NBA Mock Draft 2011: Brandon Knight to Toronto and a Final NBA Mock Draft

With the NBA Draft happening Thursday night at 8 ET on ESPN, you are likely reaching for any mock draft you can find, and I am no different. After looking at scouting reports and tape of all of the prospects, I have made my predictions on where players should go, in my opinion. 

This draft is unfortunately not based as much on what I've heard from teams but more what I think would solve each team's biggest problems. Think of it as if I were the general manager, not a prediction as much of what will happen.

What picks will you disagree with? Let me know in the comments. 

Early Lottery

1. Cleveland Cavaliers: Kyrie Irving, Point Guard, Duke University

Kyrie Irving has been the consensus No. 1 pick for some time now. He gained note as a game-changing point guard during his limited college career. Virtually everything that we have seen of him has looked good, even though there was only an 11-game sample size. He could be the new face of the Cleveland franchise. 

2. Minnesota Timberwolves:  Derrick Williams, Forward, University of Arizona

While I think that Minnesota will eventually trade this pick, it will eventually be Williams. Derrick Williams had great scoring and rebounding outputs during his time at Arizona. He has solid post moves and good range on his shot. The big concern is that Williams is a tweener, but he should be able to come in and score.

3. Utah Jazz: Enes Kanter, Center, Turkey

The Jazz have some solid big men right now, but they lack a true center. Enes Kanter is a big center from Turkey who has some inside polish and has shown he can play good defense. Hopefully, Utah could subsequently trade either Paul Millsap or Al Jefferson for a wing player and get power forward Derrick Favors some more playing time. 

4. Cleveland Cavaliers: Jan Vesely, Forward, Czech Republic

With Kanter gone, the Cavs should look to address their weakest position, the small forward position. This year, the Cavs ran out Christian Eyenga and Alonzo Gee at the forward spot, and that's just not going to cut it. Vesely is the type of player who can run the floor with Kyrie Irving and he can do all the little things you need to win, just like a fellow Euro: Andrei Kirilenko. 

5. Toronto Raptors: Brandon Knight, Guard, University of Kentucky

While Jose Calderon is a decent point guard, Brandon Knight could be a game-changing playmaker from the point guard position. He is known for his speed, his ability to get into the lane, and his good jumper off the dribble. One thing he could struggle with is making plays for others, but he could be the face of the Toronto franchise. 

Mid Lottery

6. Washington Wizards: Kawhi Leonard, Forward, San Diego State University

Other than John Wall and Javale McGee, the Wizards could use a new player at every position. A great complement to Wall could be forward Kawhi Leonard. Leonard, despite being 6'7", averaged 10.6 rebounds per game. He is able to run the floor very well which would be useful next to John Wall. He has some ability to both do things on the perimeter and inside, and that versatility could only help a team in transition. 

7. Sacramento Kings: Bismack Biyombo, Forward/Center, Congo

The Kings have an above average offensive center in DeMarcus Cousins. That said, he could use a good defensive frontcourt partner, and Biyombo fits the bill. It's questionable whether Biyombo will ever be able to do anything on offense, but his defense should be there. Despite being slightly undersized, he is super athletic and has incredible length, which helps him be a great defensive player. A frontcourt of Cousins and Biyombo would be dangerous for years to come. 

8. Detroit Pistons: Tristan Thompson, Forward, University of Texas

The Pistons have been rumored to get Kemba Walker, but he makes no sense to me at this spot. The only thing that the Pistons seem to have is undersized scoring guards, and they should pick a big man to complement Greg Monroe. Tristan Thompson seems to be the best player available at this spot. Thompson will definitely get a chance to fulfill his potential if he is drafted to a team like Detroit. 

9. Charlotte Bobcats: Jonas Valanciunas, Center, Lithuania

I'm assuming the Bobcats would like to improve on Kwame Brown at center, and Valanciunas could definitely do that. He has a good mid range jumper and legit size for a center. He also has the type of body where he could put on more bulk. He could be a smart player to put in this Charlotte lineup. 

