2011 NBA Mock Draft: Who They Should Take, Who They Will Take
NBA general managers and personnel executives do not always make the right decisions.
That statement does not come as a shock to anyone who pays attention to the NBA Draft, which has been littered with busts like Hasheem Thabeet, Joe Alexander and Adam Morrison in the last five years alone.
Execs have naturally gotten a little better at evaluating college and international players over the last few years, simply because of the amount of information available to them. Game tape, scouting reports and mock drafts are available nearly everywhere, and there are more draft camps and workout dates than ever before.
Well, I've got one more bit of information for them. In the slides that follow, I'm actually going to tell them who they should select in the NBA Draft. Simple as that. Given who is on the board at the time of their selection, I am telling NBA general managers who the right selection would be.
I'm also going to tell you who they probably will select. Of course, if there's a difference in opinions, it's always best to assume I'm right.
1. Cleveland Cavaliers
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Who they should take: Kyrie Irving
Who they will take: Kyrie Irving
Irving is likely going to be the number one pick. He's the most complete point guard and most complete player on the board.
The Cavaliers have needs at just about every position, depending on whether or not you're a believer in J.J. Hickson. With the importance of the point guard position in today's league, Irving has to be the pick.
By all accounts, he's a good kid with a good head on his shoulders, and when he appeared on the court this year, he looked like the best player in the country. Irving, along with the fourth pick, will be the Cavs building blocks for a post-LeBron James future.
2. Minnesota Timberwolves
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Who They Should Take: Derrick Williams
Who They Will Take: Derrick Williams
The Timberwolves' best player is a power forward, and his name is Kevin Love. So it's a good thing Arizona's Derrick Williams considers himself a small forward, because he's the second best player in the NBA Draft.
He had a dominant NCAA Tournament that saw his stock soar, and he's the presumptive number two pick. The T'Wolves are open to shopping the second pick, but Williams and Love would be a nice combination along the front line to team with new point guard Ricky Rubio.
3. Utah Jazz
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Who They Should Take: Brandon Knight
Who They Will Take: Brandon Knight
The Jazz traded away their point guard and best player, Deron Williams, to the New Jersey Nets at the trade deadline, and now they have to search for his replacement.
They should get him right here, and not with the 12th pick, where a weaker option will be available. Knight had a big NCAA Tournament, making game-winning shots against Princeton and Ohio State.
He has a solid outside shot, is a good distributor and was one of the leaders of a Kentucky team that went to the Final Four. Nice young player for the Jazz to rebuild their offense around. He'll have Al Jefferson, Paul Millsap, Gordon Hayward and whoever the Jazz get at 12 to help along his development.
4. Cleveland Cavaliers
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Who They Should Take: Jan Vesely
Who They Will Take: Enes Kanter
It's not the best idea to invest two of the top four picks on guys who will have played a combined 10 college games when they suit up for the first time in the NBA.
Kanter was declared ineligible to play at Kentucky last year, and Kyrie Irving missed most of the season with an injury.
That's why I think the Cavaliers should take Vesely, the athletic small forward/power forward from the Czech Republic. He's drawn comparisons to Andre Kirilenko, and along with Irving and J.J. Hickson, would provide a good foundation for Cleveland's future.
5. Toronto Raptors
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Who They Should Take: Kemba Walker
Who They Will Take: Jan Vesely
I think the Raptors really like their long, athletic European forwards. They made Andrea Bargnani the first pick in the draft a few years back, and I expect them to take Vesely this year.
Along with Bargnani and Ed Davis, Vesley gives the Raptors a huge front line. The thing about it is, they would still be kind of weak in the rebounding department.
I believe they should take a look at Kemba Walker, who is exactly the kind of floor leader the Raptors could use at the point guard position. Walker, when paired with DeMar DeRozan, would form one of the league's faster back court partnerships.
6. Washington Wizards
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Who They Should Take: Kawhi Leonard
Who They Will Take: Kawhi Leonard
This is a perfect fit. Between John Wall, Javale McGee, Andray Blatche and Nick Young, the Wizards have four of five starting spots filled.
