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2011 NBA Mock Draft: The Entire 1st Round Will Shake Out Like This

Kyle VassaloJun 22, 2011

The 2011 NBA draft is finally upon us. While the big day is tomorrow, the Cleveland Cavaliers have kept the mystery in the draft.

In most years, we have a good idea of who the first overall pick is going to be. While Kyrie Irving was said to be a lock for the top spot, the Cavs aren't making it out to be a certainty.

With Tony Parker trade rumors swirling, and Steve Nash's name in the hat, even the order of the first round remains unpredictable at this point.

Still, I'm going to give it my best shot. There are some major differences between my initial mock and this one. Alas, here goes mock draft 2.0.

1. Derrick Williams, Cleveland Cavaliers

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The Cleveland Cavaliers have the first and fourth pick in the draft. They have a chance to completely resurrect their franchise, but they have to hit on both picks to do so.

Kyrie Irving could certainly be taken here. It's definitely not out of the realm of possibilities. In fact, if they didn't have the No. 4 pick, I would assume they would do so.

By taking Williams first, they get a versatile forward and can potentially still get a decent point guard like Brandon Knight. The drop-off from Irving to Knight isn't as big as advertised.

My thinking is that they may find Williams and Knight to be a better combo than Ines Kanter and Irving. A lot of their draft is predicated off of what the Utah Jazz do at No. 3. If they draft Williams, and the Jazz select Knight, this master plan could blow up in their faces.

2. Kyrie Irving, Minnesota Timberwolves

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If the rumors are true and the Timberwolves are mulling the possibility of trading for Steve Nash, there is no reason to believe they will bypass Kyrie Irving here.

Ricky Rubio is finally coming to town, but his serious lack of production overseas could lead Minnesota to invest in another guard. Irving is probably the best player in the draft. If the Timberwolves get a chance to take him, they will likely do so.

3. Enes Kanter, Utah Jazz

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The Utah Jazz are an enigma. They could go in a lot of different directions here, and their No. 12 pick makes them even more unpredictable.

They've got a chance to solidify their frontcourt by drafting Enes Kanter. He's almost certainly going to be available and if they don't feel Kemba Walker or Brandon Knight is a potential All-Star, Kanter would be the way to go.

It's safe and not sexy. This pick has the Jazz written all over it.

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4. Brandon Knight, Cleveland Caveliers

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Derrick Williams and Brandon Knight may not fill the LeBron void in Cleveland, but it's certainly a start. A promising forward and guard combo could do wonders for a Cavs team who was decimated by one "Decision."

Knight isn't very far off of Kyrie Irving in terms of talent. He, Irving and Kemba Walker could all have stellar careers or slip into mediocrity. This isn't exactly the year to have two of the top four picks, but there is still potential in this draft.

5. Jan Vesely, Toronto Raptors

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Everyone gives LeBron James a hard time for what he did to Cleveland. Perhaps it was the manner in which he did it. The hour-long television special where he inevitably abandoned his team irked a lot of people.

Why, though, is Chris Bosh not taking more heat? Is it because he was a lesser player who abandoned a lesser team?

Regardless, the Raptors have a chance to get back on track by drafting Jan Vesely. He doesn't have nearly the ceiling of Bismack Biyombo, but he's a much safer pick. They can feel good about turning in their card, as it isn't as big of a gamble.

6. Tristan Thompson, Washington Wizards

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Tristan Thompson gives the Wizards a dynamic forward who can help on the glass. He's a bit undersized, but it doesn't take away from his ability to rebound.

Kawhi Leonard is also a potential candidate here, but he isn't as consistent as Thompson. Thompson can score, rebound and he has a ridiculous wingspan. He's got the tools to contribute right away, even if he doesn't dominate.

7. Kawhi Leonard, Sacramento Kings

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The Kings really need a point guard, but need a small forward equally as bad. Rather than go after Kemba Walker, they would likely pursue Kawhi Leonard, should he fall this far.

Leonard is versatile and provides a much needed boost on the glass. The Kings could really use Kemba Walker to be the leader of their offense, but Leonard would give them too big of a boost to pass up.

8. Kemba Walker, Detroit Pistons

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Kemba Walker has the ability to completely take over a game. He's not Chris Paul, but he could be the guy we look back at and say, "How did seven teams pass on that guy?"

Walker had a stellar collegiate career. He has a tendency to try to do too much at times, but he isn't selfish. The Pistons need help in the frontcourt as well, but Walker has too much to offer to pass up here.

