ESPN: Mock Draft III : HAWKS TAKE MARTYNAS AT 2

[Lascar78]

HAHAHA, of course not. But nevertheless, here's the latest insider mock, fresh off the press. Direct all complaints to chad ford

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Updated: June 22, 2005, 12:56 PM ET

First round is crowdedBy Chad Ford

ESPN Insider

Archive

The deadline for withdrawing from the NBA draft passed on Tuesday with way too many underclassmen still making themselves available.

First-round hopefuls Martynas Andriuskevicius, Andrew Bynum, Yaroslav Korolev, Ike Diogu, Jarrett Jack, Randolph Morris, Roko Ukic, Ersan Ilyasova, Johan Petro, Mile Ilic, Linas Kleiza, Matt Walsh, C. J. Miles and Louis Williams all decided to roll the dice on the first round.

The good news is that the second round of this year's draft might be the strongest in the history of the draft. The bad news is that a number of those first-round hopefuls are going to be the players that make the second round so great.

There just isn't enough room in the first round for all of them.

Then factor in a new collective bargaining agreement that creates the NBA's first true minor league. In my breakdown Tuesday night of the new CBA, I wrote that the NBDL and age minimum could seriously alter this year's draft strategy for a number of teams – encouraging teams to draft younger players with big upsides because of the ability to develop players down the road.

Big-upside players such as Martynas Andriuskevicius, Andrew Bynum, Yaroslav Korolev and Ersan Ilyasova suddenly look much more interesting to teams than they did 24 hours ago.

Combine that with lots and lots of trade talk and rumors of promises, and the draft is still virtually impossible to mock just seven days before selection day.

Here's our best shot.

1. MILWAUKEE BUCKS

Andrew Bogut

UTAH | SOPHOMORE | CENTER

HEIGHT: 7-0 | WEIGHT: 250 | AGE: 20

A mock draft is supposed to tell you who the Bucks are going to take … not who they should take. I still believe that Marvin Williams should be the No. 1 pick in the draft, but all the chatter I'm hearing out of Milwaukee is that the Bucks are leaning strongly in Bogut's direction. Don't get me wrong, it's not a bad pick. Bogut has the chance to be special and he's a low-risk player. But I'm still not convinced it's the right decision.

Scouting report on Andrew Bogut

2. ATLANTA HAWKS

Marvin Williams

NORTH CAROLINA | FRESHMAN | SMALL FORWARD

HEIGHT: 6-8 | WEIGHT: 230 | AGE: 18

There's talk that the Hawks want Deron Williams and are flirting with him at No. 2. He's a great point guard, but he's the wrong Williams at No. 2. If the Hawks really want Deron, they should swap with the Blazers or Hornets, both of whom would love to get their hands on Marvin. Otherwise you take Marvin and trade the other guys on the team that play the same position.

Scouting report on Marvin Williams

3. PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS

Chris Paul

WAKE FOREST | SOPHOMORE | POINT GUARD

HEIGHT: 6-1 | WEIGHT: 178 | AGE: 20

The Blazers won't take Paul at No. 3. If, for some reason, they own this pick on draft night, Gerald Green would be the guy. So why is Paul the pick here? Because it's now almost a foregone conclusion that the Blazers are going to trade this pick. It could be to the Hawks, Bobcats, Jazz, Raptors or Lakers … but the chances of Portland selecting at No. 3 seem very slim at this point. Anyone else in this position will be deciding between Paul and Deron Williams.

Scouting report on Chris Paul

4. NEW ORLEANS HORNETS

Deron Williams

ILLINOIS | JUNIOR | POINT GUARD

HEIGHT: 6-3 | WEIGHT: 210 | AGE: 20

The Hornets have a greater need at small forward. They'd love to move up and get Marvin Williams and they're flirting with swapping with Utah and taking Danny Granger. If they stay here, Williams is the guy. They think he's a big upgrade over Speedy Claxton and Dan Dickau. It's hard to argue with that.

