Post by redstorm177 on Oct 31, 2007 2:18:41 GMT
1) Greg Oden, New York Knicks
Numerous sources have confirmed that the New York Knicks have decided to select Ohio State freshman Greg Oden with the number one overall pick. The likelihood of the top pick being traded appears quite slim, as one league GM reports that the Knicks have turned down offers ranging from Minnesota's Brad Miller to the San Antonio Spurs Tim Duncan.
2) Kevin Durant, Sacramento Kings
There won't be any surprises at the second pick as the Kings have gone on record of saying that they will take whichever player the Knicks don't pick between Oden and Durant. The freshman forward from Texas will be the new face of the Sacramento Kings.
3) Al Horford, Philadelphia 76'rs
Philly has fielded a few offers for this pick, but trade talks have not gone far as they are convinced that Horford is worth much more than what has been offered. Apparently, Philly would rather build for the future than pull off a quick-fix trade that would net Detroit's Rasheed Wallace.
4) Mike Conley Jr., Dallas Mavericks
The word surrounding Dallas is that they are either going to take Conley here at the fourth pick, or they are going to try and trade down a few spots to pick up hometown hero Acie Law, which would make much more sense. Either way, expect recently acquired Luke Ridnour to be the odd man out in Big D and possibly trade bait for a mid to late first round pick. Ideally, they would love to swap Ridnour for the rights to Italian sharpshooter Marco Bellinelli, whom Maverick scouts have given rave reviews.
5) Jeff Green, Memphis Grizzlies
Like Dallas, the Grizzlies are split between two players, with the other one being Florida's Corey Brewer. Also, recent statements from management seem to indicate that the Grizzlies would rather move this pick (along with the 19th) for an elite guard to complement Carlos Boozer with an inside-outside game. The previously rumored Ben Gordon deal has reportedly fallen apart, as Seattle is demanding both of Memphis' first rounders be included, but the Grizzlies don't feel as though Gordon is an "elite" guard worth two picks in a deep draft.
6) Yi Jianlian, Portland Trailblazers
They shouldn't have trouble convincing the Chinese government that Yi will get significant playing time in Portland. As of now, he would have to compete with Austion Croshere and Raef LaFraentz for the starting job at power forward.
7) Brandan Wright, Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers are overcrowded at the guard position and are expected to lose Antawn Jamison to free agency as the team is in disarray from the management down. As a result, expect either Wright or possibly even Joakim Noah's name called here at the seventh pick.
8) Spencer Hawes , Boston Celtics
Boston appears set at every starting position except center and possibly point guard. They have reportedly held private workouts with not only Hawes, but also Joakim Noah, Acie Law, and surprisingly Jeff Green, who figures to be off the board by this pick. If the Celtics pass on Hawes, they will certainly choose Law, who has been compared to Piston's superstar Chauncey Billups.
9) Joakim Noah, Philadelphia 76'rs
Philly is going to take another Flordia Gator at this pick, whether it be Noah or Corey Brewer, according to my sources. They would rather field a starting frontcourt featuring Noah and Horford, though, with either Renaldo Balkman or Rodney Carney manning the small forward position. If Noah is still on the board, the Sixers are going to get a call from the Sonics who are known to have interest in him. If Seattle fails to mention Ben Gordon's name in trade talks, Joakim Noah will once again be sharing the paint with Al Horford.
10) Corey Brewer, Indiana Pacers
According to the Indianapolis Star, one of the driving forces behind the Danny Granger trade was the belief that Florida's Brewer would be able to match his production. If Brewer is already off the board, the Pacers will either select Thaddeus Young or trade the pick.
11) Acie Law, Milwaulkee Bucks
From what I've been told, this pick may end up being for the Dallas Mavericks, as the Bucks would rather have Mike Conley Jr. running the point. Here's the latest on the trade talk: the Bucks are currently offering the 11th, 41st, and 58th picks in exchange for the 4th pick. Dallas, however, is asking for the 11th and Milwaulkee's 2008 1st round pick. We'll see if Milwaulkee budges from their current stance and ponies up next year's first rounder.
12) Sean Williams , Los Angeles Lakers
With a revamped frontcourt of Brandan Wright and Sean Williams, the Lakers might actually be appealing to the new GM.
13) Al Thornton, Charlotte Bobcats
With the current state of the roster, as well as the high chance of losing Vince Carter to free agency, the Bobcats should probably take the best player available at this point. While Rodney Stuckey or Nick Youngwould seem a nice replacement to Carter, team officials indicate that the team will be going into this draft under the assumption that Vince will resign with them. The forward from Florida State should prove to be a wise pick, regardless of the situation with Carter.
14) Thaddeus Young, Portland Trailblazers
By selecting Young, the new Portland GM will be in a position to phase out and eventually trade the one-dimensional Peja Stojakovic, in an effort to continue the youth movement.
Post-Lottery Rumors:
Numerous sources have confirmed that the New York Knicks have decided to select Ohio State freshman Greg Oden with the number one overall pick. The likelihood of the top pick being traded appears quite slim, as one league GM reports that the Knicks have turned down offers ranging from Minnesota's Brad Miller to the San Antonio Spurs Tim Duncan.
