NBA Draft 2011: Realistic Targets for Each Team Picking in the First Round
The NBA draft, set to start on June 23rd, is quickly approaching.
The draft will be littered with college players, international players and Jeremy Tyler, who is sort of a combination.
In the first round, every team would love to draft their new superstar, but that is not realistic.
Whether it be a guard, wing, or a post player, each team will look to fill their most glaring need in round one.
Here is a realistic option for every team in the first round:
1. Cleveland Cavaliers- Kyrie Irving, G, Duke
1 of 30
Coming off a 63-loss 2010 season, the Cleveland Cavaliers have several weaknesses on their team.
With the top overall pick, the Cavaliers have the luxury of drafting the top player available while also filling a need.
Enter Kyrie Irving.
Irving is a do-it-all, playmaking point guard. He can make all the plays and will help to facilitate the offense for the last place Cavaliers.
With Irving's ability in the backcourt, the Cavs will be able to pick up more transition baskets, and have more of a flow to their offense.
Questions about Irving come up because of his injury-plagued freshman season at Duke, in which he missed most of the season, but his toe appears to be healed.
Irving could make a major impact from day one.
2. Minnesota Timberwolves- Enes Kanter, C, International
2 of 30Yes, Derrick Williams based on talent should be the pick here at No. 2, and he would be realistic.
However, I believe the Timberwolves will trade this pick away, and even if they don't, Williams would not fill a need.
The Timberwolves have combo forwards Michael Beasley and Anthony Randolph, and while some are beginning to look down on Beasley, both of these players have high upside.
Enes Kanter gives the Timberwolves another option down low with rising star Kevin Love.
Kanter is athletic but also very strong underneath.
He has a polished game and can knock down mid-range jumpshots when the need arises.
Once again, I would expect the Timberwolves to trade back here.
I just hope GM David Kahn does not take another point guard.
3. Utah Jazz-Derrick Williams, F, Arizona
3 of 30
Goodbye Andrei Kirilenko. Hello Derrick Williams.
If the Jazz have a chance at Williams, and I believe they will, he will no doubt be the third pick.
Based on talent alone, Williams could go No. 1 overall.
He can shoot from the perimeter and rebound. He can also throw thunderous dunks down, ask the Duke Blue Devils.
All in all, Williams has it all. He would be a perfect small forward who can play inside and outside.
With the contract issues dealing with Andrei Kirilenko, the Jazz could use an addition at that position.
If the Jazz land Williams they will have one of the most talented frontcourts in the league.
4. Cleveland Cavaliers, Jan Vesely, F, International
4 of 30With the first pick, the Cavaliers brought in the player to run the fast break.
Now the Cavaliers have a chance to grab a target for Kyrie Irving.
Jan Vesely is a high flyer, who is quickly gaining a reputation in Europe for his athleticism.
He does need some work on his shot, and may struggle in the half court, but in the open court Vesely could be dynamite.
With the selections of Irving and Vesely, the Cavaliers could use an up-tempo style to run teams into the ground and cover up weaknesses at other positions.
However, I do still expect the Cavaliers to struggle in 2011.
5. Toronto Raptors- Kemba Walker, G, UCONN
5 of 30
Coming off a remarkable NCAA championship run, Kemba Walker is certainly excelling on the what-have-you-done-for-me-lately front.
Walker brings a ton of energy, quickness and maturity to the point guard position.
He is a bit undersized but makes up for it with his tenacity and his will to win games.
Walker is a big-game player and wants the ball in his hands when the game is on the line.
The Raptors could use a backup to Jose Calderon, and Walker could give Jerryd Bayless competition for that position.
The Raptors need excitement surrounding their often overlooked franchise, and Walker brings that to the table.
6. Washington Wizards- Kawhi Leonard, F, SDSU
6 of 30
The Washington Wizards completely lack for talent at small forward.
With Jan Vesely off the board, Kawhi Leonard becomes the next best option.
You know what you are going to get from Leonard. A high-energy player who does several things well, but nothing spectacular.
He can hurt you from outside, but not consistently enough, which is the same for other aspects of his game.
