2011 NBA Mock Draft: How a Little-Known Player Can Lift the New York Knicks
Trading for Carmelo Anthony last season is something the New York Knicks simply had to do. While they had a good nucleus of talented, young players, it’s unlikely that the Knicks would have been able to compete with the Miami Heats and Chicago Bulls of the world without another elite player.
Unfortunately for the Knicks, the trade wasn’t without consequences. Shipping away Wilson Chandler, Danilo Gallinari, Raymond Felton, Timofey Mozgov and Anthony Randolph made the Knicks a much thinner team in terms of depth. That was proven when New York couldn’t recover from injuries suffered by Amar'e Stoudemire and Chauncey Billups in its playoff series against the Boston Celtics.
Entering the offseason, the Knicks have literally no centers under contract, and could use some help behind Carmelo as well. Unfortunately for the Knicks, this particular draft is extremely light on quality centers. There are only a couple of centers who are worthy of going in the first round, and New York will have to hope that one falls to the 17th overall selection.
The Knicks’ best bet would be to take Bismack Biyombo, a center from the Congo Republic, if his is available when they pick in the first round. Biyombo may not be known by many of us stateside, but his skill set would provide New York with something they are severely lacking.
New York’s defense, especially its interior defense, can be best described as pathetic. Stoudemire is a fantastic offensive player, but defense is just not a strength of his. Biyombo is a ferocious shot blocker who will allow the Knicks to finally put up some resistance on the defensive end. He won’t hinder the Knicks’ fast-paced offense either as he can run the floor very well for a big man.
With that said, here’s what the Knicks, as well as the NBA’s other 29 teams will do in the 2011 NBA Draft.
1. Cleveland Cavaliers (from Clippers): PG Kyrie Irving, Duke
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Normally NBA teams draft players based on a combination of best player available and positional needs. Luckily, or perhaps unluckily, the Cleveland Cavaliers will have the benefit of a simplified draft strategy this offseason. With desperate needs at virtually every position, the Cavs can afford to take whomever they deem to be the best player on their board without hesitation.
As of now, all signs point to Duke point guard Kyrie Irving being the player who Cleveland covets most. It can certainly be debated who the better prospect is between Irving and Arizona forward Derrick Williams, but it would be hard to wrong with either of them. Interestingly enough, the Cavs seem to have more depth at point guard than any other position with the likes of Baron Davis and Ramon Sessions on the roster, but neither seems to be a long-term solution.
As players like Derrick Rose, Chris Paul and Deron Williams have shown in recent years, a premier point guard can go a long way in correcting a wayward franchise. After losing LeBron James, the Cavaliers certainly won’t be a quick fix, but if Irving can run the point effectively and replace at least some of the star power lost through the departure of James, the Cavs will be on the road to recovery.
2. Minnesota Timberwolves: F Derrick Williams, Arizona
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With the recent signing of young Spanish point guard Ricky Rubio, things seem to finally be coming together for the Timberwolves. With the likes of Rubio, Kevin Love, Michael Beasley and Wes Johnson currently on the Minnesota roster, the future certainly looks bright. One thing the Timberwolves seem to be severely lacking, however, is a scorer who can get to the rim and the line.
That makes Arizona forward Derrick Williams a perfect fit for Minnesota. Not only is Williams arguably the best player in the draft, but he also seems to possess all the qualities that the Timberwolves are looking for. Williams’ tear through the NCAA tournament this past season proves that he is capable of performing in high-pressure situations, which is something that is always welcome on inexperienced squads.
While the addition of Williams will force Minnesota to figure out ways to get him, Love and Beasley on the floor at the same time, too much talent should never be considered a problem. In time, the Timberwolves could possibly possess one of the more diverse offenses in the entire NBA.
3. Utah Jazz (from Nets): PG Brandon Knight, Kentucky
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With Andrei Kirilenko set to enter free agency this offseason and C.J. Miles entering the final year of his deal, the Jazz have a glaring need on the wing. Unfortunately, outside of San Diego State’s Kawhi Leonard, any wing player taken with the third pick would be considered a reach. Despite the presence of Devin Harris, the Jazz have a lack of depth at point guard, making Brandon Knight a logical pick.
