By: David Kay
The NBA Draft class of 2010 has started to sort itself out with the deadline for college players to declare having passed. Here is David Kay’s latest mock draft with team needs taken into consideration. Click on the players name for a full scouting report.
Click here for a list of early entries.
Click here for David’s 2011 NBA mock draft.
1. New Jersey- John Wall, PG, Kentucky, 6-4, Fr.
No matter who ends up with the first overall pick, it is going to be Wall. The question the Nets need to think about is what can we get for Devin Harris? There won’t be room for both Wall and Harris, and the former Badger point guard could be dealt for a valuable piece.
Think: Derrick Rose
2. Minnesota- Evan Turner, G/F, Ohio State, 6-7, Jr.
I think Turner is going to be as special a player in the NBA as he has been this season with Buckeyes. The Timberwolves need some help on the wing and suddenly a young core of Flynn/Turner/Brewer/Love/Jefferson along with a bunch of cap space and the draft rights to Ricky Rubio makes Minnesota a very intriguing team.
Think: Scottie Pippen
For one of our MANY interview features on Evan Turner, EASILY the most blogged about individual athlete in The Sports Bank’s history, click this exclusive here
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To see a really cool video about, and read more details on, the Illini trash talk getting under Turner’s skin go here
For the all-Evan Turner BFF team go here
3. Sacramento- Wesley Johnson, SF, Syracuse, 6-7, Jr.
Johnson would be a definite upgrade on the wing over Donte Greene and Francisco Garcia. Add him to a nice mix of Casspi/Thompson/Landry/Nocioni/Hawes and the Kings have a promising mixture of forwards for the future.
Think: Shawn Marion
4. Golden State- Derrick Favors, PF, Georgia Tech, 6-10, Fr.
The Warriors seem to be a team that drafts more on talent than need. They have a talented group of guards and wing players but need to find some consistency up-front. Favors has played like a man down the stretch for the Yellow Jackets and should be the first post player off the board.
Think: Al Jefferson
For a feature profile/interview of Favors click here
5. Washington-DeMarcus Cousins, C, Kentucky, 6-11, Fr.
In blowing up their roster at the trade deadline, the Wizards have a major hole up-front and Cousins could help fill that void. He has been a man among boys down low at the collegiate level and would provide Washington with a true threat inside. His attitude remains a question mark but there is no doubting his skills.
Think: Zach Randolph
6. Philadelphia- Donatas Motiejunas, F/C, Lithuania, 7-0, 1990
The Sixers need to add a play-maker up-front especially with Samuel Dalembert in the final year of his contract and possibly a trade piece this off-season. Montiejunas is more of a perimeter based big and will need some time to adapt to the NBA game.
Think: Andrea Bargnani
7. Detroit- Greg Monroe, PF, Georgetown, 6-10, So.
The Pistons have a plethora of perimeter players who love to shoot the ball but lack any sort of inside presence. Monroe is a fundamental big man who excels in a lot of areas on the floor and is very unselfish.
Think: Chris Bosh
8. L.A. Clippers- Al-Farouq Aminu, SF, Wake Forest, 6-9, So.
In dealing Al Thornton, the Clippers will be looking for a new small forward of the future. While LeBron would be the ideal get to fill that role, the versatile Demon Deacon is a more realistic candidate.
Think: Travis Outlaw
9. ^Utah (from NY)- Ed Davis, PF, North Carolina, 6-10, So.
I am 50/50 on whether Davis will declare for the draft after suffering a season-ending injury, but for now he stays in the 2010 mock. He would be a great insurance policy with Carlos Boozer unlikely to re-sign with Utah. A shooting guard would also be an option but there is no two worth taking this high.
Think: Al Horford
10. Indiana- Hassan Whiteside, F/C, Marshall, 7-0, Fr.
The Pacers really need a long-term solution at the point but since nobody fits that bill at this point of the draft, an athletic big is the way to go. The current crop of Hibbert/Foster/Murphy/Hansbrough doesn’t exactly scream athleticism.
Think: A poor-man’s Dwight Howard
11. Toronto- Ekpe Udoh, PF, Baylor, 6-10, Jr.
The Raptors need to have insurance at the power forward position in case Chris Bosh leaves this summer. Udoh is a great shot blocker and rebounder, and his offensive game is coming along nicely.
Think: Serge Ibaka
12. Memphis- Eric Bledsoe, PG, Kentucky, 6-1, Fr.
I don’t imagine the Griz are sold on Mike Conley as their point guard of the future and with Jamaal Tinsley and Marcus Williams both free agents, a point guard would make sense. Bledsoe is a great outside shooter who can also attack the basket. He is young and fairly inexperienced but could mature behind Conley.
Think: Raymond Felton
13. New Orleans- Cole Aldrich, C, Kansas, 6-11, Jr.
The Hornets could use a physical presence in the post.
Think: Chris Kaman
14. Houston- Xavier Henry, SG, Kansas, 6-6, Fr.
There is no real pressing need for the Rockets entering the off-season and while they acquired Kevin Martin at the trade deadline, Henry is too good of a talent to pass up at this point. His ability to shoot it from deep would be a great asset off the bench.
