NBA Draft 08

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The Bulls took Derrick Rose first and the Heat didn't pass on Michael Beasley.

NEW YORK (AP)—Derrick Rose is going home, and a record crowd of freshmen are following him to the NBA.

The Chicago Bulls selected Rose, who grew up on the city’s South Side, with the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft Thursday night, choosing the Memphis guard over Kansas State forward Michael Beasley.

With Beasley going second to Miami and Minnesota picking O.J. Mayo at No. 3, college freshmen made up the first three picks for the first time in draft history.

“We actually talked about this earlier,” Beasley said. “We all grew up together and we all grew up playing against each other and we all made a pact together that we would all be here. Just to see it all fall into place and see it all happen is kind of crazy.”

Five of the first seven players selected were freshmen, also an NBA record. It was also a big night for the Pac-10 Conference, which had five of the first 11 picks.

Rose led the Tigers to the national championship game in his lone college season. The Bulls opted for the point guard’s playmaking ability over the scoring and rebounding of Beasley, who ranked in the top three in the nation in both categories.

“We talked so much about it. We really did,” Bulls general manager John Paxson said. “Very honestly, at the end when we made our decision, it was unanimous with my scouts and coaches and myself. This was the direction we wanted to go in the end, and it has nothing to do with the talent of Michael Beasley. This had everything to do with the direction we felt was right for us.”

Rose is the Bulls’ first No. 1 overall selection since they grabbed Elton Brand in 1999. He’s the second straight freshman taken with the top pick, following Portland’s Greg Oden last year.

The 6-foot-3 guard put on a red Bulls cap, hugged some supporters, including Memphis coach John Calipari, and shook hands with Beasley, seated at a nearby table, before walking onto the stage to meet NBA commissioner David Stern.

“I was a little nervous when they came back out, but I always had that in mind that I want to be No. 1,” Rose said. “So it was great hearing my name and being the No. 1 pick.”

Rose should be an upgrade over Kirk Hinrich, who now could be traded, and gives the Bulls another option if they don’t re-sign guard Ben Gordon.

Expected to contend for a division title, the Bulls instead stumbled to a 33-49 record and eventually replaced two coaches. But with just a 1.7 percent chance, they won last month’s draft lottery, giving them a chance to quickly return to the playoffs.

“It feels great to go in and compete,” Rose said. “I’m just blessed to be in that position right now, because a lot of people aren’t. And just knowing that we are a few pieces away from really contending as a team, it just makes me happy.”

Miami settled for Beasley at No. 2, even though he wasn’t sure if the Heat would go for Mayo instead. Beasley averaged 26.2 points, third in the nation, and topped Division I with 12.4 rebounds per game. But with questions about his size—he may be 2 inches shorter than the 6-foot-10 he’s listed at—the Bulls may not have believed he could play the 4 spot in the NBA.

After Mayo’s selection, UCLA guard Russell Westbrook was the first non-freshmen taken, going fourth to the Seattle SuperSonics—with new teammate and reigning Rookie of the Year Kevin Durant standing and applauding the pick from the back.

Kevin Love gave UCLA consecutive picks, going to Memphis at No. 5. The New York Knicks followed with Italian forward Danilo Gallinari, whose father played with new coach Mike D’Antoni overseas. Fans in Madison Square Garden weren’t impressed, booing loudly.

“It’s part of the game, all the players have got to hear this,” Gallinari said. “Not every time can you hear good things. It’s normal.”

Indiana guard Eric Gordon became the fifth freshman taken, going to the Los Angeles Clippers at No. 7. West Virginia’s Joe Alexander, whose stock began to rise after a strong run at Madison Square Garden in the Big East tournament, went to Milwaukee with the next pick.

Charlotte gave new coach Larry Brown a point guard, taking D.J. Augustin of Texas with the ninth pick. New Jersey took Stanford center Brook Lopez at No. 10, and Arizona’s Jerryd Bayless joined fellow Pac-10 guards Mayo and Westbrook by going 11th to Indiana.