9. Alec Burks, Charlotte Bobcats

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Alec Burks could play the 2 or the 3 for the Bobcats. They need help all over the floor, perhaps most notably in their frontcourt.

While that may be the case, Burks' versatility could make him the favorite for this spot. They will certainly be considering a big man and potentially another guard here, but they have to be intrigued by Burks' size and ability to score in the lane.

10. Klay Thompson, Milwaukee Bucks

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Klay Thompson and Brandon Jennings would give the Bucks one of the most dangerous backcourts in the entire league. Thompson is way too big to be a point guard, but he is ideally sized to be a shooting guard.

He's got an excellent shot and can pass like a point guard. He sees the floor very well, but it doesn't take away from his scoring. He and Jennings would be a lethal combination.

11. Bismack Biyombo, Golden State Warriors

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If the Warriors decide to take a guard here, it's probably because they are going to deal Monta Ellis for a big man. Assuming they don't, they could go after Bismack Biyombo.

Biyombo might scare some teams off, as there is so much uncertainty. Even so, there is a lot to like, and he may have one of the highest ceilings in the draft. According to newly anointed head coach Mark Jackson, "things gone be a changing."

Maybe that means they aren't going to draft guard after guard and hope to outscore teams, despite letting up 106 points a game.

12. Jimmer Fredette, Utah Jazz

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This is called having your cake and eating it too. If the Jazz select Kanter third, the void at point guard remains. Jimmer Fredette is right in their backyard, and bringing him in would be a very popular addition.

We all saw his meltdown in March. Heaving 30' jumpers to no avail may have cost his team the opportunity to advance. Even so, he's got unlimited range and is unstoppable when he gets going.

13. Marcus Morris, Phoenix Suns

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If the Suns deal Steve Nash, the entire complexion of the draft changes. All of a sudden they are in dire need of a point guard and could trade all the way up to the No. 2 spot, where Derrick Williams would likely be selected.

If they choose to remain at No. 13, Marcus Morris is the best big man on the board. They have glaring holes all over the court. Aging legends are keeping the team on life support, but once they vacate key positions, the Suns are going to collapse. Morris could help to stop some of the bleeding.

14. Jonas Valančiūnas, Houston Rockets

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The Rockets aren't really in a hurry to get things turned around. They can play the waiting game while Jonas Valančiūnas plays out his Euro contract.

We have all seen how big of a risk it is to draft a player with this sort of uncertainty hovering around him. Even so, he eventually will fill a huge need and is worth the risk at this point. The uncertainty would be unsettling for a team to select him in the top 10, but he's a steal at No. 14.

15. Markieff Morris, Indiana Pacers

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Markieff Morris would give the Indiana Pacers a defensive identity. He's not the sexiest pick, but he can do some of the dirty work that they are sorely lacking.

He's solid in the paint and seems to be coming into his own offensively. Morris is athletic and stout down low. He may not be Marcus Morris, but he doesn't have to be.

16. Chris Singleton, Philadelphia 76ers

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Chris Singleton has tremendous value here. He could very well find himself going well before this, but if he manages to make it out of the top 10, he could slip all the way to No. 16.

Singleton has rare defensive abilities and range on his shot that is uncommon for a man his size. The 76ers didn't strike gold with Evan Turner. This may be a chance to make up for that.

17. Iman Shumpert, New York Knicks

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The New York Knicks already have big men that can score. They need a guard with lockdown defense on the perimeter and Shumpert fits the bill.

He's not a pure point guard and he isn't going to take over a game with his shot. That being said, he's tremendously efficient. He's the sort of player that makes everyone around him better. The Knicks have enough star power on the floor. They could use a point guard like Shumpert.

18. Nikola Vucevic, Washington Wizards

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If the Wizards draft Tristan Thompson, they won't need a big man, right? Not quite. While Thompson would give them a boost, bringing in seven-footer Nikola Vucevic really solidifies their frontcourt.

He's a huge presence down low and could have an immediate impact. With John Wall at point guard, the Wizards are a couple of decent picks away from really heading in the right direction. By holding two picks in the first round, their fate lies within this draft.

19. Kenneth Faried, Charlotte Bobcats

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The Bobcats seem to be a pick late. If Nikola Vucevic is available, I expect them to go in that direction. If not, Kenneth Faried would be an excellent selection for the Bobcats.

If they don't select a guard with their first pick, they could be tempted to pursue Marshon Brooks. There are a lot of ways they could go with this pick, but Faried will likely be the best player at a position of need on their board when they draft.

