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- John Wall, PG, Kentucky, 6-4, Fr.
Even though he has been “struggling” as of late, Wall has been as good as advertised for the ‘Cats. He is beyond gifted and so quick with the ball in his hands whether it’s creating on the drive for other teammates or finishing at the rim himself. He does need to add some consistency to his outside shot though and limit his turnovers.
Think: Derrick Rose
2. ?Minnesota- Hassan Whiteside, F/C, Marshall, 7-0, Fr.
Whiteside’s stock has risen faster than anyone in college basketball. He is an absolute terror in the paint, averaging about 5.3 blocks per game and altering just as many shots. The Thundering Herd freshman is still raw on the offensive end but has shown a decent jumper. His potential is through the roof and he has the body to fill out physically as he spends more time in the weight room.
Think: A poor-man’s Dwight Howard
3. Golden State- Evan Turner, G/F, Ohio State, 6-7, Jr.
Despite suffering what appeared to be a serious injury when he fractured two vertebrae in his upper neck earlier this season, Turner was only sidelined for a month and has picked up right where left off. He possesses all the skills needed of a wing player as demonstrated by his already two triple-doubles this season. He is at his best with the ball in his hands when he is driving and finishing at the rim or creating for his teammates as demonstrated by him playing the point this season for the Buckeyes.
Think: Scottie Pippen
Click here for an in-depth profile/interview of Turner
4. Sacramento- Wesley Johnson, SF, Syracuse, 6-7, Jr.
Offensively, Johnson can do it all; knock down and create his own shots, attack the basket, and finish with authority. His length and athleticism also allow him to be a major factor on the defensive end, rebounding, and blocking shots. Since putting on the Syracuse orange, his stock has soared.
Think: Shawn Marion
5. Washington- DeMarcus Cousins, C, Kentucky, 6-11, Fr.
A big bodied post player, Cousins has been a monster as of late. He has the ability to out-physical opponents down low but also has incredibly quick feet for a big man. There have been questions about his work ethic and tendency to let his emotions get the best of him on the court which may turn NBA scouts off to the Wildcat freshman.
Think: Zach Randolph
6. Detroit- Derrick Favors, PF, Georgia Tech, 6-10, Fr.
Favors is a well-rounded prospect with a combination of size, strength, and athleticism. He has a well-built body for a freshman which should only get stronger. His offensive game is still a work in progress though as he needs to improve his limited range from the perimeter as well as his post-up game.
Think: Al Jefferson
7. Indiana- Cole Aldrich, C, Kansas, 6-11, Jr.
Aldrich doesn’t look like much a basketball player at first glance, but is actually a very fundamentally sound big man. He has a nice touch on his odd-looking jump shot, is a solid rebounder, and great shot blocker. The Jayhawk junior is not going to wow anybody with his athleticism, but is very crafty around the basket.
Think: Chris Kaman
8. ^Utah (from New York)- Greg Monroe, PF, Georgetown, 6-10, So.
One of the most versatile big men in college basketball, Monroe is the total package. He has a great inside/outside game, can put the ball on the floor, and is a tremendous passer. The biggest knock on Monroe has been his lack of assertiveness which has steadily improved this season.
Think: Chris Bosh
9. Philadelphia- Ed Davis, PF, North Carolina, 6-10, So.
Davis’ stock blew up during the Tar Heels tournament run and he continued to impress with a solid start to the season. As of late, he has been quiet on a struggling Tar Heel team. He is a very solid rebounder and gifted shot blocker, but his offensive game is a bit limited to around the basket.
Think: Al Horford
10. L.A. Clippers- Patrick Patterson, PF, Kentucky, 6-9, Jr.
The Wildcat junior decided to return to school after briefly testing the NBA waters this summer. Patterson has a nice low post game and uses his strength and length to help him on the boards which will be beneficial at the next level. This season, he has greatly improved his perimeter game with range out to the three-point line which is a nice addition to his mid-range game.
