Matt McGuire’s 2008 NBA Mock Draft

Last update: June 24, 2008 (third edition).
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Chicago Bulls: Derrick Rose, PG, Memphis
From Day 1, Derrick Rose has been my No. 1 pick. This was before his stellar performance in the NCAA tournament. Ever since the title game, he has been the popular pick at No. 1 overall, whereas Michael Beasley was the consensus. I still think Rose brings too much value as the prototypical point guard to Chicago. Point guards like Rose are very rare, and when you consider he’s a better prospect than Deron Williams and Chris Paul (who led their teams to outstanding season) you have the making of a winner. Beasley is an elite talent as well, but Chicago already has their needs filled in the front court. Why draft Beasley when your roster has Tyrus Thomas, Drew Gooden and Joakim Noah? Kirk Heinrich had a disappointing year, but a dominating point guard like Rose would allow the rest of the lineup to develop to their full potential.
Miami Heat: Michael Beasley, SF, Kansas State
Miami is still far from being a contender, but a dynamic power forward would be a huge step in the right direction for the Heat. They need a franchise player alongside Dwayne Wade, and Shawn Marion is getting older.

This is the easiest pick in the 2008 NBA Draft to make, like Durant going No. 2 in 2007.
Minnesota Timberwolves: O.J. Mayo, SG, USC
Rumors are that O.J. Mayo has really impressed since scouts have evaluated his tape at the end of the season, according to ESPN’s Chad Brown. I expect the momentum to continue going into the draft. This pick comes down to Mayo or Brook Lopez. They don’t take Lopez because they have a star in Al Jefferson and need more talent in the backcourt.
Seattle Sonics: Jerryd Bayless, PG, Arizona
The really isn’t much to speak of in terms of a point guard in Seattle. Earl Watson and Luke Ridnour won’t ever amount to much.

The pick isn’t Brook Lopez because, well, how many centers can you draft in the first round? Johan Petro, Robert Swift and Mouhamed Sene haven’t done much yet, but you have to hope one of these guys will develop.

They need a better ball-handler and offensive threat at the point. Ever since the lottery has finished, this has been my pick at No. 4.
Memphis Grizzlies: Brook Lopez, C, Stanford
The Grizz simply need an inside presence who will do the dirty work. Yeah, Darko Milicic isn’t the answer. Nor is Kwame Brown… why do the Grizzlies like getting busts on their team in the frontcourt?

Lopez is a high-energy, athletic player who would be a big boost to this team.
New York Knicks: Kevin Love, F/C, UCLA
This pick could go many ways. Eric Gordon, Russell Westbrook, and possibly even Brook Lopez (if still on the board) are all possibilities. I’m going with Kevin Love at this spot because of his toughness and fundamental play, which is what the Knicks should be looking for in their frontcourt.
Los Angeles Clippers: Eric Gordon, SG, Indiana
The Clippers need a scorer, plain and simple, especially if Elton Brand is on the trading block as rumored. Gordon is very underrated and should be an excellent fit for this team that has a long way to go before it reaches the playoffs again.

