Pre-draft update

In my last post, I was all about O.J. Mayo, but since then couple of interesting things happened. To be honest I'm still in for Mayo, but I'm looking into other possibilities as well.
First and really intriguing thing is that some sources say that "McHale was just as excited with Gallinari as he has been since he scouted KG". If this is true, I guess we will draft him, and he could be a real deal for us. In this case we should trade down since I don't see anyone pick him in top5. Trade down to Grizzlies for some of their PG's would be nice and we could get let's say Lowry/Crittenton+Gallinari for #3. Interesting indeed... But there's again one question mark, why would Grizzlies do this. Only if they want Brook Lopez really hard and are afraid that Sonics would draft him, which I don't see happening. There's again one other possibility and that includes second interesting thing that happened in last couple of days.
Knicks are disappointed big time with their draft position. They've hoped for for top3 spot, or even top5 and finished at #6. They wanted potential superstar but are most likely not to get one, so they said that they would trade this pick just to get rid of some bad contracts. I might see a possibility here for Timerwolves. We have a big expiring contract in Walker, and if we draft Mayo with #3, McCant is most likely to be traded. There are some other players that could fill the void but they aren't that important. when saying about Knicks they have bad contracts in almost every player. I wouldn't consider Randolph at all as his contract is really, really bad. Out of the rest I would consider Curry and/or Jerome James(maybe even Malik Rose). I think that a deal Walker+ McCants for Curry + #6 is great for both sides but who knows what Knicks are thinking about. We could even add Telfair(s&t) in this deal to see their response. Just imagine if we could draft Mayo and Gallinari and add a big body in Curry. I'm really excited about what can we get for Walker and McCants...
The third interesting thing is that Chad Ford is reporting that DeAndre Jordan has got a promise he will be drafted in top5. Let's supose that Sonics are not in for a big man that high, only team that remains are Grizzlies. And if they've made that promise, Lopez could fall to #7 or #8. This also gives us a lot of possibilities for a trade down or even getting another pick in top10.

One thing is certain, after getting #3 many possibilities open up for us, and we can hardly have a bad draft, no matter who the front office drafts. With some draft day trade, we could surely get another top15 pick, and let's hope McHale will look into all possibilities and do what's best for team... ;)

Timberwolves get #3 on draft lottery

Timberwolves has got, right what they've deserved - #3 spot in this years draft. We finished tied for the third worst record, won the coin flip against Grizzlies so we were projected to get #3 and we've got it. I've hoped we could get a top2 pick, but when you look from this standpoint, #3 isn't bad at all. First two picks have gone to East so that's really great, and we're in front of our divisional rivals - Sonics. We can actually decide who will they draft so that's a big plus for us. Now let's analise who would be most appropriate to be drafted at #3...
First 2 picks are reserved for Beasley and Rose. If any of this guys drops to #3, it's a no-brainer, we have to draft him, but the chances that one of them will drop to #3 are smaller than Chicago to win this lottery... :) Next best player has to be O.J. Mayo. Great point guard out of USC. He can do everything. Shoot, penetrate, pass and best of all defend. He has size and he's completely NBA ready. There were some allegations about him receiving money from agents but McHale has made it clear that this kind of things will not hurt Mayo on the draft. From this statement it's obvious he's all-Mayo right now, and let's hope this doesn't change.
Other possibilities at #3 are Brook Lopez and Bayless. Both of them are descent players, but I think that we shouldn't pass on Mayo because of these guys. There's one other thing. If we don't draft Mayo, we are practicly giving him to Sonics and we surely don't want this to happen. So the only possibility is a trade down with someone who will draft Mayo. Knicks would surely be interested but they don't have much to offer.
Here's who I think we should draft:



Here's a couple of videos to see what he is capable to do:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=VdOTelhqVYw&feature=related
http://youtube.com/watch?v=n5gEcVYuC8I

Mock draft (pre-lottery)

As almost every web site that's about NBA has it's own mock draft, I'll also give it a try. I'll write only for 1st round because I don't have time for 2nd but will add a couple of names that look interesting to me. Nothing to add anymore so I can start...

1. Miami Heat - Derrick Rose, PG, Memphis
Rose is a great prospect, as well as is Beasley. Both of this guys will be great in NBA, but I give Rose a little advantage, great passer and defender, should work on his shooting but still he's player that turns franchise upside down in a second.

2. Seattle Sonics - Michael Beasley, PF, Kansas State
Since Rose is gone this is a no brainer. After Durant and Oden, we get another monster player in our division. He has proven he can score and rebound big time, and improves Sonics a lot at the PF position.

3. Minnesota Timberwolves - O.J. Mayo, PG/SG, USC
Another great player. Can create his own shots and could become terrific backcourt duo with Foye. Even though we're desperate for big man, I think neither big man on this draft deserves to be picked this high. Hopefully we can find somebody to fill that position in second round.

4. Memphis Grizzlies - Brook Lopez, C, Stanford
Like Timberwolves, Grizzlies are desperate for a big man. They are filled at PG, so only logical pick is Brook Lopez. I won't comment what kind of player could he become as he's to me just an average player. He could easily finish in Minnesota too, but let's hope not. ;)

5. New York Knicks - Jerryd Bailess, PG, Arizona
Knicks are pretty hard to guess, who could they draft. Still, I'll go with PG, as I don't see them drafting some big man. Next best PG on draft is Bailess. Nice player who could do well with D'Antoni, but I wont be suprised if they draft Randolph or Gallinari.

