1. Wizards: John Wall
Surefire franchise point guard, potential franchise savior.
2. 76ers: Evan Turner
He is not a great fit for them, and they will likely try to trade down, but he's too good to pass up.
3. Nets - Derrick Favors
Syracuse's Wes Johnson would be a much better fit, as he could immediately fill in at the 3, whereas Favors could scare away a number of free agents they were planning on wooing, namely Amar'e Stoudemire and Carlos Boozer. As speculation concerning the Nets potentially drafting Johnson picked up steam, however, a few respected analysts emerged praising Favors as having the most potential of any prospect.
4. Timberwolves - Wesley Johnson
Satisfies their need for a wing who they can depend on to put the ball in the basket.
5. Kings - DeMarcus Cousins
If anyone can tame the infamously hot-headed Cousins it's Paul Westphal, who coached the comparably unstable Barkley to an MVP award and Finals appearance.
6. Warriors - Ekpe Udoh
Monroe and Aminu might be better prospects, but Udoh fits perfectly in their system as an athletic big who can shoot and run the floor like a guard. He's also the tenacious defender they lack down low.
7. Pistons - Greg Monroe
They will decide between Monroe and Ed Davis here, and while Davis has more upside, Monroe is the true center they've needed for years, and could contribute immediately.
8. Clippers - Al-Farouq Aminu
Harboring high hopes for the first time in years, the Clips have a great core that includes Baron Davis, Eric Gordon, Blake Griffin, Chris Kaman - and a gaping hole at small forward. For the past few weeks it appeared that Aminu, widely regarded as the best SF prospect, would be gone by the time they picked, though now he looks to fall right into their lap.
9. Jazz - Ed Davis
A big man with the desire to play defense and someone who might provide some explosiveness are the Jazz's biggest needs, and Davis fulfills both.
10. Pacers - Patrick Patterson
They're actively trying to trade up, and for a point guard, but should they keep the pick, Patterson is their man. He is similar to Hansbrough, but he's tougher and more versatile (Hansbrough looks to be a career backup), and with Troy Murphy set to depart in the next year, they need more size down low.
11. Hornets - Paul George
In order to convince Chris Paul to stay, they might need to hit a home run tonight. Scouts have likened George to Rudy Gay, and he could be an impact scorer from day one.
12. Grizzlies - Luke Babbitt
The Nevada swingman could go as high as 8 to the Clippers, but should he fall further he would be a great fit in Memphis as an insurance policy should they lose Gay, while bearing the potential to fill in at the 4 should they lose Zach Randolph as well.
13. Raptors - Avery Bradley
Bradley is a point guard who played off the ball in college and put up mediocre numbers...but hey, the same can be said about Russell Westbrook and Jrue Holiday! The Raptors are preparing to shake things up in a big way, and they're high on the potential-laden Bradley, who they think could become a building block alongside DeMar DeRozan.
14. Rockets - Gordon Hayward
Houston will nab the best available player here, bearing dependable starters at every position on the floor. Hayward has awesome potential, great size for 2 or the 3, and you can never have too many shooters.
15. Bucks - Daniel Orton
Acquiring Maggette means they might not target a wing, as many had predicted they would. Orton, an incredibly tough defender and a monster on the glass, would be a great fit next to Bogut, one of the league's most offensively proficient centers who gets better on the offensive end each year.
16. Timberwolves - Xavier Henry
Should Henry fall this far he would be an absolute steal. He's similar to Wayne Ellington, only he's much better at just about everything.
17. Wizards - Damion James
Every young team could use a little toughness, and while James would be just a rookie next year, he's pretty damn tough. One of the most experienced players on the college level last season, James steadily improved as a scorer over the course of his career at Texas, and he might be the best rebounder in this class.
18. Thunder - Cole Aldrich
This would be another huge steal for OKC. 6-10 centers with remedial athleticism and little offensive polish aren't hot these days, but Aldrich is an all-world defender with a good feel for the game, and many feel he's worthy of a lottery pick.