Leonard will make an impact early in Washington. He is an exciting athlete, and he will work hard enough to make up for some of his shortcomings.
A very nice piece to move forward with for the Wizards.
7. Sacramento Kings- Brandon Knight, G, Kentucky
7 of 30
Brandon Knight will be the best point guard available for the Sacramento Kings at No. 7.
Knight would fit perfectly next to Tyreke Evans in the backcourt.
He can shoot from the outside and is a very smart player.
Knight has the talent to be a top five pick and may just be scratching the surface because of his young age.
The Kings have a chance to select a player who slid, because other teams did not need a point guard.
They will not be disappointed.
8. Detroit Pistons- Bismack Biyombo, F, International
8 of 30Bismack Biyombo has a 7'7'' wingspan, and that is the primary reason for his high selection.
The wingspan allows Biyombo to be a menace on defense and on the glass.
Pistons fans could see the second coming of Ben Wallace in Detroit.
A player still very much a project on the offensive end, but his defensive presence in the paint is enough to make a team take a chance on him in the top ten.
Detroit could also take a shooting guard to replace Rip Hamilton, but I see Detroit adding the extremely physical presence of Biyombo.
9. Charlotte Bobcats, Jonas Valanciunas, C, International
9 of 30The Charlotte Bobcats need to add a true big man down low, and with Biyombo off the board, I look for Jonas Valanciunas to be the most realistic choice.
Valanciunas is still young and needs to add more strength to his 6'11" frame, but he is very skilled.
With a team set at most other positions and with another first-round pick coming later, the Bobcats can take a look at a potential project.
If Valanciunas works out, he could be a very good player down low for the Bobcats.
10. Milwaukee Bucks- Alec Burks, G, Colorado
10 of 30
The Milwaukee Bucks need to get Brandon Jennings and Andrew Bogut some help, and Alec Burks will do just that.
Burks is a true shooting guard and has the potential to be a tremendous scorer. He will fill a major need with Michael Redd and Chris Douglas-Roberts—both set to be free agents.
His biggest asset is his scoring, and while he may get criticized for his defense and his motor at times, Burks will fill up the hoop enough to make Bucks' fans forget their worries.
He may be a stretch at No. 10, but Burks will be to good to pass up as he is the best scorer available.
11. Golden State Warriors- Klay Thompson, G, Washington State
11 of 30If the Golden State Warriors are serious about trading Monta Ellis, then they need to pick up a scorer to replace Ellis on the offensive end.
Klay Thompson will fill the role as a great shooter with good size coming out of college.
Monta Ellis is a scorer with big shoes to fill, but Thompson's perimeter shot would be a solid replacement.
Thomspon won't replace Ellis right away, but he would be a good step in the right direction.
12. Utah Jazz-Jordan Hamilton, G/F, Texas
12 of 30
The Pirates could add a player like Derrick Williams with their third pick, so I do not think a player like Tristan Thompson will be in play for the Jazz here.
However, I do think Thompson's Texas teammate, Jordan Hamilton, could be.
The Jazz need scoring, and that is what Hamilton does best.
He is tall at 6'8'', but he lacks the strength to be a true forward, so I see him being a swingman in the NBA.
He is a versatile player who flat out knows how to score the ball.
The additions of Williams and Hamilton could make the Jazz a very interesting team next season.
13. Phoenix Suns- F, Kenneth Faried, F, Morehead State
13 of 30
Kenneth Faried is a rebounding machine.
He plays with a hard-working attitude and has a nose for the ball.
The Phoenix Suns do not have a powerful presence at power forward. Channing Frye, while a solid perimeter threat, is not the interior presence the Suns need.
Faried does need work on offense, but he broke Tim Duncan's all-time collegiate record for rebounds in his career for a reason.
The Suns need to re-energize their team, and Faried is the perfect guy to provide the spark.
14. Houston Rockets-Donatas Montiejunas, F/C, International
14 of 30With the injury-plagued Yao Ming needing a replacement, expect the Houston Rockets to address the paint with this pick.
Montiejnas is a center that may not have the ceiling of a lot of other players, but he could suit up tomorrow and play.
He is capable of stepping out on the perimeter and continues to develop his game on the interior.
