Pre-Draft trades resulted in the Bucks acquiring Richard Jefferson for Yi Jianlian and Bobby Simmons (really?) and Jermaine O'Neal heading out to Toronto for TJ Ford, Steven A. Smith's favorite center Rasho Nestervic and some pick shuffling.  Not only is Jamal Tinsley dangerous to hang out with, but he is also dangerous to have on your roster because you will take injury prone frail point guards just so you don't have to play him.

On with the draft.

1. Chicago Bulls   -    Derrick Rose, PG, Memphis

As expected the Bulls draft hometown guy Derrick Rose.  I wrote about the Bulls' options in this article and it looks like they're going with option number 2.  The success or failure of this pick will be determined by what the Bulls can get with Kirk Hinrich and other young talent that they've been hesistant to trade up until this point.  Beasley would have been the easier solution, but Rose is the solution with the biggest upside.

2.  Miami Heat   -   Michael Beasley, PF, Kansas State

I just didn't understand all of the pre-draft hype indicating the Heat would shy away from Beasley.  I mean, why wouldn't you want to play him, Wade and Marion at the same time?  Yes, you still need a point guard, but who knows if OJ can play it or if he wants to play the point.  I think the guy is a selfish jerk, which are qualities you don't want in your point guard so Beasley is the only logical choice here.  More on OJ later.

3.  Minnesota Timberwolves   -   O.J. Mayo, G, USC

Not my favorite player and frankly I really don't know whether he's an upgrade over McCants and Foye.  He says he can play the point, I think he can when he wants to, but I just have reservations about having a guy who took off his shirt and walked off the court in his final high school game before it was over.  That kind of bravado is appropriate for a 2, not for a 1.  Not to mention, something rubs me the wrong way about how everyone is getting in trouble for Mayo accepting benefits while he sits back smiling like he didn't do anything wrong.

4.  Seattle Sonics/Oklahoma City Cyclones    -   Russell Westbrook, G, UCLA

I like Bayless better than Westbrook, although most would agree Westbrook has the bigger upside and is the better defender.  The commentators are discussing what happens with Durant since they believe Westbrook may not be a natural point.  However, why is no one paying attention to the fact that Durant has NO business playing the 2?  He's a defensive liability at that position.  (although you could probably argue he's a liability at the 3 also)   He's got weight to put on, but I'd like to see Durant at some point show the prowness on the glass in the league that he showed in college. 

5.  Memphis Grizzlies   -   Kevin Love, PF, UCLA

One of the most controversial prospects in this year's draft.  Not a great athlete maybe a tad bit undersized, not in the greatest of shape, yet everyone is trying to sell him as a top five player in this year's draft.  Since the end of the season, there have been reports that he has gotten into great shape. 

I just know that when your ability to throw outlet passes is what scouts are raving about more than anything else, there should be some serious reservations.

The Knicks are up next and if they really want to move on they need to take someone to get Marbury out of the lineup.  Bayless maybe?

6.  New York Knicks   -  Danilo Gallinari, F, Italy

Maybe not.  The Knicks go with the foreigner, which shoudn't be suprising with D'Antoni as their new coach.  If anyone knows anything about Euroleague players D'Antoni does.  They're calling him a versatile scorer and a very solid player.  He's young and the Knicks are going to have to wait on him.

Its really hard to grade this pick without having any idea what the Knicks plan is now with D'Antoni on board.  I don't know if you can consider anything the Knicks do with their roster a success as long as Marbury is still around.

7.  LA Clippers   -  Eric Gordon, G, Indiana

This is the year of the combos I guess as the Clips take Gordon who they think will be able to play some point.  We know Gordon can fill it up and we know he can shoot the lights out.  We don't know whether he can play point in the league.  However, Gordon, Thornton, Maggette, Brand and Kaman, gives the Clips alot of options, assuming Sterling doesn't blow this thing up.

8.  Milwaukee Bucks   -   Joe Alexander, F, West Virginia

Really?  I mean really?  He plays what position?  They just got who to play that same position?  He can't play PF?  Interesting pick.  I will leave it at that.

The good thing about the Bobcats picking 9th is that there really isn't anyone on the board that Jordan can pick that people can get really angry with him about.  You rarely get gamechangers this late in the first round, so if it doesn't pan out he can blame their draft position.  If it works out he can claim he was a genius talent evaluator.  Its win-win for MJ.

