Cleveland Cavaliers NBA Mock Draft 2011: Grading the Experts' Picks

For this article we'll take a look at the many 2011 NBA mock drafts out there today, with the focus on the Cavaliers two lottery selections.

Sites included and graded will be nbadraft.net, draftexpress.com, mynbadraft.com, nba-draft.com, hoopshype.com and realgm.com.

Grading will not be based on how accurate the mocks appear to be, but rather the quality of talent the Cavaliers would receive based on that specific mock. 

Feel free to comment on the one you'd like to see the best below.

Mock No. 1: NBA Draft.net

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 12: Derrick Williams #23 of the Arizona Wildcats looks on while taking on the Washington Huskies in the championship game of the 2011 Pacific Life Pac-10 Men's Basketball Tournament at Staples Center on March 12, 2011 in Los Angel

First Selection:

Derrick Williams: 6'9'', 240 lbs

Sophomore Forward, Arizona

2010-11 Stats: PPG: 19.1, RBG: 8.1, APG: 1.1, FG%: .615 

Second Selection:

Alec Burks: 6'6'', 191 lbs

Sophomore Guard, Colorado

2010-11 Stats: PPG: 20.3, RBG: 6.4, APG: 2.9, FG%: .464

Draft Grade: B+ Cavaliers get two very talented prospects in Williams and Burks.  I can't help but think of Brandon Roy when someone mentions Burks, and anything close would be an amazing second selection. 

I like Williams but not if it means passing on Kyrie Irving, Harrison Barnes and some of the other elite prospects.  Cavs could do better than this.

Mock No. 2: Draft Express.com

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

GREENSBORO, NC - MARCH 13: Kyrie Irving #1 of the Duke Blue Devils cuts down the net after defeating the North Carolina Tar Heels 75-58 in the championship game of the 2011 ACC men's basketball tournament at the Greensboro Coliseum on March 13, 2011 in G

First Selection:

Kyrie Irving: 6'2", 180 lbs

Freshman Guard, Duke

2010-11 Stats: PPG: 17.4, RBG: 3.8, APG: 5.1, FG%: .452

Second Selection:

Kemba Walker: 6'1", 172 lbs

Junior Guard, UConn 

2010-11 Stats: PPG: 23.5, RBG: 5.3, APG: 4.3, FG%: .432

Draft Grade: B+  Irving is a great first choice, but taking Walker after Irving wouldn't make any sense, especially since Ramon Sessions and Baron Davis are still on the team. 

The Cavaliers need help in so many other areas taking two point guards would not be a wise draft especially with Terrence Jones still on the board.

Mock No. 3: My NBA Draft.com

Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

TAMPA, FL - MARCH 17: Terrence Jones #3 of the Kentucky Wildcats drives against Kareem Maddox #2 of the Princeton Tigers during the second round of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at St. Pete Times Forum on March 17, 2011 in Tampa, Florida. (P

First Selection:

Kyrie Irving: 6'2", 180 lbs

Freshman Guard, Duke

2010-11 Stats: PPG: 17.4, RBG: 3.8, APG: 5.1, FG%: .452

Second Selection:

Terrence Jones: 6'8", 244 lbs

Freshman Forward, Kentucky

2010-11 Stats: PPG: 16.5, RBG: 8.9, APG: 1.7, FG%: .437

Draft Grade: A-  I like this draft the best so far, because of the franchise star in Irving and an athletic small forward in Jones.  Both could start right away and fill major holes for the Cavs.  Jones has a sweet left handed stroke and is a tremendous rebounder as well.  This would be a good draft to build around.

Mock No. 4: NBA-Draft.com

First Selection:

Kyrie Irving: 6'2", 180 lbs

Freshman Guard, Duke

2010-11 Stats: PPG: 17.4, RBG: 3.8, APG: 5.1, FG%: .452

Second Selection:

Enes Kanter: 6'11'', 270 lbs

Freshman Center, Kentucky

2010-11 Stats: None, ruled academically ineligible.

Draft Grade: A  Irving and Kanter provide a tremendous inside-outside presence to build around.  Center is the thinnest position in the draft, and Kanter is far-and-away the best prospect.  The Cavaliers desperately need a post threat, and Kanter falling to them with the second pick would be nothing short of a draft miracle.

Mock No. 5: HoopsHype.com

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 13: Jared Sullinger #0 of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrates with the Big Ten Championship trophy after OHio State won 71-60 against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the championship game of the 2011 Big Ten Men's Basketball T

First Selection:

Jared Sullinger: 6'9", 280 lbs

Freshman Forward, Ohio State

2010-11 Stats: PPG: 17.2, RBG: 10.1, APG: 1.3, FG%: .536

Second Selection:

Kawhi Leonard: 6'7", 225 lbs

Sophomore Forward, San Diego State

2010-11 Stats: PPG: 15.4, RBG: 10.7, APG: 2.3, FG%: .455

Draft Grade: B+  Two very good players, but I would be somewhat disappointed with this draft.  Sullinger would be great to have, and Leonard is a former California HS player of the year, but not coming away with an elite prospect like an Irving, Barnes or even Perry Jones  would be a big let down.  Both guys should be real solid pros, but solid pros don't jump-start struggling franchises.

Mock No. 6: Real GM.com

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

KANSAS CITY, MO - NOVEMBER 23: Kyrie Irving #1 of the Duke Blue Devils in action during the CBE Classic game against the Kansas State Wildcats on November 23, 2010 at the Sprint Center in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

First Selection:

Kyrie Irving: 6'2", 180 lbs

Freshman Guard, Duke

2010-11 Stats: PPG: 17.4, RBG: 3.8, APG: 5.1, FG%: .452

Second Selection:

Jared Sullinger: 6'9", 280 lbs

Freshman Forward, Ohio State

2010-11 Stats: PPG: 17.2, RBG: 10.1, APG: 1.3, FG%: .536

Draft Grade: A  I can't imagine a Cavalier fan walking away not thrilled about this scenario.  But, RealGM has Williams, Barnes, Perry Jones, Kanter, Jan Vesely and Brandon Knight all taken before Sullinger, which I refuse to believe.  Sullinger would be an undersized center, but that's likely where he would find minutes on a small Cavs squad. 

This could arguably be the best draft the Cavaliers could come away with. 

Best Case Scenario

Larry Busacca/Getty Images

NEW YORK - APRIL 17: Kyrie Irving #1 and Harrison Barnes #40 pose after the National Game at the 2010 Jordan Brand classic at Madison Square Garden on April 17, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images for Jordan Brand Classic)

For me, Kyrie Irving has to be the pick, assuming the Cavs end up with the first selection. 

He's got Chris Paul written all over him and seems much more mature than most his age.

With Irving on board, a post threat or scoring small forward have to be targeted.  Harrison Barnes, Jared Sullinger, Enes Kanter or Perry Jones, to me, would be the best possible picks if any are available with the second lottery pick.

Could we see the second coming of Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant in Wine and Gold colors next season?

I guess that's up to the ping pong balls and Chris Grant.