By Guest Blogger AlanZlot:

Maryland forward Jordan Williams declared for the NBA draft on Tuesday but has not hired an agent. This is more of an exploratory process for Williams who has until May 8 to make his final decision.

According to his father Leon Williams, who confirmed with NBADraft.net’s Rodney Halprin on Monday that, “Jordan is testing the waters… but nothing is official, he is considering it but no decision has been made on him staying in the draft.” (NBADraft.net)

The 6 feet 10 Williams, who was named to the all ACC rookie team followed up in his freshman season at College Park by being named to the All-ACC First team. Williams averaged 16.9 points and 11.6 rebounds per game in his sophomore campaign. His rebounds per game led the ACC this season.

Williams also became just the 10th ACC player since the 1996-97 season to average a double-double per game. Williams had 23 double-doubles this season setting a Maryland school record.

Although many are saying it is a 50-50 chance Williams will return to College Park, it is highly unlikely that Williams will actually enter the draft this season. Terps fans may have the impending NBA lockout to thank for Williams return.

NBA’s owners and players are worlds apart and are not close to agreeing on many issues involving a new collective bargaining agreement. The current deal expires June 30 and according to league sources, there is 99 percent chance the league is going to lock out the players.

The owners want a hard salary cap, a reduction in salaries, and a reduction of guaranteed money in a new collective bargaining agreement. How long a lockout lasts no one can be certain but UCLA’s head basketball coach Ben Howland told the LA Times on March-22 that he is advising his players accordingly.

Ben Bolch of the LA Times quoted Howland as saying, “I can tell you in the NBA, in my opinion, this is going to be a serious lockout, they will not be playing, in my opinion, next December and maybe even January. … You’re not even going to get paid next year for half the year.”

Former Maryland point guard Greivis Vasquez, who now plays for the Memphis Grizzlies in the NBA, declared for the draft but did not hire an agent following his junior season at Maryland. Vasquez returned for his senior season at College park and was named a unanimous first-team All-ACC selection, and then was honored as the ACC Player of the Year.

Jordan Williams is expected to be the centerpiece for Terps coach Gary Williams as he tries to resurrect his program. For the first time since 1993, Maryland failed to qualify for post-season play. The Terps failed to qualify for the NCAA tournament and the NIT this season.

Having now missed the NCAA tournament in four of the past seven seasons and depending which side of the equation you are on, many see this season as just another reason to replace Gary Williams and look for a new coach.

However, Duke and North Carolina had years where they missed postseason play and the fact that Gary Williams has gone 17 years and did not miss either tournament speaks to his legacy. If Jordan Williams returns Coach Williams and the Terps may have a lot to look forward to next season.

The Terps have signed two good-looking guards to play at College Park next year. The first is Nick Faust.  Faust is a shooting guard and a top 40 prospect (#38 according to ESPN) from Baltimore. Joining Faust is New Jersey native Sterling Gibbs.

Gibbs is a very promising point guard and is the brother of Pittsburgh Panthers guard Ashton Gibbs who also declared for the NBA draft on Tuesday.

No one knows for sure what Jordan Williams will ultimately decide. The right thing in my mind would be for Williams to return for his junior season. If Jordan Williams does enter the NBA draft, things may continue to get worse before they get better at College park.

NETS GET:

PG DERON WILLIAMS

JAZZ GET:

PG DEVIN HARRIS, PF DERRICK FAVORS, 2011 1st round pick (Nets), 2012 1st round pick (Golden State via Nets), $3 million

NEW JERSEY GRADE: A-

I thought the Nets did exceptionally well in this deal, mainly because no one knew it was going on. Unlike the Carmelo deal that was completely aired in public and was basically dictated by the player himself, this deal was done in private and was built between the Jazz and the Nets. Now I’m sure a few additional teams called the Jazz asking for the availability of Williams, but I doubt there was much in the way of substantive discussions. This allowed the Nets to strike quickly and complete the deal, not only did it ensure that there wouldn’t be a bidding war, but the Nets quickly answered their soon to be city rival’s acquisition of Carmelo Anthony. As indicated by my grades I prefer what the Nets did over what the Knicks did, because of the additional contracts New York took on.

While Devin Harris was a good point guard, Williams is still a big upgrade because he is simply a star. He’s one of the top 10 players overall in this league and plays a prime position. He is a better shooter, passer and floor leader than Harris, which should make the Nets’ other star Brook Lopez a better player as well. Since the Nets lacked production from their 2, 3, and 4 positions they had to get another true star. Adding Williams is great because at PG he can impact everyone else.

