NBA Mock Draft 2011: How Does Jared Sullinger's Absence Affect the Top 10?
After a heartbreaking loss to Kentucky on Friday, super-frosh Jared Sullinger declared his intentions to return to Ohio State next season.
Time will tell if the Buckeyes star is serious with his statement, and a draft projection in the top five could easily change his mind.
If he does stay, however, how would his absence change the 2011 NBA Draft's top 10 picks? Which teams would be hurt most by his staying in school and which teams may actually benefit?
Let's take a look.
No. 10: Milwaukee Bucks: Marcus Morris, Kansas
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Height/Weight: 6'9"/225 lbs
Position: Power forward
Team: Kansas
Class: Junior
Milwaukee has a lot of average and above-average players on its roster, so I think they'll draft on talent here.
Morris had a great season with Kansas and would add some size to the forward spot if Drew Gooden goes down with an injury.
Morris is a winner who would look nice between Andrew Bogut and Brandon Jennings for the bounce-back Bucks.
No. 9: Charlotte Bobcats: Jonas Valanciunas, Lithuania
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Height/Weight: 6'10"/230 lbs
Position: Power forward/center
Team: Lithuania
Class: International
Valanciuanas is a more traditional post player than the other European bigs in this year's draft.
The Bobcats desperately need size and this Jonas brother could play either the power forward or center for Jordan's club.
After trading Gerald Wallace, Emeka Okafor and Tyson Chandler to save cash, however, maybe they'll just end up selling this pick.
No. 8: Cleveland Cavaliers: Terrence Jones, Kentucky (from the LA Clippers)
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Height/Weight: 6'8"/225 lbs
Position: Small forward
Team: Kentucky
Class: Freshman
Jones would be asked to play the small forward position for the Cavs and provide immediate offense. He's also big enough to step in and play the power forward at times and he has been a great rebounder his freshman year at 8.7 per game.
Like most freshmen, he's struggled at times this year, but at least his left-handed shot is fun to watch.
The Cavs need athletes and scorers, and Jones provides both.
No. 7: Detroit Pistons: Brandon Knight, Kentucky
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Height/Weight: 6'4"/185 lbs
Position: Point guard
Team: Kentucky
Class: Freshman
Knight has had a very impressive tournament run and should find himself creeping up draft boards all the way until June.
The Pistons would get a true point guard and get to move Rodney Stuckey to shooting guard. Tayshaun Prince won't be back and they'll try to move Rip Hamilton this offseason, too.
Knight, Stuckey and Greg Monroe will have the Pistons fighting for a playoff spot in 2012.
No. 6: Utah Jazz: Kemba Walker (from the New Jersey Nets)
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Height/Weight: 6'0"/180 lbs
Position: Point guard
Team: UConn
Class: Junior
This is probably much higher than you've seen Walker go on most mock drafts, but Kemba's worth it.
The Jazz are loaded in the frontcourt with Al Jefferson, Paul Millsap and Derrick Favors. Devin Harris leads a less-than-impressive backcourt that is looking for a new face after the trade of Deron Williams.
Walker could play the point or shooting guard and add a perimeter threat that would help to open up the big uglies inside.
Don't be surprised to see the Jazz take the UConn star this high.
No. 5: Toronto Raptors: Enes Kanter, Kentucky
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Height/Weight: 6'11"/250 lbs
Position: Power forward/center
Team: Kentucky
Class: Freshman
Kanter has the size Toronto desperately needs inside. The days of counting on Andrea Bargnani for rebounding are finally over!
The Raptors already have a nice group of young talent. Kanter may be enough to have them competing for a playoff spot again.
No. 4: Washington Wizards: Perry Jones, Baylor
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Height/Weight: 6'11"/220 lbs
Position: Power forward
Team: Baylor
Class: Freshman
The Wizards are probably hoping for Harrison Barnes or Derrick Williams here, but they should be happy with Jones.
Possibly the best athlete in the draft, Jones would be a nightmare matchup at small forward with his 6'11'' frame.
His suspension at the end of the season combined with a disappointing freshman season hurt, but his skills are too good to slip out of the top five. Jones, John Wall, Nick Young, Andray Blatche and Javale McGee would form a nice starting five in DC.
No. 3: Sacramento Kings: Harrison Barnes, North Carolina
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Height/Weight: 6'8"/210 lbs
Position: Shooting guard/small forward
Team: North Carolina
Class: Freshman
Barnes would be a great fit for the Kings (Royals?), taking offensive pressure off of Tyreke Evans.
Barnes improved tremendously through his freshmen year and would look real nice in between DeMarcus Cousins and Evans in the starting lineup.
He's not a head case like Cousins and he could develop into a superstar in the league. Barnes should quickly become a fan favorite in Sacramento...or Anaheim.
No. 2: Minnesota Timberwolves: Derrick Williams, Arizona
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Height/Weight: 6'7"/210 lbs
Position: Small forward
Team: Arizona
Class: Sophomore
They'll look at Harrison Barnes and Perry Jones, but in the end it comes down to the most NBA-ready player perhaps in the entire draft.
Minnesota has projects in Jonny Flynn and Wes Johnson. Williams should be better suited to come in and contribute right away.
His NCAA tournament performance has sky-rocketed his draft position to no lower than top three.
No. 1: Cleveland Cavaliers: Kyrie Irving, Duke
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Height/Weight: 6'1"/172 lbs
Position: Point guard/shooting guard
Team: Duke
Class: Freshman
Yes, they have Baron Davis and Ramon Sessions.
The Detroit Pistons also had Rip Hamilton and Tayshaun Prince, so they passed on Carmelo Anthony and Dwyane Wade. How'd that work out for them?
The NFL is for drafting on need, the NBA is for drafting on talent.
The Cavaliers take their franchise player and next superstar here.
