DC Pro Sports Report 2010 NBA Mock Draft

John Wall

UPDATED TO REFLECT THE OKC-MIAMI TRADE. READ ON…

01. Washington Wizards: PG John Wall [Kentucky]. The Wiz have made no secret of their plans to draft Wall and it’s no wonder — he’s the best player in this draft and he plays one of the two most important positions in the game. It also happens to be a position of need for the Wiz, who would otherwise have to continue to rely on the hugely-talented, but completely unreliable Gilbert Arenas to run the team. Taking Wall will revitalize the franchise, give it a fresh and respectable new face and allow the disgraced Arenas to move to shooting guard where he can concentrate on what he does best — scoring.

02. Philadelphia 76ers: SG Evan Turner [Ohio State]. He doesn’t have the most upside of the players left, but he’s solid in every way. He can shoot, drive, handle and play defense. It’s not an absolute need pick for the 76ers, so don’t be surprised if they trade this pick to another team that takes Turner. I definitely see Turner going 2nd in this draft, whether to Philly or someone else.

03. New Jersey Nets: QF Wesley Johnson [Syracuse]. The Nets may try to trade up with Philly to select Evan Turner, whom they really want, but if they can’t Johnson fills a need at the 3. Derrick Favors could go here, but his disastrous workout with the Nets earlier this week has probably dropped him down to the fourth spot, at least.

04. Minnesota Timberwolves: PF Derrick Favors [Georgia Tech]. The T-Wolves also own the 16th and 23rd picks in the draft so don’t be surprised if they try to move up to take Evan Turner, the player they most want. They’d also be happy with Wesley Johnson if he falls, but I think the Nets will take him at 3. That leaves the T-Wolves with Favors, assuming they don’t take  yet another point guard. Don’t be surprised to see a trade here.

Demarcus Cousins

05. Sacramento Kings: C Demarcus Cousins [Kentucky]. The recently-acquired Sam Dalembert is a flawed player and not a long-term solution in the middle. Demarcus Cousins is a fantastic player, but a flawed human being, but he could be the long-term solution in the middle. Talent-wise, he’s second only to John Wall in this draft and not even by that much. Cousins is very immature and self-centered, though, and that worries me. He’s not the sort of person who usually improves after becoming a millionaire. Nevertheless, he’s a legit 7-footer who weighs a ton. This is the smart pick for the Kings.

06. Golden State Warriors: PF/C Greg Monroe [Georgetown]. They will take Cousins if he drops this far, but he won’t so the next best thing is Monroe, a smart guy who has pretty good size and should be a solid power forward in the pros.

07. Detroit Pistons:  PF Ed Davis [North Carolina]. The Pistons need size badly and will try to trade up to acquire either Cousins or Monroe if they don’t fall. Failing all that, the Pistons will take the next best big man available, Davis. He’s a bit of a project, but he’s a legit 6’10″ power forward with great athleticism who could become an all star in a few years.

08. Los Angeles Clippers: QF Al-Farouq Aminu [Wake Forest]. So he’s not Lebron James, but he might just be the other L.A.’s best option at the 3, where the Clips have a major need. Aminu has great athleticism and length so he should be able to create some mis-matches on offense and he works hard on defense, too. Aminu will run the floor, rebound his position well and give the Clips — with a healthy Blake Griffin — one of the best young pair of forwards in the NBA.

09. Utah Jazz: C Cole Aldrich [Kansas]. He doesn’t have a  huge upside, but Aldrich is a solid big who can face the basket and has to be accounted for on offense and defense. He’s an under-rated athlete who can run the floor and has terrific agility for someone his size. He’d make a solid replacement for Carlos Boozer, who may be on his way to New Jersey or elsewhere.

Ekpe Udoh

10. Indiana Pacers: PF Ekpe Udoh [Baylor]. He’s got a very unrefined offensive game, but Udoh is the best shot-blocker in the draft by far and a ferocious defender. His great basketball instincts and superior athleticism make him an unnaturally good shot-blocker and offensive rebounder. He’d give the Pacers something they have really lacked — an erasing and intimidating presence in the defensive paint.

11. New Orleans Hornets: PF Patrick Patterson [Kentucky]. The 3rd UK Wildcat to go in the top 11 [if John Calipari is such a great coach how did that team not win the NCAA Finals?] is a tough, hard-working grunt who will get it done on the boards and hustle on defense.

12. Memphis Grizzlies: QF Paul George [Fresno State]. With Rudy Gay on the open market this offseason, replacing him might become a necessity and George might be able to do it. He’s got unusual height for a player with his diverse skill set.