19. Celtics - Eric Bledsoe
Boston's backcourt could be in complete dissaray very soon; Ray Allen, Tony Allen, Nate Robinson and Marquis Daniels will all become free agents come July 1, so you can be sure Danny Ainge will target a guard. Bledsoe is a point guard with outstanding range, is a lockdown defender, and has experience playing off the ball. He would be a great fit in Boston, especially if they're thinking of rebuilding.
20. Spurs - Hassan Whiteside
Some (myself included) feel Whiteside is worthy of being a top five selection, but concerns about his attitude (he's compared himself to Hakeem Olajuwon), age (he's a 21-year old freshman), and polish on the offensive end have scared some teams away. San Antonio would be a perfect fit, as the extraordinarily talented young 7-footer could learn from the game's most humble future Hall of Famer in Tim Duncan, and could earn playing time right away due to the Spurs lack of depth down low, without being heavily relied upon.
21. Thunder - Tibor Pleiss
Apparently Sam Presti believes the 7-foot German could be the serviceable center they've lacked since Durant came to town.
22. Trailblazers - James Anderson
A top-15 talent, Anderson would be yet another prototypical Pritchard steal.
23. Timberwolves - Elliot Williams
He would be the third shooter they drafted, but then again, this is a team that depended on Corey Brewer to knock down threes.
24. Hawks - Solomon Alabi
The Hawks desperately need size down low, and Alabi is a big body capable of blocking shots and snagging boards. He might not be a starter, but he would certainly fill a major need.
25. Grizzlies - Kevin Seraphin
Would add much-needed toughness to the Grizzlies front line, especially if Zach Randolph leaves due to legal troubles.
26. Thunder - Dominique Jones
The ever-improving Thunder still lack dependable outside shooting, and Dominique Jones is one of the most well-rounded scorers to be had in this draft.
27. Nets - Jordan Crawford
They will likely grab a dependable shooter in free agency, but should they fail to reel one in, Xavier's Jordan Crawford is a tremendous scorer who routinely shoots the lights out, and is known to ocassionaly dunk on LeBron James at his basketball camp.
28. Grizzlies - Greivis Vasquez
Projected as a very late second round prospect for much of the year (many thought he wouldn't be drafted), Vasquez, who at 6-6 plays the point guard position as well as anyone in this class not named Wall, is finally getting recognition as being worthy of a first round pick. The Grizzlies want to move O.J. Mayo to the point, or at the very least grab someone to compete with Conley, making the versatile Vasquez a great fit.
29. Magic - Willie Warren
The Magic have nothing to lose (they don't have room in the rotation for at least two players who could start on a number of teams), so if Warren acts up, they can just bench him. For them, the risk is absolutely worth the potential reward. Jameer Nelson is the only point guard the Magic have locked up next year, and Warren is a terrific ball-handler with tremendous upside.
30. Wizards - Samardo Samuels
They could use a true post scorer, and Samuels is as comfortable playing around the basket as anyone in this class.
31. Nets - Tiny Gallon
32. Heat - Lance Stephenson
33. Kings - Quincy Pondexter
34. Trailblazers - Armon Johnson
35. Wizards - Trevor Booker
36. Pistons - Devin Ebanks
37. Bucks - Larry Sanders
38. Knicks - Darrington Hobson
39. Knicks - Gani Lawal
40. Pacers - Mikhail Torrance
41. Heat - Terrico White
42. Heat - Craig Brackins
43. Lakers - Lazar Hayward
44. Bucks - Nemanja Bjelica
45. Timberwolves - Paulo Prestes
46. Suns - Stanley Robinson
47. Bucks - Luke Harangody
48. Heat - Ryan Richards
49. Spurs - Thomas Heurtel
50. Mavericks - Jerome Jordan
51. Thunder - Alexey Shved
52. Celtics - Brian Zoubek
53. Hawks - Sherron Collins
54. Clippers - Jarvis Varnado
55. Jazz - Hamady N'Diaye
56. Timberwolves - Jon Scheyer
57. Pacers - Latavious Williams
58. Lakers - Mac Koshwal
59. Magic - Art Parakhouski
60. Suns - Manny Harris
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