Scouting report on Deron Williams

5. CHARLOTTE BOBCATS

Danny Granger

NEW MEXICO | SENIOR | SMALL FORWARD

HEIGHT: 6-8 | WEIGHT: 225 | AGE: 22

The Bobcats are trying to move up in the draft to get their hands on Marvin Williams or Paul. If Paul, Marvin and Deron Williams are off the board, the team will choose between potential (Green) and immediate impact (Granger). Given Bernie Bickerstaff's track record last year, don't be surprised if it's Granger.

Scouting report on Danny Granger

6. UTAH JAZZ

Channing Frye

ARIZONA | SENIOR | CENTER

HEIGHT: 6-11 | WEIGHT: 245 | AGE: 22

Call this a hunch. The Jazz still are trying to move up to get a shot at Paul or Deron Williams. If they're unsuccessful, they'll try to address their other need for a big, athletic shot blocker. For months they were high on Vazquez, but have cooled considerably in the last week. That leaves Frye as the most logical choice. He hasn't worked out for the Jazz, but that doesn't mean they won't take him. He'd be a good fit in Utah.

Scouting report on Channing Frye

7. TORONTO RAPTORS

Gerald Green

GULF SHORES ACADEMY (Texas) | H.S. | SHOOTING GUARD

HEIGHT: 6-7 | WEIGHT: 192 | AGE: 19

This is a dream scenario for the Raptors. Green could go as high as No. 3 and he'll get long looks from both the Hornets and Bobcats. If he falls here, the Raptors would get a potential star to pair with Chris Bosh. He reminds many scouts of Tracy McGrady and for good reason. He's a few years away from being that player, but the potential is well worth it. If he's gone, Raymond Felton, Fran Vazquez, Frye and Granger would all get serious consideration.

Scouting report on Gerald Green

8. NEW YORK KNICKS

Fran Vazquez

SPAIN | POWER FORWARD

HEIGHT: 6-11 | WEIGHT: 230 | AGE: 22

Sources claim that the Knicks made a promise to Frye and shut down his workouts. It may have been too little, too late. Other teams are on to Frye and the chances he makes it to the Knicks have now diminished. If he's not there, the Knicks will still look to go big. Vazquez is the other big guy who could come in and play right away.

Scouting report on Fran Vazquez

9. GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS

Ike Diogu

ARIZONA STATE | JUNIOR | POWER FORWARD

HEIGHT: 6-8 | WEIGHT: 255 | AGE: 21

The Warriors want Frye or Granger, but if those two are off the board, they'll look for the next-best power forward. Sean May, Hakim Warrick and Chris Taft will all get looks here as well. Diogu gets the nod because of his length (he has the reach of a 7-footer, a la Elton Brand) and shot-blocking ability.

Scouting report on Ike Diogu

10. LOS ANGELES LAKERS

Martell Webster

SEATTLE PREP | H.S. | SHOOTING GUARD

HEIGHT: 6-7 | WEIGHT: 235 | AGE: 18

There is talk, a lot of talk, that the Lakers have promised high school center Andrew Bynum that they'll take him if they keep their pick. Bynum sure looks like Shaq, and he's worked out well, but it's just a little too much to believe right now. It would be years before Phil Jackson would give him a whiff of playing time. Until we get to the bottom of the Bynum stuff, we're moving Felton out and Webster in. With Jackson running the show, the Lakers are going to need a big shooter. Webster is the best on the board. Think of him as a young Glen Rice.

Scouting report on Martell Webster

11. ORLANDO MAGIC

Sean May

NORTH CAROLINA | JUNIOR | POWER FORWARD

HEIGHT: 6-8 | WEIGHT: 260 | AGE: 21

The Magic like Webster as well, but also feel like they need a tough scorer and rebounder in the paint, and May should be a perfect fit. Though he's a little undersized to play his natural position (center) in the pros, he should be fine paired with Dwight Howard.

