FanHouse CrystalBallin

Crystal Ballin' takes a team-by-team look at what should, could, and probably will happen in the June 28th NBA Draft.

The Magic traded away their first-round pick (No. 15) in the package that netted them Darko Milicic and Carlos Arroyo midway through the 2005-06 season. Was it worth it? Perhaps if they re-sign Darko, but even then it's questionable. Nevertheless, the Magic enter the draft with two second rounders (No. 44 and 54), so they'll be happy if they find someone who makes their roster, let alone cracks their rotation.

Needs: Consistent scoring from the wing, a legitimate starting point guard (sorry, Jameer Nelson), and if Darko leaves, a big man to play next to Dwight Howard. In other words, more than a pair of second-round picks will solve.

Best-Case Scenario: For the Magic to get someone capable of making an immediate impact, they'll likely need to package their picks and another player in a trade to move up. Otherwise, a guy like Nick Fazekas just might fall to them at No. 44 (unlikely, but possible). At 6-11, he has great size for the power forward spot to help out on the boards, and his offensive game is refined just enough to prevent the defense from always collapsing on Howard.

Crystal Ballin' takes a team-by-team look at what should, could, and probably will happen in the June 28th NBA Draft.

Needs: The Suns need to strengthen their bench so they can play more than seven people on a nightly basis. Oh, and it would be nice to get some players that are familiar with that "leaving the bench rule."

Best Case Scenario: Phoenix is taking a serious look at trying to move up in this year's draft. Need some proof? Check out the fact that they are working out Joakim Noah, Corey Brewer, and Jeff Green today, all of whom are slated to go in the top 10. The best of the group for the Suns might be Noah, but they'd probably have to get Milwaukee's pick at 6 to guarantee themselves a shot at him.

More Likely Scenario: It's looking more and more like the Suns will somehow improve their position in the draft. In case they don't, here's what they're looking at with their 24th and 29th picks: international players. Phoenix doesn't see any immediate help for their team this deep in the draft, so they'll focus on players like Tiago Splitter and Petteri Koponen who can develop their game out of the country and off of their roster.

Crystal Ballin' takes a team-by-team look at what should, could, and probably will happen in the June 28th NBA Draft.

Needs: A starting shooting guard or backup small forward.

Best Case Scenario: The Jazz have the 25th overall pick, so it'll be tough for a true impact player to fall all the way into their lap -- certainly if they're looking for a starter to challenge Ronnie Brewer for the starting shooting guard spot next year. But there should still be plenty of talented swingmen that can add depth, and perhaps even start at small forward down the road if/when the team ever find a taker for Andrei Kirilenko. Of the players who just might still be available, Derrick Byars would be a very solid pickup.

More Likely Scenario: Morris Almond wouldn't be a bad selection here. The guy can score from all over the court, plus he has respectable size (6-6) for the shooting guard position, something that was missing when the Jazz went with an all-point-guard backup of Deron Williams (6-3) and Derek Fisher (6-1) last year.

Crystal Ballin' takes a team-by-team look at what should, could, and probably will happen in the June 28th NBA Draft.

Needs: A low post scoring presence, or some depth at point guard. Well, that and a pair of testicles. The way Dallas was bullied out of the playoffs by the Warriors, some toughness wouldn't hurt either.

Best Case Scenario: The Mavericks don't have a first round pick, but they do have three in the second. Best case for Dallas would involve making a move into the first round, otherwise they can sit tight with their three picks and hope that someone they take at 34, 50, or 60 can actually contribute.

More Likely Scenario: Picking up someone like Nick Fazekas, who might be the best available at 34. Doesn't help their toughness, but another tall guy that can rain threes wouldn't hurt I guess.

Please Don't Take: Marc Gasol. Yeah he's Pau's brother, but that's where the similarities end. He probably won't be there at 34, but just in case, here's a quick synopsis of his game: the guy has been known to play below the rim (not good for a seven-footer), and has been accused of being a below average athlete. Dallas already has one of those types, don't they? His name's Erick Dampier.

Second-Round Possibilities: With three picks, the possibilities are really limited only by your imagination. Alright, maybe I'm looking for a silver lining here. But honestly, Dallas was one of the top teams in the league in 2006, so I'm skeptical that they can get much help this late in the draft.

Crystal Ballin' takes a team-by-team look at what should, could, and probably will happen in the June 28th NBA Draft.

Needs: How about drafting someone that might actually play this season? The Wizards could use help in a variety of places: Scoring at the four or five spots to get an upgrade over Brendan Haywood and Etan Thomas, more consistency at the two than DeShawn Stevenson provides, and someone, *anyone* that can play some defense.

Best Case Scenario: That Al Thornton is still available at 16. He can score and defend, his athleticism is off the charts, and after four years in the ACC, he appears ready to contribute immeiately. If you read all of the 72 mock drafts that are out there, and take bits and pieces from each one, you can almost convince yourself that this might actually happen.

More Likely Scenario: Sean Williams or Jason Smith. With most of the athletic scorers likely gone, expect the Wizards to go for a big man here, and one of these two should still be around.

Please Don't Take: Rudy Fernandez, because you probably can't sign him.

Second-Round Possibilities: D.J. Strawberry, who worked out for the Wizards recently and considers himself to be a "Bruce Bowen or Raja Bell" type of player. Adding a player that wants to play defense, especially at the NBA level, would be a great pickup in the second round.

Crystal Ballin' takes a team-by-team look at what should, could, and probably will happen in the June 28th NBA Draft.

Needs: A scoring big man. This is a jump shooting team, and having a legitimate threat in the paint would go a long way toward helping space the defense.

