2011 NBA Mock Draft: Full 1st-Round Mock, Derrick Williams Goes No. 2
While the 2011 NBA Draft is still over a month away, the draft lottery will be held this Tuesday, May 17, meaning things will become much clearer once we know the exact order of the draft.
The official list of underclassmen and international players entering the draft has been released, and the deadline has passed for underclassmen to withdraw their name. International players have until June 13 to withdraw.
For now, here is my latest mock draft, featuring a major change regarding the top two picks.
1. Minnesota Timberwolves: Kyrie Irving
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In a draft filled with question marks, Irving may just be the player closest to be a "sure thing," which is remarkable for someone who only played a handful of games during his one and only year at Duke due to injury.
It seems as if the Timberwolves take a point guard every year in the draft, but they would be justified should they decide to select Irving instead of Derrick Williams.
Despite all of the point guards the 'Wolves have taken in recent years, as of now they only have two of them on next year's roster: Jonny Flynn and Luke Ridnour.
Flynn had a very good rookie season in 2009 but struggled this past season while battling both injuries and inconsistency. Ridnour is a solid player, but neither he nor Flynn come close to matching the talent level of Irving.
It seems likely that Ricky Rubio will never play a game in Minnesota, and this team needs a franchise point guard. They already have the likes of Anthony Randolph, Kevin Love and Michael Beasley at the forward positions, meaning they can afford to pass on Williams.
Irving is lightning quick, is an excellent passer and has a very good jump shot. There isn't much this kid can't do at the point guard position, and he would be an excellent addition for Minnesota.
2. Cleveland Cavaliers: Derrick Williams
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The Cavaliers would love to get their hands on Irving here, but wouldn't mind for settling for Williams, either. Cleveland finished with a 19-63 record this past season and could use help up and down their roster.
Williams would fill an immediate need for the Cavs at the small forward position, and he would step right in and start alongside power forward J.J. Hickson from the get-go.
He is a very good shooter, but he is at his best when he is attacking the basket and finishing around the rim. Williams is a powerful player with a seemingly never-ending motor.
With two lottery picks this year and a number of holes on their roster, Cleveland can't really go wrong, no matter who they take. Still, Cleveland makes the most sense here.
3. Toronto Raptors: Enes Kanter
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Kanter actually isn't a great fit for the Raptors, but his talent and potential may be to good for the Raptors to pass up.
Toronto already has Andrea Bargnani up front, and they are also developing players such as Amir Johnson and Ed Davis. There biggest need is a small forward who can stretch the floor, but they probably will choose to address that need at some other point.
After missing all of last year at Kentucky after being ruled ineligible by the NCAA, Kanter is one of the more inexperienced players in the draft. Still, he has a NBA-ready body and uses it to impose his will on opposing defenders. He is a tough, physical player who welcomes contact and can finish around the basket.
If he was allowed to put his talents on display this past season at Kentucky, he might have been in the mix for the No. 1 overall pick in the draft. Toronto won't be able to say no.
4. Washington Wizards: Jonas Valanciunas
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A 6'10" power forward, Valanciunas is a very skilled offensive player who flourishes around the rim and also possesses a number of post moves.
He isn't an explosive athlete and would benefit by adding some more muscle, but he is already an above-average defender who can crash the boards and block shots.
The Wizards seem ready to build around John Wall and Jordan Crawford at the guard positions, and now will be looking to build a solid front line as well.
5. Sacramento Kings: Brandon Knight
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Kemba Walker might be the better scorer, but Knight has shown the ability to become more of a pure-point guard than Walker, which is exactly what the Kings need.
It is becoming more and more obvious that Tyreke Evans is better suited to play shooting guard, and Walker is also a shoot-first player.
Knight is every bit as quick as Walker, can hold his own scoring wise and is also the better passer of the two. He could step in and play point guard, allowing Evans to shift over to shooting guard.
I can see the Kings still taking Walker here, but in reality, Knight is the better fit.
6. Utah Jazz: Kemba Walker
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The Jazz currently have a number of forwards on their roster, including Paul Millsap and Derrick Favors, meaning they will be looking for help at either guard position here.
Walker is a shooting guard trapped in a point guard's body. He is just 6'1", but is extremely quick, has tremendous speed, can get to the rim or pull up and knock down shots from the outside. He is more of a scorer than a pure point guard, but will still find a way to be effective at the next level.
In addition, Walker showed this past season just how good of a leader he is when he led the young Connecticut Huskies to a national championship. He has a big heart and a winning mentality, which is a bonus for whoever team drafts him.
7. Detroit Pistons: Bismack Biyombo
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Biyombo has gone from a virtual unknown to a potential top-10 pick in just a matter of a few months, and for good reason.
