Trueblood
Bench
1. Washington, Evan Turner, 2G Ohio St.
Allright, flame away. Everyone has Wall going here but I love Turner's game. The Wiz say that they won't try to terminate Arenas' deal and with his salary, he'll be tough to trade. Can he play off the ball? If Grunfeld doesn't think so, he may go for a 2G like Turner instead of forcing Arenas off the ball with Wall.
2. Philadelphia, John Wall, PG Kentucky
No brainer here. Wall is a huge upgrade over Lou Williams who is a better fit at the 2 spot.
3. New Jersey, Derrick Favors, PF Georgia Tech
Good pick here. Team is rebuilding and he has the most upside of anyone besides Demarcus Cousins but gets the nod here due to Cousins' questionable character issues.
4. Minnesota, Wesley Johnson, SF Syracuse
Another good pick. Minny would've preferred Turner but with him off the board, the Wolves solidify their wing spot with this pick. Wolves are in dire of need of athleticism and an upgrade on the wing and he takes care of both.
5. Sacramento, Demarcus Cousins, C Kentucky
Despite his off court problems, the Kings can't resist taking the most talented player available as they need a low post player as well.
6. Golden State, Al Farouq-Aminu, SF Wake Forest
Disastrous day for the Warriors. Any of the top 5 would've worked for them but there is a big drop after that. Aminu is the best available talent and they'll find a role for him.
7. Detroit, Cole Aldrich, C Kansas
Logical, safe pick for the Pistons. Another team with no low post presence takes arguably the most consistent, prototypical back to the basket player on the board.
8. LA Clippers, Xavier Henry, 2G/SF Kansas
A bit of a surprise here. Clippers need a small forward and he can move up to that spot on the next level. Cerebral player will compliment the Clipper scorers.
9. Utah, Donatas Motiejunas, PF Lithuania
Might not be able to come over right away due to buyout issues. Utah has had success with foreign players and with a payroll rubbing up against the lux tax, they may see value in saving the guaranteed money and sending him overseas for a year or 2.
10. Indiana, Avery Bradley, PG/2G Texas
Tough call here. Taking him this high may be a stretch but Larry Bird borrows a page from Sam Presti and tries to convert Bradley into a point guard much in the same way that the Thunder did with Russell Westbrook.
11. New Orleans, Ekpe Udoh, PF/C Baylor
The Hornets resist the urge to take local boy Greg Monroe and instead go with what they feel is a better player who can play center on the next level.
12. Memphis, Greg Monroe, PF Georgetown
Grizzlies go with the best player available. Plus, Zach Randolph only has one year left on his deal and with a cost conscience owner, Memphis may look to a long term replacement at the PF spot through the draft.
13. Toronto, Hassan Whiteside, C Marshall
With Chris Bosh most likely leaving town, the Raptors go big. Andrea Bargnani's natural spot is the 4 so Whiteside could step in to the starting spot before he's ready.
14. Houston, Daniel Orton, C Kentucky
Long term pick here could see playing time immediately if Yao has a tough time staying healthy.
15. Milwaukee, Ed Davis, PF North Carolina
Best player available does a bit of a free fall as he was considered a top 5 pick coming into the season.
16. Minnesota, Patrick Patterson, PF Kentucky
The Wolves said that they wanted to get a more athletic interior player and Patterson fits the bill.
17. Chicago, James Anderson, 2G Oklahoma St.
The Bulls go with a need here as Kirk Hinrich is the only 2G under contract and he's a true PG to begin with.
18. Miami, Quincy Pondexter, SF Washington
Another surprise pick but this guy plays hard all the time and is a Pat Riley/Eric Spoelstra type of player.
19. Boston, Luke Babbitt, SF Nevada
Throwback Celtic type will give the team needed depth at the 3 spot.
20. San Antonio, Gordon Hayward SF Butler
Final Four hero is a good fit in Gregg Popovich's team oriented system.
21. Oklahoma City, Damion James, SF Texas
The Thunder had no true SF on the roster. No big deal as Kevin Durant suited up for 82 games but at some point, he'll need a breather.
22. Portland, Larry Sanders PF/C VCU
Versatile big man is a must on a team where big players are constantly hurt.
23. Minnesota, Devin Ebanks, SF West Virginia
Keeping with it's athletic upgrade theme, the Wolves go with the best, most athletic player left.
24. Atlanta, Gani Lawal, PF Georgia Tech
The Hawks go with the local pick who also fills a need as there is no backup PF on the roster. Payroll is up against the lux tax so they'll most likely fill the need through the draft instead of free agency.
25. Memphis, Eric Bledsoe PG Kentucky
The Grizz cover a need at backup PG as they go with a Birmingham native late in the first round for the 2nd year in a row.
26. Oklahoma City, Solomon Alabi, C Florida St.
The Thunder want to get longer and better defensively inside and Alabi makes for a nice pick. Serge Ibaka is great but he can't do it alone.
27. New Jersey, Art Parakhouski, C Radford
He's from Belarus but they speak Russian so Prokhorov gets someone he can speak comfortably with and more importantly, who can spell Lopez off the bench.
28. Memphis, Elliott Williams, 2G Memphis
Memphis again fills a need by getting a backup for O.J. Mayo.
29. Orlando, Paul George, SF Fresno St.
Best player available will fit in well with the Magic.
30. Washington, Armon Johnson, PG Nevada
If the Wiz indeed go with Turner at the top spot, they'll nab a PG here.
