Yes, it's that time. With the NBA Draft just a few weeks away, I'm posting my initial mock draft tonight. As I did with my NFL mocks, I'll probably have three or four NBA versions. Expect a good portion of these picks to change over the next few weeks, especially with the June 15th deadline for underclassmen to remove their names from the draft. Also, quick note, this first version will only be the first round, but I plan on going through both rounds in the next few weeks.

As always, I welcome all comments, thoughts, etc. Here we go:

1. Los Angeles Clippers - Blake Griffin, F, Oklahoma: The biggest foregone conclusion at No. 1 overall since LeBron, Duncan and Shaq. And Griffin will quickly prove he belongs in their company.

2. Memphis Grizzlies - Hasheem Thabeet, C, UConn: I don't like Thabeet, but I'm not Michael Heisley. He looks like the pick here.

3. Oklahoma City Thunder - Ricky Rubio, PG, Spain: Tough one to call here, but I think ultimately the Thunder will take Rubio. This could be tough though because the wunderkid will not come easily (Rubio's European club could seek between a $6.6-$8 million buyout).

4. Sacramento Kings - James Harden, SG, Arizona State: Tough call here as well. He's the pick for now, but I see his stock slipping in the coming weeks.

5. Washington Wizards - Jordan Hill, PF, Arizona: The Wizards would be happy to land Hill at No. 5. He's good value here.

6. Minnesota Timberwolves - Stephen Curry, PG, Davidson: I'm not sure where my T'wolves are leaning with this first pick. Adding to a thin (and injury-prone) backcourt would be a good start.

7. Golden State Warriors - Ty Lawson, PG, North Carolina: Golden State will almost certainly look for a guard. Brandon Jennings could be the pick, but I like Lawson based on his track record and most recent NCAA tournament run.

8. New York Knicks - DeMar DeRozan, SF, USC: DeRozan is still pretty raw, but I think the Knicks could fall in love with his athletic ability. It's hard to slot him anywhere though. He shouldn't be taken this high, but he benefits from a weak draft.

9. Toronto Raptors - Gerald Henderson, SF, Duke: Here's a great pick in my eyes. Toronto, a team that isn't far away from being in the playoffs, adds a mature, solid all-around player in Henderson. He would make an immediate impact in the rotation off the bench.

10. Milwaukee Bucks - Tyreke Evans, PG, Memphis: Ramon Sessions is serviceable, as is Luke Ridnour, but Evans could be special. Milwaukee seems almost forced to take a guard at this spot.

11. New Jersey Nets - Earl Clark, SF, Louisville: Perhaps a little high for the Louisville big man, but I wouldn't fault the Nets for grabbing him. He would add another athletic body to a frontcourt that already includes Brook Lopez, Ryan Anderson and Sean Williams.

12. Charlotte Bobcats - Chase Budinger, SF, Arizona: Adding Budinger would allow the Bobcats to go with a big lineup that included Gerald Wallace at shooting guard. At the very least he offers a hard worker off the bench. Think Luke Walton – a former Wildcat himself – but with more overall talent.

13. Indiana Pacers - Jonny Flynn, PG, Syracuse: Flynn appears to be moving up draft boards, so he might not be around this late. If he is, however, expect Indiana to move quickly to grab him.

14. Phoenix Suns - Patty Mills, PG, Saint Mary's: You talk about a natural replacement for Steve Nash – this is the guy. I can't think of a better fit for Phoenix's up-tempo style.

15. Detroit Pistons - Eric Maynor, PG, VCU: The run on point guards continues with the Pistons. I have a feeling Joe Dumars will approve of taking the veteran point guard, especially if, like I suspect, he sheds Iverson and Rip Hamilton and considers moving Rodney Stuckey to off guard.

16. Chicago Bulls - Wayne Ellington, SG, North Carolina: If Ben Gordon is dealt, this becomes a pick of necessity. But even if he isn't dealt, Ellington adds serious depth to a young, improving team.

17. Philadelphia 76ers - James Johnson, SF, Wake Forest: Philly is set with Andre Iguodala and Thaddeus Young, so I think this is case of Johnson being too good to pass up. It's best talent available at this point, and Johnson's a good one.

18. Minnesota Timberwolves - Terrence Williams, SF, Louisville: My man Ryan Gomes is entrenched at small forward, but Williams would be a nice boost off the bench.

19. Atlanta Hawks - B.J. Mullens, C, Ohio State: Zaza Pachulia isn't bad, but he also doesn't scare anyone. Mullens is a legit seven-footer with the chance to develop into a solid starter. Atlanta could take the chance on him.

20. Utah Jazz - DeJuan Blair, PF, Pittsburgh: Well, this looks familiar, doesn't it? Blair offers the same type of undersized banger at power forward as legend Karl Malone and current star Carlos Boozer. While not as talented (yet) as those two guys, he's pretty good value in the second half of the first round.

21. New Orleans Hornets - Tyler Hansbrough, PF, North Carolina: New Orleans is pretty thin behind David West and Tyson Chandler. Why not add the ACC's all-time leading scorer?

22. Dallas Mavericks - Brandon Jennings, PG, Oak Hill Academy/Italy: Jennings, a potential top-five talent, slips all the way to the 20s after a less-than-impressive year in Italy. Dallas might take a flyer on him.

23. Sacramento Kings - Sam Young, SF, Pittsburgh: The Kings will likely grab whoever they feel is the best available at this point. They need everything.

24. Portland Trail Blazers - Omri Casspi, SF, Israel: Casspi is a bit of an unknown, but Portland has a history of taking European guys late in the first and second rounds. This year could be no different, especially considering the team doesn't have many weaknesses.

25. Oklahoma City Thunder - Taj Gibson, PF, USC: Just another potential target for Rubio-led fast breaks.

26. Chicago Bulls - Dante Cunningham, SF, Villanova: John Salmons and Luol Deng are both solid at small forward, so Cunningham would likely ride the bench, at least early on.

27. Memphis Grizzlies - Jeff Teague, PG, Wake Forest: After adding Thabeet early on, the Grizzlies add Teague to back up Mike Conley.

28. Minnesota Timberwolves - DaJuan Summers, SF, Georgetown: Another guard is possible, though the T'wolves will probably opt for size. And with a complete shortage of centers, Summers offers a decent choice.

29. Los Angeles Lakers - Darren Collison, PG, UCLA: Derek Fisher is getting older and Jordan Farmar has proven to only be a spot contributor, so adding the local product Collison makes sense.

30. Cleveland Cavaliers - Dionte Christmas, SG, Temple: With Wally Szczerbiak likely gone, Cleveland will be in the market another another guard. Christmas is underrated coming out of Temple.