NBA Mock Draft Ver.3

2011 NBA Draft Thursday, June 23rd

1.) Cleveland Cavaliers (via LAC) : Kyrie Irving PG, Duke
-No change here since they day the cavaliers got the 1st pick. While they are still debating a little on Williams they will focus on trying to trade up to the 2nd pick to get them. They love Irving and believe he can be the next Chris Paul, which he very easily could. A great pick for the Cavaliers. Irving could be the start of a new dynasty for the Cavs, and he will give the fans something to watch.

2.) Minnesota Timberolves: Derrick Willians PF, Arizona
-The Timberwolves have explored trading out of this spot to add a veteran presence to their team, but it appears they aren't getting the offers they wanted. So they will take Williams a very talented but undersized player for his position. A transition to SF is most likely, which would allow Minnesota to trade Anthony Randolph and Michael Beasley later.

3.) Utah Jazz (via NJN): Brandon Knight PG, Kentucky
-I am going to stick with the belief that the Jazz select Brandon Knight with the 3rd pick, despite the rumors about Enes Kanter. While Kanter has alot of potential and could be a very good big man, the Jazz already have plenty of the depth at that spot. Brandon Knight is a perfect fit for the Jazz system and will only grow as a PG.

4.) Cleveland Cavaliers: Jonas Valanciunas C, Lithuania
-Assuming the Cavaliers don't trade up to get Derrick Williams at 2, they will be looking for a big man with potential at 4. That would come down to Enes Kanter or Jonas Valanciuanas. Both players have very high upside and look like they could be very good in the NBA. When all is said and done the Cavs like Valanciunas more for his athleticism.

5.) Toronto Raptors: Kemba Walker PG, UConn
-The Raptors will be hoping the Jazz decide to pass on Brandon Knight and he falls to them. But with Knight gone they go with Walker a terrific scorer and ball handler, who has proven to be good in the clutch and is also a leader. He will give the Raptors a new scoring threat at the PG position to pair with the ever rising Demar Derozan

6.) Washington Wizards: Enes Kanter C, Turkey
-If Kanter falls to the Wizards I can't see them passing on his high ceiling potential. His impressive strength, tenacity and excellent rebounding skills make him a perfect fit for the Wizards. They very easily could go with Kawhi Leonard to bring some defense to the wing, but I can't see Kanter falling past them.

7.) Sacramento Kings: Jimmer Fredette PG, BYU
-I was the first person to put Fredette this early in my mock draft  and it now appears this could be a likely selection. Fredette blew away the Kings brass at his workout and the Maloofs want him to be the selection. He has started to show skills on defense, and we know the scoring is there. I he can learn to play the PG position,the future Fredettee-Evans combo could be lethal.

8.) Detroit Pistons: Tristian Thompson PF, Texas
-The Pistons could go several different ways. They could target Valanciunas, they could reach for Bismock Biyombo or they could take Thompson. In Thompson they get a tremendous rebounder to pair with Greg Monroe giving them an advantage every game on the glass. He may not be a great talent but his overall skill set will make him a quality player in the NBA.

9.) Charlotte Bobcats: Jan Vesely PF, Czech Republic
-The Bobcats have said they will try and play it safer this year in the 1st round, but with Vesely still on the board I think he is to talented to pass up. His impressive size, length and athleticism give him a chance to be a talented player. He is still raw and needs to really add strength and learn the position more, but his skills are to hard to let slip by.

10.) Milwaukee Bucks: Alec Burks SG, Colorado
-The Bucks will look to add another scorer in this draft and they have a few options to consider. Kaly Thompson, Jimmer Fredette and Alec Burks could all be available at this spot. With Fredette gone I think Alec Burks is the best player to take out of the remaining two. They are both talented scorers but I think Burks upside outweighs Thompsons. Burks will give Brandon Jennings another weapon to pass it out to, and could help the Bucks get to the playoffs.

11.) Golden State Warriors: Kawhi Leonard SF, San Diego State
-While the Warriors need size and help at the PF and C position, they also need some defense. New coach Mark Jackson wants to bring defense to the Warriors, and Leonard is perfect for that. A tremendous defender and while he is not skilled as a scorer the rest of the Warriors can compensate for that. He would give Mark Jackson sound defense, which the Warriors have lacked for awhile.

12.) Utah Jazz: Chris Singleton SF, Florida State
-The Jazz will look to address the impending departure of Andrei Kirilenko with the 12th overall pick. Singleton is a skilled defender with great size, which allows him to guard multiple positions. He shows good leaping ability which allows him to record more blocks and disrupt shots. He is also developing his offensive game which will help the Jazz even more in the future.

13.) Phoenix Suns: Klay Thompson PG, Washington State
-Klay Thompson he can help them right away to get towards the Playoffs, but also be an important piece in the future. Thompson is a terrific scorer with a impressive jump shot and great size. He gives the Suns a explosive player who can look even better with the passing abilities of Steve Nash.

14.) Houston Rockets: Nikola Vucevic C, USC
-After reading several reports it appears that the Rockets may reach hear for Vucevic. His size has really impressed scouts and his workouts have left NBA GM's wondering why he was so unrecognized before. He is climbing into the Top 20 and I think will go into the Top 10 thanks to his size and ceiling. Vucevic gives the Rockets what they need a big man to replace the soon departed Yao Ming.

