Casper's 2010 Mock Draft and more:
Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2010 4:10 pm
Short intro since this is my first thread here:
Sup, my name is Casper and I'm a NBA Draft nut. I try to come up with new ways to help rank prospects outside of what's typically seen on draft sites, but I also keep records of how various places have ranked their players since we all like accountability and seeing how rankings have changed. I watch a ton of college basketball thanks to online streams and actually take some notes (sad, I know) on players when watching them for the first or second time to help lead me away from... misremembering.
Anyway, here's the first mock.
1st Round:
1. Washington - John Wall (PG):
The Arenas era is over; the John Wall era has now begun. This pick is a lock now per reports.
2. Philadelphia - Evan Turner (SG/SF):
This pick could be moved so Philadelphia picks up more value as Turner and Iguodala duplicate each other’s strengths and weaknesses a little too much. I believe they would be almost equally as happy with Favors or Cousins, but right now Turner is the safer bet.
3. New Jersey - Derrick Favors (PF/C):
Lopez isn’t really a brutish player down low, but he’s a very skilled offensive player who can also step out and hit a jumper. Favors is a tough-nosed player and he has the athleticism Lopez lacks. This is a spectacular fit.
4. Minnesota - DeMarcus Cousins (C):
This represents a BPA pick as DeMarcus has the potential to be dominant. It is also a pick which will drastically change the franchise as Al and Cousins likely cannot coexist, but Cousins is the larger and more talented of the two.
5. Sacramento - Wesley Johnson (SF):
This is a tough pick for the Kings, and don’t be surprised to see them move up or down. They need talent which fits next to Evans, but they would highly prefer it to be a big with defensive ability. However, as the value isn’t there, they instead go for BPA and take Johnson - even though they already have Casspi and Greene.
6. Golden State - Greg Monroe (PF/C):
The Warriors really don’t have a specific need besides being healthy and reorganizing their talent. Seeing as they already have athletes in the frontcourt, Monroe’s athletic and defensive deficiencies could be covered up and his skills could be maximized.
7. Detroit - Ed Davis (PF):
Detroit needs help just about everywhere, and as such they cannot afford passing up the potential Davis has on both ends of the floor. He’ll fill a huge hole in the Pistons rotation next year, possibly starting by year’s end.
8. LA Clippers - Al-Farouq Aminu (SF/PF):
Aminu fills a huge hole at SF for the Clippers, while also having the ability to play PF next to Griffin when they go small. This pick would leave them heavily reliant on the PG position for playmaking, but it could also create matchup nightmares for opponents.
9. Utah (from NY) - Cole Aldrich (C):
Gift wrapping Utah an NBA-ready defensive Center would be like an early Christmas, even if he isn’t the BPA. He doesn’t offer much upside, but it beats relying on Fesenko or Koufos to develop, while also being a decent fit with Millsap.
10. Indiana - Ekpe Udoh (PF/C):
This is a tough spot for Indiana. Do they go with upside or readiness? Athleticism or skill? Size or playmaking? They kind of get all of that here. Henry could get a look here as BPA, but Udoh makes more sense.
11. New Orleans - Xavier Henry (SG/SF):
Henry is the BPA at this point, and the Hornets love that he fell. Not only does Henry fill a gigantic hole in the Hornets rotation, but he also has the potential to be a plus player on both ends of the floor, and also has the length to play SF when Thornton is sharing the court with him.
12. Memphis - Paul George (SG/SF):
If they allow Gay to walk, then George would look like an excellent fit - and even if they do not, Mayo, George, and Gay could all play on the floor together and create huge mismatch problems with their athleticism and scoring ability.
13. Toronto - Patrick Patterson (PF):
Losing Bosh is certainly going to sting, but Toronto can’t panic. Patterson - while not a high potential player like the BPA Whiteside - could immediately come in and be a nice fit next to Bargnani, while also being an extremely safe choice with minimal downside.
14. Houston - Hassan Whiteside (PF/C):
Upside pick that Houston can afford to take, even with the red flags surrounding him. Yao has another year on his contract, and the Rockets are likely to have frontcourt depth ahead of Whiteside this year. That’s okay, however, as it will allow him time to mature and also make him earn his minutes.
15. Milwaukee (from CHI) - James Anderson (SG/SF):
Jennings needs a guy to play off his dominant ball-handling that can shoot and occasionally take it to the rim. Anderson brings that as well as decent playmaking and defense to the table for a team that could use the help on the wing immediately.
