Mock Draft 1.0-Two days after the lottery










1. WAS-John Wall-PG-Kentucky-Fr.

Easy decision. Wall is already the new face of the Wizards franchise even before being drafted. He could become one of the best point guards in the NBA within a few years. If Gilbert Arenas ever comes back, he’ll be able to move to his natural position of shooting guard. Wall and Arenas could be a great backcourt duo.

2. PHL-Evan Turner-G/F-Ohio St.-Jr.

The 76ers have many options here. If they keep the pick, Turner is the no brainer choice. He would fit perfect with Jrue Holiday and Andre Igoudala. The 76ers could then try to trade Willie Green or Louis Williams along with Elton Brand to unload his salary. Many teams in the lottery could move up to take Turner. The TWolves (#4, #16, #23) and Grizzlies (#12, #25, #28) have multiple picks and could use an upgrade on the wing. If the Jazz (#9) were to trade up and get Turner they would instantly become a title contender.

3. NJ-Derrick Favors-PF-Georgia Tech-Fr.

The Nets will either have Favors or Turner fall to them at number 3. Whoever it is, the Nets will get an impact stud to pair with 7 foot center Brook Lopez.

4. MIN-Wesley Johnson-SF-Syracuse-Jr.

I think Minnesota should try to move up to the number 2 spot to get Evan Turner. They still have Ricky Rubio’s rights along with the #16 and #23 picks to use as trade bait.

If they stay here Johnson is a great choice. Johnson is NBA ready and can come in and start at small forward from day one in Minnesota. He hits open shots and has great length for a small forward.

5. SAC-Demarcus Cousins-C-Kentucky-Fr.

Cousins has an NBA ready body and a developing skill set that could make him a star in a few years. Drafting Cousins means the Kings can move Jason Thompson back to power forward.

6. GS-Ekpe Udoh-PF-Baylor-Jr.

Udoh is an ultra athletic and active power forward that will thrive in the Warriors up tempo offense.

7. DET-Cole Adrich-C-Kansas-Jr.

The Pistons need a young center. Ben Wallace is 35 and Jason Maxiell is only 6-7. Aldrich could be their starter for the next 8 years.

8. LAC-Al-Farouq Aminu-SF-Wake Forest-So.

Their core is: Blake Griffin-PF, Eric Gordon-SG, Baron Davis-PG and Chris Kaman-C. They have enough cap space to sign LeBron, but it’s a long shot that they’ll actually land King James. They could sign a lesser small forward and have Aminu back up at both forward spots. Aminu’s greatest tool is his versatility.

9. Utah-Greg Monroe-PF-Georgetown-So.

Monroe has a great offensive skill set and a high basketball IQ. He looks like a Jerry Sloan type of player. Carlos Boozer is a free agent that is likely to leave. The Jazz need depth up front, Monroe makes perfect sense here.

10. IND-Hassan Whiteside-C-Marshall-Fr.

If Whiteside stayed in school he could have likely been a top 3 pick in 2011. He is a lot like Andrew Bynum at the same age. Like Bynum, I think a team takes a flyer on him with the number 10 pick. 7 footers with is athletic ability are hard to find. He should eventually be an upgrade over current Indiana center Roy Hibbert.

11. NO-Donatas Montejunas-F/C-Lithuania-INT.

He will provide depth, shooting, and length up front. Three things the Hornets lacked last season.

12. MEM-Patrick Patterson-PF-Kentucky-Jr.

Patterson will never be a superstar, but he could be a great role player who could back up current power forward Zach Randolph and eventually become his successor in a 2-4 years.

13. TOR-Ed Davis-PF-UNC-So.

The Chris Bosh era is likely over in Canada. I'm not big on Davis, but I still think someone will take him with a lottery pick. Davis has been compared by some to Bosh.

14. HOU-Daniel Orton-F/C-Kentucky-Fr.

That’s right a fourth Kentucky player taken with a lottery pick. Orton could play center if Yao is unable to return or could move over and play power forward with Yao. The Rockets have great guards and wings with Aaron Brooks, Kevin Martin, Trevor Ariza, and Shane Battier. They need a lot of help up front though.

15. MIL-Xavier Henry-F/G-Kansas-Fr.

Michael Redd’s career has been plagued with injuries since he signed that mega 90+ million dollar deal in 2005. John Salmons played great down the stretch, but he’s a free agent who will likely sign with a contender. Henry has a NBA ready frame at 6-6/220 and would be a solid fit alongside Brandon Jennings and Andrew Bogut.

16. MIN-Larry Sanders-C/F-VCU-Jr.

Assuming Minnesota takes a wing at #4, they should get some much needed lenth up front to compliment talented but undersized big men Al Jefferson and Kevin Love. Sanders is a great rebounder and has a developing offensive game.

17. CHI-James Anderson-SG-Oklahoma St.-Jr.

Anderson would fill a big need at shooting guard. Hinrich is more of a point guard. With Anderson, the Bulls could afford to ship Hinrich elsewhere. In addition, Anderson is a great shooter which will come in handy if the Bulls are able to land King James this summer.