20. Marshon Brooks, Minnesota Timberwolves

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It may seem like the Timberwolves just keep drafting guards in hopes that one of them works out. That assumption may not be too far off base. In this mock, Minnesota selects two guards.

While the 'Wolves have invested heavily into their backcourt, it is still just as unsettled going into next season. The worst-case scenario is they turn their position of need into a position of depth.

21. Reggie Jackson, Portland Trail Blazers

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The Trail Blazers need an upgrade at point guard. This class may be weak, but it doesn't have a shortage of potential starting point guards.

The Trail Blazers are going to be tempted to take a forward, but electing to draft Reggie Jackson wouldn't be a bad move. In a point guard-driven league, they have a void there.

22. Jordan Hamilton, Denver Nuggets

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Jordan Hamilton is a steal here. He can get to the basket and is a tremendous scorer. He's got range and can score from anywhere on the floor.

He sees the floor well, is a refined passer and contributes on the glass. The Nuggets could use a "Mr. Everything." Hamilton's ability to do everything may make him too attractive for teams to pass up. Assuming another team doesn't snatch him before the Nuggets pick, they almost have to take him.

23. Donatas Motiejunas, Houston Rockets

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I want to see the Rockets take two 7'0" Lithuanians just to see the nicknames people come up with for their frontcourt. The Rockets have a big enough void down low it makes sense to draft a pair of seven-footers.

The length in their frontcourt would give them a much needed boost. They tried to keep Yao Ming on the floor by only having him play 24 minutes a game. Even that didn't work. Having two big men who are actually able to play will be a nice luxury.

24. Nikola Mirotic, Oklahoma City Thunder

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Nikola Mirotic has a tough contract holdup that will likely cause him to plummet to this position. The Thunder have the best young core of talent in the NBA, which gives them the flexibility to draft a player who won't be at their disposal immediately.

If the Thunder can manage to keep their team intact until Mirotic gets there, his addition makes them even more of a contender than they already are.

25. JaJuan Johnson, Boston Celtics

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The era of the Big Three is coming to a close. The Celtics are one of the oldest teams in the league, and teams no longer fear Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen the way they did a few short years ago.

Rather than watch the Celtics crumble into a Rajon Rondo-led lottery team, they need to surround him with talent. They could go in a number of directions, but JaJuan Johnson seems to be the safest pick.

He enters a seasoned team and comes in as a developed veteran prospect.

26. Kyle Singler, Dallas Mavericks

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Kyle Singler gets knocked for just about everything Dirk Nowitzki has been criticized for during his career. Nowitzki would be the perfect mentor to Singler.

Singler would enter a veteran team who doesn't necessarily need him right away. Duke players tank in the NBA more often than they excel, but Singler could break that mold.

27. Josh Selby, New Jersey Nets

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Josh Selby never lived up to the hype in Kansas. It might be him, it could be the system but his stock has plummeted from lottery pick to fringe first-rounder.

I expect he will make an appearance in the first round, simply based on where his stock once was. Assuming Deron Williams' future is as uncertain to the Nets as it is to us, taking a point guard isn't out of the question by any means.

28. Justin Harper, Chicago Bulls

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Justin Harper is a big man who can shoot the ball. He's rangy, polished offensively and is a terrific scorer for his size.

On the flip side, he doesn't seem willing to do the dirty work. The Bulls are sound defensively, which may point to them shying away from Harper, but could also mean they are willing to take a chance on him for his offensive boost.

29. Jeremy Tyler, San Antonio Spurs

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The Spurs might be looking to cash in on Tony Parker. If they do, it's possible they will be looking for his replacement. If not, they will likely be in search for the next Tim Duncan.

They aren't going to find him in this class, but Jeremy Tyler presents enough upside to gamble on him here. If Duncan sticks around, he can help Tyler understand what it takes to be a dominant big man. Some Spurs polish on Tyler would make him scary.

30. Tobias Harris, Chicago Bulls

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The Bulls are already loaded with talent. They are going to be getting two first-rounders and neither one of them absolutely has to start right away in order for Chicago to contend.

If the Bulls elect to draft Justin Harper, they can afford the risk of drafting a "tweener" like Tobias Harris. I expect Harris to fall a little bit because he isn't spectacular and he isn't a true 3 or 4.

The Bulls can afford to take the risk. They don't need another star, as they have the MVP of the league already on roster. They need a guy who can contribute, even if it's off the bench.


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

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