14. Seattle SuperSonics
Marcus Banks
Point Guard | 6-2, 200 | Draft Player Card
Senior | UNLV
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Andy Katz's Pick: The word is Banks, the UNLV senior point guard, is moving up. He was originally talked about at No. 16 or 20 to Boston. But Banks is being discussed as a possible selection at No. 14. The Sonics are a bit scared of Leandrinho Barbosa, because of his inability to speak English well. The Sonics might have a hard time skipping over Ridnour, but Banks is the better athlete.
Chad Ford's Take: He's the hottest name in the draft right now. But is the hype getting out of control? First Phoenix loved him. Then Boston. Now Seattle? Banks reminds some of a poor man's Baron Davis. He can get to the basket at will, but his lack of size and floor-general skills have some wondering what all the hype is about. I think they'd be better off taking a flyer on Barbosa, whose size and athleticism make him stand out. He's a bigger project than Banks, but the Sonics can afford to groom him for a year.
15. Orlando Magic
Reece Gaines
Point Guard | 6-6, 205 | Draft Player Card
Senior | Louisville
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chad Ford's Pick: We've had Gaines pegged to Orlando for the past two months and see no reason to change now. His ability to play the one and the two, his size and athleticism and that smooth outside jumper should earn him some minutes in Orlando during year one.
Andy Katz's Take: This one seems to be more of a lock than any other pick outside of the top three. The Magic scouted Gaines extensively while he was working out in Florida after the season ended. Gaines is an active guard who can play the point after handling the ball on numerous occasions last season. Gaines could help the Magic forget about a few of their recent blunders in the first round (Curtis Borchardt and Jeryl Sasser).
16. Boston Celtics
Sofaklis Schortsianides
Center | 6-10, 287 | Draft Player Card
Greece
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Andy Katz's Pick: The easy thing to say here is that Schortsanitis is going too high. Well, the Celtics like him and are looking to go big with one of their two picks. Schortsanitis wouldn't have stayed in the draft if he weren't getting a decent guarantee. Boston fills the void. Schortsanitis can board and is still a work in progress. If he is in shape, he could eventually be a contributor next season.
Chad Ford's Take: Schortsanitis and Banks are the two guys at the top of the Celtics' list right now. Banks would be their choice if he was still on the board. If he's not, and Luke Ridnour's available, I'm not sure they could pass on the Pac-10's POY. This is awfully far for someone like Ridnour to slip. He's an excellent shooter, puts his teammates first, and his flashy style would be popular in Boston. I don't disagree with the "Baby Shaq" pick, I just think it's more likely he goes to them at No. 20.
17. Phoenix Suns
Zarko Cabarkapa
Power Forward | 7-0, 235 | Draft Player Card
Serbia/Montenegro
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chad Ford's Pick: The rumor has been flying around for weeks that Cabarkapa is the Suns' guy. Apparently everyone in the West feels like they need a Nowitizki-type player, and the Suns have Cabarkapa pegged as that guy. Cabarkapa is a fine shooter, has a great handle and is pretty mature at age 22. Nice player who can fit several roles.
Andy Katz's Take: The Suns are linked to a promise for Cabarkapa. This pick shouldn't be a total surprise. The Suns aren't expecting to get a major player, let alone a definite role player, for next season. Phoenix could really take its time working Cabarkapa into a major contributor for next season. Phoenix could also opt for high school seniors Ndudi Ebi or Travis Outlaw ... or Brian Cook and Luke Ridnour, who also are still on the board.
18. New Orleans Hornets
Luke Ridnour
Point Guard | 6-2, 175 | Draft Player Card
Junior | Oregon
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Andy Katz's Pick: Ridnour doesn't make a lot of sense here with Baron Davis fully entrenched. But Ridnour can't slip too far. He's too good. The Hornets could trade this pick. If they absolutely want no part of Ridnour, they could still go after Jarvis Hayes, a steal in this draft so far. Carlos Delfino would make sense, but the Hornets aren't big on the international scene. Brian Cook, Josh Howard and David West are all possibilities.
Chad Ford's Take: I don't see Ridnour slipping this far. If he does, I still don't think the Hornets take him. They'll need to replace P.J. Brown, and it will be tough to pass on Illinois' Cook here. Cook has worked out well wherever he's gone, and his stock is on the rise. By draft night, Cook might not be available this low. But right now, I don't see the Hornets passing on him.
19. Utah Jazz
Brian Cook
Power Forward | 6-10, 240 | Draft Player Card
Senior | Illinois
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chad Ford's Pick: Utah has to start thinking about a long-term replacement for Karl Malone. Cook worked out well in Utah, and the team believes he's gotten a bad rap. On talent, Cook's the best player left on the board. There's a good chance Cook is gone by this pick, though. They also like Pavlovic (likely gone), Boris Diaw, Carlos Delfino and Josh Howard. Jarvis Hayes would also be tough to pass up if he slips this far.
Andy Katz's Take: Cook wasn't in the first round in our second mock draft. But it's hard to keep him out of this one. He has played well in his workouts, according to various sources. Cook has the potential to flourish in Utah. He's not going to replace Karl Malone, but he certainly gives the Jazz a different look. Having a power forward shoot 3s on a regular basis could give Cook a specialty label.
20. Boston Celtics
Maurice Williams
Point Guard | 6-1, 185 | Draft Player Card
Sophomore | Alabama
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Andy Katz's Pick: Williams doesn't deserve to be this high. But this prediction is based on conversations with those who are close to the Celtics' situation. Williams hasn't wowed any scouts during workouts, but teams have long memories. He's a smart, and savvy, point guard who made better decisions last season. He doesn't have a guarantee. The Celtics could still grab Barbosa or Troy Bell with this pick. But the word is they could go with Williams.
Chad Ford's Take: Huh?
