21. Atlanta Hawks (via Pacers)
Boris Diaw
Shooting Guard | 6-9, 225 | Draft Player Card
Junior | Georgia
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Team Needs: Point Guard, Power Forward | Depth Chart
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No 2: Ndudi Ebi, HS Senior
Sleeper Pick: Leandrinho Barbosa, Brazil
The Skinny: No one has a clue who's pulling the string in Atlanta this year -- including the Hawks' own staff. They keep working away, waiting for the sale of the team to come through. When it does, many of them may be out of a job. So, depending on who you ask, you get a different answer on their favorites. Diaw makes the most sense for them. If the team plans on keeping Jason Terry, he's a good fit in the backcourt because of his ball handling ability. Ebi's name keeps coming up here as well. If you're not going to be around to develop the project anyway, why not take the kid with the most upside and put it on your resume down the road that you "discovered" him. Barbosa is another interesting choice. He's got the size to play in the backcourt with Terry. But how patient are the Hawks willing to be?
22. New Jersey Nets
Zoran Planinic
Point Guard | 6-7, 220 | Draft Player Card
Cibona | Croatia
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Team Needs: Back-up Point Guard, Shooting Guard | Depth Chart
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No 2: It's Planinic folks
Sleeper Pick: Seriously, Zoran Planinic
The Skinny: There are very few truths in this year's draft, but Planinic to the Nets appears to be one of them. Insider first reported the story last week. Since then the NBA world has been nodding its head in agreement. The stars always seem to align for Rod Thorn. This year is no different. Planinic could be one of the steals of the draft. He's got great size, instinctual point guard skills and he's very mature, having played big minutes for a top Euroleague team. If Jason Kidd leaves, Planinic won't really soften the blow. But if he stays, he'll buy Kidd and Kerry Kittles some much needed rest during the game.
23. Portland Trail Blazers
Travis Outlaw
Power Forward | 6-9, 220 | Draft Player Card
Starkville High School | Mississippi
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Team Needs: Rap Sheet, Letter from Parole Officer | Depth Chart
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No 2: Leandrinho Barbosa, Brazil
Sleeper Pick: David West, Xavier
The Skinny: The rumor is that high school power forward Travis Outlaw is the man here. I had him down, but then I got to thinking. If I'm Steve Patterson, and I'm trying to change the image of the "Jail Blazers," do I really draft a guy named Outlaw? The more I thought about it, the more it drove me to change the pick. However, upon learning that Bob Whitsitt would make this pick, I'm putting him back here. I don't believe the Blazers have changed their stripes at all and Outlaw, even without the name, is a typical Blazers pick. He's young, has tons of upside, plays the same position as someone else who's young and has tons of upside and can develop at a leisurely pace. If common sense takes hold, two other guys would be intriguing here. The Blazers were out in force at a Barbosa workout on Sunday. He reminds some of a young Gary Payton. He'd be a great fit if they're willing to wait a year or two. West is the nice guy. Unfortunately, in Portland, nice guys finish last.
24. Los Angeles Lakers
Zaur Pachulia
Power Forward | 6-11, 250 | Draft Player Card
Republic of Georgia
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Team Needs: Power Forward, Point Guard | Depth Chart
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No 2: David West, Xavier
Sleeper Pick: Travis Hansen, BYU
The Skinny: The Lakers aren't going to get anyone to help them right away. So they might as well begin developing a project for down the road. Pachulia is a great fit. He has the potential to turn into a Vlade Divac-type player someday. Shaq won't be around forever, and with his frequent injuries the past few years, it's time to get a big man. If he's off the board, the Lakers probably play it safe. West is solid, rebounds and blocks shots. Hansen impressed them in workouts. His maturity and ball handling ability gives him a leg up on all of the other guards left on the board.
25. Detroit Pistons
Travis Hansen
Shooting Guard | 6-5½, 200 | Draft Player Card
Senior | BYU
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Team Needs: Power Forward, Shooting Guard | Depth Chart
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No 2: Carlos Delfino, Argentina
Sleeper Pick: Leandrinho Barbosa, Brazil
The Skinny: The Pistons are going to lose Jon Barry this summer and need someone to step in right away and provide a solid outside presence from the bench. The Pistons have two equally good options. Hansen's athleticism, sweet stroke and maturity would make him a Larry Brown favorite. Delfino's size, toughness and big-game ability make him an intriguing pick. Delfino is probably underrated because of an ankle injury. Or the Pistons could shock everyone and grab Barbosa. He shouldn't have slipped this far and ultimately the Pistons fell the Chauncey Billups is better off playing the two.
