2011 NBA Mock Draft: Final Projections for Kemba Walker and More Prospects
The 2011 NBA Draft is just a few hours away and scouts, fans, analysts and anyone who cares a little too much about the NBA (including myself) are putting the finishing touches on their final big boards and mock drafts.
Kemba Walker has been moving up and down many mocks the past few weeks, but looks to be a solid mid-lottery pick who has a possibility to go to a handful of teams. He's arguably the second-best point guard in the draft class, but he may be the third to be picked, depending on what happens with Brandon Knight.
Keep reading to see where Kemba Walker goes in my 2011 NBA Mock Draft.
Other prospects who have the opportunity to land in interesting spots include Bismack "B-Smack, The Business" Biyombo, Jimmer Fredette and Klay Thompson. These three prospects have significantly improved their stock over the course of the draft and should go earlier than expected in the 2011 Draft tonight. There are also some early lottery picks and mid-rounders who have surprisingly dropped for various reasons in my final mock draft.
Click ahead to find out who's up, who's down and where your favorite prospect might land tonight during the 2011 NBA Draft.
Nos. 1-5
1 of 61. Cleveland Cavaliers: Kyrie Irving, PG (Duke)
The consensus best player in this draft is going to be drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers, and he is one of only two players in this class who have the potential to turn this franchise around.
2. Minnesota Timberwolves: Derrick Williams, F (Arizona)
Minnesota would love to trade out of this position, but if they do not receive a sweet enough deal for the pick, they will not hesitate to pull the trigger on drafting Derrick Williams. Williams has more potential than any of the other athletic forwards on the Timberwolves' roster.
3. Utah Jazz: Brandon Knight, PG (Kentucky)
As mentioned earlier, I think Kemba Walker is the second-best point guard prospect in the draft, but Knight is more of a fit for the Utah Jazz' system. He is a big, athletic point guard who can make plays happen.
4. Cleveland Cavaliers: Enes Kanter, F/C (Turkey)
Kanter has the potential to be one of the best players to come out of this draft, but he is a relatively unknown guy right now with very little meaningful experience behind him. The Cavaliers will hope he pans out to be an effective big man to pair with Anderson Varejao and J.J. Hickson to form a solid frontcourt.
5. Toronto Raptors: Bismack "B-Smack the Business" Biyombo, PF (Congo)
The most unknown player in the entire draft class also has the most upside on the defensive end of the floor. Biyombo models his game off of Kevin Love, Hakeem Olajuwon and Kevin Garnett. The kid dreams big, and if he pans out, he will be a defensive force in the league for years to come.
Nos. 6-10
2 of 66. Washington Wizards: Jan Vesely, PF (Czech Republic)
Jan Vesely is an long, athletic PF who can throw it down with the best of them and swat away shots easily when he chooses to be active on defense. He is looking to shed the traditional European "soft" label and should form a decent frontcourt with JaVale McGee.
7. Sacramento Kings: Jimmer Fredette, G (BYU)
The first real surprise of this mock draft, unless you consider B-Smack going to the Raptors a revelation. Jimmer is the favorite prospect of owners Joe and Gavin Maloof, and they may inadvertently force their GM’s hand on draft night. Jimmer will be able to contribute right away and may start if selected here.
8. Detroit Pistons: Kemba Walker, G (UConn)
Kemba isn’t a perfect fit here considering Rodney Stuckey and Will Bynum are both combo guards, and Ben Gordon has a massive contract to play the two spot. But the Pistons have a need for a leader who can turn the franchise’s fortune around and do not want to gamble on a bust.
9. Charlotte Bobcats: Kawhi Leonard, SF (San Diego State)
Finally, Kawhi can breath a sigh of relief in the green room. The San Diego State prospect was projected by many to go earlier, but concerns about his strength and jumper have led him to fall here. He is a great replacement for Gerald Wallace and a very versatile player.
10. Milwaukee Bucks: Klay Thompson, SG (Washington State)
Klay Thompson is a natural fit here and a good old-fashioned shooting guard. The guy has the height, ball skills, court vision and, most importantly, range that every team looks for in a prototypical two-guard. He would make a great option for slashing PG Brandon Jennings to hit for open looks.
Nos. 11-15
3 of 611. Golden State Warriors: Marcus Morris, F (Kansas)
Marcus Morris is a top-10 talent in this draft, and he is a steal for the Warriors here. They are reportedly not happy with any of the possible trades for Monta Ellis and will probably keep him at SG this season. Morris brings toughness and rebounding to a team that needs it most.
12. Utah Jazz: Alec Burks, SG (Colorado)
Burks is tied for the best shooting guard in this draft with Klay Thompson, but he is less of a marksman and more of a slasher. He fits in with Utah, and they will be happy to take him here to fill a need and add depth.
