April 2008 NBA Mock Draft

Early mock draft for the 2008 NBA Draft next June.

The 2008 NBA Draft should feature many big names for NBA bottom-feeder teams to drool over, including Kansas State forward Michael Beasley and Memphis point guard Derrick Rose. However, until the NBA Lottery is drawn, it's just speculation as to which teams will get the top picks. Still, it's fun to think about what names might headline the future of the league. With that in mind, here's a best-guess mock draft updated in April with some assessments and hypotheses of what teams' rosters could look like at the start of the 2008-2009 NBA season.

1. Miami Heat selects F. Michael Beasley (6-9 235lbs) - Beasley is a scoring machine who should make a good wing mate for Dwayne Wade. He's also make Shawn Marion, who can opt out of his contract this summer, expendable.
2. Seattle Supersonics selects PG. Derrick Rose (6-4 195lbs) - The Sonics need a lot of help. Last year's top pick, Kevin Durant, is the only scoring option on that starting rotation. Rose would bring athleticism and toughness to the point guard spot.
3. Memphis Grizzlies selects C. Brook Lopez (7-0 260lbs) - The Grizzlies need help in the middle and Lopez really improved his stock by playing well in the NCAA tournament. Some question his defensive toughness, but he'd certainly be an upgrade for them in the middle.
4. Minnesota Timberwolves selects SG. OJ Mayo (6-5 210lbs) - Mayo has had locker room and attitude issues in the past, but he has NBA talent for certain and would help provide an offensive boost for the young Timberwolves.
5. New York Knicks selects PG. Jerryd Bayless (6-3 180lbs) - The Knicks are in dire need of a consistent point guard, especially with Stephon Marbury next in line to be booted out. Some wonder if Bayless can develop into more of a true point guard, rather than a scoring point guard.
6. Los Angeles Clippers selects SG. Eric Gordon (6-4 220lbs) - If Gordon falls past this spot, it would be because he's considered undersized by NBA standards. He's a tremendous shooter/scorer and the Clippers need some perimeter depth with Cuttino Mobley aging fast.
7. Milwaukee Bucks selects PF. Blake Griffin (6-9 245lbs) - Milwaukee has a lot of talent, but badly needs some toughness in the paint to help the finesse players they have.
8. Charlotte Bobcats selects PF. Anthony Randolph (6-10 220lbs) - Some compare Randolph to a young Chris Bosh. He could help Emeka Okafor on the interior, though he needs to add toughness and strength.
9. Chicago Bulls selects PF. Kevin Love (6-9 260lbs) - Some say he's not athletic enough, but what he lacks in athleticism, he makes up in basketball IQ and toughness. Love would be a great fit for Chicago.
10. Indiana Pacers selects PG. Darren Collison (6-1 170lbs) - Collison is lightning quick and could make Jamaal Tinsley expendable.
11. New Jersey Nets selects F/C DeAndre Jordan (7-0 240lbs) - Jordan's somewhat raw, but he has tremendous upside. The Nets need to beef up its interior and look to get younger, which makes Jordan a good fit.
12. Sacramento Kings selects Hasheem Thabeet (7-3 265lbs) - The Kings are getting young and need to beef up their interior. Thabeet's defensive abilities, combined with his size and shot blocking might be too hard to pass on.
13. Portland Trail Blazers selects G/F Nicolas Batum (6-8 210lbs) - Batum's versatility and shooting would be a good fit with the Blazers, who also expect to get Greg Oden back next year.
14. Dallas Mavericks selects C JaVale McGee (7-0 235lbs) - McGree has great potential, but is a work-in-progress. If the Mavericks end up with a lottery pick, McGee might be a good bet since they have a bit of a need for a back up center.

Also see January 2008 Mock Draft.

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