2011 NBA Mock Draft: A Bit Late But Oh Well

Hey RU, I got to this late because I messed up the first time leaving out Kemba Walker, and I stayed late at work last night.  Anyways, here's a full first round mock without trades moments before the draft.

 
1. Cleveland Cavaliers

Kyrie Irving PG Duke.  6'3" 191

Despite missing much of his only collegiate season due to injury, Irving's combo of size, athleticism, and shooting is dangerously good.  And the Cavs might feel that they had seen enough in the limited games Irving played at Duke.

 

2. Minnesota Timberwolves

Enes Kanter PF/C Kentucky.  6'11" 260

The Timberwolves have recently (as in today) stated that if they didn't get a trade done and kept the #2 pick, they would take Enes Kanter over Derrick Williams.  Kanter was ruled ineligible to play at Kentucky, but was a star on the international stage at a young age.  He currently is only 19 years old, has elite size, an NBA-ready body, and a good all-around offensive game.  He also could play Center, allowing Kevin Love to play his natural PF.

ESPN.com:

http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_/id/30616/draft-buzz-rockets-eying-no-2-pick

As of midday Wednesday, the Timberwolves now are leaning toward Arizona’s Derrick Williams over Kentucky’s Enes Kanter of Turkey. 

I also heard the statement on SportsCenter.  And it makes alot of sense, they have been in so many trade talks, they clearly aren't huge fans of Williams and how he would fit.

 

3. Utah Jazz

Derrick Williams PF/SF Arizona.  6'9" 248

The Jazz don't need another PF, but they have the #12 pick to take a guard if they chose.  Williams is the best player here and the Jazz know it.  He was almost unstoppable scoring last season at Arizona, and he really turned it on when it mattered...in the NCAA tournament. 

 
4. Cleveland Cavaliers

Jonas Valanciunas C Lithunania.  6'11" 245

The Cavs are dissappointed to see that Enes Kanter is already gone, but they look on the bright side and take the best big left on the board.  Valanciunas has the size and upside that is tough to pass on.  Expect Dan Gilbert to show plenty of Ambition on draft night.

5. Toronto Raptors

Brandon Knight PG/SG Kentucky.  6'3" 176

The Raptors get the guy they want.  They publicly implied that they will take Brandon Knight if he's available.  The Raptors don't have much depth at Gaurd, and is one of the worst 3-pt shooting teams in the NBA.  Knight shot close to 40% from 3 at Kentucky, while also leading his team in points and assists.

 

6. Washington Wizards

Kawhi Leonard SF San Diego State.  6'7" 227

Leonard would be a fine insert into the Wizards' starting lineup at SF.  He is a stud defender and rebounder and will show that from Day 1, but what will decide how good he will be is on the offensive end.  He's athletic and a strong finisher at the rim, but will need to develop better perimeter skills including a jumpshot.

 

7. Sacramento Kings

Jimmer Fredette PG/SG BYU.  6'2" 195

While Kemba Walker is still on the board, the Kings might decide that they need a shooter to make Tyreke Evans better.  Fredette would probably be starting Point Guard on Day 1 for the Kings, and would be exactly what Evans needs to reach his full potential. 

The Jazz aren't happy to see this, after passing on Brandon Knight the first time around.

 

8. Detroit Pistons

Kemba Walker PG Connecticut.  6'1" 184

Kemba is one of the best values left on the board, if not the best.  He led his team to the National Title, behind some clutch performances.  He was one of very few players in the Big East to average over 20 ppg.  Plus, the Pistons need to soidify the PG position.  Rodney Stuckey is heading towards Unrestricted Free Agency, and they need to upgrade over Will Bynum. 

 

9. Charlotte Bobcats

Jan Vesely SF/PF Europe.  6'10" 230

The Bobcats see a long, athletic, high-potential player drop down to #9.  They will gladly take the slight gamble on the kid, who would solve their troubles at SF for the future and could potentially improve into a very good overall player.

