On the Clock: Washington Wizards

WASHINGTON WIZARDS

The Wizards were arguably the NBA's most disappointing team in 2009-2010. The return of an All-NBA caliber player (Gilbert Arenas) and the signing of a new coach (Flip Saunders) was supposed to vault Washington back into Eastern Conference playoff contention. Instead, Arenas' inconsistent play and lack of subordination lead the two to bump heads, especially after Arenas' 12 turnover performance on November 11^th.

Six weeks later, Arenas brought four unloaded handguns into the Wizards' locker room in what he called a "misguided prank". Arenas was subsequently suspended for the remainder of the season and sentenced to 2 years probation and 30 days in a halfway house.

Finding themselves without their marquee superstar for a large portion of the third straight season, Washington decided it was time to blow up their core and start over. On February 13^th, they traded Caron Butler, Brendan Haywood, and DeShawn Stevenson to the Dallas Mavericks. Three days later, they traded Antawn Jamison to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Over the past 12 months, the Wizards acquired Mike Miller, Randy Foye, Josh Howard, Drew Gooden, Quinton Ross, James Livingston, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Al Thornton, and Cleveland's #30 overall pick for Butler, Haywood, Stevenson, Jamison, and their #5 pick in 2009 (Ricky Rubio). Now, assuming they decline Josh Howard's $11.8 M team option, they'll have only Foye ($4.8 M qualifying offer), Ross ($1.1 M player option), and Thornton ($2.8 M team option) to show for it all next season.

Things certainly look bleak, but all is not lost in Washington. Andray Blatche showed real promise as the Wizards go-to guy down the stretch last season, and while inconsistent, Javale McGee showed signs as well. Washington will definitely have some choices to make this summer, as they have only 7 players under contract for next season (not including Howard), but the easiest call should come on June 24^th, when the Wizards hold the #1 overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft.

John Wall will almost assuredly be the pick at that spot, and he and Arenas should prove to be a formidable pair in the backcourt, if Arenas can stay on the court. Washington will likely be looking at a small forward or a center with the Cavs' pick, as Darington Hobson, Stanley Robinson, and Devin Ebanks project to be available at that spot.

Washington is on the hook for about $34 M in salary for next season, plus their two guaranteed draft picks, which leaves the with around $19 M to offer in free agency. Depth is their biggest need, especially in the frontcourt. Whether or not the Wizards pursue a big name like Amare or Carlos Boozer will likely be an indication of their plans with Blatche moving forward, but I think filling the roster with role players is more likely.

Best Case Roster for 2010-2011:

PG- John Wall (#1), Randy Foye, Earl Boykins (FA)

SG- Gilbert Arenas, Nick Young, Quinton Ross

SF- Al Thornton, Quincy Pondexter (#30)

PF- Andray Blatche, Hakim Warrick (FA)

C- Jermaine O'Neal (FA), Javale McGee

2010-2011 Projection:

29-53 (12^th in the Eastern Conference)

2010 NBA Mock Draft (June 8th)

I thought I would try something a little different today, let me know what you think.

1. Washington Wizards- John Wall- PG (Kentucky)

Considering: Wall, Evan Turner

2. Philadelphia 76ers- Evan Turner- SG/SF (Ohio State)

Considering: Turner, Derrick Favors, DeMarcus Cousins

3. New Jersey Nets- Derrick Favors- PF/C (Georgia Tech)

Considering: Favors, DeMarcus Cousins

4. Minnesota Timberwolves- DeMarcus Cousins- C (Kentucky)

Considering: Cousins, Wesley Johnson

5. Sacramento Kings- Greg Monroe- PF/C (Georgetown)

Considering: Monroe, Al-Farouq Aminu, Wesley Johnson, Hassan Whiteside

6. Golden State Warriors- Al-Farouq Aminu- SF/PF (Wake Forest)

Considering: Aminu, Wesley Johnson, Hassan Whiteside

7. Detroit Pistons- Ed Davis- PF (North Carolina)

Considering: Davis, Wesley Johnson, Cole Aldrich, Hassan Whiteside

8. Los Angeles Clippers- Wesley Johnson- SG/SF (Syracuse)

Considering: Johnson, Luke Babbit, Gordon Hayward

9. Utah Jazz (from New York)- Luke Babbit- SF (Nevada)

Considering: Babbit, Gordon Hayward, Xavier Henry

10. Indiana Pacers- Avery Bradley- PG/SG (Texas)

Considering: Bradley, Eric Bledsoe, Ekpe Udoh, Hassan Whiteside, Daniel Orton

11. New Orleans Hornets- Patrick Patterson- PF (Kentucky)

Considering: Patterson, Ekpe Udoh, Gordon Hayward, Cole Aldrich, Hassan Whiteside

