With Kyrie Irving‘s toe injury and Harrison Barnes‘ struggles, the top spot in the 2011 NBA Draft is up for grabs. Team needs have not been taken into account with this mock draft. Click on the players’ name for a complete scouting report. Check out a 2012 NBA Mock Draft and The Sports Bank’s 2011 NFL Mock Draft.
The top spot seems to be up for grabs if Kyrie Irving is indeed out for the season and ends up returning to Duke for his sophomore season. I give Terrence Jones the edge over Perry Jones because I think T-Jones is more of a sure thing. He is a smooth lefty who can take bigger defenders off the bounce or post up smaller opponents. Jones will be able to play either forward spot at the next level.
Think: Josh Smith
2. Cleveland- Perry Jones, PF, Baylor, 6-9, Fr.
Jones is a long, athletic, explosive forward who by every indication will be a one-and-done. He needs to add strength and range to his outside game before he can be a factor in the league.
Think: Anthony Randolph3. Washington- Jared Sullinger , PF, Ohio State, 6-9, Fr.
A physical force down low with an NBA-ready body, Sullinger figures to be the next in the lineage of OSU big men to be one-and-done. He may not be the best athlete in the world but is quicker than you would expect from a 6-9, 265 pounder.
Think: Elton Brand
4. Minnesota - Enes Kanter , PF, Kentucky, 6-10, Fr.It looks like college hoops will not get a chance to see Kanter suit up for the Big Blue, but he is a talented big man who is a lottery lock regardless of whether or not he ever suits up for UK.
5. New Jersey - Harrison Barnes , G/F, North Carolina, 6-6, Fr.
The prototypical NBA wing player, Barnes can stroke it from deep, create his own shot, handle the rock, and attack the basket. He has not lived up to the hype so far at UNC but is still a great talent.
Think: Tracu McGrady
6. L.A. Clippers - Jan Vesely , F, Czech Republic, 6-11, 1989
Vesely likely would have been a lottery pick in the 2010 draft but decided not to enter the draft. Another year overseas should only benefit his all-around game and make him more NBA-ready in 2011.7. Detroit - Josh Selby , PG, Kansas, 6-3, Fr.
After sitting out the first nine games of the season, Selby has started his collegiate career with a bang. He is a terrific athlete and scorer, but is more of a combo guard than a true point guard.
8. Toronto - Donatas Motiejunas , F/C, Lithuania, 7-0, 1990
He pulled out of the draft process late this past off-season because he was likely falling out of the lottery. Motiejunas is a versatile seven-footer who can vault back up the board if he shows some steady development in his all-around game and body.
Think: Andrea Bargnani
9. Charlotte- Kemba Walker, PG, UConn, 6-1, Jr.
Walker has been on a tear this season. He has improved his decision-making and outside shooting which were questions heading into the season. The Bronx native is lightning quick with the rock and has seen his stock soar since an outstanding performance at the Maui Invitational.
Think: Brandon Jennings10. Golden State- Derrick Williams, PF, Arizona, 6-9, So.
Williams is a tremendous athlete who lives around the rim. He runs the floor well, is a solid rebounder, and has really improved his face-up and perimeter game since his freshman season.
Think: Tyrus Thomas
11. Milwaukee - Brandon Knight, PG, Kentucky, 6-3, Fr.
A great play-maker, Knight is also an effective outside shooter. He is a scoring point guard who also knows how to distribute the rock. Knight needs to learn how to be a true point guard before turning pro.
12. Phoenix - Kyle Singler, SF, Duke, 6-9, Sr.
Singler surprised many by announcing he would return for his senior season. His size and ability to shoot the rock are positives but lacks the ideal NBA athleticism to be a three. If Gordon Hayward can go in the lottery though, so can Singler.
Think: Mike Dunleavy
13. Memphis - Jordan Hamilton, G/F, Texas, 6-7, So.
A pure scorer who can take you off the dribble and also has outstanding range on his jumper. He has great size for an NBA wing player, but needs to improve his ball-handling, shot selection, and defensive tenacity.
Think: Jason Richardson
14. Houston - Chris Singleton, SF, Florida State, 6-9, Jr.
One of the best defenders in college, Singleton’s offensive game is improving but still a work in progress. He is not very effective attacking the basket and needs to improve his outside shot.
