Post by kobe24 on May 3, 2010 15:30:17 GMT -5
2010 UOSLR Mock Draft
The 2010 draft should be very interesting, there are a lot of unknowns out there but there are also a few can't miss prospects as well. This draft is led by PG John Wall and big man Jared Sullinger. Those two are followed up by a very strong SF class including Paul George, Al-Farouq Aminu, Gordon Hayward, Wesley Johnson and many others. Hassan Whiteside may be the most interesting player in this draft though, his stock has really gone up over the last year and he could be something special. How will the lotto treat the top teams this year?
#1 Charlotte Hornets
John Wall
Ht/Wt: 6-4 195
Position: PG
From: Kentucky
The Hornets were flat out awful this year and one of their biggest reasons why is their PG play. Their starting PG Rajon Rondo averaged 4.4 TPG, that is unacceptable. For their sake I hope they stay at #1 and are able to get John Wall. It would turn around that franchise and get them heading in the right direction. Getting Evan Turner and John Wall, two superstars, in back to back drafts would be pretty amazing. The Hornets seem poised to do just that. Wall has the size, athleticism and skill to be the best PG if not the best player in UOSLR for many years to come. John Wall should make everyone on the team a better dancer as well. So if they can't win some games they will surely win the annual UOSLR dance off.
#2 Seattle Supersonics
Jared Sullinger
Ht/Wt: 6-9 265
Position: PF
From: Ohio State
Sullinger is the best big man in the draft and that is what the Sonics need. Similiar to the Hornets, if the Sonics can get another dominant player in this draft as they got in Evans last year that would be awesome. Sullinger dominated at the high school level and basically had his way at Ohio State as well. He could come in and averaged 20-25 PPG as a rookie in UOSLR. His defense isn't that good right now though, he is a little hefty and isn't going to be able to guard some of the quicker PFs right away. He isn't the tallest guy either, that hasn't affected him until now, but I don't see it being a huge problem. His rebounding could use some work, but as long as he is getting 10 RPG to go along with 20-25 points I'm sure the GM will take that.
#3 Denver Nuggets
Paul George
Ht/Wt: 6-8 210
Position: SF
From: Fresno State
The Nuggets might trade back if they don't move up in the draft and that might be the right move. Really the next few players off the board based off of BPA should be SFs, which the Nuggets don't REALLY need. So unless they are really high on Aminu or George or they want to reach for a player I think they will move back a few spots and get their player then. But if I was at 3 I would take Paul George. He is a bit more polished than Aminu and they are the same age. Aminu might have a little more potential, but George doesn't need to improve a whole lot to be a good player. He can already score the ball well and defensively he is decent. Will be a tough decision for the Nuggets GM either way if they don't move up.
#4 Detroit Pistons
Al-Farouq Aminu
Ht/Wt: 6-9 215
Position: SF
From: Wake Forest
I think the Pistons need to target a big man here. They haven't had a lot of luck in the past few drafts but maybe they will strike gold here. Hassan Whiteside, Ed Davis, or Ekpe Udoh are all names I could see coming off the board here. Whiteside and Davis have the upside while Udoh could come in and start right away and I also like his upside since he started playing basketball a lot later than these other guys. There are still a lot of good SFs on the board here but none really leaps and bounds above any of these big men. I could also see Aminu, Wes Johnson or Greg Monroe coming off the board here. Johnson if they want to take a bit of a chance with his potential and get a win now guy. Aminu and Monroe if they want to try their hand with another project player. In the end I say they take Al-Farouq Aminu. He has a great skill set and could end up playing three different positions very well. Or they will reach for Hayward here wihch will probably happen.
#5 New Jersey Nets
Xavier Henry
Ht/Wt: 6-6 220
Position: SG
From: Kansas
There is a 3 way tie for 5th so I just decided to give it to the Nets. The Nets need a PG, SG and SF. I could see them going with a PG like Jeff Teague here, but that would be a bit of a reach. That would fill a huge need but they could probably trade down a few spots if they wanted to do that. I think they go with Xavier Henry just because of what the 19 year old has a chance to become. He is very raw right now though and there are easily some better players available but none probably with the potential of Henry. He also fills a position of need for the Nets. I think the Nets could be one of the teams looking to trade on draft day though unless they are in love with someone at 5.
#6 Milwaukee Bucks
Greg Monroe
Ht/Wt: 6-10 247
Position: PF
From: Georgetown
The Bucks have Beasley but I think they will go with a similiar player in Monroe here. He is more of a PF though while Beasley is more of a SF so I don't really think that will be a problem. Monroe is a lot bigger and stronger than most people think and has a great skill set for the PF position. He was arguably Georgetown's best passer in their Princeton Offense and his post moves have continued to improve. Like every big man in the draft he could use some work on his defense and rebounding but he isn't far from averaging 10 RPG and 1 SPG and close to 2 BPG. Having Beasley may make the Bucks want to go after a C or a guard which they do need, but none of them are as good as Monroe.
