NBA Draft 2011: Jimmer Fredette and 10 Prospects Rising Up Draft Boards
Now that it seems Ricky Rubio has had yet another change of heart, the NBA draft order is once again up in the air.
Minnesota may be in need of a point guard, and the draft has plenty of those available. Even if Rubio does finally come over (which is the more likely scenario), his performances the last two years have not resembled a No. 5 pick at all.
But the Timberwolves aren't the team with needs, so here's a look at 10 prospects who are rising up the draft board with just over a week to go.
10. Kemba Walker
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Kemba Walker is a great scorer and ball-handler. He would be an asset to almost any team picking in the top 10. He's got a quick first step to get past defenders and is a decent rebounder for his size (6'1").
He's working out for the Utah Jazz (who pick at No. 3 and No. 12) on Wednesday, but the Sacramento Kings (at No. 7) are also very keen on the Husky, having seen him work out on Monday. Toronto (at No. 5) needs just about anyone, so that's not a stretch either.
After Kyrie Irving, Walker isn't the best point guard left in the draft, so it's hard to see him going to Utah at No. 3—but they may have no other choice at that point.
9. Enes Kanter
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Enes Kanter is the best center in the draft and is working out for everyone, including the Wizards and the Timberwolves.
With Minnesota, he would form an extremely formidable partnership with Kevin Love, and though he comes with some risks, he may also have more upside than Arizona's Derrick Williams.
If not, then Utah (at No. 3) may decide they need a franchise big man before a point guard.
The Wizards may be bringing him to work out in vain—there's little chance Cleveland won't grab him with their No. 4 pick if he's still around.
Photo courtesy of nationofblue.com
8. Brandon Knight
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According to many, Brandon Knight is the best point guard in the draft behind Duke's Kyrie Irving.
With the confusion surrounding Ricky Rubio and his talent level, Minnesota really needs a point guard. Kevin Love getting a double-double every night obviously isn't enough. Rubio just could not score last year in Barcelona, and the Timberwolves need more than just a passer.
The Timberwolves have considered trading their No. 2 pick, but with Knight already slated to go in the top five, would they be able to get him with a trade?
If the T-Wolves don't take him, Utah is certainly an admirer. Toronto (at No. 5) would be another possible destination.
7. Klay Thompson
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Now that Golden State has a new coach in Mark Jackson and a new consultant in Jerry West, they are apparently very high on Washington State's Klay Thompson.
Thompson is a great shooter and was the highest scorer in the Pac-10 last season.
Thompson is a consensus first-round pick, and despite a marijuana charge, his stock has risen all the way into the lottery picks; he's even got a chance to go in the top 10.
Any team looking for an athletic shooting guard with good movement and decent ball-handling would do well to take a closer look at Thompson in the next week.
6. Alec Burks
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Colorado's Alec Burks can play either guard position and gets to the rim quickly and easily without losing control of the ball.
Cleveland's first choice for their No. 4 pick is Enes Kanter, but with his stock rising as well, he may not be around—at which point, Alec Burks could form a great backcourt with Kyrie Irving.
It's not incredibly likely that Cleveland will take him, but as one of the best 2-guards available, Burks has climbed into the lottery picks and possibly the top 10.
5. Derrick Williams
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With so many stellar point guards in this year's draft, the gap between Kyrie Irving and Derrick Williams for the No. 1 pick is as small as it could be.
Irving is a fantastic all-around player, but Williams is more dynamic, and there are fewer replacements for him likely to be left for Cleveland at No. 4.
He's worked out with Cleveland, will visit Minnesota at the end of this week, and has a very little chance of falling outside of the top two picks.
4. Jimmer Fredette
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Jimmer Fredette's offensive upside is overshadowing his defensive downside at this point, and more teams are becoming fans of the BYU star.
Utah was originally slated to take the hot-shooting point guard with their No. 12 pick, but now there's every reason to believe he won't be there.
Sacramento may believe his defense will improve (or his offense will make up for it) and take him with their No. 7 pick.
One thing Jimmer certainly has is confidence, seeing as he has no problem working out against his biggest competitors in the draft, Kemba Walker and Brandon Knight.
3. Chris Singleton
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Chris Singleton, out of Florida State, was seen as a late first-round pick, but the forward is moving up the board and could find himself in the lottery picks.
If Jimmer is gone, Utah could take him at No. 12, and he'd certainly replace the defensive void at Houston since Shane Battier left. But there are several teams in the top 10 that need a player of his caliber, like Detroit or Charlotte.
2. Tobias Harris
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Tobias Harris, out of Tennessee, has the work ethic that every NBA team is looking for.
He spent just one, turmoil-filled season at Tennessee (not due to him), but he didn't come out of it looking any worse for the wear.
Originally seen as a late first-round pick, he could now be a valuable pick for a team like Indiana (at No. 15), with his offensive game a huge upside and his quickness and strength allowing him to get past defenders.
He's also visited with Washington (who will pick at No. 18) and New York (No. 17).
1. Kawhi Leonard
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Washington needs to give John Wall some weapons to work with, and they are taking an extra long look at San Diego State's Kawhi Leonard to do just that.
The shooting forward has been climbing up the boards since the combine. He worked out with the Wizards (No. 6) last week and impressed with his shooting skills.
But the Cavaliers (at No. 4) may have different ideas. Enes Kanter may no longer be available to them, or Leonard's combine and performances since may have shown them something different to Kanter.
One thing is for sure: He will not be falling out of the top 10.