While Harris is a solid player, it remains to be seen whether he is capable of running the point for a contending team. It’s clear that Knight has the potential to do just that, however, as evidenced by his spectacular play in Kentucky’s improbable Final Four run last season.
It may seem counterproductive to draft another franchise point guard after trading Deron Williams to New Jersey last season, but without an elite facilitator, the Jazz went from being a player in the Western Conference to an afterthought. In time, Knight should be able to lead Utah back to prominence.
4. Cleveland Cavaliers: C Enes Kanter, Kentucky
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After addressing a need in the backcourt with their first pick, the Cavs should look for an interior complement to Kyrie Irving with the fourth overall selection. With a general lack of elite-level centers in this draft, Enes Kanter should be a no-brainer pick for Cleveland provided he lasts to this point. After being ruled ineligible to play for the Kentucky Wildcats last season, Kanter’s game isn’t without question marks, but his potential is through the roof.
With the talented J.J. Hickson better suited to play the power forward position, Kanter would almost immediately give Cleveland two promising scoring threats down low. When combining that with the playmaking ability of Irving, the Cavs look to have a terrific opportunity to come out of the 2011 draft with a fantastic, young corps of players.
5. Toronto Raptors: SF Kawhi Leonard, San Diego State
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There seems to be a theme developing as the Raptors are very weak on the interior, but this draft doesn’t offer a satisfactory solution to their woes. In reality, though, Toronto could really stand to improve at virtually every position on the floor. Because of that, Kawhi Leonard would make perfect sense as the best player available.
DeMar DeRozan is a fairly one-dimensional player at small forward, so the addition of Leonard would certainly give the Raptors a more well-rounded offense. Leonard not only has the ability to get to the basket, but he is capable of knocking down the mid-range jumper as well.
Leonard’s true worth may be in the rebounding department, however, as Toronto is without a player who is willing to go into the dirty areas, especially with Reggie Evans likely to depart in free agency. Leonard’s unwavering effort would be a fine addition to a team that too often relies on a playing a finesse-style of basketball.
6. Washington Wizards: F Jan Vesely, Czech Republic
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The production that Washington received from the small forward position this past season was quite pathetic. With that in mind, it might not be such a bad thing that Josh Howard, Yi Jianlian, Larry Owens and Maurice Evans are all set to enter free agency. That does leave the Wizards with a severe lack of depth at the position, however, which makes Jan Vesely a practical pick.
At 6'11", Vesely is quite lengthy for the 3-position, but it’s clear that his skill set translates to that spot best. Vesely is a very intriguing prospect in that, while he is very good at getting to the basket, he is also capable of shooting from the perimeter.
Although it’s far too early to make the comparison, his abilities sound a lot like those of Dirk Nowitzki. It’s obviously unlikely that Vesely will ever reach that stratosphere of play, but if nothing else, he should create matchup problems and open lanes for last year’s top pick John Wall.
7. Sacramento Kings: G Kemba Walker, UCONN
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Outside of guard Tyreke Evans, the Sacramento Kings are team that is laden with uncertainty. From the roster to the franchise’s future in Sacramento, the Kings are really a muddled mess. Sacramento could use reinforcements at essentially any position, but the biggest need may be a shooter who can take advantage of Evans’ forays to the basket. One player who would seem to be a perfect fit is UCONN superstar, the 2011 NCAA tournament’s Most Outstanding Player, Kemba Walker.
An Evans-Walker backcourt would be quite intriguing in that Evans is more of a playmaker, while Walker is more of a shooter, but Evans is a shooting guard and Walker will almost certainly have to play the point due to his size. That isn’t to say that the Kings’ coaching staff won’t be able to maximize their talents, but it would make for an interesting dynamic.
