NBA Mock Draft 2011: Last Minute Changes to the Top 10

Rumors are buzzing around left and right and we’ve already seen a significant shakeup to the lottery today. The Kings have moved down to No. 10 and the Bobcats slipped into No. 7 while the Bucks went for the top player in the deal (Stephen Jackson) and moved out of the lottery.

With the Spurs still hammering the phone lines, trying to work out a deal, the T’wolves still listening to offers and the likely aftermath of the three-way deal, something tells me there’s going to be a lot more action tonight.

Here’s a look at a last-minute mock lottery based on all of today’s rumblings and grumblings:

1. Cleveland Cavaliers: Kyrie Irving

While there are still no reports indicating the Kyrie Irving will be the top selection in the draft, it still seems like the most sensible move for the Cavaliers.

Irving has all of the skills to succeed at the NBA level and is one of the only guys in this 2011 draft class that projects to be a true team leader, i.e. someone to build around.

2. Minnesota Timberwolves: Derrick Williams

While David Kahn and the Minnesota Timberwolves appeared to be shopping the #2 pick the last couple days, word from SI’s Adrian Wojnarowski is that “Many offices are frustrated trying to deal with Minny…One says ‘If you want a deal right now you’re talking to Utah’ “. Word this morning was that the Atlanta Hawks were dangling forward Josh Smith to move into the second pick, but even that doesn’t look to have legs.

Yesterday, rumors went around that Minnesota was looking into Enes Kanter, but that was almost certainly a smokescreen trying to get someone to trade up.

Expect to see Arizona forward Derrick Williams to be the selection, and the fact of the matter is, it will be the right selection. Williams is a very talented big man and will create an excellent forward tandem with Kevin Love.

3. Utah Jazz: Brandon Knight

The most recent news out of Salt Lake City is that the Jazz are shopping point guard Devin Harris heavily. That has to mean that they are looking seriously at talented Kentucky point guard Brandon Knight to be the floor general of the future.

During interviews, Knight has pointed out that he felt very comfortable with the coaching staff and front office in Utah and many feel he would be a great addition.

Note: According to the Salt Lake Tribune, Utah GM Kevin O’Connor has been very busy hitting the phone lines over the last couple hours and may be doing some wheeling and dealing of his own. At one point, a three-team deal was rumored featuring the Jazz moving up to No. 2 to select Derrick Williams. 

4. Cleveland Cavaliers: Jonas Valanciunas

Even with the rumors that 18-year-old Jonas Valanciunas will not be making the jump to the NBA season, it looks like the Cavaliers will be making him the fourth pick in the draft.

Valanciunas is certainly one of the most talented big men in the draft, but there is a lot of risk there taking the young Lithuanian.

Last word out of Cleveland was that they are attempting to move down in the draft to still take Valanciunas. One potential trade partner was thought to be Toronto, who has since work out another deal.

Regardless, if Enes Kanter is still on the board at four, I would not be shocked to see the Cavs move the pick. I do however, expect them to come away from Thursday though with Valanciunas. 

5. Toronto Raptors: Bismack Biyombo

The Toronto Raptors have been involved in quite a few rumors in the hours leading up to the draft:

Earlier today, the Raptors and Spurs were deep into talks of Tony Parker for the No. 5 pick in the draft, however not much has been said since the initial rumor.

If the Raptors did not pull the trigger on that deal (pending validity of the rumor), I would have to think that the other prominent rumor: Bismack Biyombo at #5, may hold some weight.

Earlier in the week, it seemed that the Congo-native may have slipped out of lottery. Now it seems he could go either at either No. 5 or No. 7 to Charlotte.

6. Washington Wizards: Enes Kanter

At this point, there is no chance that Enes Kanter, arguably the top big man in the draft, falls any further. Washington would be ecstatic with this pick.

It is worth mentioning however, as Kanter may be off the board earlier if Cleveland moves the No. 4 pick, the Wizards invited staff members from the Czech Republic to the team’s draft party.

You know who else is from the Czech Republic? Jan Vesely.

7. Charlotte Bobcats: Tristan Thompson

Once owned by the Sacramento Kings, the Charlotte Bobcats now have the selection at #7.

One rumor has it that they moved up into the seventh slot to select Congo-big man Bismack Biyombo.

Another has them taking Texas-forward Tristan Thompson, whose stock has been soaring today. He would certainly be a great fill-in for the whole left by Stephen Jackson.

8. Detroit Pistons: Kawhi Leonard

According to many sources, Tristan Thompson was expected to be the Pistons’ primary target, a main reason why Charlotte jumped into the seventh spot.

With him off the board, I look for the Pistons to trade their pick to the Rockets, who earlier today offered the 14^th and 23^rd for the Pistons selection.

If the Pistons do pick, I’d guess its San Diego State’s Kawhi Leonard, an extremely athletic do-it-all forward with great length.

9. Charlotte Bobcats: Alec Burks

When Charlotte moved up to No. 7 in the draft, the Bobcats were most likely hoping to come away from today with Tristan Thompson and Bismack Biyombo. They may only get one however.

If that’s the case, I’ve got the Bobcats looking at a couple good scorers in Alec Burks or Klay Thompson, two other players that have rising up boards over the last week. Burks isn't the greatest spot-up shooter, but he is one of the top playmakers in this draft. He is extremely versatile and fits nicely into the Bobcats system.

I could just as easily see the Bobcats moving this pick as well. Rumor has it that the Spurs are still heavily pushing for a lottery pick to take either Burks or Lithuanian Dontas Motiejunas. 

10. Sacramento Kings: Kemba Walker

Word out of Sacramento is that Kemba Walker, the point guard that lead UConn to the 2011 NCAA Championship, was at the top of the Kings' board this morning. If he slips this far to No. 10, it will be Christmas for the Maloofs.

Should Walker be off the board already, look for the Kings to draft BYU sharpsooter Jimmer Fredette. Some analysts have guessed that the Kings moved down because they thought No. 7 was too early for Fredette but wanted to get back in before the Jazz select at No. 12.

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