Jay Bilas just suggested Brooke Lopez and I agree with the suggestion however:

9.  Charlotte Bobcats   -  D.J. Augustin, PG, Texas

Never doubt MJ's ability to screw up a pick. 

MJ once again pulls a rabbit out of his hat and drafts another point guard selling out fellow Carolina alum Raymond Felton in the process.  I think Augustin can help the Cats and I definitely think that Felton is not going to get much better than he is now with regards to basketball IQ and decision-making.  You also must consider that Augustin's ability and quickness is a good mesh with athletic wings Wallace and Richardson.  With that said, I still think the Cats would have been better served by going big. 

Did I miss something this week on Bayless' workouts?  Did he show up chubby?  Seems I remember reading his workouts went great.

10.  New Jersey Nets    -   Brook Lopez, C, Stanford

The first pick in a while that makes sense for the drafting team.  The Nets have been trying to get size for the last 4-5 years and although not great, Lopez is the most skilled center in the draft.  If Kristic can return to form, the Nets have some potential on the roster.  They're looking at:

1- Harris
2- Carter
3- Yi/Simmons
4- Kristic
5- Lopez

Now that I write that out it isn't scaring anyone right now and may never be scary, but it is a good mix of youth, potential and experience.  They're well on the way to being mediocre which is what they are shooting for apparently. 

Pardon me though but doesn't,  1- Harris, 2- Carter, 3- Jefferson, 4- Kristic, and 5- Lopez look much better for the next 3-4 years or is that just me?

11.  Indiana Pacers   -   Jerryd Bayless, G, Arizona

So you trade Jermaine O'Neal for a PG in TJ Ford then you draft Bayless a PG.  I understand Bayless wasn't supposed to be there and he is probably the best player on the board.  However, it looks like the Pacers are going to have to move some players around because they've got alot of guards. 

I'll pay you $20.00 if you can name 3 bigs on the Pacers roster right now.  (Don't look it up now)

12. Sacramento Kings   -   Jason Thompson, F, Rider

I know the Kings hated to see Bayless come off the board right before they picked considering that they probably had the biggest PG need in the entire draft.  I guess you really can't blame them for going big here considering what's left.  However, Mark Jackson makes a point that it looks like they are just content with striking out on bigs who probably won't amount to anything greater than your average joe role player.  However, beware of the potential with Thompson.  (We've heard this before)

Now you want to talk about a team who has it made?  Young talent?  Big freaking check!  Big stud?  Check.  Here they sit at 13 without a pressing need except maybe at the point, however, a veteran point would be more ideal than reaching at this point for a player who probably won't get any playing time for years.  This pick will likely be for someone else, or in anticipation of the Blazers unloading some of their young talent for some veteran leadership.

13.  Portland Trailblazers   -   Brandon Rush, G, Kansas

Even though they've got Brandon Roy, I like this pick, although how Rush and Roy will fit into the Blazers plans may be up in the air.  Roy plays some point for the Blazers so either they will play them together or Rush will come in at the 2 and 3.  Either way, drafting a player like Rush is almost like acquiring a veteran with his many years of experience in college b-ball at a big time program.  The only thing he needs to overcome is the curse on his family.  (Kareem and Jaron have both been ehh )

14.  Golden State Warriors  -   Anthony Randolph, F, LSU

Why I'm thinking Stromile Swift as this guy is approaching the podium is beyond me.  Can you really be less than 200 lbs and 6-10?  We're talking about a guy who needs to put on 30-40 pounds here. 

With that said, can you really blame the Warriors who are in desperate need of size here?  (Even though I just don't see how this guy can do anything for you but finish on the break and block some shots in help defense for at least 2 years)

15.  Phoenix Suns   -   Robin Lopez, C, Stanford

The Phoenix Suns get their hands on Anderson Varejao who provides a decent backup for Shaq and will fit into what looks to be the Suns new halfcourt offense.  He's also a good complement for Amare Stoudamire in the long run, as he can guard centers and allows Stoudamire to play PF even when Shaq breaks down or gets in foul trouble. 

