Post by heelsguy25 on Dec 20, 2010 1:16:10 GMT -5
The 2005 Draft is quickly approaching. The season is half over 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 that, 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.
1. Washington Wizards
Previous lottery position: 2nd
Current record: 19-49
Team needs: PF, C
Projected Selection: PG Chris Paul
The Wizards climb to #1 in our mock lottery and reap the benefits. We had them taking a big last mock, but feel they'd be best served to draft a PG. They Have some nice options there and could use them as trading chips. They will have loads of cash so signing some frontcourt FAs could be their plan. Paul is a good fit here as he allows Mo to play the 2 and have a pretty good 1-2 punch in the backcourt.
2. Phoenix Suns
Previous lottery position: 1st
Current record: 21-45
Team needs: SF, C
Projected Selection: C Andrew Bogut
Dropping out of the top spot hurts for Phoenix, but they still land a very good SSBL ready player in Bogut. We had them taking Bogut in the last mock and he remains the pick at #2. A combo of Howard and Bogut is scary.
3. Philadelphia
Previous lottery position: 5th
Current record: 22-47
Team needs: SG, PF, C
Projected Selection: C Andrew Bynum
The 76ers fall to #3 and land a promising young big in Bynum here. He will help out the frontcourt which is non existent.
4. Houston Rockets
Previous lottery position: 3rd
Current record: 22-45
Team needs: PG
Projected Selection: PG Deron Williams
The Rockets lose out on the Paul sweepstakes but land another good guard in Williams. Williams will step right in and give this team the true PG they have lacked for seasons now. Wagner will shift to the 2 and provide that soring they lack at the position.
5. New York Knicks
Previous lottery position: #4
Current record: 24-44
Team needs: PG, BPA
Projected Selection; SF Danny Granger
The Knicks had 2 potential lottery picks, but now only have one. Drafting BPA could be an option at #5. If they do a player like Granger would be a safe pick here. Granger could step in and overtake Lewis at SF next season.
6. Milwaukee Bucks
Previous lottery position: #6
Current record: 26-40
Team needs: PF, C
Projected Selection: PF Al Jefferson
Jefferson is a nice steal here if things go down this way. Milwaukee needs some frontcourt help and Jefferson does just that. He can score rebound and defend, and is still very young. A nice selection if the Bucks land here in the lottery.
7. San Antonio Spurs
Previous lottery position: #8
Current record: 28-40
Team needs: PG, PF
Projected Selection: PF LaMarcus Aldridge
Frontcourt help is what the Spurs need and Aldridge could give them that. He is very long and lean and does a few things well. Some say he lacks the aggressiveness at times, but makes big shots when needed.
8. Utah Jazz
Previous lottery position: #8
Current record: 30-39
Team Needs: SG
Projected Selection: SF Rudy Gay
The Jazz are free falling in the lottery, and that doesn't surprise us. They need help, but will it come from the draft? There are some options here for the jazz so who knows where they will go. gay could help them but may have to play out of position to do so.
9. Charlotte Hornets
Previous lottery position: #7
Current record: 30-38
Team needs: PG, C
Projected Selection: C Marc Gasol
The Hornets fall a couple slots but still should be able to snag Gasol. They could use a PG but Telfair may not go this high. They have Udrih and like how he is progressing in the D League, so he could be groomed for the starting role for next season.
10. Dallas Mavericks
Previous lottery position: #10
Current record: 30-35
Team needs: SG, SF
Projected Selection: SG Randy Foye
Dallas lands a decent combo guard in Foye. He could step in and start, but most likely will see some backup time to readjust to the fast paced SSBL style.
11. Cleveland Cavaliers
Previous lottery position: N/A
Current record: 31-35
Team needs: PF, C
Projected Selection: PF Andray Blatche
Cleveland sees itself in the lottery and could nab a young big like Blatche. they need some help downlow and there are a few guys they could target, Blatche being one of them.
12. Toronto Raptors
Previous lottery position: N/A
Current record: 33-36
Team needs: Depth
Projected Selection: C Robert Swift
Toronto is back in the lottery. they were once a top 4 team in the East, now lottery bound. They need depth at some positions so BPA could work here. A lack of bigs going into next season could denote them to grab a big. Swift is an option, and could see some time as Kaman's backup.
13. Sacramento Kings (via Lakers)
Previous lottery position: #12
Current record: 35-33
Team needs: SG, SF, PF
Projected Selection: Amir Johnson
The Kings drop a spot in our mock and could go big here. A few options available and Johnson seems like the best option. He is young and very promising.
The season is far from over, so this lottery picture will change. The decisions form the draftees should come as the season winds down, so we will unveil a new mock every so often leading up to draft day. Stay tuned...
