Jazzbots Unite for Mock Draft

Posted by: Danny-Hansen on June 24th, 2010

The author's views are entirely his or her own and may not reflect the views of the Utah Jazz.

As a Jazzbots team, we decided to show our teamwork and produce a mock draft for your enjoyment. Picks were assigned randomly to participating Jazzbot bloggers. Each made their picks and gave their analysis.

We would like to thank the following Jazzbot bloggers for their participation:

Trevor Fuchs, David Smith, Diana Allen, Matt Sanchez, James Seaman, Jeffrey Wank, Jeff Winget, Danny Hansen, Joey Parker, Jimmy Bragg, and Ben Hoeksel.

1. Washington Wizards – John Wall, Kentucky

“The Wizards won’t try to get cute and draft for need at #1. They will take the consensus pick and I am sure to be the 999,934th person to put Wall where he belongs.” – Trevor Fuchs

2. Philadelphia 76ers – Evan Turner, Ohio State

“Despite the recent Samuel Dalembert trade, the 76′ers pass on Derrick Favors as the much-needed big man. Instead they go with the most NBA-ready player in the Draft and will decide if they keep him (and trade Iggy) or find the best suitor. Turner’s a bonafide future All-Star.” – David Smith

3. New Jersey Nets – Derrick Favors, Georgia Tech

“Favors a promising PF will play alongside one of the greatest young bigs in Brooke Lopez. The Nets with those two upfront will have one solid front court.” – Diana Allen

4. Minnesota Timberwolves – Wesley Johnson, Syracuse

“The T-Wolves are in desperate need of a consistent scorer on the perimeter and they get that with Johnson. He is long, athletic and a natural scorer that will help free things up inside for Al Jefferson and Kevin Love.” – Matt Sanchez

5. Sacramento Kings – DeMarcus Cousins – Kentucky

“Despite questions about his behavior (arguing with John Calipari at Kentucky and fighting a coach in high school), Cousins simply has too much up-side for the Kings to pass on him. Cousins is a physical freak with the potential to become an absolute force in the post (both offensively and defensively). He and Tyreke Evans could provide Sacramento with a powerful one-two punch for years to come. Samuel Dalembert will hold down the fort while Cousins develops.” – James Seaman

6. Golden State Warriors – Greg Monroe, Georgetown

“With Larry Riley making the pick instead of Don Nelson, the Warriors go the safer route and select Monroe instead of Al-Farouq Aminu. For a team always in need of a big man, but one who rarely has or uses one, Monroe is the best big on the board and his rebounding and passing ability should fit in well with and help spark the Warriors high octane running offense. Plus, his experience at Georgetown with the Princeton offense will stabilize the front court in their half-court sets and his cuts and screens should open up shots for Stephen Curry and the lane for Monta Ellis. Assuming he comes off the bench the majority of the first season, he will be a vital asset in backing up Anthony Randolph at power forward and the oft-injured Andris Biedrens at center.” – Jeffrey Wank

7. Detroit Pistons – Al-Farouq Aminu, Wake Forest

“This is a tough pick for Detroit. They need a big, but the three best bigs in the draft are gone (Monroe would’ve been the pick here had he been available), and the others available are projects. Aminu has the potential to be a great combo forward who could be a match-up problem at the three or the four. He has some question marks in his character, but that won’t bother Detroit. With this pick, I think they definitely try to move Prince for a big.” – Jeff Winget

8. Los Angeles Clippers – Luke Babbitt, Nevada

“The Clippers are going to draft based on need. They have guards and post players. They need a small forward. They also need somebody to stretch the offense and clear things in the middle for Blake Griffin. Babbitt can do that.” – Danny Hansen

9. Utah Jazz – Ekpe Udoh, Baylor

“For me, this pick came down to Udoh vs. Xavier Henry. Shot-blocking PF/C or shot-making SG? Udoh is a tall power forward who blocked 3.9 shots per game this past year. I think it is important for the Jazz to be “oversized” at PF, rather than always undersized. Also, given our poor history with developing 1^st round swingmen, I am nervous to take a player like Henry. I think Udoh’s shot blocking and height will compliment Millsap well, assuming we lose Boozer.” – Joey Parker

