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Mooche
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PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS
Washington
John Wall
Position: PG
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 196 pounds
Age: 19
School: Kentucky
Analysis: While the Wizards continue to maintain publicly that they are looking at a number of options, at this point there's very little suspense. Numerous sources have told ESPN.com that the Wizards will take Wall with the No. 1 pick.
The question now is, with whom will they surround Wall? Most likely Gilbert Arenas will be back to fill out the backcourt.
The Wizards will have enough cash to make a serious run at a player like Rudy Gay or a true frontcourt player if they so desire, but they may decide to sit this summer free-agent period out, get another high draft pick next year and rebuild the team more slowly.
PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS
Philadelphia
Evan Turner
Position: SG
Height: 6-7
Weight: 214
Age: 21
School: Ohio State
Analysis: After shaking things up last week and putting Derrick Favors here, I received a number of strong signals from inside the Sixers' organization that Turner is the guy they'll take at No. 2.
While those signals certainly could be legit, I take them with a grain of salt. Turner is the most polished player in the draft, but I'm not sure he has the upside and he certainly doesn't have the size and athleticism of Favors.
But because Turner is almost the consensus No. 2 pick in the draft, the Sixers want other teams trying to trade up for him (the Wolves and Pacers seem to be the hottest suitors) to believe they're taking him. If teams think he's slipping past Philly, they'll begin dealing with New Jersey instead.
For now, we're putting Turner here. Whether the Sixers draft him or use this pick as a trade chip, it looks as though he has the inside track at going second.
PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS
New Jersey
Derrick Favors
Position: PF
Height: 6-10
Weight: 245
Age: 18
School: Georgia Tech
Analysis: While New Jersey would be happy if Turner were to slide to No. 3, the Nets also have a high level of interest in Favors. Brook Lopez has been solid in the middle and Favors has the type of athleticism and upside to complement him nicely.
Of course, the Nets are also targeting a number of veteran big men, including Chris Bosh, Amare Stoudemire and Carlos Boozer this summer. With the amount of cap space they have, they have the luxury of drafting the best player available and can ignore need.
The team also is high on Syracuse forward Wesley Johnson. I'm told he's in the mix at the No. 3 spot as well. But for now, Favors has the edge.
PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS
Minnesota
Wesley Johnson
Position: SF
Height: 6-8
Weight: 206
Age: 22
School: Syracuse
Analysis: The Wolves are exploring possibilities of moving up in the draft. Evan Turner is their target and they have the assets (the 16th and 23rd picks) to make a deal with either Philly or New Jersey if either team is so inclined.
If they keep the pick, Johnson seems like a terrific fit. He is long and athletic, rebounds from the 3 spot and can hit an open jumper. Some believe he's the next Shawn Marion.
There's also been some thought that DeMarcus Cousins could go here. But given Cousins' lack of elite athleticism, he seems like a strange fit next to Al Jefferson and Kevin Love. GM David Kahn is exploring moving one of those two players, but at the moment I think Johnson has the edge on Cousins.
PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS
Sacramento
Greg Monroe
Position: PF
Height: 6-11
Weight: 247
Age: 19
School: Georgetown
Analysis: Last year it took us until the day of the draft to nail this pick for the Kings and I have a feeling it's going that direction again this year.
I don't have a good feel for which way the Kings are leaning. That's partly because the Kings play things close to the vest. It's also because there is no consensus player at No. 5. On talent, it's DeMarcus Cousins all the way if he's still available. But Cousins makes some teams wary, and I'm told the Kings are among those teams that, for the moment, are unsure.
That leads us to Monroe. He has the talent and size to be a legit NBA center. He's the best passer in the draft and is offensively gifted. He takes games off on occasion and lacks a killer instinct, but the talent is there.
The fact that a number of veteran NBA GMs have compared him to Vlade Divac shouldn't hurt.
PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS
Golden State
DeMarcus Cousins
Position: C
Height: 6-11
Weight: 292
Age: 19
School: Kentucky
Analysis: I think the Warriors will do backflips if Cousins slips this far. Several NBA GMs have told me that based on Cousins' body of work, interviews and his measurements, they believe Cousins is as good as any other prospect in the draft, including John Wall.
Cousins has been compared to everyone from Shaq to Zach Randolph, but here's an interesting historical comparison to ponder -- could he be the next Moses Malone?
While the Warriors have Andris Biedrins in the middle, he's nothing like Cousins, who can come in and be a big-time scorer right away. Teaming Cousins with Stephen Curry and Anthony Randolph would give the Warriors a great foundation.
PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS
Detroit
Al-Farouq Aminu
Position: SF
Height: 6-9
Weight: 215
Age: 19
School: Wake Forest
Analysis: Pistons president Joe Dumars has said he wants his team to regain the grit and toughness of past Pistons teams. But picking at No. 7 makes that a bit of a challenge. The Pistons are really high on both Cousins and Favors, but most likely they'll have to move up in the draft to get one of them. Regardless, the Pistons need a big man.
So why do I have them taking Aminu, who's listed as a small forward in his draft card? Because the Pistons are among a handful of teams who think, given Aminu's length, that he can play the 4 in the NBA. He's going to need to get stronger, but he has a penchant for rebounding and runs the floor like a deer.
It's a bit of a risky pick for Dumars, but he hasn't been afraid to swing for the fences in the past.
PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS
Los Angeles Clippers
Gordon Hayward
Position: SF
Height: 6-8
Weight: 211
Age: 20
School: Butler
Analysis: The Clippers could go in a lot of different directions with this pick and I keep getting mixed signals.
The latest tip to come out of Chicago pointed in the direction of Hayward. He's one of the most versatile guys in the draft, and while he struggled a bit this season, he can really knock down shots. Given that the team plans to feature Blake Griffin next season, that's a big deal.
With the loss of Marcus Camby, Ekpe Udoh is also a real possibility here, as is Xavier Henry.
PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS
Utah
(via New York)
Luke Babbitt
Position: SF
Height: 6-9
Weight: 214
Age: 20
School: Nevada
Analysis: On Friday, the Jazz brought in Greg Monroe for a solo workout. That was followed up, on Sunday, with a big workout featuring Aminu, Hayward, Babbitt and Xavier Henry.
Monroe would fit a need if Carlos Boozer were to leave this summer. Henry, Babbitt, Hayward and Aminu could all fill a void left by Kyle Korver hitting free agency.
From the sound of things, Monroe is still atop the Jazz's list, but in this scenario he's off the board before the Jazz pick. It seems as though Babbitt is strongly in the running, too. The Jazz have been higher on Babbitt than most all year. The rest of the league is playing catch-up to what Utah was saying in January.
PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS
Indiana
Ed Davis
Position: PF
Height: 6-10
Weight: 227
Age: 20
School: North Carolina
Analysis: The Pacers, like the Jazz, have already had in many of the top prospects they're considering. On Tuesday of last week, they brought in Daniel Orton, Ekpe Udoh and Hassan Whiteside. The next day, they watched Avery Bradley and Eric Bledsoe go head-to-head.
Orton, Udoh, Whiteside, Bradley and Bledsoe are all part of Plan B, however. If the Pacers can get fortunate enough to see Davis or Monroe to slip, they're in a much better place. While Davis is very raw, he's got the size, athleticism and shot-blocking ability that the team has been craving for years.
The Pacers are looking to shore up their team via trades and have a some assets, including the expiring contracts of both Troy Murphy and T.J. Ford -- so they are free to go with the best talent available.
PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS
New Orleans
Cole Aldrich
Position: C
Height: 6-10
Weight: 236
Age: 21
School: Kansas
Analysis: The Hornets have a new head coach and job No. 1 is now turning toward filling a pretty large hole in the middle. The Hornets have Emeka Okafor and not much else.
Their choices here are Aldrich, Daniel Orton and Hassan Whiteside. While Orton and Whiteside have more upside, Aldrich is, by far, the most NBA-ready of the group and could become a Joel Przybilla-like player in the middle.
Considering that Aldrich could go as high as No. 5, he's a bargain at No. 11.
PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS
Memphis
Paul George
Position: SF
Height: 6-9
Weight: 214
Age: 20
School: Fresno State
Analysis: The Grizzlies have had their sights set on Luke Babbitt for weeks and he could fall here. However, if he's off the board, expect them to look at the next best available wing.
With Rudy Gay headed toward restricted free agency, it's a place where they could be vulnerable. George, Xavier Henry and Damion James all have a shot here. As does Kentucky's Patrick Patterson.
However, of the group George has the game that most resembles Gay and he'd come at a tenth of the price if the Grizzlies decide not to match an offer for Gay this summer.
PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS
Toronto
Avery Bradley
Position: SG
Height: 6-3
Weight: 180
Age: 19
School: Texas
Analysis: The Raptors could go a number of different directions here. With Chris Bosh likely out the door, Hedo Turkoglu pining for a trade and the team shopping Jose Calderon -- you can expect the Raptors to look radically different next summer.
