2011 NBA Mock Draft: 5/13

1. Minnesota Timberwolves: PG Kyrie Irving, 6’2″ Duke-

It’s a tough call for the T-wolves, but if they feel like Irving can play right away then they need to look to move Rubio’s rights and go with the PG that will play for them. Irving would be a nice addition to this team and could help a guy like Love turn into a superstar.

2. Cleveland Cavaliers: SF Derrick Williams, 6’8″ Arizona-

The Cavs get their LeBron replacement here and should be quite happy about it. Williams is a great inside-outside player and should be an instant star at the next level.

3. Toronto Raptors: C/F Enes Kanter, 6’10” Turkey-

Kanter is a nice upside player and someone who I can see really developing into a star down the road. He adds size and talent to the Raptors front court that still isn’t over the loss of Bosh.

4. Washington Wizards: PF Donatas Motiejunas, 7’0″ Lithuania-

The options aren’t good after the Williams and Kanter go, but i could see the Wizards grabbing a European big man who has the upside to be a star. Motiejunas isn’t a great rebounder, but he is still developing and the Wizards already have bigs like Booker and McGee who are more defensive-minded.

5. Sacramento Kings: PG Brandon Knight, 6’3″ Kentucky-

Knight gives the Kings a PG to play alongside Evans and really improve their back court. I’m a big believer in Knight and see him as a star guard in the future. He’s not as polished as Irving or Wall last year, but the upside is there.

6. Utah Jazz: F Tristan Thompson, 6’9″ Texas-

The Jazz need to add some size and should take a long look at Thompson. Thompson has unlimited potential and he could make an early impact for the Jazz.

7. Detroit Pistons: F Jan Vessely, 6’11” Czech Republic-

Vessely gives the Pistons another quality big to play alongside Monroe in the Pistons front court. He looks to be a solid two-way player and he has some serious upside.

8. Cleveland Cavaliers: PG Kemba Walker, 6’0″ Connecticut-

The Cavs need a PG and Walker is the best one on the board. While most people don’t like Walker’s size and shot, you have to acknowledge that this guy is a winner and is clutch when he has to be. He’ll bring that winning attitude to the Cavs and give them a PG to build around.

9. Charlotte Bobcats: SF Kawhi Leonard, 6’7″ San Diego St.-

Leonard isn’t a star, but he is a quality 3 and could fill Gerald Wallace’s shoes quite nicely.

10. Milwaukee Bucks: PF Bismark Biyombo, 6’9″ Congo-

Biyombo is moving up draft boards, and should give the Bucks some good size next to Bogut.

11. Golden St. Warriors: PG/SG Josh Selby, 6’3″ Kansas-

Selby is an extremely gifted athlete who I think will challenge for a lottery spot. He can back up both guard positions and he has the type of speed that the Warriors build their offense around.

12. Utah Jazz: PG Jimmer Fredette, 6’2″ BYU-

This pick makes too much sense not to happen, Utah would love to add the local college product. He might not be an athletic PG, but he is a smart player and will be a nice shooter.

13. Phoenix Suns: PG/SG Alec Burks, 6’6″ Colorado-

Burks isn’t a perfect fit in Phoenix as he is more of a slasher than a shooter, but he has excellent potential, is highly athletic and can play multiple positions.

14. Houston Rockets: C Jonas Valanciunas, 7’0″ Lithuania-

Valanciunas might be the best European player, but his buyout will likely make him slide in this draft. He has excellent size though and would be a nice fit in Houston whenever they can bring him over.

15. Indiana Pacers: F Tobias Harris, 6’8″ Tennessee-

Forward isn’t the biggest need, but Harris is moving up draft boards and looks to be the best player here. Harris has a ton of potential and could be a very good starter in a couple of years. Ideally though I think the Pacers might trade out of this pick, and try to acquire a late first and a first next year.

16. Philadelphia 76ers: SF/PF Marcus Morris, 6’9″ Kansas-

The 76ers need some help to their front court and grabbing a Morris twin here makes sense. Marcus is the better offensive player and would be a nice fit in Philly.

