By: David Kay
The NBA Draft class of 2010 is official. Check out the entire list of early entries. 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 on the NBA team for a list of off-season needs.
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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For the all-Evan Turner BFF team go here
3. Sacramento- DeMarcus Cousins, C, Kentucky, 6-11, Fr.
The Kings likely take Cousins or Favors, whoever they feel is the better prospect. They have a hole inside for a physical presence and Cousins is more polished at this point.. He has been a man among boys down low at the collegiate level, but his attitude remains a question mark. Wesley Johnson could be an option as well since the Kings need some help on the perimeter.
Think: Zach Randolph
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– Wesley Johnson, SF, Syracuse, 6-7, Jr.
After blowing up their roster at the trade deadline, the Wizards have major holes all across their roster. Ideally, they would like a big man with this pick, but Johnson gives them a wing player who is ready to contribute right away since Josh Howard and Mike Miller are free agents. He could play either wing position and bring some more versatility with his tremendous all-around game.
Think: Shawn Marion
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 at the deadline, the Clippers will be looking for a new small forward of the future. While LeBron is the dream, the versatile Demon Deacon is a more realistic candidate.
Think: Travis Outlaw
9. ^Utah (from NY)- Ed Davis, PF, North Carolina, 6-10, So.
The Jazz need to have an insurance policy in case Carlos Boozer leaves via free agency. A wing player could also be an option, but the need for a big is more pressing.
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. While Whiteside is raw and will likely need a year or two to develop, he is loaded with potential.
Think: A very poor-man’s Dwight Howard
11. New Orleans- Ekpe Udoh, PF, Baylor, 6-10, Jr.
Outside of Emeka Okafor and David West, the Hornets don’t have a lot of depth up-front. Udoh is a great shot blocker and rebounder, and his offensive game is coming along nicely.
Think: Serge Ibaka
12. Memphis- Patrick Patterson, PF, Kentucky, 6-9, Jr.
The Grizzlies could use a back-up for Zach Randolph who is in the final year of his contract. 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. A point guard like Eric Bledsoe would be a reach, but an option since Mike Conley does not seem to be the long-term solution.
Think: Kenyon Martin
13. Toronto- Cole Aldrich, C, Kansas, 6-11, Jr.
The Raptors need to have a plan B up-front in case Chris Bosh leaves via free agency. Aldrich would give the Raptors a true center who can rebound and block shots while allowing Andrea Bargnani to slide to his more natural position at the four.
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 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 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 if they should be prepared to have a plan B in case they don’t land one.
Think: Anthony Morrow
For a feature profile/interview of Crawford click here
18. Miami-Eric Bledsoe, PG, Kentucky, 6-1, Fr.
The Heat only have a few players under contract for next season so they need help all across the board. The point guard area is especially in need and with a weak crop of free agent point guards, Miami would be best using this pick on Bledsoe who will likely need a year or two to develop.
Think: Raymond Felton
19. Boston-Gordon Hayward, SF, Butler, 6-9, So.
Ray Allen is a free agent and not getting any younger so the C’s could use fresh blood on the wing. Hayward can shoot it from the outside and is also a solid athlete. A terrific run to the national championship has secured his status as a mid-first round pick and he could very well be off the board earlier than this.
Think: Dorrell Wright
Click here for an exclusive interview/profile of Hayward
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-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 Portland and give them options at the three other than Martell Webster and Nicolas Batum.
Think: Danilo Gallinari
23. >Minnesota (from UTAH)- Devin Ebanks, SF, West Virginia, 6-8, So.
With their third first round pick, I’d imagine the T-Wolves 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.
Think: Andrei Kirilenko
For a feature profile/interview of Ebanks go here
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)-Paul George, SF, Fresno State, 6-8, So.
The Grizzlies have said they will match just about any offer for restricted free agent Rudy Gay, but drafting a talented all-around player like George would be a nice insurance policy in case Gay is gone after this season.
Think: Jamario Moon
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)- Solomon Alabi, C, Florida State, 7-1, Soph.
I think Alabi made a mistake by declaring for the draft as he could slip into the second round, but with their second pick of the first round, the Nets could roll the dice on Alabi. He is still a work in progress but could develop into a solid back-up to Brooz Lopez.
Think: Johan Petro
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 if Bradley can learn to run the point.
Think: Shannon Brown
30. +Washington (from CLE)-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 Wizards who are in need of some muscle down low.
Think: Brandon Bass
For a feature profile/interview of Lawal click here
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)