NBA Mock Draft 3.0

1st Round

1. Chicago Bulls: Derrick Rose (Memphis) [PG, 6-3, 205 lbs, 19 yrs] - Beasley would fill more of a need, but with so many questions about his character the Bulls seem to prefer Rose here. This pick only makes sense if they deal Kirk Hinrich, but they should be able to find a taker, and perhaps land a big man in the process.

2. Miami Heat: O.J. Mayo (USC) [SG, 6-4, 195 lbs, 20 yrs] - This assumes that Miami keeps the pick. There have been a lot of rumors that they would like to trade it, especially if Rose is off the board. While Mayo is not an ideal fit, he could combine with Wade to make an explosive backcourt.

3. Minnesota Timberwolves: Michael Beasley (Kansas State) [PF, 6-10, 235 lbs, 19 yrs] - Minnesota would have to be thrilled if the draft played out this way, as they would land arguably the top player in the draft. Beasley's perimeter scoring would be a great compliment to Al Jefferson's post play.

4. Seattle Supersonics: Jerryd Bayless (Arizona) [PG, 6-3, 190 lbs, 19 yrs] - Bayless would improve Seattle's backcourt and from all reports they are very interested in him. Mayo is a strong possibility if he is available, but even if he is they might select Bayless anyway.

5. Memphis Grizzlies: Anthony Randolph (LSU) [PF, 6-11, 220 lbs, 18 yrs] - Memphis is lacking in size more than anything else, as the Darko experiment proved unsuccessful. They could take Eric Gordon here as well, but more likely they opt for the big man and select Randolph.

6. New York Knicks: D.J. Augustin (Texas) [PG, 6-0, 180 lbs, 20 yrs] - This is decidedly a reach, but the Knicks badly need a point guard and Augustin is the best pure point in the draft, after Rose. Westbrook is also an option, or they could draft for talent over need and take Gordon or Gallinari. That said, Augustin would fit into D'Antoni's style better than anyone left on the board, so he is a logical pick here.

7. Los Angeles Clippers: Eric Gordon (Indiana) [SG, 6-4, 215 lbs, 19 yrs] - The Clippers don't have much in the way of shooting guards right now and Gordon's potential is too much to pass up on. They'll take long looks at Gallinari and PGs Russell Westbrook and D.J. Augustin, but landing Gordon this late could be a steal.

8. Milwaukee Bucks: Danilo Gallinari (Italy) [SF, 6-9, 212 lbs, 19 yrs] - While Gallinari doesn't fill a particular need, he is the best player on the board at this point. He could rotate in as SF/PF with Yi Jianlian and Charlie Villanueva, giving the Bucks three versatile forwards with excellent long-term potential.

9. Charlotte Bobcats: Brook Lopez (Stanford) [C, 7-0, 260 lbs, 20 yrs] - Kevin Love is a strong possibility, but it would be very difficult for the Bobcats to pass up on Lopez here. Love would be a good fit, but Lopez's size makes him a great fit and would allow Charlotte to move Emeka Okafor to power forward.

10. New Jersey Nets: DeAndre Jordan (Texas A&M) [C, 7-0, 255 lbs, 20 yrs] - Jordan has phenomenal size and athleticism and the only knock on him is his questionable motor. It would be hard for the Nets to pass up on such a talent, especially with the best players on the board being point guards; a position at which the Nets are loaded.

11. Indiana Pacers: Russell Westbrook (UCLA) [PG, 6-3, 189 lbs, 19 yrs] - The Pacers are in dire need of a point guard, so taking Westbrook here is a no-brainer. Augustin would also draw strong consideration if available.

12. Sacramento Kings: Darrell Arthur (Kansas) [PF, 6-10, 225 lbs, 20 yrs] - The Kings need a point guard above all, but if Westbrook and Augustin are already gone, they could take Arthur. They could use the help at power forward and Arthur should be able to provide excellent defense and a sold mid-range game.

