NBA Draft 2011 Results: Cavaliers and 7 Teams Now Primed for a Championship Run
Talk about a memorable NBA draft.
Despite the fact that the 2011 NBA Draft featured less talent and an overall weaker class than in years past, there was no shortage of surprise, suspense and trades on draft night.
After the Cleveland Cavaliers drafted Kyrie Irving No. 1 overall and the Minnesota Timberwolves took Derrick Williams No. 2, the rest was a draft that had players all over the place.
In the end, some teams like the Cavaliers made improvements to their rosters that will help them build a championship contenders in years to come, while others failed to find sucess in this year's draft.
Here are seven teams—including the Cavaliers—that made the biggest strides in adding components in this year's draft to contend for a championship run.
Portland Trailblazers: Select PG Nolan Smith, Trade for PG Raymond Felton
1 of 7Taking Nolan Smith was as big a reach as any team made in the 2011 NBA Draft.
At the same time, Smith fits into the Blazers' lineup well and might just provide the spark they need in the backcourt. The Trailblazers also traded for point guard Raymond Felton—dealing starting point guard Andre Miller in the process.
The Trailblazers now stack up on guard play, which is what they lacked last season despite strong play from Andre Miller. Brandon Roy's injuries have hurt the team over the last several seasons.
Adding both Felton and Smith to the lineup, the Trailblazers make steps in the right direction to compete next season. In the 2011 NBA Playoffs, the Trailblazers were predicted by many to upset the now-NBA Champion Dallas Mavericks.
Minnesota Timberwolves: Select PF Derrick Williams
2 of 7Derrick Williams is as solid a pick as any in the 2011 NBA Draft.
Williams is a strong, athletic, talented young prospect that helped lead his Arizona Wildcats to the Elite 8.
He gives the Timberwolves a complement in the frontcourt to Kevin Love that makes for a powerful, talented tandem which could make noise next season.
Don't be surprised if the Timberwolves find themselves competing in the 2012 NBA Playoffs if they make some moves in free agency.
Phoenix Suns, Select PF Markieff Morris
3 of 7You know Phoenix Suns point guard Steve Nash is happy to hear he will be playing alongside Markieff Morris, power forward out of Kansas.
Morris will give the Suns depth in the frontcourt unlike what they have had before. With Robin Lopez and Marcin Gortat improving with each game, Morris completes the package of big men. Unlike Lopez and Gortat, Morris is a better defensive player than offensive threat.
With Channing Frye and Hakim Warrick at the power forward position, the Suns are undersized and lack a post presence. Morris also provides a post presence, while having a great knack for rebounding the basketball. He is arguably a better rebounder than any player on the Suns team.
Morris completes this Suns team that has been lacking an edge defensively and in the rebounding department. With the addition of Morris, expect the Suns to make a playoff run this season.
Boston Celtics: Trade for PF JaJuan Johnson and Select SG E'Twaun Moore
4 of 7The Boston Celtics are already a championship contending team, given they have talents Rajon Rondo, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, and Kevin Garnett suiting up next season.
Add in Purdue teammates JaJuan Johnson and E'Twaun Moore, and the Celtics really do have the makings to make a strong run at an NBA championship.
Johnson will give Garnett and the aging frontcourt fresh legs in the 2012 NBA Playoffs. His minutes could prove key, as he has a solid offensive game and long arms that make him a defensive presence as well.
Moore gives head coach Doc Rivers another option at the shooting guard position behind Allen next season.
Philadelphia 76ers: Select C Nikola Vucevic and PF Lavoy Allen
5 of 7The Philadelphia 76ers went with Nikola Vucevic with their first round selection in the 2011 NBA Draft. It was a surprising selection, but may turn out to be the organization's best possible pick.
Vucevic put up solid numbers with USC last season, averaging just over 17 points and 10.3 rebounds a game. Listed as 7'0'', 260 lb, he boasts an abundance of size at his position. He is a sleeper pick that will likely be a productive starting center in the league for years to come.
Alongside a young, athletic team that is loaded in the backcourt, Vucevic provides the missing piece to this 76ers team. With Thaddeus Young and Elton Brand also playing solid basketball, the 76ers could be dangerous.
Expect the 76ers to be an especially solid basketball team for years to come with the amount of talent they have attained over the last several seasons.
Utah Jazz, Select C Enes Kanter and SG Alec Burks
6 of 7The Utah Jazz decided to take Enes Kanter out of the University of Kentucky with the third pick in the NBA Draft.
Although the Jazz should maybe should have went with point guard Brandon Knight, a teammate of Kanter at Kentucky, they made up ground with the selection of Alec Burks at the No. 12 spot.
Here is the projected Jazz lineup for the upcoming season:
PG - Devin Harris
SG- Alec Burks / Raja Bell
SF - C.J. Miles / Andre Kirilenko
PF - Paul Millsap / Derick Favors
C - Al Jefferson / Enes Kanter
That is a scary, talented lineup that could make a playoff run next season. This team is easily a championship contender, especially if Harris can improve his production from last season.
Cleveland Cavaliers, Select PG Kyrie Irving and PF Tristan Thompson
7 of 7The Cleveland Cavaliers had themselves a productive draft night, with the No. 1 and No. 4 selections in the 2011 NBA Draft.
After selecting Irving at No. 1, they took Tristan Thompson with the No. 4 pick.
Last season the Cavaliers were as bad as teams get in the league, failing to win with any consistency and losing an NBA-record 26 consecutive games. They could use improvements at nearly every position.
Taking Kyrie Irving with the number one pick, the Cavaliers likely have a point guard that will be able to contribute as a starter in the league for years to come. With the addition of Thompson, they add two starters to the lineup that will be able to make immediate impact.
If these players play to their potential, expect the Cavaliers to make a winning run next season. In years to come, they will inevitably be championship contenders if these players fulfill their potential.