6. Los Angeles Clippers - Eric Gordon, SG, Indiana
They're in no need for big man's and I see them a little short on backcourt. Supose that they still have hope in Livingston, Gordon is a logical move for them.

7. Milwaukee Bucks - Anthony Randolph, SF, LSU
After last year's fiasco, I don't think they will go with a foreign player although Gallinari is probably a best suit for them. But who knows what they are thinking about... I guess they will make a lot moves this offseason so everything is possible here.

8. Charlotte Bobcats - Danilo Gallinari, SF, Italy
They really don't have any big needs so they can gamble with foreign player. I would really like to see how this could work out. Here I also see a big posibility of trade-down and taking some big man, but let's let them think about this posibilities...

9. Chicago Bulls - DeAndre Jordan, C, Texas A&M
Bulls have a young team, with a couple of overpaid players. They don't have some necessary need so they can also afford to gamble. I project them Jordan, maybe the biggest sleeper in this draft, but easily could become next Kwame or Darko.

10. New Jersey Nets - Kevin Love, PF, UCLA
Nets are in big need for big mans so Love will suit them very well. They are also team with potentialy busy summer so I wouldn't exclude some trade up or something like that.

11. Indiana Pacers - DJ Augustin, PG, Texas
One of the players I like least in this draft to one of the teams I don't like. Sweet. :)

12. Sacramento Kings - Darrel Arthur, PF, Kansas
Great fit for Kings. They need PF and they get one for years to come.

13. Portland Trailblazers - Russell Westbrook, PG/SG, UCLA
Blazers actually don't need nothing, but again they will end up with a great player. Westbrook is a great player for them, and I'm really scared when think what kind of team they could have in about 2-3 years.

14. Golden State Warriors - Donte Greene, SF/PF, Syracuse
Warriors really like great athletes. Greene adds them depth and could become nice player at PF for them.

15. Phoenix Suns - JaVale McGee, C, Nevada
Suns must get younger. Their starting lineup is like 200 years old. I was in dillema weather to add McGee or some SF, but they will need someone to play at C big minutes so I've decided for McGee. Should be good combo with Amare in years to come...

16. Philadelphia 76ers - Chris Douglas-Roberts, SG, Memphis
Just adding depth, it was CDR or Brandon Rush but CDR will fit them better so I've chosen him. Wouldn't be suprised if they draft Alexander also. ;)

17. Toronto Raptors - Roy Hibbert, C, Georgetown
They are short on C position so Hibbert fits them well.

18. Washington Wizards - Robin Lopez, C, Stanford
Another team that really doesn't have any needs, just adding to depth and who knows. Maybe Robin proves to be a sleeper.

19. Cleveland Cavaliers - Ty Lawson, PG, North Carolina
Delonte West is playing great in these playoffs, but I think Lawson would be a great fit for them and could quite improve their team. He's also one of the players I really like on this draft. :)

20. Denver Nuggets - Bill Walker, SG/SF, Kansas State
Nuggets have one of the best rosters in whole league but until they change their coach I don't see improvement. Let's say they'll go with Bill Walker.

21. New Jersey Nets - Kosta Koufos, C, Ohio State
Adding even more height.

22. Orlando Magic - Courtney Lee, SG, Western Kentucky
Magic needs more magic at SG so only logical choice is Lee.

23. Utah Jazz - Brandon Rush, SG, Kansas
Absolutely terrific fit for Jazz. Brewer improved but he's still just an average player. Rush is excellent all-round player, good outside shot. Imidiate starter for them and big time performer from the start.

24. Seattle Sonics - Alex Ajinca, C, France
After drafting Beasley at #2, they should look for C or PG. As there are no usefull PG's, they might gamble with one more player from France.

25. Houston Rockets - Joe Alexander, SF/PF, West Virginia
Rockets have been great all season long despite big injury problems. Alexander is one more player I like, and he's a great backup for them.

26. San Antonio Spurs - Ryan Anderson, PF, California
You never know with Spurs, but I see Anderson as a big time sleeper on this draft. He doesn't actually fits Spurs but I wouldn't suprised if they draft him.

27. New Orleans Hornets - Wayne Ellington, SG, UNC
Peterson is nice player for them but he's getting older. Ellington could turn out to be descent player, and with CP3 in team, he could perform very well.

28. Memphis Grizzlies - Mareese Speights, C/PF
Adding players to frontcourt can't be bad.

29. Detroit Pistons - Richard Hendrix, Pf, Alabama
I really have no idea who could they draft so I've gone with probably BPA.

30. Boston Celtics - Joey Dorsey, C, Memphis
Celtics are quite old and whatever position they draft they can't make fault. I see them as a big time contender next season also so they should add a defensive minded center. Joey is undersized but he's really tough one. ;)

When I look at this point what's left for second round, I like only a couple of players. Hardin could be reach, Chalmers is nice also and maybe Pekovic but he is under question mark as he shall probably stay in Europe for at least one more year...

Lottery is in 5 days, let's hope we slip into top2 so we get an franchise player. ;)