The NBA Draft takes place tonight in New York City, and besides the annual fun of watching young athletes in their Sunday finest (we’re looking at you, Chuck Person) as they walk up to the podium to shake hands with the commish and awkwardly don their new teams caps, Texas basketball fans will be watching intently to see what happens with their teams, as well as the fates of former Longhorns LaMarcus Aldridge, P.J. Tucker and Daniel Gibson.

Houston Rockets
The Rockets have the 8th pick in the draft and have serious concerns at both guard positions, as well as a need to give Yao some rebounding help. Rumor has it the Rockets are in love with Washington Huskie point guard Brandon Roy. He is likely to go before the Rockets pick at eight, so expect them to try and trade up to snag him, potentially packaging Luther Head with the 8th pick to Atlanta for the 5th overall pick, leaving the Hawks with the possibility of still being able to get the player they need. If they can't get a deal done, look for them to take the somewhat controversial shooting guard Rudy Gay from Connecticut if he happens to slip that far in the lottery. Adding Gay’s ability to hit open jumpers and take defenders off the dribble would allow the offense to move more freely and potentially take away double teams from Yao, allowing the Rockets to run the inside-out game more smoothly. (Not to mention the mass hysteria teenagers around the state would engage in with the prospect of being able to buy a Rockets’ Gay jersey.) If not, the Rockets might look to acquire the shooting help of Rodney Carney of Memphis. His three-point ability would create space in the offense, allowing McGrady to slash through more wide open spaces. If the Rockets want inside help, look for them to hope that Duke forward Shelden Williams is available at eight. The Landlord has an NBA-ready body and you won’t find a player with a better attitude. (Other possibilities: J.J. Reddick, Ronnie Brewer)

San Antonio Spurs
Without a pick in the first round, the Spurs will likely pick a player of whom you've never heard from Serbia or Croatia. He will probably stay under contract with his foreign team for two more years and eventually make his way to San Antonio. Basically, they’re looking for an investment that will pay off at a later date. Kosta Perovic, we’re looking at you.

Dallas Mavericks
The Mavs are looking to draft a game 7 in the Finals. Whoops. Sorry, Dallas fans. The Mavs could use more help on the post…and, hell, the Mavs are a pretty solid team. Almost good enough to win it all, in fact. Almost. There is the possibility that they could focus on getting a guard, with Jason Terry facing free agency and not a lock to come back. If this is the case, look for them to select Guillermo Diaz from the University of Miami or Dee Brown from Illinois. We believe they will probably take the best player available when they select at 28, as opposed to drafting for need at any one position. If that is the case, look for them to try and get UCLA point guard Jordan Farmar or P.J. Tucker.

After the jump, check out the draft possibilities for Aldridge, Tucker and Gibson.*

LaMarcus Aldridge left college early in anticipation of going in the top three of the draft, and although some teams feel he lacks the strength and refinement needed at the next level, we imagine he will go second to the Chicago Bulls. They need the inside help and love drafting young big men. After seeing athletic LSU shut him down in the tournament, we are not sure how he will fare at the next level, but we wish him luck.

P.J. Tucker probably left at the right time. He was arguably the best player in the Big XII last year, and there is not much chance his stock could have rose much higher next year. We expect Tucker to go late in the first round, with the possibility of falling to the second round, where the Rockets would probably be glad to take him at 32.

As for Daniel Gibson, in the spirit of the late Lloyd Bentsen, "We knew T.J. Ford. We played one-on-one with T.J. Ford. T.J. Ford was a friend of ours. Mr. Gibson, you're no T.J. Ford." While we like Gibson's game and realize that next year's draft will be much deeper and more competitive, the former Horn definitely needed to stay in college and work on his outside game and his decision making, especially if he wants to be around for years to come at the next level. That said, we wish him only the best. There is a small possibility that he could go in the late first round, as this draft is not very point-guard-heavy. Look for the Rockets to scoop him up with the 32nd pick in the second round if he falls that far and they don't get Roy in the first round. If the Rockets take a pass, he could end up with Atlanta (33) or Boston (36). Gibson will, of course, hope that he doesn’t last until the second round, as all contracts to players in the first round are guaranteed. But, as we always say, mo’ money, mo’ problems.

The NBA Draft airs tonight at 6pm CST on ESPN.

*Image of Chuck Person (c) Getty Images*