All right, boys and girls, the NBA draft is upon us. Three hours from now, the Wizards will select John Wall to be their next point guard who gets to play cowboys and Indians with Gilbert Arenas (Javaris Crittenton previously filled that role). The 76ers and their new coach, Doug Collins, get the chance to pass on the best player available, DeMarcus Cousins, and instead play it safe by taking Evan Turner, a jack of many trades, but perhaps a master of none. The Nets seem destined to select Derrick Favors, who is not as good as Cousins, but might fit better next to their already-in-place center, Brook Lopez, so I won't be too critical. The Timberwolves, on the other hand, are about to commit the ultimate NBA draft sin: drafting for need over talent in the top five. Barring a huge surprise, they will select Wesley Johnson, who is doubtful to ever become an all-star, over Cousins, who has the potential to become a perennial all-star. But that's what you do when you're the Timberwolves.
Without further ado, I present to you the final installment of Colten's NBA Mock Draft. May I be accurate AND precise ... however that may apply to mocking a draft.
1. Washington Wizards: John Wall, PG, Kentucky
The best player in the draft, Wall has the chance to be the rookie of the year, but also has the most upside. Look out for his new Reebok commercial tonight during the draft. Reebok will give Wall every chance to be for them what Michael and LeBron was/is for Nike.
2. Philadelphia 76ers: Evan Turner, SG/SF, Ohio State
I hate to back off of my trade projection between the Sixers and the Timberwolves, it appears as if it is not to be. All signs point to the Sixers passing on the unpolished Derrick Favors and the controversial DeMarcus Cousins. Often compared to Brandon Roy, I'm not sure it is a fair comparison for Turner since he is not the shooter that Roy is. Turner will be a good player, but I'm not sure he will be an all-star. Nothing against the guy, but I just don't see it.
3. New Jersey Nets: Derrick Favors, PF, Georgia Tech
With Brook Lopez firmly entrenched as the franchise center, the Nets will swing for the fences by taking the uber-athletic Favors. It might take a few years for him to put it all together, but he definitely has the physical tools to be a star.
4. Minnesota Timberwolves: Wesley Johnson, SG/SF, Syracuse
The Pistons will likely make a run for this pick, but I don't think they have the assets to get it done. Therefore, the Timberwolves will draft a guy who will fit in nicely beside Corey Brewer in Johnson, but he lacks the ball-handling and passing skills to be a star. He is a good outside shooter, which the Wolves will find handy, and he is an excellent athlete, but this pick should be DeMarcus Cousins.
5. Sacramento Kings: DeMarcus Cousins, PF/C, Kentucky
For the second year in a row, the Kings will get a top-2 kind of guy at the bottom of the top five. Last year, they grabbed Tyreke Evans at #4 and he turned out to be the ROY. I think Cousins has a chance to be the ROY this season.
6. Memphis Grizzlies (via Golden State): Al-Farouq Aminu, SF, Wake Forest
Someone has to go out on a limb, right? I think Golden State will try desperately to trade out of the six spot if the top five goes how I predicted. I think the Grizzlies will send O.J. Mayo and the #12 pick to Golden State in exchange for Monta Ellis and the #6 pick. I think the Griz are afraid that they have zero chance of re-signing Mayo when he becomes a FA in a couple of years, and Michael Heisley apparently has a love affair with Ellis, who is a Mississippi native. Mayo for Ellis rumors have gone on long enough. Just get it over with, already!
7. Detroit Pistons: Greg Monroe, C, Georgetown
Monroe is not your typical, nasty Pistons big man, but he is the best big available, and the Pistons should be excited to get him instead of having to settle for Udoh, Davis, or Aldrich.
8. L.A. Clippers: Gordon Hayward, SF, Butler
White boys unite! The Clippers have a huge hole at SF, and that happens to be where the value lies. If they don't go with Hayward, they'll probably take Babbitt, George, Henry, or someone similar.
9. Utah Jazz: Luke Babbitt, SF, Nevada
Babbitt just looks like a guy who should play for the Jazz. He's tall, white, and can shoot threes. With the potential loss of Kyle Korver, the Jazz could really use a tall dude who can stroke it from deep.
10. Indiana Pacers: Ed Davis, PF, North Carolina
The Pacers have a lot of needs, most notably in the backcourt, but the value just isn't there at the ten spot. The best player available is probably Ed Davis, so they go with him here.
11. New Orleans Hornets: Ekpe Udoh, PF/C, Baylor
This is a tough call, but I'll go with Udoh, who played at nearby Baylor. The Hornets could really use another big man to go with Emeka Okafor.
