2011 NBA Mock Draft: Who Each Team Will Take as Kyrie Irving Awaits the Lottery
It is a fun time in the NBA right now. The draft lottery is on Tuesday, and there are two exciting conference title matchups.
There is very little doubt regarding Kyrie Irving being the first overall selection and the rest of the top three, but the rest of the draft is still up in the air.
This is how I feel the NBA draft would play out as of today.
Note: This is a pre-lottery order, so it is subject to change.
1. Minnesota Timberwolves: Kyrie Irving, Duke
1 of 30
Position: Point Guard
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 180
It is hard to believe that the Timberwolves still do not draft a point guard. Unless Ricky Rubio signs before the draft, I would bet that Minnesota drafts Irving first overall.
Irving is an exceptional athlete that has the ability to run an offense. He is also an asset on the defensive end.
The only downside I see with Irving is his lack of experience. It could take him a few years to develop.
2. Cleveland Cavaliers: Derrick Williams, Arizona
2 of 30
Position: Small Forward
Height: 6’8”
Weight: 241 lbs
Derrick Williams is no LeBron James, but he might end up being his replacement.
Williams gives the Cavaliers a star player to fill the void after LeBron took his talents to South Beach. He has the ability to score in multiple different ways and is a solid rebounder.
Other than Irving, Williams has the only legitimate chance of being drafted first overall.
3. Enes Kanter, Turkey
3 of 30Position: Center
Height: 6’10”
Weight: 255 lbs
If there were not so many concerns about Kanter’s health, then he would be a possibility with the first overall pick.
Kanter is a strong center that likes to play with physicality. However, he can score in other ways rather than in the post. With a reliable mid-range game, Kanter is a chore to guard.
He would provide the Raptors with some much needed toughness and a big man to start with Andrea Bargnani.
4. Washington Wizards: Jonas Valanciunas, Lithuania
4 of 30Position: Center
Height: 6’10”
Weight: 230 lbs
Jonas Valanciunas draws a lot of comparisons to other foreign big men like Andrea Bargnani, Dirk Nowitzki and Pau Gasol, but it is not very accurate.
He is not a shooter like Bargnani and Nowitzki, nor does he play on the ground like Gasol. Valanciunas is a high flyer and an athletic big man.
He is going to need some time to develop, which should not be a big deal to the Wizards. They are playing for the future and Valanciunas is a true pick for the future.
5. Sacramento Kings: Jan Vesely, Czech Republic
5 of 30Position: Power Forward
Height: 6’11”
Weight: 240 lbs
Vesely may be better suited as a small forward in the NBA, but could be a solid power forward option with the fast-break Kings.
He is a big man that can shoot, run and even handle the ball.
If Vesely can make an instant impact, then the Tyreke Evans and DeMarcus Cousins–led Kings could improve greatly in 2011.
6. Utah Jazz: Brandon Knight, Kentucky
6 of 30
Position: Point Guard
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 185 lbs
Devin Harris probably is not the answer to replace Deron Williams. So the Jazz might use this early pick on drafting a franchise point guard.
Knight is a highly talented guard that can score in bunches, but he was inconsistent at times in college.
If Knight can find some consistency, I see him become a big-time point guard in the NBA.
7. Detroit Pistons: Bismack Biyombo, Congo
7 of 30Position: Power Forward
Height: 6’9”
Weight: 243 lbs
Biyombo could be the most raw player in the draft, but his talent can not be overlooked.
He is a vicious defender, relentless rebounded and a great jumper. However, he has yet to develop an offensive game yet.
The Pistons are far from being contenders again. They need to take a chance on Biyombo and just hope for the best.
8. Cleveland Cavaliers: Kemba Walker, Connecticut
8 of 30
Position: Point Guard
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 173 lbs
If the Cavs can snag Kemba eighth overall, it would be a great draft for them.
Two new superstars to build their team around, Kemba at guard and D-Will at forward.
Walker has received a lot of hype entering the NBA doubt after his dominance in the NCAA tournament, but there is plenty of doubt.
He needs to improve his decision making, and his size has been a huge concern.
9. Charlotte Bobcats: Donatas Motiejunas, Lithuania
9 of 30
Position: Power Forward
Height: 7’0”
Weight: 224 lbs
Charlotte is in a similar situation as the Pistons. They are not a good team, and probably will not be contenders for years. They need to find superstars for the future.
A 20-year-old out of Lithuania, Motiejunas, has a huge upside. However, he is far from his full potential right now.
Motiejunas could be a great scorer and has elite athleticism, but lacks a lot of things. He must find some consistency and add a lot of size before he becomes a big threat.
