NEW YORK
Once Anthony Davis slips on a Hornets hat above basketball’s most celebrated eyebrow Thursday night, the NBA draft really starts.
Davis will head to New Orleans with the No. 1 pick, even if the college player of the year is reluctant to guarantee it.
After that, nobody can be sure what will happen.
1. NEW ORLEANS (21-45) ANTHONY DAVIS, F, KENTUCKY
Davis said he hasn’t been told he’s the Hornets’ guy, but he shouldn’t need to ask. Teams don’t pass up his mixture of size, skill and defensive dominance.
2. CHARLOTTE (7-59) THOMAS ROBINSON, F, KANSAS.
Michael Jordan has botched a No. 1 pick (Kwame Brown) and a No. 3 (Adam Morrison) and now his Bobcats are at No. 2 after slipping in the lottery following the worst season in NBA history. Charlotte needs some toughness, and Robinson can provide it.
3. WASHINGTON (20-46) MICHAEL KIDD-GILCHRIST, F, KENTUCKY
John Wall and Kidd-Gilchrist would look great in Kentucky, and fans in Washington should like the idea of that combination, too.
4. CLEVELAND (21-45) BRADLEY BEAL, G, FLORIDA
The Cavaliers rebounded as well as they could from losing LeBron James by taking eventual Rookie of the Year Kyrie Irving last year with the No. 1 pick. Next up is trying to find him the kind of help they could never provide for James.
5. SACRAMENTO (22-44). HARRISON BARNES, G, NORTH CAROLINA.
Another top-five pick, another chance to add another good, young piece to follow Tyreke Evans and DeMarcus Cousins.
6. PORTLAND (28-38, from Brooklyn) DAMIAN LILLARD, G, WEBER STATE
First of two lottery picks for the Trail Blazers. Plenty of buzz that they’ll take Lillard, but given their injury woes, they should be happy if whoever they take just stays healthy.
7. GOLDEN STATE (23-43) ANDRE DRUMMOND, F/C, CONNECTICUT
Even if Drummond falls over questions about everything from his offensive skills to his desire, it’s hard to imagine his athleticism and defensive prowess let him go any lower than here.
8. TORONTO (23-43) DION WAITERS, G, SYRACUSE
With Jose Calderon battling injuries in recent years and headed for a long summer with Spain’s national team, it seems time to look for another point guard.
9. DETROIT (25-41) JEREMY LAMB, F, CONNECTICUT
The Pistons won a title in 2004 with Richard Hamilton, and now they could grab another swingman from Connecticut with a similar game.
10. NEW ORLEANS (21-45, from Minnesota via Clippers). AUSTIN RIVERS, G, DUKE
Because this pick came in the deal that sent Chris Paul out, how about bringing another point guard in?
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