2011 NBA Draft Grades: 10 Rookies With the Best Fantasy Potential

The 2011 NBA draft came and went last night, and when the dust settled, one of the most uninspiring classes in recent memory had been split among the league's 30 teams.

Now, the arduous task of grading each of those teams' draft successes and failures begins. To make things even more complicated, the class' perceived lack of talent will ensure that many of these players don't see much playing time.

But from a fantasy point of view, the perceived lack of talent doesn't necessarily equate to a complete lack of value from this draft. In fact, there are plenty of players who might still bring some value to your fantasy roster this season. 

There likely aren't going to be any John Wall-type contributors from this class (although Kyrie Irving could pull it off), there is still value to be had. 

Join me as we break down the 10 players most likely to have an impact on your fantasy roster next season, telling you what areas figure to get a boost and how much of one you'll get from each of them. Keep in mind that the values assigned are relative to other rookies, as opposed to being based in the entire NBA.

So, get your report cards ready, and let's get started, shall we?

10. Enes Kanter, C, Utah Jazz

What's His Role: Apparently, the Jazz don't see the Al Jefferson-Paul Milsap combination as their franchise's future, as they've found both players' replacements in Derrick Favors and newly drafted Turkish center Enes Kanter.

Kanter will likely serve as Jefferson's backup at center but could see big minutes if Jefferson gets off to another slow start. 

How He'll Help: Kanter will score and rebound once he's on the floor, and you can expect decent numbers as the primary scoring option off the bench. He's the team's sixth man in all likelihood and figures to get plenty of chances to usurp Jefferson's spot.

He won't blow you away until he gets a starting gig, but he's not going to kill you as a waiver-wire pickup, either. 

Value: 4/10. Until Utah actually give Kanter the starting gig, he won't be more than a valuable role player in most leagues. 

9. Alec Burks, SF, Utah Jazz

What's His Role: By drafting the silky-smooth Burks, the Jazz effectively announced that they don't trust C.J. Miles to replace Andrei Kirilenko. Burks is now the new heir apparent on the wing, and with his balanced game, he'll get plenty of chances to shine.

How He Helps: Think of Andrei Kirilenko. Balanced game, solid stats across the board but nothing spectacular. That's pretty much what you can expect from Burks, especially with Kirilenko still in the fold for the time being in Utah.

Value: 4.5/10. Burks figures to be a solid contributor but nothing special. He could be down the road, but he's essentially a poor man's Kirilenko until the original leaves town.

8. Tobias Harris, PF/SF, Milwaukee Bucks

What's His Role: The Bucks already got some scoring help in shooting guard Stephen Jackson, but they still lack a dynamic wingman to spell him with, and to put in at the 3. Harris fills that void, giving them a power/small forward hybrid who lacks any real holes, and has the athleticism to play small forward, and the size and strength to play the 4. He gives Milwaukee an instant starter, and could be the steal of the draft this season. 

How He'll Help: Points, rebounds, field goal percentage and the occasional three-pointer. He's not going to blow you away in any category, but Harris figures to be a solid contributor in each of those areas. He's a versatile forward who can pretty much do whatever the Bucks ask of him. 

Value: 5/10. He's going to be a starter, and he won't kill you anywhere, but don't expect Harris to wow you right away by running roughshod over the sport either. 

7. Kemba Walker, PG, Charlotte Bobcats

What's His Role: Walker figures to slide in at either the point or shooting guard in Charlotte for next season and could spell the end of the D.J. Augustin Era with the Bobcats. He'll be counted on to make plays and score points, as Charlotte is still lacking in players capable of doing both of those things. 

How He'll Help: Expect Kemba to give you solid scoring numbers, a decent three-point percentage, and depending on his position and role in the offense, he could even get you assists. 

Value: 5.5/10. We know Kemba's going to start and will likely score, but will he contribute enough assists to really impact your squad? If so, this value could go up a bit higher.

6. Kenneth Faried, PF, Denver Nuggets

What's His Role: Faried slides into the paint in Denver immediately, giving this team the toughness and freakish rebounding and shot blocking skills that made him so dominant in college. He's not going to be scoring a whole bunch, but his value was never in the offensive production he brought to the table. 

