Chad's Mock 2.0

A trade between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Washington Wizards landing the T'Wolves the 5th pick in the draft has added some intrigue to Thursday night. Given this new information and a few more workouts that have transpired, here is an updated version of what to look for at Madison Square Garden. Though Brandon Jennings has managed to rub some GM's the wrong way, still remember that every team that passes on the lightning-quick lefty will regret that decision for years to come. Picks that will not change given the shifted order or events of the last few days need not be re-explained. So with no further ado...

1. Los Angeles Clippers: Blake Griffin 6'10 PF Oklahoma

2. Memphis Grizzlies: Hasheem Thabeet 7'3 C Connecticut

3. Oklahoma City Thunder: Tyreke Evans 6'5 SG Memphis
Here is where things start to shift in the likely order of events Thursday. Throughout Evans' workouts, the tweener, who played his one-and-done season for John Calipari in Memphis before both vacated the premises of the ticking time bomb of Derrick Rose's "eligibility", has impressed/fooled scouts into thinking that he has the tools to play point guard in the NBA. I must agree with Chad Ford when I say that Evans has no place in the pro-ranks handling the ball on the majority of his team's possessions. Instead, Evans will be matched up with athlete turned point guard Russell Westbrook where the two should thrive together as versatile scorers and long defenders in the backcourt. No chance Thunder GM Sam Presti screws this up.

4. Sacramento Kings: Ricky Rubio 6'4 PG Spain
It is no secret that the Kings are looking for a point guard in which to invest their future and around which to build a revamped uptempo offense. Look for the softest team in the league to add to their downy image by taking the flashy but turnover-prone and wiry point guard from Spain. How do you say "just give Kevin Martin the damn ball and wait for a better draft class next year" in Spanish?

5. Minnesota Timberwolves: Stephen Curry 6'3 PG/SG Davidson
It's so hard to predict where Minnesota will go with these next two picks because they seem to have another big move left in the works. However, with Randy Foye and Mike Miller headed for Chocolate City, it would seem that new management's first task would be to rebuild its backcourt. Since the T'Wolves already have semi-established postmen Al Jefferson (coming off knee ligament surgery) and Kevin Love manning the interior, Curry would seem a perfect addition to add long-range shooting, leadership and excitement for the NBA Cold Hell fans.

6. Minnesota Timberwolves: James Harden 6'4 SG Arizona St.
Seldom do we see a team with two draft picks back to back this high in the order. Honestly, that tells me that 'Sota will look to trade this pick to move up for Rubio. With that said, if the Wolves keep the pick, look for them to add the other piece to their brand-spanking new backcourt and start over with two big time college starters at the guard positions. By the way, I think this guy will stink as a pro because, well, every time he was on national television in college he stank. I suppose that shouldn't be a problem playing for the T'Wolves, though.

7. Golden State Warriors: Brandon Jennings 6'3 PG Italy
As deeply as it pains me to say this, I can still see the Warriors blowing this pick and taking Arizona big man Jordan Hill whose stats were inflated last year as he played for an unusually less-talented Arizona team. However, that same team would have DEFINITELY challenged for a National Title if the point guard they recruited had passed the necessary tests to play for the Wildcats last year. That same point guard just happens to be the guy the Warriors SHOULD take with the seventh pick, lefty Iverson aka Brandon Jennings. I can only say so many times that every team that passes up on Jennings (which will likely include Golden State) will regret such moves for years to come. Please just take this guy Don Nelson.

8. New York Knicks: Jonny Flynn 6'0 (not even close) PG Syracuse
Even though his draft stock was inflated by an incredible or at least incredibly entertaining Big East Tournament performance, the free lance guard seems like he was made to play in front of the big crowds of Madison Square Garden. He definitely has the heart for the big stage, now let's see if he has the lungs to play in Mike D'Antoni's system.

9. Toronto Raptors: Jordan Hill 6'10 PF Arizona
We all know Chris Bosh is taller than the 6'10 at which he's listed and this guy is at least 7'0 with his locks. Let's hope Hill is as tough and active in the post as all the 'experts' would have us believe. He's gonna need to be something to keep the double, and triple teams off of future New York Knicks/Miami Heat/Anywhere With Capspace PF Bosh. And if Hill's a bust, hey, at least he'll have free health care. Oh Canada...

10. Milwaukee Bucks: Jrue Holiday 6'4 PG UCLA
Let's be honest. None of us know what this guy will be in the NBA. I've heard everything from a poor man's Rajon Rondo to a rich man's Keyon Dooling (that doesn't even sound right). Regardless, the real story here will be to see if Ramon Sessions does the right thing in signing far, far away from Milwaukee. Unfortunately, the Bucks cleared up some space by trading Richard Jefferson to the Spurs and can thus match any offer made for Sessions who is a restricted FA. Let's just hope Sessions gets away because I promise you, National Television will love this guy in a big market city.

