2011 NBA Mock Draft: The Year of Freshmen
The first round of the 2011 NBA Draft is sure to be full of one-and-done talented freshmen along with young International players. With the majority of first-round talent beginning their first years as college athletes or playing overseas, there are many uncertainties on exactly how the 2011 NBA Draft will turn out.
It is unknown whether or not several of these athletes will even declare for the draft. Many players will make a name for themselves throughout the season and athletes from overseas may appear out of nowhere.
It will be interesting to see how this mock draft compares to the actual one 10 months from now.
30. Toronto Raptors (From Miami): Kris Joseph
1 of 30
Ht/Wt: 6-7 / 207 lbs
Position: SF
Team: Syracuse
Age/Class: 21 / Junior
Joseph has a high upside and NBA skills. His hustle and athletic ability has made him an impact player at Syracuse, which should make him an attractive first-round choice. By the way, it doesn't hurt that he is Canadian.
29. Los Angeles Lakers: Malcolm Lee
2 of 30
Ht/Wt: 6-5 / 180 lbs
Position: PG
Team: UCLA
Age/Class: 20 / Junior
Lee is a potential replacement for PG Derek Fisher. He has great size for his position and is a terrific defensive player. Lee should be a good player off the bench, giving rest to both Bryant and Fisher. Lakers' scouts shouldn't have to travel too far to watch Lee in action.
28. Orlando Magic: JaJuan Johnson
3 of 30
Ht/Wt: 6-10 / 215 lbs
Position: PF
Team: Purdue
Age/Class: 21 / Senior
Johnson will provide the Magic with shot-blocking and defense off the bench. His ability to run the floor and throw it down makes him a great energy player. Orlando can move Rashard Lewis to SF and play Johnson at PF when going with a bigger, more defensive lineup. His experience at the collegiate level translates to NBA readiness which is important to a championship contender like Orlando.
27. Chicago Bulls: Marcus Morris
4 of 30
Ht/Wt: 6-8 / 225 lbs
Position: PF
Team: Kansas
Age/Class: 20 / Junior
The Chicago Bulls don't necessarily need to find a scorer in the draft, but instead someone who has experience playing at a very high level of competition. Morris is fundamentally polished and will provide crucial minutes that will translate into rest for Carlos Boozer. Assuming that his rebounding will only improve, Morris will be a good addition to the Bulls and he may benefit from the tutelage of Boozer.
26. Oklahoma City Thunder: Trey Thompkins
5 of 30
Ht/Wt: 6-9 / 247 lbs
Position: PF
Team: Georgia
Age/Class: 20 / Junior
Thompkins, who averaged just under 18 points last season as a sophomore, will provide three-point shooting as well as rebounding off the bench for the Thunder. Oklahoma City, a possible championship contender, shouldn't have to wait for him to develop, as the forward will be able to contribute immediately. The addition of Thompkins will also lead to rest for stars Jeff Green and Kevin Durant.
25. Portland Trail Blaizers: Kemba Walker
6 of 30
Ht/Wt: 6-1 / 172 lbs
Position: PG
Team: Connecticut
Age/Class: 20 / Junior
The talented guard averaged over 14 points last season, a difficult task in the tough Big East. Walker should only become a better scorer and provide a spark off the bench for Portland, providing key rest for Andre Miller. Potentially, he could learn how to be a better passer and thus a true point guard playing behind Miller. Eventually, Walker could take over as a starter in the back court when this very young team is in their prime.
24. Denver Nuggets: Tristan Thompson
7 of 30
Ht/Wt: 6-8 / 233 lbs
Position: PF
Team: Texas
Age/Class: 19 / Freshman
Thompson will begin his collegiate career this Fall at Texas. Most scouts believe that his time with the Longhorns will only last one year. The young man has great upside and can handle the ball well for his size. With the possible departures of Carmelo Anthony and the aging Kenyon Martin, Thompkins could fill a void at the forward positions.
23. Boston Celtics: Kawhi Leonard
8 of 30
Ht/Wt: 6-7 / 225 lbs
Position: SF
Team: San Diego State
Age / Class: 19 / Sophomore
NBA scouts believe that Leonard has a very high upside. He has been described as an "explosive leaper" and his motor will translate to great energy off the bench for the old Boston Celtics. The state of the Celtics after the 2010-2011 season will most likely depend on their success, but with their current roster, Leonard's minutes will give rest to both Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce.
