2011 NBA Mock Draft: The Best-Case Scenario Pick for Every Team
This year's NBA Draft features some of the worst talent the draft has ever seen.
There are no players like LeBron James, Derrick Rose, Dwight Howard or even John Wall in the 2011 Draft.
Despite the lack of talent, though, there are still players available in the draft who can make teams better. Players like Kyrie Irving, Derrick Williams and Brandon Knight may never be superstars in the league, but they have potential to be solid contributors for the teams that draft them.
Every team selecting in the first round of the 2011 NBA Draft needs to get better.
Here are the best-case scenarios for each team picking in the first round.
1. Cleveland Cavaliers Select Derrick Williams
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Projected Pick: Kyrie Irving
Best-Case Scenario Pick: Derrick Williams
The Cleveland Cavaliers have a lot of needs to fill, one of them being small forward.
When LeBron James took off for Miami last year, a huge void was left in the Cleveland Cavaliers line-up. Players like Jamario Moon were left to try and fill James' enormous shoes.
The 2011 NBA Draft gives the Cavaliers a great chance to get better in the small forward position, and why not use the No. 1 pick to get Derrick Williams, the best forward available?
In a draft where the forward talent is more shallow than the point guard talent, the Cavaliers are better off using their first pick to select Derrick Williams instead of Kyrie Irving.
2. Minnesota Timberwolves Select Enes Kanter
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Projected Pick: Derrick Williams
Best-Case Scenario Pick: Enes Kanter
With the pick-up of Point Guard Ricky Rubio, the Minnesota Timberwolves no longer need to draft a point guard. Instead, the T-Wolves need to get better at the center position.
Enes Kanter is a player that could help them do just that. Kanter, who stands at 6'11" and weighs 260 pounds, has all the tools to be a solid big man in the NBA—and a solid center is something the Timberwolves need.
The Timberwolves may end up trading down in the draft to fill their shooting guard need, or draft Kyrie Irving or Derrick Williams as trade value depending on who is available.
However, if Minnesota stays at the No. 2 pick and drafts for a need, the best-case scenario pick for them is Enes Kanter.
3. Utah Jazz Select Kyrie Irving
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Projected Pick: Brandon Knight
Best-Case Scenario Pick: Kyrie Irving
While it is extremely unlikely that the best player in the draft would be available to Utah at the No. 3 pick, this would definitely be the best-case scenario for the Jazz.
The Utah Jazz traded away their franchise player, Deron Williams, in the middle of the 2010-2011 NBA season, and although Devin Harris played well for the Jazz in the 17 games he played in (averaging over 15 points per game), he doesn't seem to be the point guard of the future for Utah.
The good thing for the Jazz is that the 2011 draft is very deep in the top of point guard position and even if Kyrie Irving isn't available at pick No. 3, a player like Brandon Knight would greatly benefit Utah.
With another pick at No. 12 in the draft, the Jazz should use their No. 3 pick to draft a point guard.
4. Cleveland Cavaliers Select Brandon Knight
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Projected Pick: Enes Kanter
Best-Case Scenario Pick: Brandon Knight
If the Cleveland Cavaliers take Derrick Williams with their first pick, then they should use their No. 4 pick to select a point guard.
In this Mock Draft, the best-case scenario player still available is Brandon Knight. Although Knight does not possess the skill-set of a player like Kyrie Irving, he has one of the biggest upsides of any player in the draft.
Knight, who was one of the top recruits in the nation out of high school, is only 19 years old and is possibly the most athletically talented player in the draft.
He will need to refine his game for the NBA and there will definitely be a learning curve for Knight, but for the Cavaliers to have two young, talented players picked in the first four picks would be their best-case scenario.
5. Toronto Raptors Select Kawhi Leonard
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Projected Pick: Kemba Walker
Best-Case Scenario Pick: Kawhi Leonard
The Raptors have a lot of needs to meet, but their most glaring need is at the forward position. Toronto has eight forwards on their roster, but the problem is that none of them are performing.
After years of taking chances in the draft on international players, the Raptors would be smart to select a solid fundamental player who will be able to become a solid contributor.
Leonard is not the most athletic prospect and his potential is limited, but he will be able to provide timely scoring and efficient rebounding for the Raptors should they select him.