26. Minnesota Timberwolves
Carlos Delfino
Shooting Guard | 6-7, 215 | Draft Player Card
Fortitudo Bologna | Argentina
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Team Needs: Point Guard, Shooting Guard | Depth Chart
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No 2: Travis Hansen, BYU
Sleeper Pick: Carl English, Hawaii
The Skinny: The T-Wolves will lap up the Pistons' leftovers. They love Hansen and Delfino. In most scenarios one of these two guys will be available to them. They feel both players are a big upgrade over Anthony Peeler, who will finally be shown the door in Minnesota. If both are gone, they have a fondness for English. English is athletic, can swing to the one in a crunch and has a sweet outside shot. That's all great, but weren't the T-Wolves supposed to be bolder this year? Weren't they moving and shaking. The Terrell Brandon trade rumors continue to fly, but given the Wolves' past history with these things, we'll believe it when we see it.
27. Memphis Grizzlies (via Kings)
Leandrinho Barbosa
Point Guard | 6-4, 185 | Draft Player Card
Brazil
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Team Needs: Center, Shooting Guard | Depth Chart
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No 2: Josh Howard, Wake Forest
Sleeper Pick: Dahntay Jones, Duke
The Skinny: Barbosa had a big-time workout in Memphis a few weeks back against Dwyane Wade. As one Grizz source tells it, Barbosa got his nose out of shape a bit over a few remarks Wade made about Barbosa not being that good. Barbosa's intensity in the workout blew away Wade, causing coach Hubie Brown to get up out of his seat and start grilling Wade. At first the Grizz thought Wade may have been tanking it a bit. But they went back to the tape and saw that Barbosa normally plays that way. In other words, they're unbelievably stoked if he slips this far. If Barbosa, Travis Hansen and Carlos Delfino are all off the board, Jones and Howard are the next guys on the list.
28. San Antonio Spurs
Kendrick Perkins
Power Forward | 6-11, 280 | Draft Player Card
Ozen High School | Texas
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Team Needs: Center, Shooting Guard | Depth Chart
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No 2: Josh Howard, Wake Forest
Sleeper Pick: Slavko Vranes, Serbia
The Skinny: They have to replace David Robinson and Perkins has a big, big upside. While he lacks the athleticism and explosiveness you hope for, he's big, skilled in the paint and a hard worker. At No. 28, that's all you can ask for. Vranes is a much bigger project, but one that may be hard to pass up since he's 7-foot-6. The team will also lose Steve Smith this summer, which means it'll need someone to help out Emanuel Ginobili. Howard would be a solid fit.
29. Dallas Mavericks
Malick Badiane
Power Forward | 6-11, 225 | Draft Player Card
Senegal
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Team Needs: Power Forward | Depth Chart
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No 2: Slavko Vranes, Serbia
Sleeper Pick: Jerome Beasley, North Dakota
The Skinny: Remember back when the Mavs convinced everyone that they were drafting Olumide Oyedeji with the No. 12 pick. Not only did they pass on him at No. 12 and again at No. 13, they passed on him at No. 31 too. Looking back at Oyedeji's career, you understand why. But the story is a cautionary tale about believing anything that comes out of Dallas. (Did Mark Cuban or Marc Stein write that Kidd-to-Dallas story?) All signs point to Badiane being the guy at No. 29. Their top scout is from Senegal. They've followed him for years and unlike Oyedeji, the kid just might be a steal at No. 29. It just all makes a little too much sense. They do need inside toughness. The other rumor has them in love with Vranes. I'm not sure why you need two 7-foot-6 guys, but you know Cuban. He has to have two of everything. One sleeper to watch is Beasley. He's not particularly tough in the paint, but his outside touch for a big man is superb (sound familiar) and a little more time in the weight room could be all that's missing from Beasley's repertoire..
