Who goes where? Predicting the unpredictable 2011 NBA Draft

Will Kyrie Irving be the top pick in this year's NBA Draft? Photo: (REUTERS/Chris Keane/Files)

This certainly isn’t a strong NBA Draft class, but it is one of the more intriguing because of its potential to be so unpredictable. There are a lot of players who have similar styles projected to go in the first round, and it seems all of the teams are juggling names, trying to figure out who may be available and who then may be the right selection.

Here now are my predictions for the first round of the NBA Draft:

1. Cleveland Cavaliers: Kyrie Irving, point guard out of Duke University

Irving being the presumed first round pick exemplifies just how weak this draft is. He’s a great talent, with the skills teams look for at his position. But he only played in 11 games for the Blue Devils, and though he averaged 17 points in only 27 minutes per he is a relative unknown. He has NBA ability, but can that translate to the NBA? That’s always the question.

Cleveland takes him because solid point guards are harder to find than tweener forwards, which is the definition of presumptive number two overall pick Derrick Williams. The Cavaliers have Baron Davis and Ramon Sessions at the point, but they can be easily shopped and traded. Irving will fill seats, and start a new era in Cleveland.

2. Minnesota Timberwolves: Derrick Williams, forward out of the University of Arizona

The chances are great that David Kahn, Minnesota’s General Manager, will make an ill-advised decision. He’s made many laughable moves in the past, and many teams covet this pick. A trade could be looming, and he would be the man to make a questionable one. But if Minnesota keeps the pick and takes Williams he’s put into a bind.

The Timberwolves are already set at the forward positions, with Michael Beasley and Kevin Love. There’s simply no room for Williams in their starting lineup. Beasley doesn’t get the respect he deserves, and if they take Williams he will most likely be moved.

I don’t see Williams as a perennial All-Star in the NBA, but he should be productive nonetheless.

3. Utah Jazz: Brandon Knight, point guard out of the University of Kentucky

The Jazz already have a proven point guard in Devin Harris, but Knight could be their point guard of the present and future. He isn’t the best shooter, but he’s strong, unselfish, and can score both inside and out. After trading Deron Williams to the New Jersey Nets in return for Harris, Utah lost some of its mojo. Knight would give them some energy, and a building block.

4. Cleveland Cavaliers: Enes Kanter, center from Turkey

Not a lot is known about Kanter, but from what is said he’s talented enough both offensively and defensively to not slip past this selection. Cleveland, if they take Irving, will have their point guard of the future. Now they take a player at an equally difficult position to find sure-fire, NBA-ready talent. He is extremely young, like Irving, as he is only 19, but he appears to have the skill-set to play right away.

5. Toronto Raptors: Kawhi Leonard, forward out of San Diego State

Toronto needs all kinds of help. They have a good core talent-wise and a new coach in Dwane Casey, but what they lack the most is clear: rebounding and defense. Bismack Biyombo could be a possibility here, even though he would be a reach, as could fellow big man Jan Vesley, but Leonard would give them scoring on the interior, rebounding, and defense. He’s undersized to play power forward, at 6’7″, yet his versatility to play both forward positions is a rarity in the league. He isn’t the best shooter, but he will play hard all the time, with a mentality Toronto needs.

6. Washington Wizards: Jan Vesley, power forward from the Czech Republic

He needs to add some bulk, but Vesley is one of the more well-rounded athletes in the draft, with a good perimeter game and ball-handling skills for someone his size. Washington would love for him to fall this far; it all depends on who Toronto ultimately prefers. If the Wizards do get the chance to draft him they will have a tremendously gifted frontcourt, as he would join Javale McGee as part of the team’s bright future.

7. Sacramento Kings: Kemba Walker, point guard out of the University of Connecticut

His achievements with Connecticut are well-documented. His blazing speed and Derrick Rose-esque explosiveness make him very attractive. He also never wants to come out of games and plays as if he’s the Energizer Bunny. There is some talk of him going third overall to the Jazz, but if not he should be a King. They have Beno Udrih and Tyreke Evans in the backcourt. Yet, though Udrih is solid, Walker has extraordinary upside. Plus, Evans, whether he will admit it or not, is far from a point guard. Pairing Evans with Walker would make for a gamely highlight reel. Basketball in Sacramento would be once again fun to watch.

