The co-founders of The Sports Union play GM and decide who goes where in the upcoming NBA Draft.  This mock draft is nothing to laugh about as J.David and Kevin Patra explain the players upsides and the team needs in a draft that could go down as having the best Top 5 players and the weakest remaining players.

Draft Pick	Team Logo	Player Picture	Player Vitals	Why Did He Go There?
1			John Wall 6’4″ PG, Kentucky	Consensus first pick by everyone under the sun. Safest pick to be a future All-Star. ‘Nuff said, let’s move on.
2			Evan Turner 6’7″ SG, Ohio State	Turner is the second-coming of Dr. J to Philly.  He is a silky-smooth scorer that can create his own shot.  He is tough on-ball defender and will provide some leadership to a team that has none.
3			Derrick Favors 6’10″ PF, Georgia Tech	Favors will get along well with Brook Lopez. He has gotten poor grades on workouts, but his skill and upside are Top 3 in the draft. With all their needs the Nets and their Russian Billionaire owner can’t afford to pass.
4			Wesley Johnson 6’8″ SF, Syracuse	Johnson is a tweener with the ability to play multiple positions while on the floor.  He is super-athletic and will be able to step-in and make a contribution on the young and extremely talented Timberwolves.
5			DeMarcus Cousins 6’11″ C, Kentucky	Even with the Dalembert trade this still has to be the Kings pick. Cousins would be the No. 1 or 2 pick if people didn’t think he was going to go insane. The talent level falls off after him, Sac can’t pass on the talent. Even if they draft just to trade.
6			Al-Farouq Aminu 6’9″ SF, Wake Forest	If you are long, athletic and can shoot (and struggle on the defensive side of the ball) then you belong in Golden State.  Don Nelson, who is still calling the shots, will pick another one of his type of players.
7			Greg Monroe 6’11″ PF, Georgetown	Joe Dumars wants Cousins bad, so this pick will probably be traded. But if they are forced to pick they will go with size. Monroe isn’t the type of aggressive player Dumars wants, but his talent is far and above those still left on the board.
8			Paul George 6’9″ SF, Fresno State	George has been a big mover on GM’s draft boards as he has worked out for a number of interested teams.  He is a reach at No. 8 but for the Clippers that doesn’t matter.  He will add another athletic player to the mix with range and the ability to throw up numbers in a hurry.
9			Luke Babbitt 6’9″ SF, Nevada	White dudes go in Utah, like Nick Cage goes in PG adventure movies. Babbitt is good shooter with athletic skill. Can replace Matt Harprings size and possibly Kyle Korver’s shooting.
10			Ed Davis 6’10″ PF, North Carolina	Long, lean and athletic for a big man.  He will need to improve his strength and his outside shot to become more than a sixth-man but his rebounding, block shot ability and relentless effort will keep him on the court and helping a good team be better.
11			Xavier Henry 6’7″ SG, Kansas	With or without Chris Paul the Hornets need playmakers. Henry is an athlete who can fill it up.
12			Patrick Patterson 6’9″ PF, Kentucky	An athletic big man who can finish around the rim, block shots and get physical will help strengthen the inside game of the Grizzles.  However, questions about his work ethic and his ability to score makes this pick a gamble.
13			Gordon Hayward 6’8″ SF, Butler	Much better athlete than he is given credit for. Hayward could thrive in Toronto’s system. He won’t make up if/when Bosh leaves, but will be a solid outside shooter for the Raptors.
14			Cole Aldrich 6’10″ C, Kansas	This is the biggest insurance policy you will ever see.  With Yao Ming seeing the infirmary more than a hypochondriac, the Rockets need to get a solid backup and Aldrich will be able to provide that and learn the game without pressure to succeed early.
15			Ekpe Udoh 6’10″ PF, Baylor	The Bucks have picked up wing scorers Maggette and CDR via trade, they will go with size. Udoh is older, but showed an ability to make a difference in the middle. Will be a solid backup for Bogut.
16			James Anderson 6’6″ SG, Oklahoma State	Anderson is still pretty raw and has some skills he will need to develop.  Saying that, he still can score, shoot the outside shot with accuracy and slash to the bucket and get to the free throw line.  He is good and with some work he can be REALLY good.