He is a freak athletically, standing at 6'9" and 243 pounds, while also having a 9'3" reach and a 7'7" wingspan. Biyombo is excellent defensively, but needs some major work on the offensive end of the floor.
He would be a perfect complement to Greg Monroe, who is a more skilled offensive player.
8. Cleveland Cavaliers: Jan Vesely
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Vesely has a ton of potential, but could be more of a project at this point.
He is a very athletic power forward who can run the floor and finish in transition. He is a very good shoot who has shown the ability to step out beyond-the-arc and knock down shots. He still needs to work on his body, and he also could use more work down low.
Cleveland can't go wrong by adding a talent like Vesely.
9. Charlotte Bobcats: Tristan Thompson
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The Bobcats are another team with a number of question marks throughout their roster. They have a very promising point guard in D.J. Augustin that they can build around, but don't really have much else. Stephen Jackson might have played his last game already with the Bobcats, as they appear headed towards a full-blown youth movement.
Thompson is a player with excellent upside. At 6'8", Thompson is very long and is an excellent athlete. He is already very good on the defensive end of the floor, as he is one of the best rebounders and shot blockers in the draft. He continues to improve offensively, but still needs more work on that aspect of his game.
10. Milwaukee Bucks: Kawhi Leonard
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Leonard seems like a perfect fit for Scott Skiles and the Milwaukee Bucks.
He is a tough and physical player who never stops competing on the boards and will compete defensively. He is a bit undersized, and still doesn't seem to have a natural position at the next level, However, that could soon change.
Leonard has reportedly been working hard on his outside game, adding both consistency to his jump shot and range from the outside. If that continues, he has a chance to be an excellent NBA small forward.
11. Golden State Warriors: Marcus Morris
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Marcus had a very impressive three-year career at Kansas...and he was playing out of position.
Marcus was used to playing small forward before arriving in Lawrence, and he will likely be asked to move back to his more natural position in the NBA.
He is a very versatile player who can score in a number of ways. He is a 6'9" forward who is a good perimeter shooter, and he has also shown the ability to handle the ball and create his own shot.
With that style of play, he would fit right in with Golden State.
12. Utah Jazz: Alec Burks
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Burks would give the Jazz the scoring guard they have so desperately needed for a while now.
He is one of the best slashers in the draft who gets to the basket with ease and can really finish around the rim.
Burks is a very athletic two guard, but at just 195 pounds, he needs to add some muscle to his frame in order to deal with the physicality of the league.
He still struggles to shoot jump shots consistently, and he really struggles from downtown. If he can improve his shot, he would really take his game to the next level
13. Phoenix Suns: Jimmer Fredette
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Fredette is an absolute sharpshooter and an all-around dynamic offensive player.
He may need some time to adjust to the speed of the game at the next level, as well as being guarded by superior athletes, but his ability to shoot the ball will make him a hot commodity.
He also plays no defense, meaning Phoenix would be a perfect fit.
14. Houston Rockets: Jordan Hamilton
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A power forward may also be an option here, but Houston may realize that Hamilton is too talented of a scorer to pass up.
He is a high-volume shooter who can score from anywhere on the floor, but he needs to make major changes regarding his shot selection.
15. Indiana Pacers: Kenneth Faried
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The Pacers are in need of a power forward who can get after it defensively, protect the rim and rebound the basketball.
Faried was the best rebounder in the country last season at Morehead State, and his talents would be perfect for the Indiana system.
He still is a bit raw, however. His offensive game is very limited, but might be worth the pick based on his rebounding ability alone.
16. Philadelphia 76ers: Donatas Motiejunas
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Motiejunas, one of the draft's few 7-footers, would be the power forward/center that the 76ers need, although there are some major questions of how effective a post player he can become.
He is a very good scorer who can put the ball on the floor and get to the rim, something that is rare for someone his size.
However, he is just 220 pounds and really needs to work on his body before he contribute in the NBA. At times he can also look disinterested when it comes to rebounding the basketball.
The potential is there, but by no means is he a sure thing.
17. New York Knicks: Markieff Morris
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Markieff, who at 6'10" is one inch taller than his twin brother Marcus, is considered to be the better defender and rebounder of the two brothers.
While he isn't as good offensively, he has shown the ability to step out and knock down mid-range jumpers.
The Knicks desperately need to add someone with size who can also rebound and protect the rim, and Markieff would provide just that. Kenneth Faried is another possibility here if Markieff is already off the board.
18. Washington Wizards: Klay Thompson
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The Wizards need a player with the ability to shoot and stretch the floor, and Thompson is one of the best shooters in this draft.
Depending on if the team re-signs Nick Young, who is a restricted free agent, and the role they envision for Jordan Crawford, Thompson could actually start right away for the Wizards
19. Charlotte Bobcats: Reggie Jackson
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As I mentioned before, D.J. Augustin is really the only building block that the Bobcats have, but point guard Reggie Jackson is probably too good to pass up here if he falls to Charlotte.
