NBA Draft Preview: How the Draft Will Shake Out for Teams Vying for First Pick
The NBA Draft is about six months away, on June 23, 2011 to be exact.
Yet for some NBA fans, it's all they have to look forward as their teams sink like rocks to the bottom of the standings.
The Sacramento Kings, L.A. Clippers, Minnesota Timberwolves, Cleveland Cavaliers, Detroit Pistons, New Jersey Nets, Toronto Raptors, Philadelphia 76ers, Washington Wizards, Memphis Grizzlies, Golden State Warriors and Charlotte Bobcats are all in play for the top pick. (Interestingly enough, even one of the East's worst teams will still make the playoffs.)
But which of the projected top players fill each individual team's need the most?
12. Memphis Grizzlies- Brandon Knight
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If Brandon Knight is there at No. 12, you better believe the Grizzlies will take him.
Knight would give the Grizzlies a solid point guard for years to come.
As a Kentucky Wildcat, Knight is averaging 17.5 points a game to go with 3.5 assists, while shooting 44 percent from the field.
At 6'3" and 185 pounds, the freshman has good size for a point guard.
11. Philadelphia 76ers: Alec Burks
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With the 76ers having another down year, rumors are beginning to swirl that Andre Iguodala could be on trading block.
If that happens, the 76ers will need a replacement, and that guy could be Alec Burks, a sophomore at the University of Colorado.
Burks can play both guard roles and that's important if the 76ers do hold onto Iguodala.
Burks is a great shooter, a great athlete and a good defender. The best part about him is that he has tremendous upside as he is just 19 and will get a lot stronger with age.
He is averaging 19.3 points a game to go with 2.3 assists and 4.1 rebounds.
10. Toronto Raptors: C.J. Leslie
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C.J. Leslie is a 6'9" freshmen forward with N.C. State.
It's his "ups" that have talent scouts impressed, as he has shown the ability to win battles above the rim for rebounds on both offense and defense. Additionally, this leads to him blocking a fair amount of shots.
Not only that, but he's so athletic that he can also bring the ball up the court.
This year he has averaged 10 points a game, 7.6 rebounds and two blocks.
9. Detroit Pistons: Enes Kanter
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If Kanter is healthy, he will be one of the best players in the draft.
Kanter stands 6'11" and weighs 261 pounds, and is just 18 years old.
With some coaching he could be both a great defender, and an offensive threat in the NBA.
He is considered the top center prospect in the draft, a position Detroit needs. At the 2009 U18 European Championship, he was named tournament MVP after averaging 18.6 points and 16.4 rebounds.
8. Golden State Warriors: Tyler Honeycutt
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Dorell Wright has scored decently as the Warriors' shooting guard this year, but he has shot under 40 percent.
So bring in Honeycutt, a 6'8" sophomore who can play either shooting guard or small forward.
He averages nearly 15 points a game and eight rebounds for UCLA, and shoots 45.9 percent from the floor.
Doubt he would be an improvement?
7. Cleveland:Cavaliers: Kemba Walker
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If Kemba Walker drops this far, you better believe teams will be scrambling to get him.
However, if he continues to play the way he has, he may end up the No. 1 pick.
Walker is a six foot tall point guard from UCONN, who will be 21 at the time of the draft.
While I am not sold on him, Walker''s nearly 27 points a game, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and crazy high shooting percentages are hard to argue with.
Will that translate to the NBA? Someone will be willing to take that risk.
6. Charlotte Bobcats: Derrick Williams
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If the Bobcats' current skid is a trend, they could find themselves moving up the draft ladder.
A side effect of this skid is that star player Gerald Wallace is now on the trade market. If he does leave, the Bobcats would need a replacement.
Derrick Williams could be that guy.
As a forward, Williams has been the star at Arizona this season, averaging 15 points and seven rebounds a game.
He is almost equally as good on defense. Williams is a solid, athletic player.
5.:Washington Wizards: Terrence Jones
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Terrence Jones grew up as a point guard, but a six-inch growth spurt in high school has turned him into a small forward.
Despite the growth spurt, Jones maintains the athleticism that is usually associated with a guard and not a forward.
His awkward shot is his one downside, but most teams will take the gamble on a player scouts compare to Lamar Odom.
Jones' 18.2 points a game and 9.6 rebounds mean he nearly averages a double-double. He would make a great pairing with John Wall.
4. New Jersey Nets: Perry Jones
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Perry Jones is no consolation prize as many had projected him to be the No. 1 pick in the draft.
Jones is a guy who tries to put his team on his back, which can be a good thing, or a bad thing.
When he is on fire, it is obviously good, and something the Nets could use.
At 6'11'' Jones can be either a center or a forward, and is averaging 12.5 points to go with 8.2 rebounds this season.
3. Minnesota Timberwolves: Jared Sullinger
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Jared Sullinger and Michael Beasley would make one heck of a combo.
Sullinger has NBA size and is one of the players who will make the easiest transition to the pros.
He knows how to use all 286 pounds on his 6'9" frame on both offense and defense, as he averaging a double-double with 17 points and 10 boards a game.
He would be an asset to any team.
2. L.A. Clippers: Kyrie Irving
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Kyrie Irving has emerged as one of the best players in college basketball this season.
His stats of 17.4 points a game, 5.1 assists and 3.8 rebounds make him one of the most solid players available.
Irving is capable of running the point for any NBA team, and the Clippers would be lucky to have him.
1. Sacramento Kings: Harrison Barnes
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You know why you take Harrison Barnes at No. 1 if you get it?
Because of his character.
There's a lot of talent in the NBA, but not everyone has character.
Think Michael Beasley. Lot's of talent and little character doesn't work out.
Barnes is averaging 12.3 points and six rebounds per game this season.
At 6'8" and 215 pounds Barnes is listed as a small forward.
His only knock is that he has trouble dribbling with his left hand, but everything else is NBA ready.
