2011 NBA Mock Draft: Kyrie Irving and Derrick Williams Lead the Way in 1st Round
1. Cleveland Cavaliers – Kyrie Irving, PG, Duke
The consensus first overall selection, Kyrie Irving is expected to get Quicken Loans Arena rocking once again. His inconsistency and injuries during his only season at Duke are concerning, but he has all the tools to become a star in the NBA.
2. Minnesota Timberwolves – Derrick Williams, PF, Arizona
Derrick Williams will join a young, athletic Minnesota Timberwolves squad boosted by the recent commitment from Ricky Rubio. Williams is a tremendous three-point shooter and will bring another dynamic scorer to a team trying to resurrect itself.
3. Utah Jazz – Enes Kanter, C, Kentucky
The best all-around big man in the draft, Enes Kanter has a chance to step right in and make an impact. The Utah Jazz could use a true shooting guard, but there isn't one with good enough value at this spot. This pick with give Utah one of the deepest frontcourts in the NBA.
4. Cleveland Cavaliers – Jonas Valanciunas, C, Lithuania
Jonas Valanciunas has the potential to become a dominant interior defender in the NBA, but is likely at least a year away from joining the league. He has the ideal size and rebounding ability to make the transition, he just needs to work on his offensive game a bit more.
5. Toronto Raptors – Jan Vesely, SF, Czech Republic
A rare combination of size and athleticism, Jan Vesely will be an impact performer when he comes to the NBA. The Toronto Raptors are in desperate need of a small forward or power forward with size, and Vesely can play both. This pick has been mentioned in several trade rumors.
6. Washington Wizards – Kawhi Leonard, SF, San Diego St.
The only obvious hole in the Washington Wizards starting lineup is at the small forward position. Kawhi Leonard is a risk-taking defender, that has slowly started to develop his offensive game. Should become a solid performer within his first two seasons if given enough playing time.
7. Sacramento Kings – Brandon Knight, PG, Kentucky
If Brandon Knight does fall to this pick, the Sacramento Kings will likely be fielding a lot of calls from teams trying to trade up. Even if they aren't able to make a trade while they're on the clock, the Kings will still select Knight and try to trade his rights.
8. Detroit Pistons – Bismack Biyombo, C, Congo
The Detroit Pistons are a team in turmoil. They will be better off selecting a player that can continue to develop overseas for awhile, while they continue to right the ship. Bismack Biyombo has amazing defensive potential, but a limited offensive game. Sounds a lot like Ben Wallace.
9. Charlotte Bobcats – Klay Thompson, SG, Washington St.
There is no shortage of voids to fill for the Charlotte Bobcats. The one thing they need more than anything else, however, is an elite scorer. Klay Thompson isn't they best all-around player, but he can fill it up. His scoring ability is among the best available and will get him picked in the lottery.
10. Milwaukee Bucks – Tristan Thompson, PF, Texas
While still attempting to polish his offensive game, Tristan Thompson will provide the Milwaukee Bucks with the athletic big man that they desperately need. His stock has been rising in recent weeks, so the Bucks would be smart to snatch him up.
11. Golden State Warriors – Marcus Morris, PF, Kansas
There has been speculation that the Golden State Warriors have been trying to move shooting guard Monta Ellis. If they do, Alec Burks will be the pick here. If they don't, they'll add some much needed size with Marcus Morris. Morris has limited potential, but will contribute immediately.
12. Utah Jazz – Alec Burks, SG, Colorado
With their second pick in the lottery, the Utah Jazz are rumored to have interest in Jimmer Fredette. That doesn't make sense though, as their biggest need is at shooting guard and Fredette doesn't have the size or defensive capabilities to play there. Alex Burks is a more logical choice.
13. Phoenix Suns – Markieff Morris, PF, Kansas
The Phoenix Suns made a statement today that they will not be trading Steve Nash. That means they will be looking toward the best interior player available with this pick. Markieff Morris, like his brother, doesn't have much potential to improve, but will provide solid minutes for the Suns.
14. Houston Rockets – Nikola Vucevic, C, USC
The talk around the Houston Rockets leading up to the NBA draft has been focused around interior players. Nikola Vucevic has been steadily moving up draft boards over the past few weeks. Aside from being limited athletically, he has all the tools to become a solid post player.
15. Indiana Pacers – Jimmer Fredette, PG, BYU
Jimmer Fredette will not crash and burn in the NBA like many are projecting. He is an astonishingly great shooter, who is working hard to improve his defense. It will take some time for him to settle into his role as just another player and not the lead dog, but he'll thrive once he finds that niche.
