The 2010 NBA Draft has come and gone… leaving a massive hole in David Kay’s heart. So how does he fill that empty void? By creating a 2011 mock draft. It’s never too early, right?
By: David Kay
Team needs have not been taken into account with this mock draft. Click on the players’ name for a complete scouting report.
1. New Jersey– Harrison Barnes, G/F, North Carolina, 6-6, Fr.
The prototypical NBA wing player, Barnes can stroke it from deep, create his own shot, handle the rock, and attack the basket. He likely would have been a top five pick if he was able to enter the 2010 Draft straight out of high school.
2. Minnesota– Kyrie Irving, PG, Duke, 6-1, Fr.
A tremendous play-maker, Irving is lightning fast with the basketball. He is also a talented scorer and is expected to make an immediate impact while running the show for Coach K.
3. Golden State– Jan Vesely, F, Czech Republic, 6-11, 1989
Vesely likely would have been a lottery pick in the 2010 draft but decided not to enter the draft. Another year overseas should only benefit his all-around game and make him more NBA-ready in 2011.
4. Washington– Perry Jones, PF, Baylor, 6-9, Fr.
Jones is a long, athletic, explosive forward who by every indication will be a one-and-done. He needs to add strength and range to his outside game before he can be a factor in the league.
5. Sacramento– Josh Selby, PG, Kansas, 6-3, Fr.
A terrific athlete and scorer, Selby is more of a combo guard than a true point guard. He will need to run the point in the NBA and will likely due so at Kansas which should help him get to the next level.
6. Philadelphia– Jared Sullinger, PF, Ohio State, 6-9, Fr.
A physical force down low with an NBA-ready body, Sullinger figures to be the next in the lineage of OSU big men to be one-and-done.
7. Detroit– Brandon Knight, PG, Kentucky, 6-3, Fr.
A great play-maker, Knight is also an effective outside shooter. He is a scoring point guard who should excel under John Calipari.
8. L.A. Clippers– Enes Kanter, PF, Kentucky, 6-10, Fr.
An inside/outside threat, Kanter is physical and has an NBA-ready body. The native of Turkey was MVP of the U-18 European Championship even though he was competing against players a year older than him.
9. Houston (from NY)- Donatas Motiejunas, F/C, Lithuania, 7-0, 1990
He pulled out of the draft process late this past off-season because he was likely falling out of the lottery. He is a versatile seven-footer who can vault back up the board if he shows some steady development in his all-around game and body.
10. Indiana– Trey Thompkins, F, Georgia, 6-9, Jr.
Thompkins has a nice variety of moves on the block including a good turnaround jumper, and created a lot of buzz at the end of last season.
11. New Orleans– Alec Burks, SG, Colorado, 6-6, So.
Burks had a great freshman season and is a big time scorer. Another solid season with the Buffs should lock up lottery status in 2011.
12. Memphis– Wesley Witherspoon, G/F, Memphis, 6-8, Jr.
A very versatile do-it-all wing player in the Evan Turner mold, Witherspoon can play several positions on the floor including the point. He is dangerous off the bounce and can also hit it from
13. Toronto– Derrick Williams, PF, Arizona, 6-9, So.
Williams is a tremendous athlete who lives around the rim. He runs the floor well and is a solid rebounder, but needs to work on his face-up game.
14. New York (from Hou)- Kyle Singler, SF, Duke, 6-9, Sr.
Singler surprised many by announcing he would return for his senior season. His size and ability to shoot the rock should earn him a first round spot.
click here for a full profile on Singler
15. Chicago– Kemba Walker, PG, UConn, 6-1, Jr.
The Husky sophomore is lightning quick with the basketball and a great playmaker. His outside shot needs to become more consistent and he turns the ball over way too much.
16. Charlotte– Renardo Sidney, PF, Mississippi State, 6-10, Fr.
A big body who can also hit jumpers, Sidney sat out this past season due to eligibility issues and won’t be able to suit up for the Bulldogs until late-December.
17. Milwaukee– Tomas Satoransky, SG, Czach Republic, 6-7, 1991
Satoransky is an all-around talent who just turned 18 this past fall. He is similar to most Euro guards in that he can run the break, attack the hoop, and is a crafty scorer.
18. Toronto (from Mia)- Jordan Hamilton, G/F, Texas, 6-7, So.
A pure scorer who can take you off the dribble and also has outstanding range on his jumper. He has great size for an NBA wing player, but needs to improve his ball-handling, shot selection, and defensive tenacity.
