VERY EARLY Mock drafts HERE!!!!

Not bad guesses but I think Butler will get the nod at the 5th spot over Wagner. Denver has always said they'd take the best player available. Memphis can't pass up the Dunleavy pedigree, Golden State needs height, Chicago needs a point guard, and when do you get a chance at someone like Ming? Houston would be idiots to pass on this guy. He's possibly the best big man since Duncan. Everyone, I mean everyone would love too trade positions with Houston. I think your # 15 pick with Nachbar is spot-on. Good one. I can't imagine the Rockets lamenting the chance of not getting someone like Woods or Butler with Griffin and Thomas already in the fold. Question? If Mo shows up 70 pounds or so overweight , does that release the Rockets from contract obligations? I'd like to see them dump him and his contract. I don't see Cato going anywhere. He actually posted decent numbers and can be more essential this coming season(less pressure on him with Ming on hand).

 

My mock draft will be slightly different, but I just want to 'third' the selection of Nachbar at the #15 slot. We'll see about where he stands by the draft. If he's as good as many of us hope, he'll probably rise higher than #15 after workouts with various teams. I'd like him, but if not, I feel like we should be able to pick another underrated, if not superstar SF at #15. Maybe Jeffries. I think we'll definitely try to acquire a SF with handles this offseason through draft, trade, or signing. (Suddenly, our 4.5 million exception seems a lot more useful now)

 

My One:
1.Rockets - Yao Ming
2.Bulls - Jay Williams
3.Warriors - Mike Dunleavy
4.Grizzlies - Dejuan Wagner
5.Nuggets - Qyntel Woods
6.Cavaliers - Drew Gooden
7.Knicks - Curtis Borchardt
8.Clippers - Caron Butler
9.Suns - Chris Wilcox
10.Heat - Nickoloz Tshikitsvili
11.Wizards - Chris Marcus
12.Clippers - Amare Stoudemire
13.Bucks - Nene Hilario
14.Pacers - Jared Jeffries
15.Rockets - Rod Grizzard

 

1. ROCKETS. Yao Ming. Nuff said.
2. BULLS. Jay Williams. The only choice.
3. WARRIORS. DeJuan Wagner.
4. GRIZZLIES. Mike Dunleavy. They can't believe their luck.
5. NUGGETS. Caron Butler.
6. CLEVELAND. Chris Wilcox.
7. NEW YORK. Curtis Borchardt.
8. LAC. Drew Gooden.
9. PHOENIX. Nené Hilario.
10. MIAMI. Q-Woods.
11. WASHINGTON. Nickoloz Tshikitsvili
12. LAC. Chris Marcus.
13. MILWAUKEE. Kareem Rush. Ray Allen insurance, in case a trade finally gets made.
14. INDIANA. Amare Stoudamire.
15. HOUSTON. Nachbar Whatshisname.

 

Early Version of my mock draft, Very far from complete

1 - Houston - Yao Ming
2 - Denver - Jay Williams (Denver trades picks #5,#25, and #33, Receives pick #2 and and # 30)
3 - Golden State - Drew Gooden
4 - Memphis - Dajuan Wagner
5 - Chicago - Mike Dunleavy (Bulls receive pick #5 and #25, and #33 trades picks #2 and #30)
6 - Cleveland - Caron Butler
7 - New York - Chris Wilcox
8 - Clippers - Curtis Borchardt
9 - Phoenix - Qyntel Woods
10 - Miami - Nickoloz Tskitishvili
11 - Washington - Jared Jeffries
12 - Clippers - Maybyner Hilario
13 - Memphis (via Houtson, Milwaukee) - Amare Stoudamire (Houston receives picks 13 and 48 via Milwaukee) Houston Allocates pick 13 to Memphis to complete and earlier trade
14 - Indiana - Kareem Rush
15 - Milwaukee - Chris Marcus (Bucks receive picks 15 and 38 via Houston)

 

Here we go!



