Yahoo/DX Mock Draft 4.0

HMMMHMM · Jun 21, 2011

First round
1 Cleveland Cavaliers (from Los Angeles Clippers)
Kyrie Irving, PG
19 years old; 6-3, 190
Duke, freshman
The Cavaliers orchestrated an elaborate process to evaluate the optimal way of utilizing their lottery picks. That included discussions about selecting either Derrick Williams or Enes Kanter first overall, in hopes of seeing either Kyrie Irving or Brandon Knight drop to them at four. When it was all said and done, though, the Cavaliers did not have enough confidence in David Kahn passing on Irving at No. 2 to be confident they wouldn’t end up looking silly on draft night. That brings them back to where we all initially started, with Irving at No. 1, which they surely won’t regret down the road.
2 Minnesota Timberwolves
Derrick Williams, PF
20 years old; 6-9, 250
Arizona, sophomore
Williams has yet to receive anything in the way of a guarantee he’ll be picked here. We’re not even sure whether it will actually be Minnesota making the selection, but it’s a reasonable assumption. With the Timberwolves asking for "the moon" for this pick, one NBA executive said, it’s been difficult for them to find realistic trade options. That could change once they’re actually on the clock, but for now it looks like Williams will be joining Kevin Love and Ricky Rubio in a Timberwolves jersey.
3 Utah Jazz (from New Jersey Nets)
Brandon Knight, PG
19 years old; 6-3, 180
Kentucky, freshman
Utah’s front office has been extremely tight-lipped throughout the process, but most NBA execs think Knight is the odds-on favorite here, while his camp appears to feel the same way. The Jazz have a number of trade options available to them revolving around this pick, along with their other lottery pick (No. 12) and Devin Harris, so we could certainly see some movement that alters things here.
4 Cleveland Cavaliers
Enes Kanter C
19 years old; 6-11, 260
Kentucky
Jonas Valanciunas’ contract buyout is close to being resolved according to sources in his camp – a signature is the only thing missing at this point. Unfortunately for him, his team has refused to compromise on its insistence for keeping him in Lithuania until 2012, as we first reported two weeks ago.
This makes Kanter a much more attractive option at No. 4, as Cleveland would like to see improvement as soon as possible, even if that means taking the less talented long-term prospect.
The team continues to explore numerous trade scenarios as well. The Cavs still hold a $14.5 million trade exception that gives them significant ability to maneuver on draft night. Don’t be surprised to see the team acquire another pick or a young asset, as they are one of the most aggressive players on the market at the moment.
5 Toronto Raptors
Kemba Walker, PG
21 years old; 6-3, 185
Connecticut, junior
Matching up with Josh Harrellson, Joe Trapani, Talor Battle, Malcolm Delaney and Travele Jones, Bismack Biyombo had an excellent workout for the Raptors in New York City, where he showed a significantly better offensive arsenal than he had last week in Treviso, according to multiple sources who were present to see him dunk on opponents repeatedly.
Nevertheless, Biyombo is still one of many options Bryan Colangelo has here, with the preferred one being improving the Raptors’ backcourt situation. If Brandon Knight is indeed off the board, Kemba Walker appears to be the favorite here, although the team has yet to make any final decisions.
6 Washington Wizards
Jan Vesely SF
21 years old; 6-11, 240
KK Partizan Belgrade (Serbia)
Vesely had an average workout in New Jersey on Sunday in front of Wizards brass. He was coming right off the plane after having his flight delayed from Europe. This was a tough situation from his perspective, as he’s not considered an overly skilled prospect. Nevertheless, he measured out well (6-11 barefoot) and was able to show the athleticism that makes him such a coveted prospect. The Wizards are reportedly still high on his talents, especially if Enes Kanter is off the board. He would make an excellent running partner for John Wall.
7 Sacramento Kings
Jimmer Fredette PG
22 years old; 6-2, 195
BYU, Senior
The Kings are looking for help at both point guard and small forward, but aren’t in love with anyone in this draft, as they’d much rather find immediate help in the form of a veteran. This pick could be available, with the front office and coaching staff under fire to improve the team as much as possible.
Fredette could be a good compromise for that reason. He’s one of the most polished players in the draft, and also complements the Kings’ existing roster offensively.
8 Detroit Pistons
Jonas Valanciunas, C
19 years old; 6-11, 240
Lietuvos Rytas (Lithuania)
Valanciunas’ inability to play in the NBA next season will hurt him in the draft short-term, likely knocking him out of the top five. Long term, this could be a huge boon both to him and whichever team that drafts him, affording him another year to prepare himself physically for the rigors of the NBA. He will also avoid having to sit out an extended period while waiting for the lockout to be resolved.
Joe Dumars will need his new owner to sign off on this move first, though, as it will be tough to see a great deal of improvement next year without the benefit of a lottery pick on the roster.
9 Charlotte Bobcats
Kawhi Leonard SF
19 years old; 6-7, 225
San Diego State, Sophomore
Leonard is getting strong consideration from most of the teams drafting immediately ahead of the Bobcats, primarily Toronto, Washington and Sacramento. If he did fall to here, he’d fill an immediate hole in the roster, and would likely move directly into the team’s starting lineup.
It will be interesting to see what adding a new and different line of thinking in recently hired general manager Rich Cho will do for the Bobcats’ long-term plans. The team has a number of bad contracts on its roster. If the Bobcats are willing to sacrifice this pick, it could help improve their cap situation.
10 Milwaukee Bucks
Marcus Morris PF
21 years old; 6-9, 230
Kansas, Junior
The Bucks don’t seem to be in love with anyone in the draft where they’re picking, and have reportedly been one of the most active teams on the trade market over the past week or so. They seem to be willing to use this pick to help improve their salary-cap situation in advance of the new labor agreement, namely by ridding themselves of the contract of Corey Maggette.
If they do keep this pick, look for them to try and find some additional scoring alongside Andrew Bogut, preferably someone who could play both inside and out. Drafting Morris would add toughness to the roster, and he could contribute right away.
11 Golden State Warriors
Klay Thompson SG/SF
21 years old; 6-7, 205
Washington State, junior
The Warriors already liked Klay Thompson quite a bit, even before he came into their facility and proceeded to shoot well in a private workout. That’s put him back in the lead here going into the homestretch. The team is also exploring the possibility of acquiring an additional pick later in the draft.
12 Utah Jazz
Chris Singleton SF
21 years old; 6-9, 230
Florida State, Junior
Singleton has been moving up draft boards lately thanks to some impressive workouts. He reportedly has huge fans in Utah’s front office. With Andrei Kirilenko entering free agency and unlikely to return, Singleton would fill a need immediately at small forward. He has the added benefit of being able to defend multiple positions, which will help Gordon Hayward get on the floor more easily.
13 Phoenix Suns
Tristan Thompson, PF
20 years old; 6-9, 230
Texas, freshman
This appears to be Tristan Thompson’s floor. He’s impressed mightily in every workout, both on the court, but especially off it, where his maturity and outgoing personality have really struck a chord with decision makers. The fact that his coaches at Texas are singing his praises – calling him one of their favorite players ever – surely doesn’t hurt. Phoenix needs an upgrade at power forward, which makes this a good fit for both parties.
14 Houston Rockets
Bismack Biyombo PF/C
18 years old; 6-9, 240
Baloncesto Fuenlabrada (Spain)
Biyombo has one of the widest draft ranges of any prospect, starting at No. 5 and continuing all the way to New York at No. 17, where his services might be needed the most. While Daryl Morey and co. don’t appear to be all that excited with anyone in this draft – they’re heavily exploring moving this pick in exchange for a 2012 first, sources said – Biyombo could change their tune if he fell this far.
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Read more: http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=Amlgbf_6T_tEgWS8FJwKbqq8vLYF?slug=ycn-8674693

