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.
4. Enes Kanter, C, Cleveland Cavaliers With Irving on board, the Cavaliers obviously need to go big. If Jonas Valunciunas had been able to play in the NBA next year, I think he may have been the pick here. Kanter has no such hangups. This pick may also get traded as the Cavs could be in the market for an established scorer for Irving to dish to.
5. Kemba Walker, PG, Toronto Raptors This team is a mess. The argument could be made that they could use an upgrade at every position. Bryan Colangelo is apparently impressed with the winning attitude and leadership of Kemba Walker, so he is the likely pick here. However, at UConn, he was a volume shooter who couldn't hit from the outside. I don't think he brings much to the table defensively, so this likely won't end well for the Raps. A dark horse here would be Bismarck Biyombo, while Kawhi Leonard is also in consideration.
6. Jan Vesely, F, Washington Wizards Yet another pick that could be traded, as Javale McGee's name has been getting tossed around a bit. If they stay, Vesely could fill a nice role for them. The grossly overpaid Rashard Lewis needs to be replaced, and Vesely, who doesn't play a finesse style like the the typical skinny overseas big man, could take over smoothly. The Wizards have shown no hesitation in drafting international players in the past.
7. Kawhi Leonard, SF, Sacramento Kings Apparently, the Maloofs really want Jimmer here. If they are convincing enough to the basketball minds, maybe he goes here, which would likely be a mistake. Instead, they could go with Leonard, who reminds many of former King, Gerald Wallace. Also, if Kemba falls here, the Kings grab him in a heartbeat.
8. Tristan Thompson, PF, Detroit Pistons I don't see Thompson really being the best fit here, but apparently he has impressed in his latest workouts. If the Pistons believe Greg Monroe is a legitimate 5, than I can see how Thompson fits. Biyombo will also get a strong look here, as he could receive tutelage from the player some compare him to, Ben Wallace.
9. Bismarck Biyombo, C, Charlotte Bobcats This is where things get sketchy. This is where the picks can start going in so many directions, or where teams start trading up to get their guy. Some mocks have the Bobcats taking a scoring guard like Burks, while others go with the defensive stopper, Chris Singleton. Marcus Morris may also go here. Personally, I don't see how they can pass up on a 5, unless they really want to start Kwame Brown or DeSagana Diop next year.
10. Alec Burks, SG, Milwaukee Bucks With Michael Redd's contract finally up, the Bucks need a SG to plug into the roster. Two big options seem right at this spot, Burks or Klay Thompson. I've seen Burks here a bit more often, so I give him the nod. This would allow John Salmons or Corey Maggette to come off the bench.
11. Klay Thompson, SG/SF, Golden State Warriors If Monta Ellis gets dealt, or when, Stephen Curry would be solidified as the teams PG, and the team would need a SG. Either Thompson or Burks would be the best fits here. The Warriors would love for Biyombo to fall to them. Marcus Morris, who can play a little SF, may also get a look here.
12. Jonas Valunciunas, C, Utah Jazz The only reason Valunciunas has fallen this far is because his buyout situation means he won't play until the 2012-2013 season. Some people believe he is more talented than Enes Kanter. If this pick doesn't get traded, and the Bucks have already grabbed a lead guard, they would feel comfortable stealing Valunciunas and stashing him away for the year.
13. Jimmer Fredette, SG, Phoenix Suns If someone doesn't reach on Fredette before here, I believe he perfectly fits the Suns uptempo system. The Suns are looking to buyout the rest of Vince Carter's contract, which means he could step in and start at the 2. I think drafting Jimmer as a point guard is a mistake. Avoiding the obvious white guy comparisons, I see Jimmer as a somewhat more well-rounded Eddie House, a very undersized 2 who will never hesitate to shoot from anywhere.
14. Nikola Vucevic, C, Houston Rockets Daryl Morey is trying to trade up as we speak, but nobody really knows for who. If they stay, which seems unlikely, I could see them taking the biggest prospect in the draft, and perhaps one of the fastest risers. Anything that lets them stop starting 6'6" Chuck Hayes at the 5 is a good thing. Apparently, they are also considering the second tier PG's here, which would be Darius Morris and Iman Shumpert.
15. Marshon Brooks, SG, Indiana Pacers Larry Bird came away from Brooks' workout very impressed, and he fits a need, so he makes lots of sense here. The team is reportedly trying to move Brandon Rush, so a 2 is a must in this draft. If Danny Granger does get traded on draft night, this pick will likely be involved in some way.