Despite Walker’s size disadvantage, I’m a firm believer that he can be an effective NBA player. His supreme quickness allows him to create his own shots with great regularity, which is something that all elite NBA guards must be able to do. With that said, if he can get used to the fact that he’ll have to do more spot-up shooting with Evans running the show, Walker and Evans could form a backcourt fit for a king.
8. Detroit Pistons: PF Donatas Montiejunas, Lithuania
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Provided Tayshaun Prince ends his long run with the Pistons and leaves through free agency, Detroit will have quite a hole to fill at small forward. No prospect at the position jumps out as being worthy of the eighth pick, however. With Jonas Jerebko coming off a season-long injury, Lithuanian national Donatas Montiejunas could provide Detroit with a nice insurance policy and good frontcourt depth.
The Pistons have shown they aren’t afraid to draft foreign bigs in the past, with Jerebko and Darko Milicic as prime examples, although they’ve experienced varying degrees of success. Like many of the foreign big men in this draft, Montiejunas is quite versatile and able and is comfortable around basket as well as on the perimeter. Montiejunas isn’t exactly a defensive wizard, but his long arms could aid him in becoming a solid shot blocker and rebounder, which would fill a need for the Pistons with Ben Wallace on his last legs.
9. Charlotte Bobcats: PF/C Jonas Valanciunas, Lithuania
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With DeSagana Diop as the Bobcats’ only center under contract for the 2011-12 season, Charlotte has a need at the position that simply cannot be ignored. Because of this, the Bobcats would do well to make it two straight Lithuanians in this draft by taking Jonas Valanciunas.
Valanciunas is different from his countryman Montiejunas in that he has a body that makes him capable of playing center. At 6'11" and 240 lbs., Valanciunas also has room to put more weight on his frame, and considering he is only 19 years old, he may not be done growing either. Valanciunas, while a good offensive player, is quite imposing inside defensively as well due to his expansive wingspan. Valanciunas would give Charlotte the frontcourt presence they’ve lacked since losing Emeka Okafor.
10. Milwaukee Bucks: G Alec Burks, Colorado
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The Bucks are a tough team to figure out. With a seemingly random conglomeration of players, they aren’t particularly strong at any one position, but there aren’t many glaring holes either. With that in mind, Milwaukee can afford to take the approach of best player available, which at this juncture is Colorado combo guard Alec Burks.
Despite being 6'6", Burks is a terrific ball handler and possesses point guard abilities, though his frame suggests that he will most likely be a shooting guard at the next level. With John Salmons struggling mightily at times last season, it certainly wouldn’t hurt to bring in a little competition.
Due to his versatility, Burks could see a lot of early playing time, even if he isn’t a starter. Not only does he have playmaking ability, but he can also get to the rim and has a decent enough jumper. Burks is the type of player who can create matchup problems, which would be a welcome addition to the Bucks.
11. Golden State Warriors: G Jimmer Fredette, BYU
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While the Warriors could stand to add some frontcourt depth, they would probably be better off addressing that with their mid-level exception in free agency. Despite having Stephen Curry and Monta Ellis on the roster, the Warriors are actually quite thin at both guard positions and need to add a player who is capable of giving both Curry and Ellis a rest. With point guard size and shooting guard skills, Jimmer Fredette would be a nice interchangeable part for the Warriors.
It may seem like Fredette would be more of what Golden State already has, but he would be a great fit for the Warriors’ up-tempo system. The addition of Fredette would give Golden State three deadly options from beyond the arc, including Curry and Dorrell Wright.
Fredette also has an uncanny ability to get to the basket and create scoring opportunities. It remains to be seen whether he’ll be able to drive to the rack as efficiently in the NBA as he did in college, but if the skill does translate, he’ll open up the floor for his teammates and allow them to get open looks.
12. Utah Jazz: F Tobias Harris, Tennessee
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With two the first 12 picks in the draft, the Jazz have a terrific opportunity to improve, especially since their cap situation won’t really allow them to do so via free agency. As discussed earlier, Utah is in dire need of a wing player, regardless of whether Andrei Kirilenko returns, and that is where Tobias Harris comes in.
