2011 NBA Draft: Picks 1-5 plus fantasy implications

1. Cleveland Cavaliers: Kyrie Irving, PG, Duke

Analysis: For the second year in a row a point guard goes first overall, and it’s the right selection. Irving was clearly the best player in the draft, including Derrick Williams, and can be the face of a franchise in Cleveland that desperately needs it. There is a bit of a logjam at point guard, where Baron Davis and Ramon Sessions sit on the depth chart. However, one of them will most likely not be with the team when the 2011 season begins, leaving the door open for Irving to log major minutes right away.

Depth Chart: Baron Davis, Kyrie Irving, Ramon Sessions

Projected Stats: 16 ppg, 5 apg, 3 rpg, 1.0 3pg, 90.0 FT%

2. Minnesota Timberwolves: Derrick Williams, PF, Arizona

Analysis: Williams was the best remaining player on the draft board after Irving went to the Cavs, and it is again the right pick. Williams made his name known after a strong run in the 2011 NCAA Tournament and has all the measurables to become a face-to-the-basket power forward. He shoots a strong percentage from outside and can bang down low, which should make him valuable offensively next season. Defensively, he has the potential to become a lockdown forward. He has nobody around him on the depth chart and should log major minutes right away. With Ricky Rubio now in the mix, Williams should be fantasy-worthy.

Depth Chart: Derrick Williams, Anthony Randolph, Anthony Tolliver

Projected Stats: 13 ppg, 7 rpg, 2 apg, 48.0 FG%

3. Utah Jazz: Enes Kanter, C, Kentucky

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Trade Impact: Cavs trade J.J. Hickson to Kings for Omri Casspi

Just hours before the NBA Lockout officially began, the Cleveland Cavaliers traded power forward J.J. Hickson to the Sacramento Kings in exchange for small forward Omri Casspi and a conditional first round pick. While the trade isn’t going to catapult either team into playoff contention, it does come with fantasy changes. Here are the winners and losers from the first trade of the NBA off-season.

Winners

Tristan Thompson, PF, Cleveland: The first real surprise of the 2011 NBA Draft, the fourth overall selection now has an opening to start at power forward from day one. Thompson will need to improve offensively but his defensive numbers should be there from the start. The minutes will be there as the Cavaliers attempt to get as many fresh faces on the court.

Omri Casspi, SF, Cleveland: The other obvious winner here is Casspi. His only other competition at small forward will be Alonzo Gee and Christian Eyenga…exactly. Casspi should be a good source of points, threes and four or five rebounds in the later rounds of drafts.

Jimmer Fredette, PG, Sacramento:

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2011 NBA Draft: Picks 11-15 plus fantasy implications

11. Golden State Warriors: Klay Thompson, SG, Washington State

Analysis: In fantasy terms, this draft pick could go one of two ways. If shooting guard Monta Ellis remains with the team, Thompson is, at best, a reserve who will come off the bench as an offensive spark. The versatile shooting guard will not hold any fantasy value if that happens, but if Ellis is dealt, he becomes a huge player in fantasy leagues. He would enter a starting role in a free-for-all Golden State offense alongside Stephen Curry. Keep your eye on this one, because Thompson has the range to be a valuable fantasy asset if the minutes are there.

Depth Chart: Monta Ellis, Klay Thompson, Reggie Williams

Projected Stats: 7.0 ppg, 3.0 apg, 3.5 rpg, 1.0 3pg

12. Utah Jazz: Alec Burks, SG, Colorado

Analysis: The Jazz would have liked Brandon Knight to have fallen to them, but instead they go with the best player available and the biggest need for the team. Burks enters the best situation for himself fantasy-wise in Utah, where he will compete with Raja Bell and Gordon Hayward for playing time. He could very easily wind up with a starting gig before long, which would make him a viable fantasy asset. Burks still has plenty of fine-tuning to do, but the numbers could be there for the 6-foot, 6-inch scorer.

Depth Chart: Alec Burks, Gordon Hayward, Raja Bell

Projected Stats: 10.0 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 1.0 3pg, 43.0 FG%

13. Phoenix Suns: Markieff Morris, PF, Kansas

Analysis:

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2011 NBA Draft: Picks 6-10 plus fantasy implications

6. Washington Wizards: Jan Vesely, SF, Czech Republic

Analysis: The Wizards really wanted Vesely and got their man with the sixth overall pick. This ultra-athletic small forward can get up and down the floor with the best of the draft class and has an improving jump shot that will help him fit right in with John Wall. Even better for his fantasy stock, the Wizards were desperate to find a small forward, meaning Vesely could enter the starting rotation from day one.

Depth Chart: Jan Vesely, Josh Howard, Maurice Evans, Rashard Lewis

Projected Stats: 12 ppg, 4 rpg, 1.0 3pg, 45.0 FG%

7. Sacramento Kings (picking for Charlotte): Bismack Biyombo, PF, Congo

Analysis: Charlotte is fantasy-starved at the moment, meaning Biyombo will be able to come in right away and log minutes. After a sub-par Eurocamp, Biyombo’s stock rose after just about every workout in the U.S., shooting him all the way up to the seventh pick. Standing in his way of a starting gig is Boris Diaw and potentially Tyrus Thomas, but if he is worth anything fantasy-wise it will come on the glass and in blocks. Don’t expect much out of the gates for him, but an injury could force him into big minutes.

