| 2011 NBA Mock Draft 1.0 |
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The city known for having some of the worst luck in sports caught a break Tuesday. Cleveland won the draft lottery with a pick that had a 2.8 percent chance of becoming No. 1. Thus, after a 19-63 season on the heels of LeBron James' departure, the Cavaliers have restored some hope by landing the first and fourth selections in the June 23 draft. Here's our first look at how the draft could unfold.
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| 1 |
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PG |
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Fr. |
6-4 |
191 |
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He's not LeBron, but he's the closest thing this draft has to offer. And considering this pick came courtesy of the Clippers in the February trade that netted point guard Baron Davis, it's only fitting that he gracefully pass the backcourt baton and play the mentor role for Irving in these final two seasons of his contract.
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| 2 |
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PF |
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So. |
6-8 |
248 |
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If Williams had his druthers, he would be known more as a small forward than a power forward. It's a revealing reality of his identity crisis, as his perimeter game is advanced to the point that he resists being identified as a brutish banger. That might come in handy with the Wolves, who already have Kevin Love and Michael Beasley at the power forward spot but aren't likely to pass up on Williams. The pick should have significant value if they decide to trade it to one of the many teams that would welcome Williams no matter how he sees himself.
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| 3 |
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PG |
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Fr. |
6-3 |
177 |
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The Deron Williams trade with New Jersey in February was the foundation of the rebuilding effort, and now Jazz general manager Kevin O'Connor needs to find his new point guard of the future for the post-Devin Harris era. Enter Knight, a quality two-way player with shooting range and an ability to distribute.
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| 4 |
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C |
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Fr. |
6-11 |
259 |
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The Turkish center is a bit of a mystery man to scouts and personnel types, at least when it comes to seeing him in person on a regular basis. He was disqualified by the NCAA during his one season at Kentucky, and his greatest Stateside performance to date was a 34-point, 13-rebound outing at the Nike Hoop Summit last year. But it's not hard to see why his skills should translate, and the Cavs would be better with his gritty rebounding, scoring and defense down low.
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| 5 |
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C |
| Jonas Valanciunas |
| Lietuvos Rytas (Lithuania) |
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--- |
6-11 |
240 |
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As long as possible hang-ups with Valanciunas' overseas contract don't keep him out of the league next season, his pairing with Andrea Bargnani in the frontcourt could be formidable. Valanciunas, 19, is skilled offensively, and his knack for offensive rebounding would come at a good time because forward Reggie Evans will be a free agent this summer.
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| 6 |
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SF |
| Jan Vesely |
| KK Partizan Belgrade (Serbia) |
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--- |
6-11 |
240 |
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Last year's No. 1 pick, point guard John Wall, needs another high-octane talent to help push the Wizards' offense into a new gear. He would have it with the 21-year-old Czech big man.
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| 7 |
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PF |
| Donatas Motiejunas |
| Benetton Treviso (Italy) |
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--- |
7-0 |
215 |
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The Kings could have one of the most dynamic young frontcourts in the game if they go with Lithuanian 7-footer Motiejunas. Last year's lottery pick, DeMarcus Cousins, had a solid rookie season and showed plenty of offensive versatility in the post, but the creative Motiejunas, 20, would take it to another level. Defense would be a concern, making it all the more important that the Kings re-sign center Samuel Dalembert in the summer as they plan to do.
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| 8 |
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PF |
| Bismack Biyombo |
| Baloncesto Fuenlabrada (Spain) |
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--- |
6-9 |
240 |
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Motor City, meet the next Ben Wallace. The biggest question surrounding Biyombo at this juncture is how much of what he does so well is legal in the NBA. The Congolese forward is a relentless defender, ferocious rebounder and the perfect complement to last year's top pick, Greg Monroe, in the Pistons' frontcourt.
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| 9 |
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SF |
| Kawhi Leonard |
| San Diego State |
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So. |
6-7 |
227 |
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The Bobcats are desperate for rebounding and scoring, and Leonard offers both in the same spot that Gerald Wallace just so happened to leave vacant when he was dealt to Portland in February. Coach Paul Silas wants to run, and Leonard can do that, too.
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| 10 |
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PG |
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Jr. |
6-1 |
184 |
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This might ruffle a few feathers (namely Brandon Jennings) or spark comparisons to Minnesota general manager David Kahn among skeptics (for his flurry of point guard picks in recent years), but it would be great value on the pick as well. Walker as Jennings' backup would be potent, and there could be trade value there as well.
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| 11 |
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PF |
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Jr. |
6-9 |
230 |
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New Warriors owner Joe Lacob will tell anyone who asks what his team was lacking last season: an offensive threat in the post. A veteran who fits that bill would be better, but Morris would be as good a fit as Lacob will find in this draft.
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| 12 |
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SG |
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So. |
6-6 |
193 |
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The Jazz need to juice up their offense, and Burks could help do that off the bench in a big way. He is a creative scorer and slasher whose shot continues to improve.
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| 13 |
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PF |
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Jr. |
6-9 |
241 |
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It may be delusional to think the Suns will go against their own grain and pick the defensive presence here, but it would be a wise one. They need the sort of size and strength that Hakim Warrick and Channing Frye don't provide.