The lone hole is at small forward. Enter Leonard, who excelled at San Diego State at that very position.
He's long, he's active on defense and he can run the floor, which is a must when John Wall is your point guard. The Wizards are a young and improving team, and they'll be better next season.
7. Sacramento Kings
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Who They Should Take: Kemba Walker
Who They Will Take: Kemba Walker
The Kings now know that Tyreke Evans is not a point guard. They should also know that Beno Udrih should not be their point guard of the future.
Kemba Walker is a leader, and he'll be a good influence on DeMarcus Cousins, even though Cousins has been in the league for a year already.
With Walker controlling their touches, Evans and Cousins should both become more efficient players on the offensive end of the floor. If the Kings start putting together some wins, maybe the people of Sacramento will put together a new arena for them.
8. Detroit Pistons
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Who They Should Take: Bismack Biyombo
Who They Will Take: Tristan Thompson
The Pistons hit with their first rounder last year when the picked Georgetown's Greg Monroe. Monroe had an excellent rookie season, as he emerged as somewhat of a force for Detroit in the second half.
When paired with Bismack Biyombo, an athletic player from Congo who has been compared to countryman Serge Ibaka, they would make an imposing front line in the Central Division.
I think the Pistons will go for offense over defense, though, and pick Texas' Tristan Thompson. He's only 6'9", which is short for a center, but Monroe provides enough height. Thompson's solid post game would be a great match with Monroe's athleticism as well.
9. Charlotte Bobcats
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Who They Should Take: Chris Singleton
Who They Will Take: Bismack Biyombo
With Michael Jordan's first pick as a majority owner, the Bobcats will take an explosive athlete who can play defense and jump out of the gym.
I think they should opt for Singleton instead, who can replace a lot of what the Bobcats traded away when they shipped Gerald Wallace to Portland for next to nothing in return.
Michael is starting a full-on rebuilding effort, and I think Singleton could be an anchor on the wing.
Biyombo will provide solid defense along the front line for sure, but what else? His offensive game needs to evolve for him to become a contributor.
10. Milwaukee Bucks
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Who They Should Take: Alec Burks
Who They Will Take: Alec Burks
The Bucks have their point guard and center of the future already in Brandon Jennings and Andrew Bogut.
What they really need now is an athletic wing scorer to complement Jennings' dazzling passing skills and Bogut's solid, if not spectacular, low post prowess.
Burks is really good at getting to the rim, which was a bit of a problem for Bucks guards not named Brandon Jennings last season.
11. Golden State Warriors
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Who They Should Take: Chris Singleton
Who They Will Take: Jordan Hamilton
The Warriors have a new head coach in Mark Jackson, a new owner in Joe Lacob and they'll get a new player with the 11th pick. The bet here is it will be Hamilton, the silky smooth sophomore from Texas.
However, this is another team that I think would be better off choosing Singleton, the defensive stalwart from Florida State. The Warriors were historically bad defensively, and Singleton could be the best defensive player in the draft.
Hamilton is a scorer, though, and that's traditionally what the Warriors have gone after in the draft. We'll see if that changes under new leadership.
12. Utah Jazz
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Who They Should Take: Marcus Morris
Who They Will Take: Jonas Valanciunas
Three of the four best players currently on the Jazz roster are power forwards.
Al Jefferson, Paul Millsap and Derrick Favors all occupy the same spot on the floor, and that's why I think they should pull the trigger Marcus Morris.
Morris can play the small forward spot, allowing Gordon Hayward to play the 2, and alongside Brandon Knight, they'd form a solid perimeter trio. Taking another power forward would create a logjam at the position, forcing them to trade one of the three guys currently on the roster in all likelihood.
13. Phoenix Suns
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Who They Should Take: Jimmer Fredette
Who They Will Take: Marcus Morris
If there is one guy for Jimmer Fredette to emulate on the offensive end of the floor, it is Suns point guard Steve Nash. They are very similar players, even if Nash is the much better passer at this stage of their careers.
Nash can light it up from outside just as Fredette can, and being a mentor to the BYU star could provide some sort of fulfillment for Nash in his last years in the league, because the Suns don't look like they'll be championship material any time soon.