 

10. Milwaukee Bucks

Alec Burks SG/PG Colorado.  6'6" 192

The Bucks statiscally had the worst offense in the entire NBA last season.  They need better shooting, but Scott Skiles has spoken out and stated that he plans on getting more athletic through the draft.  Burks is one of the more athletic prospects, and is already a proven scorer, averaging 21.2 per game at Colorado.  The only knock on this kid is his inability to consistently knock down a 3-pt shot, but Dwyane Wade came in with the same tag.

 

11. Golden State Warriors

Jordan Hamilton SG/SF Texas. 6'8" 228

Hamilton is a big wing player, who has proven that he can both score and rebound.  The Warriors could use another 2/3 player, especially if they do decide to move Monta Ellis in the near future (which seems extremely likely).  Dorrell Wright and Hamilton could share the 2/3 spots with Steph Curry at the Point.

 

12. Utah Jazz

Klay Thompson SG/SF Washington St.  6'7" 205

The Jazz will almost certainly take a guard here after taking Derrick Williams at #3.  Thompson happens to be a guard who can play immediately and knock down 3's at a high rate.  He scored 21.6 ppg last season, while shooting 40% from downtown. 

 

13. Phoenix Suns

Tristan Thompson PF Texas.  6'8" 227

The Suns are looking to upgrade at PF, and while he lacks ideal height for PF in the league, Thompson can certainly do it.  Thompson has a long wingspan, great athleticism, and a motor that runs on any kind of fuel.  He uses those attribibutes to be one of the best offensive rebounders in this class.  He will need to improve his offensive skills, mostly his FT shooting which hangs around 50%.

 

14. Houston Rockets

Donatas Motiejunas PF/C Europe.  6'11" 220

The Rockets are super thrilled that an elite PF/C prospect fell to them at the end of the lottery.  They have alot of question marks in the middle with Chuck Hayes becoming a FA, Yao Ming's health, and Brad Miller's age.  Motiejunas' biggest weakness is his lack of  bulk and strength, but the training coaches should take care of that problem.

 

15. Indiana Pacers

Marcus Morris PF/SF Kansas.  6'9" 229

The Pacers are a team that struggles to score often times.  Tyler hansbrough and Josh McRoberts are decent basketball players, but neither of them can score consistently or create his own shot.  Marcus is undersized for PF, and might play some SF, but either way the guy can score.  The Pacers also could use some more depth at Forward.

 

16. Philadelphia 76ers

Bismack Biyombo PF/C Congo.  6'9" 243

The 76ers will be needing more depth up front in the near future, and Biyombo will be supply depth and more.  He has a wingspan that allows him to block shots at a high rate, rebound on both ends, and finish in the paint.  He's also athletic enough to run with the fastbreak.  I think Doug Collins will want to bank on his young guards developing into perinnial All-stars and then fill in the final piece with a defensive tone-setter, relentless rebounder, and inside scoring presence.

 

17.  New York Knicks

Markeiff Morris PF Kansas.  6'9" 241

Markeiff can play with Amare on the front line, doing most of the rebounding for him (He averaged 8 rpg in only 24 mins pg), and also providing another scoring option to take pressure off of the Big 2.   He's also athletic enough to run with Mike D'Antoni's fast-paced offense.

 

18. Washington Wizards

Nolan Smith PG/SG Duke.  6'3" 188

The Wizards already got the SF they needed.  Now they add depth to the Guards, a unit that uses Mustafa Shakur as the backup PG, and has an injury-prone John Wall at the helm.  Smith can play both guard positions, and can provide some long-distance shooting for a team that doesn't make many 3-pt shots.

 

19. Charlotte Bobcats

Nikola Vuceivic PF/C USC.  6'11" 260

Vucevic is a solid Center prospect that will almost certainly be available here.  The Bobcats are weak down low with Kwame Brown and Joel Pryzbilla handling the Center duties.  And now they are both Unrestricted FAs.  This is a need pick, but also not a reach, making it smart for Michael Jordan's Bobcats.