The Rockets desperately need to add talent down low.
Montiejunas is the best post player left on the board.
15. Indiana Pacers- Jimmer Fredette, G, Brigham Young University
15 of 30
The Indiana Pacers proved to be a competitive team against the No. 1 seed Chicago Bulls in the NBA Playoffs.
They lack a pure shooter, but otherwise, have a solid all-around team.
Jimmer Fredette is the most prolific shooter in this year's class, though some debate if his scoring will translate to the next level.
Fredette definitely has the range, but does he have the speed to get himself open?
Or can he play defense?
Those are still question mark's, but Fredette has undeniable shooting ability from seemingly unlimited range.
16. Philadelphia 76ers- Markieff Morris- F, Kansas
16 of 30
After taking Evan Turner in the first round of last year's draft, I expect the 76ers to select another scorer on their young team.
Markieff Morris is a big man at 6'10'', but he can step out and knock down jumpshots on a consistent basis.
He would bring excitement to this team because of his ability to score, and his solid effort on defense and on the glass.
The 76ers managed to improve over the 2010 season.
Morris could be the next step to taking the next step in 2011.
17. New York Knicks- Tristan Thompson, F, Texas
17 of 30
The New York Knicks managed to add Carmelo Anthony during the season, but they still could not play defense.
Tristan Thompson could help fix that problem.
He is a big lefty that has great instincts on defense and also on the glass.
He rebounds at both ends, and he could be the presence in the paint the Knicks could use.
Thompson could use some work on the offensive end, but he is still developing and could turn into a solid offensive player.
With the high-scoring offense in New York, Thompson could give them another dangerous dimension.
18. Washington Wizards- Marshon Brooks, G, Providence
18 of 30
Could you imagine a backcourt with John Wall and Marshon Brooks?
Brooks can score with the best, and that would certainly be a scary combination.
I expect the Wizards to add a small forward with their sixth overall pick, so adding another scorer in the backcourt would still fill a need with this pick.
Brooks is not as well known after playing his college basketball at Providence University. Make no mistake though, Brooks can score in bunches.
The Wizards could have a tough offense to defend if Brooks is the pick at No. 18.
19. Charlotte Bobcats- Tobias Harris, F, Tennessee
19 of 30
The Charlotte Bobcats need to fill the void left by Gerald Wallace at small forward.
Tobias Harris is a player who still has plenty of upside, but he could also contribute now.
Harris is not going to wow anyone, but he is smart and understands how to play the game.
He is a hard worker and has good touch around the rim.
Charlotte needs a player who can do the dirty work after Wallace was sent to Portland.
Harris can be that type of player for the Bobcats.
20. Minnesota Timberwolves- Josh Selby, G, Kansas
20 of 30
Josh Selby has all the talent, but he wasn't able to put it all together at Kansas his freshman season.
Despite his lack of success, Selby is talented enough to be taken in the first round.
After addressing the frontcourt with their first pick, the Timberwolves can add depth to the backcourt. Selby is the most talented player left to fill that need.
Selby can back up at either guard position and will at the least bring an athlete to the floor.
The question is, can he mature enough to play at the professional level?
21. Portland Trailblazers- Nikolai Vucevic, C, USC
21 of 30
Greg Oden has not reached his potential in Portland, and that means the Trailblazers need to address the interior.
Lamarcus Aldridge is a solid player, but he is a power forward. Drafting Nikolai Vucevic would allow him to play that position.
Vucevic brings a scorer to the interior, and also a player that can rebound.
He can knock down perimeter shots when he gets his feet set and is still working on his back to the basket moves.
Vucevic may be a project, but he can eventually contribute down low for Portland.
22. Denver Nuggets- Chris Singleton, F, FSU
22 of 30
Chris Singleton is a former ACC Defensive Player of the Year, and that is expected to translate to the next level.
Singleton is tall enough at 6'9'' to guard multiple positions. He is good on the ball and off the ball.
He is a capable scorer, but his repertoire on offense lacks polish.
Singleton will be a glue guy at the next level.
Every successful team needs a glue guy.
Look for Denver to replace Danillo Gallinari with Singleton at some point and bring some grit to that lineup.
