2010 NBA Draft: Grades and Evaluations for Each First Round Pick

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The 2010 NBA Draft: a time for college stars to learn the fate of their futures in the NBA.

John Wall was expected to be the first overall pick, but after that, nobody knew what was going to happen.

Most teams got good value with their picks, and there were only a few reaches throughout the entirety of the first round.

A lot of these college players will be asked to have a major role from day one, so they need to get those contracts signed and get working with their new teams as soon as possible.

No. 1 (Washington Wizards): PG John Wall, Kentucky

Washington lucked out by winning the draft lottery. Still, they don't need another point guard. But had they not selected John Wall, criticism would have come pouring in.

The Wizards need to pray for one of two scenarios: that they can trade Gilbert Arenas, or that Wall and Arenas can coexist in the backcourt.

Wall brings elite athleticism to Washington. He is excellent in the open court, and he is one of the best finishers in the draft class. He needs to work on running a team in the half court.

Grade: A-

No. 2 (Philadelphia 76ers): G Evan Turner, Ohio State

The 76ers drafted the most NBA-ready player in the draft. Turner was an excellent player during his three years at Ohio State.

He will fill in alongside Jrue Holliday and Andre Iguodala to give Philadelphia one of the best wing combinations in the league.

Turner does most things very well. He just needs to get in the gym and practice his outside shooting.

Grade: A+

No. 3 (New Jersey Nets): PF Derrick Favors, Georgia Tech

The Nets missed out big-time when they fell to third in the draft lottery, but they got a nice consolation prize in Derrick Favors.

Favors should fit in nicely with Brook Lopez in the post for the Nets. Together, they can grow and learn from each other and form one of the most talented pairs of big men in the league.

Grade: A

No. 4 (Minnesota Timberwolves): SF Wesley Johnson, Syracuse

There were rumors that Minnesota was going to pick DeMarcus Cousins, but I think they made a wise choice in Johnson.

He will spread the floor nicely and is a very experienced player. He is also reuniting with former Syracuse teammate Jonny Flynn, so he should have no trouble finding a comfort zone in Minnesota.

Grade: B+

No. 5 (Sacramento Kings): C DeMarcus Cousins, Kentucky

The Kings acquired one of the best young players in the draft. Cousins has the chance to dominate down low in Sacramento for years to come.

With the acquisition of Samuel Dalembert from Philadelphia, Cousins will be able to take his time and learn the game more. Remember, he left Kentucky after his freshman year, so he is still a very raw prospect.

Grade: A

No. 6 (Golden State Warriors): PF Ekpe Udoh, Baylor

The Warriors really surprised me with this pick. I was expecting them to select another offensive-minded player, but they went with Udoh, a defensive wizard.

Udoh will provide the Warriors with a great shot blocker in the paint, which will improve their defense dramatically. His offensive game is still developing, but this was a nice pick for the Warriors.

Grade: A-

No. 7 (Detroit Pistons): PF/C Greg Monroe, Georgetown

The Pistons got a solid pick here, but I'm wondering if he is really what they need right now. He is another player that isn't really big enough to play center. He needs to gain a lot more weight to play there consistently.

Monroe is a very talented offensive player, and he is probably the best passing big man in this draft. He needs to get stronger and work on his defense.

Grade: B

No. 8 (Los Angeles Clippers): F Al-Farouq Aminu, Wake Forest

The Clippers filled their one potential weakness in the starting lineup with the selection of small forward Al-Farouq Aminu.

He can step in immediately and start, but he will most likely be the last option on the floor. This will give him time to develop his game.

Grade: A-

No. 9 (Utah Jazz): F Gordon Hayward, Butler

This is the first big surprise of the draft. I thought the Jazz would have gone with a low post player with the impending free agency of Carlos Boozer, but they went with near superhero Gordon Hayward.

He has a nice offensive game and will be a good player to have next to Deron Williams, but he doesn't really have a position. He isn't quick enough to play small forward and he's too small to play power forward.

Grade: C+

No. 10 (Indiana Pacers): F Paul George, Fresno State

George is a solid pick for the Pacers. I don't know too much about him, but from what I've heard, he is a good wing player and does a lot of things very well.

The Pacers need help at almost every position, so selecting the best player available was probably their best move.

Grade: B+

No. 11 (New Orleans Hornets): C Cole Aldrich, Kansas

The Hornets made a solid selection in Aldrich. He will never be an All-Star player, but he will be a consistent performer for the next decade.

He is very active on defense, and his offensive game is above average. He will have the chance to play early with only David West and Emeka Okafor standing in his way.

Grade: B

No. 12 (Memphis Grizzlies): G Xavier Henry

Henry is an excellent shooter and can light it up from the three point line, but he isn't really great at anything else. He is decent on the drive, but his ball handling and decision making aren't that great.

He might be a good player to have next to O.J. Mayo, because he will keep the defense honest with his shooting and will give Mayo more room to operate.

Grade: B+

No. 13 (Toronto Raptors): F Ed Davis, North Carolina

Toronto got excellent value at the 13th pick with Ed Davis. Had he come out last year, Davis could have been a top five pick.

