SportsLine's Mike Kahn supplies pick-by-pick analysis of the first round of this year's NBA Draft.

1. HOUSTON: Yao Ming, C, 7-5, 296, Shanghai Sharks -- Once the politics were no longer an issue, this was a no-brainer for the Rockets. They need a center for what will be two years post-Hakeem Olajuwon and a drawing card to boost one of the worst attendances in the NBA ... both of which are answered by Yao.

2. CHICAGO: Jay Williams, G, 6-2, 195, Duke -- When the Bulls got the second pick to get Williams, it was as if somebody put a chocolate sundae in front of Jerry Krause's face. Williams is the point guard he's always wanted, so he will get the ball and keep it until contracts do them part.

3. GOLDEN STATE: Mike Dunleavy, F, 6-9, 221, Duke -- Considering all of their needs, the Warriors lucked out by getting the most versatile player in the draft. He can play both forward positions and big guard, and will fit in nicely next to fellow Tobacco Road product, Antawn Jamison.

4. MEMPHIS: Drew Gooden, F, 6-10, 230, Kansas -- Behind Dunleavy, he's clearly the next best prepared player to contribute as a rookie. Gooden has the perfect build to develop as a power forward with exceptional skills both inside and out. The Grizzlies need fine players, and Jerry West's first personnel move as president of the Grizzlies was a no-brainer.

5. DENVER: Nikoloz Tskitishvili, F, 7-0, 225, Benetton Treviso (Italy) -- As the Nuggets rebuild their team once again, they hope this 19-year-old native of the Republic of Georgia can deal with the barrier of language and strength. At 7-feet and about 220 pounds, he'll have to prove he can take the grind.

6. CLEVELAND: Dajuan Wagner, G, 6-3, 200, Memphis -- With a need for a scoring guard and somebody to put people in the building -- along with the probability of dealing Andre Miller -- this was an obvious choice. The son of former NBA player Milt Wagner is a born scorer from anywhere on the floor.

7. NEW YORK: Maybyner "Nene" Hilario, F, 6-11, 260, Vasco da Gama (Brazil) -- The Knicks picked Hilario for the rebuilding Nuggets, who along with Marcus Camby and Mark Jackson goes to Denver in exchange for Antonio McDyess and the 25th pick overall. He is only 19 and has a great upside.

8. L.A. CLIPPERS: Chris Wilcox, F, 6-10, 221, Maryland -- Most insiders talked about Wilcox having the most explosive inside game, and the Clippers have one more great piece to their ever-growing young puzzle. Wilcox with Brand, Odom and Olowokandi? They're loaded.

9. PHOENIX: Amare Stoudemire, F, 6-10, 245, Orlando Cypress Creek H.S. -- The Suns stunningly went with the lone high school senior in the draft good enough to go this early. Stoudemire is powerful and quick, but has to develop a game away from the basket and acclimate himself to the NBA. This says they aren't ready to get back into the playoffs unless they've chosen Stoudemire for somebody else.

10. MIAMI: Caron Butler, F, 6-7, 235, Connecticut -- There was one benefit for Pat Riley missing the playoffs for the first time in his coaching career -- he was able to get in position to get Butler, who overcame a lie blowing through the rumor mill that he had knee problems. He's tough and incredibly diverse inside and out, and has the toughness that Riles thrives upon.

11. WASHINGTON: Jared Jeffries, F, 6-11, 230, Indiana -- Just like Butler, it was a surprise that Jeffries slipped this far. He can play any position on the floor because of his ballhandling skills and shooting range, so he will be a perfect fit to grow next to last year's first overall pick Kwame Brown.

12. L.A. CLIPPERS: Melvin Ely, F/C, 6-10, 260, Fresno State -- The Clippers continued to go big with their draft, adding Ely along with Wilcox, which creates a scenario that the Clippers will be making a deal. He's tough, but this could be a prelude to the Clippers dealing those two picks and Corey Maggette to Cleveland for Andre Miller.

13. MILWAUKEE: Marcus Haislip, F, 6-10, 230, Tennessee -- After failing to make the playoffs despite being picked by many to win the East, the Bucks had little choice but to go for a power player and found one from general manager Ernie Grunfeld's alma mater. He's quick and strong and should grow into the power forward they must have to get to the next level.

14. INDIANA: Fred Jones, G, 6-4, 210, Oregon -- In a surprise move, the Pacers went with Jones, who led the Ducks into the Elite Eight. A powerful guard, he has a build like a linebacker and is very streaky from the perimeter. Jones has some time to develop.

