2011 NBA Mock Draft: How Does Harrison Barnes' Decision Affect the Lottery?
The 2011 NBA draft will have an enormous influx of international talent.
Harrison Barnes and Perry Jones have both announced that they're returning to school, but Derrick Williams, Kemba Walker and Kyrie Irving are chomping at the bit to join the NBA ranks.
Some are referring to this draft class as the weakest in quite some time, but it's still a little premature to make that decision.
There are plenty of skills to pay the bills within this group.
1. Minnesota Timberwolves: Kyrie Irving, PG, Duke
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Irving might not be John Wall, but the T-Wolves need a point guard not named Flynn or Ridnour that will actually play with the team.
Depending on who lands the first overall pick, this selection could easily be Derrick Williams from Arizona, but for now, Irving takes the cake.
He could really improve the facilitation of the otherwise stagnant Minnesota offense.
2. Cleveland Cavaliers: Derrick Williams, F, Arizona
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J.J. Hickson and Williams could really do some damage along the Cleveland front line together.
The Arizona product made a big splash in the tourney, and every scout from the under-performing teams around the league is drooling over his potential.
Williams shouldn't slip outside of the top two.
3. Toronto Raptors: Kemba Walker, PG, UConn
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The Raptors need to move on from Jose Calderon.
Jerryd Bayless has had his moments, but he looks more like a very solid backup than an 82-game starter.
With the franchise looking to drastically shake up the roster, Walker could easily become the face of the team from Toronto.
4. Washington Wizards: Jan Vesely, F Czech Republic
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The Wizards already have John Wall, Jordan Crawford, Andray Blatche and JaVale McGee.
But who is going to play small forward? That's a definitive area of need in Washington.
Vesely could come in and start immediately and post numbers similar to Andrei Kirilenko in his prime.
5. Sacramento Kings: Brandon Knight, PG Kentucky
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Knight is the latest in a line of Calipari point guards who have found success in the NBA.
His might not be as immediate as Derrick Rose's, but the most sought after recruit will surely make his presence felt in his inaugural season.
Beno Udrih has done an excellent job, but a three-guard lineup of Knight, Evans and Thornton may be too tantalizing to pass up.
6. Utah Jazz: Jimmer Fredette, PG BYU
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This is a match made in heaven, isn't it?
Fredette seems like a natural fit alongside Gordon Hayward, and I have a hard time believing that he's going to fall all that far given his extraordinary play this season.
And before you make the comparisons, just remember that Adam Morrison couldn't shoot off the dribble.
7. Detroit Pistons: Enes Kanter, C Turkey
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A front line of Kanter and Greg Monroe would be a feared one throughout the NBA for the next several seasons.
Although he didn't get a chance to play at Kentucky after being ruled ineligible prior to the start of the season, there is no doubting Kanter's natural skill and ability to contribute immediately.
The Pistons are looking to re-tool the roster, and Kanter is a brilliant start.
8. Cleveland Cavaliers: Jonas Valanciunas, C Lithuania
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Long and athletic, Valanciunas runs the floor exceptionally well for someone of his size.
The Cavs need all of the help that they can get next to Hickson down low, and to pair this Lithuanian with Derrick Williams (selected with their no. 2 pick) would really help to turn around the downtrodden franchise.
He's also got the potential to be a dominant force on the inside, something that Cleveland hasn't had in quite some time.
9. Charlotte Bobcats: Marcus Morris, F Kansas
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Marcus Morris can help the Bobcats.
With the potential to turn into a perennial all-star with a similar skill set to Gerald Wallace, Morris could earn 30+ minutes with the 'Cats and show the NBA that he's for real.
He was held in single-digit scoring just twice during the collegiate season, and Charlotte needs all of the offensive help that they can get.
10. Milwaukee Bucks: Markieff Morris, PF Kansas
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Now wouldn't this be a mirror image of a selection?
Well, sort of. By taking Marcus' twin brother, the Bucks finally provide themselves with a long-term power forward alongside the oft-injured Andrew Bogut.
Drew Gooden could slide to center when Bogut eventually gets injured, and Morris could really shine receiving alley-oop passes from point guard Brandon Jennings.
11. Golden State Warriors: Bismack Biyombo, F Congo
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You know Andris Biedrins' time with the Warriors is coming to an abrupt ending.
Biyombo's name isn't going to resonate with many casual fans, but those that love the draft should really get familiar with his game.
Despite standing 6'9", he's got an extraordinary 7'7" wingspan that is quickly going to manifest itself in the form of blocked shots at the professional level.
12. Utah Jazz: Alec Burks, G Colorado
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The Jazz have two picks in the lottery, and a Fredette/Burks combo would go a long way toward establishing success in the backcourt.
The move would allow them to slide Hayward to the three and perhaps even rid themselves of AK-47 entirely.
Burks doesn't get a lot of attention, but he could be the steal of the lottery at no. 12.
13. Phoenix Suns: Donatas Motiejunas, F Lithuania
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Yet another European enters the top 14, and Motiejunas could very well wind up being the pick of the litter.
He's got considerable experience playing professional basketball, and could've come to the NBA in either of the last two seasons.
A front line of Motiejunas and Gortat could be quite productive over the long-term.
14. Houston Rockets: Terrence Jones, Kentucky
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Terrence Jones would be just perfect in Houston.
They've already got the backcourt pieces in Kyle Lowry and Kevin Martin, but Chase Budinger is no lock to start at the three spot long-term for the team.
He'll slide in the draft because he wasn't as eye-catching as some would hope, but that's just fine with the Rockets.