As for what they gave up I don’t think it will come back to haunt New Jersey. I really do like Devin Harris and think he is a playoff caliber guard. The problem is he needs to be on a team with 2 other stars, and shouldn’t be a focal point of the offense. If he is a team’s 3rd or 4th option I think he can be very effective, but as a true star he will always be overmatched. As for Favors, I’ve never been too high on him and thought he was a reach for the Nets last year. While he has a ton of potential I think it will take him a couple years to reach it. While Favors doesn’t have an expensive contract because he is on the rookie scale, he’s not exactly a bargain either. It’s quite possible that two years from now Favors is still languishing on the bench and eating up valuable cap room. Right now perception is above reality for Favors and they were able to capitalize and land a true star. The draft picks are another matter, but 2011 is looking like a fairly weak draft class so in all likelihood the Nets are only sacrificing a solid starter there (unless of course the Nets would win the lottery). As for the 2012 pick, it has some protections from being a top selection and with the Warriors playing better basketball it is likely to be a pick in the teens. Again it could yield a solid starter but no guarantees.

Yes there is a chance that Deron Williams leaves after next season, but with an impending move to Brooklyn and a new stadium it could be enough to convince Williams to stay. Now I think the Nets will need to have a good offseason and add some talent via free agency. If they can do that and begin to compete, I see little reason why Williams would look to leave.

UTAH GRADE: C+

In a vacuum I’m not a huge fan of this deal for the Jazz. When you have one of the 10 best players in the game, you should try to do everything in your power not to lose him. And if you are going to lose him, you should probably have a bidding process to ensure you are getting the best possible deal. I can’t believe that a contending team (or even other non-contenders) wouldn’t give up more for a star like Williams. Devin Harris is a nice replacement, but the rest of this deal should have improved the Jazz and I don’t believe it really did.

Does giving Derrick Favors minutes over Milsap, Okur or Al Jefferson make any sense? All of whom are signed for at least next season, with Milsap and Jefferson signed for 2012/2013 as well. I don’t see how Favors will be much of an asset these next two seasons, at a time where Williams would have kept the Jazz as a playoff contender. While Favors contract extends beyond that, he’s going to have to vastly improve to duplicate the value Williams is bringing to the Nets (particularly if the new CBA offers some sort of ‘franchise’ player distinction keeping him in New Jersey another season). I realize there is a chance this could allow the Jazz to trade Milsap or Okur (to help get under the luxury tax they are now going to have to pay), but unless they land a good wing player it’s probably a bad trade. If you trade them just to clear cap room and create playing time for Favors, it is hurting this team in the long run.

As for the first rounders, they are nice and all, but won’t lead to stars. Hopefully the Jazz can use these picks to help them land another young star. No it won’t be someone on Williams level, but they could get a good young player if they play their cards right. I would hang on to the Nets pick until at least the Lottery since it has a chance of being a top 3 pick. If they do luck out in the lottery, then I would give them more of a B to B+ grade.

Overall, I don’t mind developing a young talent like Favors, but considering you gave up your best player, and an elite star in this league, you shouldn’t have to wait so long for a return. If Favors doesn’t produce in the next couple of years, this trade grade likely falls to an F, and right now I don’t have much faith in the current grade. The Jazz should have landed a better return for their star, and unless they luck out in the lottery/draft I’m guessing this deal haunts them for some time.

Winners:

Los Angeles Clippers:  The Clippers already benefit since last year’s top pick Blake Griffin is expected to make a full recovery from a knee injury, now Los Angeles just added 3 more solid players to the mix. With the 8th pick LA grabbed Al-Farouq Aminu, a very good small forward, who fits the Clippers biggest need. He is incredibly athletic, and a solid defender/rebounder. His offensive game still isn’t up to par, but the Clippers already have Baron Davis, Eric Gordon, Blake Griffin and Chris Kamen to create offense. LA then traded a future first rounder for the rights to Eric Bledsoe, who while raw has all the skills to be a starting point guard in the league. Given Davis’s age/injury history, Bledsoe is a wonderful pick up for the Clippers. The Clippers also might have found a gem in the late second round by adding PG/SG Willie Warren. Warren a college teammate of Griffin, was one of the top rated players in the country this year, but fell due to an average season (in part because Griffin was no longer a threat inside). Warren can back up both guard positions and offers a good bit of youth and potential. On top of adding three very good young players with unlimited potential, the Clippers will still have a good chunk of change left under the salary cap. They might not be able to add a max guy, but they can still add a pretty big name.