10. Indiana Pacers – Avery Bradley, Texas

“Danny Granger Jr (Xavier Henry) and plenty of promising big men may still be on the board and the Pacers could take any one of them. They have a good PF project in Tyler Hansborough and will probably be fine with the original DG. I think they nab the best available combo guard in Bradley.” – Trevor Fuchs

11. New Orleans Hornets – Cole Aldrich, Kansas

“The big man rotation in NO is woefully thin and while he might not be able to finish the alley-oops like Tyson Chandler did, Chris Paul would probably be okay with getting a rebounding, shot blocking big to help David West and Emeka Okafor up front. Plus, Aldrich is probably the best big left. Ed Davis and Patrick Patterson might also get looks here. “ – David Smith

12. Memphis Grizzlies – Patrick Patterson, Kentucky

“You never quite know what this crazy franchise is going to do in the draft or trades (ie Pau gift to the Lakers) but Patterson is a safe pick for the Grizzlies. As a combo forward he can swing between the 3 and the 4. With Randolph as their starting PF it is good to have a steady back up in case off the court issues arise.” – Diana Allen

13. Toronto Raptors – Xavier Henry, Kansas

“The Raptors are a team in complete disarray, with Chris Bosh undoubtedly departing via free agency and Hedo Turkoglu asking for a trade. This is the Raptors only pick in the draft and need to take a player that is ready to contribute now, that’s why they would shy away from an “upside” player like Ed Davis. Henry is a big guard that can defend and rebound and he has a great jump shot. He knows how to score in a variety of ways and will help the Raptors put points on the board-something they will desperately need next season.” – Matt Sanchez

14. Houston Rockets – Ed Davis, North Carolina

“Both Davis and Gordon Hayward slipped and the Rockets had a tough decision on their hands between these two talented prospects. While Davis is very raw offensively, he still ranks as the safer pick because of serious questions about Hayward’s ability to play defense as an NBA small forward. Davis is still growing into what will soon be an impressive frame. He can rebound and block shots, but the Rockets know they’ll have to work to develop him offensively (though he made great strides in this area between his freshman and sophomore year). Houston needs big bodies (what NBA team doesn’t?) and the faster Davis develops, the sooner he will help fill that need.” – James Seaman

15. Milwaukee Bucks – Paul George, Fresno State

“George has the talent to be a top 10 pick. He is a large small forward that can play on the perimeter. With Michael Redd winding down his contract, George will be a welcome addition to their core of wings.” – Danny Hansen

16. Minnesota Timberwolves – Hassan Whiteside, Marshall

“Whiteside is a legit seven-footer with a huge 7′7″ wingspan. He’s a bit of a project, but with Jefferson and Love in the frontcourt, the Wolves will have time to let him develop. He could help them immediately on defense, and should develop into a decent offensive center.” – Jeff Winget

17. Chicago Bulls – Gordon Hayward, Butler

“Since the departure of Ben Gordon, the Bulls have been looking for a guard to go along side Rose. Hayward has the lottery like skills. He would be a steal at number 17.” – Danny Hansen

18. Miami Heat – Daniel Orton, Kentucky

“Miami has about three players under contract that this point and could use a big body who has potential to get bigger and stronger and better.” – Jimmy Bragg

19. Boston Celtics – Damion Jones, Texas

“Although it seems unlikely that Ray Allen and Paul Pierce will be playing anywhere besides Boston, there are still uncertainties in the future for the Celtics. James will fit in defensively and could become a huge role player down the road.” – Trevor Fuchs

20. San Antonio Spurs – Solomon Alabi, Florida State

“With the legendary Matt Bonner being a free agent and Antonio McDyess getting older by the minute, Alabi helps shore up the frontline. The Spurs don’t look for the world in Tim Duncan’s complementary big men (besides David Robinson, he’s been with Rasho Nesterovic, Fabricio Oberto, Kurt Thomas, and Francisco Elson) and Alabi could be a nice defensive addition.” – David Smith

