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2010 NBA Draft Day Trades
Chicago Bulls Get: Cash
Washington Wizards Get: G Kirk Hinrich, PF Kevin Seraphin (17th pick)
Why this makes sense for Chicago:
A pure salary dump for the Bulls who by trading Hinrich and their first-round pick will have enough cap space to take a run at two of the top free agents. If this works and they end up landing LeBron and Bosh, then Chicago general manager Gar Forman will look like a genius. If they end up with Joe Johnson and Carlos Boozer, or even worse, this move will backfire.
Why this makes sense for Washington:
Ummm… I mean they were drafting Wall, still have Gilbert Arenas and Randy Foye, so why not kill a good chunk of your cap space by acquiring another point guard? And for what? To land Kevin Seraphin? Ladies and gentlemen, the Washington Wizards…
Winner:
New Orleans Hornets Get: PF Craig Brackins (21st pick), SF Quincy Pondexter (26th pick)
Oklahoma City Thunder Get: C Cole Aldrich (11th pick), SG Morris Peterson
Why this makes sense for New Orleans:
New Orleans saves more than $6.6 million by dumping Morris Peterson’s salary which is the main reason they would pull the trigger. They drop down to land two first rounders and add some needed depth to their frontcourt and ultimately, a younger, cheaper replacement for Peterson.
Why this makes sense for Oklahoma City:
Oklahoma City needed to add a defensive-minded big man and Cole Aldrich fits that bill. He can come in and contribute right away without being asked to do anything out of his comfort zone. Oklahoma City also had three first-rounders entering the 2010 NBA Draft so it makes sense to package two to move up and get a guy who can be a factor right away. Taking Mo Pete’s salary limits what the Thunder can do in free agency and gives them five shooting guards, but was worth taking on to get Aldrich in their opinion.
Winner: Push
Portland Trail Blazers Get: SF Luke Babbitt (16th pick), F Ryan Gomes
Minnesota Timberwolves Get: SF Martell Webster
Why this makes sense for Portland:
Webster has been an enigma of sorts and will easily be replaced in production by Gomes alone. Getting a deadly shooter like Babbitt in addition to Gomes, that is just abusing a clueless David Kahn. It’s almost not even fair.
Why this makes sense for Minnesota:
Because last year, David Kahn was the point guard guy and this year he wanted to be the small forward guy? He took a small forward in Wesley Johnson at No. 4 then traded two small forwards for Martell Webster, another small forward. Then Kahn drafted another small forward with the 30th pick. Yet he completely ignores the need for an athletic big man. Webster is a guy who has yet to pan out in the NBA and doesn’t seem to be turning the corner. So I am not sure why Minnesota would trade two role players for one.
Winner:
Los Angeles Clippers Get: PG Eric Bledsoe (18th pick)
Oklahoma City Thunder Get: Future 1st Round Pick
Why this makes sense for Los Angeles:
Despite it being the Clippers, I love this situation for both parties. Bledsoe can come in and develop until Baron Davis is gone while the Clips get a future franchise point guard whom I have stated several times I think will eventually be a top 10 talent in this draft.
Why this makes sense for Oklahoma City:
Oklahoma City general manager Sam Presti just knows how to work the draft process. Rather than hoping to find a role player on a pretty full roster with their other first-round pick, Presti took the best available player and turned it into the asset of a first-round pick which knowing the Clippers, could actually be a fairly high selection.
Winner: Push
Washington Wizards Get: PF Trevor Booker (23rd pick), C Hamady Ndiaye (56th pick)
Minnesota Timberwolves Get: SF Lazar Hayward (30th pick), F Nemanja Bjelica (35th pick)
Why this makes sense for Washington:
Booker was considered by most a second-round prospect so why the Wizards would be so eager to trade up to 23 to get him stumps me. Ndiaye is a shot blocker who could stick on the Washington roster for that reason alone.
Why this makes sense for Minnesota:
They obviously weren’t enamored with anyone at 23 and still felt they could get a player they wanted in Hayward at 30. Bjelica probably wouldn’t have been on the board with their first pick of the second round at 45 so general manager David Kahn acquired an earlier pick to grab a player whom they will stash overseas for a couple years.
Winner: Push
Atlanta Hawks Get: SG Jordan Crawford (27th pick), C Tibor Pleiss (31st pick)
New Jersey Nets Get: F Damion James (24th pick)
Why this makes sense for Atlanta:
Atlanta needed a shooting guard to help fill the void of free agent Joe Johnson and there were a few solid options still on the board so the Hawks felt comfortable moving down a few spots and picking up the first pick of the second round for their 24th pick. They turned the 31st pick into Tibor Pleiss into cash considerations from the Thunder who were very high on Pleiss. So they ultimately ended up Jordan Crawford and cash at the 24th pick, and considering how much I like Crawford, that’s a good deal.
Why this makes sense for New Jersey:
James was falling in the draft and New Jersey must have been incredibly high on him, but didn’t think he would be around with their pick at 27. So they decided to send that pick and the first selection in the second round to get him. I think James is a good value at 24 and can bring some toughness off the bench in New Jersey, but I am not sure it was worth giving up two of the next seven picks to grab him.
Winner:
Dallas Mavericks Get: G Dominique Jones (25th pick)
Memphis Grizzlies Get: Cash Considerations
Why this makes sense for Dallas:
Dallas was actively seeking a first-round pick and was able to get one of the best scorers in the draft. I am not sure how Jones will fit into a backcourt that already has Kidd, Terry, Butler, Beaubois and Barea, but we know money is not an issue for Mark Cuban, and Jones is a solid value at 25.
Why this makes sense for Memphis:
I figured the Grizzlies were going to deal or sell off one of their three first-round picks and that’s exactly what they did. There were not any gaping holes on their roster with this pick so it makes sense to do what they did.
Winner: Push
Toronto Raptors Get: C Solomon Alabi (50th pick)
Dallas Mavericks Get: Future 2nd-round pick and cash
Why this makes sense for Toronto:
Toronto did not have a second-round pick but needed to fill a hole in the middle for a defensive-minded center. They took Ed Davis with their first-round pick but got a great deal in only giving up a future second-rounder and cash for Alabi, who was thought to be going in as high as the early 20s. While he is still a work in progress, Alabi is well worth the risk of a future pick.
Why this makes sense for Dallas:
I originally liked the idea of Alabi going to Dallas because they need a big man since Brendan Haywood is a free agent and Erick Dampier likely won’t be back. I guess the cash considerations help make up for buying Dominique Jones earlier in the 2010 NBA Draft, but now the Mavs have a major hole up front heading into free agency.
Winner:
Indiana Pacers Get: C Magnum Rolle (51st pick)
Oklahoma City Thunder Get: PF Ryan Reid (57th pick) and cash
Why this makes sense for Indiana:
I guess I could see why Indiana would want Rolle. He is an athletic big man which was a major need heading into the offseason. I just cannot see him actually making an NBA roster and why Indiana would think they need to give up cash to acquire him.
Why this makes sense for Oklahoma City:
No idea. I never once thought of putting Ryan Reid on any mock draft I ever constructed, and neither did any of the other major NBA Draft sites. Even Jay Bilas was speechless about this pick, and he always can pontificate about a college basketball player.
Winner: Push
MISSING
Mike Elworth's 2023 NBA Mock Draft
Mike Elworth's 2024 NBA Mock Draft
NFL Picks - Nov. 20
2025 NFL Mock Draft - Nov. 20
NFL Power Rankings - Nov. 19
Fantasy Football Rankings - Sept. 4