Allright, flame away. Everyone has Wall going here but I love Turner's game. The Wiz say that they won't try to terminate Arenas' deal and with his salary, he'll be tough to trade. Can he play off the ball? If Grunfeld doesn't think so, he may go for a 2G like Turner instead of forcing Arenas off the ball with Wall.
2. Philadelphia, John Wall, PG Kentucky
No brainer here. Wall is a huge upgrade over Lou Williams who is a better fit at the 2 spot.
3. New Jersey, Derrick Favors, PF Georgia Tech
Good pick here. Team is rebuilding and he has the most upside of anyone besides Demarcus Cousins but gets the nod here due to Cousins' questionable character issues.
4. Minnesota, Wesley Johnson, SF Syracuse
Another good pick. Minny would've preferred Turner but with him off the board, the Wolves solidify their wing spot with this pick. Wolves are in dire of need of athleticism and an upgrade on the wing and he takes care of both.
5. Sacramento, Demarcus Cousins, C Kentucky
Despite his off court problems, the Kings can't resist taking the most talented player available as they need a low post player as well.
6. Golden State, Al Farouq-Aminu, SF Wake Forest
Disastrous day for the Warriors. Any of the top 5 would've worked for them but there is a big drop after that. Aminu is the best available talent and they'll find a role for him.
7. Detroit, Cole Aldrich, C Kansas
Logical, safe pick for the Pistons. Another team with no low post presence takes arguably the most consistent, prototypical back to the basket player on the board.
8. LA Clippers, Xavier Henry, 2G/SF Kansas
A bit of a surprise here. Clippers need a small forward and he can move up to that spot on the next level. Cerebral player will compliment the Clipper scorers.
9. Utah, Donatas Motiejunas, PF Lithuania
Might not be able to come over right away due to buyout issues. Utah has had success with foreign players and with a payroll rubbing up against the lux tax, they may see value in saving the guaranteed money and sending him overseas for a year or 2.
10. Indiana, Avery Bradley, PG/2G Texas
Tough call here. Taking him this high may be a stretch but Larry Bird borrows a page from Sam Presti and tries to convert Bradley into a point guard much in the same way that the Thunder did with Russell Westbrook.
11. New Orleans, Ekpe Udoh, PF/C Baylor
The Hornets resist the urge to take local boy Greg Monroe and instead go with what they feel is a better player who can play center on the next level.
12. Memphis, Greg Monroe, PF Georgetown
Grizzlies go with the best player available. Plus, Zach Randolph only has one year left on his deal and with a cost conscience owner, Memphis may look to a long term replacement at the PF spot through the draft.
13. Toronto, Hassan Whiteside, C Marshall
With Chris Bosh most likely leaving town, the Raptors go big. Andrea Bargnani's natural spot is the 4 so Whiteside could step in to the starting spot before he's ready.
14. Houston, Daniel Orton, C Kentucky
Long term pick here could see playing time immediately if Yao has a tough time staying healthy.
15. Milwaukee, Ed Davis, PF North Carolina
Best player available does a bit of a free fall as he was considered a top 5 pick coming into the season.
16. Minnesota, Patrick Patterson, PF Kentucky
The Wolves said that they wanted to get a more athletic interior player and Patterson fits the bill.
17. Chicago, James Anderson, 2G Oklahoma St.
The Bulls go with a need here as Kirk Hinrich is the only 2G under contract and he's a true PG to begin with.
18. Miami, Quincy Pondexter, SF Washington
Another surprise pick but this guy plays hard all the time and is a Pat Riley/Eric Spoelstra type of player.
19. Boston, Luke Babbitt, SF Nevada
Throwback Celtic type will give the team needed depth at the 3 spot.
20. San Antonio, Gordon Hayward SF Butler
Final Four hero is a good fit in Gregg Popovich's team oriented system.
21. Oklahoma City, Damion James, SF Texas
The Thunder had no true SF on the roster. No big deal as Kevin Durant suited up for 82 games but at some point, he'll need a breather.
22. Portland, Larry Sanders PF/C VCU
Versatile big man is a must on a team where big players are constantly hurt.
23. Minnesota, Devin Ebanks, SF West Virginia
Keeping with it's athletic upgrade theme, the Wolves go with the best, most athletic player left.
24. Atlanta, Gani Lawal, PF Georgia Tech
The Hawks go with the local pick who also fills a need as there is no backup PF on the roster. Payroll is up against the lux tax so they'll most likely fill the need through the draft instead of free agency.
25. Memphis, Eric Bledsoe PG Kentucky
The Grizz cover a need at backup PG as they go with a Birmingham native late in the first round for the 2nd year in a row.
26. Oklahoma City, Solomon Alabi, C Florida St.
The Thunder want to get longer and better defensively inside and Alabi makes for a nice pick. Serge Ibaka is great but he can't do it alone.
27. New Jersey, Art Parakhouski, C Radford
He's from Belarus but they speak Russian so Prokhorov gets someone he can speak comfortably with and more importantly, who can spell Lopez off the bench.
28. Memphis, Elliott Williams, 2G Memphis
Memphis again fills a need by getting a backup for O.J. Mayo.
29. Orlando, Paul George, SF Fresno St.
Best player available will fit in well with the Magic.
30. Washington, Armon Johnson, PG Nevada
If the Wiz indeed go with Turner at the top spot, they'll nab a PG here.
