NBA Mock 5/24

1. Washington Wizards: John Wall PG, Kentucky Fr. (6-4, 196)
This is the no brainer of the draft. The Wizards are in desperate need of some star power to build around and they'll get it in Wall. The only question is whether they play Gilbert Arenas at the 2 or trade him, because this is Wall's team now.

2. Philadelphia 76ers: Evan Turner SG/SF, Ohio State Jr. (6-7, 214)
This isn't such a no brainer. The Sixers already have a more athletic Turner-type player in Andre Igoudala. If they keep the pick, I think they have to take Turner, but I'd expect this pick to be traded. Probably to the Tinberwolves.

3. New Jersey Nets: Derrick Favors PF, Georgia Tech Fr. (6-10 ¼, 245)
All the Nets fans are upset because they didn't get John Wall and probably won't get LeBron James. Guess what Nets fans, you weren't getting him anyways. Why would LeBron go to New Jersey and play for a team just off narrowly missing having the worst NBA season EVER? I think this works out well for the Nets because they can take Favors and will have a very nice young core that, if they can keep it together, can be a title team a few years from now. If they take Favors, they're starting lineup would be Brook Lopez, Favors, Terrence Williams, Courtney Lee, and Devin Harris with Chris Douglas-Roberts as a scorer off the bench and Yi Jianlian as a third big man. Average age: 22.

4. Minnesota Timberwolves: Wes Johnson SG/SF, Syracuse Jr. (6-7 ¼, 206)
The Timberwolves love Evan Turner, and I expect them to trade up and grab him. However, if they do pick here, Wes Johnson makes a lot of sense. They need a good swingman and Johnson fits the triangle very well because he's a great shooter and good passer. Plus with his former teammate Jonny Flynn playing the point, you can expect great chemistry on the break, where both guys excel.

5. Sacramento Kings: DeMarcus Cousins PF/C, Kentucky Fr. (6-10 ¾, 292)
I think this point is the furthest swing of the negative Cousins pendulum. By the time the draft comes around, I think it'll come back more to at least neutral on him. The Kings need a true center because Jason Thompson is a 4 and Spencer Hawes is a backup. If you pair those three guys with Carl Landry, you'll have a good rotation at the 3 and 4.

6. Golden State Warriors: Al-Farouq Aminu SF, Wake Forest So. (6-8 ½, 216)
The Warriors miss out on the big 5 in the draft, but will have a chance to draft a guy with as much potential as anyone. Aminu is at his best when he's playing hard defense, rebounding the ball, then flying up court on the fast break, so he'll be a good fit for Golden State.

7. Detroit Pistons: Cole Aldrich C, Kansas Jr. (6-11¼, 236)
I don't think Cole Aldrich should be a top ten pick, but he will be and the Pistons, who are in desperate need of a big man (Kwame Brown and Ben Wallace ain't cuttin it), so this is a logical landing spot for him. The rumor last year was that the Pistons loved B.J. Mullens, so in Aldrich they get a much more NBA ready guy.

8. Los Angeles Clippers: Gordon Heyward SF, Butler So. (6-8, 211)
This may seem crazy, but I can really see it happening. The Clippers love Heyward and really need a small forward. This is high for him, but really after the first couple picks, things run together a bit and if a team likes a guy you can't hate too much if they take them. That said, I still wouldn't draft him this high. I wonder what it'll be like for the Clippers who'll go from one of the lowest basketball IQ players in the game in Al Thorton to one of the highest in Heyward.

9. Utah Jazz (from New York Knicks): Greg Monroe PF/C, Georgetown So. (6-11, 247)
There isn't a more perfect fit in this draft than Greg Monroe to the Jazz. His passing and ability to find cutters will allow him to excel in their system. Some are talking about Monroe as a top 5 pick, I can't see it due to his frequent disappearing act and the fact he was somewhat out of shape at the Combine. He's just got too much risk for a pick that high.

