By: David Kay
The NBA Draft class of 2010 will start to sort itself out during the next couple of weeks as college underclassmen decide whether or not to enter the draft. 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 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
Click here for more on Turner
3. 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
4. Washington-DeMarcus Cousins, C, Kentucky, 6-11, Fr.
In blowing up their roster at the trade deadline, the Wizards have a major hole up-front and Cousins could help fill that void. He has been a man among boys down low at the collegiate level and would provide Washington with a true threat inside. His attitude remains a question mark but there is no doubting his skills.
Think: Zach Randolph
5. 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. Whiteside is loaded with potential and probably needs a year or two before he becomes a real factor, but he is an outstanding shot blocker and has the potential to step out and consistently knock down jump shots.
Think: A poor-man’s Dwight Howard
6. Sacramento- Wesley Johnson, SF, Syracuse, 6-7, Jr.
Johnson would be a definite upgrade on the wing 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
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. 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
9. ^Utah (from New York)- 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. 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: Al Horford
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 (from Chi)- Cole Aldrich, C, Kansas, 6-11, Jr.
The Bucks need to add some beef inside to back-up Andrew Bogut because let’s be honest Dan Gadzuric is worthless. Aldrich can add some rebounding and shot blocking and should be a great fit with head coach Scott Skiles.
Think: Chris Kaman
12. New Orleans- Patrick Patterson, PF, Kentucky, 6-9, Jr.
Outside of Emeka Okafor and David West, the Hornets don’t have a lot of depth up-front. Patterson is NBA-ready and would be able to contribute immediately off the bench.
Think: Kenyon Martin
13. Houston- Xavier Henry, SG, Kansas, 6-6, Fr.
There is no real pressing need for the Rockets entering the off-season and 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
14. Memphis- Devin Ebanks, SF, West Virginia, 6-8, So.
With Rudy Gay a restricted free agent this summer and his future in Memphis up in the air, Ebanks would be a solid future replacement. He is a great defender and very versatile but needs to add strength and improve his jump shot to make a real difference in the league.
Think: Andrei Kirilenko
15. ~Miami (from Tor)- James Anderson, SG, Oklahoma State, 6-6, Jr.
Again, this pick is a mystery not knowing what will happen with what Miami is planning for free agency. Even if Miami re-signs Dwyane Wade, they could use some depth on the wing.
Think: Brandon Rush
16. Miami- Ekpe Udoh, PF, Baylor, 6-10, Jr.
With Udonis Haslem and Jermaine O’Neal both free agents, the Heat will likely address their need for a big with one of their two first round picks. Udoh is a great shot blocker and rebounder, and his offensive game is coming along nicely.
Think: Serge Ibaka
17. @Minnesota (from Char)- Larry Sanders, PF, VCU, 6-10, Jr.
Minnesota will likely address the need for an athletic, defensive presence down low with one of their three first round picks. Sanders is known for his freakish 7-7 wingspan which makes him a force on the boards and as a shot blocker.
Think: Sean Williams
18. $Chicago (from Mil)- Darington Hobson, G/F, New Mexico, 6-7, Jr.
The “Evan Turner of the West,” Hobson’s strength is his versatility. He plays a point forward role at New Mexico and can also shoot the rock and attack the rim. 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 drafting Hobson is not a bad plan B.
Think: Matt Barnes
19. Portland- Jan Vesely, F, Czech Republic, 6-11, 1989
Juwan Howard and Marcus Camby are both free agents and running on ‘E’ for their NBA careers so drafting some size 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- Damion James, SF, Texas, 6-8, Sr.
Michael Finley was released, Manu Ginobli is a free agent, 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 (from Phoenix)- Gani Lawal, PF, Georgia Tech, 6-9, Jr.
The young, up-and-coming Thunder team could use some depth in the form of a physical banger down low. Lawal has a non-stop motor and lets the game come to him which should not effect the outstanding chemistry currently on the OKC roster.
Think: Brandon Bass
22. Oklahoma City- 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
23. Boston- Elliot Williams, G, Memphis, 6-4, So.
The C’s need to get younger at every position except the point. With Ray Allen a free agent, there is a more immediate need to add a wing player. Williams can get to the rim and also is an improved shooter and has been the model of consistency this season.
Think: Jerryd Bayless
24. >Minnesota (from Utah)- Craig Brackins, PF, Iowa State, 6-10, Jr.
If this draft held form, the T-Wolves would have already drafted a wing player in Evan Turner and a shot-blocker in Larry Sanders. Brackins can play inside/outside and was once considered a lottery lock before an underwhelming junior season. He would bring a different wrinkle up-front for the Timberwolves due to his ability to put the ball on the deck.
Think: Hakim Warrick
Click here for an exclusive interview/profile of Brackins
25. Atlanta- Paul George, G/F, Fresno State, 6-8, So.
George recently tweeted that he is planning on testing the draft waters and leaning towards staying in. 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.
Think: Jamario Moon
26. *New Jersey (from Dallas)- Jarvis Varnado, PF, Mississippi State, 6-9, Sr.
New Jersey is thin up-front outside of Brook Lopez. Varnado is college basketball’s all-time leader in swats and would be a great rebounding, shot blocking presence for the Nets.
Think: a shorter Samuel Dalembert
27. =Memphis (from Denver)- Armon Johnson, PG, Nevada, 6-3, 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. Johnson is at his best off the bounce and needs to work on his perimeter game.
Think: Javaris Crittenton
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)- Charles Garcia, F, Seattle U, 6-9, Jr.
The Griz have three first-round picks and likely deal one of them for cash or a future pick. If not, taking a chance on a talented player with the up-side of Garcia or a foreign player would be the route to go.
Think: Earl Clark
30. +Washington (from Cle)- Greivis Vasquez, G, Maryland, 6-6, Sr.
The Wiz need some insurance in case Gilbert Arenas starts waving guns around in the locker room again. Vasquez is a gifted all-around player who excels with his playmaking abilities.
Think: a poor-man’s Devin Harris
Click here for the second round
Click here for The Sports Bank’s NFL Mock Draft
Entering the Draft:
Craig Brackins, PF, Iowa State, 6-10, Jr. (reportedly)
Charles Garcia, F, Seattle U, 6-9, Jr.
Paul George, G/F, Fresno State, 6-8, So. (reportedly)
Staying in School:
Travis Lesile, SG, Georgia, 6-4, So. (reportedly)
#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
$John Salmons trade (Bucks have right to swap picks with Bulls)