17			Jordan Crawford 6’4 SG, Xavier	Shooting up draft boards. The Bulls can get the offensive potency off the bench they lost when Ben Gordon left for Detroit. Crawford has deep range and is a pure scorer. He won’t play much defense, but regardless of who the Bulls pick up in the off season (Wade/Lebron/etc.) they need more offense from the bench.
18			Eric Bledsoe 6’2″ PG, Kentucky	The Heat need a point guard (and maybe a whole lot more if Dwyane Wade leaves).  After Wall, the point guard crop is suspect leaving the Heat sitting here with a need at point guard and an average guard available.  If they draft based on need, Bledsoe heads to South Beach.
19			Avery Bradley 6’3″ SG, Texas	Ray Allen could be gone and Bradley has range and can guard multiple positions. He might not be an instant starter, but he could play an important roll off the Celtic’s bench, where they lacked offensive contribution from the guard spot.
20			Craig Brackins 6’10″ PF, Iowa State	This will be the steal of the draft.  He is a versatile big man with good range, great athletic ability and an NBA body.  Where he struggles — motivation and consistency — Popovich will solve.
21			Daniel Orton 6’10″ C, Kentucky	The Thunder need to add size inside. While his college numbers aren’t great, he is young and raw. At 21 he is great value for the Thunder. This is a case where the right situation is perfect for a young player. Orton will excel for OKC and their growing young nucleus.
22			Solomon Alabi 7’1″ C, Florida State	Alabi is the guy you want on your team.  Great leader, athletic, can get up and down the floor well for a 7-footer and is a defensive presence inside.  He needs to work on his low-post game and add bulk but this kid will be a perfect fit in the new Portland scheme: Character, athletic and fun to watch.
23			Larry Sanders 6’11 PF, VA Commonwealth	After taking Johnson with their first pick, the Wolves pick up size later. Things could shake up if the Jefferson-Randolph goes through. Sanders is long and could provide some size off the bench.
24			Lance Stephenson 6’6″ SG, Cincinnati	With Joe Johnson leaving, the Hawks will look to fill his spot with Stephenson.  Unfortunately, Stephenson is not nearly the shooter, teammate or leader that Johnson was.  Stephenson can score but has the reputation of being a ball-hog and taking more than questionable shots.
25			Kevin Seraphin 6’10″ PF, France	Defensive minded Frenchman who is raw on the offense. This is pick for potential and because if you have three first round picks you are required to pick a French guy….it’s Stren’s new international rule.
26			Hassan Whiteside 7’0″ C, Marshall	The Thunder most likely won’t go big-big with their first round picks but that is their need.  If they do go big-big, then they will hit a home run with Whiteside the second coming of Marcus Camby.  He lacks offensive ability but in the OKC you only need to know where Kevin Durant is to pass him the ball.
27			Damion James 6’8″ SF, Texas	Already got their big man, now the Nets take one of the most ready-to-play players at this part of the draft. James can play the 3 or 4 if they go small. He will provide toughness, can fill up a stat sheet and isn’t shy on the boards.
28			Dominique Jones 6’5″ SG, South Florida	Jones will add some toughness to the backcourt of the Grizzles.  He can get to the rim but will need to work on his outside shot.  He is a raw talent and a gamble but could provide solid bench play while O.J. Mayo and Rudy Gay take a break from shooting.
29			Tibor Pleiss 7’0″ C, Germany	The Magic could use a point guard inside and length off the bench. There are no sure fire point guards here so they go size. Pleiss could also stay in Germany saving Orlando some money to use to sign a back up PG or more versatile PF.
30			Quincy Pondexter 6’7″ SF, Washington	Pondexter.  That’s all.  With a name like “Qunicy Pondexter” he belongs in Washington.

Related posts:

1. ⊚  PODCAST: The Sports Union Mock Draft
2. ⊚  Sure Things: A Look At The Known Commodities Of The 2010 NBA Draft
3. ⊚  The Sports Union’s NFL Mock Draft
4. ⊚  Detroit Lions 2010 Draft Predictions
5. ⊚  Interactive: 2010 NFL Draft First Round