NBA Draft 2011: 10 Teams That Derrick Williams Would Fit Best on

One of the first names expected to come off the board at the 2011 NBA draft is Arizona power forward Derrick Williams.

Williams had a good regular season and an even better NCAA tournament, where he helped lead the Wildcats to the Elite Eight for the first time since 2005.

After declaring for the draft, Williams has been a lottery fixture in every mock draft.  Currently, many mocks have him as the second player off the board behind Duke’s Kyrie Irving.

Of course, this is all subject to change.  The NBA draft lottery is next week, which will paint a clearer picture as to who will land Derrick Williams.

Here are the top 10 teams the Derrick Williams would fit best on.

10. Detroit Pistons

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LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 18: Greg Monroe #10 of the Detroit Pistons and the Rookie Team moves the ball up court in the first half during the T-Mobile Rookie Challenge and Youth Jam at Staples Center on February 18, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. (Ph

Although the Pistons selected Greg Monroe with last year’s first-round selection, they could pick Derrick Williams in 2011.

Williams could play alongside Monroe, which would give Detroit two big, athletic bodies down low.

Add in Rodney Stuckey, and the Pistons have a solid core to build around.

9. Sacramento Kings

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The Kings are a young team trying to find some missing pieces, and Derrick Williams could be one of them.

Sacramento already has guard Tyreke Evans as their playmaker, and Williams could play with him and be a presence down low.

Williams would either team up with last year’s first-round pick DeMarcus Cousins to form a great young frontcourt or he could eventually be the team’s sole power forward if Cousins continues to butt heads with his coaches.

8. Houston Rockets

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With the Yao Ming era seemingly over, the Rockets need a new big-time player. 

Insert Derrick Williams.

Williams wouldn’t be called upon to be Houston’s leading scorer, since that job belongs to Kevin Martin.  He could also play alongside Luis Scola to create a dangerous duo in the frontcourt for Houston.

A solid rookie season is all that Houston would ask of Williams, which allows him to grow as an NBA player easier.

7. Charlotte Bobcats

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New owner Michael Jordan is looking to change the direction of the Bobcats, as was evident by the Gerald Wallace trade.

Drafting Derrick Williams would surely help get Charlotte back to the playoffs.

Williams would be teamed up with young point guard D.J. Augustin and could be the missing piece that could get the Bobcats to be competitive in the East.

6. Phoenix Suns

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If the Suns somehow get into the lottery, they would most likely select Williams.

He would be able to play alongside Steve Nash for at least one season and possibly more if Nash re-signs with Phoenix.

Nash’s ability to make everyone around him better will help Williams tremendously as he starts his NBA career.

5. Golden State Warriors

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The Warriors already have a great collection of talent with Monta Ellis, Stephen Curry and David Lee. 

Though it is well known that the Warriors can score with anyone, they have struggled defensively for quite some time now. 

Derrick Williams would greatly improve Golden State’s defense with his shot-blocking abilities that he displayed in the NCAA tournament.

Playing alongside the previously mentioned trio of players could propel Golden State into the playoffs.

4. Milwaukee Bucks

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ATLANTA - MAY 2: Guard Brandon Jennings #3 of the Milwaukee Bucks dribbles with the ball during Game Seven of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Atlanta Hawks during the 2010 NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena on May 2, 2

Derrick Williams to the Bucks would make them a perennial playoff team in the East.

Joining forces with Brandon Jennings and Andrew Bogut would give the Bucks a very good trio that can help get them back into the playoffs after a disappointing 2010-2011 season.

3. Toronto Raptors

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After losing Chris Bosh to free agency last year, the Raptors are without a legitimate power forward.

Derrick Williams could come in and help Toronto fans forget all about Bosh.

Not only would he be adored by fans, but he would be surrounded by the likes of Andrea Bargnani and Jose Calderon.

Williams would be another great piece to help get the Raptors back to the playoffs.

2. Cleveland Cavaliers

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Cleveland is one of the most likely destinations for Derrick Williams, and he would be a good fit for them.

Although he doesn’t have the star power that LeBron James has, Williams would instantly become the face of the Cavaliers.

Williams would become the man in Cleveland, which would be both good and bad.  In order for him to succeed, the Cavaliers would need to provide him with some help.  Luckily, the Cavs have two lottery selections in 2011.

If the Cavaliers can draft another impact player with their second lottery pick, Williams will find success in turning the Cavaliers franchise around.

1. Washington Wizards

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Although it might not be the most likely destination, the Washington Wizards would be the best fit for Derrick Williams.  Although, after seeing last year’s lottery results, maybe luck will be on the Wizards’ side again.

If the Wizards are able to get a top-two pick for the second consecutive year, you would think they’d be looking at Williams as their first choice.

Williams would be partnered up with point guard John Wall to create a great young nucleus for the Wizards.

With Williams and Wall, the Wizards would be a dangerous, up-and-coming team to be reckoned with in the Eastern Conference for years to come.