21. Oklahoma City Thunder – Larry Sanders, VCU

“With the 21st pick of the draft the OKC Thunder pick Larry Sanders. The already long athletic team will get longer with Sanders. This 6′10″ PF/C will add depth upfront to help battle the long large teams in the West.” – Diana Allen

22. Portland Trailblazers – Craig Brackins, Iowa State

“With the 22nd pick the Portland Trailblazers select Craig Brackins from Iowa State. After a season in which seemingly all of their bigs were injured, the Blazers could use another big body to fill the paint. The Blazers have a solid core of guards and wing players and really their only need is a big off the bench. Brackins is great around the basket and has a nice jumper for a big man. He will give Portland another low post scorer and an insurance policy-just in case.” – Matt Sanchez

23. Minnesota Timberwolves – Eric Bledsoe, Kentucky

“This makes 5 Wildcats taken in the 1st round. While the Wolves already have Jonny Flynn, with Ricky Rubio somewhere in the picture, the Bledsoe pick simply comes down to Minnesota taking the best player available. Kurt Rambis’ team needs to add depth at every position, and Bledsoe clearly has the highest value of anyone left on the board. He has the potential to play either guard position and can shoot the lights out–I watched the kid hit 8 of 9 from behind the arc during Kentucky’s first round tourney game in New Orleans.”– James Seaman

24. Atlanta Hawks – James Anderson, Oklahoma State

“In spite of a great collegiate season, the 6-6 swingman slipped a bit because of mediocre workouts and relatively poor ball-handling skills, but he is a solid scorer and acts as an insurance policy should Joe Johnson leave via free agency. If Johnson stays, Anderson would act as smart backup behind Johnson at shooting guard and Marvin Williams at small forward, and he still wouldn’t be thrown into the fire off the bench yet as they have Jamal Crawford as the reigning Sixth Man of the Year. Anderson could prove to be a steal with this pick as his hard work on defense and experience with the pick-and-roll could translate better to the NBA game than the college one.” – Jeffrey Wank

25. Memphis Grizzlies – Greivis Vasquez, Maryland

“Memphis has been looking to solidify the PG spot with the spotty play of Mike Conley, and are hoping Vesquez can help them in that department. A bit of a reach this early in the draft, but with a solid conference tournament showing, Vasquez has shown the ability to be a backup PG in the NBA.” – Ben Hoeksel

26. Oklahoma City Thunder – Quincy Pondexter, Washington

“Pondexter is a player who should prove able to play within the run and gun offense ran by the Thunder. Pondexter also adds size at 6′ 7″ at the SF position to be a good backup to Kevin Durant or Jeff Green in the lineup.” – Ben Hoeksel

27. New Jersey Nets – Willie Warren, Oklahoma

“Once projected to be a lotto guy, Willie fell off this year. The Nets can afford to take a chance on him with a late round pick.” – Joey Parker

28. Memphis Grizzlies – Terrico White, Mississippi

“Terrico made a name for himself with leading Ole Miss to a deep run in the NIT tournament. The Grizzlies can use his excellent mid range jump shot off a very weak Memphis bench.” – Diana Allen

29. Orlando Magic – Dominique Jones, Southern Florida

“Towards the end of the first round, the Magic are looking for the best player available. Jones has the ability to have huge games. He has the ability to put the ball in the basket. He will add some toughness to their wing spots.” – Danny Hansen

30. Washington Wizards – Gani Lawal, Georgia Tech

“I think Lawal is a good end to the first round and gives Wall a a strong, athletic 6′9 forward to grow with. He looks like he can be a big presence in the post and around the basket.” – Jimmy Bragg

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1. Jason says:

   June 24, 2010 at 11:55 am

   Sources have said that the Warriors want Udoh and are set on him with the 6th pick.

   1. Wizards- Wall
   2. 76ers- Turner
   3. Nets- Favors
   4. Wolves- Johnson
   5. Kings – Cousins
   6 Warriors- Udoh
   7. Pistons- Monroe
   8. Clippers- Aminu

   9. Jazz- Either Ed Davis, Luke Babbit, or Xavier Henry
2. Mike Nguyen says:

   June 24, 2010 at 5:28 pm

   WOW im stunned at why we picked Gordon. I was thinking Ed Davis.