22. Dallas Mavericks: Kenneth Faried
9 of 30
Ht/Wt: 6-8 / 215 lbs
Position: PF
Team: Morehead State
Age/Class: 20 / Senior
The forward should be NBA ready after his senior year at the collegiate level. His scoring average has improved by three points each of the last two seasons. If this trend continues, he will be averaging slightly under 20 points in his final year. More importantly, he has averaged 13 rebounds his last too seasons, an aspect of his game that will lead to playing time off the bench in Dallas. The Mavericks will immediately see contributions from Faried, especially on the defensive end of the floor.
21. Utah Jazz: Aaric Murray
10 of 30
Ht/Wt: 6-10 / 250 lbs
Position: C
School: La Salle
Age/Class: 21 / Sophomore
The Philadelphia native could potentially replace Okur at center for the Utah Jazz. Murray has good range on his jumper and is a true center, something the Jazz have not had for a while. He and Jefferson could be a dangerous duo for a very long time. Utah could quickly become a very strong, defensive team, as Murray will provide great shot-blocking and rebounding.
20. Atlanta Hawks: Elias Harris
11 of 30
Ht/Wt: 6-7 / 180 lbs
Position: SF
School: Gonzaga
Age/Class: 21 / Sophomore
Harris would be a great fit for Atlanta as runs the floor well and is an incredible leaper. He averaged around 15 points and 7 rebounds as a freshman at Gonzaga. A great aspect of his game is the physical, NBA-ready nature of his body. He will provide rebounding off the bench and should become an exciting, energy player.
19. San Antonio Spurs: Rodney Williams
12 of 30
Ht/Wt: 6-7 / 210 lbs
Position: SF
Team: Minnesota
Age/Class: 19 / Sophomore
Williams should contribute three-point shooting and energy off the bench for the Spurs. He averaged just under five points as a freshman but his athletic ability has scouts believing that he will be a first-round pick. Williams can run the floor with Ginobli and either Parker or Hill in the 2011-2012 NBA season. There will be great intrigue among NBA scouts regarding his upcoming season at Minnesota.
18. Milwaukee Bucks: Jordan Hamilton
13 of 30
Ht/Wt: 6-7 / 215 lbs
Position: SF
Team: Texas
Age/Class: 19 / Sophomore
Scouts see great upside in Hamilton, who averaged 10 points as a freshman at Texas. He is a definitely a scorer and has deep range, which should translate into some necessary three-point shooting off the bench for Milwaukee. Potentially, he could replace Maggette as small forward for this young Bucks team. Scouts also are saying that he is not afraid to do the dirty work and hustle, which are both great traits to have in a young, bench player.
17. Phoenix Suns: Jeff Taylor
14 of 30
Ht/Wt: 6-7 / 210 lbs
Position: SF
Team: Vanderbilt
Age/Class: 21 / Junior
Besides Nash, Phoenix has youth at every position except for small forward, where Grant Hill is currently listed as the starter. The athletic, long Taylor could be Hill's replacement and he would be an exciting player to watch run the floor with Steve Nash. He is also known to be a great defensive player, which is always a nice trait to have at that position in the Western Conference.
16. Utah Jazz (From Memphis): Kyle Singler
15 of 30
Ht/Wt: 6-9 / 235 lbs
Position: SF
Team; Duke
Age/Class: 22 / Senior
The Duke star could immediately contribute great defense and timely shooting off the bench for the Jazz. Although Utah recently has drafted Gordon Hayward, Jerry Sloan will like Singler's basketball IQ and his unselfishness. If Utah needs to go to a smaller lineup, it could feature three young players in Jefferson, Hayward, and Singler. The presence of the former Duke and Butler players will eventually lead to the departure of Kirilenko.
* Memphis' 2011 first-round pick is lottery protected
15. Charlotte Bobcats: Mason Plumlee
16 of 30
Ht/Wt: 6-10 / 230 lbs
Position: PF
Team: Duke
Age/Class: 20 / Sophomore
The 15th and 16th picks of the first round will feature back-to-back Duke players. Michael Jordan might have a tough time stomaching this selection, but Plumlee will provide youth to a aging Charlotte front court. He is a great defensive player, and if Tyrus Thomas can continue to develop, they could possibly become a great duo. Plumlee's mid-range shot and energy will land him somewhere in the middle of the first round.