Sacramento Kings: The Kings had what I think one of the best drafts. DeMarcus Cousins was to me no worse than the 3rd overall pick, and the Kings took him with the 5th pick. Cousins was the best big man in this draft and has the athletic ability to play either the 4 or the 5. He can dominate the paint, and really could become one of the best players in this league. While the maturity issues are a bit of a concern, he is going to a young, talented team that really could be making its way back to the top in the Western Conference. With their 2nd round pick the Kings took another 4-5 big man in Hassan Whiteside. Whiteside was talked as a potential lottery pick, but fell a little due to his age and raw talent. For a 2nd round pick, he is an absolute steal and given the Kings depth in the front court, he only has to be a solid contributor right away. The Kings are another team that has some money to burn in free agency and if they add the right piece or two, could be a new contender in the stacked Western Conference.

Milwaukee Bucks: The Bucks are higher on my winners list than on most people, but I really like what they did draft night. Milwaukee is an emerging team already this offseason, as they added Corey Maggette and Chris Douglas-Roberts. Now they add four young players all with the skills to play in the NBA. No they didn’t add any superstar talents, but they already have a pretty good starting lineup. Larry Sanders helps bring size, athleticism, and shot blocking ability to their front court. Keith Gallon and Jerome Jordan are great depth players, and could develop into solid contributors. As for their non-4/5 pick wing Darington Hobson, I think the Bucks found a steal. Hobson has a good bit of upside and won’t have to be rushed on the Bucks roster. Within a few years, I would not be shocked to see him starting.

Losers:

Golden State Warriors: The Warriors took Ekpe Udoh a solid PF/C, who excels as a shot blocker and rebounder. The problem is he is way to similar to Brendan Wright, Anthony Randolph and just about everyone else on the Warriors roster. The Warriors just traded away Corey Maggette, so grabbing one of the top SF’s like Aminu, Hayward, even George might have made sense. Also, grabbing a more complete center with excellent ball skills like Greg Monroe would have been a better fit. The Warriors were without a 2nd round pick, after basically selling it away, so they couldn’t add any of the guys who slid in the draft. All-in-all this emerging young team, seems to have taken a step back this past week.

Cavs and Bobcats: Both of these teams were without draft picks, and are in serious need of reinforcements. The Cavs need to begin to prepare for life without LeBron James and not having a draft pick hurts them in this department. While I still think the Jamison deal was the right move because they kept Hickson and got Big Z back, not acquiring a pick yesterday hurt. Especially considering the Cavs could have just bought a pick like Dallas, or the Thunder did. While it might not have netted them a star, they could have found a solid role player at either 25 or 31 (two picks we know that were for sale, I bet others were as well). The Bobcats were even worse, because they don’t have really anything to show for giving up their first round pick (Alexis Ajinca ouch). The Bobcats desperately needed to add talent to this roster, but they are stuck in neutral.

Washington Wizards (not counting John Wall):  I’ll write a longer post about the Wizards draft, but I have to mention them here. Sure John Wall keeps them in the B to B- range, but they really couldn’t screw up that pick, one that they literally lucked into with the lottery system.  After that, I was throughly disappointed with the Wizards draft, this is a team pretty much starting from scratch and while I liked the trade for Hinrich and the 17th pick, I just expected them to actually use that pick on a need like say a big man. While the Wizards are pretty set at guard now, they have no depth at PF and have just JaVale McGee on the roster at center. So at 17 the Wizards take Kevin Seraphin, a player who does have some nice upside, but is probably 1-2 years away from even playing in the NBA (much less starting). Seraphin might have made sense if you already have 10+ guys on the roster and you want to stash a player, but for a team like the Wizards who are literally bare, it is a major head scratcher. Washington compounded their problem when they traded the 30th and 35th picks to the T-wolves for 23 (Trevor Booker PF) and 56 (Hamady N’diaye C) while it looks like they addressed their size issue, Booker is an undersized 4 and N’diaye is so raw he has D-League written all over him. What makes it worse is the players they could have grabbed at 30 and 35. Center Hassan Whiteside fell to 33, and the Marshall product would have looked good as the 30th overall pick. At 35 any one of Javis Varnado, Keith Gallon, Jerome Jordan, Gani Lawal, or Solomon Alabi would have filled a major need (and all should be at least quality back ups in the NBA), the Wizards could have also taken a SF which is another need like Hobson, or either of the WVU products (Butler or Ebanks). Now the Wizards have just Trevor Booker this upcoming season (and possibly forcing N’diaye in the rotation) instead of adding three additional players to help John Wall turn this team around.

