That’s about the only certainty of a draft that has parity in the top positions. There doesn’t appear to be much of a gap between the first two picks and the next two. North Carolina swingman Jerry Stackhouse may have the biggest box-office appeal and Tar Heels teammate Rasheed Wallace the greatest potential impact, but neither figures to go first overall.

Here’s how the 29 teams (including the two expansion entries) might approach the annual rebuilding process:1. Golden State Warriors:Joe Smith, Maryland’s 6-foot-10 center, worked out for the Washington Bullets recently and reportedly was unimpressive. But he does fit the Warriors’ need almost as well as Chris Webber two years ago. Unless the Warriors believe that Stackhouse’s star potential is too great to pass up, Smith will be westward bound.

2. Los Angeles Clippers:Needs? Problem areas? Check em all. Remember, the Clippers won 17 games and started 14 different players last season. The Clippers’ battle cry was, Help! One high first-round pick will not renovate the franchise, but this is the Clippers’ earliest position since their unwise decision to choose Danny Ferry second in 1989. The good news is that Stackhouse has better potential than Ferry. The bad news is that he has threatened to return to North Carolina if chosen by the Clippers. Didn’t Ferry bolt to Italy rather than play for Donald T. Sterling? Uh-oh. Bad omen, Clips.

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3. Philadelphia 76ers:There are strange goings-on in Philly these days. John Lucas, who firmly believes in his rehabilitation powers, is considering a trade for Isaiah Rider, the Minnesota Timberwolves’ problem child. They’ve discussed swapping forward Sharone Wright, their first-round 1994 pick. But whether they keep Wright or trade for Rider, the Sixers’ draft plans probably will remain unaffected. They like Stackhouse, followed by Alabama forward Antonio McDyess.

4. Washington Bullets:Barring the unforeseenlike Stackhouse falling to No. 4the Bullets are the Team Most Likely To Deal. They need a point guard more than they need Wallace. But if all else fails, they will take Wallace and hope he matures quickly. Some scouts are afraid of this guy.

5. Minnesota Timberwolves:New General Manager Kevin McHale is holding a red-tag sale. You want Rider? How about Christian Laettner? No reasonable offers will be refused. Not only does McHale want to upgrade the Wolves after years of bad trades and draft decisions, he wants to do a make-over in chemistry. They can’t afford to be choosy in the draft. They’ll take the best available at No. 5, and it would help if he could score. Maybe someone like UCLA’s Ed O’Bannon.