1. ORLANDO MAGIC
Dwight Howard
SW ATLANTA CHRISTIAN H.S. | FORWARD
HEIGHT: 6-10? | WEIGHT: 240 | AGE: 18
Insider scouting report
Not a big surprise. This is what we've been hearing for the past 48 hours. Why
Howard over Okafor? Two things stand out. One, now that the Magic are pretty
certain that they are trading T-Mac, they want to start rebuilding. Many teams
think that Howard has the most upside in the draft and can become a franchise
player down the road. Fewer people believe that about Okafor. Two, the back i
ssue, however minor it was, spooked the Magic. After going through the Grant H
ill fiasco, they couldn't afford to have their building block come up lame. St
ill, I believe the Magic should've taken Okafor. I think Howard has all the sk
ills to be a great player, but does he have the heart?

2. CHARLOTTE BOBCATS
Emeka Okafor
CONNECTICUT | JUNIOR | FORWARD
HEIGHT: 6-10 | WEIGHT: 257 | AGE: 21
Insider scouting report
Dropping to No. 2 isn't the worst thing in the world for Okafor. I actually be
lieve he'll be a better fit in Charlotte. Bernie Bickerstaff loves old-school
players like Okafor. He'll appreciate all the ways that Okafor comes out and c
ontributes to the game. While being the No. 1 pick is prestigious, being the f
irst player of an expansion team is also important. The bottom line is that Bi
ckerstaff wanted Okafor more than any player in the draft. He's going to build
a team around him that complements his style of play. I think that Okafor wil
l blossom here. The Bobcats did the right thing by moving up in the draft to g
et him.

3. CHICAGO BULLS
Ben Gordon
CONNECTICUT | JUNIOR | GUARD
HEIGHT: 6-2? | WEIGHT: 192 | AGE: 21
Insider scouting report
Gordon is an interesting choice. He's the most ready of any of the players lef
t on the board. That means a lot for GM John Paxson. He's sick of potential an
d rebuilding. He has enough of that in Eddy Curry and Tyson Chandler. I'm not
sure if Kirk Hinrich and Gordon are a good fit in the backcourt however. I wou
ldn't be surprised if the Bulls end up moving the pick.

4. LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS
Shaun Livingston
PEORIA H.S. (ILL.) | GUARD
HEIGHT: 6-7? | WEIGHT: 186 | AGE: 18
Insider scouting report
The Clippers had to take Livingston. He was the best player on the board. I kn
ow Mike Dunleavy would've preferred to have taken a more experienced point gua
rd like Devin Harris. But in five years, Livingston could be the best player i
n this draft. The Clippers always seem like they're waiting on something. Howe
ver, Livingston is worth waiting on.

5. DALLAS MAVERICKS
Devin Harris
WISCONSIN | JUNIOR | GUARD
HEIGHT: 6-3 | WEIGHT: 170 | AGE: 20
Insider scouting report
That's a very interesting decision. I'm not sure exactly what it means. David
Aldridge is reporting that Harris will stay in Dallas. The Mavs are talking to
almost every team in the league and the guy they appeared to want was Pavel P
odkolzine. Does this mean that Steve Nash's isn't coming back to Big D?

6. ATLANTA HAWKS
Josh Childress
STANFORD | JUNIOR | FORWARD
HEIGHT: 6-7? | WEIGHT: 196 | AGE: 20
Insider scouting report
We began hearing that Childress was the Hawks' guy late last night. They had h
im ranked on the board ahead of Andre Iguodala and Luol Deng. The Hawks love h
is versatility, his length and his experience. Like the Bobcats, the Hawks don
't want to start rebuilding with high school guys.

7. CHICAGO BULLS
Luol Deng
DUKE | FRESHMAN | FORWARD
HEIGHT: 6-8 | WEIGHT: 220 | AGE: 19
Insider scouting report
A week ago, the fact that the Bulls were selecting Luol Deng would've surprise
d no one. However, over the past week we thought they preferred Andre Iguodala
and Luke Jackson. Unless the Bulls are moving this pick, that's obviously not
true. Deng got a bad rep in workouts for being unathletic. I don't think that
's fair. He's not a super athlete, but he's not a bad one either. If the Bulls
keep the two picks, they did pretty well for themselves.