Best Case Scenario: Yi Jianlian. Although he has the size (7-0) the Bulls are looking for, he's not strictly an interior player. Even so, his ceiling is too high to pass up, and the Bulls would love to see him fall into their laps. Alternatively, Joakim Noah would be a nice surprise. His skill-set is definitely a bit similar to Ben Wallace's as primarily an energy guy blocking shots and chasing down rebounds, but he can do a bit more with the ball in his hands.

More Likely Scenario: Spencer Hawes. For a guy who stands seven-feet tall, he faces a surprising number of questions about his rebounding and toughness. But he'll have some help in that regard with Wallace. Down the road, you'd like to see Hawes fill out a bit, but all he'd really need to focus on as a rookie is his scoring around the basket.

Crystal Ballin' takes a team-by-team look at what should, could, and probably will happen in the June 28th NBA Draft.

The Bucks had their season derailed by a series of injuries to their key players. If they stay healthy this season and can get some help from the draft, they could easily return to the playoffs in the weakness that is the Eastern Conference.

Needs: Point guard or depth at the forward spots.

Best Case Scenario: Mike Conley. He's the best point guard in this year's draft, and with Mo Williams being a free agent and Chauncey Billups being a long shot, Conley could provide immediate production at the position.

More Likely Scenario: If Conley is already gone, it's looking like the Bucks will add some front line help with Brandan Wright. They were impressed with his workout, which may or may not have been against a chair or two.

Please Don't Take: Joakim Noah. No reason, I just can't stand that guy.

Second-Round Possibilities: At the 56th overall pick, probably someone from out of the country who won't be on the roster when the season begins.

Crystal Ballin' takes a team-by-team look at what should, could, and probably will happen in the June 28th NBA Draft.

Lots of folks like Milwaukee as a sleeper in the East, but my pick is the Bobcats (again). If they can add a legit scorer to join an already-strong frontcourt, I don't see why Charlotte can't make a run at the playoffs.

Needs: A prolific scorer. Defensive help.

Best case scenario: Corey Brewer slips through the cracks? Not happening. Since the Bobcats will lose their best player (Gerald Wallace) and their best shooter (Matt Carroll) to free agency, I think offense is the pick at No. 8, and Nick Young is the guy. The USC shooting guard hit 52 percent from the field, and 44 percent from three - astonishing numbers for a shooting guard on a pretty balanced team. With the 22nd pick, if BC's Sean Williams, Duke's Josh McRoberts, or Colorado State's Jason Smith are around, one of those three is the pick. I really like McRoberts when he's paired with a good center. He's got good range and might be the best passing big man in the draft.

More likely scenario: From all that I've read, Charlotte seems enamored with Joakim Noah. It's crazy if you ask me - Emeka Okafor and Sean May are a very good tandem inside when healthy. If you want to play Noah and Okafor at the same time, where will the offense come from? There aren't going to be instant-offense guys around in the early 20s, thus the logic behind grabbing Young early.
Please don't draft: Yi Jianlian, because he's a project who isn't ready to contribute. Will you get mad if I add Noah to the list? Too bad. Just did.

Second round possibilities: No pick.

Crystal Ballin' takes a team-by-team look at what should, could, and probably will happen in the June 28th NBA Draft.

A team on the verge. Between the top pick in the draft and four second-round selections, the Blazers should be able to fill the roster with enough talent to reach 35-40 wins next year, and target the playoffs the following year.

Needs: A scorer at small forward to complement Rookie of the Year Brandon Roy. A point guard.

Best case scenario: It's already happened, but to play along ... Atlanta offers a couple bad contracts and the No. 3 pick for Zach Randolph. Portland takes Greg Oden first, then Mike Conley third. LaMarcus Aldridge slides to power forward to replace Randolph, and your new backcourt is Conley and Brandon Roy.

More likely scenario: Portland doesn't get a legit offer for Randolph, and is stuck with three very good players for only two spots. Not bad. But it also makes one wonder ... could you fault Portland for taking Durant first, keeping Aldridge to play center, and have Z-Bo at power forward?

Please don't take: Anybody other than Oden or Durant with the first pick.

Second round possibilities: With four picks in the second round (37, 42, 52, 53), the Blazers are in outstanding shape. They can take a chance on two Euros would pan out down the road (a strategy the Spurs have employed with much success) and a point guard and a small forward. How about a gamble on Finnish point guard Petteri Koponen? Or Bosnian center Stanko Barac? Two guys the Blazers could gamble on in the 50s might include Fullerton point guard Bobby Brown and I've always like Villanova forward Curtis Sumpter, despite his many injury issues.

Crystal Ballin' takes a team-by-team look at what should, could, and probably will happen in the June 28th NBA Draft.

Watch out: Billy King is one confident dude after that Allen Iverson trade and Chris Webber buy-out. This GMing stuff, it ain't so hard after all. Sixers fans, prepare the bomb shelter. A cocksure Billy King with three first-rounders and the freedom to get in the trading game? DANGER.

Needs: Power forward has been a weak position for Philly since... 1992? With Andre Miller looking like a hot commodity, some help at point guard would also be in the cards (if a sane man were running the team).

Best Case Scenario: Jeff Green would be a glorious fit, in my opinion. Andre Iguodala would still act as the primary scorer, but adding Green's playmaking ability with Miller's court vision could make something out of Samuel Dalembert and company. Thaddeus Young at #21 would be a great choice if available. Down at pick #30, the Sixers could do worse than Nick Fazekas or Petteri Koponen.

More Likely Scenario: Josh McRoberts. (Sorry, Philadelphia.) After looking at the board repeatedly for two weeks straight, I'm almost sure either Green or Julian Wright will still be on the board here at #12. King almost has to take either one if they're there, right? (McRoberts will get picked at #21 if he's there, though.)