Harris is the type of player who is solid in many aspects, but spectacular in few, which seems to be the hallmark of this draft. His ability to cut to the basket should bring a different dimension to the Jazz offense, but he’ll need to improve his shot in order to be considered an all-around threat. His frame should allow him to be an effective defender at the next level as well. Harris wouldn’t be the most exciting pick for Jazz fans, but his skill set would certainly be the right fit.
13. Phoenix Suns: F Marcus Morris, Kansas
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As a team that loves to push the ball up the floor and shoot the three, the Suns are lacking a player who can make their opponents pay in the low post. Outside of Marcin Gortat, Phoenix is loaded with frontcourt players who are more comfortable along the perimeter, like Channing Frye and Hakim Warrick.
Adding one of Kansas’ famed Morris brothers, Marcus to be exact, would force opposing defenses to stop leaking out toward the three-point line and respect Phoenix’s interior game. While Morris is probably better suited to play power forward due to his inside presence, he could mesh well with Frye. Even though Frye’s size suggests that he’s a power forward, he has small forward skills, with Morris being the exact opposite.
Despite Morris’ power game; he also has the ability to play Phoenix Suns’ basketball as well due to his excellent mid-range jump shot. Morris would certainly give the Suns a versatile threat they otherwise lack.
14. Houston Rockets: F/G Jordan Hamilton, Texas
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With Chase Budinger and Terrence Williams currently manning the position, Houston could definitely use an upgrade at small forward. With his diverse scoring ability, Texas’ Jordan Hamilton would make a ton of sense for the Rockets.
Due to his size, Hamilton is able to excel against smaller defenders in the low post, but his best asset may be his jump shot. Outside of Kevin Martin, Houston is without a player who can make opposing defenses pay from long range. Hamilton would do just that, however, opening up more space inside for Luis Scola in the process. Hamilton is also capable of hitting the boards which is an added bonus for a Houston team that has a great deal of uncertainty surrounding the center position.
15. Indiana Pacers: PF Tristan Thompson, Texas
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The Pacers have begun to build a pretty nice, young nucleus, but there is still work to be done if Indiana is to become a player in the Eastern Conference. With Jeff Foster, Solomon Jones, Josh McRoberts and Mike Dunleavy all set to enter unrestricted free agency, the Pacers have absolutely no depth in the frontcourt. An athletic big like Texas’ Tristan Thompson would make for a nice addition.
As it currently stands, Indiana literally has just Roy Hibbert and Tyler Hansbrough under contract as far as big men go. Although Hansbrough is a high-motor player, his maximum effort can only take him so far. Thompson would provide Indiana with a great offensive threat in the low post due to his wide array of moved. With his good length, Thompson also has the potential to be a good rebounder and shot blocker, which would be a nice complement to the defensive acumen of Roy Hibbert.
16. Philadelphia 76ers: PF Markieff Morris, Kansas
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As a team with a nice collection of talented wing players and an improving point guard in Jrue Holiday, it’s clear that the Sixers need to make an improvement in the frontcourt. Elton Brand is nearing his last legs and Spencer Hawes has been a huge disappointment to this point in his career. Kansas forward Markieff Morris would give Philly the interior scoring threat they sorely lack.
Between Markieff and Marcus Morris, Markieff is a bit less athletic, but he’s also a tougher interior player. Not only does Morris possess good scoring touch around the rim, but like his brother, he can step out and hit jumpers as well. Morris would also help the 76ers’ weak interior defense as he uses his upper-body strength and great effort to position himself well for rebounds.
17. New York Knicks: C Bismack Biyombo, Spain
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The Knicks made the first step toward entering the upper echelon of Eastern Conference teams last season by acquiring Carmelo Anthony. Another thing that trade did, however, was zap New York of their depth as they dealt Wilson Chandler, Danilo Gallinari and Raymond Felton among other players to the Denver Nuggets. The thinnest position on New York’s roster is clearly center, as Ronny Turiaf is set enter free agency, but it isn’t like he was a fantastic option to begin with.
