FanHouse

NBA FanHouse presents the most irrational but fast! 1/2-mock draft alive.

#1, Chicago: Michael Beasley. The Bulls pose one of the biggest Beasley-or-Rose quandaries among all lottery teams. One minute, Beasley seems like a no-brainer for a team lacking low-post scoring. But Kirk Hinrich was awful last season, Tyrus Thomas is still considered to be a nice prospect, and Rose is insanely talented. Of course, size always wins. John Paxson is nothing if not by-the-book. Bulls take Beasley, which is one helluva way to kick off an offseason.

#2, Miami: Derrick Rose. No-brainer at this point, and very possibly the guy Miami would've taken with the top pick, had they received it. Rose and Dwyane Wade make a fearsome tandem for years to come; if Shawn Marion comes to camp, this is a dangerous squad. The Heat should be scouring the league for a passable center this summer, despite having no other assets to speak of (assuming Udonis Haslem sticks at power forward and Matrix slides to the three).

#3, Minnesota: Brook Lopez. The Wolves still haven't had an opportunity to see if Randy Foye can run the point reliably, so it seems doubtful a replacement would be picked there. It's not the right decision -- this team needs a damn point guard -- but size also wins on draft day, and the Wolves absolutely need a center to help Al Jefferson man the post. Lopez isn't the right player, and if a sentient human being were manning the controls the Wolves might trade down to stockpile assets. But again, size blinds when the funky suits come out, and no one would be surprised if Minny took Brook.

Picks #4-14, after the jump.

#4, Seattle: Jerryd Bayless. Pegging Durant as a future forward, Sam Presti should probably go guard here, and Bayless is the perfect alibi. Point guard has been a trouble spot for the Sonics, and if Durant moves up a weight class two-guard will be a glaring hole. Bayless can fit in either spot.

#5, Memphis: Kevin Love. The Grizzlies desperately need size, and not just because Kwame Brown is a free agent. If Love continues his body reformation under the training of Joe Abunassar this summer, he'll be able to creep up draft boards and become less than a shock at #5.

#6, New York: O.J. Mayo. Some thing were just meant to be, Mike D'Antoni be damned. Seriously, though: Mayo's the best player available and one season at the point under D'Antoni's speed system wouldn't be the worst thing in the world. Gallinari's an option here, as well. Someone like Anthony Randolph could be the pick, too.

#7, Clippers: Eric Gordon. The Clips need guards. Absent an elite point (Rose, Bayless) or a sustainable combo (Mayo), Gordon fits the bill.

#8, Milwaukee: Danilo Gallinari. There's talk Milwaukee will be looking to trade their pick for an established, productive player. If they keep it, Gallinari's got the talent at a need position (small forward) and might be difficult to pass up.

#9, Charlotte: Anthony Randolph. A big-man offensive threat? Enjoy. There's really no telling where Charlotte goes, or whether they even keep this pick. The options were stronger in 2008, and they pawned the #8 pick off for a $14 million non All-Star two-guard. Randolph's a guess, but it's as good as your's.

#10, New Jersey: DeAndre Jordan. The Nets pick size seemingly every June, but they still need a strong starter at center, and Jordan's got the most perceived potential here (though I think others would join me in preferring McGee at this juncture).

#11, Indiana: JaVale McGee. While point guard is a need and two sweet prospects sit on the board, Larry Bird has vacancies elsewhere in his motel and McGee's intriguing enough to gamble on. Seriously high-risk pick here, but Bird's bold enough to take it.

#12, Sacramento: Russell Westbrook. Tough choice, Westbrook versus D.J. Augustin. Westbrook gets the nod because of the team's stated allegiance to finding some defensive players as well the kid's explosive athleticism. The roster might not show it, but Geoff Petrie loves himself some athletes. (See: Wallace, Gerald, and Webber, Chris.)

#13, Portland: D.J. Augustin. With little need in the frontcourt and remaining mystery around the point guard position, Augustin is too intriguing to pass up.

#14, Golden State: Darrell Arthur.The Warriors are in extraordinary flux, but the Blazers help out by taking a potential Monta Ellis running mate/Baron Davis successor off the board. Arthur bangs where Brandan Wright and Andris Biedrins fail to, and this looks like a decent fit.

As you'd expect, NBA FanHouse will continue to cover the donkey out of the draft. Stay tuned. We've got five weeks to go.