So what NBA teams will draft Reno’s own Luke Babbitt, the 2009-10 WAC Player of the Year, and Armon Johnson, the former WAC Freshman of the Year, on Thursday night in the 2010 NBA Draft?  We’ll find out soon enough, but in the meantime, here is a SilverandBlueSports mock draft.

Writer’s note: This is a mock draft based on current order selection without trades.

2010 SBS Mock NBA Draft

1. Washington Wizards: John Wall, PG, Kentucky – No surprise here as Washington adds a pure scorer to replace Gilbert Arenas at point guard, likely moving Agent Zero to the two. The Wizards land the consensus number one player in this draft, just one year removed from being the top high school prospect in the country. Wall was without a doubt the most exciting player in college basketball a year ago. AWP’s Take: Wall should have a solid NBA career, though his durability is the main question mark in my mind. He’s an Allen Iverson type prospect, though taller and less consistent of a scorer.  He can make all the plays.
2. Philadelphia 76ers: Demarcus Cousins, PF, Kentucky – The trade of Samuel Dalembert last week showed that Philly is unhappy with its frontcourt (even despite landing Spencer Hawes, who is nothing more than a reserve big man in the NBA). Although the Sixers could use a scoring wing for sure, I see them passing on the chance to add an Evan Turner or Wesley Johnson in order to grab Cousins, who was Wall’s freshman teammate at Kentucky last year.  Cousins is arguably the most valuable commodity in this draft thanks to his size and skills, and if he doesn’t go here, he’ll be gone by pick five for sure.  AWP’s Take: The Sixers will take Turner here, unable to pass up on his Brandon Roy-like ability.
3. New Jersey Nets: Evan Turner, SG, Ohio State – The Nets land arguably the best all-around stat-stuffer in the draft when they select Turner out of Ohio State. A scorer with a high basketball IQ, Turner will be an impact player in the NBA and if he falls to the Nets he can make the fans forget about the robbery that is the NBA lottery. AWP’s Take: Turner is the next Brandon Roy, but he’ll most likely be gone here. The Nets will then take Wesley Johnson, selecting the former Orangemen over Favors.
4. Minnesota Timberwolves: Derrick Favors, PF, Georgia Tech – Favors stock has steadily risen since the draft combine workouts and the T-Wolves will opt for size and upside here. He was a beast in the ACC despite being a newcomer, and will help shore up the Minnesota frontcourt in a hurry.  AWP’s Take: Right on. Favors to the T-Wolves. It could take some time for him to develop, but he’s shown flashes of being the next Al Horford.
5. Sacramento Kings: Wesley Johnson, SF, Syracuse – After acquiring Dalembert from the Sixers, the Kings will focus on adding a slashing scorer to open things up down low for Carl Landry, and Johnson is the best slasher available. He is a multi-talented scorer who can explode for points more so than any other player on this list.  AWP’s Take: I see the Kings taking Cousins here, or perhaps even Monroe, but my call is for Cousins after his impressive workout in Sacramento.  He’s the next Al Jefferson.
6. Golden State Warriors: Patrick Patterson, SF, Kentucky –  With Monta Ellis and Steph Curry being the backcourt of the future, the Warriors need to address their frontcourt. They’ve already talked about going big.  Curry is the point guard of this team, and if Ellis is unhappy, he could very well be dealt on draft night.  The Warriors could then jump on Patterson, with his ability to play both forward positions.  He’s a big who can really run the court. AWP’s Take: I think Greg Monroe is the best fit with Golden State, but it would be a heck of a Kentucky story if three of the first half-dozen players taken in the NBA Draft are former Wildcats. Imagine the recruiting damage they’ll continue to do?
7. Detroit Pistons:  Greg Monroe, C, Georgetown – The Pistons look to get back to their bad boy ways by adding a dynamic, shot-blocking big man. Monroe can do a lot of things, and he might be one of the best passing big men around. He is a great rebounder as well, and reminds us a lot of a young Rasheed Wallace, who also came up with the Pistons. AWP’s Take: The hot name here is Ed Davis, though we aren’t that high on him.  He reminds us way to much of Marvin Williams, who has not done much of anything since his arrival in the NBA from North Carolina.
8. Los Angeles Clippers: Al-Farouq Aminu, SF, Wake Forest – The Clippers add a small forward here in Aminu, who can also play at the two-guard spot, just in case 2009 #1 overall pick Blake Griffin isn’t ready to go following his knee surgery. AWP’s Take: Aminu is a huge talent that can do a lot of the same things Andre Iguodala does on the court. Aminu should be the selection.
9. Utah Jazz: Cole Aldrich, C, Kansas – With former centers such as Greg Ostertag and Greg Foster to go with current center Mehmet Okur, Aldrich would fit in nicely in Utah. AWP’s Take: Not that high on Aldrich as an NBA Player. He’s s more of the Joel Pryzbilla type.  The prediction here is Babbitt, who would love to play for the Jazz.  Luke is the best pure shooter in this draft, and when he showed that he had the lateral ability to play in the league, he likely secured himself a Top 10 spot in the 2010 Draft.
   