Bayless’ rights were later traded to Portland along with Ike Diogu for the rights to Brandon Rush, the No. 13 pick from national champion Kansas, Jarrett Jack and Josh McRoberts. Rush’s agent, Mark Bartelstein, told The Associated Press about the deal shortly after Rush was taken.

The Pacers also had a proposed trade with the Toronto Raptors. Indiana would send six-time All-Star forward Jermaine O’Neal to Toronto for T.J. Ford, center Rasho Nesterovic, the 17th pick in the draft and a player to be determined.

Sacramento pulled a surprise at No. 12 with Rider forward Jason Thompson, the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference player of the year and the first senior taken. Golden State grabbed LSU forward Anthony Randolph—yet another freshman — with the 14th and final lottery pick.

Robin Lopez joined twin brother Brook in the NBA when Phoenix chose him at No. 15. That started a run of big men in which Philadelphia took Florida’s Marreese Speights, Toronto picked Roy Hibbert of Georgetown at No. 17, and Washington drafted Nevada 7-footer JaVale McGee with the 18th pick.

After taking guards earlier, Seattle and Charlotte both went big with their second first-round picks. The Bobcats selected French center Alexis Aninca at No. 20 and the Sonics took Congo’s Serge Ibaka four picks later.

Darrell Arthur of Kansas was the final player in the green room, lasting until the 27th spot, where New Orleans grabbed him. The Hornets already agreed to send his rights to Portland for cash.

NBA champion Boston chose J.R. Giddens of New Mexico with the 30th and final pick of the first round.

Mario Chalmers, Darnell Jackson (No. 52, Miami) and Sasha Kaun (No. 56, Seattle) were taken in the second round, giving the Jayhawks five players in the draft. Chalmers was picked by Minnesota but his rights were later dealt to Miami.

Joey Dorsey (Portland, No. 33) and Chris Douglas-Roberts (New Jersey, No. 40) of runner-up Memphis also were picked. Texas A&M center DeAndre Jordan, considered a possible lottery pick, tumbled to the Clippers at No. 35.

Other well-known names going late in the draft included: UCLA’s Luc Mbah a Moute (No. 37, Milwaukee); Georgetown’s Patrick Ewing Jr. (No. 43, Sacramento); Kansas State’s Bill Walker (No. 47, Washington, rights traded to Boston); and Kentucky’s Joe Crawford (No. 58, Lakers).

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Chad Ford's 2008 Draft Board, Round 1
PICK TEAM NAME HT WT POS SCHOOL
1 Chicago Derrick Rose 6-3 196 PG Memphis
It was a foregone conclusion ... and the right pick. Though Beasley is an offensive force, Rose gives the Bulls leadership, athleticism, defense and a winning attitude. He will make everyone in Chicago better and quickly help turn around a franchise in desperate need of a shot in the arm.

2 Miami Michael Beasley 6-8 239 PF Kansas State
It's been a wild ride getting to this pick. Beasley may be the most NBA-ready and talented player in the draft, but it seems as though the Heat had to be talked into drafting him. Even now, some NBA observers still believe that the Heat will continue to explore trades over the next few days and weeks. I think they should keep Beasley. He is such an explosive, versatile scorer, and an excellent rebounder. And I think he's going to play with a chip on his shoulder to prove everyone wrong.

3 Minnesota O.J. Mayo 6-4 200 SG USC
Let's see what happens here. The Wolves say they love Mayo and they should. He's an upgrade over anyone already in their backcourt. Yes, he duplicates what Randy Foye does, but he's better in every area. Kevin Love was the other guy whom Kevin McHale loved. And I don't think it's a given that Mayo stays in Minnesota.

4 Seattle Russell Westbrook 6-4 192 PG UCLA
Great pick for the Sonics. I know that Sam Presti's heart was with Westbrook. While many think this is too high for him, I don't. I think he has incredible upside and he's a lock to be a great defender. He should develop on the offensive end, too. Overall, he has a chance to be a better version of Rajon Rondo.

