The NBA draft is June 24th but hey it is never too early to start doing mock drafts, I mean c’mon there are already mock drafts for the 2011 NFL Draft. The future is now bright for some of these lottery teams. Oh and by the way, this is the NBA draft so expect A LOT of trades…. Especially from Portland (like always), and the two clubs with three picks in the first round.
1. Washington Wizards – John Wall – Freshman – Point Guard – Kentucky
I’m not a big fan of John Wall. I just don’t see the star that everyone else does. He isn’t as good as Derrick Rose was coming out of Memphis like many say he is. He is an athletic freak who has nice leadership skills and plays great defense, which maybe his best attribute. He isn’t that great of a passer and plays crazy on the fast break to go along with his poor jumpshot. He has an insane amount of potential but I expect him to be just an average player.
Regardless, watch for the Wiz to try and release or trade Gilbert Arenas (which will be nearly impossible to do either) so Wall will be the marquee name. If they cannot get rid of Arenas, watch for head coach Flip Saunders to play Arenas at shooting guard where Arenas should have been playing, instead of masquerading as a point guard.
2. Philadelphia 76ers – Evan Turner – Junior – Shooting Guard/Small Forward – Ohio State
I personally believe that Evan Turner is better than Wall yet Washington fans may burn down the city if they take Turner instead of Wall. Turner is such a great player that he singlehandedly turned the Buckeyes season around after he returned from a serious neck injury. He’s versatile, can score, rebound, handle the ball and is a great leader.
With Turner in Philly, Andre Iguodala will too be traded like Arenas or will shift position depending on where the coach wants AI to play. Whoever is named coach of the Sixers should walk into a pretty nice situation.
3. New Jersey Nets – Derrick Favors – Freshman – Power Forward – Georgia Tech
Did you watch the Draft Lottery show? When the Nets’ name was called for the 3rd overall pick it looked like new Russian billionaire owner, Mikhail Prokhorov, wanted to kill someone. Prokhorov, also known as “Mutant Russian Mark Cuban” by ESPN’s Bill Simmons, is supposed to be trying to lure LeBron James and he is key pieces were going to be John Wall and the team moving to Brooklyn. Well Wall isn’t an option unless the Nets can somehow pull off a huge trade, so let’s just see how much Jay-Z can do to bring the star to the Nets.
This year’s Jordan Hill in my opinion. He is big, can run the floor and should rebound well. Like Hill, Favors is extremely raw and will take time to develop. It appears the Nets seem to have given up on Yi Jianlian so if the Nets want to start Favors it might actually be an upgrade. If the Nets can get LeBron, a lineup of Brook Lopez (who just might be the best Center in the Eastern Conference), Favors, LeBron, Courtney Lee and Devin Harris (extremely talented point guard, just cannot seem to stay healthy) seems like it could be impressive.
4. Minnesota Timberwolves – DeMarcus Cousins – Freshman – Center – Kentucky
They have Kevin Love and Al Jefferson but one has to go. They are stunting each other’s growth because they play the same position. I would probably trade Jefferson because he will bring more in return and won’t but heads with Cousins in the paint. Love can excel with his passing and perimeter game, while Cousins plays deep in the post.
Cousins has a big bruising body and was dominate in his only year at Kentucky. I believe he was better than Wall for most of the year but was simply overlooked. People in Minnesota will love Cousins if he they can keep him motivated.
5. Sacramento Kings – Wesley Johnson – Junior – Small Forward – Syracuse
A power forward is probably more of a need since Spencer Hawes has sadly not played to his potential, forcing Jason Thompson to play center. They need big bodies like say Cole Aldrich, but big men are aplenty this year.
The Kings need a scorer to pair up with Tyreke Evans and Johnson is that and more. The Syracuse swingman is a good all-around player who will make an impact immediately. He can use his length to rebound and defend while using his athletic abilities to score and handle the rock. With Johnson here, Donte Greene becomes trade bait.
6. Golden State Warriors – Al-Farouq Aminu – Sophomore – Small Forward/ Power Forward – Wake Forest
Only a year or two ago we were ohing and awing at the potential the Warriors had and now they are a mess. Why though? They have talent everywhere; it’s just that Don Nelson won’t let young players out of his dog house like Anthony Randolph or Brandan Wright.
Aminu is a versatile player that can help with Nelson’s up and down the court style of play. He is long, athletic and very skilled, but still very raw. All of this though is pointless if Nelson puts another young, raw, immature player in his doghouse and puts a gate at the door for seemingly no reason.
7. Detroit Pistons – Cole Aldrich – Junior – Center – Kansas
Remember the Pistons of a few years ago? They were being compared to the Bad Boy Pistons of the 80’s and early 90’s. Tough defensive minded teams that controlled the game. Sound familiar? Apparently General Manager Joe Dumars (who was on those Bad Boy teams) forgot that last year when he assembled a roster of little tweener girls and softies.
