3) Atlanta Hawks: Yi Jianlian | F | China
Though this pick may be traded, Yi has the size, skills and athleticism to make him the third best prospect in the draft.  He is arguably more marketable than Kevin Durant and the financial reward for drafting him is the reason the Atlanta ownership group is pushing this pick.

Alternative: Al Horford

4) Memphis Grizzlies: Al Horford | PF | Florida
It’s no secret that Memphis wants Horford here as he has the strength, tenacity and skills to contribute right away.  Once Horford polishes up his offensive game, he will be a force in this league.

Alternative: Mike Conley

5) Boston Celtics: Corey Brewer | GF | Florida
This pick has been widely shopped but if Danny Ainge keeps the pick, Yi is the first name on Boston’s draft board followed by Brewer and Jeff Green.  If Paul Pierce is moved, this pick makes even more sense.

Alternative: Jeff Green

6) Milwaukee Bucks: Mike Conley | PG | Ohio State
Mo Williams is a good PG in his own right but Conley is arguably the third best prospect in this draft class and is the type of pass-first PG that makes an impact in the W column.  His ties with Michael Redd can’t hurt.

Alternative: Brandan Wright

7) Minnesota Timberwolves: Brandan Wright | PF | North Carolina
For a guy who is arguably the third best prospect in this class, this could turn out to be a steal and the TWolves will find it hard to pass him up if he’s still on the board at this stage, especially if Garnett is traded.

Alternative: Spencer Hawes

8) Charlotte Bobcats: Joakim Noah | FC | Florida
Talk is that this pick will be Phoenix’s but either way, Noah is a player that will fit both squads.  Noah’s relentless energy and versatility will make him an effective NBA player from the get go.

Alternative: Brandan Wright, Corey Brewer

9) Chicago Bulls: Spencer Hawes | C | Washington
Hawes has the low post scoring ability that Jim Paxson has been looking for since Eddy Curry left town and the potential to be a great player down the track.  Center is the only position where Chicago lacks youth and depth and this could push them to the finals.

Alternative: Joakim Noah

10) Sacramento Kings: Jeff Green | F | Georgetown
For a Sacramento team desperately needing some youth and most likely a complete makeover, Jeff Green brings the basketball IQ and unselfishness that made the Kings a great squad half a decade ago.

Alternative: Julian Wright, Thaddeus Young

11) Atlanta Hawks: Javaris Crittenton | PG | Georgia Tech
Again, even if this pick is moved, Crittenton has the most upside out of any player still available and should be the target of whoever is picking here.  Acie Law will also get some heavy consideration by Atlanta.

Alternative: Julian Wright, Acie Law 

12) Philadelphia 76ers: Julian Wright | F | Kansas
Wright fills a need at SF and PF whilst possessing the athletic ability to make an Andre Iguodala, Rodney Carney and Julian Wright fast break a sight more spectacular than a Michael Bay movie.

Alternative: Thaddeus Young, Al Thornton 

13) New Orleans Hornets: Nick Young | SG | Southern California
The wide-smiling, high-flying guard from USC could slide right in next to Chris Paul and his shooting ability will be welcomed by Byron Scott and the rest of New Orleans.

Alternative: Thaddeus Young 

14) Los Angeles Clippers: Acie Law | PG | Texas A&M
Shaun Livingston’s knee will probably never be the same again and Sam Cassell really needs a replacement.  There can’t be a much better replacement than the second coming of Sam I Am, right down to the midrange game and super-clutch ability.

Alternative: Javaris Crittenton, Nick Young 

15) Detroit Pistons: Rodney Stuckey | G | Eastern Washington
The rumors have had Stuckey going to Detroit for a long time now and it’s a pick that gives Chauncey and Rip a quality backup with the ability to take over for either one in a few year’s time.

Alternative: -

16) Washington Wizards: Jason Smith | FC | Colorado
Jason Smith could be the fourth dimension of the scoring power that is the Washington triumvirate.  His speed, agility, size and skills will make him a welcome addition.

Alternative: Al Thornton, Thaddeus Young

17) New Jersey Nets: Tiago Splitter | FC | Brazil
New Jersey wants to keep their trio intact and Splitter is a guy who will help in the defensive department in an attempt to get the aging Nets back into the conference finals.

