2011 NBA Mock Draft
Written by Jack Jones - Google +
The 2011 NBA draft lottery is finalized, and now it’s time to make some educated guesses on which players will get drafted where. The Cleveland Cavaliers certainly made out like bandits, getting the first and fourth overall picks. Obviously, it’s going to be hard to predict what players will get drafted by which teams, but I’m going to make my predictions based on the resources I have available.
Events like the Chicago pre-draft combine, the Reebok Eurocamp and team workouts that take place over the next month will make it easier to narrow down the best players available. Most of my choices will be determined by team needs and talent. Here’s how I believe the draft will play out in June.
1.) Cleveland Cavaliers: PG Kyrie Irving – Cleveland traded away Mo Williams mid-season, and in exchange they get the No. 1 pick. Not a bad deal for the Cavaliers as things are finally starting to look up up Cleveland. Irving will give them a nice backcourt and should be able to step in right away and play.
2.) Minnesota Timber wolves: SF Derrick Williams – They Timberwolves have been trying to get a point guard for years, and with Irving likely gone they probably won’t reach for Brandon Knight or Kemba Walker. Williams would give them a deadly frontcourt to go along with Michael Beasley and Kevin Love.
3.) Utah Jazz: PG Brandon Knight – While the Jazz have a need at small forward and at center, they are likely going to look for a point guard to replace Deron Williams. Devin Harris has been a disappointment and is not the long-term solution here.
4.) Cleveland Cavaliers: PF Ernes Kanter – He has to sit out last season at Kentucky and was only able to practice with the team. After seeing his performance at the 2010 Nike Hoop Summit, it’s hard not to like Kanter. The Cavaliers need to get bigger, stronger and tougher in the paint and Kanter has all three of those qualities.
5.) Toronto Raptors: PF Jonas Valanciunas – Believed by many to be the best international player in the draft, Valanciunas would give the Raptors a much needed post presence that they currently are missing. There are concerns about the buyout terms on his contract, but Raptors president Bryan Colangelo is likely to take a gamble on him.
6.) Washington Wizards: SF Kawhi Leonard – Known as a soft, defenseless team, the Washington Wizards will help wipe away that image by selecting Leonard. He fills a hole at the 3 and can guard multiple positions defensively.
7.) Sacramento Kings: PG Kemba Walker – The Kings are starting to realize that Tyreke Evans is not a point guard, and selecting Walker would allow them to move him to the better-suited 2 guard position. He gives Sacramento a winner which is something the city really needs right now.
8.) Detroit Pistons: PF Tristan Thompson – The Pistons could take a risk on Bismack Biyombo here, but I expect them to go for more of a sure thing in Thomson. He is a great worker and goes after offensive rebounds as well as any player in this class, plus he’s a proven scorer. He would complement Greg Monroe very well in the frontcourt.
9.) Charlotte Bobcats: PF Bismack Biyombo – While not a proven scorer, Biyombo gives the Bobcats something they need inside which is length, toughness, rebounding and athleticism. Michael Jordan has been known to take risks since taking over in Charlotte, and he’s likely to take another here with this 18-year-old Congo native.
10.) Milwaukee Bucks: SG Alec Burks – He fits the Bucks need for a 2 guard quite nicely, as Milwaukee is already set at point guard and center. Burks can get to the basket any time he wants to, and if he can improve his shooting from distance then he has the ability to be one of the better scorers in the game.
11.) Golden State Warriors: PF Jan Vesely - The Warriors like to get up and down, and Vesely can run the floor with Steph Curry and Monte Ellis. He is one of the most athletic big men in this year’s class, and the Warriors need some help in their frontcourt.
12.) Utah Jazz: PF Chris Singleton – Andrei Kirilenko has been a tremendous defender who can guard multiple positions for Utah throughout the years, but he’s a free agent this summer. Singleton would be the ideal replacement for Kirilenko, though he has a weak offensive game similar to AK-47. If Burks is still on the board here they may go that route, otherwise Singleton is the likely candidate.
13.) Phoenix Suns: SG Jimmer Fredette - Phoenix runs a freestyle offense which makes this a perfect fit for Fredette. His brutal defense is certainly concerning, but the Suns have overlooked Steve Nash’s inability to defend for years. They aren’t likely to pass up on Fredette’s raw talent because of defense, either.
14.) Houston Rockets: PF Marcus Morris – This guy is just a great all-around player, and after the Rockets traded away Shane Battier in February the need for a power forward is a big one.
15.) Indiana Pacers: PF Kenneth Faried – Indiana needs both an athletic guard and an athletic big man in the middle. He is a high-energy guy similar to Jeff Foster and Tyler Hansbrough, but much more athletic.
