2011 NBA Mock Draft: 5 Teams That Make Sense for Jimmer Fredette
Now that the NBA Finals have concluded, fans can focus their attention on next week’s NBA draft.
While teams are trying to decide which young prospects to draft, fans and analysts are putting the finishing touches on their respective mock drafts.
Given his success and popularity in college, Jimmer Fredette is one of the most talked about players in this year’s draft.
What follows is a complete first-round mock draft.
In addition, the last five slides will include what team I believe will draft Fredette, in addition to four other franchises I believe would be a good fit for him.
30. Chicago Bulls: Josh Selby
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Josh Selby only played one year at the University of Kansas, before entering the draft.
I can’t help but think Selby is a player who would have benefited playing a couple more seasons of college basketball.
Playing alongside Derrick Rose would give Selby a chance to learn from one of the best.
29. San Antonio Spurs: Kyle Singler
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Kyle Singler is not going to make any jaws drop playing in the NBA.
On the other hand, Singler is a proven winner, helping the Duke Blue Devils take home the 2010 NCAA national championship.
Given his college pedigree and work ethic, something tells me Singler would fit in perfectly with Gregg Popovich in San Antonio.
28. Chicago Bulls: Marshon Brooks
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A four-year player with the Providence Friars, Marshon Brooks was named to the All-Big East first team and led the Friars in points and rebounds.
Also, Brooks was the nation’s second leading scorer behind Jimmer Fredette.
Brooks is a decent combo guard who could work his way into becoming Derrick Rose’s backup.
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27. New Jersey Nets: Travis Leslie
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In his junior season with the Georgia Bulldogs, Travis Leslie averaged 14 points and seven rebounds a game.
In addition, he was named to the All-SEC second team.
In time, Leslie could prove to be a good backcourt partner for Deron Williams.
26. Dallas Mavericks: Marcus Morris
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While he will never be a star, it wouldn’t surprise me if Marcus Morris ends up being a valuable role player for a team in the near future.
Marcus has the versatility to play both small and power forward at the next level.
He could provide the defending champions valuable minutes, giving Shawn Marion and/or Dirk Nowitzki an occasional rest.
25. Boston Celtics: Jordan Williams
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After losing Kendrick Perkins and Shaquille O’Neal, the Boston Celtics are looking to reload their frontcourt.
Drafting Jordan Williams is a step in the right direction.
24. Oklahoma City Thunder: Nikola Vucevic
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In his three seasons at USC, Nikola Vucevic averaged 10 points and shot over 50 percent from the field.
Vucevic has tremendous size, standing at 6’10’’ and weighing 260 pounds.
It appears the Oklahoma City Thunder will need more help than Kendrick Perkins to fill their deficiencies in the paint, after being embarrassed by the Dallas Mavericks in the Western Conference finals.
23. Houston Rockets: Tyler Honeycutt
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Tyler Honeycutt was named to 2011 All-Pac-10 first team.
Honeycutt has the versatility to play both the small forward and shooting guard positions in the NBA.
After trading Shane Battier last winter, the Houston Rockets would be getting a very similar player with Honeycutt, given his length and defensive ability.
22. Denver Nuggets: Kenneth Faried
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Kenneth Faried pulled down a nation-best 14 rebounds a game last season.
One concern surrounding Faried is the fact most of his gaudy rebounding numbers came against less-than-stellar competition in the Ohio Valley Conference.
The Denver Nuggets have an abundance of wing players on their roster, but they are in need of post players.
Playing with a perennial playoff team like the Nuggets, Faried wouldn’t feel so much pressure to contribute immediately, allowing the Nuggets to develop him more gradually.
21. Portland Trail Blazers: Malcolm Lee
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In his last season with the UCLA Bruins, Malcolm Lee averaged 13 points a game, en route to being named to the All-Pac-10 first team.
Sooner than later, the Portland Trail Blazers will have to start thinking about life after Andre Miller.
In addition, Lee is capable of playing shooting guard.