13. Portland Trailblazers: Donte Greene (Syracuse) [SF, 6-10, 225 lbs, 20 yrs] - While it's unclear whether Greene would play the 3 or the 4, he is a very athletic wingman with three-point range on his jumper who could be another key piece for the up-and-coming Blazers. Point guard is more of an area of need, and there's no doubt they'd grab Augustin or Westbrook if one is available, but there are no PGs at this point who wouldn't be major reaches at #13.

14. Golden State Warriors: Kevin Love (UCLA) [PF, 6-10, 275 lbs, 19 yrs] - Love's size would be a major asset to Golden State, and his shooting ability would fit in well with Don Nelson's system. The Warriors might prefer someone a bit more athletic, but it would be hard to pass up on Love this late.

15. Phoenix Suns: Brandon Rush (Kansas) [SG, 6-7, 205 lbs, 22 yrs] - If the Suns are going to make a title run, they have to do it now, making Rush the logical pick. As a 22-year old with experience playing under pressure, plus strong perimeter shooting and defense, he should be able to contribute immediately to a Suns playoff run. Or I suppose they could trade the pick for cash...again.

16. Philadelphia 76ers: Marreese Speights (Florida) [C, 6-10, 245 lbs, 19 yrs] - The Sixers are in dire need of three-point shooting, but with Rush taken, their best bet is to improve their depth at center and acquire a low-post scorer. Of course, if they believe they can sign Elton Brand or they trade for a big man, they probably address their shooting guard needs here.

17. Toronto Raptors: Kosta Koufos (Ohio State) [C, 7-0, 265 lbs, 19 yrs] - The Raptors need help at center and Koufos would seem an excellent fit, with his size, skill, and shooting ability. Not to mention, the Raptors add another European player to their already-diverse roster.

18. Washington Wizards: JaVale McGee (Nevada) [C, 7-0, 237 lbs, 20 yrs] - McGee should make a nice backup for Brendan Haywood, as he is more of a scoring big man who was an effective three-point shooter in college. He is also an excellent shot-blocker and could help the Wizards' interior defense.

19. Cleveland Cavaliers: Chase Budinger (Arizona) [SG, 6-7, 205 lbs, 20 yrs] - More than anything else, the Cavs need to get LeBron some help on offense, and Budinger should be able to provide that. He's an excellent scorer with deep range on his shot. While his defense is suspect, he is athletic enough that he could be a capable defender if properly motivated.

20. Denver Nuggets: Chris Douglas-Roberts (Memphis) [SG, 6-6, 195 lbs, 21 yrs] - The Nuggets will take a long look at the point guards available (namely, Lawson and Chalmers), but their best bet would probably be to add a shooting guard like Douglas-Roberts. He'll give them a much-needed perimeter defender while also providing another shooter off the bench.

21. New Jersey Nets: Joe Alexander (West Virginia) [SF, 6-8, 220 lbs, 21 yrs] - Alexander could be a steal this late in the draft. He needs to improve his three-point shooting, but he is a superb athlete and should look good running the floor with speedsters Devin Harris and Marcus Williams.

22. Orlando Magic: Robin Lopez (Stanford) [C, 7-0, 245 lbs, 20 yrs] - Brook's twin should give the Magic a boost on the defensive end, often drawing comparisons to Anderson Varejao. After Dwight Howard, the Magic don't have much to offer as far as big men and Lopez should be, or at least develop into, an upgrade over Adonal Foyle.

23. Utah Jazz: Roy Hibbert (Georgetown) [C, 7-2, 275 lbs, 21 yrs] - The Jazz were a very poor shot-blocking team last season and as a result committed a criminal amount of fouls. Hibbert gives them shot-blocking and interior defense and though there are concerns about his lumbering pace, Utah relies mostly on half-court sets, so it shouldn't be a major issue.

24. Seattle Supersonics: Ty Lawson (North Carolina) [PG, 5-11, 195 lbs, 20 yrs] - Lawson excited NBA scouts and GMs with a standout performance in Day One of the Orlando pre-draft camp. Seattle improves their point guard depth by adding Lawson here, after picking Mayo earlier in the draft.