Think: Kenyon Martin
11. Milwaukee- Al-Farouq Aminu, SF, Wake Forest, 6-9, So.
Aminu likely would have been a lottery pick if he declared for the 2009 draft, but decided to return to Wake to improve his all-around game. His size and athleticism will certainly be attractive to an NBA team. He is a great slasher off the wing, but has not shown much improvement with his poor outside shot.
Think: Travis Outlaw
12. New Orleans- Donatas Motiejunas, F/C, Lithuania, 7-0, 1990
A very intriguing prospect, Montiejunas has the size to play center but ability to step out on the perimeter and play the three. He is skilled on the block, can also handle the ball, and stroke it from the outside. Unlike most Europeans prospects, Montiejunas will be a free agent in the summer of 2010 meaning an NBA team won’t have to deal with any Ricky Rubio-like issues regarding a buyout and he could come to the states right away.
Think: Andrea Bargnani
13. Memphis- Xavier Henry, SG, Kansas, 6-6, Fr.
After making a big splash right away at Kansas, Henry has been awfully quiet as of late. He is a smooth shooting southpaw who is very comfortable with the ball in his hand and attacking the basket. Henry has good strength to not be bullied around in the NBA but is the victim of being the fourth option on a very talented team.
Think: Paul Pierce
14. Houston- Willie Warren, G, Oklahoma, 6-4, So.
Warren’s successful freshman year with the Sooners was understandably overshadowed by Blake Griffin’s player of the year season. With Griffin gone to the NBA, Warren has not been able to carry the load this season. Still, he is a talented combo guard who can create his own shot and is not afraid to attack the basket. Warren has struggled with his perimeter shot while also dealing with a nagging ankle injury which has hurt his stock.
Think: Ben Gordon
15. Miami- Terrico White, SG, Mississippi, 6-5, So.
The reigning SEC freshman of the year has the perfect mixture of athleticism and strength for playing at the next level. White can handle the rock and creates his own shot with ease. He has not made the leap that many thought he would this season but is still highly valued by NBA GM’s.
Think: Andre Iguodala
16. @Minnesota (from Char)- Solomon Alabi, C, Florida State, 7-1, So.
Alabi is still very much a work in progress but he seems to be getting more and more comfortable on the offensive end. He has the size and shot-blocking ability that NBA teams covet in their big men, but still has a ways to go until he is a regular contributor at the next level.
Think: DeSagana Diop
17. Chicago– Larry Sanders, PF, VCU, 6-10, Jr.
Sanders’ crazy 7-7 wingspan makes him a force on the glass with his rebounding and tremendous shot blocking prowess. His offensive abilities are still very raw but the learning curve is loaded with potential.
Think: Sean Williams
18. ~Miami (from Tor)- Damion James, SF, Texas, 6-8, Sr.
Once projected as a lottery pick, James had a very disappointing junior season with the Horns which led to his decision to return to school after briefly declaring for the draft. He is a tremendous athlete, and very physical especially on the glass. His outside shot seems to be back which helps his stock.
Think: Wilson Chandler
19. Portland- James Anderson, SG, Oklahoma State, 6-6, Jr.
Anderson is a pure scorer who makes a living outside the three-point line. He is a good athlete, but is more of a jump shooter than slasher but has become more aggressive on the drive this season.
Think: Brandon Rush
20. Oklahoma City- Stanley Robinson, SF, UConn, 6-9, Sr.
For a 6-9 player, Robinson is one of the top athletes in the college game. He lives around the basket whether it’s on the drive or crashing the boards and is a ferocious finisher. His biggest knock has always been his poor outside shooting, but he has shown nice strides in that area during his senior season.
Think: Al Thornton
21. San Antonio- Jan Vesely, F/C, Czech Republic, 6-11, 1989
Vesely is a skilled big man who can hit shots from the outside and run in transition. His game and body are still developing and he is under contract with his overseas team until 2013 so it will be interesting to see whether or not he enters the draft and if teams are willing to wait a few years for his services.
