2011 NBA DRAFT: Kyrie and Kemba Lead the Way
Welcome to my 2011 NBA Lottery Mock Draft!
The 2011 NBA Draft should be an interesting one as there could be many trades taking place before and more so during the draft as General Managers around the league may not be all that sure what the future holds for a number of these players.
So, with that in mind, here is my Mock Draft of how the first fourteen picks will play out.
Cleveland Takes Kyrie
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CLEVELAND CAVALIERS
First Pick: Kyrie Irving, Duke, Freshman
The Cleveland Cavaliers select Irving in hopes of building the team around him. Irving may even start if the Cavaliers can either convince Baron Davis to come of the bench, or find a way to trade his contract.
They will also look closely into selecting Derrick Williams from Arizona, but they already have two big men in Anderson Varajeo and J.J. Hickson who will be playing the majority of the minutes. The Cavaliers also have Antawn Jamison who if not moved or released will most likely play major minutes at the small forward position.
Kahn Likes Kemba; Especially Joined with Rubio
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MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES
Second Pick: Kemba Walker, Connecticut, Junior
The Minnesota Timberwolves select another point guard in Kemba Walker over big man Derrick Williams who led the Huskies to the National Championship against the Butler Bulldogs,over big man Derrick Williams. They already have Anthony Randolph, Michael Beasley, Nikola Pekovic and Darko Milicic on their current roster. Walker is an intriguing prospect who may end up playing alongside Ricky Rubio (possibly), Wesley Johnson, Beasley and Kevin Love.
The Timberwolves already have Jonny Flynn and Luke Ridnour on board. However, if they do select Walker, and Rubio does come over, then Flynn or Ridnour better get ready for a trade.
The Timberwolves may also look to trade the pick in order to acquire a veteran player(s) that can help right away.
Jazz Jazzed About Derrick Williams
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UTAH JAZZ
Third Pick: Derrick Williams, Arizona, Sophomore
The Utah Jazz select Derrick Williams and now have a future frontcourt possibly consisting of Al Jefferson, Paul Millsap, Derrick Favors and Williams. Williams may end up replacing Andrei Kirilenko who is a free agent. The Jazz now have a plethora of big men, and can use the next couple of seasons to see which players are worth keeping for the long-term.
The Jazz may also look to trade the pick, but if Williams or Kemba Walker fall to them, they will scoop them up in a hurry.
Cleveland Nabs Kanter
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CLEVELAND CAVALIERS
Fourth Pick: Enes Kanter, Kentucky, International
The Cleveland Cavaliers selected Irving and now select Kanter, who possesses all of the skills to be a decent big man in the NBA.
The Cavaliers may look to trade the pick, but if there are no decent offers then Kanter may be the safest pick for the team at this particular time. He possesses the size and strength to play the position.
Raps Nab One Morris Twin
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TORONTO RAPTORS
Fifth Pick: Marcus Morris, Kansas, Junior
The Toronto Raptors select big man Marcus and not Markieff Morris. Marcus Morris is another big body that can help the Raptors depleted front line. Morris has also shown the ability to hit the outside shot which is a useful skill for any big man in the NBA. The Raptors may be tempted to select an international player, but it would be hard to pass up on Morris, who put up good numbers during his three years at Kansas. By selecting Morris, it would mean that Andrea Bargnani would have to stay at the center spot for the time being.
There is also a chance that the Raptors look to trade this pick in exchange for a veteran or a big man that would allow Andrea Bargnani to move over to the power forward spot.
Wiz Look to Jan (Vesely)
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WASHINGTON WIZARDS
Sixth Pick: Jan Vesely, Czech Republic, International
The Washington Wizards select Jan Vesely and hope that he is a player that will be able to play alongside John Wall, Nick Young, Jordan Crawford, JaVale McGee and Andray Blatche. The Wizards are also in the process of rebuilding, which means that there should be plenty of playing time available for Vesely either as a starter or coming off the bench.
Knight A King?
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SACRAMENTO KINGS
Seventh Pick: Brandon Knight, Kentucky, Freshman
The Sacramento Kings select Brandon Knight and build their team around him, Tyreke Evans and DeMarcus Cousins. Knight will most likely be taking over the reins from current veteran starter Beno Udrih in due time.
Pistons Like Kawhi
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DETROIT PISTONS
Eighth Pick: Kawhi Leonard, San Diego State, Sophomore
The Detroit Pistons select Kawhi Leonard to replace veterans Richard Hamilton and Tayshaun Prince. The Pistons now rebuild their team around Rodney Stuckey, Ben Gordon, Leonard, Jonas Jerebko and Jason Maxiell.
The Pistons could trade this pick.
Jordan Goes Euro!
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CHARLOTTE BOBCATS
Ninth Pick: Jonas Valanciunas, Lithuania, International
The Charlotte Bobcats are in the midst of another rebuilding project. They should select a young player that can grow and may be a star one day in the NBA. Valanciunas can play alongside D.J. Augustine and be the focus of the rebuilding process along with Dante Cunningham, who was acquired from the Portland TrailBlazers at the trade deadline in the Gerald Wallace trade.
Rumors are that the Bobcats may look to trade this pick with their other first-round pick in order to land a veteran player.
Bucks Like Tristan Thompson
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MILWAUKEE BUCKS
Tenth Pick: Tristan Thompson, Texas, Freshman
The Milwaukee Bucks select Tristan Thompson to play alongside big man Andrew Bogut. The problem with the Bucks has been injuries to their big men (see Drew Gooden and Andrew Bogut). Still a young player, Thompson can be the second coming of LaMarcus Aldridge, and having a trio of Thompson, Bogut and Brandon Jennings would make things interesting in Milwaukee as the team (most likely) enters the post Michael Redd era.
Bismack to Golden State?
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GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS
Eleventh Pick: Bismack Biyombo, Congo, International
The Golden State Warriors select international mystery man Bismack Biyombo. There have been questions about his actual age, but he can play and might be one of the legit centers in the draft.
Come draft day, it would be heard to see Biyombo fall out of the first ten, but with a lot of questions he may slip.
Jazz Nab Guard
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UTAH JAZZ
Twelfth Pick: Alec Burks, Colorado, Sophomore
The Utah Jazz select guard Alec Burks, who will provide some depth at the guard positions in Utah. Burks will have an interesting plethora of big men to distribute the ball to. Imagine a lineup of Al Jefferson, Paul Millsap, and Derrick Williams if he is taken at number three overall.
Bottom line is that the Jazz could use some depth at the guard position. The Jazz need another play maker at the point guard spot since the departure of Deron Williams.
Jimmer to the Valley
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PHOENIX SUNS
Thirteenth Pick: Jimmer Fredette, Brigham Young University, Senior
The Phoenix Suns select Jimmer Fredette as he would be an interesting backup behind Steve Nash. Fredette may not be able to shot the ball as often as he did at BYU but he might be a talent worth taking a chance on. The Suns also have a decision to make on whether they bring back point guard Aaron Brooks who is a restricted free agent.
Jimmer time!
Morey Seeks International Star
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HOUSTON ROCKETS
Fourteenth Pick: Donatas Motiejunas, Lithuania, International
The Houston Rockets select Donatas Motiejunas as he may a prospect worth taking a chance on. If the Rockets decide that they so not want to take a player that can have an immediate impact they might take Markieff Morris who is a legitimate power forward, but may be able to spot minutes at the center spot.