14. Philadelphia 76ers: John Henson
17 of 30
Ht/Wt: 6-10 / 200 lbs
Position: PF
Team: North Carolina
Age/Class: 19 / Sophomore
Henson is a very lanky, athletic forward with a high upside. However, at only 200 pounds, he needs to add a lot of muscle in order to compete at the NBA level. It will interesting to see how his body matures over the next year and if his role at UNC becomes larger. Henson could potentially replace Elton Brand at the power forward position in Philadelphia. He will be another player in the youth movement which features guards Turner and Halladay.
13. New York Knicks (from Houston): Patric Young
18 of 30
Ht/Wt: 6-9 / 235 lbs
Position: C
Team: Florida
Age/Class: 18 / Freshman
Most scouts have Young, who has a wingspan of 7-1, to be one-and-done at the collegiate level. If it wasn't for the rule, he may have been featured in last year's draft as he already has an NBA body. Although he is undersized, he is a defensive presence and will be great next to Amare Stoudemire. It will be interesting to see if his stock rises or falls after scouts watch him play at Florida.
* Houston has the right to swap picks with New York
12. Los Angeles Clippers: Terrence Jones
19 of 30
Ht/Wt: 6-8 / 226 lbs
Position: SF
Team: Kentucky
Age/Class: 18 / Freshman
Jones has a ridiculous 7-2 wingspan and is a very versatile player. Just like multiple Kentucky players last year, Jones will be one and done. He would most likely play small forward for the Clippers, where Ryan Gomes is currently the starter. The Clippers could potentially become a great team with a very high upside in the 2011-2012 season.
11. Indiana Pacers: Jonas Valanciunas
20 of 30
Ht/Wt: 6-10 / 230 lbs
Position: PF
Team: Lithuania
Age/Class: 18 / International
Valanciunas is another young player who must add muscle before he is ready to play at the NBA level. He runs the floor well and has a very high basketball IQ. If Hansbrough does not turn out to be a starter in the NBA, it would make sense for the Pacers to draft someone who could be their starting power forward. Currently Indiana has Josh McRoberts listed as the starter at the power forward position.
10. New Jersey Nets: C.J. Leslie
21 of 30
Ht/Wt: 6-9 / 205 lbs
Position: PF/SF
Team: North Carolina State
Age/Class: N/A / Freshman
Leslie could be the final piece to this young New Jersey team and potentially be the starter at the small forward position. He has a great handle for his size, runs the floor well, and his perimeter game should improve throughout the season.
He needs to add more strength but he won't necessarily have to contribute immediately as the Nets recently acquired Travis Outlaw. If Leslie turns out to be a great player, New Jersey could have a dangerous duo with him and Derrick Favors at the two forward positions.
9. Houston Rockets (From New York): Donatas Motiejunas
22 of 30
Ht/Wt: 7-0 / 220 lbs
Position: PF
Team: Lithuania
Age/Class: 19 / International
Most scouts believed that the Lithuanian would be drafted in 2010, but he withdrew in order to secure a lottery selection in 2011. Chad Ford of ESPN had the Rockets drafting him in his 2010 NBA mock draft, so now Houston may get their chance to acquire him. With the uncertain future of Yao Ming, it can't help to add an athletic, 7-0 player with a high basketball IQ. Motiejunas is a great midrange shooter and an excellent passer.
* Houston has the right to swap picks with New York
8. New Orleans: Brandon Knight
23 of 30
Ht/Wt: 6-4 / 183 lbs
Position: PG
Team: Kentucky
Age/Class: 17 / Freshman
The next John Wall? Most NBA scouts believe Brandon Knight, the next star point guard for the Wildcats, will be leaving campus after one year.
With the possible departure of Chris Paul, Knight would be a perfect fit for the Hornets and be a central piece in their rebuilding project. Knight should be a lock for a lottery pick, unless he has a terrible season with Kentucky, a scenario that seems highly unlikely especially since he will be surrounded by a high amount of talent, such as other lottery selections Terrence Jones and Enes Kanter.
