NBA Draft 2011: Will Derrick Williams or Kyrie Irving Go No. 1?
Now that the NCAA college basketball season is over, it’s time to shift gears and concentrate on the NBA draft.
This year two players stand out above the rest as contenders for the top pick. One is Derrick Williams, the powerful forward from Arizona who propelled the Wildcats into the Elite Eight. The other is Duke’s Kyrie Irving, who lost to that same Arizona team in the Sweet 16, but showed he was past a foot injury by scoring 28 points.
First, we have to assume both players will declare for the draft. As of yesterday, only Irving has declared. But if both do, who becomes the player to be taken as the No. 1 overall pick?
A big part of it will depend on which team gets the first pick in the draft, which won’t be decided until mid-May, so we won’t know the answer until that date at the earliest.
Keeping that in mind, let’s break down the potential teams who could land the No. 1 pick and whom they would draft.
Cleveland Cavaliers
1 of 7
Cleveland could benefit from either player, but it will come down to the position that don’t have as much depth at.
The Cavs have JJ Hickson, who has been dominant in the second-half of the season averaging 16 PPG and 10 RPG. There is also Anderson Varejeo, Antawn Jamison and Samardo Samuels in the fold.
While Williams would be given preferential treatment over all of these players, sans Hickson, it’s a crowded group of talented players.
If we look to the point guard situation, we'll see it’s much less crowded. Sure, there’s Baron Davis, but he’s a perpetual health concern and not the player he once was. Ramon Sessions is the other guy in town. While Sessions is a solid player, he’s not the spark plug poster child Irving would be if he came to town.
Cleveland: Irving
Minnesota Timberwolves
2 of 7
This one should be a no-brainer to everyone. With Kevin Love, Michael Beasley and Wesley Johnson already in the mix, the T-Wolves would only go after Irving.
The Wolves have Jonny Flynn, Luke Ridenour and Ricky Rubio, but that wouldn’t stop them from going after Irving, especially since Flynn has not developed, Ridenour is not paid like a star and Rubio may never play for the Wolves.
The T-Wolves should really consider trading down if they do land the first pick, but Irving would make more sense if they hold onto it.
Minnesota: Irving
Washington Wizards
3 of 7
Here’s another no-brainer everyone should understand. The only difference is that this time it’s only one player that makes the difference, and that’s John Wall.
Wall is having a solid rookie campaign and has proven he was ready for the NBA game. The Wizard don’t need to have two young guys trading off at the point guard spot.
Where they would benefit is up front. The Wizards do have Andray Blatche and Rashard Lewis at the 4, but Washington could employ a tall lineup and interchange all three players around the three and four spots, thanks to Lewis and Williams’ abilities to hit outside shots.
Add in JaVale McGee, and the Wizards have an athletic frontcourt that could really disrupt opposing defenses and clean up on the glass.
Washington: Williams
Toronto Raptors
4 of 7
Toronto can use help everywhere, so they could go either way if they were to receive the No. 1 pick.
Derrick Williams would make the sense, since Reggie Evans is a free agent and the Raptors still have gifted passer Jose Calderon and the upstart Jerryd Bayless at the 1.
Williams could immediately start for the Raptors and help toughen up the soft front line where Andrea Bargnani, Amir Johnson and Ed Davis currently work.
Toronto: Williams
Sacramento Kings
5 of 7
The Sacramento Kings are another team that could benefit from either Irving or Williams.
Marcus Thornton and Samuel Dalembert are free agents which would leave gaps at two starting positions if/when they depart. One’s a 2-guard and one’s a center, which neither Irving nor Williams play, but current roster members could be easily shuffled around to make these two fit.
Tyreke Evans has always been rumored to play off-guard more than point, but things haven’t really worked out that way. Adding Irving, would finally make this plan come to fruition, allowing for an exciting backcourt capable of generating some action.
Equally, at the same time, DeMarcus Cousins could be shifted to center and that would allow Derrick Williams to come in and give the Kings an exciting frontcourt.
With the Kings' rumored move to Anaheim, the team would be best off selecting a player who would generate more interest in the team. Williams is that guy, since he’s the one that can turn heads and grab headlines with his dunks and high-percentage shots.
Sacramento: Williams
Utah Jazz
6 of 7
The Jazz are the team in a fortunate position of not being a terrible team and having two lottery picks this year. They’re not the team they once were, but they are in much better shape than the other teams who have a realistic shot at landing the No. 1 pick.
Because the Jazz are so deep up front, Kyrie Irving would make the most sense for them. Devin Harris may be signed for three more years, but after this season he’s the only point guard on the team.
Allowing Irving to join a team with such a talented frontcourt would help his development, and Harris’ presence would allow Irving to be brought along properly.
Utah: Irving
Detroit Pistons
7 of 7
The last team on the list is the Detroit Pistons. Since Detroit underachieves at every position, they can go in either direction.
Greg Monroe and Austin Daye are promising young players for the Pistons. There isn’t much depth at the point guard position, so that’s a nod to Irving.
When you toss in Charlie Villanueva and Jason Maxiell as the veteran presences—guys who are signed for multiple seasons—Irving continues to make more sense.
The last part is Rodney Stuckey’s potential to leave the team (qualifying offer), Willy Bynum playing for backup money and Rip Hamilton and Ben Gordon being shooting guards—that clinches it for Irving.
Either player would work for Detroit, but Irving fills the bigger void and could even start for the team that's the equivalent of a black hole.
Detroit: Irving
Irving wins, 4-3, but I’d still rather have Derrick Williams on my team.
