2011 NBA Mock Draft: Final Consensus for Tonight's NBA Draft

We are now just hours away from tonight's NBA Draft, and speculation is at an all-time high as the draft quickly approaches. 

We can all but guarantee that Kyrie Irving will be the first player selected, going to the Cleveland Cavaliers. But after that, nothing is set in stone as of now.

Will Derrick Williams be Minnesota's selection at No. 2, or will the Timberwolves be able to successfully trade that pick away and land the big man they are looking for?

What about Jimmer Fredette? Will the high-scoring BYU guard find his way to the Big Apple, or will another team take their chances and make him a lottery selection?

Stay tuned right here, as I take out my crystal ball and reveal to you exactly how tonight's NBA draft will play out.

Picks 1-5

1. Cleveland Cavaliers: Kyrie Irving, PG, Duke

This has been the consensus No. 1 pick from day one, and that's the way it will stay. Irving is an elite point guard who should be an NBA All-Star in 3-4 years. His game is very similar to Chris Paul's in the sense that he is a true point guard who can also create his own shot and score in bunches when needed. A no-brainer here for the Cleveland Cavaliers.

2. Minnesota Timberwolves: Derrick Williams, SF/PF, Arizona

There has been talk that the Wolves are looking to trade out of this pick, but a guy like Williams is far too talented to pass up on here. It looks like the better option for Minnesota would be to pick Williams, and then look to deal Michael Beasley in the near future. Williams is the most versatile player in this year's draft and one of the best pure athletes that has come around in the past five years.

3. Utah Jazz: Brandon Knight, PG, Kentucky

The Utah Jazz are in a rebuilding mode, and the most important things for a team to build around are a good, young point guard and a post player. Utah has an elite big man in Al Jefferson, and now they get their point guard of the future in Knight. He possesses every quality that an NBA team looks for in a young floor general.

4. Cleveland Cavaliers: Jonas Valanciunas, C, Lithuania

All signs now point to Cleveland going with Valanciunas with this pick, even if Enes Kanter is still on the board. Dan Gilbert is well aware that the 7'0" big man from Lithuania won't be able to join the team until the 2012-13 season, but that just goes to show how talented this guy must be. If he can add some strength, many feel that he has the makings of a Pau Gasol-type player.

5. Toronto Raptors: Jan Vesely, SF/PF, Czech Republic

Toronto has been high on Vesely for a while now, and it has become apparent through his recent workouts that he is not your typical European big-man. This 6'11" forward loves to take it strong to the basket and refuses to settle for outside jump shots. Teaming him next to Andrea Bargnani could make for an interesting, yet exciting front court.

Picks 6-10

6. Washington Wizards: Enes Kanter, C, Turkey

This would be a dream come true for Washington if Kanter falls all the way to them at pick No. 6. The 6'10" center from Turkey already has an NBA-ready body, and should be able to come in and start from day one. He is an elite rebounder, a solid defender, and has a versatile offensive game with the ability to dominate down low as well as step out and hit the jumper. 

7. Sacramento Kings: Jimmer Fredette, PG/SG, BYU

What good is an NBA mock draft if there aren't a few surprises thrown in? The first big surprise of the draft will come right here, when the Kings make a bold move and select Jimmer Fredette with the No. 7 pick.

Kemba Walker is still a possibility here, but it doesn't seem like Sacramento is 100 percent sold on the former UCONN star. By selecting Fredette, they get an elite shooter who will be sure to sell tickets and bring back what once was a strong fan base in Sacramento.

8. Detroit Pistons: Kemba Walker, PG, UCONN

The Pistons have said all along that they are looking for a post player, but that was assuming that Walker would be off the board at this point. Right now, as it stands, the Pistons organization is a mess, and they need all the help they can get.

By adding Walker, they get a guy who will bring excitement to the court, allow them to move Rodney Stuckey to shooting guard and finally say goodbye to Richard Hamilton. Kemba Walker or Bismack Biyombo? Doesn't seem like a hard question to me.

