The Most Exciting Mock Draft on the Internet

Welcome to the inaugural edition of From The Sideline’s Most Exciting Mock Draft. I’ll go through the first ten picks with two caveats:

1. Each team must trade its pick.
2. Each team must also fill a need (either by position or by managing its salary cap).

So without further delay here we go – place your trays in the upright position and keep your seat belt fastened at all times.

#1 – Los Angeles Clippers: The Clips send #1 pick Blake Griffin, Marcus Camby, and Ricky Davis to the Suns for Shaquille O’neal.

I know you’re thinking, “What the hell!? The Clips trade away the best player in the draft for an aging star past his prime?” But let’s not forget that this is the Clippers. Big Diesel makes his return to Hollywood in the twilight of his career to pair with Baron Davis and Zach Randolph for one last push for the playoffs. Plus, Donald Sterling is delusional enough to look at Shaq as a $20 million expiring contract. Meanwhile, the Suns shed Shaq’s salary and get expiring deals in Camby ($7 mil) and Davis ($5 mil).

#2 – Memphis Grizzlies: The Grizz ship #2 (Hasheem Thabeet) and Mike Conley to Minnesota for the #6 (Jrue Holiday), the #18 (Ty Lawson), and Kevin Love.

The Grizz end their unfruitful marriage with Mike Conley while filling their need for a rebounding power forward in Love. They also get two young PG to supply a starter and back up for years to come. The T-Wolves add a PG to pair with Randy Foye and get their shot-blocking center, allowing Al Jefferson to move to the four.

#3 – Oklahoma City Thunder: The #3 (Ricky Rubio) heads to New York in exchange for the #8 (Tyreke Evans) and an unprotected #1 in 2010.

Mike D’Antoni’s dream comes true in finding his floor general of tomorrow in Rubio while the Thunder get Evans to fill in the backcourt with Russell Westbrook and transition Kevin Durant to the wing. Not to mention OKC GM Sam Presti acquires yet another lottery pick in 2010.

#4 – Sacramento Kings: The Kings package the #4 (Jordan Hill) and Shareef Abdur-Rahim’s expiring contract for Washington’s #5 (James Harden) and Antawn Jamison.

The Kings get ready made scorers in Jamison and Harden. Meanwhile, the Wizards get a $6.6 million expiring deal to help add pieces to Caron Butler and Gilbert Arenas, not to mention a younger, cheaper, and more athletic PF in Hill.

#5 – Washington Wizards: See above trade with the Kings.

#6 – Minnesota Timberwolves: See above trade with the Grizzlies.

#7 – Golden State Warriors: The Warriors send the #7 (Stephen Curry) and Ronnie Turiaf to the Suns for Steve Nash.

The dismantling of the Suns nucleus continues (if only in my fantasy world) as Phoenix says goodbye to MVPs Shaq and Nash. But Suns fans can find solace in the beginning of the Stephen Curry and Amare Stoudemire era. On the other hand, we all get the joy of Steve Nash running Nellie-ball for the Warriors.

#8 – New York Knicks: See above trade with the Thunder.

#9 – Toronto Raptors: The Raptors ship the #9 (Demar DeRozan) and Reggie Evans to the Bobcats for Gerald Wallace.

The Raptors shed some dead salary in Evans and bring Chris Bosh some help in Gerald Wallace (16.6 points and 7.8 boards). Larry Brown accumulates more young talent and an expiring deal while ridding himself of Wallace and his attitude.

#10 – Milwaukee Bucks: The #10 (Johnny Flynn) heads to Philly in exchange for the #17 (James Johnson) and a lottery protected 2010 first rounder.

Milwaukee is a small market that’s strapped for cash in this tough economy. So by moving down and getting a 2010 pick, they can fill a need with Johnson, a 6’8” PF, and save some money in the process. The Sixers hope to compete now and find their replacement for free agent Andre Miller in Flynn.

Damn – that was harder than I thought it would be… I could use a beer and some comments.