2006 NBA Mock Draft

Any draft is a crapshoot but this year more so than ever. With no high school players in the mix there's no depth whatsoever. Here's a look at my top ten picks since that's about the point I stop recognizing names.

1. Toronto Raptors: Andrea Bargnani (7-1 PF, Italy) - All the proof you need is in the front office as the Raptors just hired an Italian league GM as their new GM.

2. Chicago Bulls: Tyrus Thomas (6-8 PF, LSU) - This could have been the Knicks pick but instead they'll sit back and watch as the Bulls take the best athlete in the draft.

3. Charlotte Bobcats: Brandon Roy (6-6 SG, Washington) - Just like Chris Paul last year, the best player in this year's draft will be a perimeter player. Roy could very well be the next Ray Allen.

4. Portland Trailblazers: Adam Morrison (6-8 SF, Gonzaga) - The Trailblazers have never been one to shy away from a controversial draftpick as witnessed by their collection of high school talent so it should come as no surprise when they take Morrison, the draft's purest small forward.

5. Altanta Hawks: LaMarcus Aldridge (6-11 PF, Texas) - The Hawks are desperate for size and will be estatic to get a guy who earlier in the year was projected to go as high as #1.

6. Minnesota Timberwolves: Rudy Gay (6-8 SF, Connecticut) - It seems like the T-wolves haven't had a first round pick since taking Kevin Garnett straight from high school thanks to the fallout from the ill fated signing of Joe Smith. In their return to the lottery they could get a guy, who like Roy, could be one of the best players to come out of the draft.

7. Boston Celtics: Randy Foye (6-3 SG, Villanova) - The Celtics needs backcourt help after starting Delante West for most of last year. Foye could be a great fit for them.

8. Houston Rockets: Marcus Williams (6-3 PG, Connecticut) - The Rockets desperately need a PG and could take Kentucky's Rondo but I have a feeling that they could reach for Williams whose the best pure pass first point guard in this draft.

9. Golden State Warriors: Cedric Simmons (6-10 PF, NC State) - The Warriors always seem to wind up with athletic big men who never materialize to anything and this year's Adonal Foyle is Simmons whose stock is on the rise of late.

10. Seattle Sonics: Thabo Sefolosha (6-6 SF, Switzerland) - The Sonics are not afriad to draft polished European players as witnessed by the success they had with Vladimir Radmonovich. This could be the spot for them to take such a player or another big man like Bradley's seven foot center Patrick O'Bryant.

And in case you were wondering about the Knicks, I'll just tell you that I have a feeling they'll take Duke guard J.J. Redick with the 20th overall pick. After all, Redick probably has the least upside out of anybody in the draft which is exactly why the Knicks will take him. With their second pick they will proceed to take a European player that no one has ever heard of before.