10. Indiana Pacers:  Gordon Hayward, SF, Butler – Another guy who seems to be a natural fit here as Hayward helped lead his team to a hometown Final Four this year in Indianapolis. It would be fitting for Hayward to blossom where his legend began. AWP’s Take: It would be a great story if Hayward is the pick here, and Butler fans wouldn’t mind his departure so much if he did land with the hometown Pacers.  With high-scoring wing Danny Granger already in town though, I think Larry the Legend will opt for Paul George, arguably the best athlete in the draft.
11. New Orleans Hornets:  Xavier Henry, SF, Kansas – Given his name you might think I was referring to a World Cup participant, but Henry’s game would complement Chris Paul, David West and Emeka Okafor quite nicely. AWP’s Take: Henry is still unpolished, but there are some who compare him to the next Michael Redd. He can really stroke it.  If George is gone here, Henry could very well be a Hornet.
12. Memphis Grizzlies:  Luke Babbitt, PF, Nevada – With a high basketball IQ to go along with his size it is no surprise to see Babbitt as a lottery selection.  You combine that with the fact that Utah and Memphis have invited Luke back for individual workouts and it doesn’t look like the Reno product (Galena HS) will fall much further than here. Utah could make this move before Memphis, but one or the other seems like the most likely fit. AWP’s Take: If Utah takes Babbitt, and Indiana passes on Hayward to take George, then the Butler product will likely be part of the Grizzlies organization. We aren’t as high on him as an NBA prospect, due to his build and the fact that he’s not as consistent a three-point shooter as most people would believe.  Hayward is good, but so was Joe Alexander for one season.
    
13. Toronto Raptors: Ekpe Udoh, C, Baylor – The Raptors must protect themselves here in case Chris Bosh departs (and something tells me he’s dying to come back to the States).  If Udoh is here, they’ll draft him.  He’s one of the more athletic big men available. AWP’s Take: Udoh is an extremely bouncy big man with skills, and I think he’ll have an outstanding NBA career. Toronto would be an excellent fit for him as well.
14. Houston Rockets:  Damion James, PF, Texas –  After trading Carl Landry and Tracy McGrady the new look Houston Rockets, who could also be without Yao Ming,  must rebuild at the forward spot. Damion James is an excellent inside-out scorer. AWP’s Take: I think Aldrich is the guy here, especially without Ming around. He won’t be the most exciting pick for Rocket fans, but he’s a big.
15. Milwaukee Bucks:  Ed Davis, PF, North Carolina – Davis was one of the lone bright spots for the Tar Heels last season and the Bucks have quietly built themselves into a contender after drafting well in recent years. Is Davis another Marvin Williams? He could be, as they are similar talents entering the league from the same North Carolina program. AWP’s Take: Patterson is the selection here, giving Jennings and Bogut another player to win with. Patterson will drop under Davis, but he could be the more productive pro.
    
