2011 NBA Mock Draft: Kemba Walker to Charlotte and 29 Other First Round Picks
The NBA Draft Lottery was much kinder to the Cleveland Cavaliers than last summer's free agency period.
Cleveland jumped one spot to steal the No. 1 overall pick from the Minnesota Timberwolves and also saw its pick acquired from the Los Angeles Clippers in the February trade for Baron Davis leap four spots from No. 8 to No. 4.
The Cavs have a number of holes to address and have the chance to nab two of the top four prospects in this year's draft pool. While many consider this to be one of the weakest drafts in recent history, law of averages says it will produce three to five stars and 10-15 solid rotation players for the next generation.
Mock drafts are fun and great for the fans but impossible to nail entirely. This will be my first, and I'm certain much of it will be wrong, seeing as how workouts have yet to begin and the draft isn't for another six weeks.
As you can see from my headline, I have Connecticut star Kemba Walker going ninth overall to Michael Jordan's Charlotte Bobcats. ESPN NBA Draft guru Chad Ford has him going to Sacramento at No. 7, while others have Walker going as high as No. 3.
We'll have to wait to see who's closest to the mark. Here's how I project the rest of the first round to play out. Go easy on me, or at least give an A for effort.
1. Cleveland Cavaliers: Kyrie Irving, Duke
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In football, rebuilding a franchise starts with finding a great quarterback.
It's no different in the game of basketball. The first step to rebuilding is finding a great point guard to lead your team for the next 10-12 years. Arizona's Derrick Williams might be special, but players like him come around all the time.
Point guards like Kyrie Irving do not. Irving was arguably the best player in college basketball through the first month of last season before suffering a toe injury in early December.
He had 31 points against Michigan State, 21 against Butler and 17 points and six assists against Kansas State. In the NCAA Tournament loss to Arizona, Irving looked like anything but a player who had just returned after missing three months, scoring 28 points in what was his final collegiate game.
Had Irving played a full season, there would be no debate as to who should be the No. 1 pick. Cleveland would be wise to make sure there is no reason to debate why they went in another direction.
2. Minnesota Timberwolves: Derrick Williams, Arizona
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Minnesota needs Kyrie Irving in the worst way. Their point guards include Luke Ridnour, 2009 draft bust Jonny Flynn and Sebastian Telfair, who is also a colossal bust.
The Timberwolves still own the rights to international point guard sensation Ricky Rubio, and there is talk that this might finally be the year that he joins the team. If that happens, it will be like Minnesota had two top-five picks this summer.
Williams is a great second choice. He averaged 19.5 points and 8.3 rebounds while making 60 percent of his shots and 42 of 74 three-pointers.
The thought of he and Kevin Love playing on the box together is frightening, as he provides the athleticism and leaping ability that Love lacks. Williams also has the range and quickness to be effective as a small forward.
D.W. carried Arizona to a Pac-10 championship and an Elite 8 appearance this past March. Now he'll be expected to help bring Minnesota out of the abyss.
3. Utah Jazz (via New Jersey): Jan Vesely, International
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No selection is set in stone after Irving and Williams, and Utah could go in a number of directions with this pick.
Jan Vesely, a 21-year old phenom from Czech Republic, makes the most sense here. The Jazz have a serious void at small forward. C.J. Miles is their current starter and Andrei Kirilenko is still on the roster, but seems to have worn out his welcome.
Vesely is 6'11" and his game has been compared to the likes of Blake Griffin and Tom Chambers. Sounds like something Utah might be interested in. He averaged about 10 points and four rebounds overseas this year, which is underwhelming, but word is his range and shooting touch has improved and he is NBA-ready on the defensive side.
Utah needs to add length and athleticism to their frontcourt of Paul Millsap and Al Jefferson, two ingredients that Vesely can provide.
4. Cleveland Cavaliers (via LA Clippers): Enes Kanter, Kentucky/International
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Kanter is an interesting prospect. He signed on to play at Kentucky last season, but eligibility issues forced him to spend the year playing in his native country, Turkey.
He's 6'10", 250 pounds and is very skilled in the paint area. According to DraftExpress, one general manager who attended his workout lauded his talent and toughness, but questioned whether he has the athletic ability to become an impact player in the NBA.
