2011 NBA Mock Draft: Complete First-Round Mock Draft with Options for Every Team
The NBA draft is June 23, and it's an exciting time for many teams who look to turn the corner and succeed.
There are always a couple trades and some interesting picks, and this year should be no different. Read on to see each team's options along with a complete mock draft and explanation of each pick.
No. 1 Pick: Cleveland Cavaliers Select Kyrie Irving PG, Duke
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The Cavs have plenty of holes and they are trying to fill a couple in the draft. Kyrie Irving would give them their point guard of the future and a very exciting player to build around for years to come. Irving has been compared to Chris Paul and the Cavs seem to be leaning toward picking him.
Other Options at this pick:
Derrick Williams: The Cavs have also said they would like to add Williams and they would do so if they could secure the second pick from Minnesota.
No. 2 Pick: Minnesota Timberwolves Select Derrick Williams SF/PF, Arizona
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Derrick Williams is arguably the most athletic and exciting player in the entire draft class and he should be a great player for the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Timberwolves already have Kevin Love and Michael Beasley, so Williams wouldn't have to be rushed into a starting role. This could do wonders for him and he could learn from one of the game's best in Kevin Love.
Other Options at this pick:
Kyrie Irving: If for some reason the Cavs don't pick him, David Kahn is not afraid to select yet another point guard for his team.
Enes Kanter: The Timberwolves could use a solid starting center, and Kanter could give them a formidable front court when paired with Beasley and Love.
Brandon Knight: Same reason as Irving, Kahn loves point guards.
No. 3 Pick: Utah Jazz Select Enes Kanter C, Kentucky
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Enes Kanter is the best center in this draft class and he should fit right in on a Utah team that could be very good next year. The Jazz would be set for years with Kanter, Derrick Favors, Mehmet Okur, Paul Millsap and Al Jefferson on their frontline.
Other options at this pick:
Derrick Williams: This is based on the possibility that Irving and Kanter are selected first and second.
Brandon Knight: The Jazz don't need a point guard too badly, but it wouldn't hurt to have Devin Harris and Knight.
Jan Vesley: The athletic forward from the Czech Republic could be another solid addition to their front court.
No. 4 Pick: Cleveland Cavaliers Select Kawhi Leonard SF/PF, San Diego State
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Kawhi Leonard plays with an incredible motor and he is the guy who will do all the dirty work on a team.
He is kind of a tweener at 6'7" but he would have the luxury of playing small forward because the Cavs have J.J. Hickson at power forward. The Cavs would have a very solid frontline of Leonard, Hickson, and Anderson Varejao.
Other options at this pick:
Brandon Knight: He should be available and he could be this pick if the Cavs select Derrick Williams with the first pick instead of Kyrie Irving.
Kemba Walker: If the Cavs select Williams and both Knight and Irving are gone, their next best option at guard is the swagged out Kemba Walker.
Jonas Valanciunas: The Lithuanian center is considered one of the best European prospects, and his upside could have him selected here.
No. 5 Pick: Toronto Raptors Select Brandon Knight PG, Kentucky
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Brandon Knight would help with the much-needed point guard position and he could learn from Jose Calderon.
Knight could be eased in to the starting role in a year or two, and he could help lead the franchise back to the playoffs.
Other options at this pick:
Kemba Walker: Kemba is another guard who could benefit from learning behind Jose Calderon.
Jan Vesely: The Raptors could use depth on the frontline, and Vesely could give them some athleticism at the forward positions.
No. 6 Pick: Washington Wizards Select Jan Vesely PF, Czech Republic
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Jan Vesely is one of the most athletic players in the draft class, and he brings excitement to the game. If he can bulk up, he could be a formidable presence at the forward positions.
He would allow Washington to be extremely long with a lineup of Vesely, Andray Blatche, and JaVale McGee.
Other options at this pick:
Kemba Walker: The Wizards could have an electric backcourt with John Wall and Kemba.
Jonas Valanciunas: His upside could lead to Wizards taking the athletic center.
No. 7 Pick: Sacramento Kings Select Kemba Walker PG, UConn
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Kemba Walker is one of the more exciting players in the draft class and the Kings could be solid for years with Kemba in their lineup. They would have a core that includes Walker, Tyreke Evans, and DeMarcus Cousins.
Other options at this pick:
Tristan Thompson: Thompson could give them the frontcourt of the future when he is partnered with DeMarcus Cousins.
