It will be interesting to see how the 2010 NBA Draft unfolds. There seems to be a consensus top five and then after that, it is a bit of a crap shoot. Here is my latest mock draft. Click on the players name for a full scouting report and click on the team’s name for a full list of off-season needs. You can also check out my 2011 NBA Mock Draft.
By: David Kay
1. Washington– John Wall, PG, Kentucky, 6-4, Fr.
Blowing up their roster at the trade deadline paid off as the Wizards had luck on their side by winning the draft lottery. Wall is the obvious choice since the Wiz only point guard is Gilbert Arenas who just cannot be counted on at this point of his career. Arenas can move to the two while Wall becomes the new face of the franchise.
Think: Derrick Rose
2. Philadelphia– Evan Turner, G/F, Ohio State, 6-7, Jr.
The Sixers also scored big at the lottery moving up four spots and now get to grab Turner. He is the needed compliment to Andre Iguodala on the wing and will bring his versatility to a franchise badly in need of a go-to player.
Think: Scottie Pippen
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For the all-Evan Turner BFF team go here
3. New Jersey– Derrick Favors, PF, Georgia Tech, 6-10, Fr.
While Wall and the number one pick would have been wonderful, Favors actually fits more of a need for the Nets. He will combine with Brook Lopez as a young, talented frontcourt duo of the future.
Think: Al Jefferson
For a feature profile/interview of Favors click here
4. Minnesota– Wesley Johnson, SF, Syracuse, 6-8, Jr.
The T-Wolves need some scoring help on the wing and Johnson should be a great fit as his all-around game will continue the re-building project in Minnesota. Cousins could also be an option since the T-Wolves lack a true center, but Johnson is the safer pick.
Think: Shawn Marion
5. Sacramento– DeMarcus Cousins, C, Kentucky, 6-11, Fr.
The Kings will take whoever is on the board of the Favors/Johnson/Cousins trio. Cousins is great fit because Sacramento needs a true big man since Spencer Hawes does not appear to be the answer. The young Wildcat is the most talented big man in the draft but there are serious concerns about his maturity.
Think: Zach Randolph
6. Golden State– Greg Monroe, PF, Georgetown, 6-11, So.
Outside of their backcourt, the Warriors roster is sort of a mess and they should take the best available player. Anthony Randolph and Brandan Wright have been disappointments while Andris Biedrins has somewhat fallen out of favor in Golden State. Monroe would bring some toughness and versatility up-front.
Think: Chris Bosh
7. Detroit– Ekpe Udoh, PF, Baylor, 6-10, Jr.
The Pistons are in serious need of some size and will likely pick their favorite between Monroe, Udoh, Davis, and Aldrich. Monroe’s fundamentals make him an attractive prospect, but Udoh’s shot-blocking abilities and athleticism could ultimately win out. Since Monroe is off the board, Udoh is the best option.
Think: Serge Ibaka
8. L.A. Clippers– Al-Farouq Aminu, SF, Wake Forest, 6-9, So.
This is the ideal situation for the Clips who enter the off-season with no small forwards on their roster. If Aminu is off the board, expect the other L.A. team to select either Henry, Babbitt, Hayward, or George who would all be a bit of a reach this high.
Think: Travis Outlaw
9. ^Utah (from NY)- Xavier Henry, G/F, Kansas, 6-7, Fr.
One thought is that the Jazz should grab a big man in case Carlos Boozer leaves via free agency. But Utah could also use some help on the wing since Kyle Korver is a free agent. I think Henry is a top ten talent and won’t fall out of the lottery.
Think: Paul Pierce
10. Indiana– Eric Bledsoe, PG, Kentucky, 6-1, Fr.
I keep flipping between Bledsoe and Ed Davis going to the Pacers as Indy has a serious need for a point guard of the future and an athletic post player. I think in a few years, Bledsoe will be one of the top ten players to come out of this draft. It may take a year or two, but he will be a solid NBA point guard.
Think: Raymond Felton
11. New Orleans– Cole Aldrich, C, Kansas, 6-11, Jr.
Outside of Emeka Okafor and David West, the Hornets do not have any depth inside. I don’t think Aldrich is anything more than a back-up in the NBA, but would be a welcome addition off the bench for a team in need of size.