Maybe Dumars should just be fired. He has assembled talent but his old reliable guys have aged or been traded away. Without his old faithful’s mentoring and developing the younger guys the team will disappoint again.
Aldrich is a tough defensive minded center who controls the paint on both sides of the floor. Teams won’t be able to drive the lane at will with the threat of Aldrich blocking their shots.
With the former Jayhawk, maybe some Bad Boy flavor will be injected into the lineup.
8. Los Angeles Clippers – Xavier Henry – Freshman – Small Forward – Kansas
What a surprise, the Clippers in the Lottery. After getting the prize of last year’s draft in Blake Griffin (who broke his knee cap and didn’t even get to play in one game) the Clips are back again. “That other team from L.A.” has talent like it did a few years ago when they made the playoffs but have quickly fallen back into irrelevance.
He could be the steal of the draft here if the Clip can develop him. With a lineup of Baron Davis (PG), Eric Gordon (SG), Xavier Henry (SF), Blake Griffin (PF) and Chris Kaman (C), the Clippers could push for a playoff spot next year.
Henry has a NBA ready body and has that desired range. He was at one point rated higher by talent evaluators than John Wall. He did have a slightly less than inspiring freshman year but so did most of the team. I tend to agree with them. Maybe another year in College and he could have been the top overall pick. He could even rise up the boards if teams realize how much of a talent this guy is.
9. Utah Jazz (from the New York Knicks) – Greg Monroe – Sophomore – Power Forward – Georgetown
Carlos Boozer is probably on the way out and Paul Millsap is only 6’ 8,” which in reality is probably closer to 6’6.” So that means the Jazz are in need of an infusion of height.
Monroe brings a long athletic frame at 6’11,” which also in reality is smaller, he seems like his height is closer to 6’8” probably. On the film he plays big, at times, but looks smaller than he is listed. But the Jazz do need big men. Kosta Koufos should be ready in a year or two, put Monroe at the “4” and tell Millsap to work on his perimeter game; this might be the ideal situation for head coach Jerry Sloan.
10. Indiana Pacers – Ed Davis – Sophomore – Power Forward – North Carolina
I don’t like this pick. The Pacers took another tar Heel last year in Tyler Hansbrough last year to pair up with Roy Hibbert. This makes no sense to me but apparently most draft gurus think this will happen despite Hansbrough. It could be to solidify depth but why spend such a high pick on depth? A point guard is a bigger need, but – and that’s a huge but – none of the point guards in this class are worth this pick either.
Davis is a nice young player with a very high ceiling and NBA ready body. He needed to stay in school one more year but if you have a high ceiling you will be drafted by a NBA team. He is very raw so don’t expect to see Davis make an impact for a year, maybe two.
11. New Orleans Hornets – James Anderson – Junior – Shooting Guard – Oklahoma State
A center would be nice but they already traded for Emeka Okafor and his gigantic contract. There are some options out there but they are all raw, so shooting guard would be nice.
Marcus Thornton had a nice season averaging 14.5 points a game, but James Anderson is easily a better player and has an incredibly high ceiling. Anderson is a top-five talent but had a rough season at Oklahoma State, dropping his stock.
With a backcourt of Anderson and Chris Paul and forward David West, the Hornets could possibly be on the way back to the playoffs.
12. Memphis Grizzlies – Gordon Heyward – Sophomore – Small Forward – Butler
I’m not completely confident with this pick but it’s not because Heyward. In fact, I could see Heyward jumping up the boards and being a top 10 pick.
The Grizzlies seem to be set on their starters. This pick is mainly about depth and possibly replacing Rudy Gay if he leaves in free agency next year or is even traded due to no agreement on a contract extension.
Heyward has been compared to Larry Bird – which is reach because Bird was utterly dominate at Indiana State, while Heyward was just a budding star at Butler – which is a fun comparison. They are both white players, tall, under appreciated in the athleticism department, and from small schools.
Heyward probably should have stayed at Butler for one more year, maybe even two, but with a year learning from the pros and controlled playing time, Hey ward could become a star.
13. Toronto Raptors – Daniel Horton – Freshman – Center – Kentucky
Star forward Chris Bosh seems to have one foot out the door already, so a new low post man would be in order. Horton may not be here when the Raptors come to the podium but if so they will have a potential star.
Horton barely played at Kentucky, but that has to do with that big guy DeMarcus Cousins. Horton would have started at virtually any other university besides Kentucky and Kansas due to his immense talent and ceiling. Though he is very raw, he could be in the same class that Bosh found himself in when he was drafted; a boom or bust type of player worth the risk.
