2011 NBA Mock Draft: Examining Chad Ford's Most Recent Mock

ESPN's NBA draft guru has released thousands of mock drafts in preparation for tonight's NBA draft, and he is always right on top of the breaking news.

Teams trading picks and players. Teams changing their minds. It's an exciting day to be an NBA fan, and here are some notes about Ford's most recent mock draft.

Phoenix Suns prefer Markieff Morris over Marcus

The Morris twins both lit up college basketball last season at Kansas and will both go in the first round tonight, but Marcus is overall the more-skilled player. Markieff, on the other hand, has the size advantage over his brother, and he is also a better shot-blocker and rebounder. 

The Suns need Markieff's physicality and inside presence at No. 13 more than they need Marcus' skilss.

The unfortunate thing for Marcus is that, if he doesn't get picked in the top 10, he slides because of teams' needs and the fact that he's not totally sure of his position.

Ford has him going to New York at No. 18, which is still a good spot to land, but it's not what he was hoping for a month or two ago. 

Kemba Walker better pray Sacramento takes him at No. 7

There are all sorts of rumors going on about who Sacramento will take at No. 7. For a long time, Kemba Walker seemed like a lock, but recent rumors have had the Kings taking Klay Thompson, Alec Burks or Kawhi Leonard. 

The owners, the Maloof brothers, were reportedly pushing for Jimmer Fredette because of his popularity, but maybe someone told them that really isn't the best basketball strategy. 

The Kings may still try to trade the pick for a veteran (they were linked to Tony Parker, though that rumor has certainly cooled).

If the Kings end up keeping the pick, though, UConn's Kemba Walker is the likely selection. If they decide against Walker, he could fall very far. 

Cleveland and Utah come away with two stellar lottery picks each 

Cleveland and Utah both have two lottery picks. Cleveland No. 1 and 4; Utah No. 3 and 12. So who came away with the better first-round overall?

Ford has Cleveland selecting Kyrie Irving and Jonas Valanciunas (assuming he doesn't stay in Lithuania), and Utah gets Enes Kanter and Jimmer Fredette.

Irving looks every bit a sure-fire superstar, and whenever Valanciunas comes over, or if the Cavs take Tristan Thompson, who Ford notes is their second choice at No. 4, they've got a bright future.

Utah, on the other hand, takes Kanter, who has some serious upside. Brandon Knight was originally thought to be going No. 3, but Kanter's size and power are hard to ignore. 

Fredette, meanwhile, will have the fans in Utah going crazy, and he'll knock down enough big shots to make up for his defense in the early days, but eventually he'll learn that part of the game as well. 

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.