20 Minnesota Timberwolves: Reggie Jackson
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As a junior with Boston College, Reggie Jackson led the Eagles in scoring and assists.
Jackson was also named to the All-ACC first team.
Jackson has the potential to solidify the Minnesota Timberwolves’ guard rotation.
Jackson is somewhat of a question mark going forward, however. A knee injury kept him from participating in the combine last month.
19. Charlotte Bobcats: Jordan Hamilton
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Jordan Hamilton was named to the 2011 All-Big 12 first team.
Hamilton is a very versatile player with the ability to play multiple positions. He could very easily be a dangerous slasher in the NBA.
The Bobcats have chance to give their franchise somewhat of a makeover, with the ninth and 19th picks in the first round.
Assuming the Bobcats pick an inside player with their first pick, they should go after Hamilton, a great small forward prospect, later in the first round.
18. Washington Wizards: Tobias Harris
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Tobias Harris played one season at the University of Tennessee, averaging 15 points and seven rebounds a contest. At only 18 years of age, Harris stands at 6’8’’and weighs 225 pounds.
The Washington Wizards are in desperate need of quality wing players.
If drafted by Washington, Harris could see action early and often.
17. New York Knicks: Markieff Morris
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Along with being selected to the 2011 All-Big 12 second team, Markieff Morris led the Kansas Jayhawks in rebounding and blocks.
If the New York Knicks are serious about contending for a championship, they need to add some talent in the frontcourt.
Aside from Amar’e Stoudemire, the team does not have much to write home about in the painted area.
16. Philadelphia 76ers: Trey Thompkins
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If the Philadelphia 76ers are thinking about trading Andre Iguodala this summer, the team will need to add another forward to fill the void.
14. Houston Rockets: Donatas Motiejunas
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Reigning from Lithuania, Donatas Motiejunas is a 7’0’’ finesse player.
The only question is: Will he turn out to be the next Darko Milicic or Pau Gasol? The answer is likely somewhere in-between.
The Houston Rockets’ frontcourt is somewhat in shambles, with question marks surrounding the futures of Yao Ming and Hasheem Thabeet.
A budding big man familiarizing himself with the NBA would benefit from Kevin McHale as his first head coach.
13. Phoenix Suns: Chris Singleton
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Chris Singleton was named to the All-ACC third team and the All-ACC defensive team, despite missing six games with a foot injury.
One thing the Phoenix Suns are not known for is playing defense. They would be making a step in the right direction by drafting Singleton, who earned his keep playing defense at Florida State.
Singleton reminds me a lot of Ron Artest.
12. Utah Jazz: Klay Thompson
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As a junior at Washington State, Klay Thompson led the Pac-10 Conference in scoring.
Thompson can shoot the ball as well, if not better, than any prospect in this year’s draft.
The Utah Jazz are in need of someone who can fill the hoop up.
11. Golden State Warriors: Alec Burks
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Alec Burks is a shooting guard who can score and rebound the ball well. As a sophomore with the Colorado Buffaloes, Burks averaged 20 points and six rebounds a contest.
If the Golden State Warriors are serious about shopping Monta Ellis this offseason, Burks would be a great player to develop alongside Stephen Curry.
10. Milwaukee Bucks: Bismack Biyombo
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Bismack Biyombo is an athletic, shot-blocking machine, comparable to Serge Ibaka in Oklahoma City.
Biyombo could prove to be a great complement to Andrew Bogut in the Milwaukee Bucks’ frontcourt.
Photo courtesy of: fiba.com
9. Charlotte Bobcats: Tristan Thompson
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Tristan Thompson is a fantastic shot-blocker and rebounder. As a freshman at the University of Texas, Thompson made the All-Big 12 defensive team, and he was named the Big 12 Freshman of the Year.
If his development goes accordingly, along with his non-stop motor, Thompson could be the Charlotte Bobcats’ power forward for many years to come.
Am I crazy to think he could be the next Tyson Chandler?
8. Detroit Pistons: Kawhi Leonard
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Kawhi Leonard is a great energy player, who tends to do all of the little things that add up in the box score.
