NBA Draft 2011: 6 Prospects Who Will Turn Pretenders into Contenders Next Season
With the NBA Draft tonight, teams are focused on one of two goals. The first would be to draft themselves out of the lottery. This means teams like Cleveland, Milwaukee, Washington and Toronto are all looking for that one player who is a difference maker in the franchise.
For many other teams in the league, it’s about taking that next step. It’s the step that takes a team from NBA pretender to playoff contender.
It’s about building the next Memphis, OKC or Chicago. This draft class is thin on transcendent talent, but there are a handful of guys, if put on the right team, who can make a big difference immediately.
Of course, the caveat is that they will have to be put on the right team. I’m not sure Minnesota could draft anyone who will put them at that next level, but for other teams the right pick will have them thinking playoffs and beyond. Here are six of those prospects.
6. Kenneth Faried, PF
1 of 6PROJECTED TEAMS: Portland Trail Blazers
This is the true definition of right team/right guy. Faried was high on the Blazers' wish list last year but they were unable to secure him when he opted to stay in school another year.
Now he’s coming out and if the Blazers can snatch him up, he’ll be a perfect fit in their system. He might be the best pure defensive player in the league. He’s going to net big numbers and big rebounds.
He’s slightly undersized for his position and lacks a big-time offensive game, but he’s a great worker who’s willing to do what it takes to improve. Putting him on the Trail Blazers could put them well past the first round.
5. Jimmer Fredette, PG
2 of 6PROJECTED TEAMS: Utah Jazz, New York Knicks, Indiana Pacers
Let me make this clear: Jimmer Fredette has issues. Anyone who has watched more than his highlight reel on ESPN knows that, but with the right team his skill set will blossom.
Jimmer needs to be in a league where he’s not required to have to run the offense or be the man. He’s not Derrick Rose or Chris Paul. What he is good at is being a guy on the floor that you CANNOT leave open.
This makes him a great fit on either the Knicks or the Pacers. Both teams won’t rely on him to be the star. He’d be a starter who served as more of a role player.
He’d be particularly effective on the Knicks. Yes, the Knicks play too much offense, but that is their game, so you have to find players to suit that style. Jimmer would give them a big-time range to their perimeter shooting, and he’d also pick up invaluable tips from Chauncey Billups.
It sounds funny, but Jimmer can help.
4. Marshon Brooks, SG
3 of 6PROJECTED TEAMS: New York Knicks
Brooks may go higher or lower in the draft, but he’s a guy who could help the right team. On the Knicks, he’d be the shooting guard they needed. He’s not a great defensive presence, but he’s one of the best pure scorers the draft has.
He can get to the basket and while he sometimes gets the label of a ball hog, he’s got a lot of upside. Don’t be surprised if a team like the Chicago Bulls (who will have financial concerns about getting a 2 guard on the market) try and trade up for a player like Brooks.
He could be the difference in them getting past Miami.
3. Kemba Walker, PG
4 of 6PROJECTED TEAMS: Sacramento Kings, Utah Jazz
Call Kemba Walker my dark horse of difference makers in the draft. There are concerns about his speed and his size, but he’s one of the most creative when it comes to getting his shot off. For that reason alone, I think he’s a great fit on the Kings, or the Jazz, to make them contenders.
Walker on the Kings would be a particularly nice fit. They need a point guard in the worst way. The combo of him and Tyreke Evans would make them a formidable backcourt. Plus, Sacramento has seemed like a team that has lacked leadership.
Walker’s best trait is his ability to lead. However, on other teams where big stars are already present, he might not get the opportunity to do that. The Kings could certainly use leadership.
Oh yeah…Walker can play a little bit, too.
2.Brandon Knight, PG
5 of 6PROJECTED TEAMS: UTAH JAZZ
Unless Cleveland selects Derrick Williams and shocks plenty of experts and fans, the likelihood is Brandon Knight will be there for the taking today.
The Jazz got back a huge hall for Deron Williams last year, and if Deron Williams doesn’t sign an extension with the Nets it’s likely that it could be viewed as a big mistake for Jersey.
Brandon Knight is easily the second best point guard in the draft, and the difference between him and Kyrie Irving might not be as far apart as people think. The Jazz are a good team without. Add Knight, who is a good finisher at the rim and has great quickness to play against some of the leagues premiere point guards, and you could be looking at a sneaky dangerous Utah team.
1. Kyrie Irving, PG/Enes Kanter, C
6 of 6PROJECTED TEAMS: Cleveland Cavaliers
Full disclosure: I wrote a column yesterday saying that Kyrie Irving won’t be a star and that he can’t save Cleveland. I stand behind those things, but that doesn’t mean he can’t help them. He’s a smart player who has a good upside.
He won’t be a top 10 guy, but he’ll bring stability to a position where the Cavs definitely need help.
If management is patient and they are committed to putting the right pieces around him (and in some cases, better pieces) then Kyrie Irving can be the right piece of the puzzle. There are plenty who believe that Kyrie Irving is a lot better than many give him credit for.
If the Cavaliers draft Irving, and a solid big man with the No. 4 pick, meaning Enes Kanter, it could be the beginning of a promising future.
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.