1. HOU -

2. CHI -

3. GSW - Dunleavy

4. MEM - Butler

5. DEN - Wagner

6. CLE - Gooden

7. NY - Borchardt

8. LAC - Wilcox

9. PHO - Hilario

10. MIA - Tskitishvili

11. WASH - Jeffries

12. LAC - Frank Williams

13. MIL - Stoudamire

14. IND - Marcus

15. HOU - Woods

 

Here's my first shot at a mock draft this season. It'll get updated closer to the draft, but as of now I really like how it shapes up.

1. Houston
Yao Ming, C, Shanghai Sharks (China)
Projected Lineup: Francis/Mobley/Griffin/Taylor/Ming

Houston’s most glaring needs are at small forward and center. Just so happens that one of the better center prospects in the past ten years is available for the taking, and he’s a monster too. While they undoubtedly will look at trading the pick or even taking a player like Dunleavy, Butler, or Qyntel Woods here, it’s safe to assume that Ming will be in the Rockets’ starting 5 early next season.

2. Chicago
Jay Williams, PG, Duke
Projected Lineup: Williams/Hassell/Rose/Chandler/Curry

Chicago’s dilemma between taking Ming and Williams was seemingly solved for them when they ended up with the second pick. Arguably the better pick between the two for the Bulls, Jay should step right into the starting lineup and be one of the early favorites for rookie of the year.

3. Golden State
DaJuan Wagner, G, Memphis
Projected Lineup: Wagner/Richardson/Jamison/Fortson/Dampier

Golden State lacks options at point guard. Larry Hughes is on his way out, Mookie Blaylock is nearing retirement, and Bob Sura and Gilbert Arenas are both closer to shooting guards than playmakers. While they need help everywhere, a player like Wagner would be ideal to pair along with Jason Richardson and Antawn Jamison as all three develop into a formidable trio. It won’t help the Warriors this year, but should pay dividends in a few seasons.

4. Memphis
Mike Dunleavy Jr., SF, Duke
Projected Lineup: Williams/Battier/Dunleavy/Gasol/Wright

Memphis needs depth more than anything else. They have a nice collection of players in Jason Williams, Shane Battier, Pau Gasol, Stromile Swift, and Lorenzen Wright, but little depth beyond that. With Dunleavy being a player who can do it all and at a position where they could use help – small forward – Jerry West’s first draft pick in Memphis could well be the coach’s son.

5. Denver
Caron Butler, SF, Connecticut
Projected Lineup: Hardaway/Posey/Butler/Howard/McDyess

Denver needs players, plain and simple. Besides having Antonio McDyess, Denver has little else for now or the future. Caron Butler is simply the best player available. Given the state of affairs in Denver, it would not be surprising to see him contend for rookie of the year in a starting role, putting up decent numbers on a horrible team.

6. Cleveland
Drew Gooden, F, Kansas
Projected Lineup: Miller/Murray/Jones/Gooden/Ilgauskas

Cleveland, like Denver, needs players. They need athleticism above all, though. With Andre Miller being the best talent on the team and the Cavs having more centers than they know what to do with, a player like Gooden makes sense. If they can keep Jumaine Jones, pray for Zydrunas Ilgauskas to remain healthy, and grab a combo forward like Gooden, the Cavs could make some waves in the East next season. Expect whoever they draft to benefit greatly from the presence of Andre Miller.

7. New York
Curtis Borchardt, C, Stanford
Projected Lineup: Jackson/Houston/Sprewell/Thomas/some healthy body

This probably won’t be a popular pick with Knick fans, but Borchardt is the best center available on the draft board at this point. With power forward held down decently well for the moment with Kurt Thomas and Marcus Camby perpetually injured, Borchardt makes sense at this point. He should step right in and make an impact, though it may not be earth-shattering.