10. Milwaukee Bucks: Tristan Thompson, Texas
10 of 30
Position: Power Forward
Height: 6’8”
Weight: 235
The Bucks have needs at every position but point guard and center.
Tristan Thompson would provide them with another young talent that has high potential. He has a great combination of size and athleticism, but he is not a dominant offensive player.
If he can develop a consistent mid-range game, Thompson will be solid.
11. Golden State Warriors: Marcus Morris, Kansas
11 of 30
Position: Power Forward
Height: 6’9”
Weight: 235 lbs
Golden State loves to run, so an athletic versatile forward like Morris is always helpful on their team.
Morris was great last year with Kansas, averaging 17.2 points and 7.6 rebounds per game.
He can score in multiple different ways. His jump shot from outside is just as solid as his inside post game.
12. Utah Jazz: Alec Burks, Colorado
12 of 30
Position: Power Forward
Height: 6’6”
Weight: 195 lbs
Raja Bell and C.J. Miles do not have what it takes to be starting shooting guards in the NBA, but Alec Burks does.
Burks is a slasher type scorer that is as good of a finisher as anyone in the draft. If he can develop a more consistent outside shot, he could be come a big-time scorer.
Burks remind me a lot of Oklahoma City guard James Harden. They are about the same size and have similar playing styles.
13. Phoenix Suns: Jordan Hamilton, Texas
13 of 30
Position: Small Forward
Height: 6’7”
Weight: 220 lbs
The Suns are desperate for a scorer. They need a player that wants to take the big shot and has the ability to put of big scoring numbers.
Jordan Hamilton and the Suns are the perfect match.
He is one of the best outside shooters in the draft and is athletic enough to play in Steve Nash’s fast break.
As a Suns fan myself, I hope Hamilton can fall to them this late in the draft.
14. Houston Rockets: Kawhi Leonard, San Diego State
14 of 30
Position: Small Forward
Height: 6’7”
Weight: 225 lbs
Without an elite center available in the draft, the Rockets will probably address their need at small forward.
Kawhi Leonard is one of the hardest players in the draft to judge.
He is a freakishly great leaper and an excellent rebounded, but his offensive game is unpolished. He relies a lot on his athleticism and needs to develop a jump shot.
15. Indiana Pacers: Jimmer Fredette, BYU
15 of 30
Position: Point Guard
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 195 lbs
This might seem late to most people, but I see Jimmer falling big on draft day.
There are just too many doubts about him. Other than his unbelievable scoring ability, you hear nothing but negatives about Fredette.
The Pacers need an outside shooter that will lighten the scoring load for Danny Granger. Jimmer could be exactly what they are looking for.
16. Philadelphia 76ers: Kenneth Faried, Morehead State
16 of 30
Position: Power Forward
Height: 6’8”
Weight: 225 lbs
Kenneth Faried is my favorite player in the draft.
He is an undersized no name that does not really fit the mold for a power forward in the NBA. But Faried is also the best rebounder in the draft, has great work ethic and an awesome motor.
He would be a nice addition to the Sixers young squad and a solid backup for Elton Brand from day one.
17. New York Knicks: Markieff Morris, Kansas
17 of 30
Position: Center
Height: 6’10”
Weight: 245 lbs
Why Markieff Morris with the Knicks? The answer should be obvious.
The Knicks are a joke when it comes to interior defense and rebounding. Those are the two things that Markieff Morris does well.
I see him starting along side Amar’e Stoudemire during the 2011/2012 season.
18. Washington Wizards: Tyler Honeycutt, UCLA
18 of 30
Position: Small Forward
Height: 6’8”
Weight: 188 lbs
With Nick Young likely becoming a free agent, Tyler Honeycutt would be an excellent replacement.
He has an unstoppable drive and is a very smart player. However, his greatest strength of all could be his defensive dominance.
The Wizards desperately need a wing to start alongside John Wall and Honeycutt is one of the most NBA ready available. He just needs to develop his shot.
19. Charlotte Bobcats: Reggie Jackson, Boston College
19 of 30
Position: Point Guard
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 208 lbs
Reggie Jackson is not as big of a name as some of the other point guards in the draft, but he has all the qualities of an NBA playmaker.
He sees the floor very well, can penetrate the lane and might be the fastest player in the draft.
The Bobcats need everything. If Jackson actually falls this late, it could be the steal of the draft.
20. Minnesota Timberwolves: Tobias Harris, Tennessee
20 of 30
Position: Small Forward
Height: 6’8”
Weight: 226 lbs
Finally, the Timberwolves not drafting a point guard.
Instead I could see them snagging a small forward like Tobias Harris.