6. Washington Wizards Select Jonas Valanciunas
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Projected Pick: Jan Vesely
Best-Case Scenario Pick: Jonas Valanciunas
When the Wizards drafted the overall No. 1 pick in the 2010 Draft (John Wall) they made a big step toward solidifying their backcourt.
Nick Young, Jordan Crawford and John Wall were three of the team's leading scorers and they are all young. The Wizards can use this draft to compliment their young, talented backcourt with a young, talented, big man.
Jonas Valanciunas is the typical European center. He is a tall, lanky, skilled frontcourt player with a good shooting touch.
The Wizards could use another scoring option in the post to compliment power forward Andray Blatche, who was the team's leading rebounder and second-leading scorer.
7. Sacramento Kings Select Kemba Walker
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Projected Pick: Kawhi Leonard
Best-Case Scenario Pick: Kemba Walker
The two glaring needs the Sacramento Kings have heading into the 2011 Draft are at the point guard and small forward positions.
Many mock drafts have the Kings selecting Kawhi Leonard here, but if Kemba Walker is available at pick No. 7, Sacramento's best-case scenario would be to pick him.
Walker, who torched the rest of college basketball in 2010 on his way to a National Championship, is the second- or third-best point guard prospect in the draft. He is a scoring point guard that could compliment young shooting guard Tyreke Evans well.
Kawhi Leonard would be a good pick for the Kings here too, but he wouldn't improve them in the small forward position as much as Walker would improve the point guard position.
8. Detroit Pistons Select Jan Vesely
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Projected Pick: Jonas Valanciunas
Best-Case Scenario Pick: Jan Vesely
The once great Detroit Pistons are coming into this draft with a need for a front court player. Ben Wallace is an aging player who has never been an offensive presence, and Charlie Villanueva is a power forward who cannot rebound.
Overall, the Pistons ranked dead last in rebounding in 2010, which would make taking 6'11" power forward Jan Vesely a great move for Detroit.
Vesely is a tall, explosive, scoring forward who could offer a spark to the Pistons that hasn't been there since Chauncey Billups left.
There's a chance that Vesely won't be available at pick No. 8, but if he's still on the board when the Pistons are on the clock, Detroit would be best served to take him with their first-round pick.
9. Charlotte Bobcats Select Marcus Morris
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Projected Pick: Marcus Morris
Best-Case Scenario Pick: Marcus Morris
It took nine picks for my best-case scenario selections to intersect with my projected draft picks. For the Charlotte Bobcats, that is a good thing.
With the absence of Gerald Wallace, the Bobcats will need to draft a player who can provide what Wallace brought to Charlotte: rebounding, defense and solid scoring.
Marcus Morris was as solid of a player as they come at Kansas. He was a good scorer, rebounder and an improving defender.
For a team that was second to last in the league scoring in 2010, the Bobcats' best-case scenario in the first round of the draft would be to select Marcus Morris.
10. Milwaukee Bucks Select Tristan Thompson
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Projected Pick: Alec Burks
Best-Case Scenario Pick: Tristan Thompson
The Milwaukee Bucks have some good pieces in Brandon Jennings, Andrew Bogut and John Salmons, but the one glaring weakness in the Bucks' starting lineup is at power forward.
Tristan Thompson is one of the most athletic big men available in the draft; his athleticism is something desperately needed by Milwaukee.
The Bucks ranked last in the NBA in points-per-game and a big part of that was the lack of scoring they received from the forward position. Tristan Thompson can offer another scoring option in the frontcourt for the Bucks.
Alec Burks is a great scorer, but the Bucks already have John Salmons (who led Milwaukee in scoring in 2010) at the shooting guard position.
11. Golden State Warriors Select Bismack Biyombo
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Projected Pick: Donatas Motiejunas
Best-Case Scenario Pick: Bismack Biyombo
The Golden State Warriors have notoriously been one of the worst defensive teams of the past few years; with the recent hire of Mark Jackson, look for the Warriors to start to change that.
The first chance Golden State will have to get better on the defensive end is in the draft, and the best way for them to do that is by drafting Bismack Biyombo.
