2010 NBA Draft First Round Preview

Alec McAfeeDec 26, 2009

As of press time there are many teams competing—for lack of a better word—for the worst record in the NBA. Though no team has played more than 30 games there are still six clubs with less than ten wins. The New Jersey Nets, off to the worst start in team history, still hold on to the top spot by a few games and get the chance to pick first.

1. New Jersey Nets: John Wall PG/Kentucky

Easily the most productive and valuable freshman thus far in the college game, 6'4" dynamo John Wall does it all for his Kentucky Wildcats. Wall leads the team in points, assists, steals, and minutes played.

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Already possessing the "it" factor that has made past NBA greats special, Wall is continuing to improve on his weaknesses each day in Lexington including improving his supposed weakness from behind the arc to shoot over 40% from three-point range.

Wall has the natural size and lightning speed to step on an NBA court tomorrow and make plays that few in the world can make.

No matter which team wins the NBA lottery it is quite clear who will be shaking David Stern's hand first.

2. Minnesota Timberwolves: Al-Farouq Aminu SF/Wake Forest

There may be players that are more skilled than Al-Farouq Aminu in the 2010 class, but none fits the Minnesota Timberwolves roster better. Aminu is a 6'8" face-up wing player that combines god-given size with an old school skill set.

Aminu has been the go-to player for his Wake Forest Deamon Deacons thus far this season and has stepped up to the challenge, averaging 16.1 points and 10.7 rebounds per game.

The Timberwolves are in dire need of a big, physical wing player that can consistently hit the open jump shot and put the ball on the floor.

Already having two young bigs—Al Jefferson and Kevin Love—and a plethora of steady guards, the Wolves need to add a multi-dimensional wing threat to add to their already stout array of developing talent. The Wolves also get another lottery pick via a trade with Charlotte.

3. Philadelphia 76ers: Xavier Henry SG/Kansas

Like the Minnesota Timberwolves, Philadelphia has a great core of young, progressive players in their system. The Sixers have two great, young lead guards in Louis Williams and Jrue Holliday as well as one of the best duo of wings in the league with Andre Iguodala and Thaddeus Young.

With Elton Brand and Samuel Dalembert down low it does not look like the 76ers must solidify this position at this point in the draft, but they do need to address their need for another scoring guard, preferably one with more size and finishing ability than Williams.

Although just a freshman, Xavier Henry has stood out amongst his high-profiled teammates at Kansas to lead the team in scoring in almost every game this season. Henry has an NBA-ready body in the mold of another Jayhawk-alum in Paul Pierce.

Henry is a deadly shooter and has a rare ability to nail jumpers off a pass as well as creating his own shot with ease.

4. Golden State Warriors: Donatas Motiejuna PF/Lithuania

More so than any team in the NBA, injuries have plagued the Golden State Warriors and have pulled them out of contention fast than almost any team in the league. Because of this, it is actually hard to tell exactly which area Golden State needs to address first.

It appears that they would need to add a physical, versatile big to go along with the predictable game of Andris Biedrins and the developing Brandan Wright. Motiejuna is the total package in regards to the Warriors' needs.

NBADraft.net says that Motiejuna, a 7'0" power forward/center combo, "has a lot of potential due to his size, agility, and offensive development" and is a "finesse 4-man with excellent versatility, but shows the toughness to play inside with contact."

5. Indiana Pacers: Wesley Johnson SG/SF/Syracuse

Easily the most surprising player in college basketball this season has been the Iowa State transfer Wesley Johnson of the Syracuse Orange. Johnson had two decent years in Ames playing for the Cyclones, but has elevated his game to elite status since transferring to the Big East powerhouse in 2008.

Johnson easily could have been selected at No. 2 by the Minnesota Timberwolves, but is more physical and rim-oriented than Aminu is and that actually works out perfectly for the Pacers.

Comparable to Gerald Wallace in the NBA, Johnson excels with contact on the offensive end and is a nightmare on defense and on the glass—averaging 2.1 steals and 2.1 blocks per game to go along with 8.2 rebounds a night.

Johnson is a bit thin, but clearly has a great body to grow into with a season or two in the weight room.

If Indiana drafts Wesley Johnson they would have a frightening young supply of wings and bigs, led by a future perennial all-star in Danny Granger.

6. Washington Wizards: Ed Davis PF/North Carolina

7. Utah Jazz (From New York): Willie Warren PG/SG/Oklahoma

8. Minnesota Timberwolves (From Charlotte): Avery Bradley PG/Texas

9. Chicago Bulls: Derrick Favors PF/Georgia Tech

10. Memphis Grizzlies: Devin Ebanks SF/PF/West Virginia

11. Los Angeles Clippers: Cole Aldrich PF/C/Kansas

12. Sacramento Kings: Xavier Henry SG/SF/Kansas

13. New Orleans Hornets: Dexter Pittman C/Texas

14. Oklahoma City Thunder: Larry Sanders PF/C/VCU

15. Detroit Pistons: Jan Vessely SF/PF/Czech Republic