The Next Wave
1 | WIZARDS
John Wall
6'4" PG, Fr., Kentucky
Wall enables Washington to chart a new course based on his speed, his willingness to share the ball and—above all—his potential to be an elite defender. Another benefit: The Wizards can preserve their cap space this summer, then watch Wall develop and decide which players to piece around him.
2 | 76ERS
Evan Turner
6'7" SG-SF, Jr., Ohio State
If Philadelphia keeps this pick, new coach Doug Collins will hope Turner, the most mature player at the top of this draft, becomes the Eastern version of Brandon Roy, settling down the Sixers and providing the leadership and playmaking abilities that the team lacked last season.
3 | NETS
Derrick Favors
6'10" PF, Fr., Georgia Tech
The trade talk heats up here. Will the Pistons deal guard Richard Hamilton to New Jersey and pick DeMarcus Cousins? Will the Grizzlies swap two or three of their first-rounders to grab Favors or Wesley Johnson? Or will G.M. Rod Thorn choose Favors and his explosive athleticism to complement center Brook Lopez?
4 | T-WOLVES
DeMarcus Cousins
6'11" C, Fr., Kentucky
A shocker, as Minnesota is said to covet Wesley Johnson. But G.M. David Kahn has admitted that 6'10" center-forwards Al Jefferson and Kevin Love are too small to play together, and how often will he have a shot at an old-school, triple-threat center (points, rebounds, blocks) such as Cousins?
5 | KINGS
Wesley Johnson
6'7" SF, Jr., Syracuse
Sacramento took itself out of the running for Cousins by acquiring center Samuel Dalembert last week. Now the Kings will settle on Johnson, an unselfish frontcourt scorer who can help replace the production of departed guard Kevin Martin and serve as a running mate for point guard Tyreke Evans.
6 | WARRIORS
Greg Monroe
6'11" PF, So., Georgetown
Golden State coach Don Nelson will love Monroe, who has wowed scouts as the best-passing big man in college. Questions about his fitness and his defensive abilities have turned off some teams, but Nellie will focus on Monroe's soft hands, high basketball IQ, shooting touch and court vision.
7 | PISTONS
Ekpe Udoh
6'10" PF, Jr., Baylor
Assuming that Detroit doesn't move up to take Cousins, Udoh is a fine consolation prize. He exudes energy, is a decent passer and has a solid midrange jumper. The Pistons may be hoping to land a more explosive athlete, but Udoh would be a heathy upgrade over their current big men.
8 | CLIPPERS
Al-Farouq Aminu
6'9" SF, So., Wake Forest
An aggressive young tweener who attacks the basket and gets to the foul line, Aminu will be a steal if he develops a three-point shot. If Blake Griffin, the No. 1 pick in 2009, recovers from the broken left kneecap that sidelined him last season, L.A. could have an exciting frontcourt for years to come.
9 | JAZZ
Gordon Hayward
6'8" SF, So., Butler
Hayward is a shooter who knows how to play, and his stock has been rising ever since his stellar performance in the Final Four. While he could replace Andrei Kirilenko, who's in the final year of his contract, don't be surprised if Utah tries to move up even higher in this draft.
10 | PACERS
Ed Davis
6'9" PF, So., UNC
The Pacers need a point guard, but this is the wrong draft to try to fill that hole. So Davis will be their man—a long power forward with soft hands and the ability to defend either of the big positions. He'll be a project offensively, but his physical tools make him worth the investment.
11 | HORNETS
Xavier Henry
6'6" SG, Fr., Kansas
Peja Stojakovic's back problems have left New Orleans desperate for a wing scorer, and Henry has three-point range, along with the intelligence to pass and defend within the needs of the team. There are better athletes available, but the same was said seven years ago, when the Hornets took David West.
12 | GRIZZLIES
Patrick Patterson
6'8" PF, Jr., Kentucky
The Grizzlies could use a solid backup and eventual heir to power forward Zach Randolph, and Patterson may be the answer. He has a lot to learn defensively, but he'll arrive in Memphis as a ready-made scorer with soft hands and an innate ability to finish with his back to the basket.
13 | RAPTORS
Larry Sanders
6'10" PF, Jr., VCU
If free agent Chris Bosh leaves as expected, then Sanders will be his replacement. He's raw, but he has the hops and length that G.M. Bryan Colangelo covets, as well as ability to become a low-post force, which will make him an effective partner with outside threat Andrea Bargnani.
14 | ROCKETS
Cole Aldrich
6'11" C, Jr., Kansas
He'll be the insurance policy for Yao Ming, who's recovering from a stress fracture in his left foot, and a solid backup should Yao return to full health. Aldrich is a banger who can run the pick-and-roll and block the occasional shot. He also helps fill Houston's need for low-post scoring now that Carl Landry is in Sacramento.
THREE PHOTOS
JOHN BIEVER
THREE PHOTOS
BOB ROSATO
TWO PHOTOS
GREG NELSON
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GARY BRITTAIN/ ICON SMI
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LOU CAPOZZOLA
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DAVID E. KLUTHO
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JOHN W. MCDONOUGH
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AL TIELEMANS
FIFTEEN PHOTOS