Seattle Times NBA mock draft

1. Chicago

Derrick Rose

6-3, 190, PG (14.9)

Memphis

Scouts say he's Jason Kidd with more athleticism. Drafting Rose means Kirk Hinrich is on the trading block.

2. Miami

Michael Beasley

6-10, 235, F (26.2)

Kansas State

Rumors of the Heat trading up to draft Rose are overblown. Beasley is a better fit with Dwyane Wade.

3. Minnesota

O.J. Mayo

6-5, 200, G (20.7)

USC

Desperately need a center, but Brook Lopez and Kevin Love are too risky and Mayo is too good to pass up.

4. Seattle

Jerryd Bayless

6-3, 200, G (19.7)

Arizona

Bayless' stock has dropped in workouts. The Sonics might trade to take Lopez or Russell Westbrook a little lower.

5. Memphis

Kevin Love

6-10, 255, C/F (17.5)

UCLA

The Grizzlies will replace Pau Gasol with a player who has the same skills. Love is shorter, but he's tougher.

6. New York

Russell Westbrook

6-3, 187, G (12.7)

UCLA

Coach Mike D'Antoni likes versatile players like Danilo Gallinari but Westbrook can start immediately.

7. Los Angeles Clippers

Eric Gordon

6-4, 215, G (20.9)

Indiana

Mayo wants to stay in L.A. and the Clippers want to trade for him, but it won't happen. Gordon is the next best guard.

8. Milwaukee

Joe Alexander

6-8, 230, F (16.9)

West Virginia

Tough, gritty defender who can guard multiple positions and will fit perfectly into schemes of new coach Scott Skiles.

9. Charlotte

Brook Lopez

7-0, 260, C (19.3)

Stanford

Lopez didn't work out for the Bobcats because he didn't think he'd fall this far. Taking him allows Emeka Okafor to move to PF.

10. New Jersey

Danilo Gallinari

6-8, 210, F (14.9)

Italy

The Nets are hoping Lopez is available, but that's unlikely. Reports say Gallinari received a guarantee from New Jersey.

11. Indiana

Anthony Randolph

6-10, 205, F (15.6)

Louisiana State

A long, athletic lefty who compares favorably with Lamar Odom. Could fall out of the lottery because of poor workouts.

12. Sacramento

D.J. Augustin

6-0, 180, PG (19.2)

Texas

The Kings must upgrade at point guard. Beno Udrih and Anthony Johnson aren't the answer. Augustin will help.

13. Portland

Brandon Rush

6-6, 210, G (13.3)

Kansas

Hard to believe a non-playoff team has no glaring needs, but that's the Trail Blazers' situation. Rush is the best player available.

14. Golden State

Donte Green

6-11, 226, F (17.7)

Syracuse

Green should thrive in coach Don Nelson's fast-paced offense because he's long, athletic and runs the floor well.

15. Phoenix

Marreese Speights

6-10, 245, C (14.5)

Florida

Suns would like to see Alexander or Rush drop this low, but they'll have to choose between JaVale McGee, Robin Lopez and Speights.

16. Philadelphia

Courtney Lee

6-5, 200, G (20.4)

Western Kentucky

A four-year starter and the best senior in the draft. His stock is rising. Taking him here is a reach, but 76ers need scoring.

17. Toronto

Chris Douglas-Roberts

6-7, 200, G/F (18.1)

Memphis

A rookie isn't going to help the Raptors get tough in the middle. Douglas-Roberts was the top scorer for NCAA runner-up Memphis.

18. Washington

Kosta Koufos

7-0, 265, C (14.4)

Ohio State

Brendan Haywood's days are numbered. Koufos has an NBA-ready body. He can post up and drain midrange jumpers.

19. Cleveland

Robin Lopez

7-0, 255, C (10.2)

Stanford

LeBron James needs more scoring threats around him, but the Cavaliers must find Zydrunas Ilgauskas' replacement sooner or later.

20. Denver

Mario Chalmers

6-1, 190, G (12.8)

Kansas

If the Nuggets are serious about trading Carmelo Anthony, then all bets are off. Right now, their weakest position is point guard.

21. New Jersey

JaVale McGee

7-0, 237, C (14.1)

Nevada

Taking McGee, who excels in rebounding and shot blocking, would upgrade the Nets' interior defense.

22. Orlando

Darrell Arthur

6-9, 225, F (12.8)

Kansas

Is there any wonder why the Jayhawks won the national championship? Three will be taken in the first round.

23. Utah

Roy Hibbert

7-2, 278, C (13.4)

Georgetown

Four-year starter who will need a few more years to mature, which is OK because the Jazz can afford to wait.

24. Seattle

Jason Thompson

6-11, 250, C (20.4)

Rider

A very productive player who improved in each of the past four years. Named MAAC player of the year as a senior.

25. Houston

Serge Ibaka

6-10, 220, F/C (11.3)

Congo

Ibaka makes sense because the Rockets won't overhaul the roster. He turns 19 in September and might remain overseas.

26. San Antonio

Alexis Ajinca

7-0, 220, C (5.0)

France

The Spurs have shot an air ball in five of the past six drafts. (They didn't have a pick in '06). Ajinca is no slam dunk, but he's close.

27. New Orleans

DeAndre Jordan

7-0, 260, C (7.9)

Texas A&M

After a big fall, the Hornets provide a soft landing spot for an unpolished big man who needs time to develop.

28. Memphis

J.J. Hickson

6-9, 242, F (14.8)

North Carolina State

The dream scenario involved hometown hero Douglas-Roberts or Lee. Hickson could back up both forward positions.

29. Detroit

DeVon Hardin

6-11, 250, C (9.3)

California

If GM Joe Dumars is serious about retooling, then it begins in the middle. Hardin is Cal's second all-time shot blocker.

30. Boston

Ryan Anderson

6-10, 240, F (21.1)

California

The world champions don't need much, but every team could use the Pac-10's scoring leader with three-point range.