Happy NBA Draft week! It is crunch time. Be sure to check back with The Sports Bank as I’ll be updating my mock draft several times over the next couple days. We will also be live chatting during the draft Thursday night and providing live draft grades so join us during the festivities as well. 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.
For the first time post-lottery, I actually contemplated Favors going to the Sixers now that they need a big man since trading Samuel Dalembert. Turner gets the edge because 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. If the Sixers do take Favors, New Jersey will happily add Turner to their backcourt with Devin Harris.
Think: Al Jefferson
For a feature profile/interview of Favors click here
4. Minnesota- DeMarcus Cousins, C, Kentucky, 6-11, Fr.
There is a lot of chatter involving Cousins and teams trying to move up to get him. We all know about his maturity issues, but there is no questioning his ability to be a great big man in the NBA. I’ll roll the dice and say Cousins goes fourth but not necessarily to the T-Wolves. If ‘Sota stays at four, Johnson is the safe pick who also provides some needed help on the wing.
Think: Zach Randolph
5. Sacramento- Wesley Johnson, SF, Syracuse, 6-8, Jr.
The Kings will likely take whoever is on the board between Johnson and Cousins but should take a serious look at Monroe. Johnson would provide an athletic, versatile wing play to run along with Tyreke Evans.
Think: Shawn Marion
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. Monroe would make sense here as well but I think Aminu’s athleticism and versatility would be very intriguing to the up-tempo style of play in Golden State.
Think: Marvin Williams
7. Detroit- Greg Monroe, PF, Georgetown, 6-11, So.
The Pistons need to get some fresh young talent inside and would likely be thrilled in Monroe falls to them. Reports are they like Aminu as well and think he could play the four in the NBA, but I just don’t see how he is any different then what Detroit has in Charlie V. Detroit is also very active in trade rumors about moving up to grab Cousins.
Think: Chris Bosh
8. L.A. Clippers- Xavier Henry, G/F, Kansas, 6-7, Fr.
The biggest hole on the Clips’ roster is at the small forward position. Henry should be able to play either wing position and bring his sweet shooting stroke out west. L.A. could reach for Babbitt, George, or Hayward as well.
Think: Paul Pierce
9. ^Utah (from NY)- 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. 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.
Think: Danilo Gallinari
10. Indiana- Ed Davis, PF, North Carolina, 6-10, So.
Indy needs to add an athletic post player who can board and block shots. I think Bledsoe makes a lot of sense here since the Pacers also desperately need an upgrade at the point even though it would be a bit of a risk. If I am the Pacers, I take Bledsoe but I think Bird plays it safe.
Think: Al Horford
11. New Orleans- Ekpe Udoh, PF, Baylor, 6-10, Jr.
The Hornets will consider a wing player, but are best suited adding some much-needed depth to their frontcourt. I think Udoh is a better prospect than Patterson or Aldrich and would bring his defensive abilities and athleticism to Naw’lins.
Think: Serge Ibaka
12. Memphis- Paul George, G/F, Fresno State, 6-9, So.
The Griz could be losing Rudy Gay this off-season and need to have a back-up plan. George continues to climb up draft boards because there aren’t many players in the league who are 6’9 and possess the type of skill set he has. If one of the top power forwards drops that would also be an option due to Zach Randolph’s recent off-the-court issues.
Think: A poor-man’s Tracy McGrady
13. Toronto- Patrick Patterson, PF, Kentucky, 6-9, Jr.
The Raptors need to prepare for like post-Chris Bosh. Patterson would bring some physicality up-front to compliment the perimeter based Andrea Bargnani and be ready to contribute immediately. The Raptors could go for Aldrich or Whiteside if they are looking to add a true center.
Think: Kenyon Martin
1 4. Houston- Gordon Hayward, SF, Butler, 6-8, So.
The Rockets are in a position where they have no glaring needs and take the best available player and that would be Hayward or George. 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: Dorrell Wright
Click here for an exclusive interview/profile of Hayward
15.$Milwaukee (from CHI)- Cole Aldrich, C, Kansas, 6-11, Jr.
The Bucks could use a wing player since John Salmons is likely to opt out of his deal and Michael Redd is coming off another season-ending injury and is the final year of his deal. Since the top prospects are off the board, Aldrich is a good option since he could provide some defensive help to the Bucks front-court.