16. Minnesota Timberwolves:  Paul George, SF, Fresno State – Here is the second WAC player to come off the board and for those of us that saw Fresno in action know that George is quite the talent despite the drama that took place at the WAC Tournament.  George, who announced his eligibility via Twitter, will certainly face maturity questions and could fall for those reasons. AWP’s Take: As I said before, George is arguably the best all-around athlete in this draft, and could be a Gerald Wallace type player in the NBA. That’s why he’ll likely be gone here, and Minnesota will then grab James Anderson, who some scouts just love as a player.
17. Chicago Bulls: Jordan Crawford, SG, Xavier – Interesting pick here.  Chicago is a serious player in the Lebron James sweepstakes but before they get a chance to talk with Lebron they can draft the Xavier standout who made headlines when he dunked on Lebron at James’ summer camp. AWP’s Take: I think Crawford’s shaky demeanor with cause him to slip in the draft, which is why the Bulls will opt for Devin Ebanks.  New Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau is a master defensive coach, and with Ebanks, he’ll get a great all-around defensive player who also has a knack for scoring.
18. Miami Heat: Eric Bledsoe, PG, Kentucky – Another team who must prepare for a possible free agent departure in the heat, with the explosive Dwyane Wade, a former MVP, potentially on the way out.  So with the heat on the Heat, Bledsoe could be the right fit.  He is a rocket of a point guard with incredible blow-by skills. AWP’s Take: I agree, and I think Bledsoe, a native of Alabama, would be thrilled to join the Heat. He’s a quality guard who could make a rapid rise in the league. If it wasn’t for John Wall, Bledsoe could have put up numbers similar to Tyreke Evans at the college level.
    
19. Boston Celtics: Daniel Orton, C, Kentucky – With the age of Kevin Garnett and the aforementioned Wallace, who is now retiring, plus the knee injury sustained by Kendrick Perkins during the Finals, the Celtics must grab a big man here. Orton would have plenty of time to develop behind them. AWP’s Take: Always tough to figure out what the C’s will do, but I figure they’ll take a big as well and select 7-footer Hassan Whiteside, who could very well be the Patrick O’Bryant of this draft. Some say Marcus Camby, but I’m not so sure.  Whiteside is another one-year wonder without a lot of strong points other than his size.
    
20. San Antonio Spurs: Avery Bradley, PG, Texas – With the rumblings that the Spurs are ready to move point guard Tony Parker, Bradley would be a great fit.  He is a combo adept defensively to step right into the league and play. He’s also an explosive offensive player. AWP’s Take: I like the fit, but since Bradley is more of a two-guard, I think the choice could be Armon Johnson here.  He’s really the next top point guard on the board.
    
21. Oklahoma City Thunder:  Armon Johnson, PG, Nevada – If Spiderman was a college basketball player I always thought his game would look like Armon Johnson’s.  It would be fitting if Nevada’s Spiderman got paired up with the Thunder’s “Durantula,” Kevin Durant. Insider Alert: I sat next to an Oklahoma City executive this past season who was very interested in Johnson.  Prediction: the former Nevada point guard could be playing for Oklahoma City next season. AWP’s Take: I think the Thunder will miss Johnson by one spot, and with Russell Westbrook already in place, I think they opt for a big and select Larry Sanders from VCU.
    