25. Houston Rockets: Bill Walker (Kansas State) [SF, 6-6, 235 lbs, 20 yrs] - It would be hard for the Rockets to pass on Walker this late in the draft. He was thought to have top 5 potential before his ACL injury, but still had a strong season. He is still a very good athlete and a strong three-point shooter. If he can stay healthy, he could be a real steal this late.

26. San Antonio Spurs: Ante Tomic (Croatia) [C, 7-2, 237 lbs, 21 yrs] - The Spurs could also go for Nicholas Batum here, but more likely they take Tomic and let him develop overseas for a few more years.

27. New Orleans Hornets: J.J. Hickson (NC State) [PF, 6-9, 240 lbs, 19 yrs] - Hickson gives the Hornets some much-needed size. His athleticism and speed should make him a good fit running the floor with Chris Paul.

28. Memphis Grizzlies: Nicholas Batum (France) [SF, 6-8, 210 lbs, 19 yrs] - Batum is still raw and fairly inexperienced, but that's not a problem for the rebuilding Grizzlies. He has a ton of upside and the Grizzlies should be able to get him some playing time, or they would have the option of letting him develop further in Europe.

29. Detroit Pistons: D.J. White (Indiana) [PF, 6-9, 240 lbs, 21 yrs] - The Pistons add a big man who should provide solid rebounding and some mid-range shooting. There is no particular area of need for Detroit but after taking three guards in last year's draft, it's hard to imagine they'd take another one here.

30. Boston Celtics: Mario Chalmers (Kansas) [PG, 5-11, 195 lbs, 20 yrs] - Hard to say whether he'd be any better than Gabe Pruitt, who didn't log significant minutes this season. If nothing else, he'd be a popular pick, as his championship game heroics made him one of the best-known players in the draft.

2nd Round

31. Minnesota Timberwolves: Courtney Lee (Western Kentucky) [SG, 6-5, 200 lbs, 22 yrs] - Lee improves Minnesota's shooting guard depth, plus allows them to draft a second player with a girl's name.

32. Seattle Supersonics: Jason Thompson (Rider) [PF, 6-11, 250 lbs, 21 yrs] - He played very well for Rider and already has an NBA-body. His stock would be higher had he played against better competition in college.

33. Portland Trailblazers: Wayne Ellington (North Carolina) [SG, 6-5, 175 lbs, 20 yrs] - Ellington has been one of the better players at the Orlando pre-draft camp and should give Portland some help with its three-point shooting.

34. Minnesota Timberwolves: Trent Plaisted (BYU) [C, 6-11, 245 lbs, 21 yrs] - He's been a very inconsistent player in college, but his talent is enough to get him drafted here.

35. Los Angeles Clippers: Nathan Jawai (Australia) [PF, 6-10, 270 lbs, 21 yrs] - Jawai provides some depth at power forward, which could prove essential should Elton Brand leave via free agency.

36. Portland Trailblazers: Serge Ibaka (Congo) [PF, 6-10, 220 lbs, 18 yrs] - With a pretty full roster, the Blazers can stash Ibaka abroad for a few years and allow him to develop.

37. Milwaukee Bucks: Joey Dorsey (Memphis) [PF, 6-9, 260 lbs, 22 yrs] - Dorsey's pro future is questionable, but many scouts see him as a future Ben Wallace-type player. Milwaukee could use his defensive presence in the middle.

38. Charlotte Bobcats: Davon Jefferson (USC) [SF, 6-8, 215 lbs, 21 yrs] - He needs to work on his fundamentals, but he has great overall potential and could help Charlotte down the road.

39. Chicago Bulls: Alexis Ajinca (France) [PF, 7-1, 240 lbs, 20 yrs] - While he won't contribute immediately, the Bulls have the depth to bring him along slowly or let him develop abroad for now.

40. New Jersey Nets: Jamont Gordon (Mississippi State) [SG, 6-4, 225 lbs, 21 yrs] - Gordon gives the Nets another piece for their bench, in a backup combo guard.

41. Indiana Pacers: Richard Hendrix (Alabama) [PF, 6-9, 260 lbs, 21 yrs] - He's looked good in Orlando so far. While he's a bit undersized, he's worth a look at this point.