5 Memphis Kevin Love 6-10 255 PF UCLA
I like this pick for the Grizzlies. They have a hole at the power forward position and Love can step in from day one and make a huge impact in Memphis. He's a great rebounder and a skilled low post player and perimeter shooter. He has his limitations, but he couldn't have found a better fit than Memphis.

6 New York Danilo Gallinari 6-9 212 SF Italy
It was meant to be. Mike D'Antoni once played with his father in Italy, and he's the perfect forward for D'Antoni's system. He's tough, he can run the floor, he handles the ball and he shoots it with range. He's more like Dirk Nowitzki or Toni Kukoc than fellow Italian Andrea Bargnani.

7 LA Clippers Eric Gordon 6-3 222 SG Indiana
The Clippers have a huge hole in their backcourt and Eric Gordon will really help them there. He can be a star: He is strong, can shoot the long ball and can be a tough defender. I'm not sure he's ready yet, but he'll have to be. With Corey Maggette hitting the free-agent market, the Clippers need Gordon to be good.

8 Milwaukee Joe Alexander 6-8 220 SF West Virginia
The Bucks have loved Joe Alexander for weeks. But where will he play? Milwaukee just traded for Richard Jefferson. I think the Bucks have more pressing needs now at the 4 and in the backcourt. We'll have to see how this plays out. But the Bucks wanted a talent with lots of upside, and Alexander has that.

9 Charlotte D.J. Augustin 6-0 172 PG Texas
A little bit of a surprise. We've been hearing all day that the Bobcats are shopping Raymond Felton. I guess this confirms it. They passed on a need (Brook Lopez) to get Augustin. He's an upgrade over Felton, so it's hard to criticize the Bobcats. Augustin has a chance to be special. The Blazers and Kings wanted him and have to be crushed right now.

10 New Jersey Brook Lopez 7-1 258 C Stanford
The Nets are doing backflips. They had three guys they really liked in this draft: Kevin Love, Danilo Gallinari and Brook Lopez. They need size and a guy who can score in the low post. I thought Lopez would have been a reach at No. 3, but he's a very solid pick at No. 10. I think this is a very good day for the Nets.

11 Indiana (Traded to Portland) Jerryd Bayless 6-3 204 PG Arizona
Bayless really slid in the draft, which makes him a great value here. Why would the Pacers draft another point guard after trading for T.J. Ford? Because they're sending Bayless to the Blazers for the No. 13 pick, Jarrett Jack and Josh McRoberts. So how will Bayless fit with the Blazers? He isn't the pure point guard that Kevin Pritchard pined for, but he's an excellent scorer and competitor, and an upgrade over Jack.

12 Sacramento Jason Thompson 6-11 250 PF Rider
Wow! This is the biggest surprise of the draft. Though the Warriors liked him at No. 14, we had Thompson projected as a late first-round pick. He's solid, but that's it. There are much better players on the board here. Perhaps the Kings were shell-shocked after losing out on Bayless and Augustin, the two point guards they wanted.

13 Portland (Traded to Indiana) Brandon Rush 6-7 205 SG Kansas
The Blazers will send the rights to Rush, Jarrett Jack and Josh McRoberts to the Pacers for the rights to Bayless and Ike Diogu. I think this is a great pick for the Pacers. Rush should be a great fit in the backcourt with T.J. Ford because he defends, shoots the ball and has great size. Rush is one of the most NBA-ready players in the draft.

14 Golden State Anthony Randolph 6-10 197 PF LSU
Interesting pick for the Warriors. At this point you go with the best talent available, and I think, as far as upside goes, that was Randolph. Here's the problem: They drafted the same kind of guy last year, Brandan Wright, another super-athletic freshman forward drafted on the basis of potential. What do they do now that they have both of them?