22. Portland Trail Blazers:  Craig Brackins, PF, Iowa State – Sleeper Alert: The Blazers add a player who played in a tough conference (Big 12) and put up pretty decent numbers (16.5 PPG, 8.5 RPG) to go with his big body (6’10-230 lbs). AWP’s Take: Brackins reminds us a lot of Channing Frye, who Portland let go of after acquiring him for Zach Randolph.  So my projection is for an international prospect in Kevin Seraphin from France. The Blazers did well when they got Nicholas Batum from France two years ago in a deal with the Rockets, and Seraphin is a real thick, physical kid with huge athleticism.
23. Minnesota Timberwolves:  Hassan Whiteside, C, Marshall – After drafting three point guards a year ago with three first round picks, and now having another three first rounders, Minnesota has a stable of young talent.  At this point of the draft, the T-Wolves have likely added Favors and perhaps a guy like James Anderson.  So Whiteside, a talented prospect from Marshall, gets snagged here.  AWP’s Take: I think Whiteside is also gone here, but I agree the T-Wolves will grab a true center, which is why I think Orton, a young, developmental center with tremendous upside makes sense. Favors and Orton can definitely play together.
24. Atlanta Hawks:  James Anderson, SG, Oklahoma State – Anderson has been explaining what went on at Oklahoma State on his pre-draft workout visits but that doesn’t take away from what he accomplished (22.3 PPG, 5.8 RPG) while playing the Cowboys. AWP’s Take: I believe Anderson is 86′ed here as well, and that’s why I believe they’ll take the best guy still on the board in Brackins, who could be a Danny Granger-like player down the road.
25. Memphis Grizzlies:  Larry Sanders, PF, Virginia – The Grizzlies can make themselves a serious contender if they can manage their draft picks properly.  With three first round picks the Grizz have their work cut out for them and I can see them moving one of the picks and this is it. But for now, we’ll call it Sanders, a VCU product with excellent shot blocking and rebounding abilities. AWP’s Take: Avery Bradley is the call here.  The former Tacoma (Wash.) standout who played early on his career at the same school with Washington point guard Abdul Gaddy was once described by his coach as a Bruce Bowen type defender, but with offense.  He could be a very good late first-round pick.
26. Oklahoma City Thunder:  Quincy Pondexter, SG, Washington – The scouting department in Oklahoma is a good one and they probably have noticed the guard talent that has come out of Washington in recent years (Brandon Roy, Nate Robinson). But Pondexter, a quiet, do-it-all type performer would be a great fit with James Harden and Russell Westbrook, two other former Pac-10 stars.  AWP’s Take: It’d be a really great match, as Pondexter fits the Thunder’s playing style very well. Of course, he’s not much of a perimeter shooter though, and he has to gain more weight to be effective inside, so it’ll be interesting to see how the kid they call ‘Q out of Fresno actually develops in the pro’s.
27. New Jersey Nets:  Devin Ebanks, SF, West Virginia – Surprisingly Devin Ebanks will be the first Mountaineer called on draft night after star guard Da’Sean Butler tore knee ligaments in a Final Four game against Duke, which cost Butler his lottery status and a shot at a national title. Ebanks is very talented, and a defensive stalwart.  AWP’s Take: We think the Bulls will nab Ebanks earlier than this, but with Damion James slipping, he’s the selection.
28. Memphis Grizzlies:  Stanley Robinson, PF, Connecticut – In a down year for the Huskies, Robinson was one of the few bright spots.  His athleticism and 6-foot-8 frame make him a desirable prospect, but he’s right there with other prospects such as Pondexter and James who are each going to take some time to develop.  AWP’s Take: This is the Grizzlies third first round selection, and they could already have Gordon Hayward and Avery Bradley now. So I see a big in Solomon Alabi, a 7-foot-1 center from Florida State as the right fit.
29. Orlando Magic:  Dexter Pittman, C, Texas – It is clear that the Orlando Magic need to get Dwight Howard some help down low after the Magic lost to the Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals and what a force the 6’11-300 pound Pittman could be playing on the other side of Superman. AWP’s Take: The Magic want a big man who can score inside, but they also want to leave Howard space to do what he does so well.  That’s why Gani Lawal of Georgia Tech seems like the right fit.
30. Washington Wizards:  Greivis Vasquez, SG, Maryland – Ranking second all-time in Maryland scoring history, the Wizards have a chance to get a great two-way guard as “General Greivis” finished his 2010 season by receiving the Bob Cousy Award, given to the top point guard in the nation.  There is some Hedo Turkoglu in his game, though he is more of a true point that a point forward.  It could be a great regional match.  AWP’s Take: I’ll predict the final pick of the first-round being Lance Stephenson, who continues to be one of the top late risers in this draft. He’s a big two-guard and a streaky shooter with a sketchy background, but his athleticism is freakish. Sounds like a Wizard to me.