19. Boston– William Buford, SG, Ohio State, 6-5, Jr.
Buford struggled with his shot early this season, but found his stroke down the stretch as Evan Turner’s second banana. He needs to become more aggressive at attacking the basket instead of falling in love with his jumper.
click here for a full profile on Buford
20. San Antonio– Kris Joseph, SF, Syracuse, 6-7, Jr.
The Big East Sixth Man of the Year, Joseph is a tremendous athlete who thrives when attacking the basket. His stock could blow up when he moves into the starting line-up next season.
21. Oklahoma City– Aaric Murray, F/C, LaSalle, 6-10, So.
A big-bodied but not incredibly physical player who can step out and knock down jump shots. He is far from a finished product and would be drafted on potential alone unless he really makes strides during his sophomore campaign.
22. Portland– Elias Harris, F, Gonzaga, 6-7, So.
The German-born Harris is older and more mature than most freshmen. He has a nice combination of physicality and athleticism.
23. Utah– Jimmer Fredette, G, BYU, 6-2, Sr.
An absolute sharp-shooter from downtown, Fredette runs the point at BYU but whether or not teams think he can handle that spot in the NBA will determine where he ends up getting drafted.
24. Atlanta– Travis Leslie, SG, Georgia, 6-4, Jr.
Leslie is a true high-riser who thrives off the bounce. He needs to become a better shooter if he is going to reach his potential in the NBA.
25. Phoenix– Jon Leuer, PF, Wisconsin, 6-10, Sr.
A versatile power forward, Leuer can hit from the outside, take defenders off the bounce, and has outstanding footwork in the post to go with a variety of moves on the block.
26. Denver– Jeremy Tyler, PF, USA, 6-10, 1991
Tyler suffered a Brandon Jennings-like growing experience in Israel after skipping his senior year of high school to play professionally overseas, but is still talented and loaded with potential.
27. Dallas– Jeffery Taylor, SF, Vanderbilt, 6-7, Jr.
Taylor is an extraordinary athlete, but needs to improve his three-point shooting and overall offensive game before he gets to the next level.
28. L.A. Lakers– Kenneth Faried, PF, Morehead State, 6-8, Sr.
Faried is an outstanding rebounder but needs to work more on his face-up game. He is a bit under-sized to be the ideal NBA power forward, but makes up for that with his non-stop work ethic on the inside.
29. Orlando– JaJuan Johnson, PF, Purdue, 6-10, Sr.
Johnson is a lengthy post player who runs the floor well and can consistently knock down 18-foot jump shots. He has shown steady improvement during his three years at Purdue.
Click here for a full profile on Johnson.
30. Cleveland– Jacob Pullen, PG, Kansas State, 6-0, Sr.
The kid can flat out score the basketball as he proved last season. He will slide back to the point guard spot for the Wildcats this year and if he can effectively make that transition should be a first round prospect.
SECOND ROUND
31. New Jersey– Chris Wright, PG, Georgetown, 6-1, Sr.
A physical point guard who has shown the ability to run a team.
32. Miami (from MIN)- Demetri McCamey, PG, Illinois, 6-3, Sr.
Took a major step forward last season as a scorer and true point guard. There are questions about his maturity though.
Click here for a full profile of McCamey
33. Sacramento– LaceDarius Dunn, SG, Baylor, 6-4, Sr.
A tremendous natural scorer, Dunn also brings a level of physicality that should help him transition to the next level.
34. New Jersey (from GS)- Durrell Summers, SG, Michigan State, 6-4, Sr.
If the Summers who showed up in the NCAA Tournament can carry over that same play during next season, he could get first-round looks. He is a great athlete and displayed his ability to knock down perimeter jumpers during Sparty’s run to the Final Four.
Click here for a full profile on Summers
35. Washington– Nolan Smith, G, Duke, 6-3, Sr.
Is he a point guard or an under-sized two? That will be the biggest question regarding Smith’s hope of making it in the NBA.
Click here for a full profile on Nolan Smith
36. L.A.Clippers (from Det)- Pablo Aguilar, F, Spain, 6-10, 1989
A solid shooter, Aguilar sees steady playing time in a very competitive Spanish league which is odd for a player his age.
