NBA Mock Draft 2011: Amidst March Madness, Could Kemba Walker Go No. 1?
The Big East tournament is commonly known as the most exciting and challenging of all of the conference tournaments. So when one player leads his team to five wins in five days, it's obvious that man is something special.
Kemba Walker redefines special.
UConn was originally slated for a seven seed in March Madness and suddenly shot up to a three, with a number of ESPN analysts picking the Huskies to make the Final Four. The only thing rising higher than UConn's ranking is Mr. Walker's draft stock.
He started the 2010-2011 season as a tweener who was not even guaranteed a first-round pick. Now it's just a matter of which lottery team wants to snag him off the board first.
But Walker isn't the only player whose draft stock has been fluctuating. Players from all over the country are looking forward to the NCAA tournament to raise their prospects further or stop the bleeding. It's a race to see who will get the No. 1 spot in the NBA Draft.
Will "Kemba Walker" be the first name David Stern calls in Madison Square Garden?
1. Cleveland Cavaliers
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The Pick: Kyrie Irving, Duke
Yes, Irving's toe injury is a concern for NBA teams, but the opportunity to snag an 18-year-old point guard with this guy's upside doesn't come along very often. Point guard is a position to build a team around, and Irving has the most talent of any true point guard in the draft.
Other than J.J. Hickson and Anderson Varejao (who ironically play the same position), the Cavaliers lack talent. Irving won't bring the team out of the doldrums on his own, but his passing ability will make him a fan favorite in Cleveland.
2. Sacramento Kings
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The Pick: Derrick Williams, Arizona
The Kings are loaded with young talent, but the one thing they lack is a wing scorer to take the pressure off of Tyreke Evans. Derrick Williams has the size and offensive ability to do just that, and he can also provide some much needed help on the defensive end.
Sacramento could also go with a big man, but it seems like getting a veteran who can tutor DeMarcus Cousins to take over in the middle would suit the team better. The Kings have too many decent small forwards, but Williams actually has a chance to be elite.
3. Washington Wizards
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The Pick: Jared Sullinger, Ohio State
The Wizards should not be opposed to dealing anyone on their roster not named John Wall, so don't be surprised if either Andray Blatche or Javale McGee have a new home before the 2011-2012 season. Wall wants someone to give 100 percent every night, and that's exactly what Jared Sullinger does.
For someone his age, the Buckeye is incredible polished in the post. While a bit undersized, he brings an intensity and rebounding ability that will make him a weapon in the post off the bat. He also loves taking his defender one-on-one, which should lift the pressure off of Wall.
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4. Minnesota Timberwolves
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The Pick: Perry Jones, Baylor
Kevin Love is the only player in Minnesota who's guaranteed a starting spot next year, as much as David Kahn would like to say Ricky Rubio is too. The one thing Love lacks is athleticism, and putting Jones down low would give the Wolves an excellent compliment to Love.
Jones doesn't dominate the game on his own, but he is the perfect building block for Minnesota. A strong mid-range jump shooter who hits the glass hard, Jones could solidify the Wolves interior for years to come.
5. Toronto Raptors
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The Pick: Terrence Jones, University of Kentucky
The Raptors don't have any star players, but they already have some solid young pieces in Andrea Bargnani, DeMar DeRozan, and whichever of Ed Davis and Amir Johnson actually pans out. Toronto needs a strong defender and Jones has the length and size to guard on the perimeter and in the post.
Watch for the Raptors to try and trade down, however. Jose Calderon and Leandro Barbosa aren't the answer at point guard, and there's no floor general worthy of the fifth pick. If they stay here, Jones will be an easy pick, but Toronto will at least field offers, hoping to move down and add a veteran scorer.
6. Utah Jazz
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The Pick: Harrison Barnes, North Carolina
The 18-year-old's stock has skyrocketed this weekend with a fantastic performance in the ACC tournament, including leading his Tar Heels to two comeback victories. He's reminding scouts why he was the preseason favorite to go No. 1 overall.
If he manages to fall to the Jazz, Utah can celebrate. They have plenty (if not too much) of talent down low, so getting a shooter like Barnes to stretch the floor would be a dream. He shouldn't have any issues starting on the perimeter for the Jazz, considering there's no swingman already there for the future.
