2011 NBA Mock Draft: All 30 First-Round Picks, Plus Where Derrick Williams Lands
The 2011 NBA Draft is rapidly approaching, and the Cleveland Cavaliers are expected to select Kyrie Irving with the No. 1 overall pick.
The Minnesota Timberwolves currently hold the No. 2 pick, but there has been some speculation they may look to trade down, as Derrick Williams does not fill a major need for them. Both the Utah Jazz and the Cavaliers have two picks in the lottery, and there are a lot of theories about what each team will do with those picks.
From No. 1 to No. 30, here is the complete first round of the 2011 NBA Draft, mock style.
1. Cleveland Cavaliers: Kyrie Irving
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Is there any doubt in anyone's mind that Irving is going to be the No. 1 overall pick in this year's draft?
The Cavaliers need a star player after losing LeBron James to free agency, and while Irving is nowhere near as talented as James, he can lead this team for a long time as the new face of the franchise.
Irving is very talented and proved during limited action last season that he can be a franchise cornerstone, but Cavaliers' fans should not confuse him with James.
2. Minnesota Timberwolves: Derrick Williams
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The Minnesota Timberwolves are going to try extremely hard to get out of this pick and may be able to find a trade partner in the Washington Wizards.
But if they are forced to stay at No. 2, they will select Derrick Williams.
Williams is an extremely athletic forward who can dominate both inside and outside, and plays with an extremely high motor.
Whichever team lands Williams will be very lucky, as he could become a dominant player in the NBA.
3. Utah Jazz: Brandon Knight
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This pick will likely come down to Brandon Knight and Enes Kanter, but I think Knight gets the nod at No. 3.
Even though the Jazz have Devin Harris, I'm not sure they think he is the long-term option, and Knight can contribute at both guard positions while he develops.
Knight has a lot of potential, but he is not ready to contribute immediately at the point. He will excel as the first guard off the bench for the Jazz though.
This pick makes the most sense for the Jazz's long-term stability.
4. Cleveland Cavaliers: Enes Kanter
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The Cleveland Cavaliers are going to go big with the No. 4 pick, so if Enes Kanter is available, there is no question he will join forces with Kyrie Irving in Cleveland.
If the Jazz opt for Kanter at No. 3, the Cavaliers will likely look at Jonas Valanciunas.
There is not a lot of tape on Kanter since he was suspended by the NCAA for receiving benefits while playing in Turkey prior to coming over to the states. However, the potential is there, and Kanter could make an immediate impact with an inside-outside game alongside Irving.
5. Toronto Raptors: Jonas Valanciunas
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There are no surprises here as Valanciunas rounds out the top five picks and is headed to Toronto.
Valanciunas is an extremely talented big man who could immediately improve the Raptors' frontcourt if the they are able to buy out his European contract.
Valanciunas has a dominant post game and is efficient both on the glass and on defense. He could be an excellent pickup for the Raptors, who could really use some depth down low.
6. Washington Wizards: Jan Vesely
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The Wizards really need a player like Derrick Williams, Jonas Valanciunas or Enes Kanter, but with all of them off the board, they will look to select Jan Vesely.
Vesely is an extremely talented SF who would bring a lot of athleticism and explosiveness to the Wizards. He is a bit of a project, but he makes a lot of the "wow" plays that would excite Washington's front office.
The Wizards have a need at SF, so adding Vesely makes a lot of sense as he is the best SF in the draft.
7. Sacramento Kings: Kemba Walker
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Kemba Walker is an extremely talented PG, and the Kings need to bring in a PG with Tyreke Evans moving over to the SG position.
Walker led UCONN to a National Championship and has the ability to take over games. He is a bit small at just 6'1", but he is tough and plays with an extremely high motor.
The Kings need some help all over the floor, but having Walker and Evans in the backcourt will create a very high scoring combination.
8. Detroit Pistons: Kawhi Leonard
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Leonard is one of the best defensive players in the draft and has improved his shooting touch over recent years.
He is a bit of a tweener between a SF and a PF on the offensive side of the ball, but his versatility on the defensive side of the ball is an asset.
Leonard has the body and potential to develop into an NBA star over time.
9. Charlotte Bobcats: Marcus Morris
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Marcus Morris was a dominant player at the University of Kansas and will look to take his skills to Charlotte next season.
Morris is one of the most well-rounded forwards in this draft class and is versatile enough to play either PF or SF in the NBA.
He plays with a ton of energy and puts his heart and soul into every game he plays. Morris has great range on his shot and solid post moves. Also a solid rebounder, as well as a solid defender, Morris is a better option than Texas PF Tristan Thompson.
