2011 NBA Mock Draft: Has Derrick Williams Catapulted To Top of NBA Draft?
No player has helped his NBA draft stock like Derrick Williams.
He has made the game winning-play in both of his team’s NCAA tournament victories in front of a national audience that rarely gets to see him.
The NCAA tournament has altered the draft status of plenty of players for better and for worse.
Players such as Isaiah Thomas, Tristan Thompson, Jordan Hamilton, Renardo Sidney, Kris Joseph and Will Barton have already announced their intentions to return to their respective schools, so they are off the board.
While there are surely going to be players on this list that end up going back to school, here is the latest 2011 NBA mock draft as we embark on the Sweet 16.
30. San Antonio Spurs: Nikola Mirotic, Montenegro
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The Spurs love to draft foreign players and then stash them away for a few seasons.
They can be patient with the 6’10" forward and let him develop into a possible successor for the aging Tim Duncan.
29. Chicago Bulls: Tobias Harris, Tennessee
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Harris possesses an inside/outside game that will make him valuable at the next level.
The 6’8", 225-pound freshman isn’t NBA-ready right now, but can gain valuable knowledge watching the likes of Carlos Boozer and Derrick Rose on a daily basis.
The Bulls don’t need much help, and drafting Harris would just strengthen the bench.
28. Boston Celtics: Jon Leuer, Wisconsin
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The 6’10" Leuer has made steady improvements in all four seasons at Wisconsin. He has increased his scoring average by at least three points in every season and now scores almost 19 a game.
He may not be able to replace Kendrick Perkins, but he can add some much-needed front-line depth.
27. New Jersey Nets (From LAL): Kyle Singler, Duke
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The 6’9" Singler has an extremely high release point on his jump shot, making it very hard to block.
He has a high basketball IQ, as he has learned from one of the best in Coach Mike Krzyzewski. He stayed in school all four years and can contribute right away for the Nets.
With the way the Nets have looked the last two seasons, they can’t afford to wait on players to develop.
26. Dallas Mavericks: JaJuan Johnson, Purdue
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Tyson Chandler is a free agent and Johnson would provide some frontcourt depth if he does end up leaving.
Johnson is very athletic with quick feet and a excellent vertical. He has a right hook shot that will translate to the NBA.
However, he does lack great ball-handling skills and struggles with the ability to create offense for himself.
25. Chicago Bulls (from MIA Via TOR): Augusto Lima, Brazil
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The rich get richer.
The Bulls have a loaded roster and don’t really need a whole lot. Lima runs the floor extremely well and is a strong rebounder.
They can stash him in the cupboard for a year or two if need be.
24. Oklahoma City Thunder: William Buford, Ohio State
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Buford may never be a star in the NBA, but he is very agile and has good size for a shooting guard. His shot has come a long way since early in his career, but he still needs to work on it in the pros.
Buford would be a terrific bench player for a contending team like the Thunder.
23. Phoenix Suns (from ORL): Chris Singleton, FSU
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His athleticism is off the charts, he runs the floor with ease and is a ferocious defender.
He hasn’t played well in his team’s first two NCAA tournament wins, but if he regains his status as the go-to player on the Seminoles, his draft stock could rise significantly.
22. Denver Nuggets- Trey Thompkins, Georgia
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The Nuggets are set in the backcourt and could use some depth up front with the imminent departure of Kenyon Martin.
Thompkins has terrific foot work in the post for a 6’10" guy and has a outside jumper as well. His strength in the paint will translate over to the NBA.
He is exactly what the Nuggets need.
21. Washington Wizards (from ATL): Kemba Walker, UConn
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Walker is a scoring machine, and that’s exactly what the Wizards need. He is a great spot-up shooter who could benefit from playing with John Wall.
You do have to worry about the 6’0", 175-pound frame in the NBA. But he can always bulk up, and his explosiveness is going to come in handy at the pro level.
20. New Orleans Hornets: Kenneth Faried, Morehead State
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One of the top rebounders to come along in recent history, Faried has long arms and can jump out of the gym.
The problem is that he is undersized (6’8", 225) to play his natural position of power forward in the NBA.
Will he be able to stay in front of the faster small forwards in the league?
19. Charlotte Bobcats: Jan Vesely, Czech Republic
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He is a typical versatile offensive player from Europe who could play a variety of roles for the Bobcats.
The mature Vesely will not have a long adjustment period coming over to the States.
18. Minnesota Timberwolves (From Memphis): Marcus Morris, Kansas
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Morris is very similar to Michael Beasley and could become his eventual replacement in Minnesota.
His inside/outside game makes him an eye-catching prospect, and he should be able to help the T-Wolves right away.
He is a stat stuffer who can fill a variety of needs of the T-Wolves.
17. Philadelphia 76ers: John Henson, UNC
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While Henson hasn’t decided if he is going to take his talents to the NBA just yet, he would wow the 76ers with his length and outstanding athleticism.
He still needs to bulk up, but the Sixers could use the depth up front.
16. New York Knicks: Nolan Smith, Duke
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How serious is Chris Paul about joining the Knicks?
If it was merely just a toast, then the Knicks are going to need to give Chauncey Billups some relief.
Smith is as battle tested as it gets, and the ACC Player of the Year would excel in the up-tempo New York offense.
He is a natural leader who wouldn't be intimidated by the bright lights of the Big Apple.
15. Indiana Pacers: Tyler Honeycutt, UCLA
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A 6’8" forward with an enormous wingspan, Honeycutt is an elite defender who will be on All-NBA defensive teams. He averages 1.5 steals a game in 27 minutes.
He has questionable ball-handling skills, but the sophomore has the potential to be a great player for the Pacers in the near future.
One of the top athletes in the entire draft.
