ITH Mock Draft (1st round)

[InToTheHoop]

05/23/2011:

1) Cavs: Kyrie Irving

Baron Davis is not their PG of the future and Irving is the BPA. Cavs could also go with Williams when they feel that Knight is available with their second pick. But Irving is the obvious choice.

2) Wolves: Derrick Williams

Again BPA. Could see them trading him or Beasley for a veteran. Williams, Beasley and Love can´t play together.

3) Jazz: Brandon Knight

Jazz need a PG, Devin Harris is not the answer. Knight could give them also some much needed shooting from the 2.

4) Cavs: Enes Kanter

Cavs need some frontcourt depth. They would love to pick Williams here, but he won´t be available. Kanter is a nice piece to pair with Hickson and Varejao.

5) Raptors: Jonas Valanciunas

Looking for a center to pair with Bargnani, Raptors could go with Valanciunas. They love european players and Jonas would fit in nicely next to the 3-point-chucking italian.

6) Wizards: Jan Vesely

The Wizards have a hole at the 3 spot. Vesely has crazy athleticism and is a perfect partner in the open court for Wall.

7) Kings: Kawhi Leonard

Again, deep hole at SF. They could go with Kemba, but I don´t see a backcourt with Tyreke working. Leonard would bring much needed defense as well.

8) Pistons: Bismack Biyombo

Pistons are going for the next Ben Wallace. Biyombo would also be a perfect fit next to the offensive-minded Monroe.

9) Bobcats: Kemba Walker

Charlotte only has Augustin and Henderson as long time solutions in the backcourt. Can´t see the Bobcats passing on Kemba here. At 9, he is some kind of steal.

10) Bucks: Alec Burks

Their starting 2 is John Salmons. Burks, although he isn´t a great shooter, would give them a lot of scoring. Also a great finisher in transition, Jennings would have a nice partner to run with.

11) Warriors: Tristan Thompson

Warriors drafted Ekpe Udoh last year. Tristan gives them all the things they were hoping to get in the previous draft.

12) Jazz: Donatas Motiejunas

They picked Knight at 3, so they go for a big here. Donatas is a perfect replacement for Okur and would fit in nicely with bangers like Jefferson, Millsap and Favors.

13) Suns: Marcus Morris

Suns have a lot of holes but especially at the two forward positions. Morris can play both the 3 and the 4 and would bring some toughness to the team.

14) Rockets: Jordan Hamilton

They could go for a big too. But I think they don´t pass on Hamilton. Chase Budinger is not the answer at the 3 and Hamilton is also the BPA here.

15) Pacers: Markieff Morris

With McRoberts hitting free agency, Pacers only have Psycho-T at PF, who is clearly an offensive-minded player. Markieff could also back-up Hibbert for some spot-minutes.

16) 76ers: Klay Thompson

With Markieff gone, Philly is looking for their second biggest need and grabs a SG. Thompson is one of the best shooters in that class, his measurements were also very impressive.

17) Knicks: Reggie Jackson

Can play both the 1 and the 2. Would give Chauncey some rest and could be a backup-plan if CP3 isn´t coming in 2012.

18) Wizards: Chris Singleton

Another SF, would give them some defense too. I don´t think the Wizards go big here.

19) Bobcats: Lucas Nogueira

With Kwame Brown being a free agent, they don´t have any center on their roster. Bobcats are in rebuild mode so they can take a risk with Lucas.

20) Wolves: Jeremy Tyler

Has "Kahn-pick" written all over him. Great physical tools and a nice skill-set, but some question marks about his maturity and attitude. Beasley and Randolph say hallo. The potential is there and he could fit in nicely next to Love.

21) Blazers: Jimmer Fredette

At 21, Blazers could go for the Jimmer. They need a back-up point (Patty Mills is not a NBA-caliber player) and Andre Miller is not getting younger too.

22) Nuggets: Kenneth Faried

With Kenyon Martin likely be gone, Nuggets will be looking to find a replacement. Faried is a terrific rebounder and - although his stock seems to fall - will be a first-round-pick.

