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Updated June 26, 2002
A look at how tonight's NBA Draft might develop.
| 1. Houston | Yao Ming, C, 7-5, 280, Shanghai Sharks |
| Houston has practically secured all of China's blessing to draft the nation's biggest prize. Only a few i's are left to be dotted as Yao inches closer to donning a Rockets uniform. |
| 2. Chicago | Jay Williams, G, 6-2, 195, Duke |
| The Bulls love Williams and are ecstatic that the feeling is mutual. Williams, already quicker than most NBA point guards, likes the young talent Chicago has accumulated and wants to be a part of it. Jerry Krause dealing this pick for an accomplished vet isn't out of the question, but that is becoming less of a possibility. Unless the Rockets trade down and Williams goes No. 1, he won't slip past the Bulls. |
| 3. Golden State | Mike Dunleavy, F, 6-9, 220, Duke |
| Dunleavy can help them most with his shooting range and improving floor game, as Antawn Jamison is likely to see more time at power forward next year if he can't be moved. It looks more likely that the Warriors will pick him over Kansas forward Drew Gooden. |
| 4. Memphis | Drew Gooden, F, 6-10, 230, Kansas |
| Jerry West covets Dunleavy, but if he's off the board, Gooden and Republic of Georgia forward Nikoloz Tskitishvili loom next on the list. Gooden was impressive in his workout with the Grizzlies and already has experience playing against quality big men. Gooden and Pau Gasol could be a potent combo for many seasons. There are a number of trade options that West is exploring, including trading this pick for the Clippers' No. 8 and 12 selections. If that trade goes through, it's expected that Los Angeles will take Tskitishvili. |
| 5. Denver | Nikoloz Tskitishvili, F, 7-0, 220, Benetton Treviso |
| Tskitishvili's versatility is a commodity that teams are going to find hard to turn down. The Warriors traveled to Italy to watch him play in the Italian League finals and believe he could have more upside than Caron Butler, who is also a candidate to go here. Coincidentally, former Denver head man Mike D'Antoni, recently hired for an assistant's post in Phoenix, was Skita's coach at Benetton Treviso. |
| 6. Cleveland | Maybyner Hilario, F, 6-10, 260, Vasco da Gama |
| If they keep this pick, the Cavs will take the safe route and go with Butler, who is probably one of the most NBA-ready players in this draft. Milwaukee is interested in moving up to take Nene Hilario or Chris Wilcox, both of which would be available. A package that would include Glenn Robinson has been reportedly dangled in front of the Cavs front office. Phoenix could also move up here and draft Hilario, swapping their ninth pick for this one. Nene has a huge upside and will make his biggest contributions on the boards and at the defensive end early in his career. His offensive game is very raw, but his 7-4 wing span and tenacity in going after the ball could make him an immediate asset. |
| 7. New York | Chris Wilcox, F, 6-10, 220, Maryland |
| Wilcox is the most athletic frontcourt player to come out since Antonio McDyess in '95. He's further along than last year's top two picks, Kwame Brown and Tyson Chandler, and still has a huge upside. Though raw, he could ultimately develop into the best frontcourt player in this draft. The Knicks will also look hard at Wagner and Hilario and are one of the teams said to be interested in dealing for the Clips' two lottery picks.
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8. L.A. Clippers
(from Atlanta) | Dajuan Wagner, G, 6-3, 200, Memphis |
| This pick comes over from the Hawks as part of the 1999 deal for Lorenzen Wright. The Clippers have to be delighted that Dajuan Wagner slips this far for many reasons. Wagner could develop into a key contributor for the Clips as a ballhandler and playmaker, roles that will likely need to be filled with Jeff McInnis' expected departure. Another route would be packaging Wagner's rights and one of their players to get veteran help or a top-five draft talent. |
| 9. Phoenix | Caron Butler, F, 6-7, 235, Connecticut |
| If Phoenix hasn't traded up to get Hilario at No. 6, expect them to take Jared Jeffries here. Cleveland was shopping the sixth pick and wouldn't have to give the Suns the future first-rounder they owe them if they swap this year, so the Cavs might be the ones taking Butler here. He could develop into a Paul Pierce-type small forward and would supply Cleveland's roster with a much-needed dose of athleticism.