16. Philadelphia 76ers – Chris Singleton, PF, Florida St.
With the rumored trade that would send Andre Iguodala to the Los Angeles Lakers for Lamar Odom and another player, possibly Luke Walton, this pick is in flux. If there are no moves made, the Philadelphia 76ers will pick the best player available. Right now, that's Chris Singleton.
17. New York Knicks – Kemba Walker, PG, Connecticut
Kemba Walker has been mentioned as high as the fifth overall pick and as low as the 20s, but what better place for him to land than where his great run in March began? The New York Knicks could use a quality backup for the aging Chauncey Billups, and Walker will be able to step in after Billups departs.
18. Washington Wizards – Donatas Motiejunas, PF, Lithuania
Donatas Motiejunas is more prepared to play in the NBA than most of his foreign counterparts. His stock has been dropping lately, but he has a strong offensive game with the athleticism to become a solid defensive contributor as well.
19. Charlotte Bobcats – Kenneth Faried, PF, Morehead St.
After selecting one of the nation's purest scorers in Klay Thompson with their first pick, the Charlotte Bobcats now take the premier rebounder in college basketball. Kenneth Faried is a strong defender, who can clean up the glass with authority. The only question mark is his size.
20. Minnesota Timberwolves – Jordan Hamilton, SF, Texas
Jordan Hamilton is a great jump shooter. The rest of his game is average and he's not a great athlete, but he can score the basketball and that's exactly what the Minnesota Timberwolves need. He can also play shooting guard, giving him the versatility necessary to play a significant role off the bench.
21. Portland Trail Blazers – Iman Shumpert, PG, Georgia Tech
Another riser as of late, Iman Shumpert is an elite defensive player with great size for the point guard position. He isn't going to be a high-scoring point guard, and the points he does score will be from creating offense—not from jumpers. Perfect fit in Portland.
22. Denver Nuggets – Marshon Brooks, SG, Providence
Although Arron Afflalo and J.R. Smith are both good shooting guards in spurts, Marshon Brooks has the potential to give the Denver Nuggets a consistently good shooting guard. He still has some developing to do, especially in terms of distributing the ball, but Brooks can contribute off the bench right away.
23. Houston Rockets – Tobias Harris, SF, Tennessee
The Houston Rockets have been mentioned as a possible destination for Josh Smith, who is being floated around by the Atlanta Hawks. Tobias Harris is not Josh Smith, but he plays the same all-around type of game that Smith does—a poor man's Josh Smith, so to speak.
24. Oklahoma City Thunder – Reggie Jackson, PG, Boston College
Reggie Jackson canceled meetings with other teams after talking with the Oklahoma City Thunder, leading many to speculate the Thunder gave him a first-round promise. He will need time to work on his game before becoming a consistent contributor, but his freakish athleticism is undeniable.
25. Boston Celtics – Nikola Mirotic, PF, Montenegro
Another spot in the order that has been rumored to be on the move. The Boston Celtics are hoping to trade this pick in return for a young player already under contract. If they can't trade it, they can select Nikola Mirotic to develop in Europe for a season or two. He has a sweet jumper, but is still working on the rest of his repertoire.
26. Dallas Mavericks – Trey Thompkins, PF, Georgia
Trey Thompkins is a power forward who can stretch the floor, but also has a wide variety of moves underneath the basket. He would benefit greatly from playing behind Dirk Nowitzki for a couple of seasons. His defense is the biggest area of weakness, but that may have been from a lack of effort rather than a lack of ability at Georgia.
27. New Jersey Nets – Tyler Honeycutt, SF, UCLA
Once considered a lottery pick, Tyler Honeycutt's draft stock has suffered in recent weeks. He is a great athlete, but could really use a couple more pounds on his frame to survive the wear and tear of an NBA season. Provides great value to the New Jersey Nets late in the first round.
28. Chicago Bulls – Kyle Singler, SF, Duke
After an inconsistent, disappointing senior season at Duke, Kyle Singler's stock probably isn't as high as he thought it would be after strong sophomore and junior campaigns. That isn't always a bad thing, however, as he'll be able to join a good team and be a contributor in a championship run.
29. San Antonio Spurs – Davis Bertans, SF, Latvia
A tremendous shooter with the size to defend opposing NBA small forwards, Davis Bertans is the prototypical San Antonio Spurs draft pick. They can leave him in Europe for a few years and bring him over whenever they have the need and funds to do so.
30. Chicago Bulls – Jeremy Tyler, PF, Tokyo Apache
After deciding not to attend Louisville, Jeremy Tyler has traveled the world playing basketball. He is a long-term project, with some baggage as well, but he has the potential to pay off in a big way for the Chicago Bulls. Some more effort is needed on the defensive end and he'll need to add some variety to his offensive game, but he's worth a shot at this spot.
