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2011 NBA Mock Draft: Can Derrick Williams Go First Overall?

Derrick Williams is fairly entrenched as the No. 2 pick in the upcoming NBA draft, but he won’t be content with that until after the all is said and done on June 26^th.

Williams caught up with HoopsWorld’s Luke Byrnes and told him:

"I think anything is possible," forward Derrick Williams said as the combine came to an end on Friday afternoon.  "I want to be the number one pick, but so does Kyrie.  So does Enes Kanter.  He's a good player too, but no one is talking about him like that.  He's a great player.   Whoever gets picked first is going to get picked first."

It’s not out of the realm of possibility for Williams to be the top pick.  Kyrie Irving did have a poor showing at the combine, and Williams was impressive, showcasing his strength by performing 19 reps on the bench press.

Must Read: 2011 NBA Mock Draft: Complete 1st-Round Mock with Predictions for Every Team

The strength and athleticism are there for Williams, so it will come down to the specific needs of the Cavaliers.  Right now, their needs suggest a point guard, but Williams still has time to wow the Cavs. 

Check out more NBA draft coverage NBA Draft 2011: Can Alec Burks Become the Next Clyde Drexler?

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2011 NBA Mock Draft: Does JaJuan Johnson Fit on the Miami Heat?

JaJuan Johnson of Purdue was scheduled to workout for the Miami Heat today, but do the Heat really need another big man on their roster?

The Heat have Joel Anthony, Zydrunas Ilgauskus (player option), Chris Bosh and Udonis Haslem under contract already, so Johnson would have difficulty finding playing time.

Johnson does possess some range though, which only Bosh could be suggested as having, so it may not be too far-fetched.

Must Read: 2011 NBA Mock Draft: Complete 1st-Round Mock with Predictions for Every Team

The Heat could use a point guard however.  Last season saw them employ Carlos Arroyo, Mario Chalmers and Mike Bibby at the point, names that don’t stand out as game changers.

Still, any guard the Heat draft more than likely will not be asked to contribute as a starter.  That’s asking a lot for a player who would be on the floor with LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh at the same time.

Johnson could be a nice complimentary piece for the Heat, but if he is taken by the team, his impact would be minimal for the upcoming season.

Check out more NBA draft coverage NBA Draft 2011: Can Alec Burks Become the Next Clyde Drexler?

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2011 NBA Mock Draft: Who Should Portland draft?

The Portland Trailblazers are in the middle of a major dilemma right now.  There are reports that the team is trying to get star shooting guard Brandon Roy to retire this summer.

Roy is signed through 2012-2013, with a player option the following year and a team option the year after that, so it’s hard to believe he’ll be interested in negotiating a buy-out.  John Canzano of The Oregonian suggests Roy plans on resting this summer and coming back for next season.

Must Read: 2011 NBA Mock Draft: Complete 1st-Round Mock with Predictions for Every Team

With Roy’s future uncertain, Portland will be in the market for a guard in the upcoming draft.  Nolan Smith would fit their needs, and Smith has the ability to play both the one and two positions, so he’s a likely choice.

Shelvin Mack and Reggie Jackson could be options, as the team only has Andre Miller signed for one more season.

Check out more NBA draft coverage NBA Draft 2011: Can Alec Burks Become the Next Clyde Drexler?

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2011 NBA Mock Draft: Who Will Draft Klay Thompson?

Klay Thompson’s draft stock is fairly strong these days, with the Washington State guard/forward expected to go anywhere from No. 12 to the Utah Jazz to the Washington Wizards at No. 18.

Thompson averaged 21.6 PPG last season, so his appeal lies in his ability to score, and at 6’7”, Thompson has the size to matchup at either small forward or shooting guard.

Must Read: 2011 NBA Mock Draft: Complete 1st-Round Mock with Predictions for Every Team

The Jazz have been linked to Jimmer Fredette at No 12. for awhile, but Thompson would fit in just as well.  Both players can score, but with Devin Harris already handling the rock in Utah, someone to compliment him makes more sense.

If the Jazz pass on Thompson, the Pacers could use some guard help, so he’s an option for them at No. 15.

Wherever Thompson winds up, he should be able to get his shot off in the pros.  If he can improve on his percentages, he could be a steal.  

Check out more NBA draft coverage NBA Draft 2011: Can Alec Burks Become the Next Clyde Drexler?

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2011 NBA Mock Draft: Who Will Draft Josh Selby?

