[MB30]

Here we are - 4 days before the draft. Not much is going to change before the prospects arrive in New York this week - so here is my final attempt at what I belive will transpire in the first 30 picks of the 2008 NBA Draft.

Chicago, you're on the clock:

1. Chicago Bulls select...Derrick Rose from Memphis



I do believe the Bulls have considered Beasley strongly...but Rose gives them a face and an identity. Will bring out the most from their other talented young players and make a team the whole city can get behind. Leadership is a big need for them right now and Rose has that, and talent, in spades.

Miami, you're on the clock:

2. Miami Heat select...Michael Beasley from Kansas State



Talented prospect with attitude question marks, Beasley could be a very nice component next to Wade and Shawn Marion...if Miami decides to keep him. Trade's will be offered, but itll have to be something special to keep Beasley from Miami.

Minnesota, you're on the clock:

3. Minnesota Timberwolves select...OJ Mayo from USC



Was projected at #1 a year ago but slipped due to a somewhat underwhelming freshman season compared to Rose and Beasley. Will team with Foye to create a versatile backcourt, and with Brewer and Jefferson in the frontcourt have a foundation to begin to win games.

Seattle, you're on the clock:

4. Seattle Supersonics select...Jerryd Bayless from Arizona



Super talented combo guard will team with Durant to form a dynamic backcourt. Needs to become more of a point, but he has serious quickness and can score from anywhere on the court. Backcourt for the next 10+ years.

Memphis, you're on the clock:

5. Memphis Grizzlies select...Kevin Love from UCLA



Memphis would like to trade up and get Beasley or Mayo, but will take Love to give them a solid low post presence. Love is a terrific passer and put up some big numbers in a good team. Measured out more athletic and bigger than anticipated, needs to tone up a bit but has reportedly done just that during the workouts.

New York, you're on the clock:

6. New York Knicks select...Brook Lopez from Stanford



I just cant see him slipping much further than this. Knicks need a lot of things, so theyre quite hard to pick. I could see Joe Alexander being picked here, I could see Gallinari picked here, Eric Gordon...in the end I think they go big. Lopez is a talent, just doesnt have the ceiling some other prospects have.

Los Angeles, you're on the clock:

7. LA Clippers select...Eric Gordon from Indiana



Gordon is a skilled scorer, but he's not a point guard - which is a real need. Still, he's BPA and should put up points from Day 1. Good pick here.

Milwaukee, you're on the clock:

8. Milwaukee Bucks select...Joe Alexander from West Virginia



Has bolted up the charts since workouts began. Bucks need a SF and he's the best one available if he's not taken earlier.

Charlotte, you're on the clock:

9. Charlotte Bobcats select...Russell Westbrook from UCLA



A rumoured promise here, Westbrook completes his rise and becomes a solid backcourt partner to Felton and Jason Richardson. Is super athletic, but not a pure point and not a pure 2 guard.

New Jersey, you're on the clock:

10. New Jersey Nets select...Danilo Gallinari from Italy



Wanted to stay in the NY/NJ area and gets his wish. Could go to Milwaukee to join their international contingent, but the Nets would be pretty happy with this pick. Jefferson is almost a certainty to be dealt.

Indiana, you're on the clock:

11. Indiana Pacers select...DJ Augustin from Texas



Small point guard but is a pure one. Had a great year for Texas and could go anywhere from 6-13. Good fit with the Pacers who are lookin to upgrade at the PG slot.

Sacramento, you're on the clock:

12. Sacramento Kings select...Darrell Arthur from Kansas



Kings badly need a good PF, and Arthur is fresh off a championship run. Has untapped potential and could help their frontline straight away.

Portland, you're on the clock:

13. Portland Trailblazers select...Alexis Ajinca from France



Don't know much about him, but rumours are flying that he's a potential lottery pick. Could be on traded to New Jersey as part of a possible Richard Jefferson trade - otherwise he'll be a nice backup to Oden.

Golden State, you're on the clock:

14. Golden State Warriors select...Donte Greene from Syracuse



Nellie likes versatile ballers and Greene can play a variety of positions. Dont think theyll go big as they have enough projects.

Phoenix, you're on the clock:

15. Phoenix Suns select...Brandon Rush from Kansas



Could possibly go higher, but is a good pick here for the Suns. Is ready to play now and is an athletic bomber from distance. Recovered well from an ACL tear a year ago.