Think: Shawn Marion
15. Philadelphia - Tobias Harris, F, Tennessee, 6-8, Fr.
Harris possesses an inside/outside game that will make him attractive for the next level. He can handle the ball, play in the open floor, and knock down jumpers. Harris does to add some intensity to his play.
16. Indiana - Trey Thompkins, F, Georgia, 6-9, Jr.
Thompkins has a nice variety of moves on the block including a good turnaround jumper. He has a nice combination of physicality and athleticism.
17. Portland - Alec Burks, SG, Colorado, 6-6, So.
Burks is a big time scorer who thrives off the bounce. He might be the best of a weaker class of true shooting guard prospects.
18. New York - Kris Joseph, SF, Syracuse, 6-7, Jr.
Joseph is at his best when attacking the basket but has shown strides with his outside shot. Still, his athleticism should earn him a spot in the first round.
19. Portland (from NO) - Jonas Valanciunas, PF, Lithuania, 6-10, 1992
A back-to-the-basket player, Valanciunas is not as versatile as most European big men but has plenty of up-side. It will be interesting to see if he declares for the 2011 Draft or waits another year so he can continue his overall development.
20. Denver - Kawhi Leonard, SF, San Diego State, 6-6, So.
The Aztec sophomore has incredible athleticism and a non-stop motor that makes him a factor on the glass. His jump shot is far from NBA ready, but based on potential, he is a sure-fire first rounder.21. Atlanta - Marcus Morris, PF, Kansas, 6-9, Jr.
A physical though slightly under-sized power forward by NBA standards, Morris made an impressive jump during his sophomore campaign and has become more of a focal point in the Jayhawks’ offense this season. His ability to knock down jump shots adds to his value.
22. Oklahoma City - Tyler Honeycutt, SF, UCLA, 6-8, Soph.
Honeycutt has always been praised for his athleticism but it is his improved outside jumper that has him showing scouts that he is worthy of a first round pick. He will need to get stronger before his full impact can be made at the next level.23. Phoenix (from ORL) - Jimmer Fredette, G, BYU, 6-2, Sr.
An absolute sharp-shooter from downtown, Fredette runs the point at BYU but whether or not teams think he can handle that spot in the NBA will determine where he ends up getting drafted.
Think: Mo Williams
24. New Jersey (from LAL) - Kenneth Faried, PF, Morehead State, 6-8, Sr.
Faried is an outstanding rebounder but needs to work more on his face-up game. He is a bit under-sized to be the ideal NBA power forward, but makes up for that with his non-stop work ethic on the inside.
25. Utah - Demetri McCamey, PG, Illinois, 6-3, Sr.
McCamey took a major step forward last season as a scorer and true point guard and that has continued this season. There were concerns about his maturity and defensive effort but he has made strides in both areas.
Think: Jamaal Tinsley
26. Chicago - Jon Leuer, PF, Wisconsin, 6-10, Sr.
A versatile power forward, Leuer can hit from the outside, take defenders off the bounce, and has outstanding footwork in the post to go with a variety of moves on the block. He gained a lot of buzz this summer when working out with Team USA.
Think: Ryan Anderson
27. Toronto (from Mia) - Klay Thompson, SG, Washington State, 6-6, Jr.
Quite possibly the best pure shooter in college basketball, Thompson has NBA range and beyond. He has improved his ability to get to the basket but his lack of strength will be his biggest obstacle in transitioning to the NBA.
28. Dallas - Elias Harris, F, Gonzaga, 6-7, So.
The German-born Harris has a nice combination of physicality and athleticism. He can step outside and knock down jumpers and also attack the basket. Will he be able to guard NBA small forwards though?
29. Boston - Nolan Smith, G, Duke, 6-3, Sr.
Is he a point guard or an under-sized two? That will be the biggest question regarding Smith’s hope of making it in the NBA. Based on experience and ability to play his role on a team, he could end up sneaking into the first round.
30. San Antonio - JaJuan Johnson, PF, Purdue, 6-10, Sr.
Johnson is a lengthy post player who runs the floor well and can consistently knock down 18-foot jump shots. He has shown steady improvement during his time at Purdue.
Here are the outstanding trades for the 2011 NBA Draft.
David Kay is a senior feature NBA Draft, NBA, and college basketball writer for the Sports Bank. He also heads up the NBA and college basketball material at Walter Football.com and The Washington Times Communities. You can follow him on Twitter at DavidKay_TSB.
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