According to DE, the best case scenario for his career is Kevin Love. I'm guessing Cavs owner Dan Gilbert would settle for that.
He's just 18 years of age, so there is plenty of room to grow. Time may not be on his side, however, if Cleveland calls his name, as Ryan Hollins and Semih Erden are the team's only centers.
5. Toronto Raptors: Brandon Knight, Kentucky
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Like Cleveland, Toronto has a plethora of needs. You could argue that the only starter set in stone is DeMar DeRozan at shooting guard.
General Manager Bryan Colangelo even suggested that he would field offers for former No. 1 pick Andrea Bargnani, who is the most talented player the Raptors have.
Like the Cavs, Toronto should continue its post-Bosh rebuilding effort by selecting an elite point guard with the hope he can elevate the franchise back to respectability. Enter Brandon Knight.
Knight had a phenomenal freshman campaign, averaging 17 points, four assists and four rebounds while leading Kentucky to its first Final Four since 1998. He buried the game-winning jumper to beat top-seeded Ohio State in the Sweet 16.
He's a winner, he's clutch and he's got swagger, three things Toronto has been completely void of for a long time.
6. Washington Wizards: Kawhi Leonard, San Diego State
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The Wizards struck gold in winning the lottery last season, using the top pick to select John Wall.
There won't be a player of Wall's caliber available at No. 6, but Leonard would be a nice addition. With Wall, an emerging Nick Young, Andray Blatche and JaVale McGee, Washington has four solid starters, and Leonard would make it a solid five.
He's a winner, and the Wizards could use more of them after another 23-win season. Leonard led SDSU to a 32-2 record and a Sweet 16 appearance before being sent home, like everyone else, by UConn and Kemba Walker.
The Riverside, CA native averaged 15.5 points and 10.6 rebounds for the Aztecs and has the toughness and versatility to help a franchise right away.
With Maurice Evans currently slated to start at small forward, Washington would be foolish to bypass Leonard.
7. Sacramento Kings: Donatas Motiejunas, International
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Motiejunas surprised everyone by pulling his name out of the draft in 2010, but it appears the move paid off for him as he improved his game and took the Italian League by storm.
According to DraftExpress, he was Italian Lega A's second best per-minute scorer while shooting an unprecedented 66 percent from the field and 46 percent from deep. His season averages were about 12 points and five rebounds.
Motiejunas would provide the Kings with a versatile scorer and size in the frontcourt. He's 7'0", 215 pounds, and only 20 years of age, so his ceiling is high. The Kings could be tempted to take Kemba Walker at this spot, which would be popular today, but the smarter move for the future would be to select Motiejunas.
The Kings already have Tyreke Evans and Marcus Thornton in the backcourt and need help up front. Center Sam Dalembart is likely to leave via free agency, which would force Sacramento to move DeMarcus Cousins to center, leaving a hole at the four for Motiejunas.
8. Detroit Pistons: Jonas Valanciunas, International
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The Detroit Pistons selected Greg Monroe in the lottery last year and played him at center as a rookie, where he's a bit undersized.
If the Pistons want to work themselves out of the lottery, the smart move would be to draft Valanciunas. He's rated as the No. 4 player in this draft on a variety of big boards, so if he were to slip to No. 8, the pick should be a no-brainer for Joe Dumars.
JV would give the Pistons a 7'0" center with a huge wingspan, and plugging him there would allow Monroe to play at power forward, his more natural position.
Valanciunas spent the last year competing at the highest level of European basketball and, according to DraftExpress, ranked as one of the top players on a per-40 minute basis in points (21.8), rebounds (13.6), blocks (1.8), field goal percentage (74.4 percent) and free throw percentage (87.5 percent).
While offense appears to be his strong suit, scouts compare his defense and tenacity to Joakim Noah, which is quite a compliment. Considering the Pistons' needs on both ends of the floor, Valanciunas would be the perfect fit.
9. Charlotte Bobcats: Kemba Walker, Connecticut
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There are a million reasons why Michael Jordan should, and will, bring Kemba-mania to Queens City.
First, like most every team picking in the top 10, the Bobcats have too many needs to fill in one draft. Walker, however, can help them fill two. He can play point or shooting guard, which happen to be two positions where Charlotte could use an upgrade.
