NBA Draft 2011: Results: Buying or Selling All 30 First Round Picks

Justin WeltonJun 24, 2011

Other than Kyrie Irving and Derrick Williams, the 2011 NBA Draft was full of wonder.

What would Cleveland do with the fourth pick of the draft? Would Enes Kanter be available, or would the Utah Jazz snatch him up?

Questions like this were throughout the first round. Some teams may have settled with players, and others may have reached with picks.

There is no question that this draft was one of the more weaker ones in recent memory. But, it made it that much more appealing to me.

Out of the 30 first round picks, who would you buy or sell? Here are my decisions.

No 1: Kyrie Irving

1 of 30

Draft Stock: BUY

Position: Point Guard

Team: Cleveland Cavaliers

Things may have been different if Cleveland would have known that Enes Kanter would be selected third and not Brandon Knight. They could have picked Derrick Williams with the first selection and Knight with the fourth selection.

Instead, they end up with arguably the best player in the draft and Tristan Thompson.

If any player can make an immediate impact from this draft, it would be Irving. He only played in 11 games at Duke, but that didn't shy Cleveland away from their decision.

In a league full of high-end point guards, the Cavaliers finally found theirs.

No 2: Derrick Williams

2 of 30

Stock: BUY

Position: Forward

Team: Minnesota Timberwolves

Even with forwards Michael Beasley and Kevin Love, the Timberwolves selected Derrick Williams with the second overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft.

His skill-set was on full display in the NCAA Tournament, when he exploded onto the national scene with his rim-rattling dunks, game-winning blocks and surprising outside shooting. He shot 57 percent from the perimeter in his sophomore season at Arizona.

Scouts may believe that he is a "tweener," but there is nobody questioning this man's talent.

No 3: Enes Kanter

3 of 30

Stock: BUY

Position: Center

Team: Utah Jazz

Brandon Knight would have also been a great selection with this pick, but the Jazz decided to shore up their front-court and select Enes Kanter. The Jazz were 26th in total rebounding, averaging 39 rebounds per game. He should be able to help in that category immediately.

He has a plethora of offensive moves, including an above-average jumper. His rebounding will help, and his offense will chip in next season. Expect him to get better and better as the season goes on.

Utah had one of the more impressive drafts in 2011.

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No 4: Tristan Thompson

4 of 30

Stock: SELL

Position: Power Forward

Team: Cleveland Cavaliers

Tristan Thompson will be a solid NBA player for a number of seasons. He is good at many things, but not necessarily great at one, which could change throughout the course of his career.

They wanted a power forward/center presence to protect the basket. There weren't many high-end centers prospects that projected near the fourth pick. They could have selected Jonas Valanciunas, but they didn't want to wait a couple of years to see him on the floor.

Thompson was a slight reach with the fourth pick, in my opinion. Enes Kanter would have been the best option, but obviously, he wasn't available.

No 5: Jonas Valanciunas

5 of 30

Stock: BUY

Position: Center

Team: Toronto Raptors

If any team knows international talent, it is Toronto. They really feel like they have their future center with Valanciunas.

He is a 7'0" that scores primarily around the basket. He has a large 7'4" wingspan.

We may have to wait a while to see if this pick is a smart choice, because he will probably stay in Europe for a year or two.

No 6: Jan Vesely

6 of 30

Stock: BUY

Position: Forward

Team: Washington Wizards

One of the funniest moments of the night was when he gave his significant other a kiss that was more like one right after you tied the knot. The fans loved it.

As you may have seen in his highlights, Vesely is an outstanding athlete. Many European athletes love to sit on the perimeter and shoot instead of drive. Vesely is a rare European talent who prefers to drive the ball rather than shoot.

Although, Vesely does carry that weapon as well, showing range to about the three-point line.

No 7: Bismack Biyombo

7 of 30

Stock: SELL

Position: Power Forward

Team: Sacramento Kings (Proposed trade: rights to Charlotte)

Biyombo has a 7'7" wingspan, which is unbelievable. He is a great rebounder and shot block with his long and athletic frame.

He is still very raw, though. His offense is nonexistent.

He should have a good NBA career, but is too raw for the seventh overall pick in my estimation.

No 8: Brandon Knight

8 of 30

Stock: BUY

Position: Guard

Team: Detroit Pistons

The Pistons were ecstatic to see a guy like Brandon Knight slip to the eighth pick. We have heard throughout the course of the mock draft process that Knight was heading to Utah, but they went in a different direction.

Knight is considered a point guard but most scouts question if he is capable of running the show full-time. He is, however, a great talent that holds a high basketball IQ, which is a must from a point guard perspective.

His shooting ability and defense are two traits that are exceptional. I personally love his competitive nature. It may haunt him when he starts to jack up a billion shots, but coaches should be able to control that to a degree in the NBA.

