Early NBA Mock Draft

1. Chicago Bulls- Michael Beasley, F. He is the best player in the draft, and the Bulls are still in desperate need of a low-post scorer. Chicago hit the jackpot by getting this pick. Beasley could turn them into a playoff team in his first season.
2. Miami Heat- Derrick Rose, PG. Miami will get who they wanted all along in Rose. Jason Williams is just too old to run the show at point guard anymore, and Chris Quinn is nothing more than a bench player. Rose has the potential to be a Gary Payton-like player.
3. Minnesota Timberwolves- Brook Lopez, C. He has bust written all over him, but Minnesota could certainly use a big man to complement Al Jefferson up front, and there aren't many good centers in this draft class.
4. Seattle Supersonics- Anthony Randolph, F. This forward out of LSU has been rapidly rising on draft boards ever since he announced his decision to enter. Randolph is extremely versatile, and Seattle needs a ton of help up front. Think of Lamar Odom with a higher ceiling.
5. Memphis Grizzlies- DeAndre Jordan, C. Jordan did not impress in his one and only season at college, but her definitely has potential, and the Grizzlies are still not sold on Darko Milicic up front. Plus, they don't need any backcourt help.
6. New York Knicks- Jerryd Bayless, PG. This could be an absolute steal (yes, a steal at number six) should Bayless fall this far. However, based on the needs of the teams three through five, none of them should be coveting a floor general. Bayless may end up being the best one in this draft.
7. Los Angeles Clippers- O.J. Mayo, G. Mayo is a combo guard who is very similar to Gilbert Arenas. The Clippers need a point guard, and although Mayo may not be a purebred, he is extraordinarily talented.
8. Milwaukee Bucks- Donte Greene, F. Greene can play both forward spots and can do a myriad of things on the floor. It will come down to either Greene or Danilo Gallinari with this pick, but I think the Syracuse product is the more NBA-ready (and talented) of the two.
9. Charlotte Bobcats- Darrell Arthur, F. With the news that Sean May may retire because of chronic knee problems, Arthur would be a good pick here for Charlotte. He didn't explode in his sophomore year like many expected him to, but he still has ample talent.
10. New Jersey Nets- Eric Gordon, SG. Gordon is one of the best, if not the best, pure shooters in this draft. However, the fact that he is competing with several other guards may drop him a few spots. The Nets don't have any specific needs at any position, but they desperately need outside shooting and depth.
11. Indiana Pacers- D.J. Augustin, PG. I really don't think Augustin will translate all that well into the pros, but with Jamaal Tinsley aging and not much help behind him, the Pacers need to take a point guard.
12. Sacramento Kings- Joe Alexander, F. Because of their aging frontcourt, Sacramento will draft a big man for the second year in a row. Alexander is a silky smooth scorer with a very well-polished offensive game. He has the potential to fill up the box score night in and night out.
13. Portland Trail Blazers- Russell Westbrook, G. Portland is pretty much set at every position, but the point guard spot is unstable. Westbrook played two-guard at UCLA, but if he works on his ball-handling skills, he can play the point at the next level.
14. Golden State Warriors- Nicolas Batum, G/F. The Warriors also don't have any big holes, but they could use some depth at the wings, especially considering Mickael Pietrus might leave via free agency. Batum fits Golden State's prototype perfectly. He is freakishly athletic and explosive.
15. Phoenix Suns (from ATL)- Marreese Speights, C/F. Speights is the most talented center in this draft. He has great length and has a frame that can develop a substantial amount of muscle. If he can develop some moves in the low post, look out.
16. Philadelphia 76ers- Javale McGee, C. Talk about a high ceiling; this kid has it. The 76ers have Samuel Dalembert, but McGee can easily do what Dalembert does plus much, much more. He is long, athletic, explosive, and a very good defender.
17. Toronto Raptors- Roy Hibbert, C. Toronto is in desperate need of a center, and Hibbert fits the bill here. Hibbert's stock has fallen off dramatically since his junior year when many figured him to be a top 10 pick, but he can still be a solid NBA player. He is a very skilled big man.
18. Washington Wizards- Mario Chalmers, PG. Gilbert Arenas' knees are still giving him problems, and Antonio Daniels will never be anything more than a good sixth man. Chalmers is a feisty defender and clutch performer, as demonstrated during Kansas' NCAA Tournament run.
19. Cleveland Cavaliers- Kevin Love, F/C. I have a feeling Cleveland may try to trade this pick, but if they don't, they can certainly use Love's scoring ability in the frontcourt. He won't be anything spectacular, but he will be a solid role player who could thrive with LeBron James.
20. Denver Nuggets- Jason Thompson, PF. A lack of defense killed the Nuggets this year (and pretty much every year), so Thompson is the pick here. Thompson is an excellent defender with great length and athleticism. He could be a premier shot-blocker on the NBA level.
21. New Jersey Nets (from DAL)- Kosta Koufos, C. Nenad Krstic hasn't really worked out for the Nets, so they should take a big man in this draft. Koufos has a nice offensive game, but he has some work to do defensively and also needs to add some muscle to his frame.
22. Orlando Magic- Brandon Rush, G/F. Orlando needs a shooting guard, and Rush fits the team's system perfectly; a lethal outside shooter with athleticism. Rush also brings some much-needed defense to the table for the Magic.
23. Utah Jazz- Danilo Gallinari, F. Utah doesn't need that much, but if Gallinari is still on the board at this point in the draft, they'll take him. I'm very skeptical about this 19-year old from Italy, as he is a below average defender and is not all that athletic for someone of his body stature.
24. Seattle Supersonics (from PHX)- Nathan Jawai, C. Jawai is a very bulky big man (6'10", 270) out of Australia who, although still a bit raw, has a large amount of potential. He has a decent jump shot and is still working on what already is a solid low post game.
25. Houston Rockets- Robin Lopez, C. Houston really needs a backup center, as Yao Ming just cannot seem to stay healthy and his only backup, Dikembe Mutombo, is 80. Lopez is never going to be much of an offensive threat, but he'll be very disruptive defensively. He does need to add some muscle, though.
26. San Antonio Spurs- Joey Dorsey, PF. The Spurs could use another banger down low, as Kurt Thomas is not going to be around much longer and Fabricio Oberto isn't exactly what one would call physical. Dorsey has a chance to be a Ben Wallace-type player.
27. New Orleans Hornets- Wayne Ellington, SG. New Orleans doesn't have many weaknesses, but they might want to go for another shooter off the bench. Ellington would certainly provide that and some solid ball-handling skills.
28. Memphis Grizzlies (from LAL)- D.J. White, PF. One of the most underrated prospects of this draft, White can give the Grizzlies some much-needed low-post scoring and some leadership. White is one of those players who doesn't do anything great, but does everything well.
29. Detroit Pistons- J.J. Hickson, PF. Detroit has enough wings, but they could use another big man up front. Hickson is a very athletic specimen with good strength. Think of Chris Wilcox with a potentially higher ceiling.
30. Boston Celtics- Davon Jefferson, SF. Jefferson is an extremely explosive wingman who would could very well end up being the steal of the draft. He is still very raw, but his potential is limitless and he could turn into the type of player we all thought Darius Miles would be.