2011 NBA Mock Draft: Will Teams Draft Based on Need Because of NBA Lockout?
The NBA's collective bargaining agreement is set to expire on July 1, just one week after the NBA draft.
Until an agreement is made between both the NBA players and owners, teams cannot sign (or talk to, for that matter) free-agents-to-be.
And based on that fact, the reality is that there may not be enough time for free agency, forcing teams who are in desperate need of some building pieces—or complementary pieces, for championship-contending teams—to draft these key components instead of seeking them through free agency.
Thus, the result is an increase in NBA teams who will draft based on need, something that hasn't really happened since the Portland Trail Blazers took Sam Bowie ahead of Michael Jordan in the 1984 NBA draft, kick-starting the desire to draft for talent, instead of need.
That resurrection should cause for some interesting drops in the stock of certain players, as well as the rise of others.
Of course, I'm here to sort it all out for you. It's kind of my job.
So don't worry: Here is your legitimate 2011 NBA draft.
Click away.
1. Cleveland Cavaliers: Derrick Williams, PF
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The Cleveland Cavaliers are in desperate need of an aggressive scorer.
Derrick Williams is your man, Cavs owner Dan Gilbert.
The Cavaliers ranked as the second-worst (or 29th-best, if you're an optimist) offensive unit in the league, putting up a lowly 102 points per 100 possessions.
Derrick Williams proved to be an explosive threat on offense, getting into the paint at will and using his craftiness to get to the foul line when the time called for it.
The Cavaliers already have an OK point guard in Baron Davis—who played reasonably well in Cleveland, all things considered—and adding someone to feed the ball to Williams could help develop his game.
2. Minnesota Timberwolves: Enes Kanter, PF/C
2 of 30The Minnesota Timberwolves proved to be one of the worst teams with a ton of upside last season. The 'Pups put up 101 points per game, good for a top-10 league ranking, although they did play a much faster pace (per-possession-wise they were terrible, which is obviously softened by Kevin Love's rebounding skills).
What they lack now is a skilled big man, considering their point guard issue has been taken care of with the signing of Spanish point man, Ricky Rubio.
Enes Kanter can fill your vacancy in the paint, Minnesota.
Kanter is an incredibly skilled almost-seven-footer, with length much more daunting than some seven-footers.
Kanter can play the center position comfortably, and has the skill to finish at the rim, using his length impressively to accumulate points.
If the Timberwolves know what they're doing, adding Kanter could prove to be huge in their mission to rebuild effectively.
3. Utah Jazz: Kyrie Irving, PG
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Kyrie Irving's selection shouldn't be happening here.
The Utah Jazz already have an All-Star point guard in Devin Harris; if given time to learn the offensive system, as well as an offseason to further be comfortable in Salt Lake City, Harris can excel tremendously.
But the Jazz need a big man, and selecting the next true center in Donatas Motiejunas would be a wasted pick at No. 3 (unless the team decides to trade down, which can happen).
Kyrie Irving is too good to pass up at the third selection; Irving is a true point guard, creating open shots for his teammates because of his pass-first ability (and mentality). He's athletic enough to wreak havoc in the paint and then use that dribble penetration to kick out to the wings.
Of course, should the Jazz pick up Irving, it would spell trouble for Devin Harris' future in Utah.
4. Cleveland Cavaliers: Brandon Knight, PG/SG
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The Cleveland Cavaliers don't have a ton of pieces to build off of; in fact, the only player probably worth keeping in Cleveland would be Baron Davis, despite his lazy play as a Los Angeles Clipper.
The combination of Brandon Knight and Derrick Williams could prove to be deadly if Baron Davis can act as an offensive initiator while Knight is also on the floor as an off-guard. Davis has a reputation as an above-average passer and Knight's range and ability to slash couple well with Williams' ability to take players off the dribble, attacking the paint aggressively.
Knight has enough range and athleticism to play effectively at the 2 or 1, as well, and should the offensively (and defensively) plagued Cavaliers take him, Cleveland might be cool with LeBron leaving last July.