16. Minnesota (from CHA) - Damion James (SF/PF):
The Timberwolves really need help on the wing, and they would be upset if this is how the draft fell, as all three of their targets just went. However, James brings toughness and scoring ability - and while he doesn’t have much upside, he also is a pretty safe bet to produce on both ends.
17. Chicago (from MIL) - Willie Warren (SG):
Warren has certainly fallen out of favor with the masses over the past year, but I still think he has the upside to be pretty good in the NBA. Working off more talented players, he could be a deadly sharpshooter with handles. It’s all about finding players to fit next to Rose and the FAs they bring in, I think Warren is what they’re looking for.
18. Miami - Avery Bradley (PG/SG):
Bradley isn’t currently ready to play PG in a traditional role, but the Heat don’t need that if they keep Wade. He can immediately step in and give them excellent defense as well as solid shooting in his limited minutes, while learning to become more of a playmaker.
19. Boston - Luke Babbitt (SF/PF):
Babbitt measured out better than almost everyone expected, and while I’m still not high on him, it will probably get him selected before the late-1st. I don’t think the Celtics could justify taking an athletic PF/C like Sanders when they have a bigger need for offensive production, so Babbitt gets the look here as one of the most skilled offensive players on the board.
20. San Antonio - Gordon Hayward (SF):
They need toughness, length, and shooting at the SF spot since Jefferson clearly didn’t give them that. Hayward doesn’t give them the length they’d be looking for, but he could become a deadly shooter who also plays tougher than he looks.
21. Oklahoma City - Daniel Orton (C):
I personally would dislike this pick if I were an OKC fan; however this is a mock, not my big board. Some team will reach for him early because of his size, athleticism, and thug-like nature on the court; and I think that team will be the Thunder as he is a hometown player who also fills a big need.
22. Portland - Kevin Seraphin (PF/C):
They were decimated by injuries last year, and could have Oden and Przybilla start off the year watching games in suits. Seraphin is an upside pick, but also should be able to contribute a crude, but punishing game on offense his first year; while also giving them plus production defensively and on the boards.
23. Minnesota (from UTA) - Terrico White (SG):
Minnesota likely moves up in the draft using this pick, but if not, I like White here. Ebanks is BPA in my opinion, but they need to take a scorer with this pick given the James pick at 16. White gives them a player with very nice athleticism and offensive tools, but lacks consistency on both ends.
24. Atlanta - Larry Sanders (PF/C):
The Hawks need size and defense. Sanders brings great defensive ability as well as an excellent frame, but doesn’t have the bulk they’d be looking for. However, seeing that he’s put on about 15lbs of “good” weight in the past two seasons (he only has 4.6% body fat); I think he could eventually bulk up to 240-250 and be a menace for Atlanta.
25. Memphis (from DEN) - Eric Bledsoe (PG/SG):
Conley doesn’t seem to be a guy worth considering part of their core, even though he’s a decent player. As such, they go with Bledsoe who - even if Conley is kept longterm - can play a role as a comboguard off the bench that will give them a great defender and decent shooting.
26. Oklahoma City (from PHX) - Devin Ebanks (SF/PF):
I don’t know if they keep both picks, but I’ll pick as though they will. They already took Orton, so now they need to keep filling in role players around their star duo. Ebanks is the BPA and gives them yet another defensive ace who, if he continues to develop his jumper, could be a great role player in the NBA with a wide array of skills.
27. New Jersey (from DAL) - (SF): Quincy Pondexter
The Nets should use this pick to guess at the type of role player a star FA would want to surround him. You can never have enough role players who are very athletic and have the ability to guard three positions, while also able to create for themselves - so Pondexter is the pick here.
28. Memphis (from LAL) - Elliot Williams (SG):
I cannot see Memphis taking three rookies this year, so I would assume they will trade up or out of one of their later picks. However, if they do keep all three, I think they’ll go with Elliot Williams who grew up in Tennessee, played at Memphis, and is a pretty good athlete that can be a scorer/slasher off the bench.
29. Orlando - Darington Hobson (SG/SF):
Hobson is a decent athlete, can handle the ball, and shoot it from deep. While he doesn’t have the star potential on the wing which they seemed to need in the playoffs, he can fill a void off the bench and then eventually earn a starting spot and allow Nelson to work off him at times.