8. TORONTO RAPTORS
Rafael Araujo
BYU | SENIOR | CENTER
HEIGHT: 6-11 | WEIGHT: 280 | AGE: 23
Insider scouting report
This is the first real surprise of the draft, though, if you look at it, it ma
kes sense for the Raptors. The need a center in the worst, worst way. Chris Bo
sh is much more comfortable playing the four. Araujo is the only other big guy
in the draft, other than Okafor, who is ready to play right now. He's strong,
aggressive and isn't afraid to beat up people. He'll be a nice addition in To
ronto, though he doesn't have the upside many of the other people on the board
did.

9. PHILADELPHIA 76ERS
Andre Iguodala
ARIZONA | SOPHOMORE | GUARD
HEIGHT: 6-6? | WEIGHT: 217 | AGE: 19
Insider scouting report
The Sixers are very happy to end up with Iguodala. After Luol Deng, Iguodala w
as the second-highest swingman on their board. The great thing about Iguodala
is that he doesn't need to shoot 20 times a night to be effective. That's impo
rtant to any team that has Allen Iverson on it. I think Iguodala is a steal he
re. We had him ranked No. 4 on our big board.

10. CLEVELAND CAVALIERS
Luke Jackson
OREGON | SENIOR | GUARD
HEIGHT: 6-7 | WEIGHT: 212 | AGE: 22
Insider scouting report
We've heard for weeks that the Cavs love Jackson. When they traded for Sasha P
avlovic on Tuesday, however, we thought that they may go in a different direct
ion. Jackson is athletic, he can shoot it and will be a good fit with LeBron.
However, it's possible that the Cavs could move this pick to the Pacers. They
loved Jackson and had been talking about a deal with the Cavs for the past 72
hours.

11. GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS
Andris Biedrins
LATVIA | FORWARD
HEIGHT: 6-10 | WEIGHT: 235 | AGE: 18
Insider scouting report
The Warriors gave Biedrins a promise during the Chicago pre-draft camp. That's
why he was hard to find the past few days. Philly tried hard to bring him in,
but Biedrins wouldn't budge. He hasn't worked out for anyone in three weeks.
His agent Bill Duffy was the guy who took Chris Mullin to Latvia to see the ki
d. I think it's a good pick for Golden State, especially because they'll likel
y lose Erick Dampier. Intrestingly, this is the first time since 2000 that an
international player wasn't taken in the top 10.

12. SEATTLE SUPERSONICS
Robert Swift
BAKERSFIELD H.S. (CALIF.) | CENTER
HEIGHT: 7-1 | WEIGHT: 260 | AGE: 18
Insider scouting report
Swift? They need a big guy and many people believe he has as much potential as
anyone in the draft. Danny Ainge is crying his eyes out. At least we think so
. The Celtics and Jazz were both trying to move up to get Swift so it's possib
le that this is a trade. However, it sounds like the Sonics are determined to
keep him.

13. PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS
Sebastian Telfair
LINCOLN H.S. (BROOKLYN, N.Y.) | GUARD
HEIGHT: 5-11 | WEIGHT: 170 | AGE: 18
Insider scouting report
Ugh! Mo Cheeks loves Telfair. That was clear. But did the Blazers really need
to take him here? They were afraid he wasn't going to be there at No. 22, obvi
ously. I can't see who would've picked him before. I can't believe that they'd
pass on Kirk Snyder here. Even Jameer Nelson makes more sense than Telfair.

14. UTAH JAZZ
Kris Humphries
MINNESOTA | FRESHMAN | FORWARD
HEIGHT: 6-9? | WEIGHT: 238 | AGE: 20
Insider scouting report
We had obviously heard that Sergei Monya would be here for weeks. But the Jazz
were blown away by a Humphries workout a few weeks ago. They loved his athlet
icism and his ability to fill a need at the four. His college coach compared h
im to Karl Malone. That couldn't have hurt his stock with Utah. He's got a rep
as a selfish player. That won't fly under Jerry Sloan. Being drafted by Utah
could be the best thing that ever happened to him.

