Eric Bledsoe

Workouts (team picks in parentheses) - Bulls (17), Clippers (8, 54), Heat (32, 41, 42), Pacers (10, 40, 57), Pistons (7, 36), Raptors (13)

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Projections: nbadraft.net - (19) Boston      draftexpress.com - (19) Boston

KI Prediction: Outside of Wall, Bledsoe has as much upside as any guard in the draft. NBA GM's love his toughness and Bledsoe's UK NCAA record eight 3-pointers in the Cats' win over East Tennessee State in New Orelans turned heads as well. However, his dunk against Wake Forest in the tournament's second round displayed the kind of raw athleticism that Bledose possesses. In my opinion, Bledsoe is the second best point guard prospect in the draft in a relatively weak draft class overall. Although Boston loves Bledsoe at 19, I don't think he falls past Toronto at pick no. 13.

Bledsoe : (13) Raptors
 

DeMarcus Cousins

Workouts (team picks in parentheses) - 76ers (2), Nets (3, 31), Kings (5)
 

Projections: nbadraft.net - (5) Sacramento     draftexpress.com - (5) Sacramento

KI Prediction: If it weren't for questions about his character and work ethic, we could be looking at the number one pick in the draft. Cousins was the most productive, efficicient and dominating player in all of college basketball last season. At 6-11, 280 pounds, Cousins possesses a skill level that is off the charts.

Along with Wall, Ohio State's Evan Turner and Georgia Tech's Derrick Favors ESPN's Bill Simmons listed Cousins as one of the only potential all-stars in the draft and Chad Ford, ESPN Draft Insider, called Cousins a lock to be a 20-10 guy in the NBA. Ford also said Cousins "could be Moses Malone, could be Eddy Curry." Ouch.

Detroit is trying desperately to move up and snag Cousins but sources say the Pistons are reluctant to part ways with former Cat Tayshaun Prince to do so. I say the Nets go with the safer and less rewarding pick of Favors at no. 3 and with Al Jefferson and Kevin Love already in the fold with Minnesota at No. 4, Cousins goes to Sacramento at No. 5.

Cousins: (5) Kings

 

Daniel Orton

Workouts (team picks in parentheses): Heat (32, 41, 42), Kings (5), Raptors (13), Pacers (twice) (10, 40, 57), Rockets (14), Thunder (18, 21, 26, 51).

 

Projections: nbadraft.net - 18 Oklahoma City     draftexpress.com - 30 Washington

KI Prediction: After originally sky-rocketing up draft boards, Orton has plummeted back down meaning his draft stock is officiall all over the place. NBA GM's go gaga over size and Orton has plenty of it and would be a defensive presence from day one. But NBA execs are also very leary of Orton's health issues, mainly his knees, and although he's not on the level of a Dejaun Blair, some teams are fearful of spending a first-round pick on him.

In the end, I think Orton's size is going to be too much for a team with a mid-first round pick to pass on. I think Orton goes back home to Oklahoma City at pick no. 18.

Orton: (18) Thunder

 
Patrick Patterson

Workouts (team picks in parentheses): Bulls (17), Clippers (8, 54), Grizzlies (12, 25, 28), Heat (32, 41, 42), Hornets (11), Jazz (9, 55), Pacers (10, 40, 57), Pistons (7, 36), Raptors (13), Rockets (14).

Projections: nbadraft.net - (12) Memphis     draftexpress.com - (13) Toronto

KI Prediction: Patterson has been a workout warrior in NBA circles, working out for anyone and everyone. At first, as ESPN Draft Insider Chad Ford pointed out, teams liked Patterson, but no one was in love with him. But after the NBA Draft combine in Chicago and individual workouts, Patterson owned one of the hottest names in the draft and is one of 15 players invited to the green room at the NBA Draft, a well-deserved honor.

Unfortunately for Patterson, in a relatively weak draft, there are several talented big man prospects in the top end of the draft: Favors and Cousins to go along with Georgetown's Greg Monroe, Baylor's Ekpe Udoh, Wake Forest's Al Farouq-Aminu and Cole Aldrich from Kansas as well.

Patterson shined in a workout for the Memphis Grizzlies and I think Patterson heads to the land of the delta blues.

Patterson: (12) Memphis

 

John Wall

Workouts (team picks in parentheses): Wizards (1)

Projections: nbadraft.net - (1) Washington     draftexpress.com - (1) Washington

KI Prediction: What is there to say about Wall that already hasn't been said? He is unquestionably the only player you can draft no. 1 and easily has the largest upside/biggest payout in the draft. He will be a star in the league from day one. ESPN Draft Insider Chad Ford said Wall combines the athleticism of Derrick Rose with the command/floor game/rebounding of Jason Kidd and also said Wall will be better than both Rose and Rajon Rondo.

I say Wall becomes the third consecutive John Calipari player to be named NBA Rookie of the Year, becomes a perennial all-star and one of the top point guards in the league year in and year out.

Wall: (1) Washington