15 Phoenix (from Atlanta) Robin Lopez 7-0 245 C Stanford
Solid pick for the Suns. It's clear Mike D'Antoni is no longer in Phoenix. Lopez brings energy and defense, but he's an offensive liability. Once Brandon Rush was off the board, Phoenix felt Lopez was best fit for its needs.

16 Philadelphia Marreese Speights 6-10 245 C Florida
I like this pick for Philly. Speights has a lot of talent and he fits a need for Philly. He's an excellent offensive player who can score in the post and facing the basket, and he can rebound. He is kind of a poor man's Elton Brand.

17 Toronto (Traded to Indiana) Roy Hibbert 7-2 275 C Georgetown
Toronto is making this pick for the Pacers. This is an interesting pick for Indiana. He does add a low post scorer and give the Pacers much-needed size. But his lack of athleticism and rebounding make me wonder if this was the best pick for Indiana. I think I would've grabbed Darrell Arthur here. He seems to be a better fit for Jim O'Brien's system.

18 Washington JaVale McGee 7-0 241 C Nevada
I'm not a huge fan of this pick, especially with a proven guy like Darrell Arthur on the board. McGee is a physical specimen, very long and athletic, and he has some skills. But he's very soft and looks like he's years away. He reminds me of Andray Blatche.

19 Cleveland J. J. Hickson 6-9 240 PF NC State
I'm surprised they passed on local hero Kosta Koufos of Ohio State. But I do like Hickson, who's a sleeper. He's strong and athletic and he can score in multiple ways. He was 12-for-12 from the field in his first college game.

20 Charlotte (from Denver) Alexis Ajinca 7-1 240 PF France
Ajinca is 20 years old and averaged 5 ppg in France. In the history of the NBA draft, has there ever been a player who averaged 5 ppg or less who turned into a decent player? Ajinca was a workout warrior, dominating some of the other big men in the past few weeks. And he has great size and skills. But can he turn them into production on the court? He'll likely stay in France to develop.

21 New Jersey (from Dallas) Ryan Anderson 6-10 225 PF California
We knew the Nets were high on two guys -- Hickson and Anderson. Anderson is a face-the-basket 4 who can shoot the ball -- kind of like Yi Jianlian. He's talented, but I think I would have grabbed DeAndre Jordan here.

22 Orlando Courtney Lee 6-5 200 SG Western Kentucky
The Magic need a scoring 2-guard who can shoot the basketball. They thought J.J. Re**** was that guy, but he wasn't. Lee is solid. I don't think he'll be a star, but he's proven and ready. It's interesting that, given the Magic's needs in the post, they didn't grab Darrell Arthur.

23 Utah Kosta Koufos 7-1 265 C Ohio State
Great value pick for the Jazz at No. 23. He could be the second coming of Mehmet Okur -- a sweet-shooting big man who can play inside and outside. If Koufos had stayed in school, he would have been projected as a top-10 pick in 2009, so I don't think the Jazz could have done much better at 23.

24 Seattle (from Phoenix) Serge Ibaka 6-10 220 PF Congo
We've seen this one coming for a while -- the Sonics have been keying on him. He's one of the best athletes in the draft, but he's very, very raw. He'll go back to Spain and continue to develop, but down the road he could become an interesting prospect.

25 Houston (Traded to Portland) Nicolas Batum 6-8 210 SF France
The Rockets have agreed to trade this pick to the Blazers. While Batum didn't fare well in John Hollinger's Euroleague translations, he has tremendous upside as a wing, and the Blazers are intrigued. He has all the tools, but does he have the drive? I spoke with Portland GM Kevin Pritchard tonight and he says he thinks Batum will actually sign with the Blazers this year.

26 San Antonio George Hill 6-2 181 PG Indiana Purdue
You have to love the Spurs. They always march to the beat of a different drummer. I sort of like this pick because I think he's a guy who can really play -- and play both the 1 and 2. But is he really better than Mario Chalmers? I don't think so. I don't want to second-guess one of the best-drafting teams in the NBA, but I think Chalmers will be a better NBA player.

