2011 NBA Mock Draft: Prospect Each Team Could Land in the First Round
It's the most exciting time of the year in the world of basketball as both college and professional hoops fans join forces for the 2011 NBA Draft.
This year's draft is proving to be the most unpredictable draft in years as we still don't know who the Cleveland Cavaliers will select with the first pick.
It may not be the most top-heavy NBA Draft class, but it's an extremely deep one, and there will be a number of late first-round/early second-round steals.
Let's take a look at how the first round of the 2011 NBA Draft will unfold.
30. Chicago Bulls Select Nolan Smith from Duke
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Nolan Smith (6'3", 189 lbs) gives the Bulls some much needed firepower at shooting guard off the bench, and a player with the ability to spell Derrick Rose from time to time at the point.
29. San Antonio Spurs Select Jeremy Tyler (USA: International)
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The San Antonio Spurs look overseas once again to add the potential heir-apparent to Tim Duncan by selecting Jeremy Tyler (6'10", 262 lbs), originally from San Diego, CA.
28. Chicago Bulls Select JaJuan Johnson from Purdue
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The Chicago Bulls go with JaJuan Johnson (6'10", 220 lbs), a first team All-American from Purdue who is one of the most experienced players in this year's draft class.
27. New Jersey Nets Select Chandler Parsons from Florida
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The New Jersey Nets select a small forward with great size and athletic ability, Chandler Parsons (6'10", 221 lbs), who will be competing for a starting spot by season's end.
26. Dallas Mavericks Select Kyler Singler from Duke
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The Dallas Mavericks go with Kyle Singler (6'9", 228 lbs), a small forward who is both an excellent shooter and a proven winner—two traits that describe a majority of the current Mavericks roster.
25. Boston Celtics Select Shelvin Mack from Butler
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The Boston Celtics select shooting guard Shelvin Mack (6'2", 205 lbs), another proven winner at the collegiate level who has the ability to score in bunches.
24. Oklahoma City Thunder Select Darius Morris from Michigan
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The Thunder select Darius Morris (6'4", 190 lbs), a point guard with NBA size that will be able to lead the second unit in Oklahoma City.
23. Houston Rockets Select Reggie Jackson from Boston College
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Reggie Jackson (6'3", 200 lbs) is an incredible athlete that can play both guard positions at the next level and should see a lot of playing time in Houston as a rookie due to his ability to score the basketball in a variety of ways.
22. Denver Nuggets Select Kenneth Faried from Morehead St.
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Kenneth Faried (6'7, 225 lbs) has an NBA ready body for a power forward that will allow him to see the floor early in Denver.
21. Portland Trailblazers Select Norris Cole from Cleveland St.
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Norris Cole (6'1", 174 lbs) is a point guard that has been shooting up NBA draft boards as of late, and could be the perfect replacement for Andre Miller in Portland.
20. Minnesota Timberwolves Select Jordan Hamilton from Texas
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Jordan Hamilton (6'8", 228 lbs) is an athletic wing who can play both the 2 and the 3 next year for Minnesota.
19. Charlotte Bobcats Select Tyler Honeycutt from UCLA
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Tyler Honeycutt (6'8", 187 lbs) will need to hit the weight room hard next season, but has a ton of upside and could see himself in the rotation as a rookie in Charlotte.
18. Washington Wizards Select Chris Singleton from Florida St.
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Chris Singleton (6'9", 230 lbs) is the best defensive payer in the draft and will have the opportunity to see a lot of playing time in Washington as a result of his ability to lock down opposing forwards.
17. New York Knicks Select Tobias Harris from Tennessee
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Tobias Harris (6'9", 230 lbs) has great hands and great footwork for a player of his size, and should be a solid player off the bench in his first year in New York.
16. Philadelphia 76ers Select Tristan Thompson from Texas
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Tristan Thompson (6'9", 227 lbs) is an athletic power forward that will be fighting for a starting job by the end of the year in Philadelphia.