8. LA Clippers
Chris Wilcox, PF, Maryland
Projected Lineup: Jaric/Richardson/Odom/Brand/Olowokandi

While the Clippers have a glut of swingmen, they lack depth in the post beyond Elton Brand and free agent-to be Michael Olowokandi. Signing Wilcox gives them a big body who can spell Brand for a few minutes per game while he develops as well as a ferocious post player for the future. Along with pick 12, the Clippers should be able to make waves in this year’s draft – assuming, of course, they don’t screw up.

9. Phoenix
Nikoloz Tskitishvili, F, Benetton (Italy)
Projected Lineup: Marbury/Hardaway/Johnson/Marion/Tskitishvili

Heralded as the next Pau Gasol and Dirk Nowitzki, the 19 year old Tskitishvili is the recipient of a lot of the hype surrounding the prospects from Europe this season. While much is unknown about his game, he has a lot of potential and size – two buzz words that have teams talking. Phoenix needs a player with both of those and can afford to wait on him while Joe Johnson develops.

10. Miami
Qyntel Woods, SF, Northeast Mississippi Comm. Coll.
Projected Lineup: Strickland/Jones/Woods/Grant/Mourning

Miami attempted to sign Tracy McGrady two seasons ago when he was a free agent. Just so happens that in this draft, a player who has been compared to McGrady in athleticism and overall game is available in the form of Qyntel Woods. While extremely raw, Miami needs athleticism and any sort of warm body to man the small forward spot. He will take his bumps for a season or two, but if Pat Riley can get over his qualms about playing rookies, he should win the starting job and make some impact early on.

11. Washington
Chris Marcus, C, Western Kentucky
Projected Lineup: Whitney/Hamilton/Jordan/Brown/White

Washington is a tough team to call. Their frontcourt is in disarray, though they do have Kwame Brown and, to a lesser extent, Brendan Haywood for the future. A lot depends on the future of Michael Jordan. If he retires, the Wizards may look at a small forward to play alongside Richard Hamilton and Courtney Alexander. If not, a post player would be a worthy investment, with Jahidi White being little more than a backup and Popeye Jones being a free agent. Chris Marcus is at least as good as White is now and has seemingly untapped potential to improve. Plus, he has size. He would likely make an impact immediately wherever he goes.

12. LA Clippers
Maybner “Nene” Hilario, PF, Vasco de Gama (Brazil)
Projected Lineup: Jaric/Richardson/Odom/Brand/Olowokandi

With a lot of contracts ending soon yet with a need for post players, the Clippers may be inclined to take a foreign post player, one who they can let develop overseas for a few seasons if they so choose. Hilario has been compared to Hakeem Olajuwon in his style of play, though remains raw coming out of Brazil. If he is eligible next season, he will likely take a learning role on the bench; given a few seasons, though, he could be much better.

13. Milwaukee
Marcus Haislip, PF, Tennessee
Projected Lineup: Cassell/Allen/Robinson/Mason/Pryzbilla

While Milwaukee has a player similar to Haislip (when he came out of college) in Darvin Ham, they need big bodies in the worst way. The Anthony Mason experiment blew up in their faces as he openly complained about his role, while one of their better post players – Scott Williams – was traded to make room for him. The key word with Haislip again is potential. He should be able to be a contributor off the bench in a limited role right away, though.

14. Indiana
Kareem Rush, G/F, Missouri
Projected Lineup: Tinsley/Miller/Artest/O’Neal/Miller

With Reggie Miller nearing retirement and Al Harrington and Jonathon Bender being closer to forwards than guards, Indiana could use a player who can learn from Miller for a couple of seasons and then step in as he retires. Rush can be very inconsistent at times, but also has the potential to improve. If he improves his ballhandling, he could be a smaller version of Jalen Rose down the line, a player Indiana never should’ve traded away.

15. Houston
Amare Stoudemire, PF, Cypress Creek H.S. (Orlando)
Projected Lineup: Francis/Mobley/Griffin/Taylor/Ming

Two projects for the Rockets may be too much, but word is that they like Stoudemire a lot. Drafting Stoudemire would allow the Rockets to develop Eddie Griffin at SF, a position he is likely better suited for, and would also give the Rockets a lot of tradeable commodities in Kenny Thomas, Kelvin Cato, and Maurice Taylor to fill out the rest of their roster. A huge project, Stoudemire will likely be limited to garbage minutes early on, but given a few seasons he could be a force much like Shawn Kemp.

