Mock Draft - (why trade #2 Pick to the Lakers?)

Ummm why would we even trade Roy to Lakers considering KB8 (soon to be KB24) want be in this trade? Maybe Lamar Odem? Yeah right ...  I mean after reading this, I racked my brain trying to figure why the bulls would trade #2 pick to the Lakers. Does anyone have an idea? (or opinion)

1. Toronto Raptors - LaMarcus Aldridge, C/PF, Texas. The once-rampant rumors that Toronto will trade this pick slowed down considerably last week, but that doesn't eliminate the possibility of a trade happening on or before draft night. If the Raptors do keep the pick, though, Aldridge is the best option. His friendship with Toronto cornerstone Chris Bosh aside, Aldridge is 6-11 with the ability to score, defend, and run the floor. He can start immediately at the five.

2. Chicago Bulls - Brandon Roy, SG, Washington. Roy's stock has been rising even higher as the draft gets closer and closer; probably because he's one of the few absolute sure things on the board. Word is the Bulls are big fans, as they want to get bigger in the backcourt. We've also heard rumors that Chicago might pick Roy as part of an agreed-upon trade with the Lakers that would send Roy to Kobe's squad.

3. Charlotte Bobcats - Rudy Gay, SF, UConn. How much of an influence will new Charlotte part-owner Michael Jordan have on this pick? We could see Mike going for a player like Gay, who has been compared to Scottie Pippen.

4. Portland Trail Blazers - Adam Morrison, SF, Gonzaga. Despite the reports that Rudy Gay served him a hot plate of dunks and rejections during a workout in Portland last week, Morrison has still got to be No. 1 on the Blazers' draft board. Not only does he have potential to be a 20-point scorer, Morrison already has a local fan following and would automatically become the Portland's most marketable player.

5. Atlanta Hawks - Tyrus Thomas, PF, LSU. Popular belief is that Atlanta has made a first-round promise to Duke big man Shelden Williams. But if Thomas, whose potential is off the charts, were to become available at this spot, we'd have to think the Hawks would break that promise. Sorry, Shelden, it's strictly business.

6. Minnesota Timberwolves - Marcus Williams, PG, UConn. Starting point guard Marcus Banks is a free agent, and is reportedly getting a lot of interest. Losing Banks would leave a glaring hole at the point, which Williams could easily fill. Williams' poise and clutch shooting would help a team that blew more fourth-quarter leads than we can remember last year.

7. Boston Celtics - Andrea Bargnani, SF/PF, Italy. At 6-11 with a solid outside stroke and one-on-one skills (we hear), Bargnani is a 20-year-old phenom/project worth gambling on for some teams. With a nearly playoff-caliber roster, Boston is one such team. Bargnani is touted as another Dirk Nowitzki-type, and his talent has been enough to make the Raptors seriously consider taking him with the top overall pick.

8. Houston Rockets - Shelden Williams, PF/C, Duke. Yao needs an enforcer, and the Stromile Swift/Juwan Howard connection ain't getting it done. Despite the recent news that Shelden actually stands closer to 6-7 than 6-9, he's a tough defender and rebounder who can be the Udonis Haslem to Yao's Shaquille O'Neal.

9. Golden State Warriors - Rodney Carney, SF, Memphis. The Warriors have two need areas: center and small forward. The best center available at this spot is Bradley's Patrick O'Bryant, but this team (and their suffering fans) doesn't need another project, which even O'Bryant calls himself. Carney is the best athlete in the draft and ready to play now. If everyone (read: Baron Davis) stays healthy, the Warriors could have a Kidd/Vince/Jefferson-esque trio on their hands with Davis/J-Rich/Carney.

10. Seattle Supersonics - Cedric Simmons, PF, NC State. The Sonics will try to trade this pick, but they still need defense and rebounding; on numerous occasions we saw them get destroyed on the glass last season. And just in case Chris Wilcox doesn't re-sign, Simmons would be a good insurance plan.

11. Orlando Magic - Ronnie Brewer, SG/PG, Arkansas. After measuring out to be 6-7 and 223 pounds at the Orlando pre-draft camp, Brewer is now said to be a Boris Diaw-type of prospect who can play up to four positions.

12. New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets - Patrick O'Bryant, C, Bradley. O'Bryant admits he's a project, but he's also 7-0 and scouts won't forget the way he manhandled Pitt star Aaron Gray in the NCAA tournament.

13. Philadelphia 76ers - Randy Foye, PG/SG, Villanova. We keep hearing that Allen Iverson is being shopped for a trade. Whether A.I. leaves Philly or not, the team still needs a point guard, some backcourt depth, and someone who is tough. All of which Foye provides.