30. Washington (from CLE) - Solomon Alabi (C):
Could he slip all the way to the last pick in the 1st round? It’s possible, especially when a lot of teams don’t necessarily need a C at the end of the 1st in this mock. He gives the Wizards a legit C with good defense and budding skills, as well as a high character guy. I don’t know if he’ll ever be a big-minute player, but this is good value.
2nd Round:
31. New Jersey - Tibor Pleiss (C)
32. Oklahoma City (from MIN) - Dominique Jones (SG)
33. Sacramento - Jerome Jordan (C)
34. Golden State - Stanley Robinson (SF)
35. Washington - Gani Lawal (PF)
36. Detroit - Artsiom Parakhouski (C)
37. Milwaukee (from PHI) - Greivis Vasquez (PG/SG)
38. New York - Lance Stephenson (SG/SF)
39. New York (from LAC) - Trevor Booker (PF)
40. Indiana - Mikhail Torrance (PG/SG)
41. Miami (from NO) - Craig Brackins (PF)
42. Miami (from TOR) - Jordan Crawford (SG)
43. LA Lakers (from MEM) - Armon Johnson (PG/SG)
44. Portland (from CHI) - Paulao Prestes (C)
45. Minnesota (from HOU) - Nemanja Bjelica (SG/SF)
46. Phoenix (from CHA) - Brian Zoubek (C)
47. Milwaukee - Pablo Aguilar (PF)
48. Miami - Lazar Hayward (SF)
49. San Antonio - Sylven Landesberg (SG)
50. Dallas (from OKC) - Derrick Caracter (PF/C)
51. Oklahoma City (from POR) - Alexey Shved (PG/SG)
52. Boston - Manny Harris (SG)
53. Atlanta - Miroslav Raduljica (C)
54. LA Clippers (from DEN) - Jerome Randle (PG)
55. Utah - Da’Sean Butler (SF)
56. Minnesota (from PHO) - Vladimir Dasic (SF/PF)
57. Indiana (from DAL) - Latavious Williams (SF/PF)
58. LA Lakers - Dexter Pittman (C)
59. Orlando - Charles Garcia (PF)
60. Phoenix (from CLE) - Luke Harangody (PF)
Sup, my name is Casper and I'm a NBA Draft nut. I try to come up with new ways to help rank prospects outside of what's typically seen on draft sites, but I also keep records of how various places have ranked their players since we all like accountability and seeing how rankings have changed. I watch a ton of college basketball thanks to online streams and actually take some notes (sad, I know) on players when watching them for the first or second time to help lead me away from... misremembering.
Anyway, here's the first mock.
1st Round:
1. Washington - John Wall (PG):
The Arenas era is over; the John Wall era has now begun. This pick is a lock now per reports.
2. Philadelphia - Evan Turner (SG/SF):
This pick could be moved so Philadelphia picks up more value as Turner and Iguodala duplicate each other’s strengths and weaknesses a little too much. I believe they would be almost equally as happy with Favors or Cousins, but right now Turner is the safer bet.
3. New Jersey - Derrick Favors (PF/C):
Lopez isn’t really a brutish player down low, but he’s a very skilled offensive player who can also step out and hit a jumper. Favors is a tough-nosed player and he has the athleticism Lopez lacks. This is a spectacular fit.
4. Minnesota - DeMarcus Cousins (C):
This represents a BPA pick as DeMarcus has the potential to be dominant. It is also a pick which will drastically change the franchise as Al and Cousins likely cannot coexist, but Cousins is the larger and more talented of the two.
5. Sacramento - Wesley Johnson (SF):
This is a tough pick for the Kings, and don’t be surprised to see them move up or down. They need talent which fits next to Evans, but they would highly prefer it to be a big with defensive ability. However, as the value isn’t there, they instead go for BPA and take Johnson - even though they already have Casspi and Greene.
6. Golden State - Greg Monroe (PF/C):
The Warriors really don’t have a specific need besides being healthy and reorganizing their talent. Seeing as they already have athletes in the frontcourt, Monroe’s athletic and defensive deficiencies could be covered up and his skills could be maximized.
7. Detroit - Ed Davis (PF):
Detroit needs help just about everywhere, and as such they cannot afford passing up the potential Davis has on both ends of the floor. He’ll fill a huge hole in the Pistons rotation next year, possibly starting by year’s end.
