Mark Heisler’s mock NBA draft

Now for the NBA draft, otherwise known as The Calm Before LeBron. In brief, Washington will take Kentucky’s John Wall, who should awaken the Wizards from their deep sleep as if kissed by a prince. Then Philadelphia will take Ohio State’s Evan Turner, who should awaken the 76ers. Aside from the premium picks, however, the draft is merely final maneuvers for July 1, when LeBron James and a superstar-studded class with Dwyane Wade, Amare Stoudemire, Chris Bosh and Joe Johnson are officially free agents. Not surprisingly, everyone is in line behind James, who reportedly will visit five teams: the Knicks, Nets, Bulls, Heat and Clippers. Here’s how Thursday’s first round could shape up (ESPN, 4:30 p.m.):

1. Washington: John Wall, 6-2 3/4, 196, Fr., Kentucky. Only question is how big a star he’ll be. Most athletic player ever at point, eclipsing Derrick Rose and Russell Westbrook.

2. Philadelphia: Evan Turner, 6-5 3/4, 215, Jr. Ohio State. Supposed to be next Brandon Roy or Joe Johnson. Either will do.

3. New Jersey: Derrick Favors, 6-8 3/4, 246, Fr., Georgia Tech. Longer-armed Al Horford, with more upside.

4. Minnesota: Wesley Johnson, 6-6 1/4, 206, Jr., Syracuse. Athletic, skilled, big-time small forward prospect.

5. Sacramento: DeMarcus Cousins, 6-9 1/2, 292, Fr., Kentucky. Without head case rep, would have gone No. 3 or even No. 2.

6. Golden State: Greg Monroe, 6-9 3/4, 247 Soph., Georgetown. No athletic prodigy but measured bigger than expected. Best passing big man in draft by far.

7. Detroit: Ed Davis, 6-9, 227, Soph., North Carolina. Turned out to be bigger than expected, tested well as an athlete.

8. Clippers: Al-Farouq Aminu, 6-7 1/4, 216, Soph., Wake Forest. When, or if, he shoots well enough to play alongside Blake Griffin, they’ll be game’s most athletic forward tandem.

9. Utah: Ekpe Udoh, 6-8 3/4, 237, Jr., Baylor. Shot-blocker with surprising passing ability. Admirers see smaller Marcus Camby.

10. Indiana: Gordon Hayward, 6-6 3/4, 211, Soph., Butler. May have to be a guard in the pros. Has plenty of game but it’ll depend on shooting ability.

11. New Orleans: Cole Aldrich, 6-9, 236, Jr., Kansas. Measured smaller than expected but he’s plenty big for these rungs.

12. Memphis: Patrick Patterson, 6-8, 240, Jr., Kentucky. Warrior, physical. Big question is ability to play small forward. Some think he’s the sleeper outside top five.

13. Toronto: Eric Bledsoe, 6-0 1/4, 192, Fr. Kentucky. Played shooting guard alongside Wall but was highly rated as prep point.

14. Houston: Xavier Henry, 6-5 1/4, 210, Fr., Kansas. Spot-up shooter to complement Yao Ming, Aaron Brooks and Kevin Martin.

15. Milwaukee: Luke Babbitt, 6-7 1/2, 218, Soph., Nevada. Almost as tough, better shooting version of Matt Harpring. Made 50% of shots this season, 42% of threes, 92% of free throws.

16. Minnesota: Larry Sanders, 6-9 1/4, 222, Jr., Virginia Commonwealth. Like Udoh on defense, but not as good on offense.

17. Chicago: Paul George, 6-7 3/4, 214, Soph., Fresno State. Great body and skills. Skeptics wonder about his motor.

18. Oklahoma City: Kevin Seraphin, 6-9, 258, France. This spring’s unknown flying up chart. Great opportunity for GM Sam Presti, who hit it big with Serge Ibaka but needs more big men.

19. Boston: Solomon Alabi, 6-11 1/2, 237, Soph., Florida St. Not a prodigy but he is a shot-blocker. Good pick for team back in need of length with Rasheed Wallace retiring.

20. San Antonio: Damion James, 6-6 1/4, 227, Sr., Texas. Could become what Richard Jefferson was supposed to be. Texas Coach Rick Barnes, who’s close to Spurs GM R.C. Buford, loved him.

21. Oklahoma City: Daniel Orton, 6-8 3/4, 269, Fr., Kentucky. Wildcats backup center, projected in lottery before being flagged medically, ballooning to 290, and looking bad in workouts.

22. Portland: Hassan Whiteside, 6-10 1/2, 227, Fr., Marshall. Could be GM Kevin Pritchard’s last No. 1 pick with team hiring headhunting firm to find his replacement. Raw shot-blocker is a find this far down.

23. Minnesota: James Anderson, 6-4 3/4, 208, Jr. Oklahoma St. Timberwolves’ third choice of the round more firepower for backcourt.

24. Atlanta: Avery Bradley, 6-2, 160, Fr., Texas. Supposed to go in the teens. Nice point prospect to get here.

25. Memphis: Elliot Williams, 6-3, 175, Soph., Memphis. After missing on Tigers’ Tyreke Evans, Kings may have standing orders to draft their best player every year.

26. Oklahoma City: Tibor Pleiss, 6-10 1/2, 220, Germany. Another Euro Presti can stash for a year, a la Ibaka, even if he’s no Ibaka.

27. New Jersey: Jordan Crawford, 6-3, 198, Soph., Xavier. Athlete who can do more than dunk but threw one down on LeBron James last summer, prompting LeBron’s peeps to confiscate video.

28. Memphis: Stanley Robinson, 6-6 1/2, 213, Sr., UConn. GM Chris Wallace likes athletes with motors.

29. Orlando: Terrico White, 6-33/4, 203, Soph. Magic looking for guards with possibility it will lose Jason Williams, Anthony Johnson and J.J. Redick.

30. Washington: Quincy Pondexter, 6-5, 220, Sr., Washington. Late bloomer who can defend as well as score.