Biyombo is a 6'9" power forward whose specialty is defense. He has the wingspan of a 7'7" player and is known for his shot-blocking ability.
Biyombo will need to improve his offensive game, but will be able to fill a serious need for the Warriors almost immediately.
12. Utah Jazz Select Alec Burks
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Projected Pick: Jimmer Fredette
Best-Case Scenario Pick: Alec Burks
After filling their point guard need with their No. 3 pick, the Jazz will need to look for a scoring 2-guard with the 12th-pick.
Most Utah fans will be looking for Jimmer Fredette to come join the Jazz with this pick, but Utah would be better off taking Alec Burks.
Fredette was a much better scorer in the college game, but at 6'2" he is a small shooting guard and his defense is virtually non-existent.
Burks isn't a great defender, but he offers more defense than Fredette and, at 6'6", he has NBA shooting guard size.
13. Phoenix Suns Select Klay Thompson
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Projected Pick: Tristan Thompson
Best-Case Scenario Pick: Klay Thompson
The Phoenix Suns were one of the best offensive teams in the league, but with an over-the-hill Vince Carter and an out of shape Jared Dudley making up the small forward position, Klay Thompson would be a fresh addition to the team.
Klay Thompson was one of the best shooters in all of college basketball at Washington State and could offer some much needed youth to the Suns.
14. Houston Rockets Select Jordan Hamilton
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Projected Pick: Jordan Hamilton
Best-Case Scenario Pick: Jordan Hamilton
Here is another time in this mock draft where the projected pick is the same as the best-case scenario pick.
The Houston Rockets need a small forward. Between Chase Budinger, Terrance Williams and Marqus Blakely, there was little scoring found in the 2010-11 season.
Jordan Hamilton is a great solution to this problem.
At the University of Texas, Hamilton was one of the best shooters and the primary scoring option for the Longhorns. He has good size for a small forward at almost 6'9" and he already lives in Texas, so there wouldn't be as much of a transition.
This pick just makes sense for the Rockets.
15. Indiana Pacers Select Jimmer Fredette
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Projected Pick: Klay Thompson
Best-Case Scenario Pick: Jimmer Fredette
The Indiana Pacers played well against the Bulls in their first-round playoff series. However, what may have held the Pacers back from advancing this year was their need for a shooting guard—more specifically, a shooter.
There's a good chance that Jimmer Fredette will be off the board by the time the 15th-pick rolls around, but if he isn't, then the Pacers would be missing an opportunity if they didn't pick him up.
Fredette was the National Player of the Year at BYU and showed the rangiest shooting of anyone in college basketball. He can score at will and he fits the mold of the prototypical Pacers player.
Indiana needs a sharpshooter and Fredette offers that and more.
16. Philadelphia 76ers Select Markieff Morris
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Projected Pick: Markieff Morris
Best-Case Scenario Pick: Markieff Morris
As Elton Brand continues to decline and rumors of Iguodala leaving become more and more prevalent, it's clear that the Philadelphia 76ers need to get younger and more athletic in the forward position.
The guy that will help them do that in the draft is Markieff Morris. Like his twin brother Marcus Morris, Markieff is a strong, athletic forward who can finish around the rim as well as step back and hit a shot from behind the three-point line.
If the 76ers add Monte Ellis or Chris Kaman to their 2011 lineup, with Markieff Morris, Philadelphia could turn out to be a contender in 2011-12.
17. New York Knicks Select Donatas Montiejunas
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Projected Pick: Chris Singleton
Best-Case Scenario Pick: Donatas Montiejunas
The Knicks need a center, plain and simple. Ronny Turiaf is a high energy player, but he won't cut it as a long term starting center in the competitive Atlantic division of the Eastern Conference.
Cue Donatas Montiejunas.
Montiejunas is probably the most offensively skilled big man in the draft. He fits the mold of a typical European frontcourt player and is comparable to current NBA players Dirk Nowitzki and Pau Gasol (although not as complete of a player just yet).
Another good thing about Montiejunas (ironically) is that he will probably stay in Europe for a couple of years, leaving the Knicks time to clear cap-space while he develops.
