Because we’re geeky about the NBA draft, beginning tomorrow, we’ll take a team-by-team look at the lottery leading up to the draft on June 25. Here are a few thoughts on the rest of the first round.

15. Detroit Pistons – Offensively-challenged (3rd lowest scoring average in the league), they’ll probably lose Iverson, Rasheed and McDyess. They’ll need to go big, but that’ll have to be addressed via free agency. Pick: Gani Lawal, Georgia Tech. Maybe he’ll be good enough so we can quit hearing about the alleged greatness of Amir Johnson.
16. Chicago Bulls – Brad Miller’s got one more year and the team still lacks a consistent interior scoring threat. Pick: The best post scoring presence in the draft, Pitt’s DeJuan Blair, if he falls this far. If not, Wake’s James Johnson, though soft, could be the guy.
17. Philadelphia 76ers – Can they get a starting PG to take the place of Andre Miller? Assuming Flynn, Curry, Jennings, Lawson and Maynor are off the board, that leaves Wake’s Jeff Teague (who’s a scorer, like Louis Williams), UCLA’s Darren Collison, and St. Mary’s, Patty Mills. Pick: Collison’s a pure PG, but so undersized that we’d look elsewhere and take a chance on Mills, the Olympian.
18. Minnesota Timberwolves – With three first-round picks, they can patch serious holes. The only guys on the roster with potential logevity – Foye (SG), Jefferson (C), Love (PF). Assuming they go PG with the first pick, two names jump out here as potential SFs (if you don’t like Corey Brewer): DeJuan Summers of Georgetown and Sam Young of Pitt. Pick: Young, though SG Wayne Ellington is intriguing, since Foye can play some point.
19. Atlanta Hawks – Biggest need: PG for Bibby (Acie Law isn’t the future, apparently). Pick: Ty Lawson of UNC. Improved significantly as a senior.
20. Utah Jazz – Boozer’s opting out. Millsap’s a free agent. What will Okur do? Pick: All signs point to a power forward, and Tyler Hansbrough seems like a logical fit. The Jazz like surprises … what about Luke Harangody? Nice inside-outside player; Derrick Brown of Xavier wouldn’t be a bad choice, either. Austin Daye’s way too soft for Jerry Sloan, but he’ll probably be considered.
21. New Orleans Hornets – Struggle badly scoring and rebounding, and the team could undergo a significant offseason overhaul. Pick: LSU’s Marcus Thornton. Local kid, and a better scorer than FSU’s Toney Douglas. Could be a nice wingman for CP3.
22. Dallas Mavericks – With Jason Kidd a free agent, would you prefer to draft a new PG, or go with the Barea/Terry combo? What about unloading occasionally problematic/injured SF Josh Howard? Pick: Arizona’s Chase Budinger and Dirk would form the best white shooting combo in the league.
23. Sacramento Kings – Such a mess. How much longer do they wait on Hawes/Thompson? We’re going to have them take a SG/SF scorer at 4, since no PG other than Rubio has value there. Pick: Jon Brockman to team with former UW teammate Hawes? Give the 2nd worst rebounding team in the league a banger like PF Jeff Pendergraph of ASU.
24. Portland Trail Blazers – Pick: UNC’s Danny Green could replace Travis Outlaw if the Blazers’ starting SF leaves following next season.
25. Oklahoma City Thunder – Can’t find a center his late, and assuming they take Rubio at 3, you’ll have to assume they look for a PF here. USC’s Taj Gibson adds toughness, MSU’s Goran Suton is a fundamentally-sound player, and a sleeper would be LSU center Chris Johnson for shot-blocking ability. Pick: We’ll lean Gibson here because he seems to have a mean streak this team lacks.
26. Chicago Bulls – Pick: Your new instant offense gunner after Ben Gordon leaves: Miami’s Jack McClinton. This spot is probably early for him, but the guy’s a scoring machine.
27. Memphis Grizzlies – With Thabeet at No. 2, the frontline is set. Conley and Mayo are good in the backcourt. This team should be one season away from a playoff spot. We’d consider trading this pick, or perhaps select a scorer for stretches when Mayo runs cold. Pick: Kentucky’s Jodie Meeks qualifies.
28. Minnesota Timberwolves – For a moribund franchise, stashing a Euro seems crazy, but why not? A new GM is unlikely to try this, since he may only have three years to turn things around. Pick: Was looking for a big, athletic Euro … and Victor Claver fits that description. You can thank Chad Ford for this one.
29. Los Angeles Lakers – With Odom and Ariza possibly departing, a SF is the top priority. Pick: Tennessee’s Tyler Smith has a nice skill set, and we’d give him a slight nod of Damion James of Texas because offensive ability.
30. Cleveland Cavaliers – Has to be a power player, preferably for defense, just in case they can’t land Shaq, Amare, Z-Bo, Rasheed, Bosh or whomever. Pick: For interior toughness, plus the ability to step out and hit a jumper: Gonzaga’s Josh Heytvelt.