7. Detroit Pistons
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The Pick: Donatas Motiejunas, Lithunia
Honestly, as long as the Pistons don't pick a swingman, they can't really lose. He's been working on his strength since the picture was taken, and his offensive game looks stellar anywhere inside of 15 feet. Comparisons to Pau Gasol and Andrea Bargnani abound, which should sound great for Detroit faithful.
Greg Monroe is slated to play in the post for the future, so a big man who can stretch the floor will help him develop. While Pistons fans might be hesitant about taking another foreign big man in the lottery, Motiejunas should not be seen as the type of risk Darko Milicic was. Not even close.
8. Cleveland Cavaliers
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The Pick: Enes Kanter, Turkey
Point guards and centers are the two best positions to build a franchise around, and since the Cavs picked Irving first, Kanter is a logical choice here. He's not an explosive athlete, but he has a very technical offensive style that will make him a handful for all opposing centers.
If Kanter comes off the board earlier, expect the Cavs to just select the best player available. They need talent of any kind. Period.
9. Milwaukee Bucks
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The Pick: Kawhi Leonard, San Diego State
This may be a little high for Leonard, but he's the perfect fit in Milwaukee. He's the wing scorer that Brandon Jennings wishes he could pass too, and he has the strength to contain the Eastern Conference's top perimeter players.
The Bucks need some direction and Leonard clearly has the leadership gene. The Aztecs didn't become a top 10 in the country by accident. The 19-year-old put them on his back and he can do the dirty work that Milwaukee has been missing after its playoff run last season.
10. Charlotte Bobcats
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The Pick: Kemba Walker, University of Connecticut
Charlotte needs to get butts in the seats and a floor general. Walker can do both. He manhandled America's toughest conference tournament, and he has probably made the entire country hope they don't see themselves next to UConn in the bracket.
The man can flat-out score. The Bobcats can't. Sounds like a match made in heaven. He can either pressure D.J. Augustin to step up to starter-level play, or supplant him as Charlotte's leader right away.
11. Golden State Warriors
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The Pick: Jonas Valanciunas, Lithuania
Lithuania is the real winner here, as they will likely get two lottery picks. But Golden State shouldn't be frowning. The Warriors' offense is predicated on high energy and they definitely need more size. Valanciunas fits that bill.
He needs to develop, and he can watch David Lee show him how it's done. If he gets stronger, he might be able to anchor the post and join Lee down low a lot sooner than some scouts think.
12. Houston Rockets
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The Pick: John Henson, North Carolina
While it would be great to go with a center to replace Yao Ming here, there aren't any big men that merit the choice. Instead, the Rockets can address their lack of perimeter defense. Kyle Lowry and Kevin Martin are used to getting blown by, so putting Henson out there will actually give them some intensity.
Henson isn't as polished on offense as the Rockets might like, but the rest of the team shoots so much that he will have time to work on his game. With some strength, he can become a dynamic weapon with the size to challenge three positions.
13. Utah Jazz
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The Pick: Jimmer Fredette, BYU
No, this is not a pick due to his religion or skin tone. After trading Deron Williams, the Jazz lost a player who not only embraced the city of Salt Lake City, but he also was loved by the city. They need to have a hometown hero in Salt Lake City, and Fredette is the perfect guy for the job.
Let's not forget about his scoring. Other than Devin Harris, the Jazz rely on Raja Bell and C.J. Miles for the perimeter scoring, and that's using "rely" lightly. Combining Fredette with Harrison Barnes, Utah's earlier pick, the Jazz will have more excitement than they can handle.
14. Phoenix Suns
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The Pick: Alec Burks, Colorado
Burks couldn't have done more for his stock over the past few weeks of the season, bringing the Buffs onto the bubble and elevating him to the national spotlight. He's one of college basketball's elite scorers, and don't you think Steve Nash would love to feed someone with his ability the ball?
The Suns have a long way to go to return to their peak, but if they intend to keep the high scoring offense, Burks will bring the energy back to Phoenix. He got robbed of a big showcase with the tournament, but with some extra muscle, Burks could be a steal at 14.
