DC Pro Sports Report NBA Mock Draft 2.0

Version II of the DCPSR Mock Draft

By Spence | June 24, 2008

01. Chicago Bulls: PG Derrick Rose [Memphis]. I’m not sure this is the smart pick for Chicago. They desperately need a real point guard [Kirk Hinrich ain't it], but Michael Beasley is going to be a monstrously good player, better than Rose, I suspect.

02. Memphis Grizzlies: PF Michael Beasley [Kansas State]. Miami should stick and take Beasley [and be damn grateful they got the best player in the draft], but I think they’ll move the pick once they can’t get Rose. Memphis has got the most talent to move up so I think they do it. He’s a different power forward than Pau Gasol, but in time he will be better.

03. Minnesota Timberwolves: OJ Mayo [USC]. This is a ‘best player available’ selection because Mayo certainly isn’t a need pick. Watch out for another trade here.

04. Seattle Supersonics: PG Jerryd Bayless [Arizona]. A point guard is what this team needs to go with Kevin Durant and Jeff Green and Bayless might be the best one in the draft.

05. Miami Heat: PG Russell Westbrook [UCLA]. Miami gets the point guard it needs to play next to Dwyane Wade [and a few extra Memphis players, too].

06. New York Knicks: PF Kevin Love [UCLA]. Back-to-back Bruins go early in the draft after the Knicks fail to land OJ Mayo. Love is pretty close to a sure thing and should have a long and productive NBA career.

07. Los Angeles Clippers: G Eric Gordon [Indiana]. Corey Maggette is probably leaving and the Clips will need someone to replace him. They need a point guard even more, but I don’t think they’ll be able to move up to grab Bayless or Westbrook.

08. Milwaukee Bucks: QF Joe Alexander [West Virginia]. This is a bit of a risky pick with guys like Brook Lopez and Danilo Gallinari still on the board, but Alexander has worked out well and new Coach Scott Skiles should love his energy and athleticism.

09. Charlotte Bobcats: C Brook Lopez [Stanford]. Michael Jordan gets the guy he needs to move Emeka Okafor to power forward, where he belongs. No, Lopez will probably never be a big star in the NBA, but he can be a pretty good legitimate center and those are pretty valuable.

10. New Jersey Nets: F Danilo Gallinari [Italy]. A versatile, nice-shooting, nice-passing European point forward should help the Nets as they try to rebuild their team before moving to Brooklyn. Look for Richard Jefferson to be traded soon after the draft.