Think: Oleksiy Pecherov
22. &Oklahoma City (from Phoenix)- Lance Stephenson, SG, Cincinnati, 6-5, Fr.
There were some questions regarding Stephenson’s selfishness and work ethic heading into his freshman season, but he has been effective early on for the Bearcats though he has struggled a bit as of late. There is no questioning this kid’s ability when he wants to play. He has a nice jumper, is lethal on the drive, and possesses an NBA-ready build.
Think: Isaiah Rider
23. *New Jersey (from Dallas)- Sherron Collins, PG, Kansas, 5-11, Sr.
There is no questioning Collins’ toughness and leadership. He is a solid outside shooter, but more of a scoring guard in a point guard’s body. A solid athlete, Collins needs to show a better ability to distribute the basketball and prove that he can be a true point guard to succeed in the NBA.
Think: Will Bynum
24. >Minnesota (from Utah)- Craig Brackins, PF, Iowa State, 6-10, Jr.
Brackins is a lengthy, but not very physical forward who has a nice touch on his shot and can knock down mid-range jumpers. He made huge strides between his freshman and sophomore seasons as he nearly doubled his scoring and rebounding. The Cyclone will need to add some muscle to help him match-up better against NBA power forwards.
Think: Hakim Warrick
Click here for an exclusive interview/profile of Brackins
25. Atlanta- Elias Harris, F, Gonzaga, 6-7, Fr.
The German-born Harris is already 20 years old which will probably accelerate his decision to turn pro despite only being a freshman. The combo forward is a very physical but also has great athleticism. He can play with his back to the basket but also has a nice perimeter game.
Think: Ryan Gomes
26. Boston- Jarvis Varnado, PF, Mississippi State, 6-9, Sr.
Due to his length and athleticism, Varnado is the top shot blocker in college basketball, averaging 5.5 swats a game this season. He is also a solid rebounder and his offensive game continues to improve. Varnado made a wise choice in returning to school for his senior year to fine tune that part of his game.
Think: Ronny Turiaf
27. Memphis (from Denver)- Quincy Pondexter, G/F, Washington, 6-6, Sr.
After under-achieving his first three years with the Huskies, Pondexter is finally having a break-out season. He is athletic, has a nice mid-range game, and is one of the better the better rebounding swing players in college basketball. His three-point shot needs work.
Think: Chris Douglas-Roberts
28. Orlando-Gani Lawal, PF, Georgia Tech, 6-9, Jr.
Lawal is a slightly under-sized power forward who has a nice low-post game. He is a solid rebounder and decent shot blocker, but doesn’t have much of a perimeter game and is a poor free throw shooter. Lawal is very active around the rim and uses his athleticism to help his game.
Think: Brandon Bass
29. #Memphis (from L.A. Lakers)- Scottie Reynolds, PG, Villanova, 6-1, Sr.
The sharp-shooting Reynolds has developed into one of the most intelligent and clutch players in college basketball. He knows how to run an offense and has shaken the gunner mentality he had early on at ‘Nova. Reynolds may not have the ideal athleticism, but he such a crafty scorer who could contribute right away.
Think: Eddie House
30. Cleveland- Jerome Jordan, C, Tulsa, 7-0, Sr.
Jordan has the size and potential that is intriguing to NBA teams. He is an improved offensive player with a nice arsenal on moves on the block, but has average athleticism at best. Jordan is a good shot blocker, but is probably a career back-up.
Think: Theo Ratliff
Click here for the Second Round
Click here for David’s 2011 Mock Draft
#Pau Gasol trade (top 6 protected)
*Jason Kidd trade (unprotected)
&Kurt Thomas trade (unprotected)
^(unprotected)
?Marko Jaric trade (top 10 protected)
@Ty Lawson trade via Alexis Ajinca trade (lottery protected)
>Rodney Carney trade via Kyle Korver trade (top 17 protected)
~Jermaine O’Neal trade (top 17 protected)