Alec Burks: Burks is considered the best shooting guard in the draft class and he could give them a much taller backcourt than most teams.
Jonas Valanciunas: The Kings could use some depth at the center position, and Valanciunas could help them dramatically.
No. 8 Pick: Detroit Pistons Select Jonas Valanciunas C, Lithuania
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The Detroit Pistons need a center for the future and Valanciunas could be that center. While he fits more into a Mehmet Okur role, he could bulk up and be one of the rare centers who can bang down low and step out and shoot.
Other options at this pick:
Tristan Thompson: Thompson isn't the center they need, but it wouldn't hurt to get some depth at power forward.
Bismack Biyombo: Biyombo has tremendous upside and he could also help at the power forward position.
Alec Burks: With the turmoil surrounding Rip Hamiltion, they could use their shooting guard of the future.
No. 9 Pick: Charlotte Bobcats Select Alec Burks SG, Colorado
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Alec Burks is considered the best shooting guard in the draft class, and the Bobcats currently have Gerald Henderson as their top shooting guard, which means they need an upgrade.
Burks would give them a prototypical shooting guard who would be around for years to come.
Other options at this pick:
Tristan Thompson: They already have four power forwards but Thompson is a much better option. He could stabilize the power forward position for MJ's team.
Marcus Morris: Another solid power forward who could help down low and step out for the open jumper.
Jordan Hamilton: They could slide Stephen Jackson back to shooting guard and have Hamilton at small forward.
No. 10 Pick: Milwaukee Bucks Select Tristan Thompson PF, Texas
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The Milwaukee Bucks have a couple decent power forwards, but they are specialists, not complete players.
Tristan Thompson could be the complete power forward that would best allow the Bucks to succeed. He would provide much-needed scoring from the power forward position and a decent defender.
Other options at this pick:
Bismack Biyombo: The super athletic forward has been shooting up team's draft boards and he could be an interesting fit with Brandon Jennings.
Jordan Hamilton: While Corey Maggette and Carlos Delfino are on the roster as small forwards, Maggette won't be back after his contract expires, and Hamilton could give them a reliable backup for Delfino.
No. 11 Pick: Golden State Warriors Select Bismack Biyombo PF/C, Congo
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Bismack Biyombo has been soaring up draft boards, and he went from relatively unknown to a possible lottery selection.
Biyombo is a freak athlete and while he is undersized (6'8"), he has a massive 7'7" wingspan. Scouts are raving at his potential and the Warriors could really use help down low.
Other options at this pick:
Jordan Hamilton: The Warriors seem to never have too many wing players, and Hamilton would fit in well.
Jimmer Fredette: It would be interesting if the best pure scorer in the draft class went on a run-and-gun team like Golden State.
Marcus Morris: Morris would also help with their lack of depth on the frontline.
No. 12 Pick: Utah Jazz Select Jimmer Fredette PG/SG, Brigham Young
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Jimmer Fredette is the best scorer in the draft class but also one of the most interesting prospects.
People have been debating on whether he will be a successful NBA player and most people have very different views of him. There is no doubt he can score and Utah could use some scoring off the bench.
Other options at this pick:
Jordan Hamilton: Andrei Kirilenko most likely won't be back in a Jazz uniform and Hamilton could be his replacement.
Klay Thompson: He is a very good shooter and could be the safe selection at this pick.
No. 13 Pick: Phoenix Suns Select Klay Thompson SG, WSU
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The Phoenix Suns need a shooting guard and a power forward and they should fill their shooting guard need with this pick.
Klay Thompson is a very good shooter and he could give the Suns what they didn't have with Vince Carter, someone to spread the floor and hit shots.
Other options at this pick:
Marcus Morris: The Suns need a physical power forward, and Morris could be that. Also, he is a good shooter for a power forward, which would allow him to be even more dangerous in Phoenix's system.
Jordan Hamilton: Hamilton could fit the Suns system since he is a reliable shooter and he could be in contention for the spot that Grant Hill leaves, whenever Hill retires.
Chris Singleton: Singleton is one of the best defensive players in the draft class and he could spearhead a defensive movement in Phoenix. The Suns need defense and Singleton could help.
No. 14 Pick: Houston Rockets Select Jordan Hamilton SF, Texas
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The Rockets have some decent talent at the small forward spot, but Jordan Hamilton could help them out even more. They could use a small forward by committee approach, with Chase Budinger, Terrence Williams, and Hamilton.
