NBA
HomeScoresRumorsHighlightsDraftB/R 99: Ranking Best NBA Players
Featured Video
Mitchell Headed to 1st Conference Finals 🔥

2011 NBA Mock Draft: Last-Minute Trades Shake Up Draft Night

Ryan RudnanskyJun 23, 2011

The first draft-day trade has gone down in the NBA.

The Milwaukee Bucks received Beno Udrih, Stephen Jackson, Shaun Livingston and the No. 19 pick, the Sacramento Kings landed the Bucks' No. 10 pick and John Salmons and the Charlotte Bobcats received the No. 7 pick and Corey Maggette, per ESPN.

This may lead to speculation that the Kings don't want Connecticut guard Kemba Walker, but there are reports that he's falling in the draft, and the Detroit Pistons don't look poised to grab him at No. 8 at this point, so the Kings could still take him at No. 10.

TOP NEWS

With Jayson Tatum sidelined, Celtics' fourth-quarter comeback falls short in Game 7 loss to 76ers
DENVER NUGGETS VS GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS, NBA

It's still up in the air who the Bobcats will take at No. 7, but it's possible the Kings were looking at San Diego State forward Kawhi Leonard and the Bobcats wanted him.

As for the Bucks, they get two proven veterans in Udrih and Jackson, and it's likely they didn't really love anyone at their original No. 10 spot.

This obviously shakes up the 2011 NBA Draft slated for tonight, and my original mock has since changed.

Here is how I see the draft going down now:

1. Cleveland Cavaliers: Kyrie Irving- Nothing's changed here. Despite Irving's limited college experience, he showed glimpses of a Chris Paul-type player when he did play.

2. Minnesota Timberwolves: Derrick Williams- If the Timberwolves don't trade the No. 2 pick for a proven veteran, they have to take Williams, a Danny Granger-type player who is considered the other elite talent in this draft.

3. Utah Jazz: Enes Kanter- Originally had Brandon Knight here, but recent reports have Jazz possibly taking Kanter, then going with guard Jimmer Fredette. Not a bad plan.

4. Cleveland Cavaliers: Jonas Valanciunas- With Kanter likely off the board, would be surprised if Cavs don't take who some consider the best international prospect in the draft. Plus, they need a center.

5. Toronto Raptors: Brandon Knight- At No. 5, you've got to go with Knight, who's brimming with potential. More of a point guard than Kemba Walker, can hit the big shot, has NBA size.

6. Washington Wizards: Jan Vesely- He's considered the most NBA-ready international prospect and he has the potential to be a Andrei Kirilenko-type player. Look for many dunk highlights.

7. Charlotte Bobcats (via Kings): Kawhi Leonard- Considered a Shawn Marion-type player, and he very well could live up to the hype. Love this kid's game.

8. Detroit Pistons: Bismack Biyombo- Reports of Pistons taking Texas power forward prospect Tristan Thompson, but how do the Pistons pass on a prospect being compared to Ben Wallace?

9. Charlotte Bobcats: Alec Burks- For whatever reason, Kemba Walker is sliding among NBA teams, and the Bobcats seem to like Colorado's Burks better, probably because he has better size.

10. Sacramento Kings (via Bucks): Kemba Walker- I don't see Walker falling to the Knicks at No. 17, as has been rumored. He's too big a talent, with too much to offer.

11. Golden State Warriors: Nikola Vucevic- I understand this is a bit of a reach, but the Warriors have been dying for a true center for years. Plus, I think Vucevic is underrated and will become a solid starting center in the NBA.

12. Utah Jazz: Jimmer Fredette- Mormons unite! Fredette, with his shooting ability combined with his play at BYU, would surely be a fan favorite right here and has a better overall game (minus the defense) than most people think.

13. Phoenix Suns: Tristan Thompson- Besides looking like a kid in this photo, Thompson's game screams "successful power forward in the NBA." Nice defensive presence.

