By: David Kay
Now that the NBA trade deadline has passed, we have a better idea of what rosters will look like this off-season and what team needs will be. Therefore, this is the first time my 2010 Mock Draft takes team needs into account. Click on the players names for a full scouting report. Click here for my 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
Click here for an in-depth profile/interview of Turner
3. Golden State- Hassan Whiteside, F/C, Marshall, 7-0, 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. Whiteside is loaded with potential and probably needs a year or two before he becomes a real factor, but then again the Warriors don’t seem close to being a playoff caliber team anytime soon.
Think: A poor-man’s Dwight Howard
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4. Sacramento-Wesley Johnson, SF, Syracuse, 6-7, Jr.
Johnson would be a definite upgrade at the three over Donte Greene and Francisco Garcia. Add him to a nice mix of Casspi/Thompson/Landry/Nocioni/Hawes and the Kings have a promising mixture of forwards for the future.
Think: Shawn Marion
5. Indiana- Derrick Favors, PF, Georgia Tech, 6-10, 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, and while Favors is still raw on the offensive end, he is a tremendous athlete with a promising future.
Think: Al Jefferson
6. Detroit- DeMarcus Cousins, C, Kentucky, 6-11, Fr.
The Pistons have a plethora of perimeter players who love to shoot the ball but lack any sort of inside presence. Cousins has been a man among boys down low at the collegiate level and would provide Detroit with a true threat inside. His attitude remains a question mark but there is no doubting his skills.
Think: Zach Randolph
7. ^Utah (from New York)- Greg Monroe, PF, Georgetown, 6-10, So.
Monroe seems like a natural fit with the Jazz. He is a fundamental big man who excels in a lot of areas on the floor. He would be a great insurance policy with Carlos Boozer unlikely to re-sign with Utah. A shooting guard would also be an option but there is no two worth taking this high.
Think: Chris Bosh
8. Washington-Ed Davis, PF, North Carolina, 6-10, So.
I am 50/50 on whether Davis will declare for the draft after suffering a season-ending injury, but for now he stays in the 2010 mock. In blowing up their roster at the trade deadline, the Wizards have a major hole up-front and Davis could help fill that void.
Think: Al Horford
9. Philadelphia- Cole Aldrich, C, Kansas, 6-11, Jr.
The Sixers have been trying to find someone to take Samuel Dalembert’s contract and will likely try to move his expiring deal this summer or during the season. Aldrich would be a nice safety net and possible center of the future. He is not going to wow you with his athleticism but is very effective on the glass and as a shot blocker.
Think: Chris Kaman
10. L.A. Clippers- Al-Farouq Aminu, SF, Wake Forest, 6-9, So.
In dealing Al Thornton, the Clippers will be looking for a new small forward of the future. While LeBron would be the ideal get to fill that role, the versatile Demon Deacon is a more realistic candidate.
Think: Travis Outlaw
11. Milwaukee- Donatas Motiejunas, F/C, Lithuania, 7-0, 1990
The Bucks have had success this season with Euro forwards Carlos Delfino and Ersan Ilyasova so why not bring in another? Motiejunas is more of a perimeter based big man and doesn’t necessarily fit Milwaukee’s need for a banger down low (Patrick Patterson would be that guy) but would be a solid value at 11.
Think: Andrea Bargnani
12. Memphis- Patrick Patterson, PF, Kentucky, 6-9, Jr.
The Griz are in need of depth at every position except the two and Patterson is the best available option to come in and contribute right away. Zach Randolph has been great for Memphis, but is entering the final year of his contract. A small forward would also be a possibility in case Rudy Gay leaves this summer, but the next best small forwards would be a reach at twelve.
Think: Kenyon Martin
13. Houston- Xavier Henry, SG, Kansas, 6-6, Fr.
The Rockets don’t have any pressing needs but could use some depth on the wing. The Henry would be a great back-up for Kevin Martin as he can stroke it from deep but is also dangerous off the bounce.
Think: Paul Pierce
14. New Orleans- Solomon Alabi, C, Florida State, 7-1, So.
The Hornets do not have a great deal of depth up-front behind Emeka Okafor and David West so a big is probably a priority. Alabi is still a work in progress but has shown steady improvement during his sophomore season.
Think: DeSagana Diop
15. @Minnesota (from Char)- Larry Sanders, PF, VCU, 6-10, Jr.
Since they would be addressing their need on the wing with their previous pick, the T-Wolves could use this selection to add some athleticism up-front (assuming they don’t try to re-sign Darko that is… haha… oh, that won’t get old anytime soon.) Kevin Love and Al Jefferson are lacking on the defensive end where Sanders excels.
Think: Sean Williams
16. Miami- Willie Warren, G, Oklahoma, 6-4, So.
The Heat are in a situation were their roster is so thin in numbers, they need help everywhere and with two first round picks and a ton of cap space, they really are going to be a crapshoot. Of the prospects remaining, Warren could bring the most help. Despite having a down year, he can score the basketball in several different ways and run the point.