16. Philadelphia
Jared Jeffries, F, Indiana
Projected Lineup: Snow/Iverson/McKie/Coleman/Mutombo

Philadelphia has long needed another scoring option next to Allen Iverson. Jeffries is the closest available to that scoring option, though he is sort of a tweener at forward. However, considering some of the players the Sixers currently have at forward – Aaron McKie, Derrick Coleman, and Matt Harpring – he would fit right into that squad, a virtual team of tweeners. Does need to answer questions about where he will fit in the NBA, though.

17. Charlotte
Jiri Welsch, G, BC Olimpija Ljubljana (Slovenia)
Projected Lineup: Davis/Wesley/Mashburn/Brown/Magloire or Campbell

Charlotte is one of the teams in the East without a glaring need up front. With 4 solid post players – PJ Brown, Elden Campbell, Jamaal Magloire, and Kirk Haston – this team needs depth at guard more than anything else, where Bryce Drew is their top reserve. Jiri Welsch is a good scorer who can also run a team. He would immediately be their tallest guard if drafted. Questions remain about whether he will stick in the draft, but would be a good fit for the future for the Hornets were he available.

18. Orlando
Dan Dickau, PG, Gonzaga
Projected Lineup: Hill/McGrady/Miller/Garrity/Hunter

While the Magic need help up front, especially if Horace Grant and Patrick Ewing retire and Pat Garrity leaves, they also could use some help at point guard, where Jeryl Sasser failed last season. Dickau has been compared favorably to Steve Nash and John Stockton as a gritty player with the flair for the dramatic, a quality that would fit in well with the Magic. With an aging Armstrong, free agent-to be Troy Hudson, and questions surrounding Grant Hill on the roster, a player like Dickau could step in immediately and surprise.

19. Utah
Melvin Ely, PF, Fresno St.
Projected Lineup: Stockton/Kirilenko/Marshall/Malone/Collins

I’ll say the same thing that has been said for years regarding Utah – they need young players to being rebuilding for when Stockton and Malone retire. However, at this rate, they may never retire. With several positions taken care of in past drafts – Kirilenko at SF, DeShawn Stevenson at SG, Raul Lopez at PG, and potentially Jarron Collins at C, power forward is the only remaining slot of contention. Melvin Ely, while raw, would provide Utah with a nice prospect for the future in the post.

20. Toronto
Frank Williams, PG, Illinois
Projected Lineup: A. Williams/Peterson/Carter/Davis/Clark

Toronto is a team that has depth throughout it’s lineup and it’s bench, with said depth being somewhat thinner at the point and at center. With most of the good frontcourt prospects gone, the focus shifts to the point guard position, where Alvin Williams and Chris Childs have both been inconsistent and are really nothing more than good backups. Frank Williams, no relation to Jay, brings some stability to the position. He won’t step in and start immediately and still has a bit to learn about the game, but is a solid player for the future.

21. Portland
Bostjan Nachbar, SF, Benetton (Italy)
Projected Lineup: Stoudamire/Anderson/Wells/Wallace/Davis

Historically one of the hardest teams to call in the Draft, Portland has some issues that need to be addressed this year. Scottie Pippen is nearing retirement and Bonzi Wells is often mentioned in trade rumors throughout the NBA. With the disappointing Derek Anderson and Ruben Patterson the remaining players at the swing positions and lacking a player to really stretch the opposing defense, Portland needs to find an answer to both in this draft. Nachbar, a solid prospect with potential, should be able to fill that need – eventually. While he may play in Europe for a couple of seasons before coming over, that would only allow him to get the playing and developmental time on the court he may not readily see in Portland.

