MATT MAURER'S MOCK DRAFT
APBR member Matt Maurer takes a look at the upcoming NBA draft

What- 51st NBA College Draft
Where- General Motors Place, Vancouver, BC
When- Wednesday, June 24, 1998

1 - LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS [17-65]
MIKE BIBBY, PG, 6-2, 180, ARIZONA
They need help everywhere but the forward positions I think they’ll more than likely take Bibby. They have to much money invested in their centers. Besides, I don’t think Olowokandi is worth the number 1 pick. They’ll also look long and hard at Jamison and Pierce.

2 - VACOUVER GRIZZLIES [19-63]
RAEF LAFRENTZ, PF, 6-11, 240, KANSAS
[Vancouver has the option to convey this pick to Detroit in the Otis Thorpe trade, who then would have an option to convey it to Philadelphia in the Jerry Stackhouse/Theo Ratliff trade]
They need someone with rebounding and scoring ability in Lafrentz they get both. Also they could use a shooting guard but there are none worth this pick. They’ll look at Jamison too.

3 - DENVER NUGGETS [11-71]
ANTWAN JAMISON, SF, 6-9, 220, NORTH CAROLINA
They need a star. He is what scouts like me call a tweener he doesn’t have the ball handling skills or the perimeter game to be a small forward nor the weight to play power forward although he does posses cat-like quickness around the basket. Jamison could be a star or just a bum it’s up to him.

4 - TORONTO RAPTORS [16-66]
MICHAEL OLOWOKANDI, C, 7-0, 265, PACIFIC
Toronto needs help bad in the middle. They are very weak in the paint. He’ll do what he can although he is a project.

5 - GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS [19-63]
VINCE CARTER, SG, 6-7, 210, NORTH CAROLINA
[Golden State has the option to convey this pick to Orlando in the Chris Webber/Penny Hardaway trade, Orlando would then have the option to convey the pick to Utah in the Felton Spencer trade]
With the big Sprewell mess look for them to trade him. Carter will bring his vast potential to the 2 guard position. Look for them to think long and hard on Paul Pierce !!!

6 - DALLAS MAVERICKS [20-62]
PAUL PIERCE , SF, 6-7, 220, KANSAS
From what I hear Don Nelson loves this kid if the don’t resign Ceballos. If available he’s there man.

7 - SACRAMENTO KINGS [27-55]
LARRY HUGHES, SG, 6-5, 185, ST. LOUIS
With Richmond gone thanks to the trade. Hughes and Webber form an impressive duo. They need help at point guard also but I really doubt they’ll pass on this kid.

8 - PHILADELPHIA 76ERS [31-51]
DIRK NOWITSKI, SF, 6-10, 215, GERMANY
I know this is a pretty high for a foreigner but I think this kid with time could become one of the NBA’s best. They also look hard at Keon Clark or but they need a center. Look for them to release Coleman and try to sign one of the a free agent center like Charlotte’s Matt Geiger.

9 - MILWAUKEE BUCKS [36-46]
MICHEAL DOLEAC, C, 6-11, 270, UTAH
[Milwaukee has the option to convey this pick to Phoenix in the Elliot Perry trade, Phoenix would then convey the pick to Denver in the the Antonio McDyess trade]
They need scoring from the center position. Earvin Johnson only gives them defense. I still think this is too high for Doleac but that’s were they need help the most out.

10 - BOSTON CELTICS [36-46]
KEON CLARK, C/PF, 6-11, 220, NEVADA-LAS VEGAS
They need a power forward that can block and rebound. This allows Walker to move to his natural position which is small forward. Look for them to look hard at Nazr Mohammed or Robert Traylor.

11 - DETROIT PISTONS [37-45]
COREY BENJAMIN, SG, 6-5, 200, OREGON STATE
[Detroit has the option to convey this pick to Philadelphia in the Jerry Stackhouse/Theo Ratliff trade]
They need size and a replacement for a aging Joe Dumars. They also need a good power forward so they’ll look at Traylor. Benjamin does have one problem which is his jump shot. If Detroit doesn’t feel comfortable with that look for them to pick Miles Simon or Corey Carr.

