Jeff Budlong, On the rebound

In what has become the biggest event in nearly every major professional sport the NBA takes its turn at the draft table Thursday. The top two are set even if the order is being somewhat debated, but the rest of the draft could get interesting.

Here are my projections:

1. Portland &045; Greg Oden. There has been lots of talk lately about the Trail Blazers being unsure of who they want Oden or Kevin Durant. I would go with Durant but size wins out at the top of the draft.

2. Seattle &045; Kevin Durant. I don&8217;t care if he can&8217;t lift 95 pounds right now, he is an amazing athlete and has a great many basketball skills. Durant will have the better career of the two prizes in this draft. I like his versatility even if he has to play out West.

3. Atlanta &045; Al Horford. Atlanta took the &8220;Landlord&8221; last year in Sheldon Williams and he proved to be none too special. This time around the Hawks go for the Florida big man who is more polished offensively than his teammate Jokim Noah and could be an all-star in the league.

4. Memphis &045; Brandan Wright. He has taken hits for not being tough enough, but you always hear the upside word with him. With the uncertainty of Pau Gasol in the post the Grizzlies need a big man for insurance.

5. Boston &045; Jokim Noah. The Florida product has shot up the draft board in recent weeks and with Danny Ainge running the show who knows what the Celtics might do. Noah is a big effort guy but is limited offensively.

6. Milwaukee &045; Mike Conley Jr. Conley is the best point guard in a weak draft for the position. He was the best player on an Ohio State team with the No. 1 pick in this draft. Could be a special pro.

7. Minnesota &045; Corey Brewer. On a team stacked with tweener guards Brewer has the size at 6 foot, 9 inches and the versatility to play the three. Solid offensive game with great defensive ability.

8. Charlotte &045; Jeff Green. Charlotte wants Noah but I think he will be gone by then. So they take another effort guy who is a little smaller. He has offensive skills and is a good defender and an unselfish player.

9. Chicago &045; Spencer Hawes. There seems to be a lot of questions about Yi Jianlian out of China. I am not a fan of what I have seen but he could be the pick here. However, I&8217;m going with the Washington 7-footer.

10. Sacramento &045; Yi Jianlian. Why not. The Kings have favored foreign centers before.

11. Atlanta &045; Acie Law. Law cancelled workouts with other teams and seems to have an agreement with the Hawks in place.

12. Philadelphia &045; Al Thornton. Thornton is already in his mid-20s but the high-flyer will give the 76ers two big-time athletes along with Andre Iguodala.

13. New Orleans &045; Nick Young. New Orleans gets the shooter to go along with all-world point guard Chris Paul. Young is thought to be the best shooter in this draft.

14. L.A. Clippers &045; Javaris Crittenton. With the career of Shaun Livingston up in the air the Clips go for a young point guard

once more in the draft.

15. Detroit &045; Thaddeus Young. The drafting of Darko is really starting to hurt the Pistons now. With age catching up with the Pistons at every position they need youth and Young is that.

16. Washington &045; Rodney Stuckey. Stuckey is a scorer and that is what the defensively challenged Wizards are going to need especially if Agent 0 decides to leave after this season.

Sports editor Jeff Budlong&8217;s column appears every Wednesday.