Josh Selby is another player whose draft stock has gone up since the NBA draft combine.  With the release of the agility testing results, Selby looks to have gone from second-rounder to mid first-rounder.

Selby recorded an amazing 42-inch vertical at the combine, best of all the players tested.  He also showed off his quickness, scoring well in lane agility and the three-quarter-court sprint.

The Knicks were rumored to be looking at him last week, and now teams like the Bulls, who need a guard, and the Portland Trailblazers or Denver Nuggets could enter into the sweepstakes.

Must Read: 2011 NBA Mock Draft: Complete 1st-Round Mock with Predictions for Every Team

Selby is still a bit of an enigma after he posted a sub-par freshman season at Kansas, but he has the tools to play at the NBA-level.

Since he’ll likely be headed towards a decent team (late first-round), he most likely won’t be asked to contribute right away, but time in the D-League could really turn heads for Selby.

Check out more NBA draft coverage NBA Draft 2011: Can Alec Burks Become the Next Clyde Drexler?

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2011 NBA Mock Draft: Does Marshon Brooks have a promise from an NBA team?

Marshon Brooks is a hot prospect these days after a strong showing at the NBA draft combine, but has a team committed to drafting the Providence scorer? 

Hoopshype.com reported that Brooks’ agent Seth Cohen denied any sort of promise from an NBA team for Brooks, but promise or not, Brooks has seen his stock push him into the first round.

Must Read: 2011 NBA Mock Draft: Complete 1st-Round Mock with Predictions for Every Team

The Chicago Bulls are in the market for a shooting guard, so adding a prolific scorer like Brooks would aid the team in returning to the Easter Conference Finals, after they were knocked off by the Heat last night.

The Bulls are scheduled to meet with Illinois guard Demetri McCamey, so it would appear they are looking at a guard.  McCamey is a point guard, so the Bulls don’t need another one with Derrick Rose in town, so that’s a question mark for Chicago.

The Bulls have two of the last picks in the draft, so they could go in any number of directions, but the early signs are favoring a guard.

Check out more NBA draft coverage NBA Draft 2011: Can Alec Burks Become the Next Clyde Drexler?

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Could Kemba Walker Fall Out of the Lottery?

Kemba Walker’s stock appears to be falling in the week that has passed since the NBA draft combine.  It’s not attributed to anything Walker did wrong, but he didn’t measure well, so Brandon Knight looks to have leaped-frogged him for the potential No. 3 pick.

While it’s hard to imagine Walker falling to the No. 15 or lower, there aren’t many teams who need a point guard early on in the draft.

Sacramento could move Tyreke Evans to shooting guard, but he’s not a great shooter, so he makes more sense handling the ball and driving the lane.

Must Read: 2011 NBA Mock Draft: Complete 1st-Round Mock with Predictions for Every Team

Toronto has Jose Calderon, who they could trade, but if they don’t they retain one of the best passing guards in the league.

Washington has John Wall.

Detroit could be a fit, but the teams lacks strength up front, so should focus on the best big man available.

The list goes on from there, so Walker will need to be concerned if Brandon Knight has passed him on the prospect depth charts. 

The story is different for Knight, who has the upside worthy of being taken by any of the previously mentioned teams (sans Washington), so he should be confident that his draft status as a top-seven pick is safe.

Check out more NBA draft coverage NBA Draft 2011: Can Alec Burks Become the Next Clyde Drexler?

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Should the Knicks Grab a Big Man or Point Guard?

The New York Knicks only have nine players under contract for next season.  Ronny Turiaf has a player option, so he may or may not be back.

Next year’s roster has plenty of wing players with Carmelo Anthony, Landy Fields and Bill Walker in the fold, so the Knicks will most likely be looking to go either big or small in the draft.

The gut reaction would be to find a point guard of the future in the draft, since Chauncey Billups is only under contract for one more year and is showing age.  Toney Douglas is good, but isn’t necessarily someone who can run an offense on a daily basis.

Must Read: 2011 NBA Mock Draft: Complete 1st-Round Mock with Predictions for Every Team

The only problem is that there aren’t any top-flight point guards at No. 16.  Shelvin Mack, Reggie Jackson and Darius Morris are considerations, but don’t exactly blow anyone away.

The Knicks best bet may be to look for a power forward and keep Amare Stoudemire at the center position.  Kenneth Faried may be available.  In a Mike D’Antoni offense that emphasizes a score-first mentality, a competent defender and rebounder like Faried would fit in nicely to balance things out.

