CHU MOCK 2010 NBA DRAFT (v12)
Updated:
03/09/2010
|
| 1 |
 |
New Jersey Nets |
John Wall |
PG |
6-4/185 |
FR |
Kentucky |
| Analysis: When competing for the worst record in NBA history, what don't you need? It's safe to say if the cards fall right, John Wall is an easy choice. Despite their struggles, the Nets do have some talent - led by emerging post Brook Lopez - to build around and potential trade bait in Devin Harris. |
| 2 |
 |
Minnesota Timberwolves |
Evan Turner |
G/F |
6-7/205 |
JR |
Ohio State |
| Analysis: Last year's head scratching draft - where GM David Kahn took two point guards with the fifth and sixth picks - is over and yet again the Timberwolves have multiple first rounders. There is a definite need for length up front with questions surrounding Al Jefferson's future and wing talent. |
| 3 |
 |
Golden State Warriors |
DeMarcus Cousins |
PF/C |
6-11/250 |
FR |
Kentucky |
| Analysis: The Warriors can light up a scoreboard behind Monta Ellis - and Stephen Curry - but have zero post scoring and porous defense. In a draft that boasts big time frontcourt talent, it seems a foregone conclusion they'll go big. But, Golden State is never predictable, so who knows? |
| 4 |
 |
Indiana Pacers |
Derrick Favors |
PF |
6-10/225 |
FR |
Georgia Tech |
| Analysis: Danny Granger is a nice foundation piece, but Larry Bird has struggled to surround him with NBA talent, taking underwhelming bigs like Roy Hibbert and Tyler Hansbrough in recent drafts. In addition to frontcourt athleticism, the Pacers are in dire need of a point guard to run the show. |
| 5 |
 |
Sacramento Kings |
Ed Davis |
PF |
6-10/215 |
SO |
North Carolina |
| Analysis: GM Geoff Petrie has engineered three consecutive solid drafts and sent a message about the team's future in dealing Kevin Martin. Adding Carl Landry to the Jason Thompson-Spencer Hawes frontcourt was a coup and now the KIngs need a match for Tyreke Evans in the backcourt. |
| 6 |
 |
Utah Jazz
(from New York) |
Cole Aldrich |
C |
6-11/245 |
JR |
Kansas |
| Analysis: Quite a coupe for the Jazz to milk a lottery pick from the Knicks. Deron Williams is a star, but the likely loss of Carlos Boozer leaves a hole to fill - even with Paul Millsap on hand. Finding a young frontcourt player or electric wing make sense, but the Jazz are in good shape moving forward. |
| 7 |
 |
Detroit Pistons |
Wesley Johnson |
SF |
6-7/200 |
JR |
Syracuse |
| Analysis: Joe Dumars' 2009 free agent class was disappointing and the Pistons are in dire need of a talent infusion with aging former stars, middling vets and Rodney Stuckey with potential health concerns. It doesn't bode well that Tayshawn Prince and Richard Hamilton weren't moved at the deadline. That could change come Draft day, but it could get ugly in 2010-11. |
| 8 |
 |
Washington Wizards |
Donatas Motiejunas |
PF |
7-0/225 |
Int'l |
Lithuania |
| Analysis: Adios Antawn Jamison, Caron Butler and Brendan Haywood. Will we see Gilbert Arenas in a Wizards uniform again? With a much needed rebuilding project finally in motion, Ernie Grunfeld will have to earn his paycheck. This would be a nice spot to find the next face of the franchise. |
| 9 |
 |
Philadelphia 76ers |
Hassan Whiteside |
C |
6-11/240 |
FR |
Marshall |
| Analysis: The future of Andre Iguodala will dictate the 76ers' franchise direction. He's a borderline star and also the biggest trade token on the roster. Elton Brand's contract is an albatross and time will tell if Thaddeus Young, Marreese Speights and Jrue Holiday develop into frontline starters. |
| 10 |
 |
Los Angeles Clippers |
Al-Farouq Aminu |
SF |
6-9/215 |
SO |
Wake Forest |
| Analysis: Just when it seemed the NBA's most cursed franchise had turned the corner after winning the Blake Griffin Sweepstakes, his injured knee throws everything into disarray. But, add him to another lottery pick and talented core and the Clips might move up the standings very quickly. |
| 11 |
 |
Charlotte Bobcats |
Greg Monroe |
PF |
6-11/250 |
SO |
Georgetown |
| Analysis: Larry Brown has imprinted his signature toughness on the Bobcats, but there is still a missing backcourt ingredient. Gerald Wallace is among the league's most versatile and athletic players and Stephen Jackson has been a God send. Big decisions are required reference Raymond Felton and Tyrus Thomas and this pick goes to Minnesota if Charlotte falls out of the Lottery. |
| 12 |
 |
New Orleans Hornets |
Xavier Henry |
SG |
6-6/205 |
FR |
Kansas |
| Analysis: It will be interesting to see how much longer Chris Paul stays the course in New Orleans, leading a team in steady decline. Emeka Okafor and David West are functional up front, but there is no backcourt complement for Paul, talent on the wing and frontcourt length. |
| 13 |
 |
Houston Rockets |
Solomon Alabi |
C |
7-1/240 |
SO |
Florida State |
| Analysis: Considering Yao Ming missed the 2009-10 season, the Rockets hung in pretty tough during 2009-10. If Ming returns to form with a solid supporting cast led by Aaron Brooks, Trevor Ariza and Kevin Martin, Houston is poised to compete Southwest Division and quite possibly more. |
| 14 |
 |
Memphis Grizzlies |
Avery Bradley |
G |
6-3/180 |
FR |
Texas |