At 6'3", Jackson also has a 7'0" wingspan which is a remarkable for a point guard. He is a very quick guard who can really shoot the ball and get to the rim as well.
He is a very complete player, and his versatility may allow the Bobcats to play both him and Augustin at the same time.
20. Minnesota Timberwolves: Chris Singleton
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Simply put: Singleton is the best defensive player in this draft.
Singleton excels in transition, and uses his athleticism and quickness to get to the basket and finish at the rim. He also has an improving perimeter jump shot.
But his best asset is his defense. He has the ability to lock down anyone he matches up with.
The Timberwolves were one of the worst defensive teams, so Singleton makes a world of sense here.
21. Portland Trail Blazers: Darius Morris
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Morris, a 6'4" point guard, has excellent size for his position and also has a good amount of athleticism.
He improved dramatically this past season at Michigan, although it remains to be seen if he is ready for the jump from college to the pros.
He could have been a top-10 pick had a returned to school for one more year of seasoning, but decided to declare this year instead,
Morris is another player who needs to work on his shot in order to keep opposing defenses honest, especially since he doesn't have explosiveness and quickness to routinely get to the basket.
Andre Miller has a team option for next season with the Blazers, and it remains to be seen whether the team will exercise that option.
In addition, Brandon Roy will be an injury risk again next season due to his troubled knees, meaning Portland will definitely be in the market for a point guard.
22. Denver Nuggets: Justin Harper
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Along with Wilson Chandler, Denver may very well lose both Kenyon Martin and Nene to free agency as well. They are going to need help up front, and Harper would be a very good addition.
Harper is a power forward who can stretch the floor with his ability to shoot the three-ball. He also can get out and run, which is something that Denver likes to do.
Ultimately, he needs to add some muscle and work more on his post game, but Harper is a very unique player who could contribute right away.
23. Houston Rockets: JaJuan Johnson
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Houston is in need of a big man, and Johnson will be one of the best available at this point in the draft.
Johnson is an elite defender with great athleticism and shot blocking ability. He competes on the boards, although he needs to add strength to his frame to hold his own in the paint.
24. Oklahoma City Thunder: Tobias Harris
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Harris is a classic example of a player who does a number of things well, but not one thing great.
He is a versatile player who can shoot well from anywhere on the floor and is also an excellent passer. At 6'8", he would make a very good point forward.
Harris would be an excellent role player at the small forward position for the Thunder.
25. Boston Celtics: Jordan Williams
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When the Boston Celtics traded away Kendrick Perkins to the Thunder, not only did they trade an intricate part of their team, but they created a gaping hole in the middle of their roster as well. Boston was unable to find a consistent answer at the center position.
Williams, at 6'10" and 260 pounds, is a big body who is an excellent rebounder. He needs to improve his footwork and mobility, but his offensive potential is there.
26. Dallas Mavericks: Davis Bertans
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Bertans is an athletic small forward who can really light it up from distance. At 6'10", he is a versatile player who has yet to reach his full potential, but it could be a few years before he develops.
The Mavericks, despite their success this year, need to look into getting younger and more athletic, and Bertans would be a good start.
27. New Jersey Nets: Tyler Honeycutt
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The Nets have a number of good pieces, including Deron Williams, Brook Lopez and Anthony Morrow, but they still need to add an effective wing player who can step in and start at the small forward position.
Travis Outlaw was a major disappointment in his first year with the Nets, and the versatile Honeycutt would be a nice addition.
Honeycutt can handle the ball and excels at setting up his teammates. His jump shot is improving, although it's still not where it needs to be. He is also a solid defender and one of the top shot blockers at his position.
28. Chicago Bulls: Lucas Nogueira
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Just 18 years of age, Nogueira is already 6'11" and has a 9'3" reach and 7'6" wingspan. He uses his great length to block and alter shots, but he still needs to add a good amount of muscle to his frame.
The Bulls have a nice thing going right now at their power forward and center positions, so that would allow them to let Nogueira develop overseas for a few more years before making an impact in the NBA.
29. San Antonio Spurs: Travis Leslie
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The Spurs are another team that needs to add some younger, more athletic talent to their roster, and adding Leslie would be doing just that.
Leslie is an explosive leaper and a highlight-reel player. He gets to the rim with ease and can finish around the basket, but needs to improve his jump shot in order to take his game to the next level. Still, he is a very promising player.
30. Chicago Bulls: Charles Jenkins
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The Bulls will use the final pick of the first round to address a position of need: shooting guard.
Jenkins, who played at Hofstra, is a pure scorer who can score from anywhere on the floor. He is an aggressive player with great range, and also has an NBA-ready body. He has all of the tools to step in and contribute right away.