Tristan Thompson of Texas or Markieff Morris of Kansas would also be consideration.  Whoever the Knicks take, they should consider improving their defense first and work from there.

Check out more NBA draft coverage NBA Draft 2011: Can Alec Burks Become the Next Clyde Drexler?

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2011 NBA Mock Draft: Should the Timberwolves trade the No. 2 pick?

The Minnesota Timberwolves have been very active in preparing for the upcoming NBA draft.  The team hosted prospects camps earlier in the week to start sorting out there draft day plans.

Among the Wednesday notables were Shelvin Mack of VCU, Tyler Honeycutt of UCLA, and Florida’s Chandler Parsons, players vying to be the second of the Wolves two first-round (No. 2, No. 20) picks.

The players brought in were all considered late first-rounders, which leads to speculation that the Wolves could part with their first pick.

Must Read: 2011 NBA Mock Draft: Complete 1st-Round Mock with Predictions for Every Team

The team already has Kevin Love and Michael Beasley up front.  Add in Wesley Johnson, and there isn’t much need for another forward, namely Derrick Williams, the consensus No. 2 pick in the draft.

Minnesota could receive plenty for their first pick, so by moving down and settling for a lower pick and a first-round pick next season, it would benefit them.

The team is not deep by any means, so by filling out the roster with some guards or a forward who can be brought along slowly will allow the team to add depth.

The Wolves should not feel pressure to take Williams, and they will improve themselves in the long run if they trade down and land an extra pick for next year.

Check out more NBA draft coverage NBA Draft 2011: Can Alec Burks Become the Next Clyde Drexler?

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2011 NBA Mock Draft: Marcus Morris, Markieff Morris Workout for Houston Rockets

Even though the Morris twins are going to be presumably split up for the first time in their lives, they were both in attendance for workouts with the Houston Rockets earlier this week.

Houston does hold the No. 14 and No. 23 picks in the draft, but it’s highly unlikely Markieff would be available that late, regardless is Marcus was still on the board at No. 14.

Must Read: Full 1st-Round Mock, What Will New York, Boston & More Get?

Still, the twins wouldn’t mind playing together, but for now, they will have to go about their business as individuals and prepare to be split up.

Keith Calkins of Fox 26 Houston spoke with the twins, and each appears to know what they need to do in order to make the lottery.

Marcus: "Show them I'm a hard worker, versatile like everyone else knows, and I would love to be in Houston."

Markieff: "Just be able to score the basketball more. I was a defender and a rebounder at Kansas and I'll continue to do that in the league."

It’ll be interesting to see where the twins go in the draft, and just how much of an impact being apart from one another will have on their rookie seasons.

Check out more NBA draft coverage 2011 NBA Draft: Jimmer Fredette and the 10 Riskiest Players with Bust Potential

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2011 NBA Mock Draft: Boston Celtics to Workout Leuer, Harper, Skeen and Howard

The Boston Celtics have made plans to conduct their first round of player workouts starting on June 1^st according to Julian Benbow of the Boston Globe. Wisconsin’s Jon Leuer, Richmond’s Justin Harper, VCU’s Jamie Skeen and Butler legend Matt Howard are the four player set to go through drills for Boston.

This confirms speculation that the Celtics are indeed in the market for a big man, after trading away long-timer center Kendrick Perkins at last season’s trade deadline.

Must Read: Full 1st-Round Mock, What Will New York, Boston & More Get?

The Celtics are also preparing the departure of free agent Nenad Krstic, and with Shaquille O’Neals career in limbo, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Celtics select two big men in the draft. This is on top of the idea that Kevin Garnett’s minutes will be trimmed down next year as well.

Celtics’ GM Danny Ainge also indicated to Benbow that the team is happy with Avery Bradley, so will not be looking to replace the young guard.

“I respect the players in this year’s draft,’’ Ainge said. “But (Bradley would be a top-five pick this year and) that’s what I feel about Avery and his potential. I’m not the only one that feels that way. There are a lot of people in the league that feel that way as well."

Check out more NBA draft coverage 2011 NBA Draft: Jimmer Fredette and the 10 Riskiest Players with Bust Potential

2011 NBA Mock Draft: Tristan Thompson Impresses in Workouts

SLAM Online was on-hand to see Texas forward, Tristan Thompson work out with John Lucas Basketball Resources, and they came away impressed with the big man’s fundamentals and overall performance.