Russell Westbrook is a possibility as well at this pick as they try to replace Shaun Livingston, who has many question marks around his return from injury.
Milwaukee Bucks: Joe Alexander, SF, West Virginia
The two obvious needs for the Bucks are at point guard and small forward. Joe Alexander has been rising up draft boards (according to ESPN’s Andy Katz) despite shooting 27 percent from 3-point range last year.
Charlotte Bobcats: Anthony Randolph, PF, LSU
This team really doesn’t have an offense threat. Anthony Randolph is a big leaper in the mold of a Chris Bosh. He’s raw and will need time to develop, but the Bobcats need to take a gamble in the draft after the bust that is Adam Morrison.
New Jersey Nets: Danilo Gallinari, SF, Italy
The Nets need a pure shooter out on the wing with Richard Jefferson on the trading block. Danilo Gallinari makes his teammates around him better by making the extra pass and moving without the ball. Marco Belinelli and Andrea Bargnani have been unimpressive in the NBA thus far and it could hurt Gallinari’s stock.
Indiana Pacers: Russell Westbrook, PG, UCLA
The Pacers need a leader in the backcourt who can make plays and run the offense. They simply don’t have one right now. Russell Westbrook would be a step in the right direction.
Sacramento Kings: Marreese Speights, F/C, Florida
I wasn’t a fan at all of the pick of Spencer Hawes, and that appears to be right so far. Shelden Williams has been a bust as well. The Kings need to get something right in the paint. Marreese Speights is a player I am targeting to go higher than expected in this draft, and he is the first surprise in my mock here at No. 12.
Portland Trailblazers: Chris Douglas-Roberts, G/F, Memphis
At this juncture I have no idea what Portland plans to do in the draft. They have the needs on their team filled but there are question marks. In the end, Portland will make a trade higher into the lottery for someone like Russell Westbrook or Kevin Love. I’m going with “CDR” because he provides a lot of lineup versatility at this spot in the first round and could be a great sixth man in the league.
Golden State Warriors: D.J. Augustin, PG, Texas
Baron Davis is rumored to be on the trading block. D.J. Augustin is also the best player on the board, which makes this a pretty easy selection.
Phoenix Suns: DeAndre Jordan, C, Texas A&M
DeAndre Jordan can learn from one of the best ever in Shaq, even though he might learn how to eat too many grilled cheese sandwiches.
Philadelphia 76ers: Brandon Rush, SG, Kansas
Willie Green? �Nough said. Brandon Rush could start immediately for the 76ers at shooting guard.
Toronto Raptors: Donte Green, SF, Syracuse
The Raptors didn't get exceptional production last year out of Jamario Moon, and will want to upgrade their small forward position at some point in the draft.
Washington Bullets: Alexis Ajinca, France
(Editor's Note: Due to the stupidity of Washington's new logo and the pure awesomeness of its old one, the Wizards are known as the Bullets on this site.)

ESPN's Chad Ford says this Frechman is on the rise on draft boards. If that's the case, the Wiz (or Bullets as known on this site) are in the market for a center, so you have to think this pick makes a lot of sense.
Cleveland Cavaliers: Darrell Arthur, PF, Kansas
A big reason why the Cavaliers struggled in the playoffs is because Ben Wallace sucks. They need a postup game on offense and they simply don't have it.
Denver Nuggets: Serge Ibaka, PF, Congo
Serge Ibaka is a project, but has a very high upside because of his great length and athleticism.
New Jersey Nets: Roy Hibbert, C, Georgetown
Look for the Nets to package both of their first-round picks to acquire someone like Eric Gordon or Anthony Randolph. If they stick with their selections, Roy Hibbert provides a lot of value as a center in their lineup whether starting or coming off the bench.
Orlando Magic: Robin Lopez, C, Stanford
Robin Lopez can also play some four, and provides a lot of talent coming off the bench for Orlando's frontcourt.
Utah Jazz: Mario Chalmers, G, Kansas
Mario Chalmers can play both guard positions (though he is more suited for point) and once again we see in my mock a team drafting for more depth. Chalmers would be great behind Deron Williams.
Seattle Sonics: J.J. Hickson, PF, N.C. State
I'm just not sold on Nick Collison, but I like J.J. Hickson because he plays better than his size indicates and he's pretty athletic. He's a clone of Jason Maxiell.
Houston Rockets: Nicolas Batum, SF, France
Nicolas Batum is a nice project player to have. He can play some shooting guard and small forward. He reminds me of Thabo Seflosha.
San Antonio Spurs: Jason Thompson, F/C, Rider
Jason Thompson has to gain some weight on his frame, but he has a lot of upside offensively in the NBA and is a player the Spurs should be targeting to get stronger at power forward and center.
New Orleans Hornets: Kyle Weaver, PG, Washington State
Kyle Weaver's scouting report says he is a leader who makes the rest of his team better. He has sick size at 6-6 for a point guard, and he would provide a lot of talent coming off the bench for Chris Paul.
Memphis Grizzlies: Nathan Jawai, PF, Australia
Memphis would use this pick on Nathan Jawai and just let him develop overseas rather than make any sort of investment.
Detroit Pistons: Bill Walker, G/F, Kansas State
The Pistons are looking for a high upside player here. Bill Walker has All-Star potential if he can stay healthy. That's a big if. Still, Detroit is a team that can take a gamble.

Don't be shocked if someone is traded on Draft Day for the Pistons. I think Rasheed Wallace is the odd man out.
Boston Celtics: Kosta Koufos, C, Ohio State
Best player on the board. I think/hope Kosta Koufos falls in thedraft simply because he just reminds me too much of Darko.

Credits: I'd like to thank all the work Chad Ford does on ESPN.com. I'm not going to claim to be a basketball expert or have watched all of these players.

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