Detroit needed to get better at many positions, and Knight will solidify one.

No 9: Kemba Walker

9 of 30

Stock: BUY

Position: Guard

Team: Charlotte Bobcats

Give me the guy who can led a young and inexperienced team to a national championship, give me the guy who has more heart than anybody else on the floor, give me the guy who comes through late time and time again, give me Kemba Walker.

He said that he isn't 6'4", 6'3" or even 6'2", but he has a lot of heart, and I couldn't agree more. He is the type of guy you want on your team.

Walker isn't a point guard and is undersized as a shooting guard, but I don't care. His college career was enough pedigree to make me believe he can have some type of success in the NBA.

Michael Jordan made the right move with this pick.

No 10: Jimmer Fredette

10 of 30

Stock: SELL

Position: Guard

Team: Milwaukee Bucks (Proposed Trade: rights to Sacramento)

Don't get me wrong; I am a Jimmer guy. I think he can produce to a successful degree in the NBA. I don't think he is an all-star, but he can provide solid minutes off the bench, especially early on in his career.

Its no secret that Sacramento needs to put people in the seats, and what better way to do that than have Jimmer come to town. His long distance bombs are an attraction worth a ticket on many nights.

No. 10, though? I think that was a little high for a guy lacking many important traits such as defense.

No 11: Klay Thompson

11 of 30

Stock: BUY

Position: Guard

Team: Golden State Warriors

I spent many nights staying up until two a.m. watching Klay Thompson light up Pac-10 schools for Washington State. His shooting range and consistency is very good, even with only shooting 40 percent from three this past season.

Monta Ellis, Stephen Curry and now Klay Thompson, the Warriors and new head coach Mark Jackson will be ready to battle each and every night in the Western Conference.

No 12: Alec Burks

12 of 30

Stock: BUY

Position: Guard

Team: Utah Jazz

I have thought that Alec Burks may be the steal of the draft wherever he goes. He can score in a variety of ways, whether it is driving to the hole or his outside game.

He does lack consistency on his perimeter game, but that can be improved upon. Slashing to the hole is his game, and he did it just about better than anybody in the college game.

No 13: Markieff Morris

13 of 30

Stock: BUY

Position: Power Forward

Team: Phoenix Suns

Personally, I like Marcus as a better player in the NBA. The one thing that stands out between the two is the fact that Markieff has a set position.

The Suns needed to improve their rebounding and defense, and Markieff will help in those areas. He can also knock down the outside shot (not better than his brother).

This is a fit, and that is why you buy with this pick.

No 14: Marcus Morris

14 of 30

Stock: SELL

Position: Forward

Team: Houston Rockets

Marcus Morris is great offensively, whether it be it on the block or from the perimeter. He is a much better shooter than his brother Markieff.

Luis Scola and Chuck Hayes already play in Marcus' position of power forward, so does that mean that the Rockets believe he is a small forward? That is the big question with Morris: What position will he play?

If this was buying or selling stock for the player, I would buy Morris, but it doesn't seem like the best fit for the Rockets.

No 16: Nikola Vucevic

15 of 30

Stock: BUY

Position: Center

Team: Philadelphia 76ers

Nikola Vucevic was the best center available on the board when he 76ers were on the clock. They needed help in their front-court, both defensively and rebounding.

His offense skills are vastly underrated. He can face up, start with his back to the basket or shoot with good range.

In a draft that was considered poor, the 76ers picked up a guy in the middle of the first round that should have a solid NBA career.

No 15: Kawhi Leonard

16 of 30

Stock: BUY

Position: Forward

Team: Indiana Pacers (Rights traded to San Antonio)

Kawhi Leonard fell down the draft board, and eventually, the Spurs received his rights via a trade.

He is an improving offensive player that has a high motor and is solid defensively. He was thought of as being a top-10 pick throughout the mock draft process.

He wasn't a great shooter from the perimeter, even though he tried over and over again with San Diego State. But, he has been working on his shot this spring, and I have heard that it is much improved.

No 17: Iman Shumpert

17 of 30

Stock: SELL

Position: Guard

Team: New York Knicks

Only the Knicks would make a pick that would be this out of the air. Shumpert was an above-average player at Georgia Tech who could have a surprising NBA career.

Could they have traded down to get this guy? YES.

If they wanted a solid perimeter defender that has upside, why not go for Chris Singleton from Florida State? Singleton would have been a better selection with this pick.

No 18: Chris Singleton

18 of 30

Stock: BUY

Position: Forward

Team: Washington Wizards

Chris Singleton was one of the best defenders in college basketball this past season. The Wizards need help in multiple areas, and defense was one of them.

He is extremely athletic, being able to guard multiple positions defensively. His offensive game needs work, but his defense will allow him to get minutes early on in his career.

