2010 NBA Mock Draft: After the Lottery Come the Gems

The NBA Draft Lottery is just over a month away and the excitement and anticipation over who will land the top pick and earn the honor to select John Wall is growing daily.

But this year's draft is about more than Wall and Evan Turner. There are a ton of talented, NBA-ready guys that will make an immediate impact in their rookie years.

Unlike the last couple years, this is a deep draft class with a lot of gems to be uncovered in the second half of round one and into round two.

Guys like Terrico White, James Anderson, Xavier Henry, Eric Bledsoe, Devin Ebanks, Avery Bradley, Damion James, Gordon Hayward, and Willie Warren to name a few are all expected to miss out on the lottery picks and should be available anywhere in round one.

They're the type of guys that could end up being stars in the making if they can capitalize on their potential in the right situations.

So as we all wait for the lottery order to be announced and then wait some more to see who the first few picks are, keep in mind there could be some big winners later in the day as well.

1. New Jersey Nets: John Wall

Position: PG
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 185 pounds
Age: 19
School: Kentucky

Some people believe Evan Turner deserves consideration to be the first pick selected, but there's just no way anyone passes on John Wall, even if it turns out to be the Nets.

Sure they have Devin Harris, but he's been off his game for the last year or so, and his future with the franchise is up in the air.

Wall would instantly add a ton of appeal to any free agents considering a move to New Jersey.

2. Minnesota Timberwolves: Evan Turner

Position: SG
Height: 6-7
Weight: 205
Age: 21
School: Ohio State

The Timberwolves could really use a player like Evan Turner, who's capable of playing either the two or the three and has enough ball-handling skills to spot up minutes at the point as well.

He's a versatile guy who knows who to find the basket and would give them the second scoring option they desperately are searching for.

The combo of Al Jefferson, Kevin Love and Turner would be a great core to build around.

3. Sacramento Kings: Derrick Favors

Position: PF
Height: 6-9
Weight: 215
Age: 18
College: Georgia Tech

The Kings don't really have much to be proud of outside of Tyreke Evens and Carl Landry, but Derrick Favors could be a huge boost for them moving forward.

He's freakishly athletic with a great combo of power and quickness and has a massive wingspan that should help him develop into a solid defender.

Favors has the athleticism to move over to the three, but his skill set is better suited for the four. He and Landry overlap each other, but Favors is too good of a talent to pass on.

4. Golden State Warriors: DeMarcus Cousins

Position: C
Height: 6-11
Weight: 260
Age: 19
School: Kentucky

The Warriors might go with Wesley Johnson here, but with their front court in need of some talent and Corey Maggette already in place at small forward, they'll opt for DeMarcus Cousins instead.

Cousins is a mismatch waiting to happen and plays with force around the basket. There are concerns about his maturity and ability to handle the pressures that come with the NBA, but the talent can't be denied.

He'll give them the upgrade in the middle they need.

5. Washington Wizards: Wesley Johnson

Position: SF
Height: 6-7
Weight: 198
Age: 22
School: Syracuse

Wesley Johnson has everything you look for in a small forward and although he played some minutes at the four in college, he doesn't have the size to matchup with power forwards on the next level.

What he does have is the potential to add some star power to a Wizards team that doesn't have much left.

He's also one of the most NBA-ready players out there.

6. Philadelphia 76ers: Greg Monroe

Position: PF
Height: 6-11
Weight: 250
Age: 19
School: Georgetown

The 76ers have Elton Brand locked up long-term, but he was a huge disappointment last season and the concerns over his health that have followed him for most of his career aren't going away any time soon.

Greg Monroe is one of the most skilled big men in the draft and can eventually be groomed as the replacement for Brand down the line.

In the meantime he should see plenty of playing time when Brand misses his obligatory 10-20 games per year.

7. Detroit Pistons: Al-Farouq Aminu

Position: SF
Height: 6-8
Weight: 205
Age: 19
School: Wake Forest

Al-Farouq Aminu is arguably the most athletic player in the draft and although he might be better suited for a run-and-gun team rather than one like the Pistons, he definitely meets the defensive requirements Detroit loves to see in players.