10. Indiana Pacers: Avery Bradley PG/SG, Texas Fr. (6-3¼, 180)
This is another one that seems crazy, but this is another where if the team is desperate and love the player, you can't argue with them doing it. Last year the Pacers reached for Tyler Hansbrough and this year, if they think Bradley can be the dynamic, athletic point guard they need, they'll pick him. Eric Bledsoe is another option, but Bradley's stock is hot.

11. New Orleans Hornets: Ed Davis PF, North Carolina So. (6-9¾, 227)
Ed Davis is that guy who slips, not because of what he's done (though the wrist injury didn't help), but because other guys move up. He's still got a ton of potential, and will be in a good situation in New Orleans with Chris Paul making life easier for him and Emeka Okafor able to take the tough defensive assignment while he gains strength. The Hornets could lose David West next year and need frontcourt depth anyways.

12. Memphis Grizzles: Luke Babbit SF, Nevada So. (6-8¾, 218)
Luke Babbit tested better than expected at the combine, coming in at a solid size and posting impressive numbers in the testing. Apparently, he's a better athlete than originally thought. I'm still not sold on his defensive ability, but considering his age, scoring ability, and athleticism it shouldn't be too big of a risk. He also has the size and inside skills to play power forward.

13. Toronto Raptors: Ekpe Udoh PF, Baylor Jr. (6-9¾, 237)
Chris Bosh is most likely gone, so the Raptors need a replacement. Ekpe Udoh doesn't have the offensive upside of Bosh, but he'll be a better defender, and that's what Toronto needs. Their offense was great (6th in the league), but their defense was last in the league and historically bad. Udoh has the potential to be an elite defender, and will upgrade them there significantly. Plus, his passing ability will fit well in the Toronto offense.

14. Houston Rockets: Hassan Whiteside C, Marshall Fr. (6-11½, 227)
Hassan Whiteside was the big winner from the measurements portion of the Chicago Combine, measuring 6-11½ in shoes with a ridicules 7-7 wingspan and a better reach than Cole Aldrich and Greg Monroe. However, interviews didn't go so well and exemplified the worries teams have about Whiteside's character and demenor. He's a tough prospect to place because if just takes one team and he could go top 5. Without Yao Ming, the Rockets suffered on offense and defense. Chuck Hayes is a great post defender, but he's just far too small to be the rim protector they need at the back of their defense. Whiteside can do that and also spell Yao to help keep him healthy.

15. Milwaukee Bucks (from Chicago Bulls): Paul George SG, Fresno State So. (6-8¾, 214)
Paul George's stock is flying and he could go top ten when all is said and done. However, with the lack of need of a shooting guard (and the questions about whether George can play the 3), I have him falling just out of the lottery. I love this fit for the Bucks because George, with his size, can be a huge matchup problem at the 2, shoot from range, but also replace the John Salmons roll of getting his own shot. Plus he brings some much needed athleticism to this team and give Brandon Jennings a dynamic option on the break.

16. Minnesota Timberwolves (from Charlotte Bobcats): Donatas Motiejunas PF, Lithuania (7-0, 220)
The Timberwolves have a lot of picks in this draft, so you can expect they'll take a player to store overseas for a year or two. They also have a terrific European scouting department, so I'd expect they'd see the value of Motiejunas here, how could go in the top 10. He's a perfect triangle player and has a pretty complete game, he just needs to add significant muscle.

17. Chicago Bulls (from Milwaukee Bucks): James Anderson SG, Oklahoma State Jr. (6-5¾, 208)
The Bulls really missed the scoring of Ben Gordon last year. Gordon is seen by many as a shooter, but he's an underrated passer and can score in many different ways, including off the drive, not just shooting. James Anderson can do all these things, plus he's got great size for a 2 guard, plays tough defense, and is a good rebounder. He'll be a perfect compliment to Derrick Rose because he can spot up as well as drive to the hoop.

18. Miami Heat: Eric Bledsoe PG, Kentucky Fr. (6-1½, 192)
Dwyane Wade needs a solid point guard in the backcourt to do 3 things: catch and shoot the 3 consistently, get his own shot, and create for teammates while Wade is on bench. Eric Bledsoe has the potential to do all these things, and will be an immediate upgrade over Mario Chalmers and Carlos Arroyo

19. Boston Celtics: Xavier Henry SG, Kansas Fr. (6-6½, 210)
Xavier Henry has impressed with his shooting ability and developing other parts of his game. He should make a good replacement for Ray Allen, who'll likely be leaving through free agency this summer. He can also back up Paul Peirce in a pinch at the 3.