10. Milwaukee Bucks: Alec Burks
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There is no doubt in anyone's mind that Burks will land in the top 10, and if he is still available at No. 10, the Bucks will select him without hesitation.
Milwaukee needs a lot of help at both SG and SF; Burks can help out at SG and could possibly play some back-up PG.
Burks still needs to polish his offensive game, but he is a terrific athlete, and excels at drawing contact and getting to the basket.
11. Golden State Warriors: Tristan Thompson
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Thompson is still a bit of a project, not to mention undersized, but the Warriors have not shied away from drafting undersized players in the past.
Golden State could still use some help in the frontcourt, and Thompson's offensive abilities make him an easy pick here.
The Warriors desperately need to improve their defense and rebounding though, so Kansas' Markieff Morris could also be a serious option here. If Marcus Morris is available, he will be an option as well.
12. Utah Jazz: Markieff Morris
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The Utah Jazz may be losing Andrei Kirilenko to free agency this offseason, so they will be looking to add a versatile defender.
Markieff Morris is one of the better defenders and rebounders in this year's draft, so he makes sense for the Jazz here. Morris is extremely versatile and can play both SF and PF. While he is a bit of a tweener on the offensive side of the ball, his defensive versatility makes him an asset for the Jazz.
13. Phoenix Suns: Jimmer Fredette
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Jimmer Fredette is the player everyone loves to hate in this year's draft.
He was a star player at BYU, but his chances of being an NBA player have been questioned by fans and analysts alike.
Fredette is easily the best pure shooter in this draft, but he has a lot of work to do on the defensive side of the ball. He cannot guard anyone at the NBA level at this point, but his offensive abilities make him very tempting for any team. Fredette should fit in very well in the Suns' up-and-down offense and has the chance to make an impact early in his career.
14. Houston Rockets: Bismack Biyombo
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Yao Ming has not been able to stay healthy the past few years, so the Rockets should look to address their needs at the center position.
Biyombo has a lot of upside and could even hear his name called in the first 10 picks. He is a premier defender at the five position, but still needs to add some polish to his offensive game.
The Rockets have not shied away from drafting international players in the past, so don't look for them to pass on Biyombo if he is available at No. 14.
15. Indiana Pacers: Jordan Hamilton
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The Indiana Pacers seem pretty confident with Roy Hibbert and Tyler Hansbrough starting down low, so they will likely address their needs at SG and SF this offseason.
Jordan Hamilton is extremely versatile and can play both these positions. The Pacers really need a player who can create his own shot, and Hamilton has the potential to develop into that player.
He is a terrific shooter, and does a solid job of both running the floor and attacking the rim. While he still needs to improve his shot selection, Hamilton could immediately contribute for the Pacers.
16. Philadelphia 76ers: Kenneth Faried
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Philadelphia really needs to add a big man, especially one who can contribute on the defensive end and on the glass.
Faried is exactly that, as he is a terrific rebounder and shot-blocker, especially for such an undersized PF out of a smaller conference.
He has a lot of work to do to improve his offensive game since he relies too much on his athleticism, but Faried will be a terrific role-player early in his career.
17. New York Knicks: Klay Thompson
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The Knicks could use some help at the two guard, and Thompson can provide them exactly what they need.
He is not extremely athletic, but Thompson is one of the best pure shooters in the entire draft. The Knicks could use a player who can spot up on the perimeter and knock down jumpers. Amar'e Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony are both going to experience double-teams, so Thompson can be the guy who can spread the floor for the Knicks' offense.
18. Washington Wizards: Marshon Brooks
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Marshon Brooks is a dynamic scorer who is extremely athletic and has the ability to create his own shot. He was a one-man show at Providence and should be an excellent complement to John Wall at the two guard.
Brooks still needs to improve his range, but for a creative offensive player like him, it should not be too much of a concern.
Combining Brooks and Wall in the backcourt will create a young, explosive combination that could thrive for years.
19. Charlotte Bobcats: Chris Singleton
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The Bobcats added some offensive help by selecting Alec Burks with their first pick, so they will look to address their defensive needs with their second selection.
Singleton is the best defender in the draft and should be able to instantly contribute on the defensive end for Charlotte. He still has a lot of work to do to improve his offensive game, but if Singleton can improve that over the years, he could turn out to be a steal at No. 19.
20. Minnesota Timberwolves: Tyler Honeycutt
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The Minnesota Timberwolves added Derrick Williams at No. 2 overall, so they will have to look to improve their perimeter game at No. 20.