7. Golden State Warriors: Jared Sullinger
24 of 30
Ht/Wt: 6-9 / 261 lbs
Position: PF
Team. Ohio State
Age/Class: 18 / Freshman
Another lottery pick, another freshman. NBA scouts are unsure whether he will be done after one year, but if he can improve his conditioning and become more agile, Sullinger would have to be the pick for Golden State. He could work next to David Lee, as Lee could play center in certain situations. The ideal scenario would be to place an in-shape Sullinger at small forward.
The young man has a very high basketball IQ and is a tough, physical competitor even though he is undersized for his position. Don't be surprised if Golden State trades down and drafts a true small forward.
6. Cleveland Cavaliers: Josh Selby
25 of 30
Ht/Wt: 6-3 / 188 lbs
Position: PG
Team: Kansas
Age/Class: N/A / Kansas
Most scouts believe that Selby will either be the first or second guard selected in the 2011 NBA Draft. The Baltimore native already has a NBA body, is a great slasher, and no one questions his effort. Selby would be a great start for the Cavs, who after a depressing 2010-2011 season, will begin a rebuilding project, especially with the plethora of future draft picks they received in the LeBron James mess.
Although he is not a true point guard, he will be great player to build a team around and maybe someone the devastated city can become excited about.
5. Sacramento Kings: Kyrie Irving
26 of 30
Ht/Wt: 6-2 / 180 lbs
Position: PG
Team: Duke
Age/Class: 18 / Freshman
The fifth and sixth picks of the draft will feature back-to-back point guards. Unlike Selby, the Australian is a pure point guard. He could easily fit in right next to Tyreke Evans in Sacramento's back court as the Kings can move Evans to shooting guard and utilize his scoring.
Francisco Garcia is currently listed as the Kings' starting shooting guard so I doubt the team will be hesitant to insert Evans to the position. However, we will see if Coach K convinces Irving to stay more than one year.
4. Minnesota Timberwolves: Enes Kanter
27 of 30
Ht/Wt: 6-10 / 255 lbs
Position: C
Team: Kentucky
Age/Class: 18 / Freshman
Kanter will be the third, I repeat the third Kentucky Wildcat that will be drafted in the first round after only one year in college. The tough, physical center hails from Switzerland and has a 7-foot-1.25 wingspan. He is a very skilled passer and can finish well around the basket.
Kanter will join Kevin Love in the Minnesota front court and may be the final piece to the puzzle for the Timberwolves, which will feature an improved, very young group of athletic players.
3. Washington Wizards: Jan Vesely
28 of 30
Ht/Wt: 6-11 / 240 lbs
Position: PF
Team: Czech Republic
Age/Class: 20 / International
Scouts were surprised when Vesely announced that he would skip the 2010 NBA Draft. Vesely has a good handle for a big man and is very athletic as he runs the floor well. However he needs to add more strength in order to play power forward or center at the NBA level.
The current, possible starters in Washington's front court are Andray Blatche, Yi Jianlian, and JaVale McGee, so it makes sense for the management to address that area of the team and provide John Wall with a great big man.
2. Detroit Pistons: Perry Jones
29 of 30
Ht/Wt: 6-11 / 220 lbs
Position: PF
Team: Baylor
Age/Class: 18 / Freshman
Most scouts are saying that Jones will be selected within the first three picks of the draft. The explosive, lengthy athlete runs the floor well and is a very versatile player as he can score in many different ways. Jones will be the talk of town around Baylor's campus and should provide several highlights throughout the college season. Jones will play either power forward or center for Detroit, as he is a great rebounder and shot blocker. The Pistons roster will most likely look very different than it does today and there is no way they could miss out on this kind of talent. Although, remember when Detroit selected Darko Milicic instead of Carmelo Anthony with the number two pick?
1. Toronto Raptors: Harrison Barnes
30 of 30
Ht/Wt: 6-7 / 212 lbs
Position: SF
Team: North Carolina
Age/Class: 18 / Freshman
The consensus right now among most experts is that Harrison Barnes will be the number one pick. Barnes has the complete package: high basketball IQ, great leaping ability,versatility, and smoothness. There is no one on the Raptors roster at the moment that would make management hesitate from drafting this stud. Baring any serious injuries, Barnes will be the first name that David Stern announces at the 2011 NBA Draft. In the ideal situation, Barnes will revitalize the Toronto Raptors franchise after the departure of Chris Bosh and make basketball exciting again in Canada.