12. Memphis Grizzlies- Eric Bledsoe- PG (Kentucky)

Considering: Bledsoe, Gordon Hayward, Ekpe Udoh, Xavier Henry

13. Toronto Raptors- Ekpe Udoh- PF (Baylor)

Considering: Udoh, Cole Aldrich, Gordon Hayward

14. Houston Rockets- Cole Aldrich- C (Kansas)

Considering: Aldrich, Hassan Whiteside, Gordon Hayward, Paul George

15. Milwaukee Bucks (from Chicago)- Xavier Henry- SG (Kansas)

Considering: Henry, Paul George, Gordon Hayward

16. Minnesota Timberwolves (from Charlotte)- Gordon Hayward- SF (Butler)

Considering: Hayward, Paul George, James Anderson

17. Chicago Bulls (from Milwaukee)- Paul George- SG/SF (Fresno State)

Considering: George, James Anderson

18. Miami Heat- Hassan Whiteside- C (Marshall)

Considering: Whiteside, James Anderson, Damion James, Larry Sanders

19. Boston Celtics- James Anderson- SG/SF (Oklahoma State)

Considering: Anderson, Damion James, Jordan Crawford

20. San Antonio Spurs- Elliot Williams- PG/SG (Memphis)

Considering: Williams, Larry Sanders, Damion James

21. Oklahoma City Thunder- Larry Sanders- PF/C (Virginia Commonwealth)

Considering: Sanders, Daniel Orton, Willie Warren

22. Portland Trail Blazers- Damion James- SF/PF (Texas)

Considering: James, Daniel Orton, Devin Ebanks, Jordan Crawford

23. Minnesota Timberwolves (from Utah)- Jordan Crawford- SG (Xavier)

Considering: Crawford, Willie Warren, Miroslav Raduljica

24. Atlanta Hawks- Daniel Orton- PF/C (Kentucky)

Considering: Orton, Gani Lawal, Willie Warren

25. Memphis Grizzlies (from Denver)- Stanley Robinson- SF (Connecticut)

Considering: Robinson, Devin Ebanks, Trevor Booker

26. Oklahoma City Thunder (from Phoenix)- Willie Warren- PG/SG (Oklahoma)

Considering: Warren, Solomon Alabi, Miroslav Raduljica

27. New Jersey Nets (from Dallas)- Terrico White- SG (Mississippi)

Considering: White, Dominique Jones, Quincy Pondexter

28. Memphis Grizzlies (from LA Lakers)- Miroslav Raduljica- C (Serbia)

Considering: Raduljica, Tibor Pleiss, Dominique Jones, Trevor Booker

29. Orlando Magic- Quincy Pondexter- SF (Washington)

Considering: Pondexter, Dominique Jones, Devin Ebanks, Craig Brackins

30. Washington Wizards (from Cleveland)- Devin Ebanks- SF (West Virginia)

Considering: Ebanks, Darington Hobson, Solomon Alabi, Jarvis Varnado

2010 Top 5 Cs

The following is a list of the top 5 center prospects in the 2010 NBA Draft, along with their current NBA comparison, their main strength, biggest weakness, career outlook, and ideal situation.

1. DeMarcus Cousins (Kentucky) - Al Jefferson

Strength: Size. Cousins is a huge basketball player. He weighed in at 292 pounds at the Combine, and although 16.4% of that was body fat, Cousins has remained surprisingly nimble. He clogs the lane and contests seemingly every shot attempted in the lane.

Weakness: Maturity. Shocker here right? An overwhelming amount of digital ink has been spilled discussing Cousins' apparent character problems, from his altercations with opposing players to cursing out his coaches at Kentucky to his recent profanity-laced tirade via Twitter. There is a difference between being of poor character and being immature, and I hope for his sake that his recent problems will one day be chalked up to "kids being kids".

Verdict: Cousins has overwhelming physical skills. He has great hands, uncommon touch around the basket, and what appears to be an above average motor. If properly motivated and developed, Cousins could certainly become a franchise player. However, that's a fairly substantial hypothetical, especially considering the risk involved with using a top five draft pick on a hit-or-miss prospect.

Best Fit: Whether in basketball or in life, Cousins needs to find a role model. Detroit would be a great fit for him because of team need, but also because of a strong "alumni" network of former players.

2. Cole Aldrich (Kansas) – Emeka Okafor

Strength: Defense. Aldrich is a very good rebounder and a consistent shot blocker. He is solid offensively, but his calling card at the next level will be his ability to change the game defensively.

Weakness: Athleticism. Centers aren't widely regarded as the best athletes on the floor, but Aldrich is a sub-par athlete even by big men standards. He jumped just 25" at the Combine, and his foot speed and lateral quickness are areas of concern as well.

Verdict: For whatever reason, I have injury concerns about Aldrich (his knees especially), but barring that, he should have a very productive career. I don't ever expect him to be an All Star, or average more than 15 points per game, but he'll have an impact for a team looking for a defensive-minded center and a fourth scoring option.