Think: Chris Kaman
16. @Minnesota (from CHAR)- Jordan Crawford, SG, Xavier, 6-5, Soph.
This pick will depend on what happens at #4. If Minnesota goes with size early on, they take a wing player here and vice versa. I really like Crawford’s ability to score the basketball and think he will be a very productive pro.
Think: Anthony Morrow
For a feature profile/interview of Crawford click here
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. Recent rumors have Chicago trying to trade out of the draft but if they keep this pick, 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-Eric Bledsoe, PG, Kentucky, 6-1, Fr.
The Heat need help all across the board with less than a handful of players under contract for next season and would probably jump for joy if Bledsoe fell to them. I think he is a top ten talent and could eventually becomes their point guard of the future.
Think: Raymond Felton
19. Boston- Daniel Orton, F/C, Kentucky, 6-10, Fr.
His stock seems to be all over the board with rumors the Pacers are very interested at 10. Odds are he doesn’t fall past OKC at #21, but the Celtics could use a young center with Kevin Garnett and Rasheed Wallace getting up their in age and Kenrick Perkins being in the final year of his contract. A guard would be another option for the C’s since Rajon Rondo is the only one under contract for next season.
Think: a poor-man’s Marcus Camby
20. San Antonio- Damion James, SF, Texas, 6-8, Sr.
I have had James going to the Spurs for the past couple of months and am not going to change that pick. He 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, 6-11, Jr.
OKC needs to get add a defensive minded interior player. I can’t get a real solid feel as to where Sanders might go as his stock seems to be all over the place, but he has crazy wingspan that makes him an effective shot blocker and rebounder and would make sense with this pick.
Think: Sean Williams
22. Portland-Hassan Whiteside, F/C, Marshall, 7-0, Fr.
Questions about Whiteside’s maturity has him on the downfall in mock drafts including mine. The Blazers do not have a glaring need and could roll the dice on this young seven-footer since Greg Oden’s injury issues are a concern and Joel Przybilla will be a free agent after next season.
Think: A very poor-man’s Dwight Howard
23. >Minnesota (from UTAH)- Kevin Seraphin, PF, France, 6-10, 1989
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 so they can stash him overseas for a year or bring him in and let him develop on the bench.
Think: Kris Humphries
24. Atlanta- Dominique Jones, G, South Florida, 6-5, Jr.
Jones is a natural scorer who many think could play some point in the NBA. Atlanta needs to have an insurance plan since Joe Johnson will likely sign elsewhere in a couple of weeks and Jones is the most NBA-ready of the available two-guards available.
Think: Roger Mason
25. =Memphis (from DEN)- 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 which is why I have him lower than most mocks. Mike Conley has not proven to be the long-term answer at the point, so the Griz could bring Bradley in and see if he can develop as a possible solution.
Think: Shannon Brown
26. &Oklahoma City (from PHX)- Quincy Pondexter, G/F, Washington, 6-7, Sr.
The Thunder will likely look to deal this pick or possibly draft a foreign prospect who they can let develop overseas. However, OKC has a need for a back-up to Kevin Durant at small forward and could use someone with Pondexter’s physicality and toughness.
Think: Trenton Hassell
27. *New Jersey (from DAL)– Lance Stephenson, SG, Cincinnati, 6-6, Fr.
Assuming the Nets get Favors at three, they are best served adding some depth on the wing with this pick. I like Stephenson’s potential at the next level even though he didn’t have the best freshman season at Cincy. A back-up point guard like Armon Johnson or Willie Warren could also be an option.
Think: Isaiah Rider
28. #Memphis (from LAL)- Craig Brackins, PF, Iowa State, 6-10, Jr.
The Griz need a back-up plan 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.
29. Orlando-Armon Johnson, PG, Nevada, 6-3, Jr.
The Magic need a back-up for Jameer Nelson and Johnson would be a good get at 29. He is almost Rajon Rondo quick with the basketball but not a great outside shooter. Orlando could also grab a small forward in case free agent Matt Barnes does not return.
Think: Marcus Banks
30. +Washington (from CLE)- Solomon Alabi, C, Florida State, 7-1, Soph.
Alabi is another player who I cannot get a great feel for in terms of where he lands. I seriously doubt he falls this low on draft night, but if he did, would be a nice addition for a Washington team whose only post player are JaVale McGee and Andry Blatche.
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)