Georgetown’s Greg Monroe came into school filling the large shoes of center Roy Hibbert, now two years later he is leaving and will surpass Hibbert in terms of draft status. Monroe isn’t widely considered a top 5 pick, but I think he is well worth the investment and will end up being one of the 5 best players from this draft class. A lot of teams and pundits try to knock him for one thing or another, and while some of the knocks are real, they are overblown.

Most experts argue that Monroe lacks the explosiveness and athleticism for the NBA. While he’s not as athletic and explosive as some, he also isn’t just a body out there. He does well in transition and can get to the basket and finish. The other knock on Monroe is that he isn’t strong enough and not a tough enough rebounder. And I understand that somewhat since he will be facing a much tougher breed of big man in the NBA, that adding strength is a must. But Monroe isn’t exactly a weak man in the middle out there. He increased his rebounds by over three boards a game last season, and didn’t really get pushed around too much in college.

All-in-all, I love Monroe and think his strengths outweigh his weaknesses. Monroe has excellent basketball I.Q., which is why he can get by without top notch athleticism. He also is a very unselfish player, who has great ball handling ability for a big man. He can be a dangerous passer in the paint and should set up a lot of open shots. Monroe has prototypical size and wingspan, and with his I.Q. he knows how to use them. He has good range for a big man, and a pretty advanced offensive game. And the best thing that Monroe brings to the table is his work ethic. Monroe really refined his game between his freshman and sophomore campaigns, and has been impressive on the workout trail this season. While many teams may prefer DeMarcus Cousins (who really could be an exceptional player if he puts his mind to it) or Derrick Favors (who is a bit of a risk in my opinion) , Monroe is a the safest and smartest choice. His attitude and work ethic make up for any minor athletic discrepancies.  In many ways Monroe reminds me of Tim Duncan, and while I don’t know if he will reach that pinnacle, I don’t think he will be far off.

Here’s my late first round sleepers for Thursday’s NBA Draft:

Jordon Crawford PG/SG- Crawford is starting to tick up draft boards, but I’d still be a little surprised to see him in the top 20. While I’d be surprised to see him that high, I don’t think it would be a reach at all. I love Crawford’s potential and athleticism, and think he can handle both the point and shooting guard spots. He reminds me some of Russell Westbrooke and think he will be an excellent pro. Crawford is one of the best pure shooters in this draft and can create shots off the dribble. If he is a full time point guard he will need to work on his passing, but otherwise he should be able to contribute immediately.

Devin Ebanks SF- Based on potential and athletic ability, Ebanks should be considered a lottery pick, but the reality is he will be lucky to be drafted at the end of the first round. Ebanks was a top recruit for WVU, and has led the Mountaineers to a pair of successful seasons, the problem is he has disappeared too often in big games. While there are some consistency concerns with Ebanks, the size and potential is real. I think he is a good bet going forward for some team at the end of the first round. I think he can develop into a solid starter with a little star potential.

Gani Lawal PF- Lawal is an interesting case, despite three collegiate seasons Lawal will only be 20 when the 2010-2011 season tips off. He has shown plenty of talent and potential at Georgia Tech over the years, and for me is a starting caliber power forward in the NBA. He might lack his Yellow Jackets teammate’s (Favors) upside, but I love his ability to work in the paint. He is a tenacious rebounder and can attack the rim. Lawal won’t be a top pick and could even fall out of the first round, but this guy is an NBA player, and some team will be very happy they drafted him.

Craig Brackins PF- A year a go Brackins was a surefire lottery pick, and yet now may be lucky to be drafted in the first round one year later. Brackins has excellent power forward size, and great range for a big man, yet is routinely getting overlooked. A lot of people question his numbers since they went down a little bit this past year, but he didn’t exactly have a lot of help at Iowa State. The other knock on Brackins is his age, which is a ridiculous since he is just 22. For some reason NBA teams consider this a knock, but I think it is an advantage for Brackins. He has a pretty good basketball I.Q. and should be able to contribute right away. I think he could even end up as a starter by mid season. He is a quick athletic big man, with a great offensive game, and impressive range, yet he is barely mentioned in the Top 25. I like Brackins as a very good starter in this league for the next decade.