Spanish League player and Congo native Bismack Biyombo would be a perfect fit for the Knicks. It would allow Amar'e Stoudemire to play power forward exclusively, and would take some of the pressure off him defensively as well. With a wingspan of 7'7", Biyombo is an absolute terror on the defensive end with fantastic shot blocking and rebounding ability. Although his offensive game still requires some polish, his ability to run the floor effectively as a big man should help him transition seamlessly into New York’s up-tempo style.
18. Washington Wizards (from Hawks): SG Klay Thompson, Washington State
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Unlike most of the teams in this draft, the Wizards actually have a lot of promise in the frontcourt with JaVale McGee and Andray Blatche, so they have the luxury of spending both their picks on perimeter players. Despite the fact that Nick Young made some good strides last season, his entry into restricted free agency clouds his future with the team. Washington State’s Klay Thompson would make a nice insurance policy.
One area which Washington was particularly poor in last season was three-point shooting. Outside of Young and Rashard Lewis, the Wizards really have no serious threats from beyond the arc. Clearly, if Washington declines to match an offer sheet to Young, that problem would only be compounded.
With all due respect to Jimmer Fredette, Thompson may be the best pure shooter in the draft, and at 6'7" tall, he should have issue getting shots off in the NBA. Even if Young is in Washington’s long-term plans, Thompson could thrive in a Kyle Korver-type role for the Wiz.
19. Charlotte Bobcats (from Hornets/Blazers): SF Chris Singleton, Florida State
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The Bobcats were able to stay in the Eastern Conference playoff picture for most of the season, but their hopes of a second straight postseason appearance were essentially dashed when Gerald Wallace was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers in an effort to save money. With Stephen Jackson perhaps better suited to play the 2-guard, Florida State’s Chris Singleton would be a nice selection here.
Singleton’s skill set is very reminiscent of Wallace for a number of reasons. At 6'9", Singleton has incredible length for the position and is an outstanding perimeter defender. In fact, he may very well be the best overall defender in the draft. Singleton is also a fantastic athlete with great leaping ability, which is another asset that Wallace brought to the table as a Bobcat. There’s no guarantee that Singleton will develop into an All-Star like Wallace, but he can certainly replace some of what Charlotte lost when it traded away its most accomplished player.
20. Minnesota Timberwolves (from Grizzlies/Jazz): SF Tyler Honeycutt, UCLA
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Although Minnesota possesses a need at the center position with Darko Milicic as its best option, most of the legitimate big men have been taken by now. That isn’t a particularly big deal, though, as the T’Wolves should be able to find an adequate big in free agency. Also, considering they’re coming off a 15-win season, the Wolves have no shortage of needs.
Perhaps one of Minnesota’s biggest, yet most overlooked deficiencies is perimeter defense. Minnesota traded away its best perimeter defender, Corey Brewer, last season in a three-way deal that saw the Knicks land Carmelo Anthony. UCLA small forward Tyler Honeycutt would be an ideal replacement for Brewer.
At 6'8", Honeycutt has the length to defend most NBA wings, and has the potential to fill out his frame and become a more physical presence as well. It isn’t likely that he will ever become an All-Star caliber player, but he could eventually become a key situational player for a contending team.
21. Portland Trail Blazers: PG Darius Morris, Michigan
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The Blazers seem to be a team who are on the cusp of contention in the stacked Western Conference. They have pretty solid depth at every position, but seem to be a player away from becoming elite. Michigan point guard Darius Morris probably won’t put them over the top, but with Andre Miller getting long in the tooth, he would make for a good future replacement.
Morris is extremely big for a point guard at 6'4", which could make him a real matchup problem for most NBA point men. His size is very beneficial in allowing him to get to the bucket and create scoring opportunities. The best part of Morris’ game is that his ample size doesn’t hinder his passing ability one bit. If he can find LaMarcus Aldridge in prime scoring positions, Morris will be a great fit for the Blazers.
