Post by heelsguy25 on Jan 8, 2011 10:23:30 GMT -5
The 2006 Draft is quickly approaching. The season is nearing the halfway point and its about time when teams start to do their planning on the whose who of the draft. We will take a look at what we think the draft will look come that night. The picks are based on a few factors: Team needs, upcoming free agents of the team and other roster issues. Our writers come together and make these selections, so they are just opinions. It is still early to say whose in and out of the draft so this mock will include players who are still testing the draft waters. We will look first at the lottery picks.
1. Cleveland Cavaliers
Previous lottery position: N/A
Current record: 8-23
Team needs: PF
Projected Selection: PF Andrea Bargnani
The Cavs will have a few options for the #1 pick, but they desperately need a PF. If they go with Bargnani, it may light a fire under the butt of Pau Gasol to play like a former top draft selection should. Another option for the Cavaliers could be Al Jefferson. The frontcourt is a weak area for this team, so if they go in another direction, look for the other GMs to place the dunce cap on this team's GM.
2. Philadelphia 76ers
Previous lottery position: N/A
Current record: 11-27
Team needs: SG, PF
Projected Selection: PF Al Jefferson
Back in the lottery for the 76ers. They own 2 potential lottery picks, and could fill two voids via the draft. If they go big here look for Big Al to be the pick. They have tried to move Tony Parker so they can shift Devin Harris back to PG. If they want to go with a SG look for them to consider Monta Ellis or Brandon Roy.
3. Sacramento Kings
Previous lottery position: N/A
Current record: 11-26
Team needs: SG, PF, C
Projected Selection: Brandon Roy
The Kings need alot of help so any pick is a good one for them. They need a scorer, and could land one this early. If they want to go with a small lineup they could draft Rondo and play him at SG. Wouldn't be the first time a team plays 2 PGs in the backcourt. They could use some frontcourt help too so they have a few options to consider there too.
4. Miami Heat (via New York)
Previous lottery position: N/A
Current record: 24-13
Team needs: SF,C
Projected Selection: C Joakim Noah
Being a playoff team and owning a lottery pick is a good situation to be in. thats what the Miami heat are faced with. They will need some help come off-season and could fill a void via the draft. They are close to the hard cap, so making the right pick is critical. Noah could be their guy since he gives them a legit center and bolsters their frontcourt.
5. Charlotte Hornets
Previous lottery position: N.A
Current record: 12-22
Team needs: SG, SF, C
Projected Selection: PG Rajon Rondo
Rondo would be a good pick here. He would allow Udrih to shift to SG which is more suited to his game. Rondo could step right in and overtake the other PGs on the roster. If the Hornets go big look for players like Al Horford and Tyrus Thomas to be considered.
6. Vancouver Grizzlies
Previous lottery position: N/A
Current record: 12-22
Team needs: PG, SG, SF
Projected Selection: SG Randy Foye
The Grizzlies will have quite a few choices at this pick, since they lack alot of positions heading into the off season. The selection here could change the rest of the lottery drastically.
7. Milwaukee Bucks
Previous lottery position: N/A
Current record: 15-24
Team needs: PF
Projected Selection: PF Andray Blatche
If Blatche is here, look for the Bucks to nab him. He seems to be the best PF prospect at this point in the draft. he Bucks are a pretty young team but have filled out their roster nicely at each position. Their frontcourt is weak, so any size would do them some good.
8. Philadelphia 76ers (via Golden State)
Previous lottery position: N/A
Current record: 11-37
Team Needs: SG, PF
Projected Selection: SG Martell Webster
The second of the 76ers' picks in the lottery. If they go big with their first one, they should go with a scorer here. Webster is the best SG option on the board so look for them to consider him. Another option could be Duke sharpshooter JJ Redick.
9. Utah Jazz
Previous lottery position: N/A
Current record: 14-18
Team needs: SG, SF, C
Projected Selection: SF Wilson Chandler
The Jazz will have some tough choices to make when their pick is up. They have a few positions that need to be filled, but thankfully own 3 1sts this draft. Chandler could be their guy here since they need a SF. They could also look at players like Saer Sene, Corey Brewer and Paul Millsap.
10. New Jersey Nets
Previous lottery position: N/A
Current record: 17-21
Team needs: SG, Depth
Projected Selection: JJ Redick
The Nets aren't a bad team, but seem to struggle from time to time. Their starting 5 is set, so depth could be the way they go here. BPA is the option and Redick seems to be the guy there. If they want to go big look for players like Paul Millsap and Cedric Simmons to be options.
11. San Antonio Spurs
Previous lottery position: N/A
Current record: 14-17
Team needs: PG, SG, PF
Projected Selection: PG Kyle Lowry
Lowry could be a nice grab her if hes on the board. The Spurs need alot of help outside of McGrady and Bynumn, so any pick here could be worthwhile. If Lowry isn't their guy they could look at players like Millsap, Simmons or even Adam Morrison.
12. Chicago Bulls
Previous lottery position: N/A
Current record: 16-20
Team needs: PG, SG, PF
Projected Selection: PF Paul Millsap
Chicago will need alot of help if some of their starters bolt in FA. If that happens, look for the Bulls to be in decision mode come draft time. They could land a big like Millsap or a guard. The GM will need to play their chips right or they could be lottery bound next season too.
13. Dallas Mavericks
Previous lottery position: N/A
Current record: 37-38
Team needs: SG, SF, C
Projected Selection: SF Adam Morrison
Taking a chance is what the Mavs could do here. They are a fringe playoff team, but still need alot of help. Morrison could give them the scorer they lack. If they go big players like Cedric Simmons, Saer Sene and Josh Boone could come into play.