Harris can do it all. He can shoot, drive, pass and even play defense. However, he is not an elite athlete and probably should have returned to school to better polish his overall game.
21. Portland Trail Blazers: Trey Tompkins, Georgia
21 of 30
Position: Power Forward
Height: 6’10”
Weight: 245 lbs
The Trail Blazers could use some size behind LaMarcus Aldridge and Marcus Camby.
Tompkins is one of the most underrated players in the draft and has superstar potential. He can get tough points in the post and also hit the three-point ball.
His versatility will pay off for the Blazers. He could be a solid starting option in a few years alongside Aldridge once Camby is retired.
22. Denver Nuggets: Nikola Mirotic, Serbia
22 of 30Position: Small Forward
Height: 6’10”
Weight: 226 lbs
With Nene possibly leaving for free agency, the Nuggets could go after some size.
Someone like Mirotic could be an option, but would be a huge risk. He is an excellent outside shooter, versatile and has great potential.
However, he has contract issues that could restrict from playing immediately and needs to become a little tougher.
23. Houston Rockets: Jordan Williams, Maryland
23 of 30
Position: Center
Height: 6’10”
Weight: 260 lbs
This pick might be a bit of a reach, but the Rockets need a center to replace the injury-prone Yao Ming.
Jordan Williams is a physical center that is one of the best rebounded available.
He has been known to have some conditioning issues in the past, so he would be a risk. If he can stay in shape, he will be a solid center in the NBA.
24. Oklahoma City Thunder: Chris Singleton, Florida State
24 of 30
Position: Small Forward
Height: 6’9”
Weight: 225 lbs
The Thunder don’t have too many holes on their roster. However, a backup for Kevin Durant would be nice.
Singleton fits in perfectly with the young squad. He plays terrific defense and is a great athlete for his size.
His solid three-point shot would be key for the Thunder. They were 19th the league from beyond the arch in the regular season.
25. Boston Celtics: JaJuan Johnson, Purdue
25 of 30
Position: Power Forward
Height: 6’10”
Weight: 221 lbs
With an aging front line and after the Kendrick Perkins trade, the Celtics are now in need of some inside presence.
JaJuan Johnson is not the strongest player out there, but he is still a good interior defender. He has a knack for blocking shots and is a decent rebounded.
His athleticism makes him a legitimate scoring threat and can run the floor well.
26. Dallas Mavericks: Darius Morris, Michigan
26 of 30
Position: Point Guard
Height: 6’4”
Weight: 190 lbs
It might be time to start looking for the future replacement of Jason Kidd.
Darius Morris is a solid point guard that sees the floor well and has been recognized as a good leader. His best scoring threat is his jump shot, but it lacks consistency.
Darius is a bit turnover prone, but could learn a lot from someone like Kidd.
27. New Jersey Nets: Davis Bertans, Latvia
27 of 30Position: Small Forward
Height: 6’10”
Weight: 210 lbs
Everyone always compares foreign big men that shoot well to Dirk Nowitzki, and normally it is untrue. However, Davis Bertans may be the closest thing we have seen thus far.
Bertans is a dead-eye shooter who can even shoot off the dribble. He sometimes is known to take bad shot, but his selection should improve with experience.
The Nets need to find weapons to put around Deron Williams. A big man that can shoot is always a solid weapon to have.
28. Chicago Bulls: Klay Thompson, Washington State
28 of 30
Position: Shooting Guard
Height: 6’6”
Weight: 220 lbs
It is probably unlikely that Klay Thompson drops to the Bulls, but it would be a perfect match.
The Bulls desperately need a shooting guard and Thompson may be the most NBA ready in the draft.
He is the best shooter not named Jimmer Fredette and is a very smart player.
29. San Antonio Spurs: Lucas Nogueira, Brazil
29 of 30Position: Center
Height: 6’11”
Weight: 218 lbs
Lucas Nogueira is a strong rebounder, awesome shot blocker and has a great motor. Along with being foreign, he is the typical Spurs player.
Tim Duncan’s nest days are behind him and the Spurs could use some big men.
Nogueira might not be an instant impact guy, but he has a huge upside. He is very athletic and still has a lot of maturing to do. The Spurs could steal a future star here.
30. Chicago Bulls: Charles Jenkins, Hofstra
30 of 30Position: Shooting Guard
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 220 lbs
Charles Jenkins is another shooting guard, but would more than likely come off the bench for the Bulls.
He is a lot like Ben Gordon and scores in bunches just like the former Bull.
Jenkins can shoot from anywhere on the court, is tough and has a knack for ending up on the free-throw line.