9. Charlotte Bobcats: Kawhi Leonard, SF, San Diego State

It looks like Charlotte is very serious about trading this pick here. But, if they do keep it, look for Michael Jordan to go with Kawhi Leonard. The former SDSU standout is one of the top rebounding forwards in this year's draft class.

The 6'7" Leonard rebounds like a power forward and has the offensive game of a swing forward. If he can develop a more consistent outside shot, this kid could be an elite NBA player down the road.

10. Milwaukee Bucks: Klay Thompson, SG, Washington State

Klay Thompson has been rising on draft boards as of late, and while this may be looked at as a bit of a stretch, Thompson could be the best shooter to come out of this year's draft class when it's all said and done. Brandon Jennings needs a backcourt mate who he can kick the ball out to when he penetrates. Thompson is the perfect guy for that job.

Picks 11-15

11. Golden State Warriors: Bismack Biyombo, PF, Congo

The Warriors are consistently one of the best scoring teams in the NBA. But, the problem is, they can't stop anybody on defense. In Biyombo, they get an elite-level rebounder and defender who will bring toughness to a team that desperately needs just that.

12. Utah Jazz: Chris Singleton, SF/PF, Florida State

Andrei Kirilenko is almost guaranteed to head elsewhere via free agency, which means that Utah will be searching for a viable replacement. In steps Chris Singleton, who is the best defender in this year's draft, and can also score on the offensive end when needed, making him very similar to Kirlilenko. This seems like a perfect fit for Singleton.

13. Phoenix Suns: Tristan Thompson, PF, Texas

If Tristan Thompson does indeed fall to Phoenix here, this could end up being the steal of the draft. Despite being slightly undersized for the power forward position, Thompson is an elite rebounder who will only get better with time. He is still extremely young, but he has the talent to develop into a starter in this league sooner rather than later. This would be a dream scenario for the Phoenix Suns.

14. Houston Rockets: Nikola Vucevic, C, USC

I truly believe that Houston will trade out of this pick and find some way to land Jonas Valanciunas. But, if they are not able to find a buyer and have to keep this pick, look for the Rockets to take a chance on USC's Nikola Vucevic. With the uncertainty surrounding Yao Ming's health, Houston has become desperate for a big body down low. They could also consider Biyombo, but they need someone with height, and Vucevic certainly has plenty of that.

15. Indiana Pacers: Marcus Morris, PF, Kansas

The Pacers are looking for one of two things in this year's draft—a top-notch shooting guard or a post player who can bring rebounding and toughness. That is exactly what they get here in Marcus Morris. This former Kansas standout is one of the surest bets in this year's draft, and should help out Indiana's frontcourt depth from day one.

Picks 16-20

16. Philadelphia 76ers: Jordan Hamilton, SF, Texas

Andre Iguodala's time looks to be up in Philadelphia. With that said, the 76ers will look for his replacement with this pick, and Hamilton is a guy who seems to fit the bill. The former Texas star is an elite athlete, with the ability to shoot from the outside and also do the dirty work down low when asked. He can slide right into the starting lineup in the near future.

17. New York Knicks: Alec Burks, SG, Colorado

Burks could go as high as No. 10 to Milwaukee, but with the way this draft might play out, he could also slip all the way here to New York at No. 17. The Knicks are all set at both forward positions, so they will be looking for a guard or a big man with this selection. In Burks, they get one of the best pure scorers in this year's draft class.

18. Washington Wizards: Marshon Brooks, SG, Providence

If they Wizards do indeed go with a forward with the No. 6 overall pick, then they will be looking at adding a scoring guard with this selection. Nick Young was brilliant last year for Washington, but he could potentially bolt elsewhere via free agency. In steps Brooks, who was one of the most explosive scorers in all of college basketball last season.

19. Charlotte Bobcats: Markieff Morris, PF, Kansas

If Charlotte is able to land Kawhi Leonard at No. 9, then they could very well go after a big man with this pick here. The center position is rather weak in this year's draft class, but the same cannot be said for power forward. Markieff Morris is a top talent, and the Bobcats should feel extremely lucky if he does indeed slip this far.

