* denotes a new addition or revision
1. Portland Trail Blazers - Greg Oden, Ohio State University, C, 7'0"
Team Needs: Add to the talents of Rookie of the Year Brandon Roy, as well as LaMarcus Aldridge - two gems from last year's draft. And the Blazers will get a chance to do that by adding a diamond in Greg Oden who has been compared to a David Robinson-type. Oden is a defensive force and his offense will come around. There are rumors of the Blazers shopping Zach Randolph to get another high pick to draft Oden "basketball lifemate," Mike Conley, Jr. I doubt it will happen, but keep your eyes glued on the situation.
*Oden had an okay workout with the Blazers and skipped his workout with the Sonics. Despite these news items, Oden's tools and talent are too good to pass up by the Blazers.
2. Seattle SuperSonics - Kevin Durant, University of Texas, SF, 6'10"
Team Needs: Rashard Lewis opted out of his contract and is likely on the move, either by signing an uncontested free agent deal or being part of a sign and trade. So with that, an opening at the three spot is available and isn't it just convenient that that is the position Durant will likely play in the NBA thanks to his spectacular perimeter shooting skills... and his skinny frame. There's no way Durant averages double-digit rebounds the way he did in college. At the pre-draft camp, he couldn't even bench press ONE rep of 185 lbs. Thankfully, the Sonics will need him to basically just score.
*Durant had an excellent workout with the Blazers and added some intrigue as to whom will go with the number one pick overall. However, it's only slight intrigue as Oden is still projected to go first in the draft.
*3. Atlanta Hawks - Al Horford, University of Florida, PF, 6'10"
Team Needs: There's been a lot of going back and forth here on the Hawks' part, as well as other mock drafters. However, with a rumored promise to Acie Law to be drafted by the Hawks later on (see pick 11), it seems that Mike Conley, Jr. won't be the pick here, as well as the young Brandan Wright. So, Horford who possesses the athleticism and physicality to succeed on the NBA level should be the pick here. Although it's close between Wright and Horford, the latter's experience and success during the NCAA tournament will be the intangible that puts him over the top.
*4. Memphis Grizzlies - Mike Conley, Jr., Ohio State University, PG, 6'1"
Team Needs: The Grizzlies wanted, or it seemed so anyway, to draft Horford, so with Horford off the board, the Grizzlies will get younger at point guard by drafting Conley. Add to the fact that Chucky Atkins is an unrestricted free agent and Damon Stoudamire isn't the answer in the short and long-term for the Grizz, Conley seems like a no-brainer.
5. Boston Celtics - Joakim Noah, University of Florida, PF, 6'11"
Team Needs: A winning attitude, not more talk about rebuilding. Noah brings instant credibility to Celtics fans - he's a proven winner and leader, and has a non-stop work ethic that the people of Beantown should fall in love with. He's the choice that will somewhat appease the masses because he's a known commodity. However, there is strong talk of the Celtics trading the pick since they know they need to rebuild now.
*The Celtics are mentioned heavily in both the Kobe Bryant and Kevin Garnett sweepstakes, although not neccessarily as the team getting those players, but as a third team to make those deals work. In any case, the fifth pick would undoubtedly be a part of any deal, so we'll see what happens in the next few days.
*6. Milwaukee
Bucks - Brandan Wright, University of North Carolina, PF, 6'10"
Team Needs: The perimeter play of Michael Redd, Charlie Villanueva, and to some degree Andrew Bogut will make Wright a great fit down low in the box for the Bucks. Although the free agent status of Mo Williams and Earl Boykins have to have the Bucks worried about the lead guard position unless the rumors of free agent Chauncey Billups signing with the Bucks happen. Wright would do well as a complement and is talented enough to start from the get-go. Having a champion in the locker room in Billups will onlyl help Wright succeed and keep focus.
Also See NBA Draft - Position Rankings
