One more time, then. BallinEurope’s man in the U.K., Sam Chadwick concludes this website’s official mock draft with his final 15 choices for round two. As for BiE, well, even if there’s a lack of players from The Continent forecast for picks 46-60, i’m still pleased as punch a UNM alma mater gets in there…
46. Phoenix Suns: Derrick Caracter (6’9”, PF, UTEP, Junior). If Amare Stoudamire is heading out of town to join Lebron James in New York or going somewhere for that ever-elusive max contract, then the Suns may need a new athletic power forward who can continue to run pick-and-rolls with Steve Nash. If Dirk Nowitzki comes to the Suns, Caracter can be a valuable backup.
47. Milwaukee Bucks: Lazar Hayward (6’6’’, SF, Marquette, Senior). Milwaukee seem to have more picks than they need, so they may look to trade up to get Greg Monroe; otherwise, here we’ll go for the same area as the Bucks last pick: Hustle. Milwaukee wants their opponents to Fear The Deer and to continue to do what they need to out-hustle their opponents. Lazar has been a great collegiate player and should bring some experience and skill to this Bucks squad.
48. Miami Heat: DaSean Butler (6’7’’, SF, West Virginia, Senior). Miami are filling gaps with these picks – players like Armon Johnson and Omar Samhan at point guard and centre, respectively. Butler is a solid small forward who is an athletic scorer and a great fit for the Heat especially alongside Michael Beasley.
49. San Antonio Spurs: Artsiom Parakhouski (6’11’’, C, Radford, Senior). The Spurs are still lacking a bit of depth; however, the player they draft here may spend a lot of time in the development league, as they don’t really need any more picks. San Antonio is stocked at almost all guard positions and could use a centre to back up DeJuan Blair, who may get a lot of burn if Tim Duncan gets injured and/or gets more DNPs and DNDs. Artsiom can come off the bench after the likes of Duncan, Blair and Tiago Splitter, giving them depth at big man to match the Lakers.
50. Dallas Mavericks: Luke Harangody (6’8’’, PF, Notre Dame, Senior). Dallas needs to prepare for the eventual departure of Dirk; they need a big man who can score inside while also having the ability and work ethic to improve his long range game. No one will ever truly replace Nowitzki, but the Mavericks need a player who can fill in this gap. Luke has experience, he has size, and he has the post moves to work well in this league.
51. Oklahoma City Thunder: Jon Scheyer (6’6’’, PG, Duke, Senior). Oklahoma City could use another good mid-range outside shooter and the Duke senior is definitely one of the players in this year’s draft that can provide that. If they don’t go Scheyer here, maybe it’s Andy Rautins for the Thunder.
52. Boston Celtics: Jerome Randle (5’10’’, PG, California, Senior). If Boston don’t re-sign Nate Robinson, they will need some kind of backup for Rajon Rondo. How about a player who can drain the three while having the speed to attack the rim, a great defender who can work well as Rondo’s backup?
53. Atlanta Hawks: Arinze Onuaku (6’10’’, C, Syracuse, Senior). Atlanta are a little bit small, though they have shown an under-sized centre can work. Onuaku can provide rebounding, solid inside defence and solid inside offence – everything’s a bonus with this guy.
54. Los Angeles Clippers: A.J. Ogilvy (6’10’’, C, Vanderbilt, Junior). The Clippers are looking to add depth with a late second-round pick. They have Chris Kamen and Blake Griffen, plus BiE has them picking up Aminu in the first round. It the Clippers want to be a contender, they need big-man depth and Ogilvy can provide this, while also supplying an inside presence.
55. Utah Jazz: Darington Hobson (6’7’’, SF, New Mexico, Junior). Utah are solid at most positions but could use some backups. Hobson will be able to work well in the Jazz offensive system and will be able to run the floor. Plus, as he is a second-round pick, he is not guaranteed a contract with the team. [Darrington, you’ll always be a Lobo, woof woof woof! –Ed.]
56. Minnesota Timberwolves: Hamady Ndiaye (7’0’’, C, Rutgers, Senior). Minnesota are just stockpiling this far into the draft. Another 7-footer is never a bad thing, so they take Hamady to either go to the D League or be used as trade bait.
57. Dallas Mavericks: Latavious Williams (6’8”, PF, NBA D League). Dallas may need to replace Dirk, as he may bolt to the Suns and team up with Steve Nash. Latavious is proven in the ‘States after playing in the D League for a season. He is athletic, he can rebound, he can score, he can defend and he has potential. Williams and Luke Harangody will provide a nice young frontcourt to work around in Dallas.
58. Los Angeles Lakers: Denis Clemente (6’0”, PG, Kansas State, Senior). The Lakers will continue to run Derek Fisher at the 1, but they need some better backup guards: Jordan Farmar & Co. just don’t really cut it for a contender. However whoever the Lakers take will probably spend a lot of time on the bench, in the Development League, or just won’t be signed at all.
59. Orlando Magic: Matt Bouldin (6’5’’, SG, Gonzaga, Senior). Orlando is weakest at the guard position. If Vince Carter has an off day or if J.J. Reddick has a bad game, they need players to step up. The Magic have struggled at this position for so long now … but a player like Bouldin has experience, he can score, shoot, defend, and generally just play well, making him a perfect fit for the contenders in Orlando.
60. Phoenix Suns: Samardo Samuels (6’8’’, PF, Louisville, Sophomore) Samuels is another big in this draft, but should be considered a work in progress and can be put into the D League if Suns executives feel he needs more time to develop. If not he can come in and contribute in the post.
Sam Chadwick is a assistant coach for the Solent Kestrels U13 team. He also writes a basketball-centered blog called Hype.