27 New Orleans (Traded to Houston from Portland) Darrell Arthur 6-9 216 PF Kansas
The Blazers have agreed to trade Arthur and the 33rd pick to the Rockets. When the Rockets drafted Batum, I questioned it. He measured out terribly statistically under John Hollinger's formula and the Rockets are stat geniuses. Lo and behold, they swap the pick for Arthur, whom Hollinger listed as the fifth-best prospect. Yes, teams were worried about a kidney issue. But I've talked to two teams, and I'm told it's not a big deal. He has a chance to be an Antawn Jamison-type player.

28 Memphis (from LA Lakers) Donte Greene 6-9 221 SF Syracuse
Another value pick. Lots of scouts compare him to Rashard Lewis. Greene is a perimeter shooter who lacks a position or real game right now, and I'm not sure how he fits on Memphis, which already has Rudy Gay. But the Grizzlies have been shopping this pick, so I wouldn't be surprised to see Greene wearing another hat later tonight.

29 Detroit (Traded to Seattle) D.J. White 6-9 240 PF Indiana
Detroit is selecting White for the Seattle SuperSonics, a Pistons source told me. The Pistons will get two of the Sonics' second-rounders -- the 32nd and 46th picks. This is a very solid pick for the Sonics. White is an excellent rebounder and a good low post scorer. He's also young for a senior. He helps the Sonics get tougher up front.

30 Boston J. R. Giddens 6-5 208 SG New Mexico
A huge surprise here. Giddens might have lottery-type talent, but he had so many off-court issues that his stock tanked. I guess Danny Ainge is willing to roll the dice, given his veteran squad. If Giddens grows up, this will be a great pick. But it's a big if ...

[Ranma4699]

Chad Ford's 2008 Draft Board, Round 2
PK(OVR) TEAM NAME HT WT POS SCHOOL
1 (31) Minnesota (from Miami through Boston) Nikola Pekovic 6-11 245 C Serbia
This one we've been hearing for a while. The Wolves have one of the top international scouts in the NBA, Pete Philo, who also runs the Reebok Eurocamp, and he's had an eye on Pekovic for a while. He was the most dominant international player in the draft, with an awesome performance in the Euroleague. He's a tough, bruising big man. But he just signed a huge professional contract in Greece and won't be in the NBA anytime soon.

2 (32) Seattle (Traded to Detroit) Walter Sharpe 6-9 245 PF UAB
I like this pick for Dumars. Sharpe is a total sleeper who really emerged in the past few weeks as a legit prospect. The Pistons love his athleticism, length and scoring ability. He's a project headed for the D-League, but the Pistons had great luck developing Amir Johnson there and will try it again with Sharpe.

3 (33) Portland (from Memphis) Joey Dorsey 6-7 265 PF Memphis
The Blazers have agreed to send the rights to Dorsey to the Rockets. Dorsey is a Ben Wallace clone -- a tough, physical rebounder and an explosive leaper and dunker. He's not a great offensive player and he can be inconsistent in his effort, but Dorsey is a good value pick here. The Rockets needed more toughness.

4 (34) Minnesota (Traded to Miami) Mario Chalmers 6-2 170 PG Kansas
The Timberwolves are selecting Chalmers on behalf of the Miami Heat, according to a league source. Pat Riley wanted a point guard, and he got one. In fact, Chalmers is one of the most NBA-ready guards in the draft. He can shoot, he can defend and he's a clutch player. He's kind of a poor man's O.J. Mayo. Great draft night for Miami.

5 (35) LA Clippers DeAndre Jordan 6-11 250 C Texas A&M
We knew DeAndre Jordan was sliding, but this is a little ridiculous. He's huge and athletic, and he played well when he got minutes at Texas A&M. NBA scouts would have ranked him as one of the top-five prospects in 2009. At No. 35, there is no risk and only upside for the Clippers. They have to be thrilled.

