2011 NBA Draft: One College Player Each Team Would Love To Pick
As the NBA regular season winds down, many teams will be looking forward to the draft and not the playoffs.
The NBA Draft is only three months away, and with March Madness coming in a few weeks, the time for college players to impress NBA scouts is almost over.
Every team has needs, whether it be a scorer, a playmaking point guard or a shutdown defender.
This article will tell you which player each team would love to draft. Obviously, the Celtics would love to draft Jared Sullinger, but he won't be there when they pick in the first round.
So, I have made this list by considering which players are likely to be available when the given team is on the clock.
We'll start with the team that has the best chance at winning the number one overall selection, the Cleveland Cavaliers.
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Cleveland Cavaliers: Derrick Williams/Arizona
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The Cavaliers need a ton of help, so a player who is versatile and brings many skills to a team would be preferred.
Williams can play power forward, but has the range to handle the small forward position as well.
He can score consistently and is a very good rebounder. Williams is also one of the more NBA-ready players in the draft.
Minnesota Timberwolves: Perry Jones/Baylor
2 of 30Perry Jones would give tremendous help to the small forward spot in Minnesota, a position the team lacks.
Jones is not very strong, but has unbelievable athleticism, and at 6’11” tall, he could be a nightmare to defend as a wing player.
As far as potential goes, Perry might have more upside than any player in the draft.
Washington Wizards: Terrence Jones/Kentucky
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The Wizards took John Wall with last year’s number one overall pick out of Kentucky, and this year they should go back to Wildcats coach John Calipari.
Jones has the ability to score from anywhere on the floor, and he is experienced at both guard spots in addition to his normal role at small forward with Kentucky.
Sacramento Kings: Kyrie Irving/Duke
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Even with Tyreke Evans playing well at point guard, the Kings cannot pass on Irving if they are at pick four or beyond.
Both Evans and Irving can play either guard spot, and both are fabulous scorers.
A backcourt of Evans and Irving to pair with DeMarcus Cousins in the middle would be a great situation for Sacramento.
Toronto Raptors: Jared Sullinger/Ohio State
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Since Chris Bosh left the Raptors to join the Miami Heat, Toronto’s presence in the paint has diminished severely.
Sullinger is a bit undersized to play an NBA power forward, but he is very skilled offensively.
His scoring ability would help the Raptors greatly, and his strength in the middle would improve the defense as well.
Sullinger may be the most NBA-ready player in the entire draft.
New Jersey Nets: Harrison Barnes/North Carolina
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Another great scoring talent, Barnes has played the small forward spot for Roy Williams’ Tar Heels, but may be more suited as a shooting guard in the pros.
Barnes and Deron Williams would give the Nets a formidable backcourt, one that would excel offensively.
Barnes is a raw talent, but the preseason All-American has great potential.
Los Angeles Clippers: Kawhi Leonard/San Diego State
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Leonard is a high energy player who is a great defender, something the Clippers need to address this summer badly.
His great hands and ball handling would give the Clippers more versatility at the small forward spot.
Detroit Pistons: Enes Kanter/Turkey
8 of 30Kanter has not played a minute of basketball for Kentucky this season due to ineligibility issues, but because of his playing experience in his native Turkey, he is one of the more developed big men in the draft.
Because he hasn’t played Division I basketball yet, drafting him is among the biggest gambles of the draft even though his skills are well known.
With the Pistons' need at center quite glaring, passing on Kanter within the top 10 picks would be a mistake.
Milwaukee Bucks: Jordan Hamilton/Texas
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The Bucks need a shooting guard with Michael Redd always hurt, and Hamilton would fill that void well.
He is a tremendous shooter with great range, and his ability to pass and create for his teammates would add some versatility to the Bucks.
Hamilton decided to return to Texas for his sophomore year to improve his game, showing some maturity in the process. Most players see the money and go to the NBA even if they are not ready, but not Hamilton.
Charlotte Bobcats: Jimmer Fredette/BYU
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Fredette may be gone by the time Charlotte is on the clock, but if he’s available there’s no question the Bobcats will take him.
Fredette is a combo guard, and when he can’t get his offense going, he sets up his teammates instead.
Charlotte doesn’t need a point guard with D.J. Augustin developing nicely, but Fredette would add the scoring Charlotte will need with Gerald Wallace’s departure to Portland.
Golden State: Kenneth Faried/Morehead State
11 of 30While the choice of Faried may not be appealing to many Warriors fans, he brings to the court what the Warriors have always lacked, defense.
Faried’s relentless defensive play makes him able to defend three positions, and he also is a quality rebounder.
His love for the game of basketball and the hustle he brings every night are intangibles that many NBA stars do not have.
He's also a double-double machine.
Houston Rockets: Jimmer Fredette/BYU
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Fredette would likely be gone when the Rockets are on the clock, but the BYU guard would certainly fill several of the Rockets' needs.
Jimmer is a leader on the court, and would bring the combo of scoring and playmaking that the Rockets don’t have.
If Houston feels that Jimmer will be gone before the pick, the Rockets may explore a possible trade to move up and take the versatile guard.
Utah Jazz: Alec Burks/Colorado
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Burks was virtually unknown to many college enthusiasts upon arriving to Colorado, but after an impressive freshman debut and a solid sophomore season this year, Burks’ stock has gone up significantly.
Burks' outside shot needs work, but he is a very good shooting guard and a dangerous open-court player.
Phoenix Suns: Jimmer Fredette/BYU
14 of 30I realize Jimmer is a good player, and I’ve used him twice already, but the Suns desperately need a young guard to replace Steve Nash.
Nash will likely seek a way to join a contender next year as his career is coming to its final stages, and Fredette would provide the leadership and offense Nash currently gives Phoenix.
