastern Conference Finals next season without a doubt. Expect Chicago to draft Hawes for his size if they can't get Noah. They'll use Hawes to replace minutes lost on veteran P.J. Brown. Hawes still needs to declare if he wants to go back to school for his sophomore season - the deadline to withdraw from the draft and return to school is Monday. All signs point to Hawes making arrangement with an agents soon. According to The Sporting News Hawes has worked out for Philadelphia (No. 12 pick), Chicago (No. 9) and Minnesota (No. 7), and he was in Sacramento (No. 10) on Friday. Boston, who owns the No. 5 pick, also attended his workout in Philadelphia.
10. Mike Conley Jr.
Draft Express: 6
NBADraftNet: 11
Mike Conley Jr has been declared this years only point guard worth drafting. Lack of quality guards has opened up the chance for younger players like Javaris Crittenton to get drafted earlier in this years draft than they would in next years draft. Conley still hasn't signed with his agent (his father), but is expected to do so after Monday's return to college deadline. Conley could get drafted even higher than 10th, but could fall further. There are quality players like Julian Wright, Al Thornton, Nick Young, Thaddeus Young and Acie Law that could find themselves as top 10 picks.
NBA Draft Rumors (6/17):
Phoenix has the 24th overall pick and are looking to move up. Trading away Shawn Marion is one way to do it, but they might need to think of different ways because it doesn't appear The Matrix is going anywhere.
The Knicks and Nets both worked out Florida guard Taurean Green recently. As much publicity as the Gators forwards get, Green has a good shot and good court vision. New York has shown interest in Taurean despite his small size (6-1, 170). The Knicks need 3-point shooting help and have also been rumored to be considering drafting Rice forward and scorer Morris Almond with their 23rd overall pick.
The Magic don't have a first round pick, but want one. They are trying to deal one of their two 2nd round picks or perhaps both for a pick in the top 30.
One team that could entertain Orlando's draft wants is Philadelphia who currently owns 4 first round picks (12th, 21st, 30th, 38th). If the Sixers don't use one or all of these to acquire Kobe Bryant or another big name star, Sixers president Billy King has said that he wants to package two picks for a higher pick. King also told The Delco Times that he would consider drafting a European player and let him develop overseas.
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