2007 NBA Lottery Mock Draft

I'm pumped about the draft tomorrow. Not only is this one of the most loaded drafts ever, but there is a great chance we will see a blockbuster deal involving some of the game's best players (Kobe, KG, Amare, Zack Randolph, Shawn Marion, etc...). Before we get to the mock draft, I'd like to let the Scrapper Nation know that I've been invited by the creators of ArmChairGM to be a guest blogger so I'll be cross-publishing a few of my posts on their site. Also, you all should visit Walters Football Site since they've linked to this mock draft. Alright back to the draft, here's how The Scrapper thinks the lottery will play out (without trades):

1-Portland Trailblazers-Greg Oden (Ohio State)
Height: 7-0
Weight: 245
Position: Center

You’re thinking “duh!” But believe it or not, I had to think long and hard before I made this pick. The Trailblazers have a huge hole at small forward and one of the best young post combinations in Zack Randolph and LaMarcus Aldridge. The tiebreaker between Oden and Durant is scarcity of position. Although the Trailblazers don’t have a dynamic small forward at the moment, good small forwards come a dime a dozen in the NBA. Let’s look at some starting small forwards in the league right now: Lebron James, Carmelo Anthony, Richard Jefferson, Josh Howard, Luol Deng, Tayshaun Prince, Paul Pierce, Ron Artest, Shawn Marion, Gerald Wallace, Caron Butler, Josh Smith, Peja Stojakovic, Mike Miller, Andre Iguodala etc… There are lots of great players and tremendous depth. Now let’s look at some centers: Shaq, Amare Stoudemire, Marcus Camby, Dwight Howard, Yao Ming, Mehmet Okur, Ben Wallace, Eddy Curry, Samuel Dalembert, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Chris Kaman, Brendan Haywood, Tyson Chandler, Erick Dampier. The pool of great centers is obviously much weaker. Oden is a true center and a tremendous athlete. I see him as a David Robinson like stalwart in the league for the next 12-15 years.

2-Seattle SuperSonics- Kevin Durant (Texas)
Height: 6-10
Weight: 190
Position: Small Forward

Sam Presti, the Sonics general manager, has a pretty easy decision to make come draft day. Either Oden or Durant will fall to him, and the Sonics will be glad to select either player. I think the Sonics should sign and trade Rashard Lewis and then trade the soon to be 32-year old Ray Allen (while he still is worth something in return). They could get another high draft pick or nab some young players so they can really start the rebuilding process around Durant. How about the T-Wolves making a last attempt to put together a championship team around KG by trading the no.7 pick for Allen?

3-Atlanta Hawks- Al Horford (Florida)
Height: 6-9
Weight: 235
Position: Power Forward

Billy Knight, will you please take a point guard? You have so much talent on your team and could make the playoffs in the terrible East if you just select a point guard so Joe Johnson isn’t forced to be a point-forward anymore. Why not learn from your mistakes (read: selecting Marvin Williams over Chris Paul and Deron Williams) and go with Mike Conley, Jr.? I think Conley is going to be something special but all indications are that Knight is enamored with big Al Horford. I’m sure Horford will be a dynamite player but if I’m the Hawks, I take Conley with this pick, nab a center at 11, and hope Sheldon Williams becomes a serviceable power forward. Billy Knight should also be actively shopping this pick. There has been some talk of the Hawks getting Amare Stoudemire in a three-way deal between the Suns and T-Wolves involving KG going to the Suns and the T-Wolves picking up a couple first round picks. Can you imagine the Hawks with Amare and Joe Johnson together again? Too bad Atlanta has one of the worst and most deliberative (i.e. too slow to make a deal) general managers in history.

4-Memphis Gizzlies- Mike Conley, Jr. (Ohio State)
Height: 6-0
Weight: 170
Position: Point Guard

I love Mike Conley, Jr.’s game. The reason Ohio State was so good when Greg Oden wasn’t playing was because of Conley’s stellar play. The Grizzlies are full of swing players like Mike Miller, Rudy Gay, etc… and desperately need stability at point guard. Considering Chucky Atkins is a free agent, Damon Stoudemire can’t be counted on because of his knee injury, and Kyle Lowry (last year’s first round pick) is unproven since he was only able to play 10 games last season because of a broken wrist, the Grizzlies should be strongly considering Conley. If the Hawks nab Conley or the Grizzlies choose to go in another direction, they’ll go with a big guy (Brandon Wright, Yi, or Joakim).

5-Boston Celtics- Yi Jianlian (China)
Height: 7-0
Weight: 246
Position: Power Forward

There’s a rumor going around that Paul Pierce will publicly demand a trade if the Celtics do not acquire a talented veteran to play alongside him. Danny Ainge is desperately shopping this pick but I think it would be a huge mistake if the Celtics end up trading this pick for Shawn Marion. Since the Suns worked out Noah, Brewer, and Green, you have to wonder whether the Suns and Celtics are close to a deal. I think Marion is a great player in a wide open system. If your team plays more half court ball, why would you trade for him? He has stated that he would opt out of his deal next year. If I’m Danny Ainge, I only make a deal for a Kevin Garnett, Zack Randolph, or Amare Stoudemire. If the Celtics keep the pick, the decision will be between Yi, Green, Brewer, and Noah. While Doc Rivers prefers Jeff Green since he is ready to play immediately, Ainge is enamored with Yi. Ainge ends up selecting Yi and Paul Pierce demands a trade Friday morning.