18. MIA-Gordon Hayward-SF-Butler-So.

The draft will be on the back burner in Miami this off season. Priority number one is keeping Dwayne Wade in Miami. Hayward is a good shooter and would be a great compliment to Wade. He also has great athletic ability and is a very good rebounder for his size. Hayward could become everything that Dorrell Wright hasn’t been.

19. BOS-Damion James-SF-Texas-Sr.

In Rajon Rondo, Kendrick Perkins and Glenn Davis the Celtics have 3 great young players all 25 or under. Ray Allen and Paul Pierce are still great players, but they need some youth on the wings. James is not a true small forward but could be a great role player with his energy and hustle off the bench for Boston.

20. SA-Devin Ebanks-SF-West Virginia-So.

Devin Ebanks reminds me a lot of Marvin Williams. He has great length and is a good defender. Some thought he could have been a lottery pick had he come out last year. The Spurs need depth and youth on the wings. Ebanks fits the bill.

21. OKC-Soloman Alabi-C-FSU-So.

The Thunder should be active in trying to trade up into the top 10 to get a center for the future. Their targets being Cole Aldrich and Hassan Whiteside. If they can’t trade up, I think they’ll try to trade out of the first round with one of their two first round picks. If they can’t make a trade I think they’ll get a long defensive center such as Alabi or Sanders.

22. POR-Gani Lawal-PF-Georgia Tech-Jr.

The Blazers need depth up front. Greg Oden has been injured his entire career. Marcus Camby and Juwan Howard are a combined 73 years old.

23. MIN-Paul George-SF-Fresno St.-So.

George is the best player available and is oozing with potential. The TWolves need all the help that can get.

24. ATL-Willie Warren-CG-Oklahoma-So.

Going into the year, Warren was expected to be a top 5 pick. The Hawks could use a young guard as insurance if Joe Johnson leaves via free agency.

25. MEM-Dominique Jones-CG-USF-Jr.

Jones is a big strong guard who can come in a back up both Mike Conley and O.J. Mayo.

26. OKC-Stanley Robinson-SF-UConn-Sr.

The Thunder has scorers. They need rebounding and length, Robinson’s two best qualities.

27. NJ-Quincy Poindexter-SF-Washington-Sr.

Poindexter is the best player on the board and he can contribute right away.

28. MEM-Kelvin Seraphin-PF-France-INT.

With 3 picks in the first round, the Grizz are likely to take a Euro prospect and keep him overseas. If Seraphin keeps his name in the draft someone will pick him in the first round. He will need at least 2 more years to develop overseas.

29. ORL-Armon Johnson-PG-Nevada-Jr.

Big point guard who could replace Jason Williams as the backup to Jameer Nelson in O-Town. I think he's better and more NBA ready than both Eric Bledsoe and Avery Bradley.

30. WAS-Luke Babbit-SF-Nevada-So.

Babbit has a great offensive game yet lacks the quickness to guard most other small forwards and is too small to play power forward in the NBA. The Wizards will draft John Wall with the top pick. Wall can create at will, so the Wizards are going to need to surround him with shooters.

31. NJ-Eric Bledsoe- PG-Kentucky-Fr.

32. OKC-Jarvis Varnado-C/F-Mississippi St.-Sr.

33. SAC-Avery Bradley-SG-Texas-Fr.

34. WAS-Trevor Booker-PF-Clemson-Sr.

35. GS-Mikhail Torrance-CG-Alabama-Sr.

36. DET-Sherron Collins-PG-Kansas-Sr.

37. MIL-Craig Brackens-PF-Iowa St.-Jr.

38. NY-Elliot Williams-SG-Memphis-So.

39. NY-Matt Bouldin-CG-Gonzaga-Sr.

40. IND-Jordan Crawford-SG-Xavier-So.

41. MIA-Greivis Vasquez-CG-Maryland-Sr.

42. MIA-Jerome Jordan-C-Tulsa-Sr.

43. LAL-Art Parahkouski-C-Radford-Sr.

44. POR-Luke Harangody-PF-Notre Dame-Sr.

45. MIN-Lance Stephenson-SG-Cincinnati-Fr.

46. PHO-Jon Scheyer-CG-Duke-Sr.

47. MIL-Terrico White-CG-Ole Miss-So.

48. MIA-Dwayne Collins-PF-Miami-Sr.

49. SA-Brian Zoubek-C-Duke-Sr.

50. DAL-Nemanja Bjelica-SF-Serbia-INT.

51. OKC-Darrington Hobson-SF-New Mexico-Jr.

52. BOS-Da’Sean Butler-SF-West Virginia-Sr.

53. ATL-Dexter Pittman-C-Texas-Sr.

54. LAC-Jerome Randle-PG-California-Sr.

55. Utah-Vladimir Dasic-SF-Montenegro-INT.

56. MIN-Latavious Williams-PF-Tulsa 66ers-DLeague

57. IND-Alexey Shved-PG-Russia-INT.

58. LAL-Manny Harris-SG-Michigan-Jr.

59. ORL-A.J. Ogilvy-C-Vandy-Jr.

60. Denis Clemente-PG-Kansas St.-Sr.

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