11. New Jersey Nets: Demar DeMar DeRozan 6'6 SG USC
When we look back years from now to rate each club on how well they did evaluating talent, just remember - the 11th pick this year equals the 21st in any other draft. Go easy on Desmond Mason Jr.

12. Charlotte Bobcats: Gerald Henderson 6'5 SG Duke
Every mock draft you'll find has Henderson here. Unless President/Sports Oracle Obama has something different, I'm keeping the balding dynamoat twelve to the Bob Johnsons.

13. Indiana Pacers: DeJuan Blair 6'7 Pittsburgh
I just found out today this guy has no ACL's. I don't know what to think of this. At least he can't tear one?

14. Phoenix Suns Ty Lawson 6'0 PG UNC
Some things are meant to be.

15. Detroit Pistons: BJ Mullens 7'0 Ohio State
VH1 "The White Rapper Show 2" here we come. I give it five years. http://z.about.com/d/collegebasketball/1/0/R/0/-/-/mullens_bj.jpg

16. Chicago Bulls: Earl Clark 6'10 SG Louisville
I just read two interesting things about Clark.
1. He played point guard at 6'0 until tenth grade where he grew six inches in six months.
2. In a high school showdown with Brian Zoubek (yes THE Brian Zoubek) the marquee players' statlines finished as such: Clark 12 points 7 rebounds Zoubek 27 points 18 rebounds
Zoubek's team also won 71 to 37. I have no idea what to make of this information.

17. Philadelphia 76ers: Jeff Teague 6'2 PG Wake Forest
Like I said, some things are just meant to be. Eddie Jordan, enjoy. (Pause)

18. Minnesota Timberwolves: James Johnson 6'8 Wake Forest
Chances are the Wolves won't even have this pick anymore to use on the 6'8 kick boxer from Wyoming. Weird...

19. Atlanta Hawks: Derrick Brown 6'9 PF Xavier
Don't know much about Brown. Do know that Xavier pumps out power forwards like Jon and Kate.

20. Utah Jazz: Terrence Williams 6'6 SF Louisville
Personally, I think he's a poor man's Stephen Jackson: an athletic three who probably spends too much time on the perimeter but can handle the ball when necessary and will fight adults who throw beer at professional athletes.

21. New Orleans Hornets: Sam Young 6'6 SF Pittsburgh
Many lobs thrown this man's direction in the near future, I hope.

22. Portland Trailblazers: Tyler Hansbrough 6'10 PF UNC
How much of a tragedy is it for college basketball if this guy isn't selected in the first round? The good news is he really measured at 6'10. The bad news is Tyler still has no real post game or reliable 15-foot jumper to speak of.

23. Sacramento Kings: Chase Budinger 6'7 SF Arizona
Just because he's soft (former All-American volleyball player in high school) and I can't see him falling much further. Remember this is like pick 35 in a normal draft.

24. Dallas Mavericks: Eric Maynor 6'3 PG VCU
If Jason Kidd is really moving on it just makes sense.

25. Oklahoma City Thunder: Patrick Mills 6'0 PG St. Mary's
Super sleeper alert. Ask Chris Paul and his fellow Olympians.

26. Chicago Bulls: Wayne Ellington 6'5 SG UNC

27. Memphis Grizzlies: Austin Daye 6'10 SF Gonzaga
Welcome to NBA Hell.

28. Minnesota Timberwolves: DeJuan Summers 6'8 SF Georgetown
So many picks, so many underachievers to blow them on.

29. New York Knicks: Jack McClinton 6'1 PG/SG Miami
Okay now that we know the Knicks have bought the 29th overall pick from the L.A. Lakers, the future New York Lebrons will take McClinton who was born to run and gun in a system like D'Antoni's. Here's a kid who basically kept an otherwise less than mediocre Miami team competitive in the ACC by himself. He is physical and can catch fire in a heartbeat and never needs a pat on the back to get his confidence flowing. By the way, how long before the ACC kicks Miami out of its otherwise highly competitive conference especially since Miami's football program, which was the draw for inviting the school in the first place, has hit an inexplicable period of mediocrity?

30. Cleveland Cavaliers: Toney Douglas 6'2 PG/SG Florida State
Look on the bright side. After just one year in the league, when Lebron and Shaq are gone, you'll be the fourth best player on your team behind Moe Williams, Delonte West and Wally Szczerbiak's Expiring Contract which decided to re-sign and raise a family in the area. (Yes, the joke still applies.)