The Pulse's Mock Draft 1.0

As we close in on the end of the NBA season and move closer to the end of June, draft questions inevitably come up. This year more than ever, I expect a lot of movement--whether it is teams moving up and down or key players being sent from team to team.

This draft lacks the star power of recent ones and there is no way it can top the production of last year's rookies. Still, there are a great many role players and specialists available. Here we go (just the Lottery today):

1. LA Clippers- Blake Griffin, PF: This one is easy. The best talent in the draft. The only sure-fire All-Star. The Clips already have Randolph, Kaman, and Camby up front but you don't pass up this talent. A dream scenerio would be package Randolph to someone for a shooter and another pick, but no one really wants him. They might be forced to give up Camby to a contender (SA, Bos?)
2. Memphis- Hasheem Thabeet, C: Even though James Harden might become the better player, I have a feeling the Grizz are leaning towards the big man. Why? Mayo and Gay. This team has literally NO front court depth. Still, the one problem is their best big man is Marc Gasol, who is also a center. Would they just take Harden here...or try to trade down and grab an extra asset? I'm saying they are trading down and this Thabeet selection will go somewhere else.
3. Oklahoma City- James Harden, SG: The real twist...OKC really wants this man, so the only way Memphis can get their man is to work out a deal w/ the Thunder. Thabeet isn't a bad fit here, so I'm sure OKC would look into it. I've heard rumblings of a Rubio pick, but I think eventually, GM Joe Presti will realize he isn't worth it, considering you have Russell Westbrook there already.
4. Sacramento- Ricky Rubio, PG: This one is obvious. If Rubio falls this far, the Kings won't pass him up. The Spanish point has already taken a liking to the Cali capital and this team needs help at the lead guard spot next to Kevin Martin. He is a tough kid, fitting the Maloofs vision of getting tougher and more defensive orientated. Plus, he will have a few years to grow up on the outskirts of the L.
5. Washington- Jordan Hill, PF: I don't think the Wiz are really even interested in Hill. He looks like a little bit of a project. But, this team really doesn't need to draft a point at this position in the draft. Possibly a trade down to pick up Johnny Flynn. They just need to worry about Gilbert Arenas' reaction: should they trust he will be back 100 or not?
6. Minnesota- Tyreke Evans, SG: The Wolves really could use help all over the place. But Steph Curry doesn't make sense next to Randy Foye, and there are no big men that are worth it here. Another possibility is Jrue Holiday, a big guard to pair w/ the aforementioned Foye. Still, I am seeing Evans here-- one of the best talents in the draft -- whether or not the Wolves deal this pick or not.
7. Golden State- Demar DeRozan, SG: Once again, rumblings are mounting Curry might fall here. Next to Monta Ellis, who just recently signed a monster deal? No way. The Warriors need another athlete on the wing and DeRozan would create a young nucleus of Ellis, himself, Anthony Randolph, and Andris Beidrins. Not bad. If this is the choice, I am betting on a deal by the end of the summer for GS to rid themselves of the deals they have given to either Corey Maggette or Stephen Jackson.
8. New York- Stephen Curry, SG: A match made in heaven. No way he gets past the Knicks. As others have mentioned, he is perfect in the D'Antoni system. If this happens, that is basically the 'good bye' to Nate Robinson. And there are sources saying Donnie Walsh is attempting to cut costs by signing and trading David Lee. The makeover will continue before 2010, but I think Curry will make it through the seige. The Knicks will only need a big guard who can initiated offense to make this work because this man is not a point.
9. Toronto- Jrue Holiday, PG: And it will be Toronto that makes the mistake of taking Holiday over Johnny Flynn. Flynn will become another Aaron Brooks while I see Holiday as just a decent role player. Flynn is a difference maker with his speed and shot-making. With Anthony Parker likely gone to FA, the Raptors will be in the market for a wing player. They could trade up to get DeRozan or trade down to get Gerald Henderson. Those scenerios could easily happen, so this is a hard pick to predict.
10. Milwaukee- Johnny Flynn, PG: A perfect set-up for the Bucks. They are in need of some speed in the backcourt and Ramon Sessions probably is going to greener pastures. Michael Redd needs some athleticism next to him. Flynn would give this team a little attitude and swagger (something they need) and I think he will be one of the surprises of next year's season. I've heard they like Jeff Teague as well, so if someone presents something to move up, they could move down to pick him.
11. New Jersey- DeJuan Blair, PF: A nice set-up for the Nets. They need a rugged player inside and Blair will be a valuable role player/starter for a while. I think Henderson and Terrence Williams will also get looks because besides Vince Carter, they are sorely lacking on the wings. Still, NJ won't ever become enamored w/ this guy, so a trade is actually pretty likely.
12. Charlotte- Gerald Henderson, SG: Another team that needs help on the wings. LB and MJ love players who can contribute right away from big schools, so I think they will take a player here in Henderson who will turn in an average NBA career.
13. Indiana- Brandon Jennings, PG: The Pacers are in the market for a point. TJ Ford has been up and down and Jarrett Jack is ready to cash in with someone else. With Jim O'Brien's high-octane offense, Jennings would be able to play and learn on the fly. He has as much talent as anyone in the draft outside of BG so I think you have to take him here. This pick probably means Ford will hook on with someone else by the trading deadline next year. Indiana probably won't mind that.
14. Phoenix- James Johnson, PF: This is a tough one to predict. Phoenix needs depth everywhere. Normally, they should take the best player available. I think it should be Terrence Williams. Yet, Steve Kerr has proven himself to be a very bad GM, taking just a quick year to shed this team of it's identity. He'll either take James Johnson or he take Ty Lawson, which would be just as stupid.

More tommorrow...