Between the last mock draft and now, a lot of new information about the draft has been revealed – potentially making the top 9 picks a lock. Credit must go to NBAdraft.net and Draftexpress.com for the information. I am sure that a lot more will come about, but until then – this is the updated list. I also have a hunch that there will be something big going down on draft day; mainly out of Oklahoma City. They have just traded for Cook and pick 18 from the Heat for pick 32. That leaves the best young team in the league with 3 first round picks AND there is rumours they are looking to deal for the Pacers’ 10th pick.

Note: Teams that selected the same have no explanations as to why – they remain the same.

1.    WAS – John Wall

2.    PHI – Evan Turner

3. NJN – Wesley Johnson
Was: Derrick Favours

The new information coming out from the Nets is that Wesley Johnson is the pick at 3. Mikhail Prokhorov – the Nets’ new owner wants to win ASAP, and has made it a creed to pick the best player available. However, it could also be a ploy to the T-Wolves a pick below. It is known how enamored the Wolves are with Johnson, and with having multiple picks in the first round, a trade between the Nets and Wolves involving a swap of picks 3 and 4 plus some later first rounders seems plausible.

4.    MIN – Derrick Favours
Was: Wesley Johnson.

This is a lock for 3 and 4, Johnson and Favours. Minnesota could use either as they both fit the developing core well. It means that further on in the draft it is more likely that ‘Sota will look at wings over bigs – or they will be very active in trade talks.

5.    SAC – DeMarcus Cousins

Sacramento have leaked that it will take Cousins with pick 5 in the NBA draft if he’s still available.

6.    GSW – Ekpe Udoh
Was: Al Farouq Aminu

Draftexpress.com reported recently that the order of the Warriors draft is Cousins, then Munroe, then Ekpe Udoh. Cousins should be gone at this point, so realistically its out of Udoh and Munroe. I think Munroe is the better player, but rumours persist that it could be Udoh.

7. DET – Ed Davis
Was: Cole Aldrich

I did have Aldrich at 7, but since have heard that the Pistons will take Cousins if available (not likely at 7) or Davis if available. Davis and Aldrich are very similar player, both more of the blue-collar defensive type bigs who can score the ball when called upon. Davis however, has the physical attributes to be a very good 4 man in the NBA.

8. LAC – Al-Farouq Aminu
Was: Greg Munroe

If all the rumours are true, Aminu will fall. It is said that the Clippers are in want of a small forward, and that they rate both Aminu and Luke Babbitt highly. It will be interesting to see whom they rate higher, but smart money is on Aminu, who is the best player available at this point.

9.    UTH – Luke Babbitt
Was: Patrick Patterson

Utah is said to be high on Aminu and Luke Babbitt. To them, either would suit their fancies. I think Aminu will go a pick higher, so Babbitt will be at this pick.

10. IND  – Greg Munroe
Was: Xavier Henry

Up to now, the majority of mock drafts (certainly the best ones) will have the first 9 picks basically the same it would seem. There is some question over where Favours and Johnson go (they will be 3 and 4, what order is the question), but the real question is pick 6 with Golden State. It looks to be either Udoh or Munroe, and whomever isn’t selected, I think will go here. It seems as if this pick is also being discussed in trades (Oklahoma City).

11. NOH – Xavier Henry
Was: Ed Davis

The Hornets need some help on the wing. Peterson and Stojackovic aren’t getting any younger, and whilst Marcus Thornton shows promising signs, he isn’t the full answer to the problem. Xavier Henry is from rumours highest on the Hornets wishlist and should be this pick if still available.

12. MEM – Paul George

This pick is in some trade rumours. If not, gives them insurance if Rudy Gay bails.

13. TOR – Cole Aldrich
Was: Hassan Whiteside

Apparently, Cole Aldrich has had two workouts in Toronto in the lead up to the draft. Whilst it looks as if losing Bosh and Turkoglu is inevitable, they do have Jose Calderon, DeMar DeRozan and Andrei Bargnani on their list. Alrich is a no nonsense centre that would allow Bargnani to operate outside. Aldrich also gives them some bang inside. The pick could be Patrick Patterson.

14.    HOU – Patrick Patterson

Simly put, Patterson falls a little and is the best big remaining on the board at this point.

15.    MIL – Hassan Whiteside

They’ve just stocked up on wings and a young point guard in the mix. Should go big. Whiteside is best available.

16.    MIN – Gordon Hayward

Seriously, no one knows what David Kahn is doing. This pick could be traded (along with Al Jefferson possibly). If he picks it, I’m going BPA with Hayward.

17.    CHI – Avery Bradley

Can’t see this pick being kept to be honest. With a free agent class this deep, they may look to trade it for a player as an added incentive. If they do pick it, someone to replace Ben Gordon is what the Bulls need. Bradley is it.

18.    OKC – Larry Sanders

Sources say that the Thunder traded into pick 18 so they could get Larry Sanders. A defensive big man. It seems to fit.

19.    BOS – Devin Ebanks

A lot of unsure feelings are emanating out of Boston with question marks over Doc Rivers returning, Rasheed Wallace retiring and Paul Pierce possibly opting out. Either way, they could trade this pick to maybe try and go for another year as a Championship contender, or start to rebuild. Ebanks is a young and versatile wing who could sit behind a veteran player.

20.    SAS – Elliot Williams

Spurs need to get younger on the wings. They have Blair and Splitter as young bigs, they have Hill as a young guard with Tony Parker (though they may let him go) and Manu Ginobili. Williams is the best wing left on the board.

21.    OKC – Kevin Seraphin

If the Thunder keep this pick, and take Sanders or another big 3 picks earlier at 18, I think they will go with Seraphin. Someone whom they can develop overseas for a few years.

22.    POR – James Anderson

Elliot Williams is believed to be Portland’s first choice. I would say Seraphin for the same reasons he is taken above is second. It seems though they like a wing player, maybe to back up Roy and make Rudy Fernandez expendable. Anderson is the best left on the board.

23.    MIN – Daniel Orton

The T-Wolves go wing and wing, and I think that they will go big IF a big drops. Orton has, so he’d be my pick at 23.

24.    ATL – Eric Bledsloe

Bledsloe is the best point guard available. The Hawks need one to back up Mike Bibby.

25.    MEM – Armon Johnson

I think of the 3 picks in the first round that Memphis have, they will go with at least one point guard. Armon Johnson is the best available.

26.    OKC – Terrico White

Eric Maynor has been mentioned in some trade deals. Either way, I can the Thunder look to get a combo guard for at least the third man in the rotation. White is the fit.

27.    NJN – Craig Brackens

How many 6′10 shooting players are available? If the Nets go with a wing at 3, I think they’ll look at a big at 27, and hope (against hope) that a quality big falls. Brackens, for me, is the best PF left on the board.

28.    MEM – Dominique Jones

Memphis could do anything with this pick, so I’m going to go with upside. Jones’ has that in spades.

29.    ORL – Stanley Robinson

The Magic need wings above all else. Robinson gives them athleticism, and versatility.

30.    WAS – Solomon Alabi

Washington should go with best big left on the board. Alabi could go as high as 20, but I don’t see him falling out of the first round.


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