Final Consensus 2011 NBA Mock Draft: Projecting All 30 Picks for Draft Night
The 2011 NBA Draft is finally upon us. The Cleveland Cavaliers have been very secretive about what they are going to so with the No. 1 overall pick.
This draft presents no surefire All-Star. While some are making Kyrie Irving out to be a lock for the first pick, it is still unclear whether the Cavs see him as a future franchise player.
With so much ambiguity at the top of this draft and throughout both rounds, it's an extremely enticing draft. The class itself is weaker, but the mystery that lies with each pick makes it just as compelling.
Here is the complete first round mock, starting with Cleveland.
Picks 1-5
1 of 6No. 1: Cleveland Cavaliers, Derrick Williams
This could very well be Kyrie Irving. The Cavs have a unique opportunity to resurrect their crippled franchise with one draft. They don't just have one pick in the top five, they have two. Derrick Williams allows them to bring in a dynamic forward and still acquire a starting point guard with their next pick at No. 4.
No. 2: Minnesota Timberwolves, Kyrie Irving
Kyrie Irving just might be the best player in this draft. He's not as safe as people are making him out to be, but the Timberwolves simply can't pass on him in hopes that Ricky Rubio is everything they thought when they drafted him. Worst case scenario, they have two point guards to work with.
No. 3: Utah Jazz, Enes Kanter
The Utah Jazz are a wild card at this spot. They could go in a number of direction, but it seems logical for them to bring in the best big man in the draft here. Utah Jazz fans would get behind Enes Kanter's game.
No. 4: Cleveland Cavaliers, Brandon Knight
Brandon Knight seems to be gaining some separation from Kemba Walker. The closer the draft gets, the more Knight's stock rises. He's a notch lower than Irving, but there isn't a huge dropoff in talent. The Cavs get a decent point guard and arguably the best player in the draft in Williams.
No. 5: Toronto Raptors, Jonas Valanciunas
Jonas Valanciunas is a guy with Euro contract issues. Even if the Raptors don't reap the benefits of this pick right away, they could still make the pick. Valanciunas is a top-flight talent who could fill the Chris Bosh void. He's worth the wait.
Picks 6-10
2 of 6No. 6: Washington Wizards, Tristan Thompson
The Wizards are in dire need of help on the glass. Tristan Thompson gives them an immediate boost in that department. They could use Jan Vesely's services as well, but could fall in love with Thompson's rangy arm length and all-around game.
No. 7: Sacramento Kings, Kemba Walker
The Kings need a point guard and Kemba Walker is the best guy on the board. He's a tremendous leader and could be just the guy to corral the talent in Sacramento. Jimmer Fredette may be getting a look here as well.
No. 8: Detroit Pistons, Bismack Biyombo
Bismack Biyombo just might be a top-flight defender when it's all said and done. That makes him an attractive prospect for the once defensively sound Detroit Pistons. If Biyombo's offensive game ever catches up with his defensive game, he's going to be scary.
No. 9: Charlotte Bobcats, Jan Vesely
It's simply impossible for the Bobcats to pass on Vesely here. There are a number of forwards they could bring in, but Vesely is far and away the best one available. He's 6'11" and runs the floor very well.The Bobcats could use the length.
No. 10: Milwaukee Bucks, Klay Thompson
Milwaukee needs a guard to play alongside Brandon Jennings. Klay Thompson is a huge guard with great range. The Bucks get a solid scorer here.
Picks 11-15
3 of 6No. 11: Golden State Warriors, Kawhi Leonard
If Don Nelson were still in charge, we could be seeing Jimmer Fredette go to Golden State. Mark Jackson will likely want to bring in a forward to help out his tremendous backcourt. Assuming Monta Ellis isn't on the move, Kawhi Leonard could be the guy they thought they were getting in Ekpe Udoh.
No. 12: Utah Jazz, Jimmer Fredette
This makes way too much sense not to happen. Jimmer Fredette is in their backyard and fills a need. This would be an extremely popular pick amongst their fan base and give the Jazz a player with unlimited range at their disposal.
No. 13: Phoenix Suns, Marcus Morris
If the Suns end up trading into the No. 2 spot, it's going to change the entire complexion of the draft. The Suns are rebuilding, though players like Steve Nash help to mask their glaring holes. Marcus Morris gives them a guy who can help in the paint and still score.
