Here's how Seattle Times columnist Jerry Brewer sees the first round going in the NBA draft, which starts at 4 p.m. Thursday on ESPN.

1. New Orleans

Pick: Anthony Davis, PF, Kentucky

Comment: He's a Kevin Garnett clone, only better at blocking shots.

2. Charlotte

Pick: Thomas Robinson, PF, Kansas

Comment: Bobcats owner Michael Jordan needs to make a good decision in the worst way, but this one is iffy.

3. Washington

Pick: Bradley Beal, SG, Florida

Comment: He's the most efficient perimeter scorer in the draft.

4. Cleveland

Pick: Harrison Barnes, SF, North Carolina

Comment: Is he tough enough to be a star in the NBA?

5. Sacramento

Pick: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF, Kentucky

Comment: A nice defensive complement to a team full of guys who like to shoot.

6. Portland

Pick: Damian Lillard, PG, Weber State

Comment: The Blazers are desperate for a floor general after Raymond Felton flopped last season.

7. Golden State

Pick: Andre Drummond, C, Connecticut

Comment: He's athletic, but that's about all he is right now.

8. Toronto

Pick: Dion Waiters, SG, Syracuse

Comment: Raptors will need him to be more productive than he was in college.

9. Detroit

Pick: John Henson, PF, North Carolina

Comment: He could develop into a defensive game-changer.

10. New Orleans

Pick: Jeremy Lamb, G, Connecticut

Comment: Hornets are putting together a nice core for new owner Tom Benson.

11. Portland

Pick: Tyler Zeller, C, North Carolina

Comment: Blazers need a big man in the worst way.

12. Houston

Pick: Terrence Ross, G, Washington

Comment: Athletic Huskies guard is a good value at No. 12.

13. Phoenix

Pick: Austin Rivers, G, Duke

Comment: He fits well in Suns' up-tempo system, but can he play without dominating the ball?

14. Milwaukee

Pick: Jared Sullinger, PF, Ohio State

Comment: He reportedly failed an NBA physical, but he's too good to pass up here.

15. Philadelphia

Pick: Terrence Jones, PF, Kentucky

Comment: The 76ers could do a lot with his versatility.

16. Houston

Pick: Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois

Comment: WARNING: extreme bust potential.

17. Dallas

Pick: Kendall Marshall, PG, North Carolina

Comment: Mavs need contingency plan because Jason Kidd is getting old and Deron Williams might not sign in free agency.

18. Minnesota

Pick: Perry Jones, PF, Baylor

Comment: The ultimate high risk/high reward pick.

19. Orlando

Pick: Arnett Moultrie, F/C, Mississippi State

Comment: Good, active big man who could either play with Dwight Howard or help soften the loss if he's traded.

20. Denver

Pick: Moe Harkless, SF, St. John's

Comment: Perhaps the best out-of-nowhere story in the draft.

21. Boston

Pick: Royce White, PF, Iowa State

Comment: Celtics get a player they've been targeting.

22. Boston

Pick: Evan Fournier, G/F, France

Comment: Consider it further proof that Ray Allen won't be returning.

23. Atlanta

Pick: Tony Wroten Jr., PG, Washington

Comment: Hawks have long been intrigued by Wroten's potential.

24. Cleveland

Pick: Draymond Green, SF, Michigan State

Comment: Cavs owner Dan Gilbert is a Michigan State graduate.

25. Memphis

Pick: Marquis Teague, PG, Kentucky

Comment: The Grizzlies have an urgent need for a backup point guard.

26. Indiana

Pick: Will Barton, SF, Memphis

Comment: Even without Larry Bird, Pacers continue hot streak of solid draft picks.

27. Miami

Pick: John Jenkins, SG, Vanderbilt

Comment: You can't put enough shooters around LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.

28. Oklahoma City

Pick: Jeff Taylor, SF, Vanderbilt

Comment: Athletic wing man now has a dependable jump shot.

29. Chicago

Pick: Doron Lamb, SG, Kentucky

Comment: Solid, but not great, prospect resembles the kind of quality bench players the Bulls have been good at finding.

30. Golden State

Pick: Andrew Nicholson, PF, St. Bonaventure

Comment: Warriors could reach for someone with more upside here, but this is the right pick.

Jerry Brewer: 206-464-2277 or jbrewer@seattletimes.com. On Twitter @JerryBrewer.