Tayshaun Prince isn't getting any younger and Austin Daye is unproven. The Pistons need to shore up the three for the coming years.

Aminu would make an instant impact.

8. Los Angles Clippers: Ed Davis

Position: PF
Height: 6-10
Weight: 215
Age: 20
College: North Carolina

Ed Davis doesn't really meet a need here, but with Aminu off the board, he's the best talent available and it will be hard for the Clippers to pass on him here.

He's athletic and hits the boards hard, and even though Blake Griffin should be healthy next season, you can never have too many big men around.

Ideally, L.A. would hope for someone to drop to them, but if not Davis is a talented player who will find a way to contribute.

9. Utah Jazz (from New York Knicks): Cole Aldrich

Position: C
Height: 6-11
Weight: 245
Age: 21
School: Kansas

Utah needs to find a replacement for Mehmet Okur within the next couple years, but why not sooner rather than later?

Injuries have been an issue for Okur as of late and while Kyrylo Fesenko showed some heart in the postseason, it's obvious they need help in the middle.

Cole Aldrich does all the things you like to see from a center. He rebounds well, plays solid interior defense and can score in a number of ways.

They may go for a power forward with Carlos Boozer expected to walk, but at this point, Aldrich is too good a talent to pass up.

10. Indiana Pacers: Donatas Motiejunas

Position: PF
Height: 7-0
Weight: 220
Age: 19
Country: Lithuania

Donatas Motiejunas is the best international player out there and seems like he would be a great fit for the Pacers.

They need a power forward with star potential to compliment the skill-set of Danny Granger and Motiejunas is a great talent worth selecting once the top names are off the board.

He's in Italy now and probably won't make the transition to the NBA right away, so don't be surprised if he slips a little.

But if Indiana can be patient, this guy has the makings of a great player down the line.

11. New Orleans Hornets: Daniel Orton

Position: C
Height: 6-10
Weight: 260
Age: 19
School: Kentucky

The Hornets front court looked a bit sketchy last season and they'll likely be targeting big men to shore up the middle.

Daniel Orton is a guy many experts are raving about, even though his college numbers wasn't overly impressive. That had a lot to do with the lack of minutes to go around, though.

Orton as a ton of potential and could develop into a star down the line. He's already got what it takes defensively, which should be a major boost for the Hornets.

If he can round out his offensive set, Orton could be a huge difference-maker; especially if Emeka Okafor goes down.

12. Memphis Grizzlies: Patrick Patterson

Position: PF
Height: 6-8
Weight: 245
Age: 21
School: Kentucky

The Grizzlies need NBA-ready players if they want to crack the Western Conference playoffs and there aren't many prospects out there more ready to come in and play that Patrick Patterson.

He has a solid all-around game and should add a nice layer to the frontcourt. This isn't a sexy pick, but it's a safe one. With a guy like Patterson, you know exactly what you're getting.

13. Toronto Raptors: Hassan Whiteside

Position: C
Height: 7-0
Weight: 225
Age: 20
School: Marshall

Hassan Whiteside is a legitimate seven-footer who could be the perfect replacement in the likely event the Raptors lose Chris Bosh this summer.

He has a ton of upside and turn out to be one of the steals of the draft if he's able to turn that into tangible results.

A great rebounder and shot-blocker, Whiteside has a mammoth wingspan and can cause havoc underneath the basket.

If Bosh moves on, Whiteside could go a long way toward easing the burden for Raptors fans.

14. Houston Rockets: Ekpe Udoh

Position: PF
Height: 6-10
Weight: 240
Age: 22
School: Baylor

The Rockets are in need of a power forward and Ekpe Udoh would be a great fit defensively alongside Shane Battier. He has a good handle on the ball for someone his size and has the speed to move down the court in a hurry.

He's also a great shot-blocker with a solid defensive skill set.

That's exactly the type of presence Houston was lacking last season.