1. John Wall- Despite being just a freshman Wall is a polished point guard, and one that should be able to start from the season’s opening tip. He is long and athletic, and shows all the tools to be a lockdown defender in the NBA. Wall is exceptionally quick and can create his own shot as well as work to get open without the ball. His ball handling is good at best and his court vision and anticipation need work for the NBA. Wall also lacks a great 3-point shot, but with a little time should develop into a better perimeter threat.

2. Avery Bradley- Bradley is considered by most as more of a combo guard, and does lack true point guard skills, but should be a very good starter in the right system. He is exceptionally quick and one of the best defenders in this draft class. Bradley hasn’t always been the best passer or ball handler, but he does an adequate enough job. Bradley’s offensive game is still emerging, but the sky is the limit for him. He is explosive to the basket and will be an offensive weapon at the next level. Bradley may be overlooked as too much of a tweener, but I think he will end up being a top notch pro.

3. Eric Bledsoe- Bledsoe did a great job at Kentucky backing up/playing next to John Wall. Their skills complimented one another and for teams looking for a defensive/pass first point guard Bledsoe is their man. He was no better than the 4th scoring option in college, but still averaged over 11 points a game. He still needs to work on having a more consistent outside shot, as well as creating his own opportunities, but should be a solid 3rd scoring option in the NBA. While Bledsoe is a pass first point guard, he will at times play out of control and commit too many stupid turnovers. That should improve with time, but it may keep him from starting much in year one.

4. Willie Warren- Warren is an offensive first point guard, who has yet to become a complete player. While some scouts soured on him this year, he did a great job managing this team without Blake Griffin in the lineup. Warren gets labeled as a combo guard, but he does a good job of running the offense. He never had much in the way to work with outside of Griffin, and he seemed to press to much this year. One thing that shows how important he was to the team is the fact that they only won 2 games without him in the lineup. Warren has 3-point skills and is a solid passer. He still needs to become a well rounded player and learn to defend the position, but he has the tools to do so.

5. Armon Johnson- Johnson is a point guard, but he really lacks point guard skills. He doesn’t have a consistent jump shot and lacks 3-point range completely. He isn’t a great floor general, and not much of a passer. He does use his explosiveness and quickness to get by defenders and get to the rim. He does need to learn when to pass out of that situation when the defense collapses around him. While most of the traditional tools aren’t there, Johnson has all the physical tools and athleticism to play the position and become a top notch defender. I doubt he will ever be more than backup PG and spark plug off the bench, but he could have a solid NBA career.

15. Milwaukee Bucks: F/G Gordon Hayward- Hayward could easily go higher than this, but if he lasts to the Bucks pick, he will be in Milwaukee next season. Hayward can play either the 2 or 3, and should be a significant contributor for the Bucks. He has a high basketball I.Q. and should become a serious starter in this league for years to come.

16. Minnesota Timberwolves: SG James Anderson- Anderson is a good fit for the T-Wolves as he gives them great depth at shooting guard. Anderson doesn’t always get credit for being a top quality guard, but I think he will transition well to the NBA. He is a great outside shooter and will make Minnesota a more balanced team.

17. Chicago Bulls: C Daniel Orton- Chicago doesn’t have a major need at center, but Orton has major upside and would be a nice fit for the Bulls. Orton brings plenty of length and ability to the Bulls frontline, and should develop into a starting caliber center.

18. Miami Heat: PG Eric Bledsoe- The Heat have been looking for a point guard, and Bledsoe is a nice fit for them. He is still raw and will need to come along slowly, but the upside is there.

19. Boston Celtics: G/F Paul George- Boston needs to get younger and George could be the perfect fit for them. He is a bit raw, but possesses the talent and athleticism to succeed in the NBA. He also gives them depth on the wing where they are pretty thin.

20. San Antonio Spurs: F Luke Babbitt- Babbitt gives the Spurs some depth behind Richard Jefferson who had an up and down year last season. The Spurs could use a center, but Babbitt can play some power forward as well, allowing Duncan to stay inside.

21. Oklahoma City Thunder: F/C Larry Sanders- Sanders gives the Thunder length inside, and someone who can help out on defense right away. Sanders is still working on his offensive game and needs to add more bulk, but would be an excellent pick up for the Thunder.