Scouting report on Sean May

12. LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS

Yaroslav Korolev

RUSSIA | SMALL FORWARD

HEIGHT: 6-9 | WEIGHT: 215 | AGE: 17

We're torn. We've heard two names associated with the Clippers all month. One is Korolev, who Russian sources claim received a promise from the Clippers. The other is Antoine Wright, whom Dunleavy fell in love with early in the draft process. Whom to choose? Our Clippers source told us in Treviso that there were certain players they'd take in front of Korolev. Is Wright one of them? We're still sorting it out, but until we hear otherwise, we've got to go with Korolev here. Given the latest revelations about the new NBDL minor league, Dunleavy can bring him over and get him some valuable experience in the D league.

Scouting report on Yaroslav Korolev

13. CHARLOTTE BOBCATS

Raymond Felton

NORTH CAROLINA | JUNIOR | POINT GUARD

HEIGHT: 6-0 | WEIGHT: 200 | AGE: 20

This is a real steal for the Bobcats if they can land Felton here. The Bobcats need a point guard badly and he's a local kid to boot. He's the fastest point guard in the draft baseline to baseline, has improved his outside shooting and is an excellent floor leader. A major upgrade over what they have now.

Scouting report on Raymond Felton

14. MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES

Antoine Wright

TEXAS A&M | JUNIOR | SHOOTING GUARD

HEIGHT: 6-7 | WEIGHT: 210 | AGE: 21

There are lots of different ways the Timberwolves could go here. Bynum, Joey Graham and Charlie Villanueva could also get looks. It will be tough for them to pass on Wright's versatility and perimeter shooting – especially with Latrell Sprewell heading into free agency.

Scouting report on Antoine Wright

15. NEW JERSEY NETS

Hakim Warrick

SYRACUSE | SENIOR | POWER FORWARD

HEIGHT: 6-8 | WEIGHT: 218 | AGE: 22

He's not Kenyon Martin, but he's long, athletic and runs the floor. Plus, he has the experience to contribute immediately. With Jason Kidd running the show, Warrick should get a lot of dunks.

Scouting report on Hakim Warrick

16. TORONTO RAPTORS

Andrew Bynum

ST. JOSEPH (METUCHEN, N.J.) | H.S. | CENTER

HEIGHT: 7-0 | WEIGHT: 300 | AGE: 17

The talk is that he's going to either the Lakers or the Timberwolves. But if he falls this far, Raptors GM Rob Babcock will be tempted. The Raptors desperately need a big man with size and toughness. Bynum has that. He's blown people away in workouts with his skills, soft touch and intelligence. He may be a few years away, but landing two potential stars in Green and Bynum to team with Chris Bosh could completely turn the Raptors around in a couple of years. If Bynum's off the board, Croatian point guard Roko Ukic has turned a lot of heads in Toronto.

Scouting report on Andrew Bynum

17. INDIANA PACERS

Martynas Andriuskevicius

LITHUANIA | POWER FORWARD

HEIGHT: 7-3 | WEIGHT: 230 | AGE: 19

The Pacers do need to find a replacement for Reggie Miller's shooting, but will likely try to do that with a veteran in free agency. Guys such as Francisco Garcia and Rashad McCants are possibilities, but neither would likely be able to crack the lineup next year. Andriuskevicius could go much earlier than this, based on potential, but it's been tough to find a place for a guy who physically is still a good two years away from being able to contribute. He needs a team willing to be patient. No one has a better track record of that over the years than the Pacers. Now that teams will be able to send players down to the D League, the risk is minimized. This is a long-term project for a team that doesn't have a lot of holes to fill.

Scouting report on Martynas Andriuskevicius

18. BOSTON CELTICS

Joey Graham

OKLAHOMA STATE | SENIOR | SMALL FORWARD

HEIGHT: 6-7 | WEIGHT: 216 | AGE: 22

The Celtics were flirting with taking an international player (such as Ersan Ilyasova or Andriuskevicius) and stashing him overseas, but it's tough to see them passing on Graham, a big, physical small forward who tested out as the best athlete in Chicago. He could step in and immediately help the Celtics next season .