Think: Chris Kaman
12. Memphis– Luke Babbitt, SF, Nevada, 6-9, So.
I don’t understand how Babbitt has suddenly gone from a borderline first round pick to being in the top ten of some “expert’s” big boards during the past month, but it appears as if he will not fall out of the lottery. The Griz could be losing Rudy Gay this off-season and need to have a back-up plan. If even Gay is back, Babbitt would be a welcomed addition to a bench in need of some scoring punch. A power forward like Davis would also be an option due to Zach Randolph’s recent off-the-court issues.
Think: Danilo Gallinari
13. Toronto– Ed Davis, PF, North Carolina, 6-10, So.
The Pacers badly need an answer at the point and I think they should take a serious look at Bledsoe with this pick. However, an athletic post player like Davis is also on the wish list and I can see Larry Bird taking the safer route by picking the former Tar Heel.
Think: Al Horford
14. Houston– Paul George, G/F, Fresno State, 6-9, So.
George continues to climb up this mock draft because there aren’t many players in the league who are 6’9 and possess the type of skill set he has. The Rockets are in a position where they have no glaring needs and take the best available player. A big man like Whiteside would be a possibility as well since Yao is coming off a season-ending injury and will be a free agent next summer.
Think: A poor-man’s Tracy McGrady
15.$Milwaukee (from CHI)- Patrick Patterson, PF, Kentucky, 6-9, Jr.
The Bucks could go in a number of directions; a shooting guard since Michael Redd is always hurt and John Salmons is likely to opt out of his deal or an athletic wing like Hayward. In the end, I think Patterson is the best fit. He won’t be a superstar in the league, but will be a solid complimentary player. His strength, toughness, and high character would be a great fit for Scott Skiles to match him alongside Andrew Bogut up-front, especially since Kurt Thomas is a free agent.
Think: Kenyon Martin
16. @Minnesota (from CHAR)- Hassan Whiteside, F/C, Marshall, 7-0, Fr.
In addressing their need for a wing scorer with their first pick, the T-Wolves can look to add a big man. Whiteside is loaded with potential and his combination of size, length, and athleticism would be a welcomed addition alongside power forwards Al Jefferson and Kevin Love.
Think: A very poor-man’s Dwight Howard
17. $Chicago (from MIL)- James Anderson, SG, Oklahoma State, 6-6, Jr.
The Bulls will try to make a major splash in the off-season by signing one of the top available wing players but they should be prepared to have a plan B in case they don’t land one. Anderson would be a great perimeter weapon to compliment Derrick Rose’s ability to get to the rim.
Think: Brandon Rush
For a feature profile/interview of Anderson click here
18. Miami–Avery Bradley, G, Texas, 6-3, Fr.
NBA teams love his athleticism and defensive abilities, but he is an under-sized two guard who does not have a true position and will need to learn the point to be effective at the next level. The Heat need help all across the board with less than a handful of players under contract for next season and would hope Bradley eventually becomes their point guard of the future.
Think: Shannon Brown
19. Boston- Gordon Hayward, SF, Butler, 6-8, So.
Hayward could possibly go as high as #8 to the Clippers and won’t fall lower than this point. The Celtics could use a young scorer off their bench and especially need some wing depth due to Ray Allen’s pending free agency.
Think: Dorrell Wright
Click here for an exclusive interview/profile of Hayward
20. San Antonio- Damion James, SF, Texas, 6-8, Sr.
Michael Finley was released and Richard Jefferson has not acclimated himself in San Antonio like the Spurs had hoped so a small forward seems to make sense. James brings a great deal of collegiate experience and toughness that fits well with the Spurs style of play.
Think: Wilson Chandler
21. Oklahoma City– Daniel Orton, F/C, Kentucky, 6-10, Fr.
OKC needs to get tougher and more physical inside. While Orton is still a very raw prospect, his size and strength would be attractive to the Thunder. His stock seems to be all over the board, but OKC can take a chance on him with one of their two first round picks and hope he pans out.