22. Portland Trail Blazers: SF Damion James- James would be excellent value for the Trail Blazers here. While he might not have the elite upside of some players, he should find a good role in the NBA. His offensive game is behind his defensive game, but the Trail Blazers can already score plenty of points.

23. Minnesota Timberwolves: C Solomon Alabi- While it is likely the T-Wolves use their last pick on an international player to stash overseas, they shouldn’t let Alabi get past them. Minnesota still needs a true center to allow Jefferson a good amount of minutes at the 4. Alabi will allow the Timberwolves to rotate Love and Jefferson more, and give them legit size inside. Overall he is a major project, but if he pans out, this draft class could turn the T-wolves into contenders.

24. Atlanta Hawks: SG Terrico White- Joe Johnson could be heading for another team, and while Jamal Crawford could slide into the starting role the Hawks will need some depth there. White has a good bit of upside, and while I’m not sure if he will ever develop into a starter, he should be a solid player off the bench for Atlanta.

25. Memphis Grizzlies: G Willie Warren- Warren isn’t the classic point guard the Grizzlies need, but he will help out at the position. The Grizzlies are a young team with a ton of potential so needs aren’t as great, but one area they lack is at point guard.

26. Oklahoma City Thunder: PF Patrick Patterson- Patterson was a good college player, but it is hard to know if he will make it in the NBA. He has the requisite size and solid basketball I.Q., but he isn’t the most athletic 4 in country. If he had a better outside shot then he might make more sense, since he could be a threat from the perimeter, but I don’t see him going in the top 20 picks. He is good value here for the Thunder since they already have some depth at power forward. Patterson can work on his game while only needing about 10 minutes a game.

27. New Jersey Nets: SF Quincy Pondexter- Pondexter has been rising up draft boards this season, and with pretty good reason. He is a scorer through and through and consistently showed that he could beat defenders to the basket. He isn’t much of an outside shooter, but should be a nice player for the Nets who are thin at SF.

28. Memphis Grizzlies: SG Jordan Crawford- Again Memphis could look for another international player, one that would stay overseas, but I think Memphis will take someone who can play right away. The Grizzlies are a good team, and are developing a deep bench. That kind of talent will give them a cheap roster and plenty of trade chips. Crawford made a name for himself during Xavier’s tournament run as a premium scorer. He has very impressive range and athleticism, and should be a valuable option off the bench for the Grizzlies. He can help out a little at point guard as well, making him a great option for the Grizzlies.

29. Orlando Magic: SF Devin Eubanks- The Magic don’t have a lot of needs but adding an athletic, long wing player would be a good fit. Eubanks has a ton of upside and should be a great player off the bench for the Magic.

30. Washington Wizards: PF Craig Brackins- Brackins could go easily 10 picks earlier, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see him fall this far. A lot of people knock him for being a few years older (22), but he has defined himself into a quality player. He has a good basketball I.Q. and should find success in the NBA. The Wizards are razor thin in their front court, and while they will look to address the position in free agency there are no guarantees. Adding a big man has to be their priority here.

By Fanspeak Contributing Writer Geoff Nelowet

1. Washington Wizards–John Wall

This looks like an obvious pick for the Wizards, but there lies a major issue with Gilbert Arenas on board. Arenas will have to be told upfront that he is no longer the center of the franchise, and he is obligated to play the position his coaches want him to play – and that position may be shooting guard. If Flip Saunders can somehow manage to get Wall and Arenas playing together harmoniously, the Wizards could have a bright future ahead.

2. Philadelphia 76ers–Evan Turner

Turner looks like the second best prospect in the draft. What remains to be seen is if Philadelphia feels the same way. Turner would bring size and versatility to the backcourt, but is he a franchise-changing player? He looks like a sure-fire prospect, but he does not have as high a ceiling as Wall or others.

3. New Jersey  Nets–Derrick Favors

Again, Favors is the best player available and he does not play center or point guard, which are positions occupied by Brook Lopez and Devin Harris. Wesley Johnson could also be a strong possibility in this slot.

4. Minnesota Timberwolves–Wesley Johnson

There is little chance the Timberwolves will select DeMarcus Cousins here considering that Al Jefferson and Kevin Love are already jockeying over the starting Center and Power Forward spots. Cousins would only complicate things as he would be yet another tweener-center/power forward added to the mix.