15. HOUSTON: Bostjan Nachbar, F, 6-9, 221, Benetton Treviso (Italy) -- The other half of the talented duo from Benetton, Nachbar is a scorer, who played much bigger minutes than Tskitishvili. He can put the ball on the floor, go to the basket or fill it up from the perimeter. They liked him from the beginning.

16. PHILADELPHIA: Jiri Welsch, G/F, 6-7, 208, Olimpija Ljubljana (Slovenia) -- The Sixers took Welsch for the Warriors, who have been after a point guard for years. In exchange for the pick, Golden State sent two future draft choices to get this 6-7 player who is a superb shooter, defends out on the floor and has the ability to make plays for himself and others.

17. WASHINGTON: Juan Dixon, G, 6-3, 164, Maryland -- This was a great move for the local folks. The star of the national champions, Dixon is a combo guard, but it is his toughess and clutch play that has made him a special player. That's not to mention his tough defensive mentality that brings to mind a young Maurice Cheeks.

18. ORLANDO: Curtis Borchardt, C, 7-0, 240, Stanford -- A smooth and sweet-shooting big man, Borchardt has to get bigger and stronger, and prove he has overcome the foot problems that plagued him in recent years. He'll get that chance in Utah; Magic traded his rights to Jazz for Ryan Humphrey (No. 19).

19. UTAH: Ryan Humphrey, F, 6-8, 235, Notre Dame -- The Jazz went with Humphrey, who is strong, quick and relentless and then traded his rights to Orlando for Borchardt (No. 18). Humphrey is short for a power player and has to prove he can play out on the floor and hit the perimeter jumper.

20. TORONTO: Kareem Rush, G, 6-6, 215, Missouri -- The Raptors needed a point guard and they got it in Lindsey Hunter by trading Rush, a smooth-shooting southpaw, to the Lakers. Rush has a powerful body, 3-point range and the ability to take the ball to the glass strong, but he must learn to defend.

21. PORTLAND: Qyntel Woods, F, 6-8, 221, NE Mississippi CC -- Woods slid further than anybody anticipated, considering his immense overall skills handling the ball and shooting the medium-range jump shot. Coming from junior college, he's an athlete the Blazers didn't anticipate being available when they were picking. Compared to Tracy McGrady, this just gives them more flexibility.

22. PHOENIX: Casey Jacobsen, F/G, 6-6, 215, Stanford -- If Penny Hardaway wanted another example of how the Suns are seeking a shooting guard, this guy is it. With Hardaway's legs fading, Jacobsen gives them great shooting range, and has the size to play with anybody in the backcourt. He has to prove he can defend the athletic shooting guards.

23. DETROIT: Tayshaun Prince, F, 6-9, 215, Kentucky -- The Pistons need shooting badly, and in the 6-9 Prince, they get a real active player who can shoot lights out from any angle out to 3-point range. He has to prove he can handle the ball out on the floor, but he can fill it up, which is what the Pistons sorely need as last season's top choice, Rodney White, develops.

24. NEW JERSEY: Nenad Krstic, C, 6-11, 220, Partizan Belgrade (Yugoslavia) -- The Nets probably won't sign him yet because he is young, underdeveloped and the Nets already have everybody signed for next season. Now they have a young and talented center who will be developed in Yugoslavia for a couple of years. It's an ideal scenario considering their circumstances.

25. DENVER: Frank Williams, G, 6-3, 205, Illinois -- The Nuggets took Williams for the Knicks and will deal him along with McDyess.Williams was a disappointment this season after expectations were for him to be an All-American. He's a tough defensive player and solid distributor who has often disappeared offensively, but has the potential to be a star if he changes his approach.

26. SAN ANTONIO: John Salmons, G/F, 6-7, 210, Miami (Fla.) -- From June on, Salmons worked his way into the first round by showing his talent to a lot of different teams in Chicago at the combine and in individual workouts. He can play three positions thanks to a nice shooting touch and superb ballhandling and passing skills. Spurs sent rights to Salmons to 76ers as part of Claxton-Bryant trade.

27. L.A. LAKERS: Chris Jefferies, F, 6-8, 215, Fresno State -- He proved in workouts that he has overcome the knee injury that wiped out half of his junior year. He can shoot, defend and is strong, which means he's likely to earn some minutes as time goes on. Lakers packaged Jefferies and Lindsey Hunter to Toronto for rights to Kareem Rush and Tracy Murray.

28. SACRAMENTO: Dan Dickau, G, 6-0, 190, Gonzaga -- It was a surprise that Dickau didn't go until the final pick of the first round, but it was much to Dickau's good fortune that the Kings selected him for the Hawks, who have been in dire need of a point guard for years. The future draft choice isn't the issue as much as Dickau is a point guard, a leader and someone who experienced a lot of success in college. This could be the best move the Hawks have made in years.