14. Houston Rockets: Donatas Motiejunas, Lithuania
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With Yao Ming announcing his retirement, the Rockets desperately need to add some size through the draft.
Adding Hasheem Thabeet at the trade deadline is certainly not the answer.
13. Phoenix Suns: Alec Burks, Colorado
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Here is a perfect match (assuming Burks turns pro) for both parties.
Burks is a explosive scoring threat who reminds me of Danny Granger. With the status of Steve Nash in doubt, Burks could thrive in the up-tempo pace of the Suns offense.
He can score from anywhere on the floor and would even bring a bit of defense to Phoenix.
12. Utah Jazz: Brandon Knight, Kentucky
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Knight has a huge amount of potential and could eventually turn into a point guard of Derrick Rose and Tyreke Evans' caliber.
He is very speedy and makes decisions incredibly quick. Knight can shoot well off the dribble and is an excellent defender because of his length. Overall, Knight has great upside.
11. Golden State Warriors: Kawhi Leonard, SDSU
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Leonard has a turnaround jumper that will instantly translate in the NBA. He is a sensational rebounder because of exceptional timing and arm length.
He is also from California, as he grew up in Riverside and went south for college ball at San Diego State.
Leonard would be able to hang with the rest of the Warriors and their breakneck pace.
10. Charlotte Bobcats: Jiimmer Fredette, BYU
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Jimmer is a hard player to evaluate at the moment.
If he goes on to the Final Four, he might go even higher. But if he turns in a dud against Florida, he will drop a few spots.
Jimmer may never possess the athleticism that is required of a star two-guard in the NBA, but he is still going to be a strong contributor to the right team.
The Bobcats are already one of the better defensive teams in the league. Drafting a shooter with the ability to drive to the basket is exactly what they need to do.
9. Milwaukee Bucks: Perry Jones, Baylor
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Jones is one of the best all-around talents in this draft but needs some polish. He may not make a serious impact in the NBA for a season or two. But once he figures it all out, we are looking at a future All-Star.
He could aid Andrew Bogut in the post and give the Bucks a huge frontcourt.
8. Cleveland Cavaliers (from LAC): Markieff Morris, Kansas
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The slightly better Morris brother, the 6’10" Markieff was incredibly productive because of his soft touch around the rim. He is an efficient scorer who is a load on the glass as well.
He will need to add some weight to his 245-pound frame, but that won't be a problem once he gets into an NBA weight room.
Morris is one of the only sure things in this draft, yet his ceiling is not as high as others.
7. Detroit Pistons: Terrence Jones, Kentucky
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Jones will be able to play either forward position in the NBA and ease the impending loss of free agent-to-be Tayshaun Prince.
The Pistons could really use some size, so drafting a big guy should be their top priority.
Jones is a bit raw, but the sky is the limit for the ultra-athletic big man who can score in a variety of ways.
6. Utah Jazz (From NJ): Enes Kanter, Turkey
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The NCAA didn't let Kanter play for Kentucky this season, and he has been relegated to being a student-assistant coach for the Wildcats.
He is going to spend the spring with MJ’s former trainer Tim Grover in preparation for the draft. That will make him more than ready to roll come summer camp.
He is a huge load who could develop into a punishing scorer, which the Jazz have been missing since the loss of Carlos Boozer and Deron Williams.
5. Toronto Raptors: Jordan Taylor, Wisconsin
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Taylor has emerged of late as one of the premier prospects in college basketball with his explosive scoring ability.
He has averaged 18 points and five assists in his junior year and is drawing comparisons to former Badger great Devin Harris.
He shoots an impressive 43 percent from three-point land and could fit in nicely to a Raptors team that is very sick of Jose Calderon.
4. Sacramento Kings: Kyrie Irving, Duke
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When people are comparing you to Chris Paul, you know you are on to something.
Irving is more than capable of kicking Tyreke Evans out of town with his all-around talents. This is a potential franchise point guard who could be capable of winning an MVP award.
He is a amazing decision maker who can break down any college player one-on-one.
The concern is his lack of college experience, as he missed most of the season with a broken toe. But he’s back now and the expectations for Duke have risen substantially because of it.
3. Washington Wizards: Harrison Barnes, UNC
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What do the Wizards need?
An explosive scorer who can play a lick of defense: Sound like a guy from Carolina?
Barnes has excellent form on his shot, and developed range during his freshman season.
He has a very positive attitude and a strong work ethic that is desperately needed in a toxic Wizards locker room.
He can pull up and shoot, shoot off the dribble and in traffic. With the way Barnes has played over the last month, Barnes has reached can’t-miss prospect status.
He has an unlimited ceiling.
2. Minnesota Timberwolves: Derrick Williams, Arizona
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Williams has proven that the spotlight doesn’t affect him after making two game-saving plays in two NCAA tournament wins.
He has great footwork and can absorb contact in the trenches. The combination of strength and a soft touch makes him a deadly back-to-the-basket player.
Williams blocks shots and is a 10-rebound-a-game guy.
There is nothing about his game that doesn’t scream NBA ready.
Not bad for a sophomore.
1. Cleveland Cavs: Jared Sullinger, Ohio State
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It’s 2003 all over again.
Once again, the Cavs get the first pick when a home-state legend is the clear-cut best player available.
Sullinger has been everything the Buckeyes could have hoped for and more this season. He scores 17 points a game by a combination of savvy low-post moves and a knack for drawing fouls.
He grabs 10 rebounds a game because of his instincts around the rim. He is fundamentally sound, well-coached and highly skilled. A killer combo.
He shoots better than 54 percent and even connects on 70 percent of his free throws.
Sullinger as as close to a sure thing as there is in the 2011 draft. Combine that with his potential to get even better, and it's a slam dunk: Draft Sullinger No. 1.