JayZ750 · Jun 21, 2011

That would be a smart move. They should then trade players for more picks next year. 2011-2012 may be a shortened season anyway, solicit as well suck that year. If they could somehow get 2 or 3 lotto picks Plus NYCs likely non-lotto pick for next yeArs draft they could get real good real quick again.

J.R. · Jun 21, 2011

Id probably trade out for 2012 pick, and then still you have a pick at 23(maybe take a guy like Honeycutt if there.)

djohn2o12 · Jun 21, 2011

Get someone that can play now!

BasketballReasons · Jun 21, 2011

djohn2o12 said: ↑

Get someone that can play now!
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Whats the point to that?

Carl Herrera · Jun 21, 2011

fredv said: ↑

Whats the point to that?
Click to expand...

The point to that is

Get someone that can play now!!!

Anyhow, the interesting thing to me is the number of teams who are willing to use their picks (trade down or trade out?) to "improve their salary situation ahead of the new CBA." Seems that, if there are guys in the draft Morey likes, there are opportunities to get extra picks.

rpr52121 · Jun 21, 2011

JayZ750 said: ↑

That would be a smart move. They should then trade players for more picks next year. 2011-2012 may be a shortened season anyway, solicit as well suck that year. If they could somehow get 2 or 3 lotto picks Plus NYCs likely non-lotto pick for next yeArs draft they could get real good real quick again.
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Because every other NBA team is just waiting to trade their 2012 1st round picks to the Rockets...

HMMMHMM · Jun 21, 2011

Carl Herrera said: ↑

The point to that is

Get someone that can play now!!!

Anyhow, the interesting thing to me is the number of teams who are willing to use their picks (trade down or trade out?) to "improve their salary situation ahead of the new CBA." Seems that, if there are guys in the draft Morey likes, there are opportunities to get extra picks.
Click to expand...

What's interesting about that IMO is that from what has been reported there's a very good chance we'll have an amnesty clause or even a bi-annual amnesty clause.

Teams would have the chance to instantly get a guy, they took on in a trade, off their books.

This of course benefits the teams that are in a cap friendly situation and willing to spend.

So whereas we as of right now don't appear to have much use for the proposed amnesty clause, we could use it, by trading for an valuable asset with a bad contract attached to it and not be hindered by that contract.

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Yahoo/DX Mock Draft 4.0

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