Secondly, I've used the word winner to describe a few of the prospects thus far, but none is a bigger winner than this NCAA Champion. The Bobcats have done very little in the way of winning since breaking into the league in 2004, and Walker himself would account for a few more tallies in the left column of the standings.
Third, his presence alone would increase interest in the team, and judging by the number of empty seats at Time Warner Cable Arena, attendance is an issue.
Lastly, Walker is a really good player, and Jordan needs to actually draft one of those for once. No more Kwame Brown's or Alex Ajinca's. Walker is fool proof.
Make the pick, MJ. Do something right for a change.
10. Milwaukee Bucks: Marcus Morris, Kansas
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Marcus should be the first Morris twin to come off the board in the first round, with brother Markieff to follow shortly hereafter.
Morris had a great junior season at Kansas. He lead the Jayhawks to a 35-3 record and an Elite Eight berth behind solid averages of 17 points and 7.5 rebounds. He would solidify the 4-spot for Milwaukee as a better offensive option than the incumbent, Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, with potential and desire to become a capable defender at the NBA level.
He is very efficient offensively and has a wide range of moves that allow him to get his points in a variety of ways. Morris also showed great leadership skills throughout the 2010-11 season, and is one of the better rebounders in this draft.
11. Golden State Warriors: Chris Singleton, Florida State
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The Warriors can get the best of both worlds by selecting Singleton. If Golden State is ever to improve, it must get better defensively, and Singleton is the premier perimeter defender in the pool.
He averaged two steals and 1.5 blocks per game for the Seminoles last season, impressive numbers for the 6'8" star who can defend small or power forwards. His defensive intensity rubbed off on the rest of the Seminoles during the NCAA Tournament and was the driving force behind their surprise run to the Sweet 16.
We all know the Warriors love to score the ball at a breakneck pace, and Singleton can help them there as well. He averaged 13 points and just under seven rebounds per game while hitting 43 percent of his shots and 36 percent from the arc.
In this case, drafting Singleton would be like getting two players because of his ability to affect both ends of the floor. One player can change the culture of a team, and at this point, the Warriors should do their best to deviate from the recent norm.
12. Utah Jazz: Jimmer Fredette, BYU
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Let's keep this simple.
Jimmer Fredette is a local hero in what state? Utah.
The Jazz play in what state? Utah.
The Jazz are in need of a scoring two-guard and a backup point for Devin Harris. Fredette led the nation in scoring at 28.9 points per game and averaged 4.3 assists.
In the last 10 months, Jazz fans watched in disgust as Carlos Boozer walked in free agency, Jerry Sloan retired midseason and the organization inexplicably traded Deron Williams to New Jersey. Fans are desperate for a pick-me-up and a player that will spark their interests.
Did anyone in college basketball spark more interest than Jimmer Fredette last season?
Fredette at 12 might be a reach, but for Utah, it's worth the risk.
Get it? Got it? Good.
13. Phoenix Suns: Tobias Harris, Tennessee
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Harris was one of the most productive freshmen in the country last year, averaging 15 points and seven rebounds for an underachieving Tennessee team.
There was some surprise when he decided to keep his name in the draft, but there's no doubting his ability. Harris and the Suns were meant for each other. He's at his best in transition, as he possesses great ball-handling skills and is a terrific finisher at the rim. Playing with Steve Nash for a few years would do wonders for Harris' growth.
Harris is one of the players that's a bit under the radar now, but has the opportunity to become a star. He must work on his shot and develop a pull up jumper in the lane, a move that is essential for someone with his skill set.
With Vince Carter possibly on the outs, Phoenix only has Jared Dudley to rely on at small forward, and they likely will go into next season with Hakim Warrick and Channing Frye at power forward.
Clearly, there's a need at those two spots, and at 6'8"/210, Harris has the body to play either position.
14. Houston Rockets: Jordan Hamilton, Texas
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Speaking of a player that isn't getting a whole lot of ink now but has the game to become an NBA star, how about Jordan Hamilton?
The sophomore sensation out of Texas is coming off a season in which he averaged 18.6 points, 7.7 rebounds and 2.1 assists, separating himself as one of college basketball's elite scorers in 2010-11. Hamilton has great scoring instincts, and his deadly jumper comes equipped with NBA range.