14. Houston Rockets: Markieff Morris- No replacement for Yao Ming here, but Morris will add defense to the frontcourt.

15. Indiana Pacers: Klay Thompson- Quite the slide for Thompson, who new Warriors advisor Jerry West reportedly loved, but it's primarily based on teams' needs.

16. Philadelphia 76ers: Jordan Hamilton- With recent rumors of 76ers moving Andre Iguodala, Hamilton could become the electric scorer at small forward that they need.

17. New York Knicks: Chris Singleton- Not a great offensive game, but arguably the best perimeter defender in this year's draft. Do the Knicks need defense? That's a big YES.

18. Washington Wizards: Marcus Morris- To think, Morris was being considered a top-10 pick earlier. I don't see it anymore, and, frankly, I never saw him as an NBA starter down the line. But a nice addition for bench.

19. Milwaukee Bucks (via Bobcats): Marshon Brooks- This trade could work out wonderfully for the Bucks. They get two proven veterans in Udrih and Jackson, and with the No. 19 pick, they have a true sleeper to pair up with Brandon Jennings in Marshon Brooks. Kobe comparisons are a bit much, but this kid has game.

20. Minnesota Timberwolves: Iman Shumpert- Shumpert's risen because of his defense on the perimeter, and the Timberwolves could use all the help they can get. I like him here.

21. Portland Trail Blazers: Kenneth Faried- I'm calling Faried the steal of the draft if he lands here. I think he's going to be a great rebounder in the NBA. Blazers surely need rebounding.

22. Denver Nuggets: Tobias Harris- Harris has been connected with the Nuggets for a while here as their next starting small forward. A complete game, and, if anything, an impact player off the bench.

23. Houston Rockets: Donatas Motiejunas- Motiejunas has slid a bit, given he had a disappointing last season and there are questions about his attitude, but he was one of the most sought after international prospects two years ago. Still 19 years old and could conceivably be the Rockets' next starting center.

24. Oklahoma City Thunder: Jimmy Butler- Thunder just need to add pieces. They have their core. Small forward Butler, like Singleton and Shumpert, is a great perimeter defender, and he has tremendous heart.

25. Boston Celtics: Jeremy Tyler- Questions about Tyler's character, but he's an immense talent and could become the Celtics' next starting center. If anything, "The Big Three" will straighten him out.

26. Dallas Mavericks: Nikola Mirotic- Mavericks will likely keep either Caron Butler or Shawn Marion this offseason, who are free agents. But down the line, Mirotic is a multidimensional threat who only drops this far because he'll probably be playing overseas for another two seasons.

27. New Jersey Nets: Reggie Jackson- One of those potential sleepers, Jackson is an explosive athlete and a much-improved jump shooter who has good vision at point guard. Deron Williams may leave town after next season via free agency; the Nets have to be prepared if he does.

28. Chicago Bulls: Justin Harper- If you watched just one game of the Bulls last season, you know they need perimeter shooting beyond Kyle Korver. Harper's the best stretch 4 of the draft, and shot 44 percent from downtown for Richmond last season.

29. San Antonio Spurs: Davis Bertans- A sweet shooting big man from Latvia drawing comparisons to a young Dirk Nowitzki due to his impressive stroke. Plus, we all know the Spurs love them some international players.

30. Chicago Bulls: Tyler Honeycutt- Honeycutt did little to live up to the hype in his sophomore season with UCLA, but his freshman season was promising and he still has the skill set to be a complete player. If anything, he'll be a nice player off the bench for the Bulls.

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

Mitchell Headed to 1st Conference Finals 🔥

TOP NEWS

With Jayson Tatum sidelined, Celtics' fourth-quarter comeback falls short in Game 7 loss to 76ers
DENVER NUGGETS VS GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS, NBA
Houston Rockets v Los Angeles Lakers - Game Five
Milwaukee Bucks v Boston Celtics

TRENDING ON B/R