2011 NBA Mock Draft: Cleveland Cavaliers Control the Draft
The Cavaliers have been in a downward spiral since LeBron James took his talents to South Beach, but it looks like things could be changing in Cleveland.
The Cavs hold the number one and number four overall picks, and with some smart drafting, those picks could turn into the future of their franchise and, maybe, someday turn them back into a NBA championship contender.
Here is my mock draft for the first round of this year's NBA draft.
30. Chicago Bulls: Nolan Smith PG/SG
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Smith probably won't play shooting guard in the NBA, which is the position the Bulls need most, but he would be a great pick up as a backup guard who can learn the ropes of the NBA behind Derrick Rose.
Smith has good size and comes from a great basketball school in Duke, where he won a championship and got some valuable basketball experience.
Wherever Smith ends up, he will someday be a solid backup or maybe even a starter in the NBA.
29. San Antonio Spurs: Jeremy Tyler C
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Tyler played overseas this past season, and the Spurs always seem to find great talent from all areas of the world.
Tyler would bring size and some much needed youth to the front court, and just like any other young big man, could learn a lot from Tim Duncan.
28. Chicago Bulls: Tyler Honeycutt G/F
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Honeycutt could help the Bulls in their search for a shooting guard, and his size and shooting ability would make him a great fit to play alongside Derrick Rose.
27. New Jersey Nets: Justin Harper PF
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Harper is an athletic big who has a solid mid range game and could someday develop into a nice piece for the Nets.
26. Dallas Mavericks: Nikola Vucevic C
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Vucevic has great size and a great NBA body, he has a decent post game and would be a great backup to Tyson Chandler for the Mavericks.
25. Boston Celtics: Davis Bertans SF
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Bertan is going to be a long term project for any team that takes him, but he has great shooting ability and size for a small forward and someday will be a very good player and part of the Celtics future.
24. Oklahoma City Thunder: Nikola Mirotic SF
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Another small forward with great size, Morotic isn't quite NBA ready and probably won't play in the league for a few years. Nonetheless, with some work, Morotic could turn into a good player for the Thunder and back up Kevin Durant.
23. Houston Rockets: Charles Jenkins PG
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Jenkins is a great scoring point guard who could back up Kyle Lowery and provide a spark of the bench in the future for the Rockets.
One of the best pure scorers of the draft also has good size and could become a good NBA defender someday.
22. Denver Nuggets: Tobias Harris SF
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Harris has a great NBA body and a high basketball I.Q. He can play small forward and power forward and has a great overall game.
21. Portland Trail Blazers: Reggie Jackson PG
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Jackson is a great athlete and has a seven foot wingspan, which will help him greatly in the NBA. With Andre Miller aging and possibly not returning to the Blazers, Jackson can fill a hole they have and some day become a good NBA player.
20. Minnesota Timberwolves: Donatas Motiejunas PF
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Motiejuanas is that seven footer that can shoot and score that so many teams fall in love with. The Timberwolves could use some size up front and scoring, so he would be a big help to them.
19. Charlotte Bobcats: Marshon Brooks SG
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Brooks as an aggressive scorer that can pair up with Gerald Henderson in Charlotte to someday maybe give the Bobcats a one-two punch they have needed since entering the league.
18. Washington Wizards: Klay Thompson PG
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Thompson is arguably the best pure shooter in this draft and has great size for a point guard. With Nick Young being a free agent, the Wizards may need to fill his scoring load, and Thompson is a better overall player to do that with.
17. New York Knicks: Josh Selby PG
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Selby didn't do much at Kansas and is a work in progress, but with some coaching and more experience, he could become a good guard in the D' Antoni system.
16. Philadelphia 76ers: Markieff Morris PF/C
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Morris will give the 76ers some much needed size in their front court. He is a good shot blocker and rebounder, both skills that translate well to the NBA and would add a vital piece to an already stocked 76ers team.
15. Indiana Pacers: Jimmer Fredette PG
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As we all know, Jimmer is an amazing shooter, and with his ability to score, he would fill a need the Pacers have. He may someday be a starting point guard, but more likely, he will be a scoring spark off the bench on a good team.
14. Houston Rockets: Jordan Hamilton SF
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Hamilton has a unique combination of size and shooting ability and will fill a hole left after the Rockets traded Shane Battier.
13. Phoenix Suns: Alec Burks SG
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Burks is a great athlete and has high upside, but isn't developed like some other players the Suns could take in this spot. If he continues to improve his jumper in the pros, then he will be the long term replacement for Vince Carter.
12. Utah Jazz: Chris Singleton SF
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Singleton is a great defender who can fill in for Andrei Kirilenko if he leaves in free agency this summer.
Singleton can guard multiple positions and would be a great piece to have on any team.
11. Golden State Warriors: Marcus Morris PF
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Golden State needs a center, but since there aren't many available when they are picking, Morris is the next best option. He can score in the paint and is a smart player, exactly when the Warriors need.
10. Milwaukee Bucks: Tristan Thompson PF
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Thompson is a work in progress but plays good defense and can rebound well and would be a great pair with Andrew Bogut.
9. Charlotte Bobcats: Bismack Biyombo PF
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Biyombo has one of the highest upsides in this year's draft, and his athleticism and ability to protect the paint give him potential to be a great NBA defender someday.
8. Detroit Pistons: Jonas Valanciunas C
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Jonas isn't quite ready for the NBA this year but has very high upside and is one of the most talented European players in the draft.
Pairing his size with Greg Monroe could be a dominant duo someday for the Pistons.
7. Sacramento Kings: Kemba Walker PG
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Walker is a great scorer and could be the guy the Kings match with Tyreke Evans in the back court for many years to come.
Walker can score, just like Evans, and with some NBA experience, can someday become a conventional point guard if that's what the Kings want.
6. Washington Wizards: Kawhi Leonard SF
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One of my favorite players in the draft, Leonard is just what the Wizards need. His 7'3" wingspan is going to make him a great defender in the NBA, and with all the shoot first guys this Wizards have, they need someone like Leonard to come in play defense and hustle for everything.
5. Toronto Raptors: Jan Vesely PF
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Vessly is a great athlete who is ready to play in the NBA today. He is polished, and at 21 years old, has the experience to jump right into the league.
The Raptors could go in a few different directions at this pick, but he would be their best choice.
4. Cleveland Cavaliers: Enes Kanter C
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Enes Kanter going to Cleveland would begin the turnaround and would give the Cavs a good big man to build around in the future.
He is a tough post player who can rebound and has a good basketball I.Q. Good start for the rebuilding Cavs.
3. Utah Jazz: Brandon Knight PG
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Knight is a great prospect and a good pick for the Jazz to pair with Derrick Favors and go from there.
Knight is a good shooter with athleticism and size, and I could see him being an all-star someday.
2. Minnesota Timberwolves: Derrick Williams SF
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Williams is a versatile player who is big and and knock down a three. He could play on the wing for the Timberwolves and help them fill a hole they have had for a long time. Williams should be a good NBA player from day one.
1. Cleveland Cavaliers: Kyrie Irving PG
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Irving is the best player in this draft and a perfect fit for the Cavaliers. He can takeover as Cleveland's "guy" to build around, and he and Kanter will make for a great combination for years to come.