Think: Ben Gordon
17. Chicago- James Anderson, SG, Oklahoma State, 6-6, Jr.
The Bulls are going to land one of the big dog free agents in the off-season but will it be a wing player or one of the power forwards? Even if they do land, say Dwyane Wade, they could still use some depth at the two and Anderson is a big-time scorer who can contribute right away.
Think: Brandon Rush
18. ~Miami (from Tor)- Damion James, SF, Texas, 6-8, Sr.
Again, this pick is a mystery not knowing what will happen with what Miami is planning for free agency. Either way, the Heat have been searching for an answer at small forward for the past couple years. With Q-Rich a free agent, James will have a chance to log some minutes right away and bring some needed toughness to the boards.
Think: Wilson Chandler
19. Portland- Jan Vesely, F/C, Czech Republic, 6-11, 1989
Juwan Howard and Marcus Camby are both free agents and running on ‘E’ for their NBA careers so drafting a big seems like the logical choice. Vesley could come to the NBA and be a role player or stay overseas and continue to develop his game.
Think: Oleksiy Pecherov
20. San Antonio- Elias Harris, F, Gonzaga, 6-7, Fr.
Manu Ginobli and Michael Finley are free agents, 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. The German-born Harris is already 20 years old and has a nice combination of physicality and athleticism.
Think: Ryan Gomes
21. &Oklahoma City (from Phoenix)- Stanley Robinson, SF, UConn, 6-9, Sr.
The Thunder have a plethora of young talent, but could use someone like Robinson who is crazy athletic while also effective on the defensive end and glass.
Think: Al Thornton
22. Oklahoma City- Elliot Williams, G, Memphis, 6-4, So.
He can get to the rim and also is an improved shooter and has been the model of consistency this season. The Thunder do not necessarily need a player like Williams, but he is the best option for them with back-to-back first round picks.
Think: Jerryd Bayless
23. *New Jersey (from Dallas)- Craig Brackins, PF, Iowa State, 6-10, Jr.
Even if the Nets address their need for a front-court mate for Brook Lopez in free agency, Brackins would be a nice value here. He was once targeted as a potential lottery pick has not lived up to expectations during his junior season. Still, his outside/inside game is attractive to NBA scouts.
Think: Hakim Warrick
Click here for an exclusive interview/profile of Brackins
24. Atlanta- Gani Lawal, PF, Georgia Tech, 6-9, Jr.
The Hawks risk losing Joe Johnson this summer so a shooting guard could be an option even though Jamaal Crawford is back. Lawal is a better value than any shooting guard at this point and fills the need of a back-up at power forward
Think: Brandon Bass
25. >Minnesota (from Utah)- Jarvis Varnado, PF, Mississippi State, 6-9, Sr.
It is unlikely the T-Wolves will keep all three first-round picks, but if they did Varnado would be a nice addition. He is an outstanding shot blocker and athlete, two things Kevin Love and Al Jefferson are not.
Think: Ronny Turiaf
26. =Memphis (from Denver)- Kalin Lucas, PG, Michigan State, 6-0, Jr.
Mike Conley has not cemented his status as the long-term solution at the point in Memphis, plus both of his back-ups are free agents. Lucas should have a solid, but not spectacular NBA career due to his ability to be a true floor leader.
Think: D.J. Augustin
27. Boston- Lance Stephenson, SG, Cincinnati, 6-5, Fr.
With Ray Allen entering free agency and showing his age in Boston, a shooting guard is a priority for the C’s this summer. There is no questioning this Stephenson’s ability when he wants to play especially off the bounce but his effort seems to be hot and cold.
Think: Isaiah Rider
28. Orlando- Sherron Collins, PG, Kansas, 5-11, Sr.
Both Jason Williams and Anthony Johnson are free agents so the Magic could use a point guard, especially one with Collins’ experience and toughness.
Think: Will Bynum
29. #Memphis (from L.A. Lakers)- Quincy Pondexter, G/F, Washington, 6-6, Sr.
The Griz have three first-round picks and likely deal one of them for cash or a future pick. If not, Pondexter could serve as Plan B in case Rudy Gay is pried away from Memphis this off-season.
Think: Trenton Hassell
30. +Washington (from Cle)- Artsiom Parakhouski, C, Radford, 6-11, Sr.
I have them taking Ed Davis with the eighth pick, but the Wizards could still use a big, physical banger in the paint. Meet Parakhouski who is a beast inside but lacks great athleticism.
Think: Marcin Gortat
Click here for my Mock Second Round
Click here for The Sports Bank’s NFL Mock Draft
#Pau Gasol trade (top 6 protected)
*Jason Kidd trade (unprotected)
&Kurt Thomas trade (unprotected)
^(unprotected)
?Marko Jaric trade (top 10 protected)
=Steven Hunter trade
@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)
+Antawn Jamsion trade