12 - ORLANDO MAGIC [41-41]
RASHARD LEWIS, SF, 6-10, 220, ALIEF-ELSIK (HOUSTON) HIGH SCHOOL
[Orlando has the option to convey this pick to Golden State in the Penny Hardaway/Chris Webber trade or Utah in the Felton Spencer trade]
With three first round picks they’ll take a high schooler. They took a hard look at Al Harrington but this Lewis has a Kevin Garnett type game and he shot 40 percent on his 3 pointers in high school.

13 - ORLANDO MAGIC [41-41]
NAZR MOHAMMED, C, 6-10, 240, KENTUCKY
[from Washington in the Chris Webber/Tom Gugliotta trade]
They need a center. Danny Schayes isn’t getting any younger.

14 - HOUSTON ROCKETS [41-41]
PAT GARRITY, PF, 6-9, 230, NOTRE DAME
Just the kind of player Houston craves. Shoots the three and can play either forward position .

15 - ORLANDO MAGIC [41-41]
MILES SIMON, SG, 6-5, 200, ARIZONA
His stock has been is like a roller coaster. Some days he’s a top 15 pick other days he’s a top 25.

16 - NEW YORK KNICKS [43-39]
AL HARRINGTON, SF, 6-8, 220, ST. PATRICK'S (NJ) HIGH SCHOOL
[Toronto has the option to receive this pick in the Chris Dudley/John Wallace trade]
Toronto has option to take this pick. I think they will take this high schooler with this pick.

17 - MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES [45-37]
LEE NAILON, PF, 6-9, 235, TEXAS CHRISTIAN
They might not be able to re-sign Tom Gugliotta if they don’t this pick could happen . Other possibilities include any shooting guards still available.

18 - TORONTO RAPTORS [16-66]
BONZI WELLS, SG, 6-5, 210, BALL STATE
[From Portland in the Damon Stoudamire trade]
It’s a rumor that Doug Christie wants out.

19 - MILWAUKEE BUCKS [36-46]
TYRONN LUE, PG, 6-0, 175, NEBRASKA
[From Cleveland in the Vin Baker/Terrell Brandon/Shawn Kemp trade]
They need a backup for Brandon.

20 - ATLANTA HAWKS [50-32]
ROBERT TRAYLOR, C/PF, 6-8, 300, MICHIGAN
Why not he may not slip this far but his weight has become one a huge question mark.

21 - CHARLOTTE HORNETS [51-31]
JELANI MCCOY, PF, 6-10, 240, UCLA
He can backup either Mason or depending on the free agency situation back up Vlade Divac for a limited time. This may be a low spot for him but his past is a question mark!

22 - LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS [17-65]
CORY CARR, SG, 6-4, 200, TEXAS TECH
[From Miami in the Isaac Autin/Brent Barry Trade]
Another shooting guard to rot on their bench .

23 - DENVER NUGGETS [11-71]
BRAD MILLER, PF, 6-11, 240, PURDUE
[From Phoenix in the Antonio McDyess trade]
This guy isn’t on a lot of people’s mock list but I think depending on how he performs in some draft camps makes or breaks this guys standing. Plus Dean Garrett’s getting old.

24 - SAN ANTONIO SPURS [56-26]
LAMAR ODOM, SF, 6-9, 220, RHODE ISLAND
Sean Elliott’s starting to show his age. Lamar brings youth and potential to the small forward position.

25 - INDIANA PACERS [58-24]
DEMARCO JOHNSON, PF, 6-8, 245, UNC-CHARLOTTE
I think the Pacers honestly want to break up the Davis boys. If so you wouldn’t be a bad pick.

26 - LOS ANGELES LAKERS [61-21]
ANSU SEASAY, SF, 6-9, 220, MISSISSIPPI
Bad tourney showing cost him a couple spots. West gets another diamond in the rough.

27 - SEATTLE SUPERSONICS [61-21]
J.R. HENDERSON, SF, 6-9, 225, UCLA
Only reason why he fell: a classic tweeener hasn't shown the ball handling skills and perimeter shot to play small forward or the weight and strength to play power forward. But can back up Detlef Schrempf for some short period of time.

28 - CHICAGO BULLS [62-20]
BRIAN SKINNER, PF, 6-10, 240, BAYLOR
I doubt that he goes this low in a couple weeks. It’ll where he will probably go.

29 - UTAH JAZZ [62-20]
MATT HARPING, SF, 6-7, 225, GEORGIA TECH
This may be low pick for him, but I'll be surprised if he goes top 20.

Let Matt Maurer know what you think of the upcoming draft and his forecast