10. Milwaukee Bucks: Klay Thompson, Guard/Forward, Washington State University

Milwaukee's greatest weakness this year was that they could not score, and Klay Thompson could definitely help. Brandon Jennings is a pretty good slasher, and Thompson, being a fantastic shooter, could help space the floor. He also has the potential to turn into a more dynamic offensive player. 

Late Lottery

11. Golden State: Alec Burks, Shooting Guard, University of Colorado

It appears that Monta Ellis may be on his way out the door, and Alec Burks could be a step towards filling the void he would leave. He doesn't have much of a jump shot, but he is a great slasher with legit shooting guard size. Steph Curry would be a great player to spread the floor for Burks.  

12. Utah Jazz: Jimmer Fredette, Guard, Brigham Young University

This seems like a no-brainer pick. Jimmer is from BYU which is in the area, and he is a very popular figure in Utah. He also fills a role next to the slashing Devin Harris as a shooter and dynamic bench scorer. He may not be a star but he would be treated like one in Utah. 

13. Phoenix Suns: Kemba Walker, Guard, University of Connecticut

This is as far as Kemba will fall. He is a winner and he does whatever is necessary to win, and I think that learning from Steve Nash will be the best thing that ever happens to him. He could learn to be both a solid attacker while balancing the responsibilities of being an NBA point guard, just like Nash. If he can learn to average around seven to eight assists per game, he would be a fantastic pick this late in the lottery. 

14. Houston Rockets: Donatas Motiejunas, Forward/Center, Lithuania

The Rockets need a big body, and Motiejunas is that. He is a bit of a Euro jump shooter, but he has length and athleticism. He could be a stretch five next to low post player Luis Scola of Argentina, and could do some of the dirty work as well. 

15. Indiana Pacers: Marcus Morris, Forward, Kansas University

Marcus Morris is a very skilled player who played both on the inside and outside at Kansas. He has skills that would likely translate better as a pick and pop player in the NBA, and a stretch floor next to a player like Roy Hibbert who they currently have there. 

Teens

16. Philadelphia 76ers: Jordan Hamilton, Small Forward, University of Texas

Hamilton could aid a team in need of perimeter scoring from the small forward position. Right now, Jodie Meeks and Andre Iguodala are the wings, and Hamilton can help improve that lineup right from the get-go. 

17. New York Knicks: Kenneth Faried, Power Forward, Morehead State

Since Ronny Turiaf hasn't been quite enough, the Knicks need another funny-haired guy who becomes a fan favorite by doing the dirty work. Kenneth Faried is the perfect fit for that role. Despite being barely small forward sized, Faried led the nation in rebounding during his time at Morehead State. He doesn't have much of an offensive game, but he draws comparisons to Dennis Rodman with his defense and tenacious rebounding, and that's what you need next to Amare. 

18. Washington Wizards: Chris Singleton, Guard/Forward, Florida State University

Singleton is too good to pass up at this point. He did not climb up draft boards because of his offense, but actually because of his defense. Singleton could potentially be part of a fantastic defensive lineup that would include himself, Kawhi Leonard, John Wall and Javale McGee, a defensive lineup of the future. It wouldn't be surprising to see the Wiz try to get a power forward here to replace Andray Blatche, but Singleton is too good a value at this point. 

19. Charlotte Bobcats: Markieff Morris, Forward, Kansas University 

Since I projected the Bobcats to nab Valanciunas with the ninth pick, I think they'll pick his frontcourt mate here, and I think that Markieff Morris could help a lot. Though not as skilled as Marcus, Markieff has similar post moves near the basket and plays nastier on the defensive end, two things that could aid a center like Valanciunas. 