15. Indiana Pacers
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The Pick: Jan Vesely, Czech Republic
Scouts have Vesely all over the draft board, but the Pacers should have him atop their wish list. With Danny Granger, Roy Hibbert and Darren Collison making up a great core, Vesely would add the aggressiveness in the paint the Pacers have been missing.
He's no patsy at 6'10", 240 lbs, but he could use some more upper-body strength to compliment Hibbert. He has the athleticism and ball skills around the rim to give Indiana extra possessions. While shooting guard is a big need, there's no one worth reaching for at this pick.
16. Philadelphia 76ers
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The Pick: Marcus Morris, Kansas
Between Evan Turner, Jrue Holiday, Andre Iguodala and Jodie Meeks, the 76ers have set their backcourt for years to come. The frontcourt, however, is much less set, as Elton Brand and Spencer Hawes don't scare many. Philly needs an aggressive rebounder and post presence, which is just what Morris brings.
Size doesn't seem to deter the Jayhawk from being one of the best players in the interior in college basketball. He may be Elton Brand Part 2, but without the injury-prone past. The Sixers are likely still a prominent veteran away from advancing in the East, but they likely won't be dealing this pick.
17. New York Knicks
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The Pick: Brandon Knight, Kentucky
Knight doesn't get the publicity and hype of teammate Terrence Jones, but he may have just as high of an upside. He's consistently improving his passing ability, and who could be better for the Knicks than someone who knows how and where to get Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire the rock?
Chauncey Billups isn't a long-term answer in New York, and while Toney Douglas might be, scouts project Knight to have a much more successful pro career. The Knicks just need to refuel their bench, so this pick could also simply be the best player available.
18. Minnesota Timberwolves
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The Pick: Jordan Hamilton, Texas
After picking Perry Jones earlier, the Wolves move to perimeter players to lower the burden on Kevin Love on the offensive end. Between Jonny Flynn and Ricky Rubio, the point-guard spot is locked up, so wing scorers have to be the goal. In Hamilton, Minnesota gets that in spades.
But don't forget about his defense, something not familiar to Wolves' fans. His shooting impresses the scouts, but his ability to harass players with his long arms and solid footwork is very underrated. If Wesley Johnson continues to struggle, Hamilton could be a great compliment to Michael Beasley.
19. Charlotte Bobcats
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The Pick: Tristan Thompson, Texas
Thompson's young, athletic and one hell of a rebounder, which would give the Bobcats a great pair in him and Tyrus Thomas. The Bobcats need to get more size, because relying on Kwame Brown for much longer will just make Charlotte sick.
Thompson's become a lot more consistent on the boards late in the year, and his offensive game has plenty of weapons, both inside and outside. His athleticism will bring some more fans to the seats and his defense will help the Bobcats make a move toward the playoffs.
20. Portland Trail Blazers
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The Pick: Markieff Morris, Kansas
Assuming Greg Oden doesn't magically become healthy, the Trail Blazers lack size and cannot rely on Marcus Camby for much longer. LaMarcus Aldridge needs long-term help cleaning the glass and the bigger Morris brother will help him immensely.
However, if all the Andre Miller trade talk from before the deadline continues, don't be surprised if the Blazers grab a point guard here. Patty Mills isn't the future in Portland, but as long as Miller remains, the Blazers still have to focus on the interior.
21. Washington Wizards
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The Pick: Jeffrey Taylor, Vanderbilt
Most people expected Taylor to be a lottery pick by now after his impressive freshman season. His sophomore campaign, however, has hurt his stock, but that doesn't mean scouts don't see his potential.
The Wizards need a player who can get a shot on his own, so Taylor seems like the easy pick. He's got the athletic ability to make an impact immediately, and if he works on defense, Taylor will be a mainstay in Washington.
22. Denver Nuggets
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The Pick: Kenneth Faried, Morehead State
Faried finally has a chance to get into the national spotlight in this year's tournament, and he won't disappoint. He's become one of the top post players in the country, with the fifth most double-doubles in NCAA history.
Think a team about to lose Kenyon Martin wouldn't want to bring this beast to their low block? The Nuggets have lots of young players, but they need size to compete with the West's power teams. Faried's a bit short for a power forward, but he has the body to make up for it.