18. Washington Wizards Select Tobias Harris
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Projected Pick: Tobias Harris
Best-Case Scenario Pick: Tobias Harris
After picking up an inside presence with their first pick at No. 6, the Wizards will likely look to fill their need at small forward.
Rashard Lewis and Josh Howard grossly underperformed this season and the future doesn't look bright for them either.
Tobias Harris is the third- or fourth-best small forward available in the draft and would compliment the game of Wall and Blatche well. At 6'8" he creates matchup problems for opposing bigs with his ability to handle the ball.
The Wizards get better by adding Tobias Harris.
19. Charlotte Bobcats Select Chris Singleton
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Projected Pick: Marshon Brooks
Best-Case Scenario Pick: Chris Singleton
Marshon Brooks was the second-leading scorer in all of college basketball in 2010 and is one of the best scorers available in the draft. However, Brooks fills a role that the Bobcats already have filled in Stephen Jackson.
Chris Singleton, on the other hand, gives something to Charlotte that they need—a good defender and rebounder. Singleton is as NBA ready as they come for his role and would benefit the Bobcats greatly.
He will need to develop his offensive game, but will be an instant contributor for the Bobcats should they take him with the 19th-pick.
20. Minnesota Timberwolves Select Marshon Brooks
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Projected Pick: Kenneth Faried
Best-Case Scenario Pick: Marshon Brooks
The Minnesota Timberwolves already have a rebounding power forward—Kevin Love. What they don't have is a shooting guard.
Marshon Brooks, although sometimes a little reckless in his shot selection, can score.
With Kevin Love drawing double teams in the post, a perimeter player like Brooks would add another scoring option and alleviate the pressure Love and Beasley have on them, being the only scorers on the team.
21. Portland Trail Blazers Select Justin Harper
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Projected Pick: Nikola Vucevic
Best-Case Scenario Pick: Justin Harper
Let's face it, the Blazers big men are old.
Oden has yet to do anything for Portland and Camby is coming up on 38 years old. Marcus Aldridge has been the one bright spot for the Blazers, but he has been forced to play a lot of center and is being overworked.
This may be too high for Justin Harper, but as one of the few true power forwards in the league, he would fit well in Portland.
Harper is not only the best shooting big man in the draft, but also one of the best shooters in the draft as a whole.
22. Denver Nuggets Select Kenneth Faried
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Projected Pick: Iman Shumpert
Best-Case Scenario Pick: Kenneth Faried
As Kenyon Martin ages, his production continues to decline. Both he and fellow power forward, Al Harrington, average less than six rebounds a game.
Kenneth Faried is one of the most explosive players in the draft with a lot of defensive ability that would help the Nuggets right away.
Not only would Faried improve Denver's rebounding, but his shot-blocking ability would also add another element to the Nugget defense.
Faried, who is very much a defense-minded player, would bring an inside presence and energy that the Nuggets have lacked.
23. Houston Rockets Select Nikola Vucevic
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Projected Pick: Tyler Honeycutt
Best-Case Scenario Pick: Nikola Vucevic
Vucevic is a versatile shooter who is extremely long and offensively gifted. At USC he was the No. 1 scoring option and he is capable of creating his own shot.
More than that, though, Vucevic is great off the pick 'n' roll, which is something that the Rockets and current point guard Kyle Lowry excel at.
He would fit in well and be a great addition to the team.
24. Oklahoma City Thunder Select Tyler Honeycutt
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Projected Pick: Kyle Singler
Best-Case Scenario Pick: Tyler Honeycutt
Oklahoma City made it all the way to the Western Conference Championship game this year and was on the verge of making it to the NBA Finals.
One thing that hurt the Thunder was that when Kevin Durant came out of the game, they lacked a true small forward to replace him.
Tyler Honeycutt is an ideal bench player. He's a good defender, a good scorer, and an excellent piece for any team; but he would work especially well off the bench for the Thunder.
25. Boston Celtics Select Trey Thompkins
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Projected Pick: Trey Thompkins
Best-Case Scenario Pick: Trey Thompkins
The Celtics need depth in their frontcourt. With Shaquille O'Neal retiring and the disaster that was the Kendrick Perkins trade behind them, the Celtics would be advised to get bigger in the draft.