20. Minnesota Timberwolves: Iman Shumpert, PG, Georgia Tech

Minnesota will continue to add some quality pieces with this pick. In Shumpert, they get a guy who is an elite backcourt defender with the ability to guard both guard positions. Ricky Rubio looks like he is the franchise point guard in Minnesota, but Shumpert can certainly provide some pop to that role as well.

Picks 21-25

21. Portland Trail Blazers: Kenneth Faried, PF, Morehead State

The Blazers would be thrilled to see Faried fall to them with this pick. The 6'9" power forward is the best rebounder in this year's class and will be an instant impact player for Portland. LaMarcus Aldridge has developed into Portland's go-to player, but he is more offensive-minded, which will compliment the addition of Faried.

22. Denver Nuggets: Donatas Motiejunas, PF, Lithuania

The Denver Nuggets are a solid NBA team, but after the trade of Carmelo Anthony, they don't have any type of player who resembles a superstar. With that said, look for this team to take a risk here for a guy with a ton of talent in Motiejunas. He is a bit of a project pick, but one that could pay big rewards in the foreseeable future.

23. Houston Rockets: Darius Morris, PG, Michigan

It is no secret that the Rockets need help at the point guard position. This draft is very top-heavy at the point guard position with names like Irving, Knight, Walker and Fredette all expected to be top-15 picks. After that, the next best bet here for Houston is Michigan PG Darius Morris. He has great size and athleticism and should only get better with time.

24. Oklahoma City Thunder: Tobias Harris, SF/PF, Tennessee

If Harris does indeed slip this far down, the Thunder could be getting the most underrated player in this year's draft class. During OKC's loss to Dallas in the Western Conference Finals, it became apparent that the Thunder were missing Jeff Green, a versatile player who can play and defend both forward positions. In steps Harris, who can do just that, and he should fill an instant void for this team.

25. Boston Celtics: Jeremy Tyler, C, Tokyo Apache

The Boston Celtics started last year with one of the best center rotations in all of basketball. Now, entering the 2011-12 season, they might have one of the weakest center rotations. With Kendrick Perkins being shipped out via trade and Shaq retiring, Boston needs to add another big man if they are going to continue to compete in the east. Tyler is still raw, but he has a ton of upside and could be an elite player in 4-5 years with some good coaching.

Picks 26-30

26. Dallas Mavericks: Josh Selby, PG/SG, Kansas

The Dallas Mavericks showed that they are the most complete team in the NBA this season. With that said, Dallas will likely use this pick to build depth for the future. Veteran point guard Jason Kidd is getting up there in age, and by drafting Selby, the Mavs would get an elite talent who just needs to be mentored by a veteran guard. Who better for the job than Jason Kidd.

27. New Jersey Nets: Tyler Honeycutt, G/F, UCLA

The Nets are all set at point guard and center with Deron Williams and Brook Lopez. Therefore, this team should be looking for a guard/forward combo who can come in and fill a scoring need at that position. UCLA's Tyler Honeycutt fits that description perfectly. He is a superior athlete with good shooting range and a high basketball IQ.

28. Chicago Bulls: Nolan Smith, PG/SG, Duke

The Bulls have been searching for a shooting guard for some time now, and while that should be their top option, they also need a capable backup for Derrick Rose. In Smith, Chicago would get a guy who can play both guard positions and is a pure winner. This is a no-brainer pick if you're Chicago.

29. San Antonio Spurs: Nikola Mirotic, SF, Serbia

There isn't a team throughout the entire NBA who has better international scouts than the San Antonio Spurs. This team is well aware that they aren't going to get an impact player with this pick, so they will likely settle for a guy who will play two more years overseas and then join the team in the future. Mirotic is a crafty forward with the versatility to play both forward positions.

30. Chicago Bulls: Chandler Parsons, SF, Florida

If the Bulls do indeed grab a guard with their previous pick, then they will likely look for a perimeter scoring forward with this selection. Parsons is a great athlete who can score in a variety of ways. He wouldn't be a starter, but he could serve as a viable backup to Luol Deng at the small forward position.