15. Milwaukee Bucks (From Chicago): James Anderson

Position: SG
Height: 6-6
Weight: 195
Age: 21
School: Oklahoma State

With Michael Redd a giant question mark and John Salmons set to collect a big payday in free agency, the Bucks will find themselves in need of a new shooting guard next season.

James Anderson was one of the most prolific scorers in the country last season and could give Milwaukee the type of scoring option they need to play alongside Brandon Jennings.

16. Minessota Timberwolves (from Charlotte): Gordon Hayward

Position: SF
Height: 6-8
Weight: 200
Age: 20
School: Butler

Evan Turner would be a great place to start for the Timberwolves, but they need shooters to complement his skill set as well.

Gordan Hayward has the capability of shooting the lights out and has great range and decent ball-handling skills as well.

He releases the ball as quickly as anyone, which help him transition to playing against NBA defenders.

He'd be a great addition for the Wolves.

17. Chicago Bulls (from Milwaukee): Xavier Henry

Position: SG
Height: 6-7
Weight: 220
Age: 19
School: Kansas

Chicago needs to add more scorers to play alongside Derrick Rose and Luol Deng and don't really have an option at shooting guard at the moment.

Of course, they would love to add Dwyane Wade to fill that need, but the chances of him relocating back home are slim.

Xavier Henry can score about as good as anyone and would fill the void created by the loss of Ben Gordan in free agency a year ago.

He doesn't posses elite athleticism, but he makes up for it with great shooting.

18. Miami Heat: Eric Bledsoe

Position: PG
Height: 6-1
Weight: 190
Age: 20
School: Kentucky

Miami needs to find an answer at point guard beyond Mario Chalmers and Carlos Arroyo. At this point in the draft, a player like Eric Bledsoe is a great value for the Heat.

He's NBA-ready and if not for John Wall taking up most of the minutes at point guard for Kentucky last season, he'd be higher up on a lot of draft boards.

Bledsoe has the potential to be a solid point guard for years.

20. Boston Celtics: Larry Sanders

Position: SF
Height: 6-10
Weight: 220
Age: 21
School: Va. Commonwealth

Larry Sanders is a project at this point in his career, but with Kevin Garnett locked up for another two years, the need for him to step in right away isn't high.

Sanders is an athletic, high-energy player with great defensive instincts who seems like a perfect fit for the Celtics.

With some time to develop and add some bulk, he could be a big part of the rotation down the line; maybe even sooner rather than later.

21. San Antonio Spurs: Damion James

Position: SF
Height: 6-8
Weight: 224
Age: 22
School: Texas

Damion Jones is an extremely athletic player with a ton of upside and not a whole lot to not love about his game.

He hits the boards hard, runs the floor like a guard and has a knack for timely blocks.

The problem is he doesn't really have a set position and it's difficult to project where he'd fit in at the next level. He's the type of guy that will find a way onto the floor, though.

The Spurs are an aging team that needs athletic and versatile guys like James.

21. Oklahoma City Thunder: Kevin Seraphin

Position: PF
Height: 6-10
Weight: 258
Age: 20
Country: France

Kevin Seraphin is the type of player you'd expect to play another year or two in Europe to develop his game more, but he seems like a great fit for the Thunder.

He's athletic and versatile, and could be a nice addition to OKC's front court down the line if they'd be willing to wait awhile for a return on their investment.

Don't be surprised if they aren't willing to wait around for a player like Seraphin and instead go the route of Luke Babbit, but the wait would be worthwhile for this Frenchman.

22. Portland Trail Blazers: Luke Babbitt

Position: SF
Height: 6-9
Weight: 220
Age: 20
School: Nevada

For all the young talent of the Blazers, they don't really have a small forward who can score regularly. Luke Babbitt has a great inside-out game and should be able to step in immediately and contribute.

He can run the pick-and-roll or post-up underneath the basket; playing alongside Brandon Roy won't hurt either.

Babbitt is the type of player Portland is wishing for.