Offensively, he's NBA-ready. Shot selection and defense are what's keeping him from being drafted in the top-10. Scouts on DraftExpress note that Hamilton bites on fakes too easily and is too upright in his stance, but remember that he's just 20 years old and these issues are very fixable. He's also blessed with the size, strength and measurables that make up the league's elite defenders.
Houston has needs at small forward and center. Expect general manager Daryl Morey to attempt to move up to acquire some size. If he fails, he won't find a better value at 14 than Hamilton.
15. Indiana Pacers: Markieff Morris, Kansas
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The Pacers' starting five is set with Paul George coming on late in the year, and they have good depth behind that. It's a wonder how they only managed to win 37 games this season.
Larry Bird could take five or six players here without criticism, but Markieff Morris should get the call.
The Pacers lack depth at power forward behind Tyler Hansbrough, who has been injury prone throughout his short career thus far, so picking up an efficient, tenacious and highly skilled forward like Morris is a good idea.
Like his brother Marcus, Markieff is a strong finisher in the paint area and may be a better rebounder. He averaged 13.6 points, 8.3 rebounds and just over one block per game. Unlike Marcus, he showed the ability to stretch the defense, hitting 42 percent of his threes last year.
16. Philadelphia 76ers: Tristan Thompson, Texas
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The run of Big 12 players continues as Philadelphia follows suit by adding Thompson to their frontcourt.
The Sixers have some decisions to make regarding the future of their power forward position, with Elton Brand approaching AARP status and Thaddeus Young due for a payday this summer as a restricted free agent.
With Spencer Hawes and Marreese Speights manning the middle, Philadelphia needs help at center as well.
Enter Thompson, the enigma out of Texas. With the 16th overall pick, you are selecting for potential as much as need, and Thompson has loads of it. While he struggled in a few big games last season, he still managed to produce 13 points, eight rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game. He stands just 6'8", but has a 7'2 wingspan, providing the length to disrupt shots around the rim.
The Sixers need to bring in some youth and athleticism on the blocks regardless of what they decide to do with Young. Thompson's upside will likely be too much to pass up.
17. New York Knicks: Lucas Nogueira, International
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This probably isn't the sexy, instant gratification pick Knicks fans were hoping for, but let's review.
Chauncey Billups is back as your point guard. Landry Fields is your shooting guard. Carmelo Anthony is your swingman. Amare Stoudemire is at the four. And rounding out the starting five is Ronny Turiaf. His backup at center? Shelden Williams.
The Knicks need a center. Desperately. Nogueira is young (turns 19 in July), long, athletic and very mobile for his size. He has a wingspan the length of Yao Ming and, while he is raw offensively, is said to have shown himself to be a very good passer and an outstanding finisher around the basket.
Considering their options, the Knicks are better off taking a chance on Nogueira than selecting one of the many remaining scoring two-guards.
18. Washington Wizards (via Atlanta): Bismack Biyombo, International
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Biyombo is the great mystery of the 2011 draft. He played 17 minutes a night in just 14 games for ACB Fuenlabrada, averaging 6.4 points, five rebounds and 2.3 blocks.
These come out to be great numbers per-40 minutes, but aren't overly impressive on the surface. DraftExpress rates Biyombo the seventh-best prospect in the draft because of his "freakish physical attributes, toughness and intangibles."
According to his profile, he has a 7'7 wingspan and packs just 4.3 percent body fat on his 6'9", 243 pound frame. That's insane. He is said to be an incredible athlete who knows how to use his body and plays with the intensity of a Kevin Garnett or Joakim Noah.
At 18, Biyombo is far from a finished product, but it sounds like when he is finished, he has a chance to be pretty special. Getting someone with his upside at 18 would be a steal for the Wizards.
19. Charlotte Bobcats (via New Orleans): Kenneth Faried, Morehead State
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If Faried falls to No. 19 and Jordan makes him a Bobcat, that would mean MJ has made more good picks in one draft then he did in the previous six.
Faried was college basketball's best kept secret at Morehead State and introduced himself to the world on the first day of the 2011 NCAA Tournament by leading the Eagles to an upset over 5-seed Louisville. He averaged 17 points, 14.5 rebounds, 2.3 blocks and two steals, finishing his career at MSU with an NCAA modern-era record 1,673 rebounds.
