2011 NBA Draft Results: The Most Surprising Moves of the Night

The NBA draft has come to an end after a night of very surprising and interesting moves.

Whether it was through a trade or just a draft pick, teams took some risks that could pay off or set their franchises back years.

Over the next few years, we will see how these picks or trades pan out.

Whatever ends up happening, here are the 10 most surprising moves of the draft.

10. Nolan Smith Going 21st Overall to the Trail Blazers

Nolan Smith was a solid prospect entering the draft, but wasn't projected to be picked until the very end of the first round or early second.

The Trail Blazers could use a guard to add to their rotation, but it was kind of a reach to take Smith so high when they could have traded down to take him.

The Trail Blazers also passed on Kenneth Faried, who would have fit into their team perfectly as a relentless rebounder to pair alongside LeMarcus Aldridge.

9. The Knicks Passing on Chris Singleton

The New York Knicks needed to go defense in this year's draft and they had a perfect prospect fall to them at the 17 spot. Chris Singleton is a long defender who can guard multiple positions and who knows his role.

Singleton would have fit in perfectly for the Knicks, but instead they chose Iman Shumpert, a 2-guard who can defend.

Singleton is a better defender and would have helped the Knicks out a lot more than Shumpert, even if the Shumpert pick works out for them.

8. Alec Burks Falling out of the Top 10

Alec Burks was high on many people's draft boards and was at times projected to go as high as ninth overall.

While Burks didn't fall far and got picked at the 12 spot by the Utah Jazz, he did fall and the Jazz should be thrilled where they got him.

Burks and Enes Kanter are two great building blocks the Jazz got out of this draft and combining them with the likes of Paul Millsap, Al Jefferson and Derrick Favors makes the Jazz a team of the future.

7. Kawhi Leonard Falling to 15

Kawhi Leonard was a projected lottery pick and many mock drafts had him getting taken in the top eight.

Leonard fell to 15 and the Indiana Pacers got a steal of a pick with him.

The Pacers then moved Leonard to the San Antonio Spurs for George Hill.

Leonard gives the Spurs depth at the small forward spot they desperately needed and if the Spurs like him, he should end up as a good player down the road.

6. San Antonio Trading George Hill

While the San Antonio Spurs ended up with a good prospect in Kawhi Leonard, they had to pay a steep price to get him.

The Spurs gave up George Hill, a favorite of coach Greg Popavich, and now have to move forward with Tony Parker as their point guard, even after they shopped him to teams before the draft.

The Spurs really liked Hill as a part of their future so they must have loved Leonard to trade him away.

5. Jordan Hamilton Falling to 26

Jordan Hamilton was one of the top scoring prospects going into the draft and was a projected lottery pick.

Hamilton fell as far as anyone else in the draft when he was taken 26th overall by the Dallas Mavericks.

Hamilton is a great scorer who can learn to play defense and become a promising player in the NBA.

Hamilton should have a nice career and some teams could regret passing him up in the future.

4. The Timberwolves Not Trading out of the Two Spot

The Minnesota Timberwolves had a good chance at acquiring the veteran talent they needed and didn't pull the trigger on.

Minnesota didn't have a great need for Derrick Williams and while he could end up being the best player in this draft, they have no spot for him on the team.

Minnesota could still move Williams, but it is looking less likely now. And unless they have another trade in the works to clear up roster spots, they are going to have a lot of players to play small forward/power forward and not enough minutes to please everyone.

The Wolves did get a good player in Williams, but it will be interesting to see where they play him. 

3. Raptors Going International...Again

The Toronto Raptors had a great chance to improve their backcourt and take a piece they could build around in Brandon Knight, but instead passed to take Jonas Valanciunas. 

Valanciunas is not NBA ready and will have to spend at least one year overseas, so the Raptors did nothing to improve their team for this next season.

The one benefit the Raptors have is the impending lockout which could shorten the season next year or completely cancel it, allowing for Valanciunas to gain experience while the NBA is locked out.

Still, though, the Raptors passed on a very good point guard prospect they could have built their team around and will regret that down the road.

2. Brandon Knight Falling to 8

Brandon Knight was a projected top three pick for a long time before the draft, but he fell to eight and the Detroit Pistons were very happy about it.

The Pistons didn't have a need at point guard but he was the best talent available and they are a team that needs to acquire talent any way they can.

Knight is a great pick at the eight spot just like he would have been a great pick at the five or six spots, and the Pistons got one of the steals of the draft when they took the young point guard.

1. The Cleveland Cavaliers Taking Tristan Thompson with the Fourth Pick

The Cleveland Cavaliers shocked many when they took forward Tristan Thompson with the fourth overall pick in the draft.

One could make the case they reached for the young forward from Texas, but he is a great rebounder and has a lot of potential to be a solid NBA player.

The Cavaliers passed on a few different International players that were just as unproven as Thompson so you cannot kill them for that. Thompson at four is a safe pick but won't pay off like some of the International players at that spot could have.

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For more 2011 NBA draft coverage, stay tuned to Bleacher Report for NBA draft results and NBA draft grades.