Boris Diaw
Shooting Guard | 6-9, 225 | Draft Player Card
Junior | Georgia
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Team Needs: Point Guard, Power Forward | Depth Chart
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
No 2: Ndudi Ebi, HS Senior
Sleeper Pick: Leandrinho Barbosa, Brazil
The Skinny: No one has a clue who's pulling the string in Atlanta this year -- including the Hawks' own staff. They keep working away, waiting for the sale of the team to come through. When it does, many of them may be out of a job. So, depending on who you ask, you get a different answer on their favorites. Diaw makes the most sense for them. If the team plans on keeping Jason Terry, he's a good fit in the backcourt because of his ball handling ability. Ebi's name keeps coming up here as well. If you're not going to be around to develop the project anyway, why not take the kid with the most upside and put it on your resume down the road that you "discovered" him. Barbosa is another interesting choice. He's got the size to play in the backcourt with Terry. But how patient are the Hawks willing to be?
22. New Jersey Nets
Zoran Planinic
Point Guard | 6-7, 220 | Draft Player Card
Cibona | Croatia
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Team Needs: Back-up Point Guard, Shooting Guard | Depth Chart
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
No 2: It's Planinic folks
Sleeper Pick: Seriously, Zoran Planinic
The Skinny: There are very few truths in this year's draft, but Planinic to the Nets appears to be one of them. Insider first reported the story last week. Since then the NBA world has been nodding its head in agreement. The stars always seem to align for Rod Thorn. This year is no different. Planinic could be one of the steals of the draft. He's got great size, instinctual point guard skills and he's very mature, having played big minutes for a top Euroleague team. If Jason Kidd leaves, Planinic won't really soften the blow. But if he stays, he'll buy Kidd and Kerry Kittles some much needed rest during the game.
23. Portland Trail Blazers
Travis Outlaw
Power Forward | 6-9, 220 | Draft Player Card
Starkville High School | Mississippi
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Team Needs: Rap Sheet, Letter from Parole Officer | Depth Chart
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
No 2: Leandrinho Barbosa, Brazil
Sleeper Pick: David West, Xavier
The Skinny: The rumor is that high school power forward Travis Outlaw is the man here. I had him down, but then I got to thinking. If I'm Steve Patterson, and I'm trying to change the image of the "Jail Blazers," do I really draft a guy named Outlaw? The more I thought about it, the more it drove me to change the pick. However, upon learning that Bob Whitsitt would make this pick, I'm putting him back here. I don't believe the Blazers have changed their stripes at all and Outlaw, even without the name, is a typical Blazers pick. He's young, has tons of upside, plays the same position as someone else who's young and has tons of upside and can develop at a leisurely pace. If common sense takes hold, two other guys would be intriguing here. The Blazers were out in force at a Barbosa workout on Sunday. He reminds some of a young Gary Payton. He'd be a great fit if they're willing to wait a year or two. West is the nice guy. Unfortunately, in Portland, nice guys finish last.
24. Los Angeles Lakers
Zaur Pachulia
Power Forward | 6-11, 250 | Draft Player Card
Republic of Georgia
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Team Needs: Power Forward, Point Guard | Depth Chart
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
No 2: David West, Xavier
Sleeper Pick: Travis Hansen, BYU
The Skinny: The Lakers aren't going to get anyone to help them right away. So they might as well begin developing a project for down the road. Pachulia is a great fit. He has the potential to turn into a Vlade Divac-type player someday. Shaq won't be around forever, and with his frequent injuries the past few years, it's time to get a big man. If he's off the board, the Lakers probably play it safe. West is solid, rebounds and blocks shots. Hansen impressed them in workouts. His maturity and ball handling ability gives him a leg up on all of the other guards left on the board.
25. Detroit Pistons
Travis Hansen
Shooting Guard | 6-5½, 200 | Draft Player Card
Senior | BYU
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Team Needs: Power Forward, Shooting Guard | Depth Chart
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
No 2: Carlos Delfino, Argentina
Sleeper Pick: Leandrinho Barbosa, Brazil
The Skinny: The Pistons are going to lose Jon Barry this summer and need someone to step in right away and provide a solid outside presence from the bench. The Pistons have two equally good options. Hansen's athleticism, sweet stroke and maturity would make him a Larry Brown favorite. Delfino's size, toughness and big-game ability make him an intriguing pick. Delfino is probably underrated because of an ankle injury. Or the Pistons could shock everyone and grab Barbosa. He shouldn't have slipped this far and ultimately the Pistons fell the Chauncey Billups is better off playing the two.
