With the draft coming up, I thought I'd take a look at how the top 10 picks will go. Without taking into account team needs and scarcity of position, my top 10 prospects are:
1. Don Silverman PG
2. John Martin SG
3. Ty Perez C
4. Derek Silva SF
5. Timothy Pulley C
6. Jose Carney C
7. Damion Williams SG
8. Judson Williams PF
9. Ronald Burr SF
10. Alvin Briseno PF
Silverman won't go #1 though. With last year's glut of PG's in the draft and free agency, there aren't a ton of teams that have a need at PG. Add in a league-wide perception that there aren't enough quality bigs to go around, and you've got a recipe for an early run on centers.
1. Jazz - The Jazz have a really strong nucleus going into next year, with what should be a great starting 5. They could use an upgrade in the long run at the 4, but I think it's too early to pick the top-rated PF, Alvin Briseno. I think Ty Perez is the pick here, regardless of who ends up with the top pick.
2 and 3. Kings - The Kings could use a center and a small forward and would be thrilled if Perez slipped to them. Carney would be a fine consolation prize. With the third pick, I think Derek Silva would be a good fit for the Kings. He's a well-rounded athlete with only one real weak spot (DRB) in potentials. Ronald Burr is closer to being a finished product, but I think Silva has a higher ceiling.
4. Celtics - The Celts could really use help at the 5 or upgrades at the 2 and 3. If Perez or Carney fall, I think they're the pick. If not, John Martin is the pick. Martin's only skill that could be great is PRD, he's pretty good at every other skill that matters, and is a decent athlete too.
5. Lakers - This is the first place I think that Silverman could go. Silverman will be a terrific 3 point shooter and passer. I'd call him a poor man's Ricky Rubio - not quite the athlete or defender that Rubio is.
6. Bucks - The Bucks have a gaping hole at the 2, and the top SG prospect is still available. Damion Williams is a offensive juggarnaut with respectable athleticism. His defensive attributes are average though.
7. Warriors - The Warriors need an inside scoring threat. Fortunately, Alvin Briseno is available at #7. Briseno will be a terrific scorer in the paint, a great defensive rebounder, and a fine post defender.
8. Raptors - The Raptors need an upgrade at SF, PF and C. The last blue potential player, Ronald Burr is the pick here. Burr is the closest to ready player, but has the lowest ceiling. He'll be a lights-out three point shooter, but is largely mediocre everywhere else. I also have Burr ranked as the best athlete in the draft.
9. Heat - The Heat need upgrades at the 2 and 4, and help everywhere else. Pair Timothy Pulley with Gary Perez, and you've got 1 really good post player in a few years.
10. Bulls - The bulls have a good core returning next year and will have solid starters at all five spots. They are thin in the backcourt though, so Joshua Swan rounds out the top 10 picks. He plays next to no defense and appears to be foul-prone, but is a terrific athlete with room to grow skill-wise.