37. Philadelphia– D.J. Kennedy, SF, St. John’s, 6-7, Sr.
A versatile wing player, Kennedy is more of a slasher who also gets after it on the defensive end.
38. Houston (from LAC)- Keith Benson, C, Oakland, 6-11, Sr.
An athletic, lengthy big man who needs to get stronger to be a factor at the next level.
39. L.A. Lakers (from NY)- Malcolm Delaney, PG, Virginia Tech, 6-3, Sr.
Delany is more of a scorer than a true point guard who thrives off the bounce.
40. Indiana– Kalin Lucas, PG, Michigan State, 6-0, Sr.
He knows how to run a team but doesn’t excel in any other area.
Click here for a full profile on Lucas.
41. New Orleans– Herb Pope, PF, Seton Hall, 6-8, Jr.
An under-sized power forward who is a force on the glass and can also knock down shots from the perimeter.
42. Detroit (from Tor)- Robin Benzing, F, Germany, 6-10, 1989
A typical European forward, Benzing is versatile and athletic but still a work in progress.
43. Memphis– Jeremy Hazell, SG, Seton Hall, 6-5, Sr.
A natural scorer in every aspect on the offensive end but tends to be a chucker.
44. L.A. Clippers (from Hou)- Lavoy Allen, PF, Temple, 6-9, Sr.
Allen is more of a physical presence in the post and not very talented on the offensive end. He could be an energy type of role player in the NBA.
45. Milwaukee (from Chi)- Corey Fisher, PG, Villanova, 5-11, Sr.
I love Fisher’s tenacity at attacking the basket and toughness, but he needs to improve his decision-making as a point guard.
46. Charlotte– Austin Freeman, SG, Georgetown, 6-4, Sr.
Freeman can take over a game from the outside but is not incredibly athletic.
47. Sacramento (from Mil)- Antoine Diot, PG, France, 6-4, 1989
Diot really stepped onto the radar after a great season in France and has steadily improved his overall game.
48. L.A. Lakers (from Mia)- Anatoly Bose, G/F, Nichols State, 6-6, Sr.
He briefly tested the waters, but wisely chose to return to school for his senior season.
49. San Antonio– Cory Higgins, SG, Colorado, 6-5, Sr.
Michael Jordan is his godfather, but his NBA potential is more along the lines of his dad, Rod.
50. Oklahoma City– Steven Gray, SG, Gonzaga, 6-5, Sr.
Gray has a nice combination of size, athleticism, and ability to shoot the rock.
Click here for an exclusive profile/interview of Gray
51. Portland– Tracy Smith, PF, N.C. State, 6-8, Sr.
The Wolfpack senior exploded for a very solid junior season, but is an under-sized power forward by NBA standards.
52. Boston– E’Twaun Moore, G, Purdue, 6-4, Sr.
Moore is a combo guard with a smooth stroke and good quickness off the bounce.
Click here for a full profile of Moore
53. Atlanta– Talor Battle, PG, Penn State, 5-11, Sr.
Led Penn State in most statistical categories which doesn’t say much, but does show his all-around ability.
Click here for a profile/interview with Battle
54. Detroit (from Den)- Chris Wright, SF, Dayton, 6-8, Sr.
He has great strength and can leap out of the gym, but Wright’s lack of an outside shot hurts his stock.
55. Utah– Robbie Hummel, SF, Purdue, 6-8, Sr.
His versatility on the offensive end is his strength, but who does Hummel guard at the next level?
Click here for an exclusive profile/interview with Hummel
56. Golden State (from CHI via PHX)- Kevin Anderson, PG, Richmond, 6-0, Sr.
A scoring point guard, Anderson will have become more of a facilitator to succeed in the association.
57. Dallas– Randy Culpepper, G, UTEP, 6-0, Sr.
A shooting guard trapped in a point guard’s body, Culpepper will have to learn to play the point to make it in the NBA.
58. L.A. Lakers– Mark Payne, G, UC-Davis, 6-7, Sr.
Payne is a unique talent due to his size, versatility as a ball-handler, and ability to shoot the ball.
59. Orlando– Xavier Silas, SG, Northern Illinois, 6-5, Sr.
The Colorado transfer is a talented scorer in a lesser league but needs to work on his attack game.
60. Cleveland– Chris Warren, PG, Mississippi, 5-10, Sr.
Warren can light it up from the outside but his lack of size is a concern.