13. Toronto Raptors: QF Luke Babbitt [Nevada]. They need a big man to replace Chris Bosh, who will be playing for a U.S.-based team next season. They’ll take Aldrich if he slides this far, but I don’t think he will and, unfortunately, the other centers are not worthy of this selection. The team is going to look a lot different in 2010, with Bosh and Jose Calderon playing elsewhere. Babbitt gives them a nice player and outside shooter.

14. Houston Rockets: QF Gordon Hayward [Butler]. The Rockets are looking for someone to replace Yao Ming help out in the pivot during Ming’s many trips to the disable list, but I don’t see that player here. Heyward is a hard-working player who can shoot, no matter what happened last season, and his game will translate well to the NBA.

Xavier Henry

15. Milwaukee Bucks: SG Xavier Henry [Kansas]. With Michael Redd facing constant injury problems and John Salmons probably opting out of his contract this summer, getting another wing scorer is a top priority and Henry fits the bill. He’s a heck of a shooter and can play the 3 in  a pinch.

16. Minnesota Timberwolves: QF Damion James [Texas]. A do-everything hustler who will really work hard and hit the boards, James is a nice fit for the T-Wolves front court. Minnesota doesn’t really want this pick so don’t be surprised if it is traded, either to move up or down.

17. Chicago Bulls: SG James Anderson [Oklahoma State]. The Bulls need an off guard who can sink it from the perimeter and Anderson is ready to do that in the NBA right now.

18. Oklahoma City: PG Eric Bledsoe [Kentucky]. This is a terrible draft for point guards, with only John Wall being a can’t-miss prospect. Bledsoe, Wall’s college teammate, looked competent at the point, though he’s not a natural 1. I think he deserves to go around here and I expect the Thunder to package this pick with other assets to move up in the draft, perhaps to Indiana at 10.

19. Boston Celtics: PF Daniel Orton [Kentucky]. Yet another Wildcat comes off the board, with the Celtics desperate to get some more youth in their front court. The clock is ticking loudly on Kevin Garnett and Rasheed Wallace and Orton can help Big Baby as part of the new generation.

Solomon Alabi

20. San Antonio Spurs: C Solomon Alabi [Florida State]. Speaking of ticking clocks, Tim Duncan won’t be in the NBA much longer and the Spurs desperately need size. Almost no one in this draft has got more of that than Alabi, who is more skilled than you might think. He’ll work on hard on the boards and defense, though he’s not Dikembe Mutomobo, as some seem to imagine. With Tiago Splitter coming over from Europe, the Spurs will suddenly have a lot more youth and size in the front court.

21. Oklahoma City Thunder: C Hassan Whiteside [Marshall]. He’s got huge upside and is himself huge. I see major red flags all over this guy, but OKC needs more height and defense and Whiteside could help in those areas. If he puts on muscle and stays motivated and out of trouble, he could be a big help to the Thunder.

22. Portland Trail Blazers: PF Kevin Seraphin [France]. They’ll take Whiteside, Alabi or Orton if they fall here, but I don’t think that will happen so Seraphin makes a very nice consolation prize. They can afford to leave him in Europe for another year to mature.

23. Minnesota Timberwolves: PF Larry Sanders [Virginia Commonwealth]. This pick might be part of a package to move up in the draft, so don’t be shocked if it belongs to another team on Thursday night. Sanders is a freakish athlete with very long arms and considerable potential as a stopper in the NBA. Don’t expect a lot of points soon or, very possibly, ever.

24. Atlanta Hawks: SG Jordan Crawford [Xavier]. Plan B if Joe Johnson leaves in free agency.

25. Memphis Grizzlies: SG Dominique Jones [South Florida]. Don’t be shocked if the Grizzlies sell or trade this pick to the Wizards or some other team.

26. Oklahoma City Thunder: SG Avery Bradley [Texas]. A versatile guard who can help out Westbrook and Harden in the back court.

27. New Jersey Nets: PG Willie Warren [Oklahoma]. Last season was a disaster for Warren, but a year ago a lot of people had him in the lottery. At the very least he could be a nice backup for Devin Harris.

Quincy Pondexter

28. Memphis Grizzlies: PF Craig Brackins [Iowa State]. The Grizz might not have this pick either, but if they do make it, grabbing a power forward might not be a bad idea considering Zach Randolph’s entirely predictable problems with the law.

29. Orlando Magic: QF Devin Ebanks [West Virginia]. A hustling defensive player who can guard the 1, 2 or 3. Those guys are worth a shot here.

30. Washington Wizards: SG/QF Quincy Pondexter [Washington]. They’re trying to trade up from here and with the 35th pick in their pocket, they should be able to make a deal with some team that doesn’t want to give out a guaranteed contract to a draft pick this offseason. However, if they stay at 30 I like Pondexter’s combination of athleticism and hard work. He led Washington to a Pac-10 title and can defend the 1,2 and 3 positions. He’s made great improvements in his shooting and shot selection.

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