Here's a list of the 15 players who have been invited to the Green Room in New York for Thursday's NBA Draft. Last year Marcus Williams was the last one to be taken when he slipped to No. 22 and was taken by the Nets. We'll give you our odds on each guy slipping.
DON'T BET ON IT
Greg Oden -- Zero Chance. He's gone to Seattle in a worst-case scenario.
Kevin Durant -- Slim to None. Take None. In all likelihood, David Stern will be saying his name right after Greg Oden's.
SNAKE EYES
Al Horford -- Mark it down. He'll either go at No. 3 to Atlanta or No. 4 to Memphis.
Brandan Wright -- The NBA's favorite word is potential. That's why Wright, even if he falls, won't slip much.
Mike Conley Jr. -- He could slip a few spots, but in a weak point guard draft, he'll likely be gone somewhere from No. 3-7.
Corey Brewer -- While he may not go fifth, he also won't be the last one standing. He's a lock to go somewhere in the middle of the lottery -- because of his versatility. ROLL OF THE DICE
Joakim Noah -- A year ago, his wait wouldn't have been long at all. Now he may have to be patient -- but we're still guessing he'll go anywhere from No. 4-10.
Yi Jianlian -- This one could be interesting as he has the potential to fall -- especially because he hasn't worked out against anyone. Still, we'd be shocked if he got past Chicago at No. 9.
Jeff Green -- This one is difficult, but we can't see him falling into the double-digits.
Spencer Hawes -- The Seattle native may not be overly athletic, but he shined in individual workouts because of his skill level. He won't be around past No. 12 -- and could go a lot higher than that.
Al Thornton -- He's one of those guys that can help a team now because he played four years in college. He's also too gifted on the offensive end, so he won't be the last one standing.
Julian Wright -- His offensive game needs some work, but he brings an intensity, a versatility and toughness to the table. He won't be alone the camera at the end.
DOUBLE DOWN
Nick Young -- There's definitely a chance for slippage with Young, but we don't think he'll be the last one standing (or sitting).
Rodney Stuckey -- He may not have received the same level of exposure as most of the other guys on this list, but he's a big-time talent.
Acie Law IV -- This is our most likely pick to slide. Sure, he can make the big shot. But can he run an NBA team? We're not sold.
Are you kidding Acie Law. This guys has what it takes, maybe not as polished as some of the other players in this draft, but with tremendous upside, someone in need o####ood PG will s-n-a-t-c-h this guy up before the end of round one.
Well the point of the article wasn't about who would slide into the 2nd round. It's about who would slide out of lottery. 15 players in the green room. Who will be the last standing. If we look at the teams picking 1st through 15th.. There's a good chance he could slip.
I'm shocked and all those teams could be potentially resurrecting the type of assault that Nick Van Excel did to all the teams who passed on him. Lindsey Hunter knows what I'm talking about.
I am not sure that a lot of these guys would be considered can't miss prospects. The workouts are only one aspect of the evaluation process. There are a lot of intangibles that are missing from a lot of these athletes. I would venture to say that of the lottery picks, only about half of them will make a significant impact next year and some of this lot will come from players outside of the lottery.
They will always hate on an acie Law type player in college. 6'3 and combo type guard. I dont know what it is, but the speculators speculate and dont think that guys like him can play in the NBA. Im routing for him and nick Young myself. I think its all about the team fit and coaching. If the coach aint never playing you(like when larry Brown threw Darko under the bus for three years) then you are going to have people thinking you cant play.
I liked all the picks except one. I am not a Florida State fan or even an ACC fan, but I think that Al Thornton is the steal in this draft if he doesn't go in the top 8. I know each team has their needs, but this guy is NBA ready and a force on the offensive end. Obviously if he goes to a team with a defensive mentality, he could be slower to progress, but if he gets the chance to start right away, I say he wins the ROY award.
I am a avid rockets fan, and since there pick is like 26, i sure hope Acie Law IV slips that far like in the last mock draft i saw (although i highly doubt it). And it pains me to say that cuz i am also a UT fan to the max, but a shooter like that with T-mac and yao......trouble.
I think Acie Law is the best point guard coming out of this year's draft class, so he could be a steal for a team picking at 10 and up. Nick Young will be off the board quicker than people think. Young and Brewer are the only true shooting guards that could go in the top 15, so I think Young will get picked shortly after Brewer.
I agree Thornton will be good, and I hope the Blazers can sneak their way back into the first round to get him.
I'm not saying Acie is not a leader, he's a great leader and ball player, he kicked our butt fair and square and I'm sure he'll do great in the NBA, but as Longhorn Alumni obviously I want Durant to go before Acie, whether they are the last two taken or not. Plus I'm glad he's gone from A&M, he's been a thorn in our side for long enough.
Even though I am a gator fan I am still not convinced that Noah could be a top 10 pick. There is much better talent on that Florida team that could go ahead of Noah.
Acie the next Gilbert? Cool! Slip to 16 and come join Gilbert. Gilbert LOVES the ball, but he really is more of a shooting guard, a point guard would really help.
Jeff Goodman is a senior college basketball writer for FOXSports.com - This is the only place you'll find continuous daily updates from the world of college basketball, so check back as often as you'd like.
