2011 NBA Draft Lottery Results: Analysis, News, & Rumors
The 2011 NBA lottery is officially over and it didn't disappoint. The Cavs, who were virtually out of the Kyrie Irving sweepstakes, are now in the drivers seat.
If nothing else, the lottery shook up the framework of the draft, despite the fact that only three teams can move up.
It's safe to discount any mock draft you have seen thus far. Here are some story lines to follow going forward.
Most Likely Team to Trade Up?
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The Sacramento Kings were one of the biggest losers in the lottery. They got jumped not once, but twice. Now, rather than drafting 5th, they are drafting 7th.
The Kings obviously could have used Kyrie Irving. It's unlikely that the Cavs are giving up their opportunity to draft Irving though, so a realistic target is Kemba Walker. They would have been in a good position to take Walker had the lottery gone as planned, but he may be gone if they remain at the 7th pick.
It almost seems silly to trade up to get to where they "deserved" to be in the first place, but that could be a scenario.
Most Likely Team to Trade Down?
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The Utah Jazz jumped from the sixth pick into the third pick. They have a number of different ways they could go with the pick, but may consider dealing the pick.
They could trade down to where they were initially set to pick and there wouldn't be much of a dropoff in talent. While if they could score Derrick Williams or Kyrie Irving they should jump at the chance, their availability is unlikely.
If they don't fall in love with one of the prospects, they could trade down to the 5-8 range and pick up a guy of similar value for cheaper, while acquiring whatever they get in the trade.
Is Kyrie Irving the Savior the Cleveland Cavaliers Are Looking For?
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The Cleveland Cavaliers thought all of their problems were solved. They won the LeBron James sweepstakes, and he turned out to be everything they had hoped for.
The hometown kid ended up leaving them stranded. The Cavs will likely bring in Kyrie Irving with the first overall pick. He's a true point guard who should immediately make everyone on the floor better. Think Chris Paul, not Derrick Rose.
Irving isn't the type of player who can succeed without help. The Cavs have a long way to go, but they are off to one heck of a start in the journey of rebuilding their team from the ground up.
What Are the Cavs Going to Do with Two Picks in the Top Five?
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Usually, I would say a team with two teams in the top four picks should probably trade one of them. They have a shot at landing an elite point guard with the first overall pick, which is a good starting point for rebuilding a team.
Now they need a dominant big man. It's unclear if Enes Kanter is going to be available, or if he can be a dominant big man in the NBA. The Turkish center is more physically commanding down low than the stereotypical Euro center, but he still has the finesse that is customary oversees.
He's undersized and not a stellar athlete, but he and Irving would give them something to build on. If he's gone, Bismack Biyombo out of the Congo could come in and contribute right away. He's a rangy forward with a lot of energy. He could help give them on the glass and on the defensive end.
Who Is Going to Be in the Market for Jimmer Fredette?
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Utah Jazz connections have obviously been drawn to Jimmer Fredette. With the Jazz selecting with the third overall selection, the odds of him going to Utah are slim to none. The Jazz do select 12th as well, which could be a logical place for him to land.
Fredette is a streaky shooter with unlimited range. He has to prove to NBA teams that he is more than the next Adam Morrison. Everyone knows he can shoot the ball. His game encompasses much more than many people realize though.
He can finish around the rim and is a great leader. We all saw the way he tried to take over the last game of his collegiate career and epically failed. It may leave some teams with a bitter taste in their mouths, but you have to look at his collective body of work.
The Suns are trying to survive the end of the Steve Nash and have done little to plan for the future. They will probably be a lottery team for at least a few more years. Fredette fits what they do and could be a piece to the overall puzzle, if he falls all the way to 13.
Assuming the Jazz don't draft a point guard with the third pick, I would have to think they are the favorite to land him with the twelfth pick. He's a hometown legend and could help on both ends of the floor. They could form a big man little man combo to build around in the future.
Is Kemba Walker Being Overlooked Because He Can Score?
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Kemba Walker isn't big enough to be a shooting guard, but he scores more than the average point guard. He doesn't have the same skillset as Kyrie Irving, but that doesn't mean he can be as successful.
The media and teams can second guess point guards who like to score. Chauncey Billups struggled to find his place in the back court when he entered the league. Could Walker see the same fate?
Teams are starving for point guards at the top of the draft, but the fact that Walker is not a pure point guard could hurt him. Some team in the 7-10 range could score if he slips as far.
Which Player in the Class Is Going to Have the Biggest Impact in the NBA?
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Derrick Williams has a chance to explode onto the scene. He's going to be making highlight reels and contributing immediately wherever he goes. Assuming he ends up in Minnesota, he will be inserted into the lineup immediately and could be on his way to earning Rookie of the Year honors.
Kyrie Irving isn't going to enjoy the same sort of career, which doesn't mean he isn't going to be successful. Like Chris Paul, his best plays may be omitted from Sports Center entirely. Irving is going to need players to pass the ball to before we start seeing his potential maximized.
Kawhi Leonard could be the dark horse nobody is talking about in this draft. He's too physical for threes to guard and too athletic for fours. Leonard is going to create mismatches on the offensive end. His versatility also makes him a lethal defender.