2) Kevin Durant, Sacramento Kings
There won't be any surprises at the second pick as the Kings have gone on record of saying that they will take whichever player the Knicks don't pick between Oden and Durant. The freshman forward from Texas will be the new face of the Sacramento Kings.
3) Al Horford, Philadelphia 76'rs
Philly has fielded a few offers for this pick, but trade talks have not gone far as they are convinced that Horford is worth much more than what has been offered. Apparently, Philly would rather build for the future than pull off a quick-fix trade that would net Detroit's Rasheed Wallace.
4) Mike Conley Jr., Dallas Mavericks
The word surrounding Dallas is that they are either going to take Conley here at the fourth pick, or they are going to try and trade down a few spots to pick up hometown hero Acie Law, which would make much more sense. Either way, expect recently acquired Luke Ridnour to be the odd man out in Big D and possibly trade bait for a mid to late first round pick. Ideally, they would love to swap Ridnour for the rights to Italian sharpshooter Marco Bellinelli, whom Maverick scouts have given rave reviews.
5) Jeff Green, Memphis Grizzlies
Like Dallas, the Grizzlies are split between two players, with the other one being Florida's Corey Brewer. Also, recent statements from management seem to indicate that the Grizzlies would rather move this pick (along with the 19th) for an elite guard to complement Carlos Boozer with an inside-outside game. The previously rumored Ben Gordon deal has reportedly fallen apart, as Seattle is demanding both of Memphis' first rounders be included, but the Grizzlies don't feel as though Gordon is an "elite" guard worth two picks in a deep draft.
6) Yi Jianlian, Portland Trailblazers
They shouldn't have trouble convincing the Chinese government that Yi will get significant playing time in Portland. As of now, he would have to compete with Austion Croshere and Raef LaFraentz for the starting job at power forward.
7) Brandan Wright, Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers are overcrowded at the guard position and are expected to lose Antawn Jamison to free agency as the team is in disarray from the management down. As a result, expect either Wright or possibly even Joakim Noah's name called here at the seventh pick.
8) Spencer Hawes , Boston Celtics
Boston appears set at every starting position except center and possibly point guard. They have reportedly held private workouts with not only Hawes, but also Joakim Noah, Acie Law, and surprisingly Jeff Green, who figures to be off the board by this pick. If the Celtics pass on Hawes, they will certainly choose Law, who has been compared to Piston's superstar Chauncey Billups.
9) Joakim Noah, Philadelphia 76'rs
Philly is going to take another Flordia Gator at this pick, whether it be Noah or Corey Brewer, according to my sources. They would rather field a starting frontcourt featuring Noah and Horford, though, with either Renaldo Balkman or Rodney Carney manning the small forward position. If Noah is still on the board, the Sixers are going to get a call from the Sonics who are known to have interest in him. If Seattle fails to mention Ben Gordon's name in trade talks, Joakim Noah will once again be sharing the paint with Al Horford.
10) Corey Brewer, Indiana Pacers
According to the Indianapolis Star, one of the driving forces behind the Danny Granger trade was the belief that Florida's Brewer would be able to match his production. If Brewer is already off the board, the Pacers will either select Thaddeus Young or trade the pick.
11) Acie Law, Milwaulkee Bucks
From what I've been told, this pick may end up being for the Dallas Mavericks, as the Bucks would rather have Mike Conley Jr. running the point. Here's the latest on the trade talk: the Bucks are currently offering the 11th, 41st, and 58th picks in exchange for the 4th pick. Dallas, however, is asking for the 11th and Milwaulkee's 2008 1st round pick. We'll see if Milwaulkee budges from their current stance and ponies up next year's first rounder.
12) Sean Williams , Los Angeles Lakers
With a revamped frontcourt of Brandan Wright and Sean Williams, the Lakers might actually be appealing to the new GM.
13) Al Thornton, Charlotte Bobcats
With the current state of the roster, as well as the high chance of losing Vince Carter to free agency, the Bobcats should probably take the best player available at this point. While Rodney Stuckey or Nick Youngwould seem a nice replacement to Carter, team officials indicate that the team will be going into this draft under the assumption that Vince will resign with them. The forward from Florida State should prove to be a wise pick, regardless of the situation with Carter.
14) Thaddeus Young, Portland Trailblazers
By selecting Young, the new Portland GM will be in a position to phase out and eventually trade the one-dimensional Peja Stojakovic, in an effort to continue the youth movement.
Post-Lottery Rumors:
- The Mavericks are not the only team interested in Marco Bellinelli, as it is being speculated that the Orlando Magic have given the Italian guard a guarantee at the 18th pick. Given the increased interest as of late, it is doubtful he will fall that far, though.
- The 15th, 22nd, 25th, and 38th picks belonging to the New York Knicks are being offered left and right, most notably in trade scenarios involving Ron Artest and Corey Maggette.
- The San Antonio Spurs are trying to get back into the first round this year and have made Andre Miller available.