Leonard is an above-average rebounder, who can play more than one position.
7. Sacramento Kings: Jan Vesely
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Given his athleticism and size, Jan Vesely could make a fantastic small forward in the NBA.
The Sacramento Kings have a decent three-guard combination of: Tyreke Evans, Marcus Thronton and Beno Udrih.
However, the team needs a small forward.
Photo courtesy of: eurohopes.com
6. Washington Wizards: Jonas Valanciunas
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Jonas Valanciunas is an international player with great potential. He has a great combination of size (6’11", 240) and agility.
With a 7’6’’ wingspan, the Lithuanian could provide a great presence inside for the Washington Wizards.
Photo courtesy of: eurohopes.com
5. Toronto Raptors: Kemba Walker
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Kemba Walker took the nation by storm this spring, leading the Connecticut Huskies to the national championship, being named the Final Four's Most Outstanding Player in the process.
Walker and DeMar DeRozan have the potential to be an explosive combination for the Toronto Raptors.
4. Cleveland Cavaliers: Enes Kanter
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Enes Kanter is possibly the most NBA-ready post player in this year's draft, with a 6’11", 272-pound frame.
He also has a motor similar to Blake Griffin’s.
Kanter is certainly not your prototypical, finesse European player.
Kanter is a banger on the inside, capable of scoring with his back to the basket.
Photo courtesy of: wildcatworld.com
3. Utah Jazz: Brandon Knight
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Brandon Knight averaged 17 points as a freshman last year with Kentucky. Also, Knight has a flair for taking and making big shots.
Knight hit the game winner in this year’s tournament against Princeton and scored 22 points and grabbed seven rebounds against North Carolina in the Elite Eight.
With Knight as their point guard, the Utah Jazz may transform into an up-tempo team.
2. Minnesota Timberwolves: Derrick Williams
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Derrick Williams showed the country this past March he has the type of game to be an immediate success in the NBA.
Assuming Ricky Rubio eventually comes to play for the Minnesota Timberwolves, the trio of Rubio, Williams and Kevin Love could give Minnesota fans something to cheer about.
1. Cleveland Cavaliers: Kyrie Irving
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Kyrie Irving, the projected No. 1 overall pick in this year’s draft, only played 11 games in his first and only season at Duke, due to a toe injury.
Irving is the type of true point guard who can turn a franchise around, much like Derrick Rose and Chris Paul.
While he is certainly not LeBron James, Irving will likely be the Cleveland Cavaliers’ franchise player for many years to come.
15. Indiana Pacers: Jimmer Fredette
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Jimmer Fredette led the nation in scoring last season with 28 points a game.
Also, Fredette was named the Naismith Player of the Year.
The Indiana Pacers are in need of another guard. After Darren Collison, things aren’t very promising in the Indiana backcourt.
Doesn’t it seem fitting for Fredette to play in the Hoosier State?
Houston Rockets: Jimmer Fredette Could Add Point Guard Depth
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The Houston Rockets are thin at the point guard position, behind Kyle Lowry.
Jimmer Fredette could add some much-needed depth at the position for the Rockets.
Milwaukee Bucks: Jimmer Fredette and Brandon Jennings
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The Milwaukee Bucks were the lowest scoring team in the league last season.
Brandon Jennings could use a sidekick capable of knocking down outside shots.
The Bucks have the 10th overall pick.
Utah Jazz: Jimmer Fredette May Continue Playing in Utah
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The Utah Jazz have the third and twelfth picks in the first round.
It would be a big boost for the Jazz to have a local favorite playing on the team.
Fans are looking for something to cheer about after Deron Williams left town last winter.
New York Knicks: Jimmer Fredette in the Big Apple?
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Jimmer Fredette seems like an obvious fit for Mike D’Antoni’s offense in New York, given his ability to hit outside shots.
The New York Knicks pick 17th in the first round. While it’s a long shot Fredette would stay on the board long, if given the chance, the Knicks should snag him.
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