6-Milwaukee Bucks- Jeff Green (Georgetown)
Height: 6-9
Weight: 225
Position: Small Forward

The Bucks have a couple of major needs. The point guard spot is an issue considering Mo Williams is a free agent. The Bucks could also use a great swing player to play alongside Michael Redd and another post player to complement Bogut and Villanueva. Since I already have Conley off the board, the Bucks go with Jeff Green. Brewer and Wright are also potential picks here.

7-Minnesota Timberwolves- Brandan Wright (UNC)
Height: 6-10
Weight: 210
Position: Power Forward

The Scrapper thinks/hopes KG will be traded before the draft. The T-Wolves seem to be committed to dealing KG now while he still commands considerable value. With KG gone, there will be a huge hole at power forward. I say the Timberwolves use this pick to draft the man that will hold down the 4 spot for them for the next 10-15 years, Brandan Wright. His length is very similar to KG and this guy has so much upside who knows how good he can be in a few years. Now I have a special treat for the Scrapper Nation. Since Brandan Wright thought it would be a prudent decision to confirm my facebook friend request, we get to check out some of his "tagged" pictures. Enjoy these:

Ok, back to the Mock Draft.

8-Charlotte Bobcats-Corey Brewer (Florida)
Height: 6-8
Weight: 185
Position: Shooting Guard

When it’s all said and done, Corey Brewer will be one of the top 5 players to have come out of this draft and a perennial presence on the All-NBA defensive 1st. It’s a stretch to have Brewer fall all the way down to 8, but if he is here the Bobcats are going to have a tough decision between Brewer and Noah. In recent drafts the Bobcats have fallen in love with successful college players (Felton, Morrison, May, Okafor) and either one of these guys will fit the mold. But because of Gerald Wallace’s decision to pursue free agency and Morrison’s weakness on the defensive side of the ball, Brewer is the pick here. However, since MJ is now the man in charge, the Bobcats may choose to go in another direction with Julian Wright.

9-Chicago Bulls- Joakim Noah (Florida)
Height: 6-11
Weight: 230
Position: Power Forward/Center

This is an ideal scenario for the Bulls. Joakim Noah is a high energy guy who is a tremendous defensive presence. He would fit in well with the Bulls. Lots of mock drafts have the Bulls taking Spencer Hawes since his offensive game is well-developed, but I think he’ll be a major huge bust. If I were John Paxson, I’d furiously be trying to trade this pick if Noah is off the board. If the Bulls trade this pick for Zack Randolph, the Bulls will be the favorites to win the East next year. Imagine this lineup: Kirk Hinrich, Ben Gordan, Luol Deng, Zack Randolph, and Ben Wallace with Duhon, Thabo, Tryus, and Nocioni coming off the bench!

10-Sacramento Kings- Spencer Hawes (Washington)
Height: 7-0
Weight: 230
Position: Center

There’s a strong likelihood that the Kings take a big man with this pick. They were near the bottom of the league in rebounding and blocked shots last season and Brad Miller seems to have taken a couple of steps in the wrong direction. With Spencer Hawes as the highest rated big man on the board, the Kings are likely to take the kid from Washington. Other possibilities here are Yi (if he’s still available) and Julian Wright.

11-Atlanta Hawks- Acie Law (Texas A&M)
Height: 6-3
Weight: 185
Position: Point Guard

Rumors are circulating that the Hawks promised the Texas A&M guard they would select him at 11. I think Acie is another potential bust candidate. I’m not a big fan of Law and I question his ability to be a pass-first point guard in the NBA. Javaris Crittenton has also been thrown around as a possibility here but I was really unimpressed with his play in the ACC last season. This is why the Hawks cannot pass up Conley at 11. If they took Conley they could use this pick on a big guy (Hawes or Sean Williams). I think Sean Williams is the next Amare Stoudemire and would go with Conley and Williams over Horford and Law in a heartbeat. In the end though, it’s not what I would do but what I think Billy Knight will do.

12-Philadelphia 76ers- Al Thornton
Height: 6-8
Weight: 210
Position: Small Forward

Al Thornton is a monster. He is extremely athletic and could play the 3 or the 4. The 76ers would be set up to really start running with Miller, Iguodala, and Thornton. Julian Wright is also a strong possibility here.

13-New Orleans Hornets- Nick Young
Height: 6-6
Weight: 200
Position: Shooting Guard

Chris Paul, Peja Stojakovic, David West, and Tyson Chandler are the foundation of this team. They need a two guard and will go with Nick Young here. My only concern is whether Young will be able to be effective at the 2 since he spent a lot of time at the 3 and 4 in college.

14-Los Angeles Clippers- Julian Wright
Height: 6-9
Weight: 220
Position: Small Forward

If Julian Wright falls all the way to the Clippers, there’s no way the Clips pass on him. Wright might be the most athletic player in this entire draft. The only reason I have him falling so far is because of his often unreliable jumper. This pick makes Corey Maggette expendable. The other possibility here is at point guard. Sam Cassell is an old man and Shaun Livingston might not be the same when he gets back from his knee injury. Either Law or Crittenton are possibilities.

Potential Stars Outside the Lottery

Sean Williams
Jared Dudley
Josh McRoberts
Glen Davis
Marco Belinelli
Thaddeus Young

2nd Round Steals

Reyshawn Terry
Marcus Williams
Taurean Green

YouTube Draft Video- Stephen A. getting heckled at last year’s draft.