UCLA center Kevin Love was all smiles while in New York before the NBA draft. After getting selected No. 5 by the Memphis Grizzlies, Love later learned his draft rights had been traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves, where Hall of Fame forward Kevin McHale is head of basketball operations. (Frank Franklin II / Associated Press)
As expected Derrick Rose, of Memphis, was the first pick in the draft by the Chicago Bulls. He’s considered a franchise point guard and is a former high school star from Chicago. (Bill Waugh / AP)
Kansas State’s Michael Beasley, who went to the Miami Heat at No. 2, dominated many big games for the Wildcats. An offensive force -- he scored 26 points a game in his only college season -- he’s closer to 6-foot-8 than the 6-10 he was listed in college. (Robert Gauthier/ Los Angeles Times)
USC’s O.J Mayo was selected by the Minnesota Timberwolves, another one-and-done college player only because of the NBA’s rule prohibiting players from going to the pros straight out of high school. The 6-foot-4 guard, who scored 20.7 points a game last season, can play either the point and shooting guard. Mayo was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies for Kevin Love in an eight-player, late-night blockbuster after the NBA draft concluded.
UCLA’s Russell Westbrook was a surprise at the No,. 4 pick by the Seattle Supersonics. He’s a bit undersized for a shooting guard at 6-foot-3 but has great athletic ability and could have a huge upside for a team looking for a spark off the bench at both ends of the floor.
UCLA’s Kevin Love didn’t have a terrific NCAA tournament, but the 6-foot-10 center impressed the NBA scouts in tryouts recently and was selected No. 5 by the Memphis Grizzlies. Love was traded to the Minnesoata Timberwolves for O.J. Mayo in an eight-player, late-night blockbuster after the NBA draft concluded.
UCLA junior Luc Richard Mbah a Moute went to Milwaukee with the No. 37 overall pick. A rugged forward in college who helped the Bruins reach the Final Four three consecutive years, he’ll have his hands full in the NBA at only 6-foot-8. (Lori Shepler / Los Angeles Times)