There has been talk of the Suns trading Diaw or Barbosa.  I think if Diaw can stay in shape he really fills out the Suns frontcourt rotation.  (Diaw, Shaq, Stoudamire and Lopez)  A Barbosa trade would really hurt the Suns' punch off the bench on a team that is sorely lacking perimeter scorers anyway.  (not to mention an aging team with not many young talented players)  If they can't get back a player like Michael Redd for him, I don't really see the point.  Diaw and Barbosa for a backup point guard is just not a good look.

16.  Philadelphia 76ers   -   Marreese Speights, F, Florida

6ers need a big and get one in Speights.  He showed great efficiency in college shooting 62% from the field, but I'm a little weary of anyone on this past year's Florida team.  These players are like spoiled rich kids for the most part.  The school is coming off back-to-back national championships.  Although this year's team was not expected to do as well, you can bet these kids thought they would just walk into the arena and teams would just step aside while they waltzed to a 25 win season.  It remains to be seen whether Speights has the mental toughness to produce at the NBA level.

17.  Toronto Raptors   -   Roy Hibbert, C, Georgetown

This pick will likely go to the Pacers as part of the Jermaine O'Neal/TJ Ford swap.

Hibbert is a talented player for a big.  Issues are stamina, mobility, and staying out of foul trouble.  He will have games where he will play very well.  However, he will also have games where he will give you 1 pt, 2 rebs, 0 blks and 6 fouls.  If you can live with that from your starting center then he is your guy.  (No you cannot use Roy Hibbert as one of the Pacers bigs from the question above until the trade is official)

On a completely irrelevant and out of left field side note, since we're talking about the Raptors, am I the only one that thinks that Candace Parker not only gives her brother Anthony Parker hell in one on one games, but she may just beat him just as much as he beats her?  She's a big girl and I'd definitely bet on her in a dunk contest against him.

Trade:  Pacers trade Ike Diogu and Jerryd Bayless for Brandon Rush and Jarrett Jack.

Now this is one of the few developments of the night that actually makes sense.  Jerryd Bayless is a much better fit in the backcourt with Brandon Roy and Ike Diogu provides the Blazers with more frontcourt depth.  Brandon Rush fills a need for the Pacers at the 2, and Jarrett Jack is a solid insurance policy after Tinsley's next brush with the law and TJ's next stint on the injured list. 

Portland is going to be tough for years to come. 

1- Bayless/Blake
2- Roy/Webster/Fernandez?
3- Outlaw/Jones
4- Aldridge/Frye
5- Oden/Pryzbilla

Good depth at every position and everyone on that list is young.  Expect some of the youngsters to be shipped for veteran help.  (See, Outlaw, Webster, Frye)

But Bayless, Roy, Aldridge and Oden is probably the best young core in the league to build around.

18.  Washington Wizards   -   JaVale McGee, C, Nevada

A lesser known player, however, I really don't think you can knock the Wiz picking a big man.

19.  Cleveland Cavaliers   -   J.J. Hickson, F, North Carolina State

Good pick for the Cavs.  A young athletic big who is a threat to score in the paint.  Just as you can't knock a pick by the Wiz of a big man, you can't knock a pick by the Cavs of a player with any offensive ability.

Trade Update:  A Josh McRoberts sighting!  I'm sure the Blazers are saying the same thing Duke was saying when he declared early.  Peace out bud, wish you the best.

20.  Charlotte Bobcats   -   Alexis Ajinca, F/C, France

7-1 240, with a 7-8 wingspan.  On the surface this looks like a good pick for a team in need of frontcourt depth.  Scouting report indicates that his biggest knock is lack of strength and experience playing against elite competition. 

Considering that you can't expect but so much this late in the draft, I can't really knock the pick but so much.  Apparently teams aren't big on Darrell Arthur as teams are passing up on him left and right. 

From the Bobcats perspective it looks like they are trying to find someone who will allow them to move Okafor to the 4 where they think he'll be alot more effective.  The pick however, does not put a timetable on that move as we have no idea when Ajinca will be ready to contribute on the NBA level.  This stings a little more considering that drafted PG DJ Augustin with Brook Lopez still on the board earlier. 

21.  New Jersey Nets   -   Ryan Anderson, PF, California

Can't knock the Nets for going big, although a scoring wing like Chris Douglas-Roberts would be a good fit here also.