23. Houston Rockets
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The Pick: Thomas Robinson, Kansas
Houston has been making a lot of moves to try to revamp its roster, so they could go in a lot of directions here. With Kyle Lowry and Kevin Martin in the front court, size, athleticism and defense seem to be the Rockets' big needs. Robinson has it all.
He's very young, but he could be an excellent sixth many very soon. Scola could provide an excellent mentor to help harness his post game, and he would be the shot blocker the Rockets lack. While Yao Ming could make a miraculous recovery, don't count on it. Houston needs size, and this is the best available.
24. Oklahoma City Thunder
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The Pick: Trey Thompkins, Georgia
The Thunder isn't looking for starters, as the Westbrook-Sefolosha-Durant-Ibaka-Perkins lineup is about as talented as any in the Western Conference. This team needs bench depth and will try to snag the best available player who can add a little frontcourt depth.
Thompkins can shoot from mid-range and beyond, something Oklahoma City's big men currently can't do. He's a hustle player who will clean the boards, making him an ideal sub for a team that needs to deepen its bench.
25. Chicago Bulls
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The Pick: Marshon Brooks, Providence
All of the talk at the trade deadline for the Bulls centered on the lack of production from the shooting guard spot, so why not get a player who was among the NCAA's top scorers (24.6 points per game) to fill the void?
He's led the way for the Friars and he has been a significant contributor for most of his collegiate career. Chicago doesn't need him to start right away, but he will be a great shot in the arm off the second unit, and he can develop into a solid partner for Derrick Rose.
26. New Jersey Nets
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The Pick: Chris Singleton, Florida State
The Nets are in a strange position. Outside of Deron Williams and Brook Lopez, New Jersey lacks talent, and a pick this late won't likely provide an immediate contributor. That being said, Singleton has the potential to develop into a starter in a couple of years.
He's already a solid defender and he can frustrate players at three positions, so the Seminole just needs to work on his offense. He has the athleticism to get by anyone, but he needs to become more consistent with his jumper and ball-handling. If he can, Williams will have a favorite target on the wing.
27. Dallas Mavericks
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The Pick: Tobias Harris, Tennessee
The Mavericks are loaded at every position except one: small forward. Shawn Marion and Peja Stojakovic are not the answer, but Harris just might be. He's got the offensive talent to score on both small and power forwards, and while he's a bit of a project, Dallas has the time to wait.
For a 19-year-old, his vision and passing are well beyond his years, so he just needs to polish off his defense. He lacks the foot speed to keep up with quick swingmen, but he can make up for it by improving his strength and developing quick hands.
28. Chicago Bulls
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The Pick: Mason Plumlee, Duke
The Bulls addressed their biggest hole a couple picks earlier and, at 28, Chicago will bolster its bench. Both Carlos Boozer and Joakim Noah missed time this season with injuries, so drafting an athletic big man to ease the stress of any possible injuries makes Plumlee the smart choice.
He's got great hands and he is a solid passer from the post. Chicago doesn't need him to score, which will allow for his development as a shot blocker and weak-side defender. If he can add a reliable 15-to-18 footer, he will be a steal.
29. Boston Celtics
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The Pick: JaJuan Johnson, Purdue
While Boston is the cream of the crop of the Eastern Conference, the Kendrick Perkins-Jeff Green swap shows the Celtics acknowledge the need for a more athletic squad. At the same time, outside of Kevin Garnett, Boston lacks a low-post scorer, and JaJuan Johnson has the perfect skill set to fill the hole.
Obviously, Johnson lacks the strength to dominate down low yet, but the Celtics have both the time to let him develop and the perfect mentor with a similar frame in Garnett. Give him a couple years to polish his offensive game and Johnson can become a contributor.
30. San Antonio Spurs
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The Pick: Nolan Smith, Duke
Smith may not say that he's happy that Kyrie Irving went down with a toe injury, but he's surely thinking it loudly. His stock has skyrocketed since Irving got hurt, and he has proven he's got the talent to be an NBA point guard down the road.
While San Antonio doesn't need a new point guard, Gregg Popovich would certainly love Smith's energy to boost the second unit. He's one of the most reliable picks in the draft, as his passing, leadership and shooting skills are about as consistent as any other prospect.
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