22. Denver Nuggets: PF Kenneth Faried, Morehead State
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Although the Nuggets were forced into trading superstar forward Carmelo Anthony last season, thanks to the Knicks, the Nuggets are now a much more cohesive and well-rounded unit. In fact, there may be no other team in the league with more positional depth than the Nuggets. With Nene and Kenyon Martin as free agents, however, Denver could certainly stand to add another frontcourt player.
Morehead State power forward Kenneth Faried is a ferocious rebounder who, in time, could replace the production the Nuggets might lose with the possible departure of Nene. Faried is certainly undersized at 6'7", but his intensity and will to compete make up for that. Faried led the nation in rebounding last season with 13.3 per game. While he isn’t a liability offensively, it’s unlikely that Faried will ever turn into a big time scorer. At the very least, Faried should be a good role player in the NBA.
23. Houston Rockets (from Magic/Suns): C Nikola Vucevic, USC
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With Yao Ming perpetually injured and about to enter the free agency, the Rockets essentially have nothing at the center position. Brad Miller used to a solid starter, but at his advanced age, he’s now better suited as a reserve. Hasheem Thabeet supposedly has untapped potential, but he’s shown absolutely nothing in his brief NBA career.
Regardless of the fact that any center taken at this point would probably be a reach, the glaring hole Houston has at the position will prompt them to select USC center Nikola Vucevic. At 6'11" and 260 lbs., Vucevic has a bit more room to fill out, but he certainly possesses prototypical center size.
Vucevic has a wide array of moves that allows him to score in the paint, but he can also step out and hit from long range. His length makes him an effective shot blocker, but he could stand to improve defensively. If Vucevic is able to reach his full potential, this pick could eventually be labeled a steal rather than a reach.
24. Oklahoma City Thunder: PF Justin Harper, Richmond
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Oklahoma City boasts a young, talented roster that should make the Thunder title contenders for many years to come. Having such a deep team affords the Thunder the luxury of taking whomever they want without worrying about positional needs. With a large amount of defensive bigs like Kendrick Perkins, Serge Ibaka and Nick Collison already on the team, an offensive minded frontcourt player would be ideal for the Thunder.
Richmond power forward Justin Harper would definitely fit the bill. Harper is a bit lanky and isn’t a top flight defender, but his offensive skills are undeniable. For a man his size, his jump shot is absolutely deadly, and it would help space the floor for Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and James Harden. One issue the Thunder run into at times is that they have a penchant for putting three defensively-minded players on the court at once. Harper would give the Thunder a much-needed tertiary scoring threat.
25. Boston Celtics: PF/C Jeremy Tyler, Tokyo
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The window of opportunity seems to be closing on the Celtics pursuit of another NBA Championship. Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce are all getting up there in years and probably don’t have a significant amount of years left in the league. Boston needs an infusion of young talent throughout the roster, but more specifically in the frontcourt, as they have little else than Garnett and Jermaine O’Neal under contract next season.
With selections like Gerald Green and Al Jefferson, the Celtics have shown that they aren’t afraid to take a risk with high school players in the past. Although high school players are no longer allowed to enter the NBA Draft, that is essentially what Jeremy Tyler is.
Rather than go to college for a year, Tyler decided to play overseas, and the results weren’t great. He quit his original team in Israel when he wasn’t getting much playing time, which obviously brings up some character issues. Tyler has an NBA body, though, and possesses a good scoring touch, so he could be worth the risk for the Celtics.
26. Dallas Mavericks: SF Davis Bertans, Latvia
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As a team that is currently in a battle for an NBA title, it’s clear that the Mavs don’t have many needs. Players like Jason Kidd, Shawn Marion and Jason Terry are getting a bit older, but they are all still solid contributors. With a strong starting lineup and bench to boot, Dallas can afford to take a risk here. They’ve had taken many international players in the past, including J.J. Barea and Rodrigue Beaubois, as well as trading for Dirk Nowitzki, so it stands to reason they could go that route again.