22.  Orlando Magic   -   Courtney Lee, SG, Western Kentucky

Trade JJ already.  You're playing Keith Bogans over him and you're still drafting shooting guards.  You must conclude that, JJ can't defend and will be used exclusively as a Jon Barry type spot up shooter for the rest of his career.  Does this pick mean they're giving up on him, or that they're going to let him rot on the bench for another year?

23.  Utah Jazz   -   Kosta Koufos, C, Ohio State

The big guy from Ohio State joins Boozer and Okur along the Jazz frontline.  Not a bad pick, although the Jazz could definitely use a slashing wing here.  (Douglas-Roberts)  I don't know if this pick will help the Jazz against the Lakers, Spurs, and Hornets next year.

24.  Seattle Supersonics   -   Serge Ibaka, F, Congo

I refuse to comment on players who are staying overseas for a couple of years.  If the Spurs make this pick, I'm all over it, but when one of the worst teams in the league with tons of needs makes this pick, you've got to scratch your head just a little. 

Maybe its a cost saving measure for a team in flux that is moving to OKC pretty soon?

25. Houston Rockets   -   Nicholas Batum, F, France

Athletic international wing for the Rockets, which brings up a good mulligan question for the Rockets.

Prior to trading Rudy Gay for Shane Battier, the Rockets couldn't get out of the first round.  Everyone loved the trade and considered Battier a glue guy, etc, yet the Rockets still can't get out of the first round.  Meanwhile Gay has developed into a borderline all-star wing in Memphis and one of the rising stars of the league.  Think the Rockets would do this trade again knowing what they know now?

What about Michael Jordan?  Can you believe this dude passed over Gay for Adam Morrison?  Really? 

26.  San Antonio Spurs   -   George Hill, PG, Indiana-Purdue

Considering the age of the Spurs roster, I don't think you could have knocked whoever the Spurs picked.  If you really want to nitpick, maybe you could take some points away because Hill is a junior.  They need a 19 year old freshman if just to take down the average age of their roster.

This pick will be transferred to the Blazers for cash considerations.  Is it me or does it seem like the Blazers have drafted about twenty million young prospects in the last two drafts?  Its been disclosed that Arthur may be dropping as a result of concerns about a kidney ailment, but unless its something career threatning, it probably wouldn't hurt to to take a chance on him.

The Blazers being the smartest team in the draft the last couple of years do just that:

27.  New Orleans Hornets   -  Darrell Arthur, F, Kansas

A face-up 4 with decent athleticism.  He graded as a lottery talent, needs to get alot stronger, and now has some motivation to succeed.  Obtaining a projected lottery selection for cash considerations is undoubtedly a good move.

Memphis is on the clock with a chance to stave off a league investigation of their organization and Jerry West for that debacle of a trade sending Pau Gasol to the Lakers for government cheese and food stamps.  (This is one of the picks the Lakers gave the Grizz as part of the deal.  I guess they felt sorry for them)
However, whoever they pick will need to be at least a starter in the league for years to come to make this trade look even remotely legit.

They better not draft a PG or they are officially the Detroit Lions of the NBA.

28.  Memphis Grizzlies   -   Donte Green, F, Syracuse

Green's got talent, and is in the mold of players the Grizz are already familiar with.  (Hakim Warrick and Stromile Swift ring any bells?)  Considering that neither of these guys have been that good, it is somewhat questionable that the Grizz would draft yet another young, athletic, skinny forwad, although this late in the draft you're really picking on a hope and a prayer anyway.

Notable Second Round selections:

Blazers select Joey Dorsey, F, Memphis

Another solid selection for the Blazers.  He may not make the team but he is a physical prospect who could help along the Blazers frontline.

Timberwolves select Mario Chalmers, G, Kansas

Projected first rounder falls into the T-Wolves lap.  Between him and Majo hopefully one of these guys will pan out at the point for the Wolves.

Bucks select Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, F, UCLA

Another small forward for a team that traded two for another one and drafted yet another one in the first round.

Nets select Chris Douglas-Roberts, G, Memphis

Another player projected to go in the first round who fell.  Great selection here especially considering that I suggested the Nets pick him over Ryan Anderson in the first round.

Kings select Patrick Ewing, Jr., F, Georgetown

Although drafted, it would be suprising if Patrick Ewing, Jr. hangs around the league as long as his dad did.