22. Phoenix
Carlos Boozer, PF, Duke
Projected Lineup: Marbury/Hardaway/Johnson/Marion/Tskitishvili

Phoenix needs frontcourt players in the worst way, with Tom Gugliotta perpetually injured and none of their centers able to make any positive impact. The drafting of Tskitishvili gives them a solid PF/C player for the future, while Carlos Boozer would give them a solid post presence immediately. One of the more polished power forwards in the draft, his stock will likely drop due to the supposed lack of potential in his game. But what he already has is NBA-ready and he should make an immediate impact for whatever team that drafts him.

23. Detroit
Tayshaun Prince, SF, Kentucky
Projected Lineup: Atkins/Stkachouse/Robinson/White/Wallace

Detroit lacks a punch at the small forward position, while Michael Curry has started for the past couple of seasons. While 6th Man of the Year Corliss Williamson gets the majority of minutes off the bench here and at PF, he is more ideally suited to a post game than a perimeter game. Drafting Prince gives them an athletic talent at the small forward spot who is solid defensively. It also allows the Pistons to move Cliff Robinson back to his natural position of small forward and open up playing time for Rodney White at power forward.

24. New Jersey
Freddie Jones, SG, Oregon
Projected Lineup: Kidd/Kittles/Van Horn/Martin/MacCulloch

With the health of Kerry Kittles always a question and with the Nets lacking much depth behind him, Freddie Jones provides both depth and athleticism to a team that really doesn’t need much in the East. A decent outside shooter and excellent finisher, Jones could be a sleeper pick in the late first round of the draft. He is not as small as some of the other options New Jersey has been using off the bench, either. With the explosiveness of Kenyon Martin and playmaking ability of Jason Kidd well documented, Jones would fit into a similar role that Richard Jefferson played this season for the Nets.

25. Denver
Dan Gadzuric, F/C, UCLA
Projected Lineup: Hardaway/Posey/Butler/Howard/McDyess

The Nuggets, who are likely to let Juwon Howard go after next season, need additional size in the middle. McDyess and Howard are both reaches at the center spot and the loss of Raef LaFrentz leaves that position very precarious. Gadzuric brings additional size and skill to the table at that spot. While he has much to learn about controlling himself and his game, he is the best player available at this point in the draft. However, Denver also needs a point guard and it would not surprise me to see them select a player such as Smush Parker or Tito Maddox, whether or not such a pick is a reach.

26. San Antonio
Rod Grizzard, SF, Alabama
Projected Lineup: Parker/Smith/Bowen/Duncan/Robinson

San Antonio desperately needs young players with talent to keep Tim Duncan around after next season. Their biggest hole is likely the swing positions, with Steve Smith getting older and Bruce Bowen simply being a defensive stopper. Rod Grizzard would bring that youthful talent to the swing positions, along with a game that would mature with Tony Parker and set up a nice combination for the future. This draft pick could be the very key that keeps Duncan in San Antonio; the Spurs can ill-afford to go wrong here. Grizzard is a little risk pick and someone who could contribute immediately.

27. LA Lakers
Chris Jeffries, SF, Fresno St.
Projected Lineup: Fisher/Bryant/Fox/Horry/O’Neal

The Lakers will likely continue to win no matter who they draft, considering they have Shaq and Kobe. With Rick Fox and Robert Horry starting to age and with the inconsistent Devean George their only hope at backup SG/starting SF for the future, drafting a small forward probably makes sense. Jeffries would be eased into the lineup as time goes along, though he has the skills to make an impact for a lesser team immediately. Another possibility would be the sharpshooter out of Hawaii, Predrag Savovic, as the Lakers could use an additional shooter. But Jeffries is too good to pass up here.

28. Sacramento
Sam Clancy, PF, USC
Projected Lineup: Bibby/Christie/Stojakovic/Webber/Divac

Sacramento will likely take the best player available left on the board at this point. Whomever they take will likely see little playing time behind the solid starting 5, though could be a player down the road as some of the players – namely Christie and Divac – begin to age. Sam Clancy would be a solid backup to Chris Webber and replacement for Lawrence Funderburke at the power forward slot, plus would allow Hedo Turkoglu to play more at his natural spot of small forward. Clancy is a solid player with a solid NBA future.