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| 10. Miami | Jared Jeffries, F, 6-9, 235, Indiana |
| Jeffries has been one of the draft's biggest movers, raising his stock with impressive workouts and a beefed-up physique. If he's not gone to Phoenix at No. 9, the Heat will snatch him up. Caron Butler, who could slip here too under other scenarios, wouldn't get past them. There have been talks that Miami will move this pick to Portland, who is interested in trading up. Phoenix would also be involved in a deal that would send Damon Stoudamire and Zach Randolph south, Brian Grant to Phoenix and Penny Hardaway to the Blazers. |
| 11. Washington | Curtis Borchardt, C, 7-0, 230, Stanford |
| The Wizards already have Brendan Haywood, but with centers being so difficult to come by, they would be foolish to let Borchardt slip to the Clippers, who would almost definitely take him with the next pick. Borchardt has excellent touch around the basket, gets up and down the court well and is fluid for a big man. He's a decent defender, but could struggle against the league's bigger centers. Qyntel Woods, who has slipped toward the end of the lottery, could be worth a gamble here. |
| 12. L.A. Clippers | Melvin Ely, F/C, 6-10, 256, Fresno State |
| A solid defender with an NBA-ready body and improving offensive skills. He'll be the first true senior selected and would provide another big body for the Clips to develop in the paint in case they have to part company with Michael Olowokandi. |
| 13. Milwaukee | Amare Stoudemire, F, 6-10, 240, Cypress Creek (Fla.) H.S. |
| The Bucks will almost certainly make some type of move in this draft, and may not be picking here. That said, it's unlikely that Stoudemire slips out of the lottery with so many suitors lining up to help develop his skills. The word is that Portland is posturing to make a play for the oft-traveled high school product. The prospect of drafting Stoudemire has apparently made last year's top pick, Michigan State's Zach Randolph, expendable in the eyes of the Blazers. |
| 14. Indiana | Kareem Rush, G, 6-6, 214, Missouri |
| Rush slipping to the Pacers would be a major coup for Isiah Thomas' club. He'd be the eventual successor to Reggie Miller and could begin his pro career as an apprentice. |
15. Houston
(from Toronto)* | Bostjan Nachbar, G/F, 6-8, 220, Benetton Treviso |
| The Rockets get this pick as part of the Hakeem Olajuwon deal and use it to acquire another international star. Nachbar, a talented Slovenian who is a club teammate of Tskitishvili, is considered one of the finest offensive players in Europe. The versatile swingman is touted as a Peja Stojakovic clone.
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| 16. Philadelphia | Qyntel Woods, G/F, 6-9, 230, NE Mississippi C.C. |
| If Philadelphia keeps this pick, it could end Woods' slide and emerge with one of the draft's biggest steals. Though teams have problems with his attitude, he was considered a top-five pick less than three months ago. Gonzaga point guard Dan Dickau could also be selected and dealt to Golden State in a deal that would also include Derrick Coleman and bring former 76ers draft pick Larry Hughes back to Philly. |
17. Washington
(from New Orleans) | Frank Williams, G, 6-3, 205, Illinois |
| The Wizards dealt talented shooting guard Courtney Alexander to New Orleans for the rights to this pick, hoping that this year's deep pool could deliver some aid to their point guard situation. Illinois' Williams and Gonzaga's Dan Dickau would be the logical options, while Slovenian Jiri Welsch has also worked out for the club. |
| 18. Orlando | Marcus Haislip, F, 6-10, 230, Tennessee |
| Haislip has seen his stock slip slightly, but he'd still be a welcome piece in Orlando's arsenal. The Magic want a physical presence inside, primarily on defense, which at this point in his development happens to be the Haislip's main attribute. The Magic are another team being discussed prominently in potential deals. They would love to get their hands on Chris Wilcox or another power forward, and have been dangling former Rookie of the Year Mike Miller out as trade bait. |
| 19. Utah | Jiri Welsch, G, 6-6, 205, Olimpija Ljubljana |
| Welsch handles the ball well enough to man the point and is very adept at getting to the basket. Unlike most Europeans, his defense is actually a strength. He's a gritty hard worker whose offensive skills are improving. There is a good possibility that they can let the Czech star remain in Europe for a year, like they did with last year's pick, Spaniard Raul Lopez, who hopes to join the team for the start of the season. The Jazz are also interested in Duke's Carlos Boozer, working him out a couple of times the past few weeks. |
20. Toronto
(from Seattle) | Dan Dickau, G, 6-0, 170, Gonzaga |
| The Raptors use this pick, acquired through New York as part of the Mark Jackson deal, to grab the dynamic Dickau, a point guard who has received mixed reviews from scouts. Golden State is among the teams that really like him, but would have to trade up to get him. Dickau impressed Toronto's staff in his workouts with a toughness that belies the floppy hair and slight frame. He's a fabulous ballhandler with unlimited range and could become an accomplished playmaker if he can handle the speed of the pro game. |
| 21. Portland | Dan Gadzuric, C, 6-11, 235, UCLA |
| Despite spending four years in college, Gadzuric is very raw and has limited offensive skills. Still, he's a terrific athlete who could be molded into a solid defender. |
22. Phoenix
(from Boston) | Luis Scola, F, 6-10, 240, Tau Ceramica |
| The Argentinian-born Scola is really strong and agile. Unlike most European-based players, he's drawn praise for his defense. The Suns have scouted him in Spain and came away impressed. If they nab him and Hilario, it would give them a pair of South American-born power forwards to develop. |
| 23. Minnesota | No pick |
| The Timberwolves forfeit this pick as part of the penalty for attempting to circumvent the salary cap in signing Joe Smith. |
| 24. Detroit** | Carlos Boozer, F, 6-9, 280, Duke |
| Boozer could be one of the few players that the Pistons would be interested in acquiring here. Reports out of Detroit have president Joe Dumars shopping the pick. Boozer's workouts have shown an improved jump shot and extended range. Adding those attributes to his pro-ready frame and toughness on the boards could make him better than many expect him to be.