Scouting report on Joey Graham

19. MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES

Julius Hodge

NORTH CAROLINA STATE | SENIOR | SHOOTING GUARD

HEIGHT: 6-7 | WEIGHT: 205 | AGE: 21

Hodge might not be the greatest shooter in the draft, but he has all the intangibles Jerry West loves in his players. He's tough and versatile, and he seems to want it more than most guys on the floor. The Grizzlies believe he'll be a point guard, at least part-time, in the pros. It looks as though they'll lose Earl Watson to free agency and wouldn't mind losing Jason Williams in a trade, so the position is a need. Hodge has earned good reviews in every workout and seems to have moved himself up with every one. West has a history of ignoring convention, which explains why a player like Hodge would go this high.

Scouting report on Julius Hodge

20. DENVER NUGGETS

Ersan Ilyasova

TURKEY | SMALL FORWARD

HEIGHT: 6-9 | WEIGHT: 220 | AGE: 18

With multiple picks, the Nuggets plan to leave at least one guy in Europe for a few years. Many believe Ilyasova was the best young prospect in Europe before a severe ankle injury kept him out most of the year. His workouts went well enough in Chicago to secure his place in the mid-first round.

Scouting report on Ersan Ilyasova

21. PHOENIX SUNS

Johan Petro

FRANCE | CENTER

HEIGHT: 7-1 | WEIGHT: 250 | AGE: 19

Petro has the size and talent of a lottery pick, but he has been very slow to develop it, which has caused some NBA teams to worry. Petro is probably another year or two away from helping a team even if he does develop. However, if he ever gets it, he could be the perfect center in the Suns' system down the road.

Scouting report on Johan Petro

22. DENVER NUGGETS

Francisco Garcia

LOUISVILLE | JUNIOR | SHOOTING GUARD

HEIGHT: 6-7 | WEIGHT: 190 | AGE: 23

The Nuggets opt for upside with their first pick and go with need for their second. The team needs perimeter shooting badly, and Garcia can deliver. He's not the greatest athlete in the world, but he can stroke it and plays with the passion George Karl likes in his players. High school guard Monta Ellis is also a possibility here. The Nuggets love him, but would Karl ever play him?

Scouting report on Francisco Garcia

23. SACRAMENTO KINGS

Rashad McCants

NORTH CAROLINA | JUNIOR | SHOOTING GUARD

HEIGHT: 6-4 | WEIGHT: 200 | AGE: 20

McCants might be the toughest guy in the draft to project. On talent, he's easily a top-10 pick, maybe top-five. But just about every team in the league has uncovered a number of red flags on the background check. He's going to have to prove to teams that whatever problems he had at North Carolina are behind him. If he does, he'll go higher. If he doesn't, he'll slip down to a team like the Kings, who need that help at the two and are willing to take the risk on such a talent.

Scouting report on Rashad McCants

24. HOUSTON ROCKETS

Wayne Simien

KANSAS | SENIOR | POWER FORWARD

HEIGHT: 6-9 | WEIGHT: 255 | AGE: 22

The Rockets could use a tough rebounder with experience, and Simien fits the bill. Concerns about injuries and size are the only things keeping him out of the lottery. He's one of the few guys who isn't afraid to go inside and bang, but also has a nice perimeter game. He has worked out really well just about everywhere.

Scouting report on Wayne Simien

25. SEATTLE SUPERSONICS

Jarrett Jack

GEORGIA TECH | JUNIOR | POINT GUARD

HEIGHT: 6-3 | WEIGHT: 200 | AGE: 21

Jack could be off the board in the mid-first round, but it's conceivable he could slip all the way to here. He's a very good point guard prospect who just needs to cut down on his turnovers. With Antonio Daniels set to bolt in free agency, the Sonics will have a strong need for a backup point guard with size and toughness.