26. Minnesota Timberwolves
Carlos Delfino
Shooting Guard | 6-7, 215 | Draft Player Card
Fortitudo Bologna | Argentina
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Team Needs: Point Guard, Shooting Guard | Depth Chart
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
No 2: Travis Hansen, BYU
Sleeper Pick: Carl English, Hawaii
The Skinny: The T-Wolves will lap up the Pistons' leftovers. They love Hansen and Delfino. In most scenarios one of these two guys will be available to them. They feel both players are a big upgrade over Anthony Peeler, who will finally be shown the door in Minnesota. If both are gone, they have a fondness for English. English is athletic, can swing to the one in a crunch and has a sweet outside shot. That's all great, but weren't the T-Wolves supposed to be bolder this year? Weren't they moving and shaking. The Terrell Brandon trade rumors continue to fly, but given the Wolves' past history with these things, we'll believe it when we see it.
27. Memphis Grizzlies (via Kings)
Leandrinho Barbosa
Point Guard | 6-4, 185 | Draft Player Card
Brazil
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Team Needs: Center, Shooting Guard | Depth Chart
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
No 2: Josh Howard, Wake Forest
Sleeper Pick: Dahntay Jones, Duke
The Skinny: Barbosa had a big-time workout in Memphis a few weeks back against Dwyane Wade. As one Grizz source tells it, Barbosa got his nose out of shape a bit over a few remarks Wade made about Barbosa not being that good. Barbosa's intensity in the workout blew away Wade, causing coach Hubie Brown to get up out of his seat and start grilling Wade. At first the Grizz thought Wade may have been tanking it a bit. But they went back to the tape and saw that Barbosa normally plays that way. In other words, they're unbelievably stoked if he slips this far. If Barbosa, Travis Hansen and Carlos Delfino are all off the board, Jones and Howard are the next guys on the list.
28. San Antonio Spurs
Kendrick Perkins
Power Forward | 6-11, 280 | Draft Player Card
Ozen High School | Texas
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Team Needs: Center, Shooting Guard | Depth Chart
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
No 2: Josh Howard, Wake Forest
Sleeper Pick: Slavko Vranes, Serbia
The Skinny: They have to replace David Robinson and Perkins has a big, big upside. While he lacks the athleticism and explosiveness you hope for, he's big, skilled in the paint and a hard worker. At No. 28, that's all you can ask for. Vranes is a much bigger project, but one that may be hard to pass up since he's 7-foot-6. The team will also lose Steve Smith this summer, which means it'll need someone to help out Emanuel Ginobili. Howard would be a solid fit.
29. Dallas Mavericks
Malick Badiane
Power Forward | 6-11, 225 | Draft Player Card
Senegal
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Team Needs: Power Forward | Depth Chart
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
No 2: Slavko Vranes, Serbia
Sleeper Pick: Jerome Beasley, North Dakota
The Skinny: Remember back when the Mavs convinced everyone that they were drafting Olumide Oyedeji with the No. 12 pick. Not only did they pass on him at No. 12 and again at No. 13, they passed on him at No. 31 too. Looking back at Oyedeji's career, you understand why. But the story is a cautionary tale about believing anything that comes out of Dallas. (Did Mark Cuban or Marc Stein write that Kidd-to-Dallas story?) All signs point to Badiane being the guy at No. 29. Their top scout is from Senegal. They've followed him for years and unlike Oyedeji, the kid just might be a steal at No. 29. It just all makes a little too much sense. They do need inside toughness. The other rumor has them in love with Vranes. I'm not sure why you need two 7-foot-6 guys, but you know Cuban. He has to have two of everything. One sleeper to watch is Beasley. He's not particularly tough in the paint, but his outside touch for a big man is superb (sound familiar) and a little more time in the weight room could be all that's missing from Beasley's repertoire..