14. Houston Rockets – Hassan Whiteside – Freshman – Center – Marshall
Whiteside was called the ultimate high-risk, high-reward player in this draft by ESPN’s Chad Ford. That sure is the case, the freshman has been compared to a Marcus Camby or a poor man’s Dwight Howard but we really have no idea. He played against “small-time” college talent so his play may be a phony.
Nevertheless, Whiteside is worth the risk to a big man needy team. Sure Yao is supposed to be back but for how long? He is known to be injury-prone and could leave as a free agent. A shot blocker is needed and if Whiteside can live up to either comparison, the Rockets found a gem.
15. Milwaukee Bucks – Ekpe Udoh – Junior – Power Forward – Baylor
I constantly got Udoh and Aminu mixed up and probably will still. They both are lengthy tweeners and both have weird names. Udoh is known as a good defender with nice shot blocking abilities and uses his 6’ 10” frame and long wingspan to his advantage.
Udho will form a nice defensive front court tandem with Andrew Bogut – once Bogut returns from injury – and will help the eastern conference “Fear the Deer.”
16. Minnesota Timberwolves – Paul George – Sophomore – Small Forward – Fresno State
Haven’t heard of him? That’s ok. The 6’ 8” “2” guard from Fresno State can really light it up and after Whiteside may just be the biggest “high-risk, high-reward” prospect in the draft.
George can push Corey Brewer over to small forward – where he belongs – and add scoring and size to the T’Wolves. George is raw (most prospects in the NBA draft are) but if he gets a chance he should contribute out of the gate.
17. Chicago Bulls – Jordan Crawford – Sophomore – Shooting Guard – Xavier
Remember that movie last summer that had a college player dunking on LeBron James? It was hidden for a little bit but finally was revealed. It was grainy, but we know who dunked on James; that would be the Xavier wingman.
Again a raw player but this team is young and will pick up the slack. Put Crawford in the backcourt with Derrick Rose and you have a highly athletic, explosive, and nice scoring pair. He could have used another year at Xavier but he is a first round draft pick so no big deal I guess.
18. Miami Heat – Eric Bledsoe – Freshman – Point Guard – Kentucky
That whole Mario Chalmers experiment has been a disappointment. Even though he was just a second round pick, he has never lived up to his skills, potential, or place on the team. The Heat almost forced the starting point guard job on him but he should have been ready after a decorated college career.
Bledsoe – my highest rated point guard – is the fourth Wildcat taken in the first and for good reason. The kid has skills. He has that “NBA ready body,” and Pat Riley will fall in love with his toughness, defense and scoring. He might not be a true point guard, but the ball is always in Wade’s hands anyways.
Would have been a top 10 pick if he stayed at Kentucky for just one more year but why would he complain here? Teaming up Dwayne Wade (if he returns, which he should) and possibly another max contract player (maybe Chris Bosh) would be a great place for Bledsoe to go to. In the long run, he will be a great pick. By the way, I keep seeing Bledsoe as a Tim Hardaway type if Riley takes him.
19. Boston Celtics – Luke Babbit – Sophomore – Small Forward – Nevada
He won’t be able to defend a three year old but man the guy has a sweet stroke. If Ray Allen leaves or simply isn’t brought back, Babbit could provide some nice scoring from the wing.
Don’t worry Celtics fans, his defensive liability shouldn’t be that big of a deal because everyone else on your team can lockdown guys. The real question will be whether Babbit becomes Adam Morrison, Joe Alexander, or Marco Belinelli (busts) or the next Chris Mullin or Danilo Gallinari.
20. San Antonio Spurs – Damian James – Senior – Small Forward – Texas
He is a little bit like DeJuan Blair; in that he is that typical Spurs pick. He can defend pretty much any player on the floor and he can score. In his time in Texas it seemed like he never had any designed plays for him, yet he still scored in bunches.
James maybe the most underrated player in the draft, but it seems like it’s been that way since he came to Texas with Kevin Durant. His play has never gotten the recognition it has deserved, but the Spurs will take it and place him at small forward. Say bye bye to Richard Jefferson guys and girls.
21. Oklahoma City Thunder – Donatas Motiejunas – Power Forward/ Center - Benetton Treviso (Italy)
Our first international player. He could have been taken in the top 10 if this was a few years ago, but the NBA has finally fallen out of love with the foreign players. Thankfully for most teams, they have started to shy away from the risk of foreign big men, who tended to disappoint and not be tough.
Well Motiejunas is the typical foreign big man. Tall and skilled but not considered a tough guy. So he won’t be able to defend either big men but he will be a match up problem for those same guys. He is very skilled on the offensive end. He can shoot, handle with both hands and will spread the floor.
It would be nice for the Thunder to be able to draft him and keep him in Europe for a year or two more to develop some more and get stronger. He has supposedly some Pau Gasol and Toni Kukoc – two of the best foreign players – in him, but I see more of an Andrea Bargnani in Montiejunas.
