Dime Mock Lottery 5.26

The NBA Draft is a little more than a month away. Here's a look at how Dime sees the Lottery picks playing out, and check back in a few days, when we'll be hitting you with the entire first round.

Dime NBA Mock Lottery 5.26

1. Toronto Raptors - Andrea Bargnani, SF/PF, Italy. Everything we're hearing - from the Toronto newspapers to one of our guys who's deep into the international game - says the Raptors have already decided that Bargnani is their guy. Since Dirk Nowitzki reached All-Star/MVP level, everyone has been scouring Europe for the next Dirk, and Bargnani is the latest such prospect. At 20 years old, the seven-footer draws the Nowitzki comparisons for his shooting and one-on-one game. Still, taking Bargnani this high would be a huge gamble, so look for a trade if the Raps think they can still get him at a lower and safer pick. Because if Andrea turns out to be more like the next Vladimir Radmanovic than the next Dirk, being a No. 1 overall pick just makes it look worse.
2. Chicago Bulls (from the New York Knicks) - LaMarcus Aldridge, C/PF, Texas. The Bulls need a big man who can score, and Alrdidge fits the bill. Your last memory of him may be the terrible game he had against LSU in the NCAA tournament, but don't forget that for the rest of the season he was the best big man in college hoops. He can score down low, hit the J and run the floor, as well as play D and block shots.
3. Charlotte Bobcats - Adam Morrison, SF, Gonzaga. The 'Cats have a solid young nucleus of Emeka Okafor, Ray Felton, Gerald Wallace, Primoz Brezec and Sean May, but they need someone who can get buckets. Wallace led the team with 15 points a game last year. We can see Morrison topping that as a rookie. He has more moves than anyone on the college level and is money in crunch time.
4. Portland Trail Blazers - Brandon Roy, SG, Washington. The Blazers could use help everywhere, including their undersized backcourt. At 6-6, Roy is a better matchup for the League's two-guards than Juan Dixon, and his versatility and defensive ability are two things Portland could also use. Plus, Roy fits the good-guy image the franchise is trying to achieve, and he's a local draw from having played in the Pac-10.
5. Atlanta Hawks - Shelden Williams, PF/C, Duke. The Hawks are another team that we hear is in love with Bargnani. But assuming he's gone at this spot, we've also gotten word that ATL is really feeling Williams. Zaza Pachulia showed promise last season at center, but was repeatedly torched by some of the League's better post scorers. Shelden's forte is defense. And since Al Harrington could very well be leaving as a free agent this summer, the Hawks suddenly have needs down low.
6. Minnesota Timberwolves - Rudy Gay, SF, UConn. The Wolves need someone who can contribute right away, and Gay definitely has the skills to be that kind of talent. Any work ethic issues that come up could assuredly by dealt with by KG.
7. Boston Celtics - Marcus Williams, PG, UConn. We like Delonte West's game, but it wouldn't hurt Boston to have a pure point guard in the mix. You know Williams can distribute the rock, and he's been impressing scouts with his three-point shooting in recent workouts.
8. Houston Rockets - Tyrus Thomas, PF, LSU. We know the Rockets need scorers, but at the same time, look at their power forward situation. Stromile Swift and Juwan Howard? Every team needs rebounders and defenders, and Tyrus would be great to play next to Yao Ming as an enforcer-type, similar to the role Udonis Haslem plays with Shaq.
9. Golden State Warriors - Randy Foye, PG, Villanova. What are the odds Baron Davis actually plays 82 games next season? Foye can come in and play point with Baron out, or if Davis stays healthy, Foye can come off the bench as a killer combo guard, a la Ben Gordon.
10. Seattle Supersonics - Cedric Simmons, PF, NC State. The Sonics top priority this offseason will be to re-sign Chris Wilcox, and with good reason. This team need some interior toughness. Simmons is a 6-10 banger who can grab rebounds, play defense and score inside.
11. Orlando Magic - Rodney Carney, SF, Memphis. Meet Grant Hill's replacement. Between Carney, Dwight Howard and Jameer Nelson, Orlando is already looking like a NBA League Pass mainstay next year.
12. New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets - Patrick O'Bryant, C, Bradley. P.J. Brown isn't getting any younger, and O'Bryant is a legit 7-foot-2 big man. He's raw and needs work offensively, but will also have the benefit of Chris Paul getting him the ball in the right spots.
13. Philadelphia 76ers - Ronnie Brewer, SG/PG, Arkansas. The Sixers front office has indicated they want the team to get tougher and defensive-minded. They also need to get bigger and get a point guard, so we like Brewer here. Scouts are intrigued by the prospect of the 6-7 Brewer as a big PG in the League.
14. Utah Jazz - J.J. Redick, SG, Duke. The Jazz are just a couple pieces away from being a playoff team. They could stand to improve on Gordan Giricek at the two, and Redick's shooting will open things up inside for Carlos Boozer and Andrei Kirilenko.