Faried has the best motor in the draft. He is likely to retrieve every loose ball in his vicinity and win most of the 50/50 plays that can be the difference down the stretch in a close game. Think of a bigger, more athletic Tyler Hansbrough.
The Newark, NJ native would be a nice change of pace from the gifted, but undisciplined Tyrus Thomas and Boris Diaw.
20. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Memphis): Reggie Jackson, Boston College
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Minnesota got their prize in Williams at No. 2, but it would be quite a coup if the Timberwolves are able to also get their hands on Jackson.
Again, until Ricky Rubio signs on to play in the Twin Cities, the T-Wolves are weak at the point guard spot. Ridnour, Flynn and Telfair aren't going to cut it. Jackson has the ability to be both a go-to scorer or a floor general, evidenced by his averages of 18.2 points and 4.5 assists. He shot over 50 percent from the floor, 42 percent from range, and possessed a 2-1 assist-to-turnover ratio.
At 6'3" with a wingspan that is reportedly gigantic, Jackson has great size for a point guard. He has all the skills and physical attributes to be great.
With or without Rubio, Minnesota should jump at the opportunity to snag Jackson.
21. Portland Trailblazers: Darius Morris, Michigan
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With names like Klay Thompson, Alec Burks and Nolan Smith still on the board, selecting Morris at No. 21 appears to be a reach, but consider the logic.
The Blazers have both Brandon Roy and Wes Matthews at shooting guard and Gerald Wallace at small forward. Their only point guard of note is Andre Miller, who is still serviceable at 35, but entering the twilight of his career.
Now would be the perfect time to draft a player like Morris, as his game is very similar to Miller's. Morris has two inches on Miller, but Miller has 10-15 pounds on Morris. Neither is very quick, or a very good outside shooter, and both lumber through the lane.
But, like Miller, Morris is a great passer and finds a way to get his points. He averaged 15 points, 6.7 assists and just 2.9 turnovers per game.
Despite his limitations, Miller has found a way to be successful in the NBA for 11 years. If he could teach Morris how to do the same, suddenly, this isn't such a reach.
22. Denver Nuggets: Alec Burks, Colorado
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With J.R. Smith likely to depart in free agency, Burks would be a terrific candidate to fill his minutes off the bench.
He isn't as good of an outside shooter as Smith, but Burks can fill it up. He scored 20.5 points per game last season for Colorado, hitting 47 percent from the floor. He's hardly a one-trick pony, chipping in 6.5 rebounds and three assists a night.
Any team should consider itself lucky to acquire a 20-plus points per game scorer this late in the draft, and he's also said to have great leadership abilities and the willingness to make the extra pass.
Sounds like the complete package to me. At No. 22, Burks is a steal.
23. Houston Rockets (via Orlando): Justin Harper, Richmond
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The Rockets are undoubtedly looking to add a quality big man one way or another on draft night and, if forced to pick at No. 23, shouldn't have to look any further than Justin Harper.
He stands 6'10", weighing a solid 225 pounds and has as much offensive talent as any power forward in the draft. He averaged 18 points, seven rebounds and just over a block per game while leading Richmond to the Sweet 16 as a No. 12 seed in March.
Scouts question his toughness and desire. According to DraftExpress, one scout said if Harper possessed Kenneth Faried's motor, you would be looking at the No. 1 pick in the draft. That's saying a lot about the amount of talent Harper has.
You can't teach talent, but a motor can be charged. On a veteran team with a good locker room, like Houston has, maybe the Rockets would get the best out of him.
Harper has proven that he's worth the risk.
24. Oklahoma City Thunder: Klay Thompson, Washington State
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For the Thunder, currently in the Western Conference Finals, to get a player as good as Thompson on draft night is a scary thought.
They're already one of the NBA's youngest, most talented teams and Thompson would only add to that. He's a jack of all trades, carrying an otherwise weak Cougars team on a nightly basis. Thompson averaged 21.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.6 steals, and shot a robust 40 percent from the three-point line.
