2011 NBA Mock Draft: Teams Most Likely to Take Kyrie Irving No. 1 Overall
The 2011 NBA Draft lottery is now just a day away, meaning we will soon know the exact order of the draft that will take place a little more than a month from now.
The draft is already filled with numerous question marks, but there is no bigger question than who will be taken with the No. 1 overall pick. Will it be Kyrie Irving or Derrick Williams? Or will a player like Enes Kanter make a late run at being taken first?
All three players have enormous talent, and the decision could ultimately come down to the team needs of whichever team wins the lottery.
Here are some teams that will most likely take Irving with the top pick should they win the lottery.
1. Minnesota Timberwolves
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The Timberwolves really seem to be in the driver's seat here since not only do they have the best chance of winning the lottery at 25 percent, but they also have a major need at the point guard position.
As of now, the only point guards on the 'Wolves roster for next year are Jonny Flynn and Luke Ridnour. Flynn battled both inconsistency and injuries last season, although he was impressive during his rookie campaign two seasons ago. Ridnour is a solid veteran, but really is nothing more than a role-player at this stage in his career. Neither player has the talent or potential Irving has.
Minnesota also has a number of players who can contribute at the forward and center positions. Michael Beasley, Kevin Love, Wesley Johnson, Darko Milicic and Anthony Randolph are all players the Timberwolves seem to be excited about, and they have a much bigger need at the guard position rather than the forward position.
Minnesota has the best chance of winning the lottery, and they really need a franchise point guard to take over the team, especially since Ricky Rubio will likely never suit up. This makes them the team most likely to take Irving No. 1 overall.
2. Cleveland Cavaliers
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The Cavaliers not only have their own first-round pick in this year's draft, but they also have the Clippers' first-round pick that they acquired in the deal for Baron Davis this past season.
As a result, the Cavs have a 22.7 percent chance of winning the lottery instead of having a 19.9 percent chance, which is what they would have had if they didn't acquire the Clippers' first-round pick.
While Derrick Williams would be a nice fit for Cleveland, Irving would be an even better one.
The Cavs seem ready to build around forward J.J. Hickson, and Davis isn't the long-term solution for Cleveland at the point guard position.
Should they win the lottery, Irving seems like a no-brainer for Cleveland.
3. Sacramento Kings
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The Kings have an 8.8 percent chance of winning the lottery, so they shouldn't exactly plan on adding Irving to their roster.
But it has become apparent in Sacramento that Tyreke Evans is more of a shooting guard rather than a point guard, so Irving could take over the reigns right away and form a very good backcourt duo with Evans.
4. Detroit Pistons
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Detroit has a 4.3 percent chance of winning the lottery.
Aside from Greg Monroe, the Pistons don't really have any young pieces they can build around. It is going to take a few years for this team to get back to any kind of relevance, although adding Irving would be a great start.
5. Houston Rockets
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The Rockets only have a 0.5 percent chance of winning the lottery, but a team can dream, right?
Houston has a number of players who can play on the wing, including Kevin Martin, Courtney Lee, Patrick Patterson and Chase Budinger, but their biggest needs are a big man who can man the middle and a point guard who can run the team.
There doesn't seem to be a dominant center in this draft, but Irving is close to "can't miss" status at the point guard position.
Stay tuned to Bleacher Report to follow all NBA Draft Lottery news, including updated 2011 NBA Mock Drafts and immediate reaction and analysis to the updated NBA Draft Order.