“Doing his best impression of a human pogo stick, the Canadian big man was easily the best of the group throughout the drills that involved grabbing the ball from high off of the glass and going right back up with it.  Many have envisioned TT as a high energy, active guy and these workouts only made a more telling case for his likely success in this area.”

This bodes well for Thompson, who measured well at the combine (6.2 BMI, 7’1.25” wingspan, 9’0.5” standing reach), so he stock could definitely climb for the late-round lottery picks looking for size.

Must Read: Full 1st-Round Mock, What Will New York, Boston & More Get?

Yao Ming and Chuck Hayes are free agents in Houston, so the Rockets could use size, despite them needing a point guard.

Philly definitely needs size, but at No. 16 they may not be in play for Thompson.

Indiana is possibly losing Jeff Foster and Josh McRoberts, so they could also be in the market for Thompson at No. 15.

Check out more NBA draft coverage 2011 NBA Draft: Jimmer Fredette and the 10 Riskiest Players with Bust Potential

2011 NBA Mock Draft: Donatas Montiejunas Reaches Semis in Italy

NBA draft prospect Donatas Montiejunas is another European player who did not attend the draft combine, because his season is still going on overseas.

Montiejunas is currently playing for Benetton Treviso in the Italian league, and the team has reached the semifinals in the Series A League thanks in part to the strong play of the Lithuanian big man.

Must Read: Full 1st-Round Mock, What Will New York, Boston & More Get?

Montiejunas put up 20 points yesterday to give Benetton a 10 point victory over Air AV. He shot 7-12 from the floor, including two three-pointers, in only 23 minutes of play. He only had five rebounds in the game, adding to the speculation that Montiejunas is more of a finesse player in the mold of Toronto’s Andrea Bargnani.

It’s still too early to tell exactly where Motiejunas will go in this year’s draft, but he will be on display at the Adidas EuroCamp from June 11-13th, so scouts will get a chance see how he measures up against some of the other European NBA hopefuls. 

Check out more NBA draft coverage 2011 NBA Draft: Jimmer Fredette and the 10 Riskiest Players with Bust Potential

2011 NBA Mock Draft: Jonas Valanciunas Wraps Up FIBA Season, Looks to Draft?

Jonas Valanciunas was a notable absentee from last week’s NBA draft combine in Chicago, but only because the 19-year-old big man was still playing overseas. 

Valanciunas’ Lietuvos Rytas, the Los Angeles Lakers of Lithuania, were looking for a three-peat in the LKL FIBA finals, but the team fell short of its goal, losing to Zalgiris Kaunas 4-1 in the best-of-seven series.

Must Read: Full 1st-Round Mock, What Will New York, Boston & More Get?

With his season wrapped, Valanciunas can now focus on his future, but his immediate future will include playing summer ball in Latvia.  It’s doubtful Valanciunas will travel to the states to workout for any teams, so if he is going to be selected in the NBA draft, it’ll be based off of what scouts have seen on tape, or by traveling to Europe. 

Valanciunas may not have won another title in Europe, but he provided his share of highlights in the playoffs, and he looks to be the legit prospect scouts say he is. 

Playoff numbers: 10.0 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 71.4 FG%, 21.2 MPG

Check out more NBA draft coverage 2011 NBA Draft: Jimmer Fredette and the 10 Riskiest Players with Bust Potential

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2011 NBA Mock Draft: Brandon Knight Update

Is it fair to for anyone to draw comparisons between Brandon Knight and the man who preceded him at the University of Kentucky, John Wall?

Wall finished second in the NBA for Rookie of the Year voting, but only because Blake Griffin sat out his first year with injuries.  If Griffin had played in 2009-10, Wall would have certainly taken the prize for top-rookie.

Must Read: 2011 NBA Draft: Kyrie Irving and the 5 Most Overhyped Draft Prospects

The level of expectation shouldn’t be the same, and nobody is drawing the comparisons, but if Knight is taken third overall, he’ll need to at least draw some comparison, right?

Fair or unfair, Knight will have to prove himself early on, even if he isn’t as ready for the NBA as Wall was.  And if he shouldn’t be compared to against Wall, then he’ll be compared against UConn’s Kemba Walker.

Wherever Knight lands, he’ll be playing second fiddle to Devin Harris in Utah, or Jose Calderon in Toronto, so impact won’t be immediate, but as his stock climbs, he’s starting to generate more questions than answers in this year’s upcoming draft.

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