No. 14: Houston Rockets, Markieff Morris
The Houston Rockets are in an unfavorable position here. No matter what big man they select at this point, it's somewhat of a reach. Assuming they don't trade up, settling on Markieff Morris makes sense here.
No. 15: Indiana Pacers, Chris Singleton
The Pacers would probably love to have a chance to bring in Jimmer Fredette or one of the Morris brothers. Assuming they don't, Singleton gives them their best chance to fill a need. His versatility and range make him very appealing here.
Picks 16-20
4 of 6No. 16: Philadelphia 76ers, Nikola Vucevic
The Philadelphia 76ers lack size. Nikola Vucevic would give them a 7-footer. He's a huge presence down low. Trade rumors are swirling around the 76ers, so they may be forfeiting this pick as part of a package deal.
No. 17: New York Knicks, Iman Shumpert
The New York Knicks have star power. A little bit of cohesion in their backcourt and the Knicks could be dangerous. Iman Shumpert is a team guy. His efficient play makes him more attractive here than a big man to help out on the glass.
No. 18: Washington Wizards, Alec Burks
Alec Burks could, and should, go way higher than this. Even so, a couple of teams going a different direction could shove him back here. Playing alongside John Wall could allow Burks to be a star in the league.
No. 19: Charlotte Bobcats, Marshon Brooks
Marshon Brooks is a lethal scorer. Assuming the Bobcats select Jan Vesely with their first selection in the first round, Brooks would be a logical second pick.
No. 20: Minnesota Timberwolves, Jordan Hamilton
The TWolves already landed the top point in the draft in this mock. Jordan Hamilton would give them a versatile forward who could join Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving in the starting lineup in no time.
Picks 21-25
5 of 6No. 21: Portland Trail Blazers, Kenneth Faried
The Trail Blazers need a forward. Kenneth Faried is undersized for a 4, but can still get the job done. He is a tweener, which could be cause for concern.
No. 22: Denver Nuggets, Tyler Honeycutt
Tyler Honeycutt makes everyone around him a better basketball player. The Nuggets need some star power now that Carmelo Anthony is gone, but Honeycutt gives them a contributor who can be part of the supporting cast when a superstar arrives.
No. 23: Houston Rockets, Donatas Motiejunas
The Rockets need to bring in two big men. Yao Ming has proven time and time again that he can't stay on the court. They have two picks in the first round and Donatas Motiejunas could be Part B of this tandem.
No. 24: Oklahoma City Thunder, Nikola Mirotic
Nikola Mirotic will likely be forced to wait to join whatever team drafts him. The Thunder have such a talented young group, they can afford to wait for Mirotic to join the crew. They are on the cusp of being a contender already.
No. 25: Boston Celtics, Jeremy Tyler
Jeremy Tyler has lottery talent. He's raw, but he's extremely impressive. The Celtics are aging rapidly and they need a natural progression into the Rajon Rondo era. Tyler gives them a young big man.
Picks 26-30
6 of 6No. 26: Dallas Mavericks, Reggie Jackson
The Mavs may have won the championship, but they aren't short on needs. Their group of aging legends and misfits got it done and were deserving of victory, but they need to fill some holes immediately to avoid rebuilding after Dirk Nowitzki leaves. Reggie Jackson could be the point guard going forward, but they will still need a superstar to take over.
No. 27: New Jersey Nets, Josh Selby
Josh Selby is one of the more polarizing figures in the draft. Some teams are going to question his character and desire, after a disappointing freshman season at Kansas. Even so, he's got ridiculous upside and is well worth the gamble here.
No. 28: Chicago Bulls, Nolan Smith
The Bulls need a guy to couple with Derrick Rose in their backcourt. Nolan Smith could assume the point when Rose needs a breather and gives them tremendous depth. Even if these two aren't on the court at the same time, this pick makes sense.
No. 29: San Antonio Spurs, Justin Harper
The Spurs are falling apart. Tim Duncan finally showed his age and there are talks of moving Tony Parker. Justin Harper is a stretch 4 who the team could build around. Ideally, they would keep Parker and realize that a guard of his caliber is not expendable.
No. 30: Chicago Bulls, JaJuan Johnson
JaJuan Johnson is very athletic and has good size. He gives the Bulls depth in the frontcourt and would join Nolan Smith in an effort to make their bench play dominant.