12. Golden State Warriors (via Memphis): Paul George, SF, Fresno State
Who would you rather have? O.J. Mayo and Paul George or Monta Ellis and Al-Farouq Aminu? If this scenario plays out, then we'll have a chance to compare the pairs.
13. Toronto Raptors: Eric Bledsoe, PG, Kentucky
Rumors are swirling of Bledsoe to the Raptors. Is it legit interest, or is it posturing? I'm guessing it's legit interest, but I could definitely be wrong.
14. Houston Rockets: Cole Aldrich, C, Kansas
I don't see the Rockets choosing anyone other than a center, so I think this comes down to Aldrich and Alabi, with Aldrich getting the nod.
15. Milwaukee Bucks: Patrick Patterson, PF, Kentucky
Perimeter help is not needed as much after the acquisitions of Corey Maggette and CDR, so I think the Bucks go with the best available PF, which would be Patterson.
16. Minnesota Timberwolves: Avery Bradley, Guard, Texas
The Wolves have point guards, and they have wings, but do they have a guy who can play both? I think not, so Bradley is a nice choice here. He's also good value.
17. Washington Wizards: Larry Sanders, PF, VCU
The Wizards landed this pick earlier today by acquiring Kirk Hinrich from the Bulls. I think they'll take a swing on local kid, Larry Sanders.
18. Oklahoma City Thunder: Daniel Orton, PF/C, Kentucky
Much has been made of the draft slide of Daniel Orton, but it stops here with OKC, who are very familiar with Orton, who is from OKC. Orton would fit in perfectly down low as a defender and shot blocker who won't be counted on to score much.
19. Boston Celtics: Xavier Henry, SF, Kansas
I'm reluctant to let Henry drop so low. He might end up with the Wizards at #17, but I'll keep him here as the heir-apparent to Paul Pierce.
20. San Antonio Spurs: Damion James, SF, Texas
The Texas kid just seems like a Spurs-type player. There are more talented guys left on the board, but the Spurs value defense, intensity, and rebounding, and James provides all of those.
21. Oklahoma City Thunder: Kevin Seraphin, PF, France
Look for the Thunder to take an international player to stash overseas. Seraphin is the best of the bunch.
22. Portland Trail Blazers: Elliot Williams, Guard, Memphis
Chad Ford says the Blazers really like Daniel Orton and Elliot Williams at this spot, so, with Orton gone, Williams is the pick. Andre Miller is getting old, so Williams could become the PG of the future.
23. Minnesota Timberwolves: Craig Brackins, PF, Iowa
A mid-western boy for a mid-western team. The Wolves have a couple of bulky post players in Love and Jefferson, so they could use a guy who can run the court.
24. Atlanta Hawks: James Anderson, SG, Oklahoma State
The Hawks need a scorer to come off the bench to help make up for the loss of Joe Johnson. Anderson doesn't have a ton of upside, but the kid can fill it up.
25. Memphis Grizzlies: Terrico White, Guard, Ole Miss
The Griz could use another guard, and White is from Memphis, so I think the Griz would target him in this scenario. If he puts it together, White could be a steal.
26. Oklahoma City Thunder: Hassan Whiteside, C, Marshall
The Thunder have several first round picks, and they already took Orton, so I think they might grab another big guy with upside as a backup plan. Who knows? Orton and Whiteside, if they both pan out, could be a formidable frontcourt.
27. New Jersey Nets: Jordan Crawford, SG, Xavier
Crawford replaces the recently-departed, Chris Douglas-Roberts. Crawford is smallish and doesn't have a great handle, but he could become a terrific scoring sixth man, a la Jason Terry.
28. Memphis Grizzlies: Jarvis Varnado, PF, Mississippi State
I know, I know, Varnado is not a first round guy. But Memphis could really use a backup PF who can defend and block shots, and Varnado fills that role to a T. Since they don't have a second round pick, I could see the Griz reaching for someone they really like at #28.
29. Orlando Magic: Quincy Pondexter, SF, Washington
With the potential loss of Matt Barnes to FA, the Magic will probably go with a SF here. Of those remaining, Pondexter seems to be getting the best reviews. He can't shoot, but he can do just about everything else. Sounds kind of like Evan Turner, who will likely be the second pick of the draft.
30. Washington Wizards: Solomon Alabi, C, Florida State
They already have Andray Blatche, but Alabi is the best player available, so he gets to sneak into the first round. I can't believe he fell this far, but sometimes that just happens. Even if it's not Alabi, someone will surely free fall this year, just like in every draft.
Okay, that wraps things up. Here's to hoping that at least some of my picks are correct.
As always, please check out these other fine NBA draft sites:
Walter Football
Football Fan Spot
DC Pro Sports Report
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