Other options at this pick:
Marcus Morris: The Rockets could look to trade Luis Scola, thus giving Patrick Patterson and Morris the keys at power forward.
Chris Singleton: The Rockets could insert Singleton in to the previously mentioned committee approach. Singleton would bring more defense than Hamilton.
Dontas Motiejunas: The Lithuanian center has excellent range and could be the successor to Yao Ming (if Ming retires).
No. 15 Pick: Indiana Pacers Select Marcus Morris, PF, Kansas
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The Pacers have a handful of free agents who could be gone and they should need help at small forward, point guard, center, and power forward.
They will look for Marcus Morris to be Tyler Hansbrough's backup. Morris will give them a reliable presence down low and a good mid-range shooting big.
Other options at this pick:
Chris Singleton: Singleton would give the Pacers a decent backup to Danny Granger and would provide reliable defense and scoring off the bench.
Josh Selby: While it might be a reach at the 15th pick, Selby is the best available point guard and could really help the Pacers.
No. 16 Pick: Philadelphia 76ers Select Markieff Morris PF, Kansas
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The 76ers could use a solid power forward and Markieff Morris fits the bill. Morris would let them start Andre Iguodala at the SG and Thaddeus Young at the SF. Morris wouldn't be rushed in to a starting role, with Elton Brand currently being the starter at power forward.
Other options at this pick:
Chris Singleton: Singleton would give the 76ers a solid defensive backup to Thaddeus Young.
Kenneth Faried: Faried could be the energy guy off the bench that all teams need. He would play with heart and give the team significant help on defense.
Donatas Montiejunas: There is some uncertainty at the center position with starter Spencer Hawes being a restricted free agent, and the talented Montiejunas has tons of upside.
No. 17 Pick: New York Knicks Select Chris Singleton SF, Florida State
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Chris Singleton is a great defensive player, and the Knicks could use all the defensive role players in the world.
The Knicks have a bunch of unrestricted free agents and they should try to fill the empty spots with defensive role players. Singleton would be the first of several defensive additions to the team.
Other options at this pick:
Kenneth Faried: Faried also fits the defensive role player category and could give Amare more time to recover on the bench.
Donatas Montiejunas: Coach Mike D'Antoni loves bigs who can shoot, and Montiejunas can shoot quite well for a big man.
No. 18 Pick: Washington Wizards Select Donatas Montiejunas C, Lithuania
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Donatas Montiejunas could be an absolute steal at the 18th pick of the draft and the Wizards could use a backup to JaVale McGee.
Montiejunas would give the Wizards center who is a solid shooter, good rebounder, and a willing passer. If Montiejunas could bulk up, he could be a formidable player in the league for a long time.
Other options at this pick:
Tobias Harris: The Wizards already drafted Jan Vesely, but both Vesely and Harris could play either the small forward or power forward.
No. 19 Pick: Charlotte Bobcats Select Nikola
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The Bobcats selected Alec Burks with the ninth pick and they pick Harris to focus on the frontline now.
Harris is good at multiple skills and he should help the Bobcats on both offense and defense. Also, he is only 18 and still has lots of room to grow and improve.
Other options at this pick:
Kenneth Faried: The Bobcats could use help down low and Faried could help significantly on the defense end.
Tyler Honeycutt: This could be a stretch but they need some help at the small forward position after they traded away Gerald Wallace.
Honeycutt has the tools to succeed and it should only motivate him more when MJ is in charge.
No. 20 Pick: Minnesota Timberwolves Select Davis Bertans SF, Latvia
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The Timberwolves need help almost everywhere, and it wouldn't hurt if they took Davis Bertans at this pick. Bertans really needs to bulk up, but he is a good shooter and has a high basketball IQ.
He could be really dangerous in the right situation, and he could learn behind Michael Beasley, Kevin Love, and Derrick Williams.
Other options with this pick:
Kenneth Faried: Faried is an above-average defender and the Timberwolves could use plenty of defense.
Marshon Brooks: They could also use scoring off the bench and Brooks can score in bunches.
No. 21 Pick: Portland Trail Blazers Select Kenneth Faried PF, Morehead State
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Kenneth Faried gives his all on every play and the Trail Blazers are going to love having this guy come off their bench.
He will give them rebounding and shot blocking on a nightly basis and maybe even a couple points. The Blazers need more bigs and Faried should help.
Other options at this pick:
Marshon Brooks: The Blazers might not need a shooting guard but they need scoring, and Marshon Brooks is a scoring machine.
