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2011 NBA Mock Draft 1.0: First Round Post-Lottery Mock

With Kyrie Irving looking like the favorite to go number one to Cleveland, it looks like Baron Davis will either be reduced to a bench roll, giving way to the young rookie phenom John Wall style, get traded, or retain the starting gig until Kyrie shows that he is fully capable of starting and carrying the team.

Power forward/Center, Enes Kanter is the talk of the town on heading to Minnesota.  This baffles me as the T-Wolves already have Kevin Love, Michael Beasley and even Anthony Randolph down low.  Using a high pick on another big confuses me, but then again I am not the Millionaire GM making all the decisions. Maybe they know something that I don't, so I won't pass judgment, but I will say if I were the GM I would aim for the next best point guard available in maybe Brandon Knight or Kemba Walker.  Is Luke Ridnour really going to take you deep into the playoffs between now and a couple of years?  That is the mission right?

Regardless of our pre-draft speculation, surprises always seem to be in store and predictions always seem to turn to the unexpected, but let's give hardcore NBA fans a likely look at which rookies they can be expecting on their teams' rosters by the start of the 2011-2012 season.

1) Cleveland – Kyrie Irving (PG, Duke) – Known as an unselfish and exciting player.  Scores a high amount of points without too many shot attempts.  Arguably the best player in the draft. Irving should make an immediate impact in fantasy basketball next year.

2) Minnesota –Brandon Knight (PG, Kentucky) – Has some turnover issues to work on (4.7 TO over first seven games of last season), but still a great point guard overall.  Minnesota has young talent all around its lineup.  Adding a rookie sensation like this at point could finally put them over the hump.

3) Utah – Derrick Williams (SF/PF, Arizona) – Williams compares most favorably to Michael Beasley.  He's big for a small forward, weighing in at 250 lbs and standing 6'9 feet tall.  Williams averaged 19 points and 8.3 boards during the 2010-2011 season.  He would fit in nicely alongside Paul Milsap and Al Jefferson providing solid rebounding and solid scoring. Williams should be among the rookies making an immediate fantasy basketball impact.

4)Cleveland – Enes Kantar (PF/C, Kentucky) – Kantar stands in at about 6'10 without shoes.  Has impressed coaches at all workouts and has generated quite the buzz. Kantar doesn't have long arms for his height, but has a massive frame for a 19-year old and is excellent working on the block.  Cleveland could use another big body like this to help out J.J. Hickson down low.

5) Toronto – Jonas Valanciunas – (PF/C, Lithuania) – Regarded as one of the most talented players in European basketball.  Has added size and bulk to his frame to become a better rebounder.  Not much of a shooter, but does everything else defensively.  If he can become a willing passer, his teammates should see plenty of scoring opportunities. Would fit in nicely with Toronto.

6) Washington – Kawhi Leonard (SF, San Diego State) – Not much going on at the small forward position in Washington with Al Thornton and Josh Howard, so this pick makes a ton of sense.  Leonard is an athletic type who would compare most closely to Shawn Marion.  Has big hands and a long wingspan which makes him able to guard power forwards and players much bigger than him.  An excellent rebounder and solid scorer.  A great value pick for the D.C. team.

7) Sacramento – Kemba Walker (PG, Connecticut) – One of the shorter point guards coming out the draft standing at 5'11 without shoes.  Plays with unique toughness and grit.  With Tyreke Evans always dealing with injury problems, adding Kemba Walker might be a smart move, or they could move Tyreke to the two, and play Kemba at the one.

Detroit – Bismack Biyombo (PF/C, Congo) – A great rebounder and shot blocker.  Would fit in very nicely with Detroit playing that style of ball.  Imagine Ben Wallace all over again.  Runs the floor very well and is explosive around the bucket.

9) Charlotte – Tristan Thompson (PF, Texas) – Has struggled at times with consistency, but can rebound well and score around the bucket.  Strong shot blocker with a lot of potential for growth.  Scouts like his 227 lb frame as well.

10) Milwaukee – Alec Burks (SG, Colorado) – Has good ability at putting the ball on the floor and creating his own shot.  Is not a physical freak at 6'6 and 195 lbs, but is only 19 years old and will look to add bulk to his frame.  Would be a good look to come in and spell John Salmons and even start over Luc Richard Mbah a Moute.

11) Golden State – Tobias Harris (SF/PF, Tennessee) – Measured in at 6'6 without shoes on but has a 6'10 wingspan.  Averaged 15.3 points and 7.3 boards a game last season. Is known for having a high basketball IQ and that should help him in the league. Possesses a very good skill-set and great feel for the game. Would fit in well with Golden State's fast tempo style of play.

12) Utah – Donatas Motiejunas (PF/C, Lithuania) – Currently ranks as second best per-minute scorer in Italian Lega A, shooting at 66% from inside the arc and 46% from behind the arc.  Has added good size to his build which has made him a better rebounder and better low-post scorer.  Utah would become dominant down low, adding Motiejunas and Derrick Willams to go along with Paul Milsap and Al Jefferson.

13) Phoenix – Chris Singleton (SF/PF, Florida State) – Possesses prototypical physical attributes for a combo forward.  Stands at 6'9 with long arms and great rebounding ability.  A physical presence that would fit well in the Suns run and gun type of offense.

14) Houston – Markieff Morris (PF, Kansas) – Strong, athletic and has a frame ready for the NBA today.  Can knock down a spot-up three pointer standing at 6'10, 250 lbs.  Has some improvements to make with turnovers and finishing ability with his back to the basket.  Will look more attractive on draft day considering the number of highly touted power forwards electing to return to school.

