Mock Draft

Wow. I see you have Anthony Randolph making Brady Quinn look tame and sliding all the way past David Stern’s round. Not sure if he’ll be in the Green Room, but that’d be awkward.

I’m expecting a real unpredictable night. I’m excited. Also, I’m a little nauseated.

Well, this is as good a place as any to reveal JIANFU’S WACKY SCHEME FOR AN ENTERTAINING BASKETBALL TEAM!!! (Assuming Beasley’s off the board.)

Basically, this is simply tying a couple of heretofor unrelated (and unsubstantiated, but what the hay) rumors that have been out there:

Bucks Get: #3 pick
Warriors Get: Yi Jianlin
Wolves Get: Brandan Wright, #8, #14

It’s almost too simple, and both the Wolves and Warriors have trade exceptions to make this work.

Bucks’ new FO gets to make a splash and move up for, presumably, either Mayo or Love. To include Yi, they’d maybe require a little more sweetner (i.e., one or both of those early 2nd rounder, perhaps). But there’s smoke that they’re interested in moving up, perhaps using Yi as bait.

The Warriors get the guy they’ve been stalking for years in Jianlin, Nellie’s perfect power forward. And they avoid a rookie contract, saving a little cash to help with their FAs.

The Wolves hoard some much needed assets, including a guy I really like in Wright, who more than makes up for dropping down. Wright’s size and athleticism could be the good compliment in the paint to Al’s game that they’re looking for.

At #8, the Wolves can pick up one of Alexander/Gallinari, or maybe even Love (doubtful).

At #14, they could land, if I were running the zoo, Mario Chalmers. Or someone like CDR or Rush.

If things work out, your eventual potential rotation:

Chalmers
McCants
Alexander
Wright
Jefferson

Key bench guys:
Foye (realizing his destiny as the next Bobby Jackson)
Gomes as the primary 3/4 backup
Random Big Guy/Mark Madsen/Chris Richard (Obviously, depth here is needed via FA/future drafts/etc)

Overnight, the frontline’s cumulative size and athletic deficiencies are addressed, going from a nightly disadvantage to potentially a team strength, and Chalmers gives them a steady, smart PG who, combined with McCants, gives them a backcourt that can really shoot and play off the suddenly active frontcourt.

And no, McCants for another year maybe isn’t the most exciting idea ever. But it’s not like you can accomplish everything in a night. With potentially 3 first rounders in 2009, 2-guard is something that can be addressed later. And who knows, with a fellow Tar Heel on the squad, as well as an insanely dedicated defender in Chalmers, maybe something will click in Shaddy.

Really, you could play around with those picks however you want. I just think landing a talent like Wright plus the 8 and 14 would be a great way to really try and boldly get this rebuilding project all on one track. And, as I said, I actually think this could be possible.

...I just saw that Portland is trying to get the 10th pick from New Jersey. I said it yesterday at Ridiculous Upside, but I think the Blazers are going after Mayo. They’d have to find another trading partner to give the Wolves another pick in the teens (or maybe with Milwaukee or Charlotte), but Pryz + 2 picks might be something to think about. I’m sure something could even be worked out with Golden State (and their massive trade exception) and Portland where Pryz + Wright end up in Minny and Travis Outlaw heads down the coast.

...I just thought of the simple solution if Portland has the 10th pick. Walker and Mayo to Portland (who could easily be paid for by Mr. Billionaire) for Pryz, Outlaw or Webster, and the 10th pick. The Wolves still have 2nd rounders to move one more pick in the teens/20s. Again, if it’s not Beasley, they need NBA starters and this gets them 2 + a pick.