20. San Antonio Spurs: Patrick Patterson PF, Kentucky Jr. (6-9¼, 240)
The Rumor is the Spurs love Derrick Favors and are doing their best to trade up and take him as the heir to Tim Duncan. Patterson doesn't have nearly the upside or size of Favors, but he's very athletic and a gritty, Spurs type player. He's not going to blow you away, but at the end of the day you'll be very happy with what he gives you.

21. Oklahoma City Thunder: Daniel Orton PF/C, Kentucky Fr. (6-9½, 269)
I think Daniel Orton will be in for a Jrue Holiday esque fall this draft, and honestly it's hard to blame teams. He did nothing at the college level to warrant a first round pick. Right now, all OKC needs is a big rebounder and shot blocker, which Orton can do. His offense, on the other hand, will be a big work-in-progress.

22. Portland Trailblazers: Damion James SF, Texas Sr. (6-7¾, 227)
The Blazers have talented young players at the 3 and 4, but none of them are particularly gritty defenders, or rebounders. Damion James is a great rebounder from the 3 and can hold his own and be a matchup problem at the 4.

23. Minnesota Timberwolves (from Utah Jazz): Larry Sanders PF/C, VCU Sr. (6-10½, 222)
The Timberwolves desperately need to add some athleticism and defense to their frontcourt because pairing Kevin Love and Al Jefferson just doesn't work at that end. Larry Sanders has the length to play center and the mobility to play power forward, so the Timberwolves can mix and match the trio how they like.

24. Atlanta Hawks: Solomon Alabi C, Florida State Jr. (7-1½, 237)
The problem of Dwight Howard isn't going to go away soon, so if the Hawks expect to compete in the East, they'll need to figure out a way to deal with him. Solomon Alabi isn't a match for Howard, and might never be, but he is big enough to give him problems.

25. Memphis Grizzles (from Denver Nuggets): Quincy Pondexter SF, Washington Sr. (6-7, 220)
Quincy Pondexter is ready to contribute immediately in the NBA, not something that can be said about most prospects, and will be a valuable bench player right away for the Grizzles. He's also got some star potential and can help fill the void of Rudy Gay if he leaves.

26. Oklahoma City Thunder (from Phoenix Suns): Craig Brackins PF, Iowa State Jr. (6-9¾, 229)
The Thunder really have no post up game or consistent inside scoring threat, so a guy like Brackins, who is already a versatile inside/outside threat and can rebound well, makes a ton of sense. He's also a high character guy, so he fits with what the Thunder want.

27. New Jersey Nets (from Dallas Mavericks): Armon Johnson PG, Nevada Jr. (6-3¼, 195)
In a lot of drafts, Armon Johnson would be the most athletic point guard going, but not this year with John Wall in the class. Still Johnson is great athlete and a solid score first point guard option. The Nets back up point guard options are Kenyon Dooling and Chris Quinn. That's bad.

28. Memphis Grizzles (from Los Angeles Lakers): Kevin Seraphin PF, France (6-10, 260)
You can't expect the Grizzles to use all their first round picks on college players, they'll most likely acquire the rights to a player overseas. Zach Randolph won't be around forever so taking a guy who'll be able to replace him down the road makes sense.

29. Orlando Magic: Lance Stephenson SG, Cincinnati Fr. (6-5¾, 227)
The Magic really need a player who can get his own shot and work outside four out system. Lance Stephenson is a big, physical guard who can get his own shot and overpower players.

30. Washington Wizards (from Cleveland Cavaliers): Keith Gallon PF, Oklahoma Fr. (6-9½, 302)
Tiny Gallon is a very skilled big man, he can shoot from three, handle the ball, rebound and score inside. However, his weight is a problem. If a team can get him to stay in shape, he'll be a player, so he's not a huge risk at this point in the draft.