Think: a poor-man’s Marcus Camby
22. Portland– Kevin Seraphin, PF, France, 6-10, 1989
A knee injury could force Seraphin to withdraw his name from the draft like Donatas Motiejunas recently did. His agent insists he will stay in the draft if he is a first round pick and plans on being in the NBA next season. Portland has no pressing need but depth up-front is always a good idea when the injury-prone Greg Oden is on your team.
Think: Kris Humphries
23. >Minnesota (from UTAH)- Jordan Crawford, SG, Xavier, 6-5, Soph.
I don’t expect the T-Wolves to keep all three of their first round picks. If they do, they will hope Seraphin falls to them, but since he is off the board, Crawford is a great option. His ability to score the basketball would make him a dangerous young weapon to bring off the bench.
Think: Anthony Morrow
For a feature profile/interview of Crawford click here
24. Atlanta– Lance Stephenson, SG, Cincinnati, 6-6, Fr.
The Hawks will likely use this pick on a shooting guard to help fill the void left by Joe Johnson in case he does not re-sign. Stephenson is a great talent, but did not put it all together in his lone year at Cincy. I think he will be a good NBA player one day and could be a future steal for Atlanta.
Think: Isaiah Rider
25. =Memphis (from DEN)- Craig Brackins, PF, Iowa State, 6-10, Jr.
The Griz need a plan B at power forward due to Randolph’s run-ins with the law. Once a projected lottery pick, the Cycolne would be a good roll of the dice at this point. Memphis has big bodies up-front, but doesn’t have an athletic big man like Brackins meaning he would bring something different to the table.
Think: Hakim Warrick
Click here for a profile/interview of Brackins.
26. &Oklahoma City (from PHX)- Devin Ebanks, SF, West Virginia, 6-8, So.
OKC will likely trade this pick. If they keep it, ideally they try to grab a foreign player to stash overseas. Since this is a weak draft in terms of foreign talent, grabbing a guy like Ebanks would add some versatility and defense at the small forward spot behind Kevin Durant. If Ebanks had a decent jump shot, he would be a top-20 lock.
Think: Andrei Kirilenko
27. *New Jersey (from DAL)– Terrico White, SG, Mississippi, 6-5, So.
White is an extremely gifted guard but was rather inconsistent during his sophomore season. He is a combo guard that would provide some needed backcourt depth and if he puts it all together, could be a late round steal.
Think: Larry Hughes
28. #Memphis (from LAL)- Armon Johnson, PG, Nevada, 6-3, Jr.
The Griz shouldn’t be sold on Mike Conley as their long-term point guard plus they need an immediate back-up at the one. Johnson is almost Rajon Rondo quick with the basketball but is not a great outside shooter. Memphis could also try to deal this pick since it’s their third of the first round.
Think: Marcus Banks
29. Orlando– Darington Hobson, G/F, New Mexico, 6-7, Jr.
The “Evan Turner of the West,” Hobson’s strength is his versatility and his ability to play a point forward position. The Magic need a back-up point guard to Jameer Nelson and potential replacement for Matt Barnes. Hobson could help fill both of those roles.
Think: Matt Barnes
30. +Washington (from CLE)- Solomon Alabi, C, Florida State, 7-1, Soph.
Andray Blatche and JaVale McGee are the only post players under contract for next season so the Wiz need to add a big. Alabi is a good shot blocker at this point of his career, but has a long way to go offensively before he can be a steady part of the rotation.
Think: Johan Petro
Click here for David’s second round.
Check out the Sports Bank’s 2011 NFL Mock Draft.
This mock is listed at the following databases: Hoop Doctors, Walter Football, DC Pro Sports Report
#Pau Gasol trade (top 6 protected)
*Jason Kidd trade (unprotected)
&Kurt Thomas trade (unprotected)
^(unprotected)
=Steven Hunter trade
@Ty Lawson trade via Alexis Ajinca trade (lottery protected)
>Rodney Carney trade via Kyle Korver trade (top 17 protected)
+Antawn Jamsion trade
$John Salmons trade (Bucks have right to swap picks with Bulls)