Looking to Next Year: 2010 NBA Lottery Mock Draft

**Note**  Derrick Favors does not declare for the 2010 Draft in this mock…

Western Conference Playoff Teams (in order of record)

Los Angeles Lakers, San Antonio Spurs, Denver Nuggets, Houston Rockets, Portland Trailblazers, Dallas Mavericks, Utah Jazz, and New Orleans Hornets

Eastern Conference Playoff Teams (in order of record)

Cleveland Cavaliers, Orlando Magic, Boston Celtics, Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers, Miami Heat, Chicago Bulls, and Indiana Pacers

NBA Lottery Mock Draft

1. Memphis Grizzlies: John Wall, PG, Kentucky

The Grizzlies are putting together a nice group of young players, but, with so much youth and an inconsistent coaching staff, they could struggle next year.  If they select first overall, it will be very hard for them to pass on a talent like Wall. 

I am a believer that Mike Conley can be the future point guard, but Wall is the best prospect in the draft.

With the No. 2, 3, and 5 positions taken care of for the Grizzlies, Wall is a logical choice.  The 6′4″ guard will be playing on an excellent Kentucky team this year that has national title hopes that can only show off Wall’s talent even more.

2. Minnesota Timberwolves: Ed Davis, C, North Carolina

Look for the T-Wolves to be a solid team a few years down the road, but, after trading two of their most proven players in Randy Foye and Mike Miller, the growing pains will be large this year.

With Ricky Rubio and Jonny Flynn entering the starting lineup, this will be a very young team that will need to gain chemistry over time.  If they select in the two spot, Ed Davis is the sure pick.

Listed as a power forward, the 6′10″ sophomore plays much bigger than that and is an excellent shot blocker.  He will gang up with Al Jefferson and Kevin Love in the frontcourt to form one of the best young trios in the game.

3. Oklahoma City Thunder: Greg Monroe, PF, Georgetown

Much like the Grizzlies, the Thunder are putting all the pieces together the right way but still need more experience.  In what looks to be the last piece of the puzzle, Greg Monroe joins a Thunder team with a ton of potential.

With Russell Westbrook, James Harden, Kevin Durant, and B.J. Mullens as a core, Monroe will be the finishing piece to one of the best young starting lineups in basketball. 

Monroe is still very raw, but will add another year of college basketball seasoning before coming out next year.

4. Sacramento Kings: Al-Farouq Aminu, SF, Wake Forest

Aminu is another player who decided to pull his name from the draft this year and will gain some more experience because of it, just like Monroe. 

His stock will either rise considerably, once he shows he can be the go-to guy without the likes of Jeff Teague and James Johnson, or it will drop if he fails to become the leader for the Demon Deacons.

If he is drafted to the Kings, he will join fellow small forwards Andres Nocioni and recent draft pick Omri Casspi.  Aminu gives the Kings more of a finesse player than a bruiser and would be a great compliment.

5. Los Angeles Clippers: Willie Warren, PG, Oklahoma

Warren would have been a lottery pick last year but opted to go back to school for one more year.  Without the Griffin brothers, on paper it would seem Warren will be in for a rough year.

However, a very solid recruiting class will give Warren a good supporting cast that should warrant him a top five selection.  He will also meet up with his old teammate Blake Griffin as the heir apparent to Baron Davis.

6. New Jersey Nets: Cole Aldrich, C, Kansas

For some reason, I think the loss of Vince Carter is going to hurt the Nets more than most people believe.  He was the glue that held the team together and was by far the most experienced veteran that played.

Now, Devin H