 

20. Minnesota Timberwolves

Marshon Brooks SG Providence.  6'5" 195

The T'Wolves are almost guaranteed to trade this pick on draft night, but this is my mock where trades don't occur.  So instead they take a very viable scoring option on the wing, that could be inserted into the rotation instantly.  Being able to say you led the Big East in scoring is a good thing to have on your resume.

 

21. Portland Trailblazers

Kenneth Faried PF Morehead St.  6'8" 225

The Blazers need to make sure LaMarcus Aldridge won't have to use all of his energy on rebounding when Marcus Camby retires.  Faried was undoubtedly the best rebounder in college basketball last season at Morehead State.  A good fit in Portland in my opinion.

 

22.  Denver Nuggets

Tobias Harris SF/PF Tennessee.  6'9" 223

The Nuggets go for versatility with Harris, who can play both Forward positions and guard the 2 through 4 spots.  He was an All-SEC player last season for the Volunteers, averaging 15.2 points and 7.3 rebound per game.

 

23. Houston Rockets

Chris Singleton SF/PF FSU.  6'9" 230

The Rockets luck out again, as the player they considered drafting at #14 falls 9 spots to here.  They say good things come to those who wait, and Chris Singleton is a good thing.  He is a stud defender and solid athlete, who will need to improve his offense.

 

24. Oklahoma City Thunder

Tyler Honeycutt SF/SG UCLA.  6'8" 195

The Thunder don't have any needs, so they will likely look to Best Player Available.  Honeycutt could be just that.  He can play and guard both the 2 and the 3, he was an All-Pac 10 player and defender, and has a good offensive game.  Honeycutt scored 12.6 ppg, but would have scored more had he been more assertive on the offensive end.

 

25. Boston Celtics

Jordan Williams PF/C Maryland.  6'10" 247

The Celtics' big men are so old, I feel they absolutely must address that weakness in their roster.  Shaq is retired, Jermaine O'Neal shouldn't be around much longer, and same with Garnett.  And to add to that, Glen Davis will be a FA. 

Williams isn't even quite 6'10" (he is with rounding), but he rebounds very well and has good touch around the basket.  His youth alone will be a step in the rebuilding process for Doc Rivers' squad.

 

26. Dallas Mavericks

Darius Morris PG Michigan.  6'4" 190

Following a title. the Mavs are pretty much in position to take the best player.  Morris is exactly that at this point in the draft.  He led the Big Ten in assists as a freshman, and also scored 15 ppg.  Jason Kidd should be on his way out, but might come back for one more season and mentor Morris.  J.J. Barea could be gone to free agency.

 

 

27. New Jersey Nets

Justin Harper PF/SF Richmond.  6'10 225

Harper will really help out the Nets Forward positions, which could lose Kris Humphries this offseason.  Harper can play both forward spots, and may fit better at the 3 with his perimeter skills and shooting ability (45% from 3 last season).

 

 

28. Chicago Bulls

Josh Selby PG/SG Kansas.  6'3" 195

Keith Bogans doesn't occupy the defense enough to take any pressure off of MVP Derrick Rose.  Teams will continue to swarm him until the Bulls get a SG who can knock down more shots and put the ball on the floor.  Selby is a bit of a risk having not played much last season, but there is a high reward that he carries.

 

29. San Antonio Spurs

Nikola Mirotic PF Serbia.  6'10" 226

The Spurs have drafted alot of INternational players in the last 10 years, and won't be afraid to try it again. 

 

 

30. Chicago Bulls

Jon Leuer PF/C Wisconsin.  7'0" 223

Leuer needs to add strength to his frame, but he's 7 feet tall, and is very skilled.  He has shooting range that extends to the 3-pt line, and has a finesse post game. 

 

Thanks.