Johnson is a long and athletic small forward, and he also has a fairly polished game with a nice looking jumper. The Timberwolves are putting together a nice young nucleus with Jefferson, Love, Flynn, Johnson and Ricky Rubio’s rights.

5. Sacramento Kings DeMarcus Cousins

This is a no-brainer. Cousins and Tyreke Evans will officially become the core of the Kings’ franchise for the next five-plus years. Cousins is an athletic and powerful center/power forward and he has great size and length. His stock is greatly hurt because of his off-court issues, which makes Cousins a bit of a steal at number five.

6. Golden State Warriors Greg Monroe

I think it would be typical of Golden State to take Monroe, as he is an excellent offensive player. Monroe has demonstrating a natural passing ability that is a rarity amongst big men. He also has great range on his jump shot for a center, and he is a good rebounder. He may also pan out to be a solid defender. It looks like a win-win for Golden State as they will be able to take a player that entices them with his versatility on offense while also potentially shoring up some of the defensive issues they have had.

7. Detroit Pistons– Al-Farouq Aminu

This is the perfect pick for a franchise that is headed in no particular direction. Aminu is a great overall athlete with an unpolished game. He has an improved inside game and he is great in transition. He is also a good rebounder and defender. He does not have a great offensive skill set, but as a small forward, he is very versatile. His versatility would be a great addition to the Pistons because there is no telling what kind of player they will require him to be a few years down the line.

8. LA Clippers            Patrick Patterson

Patterson is a fairly polished forward, and he could be a good fit along side a healthy Blake Griffin. Patterson has a nice inside-outside game, and he has a solid NBA frame to work with at 6-9, 240.

9. Utah            Jazz Hassan Whiteside

Utah needs to get bigger and more physical. Utah simply cannot hang with the stronger teams in the West, so it may be wise to find a future solution to potentially losing Carlos Boozer and having a softer center in Mehmet Okur.

10. Indiana Pacers–Xavier Henry

Henry would fill a need for the Pacers, which is backcourt scoring, but I don’t see Henry as an elite athlete. Henry has a great jump shot though, so he will at least have a chance to stay in the NBA for a while.

11. New Orleans Hornets–Cole Aldrich

New Orleans has a lot of finesse on their team outside of Emeka Okefor. Aldrich could be a nice change of pace off the bench.

12. Memphis Grizzlies–Ed Davis

Davis has fallen down the draft ladder a bit. Weeks ago he was slated as a top-five pick. Davis is a good athlete, but he isn’t strong enough to play with NBA big men. He can improve on this, but it is still a question mark.

13. Toronto Raptors–Donatas Motiejunas

Toronto loves foreign players. It looks like a fit.

14. Houston Rockets–Avery Bradley

Houston could use more scoring to go along with Aaron Brooks. Bradley is a great shooter and scorer and could be the answer.

Luck, at least the good kind, isn’t something you usually associate with the Washington Wizards. But that could all change after they won the top pick in last night’s NBA Draft Lottery. The Wizards moved up from the 5th pick in the draft to nab the top overall pick. This will be their first number one overall pick since 2001 when they selected Kwame Brown (oops). The Wizards will now get the pick of the litter as they try to rebuild from a disappointing year last season. One that saw their best player under house arrest, and the rest of the stars traded away for spare parts and salary relief.

The Wizards will look to put the 2009-2010 season in the past, by drafting a new superstar player. While there are a few choices for the Wizards to pick from, their selection has to be PG John Wall. A strong case could be made for either SG/SF Evan Turner or PF/C DeMarcus Cousins as they both have the star potential as well, but Wall has to be the selection. When it comes to the NBA, point guards and centers are the most important positions on the floor.

Sure plenty of stars like LeBron, Wade and Kobe thrive as 2′s and 3′s, but the ultimate success of a team will come down to their PG and C play. So while Evan Turner is a great player, and could be the next Wade (probably a bit too high of an expectation) you can’t take him unless you already are set at point guard. Now some might point to Gilbert Arenas (whose legal troubles appear to be over) as the team’s starting point guard, but Arenas is more than capable of playing the 2 guard role and leaving the point guard position to Wall.

