Draft Amendments

I am not going to waste my time making a whole new mock draft, but I feel like some of the top spots have changed, and I am gonna try to tweak those

3. Enes Kanter, C, Utah Jazz - Apparently, Kanter has moved ahead of Knight here, and Knight may fall a long way because of it. If they stay here, they might be in a spot to get a good PG at 12

4. Jonas Valunciunas, C, Cleveland Cavaliers - There are all kinds of teams plotting how to get him right now. The Cavs want him, but don't wanna take him at 4. Almost certainly, somebody will trade up, or down, to get him

5. Brandon Knight, PG, Toronto Raptors- This pick is still unsettled. I would think the Raps would be happy if Knight falls here, but Biyombo is still a dark horse to go here.

12. Kemba Walker, PG, Utah Jazz - Maybe I moved Kemba here just to make things work out, but I think they would consider him if they actually take Kanter at 3. If Fredette is still on the board, he will definitely be hugely in the talks as well. Chris Singleton is also a name to look at here

Here are some other random draft tidbits I'm finding all over the web....

• Julyan Stone, a name unfamiliar to many, has many suitors in the second round. I could see the Lakers picking him
• Charlotte is said to covet Tristan Thompson, but Detroit may get to him first. These two teams are involved in cat and mouse trade talks with Cleveland, who wants Valunciunas, but not at 4
• 76ers may consider Donatas Motiejunas at 16, or Jordan Hamilton
• Sacramento seems almost certain that they will move pick #7. Perhaps they are eyeing a veteran PG, like Tony Parker or Ray Felton
• Miami loves Reggie Jackson
• Dallas may be looking at Isiah Thomas
• Jimmy Butler might get a look from the Celtics in the first round
• If Miami can trade back into the second round, they may choose Jon Leuer
• In my mock draft, I have Jackson going to OKC. Now they are said to be either trading the pick or looking for a hard worker. This is not Jackson....maybe Kyle Singler or Nolan Smith
• BREAKING NEWS: Charlotte has acquired the 7th pick for Stephen Jackson in a three way. Maybe they take Tristan Thompson now, or they package the 7 and 9 and move up?

My Mock Draft 2011

If any year's mock drafts are an exercise in futility, 2011 tops the list. When all is said and done, I wouldn't be surprised if 10-15 of the first round picks get traded. For this mock draft, I am not going to try to predict these moves. Also, I have just stuck to the first round, as most of the second round picks get moved as well.

Many analysts have described this as a two star draft. Almost every player beyond Kyrie Irving and Derrick Wiliams have major flaws or question marks. With that said, this is being the worst draft in years. Interestingly, this draft has a heavy international flavor, as 5 of these players will likely be drafted in the top 20.

Without further ado...

1. Kyrie Irving, PG, Cleveland Cavaliers This seems like a no brainer here. The Cavs obviously don't have Baron Davis in their future plans, and only have one "untouchable" in J.J. Hickson. What is interesting is how the times have changed. 5 years ago, it was almost imperative to go big with a number 1 pick. Coming off a year where former number 1 Derrick Rose won the MVP, teams now realize that just because a player may be the best big man in the draft class doesn't mean they need to go first. While I don't see Irving as being as explosive as Rose, I could definitely see him as an All-Star in 3-4 years.

2. Derrick Williams, F, Minnesota Timberwolves If Minnesota holds this pick, it will be Williams. Of course, this would mean that Michael Beasley needs to get traded again. Williams, an athletic monster, would become part of an interesting core with Ricky Rubio and Kevin Love. What I am not sold on is Williams' jumpshot. I see him as a more powerful Josh Smith, who would be better at the 4, where he is not expected to shoot 15 times a game.

3. Brandon Knight, PG, Utah Jazz Utah has two options here, Knight or Enes Kanter. I personally don't see the dire need for another big man. If there was an elite SG in this draft, I have to believe that is who the Jazz would be taking. However, it is understood that the Jazz brass don't see Devin Harris as their franchise point, so Knight steps into this role. Keep in mind that the Jazz have a second lottery pick, which makes for interesting trade scenarios.