16. Marcus Morris, PF, Philadelphia 76ers I don't really know how Morris has fallen this far. I doubt he actually does on draft day. If somebody covets him enough, they will trade up to get him. The 76ers would love to have him succeed the aging Elton Brand. Just like with the Pacers and Granger, if Igoudala gets traded, this pick may be along for the ride.
17. Chris Singleton, SF, New York Knicks Singleton is rumored to be high on the Jazz's list, so this is a fall for him too. Seeing as the Knicks lack any sort of defensive identity, he would fill a huge need for them. Donatas Motiejunas, who has played in Italy, which we all know gets Mike D'Antoni excited, may get considered here.
18. Donatas Motiejunas, PF, Washington Wizards Yet another pick that has been discussed in a ton of trades. It's hard to see the 7'0 Motiejunas falling this far in such a weak draft for big men. Even with Vesely on board, I think the Wizards would love to add another big body who can develop with a young core.
19. Jordan Hamilton, SG, Charlotte Bobcats The Bobcats may be targeting Hamilton at 9, so they would be ecstatic to see him here. One of the better shooters in the draft, he would be able to bring some bench scoring to a team that ranked 25th in scoring last year.
20. Nikola Mirotic, PF, Minnesota Timberwolves If this pick stays here, I wouldn't be surprised to see the Wolves grab an international player to allow to stay overseas for a few years. The plan actually worked with Rubio, and people are saying Mirotic has the talent to go much higher.
21. Kenneth Faried, PF, Portland TrailBlazers The Blazers don't have a really stinging need other than for all their guys to get healthy. Reportedly, they have taken a liking to Faried, who would be a ferocious rebounder coming off the bench. For some reason, rebounding champs in college often get drafted lower than they should, like Paul Millsap. What Faried lacks in size, he more than makes up for in intensity and grit.
22. Markieff Morris, PF, Denver Nuggest Yet another fall for a Morris brother. Markieff, the bulkier of the two, is rumored to be in the talks for the Pistons at pick 8. Denver would jump all over him here. K-Mart may not be back, and besides Al Harrington, who is more of a 3 in my mind, the team has no other PF's.
23. Darius Morris, PG, Houston Rockets In all the mock drafts, the Rockets are slated to take a PG here, usually either Morris or Iman Shumpert. I question whether either of these guys will bring much more to the table than Kyle Lowry or Goran Dragic. If the Rockets end up moving up, this pick is in some other team's hands
24. Reggie Jackson, PG, Oklahoma City Thunder Supposedly, Jackson has received a promise that he would be drafted here, and that the team is currently shopping backup point, Eric Maynor....if you say so.
25. Iman Shumpert, PG/SG, Boston Celtics The Celtics would love to find a 5 here, but I don't know if they would want to plug Jeremy Tyler into a veteran locker room. They could grab Shumpert here, as their bench is looking awfully bare for next season, and they haven't shown much confidence in last year's pick, Avery Bradley
26. Davis Bertans, SF/PF, Dallas Mavericks The Mavericks won't have many roster spots next year as they still need to find one for Dominique Jones, so they will likely grab an international prospect who can sit overseas for a year or two. Lucas Nogueira also fits that bill.
27. Tobias Harris, SF/PF, New Jersey Nets Harris would fill two positions of need for the Nets. They overpaid Travis Outlaw, and may not be able to afford resigning Kris Humphries, so they could use a boost at both the 3 and 4.
28. Josh Selby, PG/SG, Chicago Bulls At one time, Selby was one of the top recruits in the nation. Character issues are holding him back. However, this late in the first round, the Bulls could take a waiver on someone who could potentially fill the gap they have at SG
29. Jeremy Tyler, C, San Antonio Spurs This team could potentially look very different next year. Tony Parker is on the chopping block, which would push George Hill to start. The team has lacked a legitimate 5 for years, and they could take a change on the mysterious Tyler, who spent his first year out of high school playing in Japan.
30. Tyler Honeycutt, SF, Chicago Bulls Like the Mavericks, the Bulls lack roster spots. I don't see them keeping both picks. I do see Honeycutt winding up somewhere in the first round. Any kid who plays under Ben Howland learns to play defense, and Honeycutt will certainly find a suitor because of it.
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