The NBA Draft order is official. Here is David Kay’s latest mock draft with team needs taken into consideration. Check out the entire list of early entries. Click on the players name for a full scouting report. Click on the NBA team for a list of off-season needs.
Click here for David’s 2011 NBA mock draft.
1. Washington– John Wall, PG, Kentucky, 6-4, Fr.
Blowing up their roster at the trade deadline has paid off. The Wizards had luck on their side and won 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
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
For more on Evan Turner’s effect on his opponents go here
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. 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, 6-7, Jr.
The T-Wolves need some scoring help on the wing and Johnson should be a great fit. His all-around game will continue the re-building project in Minnesota.
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– Al-Farouq Aminu, SF, Wake Forest, 6-9, So.
Outside of their backcourt, the Warriors roster is sort of a mess and they should take the best available player. Aminu is an extremely athletic wing player who could thrive in Golden State’s up-and-down style of play.
Think: Travis Outlaw
7. Detroit– Ekpe Udoh, PF, Baylor, 6-10, Jr.
The Pistons are in serious need of some size and will likely pick their favorite of Udoh/Davis/Monroe. I think because of Udoh’s defensive abilities, he is the best option of the three.
Think: Serge Ibaka
8. L.A. Clippers– Ed Davis, PF, North Carolina, 6-10, So.
Ideally, the Clips could use a small forward but since there is no three worth taking this high, L.A. adds some depth up-front. Davis’ athleticism makes the choice over Monroe.
Think: Al Horford
9. ^Utah (from NY)- Greg Monroe, PF, Georgetown, 6-10, So.
The Jazz would be ecstatic if this scenario played out and Monroe fell to them. He would be a great fit in Jerry Sloan’s half-court offense due to his passing and versatility, and would also be a great insurance policy in case Carlos Boozer does not re-sign.
Think: Chris Bosh
10. Indiana- Eric Bledsoe, PG, Kentucky, 6-1, Fr.
Before Pacer fans freak out, yes, I am aware that this is really high for Bledsoe to be taken. While Larry Bird has a tendency to take the best available player rather than try to fill a need, Indy needs a point guard of the future BAD. If Bledsoe is not the pick, look for them to take an athletic big like Whiteside.
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- Donatas Motiejunas, F/C, Lithuania, 7-0, 1990
In Marc Gasol, Hasheem Thabeet, and Zach Randolph, Memphis has a lot of interior post players. Montiejunas is more of a perimeter based big and would add some variety to the Grizzlies’ frontcourt.
Think: Andrea Bargnani
13. Toronto- Hassan Whiteside, F/C, Marshall, 7-0, Fr.
The Raptors need to prepare for life after Chris Bosh with his pending free agency. Whiteside is a great talent who is not NBA-ready, but loaded with potential. He would be a promising building block for the future which Toronto needs.
Think: A very poor-man’s Dwight Howard
14. Houston- Xavier Henry, SG, Kansas, 6-6, Fr.
There is no real pressing need for the Rockets entering the off-season and they are in a position to take the best available player. 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)- James Anderson, SG, Oklahoma State, 6-6, Jr.
With John Salmons most likely opting out of the final year of his contract and the oft-injured Michael Redd returning from a torn ACL, the Bucks need depth at the two-guard spot. Anderson is a great outside shooter, but not a tremendous athlete.
Think: Brandon Rush
For a feature profile/interview of Anderson click here
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 (which Minnesota needs) 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)- Jordan Crawford, SG, Xavier, 6-4, Soph.
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 they should be prepared to have a plan B in case they don’t land one. This is high for Crawford compared to other mock drafts, but he is a big-time scorer.
Think: Anthony Morrow
For a feature profile/interview of Crawford click here
18. Miami- Gordon Hayward, SF, Butler, 6-9, So.
With only four players under contract for next season, the Heat need help all across the board. Most “experts” think Hayward will be off the board by this point, but if not, he would be the best available player.
Think: Dorrell Wright
Click here for an exclusive interview/profile of Hayward
19. Boston– Luke Babbitt, SF, Nevada, 6-9, So.
Ray Allen is a free agent this season so the Celtics need to add some depth on the wing. Even if Allen does return, Babbitt would be a valuable scorer off the bench. Don’t expect him to play any defense though.
Think: Danilo Gallinari
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- Patrick Patterson, PF, Kentucky, 6-9, Jr.
I have started to sour on Patterson’s pro potential compared to the other power forward prospects in this draft. Portland could use a replacement for the aging Juwan Howard and Patterson would be a solid value at this point.
Think: Kenyon Martin
23. >Minnesota (from UTAH)- Paul George, SF, Fresno State, 6-8, So.
If the T-Wolves keep all three first round picks, they will use this one on a foreign player who they can stash overseas or a young talent who they can let develop. George fits the latter and is a versatile wing player who will need a year or two to before he becomes a true contributor.
Think: Jamario Moon
24. Atlanta- Terrico White, SG, Mississippi, 6-5, So.
The Hawks need to prepare for the possibly departure of free agent Joe Johnson. White is an extremely gifted guard but was rather inconsistent during his sophomore season.
Think: Larry Hughes
25. =Memphis (from DEN)- Avery Bradley, G, Texas, 6-2, Fr.
With three first round picks, Bradley would be a good roll of the dice this late. NBA teams love his athleticism and defensive abilities, but he is an under-sized two guard who will need to learn the point to be effective at the next level. He could develop into a possible replacement for Mike Conley who had not grown into the point guard position like Memphis hoped.
Think: Shannon Brown
26. &Oklahoma City (from PHX)- Kevin Seraphin, PF, France, 6-10, 1989
With their second first round pick, the Thunder don’t really have a pressing need. They should look to take a player who they can store overseas for a year or two if they don’t deal the pick. Seraphin is a big body who continues to develop his overall game.
Think: Kris Humphries
27. *New Jersey (from DAL)– Willie Warren, G, Oklahoma, 6-4, So.
Warren was once a lottery prospect but struggled with his shot and injuries this past season causing his stock to plummet. He is worth the risk here for the Nets who could possibly groom Warren as a back-up to Devin Harris.
Think: Ben Gordon
28. #Memphis (from LAL)- Devin Ebanks, SF, West Virginia, 6-8, So.
With their third first round pick, I’d imagine the Grizzlies would try to deal this pick or possibly draft a foreign player to stash overseas for a year or two. However, Ebanks is a solid value this low due to his athleticism, versatility, and ability to defend several positions. He would also serve as an insurance policy in case Rudy Gay is pried away from Memphis this summer.
Think: Andrei Kirilenko
For a feature profile/interview of Ebanks go here
29. Orlando- Elliot Williams, G, Memphis, 6-4, So.
The Magic could use a back-up for Jameer Nelson since Jason Williams and Anthony Johnson are both free agents. While Williams is more of a combo guard, he is a better value at this point than any of the remaining point guards.
Think: Leandro Barbosa
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.
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)