My Final Mock Draft

[DJ_Money]

Here we go...one last time. Of course, this whole thing will be shot as teams make those last-minute trades over these next 24 hours. Bleh...

1. Cleveland Cavaliers

-LeBron James, SG, St. Vincent-St. Mary's (HS)

Why?: No explanation needed.

2. Detroit Pistons

-Darko Milicic, PF, Hemofarm Vrsac (Serbia-Montenegro)

Why?: Darko provides the inside offensive threat that Detroit lacks. Wallace and Milicic will be an imposing defensive tandem.

3. Denver Nuggets

-Carmelo Anthony, SF, Syracuse

Why?: This is a three-horse draft, Denver gets the leftovers. Anthony is a [censored] of a consolation prize.

4. Toronto Raptors

-Chris Bosh, PF, Georgia Tech

Why?: Toronto is saddled with injuries and horrible contracts. Bosh has the most upside of any player left in this draft.

5. Miami Heat

-Maciej Lampe, PF, Universidad Complutense (Spain)

Why?: There's nobody here that will help Riley get back into the playoffs this year. He will finally take the plunge and draft the Spaniard.

6. Los Angeles Clippers

-T.J. Ford, PG, Texas

Why?: Miller didn't work out in L.A., he will not be resigned. Ford has the talent to become the NBA's best PG, so it's only fitting he gets to waste away in Clipperland.

7. Chicago Bulls

-Dwayne Wade, SG, Marquette

Why?: The Bulls take Wade because of his ability to play SG and spell Crawford at PG. He's the best all-around player in the draft.

8. Milwaukee Bucks

-Chris Kaman, C, Central Michigan

Why?: The Bucks have been after size for years. They do want a PG, but won't pass up the chance to get the 7 footer.

9. New York Knicks

-Kirk Hinrich, PG, Kansas

Why?: New York is thankful that Hinrich drops to them. They want Ford, but Hinrich really isn't that far behind him. A fierce compeditor who will make everyone better.

10. Washington Wizards

-Mickael Pietrus, SG, Pau Orthez (France)

Why?: Washington just needs hope all over. Will they ever come up with a good draft pick? A PG would be nice, but Pietrus is too good to pass up.

11. Golden State Warriors

-Luke Ridnour, PG, Oregon

Why?: Arenas plans to bolt to whoever can offer him the most money. Ridnour loves to play uptempo, is athletic, and can shoot the ball. Fits well with Golden State's young group.

12. Seattle Supersonics

-Nick Collison, PF, Kansas

Why?: Seattle has too many players in the SG/SF mold and too many lazy, overpaid Centers. Collison is a tireless worker who will not back down from anyone. He will be tested in the Western Conference.

13. Memphis Grizzlies

-Jarvis Hayes, SF, Georgia

Why?: Jerry West would love Pietrus, but he's off the board. Hayes is an explosive scorer with a liquid jumper.

14. Seattle Supersonics

-Leandrihno Barbosa, PG, Bauru Tilibra (Brazil)

Why?: Kevin Ollie is not the right guy to replace Gary Payton. Barbosa is the true PG that Seattle lacks.

15. Orlando Magic

-Reece Gaines, PG, Louisville

Why?: Doc loves big PGs. Imagine the horror of having Darrell Armstrong and Jacque Vaughn as your only two options. Doc will jump all over the 6'6" PG.

16. Boston Celtics

-Marcus Banks, PG, UNLV

Why?: Boston really missed Kenny Anderson last year. They struggled to find any rhythm on offense. Banks is lightning-quick and you know Ainge loves those Mountain West guys.

17. Phoenix Suns

-Zarko Cabarkapa, SF, Buducnost Podgorica (Yugoslavia)

Why?: What does Phoenix care? They've got talent all over the place. A 7 footer with a jumper? Yes, please.

18. New Orleans Hornets

-Michael Sweetney, PF, Georgetown

Why?: Somehow, P.J. Brown has become a hot commodity on the FA market. If Sweetney somehow drops this low, NO will bring in the big banger.

19. Utah Jazz

-Brian Cook, PF, Illinois

Why?: Nobody is sure about Karl Malone's future. Cook will have to shed the "soft" label but you can't argue with his skills.

20. Boston Celtics

-Sofoklis Schortsanitis, PF, Iraklis (Greece)

Why?: Vin Baker is a pathetic excuse for a PF. Sofo gives Boston some hope of being able to stop opposing big men.

21. Atlanta Hawks

-Aleksandar Pavlovic, SF, Buducnost (Serbia-Montenegro)

Why?: An athletic SG/SF in the mold of Manu Ginobili. Huge wingspan. Can compliment Terry now, and become the team's SF of the future.

22. New Jersey Nets

-Zoran Planicic, PG, Cibona Zagreb (Croatia)

Why?: It seems that Jason Kidd is destined for a different team every other day. Planicic is a big PG that would be able to handle NJ's uptempo system.

23. Portland Trailblazers

-Travis Outlaw, SF, Starkville (HS)

Why?: The name "Outlaw" makes a perfect fit in Portland, doesn't it? He's got talent for days and Portland has time to find out.

24. Los Angeles Lakers

-Zaur Pachulia, C, Ulker (Turkey)

Why?: L.A. lacks a big PF to help out the Diesel inside. If Pachulia can give them anything, he will be an improvement for them.

25. Detroit Pistons

-Travis Hansen, SG, BYU

Why?: Rip Hamilton is a RFA, and although he isn't likely to go anywhere, Hansen would be able to step in easily. As it is, Hansen can replace the aging Jon Barry. The Mormom Eminem in Detroit...excellent.

26. Minnesota Timberwolves

-Boris Diaw-Riffiod, SF, Pau Orthez (France)

Why?: Finally...someone in Minnesota who doesn't want to take every shot. Great athlete, excellent passer.

27. Memphis Grizzlies

-David West, PF, Xavier

Why?: This deep into the draft, West is a steal. Trading Gooden to Orlando was a questionable move, West could be just as good.

28. San Antonio Spurs

-Ndubi Ebi, SF, Westbury Christian (HS)

Why?: What do you get for the team that has everything? An athletic HSer who needs time to develop.

29. Dallas Mavericks

-Malick Badiane, PF, Senegal

Why?: Dallas has to get more toughness inside. Thinking of Badiane matching up with Shawn Bradley in practice makes me laugh.