5. Toronto Raptors: Jimmer Fredette, PG
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The Toronto Raptors were left in absolute ruins when Chris Bosh left last year. The team has no pieces worth holding on to, save for Andrea Bargnani and rookie Ed Davis.
It's a good place to start, if you're Toronto, with the most well-known college basketball star in the nation.
Jimmer Fredette has become a household name for his intense, competitive play, gritty character and (almost forgot!) ridiculous ability to put up big points.
Fredette is marketable as hell, something the Raptors have never really been. Of course, Jimmer's popularity is symbolized by his inability to attend class because classmates would regularly ask him for his autograph.
Yeah, people love the guy that much.
And it's not like the Raptors won't be selecting him for his pure popularity; Fredette has legendary range with the ability to make tough, contested shots on a regular basis. He runs the floor well, and has the vision necessary to get to his sweet spots without much of a problem.
And with some solid coaching, he could become a terrific passer as well, ala Steve Nash.
6. Washington Wizards: Jonas Valanciunas, PF/C
6 of 30The Washington Wizards have enough building pieces in place to be content with taking Jonas Valanciunas with their sixth pick in the 2011 NBA draft.
John Wall proved to be quite the animal in his rookie year, putting up nearly 17 points per game and dishing out eight assists to go along with it (though his turnover rate could use some cleanin' up.)
Andray Blatche became a strong offensive force, too, at the 4 position, averaging just as many points as Wall, and around eight boards per game.
Jonas Valanciunas could bolster a group of bigs that is very potent offensively.
Valanciunas has extremely soft hands and, with his height at 6'11'', can be tough to stop if he can learn to keep his hands up. He knows how to finish around the basket, too, which could be crucial for John Wall, knowing he can throw up a pass towards the basket and let Valanciunas finish things off.
Valanciunas is a bit "soft," (an over-used word in today's basketball world) but should be able to garner some strength considering he's just 18.
7. Sacramento Kings: Jan Vesely, SF/PF
7 of 30The Sacramento Kings need some help with a lot.
They don't have a terrible core: Tyreke Evans had an as-expected sophomore slump in 2010, as he saw his field-goal percentage drop dramatically, but still showed the flashes of brilliance that he did last season; DeMarcus Cousins had a solid rookie season, averaging nearly 15 points and nine boards per game; and Marcus Thornton performed far better than expected, averaging 21 points per game during his tenure as a King late in the season.
The Kings need a true wing forward, though.
Jan Vesely provides just that.
Vesely has an extreme level of raw talent, as he uses his explosiveness to get to the basket and finish. Add the fact that he's 6'11'', and he could be quite the force at either the 3 or the 4.
Vesely allows for more slashing and can force 'Reke Evans and Marcus Thornton to further improve their outside shots to space the floor better.
8. Detroit Pistons: Jordan Hamilton, SG/SF
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The Detroit Pistons have zero pieces in place to build off of. All the turmoil last season with coach John Kuester—namely the "striking" that some of the Pistons' key players had done—signaled the end of whatever roster the team has in place.
Of course, Rodney Stuckey and Will Bynum are the sole players worth keeping on the roster, which isn't a terrible place to start.
Adding Jordan Hamilton would make the Pistons a true offensive threat, with Hamilton's ability to score around the basket, using his craftiness and knowledge of the game to put up points.
Stuckey can create for other players, and Hamilton is the beneficiary, since he can finish extremely well on the low block.
9. Charlotte Bobcats: Tristan Thompson, PF
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The Charlotte Bobcats are ready to be blown up.
This team was a perennial eighth seed in the Gerald Wallace era. With Wallace as their first option, the team was going nowhere.
D.J. Augustine may be the last real building piece, but to be honest, he may be gone, too, especially with all the trade rumors circulating around him.
Tristan Thompson is the best player available for an ailing team looking to start over, again.
Thompson is a motor guy. He isn't an amazingly skilled player on offense, but he crashes the boards with fury and resolve, and his coachability seems workable.
