Written by Evan Jacoby - June 20th, 2010
We are now just 4 days away from the 2010 NBA Draft. The draft is being held on Thursday, June 24th at 7:00 PM ET in Madison Square Garden, televised on ESPN.
We've gone through group combines, measurements, and workouts. Different teams have brought in multiple players for individual workouts, and those continue all the way up to draft day. We are getting closer to a better understanding of who teams like, but there is still half of next week to uncover new information. Also, certain teams are better than others at keeping all internal thoughts out of the public. In the end, it's a lot of guessing about the value of each player and where he might land.
Earlier this month, I gave a first edition of my lottery pick mock draft. There are some changes this time around. Here's a second installment of my mock draft, of just the lottery picks (top 14). I'll give a final, full 30-team mock on the day of the draft, on Thursday.
So here goes the second edition, NBA Mock Draft 2010 - Lottery Picks:
1. Washington Wizards - JOHN WALL, PG, Kentucky
Still a no-brainer. Wall is the fastest, smoothest, most athletic, gifted player in this draft. He's got all the tools of an All-Star point guard. Very similar skill set to Derrick Rose, but even more of a pass-first distributor and leader. He's immediately going to become an explosive lead guard and franchise player. Washington has not yet announced to the public its decision at number 1, but every sign points to Wall, and it's as much of a lock as it could possibly be without there being a statement from the team.
2. Philadelphia 76ers - EVAN TURNER, SG/SF, Ohio State
Evan Turner has been player 1-A to Wall's number 1 status for a long time now. All signs indicate that the Sixers will draft the versatile Turner at number 2. However, it's not a sure thing. Philadelphia has brought in Derrick Favors and DeMarcus Cousins for workouts in addition to Turner, and they just traded away starting center Samuel Dalembert in a trade to the Kings for forwards Spencer Hawes and Andres Nocioni. However, expect that trade to affect the draft plans of the Kings more than it does the Sixers. I still expect them to draft Turner, the second best perimeter/guard talent in the draft. A new, up-tempo, stacked backcourt seems to be the plan under new head coach Doug Collins.
3. New Jersey Nets - DERRICK FAVORS, PF, Georgia Tech
At this point, Favors seems like a lock to go to New Jersey at number 3. He is a more dominant interior force than Greg Monroe, and he's a better fit than DeMarcus Cousins, as Brook Lopez is already the franchise center. Favors is a 4 with the potential to be a dominant force on either end, and has the athleticism to run the floor. Must show more desire and effort at the next level to reach that potential, especially on a bad team.
4. Minnesota Timberwolves - WESLEY JOHNSON, SF, Syracuse
Minnesota is desperately trying to move up to number two. If they fail, they have a great fallback option at #4 in Wes Johnson. More than anything, the Wolves are lacking a presence at small forward, and Wes Johnson is the prototypical NBA player for the position. Johnson is a fluid athlete with a great mid-range game. He's a leaper and a good defender, has an NBA body, is a good rebounder and high-energy guy, and has perfect size for a 3. He is still improving his skills on both ends, but his gifted athleticism will make him a valuable commodity.
5. Sacramento Kings - DeMARCUS COUSINS, C, Kentucky
Sacramento has expressed great interest in versatile forward Greg Monroe, in addition to Cousins. Expect one of those two to get the nod here. Will the acquisition of center Samuel Dalembert lead to a pass on center Cousins? I doubt it. Dalembert has just 1 year remaining on his contract, and the Kings are loaded with young forwards on the roster. Cousins seems like the more impactful option as a young, potential franchise center. His great talent comes with question marks about his attitude and demeanor on the court. I think he's a dangerous selection, especially for a young team like the Kings with a 22-year-old as their leader. With that said, his talent is off the charts, and I think the Kings will eventually decide to pick him to team with Evans as a great, young, inside and outside duo.
6. Golden State Warriors - AL-FAROUQ AMINU, SF, Wake Forest
The Warriors' draft plans remain a bit of a mystery. But when you're drafting as high as 6th, there's only so many legitimate options. Their short list of available top players will include Cousins, Monroe, and Aminu at the top. I expect Cousins to be gone, and Aminu to be the best fit for the team. Already loaded with scoring guards, the Warriors could use a presence defensively. However, Golden State doesn't often think that way. They see a great talent and potential All-Star forward in Al-Farouq Aminu, and he is a likely selection for the Warriors. He's a terrific scoring and rebounding talent and individual offensive player. Questions remain about his demeanor, motor, leadership and team dedication. We'll see if these things end up mattering on draft day.