15. Indiana Pacers: Trey Thompkins, PF Georgia
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The Pacers' combination of Psycho T & McBob isn't going to last forever, and Thompkins would be an excellent front line mate alongside Roy Hibbert.
He would provide Indiana with an element of toughness that they haven't had in quite some time, and perhaps that would be enough to push them over the edge.
Thompkins is an excellent value at 15th overall.
16. Philadelphia 76ers: Kawhi Leonard, SF San Diego State
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Leonard made a name for himself with the Aztecs this season.
Despite being undersized, Leonard can help to further strengthen the Sixers' bench and perhaps even give them an option at small forward if they decide to deal Iguodala.
He could be a major steal if he's still sitting there at no. 16.
17. New York Knicks: Jordan Hamilton, SG Texas
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Rookie Landry Fields is clearly not a long-term option at shooting guard.
But how about Jordan Hamilton? Frankly, he looks to be a very solid fit.
It's not like he's going to get a ton of touches with Amar'e and Carmelo around, but at least he'd be capable of hitting an open jumper if left alone.
18. Washington Wizards: Chris Singleton, SF Florida State
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One of my favorite prospects in this year's draft, Singleton isn't getting the hype that he deserves.
A solid defender and capable contributor on the inside, this Florida State product should do nice work alongside JaVale McGee on the Wizards' front line.
The reason he slips this low is his ceiling is somewhat limited.
19. Charlotte Bobcats: Nolan Smith, G Duke
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The Bobcats are seemingly always looking for guard help, and Nolan Smith can provide exactly that.
Capable of playing with or without the ball, Smith could be used in a multitude of lineups and there's no doubt that Michael Jordan will be attracted to the combo guard.
He was a bit overshadowed at Duke, but will get every chance to shine in Charlotte.
20. Minnesota Timberwolves: Shelvin Mack, G Butler
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Come on, do you really think David Kahn is going to pass on a talented guard?
Despite taking Irving with the first overall pick, the T-Wolves will take Mack here in the hopes of flipping him to another guard-needy team.
They need all of the help that they can get, but let's just hope that Kahn doesn't trade the wrong guy again (Ty Lawson).
21. Portland Trail Blazers: Justin Harper, PF Richmond
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I have no idea why Justin Harper isn't getting scouted more heavily.
He'll need to add some more beef to get physical at the next level, but that shouldn't be much of an issue.
Perhaps he'll finally be a big man in Portland that's capable of staying healthy.
22. Denver Nuggets: Tobias Harris, SF Tennessee
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Yes, the Nuggets have a plethora of wing players, but Harris is too good to pass up at 22.
He's a ridiculous steal in the spot, because had he stayed at Tennessee for longer, he could have easily been a lottery pick.
It might take a couple of years for Harris to get it going at the NBA level, but it's well worth the investment.
23. Houston Rockets: Jeremy Tyler, PF USA
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Remember this kid?
He's the one that left high school early to play pro basketball; maybe he should talk to Brandon Jennings about his experience.
Regardless, the Rockets are looking at a future without Yao and could really use a presence in the middle.
24. Oklahoma City Thunder: Travis Leslie, SF Georgia
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Upon dealing Jeff Green to Boston, the Celtics have little depth behind Kevin Durant at small forward.
Leslie can fill that role adequately, and could very well challenge for playing time in a reserve role sooner rather than later.
It's another shrewd pick by GM Sam Presti who seems to make a lot of them.
25. Boston Celtics: Tyler Honeycutt, F UCLA
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This pick hinges on whether or not the Celtics decide to re-sign Jeff Green, but I don't think Danny Ainge will overpay him to be a backup.
Once again, the Celtics will be left looking for depth behind Pierce and Garnett along the front line.
Similar to Green, he can even play a little bit of the two-guard, so perhaps Boston will look to the product of UCLA to fill the same role.
26. Dallas Mavericks: Kyle Singler, Duke
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It's about time his name was called.
Singler didn't have the type of performance in this year's tournament that he did in 2010, but the Mavs are getting a very nice value with him all the way at no. 26.
While his ceiling isn't quite as high as some of the prospects joining him in this season's draft, there is a lot to be said for proven production in the bright lights.
27. New Jersey Nets: JaJuan Johnson, C Purdue
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Brook Lopez might not be able to rebound, but JaJuan Johnson certainly can.
Johnson is a defensive force who uses his impressive wingspan to wreak havoc around the rim, and that type of scrappy play on the defensive side of the ball is exactly what the Nets need.
With a high motor and a willingness to learn, he and coach Avery Johnson should really do well with one another.
28. Chicago Bulls: Josh Selby, SG Kansas
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Selby should have waited another year before entering the draft.
But when you're a prospect that comes out too early, it usually means that at least you'll wind up on a somewhat solid team.
The Bulls have been looking for a shooting guard all season, and while Selby probably wouldn't start from the onset, he could quickly crack the starting five alongside D-Rose.
29. San Antonio Spurs: Kenneth Faried, PF Morehead State
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The Spurs are always looking for more depth behind an aging Tim Duncan, and Kenneth Faried qualifies as exactly that.
Keep in mind that the Spurs also need a replacement for Antonio McDyess, and Faried's youth and energy will be a good combination to infuse on this veteran-led squad.
He can play, and if he works, Faried could assume major minutes off the bench.
30. Chicago Bulls: David Lighty, SG Ohio State
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The veteran leader of an Ohio State team that desperately needed him, Lighty is ready to test the draft waters, and he could very well sneak into the first round.
Similar to Chicago's pick at no. 28, Lighty is another shooting guard that could quickly help the team spread the floor and provide another capable shooter.
Derrick Rose will be happy to get all of the help that he can, even if it looks like he really can do almost everything all by himself.
