NBA Draft 2011: 5 Reasons Kemba Walker over Brandon Knight Is Possible

Every year it seems there is a surprise pick near the top of the NBA Draft that no one expects.

This year shouldn't be any different and when trying to find what that pick could be, there are a few interesting possibilities.

Whether it is through someone trading up or a team just reaching on a pick, someone will get picked too high or too low.

Brandon Knight vs. Kemba Walker is an interesting debate and while I'm a bigger fan of Knight as a prospect, a lot of NBA teams love Kemba's heart and proven ability to win games.

While most NBA mock drafts have Kemba getting picked lower than Knight, here are some reasons why Kemba Walker over Brandon Knight is very possible. 

NBA Readiness

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HOUSTON, TX - APRIL 04: Kemba Walker #15 of the Connecticut Huskies at the free throw line against the Butler Bulldogs during the National Championship Game of the 2011 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament at Reliant Stadium on April 4, 2011 in Ho

While Brandon Knight may be the better overall prospect, Kemba Walker is a more NBA ready player.

Walker is coming off an NCAA tournament title run and played a total of 111 games at Uconn during his college career.

Knight, on the other hand, is just 19 years old and only played one season in college.

There are a few teams in the top 10 that need NBA ready talent to try and compete next season and can't afford another season of losing to develop young players.

Kemba is a better player right now on both ends of the court and that will mean something come draft night.

Potential of a Trade

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HOUSTON, TX - APRIL 02: Brandon Knight #12 of the Kentucky Wildcats moves the ball while taking on the Connecticut Huskies during the National Semifinal game of the 2011 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship at Reliant Stadium on April 2, 2011 in

There are a couple of scenerios where a team trading out of the top five could benefit Kemba Walker's draft stock.

If the Utah Jazz end up trading out of the three spot, which is possible, Kemba could benefit greatly. A team who is looking for NBA ready talent at the point guard, or a team that is simply interested in Kemba, could end up with the pick and take the point guard.

That would mean Brandon Knight would fall outside the top five and end up being the steal of the draft.

NCAA Tournament Success

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HOUSTON, TX - APRIL 04: Kemba Walker #15 of the Connecticut Huskies holds the trophy as he and his team celebrate after defeating the Butler Bulldogs to win the National Championship Game of the 2011 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament by a score

Every year a player seems to get drafted to high because of their success in NCAA tournament and that could once again happen with Kemba Walker.

Whether you think Kemba will be a great pro, a solid pro, or a bust, his stock has sky rocketed since he led Uconn to an NCAA Championship.

Teams fall in love with players who they get to see a lot and with the amazing title run Uconn had last year they got to see a lot of Kemba.

If things continue to snow ball on draft day teams could get over excited about the point guard and make a mistake in the long term when passing on Brandon Knight.

Kemba's Scoring Ability

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NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 10: Kemba Walker #15 of the Connecticut Huskies shoots a game winning basket against the Pittsburgh Panthers during the quarterfinals of the 2011 Big East Men's Basketball Tournament presented by American Eagle Outfitters at Madison

Kemba Walker was an explosive scorer during his college days and he has a vast repertoire of moves to score the basketball.

Kemba can get to the basket and finished well in college but things change in the NBA. Whether or not Kemba, who is a small 6' 1", will be able to finish at the rim in the NBA is a big question mark.

At the end of the day, NBA teams love scorers and will do anything to get them, including reaching in the draft.

If a team is in need of a scorer they would take Kemba over Brandon Knight no question.

Ticket Sales

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HOUSTON, TX - APRIL 04: A Connecticut Huskies fan holds up signs before the Huskies take on the Butler Bulldogs in the National Championship Game of the 2011 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament at Reliant Stadium on April 4, 2011 in Houston, Texa

The NBA is a business and ticket sales are a major part of their profit. Teams are always looking to add players that fans will pay to see and Kemba Walker is one of those players.

Kemba is more NBA ready than Brandon Knight and will make a bigger impact his first season. Fans will be able to watch Kemba have success in the NBA while Knight may have to develop with less minutes his first season in the league.

Brandon Knight, I think, will turn out to be the better player in the long run but that doesn't mean Kemba Walker will be picked after him. 

For more 2011 NBA draft coverage, stay tuned to Bleacher Report for updated NBA mock drafts, NBA draft rumors, NBA draft results and draft grades.