22. Portland Trailblazers – Patrick Patterson – Junior – Power Forward – Kentucky
Wow. Five Kentucky Wildcats in the first round? Well John Calipari is great recruiter – even though Patterson was from the former regime – and pumps talent into the Association.
Patterson could have been a higher pick last year or even if he had come out after his freshman year, but choose to stay in school. He is an offensive minded power forward - and is willing to be unselfish – who will not play much defense at first but Nate McMillan can drill it in to him. His pro potential has started to fade but here he is a solid value who could be a starter for a long time.
23. Minnesota Timberwolves – Larry Sanders – Junior – Power Forward/ Center – Virginia Commonwealth
Can you say lengthy? He is 6’ 10” but has a wingspan of 7’ 7”! His obvious length will serve as the ultimate shot blocker for a team that needs an off the bench shot blocker in the Chris Andersen (Denver Nuggets) mold.
I have Cousins going with the fourth overall pick, and trading Al Jefferson, but Sanders will be a nice bench player. Incredibly raw but can help with his shot blocking abilities.
24. Atlanta Hawks – Avery Bradley – Freshman – Point Guard – Texas
Are the Hawks still trying to find a point guard? Technically, yes. Mike Bibby is aging and isn’t much of a starter. They have tried Acie Law, and took Jeff Teague last year but with their track record of developing point guards another one wouldn’t hurt.
Bradley is a super fast player who will need to develop more as a point guard – that’s were Mike Bibby comes into play – to succeed in the NBA. He played as “2” guard at Texas so we know he can score, but he needs to mature and learn the point guard position.
25. Memphis Grizzlies – Willie Warren – Sophomore – Point Guard – Oklahoma
Mike Conley Jr. has not developed like the Grizz had hoped and now it’s time to give him some competition to maybe jumpstart Conley. If Comley starts playing to his potential, Warren will be a nice replacement if Conley leaves in free agency later or just for some added depth.
Warren is a score first type of point guard who would have been a top 10 pick last year or even if he had played well this past season. Warren suffered though injuries and struggled with his shot all year when he was healthy. He is a steal here for Memphis.
26. Oklahoma City Thunder – Kevin Seraphin – Power Forward - Cholet (France)
Seraphin is in the Mold of Serge Ibaka – who the Thunder already have – but with a lower ceiling. The Thunder have no immediate needs so they could stash him in Europe for a year or two like Motiejunas and let the two big men develop.
Seraphin is didn’t start playing basketball until later in his young life which has lead to him being extremely raw. He is inconsistent and at times not focused, but is athletic and has good hands. Patience will be needed for a couple years.
27. New Jersey Nets – Terrico White – Sophomore – Shooting Guard – Ole Miss
White is an elite athlete to put with and already athletic team. Like the incumbent Nets, White is extremely inconsistent player but is gifted with incredible talent. He disappears in games, but when focused he is a special player.
If the Nets sign a player like Joe Johnson, LeBron James or another big time free agent, this pick is mute or trade bait.
28. Memphis Grizzlies – Devin Ebanks – Sophomore – Small Forward – West Virginia
Another athletic wingman for the Grizz. He will add depth if Gay leaves and Heyward takes over. In reality, this pick is probably going to be traded away or sold to the highest bidder.
He is a nice smooth fluid athlete who had a downish year at West Virginia. He can defend multiple positions due to his size and athleticism. If he learns to be more aggressive on offense he could be a starter on any number of teams.
29. Orlando Magic – Elliot Williams – Sophomore – Point Guard/ Shooting Guard – Memphis
He is a good story. He signed with Duke and then his mother got sick. He requested a transfer to Memphis and Duke obliged. Then the NCAA allowed a waiver for Williams to play immediately due to his mother’s illness.
He is a smart mature kid who has talent. He is a very unreliable shooter but can learn from the plethora of three point shooters on the Magic. Williams can back up Jameer Nelson for the time being and then either take over for Nelson or shift over to the shooting guard. There he can take over for the overrated Vince Carter – that is if the Magic don’t make the worthy J.J. Reddick the starter.
Either way Williams is a mature talent who will be a great pick for the Magic.
30. Washington Wizards – Solomon Alabi – Sophomore – Center – Florida State
Alabi could easily be taken sooner because of his size. The Wiz only have Andray Blatche and JeVale McGee under contract next year as big men so another big body is needed.
He is a legit shot blocker right now and otherwise good defensive player. Alabi is extremely raw on the offensive side of the ball and will need time to develop but the Wiz aren’t going anywhere, anytime soon. On the other hand, they do get everyone’s favorite player – John Wall – so who really cares who they pick here?
-By Clayton Fawcette
