Welcome to Slam Dunk Central’s coverage of the 2010 NBA Draft, your stop for the most up-to-date draft coverage of this year’s draft. The proceedings will start at 7:00 PM sharp, with the first pick by the Washington Wizards coming shortly thereafter.
The draft coverage will offer the following: The team that is drafting, the player’s name, the player’s position, the player’s school (or pro team if an international player) and brief comments about the selected player.
Refresh the page often as the information will change on a consistent basis. Again, welcome to Slam Dunk Central’s coverage of the 2010 NBA Draft, sit back and relax and enjoy the show!
Draft rumors:
*According to Yahoo! Sports, the Nets and Pacers are discussing a possible trade that would send Danny Granger and Indiana’s 10th pick to New Jersey Nets for Devin Harris, Yi Jianlian and the #3 overall pick. If it happens, look for the Pacers to select Derrick Favors with the #3.
*The Bulls have, according to SI.com and confirmed by ESPN.com, made a deal with the Wizards in which Kirk Hinrich and the #17 pick goes to Washington. The trade cannot take place until July 8. IT’s unclear what the Wizards will send to Chicago. Despite the deal, the Bulls will still pick for the Wizards.
*Philadelphia, despite likely taking Evan Turner with their #2 pick, are looking to add another first-round pick, according to SI.com. They are seeking to either buy or trade for a late-first or early-second round pick, especially looking for a big body (i.e. a center).
*ESPN reports that Cole Aldrich and Morris Petersen go to Oklahoma City for draft picks (#18 and #21).
*It looks like Aldrich and Petersen are now property of the Oklahoma City Thunder.
*Luke Babbitt and Ryan Gomes from the T-Wolves are likely to head to Portland for Martell Webster. Is this actually the Minnesota Timberwolves?
*Eric Bledsoe from the Thunder to go to Los Angeles Clippers for a future pick.
FIRST ROUND
- Washington Wizards - John Wall, PG, Kentucky. Pretty much an obvious pick here. How he will exist with Gilbert Arenas is anyone’s guess – assuming Arenas isn’t traded.
- Philadelphia 76ers - Evan Turner, SG, Ohio State. Solid pick, for sure. I look for him and Louis Williams to fight hard for the starting guard spot come the regular season. From #4 until the end of the draft, it should get interesting.
- New Jersey Nets – Derrick Favors, PF, Georgia Tech. Nice pick, but as I had mentioned earlier, he, Devin Harris and Yi Jianlian may be traded to Indiana for Danny Granger and their #10 pick.
- Minnesota Timberwolves – Wesley Johnson, SF, Syracuse. I thought the T-Wolves would take a center, but opted for an athletic small forward. Good pick.
- Sacramento Kings – DeMarcus Cousins, PF/C, Kentucky. I like the pick; however, the question is this: will he be a head case? The talent’s there and he will be a handful – or two. Should complement Carlos Landry and Jason Thompson at the 4 and Dalembert at center.
- Golden State Warriors – Ekpe Udoh, PF, Baylor. This pick solidifies my belief that Don Nelson is on his way out, although I thought they needed a scoring SF. But Udoh is a defensive presence and can score, so not a bad pick overall.
- Detroit Pistons – Greg Monroe, C, Georgetown. A defensive presence (he’s fron Georgetown, after all), but with some decent offensive skills. The Pistons starting center, I’m guessing.
- Los Angeles Clippers – Al-Farouq Aminu, SF, Wake Forest. Went higher than I thought he should’ve. But his rebounding and blossoming offensive skill set should serve him well. Interesting pick for a #8.
- Utah Jazz – Gordon Hayward, SF, Butler. I never thought that Hayward would get picked this high, but the Jazz have the knack for drafting underrated players. Hayward’s got a high basketball IQ and can score. Since they didn’t draft a PG, that’ll be their pick in the second round.
- Indiana Pacers – Paul George, PF, Fresno State. Has scoring ability, no doubt. And his game is getting better. A work in progress in this case. I think this pick could be packaged in the trade I mentioned with the New Jersey Nets; so basically, the Pacers picked for New Jersey.