As for Cousins, while I would rank him as the player with the most star potential and talent in this draft, he is also the furthest from reaching that level. Unlike point guards (or even SGs and SFs) power forwards and centers usually need some development time upon reaching the NBA. Usually these players just relied on being the biggest/strongest player on the court in college, and were able to dominate. They don’t have that advantage in the NBA and that is why it will take years sometimes for them to develop into a starting caliber player (if they develop at all). While there are definitely exceptions to the rule, they are few and far between. What makes things worse for Cousins is there are some serious character/mental toughness issues with him, which is also the same profile as many of the failed big men over the last 10 years. Cousins has immense talent, but would seem to check out of games at times for Kentucky. Also, he didn’t do a great job of controlling his frustration when he faced off against other physical big men. While I personally have loved Cousins this season and think he is a fantastic prospect, the unknown is too great to select him over a point guard like Wall.

John Wall is not without his flaws. As a freshman (like Cousins) he made his share of mistakes, but the athleticism and talent are definitely there. Wall is a very long point guard with a large wing-span that is reminiscent of Arenas or say Derrick Rose. Wall isn’t a completely refined player, and will need to work on his assist/turnover ratio. He will also need to be more aggressive rebounding in the NBA. Wall’s three point shot isn’t NBA perfected yet either, and will be a work in progress. So why is he the sure-fire top pick? Because Wall is so young and talented. He might not be a great passer yet, but he is already a very good one. He also uses his long arms and quickness to get steals and has the potential to be a lock down defender. Wall can create his own shot, but he is also good at creating space when he doesn’t have the ball.

Wall and Arenas have the potential to form one of the best back court duos the NBA has seen in a long time. If they can figure it out, they can pull the Wizards out of the rut they are in and finally make them a championship caliber team.

While much has been made of the possibility that LeBron James would play with the Nets with John Wall (which after the way they played this past season would qualify as a miracle).  But New Jersey isn’t the only that could benefit with tonight’s lottery.   I think plenty of significant draft decisions could come into play with teams jockeying for position with LeBron James.

Late lottery teams like the Rockets or Hornets could use a high lottery pick (or young players they don’t need if say the Rockets win the Wall Sweepstakes) to pair with big contracts to make enough cap room to pursue LeBron. I don’t see the Hornets in the mix, given the uncertainty of Chris Paul’s future, but the Rockets could be an interesting option. They have some good young players, but could use some star power to replace McGrady/Yao.

One team I would love to see him on would be the Grizzlies since that team is built perfectly for LeBron. They have athletic big men in Gasol and Randolph who wouldn’t necessarily clog the lane, and decent 3-point shooting guards in Conley and Mayo. Also Conley has improved his game as a point guard, but isn’t the type that needs to handle the ball in the half court. With a couple more 1st rounders they would have one of the best young and talented benches in the league as well. They could even use Rudy Gay in a sign and trade swap with Cleveland to get the best deal for both players. Alas, I don’t think they will make the moves needed to acquire LeBron (and not sure he would go to a smaller market city).

While there are some in Washington hoping the Wizards could get into the market for LeBron by landing John Wall, they are just fooling themselves. A Wall, Arenas, Blatche starting lineup sounds intriguing, and the city and market are a good fit for LeBron, but there is no way he is going to come to this dysfunctional franchise right now, with or without Wall.

The Clippers could already be an interesting team for LeBron. It gives him a great market, and him and Kobe can battle it out for bragging rights in the Staple Center. The Clippers have an interesting starting rotation, that LeBron could fit perfectly into. And that is without what happens with tonight’s lottery. I think things could get very interesting if the Clippers do win the top pick in the draft. While Baron Davis is a good veteran point guard, they have to take John Wall and have an Eric Gordon, Blake Griffin and Wall nucleus (not to mention Chris Kamen). But they can only do so if they know they can trade Davis and get equal value in return. If they can manage that James would have the perfect storm to create a winning environment for the Clippers (also he’d have a much better supporting cast than the Cavs ever gave him).

Finally that brings us to the Nets. While it would seem like LeBron going to the worst team in the league would be a mistake, it does make some sense. The Nets will be moving to the city pretty soon, so the market is perfect for James. Also they have an emerging star at center in Brook Lopez (though maybe not the best fit for LeBron’s game), and some solid role players. They also have the best odds of winning tonight’s lottery (25%) which could bring Wall to town. The addition of Wall would allow them to move PG Devin Harris for a usable piece or two. A Wall-James-Lopez lineup would make the Nets instant contenders. I don’t see LeBron heading to New Jersey without Wall, but if New Jersey wins the lottery tonight, don’t be surprised if they win it again come July 1st.