20. Minnesota Timberwolves: Marshon Brooks, Guard, Providence

There are rumors that the Timberwolves love Wesley Johnson, their pick from last year, but Marshon Brooks has the potential to be a special scorer. There are many scorers on the Timberwolves, but Brooks could be a good complement to the rest of the scorers.  

Early 20s

21. Portland Trail Blazers: Nikola Vucevic, Center, University of Southern California

The Trail Blazers have Marcus Camby, but could use a young center. Vucevic gives them a different look from the center position. He could be a stretch player to create room for LaMarcus Aldridge in the post, and he is another big body to throw out. 

22. Denver Nuggets: Imam Shumpert, Guard, Georgia Tech

Denver has a lot of offensive options on the perimeter like Ty Lawson, Wilson Chandler, and others. What they lack is a shutdown defender, and Shumpert could end up being that. It's questionable whether he will ever have a "good" offensive game, but he could play his role quite nicely on the Nuggets.

23. Houston Rockets: Tobias Harris, Forward, Tennessee

Harris is a bit of a tweener, but could score for Houston. I'm not a huge fan of his but Houston could use some depth at the forward positions and Harris has a high enough basketball IQ to figure it out. 

24. Oklahoma City Thunder: Tyler Honeycutt, Guard/Forward, UCLA

Honeycutt probably came out of college too early, and Oklahoma City could cash in on him. He has great size and athleticism, and he could line up at the shooting guard next to Westbrook. Potentially he could replace Thabo Sefolosha in the starting lineup, maybe even during his rookie year. 

25. Boston Celtics: JaJuan Johnson, Forward/Center, Purdue

At this point, the Celtics are desperate for a big body. JaJuan Johnson is a big body who came from a winning program, so he could be a player picked up to go and throw out against teams like the Bulls and Lakers.

Late First Round

26. Dallas Mavericks: Reggie Jackson, Point Guard, Boston College 

Jason Kidd isn't getting any younger, and Reggie Jackson has the potential to be a steal at this pick. Despite coming from a non-basketball school, Jackson measured out great at the draft combine, but hasn't moved up the board because he's injured. Dallas is the defending champion with a 38-year-old point guard. They should take a chance on this guy. 

27. New Jersey Nets: Kyle Singler, Forward, Duke

I personally hate Singler's game, but New Jersey has looked at Singler as a small forward to run out next to Deron Williams. Singler can definitely shoot, but that's effectively the limit of his abilities. He could fill that role in the starting lineup, but don't expect him to be any better than a guy like Mike Dunleavy Jr. 

28. Chicago Bulls: Davis Bertrans, Small Forward, Latvia

The Bulls have three picks in this draft, and less than three roster spots to give out. Keeping a guy in Europe would be a great way to be efficient with the picks. Bertrans is a guy who right now can definitely shoot, but we really don't know what else he can do. Hopefully he can improve his game and come to the States in a couple of years, like Omer Asik. 

29. San Antonio Spurs: Jeremy Tyler, Center, USA

Tyler killed his draft stock when he skipped his senior year, played in Japan, and played relatively badly there. I have heard comparisons made that he is the Eddy Curry of the Japanese league, and that never bodes well. His fundamentals are supposedly pretty raw as well. What better player to tutor him than the big fundamental himself? The only reason I think that San Antonio could make him a solid piece is because I think Tim Duncan could help him out with fundamentals and he could turn into a solid basketball player. 

30. Chicago Bulls: Shelvin Mack, Guard, Butler

Chicago has a history of taking players from winning programs like Ben Gordon, Joakim Noah, Derrick Rose, etc. Shelvin Mack fits that role, coming off of two straight NCAA Championship Game appearances. Mack, though he will never be a starter, could develop into a dynamic scorer off the bench, and that's what Chicago lacks. 

For more 2011 NBA draft coverage, stay tuned to Bleacher Report for updated NBA mock drafts, B/R's Big Board of Recruits, NBA draft rumors, NBA draft results and draft grades.