16.) Philadelphia 76ers: PF/C Markieff Morris – This Philly native would be a perfect fit for the 76ers as they desperately need a big man. He’s a terrific defender, shot-blocker and rebounded. He was also known at Kansas for his ability to step out and hit long jumpers, making Morris even more versatile.
17.) New York Knicks: PG Josh Selby – GM Donnie Walsh passed up on a plethora of talented, but unproven, point guards in the 2009 class to select Jordan Hill. He has to be regretting that decision, and he’s unlikely to pass up on a talent like Selby. He didn’t have the freedom he wanted in Kansas, but under Mike D’Antoni’s system he will get that freedom which will allow Selby to maximize his talents.
18.) Washington Wizards: PG Klay Thompson – With Nick Young likely leaving in free agency, the Wizards are going to need a shooter in the backcourt to go along with John Wall. Thompson is probably the second-best shooter in the draft behind Fredette.
19.) Charlotte Bobcats: SF Jordan Hamilton – He would be a steal at this spot and I believe Hamilton is clearly one of the most underrated players in this class. He is a mini Kevin Durant as he’s a great shooter with size. He’s probably in the top three in terms of scorers available.
20.) Minnesota Timberwolves: SG Marshon Brooks – The experiment of putting Wesley Johnson at the 2 did not work, and he’ll likely play in his more comfortable role at the 3 for the rest of his career. Minnesota has been lacking a shooting guard for a few years now. Brooks was the second-best scorer in college basketball last year and his scoring is needed desperately in Minnesota.
21.) Portland Trail Blazers: PF Donatas Motiejunas – Injuries have killed the Blazers’ frontcourt for years, and they desperately need depth here. They could look for a point guard like Nolan Smith as that’s a need as well, but my guess is power forward and Motiejunas fits the bill.
22.) Denver Nuggets: PF Tobias Harris – He is one of the most well-rounded players in the draft. Harris can play the 3 and 4 which makes him a very versatile big man.
23.) Houston Rockets: PG Reggie Jackson – While Kyle Lowry is coming off the best year of his career, the Rockets could certainly use a complement to him. Jackson burned up the nets as a junior and he is a freakish athlete with a 7-foot wingspan.
24.) Oklahoma City Thunder: SF Nikola Mirotic – On talent alone, Mirotic is clearly a lottery pick. The only downfall is that he has a huge buyout on his contract, which means it will be a few years before he plays in the NBA. Whatever team he goes to is certainly getting a steal down the road.
25.) Boston Celtics: C Jordan Williams – After trading away Kendrick Perkins, the Celtics now have a massive hole at center. Williams is a workhorse who gets the most out of his frame. He is big and physical, similar to Perkins.
26.) Dallas Mavericks: SF Davis Bartans – He shot lights out at the Nike Hoop Summit and his performance there drew comparisons to Dirk Nowitzki. This 18-year-old European can’t possibly live up to that, but Bartans certainly has the potential to be a solid player in the league if he gets a little stronger.
27.) New Jersey Nets: PF Justin Harper – After missing on Yi Jianlian and Troy Murphy over the past couple years, the Nets are certainly looking to fill a void at power forward. Harper fit’s the bill as he is big and athletic and can shoot the ball from distance.
28.) Chicago Bulls: G/F Tyler Honeycutt – The Bulls don’t have many weaknesses, but they could certainly use a shooting guard to complement Derrick Rose. He is an excellent shooter who can stretch the defense, and knock down jumpers.
29.) San Antonio Spurs: C Lucas Nogueira – The Spurs have been known for stashing away international players overseas until they are ready. As long as Nogueira can add some bulk to his lanky frame, he has the potential to be an excellent rebounded and shot-blocker in the NBA.
30.) Chicago Bulls: SG Charles Jenkins – Chicago is looking to find more scorers in the backcourt and certainly could use a backup for Derrick Rose. Jenkins can play both point guard and shooting guard, and he’s one of the best scorers in the draft.
Check out our NBA mock draft database for more opinions and predictions on who is going to fall where.
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2 Responses to “2011 NBA Mock Draft”
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The Rockets have Scola, Patterson, Chuck Hayes, and Hill at the PF position. Shane Battier is a small forward and that is one of the Rocket’s needs. They may take Marcus Morris if he’s the best player available when their turn comes, but unless they trade away their depth at PF and don’t resign Hayes it won’t be because they need a power forward.
I was draft prospect working out on tn (NBA TV) and at one point in the show were highlighting the small forward prospects and Marcus Morris (and/or his agent) insisted on being placed with the small forwards during the workouts. He was impressive, and displayed excellent shooting touch and range and is very mobile. I think he can play small forward in the NBA.
If Houston chooses him then it was being adding size and very likely filling the SF need.