I think they'll opt for the sweet-shooting forward in Morris, though, citing concerns about Jimmer's lack of defensive abilities—another trait he shares with Nash.
14. Houston Rockets
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Who They Should Take: Chris Singleton
Who They Will Take: Chris Singleton
Singleton finally comes off the board here, and I think it would be a steal for Houston.
He'd allow them to quickly replace Shane Battier, who was traded to the Grizzlies at the trade deadline.
Singleton will be able to defend the perimeter in the pros, and with Kevin Martin and Luis Scola handling a lot of the scoring load, he'll be able to find openings on the offensive end as well.
15. Indiana Pacers
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Who They Should Take: Jimmer Fredette
Who They Will Take: Jimmer Fredette
The Pacers really need a perimeter scorer. Who better than the Jimmer?
We all know about his magical senior year at BYU, and landing with the Indiana Pacers would seem to make Jimmer the real-life Jimmy Chitwood.
He can presumably play either the one or the two with Indiana, and along with Danny Granger, Paul George, Tyler Hansbrough and Darren Collison, would give the Pacers a young, improving core of a playoff squad.
16. Philadelphia 76ers
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Who They Should Take: Markieff Morris
Who They Will Take: Markieff Morris
The 76ers have their point guard of the future in Jrue Holiday.
They have their shooting guard of the future in Evan Turner.
In Morris, they can get their small forward/power forward of the future. He's probably more of a stretch four than a three, and that's fine. His shooting can stretch defenses, and if Andre Iguodala is traded, Morris can defend either position in his absence.
17. New York Knicks
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Who They Should Take: Klay Thompson
Who They Will Take: Klay Thompson
The Knicks found great success in taking the leading scorer in the Pac-10 last year, and they would do well to do the same. Landry Fields excelled for the better part of the season in New York, but slowed down after the trade for Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups.
Thompson, a long range bomber, is a better fit in the starting lineup than Fields is, as he can spot up for jumpers while Carmelo, Chauncey and Amar'e Stoudemire go to work.
The Knicks will also look at Josh Selby and Kenneth Faried, but Thompson is the best value here.
18. Washington Wizards
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Who They Should Take: Donatas Motiejunas
Who They Will Take: Marshon Brooks
The Wizards should add another body along their front line with Motiejunas, the 7'0" Lituanian.
However, I think they'll opt for the explosive scoring abilities of Brooks, who provides a nice contrast to sweet-shooting Nick Young at the shooting guard position.
Either one of them could start or come off the bench for the Wizards and provide different looks next to John Wall.
19. Charlotte Bobcats
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Who They Should Take: Donatas Motiejunas
Who They Will Take: Kenneth Faried
The Bobcats would be wise to get some versatility along their new front line to pair with Biyombo, who I have them taking at number nine.
There is a distinct possibility that Jordan will opt for this approach, though. By becoming a dominant rebounding team, the Bobcats can play any style of basketball they want, as they will in around their core.
Coach Paul Silas likes to play an uptempo system, and securing as many rebounds as possible is a huge part of that strategy. Both Biyombo and Faried can run the floor as well, which will help wen D.J. Augustin (or whoever runs the point for Charlotte in the future) pushes the pace.
20. Minnesota Timberwolves
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Who They Should Take: Donatas Motiejunas
Who They Will Take: Donatas Motiejunas
Motiejunas, Kevin Love, Derrick Williams. Good front line for the future.
Wesley Johnson, Ricky Rubio. Good back court for the future.
Dare we say the Timberwolves are on their way back?
21. Portland Trail Blazers
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Who They Should Take: Reggie Jackson
Who They Will Take: Darius Morris
The Trail Blazers have been playing with a mismatched back court for the last few years. Andre Miller is almost strictly a half-court player at this point in his career, and Brandon Roy was one of the more athletic shooting guards in the league before his knee problems.
That's why I think their point guard selection should be Jackson from Boston College, who can shoot it from deep and push the pace.
However, I think they will cast their lot with Michigan's Darius Morris, who is somewhat of a Miller clone.