8. Detroit Pistons: Bismack Biyombo, power forward from the Congo

These two are made for each other. The Pistons have always coveted defensive-minded players, and Biyombo is certainly that. I have more polished offensive game than him. That said, he is a terrific rebounder and shot-blocker. His wing-span is 7’7″ and he’s 18 years old. For comparison’s sake, he’s a longer version of Ben Wallace, who was a force on the boards and defensively for the Pistons in their glory years. If Biyombo is on the board and Detroit doesn’t take him, something is terribly wrong.

9. Charlotte Bobcats: Alec Burks, shooting guard out of the University of Colorado

Charlotte was one the worst scoring teams in the league this past season, at 93 points per game, and have been for many, many years. Burks, with a shooting guard’s build and mentality, is the tonic they need. He’s aggressive to the rim, with a good enough jumper to keep defenses guessing. He won’t be the all-around player Gerald Wallace was for the Bobcats, but he will give them plenty of energy and put some points on the board.

I’m hoping Charlotte goes with a big man here, solely because then they would be less susceptible to take Kenneth Faried with the 19th selection. This would therefore, hopefully, let Faried fall into Portland’s lap at 21.

10. Milwaukee Bucks: Marcus Morris, forward out of the University of Kansas

One of the more NBA-ready players in the draft, Morris would fill in nicely alongside center Andrew Bogut for Milwaukee. The team lacks a low-post presence aside from Bogut, and though they will think hard about taking a shooter to take the stress off point guard Brandon Jennings, taking Morris would add scoring from inside and out to 15-feet. Shooters can be found much easier than versatile forwards who can play in the post, hit jumpers, and play defense.

11. Golden State Warriors: Klay Thompson, shooting guard out of the Washington State University

Like Biyombo is for Detroit, Thompson and Golden State fit each other perfectly; that is, if the ‘shoot unconsciously’ mindset carries over from Don Nelson and Keith Smart to new head coach Mark Jackson. Thompson certainly wasn’t shy as a Cougar, and he has unlimited range, and a solid frame. He can play both shooting guard and small forward, and this versatility is crucial, considering they already have Stephen Curry and Monta Ellis running wild in their backcourt.

12. Utah Jazz: Chris Singleton, forward out of Florida State

Andrei Kirilenko is a free-agent, and Singleton could be his replacement. He is a very similar player, but even better defensively and a bit more polished offensively. He has proven to be a very dependable shooter, which would be a plus over Kirilenko. Picking Singleton or not, however, depends on whether the Jazz take a frontline player with the third pick.

13. Phoenix Suns: Jimmer Fredette, guard out of BYU

The NCAA player of the year can shoot. The Suns need a shooting guard and, if Fredette can indeed play the point at the NBA level, Steve Nash’s replacement. Phoenix has always put points on the board, and Fredette sure can in bunches. It will be Jimmer Time in the desert!

14. Houston Rockets: Jonas Valancuinas, center from Lithuania

He was once projected as a top-five pick until it became known that his contract with Lietuvos Rytas in the Lithuanian Basketball League may keep him out of the NBA for next season. He’s only 19 and has a world of talent, and if he slips to Houston they will welcome him with open arms. Yao Ming is on the shelf for a long time, and may retire if he can’t return to full health. Valancuinas seems to be the right fit as their long-term center.

15. Indiana Pacers: Tristan Thompson, forward out of the University of Texas

The Pacers will probably be looking for a point guard here, but I think A.J. Price can take the reigns okay. They do need some aggressiveness around the rim, and Thompson would supply that. He was an excellent rebounder at Texas, but his thin frame may change that in the NBA. Nonetheless, he’s worth the risk, and would at least give Indiana some more length.

16. Philadelphia 76ers: Nikola Vucevic, center from the University of Southern California

Vucevic is everything a team could ask for in a big man. That’s music to the 76ers ears If Elton Brand can stay healthy, which is a big if, Philly may sport one of the better frontline’s in the league.

17. New York Knicks: Marshon Brooks, guard out of Providence University

If the Knicks don’t take a guard, Donnie Walsh is off his rocker. They’ve been pining over Nash, among other veteran stars that run the point with ease. Brooks isn’t the prototypical point guard, but he is one of the draft’s better scorers. New York needs a spark, and he could excel under the bright lights.

18. Washington Wizards: Jordan Hamilton, forward out of Texas

Washington wants to bring back small forward Josh Howard, and even if they do Hamilton would be a solid pick here. They need scoring, and he would look nice alongside John Wall, who would certainly rack up the assists with his presence.