Thompson could, with proper coaching, become a solid offensive player, and though he won't be the team's focal point, he could become a good third option for any future stars that come to Charlotte.
10. Milwaukee Bucks: Alec Burks, SG
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The Milwaukee Bucks finished as the best defensive team in the league, statistically, shutting down some of the most potent offenses in the NBA.
Of course, they didn't make the playoffs. Why? The team has zero offense.
Zip. Zilch. Nada.
Alec Burks can help fill that damning void; Burks is skilled offensively and knows how to get to the rim where (and when) necessary. He has the ball-handling skills you'd expect from a point guard, and his court vision is insane.
Burks lacks an outside shot, but he can develop one fairly easy, considering that's something coaches can help him with as he makes a transition to the pros.
The Bucks would be silly not to have this guy; he's offense, and the Bucks need offense.
11. Golden State Warriors: Donatas Motiejunas, C
11 of 30The Golden State Warriors desperately need what they've needed for near 10 years: an inside presence.
The Warriors proved that they needed it last season, by boasting one of the most dynamic offenses in the NBA, but finishing at the bottom of the league in several defensive categories.
Donatas Motiejunas won't be a defensive animal down low, but at 7'0'' he provides length that a ton of teams coveted. That should allow for a better presence down low, using whatever shot-blocking abilities he may have to bother shots.
What he does, though, is keep with the Warriors philosophy: play offense as best as possible. Motiejunas is an offensive beast, thanks to his skill and length where needed.
12. Utah Jazz: Kawhi Leonard, SF
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The Utah Jazz are pretty stacked, despite not making the playoffs last season. This team could use some time to jell, but is complete at every other position, save for center.
Sadly for Jazz fans, there aren't any good centers left in this draft, and instead, they'll have to settle for another wing player.
Kawhi Leonard may not be the smartest choice, but it's the one I expect the Jazz to make.
Leonard is extremely athletic and knows how to play well, on the defensive end. What he lacks is offense, and that's when a problem may arise.
The Jazz already have Andrei Kirilenko, a gifted athlete who's solid on the defensive side of the ball. Leonard is the same, but with variable offensive performances.
Regardless, Leonard is the best player available at the 12th pick of the draft.
13. Phoenix Suns: Marcus Morris, SF/PF
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The Phoenix Suns don't seem ready to rebuild just yet, as they are adamant about hanging onto Steve Nash.
However, they'll be picking up pieces to transition right away when Nash calls it quits.
Marcus Morris is a solid place to start; while he won't be part of a championship core—at least, based on all his workouts and his time in Kansas—he'll be a solid role player for the Suns, and can contribute immediately to Phoenix's offense, thanks to his shooting ability from mid-range and ability to slash.
Of course, he provides a solid defensive vigor, too, with his rough defense and mean demeanor.
14. Houston Rockets: Bismack Biyombo, C
14 of 30The Houston Rockets have been rebuilding without Yao Ming in mind for...well, nearly two years now.
And because of that, the Rockets will need a center who can at least fill the void Yao left, defensively.
Bismack Biyombo is your man.
Biyombo has been working out for teams for a while now, and the results only seem to get better on his end. Biyombo provides a unique skill set that combines a Dikembe Mutumbo-like style of defensive play and amazing athletic ability to block shots and hit the glass.
That's exactly what the Rockets need.
Biyombo will definitely bolster the Rockets middle and allow for a transition to (hopefully) a more defensively minded team in the future.
15. Indiana Pacers: Markieff Morris, PF
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The Indiana Pacers could use a relatively defensive 4, considering they had little chance of ever stopping Derrick Rose in their playoff stint in 2011.
And with the core the Bulls have, that's what their focus should be—building each year for another playoff run to get a step further.
Morris has a mean demeanor and can get underneath opponents' skin. He's aggressive and terrifyingly tough. He's kind of a liability on offense, sure, but he's a great defensive player, crashing boards with resolve and consistently staying the course and standing his ground.