Finding a center is atop GM Bryan Colangelo's list. If Bosh leaves he'd like to move Andrea Bargnani to the 4. But of the top big men left on the board -- Orton, Whiteside and Alabi -- none of them is close to being ready.
That may shift the Raptors' focus to the backcourt. Assuming they can move Calderon this summer, they'll have a need at the point and Bradley, who can play both backcourt positions, is the type of athletic, explosive athlete they're looking for.
PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS
Houston
Ekpe Udoh
Position: PF
Height: 6-10
Weight: 237
Age: 22
School: Baylor
Analysis: Udoh is the type of long, shot-blocking forward who should find a comfortable home in Houston. While he's a bit older than the rest of the class and doesn't have elite athleticism, he's still improving -- one of the few older players in the draft with any real upside left. Patrick Patterson and Hassan Whiteside are other possibilities here.
PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS
Milwaukee
(via Chicago)
Xavier Henry
Position: SG
Height: 6-7
Weight: 210
Age: 19
School: Kansas
Analysis: The Bucks have a big need at the wing position. With Michael Redd coming back from injury and nearing the end of his career and John Salmons looking to opt out of his contract, it's time to shore up that position.
Of the players left on the board, Henry looks to be, by far, the best value. He's being looked at as high as No. 6 by the Warriors, No. 8 by the Clippers, No. 9 by the Jazz and No. 10 by the Pacers.
If he slides past all four, he'd be a great addition in Milwaukee. The Bucks need his 3-point shooting.
PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS
Minnesota
(via Charlotte)
Hassan Whiteside
Position: C
Height: 7-0
Weight: 227
Age: 20
School: Marshall
Analysis: The Wolves have been eyeing Paul George for a while, but if he's gone here, they could roll the dice on Whiteside. Minnesota doesn't have much in the middle.
The Wolves will likely re-sign Darko Milicic this summer, but it's still unclear whether he's the long-term answer. Darko played well in his brief stint in Minnesota, but will he continue to play well once he gets a multiyear deal?
Whiteside's one of those players who will be either boon or bust. He has the athletic gifts and size to be a star. But he's going to need a lot of work on and off the court to reach his potential. If a team has patience (and the Wolves should) he'd be a great risk at this point in the draft.
PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS
Chicago
(via Milwaukee)
James Anderson
Position: SG
Height: 6-6
Weight: 210
Age: 21
School: Oklahoma State
Analysis: Anderson was one of the best scorers in college basketball and could be a very good fit in the Bulls' backcourt. His ability to stretch the defense and attack the basket would make him a nice complement to Derrick Rose.
Even if the team ends up landing LeBron James or Dwyane Wade, look for Anderson to be the guy. As far as NBA-ready players go, there are few better in this draft. I'd expect him to play the same sort of role James Harden did in OKC last season.
PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS
Miami
Eric Bledsoe
Position: PG
Height: 6-2
Weight: 192
Age: 20
School: Kentucky
Analysis: Bledsoe is a tough, Pat Riley type of player and could be a long-term upgrade from the Mario Chalmers-Carlos Arroyo duo at point guard.
Bledsoe was one of the players who really helped himself at the draft combine. Playing outside of John Wall's shadow, he often looked like the best guard on the floor. Physically, he's ready for the NBA right now. But he still needs more experience running the point. In the long term, Bledsoe could pay off.
PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS
Boston
Solomon Alabi
Position: C
Height: 7-1
Weight: 237
Age: 22
School: Florida State
Analysis: Alabi may seem like a bit of a reach to some, but I was impressed with the feedback I received from NBA scouts and GMs after the combine. Not only did he measure as the biggest player in the draft, but he showed a nice skills game and a terrific motor in the drills.
Some scouts are comparing him to Dikembe Mutombo. I don't think Alabi has the same sort of rebounding and shot-blocking ability, but he does have a similar demeanor and presence on the court.
PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS
San Antonio
Damion James
Position: SF
Height: 6-8
Weight: 227
Age: 22
School: Texas
Analysis: James is one of the more underrated players in the draft. Very few players have his combination of athleticism and motor.
He doesn't have a position on offense, but he can defend multiple positions on the floor. He would be able to step in right away with the Spurs' veterans and provide meaningful minutes.
PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS
Oklahoma City
Daniel Orton
Position: C
Height: 6-10
Weight: 269
Age: 19
School: Kentucky
Analysis: Orton is a bit of an enigma. His 3 ppg and 3 rpg as a freshman at Kentucky certainly don't wow you. But he's got the raw tools to be a successful big man in the pros.
The Thunder were among the teams that were on him early and they might just get lucky and get him here. While Orton is in the discussion starting at the 10th pick, concerns about his knees and his relative lack of playing time over the course of the past two years are weighing on teams.
He could easily end up in the lottery, but I doubt he slips further than this.
PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS
Portland
Patrick Patterson
Position: PF
Height: 6-8
Weight: 245
Age: 21
School: Kentucky
Analysis: Patterson would be a steal for the Blazers if he slips this low. While Patterson does little to wow you, he's the type of unselfish, productive big man who would fit in well with the team that Blazers GM Kevin Pritchard has put together.
He measured well in Chicago and was apparently one of the best interviewees there, so he could find himself moving back up into the late lottery. But I'm still struggling to find him a home.
PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS
Minnesota
(via Utah)
Kevin Seraphin
Position: PF
Height: 6-10
Weight: 258
Age: 20
Country: France
Analysis: With their third pick of this draft, you can expect the Wolves to stash a player overseas. Seraphin hasn't really produced big numbers in France, but he has Serge Ibaka-like physical upside.
PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS
Atlanta
Lance Stephenson
Position: SG
Height: 6-6
Weight: 227
Age: 19
School: Cincinnati
Analysis: The Hawks aren't known for really swinging for the fences. But they just might try with Stephenson. With Joe Johnson looking as though he may bolt this summer, the team is going to need another wing and Stephenson has as much talent as anyone left on the board.
He has an NBA body, can play the iso game and has a high basketball IQ. His lack of a 3-point jump shot could be a concern for the Hawks, but at this point I think you have to take the best player available.
PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS
Memphis
(via Denver)
Elliot Williams
Position: SG
Height: 6-4
Weight: 180
Age: 20
School: Memphis
Analysis: The Grizzlies have yet to fall in love with Mike Conley. He's been solid, but they continue to search for alternatives.
Williams is an explosive, Jason Terry-like combo guard who could give the Grizzlies a boost off the bench. The fact that he's a local product certainly wouldn't hurt.
PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS
Oklahoma City
(via Phoenix)
Craig Brackins
Position: PF
Height: 6-10
Weight: 229
Age: 22
School: Iowa State
Analysis: Brackins would be a good pick for the Thunder. He's a high-character guy who can score inside and outside and will play hard. Right now, Nenad Krstic is the only guy who can really get it done in the post. Brackins could be a nice long-term fit.
PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS
New Jersey
(via Dallas)
Terrico White
Position: SG
Height: 6-5
Weight: 203
Age: 20
School: Mississippi
Analysis: White is an elite athlete who, when he's on, is one of the best guards in the country. The problem is he has a tendency to disappear in games. If the Nets can get him to play with some consistency, he would be a steal here.
PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS
Memphis
(via L.A. Lakers)
Larry Sanders
Position: SF
Height: 6-11
Weight: 222
Age: 21
School: Va. Commonwealth
Analysis: If the Grizzlies go with a wing and combo guard with their first two picks, they can swing for the fences with Sanders. With a freakish wingspan and terrific athleticism, Sanders could add a different look to the Grizzlies front court.
Both Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph are big bodies, but neither player can run the floor and do the things Sanders can do.
PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS
Orlando
Armon Johnson
Position: PG
Height: 6-4
Weight: 195
Age: 21
School: Nevada
Analysis: It was pretty clear in the playoffs that the Magic could use some more help in their backcourt and from the sound of things, Johnson has been impressing in workouts.
He's a great athlete who can break down the defense and get to the basket. He's not a great shooter, but the Magic are already loaded with guys who can stretch the floor.
PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS
Washington
(via Cleveland)
Quincy Pondexter
Position: SF
Height: 6-7
Weight: 220
Age: 22
School: Washington
Analysis: Pondexter is coming off a great senior season and is one of the best athletes in the draft. With the Wizards trying to rebuild with young players who can get up and down the floor, Pondexter seems like a good bet here.
Next Five In: Jordan Crawford, G, Xavier; Willie Warren, G, Oklahoma; Devin Ebanks, F, West Virginia; Stanley Robinson, F, UConn; Dominique Jones, G, South Florida
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Sorry about the text being a little out of whack, couldn't obviously copy the pictures. But what are your guys thoughts on it?