- New Orleans Hornets – Cole Aldrich, C, Kansas. Excellent pick as they’re thin at center. Has the basketball IQ as he went to Kansas. Defensively strong and will certainly complement Emeka Okafor at the 5.
- Memphis Grizzlies – Xavier Henry, SG, Kansas. The Grizzlies went small yet got that scoring threat from off the bench. Could be like Ben Gordon, over time.
- Toronto Raptors – Ed Davis, PF, North Carolina. This pick pretty much stamps Chris Bosh’s visa out of Canada. Very good rebounder and athlete. Looks like a renovation will take place in Toronto.
- Houston Rockets – Patrick Patterson, PF, Kentucky. Looks like Yao Ming’s getting better, hence the pick. Dude’s a strong force and has a 7-1 wingspan. Decent defender. Nice pick – assuming Yao remains healthy.
- Milwaukee Bucks – Larry Sanders, PF, Virginia Commonwealth. Hasn’t played the game all that long; he is a defensive player until his offense gets better. A work in progress. I still say they need a center more than a power forward.
- Minnesota Timberwolves – Luke Babbitt, SF, Nevada-Reno. The T-Wolves will need his offense as that’s his bread-and-butter. Will need to improve defensively. Already Minnesota has had a better draft than they did last year.
- Chicago Bulls – Kevin Seraphin, PF, Cholet Basket (France). Curious pick; I doubt he plays for Chicago this season. Not sure where this factors in in terms of trying to get LeBron James. Not necessarily a bad pick, I just do not see the dynamics in this one. A borderline bad pick.
- Oklahoma City Thunder – Eric Bledsoe, PG, Kentucky. Though he is 6-1, he may translate to being a 2 guard. But on the Thunder, he’s going to have to learn to play the point. Good offensive skills, otherwise.
- Boston Celtics – Avery Bradley, PG, Texas. Thought Boston would grab a shooting guard. Will need to refine his point guard skills as he’s not a 2. This pick seems to tell me that Ray Allen may stick around.
- San Antonio Spurs – James Anderson, SG, Oklahoma State. A pure shooter, it’s that simple. Looks like he comes off the bench and back up Manu Ginobili. But where is the big man that they need? Looks like they’ll get him in the second round.
- Oklahoma City Thunder - Craig Brackins, PF, Iowa State. The Thunder made this pick for the New Orleans Hornets. Another big man who can score within the perimeter.
- Portland Trail Blazers – Elliot Williams, PG/SG, Memphis. Athletic as heck, he has scoring chops. Defensively, he is about average. By the way, this is Kevin Pritchard’s last draft as Portland’s general manager as team owner Paul Allen fired him today.
- Minnesota Timberwolves – Trevor Booker, SF/PF, Clemson. Good rebounder and has some offensive skills. A good finisher. First senior taken in the Draft.
- Atlanta Hawks – Damion James, SG/SF, Texas. Good skills and plays taller than he really is (6-7). Very good rebounder. Not sure where this pick fits not knowing the status of Joe Johnson and if he stays in Atlanta.
- Memphis Grizzlies – Dominique Jones, SG, South Florida. Scoring is his forte. Physical and can improve his ballhandling. Is able to finish at the NBA level.
- Oklahoma City Thunder – Quincy Pondexter, F, Washington. Well-rounded player, by and large. Can rebound well. Needs to be consistent. Very good pick with NBA pedigree.
- New Jersey Nets – Jordan Crawford, SG, Xavier. Very good scorer who does it easily. Can shoot on the open floor and will get better. But he may be headed to Atlanta soon.
- Memphis Grizzlies – Greivis Vasquez, SG, Maryland. Good 2 guard. Can play the 1, if necessary. Plays well on and off the ball – well-rounded. Probably a true hybrid guard. Will probably back up O.J. Mayo.
- Orlando Magic – Daniel Orton, PF/C, Kentucky. Interesting pick as it appeared to me that Orton’s stock dropped. Strong guy with good rebounding instincts. Will need some tutoring from Magic assistant coach Patrick Ewing.
- Washington Wizards – Lazar Hayward, SF, Marquette. Good scoring potential, period. Undersized for the position he plays; wouldn’t be surprised if he plays some shooting guard.


June 24th, 2010
Stephen Rhodes
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