He won't fit in with the Pacers culture of running and playing offense first and often, but he'll bring them what they need: a tough, defensive player with the ability to shut down players from the 3-5 positions.
16. Philadelphia 76ers: Kemba Walker, PG
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The Philadelphia 76ers have a good group of young talent in place, headed by Evan Turner, Jrue Holliday, Thaddeus Young and Jodie Meeks.
What they don't have in that bunch is the offensive firepower required to win playoff games against elite teams.
The team doesn't have a legitimate starting point guard yet, and while we're not sure just how Kemba Walker's quickness and speed could translate at the NBA level, the 76ers could definitely use it.
Walker would need to transition from a score-first to pass-first guard, though, considering the young, talented scorers already on the team. If he dedicates his time to converting to a true point guard à la Russell Westbrook, the Sixers will have made the right call.
17. New York Knicks: Darius Morris, PG
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The New York Knicks are constantly in trade mode, but one thing, for right now, is certain: they need a point guard.
Their current point guard, Chauncey Billups, is nearly 35, and letting Darius Morris learn from Billups could be hugely beneficial.
Darius Morris could learn a ton from Billups, as well. Morris doesn't have the athleticism other point guards selected before him will have, but he's crafty as hell and knows how to create good spacing and initiate offense.
The Knicks could use a game manager for their star-studded attack.
18. Washington Wizards: Klay Thompson, SG
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The Washington Wizards have a talented set of youngsters in place, led by cornerstone franchise point guard John Wall.
Of course, this team is young and could use more help.
Klay Thompson could fill a small void at the 2-guard. Thompson allows the Washington Wizards some floor spacing, further creating space for John Wall to penetrate and kick out to a player like Thompson, a knockdown, silky-smooth jump shooter.
Thompson can handle the ball just fine, too, but the best way Washington can utilize Thompson would be keeping him at an off-guard position.
19. Charlotte Bobcats: Marshon Brooks, SG
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The Charlotte Bobcats are not an offensive-minded team, and though they were one of the better defensive teams in the league last season, their offense was entirely damning.
Marshon Brooks is what the Bobcats need.
Charlotte needs Brooks, a player who can create his own shot and penetrate when necessary. He has solid range, too, and has the size to play off-guard efficiently.
Should the 'Cats keep D.J. Augustine, the pairing of he and Brooks would prove to be an explosive backcourt.
20. Minnesota Timberwolves: Tyler Honeycutt, SG/SF
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The Minnesota Timberwolves were a potent offensive team last season—their stats buffered by their No. 1 league ranking in rebounding.
Tyler Honeycutt could add to that. He's lengthy and is a solid wing player to complement Kevin Love's range and Ricky Rubio's vision.
Honeycutt has solid range and has enough athleticism to slash, but lacks the know-how. With proper coaching, he could be a threat offensively.
Until then, Honeycutt can play the staunch defender, thanks to his length and explosiveness, something the Timberwolves could utilize.
21. Portland Trail Blazers: Tobias Harris, PF/SF
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The Portland Trail Blazers are in a bit of a struggle in terms of their position on where to move forward.
Regardless, they still need more offense, and Tobias Harris could bring that.
Harris would provide more to any professional offense as a wing player, as opposed to a power forward. He's quick enough to get past defenders off the dribble and can play the point forward if it's required.
He also has decent range, though his shot is streaky.
He also fits the bill of a typical Portland player right now—he's long and athletic and is versatile for a guy at 6'8''.
Tobias Harris could make this team complete if he can be coached to work on his offense more.
22. Denver Nuggets: Chris Singleton, SF/PF
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The Denver Nuggets are stacked.
With a legitimate 10-man rotation, Chris Singleton may not even get playing time.
In this case, the Nuggets should select the best player available.
Singleton could work his way into the rotation with his shooting abilities and his versatility. He also fits with the culture that the Denver Nuggets have been trying to implement since Carmelo Anthony was traded—one filled with defensive attitudes, a focal point of George Karl.
