Cleveland Cavaliers- Perry Jones- SF/PF (Baylor)
I'm not as high on Jones as most, but he has huge buzz and the highest ceiling in this class. He is very raw, but let's be honest, Cleveland is still several years away.
Minnesota Timberwolves- Kyrie Irving- PG (Duke)
Irving is a bit of an injury risk, but he was the best player in the country before he got hurt. Jonny Flynn hasn't proven to be an NBA starter, so the Wolves need a contingency plan if the rumors about Ricky Rubio's small market aversions are true.
Sacramento Kings- Harrison Barnes- SF (North Carolina)
The Kings could use a true point guard, but they also need to close the revolving door at the three. They have a promising young core, and Barnes could really tie it together nicely.
Toronto Raptors- Jared Sullinger- PF (Ohio State)
To steal a phrase from Dennis Green, the Raptors are who we thought they were. Their long losing streak included a convincing loss to Minnesota, so I wouldn't be surprised to see the Raps in the top 3 come draft night. Sullinger has been very productive and is the perfect inside compliment to Andrea Bargnani's outside game.
Washington Wizards- Terrence Jones- PF (Kentucky)
Jones is extremely versatile, and if Rashard Lewis sticks around, the pair would be impossible to defend for opposing front courts.
New Jersey Nets- Jonas Valanciunas- C (Lithuania)
There's no one on the board who provides a great fit for the Nets here, so they tab Valanciunas, an 18-year old 7-footer with huge upside.
Detroit Pistons- Kemba Walker- PG (Connecticut)
I'm as confused as the next guy when it comes to Detroit's recent decision making, but one thing is for sure- starting Tracy McGrady at point guard is not a sustainable plan. Rodney Stuckey has been good, but he still hasn't proven that he has what it takes to run a team.
Indiana Pacers- Enes Kanter- PF (Turkey)
This is shaping up to be another power forward draft, and with Tyler Hansbrough and Josh McRoberts at the top of the depth chart, that appears to be a benefit to the Pacers. Kanter and Derrick Williams are the options here, but since the Pacers seem to like their power forwards white, they'll pick Kanter.
Los Angeles Clippers- Derrick Williams- PF (Arizona)
The Clippers could still use a point guard, but after going small in the 2010 draft, it's time to tab a big man. Williams is a great value at this spot, and his versatility may allow the Clips to play Williams and Blake Griffin at the three and four or the four and five.
Milwaukee Bucks- Donatas Motiejunas- PF (Lithuania)
Motiejunas has been a heralded prospect for a while now, so it's hard to see him dropping out of the top 10. The Bucks biggest need is at power forward, and Brandon Jennings' penetration ability makes a stretch four a nice fit.
Golden State Warriors- Jordan Hamilton- SF (Texas)
It really is too bad that Valanciunas is off the board, because he would look great in Golden State. As it is, Hamilton will be a nice fit due to his length and ability to score the basketball.
Houston Rockets- Jan Vesely- SF (Czech Republic)
Vesely is having a down year, but he's still young and could turn into a bargain at #12. The Rockets have a ton of depth at every position but small forward, so drafting a three to stash in Europe for a year or two makes a lot of sense.
Phoenix Suns- Brandon Knight- PG (Kentucky)
I love Knight's intangibles, and I'm much higher on him than most. Steve Nash is getting up there in age, and he's been reported to be on the trade block. In any event, the Suns will need a point guard sooner or later.
Memphis Grizzlies- Josh Selby- SG (Kansas)
O.J. Mayo appears to be on his way out of Memphis, leaving a whole at the two guard spot. Selby is a proficient scorer with great upside.
Charlotte Bobcats- Kawhi Leonard- PF (San Diego State)
Tyrus Thomas is quickly establishing himself as a bust, so the Bobcats could use some extra beef up front. Leonard is athletic and physical and has shown the ability to take on a leadership role on a winning team.
Philadelphia 76ers- John Henson- PF (North Carolina)
I like to think I know a thing or two about basketball, but for the life of me I can't figure out how the 76ers keep winning. Elton Brand has improved drastically, but the team still lacks depth and outside shooting, and 2010 first-rounder Evan Turner has done very little. Henson has great length, athleticism and versatility, which makes him a good fit on a team I don't understand.
New York Knicks- Alec Burks- SG (Colorado)
Who knows what the Knicks will look like in 2011-2012? All I know for sure is that they're looking for shooters, so if they're still picking at this spot, Burks will the the guy.
Portland Trail Blazers- Jimmer Fredette- PG (BYU)
Fredette doesn't look like the prototypical NBA player, but the guy can get the job done. He might not be a lottery guy as far as NBA scouts are concerned, but he's worth the risk at #18.
Utah Jazz- Tobias Harris- SF (Tennessee)
Andrei Kirilenko won't play forever, and adding a scorer like Harris will make Deron Williams' life much easier.
