In what should be a top heavy but a very deep and talented NBA draft next week , the following is how I see the top 10 shaking out come next Thursday.

1. Chicago Bulls - Everyone says what a great spot that the Bulls are in having the option of selecting Derrick Rose or Michael Beasley. However, on what already is a very talented and young team, this single decision could make or break the direction that this franchise will head. While I believe that the Bulls cannot go wrong with this selection as both players are immediate impact players, I do feel that it comes down to team needs. It is almost too good to be true that Rose is a hometown kid, the best PG in the draft, and a soft spoken leader. Beasley on the other hand, is a total freak of nature, however many experts question his work ethic and leadership capabilities. While all signs and NBA experts predict the Bulls will take Rose, Beasley fits the Bulls biggest need in a low post scorer. Having PG Kirk Hinrich already on the team, drafting Rose simply would not make sense, unless the Bulls’ brass has a secret trade on the horizon. Drafting Beasley would enable the Bulls to have a starting lineup of Hinrich, Ben Gordon, Luol Deng, Beasley, and Joakim Noah. This starting lineup would enable two players who could probably start on many teams in Tyrus Thomas and Andres Nocioni to come off the bench and thus give the Bulls one of the deepest teams in the league.

The Pick: Michael Beasley

2. Miami Heat - The Miami Heat are sure to take whichever of the “Big 2″ that the Bulls do not select. It is no secret that the Heat desperately covets Rose and like the Bulls with Beasley, Rose fits a huge need for the Heat. The dynamic Rose would allow the Heat to play Dwayne Wade at SG where he is better suited on the wing. The major question mark for the Heat is if F Shawn Marion is going to opt out of his contract. To me, I believe Marion will stay as he was the one who initiated the trade out of Phoenix to Miami in the first place. If Marion does not opt out of his contract or re-signs with the Heat, this trio could not fit any better together. All three are extremely athletic, unselfish, can score, defend and love to get out and run the floor. With this trio intact, the Heat could immediately go from one of the worst teams to immediately challenging the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference.

The Pick: Derrick Rose

3. Minnesota Timberwolves- While O.J. Mayo could be selected here, I feel that Timberwolves are going to go big and select Stanford C Brook Lopez. This move would give the Timberwolves a young athletic center to compete with the bigs in the West and also allow them to slide Al Jefferson back to his natural position of PF. With this selection, the Timberwolves who already have a young PG in Randy Foye would have a nice starting five of Foye, Corey Brewer, Ryan Gomes, Jefferson and Lopez. Again, Lopez fits the Timberwolves need better than Mayo.

The Pick: Brook Lopez

4. Seattle Supersonics - If there is any team in the draft that desperately needs a floor general and help in the backcourt, it is the Supersonics. And to immediately address that need, expect the Supersonics to draft O.J. Mayo. While Mayo is considered by many a “combo guard”, he is really better suited to be a PG. Being a PG would allow Mayo at 6-5 and 195 pounds, a clear advantage over his competition. He would be too strong and too tall for opposing PG’s thus creating a matchup nightmare. However, most importantly, being the PG should eliminate Mayo from taking too many of the forced shots that he would likely take at the SG spot. Mayo along with Kevin Durant and Jeff Green would give the Supersonics a young and talented foundation that they need to take the next step as a franchise.

The Pick: O.J. Mayo

5. Memphis Grizzlies - The Grizzlies are a team like others with a lot of needs, and could go in a variety of directions with this pick. And in examining their roster and who should be available with this pick, the Grizzlies should select F Kevin Love. Love would give the Grizzlies a rock down on the blocks and toughness inside. Love has an excellent post game, can step out and shoot the ball and is extremely tough on the glass. With a franchise in total disarray, Love would be the safest pick for the Grizzlies.

The Pick: Kevin Love

6. New York Knicks - Speaking of disarray or shambles, the Knicks will be on the clock with the 6th selection. And after cleaning house and hiring a new coach in Mike D’Antoni and GM in Donnie Walsh, the Knicks without question need to be sure that this pick is the right selection. With no clear immediate impact player left on the board and the Knicks in desperate need of a PG, I would advise the Knicks to trade out of this slot and swap 1st round picks with another team while possibly picking up another 2nd round selection either this year or next. This would allow the Knicks to still select a PG depending on who the Knicks trade with and to stock pile additional draft picks. The Knicks just need to assure themselves that they do not trade with a team after the 11th selection (Indiana Pacers), as the Pacers clearly want to draft a PG as well. And to me, D.J. Augustin would fit exactly what the Knicks need. Though a little bit undersized at 5-11 and 175, Augustin played at a big time college program in Texas and often outshined the likes of Beasley in the Big 12. Augustin is a tough kid, a proven floor general and a great “closer” late in games. Augustin would serve as a great first step toward rebuilding the Knicks.

The Pick: D.J. Augustin for the Knicks after the trade and Jerryd Bayless to the team who would own the 6th selection.

7. Los Angeles Clippers - With Shaun Livingston still recovering from his devastating injury and Sam Cassell out of town, the Clippers like many teams need to upgrade their backcourt. And the Clippers should have their choice of two players in Eric Gordon and Russell Westbrook. When it is all said and done, I expect the Clippers to draft the hometown kid in Westbrook over Gordon as Westbrook can run the point and most importantly defend. Gordon on the other hand is a clear scorer but does not possess great ball handling or defensive skills to the ability that Westbrook can. With this in mind, expect Westbrook to be the pick.

The Pick: Russell Westbrook

8. Milwaukee Bucks - The Bucks are yet another team with a great deal of needs and I expect them to be wheeling and dealing on draft day looking to trade just about any player on their roster. If the Bucks stay put with the 8th selection, I see them taking the best available player on the board. And that player at this point is F Danilo Gallinari from Italy.

The Pick: Danilo Gallinari

9. Charlotte Bobcats - With Matt Carroll currently slated to start at SG for the Bobcats, drafting Eric Gordon who is instant offense is a no brainer. Gordon would be a steal at the 9th selection and give the Bobcats a nice young scorer who can align with F Jason Richardson and C Emeka Okafor to possibly get the Bobcats into the playoffs for the first time in their franchise history.

The Pick: Eric Gordon

10. New Jersey Nets - Rounding out the top 10 selections of the 2008 NBA draft, the Nets need some toughness, size and shot blocking ability in the front court in the worst way. And with two young, athletic players still on the board in C DeAndre Jordan and F Anthony Randolph, the Nets will have a tough decision to make. And after weighing out the advantages and disadvantages of both players, Jordan should be the pick as he is a natural C with tremendous upside at 7-0 and 260 pounds.

The Pick: DeAndre Jordan