No 19: Tobias Harris

19 of 30

Stock: BUY

Position: Forward

Team: Charlotte Bobcats (Proposed trade: rights to Charlotte from New Orleans via Portland)

Tobias Harris didn't wow anybody while at Tennessee; all he did was be one of the most consistent freshman you will ever see.

That is his game, too. He doesn't impress or do anything well; he is just a solid all-around basketball player that most scouts believe can be the steal of the draft.

No 20: Donatas Motiejunas

20 of 30

Stock: BUY

Position: Forward

Team: Minnesota (Rights traded to Houston, from Memphis via Utah)

He is a 7'0" forward that is a smooth scorer. That alone can be valuable for any team in the future.

Some believe that he is the best scorer for his position in Europe. He will need to get much stronger if he wants to have a successful NBA career, though.

No 21: Nolan Smith

21 of 30

Stock: SELL

Position: Guard

Team: Portland Trail Blazers

Nolan Smith is a winner and competitor. He is primarily a mid-range shooter that loves to drive to the hole, but has the determination to develop an outside shot.

One thing he does well is lock you down defensively. This will be an attribute that will bode well at the next level.

The reason I sell is because I believe that Smith was a reach with the 21st pick. They could have traded down and picked up a future pick or player and still been able to get Smith late in the first round.

No 22: Kenneth Faried

22 of 30

Stock: BUY

Position: Forward

Team: Denver Nuggets

Kenneth Faried seems like the perfect fit in Denver. He led college basketball in rebounding this past season, and that will easily translate to the next level.

He doesn't have any type of offensive game, but could that eventually come? I don't think so. Nevertheless, his defense, high motor and rebounding will allow him to have an above-average NBA career.

No 23: Nikola Mirotic

23 of 30

Stock: BUY

Position: Forward

Team: Houston Rockets (Rights traded to Chicago from Orlando, via Phoenix)

I like this pick-up by the Chicago Bulls. He may not show up in the NBA for a few years, but he can develop into a good player in Europe while the Bulls are competing for trips to the NBA finals in America.

He can play multiple positions, defend multiple positions and score in a variety of ways.

No 24: Reggie Jackson

24 of 30

Stock: SELL

Position: Guard

Team: Oklahoma City Thunder

They need a big man. Even if there wasn't one readily available at the time, they could have traded down to get a big man.

Reggie Jackson should have an above-average NBA career; I just don't see the immediate fit with the Thunder. They already have James Harden, Russell Westbrook and Eric Maynor, so where would he fit? This would probably mean that Maynor may be leaving town.

I still think that they should have drafted a big man. Maybe they could have traded up to get a center. Kendrick Perkins isn't the answer offensively that they need from their five position. They need somebody who can pull the opposing center away from the rim to allow Westbrook to drive the lane. I would have loved to see them trade up to get Nikola Vucevic.

No 25: Marshon Brooks

25 of 30

Stock: BUY

Position: Guard

Team: Boston Celtics (Rights traded to New Jersey)

I would have loved to see the Celtics keep Brooks instead of trading him, but the Nets will be happy they got him.

He was the best scorer left on the board. He also fit a need for the Nets, which was a scoring guard. This is a great fit for Brooks and the Nets.

No 26: Jordan Hamilton

26 of 30

Stock: BUY

Position: Guard/Small Forward

Team: Dallas Mavericks (Rights traded to Portland)

With a trade that finally saw Jordan Hamilton land with the Denver Nuggets, his selection at the 26th pick was solid.

A 6'9" guard/small forward that can shoot lights out from long range is always a commodity. His shot selection from his sophomore season compared to his freshman season was night and day. He jacked up every shot he could in his freshman campaign, which forced him to sit the bench in some occasions.

He changed that style of play almost completely in his sophomore season. Could he go back to his freshman ways again? I think those days are over.

No 27: JaJuan Johnson

27 of 30

Stock: BUY

Position: Forward

Team: New Jersey Nets (Rights traded to Boston)

JaJuan Johnson is a player that I am up in the air about. I like his ability to shoot from the mid-range; it reminds me of Kevin Garnett.

In fact, he reminds me of Garnett altogether minus the tenacity, toughness and leadership. Maybe he could pick up those traits playing along side Garnett.

No 28: Norris Cole

28 of 30

Stock: BUY

Position: Point Guard

Team: Chicago Bulls (Rights traded to Miami)

The Heat need an explosive point guard, and Cole is a legitimate option. He played at Cleveland State, so he flew under the radar a bit.

Playing along side LeBron James and Dwyane Wade will allow anybody to become a better overall player. The Heat are hoping that Cole can make those two better as well, with his distributing.

He will need to become a better spot-up shooter in the NBA. He didn't shoot the ball well from the perimeter in college.