2011 NBA Mock Draft: Is Brandon Knight Worthy of a Lottery Selection?

We are starting to close in on the end of the year, and while some are focused on the postseason and a potential title run, others are hoping for a merciful end to the misery.

As we limp to the end of the year, here is my second mock draft, focusing on only the lottery selections.

Draft order is based on team records as of April 8, 2011 and does not reflect the lottery.

Draft picks are based on team needs and potential.

Enjoy!

1.Minnesota Timberwolves-Kyrie Irving, PG Duke

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ANAHEIM, CA - MARCH 24: Kyrie Irving #1 of the Duke Blue Devils looks on against the Arizona Wildcats during the west regional semifinal of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at the Honda Center on March 24, 2011 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by

This is a point guard league and Irving is the best point guard in the country.

Sure, the Timberwolves have stockpiled point guards for the past two years. But none have panned out, and Irving is a stud.

3.Washington Wizards-Perry Jones, F Baylor

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KANSAS CITY, MO - MARCH 09: Baylor Bears mascot Bruiser performs during their game against the Oklahoma Sooners in the first round of the 2011 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at Sprint Center on March 9, 2011 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Ph

Washington is a mess and they need help in a lot of areas. However, Jones will wow everyone with his potential. If only he can spend more time acting like a power forward instead of a shooting guard.

4.Toronto Raptors-Harrison Barnes, F, UNC

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NEWARK, NJ - MARCH 27: Harrison Barnes #40 of the North Carolina Tar Heels in action against Josh Harrellson #55 of the Kentucky Wildcats during the east regional final of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at Prudential Center on March 27, 2011 i

Barnes is athletic and talented. The Raptors are neither. Good match.

2.Cleveland Cavaliers-Derrick Williams, F, Arizona

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ANAHEIM, CA - MARCH 26: Derrick Williams #23 of the Arizona Wildcats reacts after a dunk against of the Connecticut Huskies during the west regional final of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at the Honda Center on March 26, 2011 in Anaheim, Cali

Sure, there are questions about his position in the NBA and his defense isn't top shelf, but the drum beat is intensifying for the Arizona forward and Cleveland needs more talent.

5.Sacramento Kings-Terrence Jones, F, Kentucky

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HOUSTON, TX - APRIL 02: Jeremy Lamb #3 of the Connecticut Huskies goes to the hoop against Terrence Jones #3 of the Kentucky Wildcats during the National Semifinal game of the 2011 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship at Reliant Stadium on April

I'll be the first to admit that I have no clue what Sacramento is up to these days. That being said, DeMarcus Cousins is their center of the future and Tyreke Evans is their back court combo guard. Now they need an athletic wing that can swat shots. Enter Jones.

Utah Jazz-Enes Kanter, C, Turkey

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CHICAGO, IL - MARCH 12: Devin Harris #5 of the Utah Jazz drives against Derrick Rose #1 of the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on March 12, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls defeated the Jazz 118-100. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and ag

Devin Harris and the Jazz have a surplus of power forwards but now they need a big center. With Memo Okur's future in doubt, Kanter is a good pick.

7.Detroit Pistons-Kemba Walker, PG, Uconn

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HOUSTON, TX - APRIL 04: Kemba Walker #15 of the Connecticut Huskies speaks to the media after defeating the Butler Bulldogs to win the National Championship Game of the 2011 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament at Reliant Stadium on April 4, 2011

Leadership, toughness, distribution. Three things Detroit has lacked since they dealt Chauncey Billups. Three things that Walker provides. Detroit must make this deal.

8.Cleveland Cavaliers-Jan Vesely, F, Belgrade

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CLEVELAND - MARCH 29: Baron Davis #85 of the Cleveland Cavaliers keeps the ball inbounds during the game against the Miami Heat on March 29, 2011 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by down

Baron Davis and company have two high picks in this year's draft. Sadly, it is not a very deep draft. They picked up a tough leader in Williams early on, now they can grab a big man that they can develop. Vesely is big, but he is a project.

9.Milwaukee Bucks-Jordan Hamilton, F, Texas

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TULSA, OK - MARCH 20: Derrick Williams #23 of the Arizona Wildcats is fouled by Jordan Hamilton #3 of the Texas Longhorns on the game tying shot during the third round of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at BOK Center on March 20, 2011 in Tulsa,

Milwaukee was a surprising team this year. Most thought they were better than they showed. They need a swing man immediately to step in and press the suddenly aging John Salmons and Corey Maggette.

10.Charlotte Bobcats-Kawhi Leonard, SF, San Diego State

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TUCSON, AZ - MARCH 19: Kawhi Leonard #15 of the San Diego State Aztecs passes the ball past Ramone Moore #23 of the Temple Owls during the third round of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at McKale Center on March 19, 2011 in Tucson, Arizona. (P

If Michael Jordan were smart about running a team, he would look hard at Kenneth Faried. But he isn't, so he will pick a swing man that looked lost at times in the NCAA tournament.

11.Golden State Warriors-Janus Valancius

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OAKLAND, CA - MARCH 25: Monta Ellis #8 of the Golden State Warriors in action against the Toronto Raptors at Oracle Arena on March 25, 2011 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using thi

Golden State is an odd team. They have two undersized combo guards in the back court, and three or four power forwards. They should go for Jordan Hamilton, but with him off the board, they will go Euro.

12.Utah Jazz-Jimmer Fredette, PG, Brigham Young

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HOUSTON - APRIL 03: Jimmer Fredette of BYU received the 2011 Naismith Trophy Presented by AT&T at the NABC Guardians of the Game Awards Program on April 3, 2011 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)

This season has been a public relations nightmare for Utah. They need to make it up to the fans. Enter the local hero Fredette.

13.Phoenix Suns-Brandon Knight, G, Kentucky

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HOUSTON, TX - APRIL 02: Brandon Knight #12 of the Kentucky Wildcats moves the ball while taking on the Connecticut Huskies during the National Semifinal game of the 2011 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship at Reliant Stadium on April 2, 2011 in

Phoenix needs to start planning for the post Steve Nash era. Knight may not be the best point guard on the board, but he is from a big school and has shown an ability to take over games. He will definitely have some big shoes to fill!

14.Kenneth Faried, F, Morehead State

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DENVER, CO - MARCH 19: Dan Geriot #41 of the Richmond Spiders shoots the ball against Kenneth Faried #35 of the Morehead State Eagles during the third round of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at Pepsi Center on March 19, 2011 in Denver, Colorad

Phoenix should take a long look at Faried, but they will instead opt for a point guard. Houston will not make the same mistake.