NBA Post-Lottery Mock Draft 2011: Cavaliers, Wolves, Jazz Are the Big Winners

The basketball gods were smiling on the NBA on Tuesday night with the announcement of the 2011 Draft Lottery order.

This year's big winner with the No. 1 overall pick will be the Cleveland Cavaliers. The last time they selected in this position, they took LeBron James.

The other big winner is the Utah Jazz, who have the No. 3 overall pick, its highest since they traded up to select Deron Williams.

Ironically, both players left their respective teams, and both teams will now select a new player in the same draft position position.

Unfortunately, there is not a player that is the same caliber as Williams or James available in this draft.

The following is the reverse order of lottery picks in the 2011 NBA draft and the players that will most help that team.

Due to this draft not having an instant superstar among its candidates, NBA general managers will have to focus more on team needs rather than the best available player.

14. Houston Rockets: Jonas Valanciunas C Lithuania

• The Rockets need size. Chuck Hayes is a good player, but not a long term option at Center. Valanciunas will provide skill underneath and the size the Rockets desperately need.

13. Phoenix Suns: Reggie Jackson PG/SG Boston College

• Steve Nash is not getting any younger and the Suns need a point guard of the future. It would be great for them to find one in this draft and have Nash tutor him. They would pass up a lot of big men to get him, but Jackson is versatile enough to play in the Suns offense.

12. Utah Jazz: Jimmer Fredette PG Brigham Young

• The Jazz will only select the home town hero if they do not land a point guard early. His outside shooting would be welcome in Utah and would open up the floor for the Jazz big men. If the Jazz draft a PG earlier, they may look to trade this pick.

11. Golden State Warriors: Donatas Montiejunas PF

• Montiejunas is a seven footer that can pass well and shoot the three pointer. The Warriors need a bigger presence underneath, but he would have opportunities to shoot the long ball in the Golden State system when Ellis or Curry kick the ball out to him.

10. Milwaukee Bucks: Alec Burks PG Colorado

• Burks has good skill and is able to create a shot, lift a team and run an offense. His shooting percentage is lacking, but he can learn behind Brandon Jennings for a while. He will get plenty of playing time even if Jennings turns out to be an injury prone player.

9. Charlotte Bobcats- Jordan Hamilton SF Texas

• Charlotte needs all the help they can get. They will be more than happy to take whatever falls to them. They have needs at several positions, but will take a consistent scorer like Hamilton has shown to be.

8. Detroit Pistons- Kawhi Leonard PF San Diego State

• Leonard has been shooting up draft boards due to his athleticism. He can play a few positions and offers some versatility. He has shown the ability to score and can help a Pistons team that will soon lose Tayshaun Prince.

7. Sacramento Kings- Brandon Knight PG Kentucky

• It would help the Kings to draft a player that can help right away. Brandon Knight is young but would be a good compliment to Tyreke Evans and DeMarcus Cousins. With that combination, the Kings would be a much improved team.

6. Washington Wizards- Bismark Biyambo PF Congo

• Biyambo stands at 6'9" but has a reach of 7'7". His defense would be a good compliment to JaVale McGhee and Washington would have it's own version of the twin towers. More blocked shots could lead to fast break points for John Wall.

5. Toronto Raptors- Jan Vesely SF/PF Czechoslovakia

• Hoping to find a player like Andrei Kirilenko in his prime, the Raptors will select Jan Vesely. He is built like Kirilenko and can play the wing. He will need some time to develop, but his athletecism and potential is worth waiting for.

4. Cleveland Cavaliers- Enes Kanter PF Turkey

• With their second pick in the top four, the Cavs can choose a big man that can help right away. He is another European big man that can play underneath or step out and shoot the three. Could be a good combination with the player the Cavaliers choose first.

3. Utah Jazz- Derrick Williams SF/PF Arizona

• The Jazz desperately need a point guard, but are stuck in the mode of choosing the best available player. This pick all depends on what Minnesota does with the No. 2 pick. After jumping three spots in the lottery from sixth to third, the Jazz are in a good position to select an impact player.

2. Minnesota Timberwolves- Kemba Walker Connecticut

• Ricky Rubio is not going to play for the Timberwolves any time soon. Drafting Williams who may be the better player is not good for Minnesota who has Kevin Love and Michael Beasley already in the front court. Having a proven winner and quality point guard in Walker to set them up will be an asset and may even improve Love's numbers.

1. Cleveland Cavaliers- Kyrie Irving PG Duke

• With the first overall pick, the Cavaliers will surprise no one and select Duke point guard Kyrie Irving. Although there is some question due to his experience, he is the best player in the draft and the Cavaliers need help at all positions. If they can hit on both lottery picks this year, they could climb out of the NBA cellar faster than many thought they would.