8. LA Clippers - Al-Farouq Aminu (SF/PF):
Aminu fills a huge hole at SF for the Clippers, while also having the ability to play PF next to Griffin when they go small. This pick would leave them heavily reliant on the PG position for playmaking, but it could also create matchup nightmares for opponents.
9. Utah (from NY) - Cole Aldrich (C):
Gift wrapping Utah an NBA-ready defensive Center would be like an early Christmas, even if he isn’t the BPA. He doesn’t offer much upside, but it beats relying on Fesenko or Koufos to develop, while also being a decent fit with Millsap.
10. Indiana - Ekpe Udoh (PF/C):
This is a tough spot for Indiana. Do they go with upside or readiness? Athleticism or skill? Size or playmaking? They kind of get all of that here. Henry could get a look here as BPA, but Udoh makes more sense.
11. New Orleans - Xavier Henry (SG/SF):
Henry is the BPA at this point, and the Hornets love that he fell. Not only does Henry fill a gigantic hole in the Hornets rotation, but he also has the potential to be a plus player on both ends of the floor, and also has the length to play SF when Thornton is sharing the court with him.
12. Memphis - Paul George (SG/SF):
If they allow Gay to walk, then George would look like an excellent fit - and even if they do not, Mayo, George, and Gay could all play on the floor together and create huge mismatch problems with their athleticism and scoring ability.
13. Toronto - Patrick Patterson (PF):
Losing Bosh is certainly going to sting, but Toronto can’t panic. Patterson - while not a high potential player like the BPA Whiteside - could immediately come in and be a nice fit next to Bargnani, while also being an extremely safe choice with minimal downside.
14. Houston - Hassan Whiteside (PF/C):
Upside pick that Houston can afford to take, even with the red flags surrounding him. Yao has another year on his contract, and the Rockets are likely to have frontcourt depth ahead of Whiteside this year. That’s okay, however, as it will allow him time to mature and also make him earn his minutes.
15. Milwaukee (from CHI) - James Anderson (SG/SF):
Jennings needs a guy to play off his dominant ball-handling that can shoot and occasionally take it to the rim. Anderson brings that as well as decent playmaking and defense to the table for a team that could use the help on the wing immediately.
16. Minnesota (from CHA) - Damion James (SF/PF):
The Timberwolves really need help on the wing, and they would be upset if this is how the draft fell, as all three of their targets just went. However, James brings toughness and scoring ability - and while he doesn’t have much upside, he also is a pretty safe bet to produce on both ends.
17. Chicago (from MIL) - Willie Warren (SG):
Warren has certainly fallen out of favor with the masses over the past year, but I still think he has the upside to be pretty good in the NBA. Working off more talented players, he could be a deadly sharpshooter with handles. It’s all about finding players to fit next to Rose and the FAs they bring in, I think Warren is what they’re looking for.
18. Miami - Avery Bradley (PG/SG):
Bradley isn’t currently ready to play PG in a traditional role, but the Heat don’t need that if they keep Wade. He can immediately step in and give them excellent defense as well as solid shooting in his limited minutes, while learning to become more of a playmaker.
19. Boston - Luke Babbitt (SF/PF):
Babbitt measured out better than almost everyone expected, and while I’m still not high on him, it will probably get him selected before the late-1st. I don’t think the Celtics could justify taking an athletic PF/C like Sanders when they have a bigger need for offensive production, so Babbitt gets the look here as one of the most skilled offensive players on the board.
20. San Antonio - Gordon Hayward (SF):
They need toughness, length, and shooting at the SF spot since Jefferson clearly didn’t give them that. Hayward doesn’t give them the length they’d be looking for, but he could become a deadly shooter who also plays tougher than he looks.
21. Oklahoma City - Daniel Orton (C):
I personally would dislike this pick if I were an OKC fan; however this is a mock, not my big board. Some team will reach for him early because of his size, athleticism, and thug-like nature on the court; and I think that team will be the Thunder as he is a hometown player who also fills a big need.
22. Portland - Kevin Seraphin (PF/C):
They were decimated by injuries last year, and could have Oden and Przybilla start off the year watching games in suits. Seraphin is an upside pick, but also should be able to contribute a crude, but punishing game on offense his first year; while also giving them plus production defensively and on the boards.