Philadelphia, you're on the clock:

16. Philadelphia 76ers select...Marreese Speights from Florida



Big man with a ton of potential...if he can put it together. Fits a need down at the PF/C slot and could devlop into something special.

Toronto, you're on the clock:

17. Toronto Raptors select...Robin Lopez from Stanford



A banger and competitor, adds some needed toughness to the Raptor's frontline.

Washington, you're on the clock:

18. Washington Wizards select...Roy Hibbert from Georgetown



The first Senior to be selected, Hibbert offers size, defensive ability and an option in the half court.

Cleveland, you're on the clock:

19. Cleveland Cavaliers select...Kosta Koufos from Ohio State



Cavs take the local kid hoping he can become the next Big Z. Is talented and was touted as a lotto pick this time a year ago.

Denver, you're on the clock:

20. Denver Nuggets select...Jason Thompson from Rider



Is moving up the charts with his athleticism. Could use a PG here, but their frontcourt isnt getting any younger (or healthier).

New Jersey, you're on the clock:

21. New Jersey Nets select...JaVale McGee from Nevada



Talented big kid with a ton of potential...but is very unproven.

Orlando, you're on the clock:

22. Orlando Magic select...Courtney Lee from Western Kentucky



Another riser, Lee had a very solid season. His stock has been on a steady rise.

Utah, you're on the clock:

23. Utah Jazz select...Anthony Randolph from LSU



His fall ends here. Jazz might try to move the pick, otherwise they have a combo forward with some potential.

Seattle, you're on the clock:

24. Seattle Supersonics select...JJ Hickson from NC State



Add to their power rotation a PF with potential. Another freshman who had a good season.

Houston, you're on the clock:

25. Houston Rockets select...Bill Walker from Kansas State



Bit of a gamble, but Walker is a huge talent. Has injury issues, but he'd be nice beside McGrady and would backup Battier.

San Antonio, you're on the clock:

26. San Antonio Spurs select...Chris Douglas-Robert from Memphis



Suprised that he's still on the board, Spurs get a proven player who can fit in at 2 guard. Deceptively athletic and unorthodox, him and Manu would be good to watch.

New Orleans, you're on the clock:

27. New Orleans Hornets select...Mario Chalmers from Kansas



Third 1st Rounder from Kansas, Chalmers is a bit of a combo guard thatd be a good backup to Paul and provide some more deep shooting. Could go as early as 20 to Denver though...so potential steal here.

Memphis, you're on the clock:

28. Memphis Grizzlies select...DeAndre Jordan from Texas A&M



Another one that slips to the later 1st round. Could go earlier if someone really likes him, but he's pretty far away from being a rotation player in the big league. Potential steal and fits a need.

Detroit, you're on the clock:

29. Detroit Pistons select...DJ White from Indiana



Slips into the 1st round - is a big unit and a definant Detroit kinda player. Tough and physical, came on strong last season.

Boston, you're on the clock:

30. Boston Celtics select...DeVon Hardin from California



Banger and good defensive player, will contend with Perkins for minutes straight away.

On the fringe: Nicolas Batum, Nathan Jawai

[WhoDaBest23]

I really like it, but one notable thing... No Deandre Jordan in the 1st round? I know not a lot of people are high on him here, but this guy will get picked in the 1st. Someone's going to bite on him.

[MB30]

My bad. I had him falling, but not that far. Ill edit it later and chuck him in where I think he belongs - he should be 1st round.

[MarionBarberThe4th]

I think the Nets would take Lee over Mcgee. You have them passing on him.

And Randolph is cold, but I dont know if hes that cold

Nice job though

Get Jordan back in there and your set

[LameR]

I don't see the Blazers taking a big man. They just re-signed Pryzbilla last year as a backup for Oden. It'd be kind of a dick move to trade away a player who re-signed in a city he likes (and has played well for) after taking a paycut to come back. It could happen, the NBA is a business, but I don't see it happening. Then again, I don't see the Blazers keeping the pick anyway so I should shut up.

[MB30]

I dont see them keeping it either, but if they did - he's not a bad pick. Bit of a project, but the Blazers need a PG and they're just about set. None available so they could trade their pick for one or just hit FA.

[MB30]

Also - I have changed DeAndre Jordan to falling to #28 to Memphis. Someone may take a chance earlier, but his stock is falling hard and fast due to him being far away from being an NBA player and underwhelming numbers as a freshman. Poor workouts havent helped either. Still, Memphis is a good fit for him.

Nicolas Batum will now slip to the very early 2nd round and stay in France most likely.