Best Fit: Utah and Toronto both provide nice fits in the second half of the lottery. A frontcourt of Andrea Bargnani and Aldrich is especially intriguing.

3. Hassan Whiteside (Marshall) - Tyrus Thomas

Strength: Shot blocking. Whiteside made a huge impact in his only season at Marshall, averaging 5.4 blocks per game. There are some holes in his game, especially offensively, but his length (7'7" wingspan) and shot-blocking instincts are very valuable at the next level.

Weakness: Maturity. Like Cousins, Whiteside has some serious red flags. Despite his freakish size and athleticism he was hardly recruited because he only played two years of high school basketball. He ended up at Marshall, where he reportedly dropped his spring coursework as soon as possible with the intention of entering the draft. There have also been media reports that several teams where less than impressed with his performance in the interview process at last month's Combine.

Verdict: I think Whiteside has bust written all over him. He has good size and shot-blocking instincts, but has very little basketball background. This all seems to reminiscent of another overvalued big man, Michael Olowokandi.

Best Fit: Whiteside needs to land with a team that will bring him along slowly and provide him with a mentor who can show him the ropes. If Whiteside slides on draft night as expected, the Timberwolves and head coach Kurt Rambis wouldn't be a bad fit at #16.

4. Daniel Orton (Kentucky) - Brendan Haywood (Early years)

Strength: Potential. That was a tough choice. After averaging just three points and three rebounds as a freshman at Kentucky, even the most well-informed basketball minds are still unsure about Orton.

Weakness: Weight issues. Aside from the obvious lack of experience, Orton is troubled by weight problems, much like his Kentucky teammate Cousins. He posted 13.8% body fat at the Combine, which is less than stellar.

Verdict: You might as well ask your Magic 8-Ball. Orton could develop into a solid player with a high motor, who contests every shot he comes near. He could also become more interested in his weekly commute to cash his paycheck. At this point, no one really knows for sure. Until he proves himself, I expect to remain cynical.

Best Fit: Orton is another prospect in need of some serious seasoning. Therefore, it's paramount that he finds a team which will bring him along slowly, but challenge him in practice. There are rumors swirling that the Thunder have promised to pick Orton with one of their picks in the 20's, and I think that would actually make a pretty nice fit, though I think San Antonio would be better if Greg Popovich was willing to take on a project.

5. Solomon Alabi (Florida State) - Nazr Mohammed

Strength: Size. As expected, Alabi measured easily over seven feet in shoes at the Combine, making him the tallest player in this draft class.

Weakness: Toughness. Alabi has developed the reputation of playing soft. He has yet to truly develop his low post game, and while he is an adequate shot blocker, a man of his size should be even better.

Verdict: Like Hasheem Thabeet last year, Alabi will benefit from the old adage that "you can't teach size". Thabeet went second overall and did nothing, and Alabi is even further from being ready to contribute. It will be a long road for him, and I wonder if he's committed enough to see the process through to the end.

Best Fit: Slipping out of the first round would actually be a blessing in disguise for Alabi because it would force him to fight for his NBA dream on a daily basis. I think a team like the Knicks or the Heat could consider him in the late 30's or early 40's.

2010 Top 10 PFs (6-10)

The following is a list of the number 6-10 power forward prospects in the 2010 NBA Draft, along with their current NBA comparison, their main strength, biggest weakness, career outlook, and ideal situation.


6. Ekpe Udoh (Baylor) - Hakim Warrick

Strength: Mismatch ability. Udoh is undeniably a great collegiate shot blocker, but that skill doesn't always translate at the next level. What is exciting about Udoh from an NBA perspective is his ability to put the ball on the deck and use his quick first step to get by his defender. That will be tough to stop for most NBA four men.

Weakness: Upper body strength. Udoh looks like he's been on the McLovin weight lifting program for the past three years. He needs to put on a significant amount of muscle to be able to withstand the marathon that is the NBA schedule.

Verdict: As a die-hard Michigan fan, it's hard for me not to hold a grudge against Udoh, but seeing him play in the NCAA tournament was like watching an entirely different player. His improvement was tangible and admirable, which speaks of his work ethic, a trait which is often the key to a player's development and success at the next level.

Best Fit: Udoh is being projected somewhere in the 10-20 range, and I really like the idea of him in Toronto. His commitment and hustle on defense will be a welcome addition, and his versatility would be a real asset for the Raptors.

7. Larry Sanders (VCU) - Serge Ibaka

Strength: Consistency. In tracking the statistics of the top college prospects this past season, Sanders really stuck out because whenever I updated the numbers, his line saw very little deviation. Consequently, the same is true of his draft stock.

Weakness: Lack of quality experience. Although former teammate Eric Maynor had success as a rookie, I think Sanders' lack of big time collegiate experience will really hurt him in his transition to the NBA.