15. Indiana Pacers Select Jimmer Fredette from Brigham Young University
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Jimmer Fredette (6'2", 192 lbs) lands just outside the lottery, but with his ability to score the basketball in a variety of ways, could find himself as a starter immediately in Indiana.
14. Houston Rockets Select Markieff Morris from Kansas
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Markieff Morris (6'9", 241 lbs) is an NBA ready power forward that will compete for a starting job in Houston from day one.
13. Phoenix Suns Select Marshon Brooks from Providence
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Marshon Brooks (6'5", 195 lbs) is a shooting guard who can flat out score the basketball, and will be looking to do so immediately in Phoenix alongside Steve Nash.
12. Utah Jazz Select Donatas Motiejunas from Lithuania
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Donatas Motiejunas (7'0", 224 lbs) is a left-handed power forward that many scouts are comparing to Andrea Bargnani. If he's anywhere near that good, this is an absolute steal for the Utah Jazz.
11. Golden State Warriors Select Klay Thompson from Washington State
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Klay Thompson (6'7", 206 lbs) is quite possibly the best pure shooter in this year's draft and would fit in perfectly with the up-tempo style of play in Golden State—assuming new head coach Mark Jackson continues to play that style of basketball.
10. Milwaukee Bucks Select Alec Burks from Colorado
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Alec Burks (6'6", 193 lbs) has been sky-rocketing up NBA draft boards due to his ability to score the basketball in a variety of ways. Burks will need to add some weight in order to see some immediate playing time in Milwaukee.
9. Charlotte Bobcats Select Jan Vesely from Czech Rebublic
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Jan Vesely (6'11", 230 lbs) has great size for an NBA small forward and has often been compared to Andrei Kirilenko. Vesely can score both inside and outside, but still needs to add some polish to his all-around offensive game.
8. Detroit Pistons Select Kemba Walker from UConn
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Kemba Walker (6'1", 184 lbs) was arguably the best player in college basketball last season and should start for the Pistons at some point next season.
7. Sacramento Kings Select Kawhi Leonard from San Diego St.
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Kawhi Leonard (6'7", 227 lbs) is a freak of nature athlete and possesses huge hands that have allowed him to become an elite rebounder for his size. Leonard plays with a ton of energy and has a real knack for the ball.
6. Washington Wizards Select Marcus Morris from Kansas
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Marcus Morris (6'8", 230 lbs) is both strong and athletic enough to play both forward positions in the NBA and should start for the Wizards fairly early on in the season.
5. Toronto Raptors Select Jonas Valanciunas from Lithuania
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Jonas Valanciunas (6'11", 240 lbs) is an athletic big man who will be a great rebounder and shot blocker in the NBA. His offensive game isn't quite there yet, but Valanciunas will still see a lot of playing time next season in Toronto.
4. Cleveland Cavaliers Select Brandon Knight from Kentucky
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Brandon Knight (6'3", 177 lbs) has great size for an NBA point guard and will be running the show in Cleveland for years to come. Look for the Cavaliers to move either Baron Davis or Ramon Sessions as a result of this pick.
3. Utah Jazz Select Kyrie Irving from Duke
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Kyrie Irving (6'3", 191 lbs) is most often compared to Chris Paul and could end up going first overall to Cleveland. If he does manage to fall into Utah's lap at three, the Jazz will have their point guard position locked up for the next 10 years.
2. Minnesota Timberwolves Select Enes Kanter from Turkey
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Enes Kanter (6'11", 259 lbs) could also be selected with the first overall pick, but I'm guessing he ends up in Minnesota, where they can't possibly draft ANOTHER point guard this year.
1. Cleveland Cavaliers Select Derrick Williams from Arizona
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Derrick Williams (6'8", 248 lbs) is the most NBA ready player in this year's draft and will start from day one. With the ability to play both forward positions, Williams is an incredible athlete who can score both inside and out at the next level.
