NBA Draft

[wayne1218]

15. BOSTON CELTICS
Al Jefferson
PRENTISS H.S. (MISS.) | FORWARD
HEIGHT: 6-9¾ | WEIGHT: 263 | AGE: 18
Insider scouting report

This is a big surprise on one level. The folks in Boston had been saying for weeks 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 they swap Swift for Jefferson?

[wayne1218]

DAMN IT! F%CKEN BOSTON! I WANTED SNYDER!

[wayne1218]

16. UTAH JAZZ
Kirk Snyder
NEVADA | JUNIOR | GUARD
HEIGHT: 6-6¾ | WEIGHT: 228 | AGE: 21
Insider scouting report

For weeks we believed that Snyder was a lottery pick, and we believed that Monya would end up in Utah at either No. 14 or No. 16. So obviously things have changed. 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 contribute to the Jazz next season. He didn't, however, look thrilled when Utah called his name. He should be a starter in Utah next season.

[wayne1218]

17. ATLANTA HAWKS
Josh Smith
OAK HILL ACADEMY | FORWARD
HEIGHT: 6-8¼ | 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 great "bust" potential.

[wayne1218]

18. NEW ORLEANS HORNETS
J.R. Smith
ST. BENEDICT PREP (N.J.) | GUARD
HEIGHT: 6-6¾ | WEIGHT: 227 | AGE: 18
Insider scouting report

This pick makes a lot of sense for the Hornets. David Wesley is too small to be 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.

[wayne1218]

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 reminds me of a young Tracy McGrady type. The Heat will put him on the developmental program. But, as much as I like Wright, I'm stunned that they passed on Jameer Nelson here. They needed a point guard who could play right away. Nelson seemed like a fit.

[wayne1218]

20. DENVER NUGGETS
Jameer Nelson
SAINT JOSEPH'S | SENIOR | GUARD
HEIGHT: 6-0½ | WEIGHT: 199 | AGE: 23
Insider scouting report

This doesn't make much sense. The Nuggets have Andre Miller and Earl Boykins, where does Nelson fit in? Chances are a team like the Pistons or Bobcats, who both coveted Nelson might have moved up to get him. If not, Nelson is going to be mired on the bench for a long time.

[wayne1218]

21. UTAH JAZZ
Pavel Podkolzine
RUSSIA | CENTER
HEIGHT: 7-5 | WEIGHT: 300 | AGE: 19
Insider scouting report

A very safe pick for the Jazz. What's the risk of Pavel here? There's no one left on the board with more upside than Pavel. Kevin O'Connor was one of the few GMs in Italy who saw Pavel workout first hand. The Jazz need a big man desperately. He'll get great coaching Pavel's not ready right now, but in two or three years he could be very special.

[wayne1218]

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 that Khryapa's teammate, Sergei Monya, is a much better prospect. My guess is that concerns about Monya's contract situation with CSKA Moscow has caused a Majiec 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 for another year or two.

[wayne1218]

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 great pick-up for the Blazers. I'd be surprised if the Blazers kept both of them. At the very least one of them will likely be left in Russia for a year or two.

[wayne1218]

24. BOSTON CELTICS
Delonte West
SAINT JOSEPH'S | JUNIOR | GUARD
HEIGHT: 6-2¾ | WEIGHT: 183 | AGE: 21
Insider scouting report

The Celtics just missed out on the two guys they really wanted down here -- Sergey Monya and Dorrell Wright. West is a pretty good pick here. If he turns into a point guard, I think he could be a real steal down here.

[BigMike]

Nelson's rights traded to the Magic. Hard to believe he fell that far in the draft!

[wayne1218]

25. BOSTON CELTICS
Tony Allen
OKLAHOMA STATE | SENIOR | GUARD
HEIGHT: 6-4¼ | 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 stuff 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 their scouting department needs to be fired. That's ridiculous.

[wayne1218]

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 strength and weight, but he's a great athlete who knows how to score.

[wayne1218]

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 promising him a first-round spot last year. This year it was a no-brainer. He was very good in the Italian league this year. He's an excellent shooter (especially in the mid-range game) and can play both the point and the two. He's a very good fit in L.A., especially if Shaq is still around.