Numero Uno has the size at 6'6" to play either the two or the three, but he would likely have the opportunity to be Kevin Durant's primary back up right away. Robert Vaden is the only other small forward on Oklahoma City, and it's a safe bet that as talented as Thompson is, he would beat out Vaden for the honor.
25. Boston Celtics: JaJuan Johnson, Purdue
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The Celtics need an influx of youth at every position, but moreso in the frontcourt. The Celtics centers are Jermaine O'Neal, Shaq and Nenad Krstic. Slow, old legs and not much in the way of a defensive presence if we're talking about 2011.
JaJuan Johnson is an intriguing option because he showed serious game both offensively and defensively during his senior season at Purdue. He won Big 10 Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year, averaging 20.5 points, 8.6 rebounds and 2.3 blocks.
Being a Michigan State fan, I can tell you the number of blocked shots don't show how many other shots he effected or how many times his presence discouraged opposing guards from entering the lane.
Johnson could also learn a thing or two from Kevin Garnett, who has a similar physique and repertoire.
26. Dallas Mavericks: Tyler Honeycutt, UCLA
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Like Boston, the Mavericks are a veteran team with a win-now mentality and could use some fresh legs at just about every position.
Honeycutt has more talent than most players have at No. 26, and with his size and defensive versatility, he could help Dallas in a couple spots. Honeycutt averaged two blocks and a steal, possessing the length and instincts to become one of the league's better defenders in the future.
His offensive attack is still developing, but he's very athletic and finishes strong. Honeycutt would look good running the floor with an elite point like Jason Kidd.
27. New Jersey Nets: Travis Leslie, Georgia
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Leslie is arguably the best athlete in the draft. He plays above the rim effortlessly for someone at 6'4", possessing elite strength and explosiveness.
As much as you need talent to make it in the NBA, you also need the measurables. Leslie is an undersized two-guard and doesn't have the skills to play at the point, so he doesn't really have a position at the next level.
With that said, you take a chance on a player with his ability this late in the first round. The Nets need just about everything outside of point guard and center, and Leslie has enough talent to compete with Anthony Morrow and Sasha Vujecic for minutes at shooting guard.
28. Chicago Bulls (via Miami): Iman Shumpert, Georgia Tech
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The Bulls are a good shooting guard away from being unbeatable. No disrespect to Keith Bogans and Kyle Korver, but neither should be a starter on a 62-win team.
Shumpert is multitalented and has an ideal build for the next level. He's a combo guard with a scorer's mentality, but spent a lot of time at point guard during his two seasons at Georgia Tech.
He averaged 17 points, six rebounds, 3.5 assists and almost three steals per game, which shows a commitment to defense, something he'll need to make it in the Windy City.
The former McDonald's All-American shot just 41 percent last season, but had some huge scoring nights, like 30 against North Carolina and 27 against Virginia Tech. It might take some time and investment, but Shumpert could develop into the solid two-guard the Bulls are seeking.
Seeing that they're a young team competing for a spot in the NBA Finals, time is on their side.
29. San Antonio Spurs: Nikola Vucevic, USC
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San Antonio loves its international players, and Vucevic falls under that category.
At 6'10"/240, Vucevic can play power forward or center at the next level and has the shooting ability to stretch the floor. He averaged 17 points and 10 rebounds last season for USC while shooting 51 percent overall and 35 percent from three.
His skill set would fit well within the Spurs offense, as players like Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker often over-penetrate and are on the lookout for open shooters. Vucevic has the range and the touch to knock down the open jumper, but has the repertoire to also mix it up around the basket.
More importantly, he's only 20. He has the young legs that waved goodbye to Tim Duncan and Antonio McDyess long ago.
30. Chicago Bulls: Nolan Smith, Duke
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Chicago doesn't have many needs, but Derrick Rose could use a breather every now and then, and you can do better than C.J. Watson.
If the Bulls are fortunate enough to have Nolan Smith available at No. 30, they should lock him up and call it a night. No one selected in front of him had a better college career than Smith, as he had all the statistics and accolades to go along with the 2010 National Championship.
He averaged 20.6 points, five assists and four rebounds last year for the Blue Devils. How many Duke players with those numbers last until the final pick of the first round? Not many, if any.
Smith has the skills and intangibles to have a long and prosperous NBA career. He wouldn't find a better situation to begin in than the one in Chicago.