Alternative: Thaddeus Young, Al Thornton, Josh McRoberts

18) Golden State Warriors: Thaddeus Young | SF | Georgia Tech
Young has the body, the athleticism and the shooting ability that will help him blend in with the rest of the Warriors.  It may take some time but Young has serious potential and has a great head on his shoulders.

Alternative: Josh McRoberts 

19) Los Angeles Lakers: Al Thornton | F | Florida State
His advanced age and rawness makes him a favorite to slide on Thursday night but his talent is probably too great for the Lakers to pass up with no guys on the board who can come in and make Kobe Bryant happy.

Alternative: Javaris Crittenton, Tiago Splitter 

20) Miami Heat: Gabe Pruitt | PG | Southern California
The talk is that Pruitt is the PG that the Heat having been looking for and his scoring ability could compliment Dwyane Wade who will be handling the ball the majority of the time regardless.

Alternative: Javaris Crittenton 

21) Philadelphia 76ers: Josh McRoberts | PF | Duke
McRobert’s isn’t a prime-time performer and has no low post moves but he passes like a PG, plays hard and has a pretty impressive skillset for a guy who stands 6’10.  Philadelphia may be trying to package their picks and move up the order.

Alternative: Sean Williams

22) Charlotte Bobcats: Morris Almond | SG | Rice
Almond is probably the second best true shooting guard available after Nick Young and the Bobcats will probably be quite happy to add to their depth on the perimeter after Adam Morrison proved he still has a long way to go.

Alternative: Rudy Fernandez

23) New York Knicks: Daequan Cook | SG | Ohio State
Cook is talented enough to join his AAU and OSU buddies Greg and Mike in the lottery but his freshman campaign didn’t go as planned.  New York are picking for potential and Daequan Cook certainly has some of that.

Alternative: Sean Williams

24) Phoenix Suns: Wilson Chandler | F | DePaul
The long-talked rumor was that Chandler’s promise came from New York but it seems like that the promise actually came from Phoenix.  Chandler has the potential to be one of best two or three SFs from this class which is no mean feat.

Alternative: Marco Belinelli, Rudy Fernandez

25) Houston Rockets: Rudy Fernandez | SG | Spain
The Rockets could really do with a guy like Sean Williams but after Eddie Griffin’s stint as a Rocket, it’s unlikely they’ll be willing to take on a guy with as much baggage as the former Eagle.  Rudy Fernandez helps bolster the perimeter which is especially important given Tracy McGrady’s health troubles.

Alternative: Sean Williams, Marco Belinelli, Petteri Koponen

26) Utah Jazz: Marco Belinelli | SG | Italy
CJ Miles seems to be coming along but Belinelli’s athleticism and shooting ability will definitely be welcomed too.  Shooting guard is also the area the Jazz are probably most lacking at and the Italian addresses that issue.

Alternative: Rudy Fernandez, Derrick Byars, Sean Williams

27) Detroit Pistons: Krylo Fasenko | C | Ukraine
The Pistons liked him last year and they probably still like him this year.  The Darko experiment didn’t turn out the way Joe Dumars planned but Fasenko is a guy they could play next to Amir Johnson down the track.

Alternative: Aaron Gray, Sean Williams

28) San Antonio Spurs: Derrick Byars | GF | Vanderbilt
The Spurs probably wouldn’t mind an infusion of youth behind Bruce Bowen, Michael Finley and Manu Ginobili.  Byars and step in and play a part in the Spurs’ quest for their fifth ring since 1999.

Alternative: Aaron Gray, Marco Bellnelli

29) Phoenix Suns: Petteri Koponen | PG | Finland
Steve Nash will need a replacement in several years and who better than Koponen, an international PG with pretty good size and a nice skillset to work with.  The Fin held his own against Derrick Rose and OJ Mayo just months ago, two guys who will in all likelihood be top three picks this time next year.

Alternative: Taurean Green, Ramon Sessions

30) Philadelphia 76ers: Sean Williams | FC | Boston College
At this stage of the first round, Sean Williams’ potential reward heavily outweighs the risk.  Taurean Green could be an option here to give the 76ers a backup behind Andre Miller.

Alternative: Aaron Gray, Taurean Green, Glen Davis

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Written by The.Game

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