7. Detroit Pistons - EKPE UDOH, PF, Baylor
I covered this pick in about 1,000 words here:
http://numonefan.com/locker_room/view/351.
My opinion has not changed since that day from over a month ago. The Pistons will very closely consider Monroe here, and would definitely consider Aminu or Cousins if they fall. However, Udoh is definitely on their short list and seems like the best fit to me.
8. Los Angeles Clippers - GREG MONROE, PF, Georgetown
Every team seems to be in love with Monroe's game. If he falls to 8, the Clippers will gladly scoop up the versatile forward. He's not the kind of tough defensive player that they need, but adding the smooth big man Monroe gives L.A's other team a terrific young nucleus (Griffin, Gordon, Monroe) with Baron Davis, Chris Kaman, and cap room. If he's not picked before 8, he's likely to go here.
9. Utah Jazz - COLE ALDRICH, C, Kansas
Utah is lucky to be drafting 9th. They can take advantage of adding a talented young player to their team that made it to the Western Conference semi-finals last year. Of all the remaining options, Aldrich is the most sure thing and NBA-ready contributor available. His upside is limited, but as a legitimate 7-footer with great fundamentals, Aldrich could receive valuable playing time for this playoff team that lacked the bulk to compete with the Lakers in the postseason.
10. Indiana Pacers - GORDON HAYWARD, SG/SF, Butler
The Pacers seem to be very high on the hometown kid from Indiana, Gordon Hayward. Number 10 seems a bit high for the lovable small-school Butler product that has become a household name, but his game has the versatility for the NBA. Hayward has very good size for a 3, NBA range on his shot, and a great handle for his position. He must really, really bulk up and improve his defense and rebounding.
11. New Orleans Hornets - PATRICK PATTERSON, PF, Kentucky
Patterson has improved his stock greatly in the past month in workouts and interviews. He appears to be a very poised, hard-working player that makes up for his lack of agility and athleticism with several dimensions to his game. He's a physical post player that has the skills to shoot it from the outside. His makeup is appealing to any lottery team, and the Hornets would love to add his services to this team that lacked a strong foundation in 2009.
12. Memphis Grizzlies - LUKE BABBITT, SF, Nevada
The Grizzlies are the most difficult team to get a handle on. Several players have spurned Memphis for workouts, including Paul George and Gordon Hayward. One player who actually has worked out with Memphis and appears to be a nice fit is Nevada's gifted shooting forward, Luke Babbitt. Babbitt is a valuable commodity as this year's big guy that can shoot it well from the outside. His problem is that his game is primarily all from the perimeter. Developing an interior game is not easy to do against NBA defenders. I still think that his versatility from the outside makes him a lottery talent, and the Grizzlies like what they see.
13. Toronto Raptors - ED DAVIS, F, North Carolina
The raw product from UNC didn't see his game emerge at the college level like most thought it would. However, he showed the athleticism and great potential to be a productive NBA forward. His great length and awareness give him a good chance to become a solid defender at the next level, and he has some smooth moves down low to be a nice scoring option. Davis needs to bulk up his wiry frame to bang with the big guys down low in the NBA, but teams love his potential right now. He could go as a surprise top 10 pick, but the Raptors are happy that he falls to them at 13. His game has many similarities to Chris Bosh, who is likely to depart via free agency.
14. Houston Rockets - PAUL GEORGE, SF, Fresno State
George is the new emerging sleeper pick from a small school. Fresno State's small forward is a gifted athlete that continues to impress in combines and workouts. Several teams in the top 10 have been impressed by his work ethic and versatility as a forward. He can shoot it from NBA range and finish inside. He's a great athlete. His limitations are in the half court in terms of his ability to create for himself or run effective in a set offense. He seems to be much better in the open floor or with a free moving offense. His skills, though, might land him in the lottery. Houston can go in any direction with their pick here.
Just missed the cut:
XAVIER HENRY, SG, Kansas
HASSAN WHITESIDE, C, Marshall
AVERY BRADLEY, PG, Texas
ERIC BLEDSOE, PG, Kentucky
JAMES ANDERSON, SG, Oklahoma State
LARRY SANDERS, PF, VCU
DANIEL ORTON, C, Kentucky
That's it for the lottery picks. I'll give a full, 30-team first round mock draft on Thursday. For now, this is my best guess as to how the draft will turn out on Thursday night. Be on the lookout for the final edition.
NBA Draft 2010: June 24th, Madison Square Garden