Denver Nuggets- Tristan Thompson- PF (Texas)
Thompson has been moving up draft boards, and could easily land in the lottery, but this draft is very deep in the middle of the first round, so falling a few spots isn't outside of the question either.
Atlanta Hawks- Marcus Morris- PF (Kansas)
I'm very high on Morris, a very well-rounded power forward with a winning pedigree. Atlanta is very thin, especially in the frontcourt, so Morris would have plenty of opportunities to make an impact.
Portland Trail Blazers (from NOH)- Lucas Nogueira- C (Brazil)
If there are two things the Blazers love, they are centers and international prospects. Nogueira has both covered.
Oklahoma City Thunder- Kenneth Faried- PF (Morehead State)
Faried is one of the best rebounders in college basketball history, and rebounding is perhaps the most transferrable skill from college to the pros. Sam Presti knows exactly what he's doing, so grabbing a productive player like Faried seems right up his alley.
Phoenix Suns (from ORL)- Tyler Honeycutt- SF (UCLA)
Honeycutt is a versatile player who could benefit from a couple of years learning behind a proven veteran leader like Grant Hill.
Dallas Mavericks- Kyle Singler- SF (Duke)
Singler has been a consistent performer over an extended period. He may be the next Adam Morrison, but rolling the dice at #25 wouldn't be a terrible idea for the Fighting Cubans.
Los Angeles Lakers- LaceDarius Dunn- PG/SG (Baylor)
Dunn is a shot creator who could take some of the scoring load off of Kobe Bryant. He's less than a great guy, but maybe he can get hooked up with Ron Artest's psychiatrist.
Chicago Bulls- Markieff Morris- PF (Kansas)
The other Morris twin has really stepped into the spotlight over the last couple of weeks. He's moved into first round consideration, where the Bulls could use the services of a consistent, level-headed big man.
Toronto Raptors (from MIA)- Jeff Taylor- SF (Vanderbilt)
Taylor won't ever be a superstar in the NBA, but he's got good athleticism and intangibles. He appears to be an NBA "glue guy" in the making.
Boston Celtics- CJ Leslie- SF (North Carolina State)
Leslie was a big time recruit for the Wolfpack, but his season has been underwhelming to this point. Still, he has one-and-done written all over him, and the aging Celtics will be looking to hit a home run late in the first round.
San Antonio Spurs- Mason Plumlee- PF (Duke)
With Kyrie Irving on the floor, Plumlee looked like a lottery pick. Without him, he looks like a Euro Pro. However, his size and athleticism have to intrigue scouts. The Spurs front line is aging rapidly, and Plumlee would be a good fit alongside DeJuan Blair down the road.
Cleveland Cavaliers- Travis Leslie- SG (Georgia)
Miami Heat (from MIN)- Corey Joseph- PG (Texas)
Sacramento Kings- Kalin Lucas- PG (Michigan State)
Detroit Pistons (from TOR)- Chris Singleton- SF (Florida State)
New Jersey Nets- Rodney Williams- SF (Minnesota)
Washington Wizards- Nolan Smith- PG (Duke)
Los Angeles Clippers (from DET)- Keith Benson- C (Oakland)
Los Angeles Clippers- Elias Harris- SF (Gonzaga)
Indiana Pacers- Scotty Hopson- SG (Tennessee)
Los Angeles Lakers (from GSW via NJN)- Trey Thompkins- PF (Georgia)
Milwaukee Bucks- Chris Wright- SF (Dayton)
Atlanta Hawks (from HOU)- Patric Young- PF (Florida)
Chicago Bulls (from PHO)- JuJuan Johnson- PF/C (Purdue)
Houston Rockets (from MEM)- Aaric Murray- C (La Salle)
Charlotte Bobcats- Kris Joseph- SF (Syracuse)
Philadelphia 76ers- Tyshawn Taylor- PG/SG (Kansas)
Portland Trail Blazers- Jacob Pullen- PG/SG (Kansas State)
Los Angeles Lakers (from NYK)- Bojan Bogdanovic- SF (B & H)
Golden State Warriors (from UTA via CHI)- Mouphtaou Yarou- PF (Villanova)
Denver Nuggets- Malcolm Lee- PG (UCLA)
Atlanta Hawks- Demetri McCamey- PG (Illinois)
Miami Heat (from OKC)- Renardo Sidney- PF/C (Mississippi State)
New Orleans Hornets- JaMychal Green- PF (Alabama)
Orlando Magic- Doron Lamb- SG (Kentucky)
Dallas Mavericks- Arnett Moultrie- PF (UTEP)
Los Angeles Lakers- Pablo Aguilar- PF (Spain)
Los Angeles Lakers (from MIA)- Klay Thompson- SG (Washington State)
Sacramento Kings (from CHI via MIL)- Alex Oriakhi- PF (Connecticut)
Boston Celtics- Andrew Nicholson- PF (St. Bonaventure)
San Antonio Spurs- Nikola Mirotic- PF (Montenegro)
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