| Analysis: By all accounts, the Grizzlies are headed in the right direction and GM Chris Wallace hit the jackpot with Zach Randolph. Questions remain surrounding Rudy Gay's long term status, Mike Conley's ability to run the team and what position O.J. Mayo will settle into. But, the future is bright. |
|
| 15 |
 |
Chicago Bulls |
Patrick Patterson |
PF |
6-8/235 |
JR |
Kentucky |
| Analysis: Will Vinny Del Negro get a ninth life? The Bulls are talented, yet lack chemistry in support of Derrick Rose. Yannick Noah is a keeper, while everyone else is seemingly available - especially if it clears salary off the ledger. This pick could move if Chicago adds a big name via trade. |
| 16 |
 |
Miami Heat |
Larry Sanders |
PF |
6-10/220 |
JR |
VCU |
| Analysis: It's difficult to imagine Dwyane Wade leaving Miami, but teams are lined up for his services. Half the roster also heads into free agency, so there is plenty of cash available to acquire a star complement for Wade. If he bails, the Heat will be in for a reclamation project. |
| 17 |
|
Miami Heat
(from Toronto) |
Willie Warren |
G |
6-4/200 |
SO |
Oklahoma |
| Analysis: See Pick #16. |
| 18 |
 |
Milwaukee Bucks |
Jan Vesely |
PF/C |
6-11/235 |
Int'l |
Czech Republic |
| Analysis: Despite fading as the season endures, Brandon Jennings was the steal of the 2009 Draft - helping to forget the 2008 debacle that was Joe Alexander. With a solid frontcourt in place, the Bucks are on the brink of the playoff picture for years to come. So, what now of Michael Redd? |
| 19 |
 |
Portland Trailblazers |
Ekpe Udoh |
PF |
6-10/240 |
JR |
Baylor |
| Analysis: Just when it appeared the Trailblazers were ascending into elite status, the injury bug struck. Sam Bowie II - er Greg Oden - missed another season and his replacements fell by the wayside as well. Add Brandon Roy's little nicks and suddenly Portland is on the playoff bubble. Assuming everyone gets healed, there is no reason Nate McMillan can't get things back on track. |
| 20 |
 |
San Antonio Spurs |
Devin Ebanks |
SF |
6-9/205 |
SO |
West Virginia |
| Analysis: It would appear the Spurs are quickly fading into oblivion with an aging roster - although Tony Parker is still only 27. Richard Jefferson seemed the perfect offseason addition, but it didn't click. While Tim Duncan may have another run left, the front office needs to find the right piece(s). |
| 21 |
 |
Oklahoma City Thunder |
Jerome Jordan |
C |
7-0/250 |
SR |
Tulsa |
| Analysis: This is the season Oklahoma City became the "it" team of the future and the sky's the limit behind emerging superstar Kevin Durant. Russell Westbrook is one of the elite young lead guards in the NBA and team-first complements like Jeff Green and James Harden make everyone better. |
| 22 |
|
Oklahoma City Thunder
(from Phoenix) |
Quincy Pondexter |
G/F |
6-6/215 |
SR |
Washington |
| Analysis: See previous selection. It is becoming increasingly difficult to add talent to the Thunder, so Sam Presti may continue his mastery of dealing for future assets. |
| 23 |
|
Minnesota Timberwolves
(from Utah) |
Jarvis Varnado |
PF |
6-9/225 |
SR |
Mississippi State |
| Analysis: See Pick #3. With a third pick in the first round Kahn can look for a contributor or possibly deal it for a future first rounder or in a package. |
| 24 |
 |
Atlanta Hawks |
James Anderson |
SG |
6-6/205 |
JR |
Oklahoma St. |
| Analysis: It's still hard not to imagine what might have been if Atlanta selected Chris Paul or Deron Williams in 2005. But alas, Mike Woodson has built a second tier playoff team that is... a point guard from elite status. Joe Johnson - if he passes on free agency - Al Horford and Josh Smith are solid and there's still upside in the latter two that lends credence to the hope the Hawks are still rising. |
| 25 |
 |
Boston Celtics |
Stanley Robinson |
SF |
6-9/220 |
SR |
Connecticut |
| Analysis: Now is the beginning of that downside everyone knew would come when Danny Ainge landed Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen to assist Paul Pierce in winning an NBA title. Each may have something left in the tank, but not as a trio with the Celtics. But not all is lost as Rajon Rondo and Kendrick Perkins are strong building blocks and Boston could land talent in a trade of their stars. |
| 26 |
|
Memphis Grizzlies
(from
Denver) |
Gani Lawal |
PF |
6-9/235 |
JR |
Georgia Tech |
| Analysis: See Picks #14 and #29. Might be tough for the Grizzlies to find space on their roster for a pick this far down. Possible trade selection or used in a deal. |
| 27 |
|
New Jersey Nets
(from Dallas) |
Charles Garcia |
F |
6-10/225 |
JR |
Seattle |
| Analysis: See Pick #1. In a potentially deep draft, this could be a nice value pick. |
| 28 |
 |
Orlando Magic |
Eric Bledsoe |
PG |
6-1/190 |
FR |
Kentucky |
| Analysis: Despite their star being less than 25 year old, it feels like the window of opportunity for the Magic is closing quickly. Unlike Lebron James or Kobe Bryant, Dwight Howard cannot put teammates on his chiseled shoulders from the post and his surrounding cast's talents are eroding. |
| 29 |
|
Memphis Grizzlies
(from
Los Angeles Lakers) |
Damion James |
F |
6-7/225 |
SR |
Texas |
| Analysis: See picks #14 and #26. |
| 30 |
|
Washington Wizards
(from
Cleveland) |
Demetri McCamey |
PG |
6-3/205 |
JR |
Illinois |
| Analysis: Washington is in rebuild mode and if enough underclassmen declare, this could be a solid talent. |