15) Indiana – Jimmer Fredette (PG, BYU) – Fantastic shooting ability and can score from anywhere on the court.  Knocks down contested shots with great consistency, he could be a fantasy basketball steal in next year's draft.  His height is one of the main concerns, standing in at about 6'2 with shoes on.  Defense is also a concern for Fredette, meaning that Indiana could look the other way on draft day, letting Fredette's scoring ability go to a team that can afford the defensive liability a little bit better.

16) Philadelphia – Marcus Morris (SF/PF, Kansas) – Has a good wingspan to height ratio (6-10: 6'7) and good weight at 230 lbs.  A good offensive toolbox offsets his undersized build for the average power forward.  With Elton Brand not getting any younger, Marcus Morris would be a solid pick for the Sixers at this point.

17) New York – Reggie Jackson (PG/SG, Boston College) – Plays with great poise and can pick and choose his spots effectively.  Utilizes his athleticism well and still has plenty of room to grow.  Can provide tremendous help off the bench for Raymond Felton and the New York Knicks back court.

18) Washington – Klay Thompson (SG, Washington State) – A dynamic scorer with good stealing ability.  Can shoot the three ball and stretch the defense.  Also a solid shot blocker as well averaging 0.9 during 2010-2011.

19) Charlotte – Jan Vesely (SF/PF, Czech Republic) – Stands at 6'11 and weighs 240 lbs.  Is shooting the ball better with more fluidity and confidence.  Although he has struggled at the free throw line, the way he's been playing as of late has Jay Bilas calling him a "shooter."  Only shot 54.2% in the Adriatic league and 43.8% in the Euro league from behind the charity stripe.  With some time to develop, he should turn into a solid power forward.

20) Minnesota – Kenneth Faried (PF/C, Morehead State) – Faried at 6'8, 220 lbs, plays with toughness and hustle.  Possesses great rebounding ability as evidenced by his 14.5 average during the 2010-2011 season.  Also averaged 17.3 points per game during last year.  He won't take the three pointer, but posted great steal and block averages last year as well (1.9 steals and 2.3 blocks) while also shooting 63% from the field.  A great all-around player that Minnesota would love to take if he falls to them at this point in the round.

21) Portland – Davis Bertans (SF, Lithuania) – Has a smooth stroke from the perimeter and impressed scouts immediately at the Nike Hoop Summit.  Knocks down shots running off screens and spotting up all over the court.  Has a quick release and uses his size well to create space for his shots—like how Dirk Nowitzki does.  Would make a great fit in Portland with LaMarcus Aldridge kicking out.

22) Denver – Jordan Hamilton (SF, Texas) – Measured out larger than expected; 6'6 without shoes and weighing in at 228 lbs.  Improved rebounding and scoring ability have scouts' eyes opened.  Would fit nicely into Denver's running and athletic offense.

23) Houston – Jordan Williams (PF/C, Maryland) – 6'9, 250 lbs and still getting trimmer and more fit.  He lost weight to improve his draft position and it has paid off.  Averaged 11.8 rebounds during 2010-2011 and 16.9 points.

24) Oklahoma City – Josh Selby (PG/SG, Kansas) – Struggles mightily with inconsistency and turnover problems.  Shows flashes of potential and is incredibly dangerous when catching the ball on the move.  Would most likely come off the bench to back up Russell Westbrook and James Harden.

25) Boston – Tyler Honeycutt (SF, UCLA) – A defensive minded guy who will shoot solid percentages from the arc, stripe and for two.  Stands at 6'8, 190 lbs and would inevitably need to add more size to his frame.  His long arms make him an attractive pick for Boston at this point in the draft along with his willingness to hustle and make plays on the defensive end.

26) Dallas – Darius Morris (PG, Michigan) – Regarded as one of the most improved players in the country.  Averaged 6.7 assists in the 2010-2011 season and scores the ball quite well too.  Has great size and length for a point guard at 6'4 and a strong build to his frame.  Can get into the paint and make plays.  Jason Kidd is getting older, so Darius Morris would be a fantastic fit for Dallas here.

27) New Jersey – Lucas Nogueira (PF/C, Brazil) – A seven-footer with a great wingspan (7-6).  Fantastic rebounder with great shot blocking ability.  Marcus Camby-like at swatting shots.  Has a good feel for the game and is mostly defensive minded, although, he can score too around the bucket.

28) Chicago –Kyle Singler (SF, Duke) – Has decent size at 6'8, 230 lbs, but is just an average athlete.  Primarily a spot-up shooter.  Maybe Kyle Korver all over again.  Would be a solid role player who is ready to play now.  If he doesn't go in the first round he would be picked in the second by a team looking for a guy that can come in and provide energy off the bench.

29) San Antonio – Charles Jenkins (PG/SG, Hofstra) – Great scorer with a good head on his shoulders.  Tony Parker is getting up there in age and Jenkins would make a nice fit here.  He averaged 22.6 points and 4.8 assists per game last year.  Shot 56.3% from two point range and 42% from beyond the arc.  A wonderful value pick for San Antonio if he manages to fall to them here.

30) Chicago – Justin Harper (SF/PG, Richmond) – Stands in at 6'10, 230 lbs and is a physical specimen.  A great athlete that resembles the play style of Kevin Durant. Averaged 17.9 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.2 blocks during last season.  Will only get stronger as time moves forward.  An absolute steal if Chicago can land him at number 30.

About the Author

Grew up playing football, basketball and baseball in Laurel, Md. B.A. in Mass Communication/Marketing from Towson University. Son of Jim and Dorothy Lawson. Avid fantasy sports player since 2005.

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