23) Rockets: Nikola Vucevic

Picking a wing with #14, Rockets go for a big here. After the measuments, Vucevic seems to be a legid 7-footer. He rebounds well and can step out for at least the mid-range-jumper.

24) OKC: Justin Harper

IMO the obvious choice. OKC is looking for a Jeff Green-type of player, who can back-up Durant. Harper has terrific length for a 3/4 and is a great shooter.

25) Celtics: Josh Selby

Celtics are looking for the time after the Big Three. Ray Allen will not be there forever and Selby has some potential. He could give them some much needed bench scoring, as Jeff Green couldn´t do that after the Perkins-trade.

26) Mavs: Tobias Harris

Mavs are very deep, but could need a back-up for Dirk. Harris as a freshman has great potential. He could also play some 3 with Butler hitting free agency.

27) Nets: Marshon Brooks

Nets need players at every position but they really need some wing-scoring. Brooks is one of the best pure scorers in the draft and could become a Nick Young-type of player.

28) Bulls: Tyler Honeycutt

Bulls need a SG and a back-up for Deng. Honeycutt is a steal here and I can´t see the Bulls passing on him. They could go for a SG too, but there are a lot of possibilities left. Honeycutt instead could be chosen by the Spurs, so they lock him here.

29) Spurs: Jajuan Johnson

McDyess will retire and there is a time after Duncan, so the Spurs go for a big here. Benson or Vucevic are also possibilities.

30) Bulls: Nolan Smith

As I said, Bulls will go for a SG here. Smith is a senior and has a well-rounded game. He could contribute right away, a big plus for a contenting team. Charles Jenkins could also be their guy here.

On the bubble: Darius Morris, Travis Leslie, Charles Jenkins, Keith Benson, Trey Thompkins, Jordan Williams

[tidho]

Being from Cleveland, I didn't read the whole thing but I think you nailed the top 5. That's exactly what I think will happen.

[The Beam King]

Kings - I don't see Leonard being the BPA nor the Best fit at #7. The hole you're referring to isn't that big. Between Garcia, Evans(who will see minutes there for sure), Casspi and Greene the SF position is unsettled, but solid with room for growth.

The Kings biggest needs(shooters/playmaker or size) are an upgrade at the 1 and frontcourt depth. With Daly being a FA, I could see the Kings taking a swing for Biyombo for insurance to Daly or to develop him under Daly.

[InToTheHoop]

Kings - I don't see Leonard being the BPA nor the Best fit at #7. The hole you're referring to isn't that big. Between Garcia, Evans(who will see minutes there for sure), Casspi and Greene the SF position is unsettled, but solid with room for growth.

The Kings biggest needs(shooters/playmaker or size) are an upgrade at the 1 and frontcourt depth. With Daly being a FA, I could see the Kings taking a swing for Biyombo for insurance to Daly or to develop him under Daly.

Yeah, they have some player at the 3 spot. But neither of them is a starting caliber. I didn´t count how many different lineups Westphal was trying out. But especially at SF, he never found his starting guy.

I really don´t see a big hole down low. They have Cousins and Thompson, Whiteside is another big (isn´t he the developing guy?). And Dally might re-sign as well.

I also liked the backcourt rotation after the all star break. With Tyreke, Thornton (if they sign him) and Udrih (he is very underrated), there isn´t such a big need. If Knight would be available, no doubt that they pick him. But I´m not so sure about Kemba. So who would be left? Jimmer?

Leonard would be the best SF left (if Vesely goes to Washington) and you can make a fair point that he is BPA as well. Ford has him going Top 5, so the scouts seems to be very high on him.

[InToTheHoop]

Updated.

After the measurements, Faried (shorter than expected) slips to #22. Trey Thompkins (15 % body fat??? wtf) and Jordan Williams (shorter than expected) both fall out of the first round. Jeremy Tyler and Nikola Vucevic will be in for them.