14. Utah Jazz - Saer Sene, C, Senegal. When Sene worked out for the Jazz recently, none other than invited guest Karl Malone gave the kid his stamp of approval. Sene is raw - he only started playing ball a couple of years ago - but he's shooting up the draft board with his speed, length, athleticism and potential.

15. New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets - J.J. Redick, SG, Duke. How far will Redick's recent DUI arrest and his reported back problems cause him to drop? Probably not any farther than the Hornets' second pick, since this team needs help at the two and could use another shooter.

16. Chicago Bulls - Oleksiy Pecherov, PF, Ukraine. The 21-year-old has been climbing up the draft boards lately. The Bulls are thin at the four with guys like Malik Allen and Mike Sweetney getting major clock. At 6-10 and 232 pounds, Pecherov has the size, but is known as more of a perimeter player.

17. Indiana Pacers - Jordan Farmar, PG, UCLA. Grabbing a point guard would benefit the Pacers for two reasons: First, we don't know if Anthony Johnson's breakout showing in the playoffs will hold up for 82 games. Second, Jamaal Tinsley can't stay healthy for more than a week.

18. Washington Wizards - Shawne Williams, SF, Memphis. With Jared Jeffries planning to test the free agent market, Williams is a 6-9 shooter who could step in and fill Jeffries' spot as a big two-guard. Williams has a game similar to Antoine Walker's, and is young enough for coaches to nip some of those 'Toine-like bad habits in the bud.

19. Sacramento Kings - Hilton Armstrong, C, UConn. Armstrong really came on during the NCAA tournament, showing his entire repertoire of shot-blocking and rebounding skills, as well as a little offensive game. Sacramento needs a backup for Brad Miller; for now their best option is Vitaly Potapenko.

20. New York Knicks - Mardy Collins, PG/SG, Temple. The Knicks backcourt is a little crowded for the moment, but you'd have to think someone from that group gets traded this summer. Collins plays smart and under control, something no one has accused New York's guards of doing.

21. Phoenix Suns - Rajon Rondo, PG, Kentucky. The run-and-gun style is wearing down on the Suns, in particular on Steve Nash and Shawn Marion. Add Nash's bad back to the equation, and it makes sense to acquire a young point guard. Rondo has the speed, handles and passing ability to play in Mike D'Antoni's system. If he could shoot, he would be a Lottery pick.

22. New Jersey Nets - Paul Davis, PF/C, Michigan State. Just like the Hornets, the Nets need to get big. Davis can play the four while Nenad Krstic plays the five. Or he can at least give Krstic some battles in practice.

23. New Jersey Nets - Kyle Lowry, PG, Villanova. With Jeff McInnis voted off the island and Jacque Vaughn not getting any younger, it's time to start looking for Jason Kidd's eventual successor. Lowry's shot is suspect (just like Kidd), but he's tough and can penetrate.

24. Memphis Grizzlies - Shannon Brown, SG/PG, Michigan State. Bobby Jackson says he's definitely bouncing in free agency. That leaves a hole in the backcourt, and Brown has impressed teams in his workouts.

25. Cleveland Cavaliers - Quincy Douby, SG/PG, Rutger. As we saw when Larry Hughes got injured last year, the Cavs are hurting for backcourt depth. Douby can light it up from deep, a skill that's invaluable in the LeBron drive-and-kick offense.

26. Los Angeles Lakers - Sergio Rodriguez, PG, Spain. We love Smush Parker, but the bottom line is he couldn't buy a basket during the playoffs, not to mention Phil Jackson doesn't appear to be a huge Smush supporter. If a triangle-friendly point guard is available here, look for the Lakers to grab him.

27. Phoenix Suns - Josh Boone, PF, UConn. Regardless of how Amare Stoudemire recovers from knee surgery, the Suns need size and rebounding. Boone has both qualities, and he played in an up-and-down system at UConn that makes him a good fit for the Suns.

28. Dallas Mavericks - P.J. Tucker, SF, Texas. Tucker is small for a three (6-5), but he's strong and athletic and plays great defense.

29. New York Knicks - Marcus Vinicius, SF, Brazil. Trying to figure out the Knicks' decision-making process can be trying. From everything we hear, Vinicius would be the best player available at this spot, so that's as good a bet as any.

30. Portland Trail Blazers - Denham Brown, SG, UConn. After an impressive showing at the Orlando pre-draft camp, Brown might have played himself into the first round. His all-around game is solid and - perhaps more importantly for the Blazers - he doesn't bring any drama.

Source DimeMagazine