 

Did Eddie play the three when he and KT played at the same time or did KT play the three. On paper, I believe we would be set if EG or KT could play the three, but everyone is pointing out defensive liabilities of KT versus other three's or offensive liabilities of EG as a three. I sure hope EG is working on new offensive moves besides the spot up three pointer that is Rudy's favorite shot for everyone except the center. Unless of course, EG, grows a couple more inches and twenty five pounds of muscle to become the new center.

 

1. Jay Williams
2. Yao Ming
3. Dujan Wagnar
4. Mike Dunleavy
5. Caron Butler
6. Drew Gooden
7. Nikoloz Tskitishvili
8. Curtis Bochardt
9. Chris Wilcox
10. Bostjan Nachbar
11. Qyntel Woods
12. Amare Stoudemire
13. Chris Marcus

There is the order I believe the 1st thirteen will be picked. I do not believe that Houston will keep the first pick. I think that they will end up trading it to LAC.

 

I agree with just about everything in mfclark mock draft. Thats probably the best mock draft I've seen so far, good work.

 

1. Houston - Yao Ming
2. Chicago - Jay Williams
3. Golden State - Dajuan Wagner
4. Memphis - Mike Dunleavy
5. Denver - Caron Butler
6. Cleveland - Chris Wilcox
7. New York - Curtis Borchardt
8. LA Clippers - Qyntel Woods
9. Phoenix - Drew Gooden
10. Miami - Nickoloz Tskitishvili
11. Washington - Jarred Jefferies
12. LA Clippers - Chris Marcus
13. Milwakee - NeNe Hilario
14. Indiana - Kareem Rush
15. Houston - Bostjan Nachbar
16. Philialphia - Amare Stoudamire
17. New Orleans - Marcus Haislip
18. Orlando - Melvin Ely
19. Utah - Rod Gizzard
20. Toronto - Jiri Welsch
21. Portland - Jason Jennings
22. Phoenix - Dan Gadzuric
23. Detroit - Dan Dickau
24. New Jersey - Roger Mason Jr.
25. Denver - Sam Clancy
26. San Antonio - Juan Dixon
27. LA Lakers - Luis Scola
28. Sacramento - Carlos Boozer

 

1.) Houston Rockets - Yao Ming, C, China (Hakeem.......we hope!!!!)
Francis / Mobley / Rice / Griffin / Ming

2.) Chicago Bulls - Jay Williams, PG, Duke (Baron Davis)
Williams / Rose / E. Robinson / Chandler / Curry

3.) Golden State Warriors - Mike Dunleavy, SF, Duke (could be Van Horn, could be Larry Bird)
Arenas / Richardson / Dunleavy / Jamison / Jackson or Dampier

4.) Memphis Grizzlies - DeJuan Wagner, PG/SG, Memphis (Iverson)
Wagner / Battier / Gasol / Swift / Wright.....bench: Dickerson, "White Chcolate,"

5.) Denver Nuggets - Drew Gooden, PF, Kansas (Abdur-Rahim)
Hardaway / Posey / Howard / Gooden / McDyess

6.) Cleveland Cavs - Chris Wilcox, PF, Maryland (Rasheed Wallace)
Miller / Murray / Jones / Wilcox / Mihm

7.) New York Knicks - Caron Butler, SF, UConn., (Paul Peirce, Barkley)
Jackson / Houston / Butler / Thomas / Camby

8.) L.A. Clippers - Curtis Borchardt, C, Stanford (Lafrentz or Brad Miller)
McInnis / Miles / Odom / Brand / Olowakandi....bench: Dooling, Richardson, Piatowski, Borchardt