Verdict: Sanders certainly has what it takes to mature into an effective NBA rotation player, but I worry that his lack of physical strength and experience against the NCAA's elite will be the basis for some growing pains. Unfortunately, I see Sanders as having an Earl Clark type of rookie season, which involves a lot of time riding the bench. His mental toughness will eventually determine his fate, but it is difficult to overcome the label of 'bust', which is often attached way too soon (See: J.J. Redick).

Best Fit: Sanders would be lucky to find a fit with a high level of stability and a low level of pressure. Unfortunately, in the range he is being projected (from 18-26), only the Boston Celtics (#19) offer such a combination.

8. Gani Lawal (Georgia Tech) – Reggie Evans

Strength: Rebounding. In my opinion Lawal is the best rebounder in this class, able to leap laterally and control the ball with one or two hands. I regularly tuned into Tech's games looking to get a glimpse at Derrick Favors and walked away impressed not only by the things Lawal was able to do, but the way in which he did them.

Weakness: Skill. No one will ever confuse Lawal with Pau Gasol. He isn't a great passer and doesn't have great footwork or touch offensively.

Verdict: Don't confuse my assessment of Lawal's lack of skill as a characterization of his ability to play the game of basketball. In fact, I love Lawal as a prospect. He'll never be an All Star, and he'll likely never be a regular starter, but Lawal will perennially be one of the hardest workers in the league, and he'll be well appreciated by his teammates and coaches.

Best Fit: There are two reasons that I like Lawal as a prospect. First, there is zero risk. You know exactly what you'll get and exactly what you won't. Second, there is no such thing as a bad fit for a guy like this. He'll work hard enough to be a factor in any team's frontcourt rotation.

9. Trevor Booker (Clemson) – Jason Maxiell

Strength: Competitiveness. Booker is a four-year player who flew largely under the radar at Clemson. He is very tough, and like Lawal, competes on every trip down the floor.

Weakness: Skill. Is this starting to sound familiar? I think Booker is very similar to Lawal, in that he's somewhat of a liability offensively. Aside from the occasional lay-up or put-back, he will likely be a non-factor offensively at the next level.

Verdict: Booker was one of the biggest winners in last month's NBA Combine. Although Lawal out-measured him in each physical category (including body fat %), Booker had a wonderful performance in the athletic drills, and was consequently named by this blogger as the winner of the Joe Alexander Workout Warrior Award. However, despite his excellent track record and Combine workout, I see Booker having a less pronounced impact than Lawal at the next level.

Best Fit: I would like to see Booker slide back to the Detroit Pistons with their second round pick at #36. He is similar to Jason Maxiell, who is already on the roster, but he would benefit from the tutelage of Ben Wallace (who may or may not be back next season), and would gain favor from the hard-nosed attitude of the Pistons' front office and fan base.

10. Craig Brackins (Iowa State) - Charlie Villanueva

Strength: Shooting. Brackins is the best domestic stretch four man in this class, and his stock should benefit from teams' increasing reliance on that role. He was in fine form from 18-20 feet at the Combine, which should help his stock rebound after a disappointing junior season.

Weakness: Lack of true position. Brackins certainly has the size to play power forward in the NBA (6'9.75" with a 7' wingspan and a 9'1" standing reach), and it's not that he doesn't have the ability to do so. Rather, the issue is his willingness to get his hands dirty in the paint.

Verdict: Brackins is tough to project because players with his style have had a variety outcomes in the NBA. Charlie Villanueva has had a tough time making an impact, while guys like Troy Murphy have been very successful. For some reason, I like Brackins' attitude. I think he'll be willing to put in the work to be successful at the next level.

Best Fit: I would like to see a team draft Brackins for value, not need. The key to his ability to stick in the NBA will be his defensive effectiveness, and the best way to improve is to be tested by a proven veteran day in and day out.

2010 NBA Mock Draft (June 2nd)

I haven't done one of these in a while, so today's variety is 2 rounds with comments!!

1. Washington Wizards- John Wall- PG (Kentucky)

Just like last year, the number one pick is a virtual no-brainer. Wall is the franchise cornerstone that the re-building Wizards simply can't do without.

2. Philadelphia 76ers- Derrick Favors- PF (Georgia Tech)

I may be over-thinking this one, but it seems to me that if the 76ers really wanted Evan Turner, there would be no whispers over this pick. Since there is, it must be Favors here. Favors is the hands down choice to go number three if Turner lands here, so every other player would be available via a trade down to number four. If the 76ers stay at two and don't draft Turner, no one else even remotely makes sense.

3. New Jersey Nets- Evan Turner- SG (Ohio State)

The Nets would love to land Favors, and they still could, because these two picks will be the pivot point of the whole draft. After the Combine, there's no doubt in my mind that Wall, Turner, and Favors will be the top three in some order or another. However, there could well be a trade here, which (especially if Minnesota is involved) would change the complexion of the whole draft.