Marcus Banks
Point Guard | 6-2, 200 | Draft Player Card
Senior | UNLV
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Andy Katz's Pick: The word is Banks, the UNLV senior point guard, is moving up. He was originally talked about at No. 16 or 20 to Boston. But Banks is being discussed as a possible selection at No. 14. The Sonics are a bit scared of Leandrinho Barbosa, because of his inability to speak English well. The Sonics might have a hard time skipping over Ridnour, but Banks is the better athlete.
Chad Ford's Take: He's the hottest name in the draft right now. But is the hype getting out of control? First Phoenix loved him. Then Boston. Now Seattle? Banks reminds some of a poor man's Baron Davis. He can get to the basket at will, but his lack of size and floor-general skills have some wondering what all the hype is about. I think they'd be better off taking a flyer on Barbosa, whose size and athleticism make him stand out. He's a bigger project than Banks, but the Sonics can afford to groom him for a year.
15. Orlando Magic
Reece Gaines
Point Guard | 6-6, 205 | Draft Player Card
Senior | Louisville
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chad Ford's Pick: We've had Gaines pegged to Orlando for the past two months and see no reason to change now. His ability to play the one and the two, his size and athleticism and that smooth outside jumper should earn him some minutes in Orlando during year one.
Andy Katz's Take: This one seems to be more of a lock than any other pick outside of the top three. The Magic scouted Gaines extensively while he was working out in Florida after the season ended. Gaines is an active guard who can play the point after handling the ball on numerous occasions last season. Gaines could help the Magic forget about a few of their recent blunders in the first round (Curtis Borchardt and Jeryl Sasser).
16. Boston Celtics
Sofaklis Schortsianides
Center | 6-10, 287 | Draft Player Card
Greece
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Andy Katz's Pick: The easy thing to say here is that Schortsanitis is going too high. Well, the Celtics like him and are looking to go big with one of their two picks. Schortsanitis wouldn't have stayed in the draft if he weren't getting a decent guarantee. Boston fills the void. Schortsanitis can board and is still a work in progress. If he is in shape, he could eventually be a contributor next season.
Chad Ford's Take: Schortsanitis and Banks are the two guys at the top of the Celtics' list right now. Banks would be their choice if he was still on the board. If he's not, and Luke Ridnour's available, I'm not sure they could pass on the Pac-10's POY. This is awfully far for someone like Ridnour to slip. He's an excellent shooter, puts his teammates first, and his flashy style would be popular in Boston. I don't disagree with the "Baby Shaq" pick, I just think it's more likely he goes to them at No. 20.
17. Phoenix Suns
Zarko Cabarkapa
Power Forward | 7-0, 235 | Draft Player Card
Serbia/Montenegro
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chad Ford's Pick: The rumor has been flying around for weeks that Cabarkapa is the Suns' guy. Apparently everyone in the West feels like they need a Nowitizki-type player, and the Suns have Cabarkapa pegged as that guy. Cabarkapa is a fine shooter, has a great handle and is pretty mature at age 22. Nice player who can fit several roles.
Andy Katz's Take: The Suns are linked to a promise for Cabarkapa. This pick shouldn't be a total surprise. The Suns aren't expecting to get a major player, let alone a definite role player, for next season. Phoenix could really take its time working Cabarkapa into a major contributor for next season. Phoenix could also opt for high school seniors Ndudi Ebi or Travis Outlaw ... or Brian Cook and Luke Ridnour, who also are still on the board.
18. New Orleans Hornets
Luke Ridnour
Point Guard | 6-2, 175 | Draft Player Card
Junior | Oregon
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Andy Katz's Pick: Ridnour doesn't make a lot of sense here with Baron Davis fully entrenched. But Ridnour can't slip too far. He's too good. The Hornets could trade this pick. If they absolutely want no part of Ridnour, they could still go after Jarvis Hayes, a steal in this draft so far. Carlos Delfino would make sense, but the Hornets aren't big on the international scene. Brian Cook, Josh Howard and David West are all possibilities.
Chad Ford's Take: I don't see Ridnour slipping this far. If he does, I still don't think the Hornets take him. They'll need to replace P.J. Brown, and it will be tough to pass on Illinois' Cook here. Cook has worked out well wherever he's gone, and his stock is on the rise. By draft night, Cook might not be available this low. But right now, I don't see the Hornets passing on him.
19. Utah Jazz
Brian Cook
Power Forward | 6-10, 240 | Draft Player Card
Senior | Illinois
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chad Ford's Pick: Utah has to start thinking about a long-term replacement for Karl Malone. Cook worked out well in Utah, and the team believes he's gotten a bad rap. On talent, Cook's the best player left on the board. There's a good chance Cook is gone by this pick, though. They also like Pavlovic (likely gone), Boris Diaw, Carlos Delfino and Josh Howard. Jarvis Hayes would also be tough to pass up if he slips this far.
Andy Katz's Take: Cook wasn't in the first round in our second mock draft. But it's hard to keep him out of this one. He has played well in his workouts, according to various sources. Cook has the potential to flourish in Utah. He's not going to replace Karl Malone, but he certainly gives the Jazz a different look. Having a power forward shoot 3s on a regular basis could give Cook a specialty label.
20. Boston Celtics
Maurice Williams
Point Guard | 6-1, 185 | Draft Player Card
Sophomore | Alabama
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Andy Katz's Pick: Williams doesn't deserve to be this high. But this prediction is based on conversations with those who are close to the Celtics' situation. Williams hasn't wowed any scouts during workouts, but teams have long memories. He's a smart, and savvy, point guard who made better decisions last season. He doesn't have a guarantee. The Celtics could still grab Barbosa or Troy Bell with this pick. But the word is they could go with Williams.
Chad Ford's Take: Huh?
