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– 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– Greg Monroe, PF, Georgetown, 6-11, So.
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. I will go with Monroe at this point.
Think: Chris Bosh
8. L.A. Clippers– Xavier Henry, G/F, Kansas, 6-7, Fr.
The pressing need for the Clippers this off-season is finding a small forward. Henry would be a reach at this point as would Babbitt or Hayward, but I think “X” as Brent Musberger calls him (you know, because they are tight?) will be the best player of those three. If the Clips play it safe and take the best available player, look for them to land a post player to back-up Blake Griffin and Chris Kaman.
Think: Paul Pierce
9. ^Utah (from NY)- Ekpe Udoh, PF, Baylor, 6-10, Jr.
Despite having Paul Millsap signed on, the Jazz should use this pick to find an insurance policy in case Carlos Boozer leaves via free agency. Utah could use someone like Udoh up-front due to his athleticism and shot blocking ability. Reaching for a wing player could also be an option with Kyle Korver and Wesley Matthews both free agents as well.
Think: Serge Ibaka
10. Indiana–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
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. With the recent off-the-court issues surrounding Zach Randolph, the Griz could look at a power forward as insurance, but they could also use a scorer off the bench and that is where Babbit comes into play.
Think: Danilo Gallinari
13. Toronto– Hassan Whiteside, F/C, Marshall, 7-0, Fr.
The Raptors need to prepare for like post-Chris Bosh and Whiteside is a good place to start. His up-side is as high as any player in the draft due to his athleticism and length. He likely won’t be a major contributor right away but could allow Andrea Bargnani to play his more natural position of power forward.
Think: A very poor-man’s Dwight Howard
14. Houston– Gordon Hayward, SF, Butler, 6-8, So.
The Rockets have no pressing needs and are in a position to draft the best available player. GM’s love Hayward’s athleticism and ability to shoot the basketball and that would be a welcome addition off the bench in Houston.
Think: Dorrell Wright
Click here for an exclusive interview/profile of Hayward
15.$Milwaukee (from CHI)- Paul George, G/F, Fresno State, 6-9, So.
With John Salmons likely to opt out of the final year of his deal and Michael Redd returning from another season-ending injury, the Bucks need to find some depth on the wing. George seems to be climbing up the draft boards due to versatility and athleticism. A physical post player like Patrick Patterson could also be an option.
Think: Jamario Moon
16. @Minnesota (from CHAR)- Daniel Orton, F/C, Kentucky, 6-10, Fr.
In addressing their need for a wing scorer with their first pick, the T-Wolves can look to add a big man. Orton has an NBA body that teams love but his game is still very raw on the offensive end. Solomon Alabi would be a possible reach at this point and maybe a better fit due to his height.
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 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–Eric Bledsoe, PG, Kentucky, 6-1, Fr.
With only four players under contract for next season, the Heat need help all across the board and take the best available player. In this case, it just so happens to fill the need of a point guard of the future. I think in a few years, Bledsoe will be one of the top ten players to come out of this draft.
Think: Raymond Felton
19. Boston– Jordan Crawford, SG, Xavier, 6-5, Soph.
This is high for Crawford compared to other mock drafts, but he is a big-time scorer. With Ray Allen and Tony Allen both free agents, the Celtics should address their need for a two-guard and even if Ray Ray is re-signed, Crawford would be a dangerous scoring threat off the bench.
Think: Anthony Morrow
For a feature profile/interview of Crawford click here
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- Patrick Patterson, PF, Kentucky, 6-9, Jr.
OKC needs to get tougher and more physical inside. Patterson impressed scouts with his performance on and off the court at the NBA Draft combine and would be a great fit chemistry-wise for this young Thunder team. I don’t see him being anything more than a solid bench player but that is what OKC could use.
Think: Kenyon Martin
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)- Lance Stephenson, SG, Cincinnati, 6-6, Fr.
I would be surprised if the T-Wolves keep all three of their first round picks but if they do, taking a foreign player like Ryan Richards would be a possibility, though a bit of a reach. 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 great building block and future steal for the T-Wolves.
Think: Isaiah Rider
24. Atlanta– Dominique Jones, G, South Florida, 6-5, Jr.
The Hawks will likely use this pick on a shooting guard to help fill the void left by Joe Johnson if he does not re-sign. Jones seems to be climbing up boards and appears to have worked his way into the first round.
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. He is worth the pick at this point since the Griz have three first rounders but I cannot imagine him being worthy of a lottery pick like other “experts” think.
Think: Shannon Brown
26. &Oklahoma City (from PHX)- Larry Sanders, PF, VCU, 6-11, Jr.
The young, up-and-coming Thunder team could use a defensive-presence in the paint. Sanders is just that as he uses crazy 7-7 wingspan to be an effective shot blocker and rebounder. Adding Patterson and Sanders in this scenario would be a nice up-grade up-front in OKC. Don’t be surprised though if the Thunder deal this pick or go the foreign route.
Think: Sean Williams
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)- Craig Brackins, PF, Iowa State, 6-10, Jr.
If the Griz keep all three of their first round picks, I would be surprised. With that being said, they need a plan B due to Randolph’s run-ins with the law. Once a projected lottery pick, Brackins would be a good roll of the dice at this point. They could also go with a foreign player like Ryan Richards if they are thinking more long-term.
Think: Hakim Warrick
Click here for a profile/interview of Brackins.
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)