by Guichard Cadet
In the preview article for the 2007 NBA Draft, I made some predictions and suggestions. This draft went pretty much the way most analysts called it, but the trades threw off enough people’s predictions.
I called 3 of the trades (Ray Allen, Zack Randolph and Jason Richardson); and 10 of the 14 players selected with lottery picks. Corey Brewer was my biggest miss.
Format:
Team
Drafted Players; (current NBA players traded to, listed in parenthesis)
Review
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Portland Trail Blazers
Greg Oden, Rudy Fernandez, Josh McRoberts, Taurean Green -- (Steve Francis, Channing Frye)
Very good draft. They traded Zach Randolph. Do they now make the next move for a veteran Small Forward? Possible: Raef LaFrentz & Martell Webster for Gerald Wallace.
Seattle SuperSonics
Kevin Durant, Jeff Green, Carl Landry -- (Wally Szczerbiak, Delonte West)
Excellent draft and good move on trading Ray Allen and acquiring Jeff Green. Not sure why a coach has not been hired; it sends a "red flag" of a front office seeking total control.
Atlanta Hawks
Al Horford, Acie Law IV
Solid and Safe.
Memphis Grizzlies
Mike Conley Jr.
Good pick. Signals a trade is on the horizon. Possible: Damon Stoudamire packaged with Pau Gasol.
Boston Celtics
Gabe Pruitt, Glen Davis -- (Ray Allen)
Celtics went the opposite direction, trade-wise. A solid pickup in Ray Allen to add another proven scorer. If Glen Davis pans out, people will forgive trading the #5 pick (Jeff Green).
Milwaukee Bucks
Yi Jianlian, Ramon Sessions
No Comment. Are the Bucks holding Yi hostage, using his marketing potential to land (trade for) an established player?
Minnesota Timberwolves
Corey Brewer, Chris Richard
Solid Draft. Still not sure why they didn’t try for Ray Allen or all-star level talent. Call the Nets and offer ANYTHING / EVERYTHING for Jason Kidd.
Charlotte Bobcats
Jared Dudley, Jermareo Davidson -- (Jason Richardson)
Great pickup in getting Jason Richardson. Jared Dudley fills a need if they do not re-sign Gerald Wallace.
Chicago
Joakim Noah, Aaron Gray, JamesOn Curry
Noah was on the board so they had to take him over Spencer Hawes. Then filled a need of low-post scorer with Aaron Gray, who is a question mark as far as athleticism.
Sacramento Kings
Spencer Hawes
Solid pick.
Philadelphia 76ers
Thaddeus Young, Jason Smith, Petteri Koponen, Derrick Byars, Herbert Hill
Excellent draft – gives the team plenty of options and strengthens Philly’s bench.
New Orleans Hornets
Julian Wright, Adam Haluska
Julian Wright is a good pick. Now it is a question of fit.
Los Angeles Clippers
Al Thornton, Jared Jordan
Solid picks at positions of need.
Detroit Pistons
Rodney Stuckey, Arron Afflalo, Sammy Mejia
Excellent draft – solidifying their depth at guard, which proved troublesome late in the playoffs.
Washington Wizards
Nick Young, Dominic McGuire
Excellent draft. The Wizards need to make a trade for defensive identity.
New Jersey Nets
Sean Williams
Solid pick. Not sure on their goal heading into the Free Agency period, especially with word of Vince Carter’s new deal. Possible: a trade for Gasol, but that would hurt their salary cap for at least 4 years.
Golden State Warriors
Brandan Wright, Marco Belinelli, Stephane Lasme
Excellent draft. Cleared cap space and added more youth as options in a trade for an all-star level talent.
Los Angeles Lakers
Javaris Crittenton, Sun Yue, Marc Gasol
Javaris Crittenton is a solid pick but why a Point Guard after picking Farmar in last year’s draft? Perhaps they drafted Marc Gasol to catch Pau Gasol’s attention.
Miami Heat
Daequan Cook
Solid pick.
New York Knicks
Wilson Chandler, Demetris Nichols -- (Zach Randolph, Fred Jones, Dan Dickau)
Excellent draft. It is unfortunate the Knicks had to trade Channing Frye to get rid of Stevie Francis. But, they acquired Zach Randolph and two expiring contracts. New York needs be wary when trading the contracts expiring this and next year, so those contracts do not turn around, to eventually help a rival team land a superstar player.
Phoenix Suns
Alando Tucker, D. J. Strawberry
Both players help upgrade their perimeter defense.
Utah Jazz
Morris Almond, Kyrylo Fesenko
Morris Almond’s shooting fills a definite need.
Houston Rockets
Aaron Brooks, Brad Newley
Arron Brooks is a solid pick but not for the Rockets who needed a PF with offensive skills.
San Antonio Spurs
Tiago Splitter, Marcus Williams
Solid picks.
Dallas Mavericks
Nick Fazekas, Reyshawn Terry, Renaldas Seibutis
Nick Fazekas will help them a lot, providing depth bench and an offensive punch.
Orlando Magic
Milovan Rakovic
No information.
Indiana
Stanko Barac
No information.
Toronto
Giorgos Printezis
No information.