Scouting report on Jarrett Jack

26. DETROIT PISTONS

Ryan Gomes

PROVIDENCE | SENIOR | SMALL FORWARD

HEIGHT: 6-8 | WEIGHT: 250 | AGE: 22

Gomes is a skilled forward, an inside-outside scoring threat who reminds some scouts of Corliss Williamson. He started his career at the four, but played really well at the three this year. He's a good offensive rebounder, has extended his range to the NBA 3-point line and is a good passer. He also has a 7-foot-2 wingspan.

Scouting report on Ryan Gomes

27. UTAH JAZZ

Roko Ukic

CROATIA | POINT GUARD

HEIGHT: 6-6 | WEIGHT: 218 | AGE: 21

He has had a great year in Croatia and wowed scouts at the Reebok Eurocamp. Could go as high as No. 16 to the Raptors and will get long looks from the Celtics and Nuggets. A little wild for Jerry Sloan's taste, but he's long, plays defense, and is very tough and experienced. If he could shoot, he'd be a much higher pick. Look for the Jazz to leave him overseas for another season or two.

Scouting report on Roko Ukic

28. SAN ANTONIO SPURS

Charlie Villanueva

CONNECTICUT | SOPHOMORE | POWER FORWARD

HEIGHT: 6-10 | WEIGHT: 240 | AGE: 20

Villanueva has the skills of a lottery pick but proved to be a bit lazy and unreliable at UConn. He could go as high as the late lottery or he could slip all the way to San Antonio. He has all the offensive skills to be a perfect fit for the Spurs. And head coach Gregg Popovich is the right coach to motivate Villanueva to play some defense.

Scouting report on Charlie Villanueva

29. MIAMI HEAT

Mile Ilic

SERBIA | CENTER

HEIGHT: 7-1 | WEIGHT: 240 | AGE: 20

Ilic surprised a lot of people by keeping his name in the draft. He's a young, talented, big man who has really come on of late. Recently had an impressive 24-point, 10-rebound, two-block performance in front of a number of NBA scouts during the Serbia playoffs. Apparently that sealed the deal. Ilic doesn't have a buyout this year, so he may not come over right away. The Nuggets and Knicks are other teams who have shown a lot of interest in him.

Scouting report on Mile Ilic

30. NEW YORK KNICKS

Andray Blatche

SOUTH KENT PREP (Conn.) | H.S. | POWER FORWARD

HEIGHT: 6-11 | WEIGHT: 240 | AGE: 18

Blatche has been under the radar all year, in part, because he's insisted on not playing like a 7-footer in order to show NBA scouts that he's versatile. Blatche has been referred to as a poor man's Kevin Garnett and he has enough skills to be an intriguing pick for the Knicks at 30. He runs the floor well, can handle the ball, has 3-point range on his jumper and is an excellent rebounder. He may be a year or two away, but eventually he and Vazquez could give the Knicks a much taller and more talented front line.

Scouting report on Andray Blatche

[Lascar78]

So high praise from ford for Marvin

A few thoughts...

I'm glad to see Villanueva and Taft fall as far as I think they deserve to.

I'm surprised to see Jack so low, but it could happen

Martynas going at 17 is better than expected from me, but I guess the CBA really will help him

Sean May pretty high at 11

is there any surprise that they have Ukic going to the draft? Utah has a knack for finding the fundamentally sound white guys...

All in all seems like a pretty reasonable draft to me. I think we will definitely end up with Marvin, with the possibility of trading him.

[AHF]

Quote:

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So high praise from ford for Marvin

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The more things change....Ford has been very high on Marvin the whole time. In fact, this is his first mock without Marvin as the first pick. He would take Marvin first overall if he was running the Bucks draft.

[emeans]

This is exactly why I am so ecstatic over having the 31st pick. This pick will be a very good 1st round player. The numbers just ran on the number of 1st round prospects.

We should get a possible starter at 31. This is probably the deepest draft I have seen in a while for the 2nd round.

[emorystar]

I would be ecstatic if Marvin fell to Atlanta.