At 18 years old, Bertans is a player who will likely need more seasoning in Europe, and that will probably be just fine for a Mavs team that doesn’t have a lot of roster space to begin with. If Bertans is able to develop fully, he could turn into a matchup nightmare as a 6'10" forward who is extremely comfortable hitting the three and playing along the perimeter.
27. New Jersey Nets (from Lakers): PF Trey Thompkins, Georgia
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After winning just 24 games last season, the Nets could really use a lottery pick, but they traded it away in the deal for Deron Williams last season. With Brook Lopez and Williams, the Nets do have a nice inside-out combo to build around, however. Unfortunately for the Nets, outside of those two players, there is a lot of uncertainty.
The Nets are extremely up front, in particular, so Georgia power forward Trey Thompkins would be a nice pick at this juncture. Although Thompkins isn’t the most athletic player in the draft, his versatility would be a welcome addition to the Nets. Not only can Thompkins score in the paint, but he has an excellent shot and is capable of hitting from beyond the arc.
His contributions don’t stop at the offensive end, though, as he is good rebounder as well. With Brandan Wright as the only power forward signed for next season, Thompkins would have an opportunity to log decent minutes right away.
28. Chicago Bulls (from Heat/Raptors): SG Marshon Brooks, Providence
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After finishing the 2010-11 NBA regular season with the league’s best record, it’s obvious that the Bulls are a fairly complete team. Losing to the Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals did expose a few weaknesses, however. Even though most of the top-flight talent in the draft is gone by this point, Chicago should be able to use their two late-first round picks to add some depth.
One of the Bulls’ main issues is the fact that Derrick Rose is essentially their entire offense. Outside of him, Chicago really doesn’t have another player who is capable of creating his own shot. With that in mind, Providence shooting guard Marshon Brooks would make a lot of sense. As one of the best pure scorers in the draft, Brooks could eventually develop into a nice running mate for Rose. Ronnie Brewer and Keith Bogans, while responsible players, just don’t bring enough to the table offensively.
The reason why Brooks could fall this far is his lack of effort defensively. This might be an issue on most teams, but the Bulls have such a commitment to defense that other players should be able to cover for his shortcomings.
29. San Antonio Spurs: SF Kyle Singler, Duke
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Much like the Boston Celtics, the Spurs last chance at another NBA Championship may have come and gone. Aging veterans like Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Richard Jefferson just aren’t what they used to be. The Spurs need young legs all over the roster, but their biggest need may be at the small forward position. After bouncing back during the 2009-10 season from a rough first year as a Spur, Jefferson reverted back to form this past season. A good option would be Duke small forward Kyle Singler.
It’s obvious that Singler is limited athletically, but he brings a lot of great qualities that would be beneficial to San Antonio. He is a very good at catching and shooting which is something he’ll be called upon to do plenty of in the Spurs’ offense. Also, perhaps most importantly, Singler is a proven winner who won a National Championship at Duke. He seems to be fairly NBA-ready at this point, so he has the potential to step in and contribute from the onset.
30. Chicago Bulls: PF JaJuan Johnson, Purdue
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The Bulls have some pretty considerable frontcourt depth with Joakim Noah, Carlos Boozer and Taj Gibson, but Purdue power forward JaJuan Johnson would bring a different set of skills to the table. Both Noah and Gibson are defense-first players, while Boozer is a more offensively-minded player. None of them have eye-popping athleticism, however, which is exactly what Johnson possesses.
Johnson isn’t a spectacular offensive player, but his leaping ability and length allows him allows him to get to the basket and the free-throw line as well. With a wingspan of over seven feet, he is also a big asset defensively due to his penchant for altering and blocking shots. Due to the fact that the Bulls have so many players entrenched in their rotation already, Johnson probably wouldn’t see much playing time essentially. His physical tools make him an intriguing project pick, though.