6 (36) Portland (from New York, Traded to Chicago) Omer Asik 6-11 230 C Turkey
The Blazers agreed to send Asik to the Bulls for three future second-round picks. I think Asik could be one of the steals of the second round ... if he ever comes over. He's a hyperactive rebounder and shot-blocker with good athleticism. John Hollinger said his numbers suggest he should've been a top-10 pick. He's a talent, but he may be in Turkey for the next few years developing his game.

7 (37) Milwaukee Luc Richard Mbah a Moute 6-8 221 SF UCLA
Do you think maybe the Bucks thought that they needed help at small forward? The Bucks acquired their third small forward of the day. Mbah a Moute is a terrific defender who is a little like a bigger Bruce Bowen. He'll never wow you offensively, but he should be in the league a long time.

8 (38) Charlotte Kyle Weaver 6-6 185 PG Washington State
Larry Brown always wants a guy who will "play the right way," and that's Weaver. He's very talented, but totally unselfish. He is a great defender who also gets to the basket. If he ever develops a jump shot, he could be a very good pick here.

9 (39) Chicago Sonny Weems 6-6 193 SG Arkansas
The Bulls get one of the best athletes in the draft. Weems really wowed people at the NBA combine in Orlando. However, Chicago seems to have a glut of guards.

10 (40) New Jersey Chris Douglas-Roberts 6-6 195 SG Memphis
The Nets make what could be their best pick of the night. I don't love Chris Douglas-Roberts, but he can score and is one of the best slashers in the draft. For a team that could use more juice in the backcourt, this is a fantastic value.

11 (41) Indiana Nathan Jawai 6-10 270 PF Australia
The Pacers are selecting Jawai for the Raptors. The Raptors got big with Jermaine O'Neal and they just got bigger with Jawai -- a huge player from Australia who looks like a bigger version of Elton Brand. Even though he's wide, he's pretty quick on his feet. He was a player in Australia, but it's a big leap to the NBA.

12 (42) Sacramento (from Atlanta) Sean Singletary 6-0 184 PG Virginia
The Kings needed a point guard and Singletary is a talent. He can score and dish and could be a nice backup point guard. But if Beno Udrih leaves via free agency, Singletary isn't good enough to take over -- he could barely produce wins in the ACC.

13 (43) Sacramento Patrick Ewing Jr. 6-7 224 SF Georgetown
Patrick Ewing Jr. is no Patrick Ewing Sr. Actually he's more athletic than his dad, but he doesn't really have a position or a skill that translates.

14 (44) Utah (from Philadelphia) Ante Tomic 7-2 237 C Croatia
Another great pick for the Jazz. They seriously considered drafting Tomic with the No. 23 pick and get him here at No. 42. Tomic is one of the most skilled bigs in this draft, but he needs to get much, much stronger. He's been very productive in Europe but his body just isn't ready for the NBA. He'll return to Croatia for the next few years.

15 (45) San Antonio (from Toronto) Goran Dragic 6-4 200 PG Slovenia
Nice pick for the Spurs, once again. Dragic is a very athletic point guard who is excellent slashing to the basket. He doesn't have a great jump shot, but he's put up solid numbers in Europe. He's a nice player to stash in Europe for a few years.

16 (46) Seattle (from Portland through Boston, Traded to Detroit) Trent Plaisted 6-10 240 C BYU
The Sonics are drafting for the Pistons. Plaisted is a nice player who was hurt by subpar measurements and a so-so Orlando pre-draft camp. But he's a great athlete who runs the floor, and he can do some things around the basket. There's good value here.

17 (47) Washington (Traded to Boston) Bill Walker 6-6 235 SF Kansas State
The Wizards traded this pick to the Celtics. Nice pickup for Boston, considering that last year he was projected as a lottery pick before suffering another ACL injury. He's still very explosive, with an NBA body. If Walker can stay healthy, the Celtics just got much more athletic on the wings with the addition of him and Giddens.