23. Minnesota (from UTA) - Terrico White (SG):
Minnesota likely moves up in the draft using this pick, but if not, I like White here. Ebanks is BPA in my opinion, but they need to take a scorer with this pick given the James pick at 16. White gives them a player with very nice athleticism and offensive tools, but lacks consistency on both ends.
24. Atlanta - Larry Sanders (PF/C):
The Hawks need size and defense. Sanders brings great defensive ability as well as an excellent frame, but doesn’t have the bulk they’d be looking for. However, seeing that he’s put on about 15lbs of “good” weight in the past two seasons (he only has 4.6% body fat); I think he could eventually bulk up to 240-250 and be a menace for Atlanta.
25. Memphis (from DEN) - Eric Bledsoe (PG/SG):
Conley doesn’t seem to be a guy worth considering part of their core, even though he’s a decent player. As such, they go with Bledsoe who - even if Conley is kept longterm - can play a role as a comboguard off the bench that will give them a great defender and decent shooting.
26. Oklahoma City (from PHX) - Devin Ebanks (SF/PF):
I don’t know if they keep both picks, but I’ll pick as though they will. They already took Orton, so now they need to keep filling in role players around their star duo. Ebanks is the BPA and gives them yet another defensive ace who, if he continues to develop his jumper, could be a great role player in the NBA with a wide array of skills.
27. New Jersey (from DAL) - (SF): Quincy Pondexter
The Nets should use this pick to guess at the type of role player a star FA would want to surround him. You can never have enough role players who are very athletic and have the ability to guard three positions, while also able to create for themselves - so Pondexter is the pick here.
28. Memphis (from LAL) - Elliot Williams (SG):
I cannot see Memphis taking three rookies this year, so I would assume they will trade up or out of one of their later picks. However, if they do keep all three, I think they’ll go with Elliot Williams who grew up in Tennessee, played at Memphis, and is a pretty good athlete that can be a scorer/slasher off the bench.
29. Orlando - Darington Hobson (SG/SF):
Hobson is a decent athlete, can handle the ball, and shoot it from deep. While he doesn’t have the star potential on the wing which they seemed to need in the playoffs, he can fill a void off the bench and then eventually earn a starting spot and allow Nelson to work off him at times.
30. Washington (from CLE) - Solomon Alabi (C):
Could he slip all the way to the last pick in the 1st round? It’s possible, especially when a lot of teams don’t necessarily need a C at the end of the 1st in this mock. He gives the Wizards a legit C with good defense and budding skills, as well as a high character guy. I don’t know if he’ll ever be a big-minute player, but this is good value.
2nd Round:
31. New Jersey - Tibor Pleiss (C)
32. Oklahoma City (from MIN) - Dominique Jones (SG)
33. Sacramento - Jerome Jordan (C)
34. Golden State - Stanley Robinson (SF)
35. Washington - Gani Lawal (PF)
36. Detroit - Artsiom Parakhouski (C)
37. Milwaukee (from PHI) - Greivis Vasquez (PG/SG)
38. New York - Lance Stephenson (SG/SF)
39. New York (from LAC) - Trevor Booker (PF)
40. Indiana - Mikhail Torrance (PG/SG)
41. Miami (from NO) - Craig Brackins (PF)
42. Miami (from TOR) - Jordan Crawford (SG)
43. LA Lakers (from MEM) - Armon Johnson (PG/SG)
44. Portland (from CHI) - Paulao Prestes (C)
45. Minnesota (from HOU) - Nemanja Bjelica (SG/SF)
46. Phoenix (from CHA) - Brian Zoubek (C)
47. Milwaukee - Pablo Aguilar (PF)
48. Miami - Lazar Hayward (SF)
49. San Antonio - Sylven Landesberg (SG)
50. Dallas (from OKC) - Derrick Caracter (PF/C)
51. Oklahoma City (from POR) - Alexey Shved (PG/SG)
52. Boston - Manny Harris (SG)
53. Atlanta - Miroslav Raduljica (C)
54. LA Clippers (from DEN) - Jerome Randle (PG)
55. Utah - Da’Sean Butler (SF)
56. Minnesota (from PHO) - Vladimir Dasic (SF/PF)
57. Indiana (from DAL) - Latavious Williams (SF/PF)
58. LA Lakers - Dexter Pittman (C)
59. Orlando - Charles Garcia (PF)
60. Phoenix (from CLE) - Luke Harangody (PF)