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| 14 |
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SF |
| Chris Singleton |
| Florida State |
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Jr. |
6-9 |
225 |
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The Rockets are well aware that they must improve defensively. Grabbing one of college basketball's best defenders would help on that front, as the void on the perimeter remains after the loss of Shane Battier in a midseason trade with Memphis.
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| 15 |
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PF |
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Fr. |
6-9 |
227 |
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The Pacers are a balanced team, meaning it's time to simply take the best talent available at this point in the first round. Thompson might not see a ton of time while playing with Tyler Hansbrough and Paul George, but it's worth it to find a fit for him here.
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| 16 |
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SF |
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Fr. |
6-8 |
223 |
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He won't move the needle among the Philly fans, but his steady play and well-respected work ethic would certainly work for coach Doug Collins. Harris can play both forward positions.
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| 17 |
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SF |
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So. |
6-9 |
228 |
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There aren't a lot of shots to be had once the ball goes through the hands of Amar'e Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony, but Hamilton could provide scoring punch off the bench. The Knicks, of course, could use more defensive-minded players, but they will be hard-pressed to pass on Hamilton at this spot.
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| 18 |
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SG |
| Klay Thompson |
| Washington State |
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Jr. |
6-7 |
206 |
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He's no John Wall, and that would be a good thing for the Wizards in at least one respect: Thompson's outside-shooting prowess would give Washington a different look off the bench. He's also big enough to pair up with Wall in the backcourt on occasion.
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| 19 |
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PF |
| Kenneth Faried |
| Morehead State |
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Sr. |
6-8 |
225 |
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The Bobcats are looking for bigs who can assist with their rebounding woes, and no one in this draft does that better than Faried. His athleticism and his focus on dominating the glass are a potent combination.
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| 20 |
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SF |
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So. |
6-8 |
187 |
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He has been compared to Tayshaun Prince, which would be just fine for a Wolves team that isn't sure yet how Wesley Johnson is going to pan out on the wing. Honeycutt is said to be on the rise, though, so he may not be available in this neighborhood by the time the draft rolls around.
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| 21 |
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C |
| Lucas Noguiera |
| MMT Estudiantes (Spain) |
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--- |
7-0 |
225 |
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The 18-year-old Brazilian center is a project, to be sure. But his 7-foot-6 wingspan and unfulfilled frame have left some scouts wondering if he could be a defensive force someday. And for an organization that has been suffering through the Greg Oden years for what seems like so long now, there's no harm in taking a flyer on a player who could be its center of the future.
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| 22 |
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PG |
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Sr. |
6-3 |
196 |
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The Nuggets will be down a shooter if J.R. Smith leaves as a free agent this summer, and what better way to fill that gap than with BYU's beloved gunner from the state next door? George Karl would be just the sort of veteran play-caller Fredette needs to help him find his niche in the NBA.
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| 23 |
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PG |
| Reggie Jackson |
| Boston College |
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Jr. |
6-3 |
209 |
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With Aaron Brooks in Phoenix now, Kyle Lowry and Goran Dragic are manning the point guard duties for the Rockets. But Jackson's size and shooting would offer a different kind of depth.
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| 24 |
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SF |
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Sr. |
6-9 |
228 |
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Singler is an experienced, tough and accomplished player. That combination could serve the Thunder bench well as Oklahoma City continues on this path to perennial playoff contention.
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| 25 |
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C |
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So. |
6-9 |
247 |
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The Kendrick Perkins trade with Oklahoma City left the Celtics relying on the likes of an aging and injured Shaquille O'Neal and Jermaine O'Neal. Williams would provide a sliver of youthful hope up front. He's a big body who hits the boards and won't break nearly as easily.
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| 26 |
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PG |
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Fr. |
6-3 |
195 |
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The fountain of youth at the Mavericks' facility will go dry at some point, leaving them to find a replacement for Jason Kidd. Selby may or may not be that player, but it's worth finding out this late in the draft.
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| 27 |
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PF |
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Jr. |
6-10 |
239 |
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There are serious questions about his drive, but he has an NBA body and might be capable of producing an NBA body of work. If he starts meeting his potential, Thompkins could find a good home here with a team whose starting power forward, Kris Humphries, is a free agent.
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| 28 |
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PF |
| Nikola Mirotic |
| Real Madrid (Spain) |
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--- |
6-10 |
210 |
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The Bulls' Gar Forman was given the NBA's Co-Executive of the Year award this season, and he could add to that résumé with this pick. While the 20-year-old Mirotic, from Montenegro, has a large buyout with his Real Madrid team that could keep him overseas, he also has the sort of talent for which the Bulls could afford to wait.
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| 29 |
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SF |
| Davis Bertans |
| Union Olimpija Ljubljana (Slovenia) |
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--- |
6-10 |
210 |
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As was the case with Kanter, Bertans was a Nike Hoops Summit superstar. The Latvian forward may not play in the league anytime soon, but grabbing his rights now could pay off down the road for the Spurs. His versatile offensive game and shooting ability just might be worth it.
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| 30 |
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SG |
|
Jr. |
6-4 |
205 |
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The Bulls have the luxury of trying to get lucky with this pick, too, and Leslie's athleticism alone should inspire them to take him here. He can be spectacular when finishing on the break, has a growing offensive game and defends, as well.
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