If Fredette has a poor March Madness, he could slide to the Suns, but it’s unlikely he’d drop this far.
Indiana Pacers: Trey Thompkins/Georgia
15 of 30Thompkins is a very talented offensive player who has a very good outside shot.
He does not have flashy athleticism, but he is a patient player with high basketball intelligence. The Pacers could use a player of Thompkins’ smarts, and his range as a shooter is a plus as well.
Thompkins could replace Danny Granger since Granger is likely to be a trade target of many teams next season.
Philadelphia 76ers: Brandon Knight/Kentucky
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John Calipari has coached three fantastic point guards who have gone in the last three NBA drafts, and Knight could be the next.
Knight has unbelievable speed and quickness, and can score as well as any player in the country.
He also plays with a fierce determination, taking every passion seriously.
His work ethic is a staple of his game, and his willingness to improve every part of his game, as well as get stronger in the weight room, is appealing to NBA general managers.
New York Knicks: Chris Singleton/Florida State
17 of 30The Knicks need depth at every position since trading several young talents in the Carmelo Anthony deal with the Denver Nuggets.
Singleton is an elite defender, which is something New York doesn’t have.
His injury issues, including a broken foot, are concern for teams, but his junior season has been more consistent with his jump shot improving.
Memphis Grizzlies: Kyle Singler/Duke
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One of the most experienced players in college basketball, Singler has a variety of skills and a winning pedigree that would benefit the Grizzlies.
Singler can play both forward positions, and his range from three-point territory would help stretch the floor.
Portland Trail Blazers: Enes Kanter/Turkey
19 of 30After their terrible luck with former number one pick Greg Oden, Portland would love to select Kanter to be the franchise’s center of the future.
He and LaMarcus Aldridge would be a great frontcourt duo, and his size and strength would complement Aldridge’s shooting and finesse.
Kanter may not fall to the Blazers despite not having played a minute in 2011, but the Blazers could try to move up to take him.
Denver Nuggets: Markieff Morris/Kansas
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Morris is a physical power forward who would bring toughness and rebounding to the Denver Nuggets.
Kenyon Martin is not the same force he used to be, and Morris would be a nice piece for the future.
After the trade with the Knicks for Carmelo Anthony, Denver still has little toughness inside outside of center Nene.
New Orleans Hornets: Brandon Knight/Kentucky
21 of 30Having Knight fall to the Hornets would give them the future replacement at point guard for Chris Paul.
It is every unlikely that Chris Paul signs an extension with the Hornets before he becomes a free agent, so finding his replacement should begin immediately.
Knight is a great offensive player and has the potential to be a much more physically gifted player than Paul.
Knight’s desire to improve and learn would be beneficial to young Hornets head coach Monty Williams.
Atlanta Hawks: Kemba Walker/UConn
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Walker was having an amazing season until he started playing much worse near the halfway point.
However, Walker is a fearless player who craves late-game situations. With the Hawks giving up Mike Bibby for Kirk Hinrich, they need a point guard so Hinrich can play shooting guard.
Walker needs to watch the silly turnovers he commits when he tries to do too much with the ball, but he is a great talent and fierce competitor.
Oklahoma City Thunder: Kyle Singler/Duke
23 of 30Singler would give the Thunder a boost at several different positions. He can play the wing, small forward or power forward.
He is a smart player who has experience in many big game situations.
Author's note: Watch his trick shot video. Even as a non-Duke fan, I found it quite impressive.
Orlando Magic: Renardo Sidney/Mississippi State
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Sidney is a great shot blocker and solid rebounder.
He would give Dwight Howard a solid defensive backup, and could possibly be Howard's replacement if the superstar leaves the Magic in the summer of 2012.
Los Angeles Lakers: Steven Gray/Gonzaga
25 of 30Gray's shooting and offensive capabilities would help the Lakers bench, which has a limited amount of scorers.
Steve Blake has been a disappointment this season, and Laker legend Derek Fisher is on the tail end of his career.
Gray could be the next guard off the bench for the Lakers next season.
Chicago Bulls: Jacob Pullen/Kansas State
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Jacob Pullen has had a good season, but not as good as his performance last year when he helped the Wildcats earn a No. 2 seed in the NCAA tournament.
Pullen can play point guard, but his excellent scoring ability would make him an ideal shooting guard for the Bulls, a position they need more depth in.
Dallas Mavericks: Shelvin Mack/Butler
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Mack is a great leader, and is capable of leading a team deep into the postseason, like he did last year with Butler.
Mack is also a decent defender, and a very good passer. With Jason Kidd well past his prime, Mack would be a nice choice to backup the future Hall of Famer.
Miami Heat: Austin Freeman/Georgetown
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Freeman is having a great season with the Hoyas, and is a candidate for Big East Player of the Year.
He is an excellent scorer and excels late in games, even when defenses double and triple team him. His quality play in crunch time would help him in Miami, where the playoffs are a certainty for the next six or seven seasons.
Boston Celtics: Nolan Smith/Duke
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Nolan Smith doesn't wow you with fancy highlights, but he is perhaps the most important player on Duke.
When Kyrie Irving went down with an injury earlier in the year, Smith accepted the role of point guard and Duke didn't miss a beat.
Smith is a consistent and smart player, and would add another defensive guard to the Celtics roster.
San Antonio Spurs: Jordan Williams/Maryland
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With Spurs coach Gregg Popovich looking to cut Tim Duncan's minutes to help him stay fresh, Williams would provide a solid rebounder and inside scorer to the Spurs.
He's an athletic player who plays with loads of energy, but needs to work on his mobility. The ACC tournament will be a great time to impress the Spurs.