In addition to the depth they lost in retirement and in trades, the Celtics are getting older and older every year.
Kevin Garnett is entering the home-stretch in his career; adding a young post scorer like Trey Thompkins would help them get younger and bigger simultaneously.
This would be a good fit for Thompkins as well. He would be immersed in the tough Celtic culture and be coached by defensive minded Doc Rivers, which would force him to improve his defensive game.
26. Dallas Mavericks Select Charles Jenkins
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Projected Pick: Justin Harper
Best-Case Scenario Pick: Charles Jenkins
Charles Jenkins is a great fit for the Dallas Mavericks.
He's a slashing guard, a proficient scorer and possesses good size.
The Mavericks, who may win an NBA Championship this year, are old, especially in the backcourt. Jason Kidd is 38 and Jason Terry is 33, so adding a young guard will do the Mavericks a lot of good in the long run.
Jenkins would be able to study behind one of the best point guards of all-time—Jason Terry—a player he will likely pattern his game after.
The Mavericks don't need much right now (as seen by their postseason run), but getting younger in the guard position would greatly benefit their future.
27. New Jersey Nets Select Kyle Singler
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Projected Pick: Josh Selby
Best-Case Scenario Pick: Kyle Singler
The only problem with this pick for the Nets is that Kyle Singler may not drop all the way to them at 27.
However, should he be available to them late in the first round, it would be a mistake not to draft him.
As a four-year starter for Duke and Mike Krzyzewski, Singler was made into an Avery Johnson type of player. He's a tough, fundamental, high IQ type of player who is a system guy.
Singler isn't going to lead a team in scoring, but he'll do what is asked of him and he's a winner, which is something the Nets are definitely lacking.
If you're the New Jersey Nets, you can't afford to take many risks on Draft Day because you're more than a couple of years away from being a legitimate contender.
Drafting a solid guy like Kyle Singler sets a good foundation for the future.
28. Chicago Bulls Select Josh Selby
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Projected Pick: Charles Jenkins
Best-Case Scenario Pick: Josh Selby
The Bulls' only notable need is at shooting guard. Keith Bogans and Ronnie Brewer are nice players who do a lot with a little, but they don't help Derrick Rose much on the offensive side of the ball.
Josh Selby can provide that boost from the 2-position. Selby was a five-star recruit out of high school who never quite lived up to the hype in college; but the potential still remains.
The Bulls can afford to wait for Selby to develop because, even with the hole at the shooting guard position, they are still one of the elite teams in the NBA.
29. San Antonio Spurs Select Jordan Williams
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Projected Pick: Davis Bertans
Best-Case Scenario Pick: Jordan Williams
The Spurs are another aging dynasty that needs youth.
With Duncan on his last leg, the Spurs have seen the consequences of not having a young post presence (i.e., the Memphis Grizzlies series).
In order for the Spurs to contend again, they need to be able to establish that scoring post player, which has been fading away with Duncan's career. Tiago Splitter was supposed to provide that for San Antonio, but he has been very slow to develop; for the Spurs, it might be best to look to fill that need in the draft.
Williams is a good post defender as well as a good rebounder, which will help the Spurs defend against the big Western Conference teams like the Lakers and Grizzlies.
The 29th-pick might be a little high for Williams, but it would be worth it for the Spurs to take him here.
30. Chicago Bulls Select JaJuan Johnson
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Projected Pick: Jeremy Tyler
Best-Case Scenario Pick: JaJuan Johnson
The Chicago Bulls don't want to draft two wild cards and should they take Josh Selby at 28, it would be a good idea to draft a solid post player with the 30th-pick.
JaJuan Johnson is a high second-round pick, according to most draft boards, but is a safer bet than Jeremy Tyler.
Tyler, who left high school after his Junior year to play overseas, has been shaky at best, but has recently improved his stock by playing well in Japan. However, for the amount of upside this kid has, he has just as much potential to be a bust.
Johnson, on the other hand, played for a big-time program in the college game. He was the Big Ten Player of the Year and averaged 20 points, eight rebounds and more than two blocks in his last year for the Boilermakers.
While learning under Joakim Noah, Johnson has the potential to become a staple for the Chicago Bulls in the future.