How He'll Help: To be completely honest, 10 rebounds and two to three blocks per game is well within the range of possibilities, even as a rookie. His scoring won't destroy you, although if you get more than eight points per game, it should be considered a bonus. 

Value: 6/10. You have to live with the occasional lack of scoring, but Faried's peripheral numbers should be excellent, and he figures to be one of the top rebounders in the sport next season. 

5. Jimmer Fredette, PG, Sacramento Kings

What's His Role: To be what Beno Udrih couldn't in Sacramento: the force that drives the Kings' offense. He'll get plenty of chances as the third weapon in the offense, behind Tyreke Evans and DeMarcus Cousins, and his assist totals should be solid as well, as the team's primary facilitator. 

How He'll Help: Points will likely be in the 10 to 13 range, with three to five assists and decent percentages. He won't be a great rebounder and no defensive stats, but even so, that's pretty solid. 

Value: 6.5/10. Jimmer should be a solid but unspectacular contributor as the third option in Sacramento's offense, with upside to become more than that down the road.

4. Tristan Thompson, PF, Cleveland Cavaliers

What's His Role: The Cavs have their starting power forward in Thompson, although his appearance might spell the end for either Anderson Varejao or J.J. Hickson in Cleveland. He figures to move into the starting lineup as either a power forward or even an oversized small forward, and brings a great low-post game and some seriously stingy defense to the table. 

How He'll Help: Good rebounding and block numbers, decent points and a shooting percentage you can live with. That's pretty much it from Thompson, assuming he gets into the starting lineup right away.

Value: 6.5/10. If Thompson starts right away, this could be higher, but for now, he's a late-round flier kind of draft pick, or a waiver wire grab once the season starts. He'll have value, but how much will be determined by his playing time. 

3. Jan Vesely, PF, Washington Wizards

What's His Role: Vesely figures to slide into the Wizards' front court immediately, giving them the scoring touch they need up front, and giving John Wall a big target for those fast break passes. Vesely's range and athleticism figure to make him a reliable offensive player almost immediately. 

How He'll Help: Vesely's scoring will be solid, as will his rebounding numbers and potentially his blocks. He won't help much on assists, but 15 points per game is a distinct possibility, especially if his post game comes around. He'll knock down the occasional three-pointer, and his shooting percentages shouldn't kill you.

Value: 7.5/10. Vesely's a solid late-round flier pick, a guy who can provide some upside without a ton of risk in your draft. He'll be a good scorer, but his peripherals will depend on how consistently he hits outside shots and how soon his offense develops. 

2. Derrick Williams, PF, Minnesota Timberwolves

What's His Role: I realize Williams should be behind a logjam of long, athletic forwards in Minnesota, but the fact of the matter is that he's more talented than Wes Johnson or Anthony Randolph. He should slide in as the team's starting small forward, playing an inside-outside game and using his athleticism to full effect.

How He'll Help: Depends on how much playing time he gets. Talent-wise, Williams should be the starting small forward and figures to bolster your scoring, rebounds and blocks, while also providing some strong free throw shooting numbers. 

Value: 8/10. Williams is one of the few players actually worth a decent draft spot in this year's class, and he figures to be a solid, reliable contributor all year, assuming the T-Wolves actually give him a fair chance at the starting gig. 

1 Kyrie Irving, PG, Cleveland Cavaliers

What's His Role: Irving immediately becomes Cleveland's starting point guard or at worst sixth man behind Baron Davis. He'll take over as the team's on-court leader, playmaker and facilitator in a hurry and figures to be a reliable contributor almost immediately.

How He'll Help: Irving should start contributing right away, with the gifts he brings to the table. He ought to be good for 10 to 15 points and five to seven assists almost immediately, and those numbers could climb as he gets comfortable in Cleveland.

Value: 9/10. The most valuable rookie in the 2011 class, Irving figures to be worth a decent draft spot in the mid-to-late rounds, and will deliver solid to good numbers for you this season. He'll be a decent all-around player, with some upside for big things late in the year.