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| 25. New Jersey | Casey Jacobsen, F/G, 6-6, 215, Stanford |
| Jacobsen might be a defensive liability in the NBA, but his shooting touch is unquestioned. The fact that he's been invited to the draft assures that he'll go somewhere in the first round. He'd be a sniper that would give Jason Kidd even more room to operate with. |
26. Denver
(from Dallas) | Chris Jefferies, F, 6-8, 220, Fresno State |
| Jefferies is a terrific defender whose frame is perfectly suited for small forward. He had injury problems during his collegiate career, but could wind up as a steal if he's healthy. He and James Posey could make life very tough on opposing wings. |
| 27. San Antonio | Juan Dixon, G, 6-3, 160, Maryland |
| The Spurs could add another piece to their championship-chasing puzzle by picking up a winner like Dixon. He can cause havoc in passing lanes with his pesky defense opposite lightning-quick point guard Tony Parker. Falling in with this veteran bunch could be great for his career. |
| 28. L.A. Lakers | Tayshaun Prince, F, 6-9, 215, Kentucky |
| Prince's versatility would be a nice benefit to the reigning three-time world champs. His long wing span gives him the opportunity to become a defensive stopper in the league once he gets stronger, while his shooting touch is an added perk. |
| 29. Sacramento | Nenad Krstic, C, 6-11, 220, Partizan Belgrade (Yugoslavia) |
| Krstic's club is owned by Kings center Vlade Divac, who has raved about his potential. Sacramento wasn't terribly interested in adding a rookie and can let him develop overseas. |
| * - pick could be conveyed to Memphis |
| ** - Detroit holds pick and does not convey it to Atlanta |
| Second round |
| 30. Golden State | Jamal Sampson, F/C, 6-11, 235, California |
| 31. Chicago | Sam Clancy, F, 6-7, 240, Southern Cal |
| 32. Memphis | Rod Grizzard, G/F, 6-8, 210, Alabama |
| 33. Denver | Steve Logan, G, 6-0, 198, Cincinnati |
| 34. Milwaukee | Roger Mason Jr., G, 6-5, 200, Virginia |
| 35. Cleveland | Marcus Taylor, G, 6-3, 195, Michigan State |
| 36. New York | Vincent Yarbrough, F, 6-7, 210, Tennessee |
| 37. Atlanta | Jason Jennings, C, 7-0, 250, Arkansas State |
| 38. Miami | Darius Songaila, F, 6-9, 245, Wake Forest |
| 39. Washington | Frederick Jones, G, 6-4, 209, Oregon |
| 40. Washington | Zaur Pachulia, C, 6-11, 230, Istanbul |
| 41. L.A. Clippers | Fatih Solak, C, 7-0, 280, Besiktas (Turkey) |
| 42. Milwaukee | John Salmons, F, 6-7, 210, Miami (Fla.) |
| 43. Portland | Ronald Murray, G, 6-4, 190, Shaw |
| 44. Chicago | Mladen Sekularac, G/F, 6-8, 210, Zeleknik (Yugoslavia) |
| 45. Philadelphia | Aaron McGhee, F 6-8, 240, Oklahoma |
| 46. Memphis | David Andersen, C, 6-10, 260, Pallacanestro Vit. Bologna |
| 47. Utah | Maurice Baker, G, 6-1, 183, Oklahoma State |
| 48. Milwaukee | DeAngelo Collins, F, 6-9, 220 Inglewood HS (Calif.) |
| 49. Seattle | Lonny Baxter, F, 6-8, 260, Maryland |
| 50. Boston | Smush Parker, G, 6-4, 190, Fordham |
| 51. Portland | Chris Christoffersen, C, 7-2, 300, Oregon |
| 52. Minnesota | Tito Maddox, G, 6-4, 190, Fresno State |
| 53. Houston | Predrag Savovic, G, 6-6, 212, Hawaii |
| 54. New Jersey | Sean Kennedy, G, 6-2, 180, Marist |
| 55. Dallas | Lazaros Papadopoulos, C, 6-11, 227, Panathinaikos (Greece) |
| 56. San Antonio | Preston Shumpert, F, 6-7, 200, Syracuse |
| 57. San Antonio | Udonis Haslem, F, 6-9, 250, Florida |
| 58. L.A. Lakers | Lee Benson, F, 6-9, 230, Brown Mackie JC |
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