#7 Sacramento Kings
Ekpe Udoh
Ht/Wt: 6-10 240
Position: PF
From: Baylor
The Queens have this pick via the Jazz. I guess this team is looking to add a big man to compliment their guard play this off-season but I'm not really sure what they want to do. I don't think they want to trade away Iggy and Wagner so they need to bring in some help for them. So I think they go after Ekpe Udoh here. He is older but he is coming off his best season as a collegiate player and still has room to grow. Udoh is a great shot blocker and one of the better rebounding bigs in the class. His offensive game is also better than you would think and it is still growing. His age obviously hurts his value in this draft but he still has potential and could be a great find for the Kings.
#8 Orlando Magic
Wesley Johnson
Ht/Wt: 6-7 205
Position: SF
From: Syracuse
The Magic are openly trying to trade this pick for a win now player which is smart of them, but I could see them staying put and drafting Wes Johnson or James Anderson. Both guys are a little older than most GMs would like but they could come in and help your team right away and both guys are a position of need for the Magic. If the Magic don't trade the pick I think they take Wesley Johnson who I have a bit higher than Anderson because of his all around game. Wesley transfered to Syracuse last year and tore it up leading them to a #1 seed in the NCAA tournament. He is a great rebounder for a SF and a pretty good defender as well. His offensive improvement will be limited but he is already a 15 PPG guy as a rookie so any improvement would be pretty nice.
#9 Boston Celtics
Hassan Whiteside
Ht/Wt: 7-0 235
Position: C
From: Marshall
This Boston squad is a mess. They need to trade all those older guys and rebuild properly. I say they take a chance on Hassan Whiteside here. He is a bit of a risk but the reward here could be huge. He is a 7 footer and has great athleticism for a guy his size. He will be a good shot blocker in his rookie season but the other parts of his game will need to improve. Offensively he is still learning the game but he definitely has the tools to some day average 20 PPG. And his size should allow him to get 10 RPG but his rebounding technique could be a lot better. I will have my eye on Whiteside I am interested to see if he will be any good in this league.
#10 Dallas Mavericks
Ed Davis
Ht/Wt: 6-9 225
Position: PF
From: North Carolina
The Mavs take a bit of a chance here with Davis but they desperately need big men right now and if Davis could tap into his potential and become something great than this would be a steal for the Mavs. Davis didn't have the best college career but he has the tools to be a great player he just needs the proper guidance. Like Whiteside, Davis' athleticism allows him to be a great defender right off the bat, but he will also have to work on the other parts of his game. The Mavs will have to put a lot of time and effort into making Davis a great player but it can be done. Davis will probably start right away for the Mavericks so he should be able to grow instantly in his rookie season.
#11 Houston Rockets
Devin Ebanks
Ht/Wt: 6-7 204
Position: SF
From: West Virginia
The Rockets have a lot of guards but I'm not sure how high they are on any of them. And they have a few nice young big men but they are obviously looking to build around Kevin Durant. I think they should go with Devin Ebanks with this pick. Durant could do the scoring and Ebanks could be shutting down the opposing teams scorer. They are both listed at SF but both of them could play SG or in Durant's case, PF as well. Ebanks is a great athlete and has a solid all around game. His offense could use some work but his defense is studly and his rebounding is above average. James Anderson could also be another possibility for the Rockets here though he is more of a scorer and would take some touches away from Durant and wouldn't really help that much on defense.
#12 Minnesota Timberwolves
James Anderson
Ht/Wt: 6-6 195
Position: SG
From: Oklahoma State
The Timberwolves are another team who is looking to trade their pick for more of a win now player but if they stay put I think they pick up a nice player in James Anderson to fill their hole at SG and give them a great young lineup of Telfair-Anderson-Wright-Johnson-Favors. Anderson can score, he proved that in college. He is also a pretty good defender and rebounder for a SG. But he is a bit turnover prone and fails to find his teammates at times. If it wasn't for that knock he would be a lot higher in my opinion. He has good size as well and is the right age to come in and contribute right away. If Anderson is there at 12 I think the Timberwolves should take him for sure.
#13 Vancouver Grizzlies
Gordon Hayward
Ht/Wt: 6-8 210
Position: SF
From: Butler
If the Pistons don't reach for Hayward at 4, I think the Grizzlies happily take him here. Offensively he is one of the top players in the class. He isn't the most athletic guy but he will surprise you. He will be a liability on defense which is why I think he will fall a bit. But he is still very young and should only get better. The Grizzlies need a player they can camp and get better, if Hayward can become a great player as well that will be scary. [/center]
