I spent the last few days reading the local newspapers of each team in the top five as well as looking at their rosters. Using only the players they have under contract, and those I feel they'll make every effort to resign (example, Alonzo Gee of the Cav's), I've come up with my best guess as to which players I think each team will choose.
1. Hornets: Anthony Davis. I'm not even going to explain my reasons. Everyone knows they'll pick Davis, so no reasoning is necessary.
2. Bobcats: Michael Gilchrist. The Cats dont' need a PG with Kemba Walker and D. J. Augustin there. They don't need a PF with Tyrus Thomas and Biyombo. Their not strong at SG, but have adequate players to fill the position. Their biggest need is at center, and SF. Obviously, they could take Drummond here. But since Gilchrist is the safer pick, and the fact that Jordan has been burn't once already taking a big man, I think Gilchrist is the pick.
3. Wizards: Bradley Beal. The Wiz are loaded with Bigs including Nene, Blatche, Vesely, Seraphin, and Booker. So I can't see them taking either Drummond or Robinson. They have Wall at PG, and Mack as the backup. Their thin at SF with Chris Singleton, and Reggie Lewis big contract for another year. The only SG they have on the team is Jordan Crawford, and I think they see him as a bench player. So I think Beal is the pick, with an outside shot of it being Harrison Barnes.
4. Cav's: Drummond. The Cav's desparately need a center, and at this point, Drummond is the only center/PF worth a 4th round pick. Its possible they could trade down, or go for another need at SF and take Harrison Barnes. What they don't need is a PF with Varejao and Tristan Thompson filling that role. They don't need a PG with Kyrie Irving and Daniel Gibson. They also have a huge hole at SG, so its possible they look at Jemery Lamb, who I read they like. This is the hardest team to predict, because they have so many needs. I know they would love to have Beal, and if the Wiz take Barnes, then I would expect the Cav's to take Beal instead of Drummond.
Kings: If it goes as I suspect it will, that would mean that Thomas Robinson would almost be a sure bet to be there at 5. My guess is that we'll have a choice between Robinson and Drummond, or Robinson and Barnes. If Robinson and Barnes is the choice, and Robinson comes in at 6'9" at the combine, then I think they take Robinson. We need help in the PF dept, especially with JT being a restricted freeagent and no guarantee of returning. If the choice is between Robinson and Drummond, I'm not sure what Petrie will do. Both players have a big upside. Both are elite athlete's. One we know has a fire in his belly (Robinson), and the other we know has the potential to be an elite shotblocker. Very tough choice. If Robinson is 6'9" or over, I'm taking Robinson. Not sure what the Kings will do.
1. Hornets: Anthony Davis. I'm not even going to explain my reasons. Everyone knows they'll pick Davis, so no reasoning is necessary.
2. Bobcats: Michael Gilchrist. The Cats dont' need a PG with Kemba Walker and D. J. Augustin there. They don't need a PF with Tyrus Thomas and Biyombo. Their not strong at SG, but have adequate players to fill the position. Their biggest need is at center, and SF. Obviously, they could take Drummond here. But since Gilchrist is the safer pick, and the fact that Jordan has been burn't once already taking a big man, I think Gilchrist is the pick.
3. Wizards: Bradley Beal. The Wiz are loaded with Bigs including Nene, Blatche, Vesely, Seraphin, and Booker. So I can't see them taking either Drummond or Robinson. They have Wall at PG, and Mack as the backup. Their thin at SF with Chris Singleton, and Reggie Lewis big contract for another year. The only SG they have on the team is Jordan Crawford, and I think they see him as a bench player. So I think Beal is the pick, with an outside shot of it being Harrison Barnes.
4. Cav's: Drummond. The Cav's desparately need a center, and at this point, Drummond is the only center/PF worth a 4th round pick. Its possible they could trade down, or go for another need at SF and take Harrison Barnes. What they don't need is a PF with Varejao and Tristan Thompson filling that role. They don't need a PG with Kyrie Irving and Daniel Gibson. They also have a huge hole at SG, so its possible they look at Jemery Lamb, who I read they like. This is the hardest team to predict, because they have so many needs. I know they would love to have Beal, and if the Wiz take Barnes, then I would expect the Cav's to take Beal instead of Drummond.
Kings: If it goes as I suspect it will, that would mean that Thomas Robinson would almost be a sure bet to be there at 5. My guess is that we'll have a choice between Robinson and Drummond, or Robinson and Barnes. If Robinson and Barnes is the choice, and Robinson comes in at 6'9" at the combine, then I think they take Robinson. We need help in the PF dept, especially with JT being a restricted freeagent and no guarantee of returning. If the choice is between Robinson and Drummond, I'm not sure what Petrie will do. Both players have a big upside. Both are elite athlete's. One we know has a fire in his belly (Robinson), and the other we know has the potential to be an elite shotblocker. Very tough choice. If Robinson is 6'9" or over, I'm taking Robinson. Not sure what the Kings will do.