Singleton is a lockdown defender and fits the bill of someone Karl would love to coach.
23. Houston Rockets: Nikola Vucevic, C
23 of 30The Houston Rockets need length, and Nikola Vucevic, at 6'11'', provides just that.
The Rockets have a bunch of talent outside the paint, and have enough offensive firepower to not need to draft for more offense.
What Vucevic provides is length to add to their defensive repertoire. With slashers being funneled in, and if Vucevic is properly coached, he could be a defensive anchor for a team that solely needed just that.
24. Oklahoma City Thunder: Nolan Smith, PG/SG
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The Oklahoma City Thunder could use a 2-guard to back up soon-to-be-announced new starter James Harden.
Nolan Smith is the best player available, too, at No. 24.
Of course, Smith shouldn't be the team's offensive initiator. For his size, he's best suited at the on-guard, but he plays better as an off-guard, getting his shots off the dribble.
And that fits the Thunder needs, as well, as the team has two superstars in Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant—both being able to play on and off the ball.
Smith is the beneficiary here, though. He'll develop well with enough talent around him, and will make a solid rotation player if he can be coached well.
25. Boston Celtics: Kenneth Faried, PF
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The Boston Celtics don't have a lot of options in the draft. At this point, only high-motor players are available, and athleticism—which the Boston Celtics so desperately need—is lacking late in the first round.
However, Kenneth Faried can contribute greatly to the Celtics' aging attack.
Faried plays with an extremely high motor—his endless energy being expelled on the court characterizes this.
Faried will be useful for rotations to perimeter players, something the Celtics couldn't do effectively in their series against the Miami Heat.
26. Dallas Mavericks: Trey Thompkins, PF
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Trey Thompkins could further the Dallas Mavericks style of play for one more title push.
Thompkins is a 6'10'' power forward that has range. His shot is smooth and fluid, and he plays extremely well off the ball. He's a deadly shooter and can knock down shots as soon as he's left open.
To boot, he's an extremely intelligent player, as well. He has decent passing skills—a necessity for a player in the Mavericks rotation.
In essence, Thompkins is the perfect fit in Dallas.
27. New Jersey Nets: Justin Harper
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The New Jersey Nets should start coercing Deron Williams into not leaving the Nets by drafting power forward Justin Harper.
Justin Harper is a sharpshooter, although he boasts little else. What he provides is floor spacing and a shooter for Deron Williams to kick out from dribble penetration, something the Nets don't yet have.
This pick could also be smart, to show a commitment to building around Williams. Regardless, this is the smartest pick the Nets can make.
28. Chicago Bulls: Shelvin Mack, PG/SG
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The Chicago Bulls are in desperate need of an off-guard who can relieve Derrick Rose of ball-handling responsibilities marginally.
Shelvin Mack can play the off-guard with the ability to create shots off the dribble once he makes the catch from the perimeter.
He's not a terrible ball-handler, either, and can help to create shots for Derrick Rose on occasion, using an effective 1-2 screen-and-roll or pick-and-pop.
Mack can push the Bulls to a new level if they can utilize his skills effectively.
29. San Antonio Spurs: Chandler Parsons, SF
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The San Antonio Spurs don't have enough athleticism, but since there's not much left in the draft, they'll have to settle for Chandler Parsons.
Parsons is a solid option, though, and is a highly intelligent basketball player who is a decent passer, fluid shooter and a smart off-the-ball offensive player.
Parsons brings an element of intelligence to a Spurs team that has championed maturity for the past decade. Whether that's what the Spurs need or not is yet to be determined.
30. Chicago Bulls: Kyle Singler, SF
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The Chicago Bulls could use another wing and another player with tremendous passing skills to further their offense.
Of course, Singler's also a shooter who can make plays when necessary. He won't slash, but he'll make the right pass when rotators get out to him, and knowing he won't turn over the ball an inordinate amount of times is comforting.
The Bulls need offense, and Singler's a skilled, smart offensive player.
