Other Noteworthy Names: Despite the plethora of trades, the top eight names went according to plan. Connecticut’s Rudy Gay dropped the most of the bunch to Houston at No. 8. And the Rockets promptly shipped Gay to Memphis for Shane Battier — he of Duke Blue Devil fame. Another Blue Devil, Shelden Williams, became the first four-year player drafted this year when the Atlanta Hawks took him at No. 5. Williams’ teammate J.J. Redick will hope his potent shooting works for the Orlando Magic, which selected him at No. 11. Redick’s scoring title running mate, Gonzaga’s Adam Morrison, will partner with other former collegiate stars like Emeka Okafor, Raymond Felton and Sean May in Charlotte. The Bobcats chose Morrison at No. 3.
Rounding out the top eight picks, Minnesota selected Washington’s Brandon Roy at No. 6, and Boston selected Villanova’s Randy Foye at No. 7. Now pay attention class because there will be a test later on this. Boston had already agreed to package that pick in a trade to Portland for Sebastian Telfair, among others. So Foye became a Portland TrailBlazer — for about five minutes. Portland and Minnesota then agreed to swap picks, sending Roy closer to home with the TrailBlazers and moving Foye to the Timberwolves. Got it? Good.
For more critical analysis of what went down, check out Phil Kasiecki’s thoughts on the draft. [6/29/06]