13. Phoenix Suns: Chris Singleton, SF (Florida State)
Singleton might be the replacement on defense for Shawn "The Matrix" Marion, an athletic swingman who can guard up to four positions on the floor at any point. Not a great offensive player yet, but Singleton has potential.
14. Houston Rockets: Jonas Valancunias, F/C (Lithuania)
The Cavs are reportedly enamored with him, but if they decide to go with a player who can immediately contribute (Jonas won’t be able to play in the NBA next season), he may fall to Houston. The value will be too much for GM Daryl Morey to pass up.
15. Indiana Pacers: Tristan Thompson, PF (Texas)
The best offensive rebounder in the draft should add some size to the Pacers’ frontcourt. Thompson may help push the Pacers back into the playoffs if he is productive in his rookie season.
Nos. 16-20
4 of 616. Philadelphia 76ers: Nikola Vucevic, C (USC)
The Sixers need size; Vucevic is the biggest player in the draft class and should go in the middle of the first round based on this alone. He will contribute solid numbers for a center and should be a rotation player in this league for years to come.
17. New York Knicks: Darius Morris, PG (Michigan)
Morris is my favorite point guard prospect in the draft. This may be a reach for him, but the Knicks have the ability to develop him behind Chauncey Billups and Toney Douglas. With great size, exceptional basketball IQ and floor vision, don’t sleep on Morris.
18. Washington Wizards: Marshon Brooks, SG (Providence)
The Wizards were among the worst shooting teams in the league last season. They are prepared to lose Nick Young to free agency and could do much worse than adding a very gifted scorer who needs NBA coaching in Brooks.
19. Charlotte Bobcats: Markieff Morris, F (Kansas)
Markieff has the same measurements as his brother, but a skill set that lends itself more to a PF/C role. The Bobcats may pair the brothers in the NBA if they draft Marcus early.
20. Minnesota Timberwolves: Jordan Hamilton, SF (Texas)
The TWolves would be getting a top-15 talent with the 20th pick if they can nab Jordan Hamilton here. If they choose to keep this selection, he would add bench depth to the team.
Nos. 21-25
5 of 621. Portland Trail Blazers: Kenneth Faried, PF/C (Morehead State)
Portland has been high on Faried for more than a year now and would love to give Marcus Camby some help on the boards. Faried can be groomed to be Camby’s replacement and counterpart to LaMarcus Aldridge’s offense.
22. Denver Nuggets: Donatas Motiejunas, PF (Lithuania)
The second Lithuanian prospect to come off the board, Donatas has been a potential first-rounder for two years now. He is a solid shooter and needs to add strength to succeed in the NBA.
23. Houston Rockets: Jeremy Tyler, C (Tokyo Apache)
The Rockets would again be grabbing a potential top-10 talent late in the draft. Tyler skipped college ball in an attempt to go pro that went awry. If he gets his act together, he will be a solid player in the league.
24. Oklahoma City Thunder: Nikola Mirotic, SF (Serbia)
Mirotic has a massive buyout and will not feasibly be able to make the jump to the NBA for a few years. The Thunder have a deep team that is just lacking experience, and they can afford to stash a player like Mirotic away for a while.
25. Boston Celtics: Tobias Harris, F (Tennessee)
The Celtics are most likely going to trade out of this spot, as GM Danny Ainge thinks a pick here only has a six percent chance to succeed. I think Tobias Harris would be a good backup to Garnett and Pierce if they decide to stick with it though.
Nos. 26-30
6 of 626. Dallas Mavericks: Davis Bertans, F (Latvia)
Bertans has an amazing jumper, but is rail skinny and years away from developing into a legitimate NBA prospect. The Mavericks, like OKC, can use this as a luxury stash pick.
27. New Jersey Nets: Reggie Jackson, G (Boston College)
Jackson most likely has a first-round guarantee with a team, and I believe the Nets give it to him. They are prepared to lose Deron Williams after his contract ends, so Jackson would be a good pick here to hone his skills under the All-Star PG.
28. Chicago Bulls: Tyler Honeycutt, G (UCLA)
Honeycutt is a huge guard who is coming out of a UCLA system that has been cranking out pros the past few years. He should be able to shoot three's and guard at a happy medium, which is better than any current Bulls two-guard can say.
29. San Antonio Spurs: Justin Harper, PF (Richmond)
Harper was a solid player at Richmond and projects to be a solid rotation player in the NBA. He could join the Spurs' second unit this year and help spell an aging Tim Duncan.
30. Chicago Bulls: Iman Shumpert, PG (Georgia Tech)
The most overrated prospect in the draft (in my opinion), Shumpert has been rising up draft boards for no conceivable reason. The guy is a 6'6" ball-handler who can guard smaller point guards, but he has no passing skills, can’t shoot for beans and will certainly be a bust—mark my words.
For more 2011 NBA draft coverage, stay tuned to Bleacher Report for B/R's Big Board of Recruits, NBA draft rumors, NBA draft results and NBA draft grades.