The season is almost half over, so the lottery picture is continuing to shape. Its all up to how the ping pong balls fall though. The decisions from the wild cards should come over the course of the season. Stay tuned...
1. Cleveland Cavaliers
Previous lottery position: N/A
Current record: 8-23
Team needs: PF
Projected Selection: PF Andrea Bargnani
The Cavs will have a few options for the #1 pick, but they desperately need a PF. If they go with Bargnani, it may light a fire under the butt of Pau Gasol to play like a former top draft selection should. Another option for the Cavaliers could be Al Jefferson. The frontcourt is a weak area for this team, so if they go in another direction, look for the other GMs to place the dunce cap on this team's GM.
2. Philadelphia 76ers
Previous lottery position: N/A
Current record: 11-27
Team needs: SG, PF
Projected Selection: PF Al Jefferson
Back in the lottery for the 76ers. They own 2 potential lottery picks, and could fill two voids via the draft. If they go big here look for Big Al to be the pick. They have tried to move Tony Parker so they can shift Devin Harris back to PG. If they want to go with a SG look for them to consider Monta Ellis or Brandon Roy.
3. Sacramento Kings
Previous lottery position: N/A
Current record: 11-26
Team needs: SG, PF, C
Projected Selection: Brandon Roy
The Kings need alot of help so any pick is a good one for them. They need a scorer, and could land one this early. If they want to go with a small lineup they could draft Rondo and play him at SG. Wouldn't be the first time a team plays 2 PGs in the backcourt. They could use some frontcourt help too so they have a few options to consider there too.
4. Miami Heat (via New York)
Previous lottery position: N/A
Current record: 24-13
Team needs: SF,C
Projected Selection: C Joakim Noah
Being a playoff team and owning a lottery pick is a good situation to be in. thats what the Miami heat are faced with. They will need some help come off-season and could fill a void via the draft. They are close to the hard cap, so making the right pick is critical. Noah could be their guy since he gives them a legit center and bolsters their frontcourt.
5. Charlotte Hornets
Previous lottery position: N.A
Current record: 12-22
Team needs: SG, SF, C
Projected Selection: PG Rajon Rondo
Rondo would be a good pick here. He would allow Udrih to shift to SG which is more suited to his game. Rondo could step right in and overtake the other PGs on the roster. If the Hornets go big look for players like Al Horford and Tyrus Thomas to be considered.
6. Vancouver Grizzlies
Previous lottery position: N/A
Current record: 12-22
Team needs: PG, SG, SF
Projected Selection: SG Randy Foye
The Grizzlies will have quite a few choices at this pick, since they lack alot of positions heading into the off season. The selection here could change the rest of the lottery drastically.
7. Milwaukee Bucks
Previous lottery position: N/A
Current record: 15-24
Team needs: PF
Projected Selection: PF Andray Blatche
If Blatche is here, look for the Bucks to nab him. He seems to be the best PF prospect at this point in the draft. he Bucks are a pretty young team but have filled out their roster nicely at each position. Their frontcourt is weak, so any size would do them some good.
8. Philadelphia 76ers (via Golden State)
Previous lottery position: N/A
Current record: 11-37
Team Needs: SG, PF
Projected Selection: SG Martell Webster
The second of the 76ers' picks in the lottery. If they go big with their first one, they should go with a scorer here. Webster is the best SG option on the board so look for them to consider him. Another option could be Duke sharpshooter JJ Redick.
9. Utah Jazz
Previous lottery position: N/A
Current record: 14-18
Team needs: SG, SF, C
Projected Selection: SF Wilson Chandler
The Jazz will have some tough choices to make when their pick is up. They have a few positions that need to be filled, but thankfully own 3 1sts this draft. Chandler could be their guy here since they need a SF. They could also look at players like Saer Sene, Corey Brewer and Paul Millsap.
10. New Jersey Nets
Previous lottery position: N/A
Current record: 17-21
Team needs: SG, Depth
Projected Selection: JJ Redick
The Nets aren't a bad team, but seem to struggle from time to time. Their starting 5 is set, so depth could be the way they go here. BPA is the option and Redick seems to be the guy there. If they want to go big look for players like Paul Millsap and Cedric Simmons to be options.
11. San Antonio Spurs
Previous lottery position: N/A
Current record: 14-17
Team needs: PG, SG, PF
Projected Selection: PG Kyle Lowry
Lowry could be a nice grab her if hes on the board. The Spurs need alot of help outside of McGrady and Bynumn, so any pick here could be worthwhile. If Lowry isn't their guy they could look at players like Millsap, Simmons or even Adam Morrison.
12. Chicago Bulls
Previous lottery position: N/A
Current record: 16-20
Team needs: PG, SG, PF
Projected Selection: PF Paul Millsap
Chicago will need alot of help if some of their starters bolt in FA. If that happens, look for the Bulls to be in decision mode come draft time. They could land a big like Millsap or a guard. The GM will need to play their chips right or they could be lottery bound next season too.
13. Dallas Mavericks
Previous lottery position: N/A
Current record: 37-38
Team needs: SG, SF, C
Projected Selection: SF Adam Morrison
Taking a chance is what the Mavs could do here. They are a fringe playoff team, but still need alot of help. Morrison could give them the scorer they lack. If they go big players like Cedric Simmons, Saer Sene and Josh Boone could come into play.
The season is almost half over, so the lottery picture is continuing to shape. Its all up to how the ping pong balls fall though. The decisions from the wild cards should come over the course of the season. Stay tuned...