23. Minessota Timberwolves (from Utah): Quincy Pondexter

Position: SF
Height: 6-7
Weight: 220
Age: 22
School: Washington

As mentioned earlier, the Timberwolves are looking for guys who can spot up and shot or take the ball inside. If they manage to walk away from the draft with a haul of Turner, Hayward, and Pondexter, they would be the big winners by a long shot.

Pondexter was one of the top seniors last season and he's the type of guy who can score from practically anywhere.

When his jump shot is true, it's a thing of beauty.

24. Atlanta Hawks: Solomon Alabi

Position: C
Height: 7-1
Weight: 245
Age: 22
School: Florida State

Solomon doesn't fill a need for the Hawks, but he's the type of low-post threat that will be too tempting to pass on if he falls all the way to 24.

Atlanta already has Al Horford at the five, but he can play minutes at the four and would actually complement the skill-set of a player like Alabi.

He's raw and would need some time to develop, but this would be a great place to bring him along slowly and not apply a lot of pressure to come in and produce from day one.

25. Memphis Grizzlies (from Denver): Devin Ebanks

Position: SF
Height: 6-9
Weight: 205
Age: 20
School: West Virginia

Outside of Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph, the Grizzlies don't really have anyone who can rebound well. Devin Ebanks is a long small forward with a huge wingspan who can really get up there and get his hands on the ball.

He hits the boards hard, gets balls outside of his range and is quick to get into position under the basket.

Offensively, he spends most of his time around the paint and takes a lot of high percentage shots, but that may be because of his lack of an outside game.

That's what's keeping him out of the lottery.

26. Oklahoma City Thunder (from Phoenix): Avery Bradley

Position: SG
Height: 6-3
Weight: 180
Age: 19
School: Texas

Avery Bradley lines up as a shooting guard, but he needs to add significant bulk if he doesn't want to get pushed around on the next level. He's been pegged as a lottery pick by some and a late first-rounder by others.

Either way, the Thunder would be thrilled to grab him here if he slips all the way to this point.

He'd be a great addition to the backcourt and has a strong defensive skill set that would be of immediate use.

27. New Jersey Nets (from Dallas): Terrico White

Position: SG
Height: 6-5
Weight: 211
Age: 20
School: Mississippi

Terrico White can be one of the best guards in the nation when he's on this game, but at the same time he can be a headache when things aren't going his way.

Consistency is the biggest issue for him, but if he can get it together he could be one of the biggest surprises of the draft. He and John Wall would make an excellent start to the rebuilding project in New Jersey.

28. Memphis Grizzlies (from L.A. Lakers): Elliot Williams

Position: SG
Height: 6-4
Weight: 180
Age: 20
School: Memphis

Elliot Williams is a versatile player who can lineup at the one or the two if needed. He and O.J. Mayo could form a solid, yet untraditional backcourt with both players assuming ball-handling duties.

He's an athletic guy with a lot of upside and would provide the Grizzlies with the type of cheap labor any team could use.

The problem is they would still be missing a reliable true point guard for the roster. Nevertheless, it's a good fit for both parties.

29. Orlando Magic: Willie Warren

Position: PG
Height: 6-4
Weight: 210
Age: 20
School: Oklahoma

Willie Warren was expected to be one of the top players in the draft at the beginning of the season, but he was asked to do way more than he could handle and he had a poor year.

That really hurt his stock, but at this point he's a steal. Warren is better suited as a complimentary piece rather than the go-to guy and he'd be a perfect fit for the Magic behind Jameer Nelson.

As a role player, he should see an immediate impact; and might turn out to be a great asset down the line.

30. Washington Wizards (from Cleveland): Paul George

Position: SF
Height: 6-7
Weight: 185
Age: 20
School: Fresno State

Don't be surprised to see the Wizards double down on their bet to land an athletic swingman to help in the rebuilding process.

Paul George is exactly that. He's a versatile guy who can be a one-man highlight reel when he gets into open space running the floor; George dunks with force and can ignite momentum for his teammates when he's doing so.

The biggest knock on his game is his inability to create his own shot, especially in the half court, but he's the type of player fans love to watch.

Washington needs guys like that.