8. Milwaukee Bucks
T.J. Ford
Point Guard | 6-0, 162 | Draft Player Card
Sophomore | Texas
Andy Katz's Pick: This will shock some of the Ford loyalists in Austin, but he has a chance to slide down a few notches. The Bucks would love to get either Ford or Kirk Hinrich. If given the choice, they would go with Ford, who could replace Gary Payton and team up with Sam Cassell. The questions dogging Ford are his size, strength and shooting -- but his quickness and floor leadership can erase the doubts.
Chad Ford's Take: With owner Herb Kohl trying to sell, Gary Payton is as good as gone. Kohl won't want to give Payton a lucrative long-term deal while the franchise is still up for sale. If Ford is on the board, Milwaukee is doing back flips. They love him. However, I don't believe he'll slip past the Clippers at No. 6. If he's gone, I think KU's Hinrich is the guy. He has impressed them in workouts and has the experience to step in right away.

9. New York Knicks
Chris Kaman
Center | 7-0½, 252 | Draft Player Card
Junior | Central Michigan
Chad Ford's Pick: No one was happier than Kaman when Podkolzine pulled out of the draft Thursday. Kaman was battling Podkolzine for this pick, and it appeared the Knicks were leaning toward Podkolzine. Now, Kaman is the logical choice. He's the only big man in the draft who could make a difference for the Knicks in the short term.
Andy Katz's Take: The Knicks have to get a player who can produce next season. Kaman is the anti-New Yorker, loving a calm, quiet Midwestern lifestyle. But he'll have to get used to the critics. Kaman won't get past the Knicks, unless they saw some blatant flaws in his game. They could consider Nick Collison or Hinrich at this spot, but it's hard to imagine Kaman sliding past the Knicks.

10. Washington Wizards
Kirk Hinrich
Point Guard | 6-3¾ | 186 | Draft Player Card
Senior | Kansas
Andy Katz's Pick: Hinrich would be a steal for the Wizards. Eddie Jordan should love coaching a guy like this. He can push the basketball like Jason Kidd and is a crafty defender. Hinrich is a combo guard, but that shouldn't matter in Jordan's system. He can play, regardless of the exact positioning on the court. The Wizards' general manager situation puts this pick in flux a bit, but they still will go with the best available player more than with need.
Chad Ford's Take: The Wizards need a little help everywhere. If Hinrich is on the board, I think they'd snatch him up in a heartbeat. New head coach Eddie Jordan likes to play up-tempo, and no one in the draft does that better than Hinrich. However, if Hinrich goes to Milwaukee at No. 8, I think the Wizards will play it safe and draft his teammate, Nick Collison.

11. Golden State Warriors
Nick Collison
Power Forward | 6-10, 255 | Draft Player Card
Senior | Kansas
Chad Ford's Pick: No one completely understands what goes through GM Garry St. Jean's mind. But it's always safe to take the road less traveled with the Warriors. If Gilbert Arenas leaves, they'll need a point in the worst way. But guys like Luke Ridnour and Reece Gaines haven't wowed them. So, like the last two years (with Jason Richardson and Mike Dunleavy), they go with a player that just so happens to play at a position where they don't need any help. It's the Warriors' way.
Andy Katz's Take: This would be a surprise. Collison could go higher at No. 9 but is coveted by Seattle at No. 12. The Warriors would probably go with Ridnour in this scenario, because they could be in need of a point guard, depending on Gilbert Arenas' situation. The Warriors could also consider Gaines. Collison is worth picking at No. 11, but he's a better fit in Seattle at No. 12.

12. Seattle SuperSonics
Michael Sweetney
Power Forward | 6-8, 262 | Draft Player Card
Junior | Georgetown
Andy Katz's Pick: The Sonics' first choice is Collison, but they won't turn down Sweetney. They love his power game and his ability to get to the free-throw line. The Sonics' brass made a special trip to D.C. last week to see Sweetney work out. They weren't going to come across the country to watch a marginal pick for their position. Sweetney could be an anchor for the Sonics' inside game.
Chad Ford's Take: I know there are a lot of rumblings that Seattle prefers Collison or even Brian Cook to Sweetney. That's fine, but it doesn't make much sense. Sweetney's game is the antidote for what ails the Sonics. He's tough, scores with his back to the basket, rebounds and gets to the line (and makes his free throws when he's there). I hope for the Sonics' sake that Collison is off the board when they pick.

13. Memphis Grizzlies
Alexsandar Pavlovic
Shooting Guard | 6-6, 207 | Draft Player Card
Budcunost | Serbia
Chad Ford's Pick: Who knows what the Grizzlies do here? They're trying to move up to get their hands on Pietrus. If they don't, they have to find another athlete who can swing between the two and three. Pavlovic is considered the best shooter in the draft and is an above average athlete. Put him on the court with Jason Williams, Mike Miller, Pau Gasol and Lorenzen Wright, and you have one of the best shooting teams in the NBA.
Andy Katz's Take: Not sure about this pick. The Grizzlies would grab Lampe if he were still on the board, and they could consider Gaines or Sweetney, if the Georgetown forward were to fall. Ridnour is still on the board in this scenario and could get some attention. Pavlovic was considered more of a middle first-round player, but something must be clicking for the Grizzlies with Pavlovic the final two weeks.