18 (48) Phoenix (from Cleveland) Malik Hairston 6-5 204 SG Oregon
Hairston doesn't do anything that wows you, but the guy really knows how to play. He can shoot the ball, has an NBA body and is very steady. The Suns were looking for a swingman and I think he actually has enough talent to contribute a bit.

19 (49) Golden State Richard Hendrix 6-9 250 PF Alabama
Hendrix really slipped for a guy who was so productive in the SEC. He's got huge hands, an NBA body and some rebounding skills. He's a bit undersized, but he has enough talent to make the league. At this point, another solid pick.

20 (50) Seattle (from Denver) DeVon Hardin 6-11 235 C California
When you watch Hardin, you're wowed by his NBA body and athleticism. But does he really know how to play? Offensively he doesn't have much, but he should be able to play and defend in the league. Though I'm not sure the Sonics needed another big man prospect.

21 (51) Dallas Shan Foster 6-5 195 SG Vanderbilt
Foster is a great shooter, but one-dimensional. A poor Orlando pre-draft camp hurt his stock.

22 (52) Miami (from Orlando ) Darnell Jackson 6-8 241 PF Kansas
Darnell Jackson didn't get the buzz of most of the other Jayhawks, but I think he's got a place in the league. Good body, some game inside and out. A guy who can make a roster as a role player.

23 (53) Utah Tadija Dragicevic 0 SF Serbia
Who? Not exactly a household name, and I've never seen this guy. He doesn't look like much of an NBA player, but this late in the draft, you can't ignore the numbers he's putting up in the ULEB.

24 (54) Houston Maarty Leunen 0 SF Oregon
Leunen is a big man who can really stroke the basketball. The Rockets seem to like guys like that, even though they almost never pan out. I don't think Leunen will break the trend.

25 (55) Portland (from Phoenix through Indiana, Traded to LA Clippers) Mike Taylor 6-2 166 PG Iowa State
The Blazers have agreed to trade this pick to the Clippers for a future second-round pick. Taylor is a very athletic point guard who played well at the Orlando pre-draft camp. Character issues pushed him out at Iowa State and into the D-League this year, where he put up impressive numbers.

26 (56) Seattle (from New Orleans through Houston) Sasha Kaun 6-11 247 C Kansas
Kaun has enough talent to be a backup big in the league, but he just agreed to a big contract in Russia. I'm not sure he'll ever be good enough to make more money in the NBA than he can in Russia.

27 (57) San Antonio James Gist 6-9 220 PF Maryland
Gist is one of the better athletes in the draft. He's not skilled but he can really fly up and down the floor. A decent D-League project.

28 (58) LA Lakers Joe Crawford 6-4 213 SG Kentucky
Crawford is a bit of a tweener as a combo guard. He played well in Orlando but I doubt he sticks in the league.

29 (59) Detroit Deron Washington 0 SF Virginia Tech
Washington is one of the most athletic guards in the draft -- an explosive leaper, but just a so-so player. I doubt he'll stick, but he does have physical tools.

30 (60) Boston
Erden is big, pretty athletic and fairly skilled. He can be a little wild on and off the court. Erden will be in Turkey for a while before he ever sees the NBA.

[Ranma4699]

Mayo heads to Memphis, Love to Minnesota

The Minnesota Timberwolves aren't holding onto O.J. Mayo for long.

Two league sources told ESPN.com that the Wolves have reached an agreement in principle with the Memphis Grizzlies that will send the draft rights of Mayo, Marko Jaric, Antoine Walker and Greg Buckner to the Grizzlies in return for the draft rights to Kevin Love, Mike Miller, Brian Cardinal and Jason Collins.

The deal is a blockbuster for both teams. ESPN.com reported on Tuesday that the Wolves GM Kevin McHale was infatuated with Love, but felt that the team had to select Mayo and use him to acquire more assets.