15. BOSTON CELTICS
Al Jefferson
PRENTISS H.S. (MISS.) | FORWARD
HEIGHT: 6-9? | WEIGHT: 263 | AGE: 18
Insider scouting report
This is a big surprise on one level. The folks in Boston had been saying for w
eeks that they'd take Sergey Monya if Swift isn't on the board. They also had
Jefferson rated high, and may have felt that they needed size considering that
Mark Blount was likely gone, and they didn't have anyone else to play in the
paint. However, I wouldn't be shocked if this was a trade with Seattle as well
. The Sonics really like Jefferson. The Celtics obviously wanted Swift. Will t
hey swap Swift for Jefferson?

16. UTAH JAZZ
Kirk Snyder
NEVADA | JUNIOR | GUARD
HEIGHT: 6-6? | WEIGHT: 228 | AGE: 21
Insider scouting report
For weeks we believed that Snyder was a lottery pick, and we believed that Mon
ya would end up in Utah at either No. 14 or No. 16. So obviously things have c
hanged. Snyder ranked as the top athlete in the draft at the Chicago pre-draft
camp. He's a jack-of-all-trades and should be able to step right in and contr
ibute to the Jazz next season. He didn't, however, look thrilled when Utah cal
led his name. He should be a starter in Utah next season.

17. ATLANTA HAWKS
Josh Smith
OAK HILL ACADEMY | FORWARD
HEIGHT: 6-8? | WEIGHT: 221 | AGE: 18
Insider scouting report
He's the best athlete in the draft. But obviously, many NBA teams felt he didn
't know how to play. He's a local guy, so he's a much better pick here than he
would be in the lottery. Smith is a long ways away. Great potential. Also gre
at "bust" potential.

18. NEW ORLEANS HORNETS
J.R. Smith
ST. BENEDICT PREP (N.J.) | GUARD
HEIGHT: 6-6? | WEIGHT: 227 | AGE: 18
Insider scouting report
This pick makes a lot of sense for the Hornets. David Wesley is too small to b
e the starting shooting guard. J.R., at 6-foot-7, has great size, strength and
he'll be the best shooter on the team. Smith may be the most NBA-ready of any
of the high school players in the draft.

19. MIAMI HEAT
Dorell Wright
SOUTH KENT PREP (CT) | FORWARD
HEIGHT: 6-8 | WEIGHT: 215 | AGE: 18
Insider scouting report
With the guy they really wanted, Robert Swift, off the board, they go with the
guy with the most upside. I thought the Nuggets would grab Wright at No. 20,
but this is a good pick for the Heat. He's a couple of years away, but he remi
nds me of a young Tracy McGrady type. The Heat will put him on the development
al program. But, as much as I like Wright, I'm stunned that they passed on Jam
eer Nelson here. They needed a point guard who could play right away. Nelson s
eemed like a fit.

20. DENVER NUGGETS
Jameer Nelson
SAINT JOSEPH'S | SENIOR | GUARD
HEIGHT: 6-0? | WEIGHT: 199 | AGE: 23
Insider scouting report
Just a few minutes after being selected, the Nuggets sent Nelson to the Magic
for a future No. 1 pick. This is a much better fit for Nelson. The Magic don't
have a point guard. Nelson can step right in for the Magic. The Magic had a g
reat experience with a small point guard, Darrell Armstrong. Nelson has more p
otential than Armstrong. Nice "pick" for the Magic.

21. UTAH JAZZ
Pavel Podkolzine
RUSSIA | CENTER
HEIGHT: 7-5 | WEIGHT: 300 | AGE: 19
Insider scouting report
The Jazz sent Pavel to the Mavericks for a future first-round pick. As we repo
rted this morning, the Mavericks are in love with Podkolzine and have been wor
king for weeks to find a way to get him. Donnie Nelson was in Italy at the Ree
bok Eurocamp and worked out Podkolzine. He told me then that he thought Podkol
zine was the third best player in the draft. The fact that the Mavs get to kee
p Devin Harris and still get Podkolzine is a home run for Dallas. I think this
is the perfect place for Pavel to play. Dallas will hire the best big man coa
ch available. If they don't get Shaq, they can at least groom Pavel to be a ph
ysical dominating center down the road. It will take a minimum of two years, b
ut this is a great situation for Pavel.

22. PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS
Viktor Khryapa
RUSSIA | FORWARD
HEIGHT: 6-9 | WEIGHT: 235 | AGE: 22
Insider scouting report
This is interesting. Almost every international scout in the league believes t
hat Khryapa's teammate, Sergei Monya, is a much better prospect. My guess is t
hat concerns about Monya's contract situation with CSKA Moscow has caused a Ma
jiec Lampe like cooling effect on his stock. Khrypapa is a nice player, but I'
m not sold he'll be a good NBA player however. Khryapa might stay in Russia fo
r another year or two.

23. PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS
Sergey Monya
RUSSIA | GUARD
HEIGHT: 6-8 | WEIGHT: 220 | AGE: 20
Insider scouting report
This is Monya's worst nightmare. Khryapa and Monya platooned on CSKA Moscow. I
think they were ready to be seperated. Still this is the steal of the draft.
We thought Monya would be anywhere from 13 to 16. Getting him at No. 23 is a g
reat pick-up for the Blazers. I'd be surprised if the Blazers kept both of the
m. At the very least one of them will likely be left in Russia for a year or t
wo.

24. BOSTON CELTICS
Delonte West
SAINT JOSEPH'S | JUNIOR | GUARD
HEIGHT: 6-2? | WEIGHT: 183 | AGE: 21
Insider scouting report
The Celtics just missed out on the two guys they really wanted down here -- Se
rgey Monya and Dorrell Wright. West is a pretty good pick here. If he turns in
to a point guard, I think he could be a real steal down here.

25. BOSTON CELTICS
Tony Allen
OKLAHOMA STATE | SENIOR | GUARD
HEIGHT: 6-4? | WEIGHT: 214 | AGE: 22
Insider scouting report
He was one of the best defenders in college basketball. He's got a great body
and he's a very good athlete. However, I'm not sure how two undersized guards
are going to help a Celtics' backcourt that already is size challenged. The st
uff about having Allen and West ranked as the second best two guard and point
guard in the draft is either some serious after the fact spin or everyone in t
heir scouting department needs to be fired. That's ridiculous.

26. SACRAMENTO KINGS
Kevin Martin
WESTERN CAROLINA | JUNIOR | GUARD
HEIGHT: 6-7 | WEIGHT: 185 | AGE: 21
Insider scouting report
Martin ranked second in the nation in scoring last season. With Gerald Wallace
being drafted by the Bobcats, the Kings really needed a player who could step
in and give them some minutes at shooting guard. Martin needs to gain strengt
h and weight, but he's a great athlete who knows how to score.

27. LOS ANGELES LAKERS
Sasha Vujacic
SLOVENIA | GUARD
HEIGHT: 6-7 | WEIGHT: 210 | AGE: 19
Insider scouting report
We've known about this pick for about a year. The Lakers were very close to pr
omising him a first-round spot last year. This year it was a no-brainer. He wa
s very good in the Italian league this year. He's an excellent shooter (especi
ally in the mid-range game) and can play both the point and the two. He's a ve
ry good fit in L.A., especially if Shaq is still around.

28. SAN ANTONIO SPURS
Beno Udrih
SLOVENIA | GUARD
HEIGHT: 6-4 | WEIGHT: 185 | AGE: 22
Insider scouting report
Udrih was the star of the Chicago pre-draft camp. This isn't a surprise. We th
ought it would be either Anderson Varejao or Beno Udrih, if he was on the boar
d. The Spurs really needed help backing up Tony Parker. Udrih, at 22, is actua
lly older that Parker and appears to be very steady. This is a solid pick at N
o. 28.

29. INDIANA PACERS
David Harrison
COLORADO | CENTER
HEIGHT: 7-0 | WEIGHT: 260 | AGE: 21
Insider scouting report
This is a very good pick-up for the Pacers. They felt the loss of Brad Miller
this year. Harrison could fill that void. He's a good player. It's really just
about his head. If he focuses, he should've went in the lottery. You normally
don't find this type of size at this point in the draft. Nice pick.

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