14. Seattle SuperSonics
Marcus Banks
Point Guard | 6-2, 200 | Draft Player Card
Senior | UNLV
Andy Katz's Pick: The word is Banks, the UNLV senior point guard, is moving up. He was originally talked about at No. 16 or 20 to Boston. But Banks is being discussed as a possible selection at No. 14. The Sonics are a bit scared of Leandrinho Barbosa, because of his inability to speak English well. The Sonics might have a hard time skipping over Ridnour, but Banks is the better athlete.
Chad Ford's Take: He's the hottest name in the draft right now. But is the hype getting out of control? First Phoenix loved him. Then Boston. Now Seattle? Banks reminds some of a poor man's Baron Davis. He can get to the basket at will, but his lack of size and floor-general skills have some wondering what all the hype is about. I think they'd be better off taking a flyer on Barbosa, whose size and athleticism make him stand out. He's a bigger project than Banks, but the Sonics can afford to groom him for a year.

22. New Jersey Nets
Zoran Planinic
Small Forward | 6-7, 220 | Draft Player Card
Autodorozhnik Saratov | Russia
Andy Katz's Pick: The Nets have liked Planinic for a while, and he stopped working out after his visit to New Jersey. He tweaked his back, but that didn't hurt him with the Nets. The workout went well enough that he could have locked himself up a spot in the first round. New Jersey could use another point guard if they lose Jason Kidd. If not, they've got a developing player who could help them in a year or two rather than being forced to play too early.
Chad Ford's Take: Planinic is another hot name in the draft at the moment. Insider first reported the Nets' love affair with Planinic last week. It looks like things are still hot and heavy. His workouts have been described as scintillating by several teams. Planinic, at 6-foot-7, has the size, shooting touch, athleticism and versatility that the Nets covet at the point. He should be able to step right in and contribute behind Jason Kidd and Kerry Kittles.

23. Portland Trail Blazers
Leandrinho Barbosa
Point Guard | 6-4, 185 | Draft Player Card
Barcelona | Brazil
Chad Ford's Pick: The rumor is that high school power forward Travis Outlaw is the man here. I had him down, but then I got to thinking. If I'm Steve Patterson, and I'm trying to change the image of the "Jail Blazers," do I really draft a guy named Outlaw? The more I thought about it, the more it drove me to change the pick. I don't believe Barbosa will fall this far, but if he does, he's a steal at 23. With Antonio Daniels leaving, and Jeff McInnis and Damon Stoudamire on the way out, Barbosa has the size, athleticism and energy the Blazers crave at point guard. He may be a year or so away, but the Blazers can afford to wait.
Andy Katz's Take: Not sure about this pick. Barbosa could easily be a second-round pick. Teams aren't necessarily going to promise a point guard who can't speak English a first-round slot. Letting him slide into the second round wouldn't be a crime. The Blazers are rumored to have promised Outlaw this pick, but that seems farfetched. So, too, would an Ndudi Ebi selection. The more likely scenario is for the Blazers to take either David West or Josh Howard. They have to think senior, experienced and either rebounder or scorer.

24. Los Angeles Lakers
Josh Howard
Small Forward | 6-6½, 202 | Draft Player Card
Senior | Wake Forest
Andy Katz's Pick: The Lakers covet Schortsanitis and Cook, but they're not around at this point in this mock draft. Los Angeles would have to look at a collection of David West, Mario Austin, Howard and Jason Kapono. Howard might be the most ready to contribute next season. His workouts have been solid, and he's still a more versatile scorer than anyone else in that group. The Lakers could use an athletic, energized veteran college player in their lineup.
Chad Ford's Take: After taking Kareem Rush in the first round last year, it's hard to believe they'd grab yet another swingman this year. Not when several big men are on the board. David West, Mario Austin and Malick Badiane will all get a look here (as will Baby Shaq, if he's still around) but I think the pick will ultimately be Zaur Pachulia. Pachulia, a big man from the country of Georgia, could give the Lakers their next Vlade Divac. With Shaq's long-term health and future up in the air, it's never too late to start developing someone.

25. Detroit Pistons
Travis Hansen
Shooting Guard | 6-5½, 200 | Draft Player Card
Senior | BYU
Chad Ford's Pick: The Pistons addressed their frontcourt with Darko. Now they'll move to their backcourt. Hansen had a great workout in Detroit last week, and the team likes him. At 25 years old, he has the maturity and a nice perimeter shot that could help the Pistons right away. They'll also take a long look at Boris Diaw and possibly Carlos Delfino here.
Andy Katz's Take: Can't agree here. Carlos Delfino could be the answer. The Pistons would be going with Hansen over Delfino, Austin, Boris Diaw, West and Dahntay Jones. Their pick is more likely to come out of that group. Hansen was impressive in Portsmouth, Chicago and during workouts, but he still could have a hard time cracking the first round. He's an outstanding hustle-play guard. He can make shots and handle the ball. Larry Brown will like him and use him if they draft him.