19. Charlotte Bobcats: Kenneth Faried, power forward out of Morehead State

Charlotte has always demanded defensive intensity from its players. They wouldn’t have to tell Faried to never take a play off. He’s one of the few sure-things in this draft. He’s going to rebound, block shots, and score inside. Put him alongside fellow forward Dante Cunningham and Charlotte would have the ultimate hustling duo.

20. Minnesota Timberwolves: Iman Shumpert, guard out of Georgia Tech

This would be hilarious. Another point guard for David Kahn. He would be much more than that, though. Ricky Rubio is coming over to be their point guard of the future, but Shumpert would give them a point guard who can actually play defense. He’s huge for his position, at 6’6′, 221 pounds, and though he doesn’t have a jumper he could develop one and be a good backup for Rubio. What he can do offensively is drive to the hoop, an attribute any team could use.

21. Portland Trail Blazers: Markieff Morris, forward out of the University of Kansas

Ugh. No Faired. But Marcus’s brother is a good Plan B. He would give Portland the backup it needs at both the power forward and center positions. He can do everything you would hope a big man could. The Blazers just need rebounding and defense in the middle, and he could give them that and more.

22. Denver Nuggets: Chandler Parsons, forward out of the University of Florida

I’m assuming the Nuggets will let headache J.R. Smith go via free-agency. If this is their intention, which would be very smart, Parsons is their man. He can put the ball in the basket, simply put, and has size for his position. And he actually graduated from college, with much more experience than many of this year’s draftees. An added bonus.

23. Houston Rockets: Justin Harper, forward out of Richmond

Like many in this draft, Harper would give the team that selects him some versatility. Houston has some scorers on the wing, in the form of Chase Budinger and Kevin Martin, but adding another wouldn’t hurt. He is a power forward by trade, so the Rockets would benefit from a superb inside-outside game.

24. Oklahoma City Thunder: Kyle Singler, small forward out of Duke

South Medford kid, Oregon-raised. I watched him play when he was in high school, and his style and mentality hasn’t changed much. He’s, possibly too simply put, a solid player. He was very well-coached at Duke, played all four years, can shoot, and worked  his butt off. It’s cliché, but he does everything in his power to lead his team to victory. Oklahoma City appears to be licking their chops over him, and the rich would just get richer with him on their roster.

25. Boston Celtics: Jeremy Tyler, center out of Tokyo Apache

Ah, yes, the much-ballyhooed kid who quit high school to go play overseas. Amazingly it may pay off, despite the fact that he has no high school diploma and is pretty much screwed if he doesn’t make it in the NBA. The Celtics need a center. The members of their frontline have been members of the NBA’s AARP for a long time, and it’s time to get young. He’s only 19, and, though raw, has the talent to be very good. He would be in good hands, learning from one of the better coaches in the NBA, Doc Rivers.

26. Dallas Mavericks: Donatas Motiejunas, center from Lithuania

Unless they choose to overpay to keep center Tyson Chandler this summer, the NBA Champions will need a true-center. Look no further at this stage than Motiejunas. He’s very athletic for his 7-foot frame, and, like many foreign players, is an excellent passer. He’s no slowpoke, either.

27. New Jersey Nets: Reggie Jackson, point guard out of Boston College

New Jersey should definitely take a player who has a knee injury and hasn’t worked out for anyone. Jackson also hasn’t released his medical records. Smart. But they Nets will need a point guard to either back up Deron Williams or take the reigns if he leaves via free agency after this next season. There are a lot of negatives, but he’s a good talent.

28. Chicago Bulls: Tyler Honeycutt, small forward out of UCLA

He wasn’t exactly dominant for the Bruins, but he has a knack for scoring. And he plays good defense. As exemplified in losing to the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals, Chicago needs a little bit of both. There’s the thought that he can play both guard positions and forward, just as Wesley Matthews has done for the Blazers.

29. San Antonio Spurs: Davis Bertans, small forward from Latvia

The Spurs and international players go together as well as peanut butter and jelly. They have worked wonders, and there’s no doubt they would do the same with Bertans, who is renowned for his explosiveness offensively.

30. Chicago Bulls: Norris Cole, point guard out of Cleveland State

He’s a bit of a stretch here, but the Bulls desperately need a backup for Derrick Rose. Cole was the definition of a point guard with Cleveland State, and Chicago, as previously mentioned, could use the spark he would provide offensively and for others.

Players I expect to be traded on Draft Day or soon after: Philly’s Andre Iguodala, Portland’s Andre Miller, Los Angeles Lakers’ Lamar Odom, Milwaukee’s Corey Maggette, and Minnesota’s Michael Beasley.