By: David Kay
The NBA Draft class of 2010 will start to sort itself out during the next couple of weeks as college underclassmen continue to weigh their decision on 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 a list of early entries.
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
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3. 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
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
5. 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
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, 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
9. ^Utah (from NY)- 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. 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.
Think: A poor-man’s Dwight Howard
11. 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
12. Memphis- Eric Bledsoe, PG, Kentucky, 6-1, Fr.
I don’t imagine the Griz are sold on Mike Conley as their point guard of the future and with Jamaal Tinsley and Marcus Williams both free agents, a point guard would make sense. Bledsoe is a great outside shooter who can also attack the basket. He is young and fairly inexperienced but could mature behind Conley.
Think: Raymond Felton
13. Toronto- Ekpe Udoh, PF, Baylor, 6-10, Jr.
The Raptors need to have insurance at the power forward position in case Chris Bosh leaves this summer. Udoh is a great shot blocker and rebounder, and his offensive game is coming along nicely.
Think: Serge Ibaka
14. 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
15.$Milwaukee (from CHI)- Cole Aldrich, C, Kansas, 6-11, Jr.
The Bucks could use a physical presence in the post not named Dan Gadzuric to play behind oft-injured Andrew Bogut. Kurt Thomas is also a free agent which makes the need for a rebounder that much greater.
Think: Chris Kaman
16. @Minnesota (from CHAR)- Jan Vesely, F, Czech Republic, 6-11, 1989
With three first-round picks, the T-Wolves could afford to draft a player like Vesely and let him develop on their young roster.
Think: Oleksiy Pecherov
17. $Chicago (from MIL)- James Anderson, SG, Oklahoma State, 6-6, Jr.
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. Anderson is a big-time scorer but not the best athlete.
Think: Brandon Rush
18. Miami-Gordon Hayward, SF, Butler, 6-9, So.
A terrific run to the national championship has secured Hayward’s status as a first round pick. The Heat have only a few players under contract next season and a boatload of cap space to spend in free agency so they probably just take the best available player.
Think: Dorrell Wright
Click here for an exclusive interview/profile of Hayward
19. Boston- Jordan Crawford, SG, Xavier, 6-4, Soph.
Ray Allen is a free agent and getting up there in age so Boston could use fresh blood in the backcourt. Crawford would be a valuable asset; he resembled an NBA-caliber scorer with his great showing in the NCAA Tournament.
Think: Kevin Martin
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- Gani Lawal, PF, Georgia Tech, 6-9, Jr.
With Juwan Howard and Marcus Camby free agents, and Greg Oden and Joel Przybilla coming off serious injuries, the Blazers should address their need some depth up-front. Lawal has a non-stop motor, lets the game come to him, and would be a great addition off the bench.
Think: Brandon Bass
23. >Minnesota (from UTAH)- Devin Ebanks, SF, West Virginia, 6-8, So.
OKC doesn’t have an obvious need with this choice which means they could try to deal it. If not, Ebanks would be a solid pick. 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
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)- Stanley Robinson, SF, UConn, 6-9, Sr.
Robinson is an athletic freak who would be a nice insurance policy in case Rudy Gay is gone after this season.
Think: Al Thornton
26. &Oklahoma City (from PHX)-Kyle Singler, SF, Duke, 6-9, Jr.
The Thunder do not have a glaring need with this pick. With Duke winning the national title, the chances of him turning pro increase exponentially. Singler would be a great chemistry fit for this young, blossoming Thunder team.
Think: Mike Dunleavy
Click here for an exclusive interview/profile of Singler
27. *New Jersey (from Dallas)- Daniel Orton, F/C, Kentucky, 6-10, Fr.
Orton is a defensive-minded big who crashes the glass and is a solid rebounder, but is very raw on the offensive end. He could help the re-building process in Jersey and potentially be a nice frontcourt mate for Brook Lopez.
Think: a poor-man’s Marcus Camby
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-Armon Johnson, PG, Nevada, 6-3, Jr.
One of the Magic’s main concerns this off-season will be finding a back-up point guard for Jameer Nelson since Jason Williams and Anthony Johnson are both free agents. Johnson is at his best off the bounce and needs to work on his perimeter game.
Think: Javaris Crittenton
30. +Washington (from CLE)-Lance Stephenson, SG, Cincinnati, 6-5, Fr.
With Josh Howard and Mike Miller both free agents, the Wiz could use help on the wing. Stephenson is a great talent, but did not put it all together in his lone year at Cincy. I think “Born Ready” has the potential to be a special talent in the NBA and is the worth the risk late in the first round.
Think: Isaiah Rider
Click here for David’s 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 14 protected)
+Antawn Jamsion trade
$John Salmons trade (Bucks have right to swap picks with Bulls)