17. New York Knicks: PF/C Markieff Morris, 6’10” Kansas-

The Knicks desperately need a big to play along side Stoudimire and Morris would be a great fit if he fell this far. Morris will fit right into what the Knicks are doing and will make that front court pretty formidable.

18. Washington Wizards: PF Kenneth Faried, 6’8″ Morehead St.-

Does Washington need another PF, no not by any means. But the Wizards shouldn’t pass up one of the most productive players in college basketball. Now Faried will need to at least have some semblance of a jumper to be a starter, but he should be an excellent role player for the Wizards.

19. Charlotte Bobcats: PG Reggie Jackson, 6’3″ Boston College-

With their two picks the Bobcats should look to add a PG and a forward, with landing Leonard earlier the Bobcats will be quite happy to see Jackson fall to them. Jackson might never be an elite point guard, but he is should be a starting quality guard.

20. Minnesota Timberwolves: SF Jordan Hamilton, 6’7″ Texas-

If the T-wolves pass on Derrick Williams with the top pick, I think they will look to take the top wing player available. Hamilton is a steal if he slides this far, as he is one of the best scorers in college.

21. Portland Trailblazers: PF Nikola Mirotic, 6’10” Serbia-

The Trailblazers could use another power forward here, and while Mirotic isn’t the best defender he fits here. He’s got excellent size and can play both the 3 and the 4, with a strong offensive game. He can come in as a role player early and hopefully develop a defensive presence down the road.

22. Denver Nuggets: SF Chris Singleton, 6’8″ Florida St.-

Singleton is moving up draft boards, and he could help fill the large shoes of Carmelo in Denver. The Nuggets could look at more of a big man here, but I like Singleton’s upside.

23. Houston Rockets: PG/SG Nolan Smith, 6’3″ Duke-

This might be high for Nolan Smith, but I really like his game. I think he is a smart player who gets the most out of his abilities. He probably will peak as a 6th man type of guy, but he should offer the Rockets good depth at both guard positions.

24. Oklahoma City Thunder: PF Trey Tompkins, 6’10” Georgia-

Tompkins gives the Thunder another young big man. He isn’t exceptional in any one area, but he should give them good minutes and be a quality role player on that team. He’s also a junior so he is more refined than some of these underclassmen/international players, which should allow him to contribute more early.

25. Boston Celtics: C Lucas Noguiera, 6’11” Brazil-

Boston needs to add some size, and whether they decide to keep Noguiera overseas or not this is a good value pick for them here.

26. Dallas Mavericks: G/F Tyler Honeycutt, 6’8″ UCLA-

The Mavericks don’t have one major position of need so I think they will look for the best player available. Honeycutt fits that bill, and he is the type of guy who can be a solid role player off the bench before developing into a potential starter.

27. New Jersey Nets: F/C Jordan Williams, 6’10” Maryland-

Williams seems to be moving up draft boards and its easy to see why. He is a legit big man who has the bulk to take on almost all 4’s and 5’s. While his game hasn’t reached his potential yet, his size alone will make him valuable. He would be a nice fit next to Lopez in the middle.

28. Chicago Bulls: SG Klay Thompson, 6’6″ Washington St.-

If the Bulls just had quality play from the SG they could really be an elite team. Thompson gives Chicago an excellent shooter and a 3-point sniper for Rose to find when the defense collapses around him.Thompson is a smart ballplayer and should get the most out of his abilities. He isn’t a penetrator, but his shooting more than compensates for that.

29. San Antonio Spurs: PF JaJuan Johnson, 6’10” Purdue-

The Spurs need to add some size here, while they are getting old all over, their inside game is extremely vulnerable when Duncan isn’t in there. Johnson is a nice safe addition here.

30. Chicago Bulls: SF Chandler Parsons, 6’10” Florida-

Parsons has been flying up the draft boards and now looks to be in the late 1st round mix. I think this could be slightly high for him still, but he gives Chicago a smart backup forward, who should get solid minutes. He might never be a starter (though the potential is there), but he will likely be a significant contributor and should be a nice role player for Chicago.