In addition to landing Love, the Wolves get a sharp-shooting swingman in Miller who can help carry the scoring load from the perimeter. The deal is also a financial boon for the Timberwolves who get the bad contract of Jaric (three years, $21 million) off the books. Walker and Buckner's contracts are not guaranteed after this season.

The Grizzlies get the superstar they wanted in the backcourt in Mayo. The also rid themselves of Cardinal's bad contract (two years, $13 million). The Grizzlies now have a glut of guards on the team with Mayo, Mike Conley, Kyle Lowry and Javaris Crittendon.

[Ranma4699]

2008 NBA draft trades overview

Minnesota-Memphis
Minnesota gets:
Draft rights to 5th pick (Kevin Love); acquire Mike Miller, Brian Cardinal and Jason Collins Memphis gets:
Draft rights to 3rd pick (O.J. Mayo); acquire Marko Jaric, Antoine Walker and Greg Buckner
The deal: Two league sources told ESPN.com that the Wolves have reached an agreement in principle with the Grizzlies that will send the draft rights of Mayo, Marko Jaric, Antoine Walker and Greg Buckner to Memphis in return for the draft rights to Kevin Love, Mike Miller, Brian Cardinal and Jason Collins. Story

Portland-Indiana
Portland gets:
Draft rights to 11th pick (Jerryd Bayless); acquire Ike Diogu Indiana gets:
Draft rights to 13th pick (Brandon Rush); acquire Jarrett Jack and Josh McRoberts
The deal: The Blazers agreed to a deal that will sent the rights to Rush, Jarrett Jack and Josh McRoberts to the Pacers for the rights to Bayless and Ike Diogu. Story

Portland-L.A. Clippers
Portland gets:
Second-round pick in 2009 L.A. Clippers gets:
Draft rights to 55th pick (Mike Taylor)
The deal: Clippers get rights to Mike Taylor in exchange for a second round pick in 2009. Story

Portland-Chicago
Portland gets:
Three future second-round picks Chicago gets:
Draft rights to 34th pick (Omer Asik)
The deal: Portland sends right for Omer Asik to Chicago for three future second-round picks. Story

Miami-Minnesota
Miami gets:
Draft rights to 34th pick (Mario Chalmers) Minnesota gets:
Two second-round picks in 2009
The deal: Minnesota sends rights to Mario Chalmers (34th overall pick) to Miami for two future second-round picks. Story

Washington-Boston
Washington gets:
Draft rights to 47th pick (Bill Walker) Boston gets:
Cash considerations
The deal: Washington drafted Kansas State's Bill Walker with the 47th overall pick, but he was traded to Boston for cash considerations. Story

Miami-Minnesota
Miami gets:
Draft rights to 34th pick (Mario Chalmers) Minnesota gets:
Two second-round picks in 2009
The deal: Minnesota sends rights to Mario Chalmers (34th overall pick) to Miami for two future second-round picks. Story

Detroit-Seattle
Detroit gets:
Draft rights to 32nd (Walter Sharpe) and 46th (Trent Plaisted) picks in NBA draft Seattle gets:
Draft rights to 29th pick (D.J. White)
The deal: Sonics trade the 32nd and 46th picks to the Pistons for draft rights to D.J. White. Story

Portland-Houston
Portland gets:
Draft rights to 19th pick (Nicolas Batum) Houston:
Draft rights to 27th pick (Darrell Arthur) and 33rd pick (Joey Dorsey)
The deal: A source told ESPN.com the Rockets traded Nicolas Batum to the Blazers for the rights to Darrell Arthur and Joey Dorsey. Story

Portland-New Orleans
Portland gets:
The 27th pick in the 2008 NBA draft
(Darrell Arthur) New Orleans gets:
Cash considerations
The deal: No longer in rebuilding mode, the Hornets didn't think that the player they would get with the 27th pick would help the team this season, so they traded it to the Blazers. Story

Charlotte-Denver
Charlotte gets:
The 20th pick in the 2008 NBA draft (Alexis Ajinca) Denver gets:
A future, protected first-round pick