Nikola Vucevic: The Blazers need bigs, and Vucevic would give them a big presence down low, who can also step out and hit the open jump shot.
No. 22 Pick: Denver Nuggets Select Marshon Brooks SG, Providence
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The Nuggets have the potential to lose all three of their shooting guards on their roster, and that's where Marshon Brooks comes in.
Brooks will get a chance to show why he is such a good scorer and will be counted on to come in the game and score consistently.
Other options at this pick:
Kenneth Faried: If Faried is still available, the Nuggets will take him to bolster their frontline that could be losing Nene and Kenyon Martin.
Nikola Vucevic: Same reason as Faried, they could be losing Martin and Nene.
Darius Morris: Morris is a tall point guard who could be converted to a combo guard. He is a good scorer and a willing playmaker.
No. 23 Pick: Houston Rockets Select Darius Morris PG, Michigan
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The Rockets already selected Jordan Hamilton with the 14th pick, so they should look to bolster the backcourt with this pick and Darius Morris will do just that.
Morris is a solid all-around point guard and could serve as a combo guard for the Rockets.
Other options at this pick:
Nikola Vucevic: Vucevic would provide a decent backup for the Rockets, who need to add more muscle along the frontline.
No. 24 Pick: Oklahoma City Thunder Select Nikola Vucevic C, USC
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The Thunder don't really have too many needs, but they could use a physical center, and Nikola Vucevic could help.
Vucevic isn't afraid to hit people down low, and he can step out and hit the mid-range jumper. He wouldn't need to play huge minutes and could ease in to his role as a backup.
Other options with this pick:
Tyler Honeycutt: It wouldn't hurt the Thunder to have an offensive-minded backup for Kevin Durant.
Trey Thompkins: Thompkins is another big man who could help the Thunder get stronger down low.
No. 25 Pick: Boston Celtics Select Trey Thompkins PF/C, Georgia
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The Celtics are starting a youth movement, and Trey Thompkins will be the first draft pick of that movement.
Thompkins has slid down most draft boards but he is still a strong big man who could help the Celtics with their lack of size.
Other options at this pick:
Tyler Honeycutt: Honeycutt would give them another scorer off the bench and more youth.
No. 26: Dallas Mavericks Select Reggie Jackson PG/SG, Boston College
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The Mavericks have one of the more complete teams in the league, and they don't need much more than depth on the team.
Reggie Jackson is their choice here because he can play both guard positions. He provides them with versatility and a solid, all-around player off the bench.
No. 27 Pick: New Jersey Nets Select Josh Selby PG, Kansas
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A lot of people think Selby should have stayed one more year in school, but he came out and even though he had a so-so year, his skill set will have him drafted in the first round.
The Nets need help all over the place, and Selby is the best available player at this point.
Other options at this point:
Nolan Smith: Smith is a good scorer and should be available at this point. If the Nets want a more mature player, then Smith is their man.
Shelvin Mack: Mack will be available at this point and would provide similar production to Selby or Smith.
No. 28 Pick: Chicago Bulls Select Justin Harper PF, Richmond
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The Bulls don't need much help other than at shooting guard, but since there aren't any solid shooting guard prospects at this pick, they should go with the good shooter, Harper.
Harper could help spread the floor and provide scoring and rebounding off the bench.
Other options at this pick:
Jordan Williams: The Bulls could use more depth on the frontline, and Williams could add some bulk to the lineup.
JaJuan Johnson: Johnson was a very good player at Purdue and could really help the Bulls in a number of ways.
No. 29 Pick: San Antonio Spurs Select Kyle Singler SF, Duke
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Singler is a solid all-around player and would fit right in on a contender like the Spurs. He wouldn't have to do much more than take care of the ball and make open shots.
Singler would just need to be a decent role player.
Other options at this pick:
JaJuan Johnson: The Spurs could use youth on their frontline.
No. 30 Pick: Chicago Bulls Select Shelvin Mack PG/SG, Butler
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The Bulls need some scoring off their bench and Shelvin Mack could do that and more.
Mack is a good defender and isn't afraid to go to the post and post on other point guards. He also is a good passer and a solid finisher at the rim.
Other options at this pick:
Jordan Williams: The Bulls could use bulk down low, and Williams should be available at this pick.
Justin Harper: Harper is a good shooter, and he could spread the floor when the Bulls need to hit some shots.
JaJuan Johnson: He could help them beef up the frontline and provides a good scorer off the bench.