4. Minnesota Timberwolves- DeMarcus Cousins- C (Kentucky)

I like Cousins a lot, but not necessarily for my Timberwolves. His immaturity would be a major issue on a team without a proven leader, so Minnesota is a less than ideal fit. With that said, I think that Cousins will be the pick at #4, although the odds of Minnesota holding this pick on draft night are essentially zero. If they're not able to move up to #2 for Evan Turner (or #3 in this scenario), they should move down to #7 and add an asset (Tayshaun Prince or Jonas Jerebko).

5. Sacramento Kings- Greg Monroe- PF (Georgetown)

Monroe has enough size to defend NBA centers, and the plight of his fellow big men (Hassan Whiteside and Cole Aldrich, specifically) will drastically help his standing. His passing ability also reminds some of Chris Webber, who had a great career in Sacramento.

6. Golden State Warriors- Al-Farouq Aminu- SF (Wake Forest)

I love Aminu's fit in Golden State. He's extremely versatile, meaning he'll be able to play the four in Don Nelson's system or the three in any sane person's system. He also loves to get up-and-down, which works well with the Warriors' current system, as well as their existing personnel.

7. Detroit Pistons- Wesley Johnson- SF (Syracuse)

After drafting three small forwards last year (Jerebko, Daye, and Summers), Johnson makes very little sense here. However, I like the idea of Minnesota moving back for Johnson and allowing Detroit to move up for Cousins.

8. Los Angeles Clippers- Gordon Hayward- SF (Butler)

Aminu or Johnson would be perfect for the Clippers, but with both of them off the board, the Clippers will have to choose between reaching for need (small forward or point guard) or drafting value (power forward). I think they'll opt for need, eventually choosing between Hayward and Luke Babbit.

9. Utah Jazz (from New York)- Patrick Patterson- PF (Kentucky)

Patterson is one of the most NBA-ready big men in this draft. That makes him a perfect fit for the only playoff team in the lottery.

10. Indiana Pacers- Eric Bledsoe- PG (Kentucky)

Without question, this is a bit of a reach. However, Indiana has a major need at the point guard, and Bledsoe is much better than the next lead guard on the board, Willie Warren. The Pacers could move back to try to grab Bledsoe, but that would be a risky move because Bledsoe's value is all over the board. Larry Bird and company would hate to move back and miss him, so I think they'll play it safe by picking him at #10.

11. New Orleans Hornets- Ed Davis- PF (North Carolina)

New Orleans needs some fresh bodies up front, and Davis provides a nice balance between production and potential, which is a nice fit for a team like New Orleans who may or may not be looking to re-build.

12. Memphis Grizzlies- Luke Babbit- SF (Nevada)

Babbit had a solid showing at the Combine, which should only help to cement his position in the lottery. Memphis has reportedly been very high on Babbit from the start, making his selection here even more likely.

13. Toronto Raptors- Ekpe Udoh- PF (Baylor)

I still like the idea of Udoh in a Raptors' jersey. A sign-and-trade for Chris Bosh seems more and more likely, and any potential trade would bring back a frontcourt starter (LAL- Bynum, MIA- Beasley, CHI- Gibson, NYK- Lee). Along with Bargnani and that player, Udoh would give Toronto a lot of versatility, similar to the role Lamar Odom plays in Los Angeles.

14. Houston Rockets- Cole Aldrich- C (Kansas)

The biggest need for the Rockets is still backup center, and Aldrich is a great value at #14. Paul George has potential at this spot too, but Aldrich has way too much value to pass up.

15. Milwaukee Bucks (from Chicago)- Xavier Henry- SG (Kansas)

The Bucks could use a power forward or a shooting guard, with a big man proving to be a more immediate need. Motiejunas is the last lottery-caliber power forward on the board, and there seems to be a lot of uncertainty surrounding him at the moment. Instead, the Bucks opt for Henry, a great shooter with upside, who some worry is too one-dimensional to be effective as a pro.

16. Minnesota Timberwolves (from Charlotte)- Hassan Whiteside- C (Marshall)

Whiteside is a very exciting prospect, but his character concerns are well documented. Still, at #16 the risk is worth the reward, especially for an extremely young team like Minnesota.

17. Chicago Bulls (from Milwaukee)- James Anderson- SG (Oklahoma State)

Regardless of what you may have read on this blog, Anderson is still the best pure shooter in this draft, and that is Chicago's most pressing need.

18. Miami Heat- Avery Bradley- SG (Texas)

Bradley is a fantastic defender and an above average outside shooter, but he doesn't seem to have lead guard skills at this point. That makes playing along with Dwyane Wade the perfect fit. Miami can trot out two lockdown perimeter defenders, let Wade handle 65-70% of the time, and use Mario Chalmers off the bench with either starting guard.