The Raptors have found someone they can groom to take over for Chris Bosh. He needs to get in the weight room and get a lot stronger, but he has a knack for getting easy baskets around the rim.

Grade: A

No. 14 (Houston Rockets): F Patrick Patterson, Kentucky

This is a very good pick for the Rockets. Patterson is a good combo forward who had loads of experience playing for Kentucky in the SEC.

He needs to develop a better outside jumper, because he is a bit undersized to play power forward, but he was able to contribute consistently in college.

Grade: B+

No. 15 (Milwaukee Bucks): F Larry Sanders, VCU

Sanders will bring immediate help to the Bucks' frontcourt. He is a lanky athlete that is excellent at blocking shots.

He will give good length to the Bucks, who lacked big men when Andrew Bogut went down with his freak injury last year.

Grade: B+

No. 16 (Minnesota Timberwolves): F Luke Babbitt, Nevada

Babbitt is a good all-around scoring lefty from Nevada. The Timberwolves need help scoring the ball, and Babbitt will be able to shoulder some of that load.

While he is good offensively, he isn't a very good athlete, so he needs to work on his positioning and fundamentals on defense.

Grade: B

No. 17 (Chicago Bulls): F Kevin Seraphin, France

This seems to be a pick for the future. Seraphin is expected to stay in France for at least another year.

Seraphin is an excellent athlete, but he is very raw and needs more experience before he can contribute consistently in the NBA.

Grade: C+

No. 18 (Oklahoma City Thunder): G Eric Bledsoe, Kentucky

In a pick acquired from the Miami Heat, the Oklahoma City Thunder selected the other point guard from Kentucky.

Bledsoe did not see a whole lot of time in his freshman year at Kentucky, but he showed loads of potential. He can put the ball in the basket and should fit in nicely with the Thunder.

Grade: B-

No. 19 (Boston Celtics): G Avery Bradley, Texas

Bradley is a combo guard from Texas. He is too small to play shooting guard, so he needs to develop his point guard skills to be a successful player.

He can learn from Rajon Rondo and is good insurance in case Ray Allen decides to leave.

Grade: B

No. 20 (San Antonio Spurs): G James Anderson, Oklahoma State

James Anderson can flat out score. He should inject the aging Spurs with a youthful attitude and will provide instant offense.

Anderson should develop nicely next to point guard George Hill and will give the Spurs a lethal offensive back court.

Grade: B+

No. 21 (Oklahoma City Thunder): F Craig Brackins, Iowa State

The Thunder made an excellent selection here with Craig Brackins. He is a very skilled big man that didn't get much attention playing for Iowa State.

He has a good variety of post moves and is a tenacious rebounder. The only question surrounding him is his work ethic.

Grade: A-

No. 22 (Portland Trailblazers): G Elliot Williams, Memphis

Williams is a very skilled, very athletic player that transferred to Memphis after a year at Duke because of family issues.

He is a good defender and an above-average offensive player. He needs to work on his strength and his outside shot.

Grade: B+

No. 23 (Minnesota Timberwolves): F Trevor Booker, Clemson

Booker is a very nice player from Clemson, but he is undersized for the power forward position and the Timberwolves already have a plethora of players down low.

He is probably one of the strongest players in the draft, but he relied on that too much in college, so he needs to work on his overall skill set.

Grade: C-

No. 24 (Atlanta Hawks): F Damion James, Texas

James goes to the Hawks, giving them yet another 'tweener. He is an athletic combo forward who loves to run.

He doesn't really shoot that well, but he is a good rebounder and will play his heart out for his team.

Grade: B-

No. 25 (Memphis Grizzlies): G Dominique Jones, South Florida

Jones isn't going to blow you away with any of his skills, but he knows how to score. His athleticism isn't over the top, but he has an excellent offensive game.

He is a good contrast to earlier pick Xavier Henry. Henry is strictly a shooter, while Jones has a variety of moves to put the ball in the basket.

Grade: B-

No. 26 (Oklahoma City Thunder): F Quincy Pondexter, Washington

Pondexter gives the Thunder a decent scoring option when Kevin Durant goes off the court. He stayed at Washington all four years, so he has loads of experience.

Pondexter plays bigger than he really is. He is a great offensive rebounder for his size, and he will help bring mental toughness to a young Thunder team.

Grade: B-

No. 27 (New Jersey Nets): G Jordan Crawford, Xavier

The selection of Crawford is a steal for the Nets. He is one of the best all-around scoring threats in the entire draft, and they get him all the way down at pick 27.

He can take it to the rim, and he can light it up from outside. He needs to work on other aspects of his game, like defense and rebounding.

Grade: A-

No. 28 (Memphis Grizzlies): G Greivis Vasquez, Maryland

The selection of Vazquez may be a sign that the Grizzlies are about to give up on starting point guard Mike Conley. He is still young, but he hasn't proven much during his time in the league.

Vazquez is an extreme competitor. He plays his heart out every game. He has very good skills and is a good addition to the Grizzlies.

Grade: B+