Think: Paul Pierce
15.$Milwaukee (from CHI)- Patrick Patterson, PF, Kentucky, 6-9, Jr.
The Bucks could use a physical low post player who can rebound and play D. Patterson has been a little passive during his time in Lexington, but is NBA-ready and would be able to contribute immediately off the bench.
Think: Kenyon Martin
16. @Minnesota (from CHAR)- Daniel Orton, F/C, Kentucky, 6-10, Fr.
With three first round picks, the T-Wolves can afford to take a project like Orton. He is a defensive-minded big who crashes the glass and has an NBA-ready build, but is very raw on the offensive end.
Think: a poor-man’s Marcus Camby
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 (Dwyane Wade?), but if they should be prepared to have a plan B in case they don’t land one. Anderson is a big-time scorer but not the best athlete.
Think: Brandon Rush
For a feature profile/interview of Anderson click here
18. Miami-Gordon Hayward, SF, Butler, 6-9, So.
A terrific run to the national championship has secured Hayward’s status as a first round pick. The Heat have only a few players under contract next season and a boatload of cap space to spend in free agency so they probably just take the best available player.
Think: Dorrell Wright
Click here for an exclusive interview/profile of Hayward
19. Boston- Jordan Crawford, SG, Xavier, 6-4, Soph.
Ray Allen is a free agent and not getting any younger so Boston could use fresh blood in the backcourt. Crawford would be a valuable asset; he resembled an NBA-caliber scorer with his great showing in the NCAA Tournament.
Think: Anthony Morrow
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 wing player is the best route to go. 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- Larry Sanders, PF, VCU, 6-10, Jr.
The young, up-and-coming Thunder team could use a defensive-presence in the paint. Sanders is a defensive-minded big with a crazy 7-7 wingspan that makes him an effective shot blocker and rebounders.
Think: Sean Williams
22. Portland- Devin Ebanks, SF, West Virginia, 6-8, So.
The Blazers’ roster is pretty well-rounded for next season so using this pick on a talented, versatile wing player like Ebanks who has not come close to reaching his potential seems like it would make sense.
Think: Andrei Kirilenko
For a feature profile/interview of Ebanks go here
23. >Minnesota (from UTAH)- Luke Babbitt, SF, Nevada, 6-9, So.
A crafty left-hander who has drawn comparisons to Chris Mullin, Babbitt can stroke it from the perimeter and also put it on the deck. He would be a nice perimeter compliment in Minnesota.
Think: Danilo Gallinari
24. Atlanta- Elliot Williams, G, Memphis, 6-4, So.
The Hawks risk losing Joe Johnson in the off-season to free agency and would be wise to look towards the draft to help fill the void if he leaves. Atlanta could also use some depth up-front so if they are confident that they will re-sing Johnson, look for them to add a big. Williams was the model of consistency in his only season at Memphis and can attack the basket or shoot it from deep.
Think: Leandro Barbosa
25. =Memphis (from DEN)- Stanley Robinson, SF, UConn, 6-9, Sr.
The Grizzlies have said they will match just about any offer for restricted free agent Rudy Gay, but drafting an athletic freak like Robins would be a nice insurance policy in case Gay is gone after this season.
Think: Al Thornton
26. &Oklahoma City (from PHX)-Paul George, SF, Fresno State, 6-8, So.
With this pick, the Thunder are in a position to go the foreign route so they can stash a player of overseas or draft a player who doesn’t need to contribute right away. George fits the latter and is a talented all-around player.
Think: Jamario Moon
27. *New Jersey (from Dallas)- Gani Lawal, PF, Georgia Tech, 6-9, Jr.
Lawal has a non-stop motor, lets the game come to him, and would be a great addition off the bench for the Nets who are in need of some muscle down low.
Think: Brandon Bass
For a feature profile/interview of Lawal click here
28. #Memphis (from LAL)-Willie Warren, G, Oklahoma, 6-4, So.
I doubt the Grizzlies will keep all three of their first round picks, but if they do, expect them to take a foreign player who they can let develop overseas or roll the dice on a prospect like Warren who battled poor shooting and injuries during his sophomore season causing his stock to plummet.
Think: Ben Gordon
29. Orlando-Avery Bradley, G, Texas, 6-2, Fr.
A combo-guard with elite athleticism, Bradley thrives when attacking the basket and also has a decent perimeter game. I think he is making a mistake by entering the draft but the Magic could roll the dice this late on a possible back-up for Jameer Nelson.
Think: Shannon Brown
30. +Washington (from CLE)-Lance Stephenson, SG, Cincinnati, 6-5, Fr.
With Josh Howard and Mike Miller both free agents, the Wiz could use help on the wing. Stephenson is a great talent, but did not put it all together in his lone year at Cincy. I think “Born Ready” has the potential to be a special talent in the NBA and is the worth the risk late in the first round.
Think: Isaiah Rider
Click here for David’s second round.
Click here for 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)