19. Boston Celtics- Paul George- SF (Fresno State)

Boston gets a steal at #19, and replaces free agent Ray Allen, all in one motion. George has a smooth jump shot, and his skill set is about four inches smaller than his frame, which sounds a bit like Kevin Durant.

20. San Antonio Spurs- Donatas Motiejunas- PF (Lithuania)

There are reports that Motiejunas will drop out of the draft if he's not projected as a lottery pick, and he stock seems to be on the decline. If he stays in, he'll probably in the late teens or early 20's, and I really like the fit in San Antonio.

21. Oklahoma City Thunder- Daniel Orton- C (Kentucky)

Orton is as much of an unknown commodity as there as in this draft, at least as far as domestic prospects go. He has tremendous upside, and should mature into a solid player if he can keep his weight issues under control.

22. Portland Trail Blazers- Damion James- SF (Texas)

James can rebound, score from the mid-range, and defend either forward spot. He is the opposite of Orton in that he is a very well known commodity. He didn't show huge improvement year-to-year at Texas, but he was very steady and consistent.

23. Minnesota Timberwolves (from Utah)- Kevin Seraphin- PF (France)

Minnesota will likely trade away at least one of its non-lottery picks, but if they hold onto all three, a foreign project like Seraphin makes a lot of sense.

24. Atlanta Hawks- Larry Sanders- PF (Virginia Commonwealth)

Atlanta's frontcourt reserves are very old and frankly pretty poor, so they could use a player like Sanders, who should be able to log minutes as a rookie.

25. Memphis Grizzlies (from Denver)- Willie Warren- PG (Oklahoma)

Memphis is reportedly very high on Eric Bledsoe, but if they miss out on him they'll settle for Warren, who is more of a combo guard. Warren and OJ Mayo would form a nice fit down the line for the Grizzlies.

26. Oklahoma City Thunder (from Phoenix)- Terrico White- SG (Mississippi)

The Thunder will likely move one of these picks (I think this will be the spot the Cavaliers move in if that is, in fact, their intention.), or draft a foreign player. If they hold steady, White would be a better choice given the circumstances. He can play both guard spots, has good size (6'5"), and is a proven scorer.

27. New Jersey Nets (from Dallas)- Trevor Booker- PF (Clemson)

After missing out on Favors at the top, the Nets tap Booker to fill their power forward spot. He had a great showing at the Combine, and should garner first round consideration if his individual workouts go well.

28. Memphis Grizzlies (from LA Lakers)- Craig Brackins- PF (Iowa State)

Memphis opts for a very different kind of power forward in the perimeter-oriented Brackins. He should good range at the Combine (out to 18 or 20 feet), and should develop into a capable stretch four man in the NBA.

29. Orlando Magic- Jordan Crawford- SG (Xavier)

Crawford would be an ideal replacement for Vince Carter in a couple of years. He made 20-of-25 NBA 3-pointers at the Combine, and outside shooting is clearly a skill coveted by the Magic.

30. Washington Wizards (from Cleveland)- Devin Ebanks- SF (West Virginia)

Ebanks is an interesting case. I like to think that I pay pretty close attention to the rumor mills surrounding the NBA Draft, and I haven't heard a word about Ebanks since before the Combine. He missed a real opportunity to showcase his athleticism, and his status as a first rounder is in real jeopardy.

