Mock Draft #2

With just over two weeks until draft night, here is my second Mock Draft for 2011

My Lottery Mock Draft

1. Kyrie Irving PG - Cleveland Cavaliers

Freshman/Duke, 6’3” 191 lbs– 17.5ppg, 4.3ast, 3.4rpg

Irving has solidified his position as the number one prospect over the last few weeks despite working out for only a select few teams. Baron Davis, the Cavs current guard seems to be enjoying his role as a mentor through the offseason, so the Cavs should have no hesitation bringing in Irving for next season.

Irving has a pure point guard’s game and the potential to be a borderline All-Star down the road. His game compares loosely to Chris Paul’s but without the superstar abilities.

2. Enes Kanter C Turkey– Minnesota Timberwolves

19 YOA/Turkey, 6’11” 259 lbs, DNP 2010-11

The Wolves locked up Ricky Rubio during the week and so shouldn’t consider taking a PG with this selection. Although I had Williams of Arizona in here last time, I'm leaning towards the T’Wolves picking on need.

Darko Milicic was the starting C for the wolves last season and so they will be looking for an upgrade.

A strong back-to-the-basket game and a true center’s body are assets for Kanter.

3. Derrick Williams SF– Utah Jazz

Sophomore/Arizona, 6’9” 248 lbs – 19.5ppg, 8.3rpg, 1.1ast

The Jazz should pick Williams if he is available at number 3. Some consider him a power-forward with others putting him at the 3. It’ll be interesting to see how he adjusts to the NBA style and just where he’ll fit into the Jazz roster. With Andrei Kirilenko coming off the books this off-season and Gordan Hayward the only other SF under contract, management will be hoping to have him start from game 1.

5. Jan Vesely SF – Cleveland Cavaliers

21 YOA/Czech Republic 6’11” 240 lbs - 10.3ppg, 4.4rpg, 1.3ast

With the Cavs already having a young point guard in Kyrie Irving they would likely go toward the athletic European wing.

Vesely is explosive around the ring and thrives in transition. Despite his length he is best served at the Small Forward position.

The Cavs have very little in terms of depth at the 3 so he should be able to contribute early.

5. Brandon Knight PG -  Toronto Raptors

Freshman/Kentucky, 6’3” 177 lbs – 17.3ppg, 4.2ast, 4rpg

Knight had a pretty slow year in Kentucky but was highly regarded out of high school. Scouts and GM’s are hopping he can get back on track and continue to develop in the league. He has a solid outside game and is one of the smartest players coming out.

His size and quickness are great qualities hard to come by in young guards.

6. Kawhi Leonard SF -  Washington Wizards

Sophomore/San Diego State 6’7” 227 pounds - 15.5ppg, 10.6rpg, 3.5ast

Although not a huge upside guy, Leonard is still a decent catch at #6. Leonard’s best work is done on the glass and on defence and that’s where he thrived last year at SDSU.

Like Derrick Williams, Leonard is a combo forward without a true position. After playing PF in college the Wizards will be hoping he can contribute at the 3 and the 4 next year. Perhaps if he transitions well to the 3 spot he could move into a starting role late in the season.

7. Kemba Walker PG – Sacramento Kings

Junior/Connecticut 6’1” 184 pounds - 23.5ppg 5.4rpg, 4.5ast

Walker had a stellar year at UConn, leading the Huskies to a national championship.

He was one of the top scorers all season and at times carried the team on his back.

His size could be an issue at the next level as most guards are an inch or two taller.

The Kings will hope to slot him into the starting line-up early, sharing minutes with Tyreke Evans and Marcus Thornton (should they re-sign him) at the guard spots.

11. Bismack Biyombo PF– Golden State Warriors

18 YOA/Spain (from Congo) 6’10” 240 pounds - 6.4ppg, 5.1rpg, 2.3bpg (17.1mins)

Biyombo splashed onto the scene less than a month ago after a spectacular showing at the Nike Hoops Summit. Scouts are hoping he can turn into an impressive shot blocker and defender.

There are concerns about his age however, with reports saying he could be closer to 24 than 18.

9. Alec Burks SG– Charlotte Bobcats

Sophomore/Colorado 6’6” 193 pounds - 20.5ppg 6.5rpg, 2.9ast

Burks is the top 2 guard in the draft and one of the most solid scorers. His jump shot isn’t all there, but he is a solid athlete and is decent on defence.
He would fit nicely in Charlotte with Stephen Jackson moving over to play more minutes at the 3 spot.

10. Klay Thomson SG– Milwaukee Bucks

Junior/Washington State    6’7” 206 pounds – 21.6ppg, 5.2rpg, 3.7ast

Thomson’s stock has jumped considerably since my last mock with great workouts around the league. His long range shooting and good ball skills have impressed teams.

He sees himself as a good off-ball scorer and a really solid shooting threat.

The Bucks would probably rather have Burks, but Thomson still fits their need well.

8. Jonas Valanciunas C – Detroit Pistons

19 YOA/Lithuania 6’11” 240 pounds - 7.6ppg, 5.6rpg, 0.6bpg (14.9mins)

Valanciunas is pretty limited offensively but that shouldn’t be a problem on this stacked Warriors squad. The Warriors recently signed rookie head coach Mark Jackson so there’s no telling what direction they may go.

Valanciunas likes to bang the ball inside and does well on the glass.

There are rumours of a Monta Ellis-Andre Igoudala swap in the works and if so, the team may target a more offensive minded player.

The buyout for Valanciunas increased to almost 4 million last week so there are serious concerns about whether or not he will even be able to come across next season

12. Jimmer Fredette PG – Utah Jazz

Senior/BYU 6’3” 195 pounds - 28.9ppg, 3.4rpg, 4.2ast

Assuming the Jazz haven’t already selected a PG, I think “The Jimmer” will be too good to miss. He played college ball at BYU which is close to Salt Lake City and so the home town crowd may do him good.

He was a stud scorer at college though his defence was well under par. He is probably the best and most confident shooters in the college game.

Fredette projects well as a bench scorer but could have serious problems if too much is expected of him next year.

13. Tristan Thomson PF – Phoenix

Freshman/Texas 6’9” 227 pounds - 13.1ppg 7.8rp 2.4bpg

The Suns have a hole at PF and Thomson may just be able to fill it. A solid role player or borderline starter, Thomson does his best work off the ball. Thomson is a raw offensive talent but should develop well with Steve Nash delivering him the ball. He could move up as high as the 8^th or 9^th spots or slide a little further than 13^th.

14. Chris Singleton SF  - Houston Rockets

Junior/Florida State 6’9” 230 pounds – 13.1ppg, 6.8rpg, 1.2ast

The Rockets are in need of some depth at forward with long time 3 man Shane Battier traded to the Grizzlies mid-season. Singleton has a strong post game for a combo forward and makes good decisions down on the block. He’s also a good defender both on ball and in the post.

Singleton will compete with Chase Budinger and Terrence Williams for time and will likely have a spell or two in the D-League next year.

Falling Out

Marcus Morris PF

Junior/Kansas 6’9” 230 pounds - 17.2ppg, 7.6rpg, 0.6bpg

14. Jordan Hamilton SF  - Houston Rockets

Sophomore/Texas 6’8” 225 pounds - 18.6ppg, 7.7rpg, 2.1ast