42. Sacramento Kings: Gary Forbes (Massachusetts) [SF, 6-7, 220 lbs, 23 yrs] - He's having an excellent pre-draft camp in Orlando and has established himself as a second round pick.

43. Seattle Supersonics: Victor Claver (Spain) [SF, 6-1, 217 lbs, 19 yrs] - Claver is considered one of the top European prospects in the draft and could be a steal in the mid-second round.

44. Golden State Warriors: Shan Foster (Vanderbilt) [SG, 6-6, 205 lbs, 21 yrs] - Foster is one of the top three-point shooters in the draft and he should be able to find a niche in Don Nelson's offense.

45. Sacramento Kings: John Riek (Prep School) [C, 7-2, 230 lbs, 18 yrs] - He needs a lot of work and experience before he's NBA-ready but his superb size and athleticism make him a worthwhile gamble.

46. Utah Jazz: Danny Green (North Carolina) [SF, 6-5, 210 lbs, 20 yrs] - Not particularly athletic, but his basketball IQ and shooting could make him a nice fit in Utah.

47. San Antonio Spurs: Rudy Mbemba (Sweden) [PG, 6-0, 186 lbs, 20 yrs] - The Spurs add a potential backup point guard, who can develop overseas for a year or two.

48. Washington Wizards: Luc Richard Mbah a Moute (UCLA) [SF, 6-7, 215 lbs, 21 yrs] - While his offensive game is very limited, he could help the Wizards improve their lackluster defense.

49. Phoenix Suns: Omer Asik (Turkey) [C, 6-11, 230 lbs, 21 yrs] - The Suns can either add this defensive-minded big man, or stash him overseas.

50. Seattle Supersonics: Keith Brumbaugh (Hillsborough CC) [SF, 6-10, 215 lbs, 22 yrs] - An outstanding talent who has been hurt by poor off-court decisions. The Sonics can gamble on him and let him develop int he D-League.

51. Dallas Mavericks: Ryan Anderson (California) [PF, 6-10, 225 lbs, 20 yrs] - A big man with three-point range? Doesn't Dallas have one of those already? That didn't stop them from drafting Nick Fazekas last year and it won't stop them from taking Anderson here.

52. Miami Heat: Nikola Pekovic (Serbia) [C, 6-11, 245 lbs, 22 yrs] - The Heat need size and in Pekovic they get a big man who can provide some low-post scoring.

53. Utah Jazz: Lester Hudson (Tennessee Martin) [SG, 6-3, 190 lbs, 23 yrs] - Hudson is a combo guard with the potential to be an effective scorer. The Jazz take a chance and hope he develops some point guard skills as well.

54. Houston Rockets: C.J. Giles (Oregon State) [C, 6-11, 235 lbs, 22 yrs] - The Rockets develop a center to backup Yao once Dikembe Mutombo retires (which has to happen someday).

55. Portland Trailblazers: J.R. Giddens (New Mexico) [SG, 6-5, 200 lbs, 23 yrs] - He's a good athlete and effective shooter who will fight for a spot on the Blazers' loaded roster.

56. Seattle Supersonics: Malik Hairston (Oregon) [SG, 6-6, 200 lbs, 21 yrs] - Hairston doesn't have any one specialized skill, but he could still find a niche with his all-around talent.

57. San Antonio Spurs: Pat Calathes (St. Joseph's) [SF, 6-10, 210 lbs, 22 yrs] - This point-forward with a high basketball IQ should be a good fit in San Antonio.

58. Los Angeles Lakers: Rodrigue Beaubois (France) [PG, 6-2, 170 lbs, 20 yrs] - The Lakers can let him develop abroad, hoping he'll be an adequate backup for Jordan Farmar down the road.

59. Detroit Pistons: Jeremy Parge (Gonzaga) [PG, 6-2, 220 lbs, 22 yrs] - Quick, aggressive defender who could be useful as a defensive specialist and third-string point guard.

60. Boston Celtics: Kyle Weaver (Washington State) [SG, 6-6, 185 lbs, 22 yrs] - He's not much of a scorer, but the Celtics could make him useful as a defensive specialist.