31. New Jersey Nets- Quincy Pondexter- SF (Washington)

32. Oklahoma City Thunder- Miroslav Raduljica- C (Serbia)

33. Sacramento Kings- Lance Stephenson- SG (Cincinnati)

34. Washington Wizards- Jarvis Varnado- PF (Mississippi State)

35. Golden State Warriors- Gani Lawal- PF (Georgia Tech)

36. Detroit Pistons- Armon Johnson- PG (Nevada)

37. Milwaukee Bucks- Stanley Robinson- SF (Connecticut)

38. New York Knicks- Solomon Alabi- C (Florida State)

39. New York Knicks- Darington Hobson- SF (New Mexico)

40. Indiana Pacers- Elliot Williams- SG (Memphis)

41. Miami Heat- Tiny Gallon- PF (Oklahoma)

42. Miami Heat- Jerome Jordan- C (Tulsa)

43. Los Angeles Lakers- Sherron Collins- PG (Kansas)

44. Portland Trail Blazers- Dominique Jones- SG (South Florida)

45. Minnesota Timberwolves- Nemanja Bjelica- SF (Serbia)

46. Phoenix Suns- Mikhail Torrance- SG (Alabama)

47. Milwaukee Bucks- Charles Garcia- PF (Seattle)

48. Miami Heat- Artsiom Parakhouski- C (Radford)

49. San Antonio Spurs- Robin Benzing- SF (Germany)

50. Dallas Mavericks- Sylven Landesberg- SG (Virginia)

51. Oklahoma City Thunder- Lazar Hayward- SF (Marquette)

52. Boston Celtics- Jerome Randle- PG (California)

53. Atlanta Hawks- Manny Harris- SG (Michigan)

54. Los Angeles Clippers- Matt Bouldin- PG (Gonzaga)

55. Utah Jazz- Ryan Richards- C (England)

56. Minnesota Timberwolves- Da'Sean Butler- SF (West Virginia)

57. Dallas Mavericks- Paulo Prestes- PF (Brazil)

58. Los Angeles Lakers- Tibor Pleiss- C (Germany)

59. Orlando Magic- Greivis Vasquez- PG (Maryland)

60. Phoenix Suns- Wayne Chism- PF (Tennessee)

IN: Tiny Gallon, Lazar Hayward, Ryan Richards, Wayne Chism

OUT: A.J. Ogilvy, Aubrey Coleman, Omar Samhan, Latavious Williams

2010 Top 10 PFs (1-5)

The following is a list of the top 5 power forward prospects in the 2010 NBA Draft, along with their current NBA comparison, their main strength, biggest weakness, career outlook, and ideal situation.

1. Derrick Favors (Georgia Tech) – Amare Stoudemire

Strength: Athleticism. Favors has a unheard of combination of size and athletic ability. His Combine measurements were eerily similar to those of Dwight Howard from a few years back, and his leaping ability was on display as well, jumping 31.5" flat-footed, which was good for second best at the camp.

Weakness: Polish. Favors got few opportunities to showcase his offensive skills at Georgia Tech because Paul Hewitt refused to run sets through his best player. (Author's note: Hewitt is currently unemployed.) Pure God-given gifts can get you a long way, but at the NBA level, refinement is a necessity. Favors must sand down his rough edges in order to become an elite player.

Verdict: I love Derrick Favors. I think when it's all said and done, he'll be the best player from this class. His brand of size and physical skills is very rare, and his ceiling at this point is beyond the horizon. However, once all the superlatives have landed and the dust clears, it will be Favors' motor and work ethic that determine his true legacy.

Best Fit: It was a huge disappointment for the Nets to slip to #3 in the lottery, but Favors would be an amazing fit next to Brook Lopez.

2. Greg Monroe (Georgetown) - Pau Gasol

Strength: Basketball IQ. Monroe has a lot of things going for him. He has good size and a very promising frame, but his best asset is his understanding of the game and his passing ability.

Weakness: Killer instinct. Coaches and GMs want winners, and at this point, Monroe has never proven himself capable of being a winner. Kobe Bryant has a mantle full of accolades and four (soon to be five???) championship rings because of his work ethic and his kill-or-be-killed attitude. Monroe needs to develop such an edge if he wants to develop into a NBA starter.

Verdict: It's tough to project kids out of certain collegiate systems. Jeff Green had a solid career at Georgetown, but his numbers in the NBA have been far superior to those logged in college. Perhaps Monroe will see the same type of increase, but at this point, I see him as pretty hit-or-miss, depending on the coach and the role he inherits at the next level.

Best Fit: I would love to see the Spurs try to move up to get Monroe. I think he's the type of player who could turn into an All Star talent under the tutelage of Greg Popovich and Tim Duncan.

3. Patrick Patterson (Kentucky) - Udonis Haslem

Strength: Motor. Patterson was able to seamlessly handle a coaching change that alienated most of his teammates, while managing to develop a very adequate outside jumper. He strikes me as the type who is never satisfied, but more on that later.

Weakness: Upside. Patterson doesn't have nearly as much room to grow as most of the players in the lottery discussion. He has spent three years honing his craft at Kentucky, and while he has left himself some wiggle room, for the most part, he's a "what you see is what you get" prospect.

Verdict: Instead of providing an in-depth analysis here, I'm just going to through out some terms which I expect to be used to describe Patterson during his time in the NBA: Glue guy. Locker room leader. Long-time NBA veteran. Steady. Positive influence. Professional. Everybody get the idea?

Best Fit: I think Patterson is a perfect fit in Utah because he will be able to contribute immediately, and he won't be affected by playing the 6^th man role.

4. Ed Davis (North Carolina) - Zach Randolph

Strength: Name recognition. Davis was considered by many to be a lottery pick last year after playing sparingly off the Tar Heels' bench. He made a smart decision by returning to school only to have a wrist injury end his season, but not before he had several impressive performances, many of which were nationally televised.

Weakness: Motor. After winning the 2009 National Championship, the 2010 Tar Heels were granted the opportunity to play on national TV seemingly about three times a week. That level of exposure can be a blessing or a curse, depending on what you do with it. Personally, I watch a handful of UNC games this season with nothing in mind besides getting a read on Davis. Time after time, he floated around the perimeter offensively, looking to set a screen or perform a dribble-handoff, rather than getting his hands dirty in the paint. He would regularly disappear for stretches of time, which is fine for a role player (his 2009 role), but not for a team leader (the role he assumed in 2010).

