2010 NBA Mock Draft: Extended Version
Xavier Henry could go to the Hornets at No. 11. (Icon SMI)
By Ryan Feldman
rfeldman@thehoopsreport.com
Thursday, June 24, 2010
1. WASHINGTON WIZARDS: John Wall, 6-3 196 PG Fr. Kentucky
This is the easiest pick in the draft. There is no doubt the Wizards will take Wall. The electrifying point guard has incredible potential and will immediately be the most athletic point guard in the NBA.
2. PHILADELPHIA 76ERS: Evan Turner, 6-7 205 PG/SG/SF Jr. Ohio State
Sure, the Sixers could go for a big man with upside, but Turner is ready to play right now. He could start for the Sixers immediately and could be the best rookie in the league. His basketball IQ and work ethic is off the charts.
3. NEW JERSEY NETS: Derrick Favors, 6-9 245 PF Fr. Georgia Tech
Favors may not be able to play a lot right away but he has a ton of upside. He is very athletic and score well around the basket. In a few years, Favors could be the best big man from this draft. With the Nets building for the future, Favors is the right fit. There has been talk about Wesley Johnson here, but that is just the Nets trying to entice a trade from the Timberwolves. The T-Wolves aren't biting, so the Nets are still going to take Favors.
4. MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES: Wesley Johnson, 6-7 206 SG/SF Jr. Syracuse
Johnson could certainly end up as the best player overall from this draft. He has the size, skills and athleticism to be a Kobe-type player in a few years. Johnson will be an immediate upgrade over Corey Brewer or he can play alongside him at the 2-guard. There is no way he goes any lower than to the Wolves at No. 4.
5. SACRAMENTO KINGS: DeMarcus Cousins, 6-10 292 PF/C Fr. Kentucky
The Kings could use a shooting guard to play alongside Tyreke Evans, but there isn't one worth taking here. Instead, they can take the best player available in Cousins to bolster their frontcourt. Cousins is probably the most NBA-ready big man in the draft, so he can immediately help the Kings win some games. The only other choice here could be Greg Monroe. There is also a real possibility that the Kings trade down and take the the best available big man or wing when they are on the clock.
6. GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS: Greg Monroe, 6-10 247 PF/C So. Georgetown
The Warriors have been in need for a real big man for a while and there are plenty to pick from in this draft. Monroe had a poor workout for the Warriors but they still like him the best of the remaining big men.
7. DETROIT PISTONS: Ed Davis 6-9 227 PF So. North Carolina
The Pistons could really use a big man and they're in a great spot to get one. Greg Monroe would be ideal, but they'd still be happy with Davis.
8. LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS: Al-Farouq Aminu, 6-8 216 SF So. Wake Forest
The Clippers have plenty of quality big men and they have a quality backcourt with Baron Davis and Eric Gordon, so a quality small forward is what they are lacking. There is no chance Aminu gets past the Clippers.
9. UTAH JAZZ: Luke Babbitt, 6-8 218 SF So. Nevada
The Jazz really want Monroe but they like Babbitt as well. He is a versatile small forward who can play down low or on the outside. He can handle the ball, shoot from deep, and pass exceptionally well for his size.
10. INDIANA PACERS: Ekpe Udoh, 6-9 237 PF/C Jr. Baylor
It will be tough for the Pacers to pass on Udoh. He can help out defensively right away. He has great length and shot-blocking ability, and can knock down some jumpers on offense.
11. NEW ORLEANS HORNETS: Xavier Henry, 6-6 210 SG/SF Fr. Kansas
The Hornets need someone to play alongside Chris Paul and knock down outside shots. Henry can be that guy and he also has the ability to put the ball on the floor and drive to the basket.
12. MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES: Paul George, 6-8 214 SF So. Fresno State
George has as much potential as anyone in this draft. He can really stroke it from 3-point range and is super athletic. He would be a great replacement for Rudy Gay.
13. TORONTO RAPTORS: Patrick Patterson, 6-8 240 PF Jr. Kentucky
The Raptors need a big man to team up with Andrea Bargnani and they'll be happy to take any big man that falls to them. Patterson is a versatile power forward who can dominate in the post or knock down jumpers.
14. HOUSTON ROCKETS: Cole Aldrich, 6-9 236 PF/C Jr. Kansas
With Yao Ming's injury concerns, the Rockets need some size. Aldrich is a steal at this point. He has the strength and length to bang with almost any NBA big man.
15. MILWAUKEE BUCKS: Larry Sanders, 6-10 222 PF Jr. VCU
The Bucks loaded up on wings in the past few days, so now they need some size. Andrew Bogut is really their only big man. Sanders has great length and shot-blocking ability but needs to add some muscle.
16. MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES: Gordon Hayward, 6-7 211 SF So. Butler
The T-Wolves are really lacking on the wings. Hayward would be a steal at No. 16. He may not be NBA-ready, but he could be a star in a few years. He can shoot from the outside or put it on the floor.
17. CHICAGO BULLS: James Anderson, 6-5 208 SG Jr. Oklahoma State
The Bulls need a prototypical shooting guard to play alongside Derrick Rose. At 6-foot-5 with solid strength and athleticism and a nice outside jumper, Anderson will fit well in Chicago.
18. OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER: Solomon Alabi, 7-0 237 C So. Florida State
The Thunder need to add some size down low. It's tough to find a quality 7-footer, especially this late in the draft.
19. BOSTON CELTICS: Avery Bradley, 6-2 180 PG/SG Fr. Texas
The Celtics need some depth in the backcourt. Bradley can play either guard position. He is a project, but his athleticism and explosiveness makes it worth it.
20. SAN ANTONIO SPURS: Damion James, 6-7 227 SF Sr. Texas
The Spurs are a veteran team, and James is the most veteran player in the first round of this draft. He is a terrific offensive rebounder and can defend multiple positions.
21. OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER: Kevin Seraphin, 6-9 264 PF/C France
The Thunder have multiple first round picks, so there is a chance they will want to take an international player here. Seraphin is a bulky big man who could be a stud in a few years.
22. PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS: Hassan Whiteside, 6-11 227 PF/C Fr. Marshall
Whiteside's stock has really fallen recently, but he still has good value here. He's a project, but he has a 7-foot-7 wing span and a ton of potential.
23. MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES: Tibor Pleiss, 7-0 220 C Germany
The Timberwolves have three first round picks, so they will want to use one of them on an international player. Pleiss is a skilled 7-footer who needs time to develop.
24. ATLANTA HAWKS: Eric Bledsoe, 6-1 192 PG Fr. Kentucky
The Hawks could use a point guard to replace the aging Mike Bibby. They drafted Jeff Teague last year but they could use another one, and Bledsoe would be hard to pass up here.
25. MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES: Lance Stephenson, 6-5 227 SG Fr. Cincinnati
Stephenson has the skills and potential to be a star in the NBA. But he has to learn how to be a team player. He also needs to work on his outside jumper.
26. OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER: Daniel Orton, 6-9 269 PF/C Fr. Kentucky
The Thunder need some size and depth in the frontcourt. They are already the youngest team in the league, so they'd have no problem adding another young promising player. Orton has great value this late.
27. NEW JERSEY NETS: Darington Hobson, 6-6 204 PG/SG/SF Jr. New Mexico
Hobson shined at the Nets group workout. He is a versatile wing who can play and defend three positions. He is similar to Evan Turner.
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