TRADE: Houston trades the 2nd pick and Bobby Hurley to New Jersey for Kerry Kittles and Keith Van Horn

ANALYSIS: The Grizzlies choose Carter with their first pick, 3rd overall. Carter brings high-flying excitement, he is arguably the most athletic player to come out of North Carolina since Jordan, and he might have more potential. If Carter could add some range to his shooting, his game could resemble Scottie Pippen's and the Grizzlies would like that very much.

TRADE: The LA Clippers trade the 7th pick to Vancouver for Antonio Daniels and Vancouver's 2nd-round pick (33rd overall)

ANALYSIS: The Clippers were hoping for a point guard (either Bibby or Williams) and found one in last year's 4th pick Daniels (4.7ppg, 4.5apg as a rookie). The Grizzlies were expected to ship Daniels, who was replaced by Bobby Jackson as a starter.. Jamison is the ultimate tweener, but his athletic ability should carry him to some success. A good pick for Vancouver, where Abdur-Rahim's contract will expire after 1998/99 season.

TRADE: Cleveland trades their 14th pick to the LA Clippers for Eric Piatkowski and Pooh Richardson

TRADE: The LA Clippers trade Cleveland's 14th pick and their 36th pick to Toronto for Chris Crawford and Marko Milic

TRADE: Portland trades their 22nd pick and Stacey Augmon to Denver for Clyde Drexler

ANALYSIS: With Antonio Daniels being traded, Vancouver lacks a backing point guard. The Grizzlies are still expected to sign a veteran guard through free agency though, but 23 years old Carter may become helpful when Grizzlies guard-targets (like Damon Stoudamire) won't consider a contract with this team.

TRADE: The Charlotte Hornets trade their 47th pick to Detroit for Joe Dumars

The rumors about Paul Pierce's health issues and out-of-shape issues didn't prevent him from being picked as first in 1998's NBA draft! The talented shooting guard from Kansas will meet Latrell Sprewell in Golden State, as well as the 8th pick Dickerson, who's a shooting guard as well. Sprewell had a career-year with 30.4ppg, but is involved in trade talks every year. With Pierce arriving in town, those talks won't stop.. "German Wunderkind" Dirk Nowitzki was traded to New Jersey on draft night. Nowitzki is said to be a top prospect, but he has been called for a quick stint of military duty, leaving questions on whether he might stay in Europe for a few more years. If he plays in NBA next year, he will be a starter from the beginning. The re-building Rockets surprisingly gave away this 2nd pick, but got two promising players in return; Keith Van Horn and Kerry Kittles, as well as Houston's second pick, Michael Olowokandi (11th overall), will help this team immediately and still got some potential. Olowanki was expected to get picked higher and could become a real steal for the Rockets.. Vancouver got two lottery picks with high-flying Vince Carter and power forward Antawn Jamison, who was acquired via trade with the Clippers. If both Carter and Jamison will become as good as promised, this Grizzlies will be good even with Abdur-Rahim leaving next year (which is very possible, as Vancouver's top-scorer is expected to not extend his contract within first half of the new season).. Toronto added another promising point guard in Mike Bibby, questioning the future of sophomore-to-be Chauncey Billups.. Boston hopes to have found a perfect co-star for Antoine Walker, when they added point guard Jason Williams.

Trade of the night: How about shipping Clyde Drexler? The former Rockets-star was traded to Portland by Denver. The Nuggets made some surprising moves in 1997/98 and ended up with almost nothing now. Their acquired 22nd pick - Earl Boykins - won't lead this team back to success on his own.