15.) Indiana Pacers: Marcus Morris PF, Kansas
-The Pacers would love to get a scorer here but with no real option available they can address their need for a rebounder with Marcus Morris. Morris is the better of the Morris brother with his offensive game. He is a good rebounder, shows toughness and has an excellent motor. He doesn't have the size or blocking ability his brother does but he can help the Pacers more

16.) Philadelphia 76ers: Bismack Biyombo PF, Congo
The Biyombo fall ends at Number 16, and he lands in a tough situation. The 76ers have missed Samuel Dalemberts defensive presence since they traded him. Biyombo can bring that same toughness, shot blocking and rebounding they had before. He doesn't really have an  offensive game, and he lacks ideal size. But his skill set and potential will make him the pick.
17.) New York Knicks: Marshon Brooks SG, Providence:
-The Knicks had their eye on Josh Selby for awhile but he has lost some of his luster. Instead, the Knicks will take a more polished player in Brooks. Brooks really gave Knicks scouts something to watch after an impressive combine showing off his passing skills and his scoring ability. He would bring the toughness and confidence needed in new York and would pair well with Carmelo and Amare.

18.) Washington Wizards (via ATL): Jordan Hamilton SF, Texas
After taking Kanter at 6 the Wizards will be able to address their need at the SF with the 18th pick. Hamilton is skilled as an outside shooter. He is getting better as a passer and has great range on his shot. While he does need to work on his shot selection, he gives John Wall some scoring help.

19.) Charlotte Bobcats (via NOH) Markieff Morris C, Kansas
-After taking a risk at 9 the Bobcats can go with a safer selection at 19. Morris is skilled defensively with his impressive shot blocking ability and ability on the boards he would bring immediate help to a Bobcats team in need. He is a bit undersized, and doesn't have a very good offensive game. But his defense is something that will help the Bobcats right away.

20.) Minnesota Timberwolves (via MEM): Tobias Harris PF, Tennessee
-After taking Williams at 2, the Timberwolves will want to add another immediate impact player. Harris is not especially talented in any part of his game but he is one of the most well rounded players in the draft. He will give the Timberwolves a great piece off the bench who can do anything that they ask. He will never be an All-Star, but he will be a very good role player.

21.) Portland TrailBlazers: Kenneth Faried PF, Morehead State
-No change here Faried has been the guy the Blazers have wanted since last years draft and now they have their chance at him. He is a tremendous rebounder and his skills set match up perfectly with Lamarcus Aldridge. He would give the Blazers more needed depth at the position and well rounded as well.

22.) Denver Nuggets: Donatas Motiejunas PF, Lithuania
-Motiejunas is a very raw but talented player. He has good size for his position, is a great scorer  and a high motor. He still is several years away from being ready for the NBA, but he can be stashed overseas until then. With several key free agents this summer Denver may need to find more big men for the future. Motiejunas will take a little while but the benefits of developing could really pay off for Denver.

23.) Houston Rockets (via ORL): Darius Morris PG, Michigan
-At 23 the Rockets can address their need for a PG to compliment Kyle Lowry and Morris can do just that. Morris is lengthy at 6'4 and also has good size and strength. He has impressive skills as a passer, plays good defense, and can finish at the rack. He still needs to develop his jump shooting and ball handling, but he could turn into the steal of the draft.

24.) Oklahoma City Thunder: Kyle Singler SF, Duke
- The Thunder realize that they have very little depth at the F position. While Kevin Durant is a superstar he can't play 48 minutes a game. Late in the draft taking a rotational player like Singler will really benefit the team late in the season when guys are starting to get tired. Singler has nice range on his shot, has a high basketball IQ, and is able to find his own shots. By having him come off the bench, it gives the Thunder more options and will help them down the road.

25.) Boston Celtics: Tyler Honeycutt SF, UCLA
-The Celtics really missed having size in the Miami series. The trade that sent Perkins to the Thunder left them with the one thing they could beat Miami with. They also are getting older at every position. Ray Allen and Paul Pierce will soon retire, and that will leave some glaring holes. By drafting Honeycutt they get a player with an extremely high basketball IQ, who is also skilled as a defender. he can give the Celtics some help off the bench, while learning how to improve his shooting from Ray Allen.

26.) Dallas Mavericks: Davis Bertans SF, Latvia

-Is he going to be the next Dirk. Well after watching him workout the Mavericks certainly like what they saw. Bertans is a young player, but has already shown to be a tremendous scorer. He still needs to take a few years to mature and learn the game, but even if he ends up being a 1/2 of what Dirk is, it is a great pick.

27.) New Jersey Nets (from LAL): Reggie Jackson PG, Boston College

The Nets gave up alot of good pieces to get Deron Williams, but they still don't know if he will stay. At 27 they have to plan as if he is not and take Reggie Jackson. Jackson saw his stock drop after a knee injury that caused him to miss the Chicago workouts. He gives the Jazz insurance as a backup and if indeed Williams does say can develop into a nice PG for the team.

28.) Chicago Bulls (via MIA): Justin Harper PF, Richmond

-The Bulls have a plan going into the draft and that is to add more depth at the PG and to add a perimeter shooter. They can knock off one of those things with Justin Harper who is an athletic wing that can shoot the 3 ball well. He lacks the height to play PF but would match up better against SF's in the NBA.

29.) San Antonio Spurs: Charles Jenkins PG, Hofstra

-The Spurs are getting into their retirement years and will need to refresh the system soon. Charles Jenkins out of Hofstra is a excellent perpetrator who uses his never ending motor to drive to the whole and score. He is excellent and drawing contact and getting to the line, making him an all around scorer. He is undersized for his position and he isn't very athletic, but he will give the Spurs a nice piece for the future.

30.) Chicago Bulls: Nolan Smith PG, Duke

-The Bulls need to find someone to backup Rose. While he is young and a great scorer he cant play 48 minutes a game. Nolan Smith out of Duke is a smart  player who has the size to be a PG in the NBA. He has tremendous range on his shot, and has the speed to penetrator to the basket. He can play both Guard positions, and he is also terrific as a defender. While he doesn't have the skills to be a starter he can be a quality backup behind Derrick Rose, and create an impact off the bench