Verdict: It has become completely impossible for me to stay impartial about Davis. I just plain don't like the way he plays. If you're lazy as a college player, you'll certainly be lazy once the paychecks start rolling in. I'd also like to use this space to point out a quote I heard once: "What do you call the best player on a bad team? A loser."

Best Fit: I would love to see Davis fall to New Orleans. Simply put, Chris Paul wouldn't stand for Davis's loping around aimlessly.

5. Donatas Motiejunas (Lithuania) - Andrea Bargnani

Strength: Shooting. Motiejunas is a huge body with legitimate NBA 3-point range. Some have compared him to Dirk Nowitzki, but that seems optimistic at this point. Motiejunas has a lot of time to grow, but Andrea Bargnani seems like a more fitting comparison.

Weakness: Toughness. An American basketball writer criticizing a European player for being soft? That never happens, right? Well, in this case, I'll risk being cliché. Motiejunas' ability from the outside has preempted him from ever developing a true low-post game, at least at this stage in his development.

Verdict: Because he is just 19-years old and has never been immersed in the North American style of play, it's hard to say just how Motiejunas will develop. He is certainly an above average shooter, especially for a man of his size, but against the greatest players on the planet, that simply may not be enough.

Best Fit: Obviously, Motiejunas needs to find a team that will be patient with his development. There are rumors circulating that he may drop out of the draft unless he gets a promise in the lottery, which may be prudent, considering the depth of the power forward position in this draft.

NBA Combine Winners/Losers 2010

The following are the biggest winners and losers from the 2010 NBA Draft Combine, which was held last week in Chicago.

WINNERS

Armon Johnson- Johnson had a strong showing in both the shooting and athletic drills, and measured out at 6'3.25" in shoes, which is more than adequate for an NBA point guard. In a draft so thin at the lead guard spot, Johnson really did himself a favor, and should be able to secure a guaranteed contract if he carries his Combine momentum into his individual workouts.

Mikhail Torrance- Torrance was somewhat polarizing coming into the Combine. Some scouts saw him as a first round talent, while others saw him possibly going undrafted. After his shooting display at the Combine, however, Torrance should find himself comfortably in position to be drafted on the 24^th.

Ryan Richards- Richards gained more than any other player from his performance at the Combine, simply because it was the first time that many scouts had seen him. A lanky British center, Richards measured out at 6'11.75" in shoes and showed good mobility in Chicago. He has likely assured himself of a second round selection if he decides to enter this year.

Paul George- George performed admirably, but unspectacularly in the athletic and shooting drills, but measured out very well. With the game of a two guard and the frame of a power forward (6'8.75" in shoes, with a 6'11.25" wingspan, and a 8'11" standing reach), George proved that he will certainly provide matchup problems at the next level.

Trevor Booker- Booker makes this list because of his selection as the Joe Alexander Workout Warrior Award winner. Booker jumped 36", completed 22 reps in the bench press, and had respectable showings in the speed and agility drills. A four year player with a reputation as a rugged rebounder, Booker has moved himself into the first round discussion.

Derrick Favors- I know, I know. Favors' stock was already through the roof, but after measuring 6'10.25" in shoes, with a 7'4" (!!!) wingspan and a 9'2" standing reach, some scouts are beginning to project him as a center at the next level.

LOSERS

James Anderson- Anderson has been lauded by myself and others as the best shooter in this class, but he really picked the wrong time to have an off day. During the Combine shooting drills, Anderson connected on just 58.1% of his unguarded attempts, including just 36% from the NBA 3-point distance. That performance will likely have less weight than his collegiate career and his individual workouts, but it will likely plant a seed of doubt in the mind of many GMs.

Hassan Whiteside- Whiteside's struggles had nothing to do with his on-court performance. In fact, Whiteside's 7'7" wingspan was one of the most eye-popping revelations from the Combine. However, it has been widely reported that Whiteside struggled mightily during the interview process, which appears to confirm the fears of many GMs and scouts.

Cole Aldrich- Aldrich has been projected as a top 10 pick since he decided to bypass the 2009 draft, but with just three weeks until the 2010 version of the Draft, his stock has never been lower. Aldrich measured just 6'9" without shoes and 6'11.25" with them (Aside: I didn't know they made platform shoes for guys who were already 6'9".), and posted a very disappointing 25" vertical jump. He'll probably still land in the lottery, but I would be surprised to see him in the top 10.

Daniel Orton/DeMarcus Cousins- The pair of Kentucky big men have a lot in common. Both are polarizing draft prospects who spent just one year with the Wildcats. The duo also measured around 6'9" barefoot, but the biggest thing that they have in common is their respective weight problems. Cousins weighed in at 292 pounds with 16.4% body fat, while Orton tipped the scales at 269 pounds with 13.8% body fat. Clearly these two have spent a lot of time discussing their similarities over Papa John's and Burger King.