23. Houston Rockets- Tyler Honeycutt, F, UCLA
23 of 30
Chase Budinger and Terrence Williams would be bench players.
However, they should not be starting on the wing.
That is why Tyler Honeycutt makes sense here for the Houston Rockets.
Honeycutt is 6'9'' and is also quick enough to all over the court.
His offensive game has not reached its full potential. He can shoot from outside on a somewhat consistent basis, but he lacks the strength needed to get into the paint and finish at the next level.
Honeycutt may take a few years to fully develop, but he is worth a try in Houston.
24. Oklahoma City Thunder- Kyle Singler, F, Duke
24 of 30
The Oklahoma City Thunder seem to have a dynasty in the making.
One ingredient missing is a sharpshooter from outside.
Kyle Singler fills that role.
James Harden and Kevin Durant can both hit from the outside, but Singler would be a specialist from the outside.
He is a proven winner and makes big shots at big times.
The Thunder have an outstanding young nucleus, and besides some offense in the post, this pick should eliminate any Thunder weaknesses.
25. Boston Celtics- Marcus Morris, F, Kansas
25 of 30
Marcus Morris is probably the least likely to fall this far out of all of these picks.
Boston, however, would love if he did.
The Celtics need to add young talent to the aging Big Three, and with Glen Davis set to be a free agent, look for it to be in the frontcourt.
Morris would add a tough presence down low and also some versatility.
If Jeff Green can continue to develop, the Celtics could have two big versatile players in Boston.
Morris is NBA ready and could contribute for Boston next season.
26. Dallas Mavericks- Travis Leslie, G, Georgia
26 of 30Travis Leslie's athleticism can only really be described by a video.
Leslie is a high-flyer and is sure to create many highlight reel plays in the NBA.
He needs to work on the rest of his game, but Leslie could be a presence in the open floor.
The Mavericks need an athlete on an aging team. They also need a player who can get to the rim and penetrate.
Leslie is the slasher who can make that happen.
He may be inconsistent, but Leslie is worth a chance.
27. New Jersey Nets- Trey Thompkins, F, Georgia
27 of 30
Troy Murphy and Derrick Favors are no longer with the New Jersey Nets, and Kris Humphries may not return as he tests the waters of free agency.
With that scenario, the Nets need to add a power forward, and Trey Thompkins is the best four man available.
Thompkins is not a great athlete, but he has been productive.
He is a project, and he will definitely take some work but he has the talent to be a contributor on the scoreboard.
28. Chicago Bulls-Charles Jenkins, G, Hofstra
28 of 30It is no secret.
The Chicago Bulls are Derrick Rose and everyone else on offense.
This offseason, the Bulls will be in a desperate search for a shooting guard.
Whether they will be able to land Monta Ellis or not, I still think this pick is a guard regardless.
Charles Jenkins is a volume scorer, although somewhat unknown coming out of Hofstra.
Jenkins would give the Bulls a nice asset off the bench and could be a nice backcourt mate for Derrick Rose in the future.
29- San Antonio Spurs- Justin Harper, F, Richmond
29 of 30
Justin Harper is an underrated shooter.
At 6'9'', Harper is a deadly shooter from the outside.
The San Antonio Spurs do not have any major weaknesses, so they can afford to take a chance on a forward-like Harper.
He does still need to add bulk in order to defend and rebound at a high level, but Harper at the least will give the Spurs another weapon on offense.
30. Chicago Bulls- JaJuan Johnson, F, Purdue
30 of 30
JaJuan Johnson is severely underrated for being the best scorer in the Big Ten in 2010.
Johnson can score from the inside or the outside.
He can also block shots on defense and has the length to disrupt passes on the interior or on the perimeter.
Johnson is a versatile scorer, and while he does lack the strength to play down low, he could be a great scorer.
That happens to be the Bulls biggest need.
I can't see Johnson falling out of the first round when the Bulls need scorers as bad as they do.
With the NBA Draft approaching, NBA Mock Draft season is here. Stay tuned to Bleacher Report for updated mock drafts, along with the latest NBA Draft news, analysis, rumors and predictions.