9.) Phoenix Suns - Maybyner Hilario, PF, Brazil (Kenyon Martin)
Marbury / Hardaway / Joe Johnson / Hilario / Gugliotta

10.) Miami Heat - Qyntel Woods, SF/SG, NE Miss. CC, (T-Mac)
Strickland / Jones / Woods / Grant / Mourning

11.) Washington Wizards- Jared Jeffries, SF, Indiana (Tim Thomas)
Alexander / Hamilton / Jordan / Brown / Haywood.....bench: Jeffries, Whitney, White

12.) L.A. Clippers - Nickoloz Tskitishivili, SF/PF, Brenetton Italy ( Pau Gasol)

13.) Milwaukee Bucks - Chris Marcus, C, W. Kentucky (b/w Jahidi White, Oliver Miller, Shaq)
Cassell / Allen / Robinson / Thomas / Marcus

14.) Indiana Pacers - Kareem Rush, SG, Mizzou (Ray Allen)
Tinsley / Rush / Croshere / O'Neal / Miller..........bench: R. Miller, Artest, Mercer

15.) Houston Rockets - Amare Stoudemire, PF/C, Cypress Creek HS ( young Shawn Kemp)
Francis / Mobley / Griffin / Stoudemire / Ming

ETC., ETC., ETC..........

 

1. Houston - Yao Ming
2. Chicago - Jay Williams
3. Golden State - Nikolocz Tskitishvili
4. Memphis - Mike Dunleavy
5. Denver - Dajuan Wagner
6. Cleveland - Drew Gooden
7. New York - Chris Wilcox
8. LA Clippers - Nene Hilario
9. Phoenix - Curtis Borchardt
10.Miami - Caron Butler
11.Washington - Amare Stoudemire
12.LA Clippers - Frank Willliams
13.Milwaukee - Marcus Haislip
14.Indiana - Kareem Rush
15.Houston - Qyntel Woods

 

Hey RNuss02, don´t you think your NBA comparisions are a little over the top?

 

mfclark-I like your mock a LOT.

However, I just can't see Eddie being developed as a 3....he's just too natural of a shot blocker, and has too few dribbling skills and slashing moves as well as lateral quickness to be as good of a 3 as he can be at 4.

Still, if we like Stoudemire like we apparently do, we'd still draft him, and develop him as a backup 4/5, eventually trading (maybe 2 or 3 years down the line) 2 of 3 between Thomas, Taylor, and Cato, with a 3 man big man rotation of Ming/Griffin/Stoudemire, supplemented by a 4th guy (most likely Taylor). That would have some SICK potential.

I guess we'd stick it out with Rice/Morris as the primary options for now at the 3, maybe try moving KT there full time, sign Rashard Lewis, or work a trade of KT for a 3.

When KT/Eddie played the forwards, KT was the 3. Rudy/KT both made quotes mentioning that adjustment.

 

Thanks for the compliment, NIKEstrad (as well as others).

I personally don't see Griffin as a three, either, but imagine that for lineup purposes that's where he will be slotted. His eventual position will be the power forward slot due to his abilities, but his game right now will probably end up being a hybrid 3/4 both inside and out along the three point line.

With Thomas in the game, Griffin would probably slide over to the 5 spot. If Ming were drafted, he likely would not see any time at the 5 spot unless Cato were traded. As for Stoudemire - even though drafting him would create a logjam in the middle, he has immense talent and I'm not sure there's a better prospect down the line at the guard or SF spots worth taking there.

Stoudemire is very raw, though, and would likely be relegated to the bench for a few seasons. Down the road, though, as you mention - KT may be signed-and-traded for small forward help and as Mo Taylor's contract becomes more bearable (based on the environment) for other teams, he may get moved as well. Overall, there would be a lot of nice pieces for the Rockets with just some minor manipulation needed to fit them into the right spaces.

 

I don't think Wagner will go as high as some think. Why GS and they drafted arenas who is the same combo type player? Why Memphis when they can play Dickerson/Battier at 2/3. I do agree with some of the prjections though.