Tyler Honeycutt is extremely versatile and can play both the SG and SF positions in the NBA. Honeycutt has great range on his jump shot, but still needs to learn to create his shot on his own.
He is a terrific athlete though, and he represents terrific upside for the Timberwolves.
21. Portland Trail Blazers: Reggie Jackson
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It is no secret the Trail Blazers need help at the PG position, and Reggie Jackson has a lot of potential to be a game-changing PG.
Jackson is extremely explosive and one of the most athletic PG's in the draft. He is extremely quick and does a terrific job of getting to the basket. He has also improved his spot-up jumper during his time at Boston College.
22. Denver Nuggets: Tobias Harris
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Tobias Harris is an extremely versatile forward who could contribute at both PF and SF in the NBA. While he is not extremely athletic and has been viewed as a bit of a tweener, he is extremely smart and could fit in well with Denver's offense.
Harris is not an exceptional offensive or defensive player, but he is well-rounded and can contribute effectively on both ends of the floor at the NBA level.
23. Houston Rockets: Nikola Mirotic
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The Houston Rockets could use some help at the SF position, and Mirotic could eventually provide that for the Rockets.
Mirotic has a ton of potential and would likely be a lottery pick if it weren't for his massive European contract. Because of that, he likely won't be able to come over to the U.S. for a couple years due to the extremely high buyout that would be required to bring him over immediately.
The Rockets are not ready to make an NBA Finals run anytime soon though, so drafting a player with so much potential at No. 23 makes sense.
24. Oklahoma City Thunder: Donatas Motiejunas
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The Oklahoma City Thunder are set at PG, SG and SF, but could use a lot of help in the frontcourt.
Motiejunas is a seven-footer with a high ceiling, but still needs to develop. He will likely need to spend another year or two in Europe to continue his development, but he provides the frontcourt depth the Thunder need.
Motiejunas is extremely athletic and runs the floor well, so he should fit in well with the Thunder's system. If he continues to develop in Europe, he will be a great asset to this team down the road.
25. Boston Celtics: Jordan Williams
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The Boston Celtics appeared to lose a bit of their toughness once they traded away Kendrick Perkins, but they could recoup some of that toughness by adding Williams.
Like Perkins, Williams is not the most athletic player in the world, but he is extremely tough and puts forth a ton of effort.
Boston needs to add another rebounder and defensive player on the interior this offseason, and Williams can be that player.
26. Dallas Mavericks: Davis Bertans
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Davis Bertans has been drawing comparisons to Mavericks star Dirk Nowitzki as of late, even though he is only 18 years old and extremely raw.
But it only makes sense for Dallas to draft a player who resembles their star. Bertans will provide absolutely nothing to the Mavericks for at least two to three years at a minimum, but he represents solid long-term potential that will make him attractive to the Mavericks.
27. New Jersey Nets: JaJuan Johnson
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The Nets will be looking to add an athletic big man in this year's draft, and JaJuan Johnson fits the bill.
Johnson is viewed as a bit undersized and not physical enough to play PF in the NBA, but he is extremely athletic and has the potential to be successful. He runs the floor well and could be a solid complement player to Deron Williams if he develops accordingly.
At No. 27, the Nets are not going to find the star player they covet, but Johnson is a young talent who couldn't hurt the Nets.
28. Chicago Bulls: Josh Selby
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The Chicago Bulls have a need at back-up PG, so Selby makes sense for the Bulls this late in the first round.
Selby is an extremely athletic PG who has the ability to score at will, but he has some questions regarding his work ethic and ability to work effectively with teammates.
Tom Thibodeau knows how to get the most out of his players, so I would expect Selby to fit in well with a young, talented Bulls team.
29. San Antonio Spurs: Justin Harper
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At this point in the draft the Spurs will likely take the best available player, which is Richmond F Justin Harper.
Harper has excellent range on his jumper and is extremely physical on the interior. He is a terrific defender and solid rebounder, but still has some work to do to improve his post game.
Harper makes sense as the Spurs love frontcourt players who can contribute on the defensive side of the ball. If his offensive game can develop he will be a quality pick this late in the first round.
30. Chicago Bulls: Chandler Parsons
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Chandler Parsons is not the most athletic, nor the most talented player in this year's draft, but he is exactly the type of player Tom Thibodeau would love to have on his team.
Parsons is a terrific passer and one of the smartest players in the draft. He is a solid athlete who has great height and length for a small forward.
Although he has a solid jump shot, Parsons can be very streaky at times. He also needs to add some strength if he wants to be an impact player in the NBA.
Overall though, Parsons is an intelligent, team player Thibodeau would love to have on his team.