[Lascar78]

I would still prefer Bogut, but I will gladly take Marvin. It's a win-win-win situation really

[clrumph]

I would love to take Marvin at #2, trade him to Portland for their #3 and #35 picks, and then draft:

#3 - Deron Williams (locks up the PG spot for next 10 years)

#31 - Randolph Morris or Chris Taft (big men with potential at the top of the 2nd round)

#35 - Luther Head (great shooting combo guard who can come off the bench and spell either Deron or J-Chill)

#59 - Dwayne Jones (or the best foreign prospect to stash overseas if Jones is off the board which he probably will be)

That's my perfect draft scenario and we won't even have to trade Harrington or Diaw to accomplish it.

[Spiral]

Don't forget we're reading the speculations of Chad Ford. He most likely dropped Taft from the first round to keep carrying out his own little vendetta against Taft's agent who wouldn't let Ford in to watch Taft's workout. No doubt that Taft's stock has dropped, but I'd have a hard time believing it's dropped him out of the first round.

[Lascar78]

well I think that he's right in that there are too many players who think they're going first round, and the numbers tell you that at least a couple of them have to go to the second. Whether or not Taft goes that low, I don't know , but I doubt he'll be a lottery pick.

I don't know anything about the event you're talking about, so who knows

[Diesel]

Really...

When you think about it...

THE Loudest part of the hype machine is Chad Ford.

Ford is normally wrong ALL year long. Now because he says something you like, he's right??

Come on Lascar.

First off, there is NO way Taft falls to the 2nd round... IF so, he should be #31 without hesitation.

Secondly, I wouldn't raise the Flag for Marvin so quickly.

IF we can get PTL to give us either:

Outlaw or somehow get us another first rounder for a trade of #2 for #3... I'd do that because Deron Williams is definitely the truth.. Williams is the unknown.

[AHF]

First, I agree with Deisel that Taft is going to go in the first round. I think he will go higher than projected in the current mocks and that the teams that really want him are probably badmouthing him so that he will continue his current freefall.

Second, I don't think Marvin Williams is so much more of an unknown thatn Deron Williams. There is a significant element of risk on anybody making the leap from the NCAAs to the NBA. For example, the statistics on HS kids making the jump make support the notion that they are less of a gamble than college kids (at least eventually).

I think we are going to end up with Marvin but we'll see.

[Lascar78]

I think Marvin is alot more unknown to us than he is to the GM's and scouts. I haven't watched every UNC game over just to scout how he played in various situations. I haven't seen his workouts. If I had, I would have a much better feel for him.

As far as Taft, I don't expect him to fall out of the first, but he also doesn't deserve to be in the lottery. He might go there because he's big, but he doesn't deserve it to me. Somebody very unexpected has to fall out of the first. Whether it's Taft or not, I don't know. I really don't want him, even at the 31, unless we drafted deron and there are no other big prospects. I hate laziness in a big guy.

Also, I'm not trying to kiss up to Chad Ford. The guy makes alot of stuff up and is wrong alot. But to be fair he also gets alot of inside info and is right alot. I wasn't judging this as a Chad Ford draft, just as yet another mock, they're all just opinions. I didn't realize he was a big Marvin Williams hype-guy from day 1. If so, then maybe his comments at 1-2 don't mean as much. But I think his draft overall makes alot of sense

[BloodMoney]

I really think we still need to come out with a PG in this draft. Im h oping BK somehow pull a trade for Jack..

[Lascar78]

It would be nice but when you only have 2 to 3 players you can't fix everything in 1 draft. You just want to take players with maximal input in the long run...

We'll find a PG at some point, we need to be patient.

[codyatl]

I would mess my pants if we could get the Hornets to trade us their pick for harrington and whatever filler we needed to add like maybe our boston pick next yr and our 2nd rder this yr. Then we get marvin and deron. WOW. BK should be pursuing this deal all out. He might could get them to bite. As it says on this mock the hornets biggest need is at sf. Who knows, stranger things have happened.