NBA squads looking to strike it rich in tonight's draft

The world’s top basketball prospects will be up for grabs as the 2010 NBA Draft officially kicks off inside Madison Square Garden at 4 p.m. PST.

This particular edition might catch the eye of any non-Laker fan in California as Sacramento, Golden State and the L.A. Clippers all pick in the top eight, hoping to find the next star that launches them into the West’s elite.

With the return of last year’s No. 1 pick due to injury — Blake Griffin — the Clips could find themselves knocking on the playoff door next season if they play their cards right.

But then again, it’s the Clips. The previous time they owned the No. 1 pick in 1998, they drafted Michael Olowokandi, who went on to endure one of the most forgettable careers in NBA history.

Without further ado, here’s how tonight’s lottery (top 14 picks) might play out:

1. Washington Wizards — John Wall, PG, Kentucky

Let’s just say if you were to wager $1,000 in Vegas that Wall will be drafted with the first pick, you wouldn’t win anything. It’s a lock.

2. Philadelphia 76ers — Evan Turner, SG, Ohio State

Some are speculating that the 76ers draft a big here because Turner and star swingman Andre Iguodala are redundant. I say that’s hogwash! Turner is more of a facilitator in the mold of Portland’s Brandon Roy while Iguodala can coexist nicely as a finisher around the rim.

3. New Jersey Nets — Wesley Johnson, SF, Syracuse

In workouts leading up to the draft, Johnson has established himself as one of the elite athletes, second only to John Wall. The Nets could use a big here, but this summer’s free agency market is chock full of power forwards. They’ll take their chances on the market and draft the second coming of Shawn Marion instead.

4. Minnesota Wolves — Derrick Favors, PF, Georgia Tech

My personal favorite prospect in the draft, Favors resembles a cross between Kevin Garnett and Dwight Howard. Inexplicably, Minnesota president David Kahn picked three point guards in last year’s draft. With Favors, he can’t mess this one up.

5. Sacramento Kings — DeMarcus Cousins, C, Kentucky

Kings fans should rejoice if Cousins slips this far. The 6-11, 292-pound behemoth nearly possesses the agility of a young Shaq. If Cousins can overcome his stigma as a head case, he’ll form a scary duo with rising star Tyreke Evans.

6. Golden State Warriors — Al-Farouq Aminu, SF, Wake Forest

Two things the Warriors value are athleticism and versatility. Aminu is blessed with both. His speed and length allow him to play three different positions and, with Stephen Curry distributing the ball, Aminu should wreak havoc in the Warriors’ system.

7. Detroit Pistons — Greg Monroe, PF/C, Georgetown

The Pistons will do backflips if Monroe falls here. The smooth-passing, but supposedly less athletic, big man draws comparisons to a late-career Chris Webber.

8. L.A. Clippers — Xavier Henry, G/F, Kansas

There are better prospects than Henry still available at this point, but the Clippers need help at the swingman spot where there is no real starting 3 and Eric Gordon is undersized (6-4) at the 2. At 6-7, Henry can play both positions and is perhaps the draft’s best 3-point shooter.

9. Utah Jazz — Ekpe Udoh, PF, Baylor

Having lost to the Lakers in the past three postseasons, the Jazz know they need to get longer. Udoh’s 7-5 wingspan and 3.7 blocks per game does just that.

10. Indiana Pacers — Ed Davis, PF, North Carolina

Rumors are swirling that Indiana’s Troy Murphy is on the block. If he’s gone, then the addition of Davis gives them two former Tar Heels with championship pedigrees (the other being Tyler Hansbrough).

11. New Orleans Hornets — Luke Babbitt, F, Nevada

He’s not the most athletic player around, but Babbitt can step in as a perfect replacement for the aging Peja Stojakovic, giving Chris Paul an automatic shooter to work the perimeter.

12. Memphis Grizzlies — Paul George, SF, Fresno State

The Grizzlies have no real need at any position, so they take the uber-athletic Bulldog fan-favorite in case star forward Rudy Gay leaves in free agency.

13. Toronto Raptors — Cole Aldrich, C, Kansas

Aldrich’s stock dropped once he measured just 6-9 without shoes, but the hard-working big man will still be more of a true center than Andrea Bargnani or anyone else on the Raptors’ roster.

14. Houston Rockets — Patrick Patterson, PF, Kentucky

After trading Carl Landry to the Kings and with Luis Scola a restricted free agent this summer, the Rockets draft a similar player in Patterson as insurance.

Other players on the lottery bubble: Butler’s Gordon Hayward, Kentucky’s Eric Bledsoe and Texas’ Avery Bradley.