22. Denver Nuggets
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Who They Should Take: Tobias Harris
Who They WIll Take: Tobias Harris
The Nuggets can use help at the small forward/power forward position due to the departure of Carmelo Anthony and the age of Kenyon Martin.
The Carmelo trade brought back Wilson Chandler and Danilo Gallinari, but Chandler could leave as a free agent this summer, and Gallo is more three than four.
Harris is strong and versatile enough to play both positions, which will mesh well with George Karl's free-flowing style of play.
23. Houston Rockets
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Who They Should Take: Reggie Jackson
Who They Will Take: Reggie Jackson
Mr. October! Okay, so it's not THAT Reggie Jackson, but the Rockets are getting a solid player here.
A good fit with Kevin Martin in the backcourt because of his speed and shooting ability, Jackson could run the point for the Rockets as a starter or come off the bench behind Kyle Lowry, who broke out last year.
The Rockets will have two first round picks again next year, when they own the Knicks selection due to the Tracy McGrady trade.
24. Oklahoma City Thunder
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Who They Should Take: Nikola Vucevic
Who They Will Take: Nikola Vucevic
The Thunder can use a center to back up newly acquired Kendrick Perkins, and Vucevic is one of the few true centers in this draft.
Oklahoma City will likely return the entirety of its core next year, so they can give Vucevic some time to develop into a contributor behind Perkins, Nazr Mohammed and Serge Ibaka.
25. Boston Celtics
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Who They Should Take: Travis Leslie
Who They Will Take: Travis Leslie
Ray Allen's career is winding down, and Leslie, the athletic shooting guard from Georgia, could learn a thing or two from Jesus Shuttlesworth.
The Celtics are nicely position for a transition to a team centered around Rajon Rondo and Jeff Green, because the players they draft in the next couple of years will be able to learn from veteran stalwarts like Allen and Kevin Garnett.
26. Dallas Mavericks
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Who They Should Take: Davis Bertans
Who They Will Take: Davis Bertans
Bertans has drawn comparisons to Dirk Nowitzki. No, seriously.
He's a bit of a project, but the big German isn't slowing down any time soon, so Bertans will have time to develop.
Who better to learn from than the player he is most often compared to? Mark Cuban would be ecstatic if Bertans turns out to be half as good as Nowitzki.
27. New Jersey Nets
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Who They Should Take: Lucas Nogueira
Who They Will Take: Nolan Smith
The thought here is that Brook Lopez is not a true franchise center. Nogueira likely isn't, either, but the big Brazilian could help shore up Lopez's rebounding difficulties.
However, the Nets could look to cover themselves in case Deron Williams decides to leave in free agency next summer.
After a year of learning as Williams' apprentice, it's possible that Smith would be ready to be a starting point guard at the NBA level. He certainly knows how to win, as evidenced by his career at Duke, which included a national championship. At the very least, he'll be a solid backup to Williams, and at pick 27, that's good value.
28. Chicago Bulls
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Who They Should Take: Tyler Honeycutt
Who They Will Take: Tyler Honeycutt
The Bulls are badly in need of a starting shooting guard, and Honeycutt is the best one available at this point in the draft.
I predict that like many players out of UCLA in the past few years, Honeycutt will be better in the NBA than he was in college. Playing alongside Derrick Rose, Carlos Boozer, Luol Deng and Joakim Noah wouldn't hurt his chances.
29. San Antonio Spurs
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Who They Should Take: Nikola Mirotic
Who They Will Take: Nikola Mirotic
Typical Spurs. European stash guy.
He'll probably average like 20-10 for 15 years. R.C. Buford is a genius.
30. Chicago Bulls
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Who They Should Take: Charles Jenkins
Who They Will Take: Charles Jenkins
The Bulls sorely lacked perimeter scoring outside of Derrick Rose, and they can get it with Jenkins with the 30th pick in the first round.
Between Jenkins and Tyler Honeycutt, the Bulls will add a bunch of firepower to their ferocious defense under Tom Thibodeau.
Jenkins will play both guard spots, filling in at point guard while Derrick Rose rests and also playing a bit alongside him as well.
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