Depth Chart: Boris Diaw, Tyrus Thomas, Bismack Biyombo

Projected Stats: 2.5 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 1.0 bpg, 0.5 spg

8. Detroit Pistons: Brandon Knight, PG, Kentucky

Analysis:

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Final 2011 NBA Two-round mock draft

1. Cleveland Cavaliers: Kyrie Irving, PG, Duke

2. Minnesota Timberwolves: Derrick Williams, PF, Arizona

3. Utah Jazz: Jonas Valanciunas, PF,

4. Cleveland Cavaliers: Enes Kanter, C, Kentucky

5. Toronto Raptors: Brandon Knight, PG, Kentucky

6. Washington Wizards: Kawhi Leonard, SF, San Diego State

7. Sacramento Kings:

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NBA Draft Preview: Is Klay Thompson or Alec Burks a better fantasy option?

There are plenty of teams toward the front of this year’s NBA Draft that will be looking for scoring when they come on the clock, and two shooting guards stand out as players who can help spark offenses.

Colorado’s Alec Burks and Washington State’s Klay Thompson are projected as the top two shooting guards in the 2011 class and should come off the board during the draft’s first 14 picks. But the question fantasy owners will be asking is who will make more of an impact in the box score for their respective teams.

Much of that answer will be decided on who drafts each player, but since that will not be decided until next Thursday, we will try to do it here and now.

Both guards possess a different skill set at this point in their careers but both have the ability to enter a team’s rotation immediately and produce.

Thompson, a junior, was a scoring machine for the Cougars in 2010, averaging 21.6 points and shooting 40 percent from beyond the arc. A bit of a streaky shooter, Thompson finished with games of 35, 28, 29, 36 and 43 points but also disappeared in a handful of conference games.

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Minnesota’s Ricky Rubio coming to the NBA: What’s next?

Spanish point guard Ricky Rubio has reportedly agreed to join the Minnesota Timberwolves next season. The agreement will end Rubio’s two-year absence from the NBA after the Timberwolves drafted him fifth overall in the 2009 draft. Facing a $6 million buyout from his Spanish team, Rubio decided on staying overseas and many wondered if the teen even wanted to play in Minnesota.

But all that has now come to a close, the issue now becomes what Rubio will do from a fantasy standpoint in 2011.

When considering Rubio’s fantasy value, the best place to start is regarding his playing time. The Timberwolves drafted Rubio and Johnny Flynn (sixth overall) back-to-back in 2009, hoping the two could one day play together in the back court. After a solid rookie season, Flynn regressed in 2010, averaging just 5.3 points on 36.5 percent shooting and 3.4 assists.

Many have speculated that Rubio’s arrival in Minnesota makes the 22-year-old Flynn expendable, and that Rubio will indeed be given the starter’s role. Because of that, it’s safe to assume Flynn will not be part of Minnesota’s rotation in 2011.

Luke Ridnour averaged 30 minutes per game a year ago but is more in the “reserve” stage of his career and should not threaten to steal any additional minutes from Rubio.

So with the door open for Rubio potentially to log serious minutes, let’s take a look at his fantasy prospects.

Points: There’s no denying that Rubio struggled to score in Spain, averaging just 6.5 points last season for FC Barcelona, but that does not neccesarily mean he will not score at the next level. Look no further than Milwaukee Bucks point guard Brandon Jennings, who averaged 5.5 points in his only season in Italy. The NBA game is much different, specifically more open, than European ball, so it’s more important to look at Rubio’s characteristics at the offensive end.

Much like Jennings, he is lightning quick and is excellent in transition. He needs to put on more weight (just 180 pounds) but should have no problem getting to the paint. Whether or not he can finish once he gets there is a question, but his speed will serve him well.

His shot selection has been questioned as he shot just 31 percent from the field a season ago, but it has improved and could be a threat in the future. Overall, he is a pass-first point guard and will not do much scoring,  but it will be interesting to see how his quickness helps him in getting to the basket.

Rebounding: He has good size at 6-foot, 4-inches and averaged 3.2 rebounds for FC Barcelona, so this could be an area where he succeeds in the NBA. He won’t make anyone forget about Jason Kidd in terms of rebounding point guards, but he will not be a no-show in the box score in this area. Again, his quickness will allow him to get to spots on the court that could help him pick up an extra board or two.

Assists:

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NBA Draft Preview: Second round picks who could make immediate impact

For a class without a true superstar and a relatively weak lottery due to players staying at school, there will be plenty of steals to be had in the 2011 NBA Draft. Some of those steals will come in the first round, but every year there are second round picks who seemingly fly under the radar yet are able to make immediate impacts in the NBA.

While size and length is important in the NBA, sometimes college production can be overlooked. Look no further than San Antonio’s DeJuan Blair, who fell to the 37th overall selection two years ago. He came off the bench and averaged 7.8 points and 6.4 rebounds and was crucial for fantasy owners down the stretch looking for rebounds.

A year ago, New York’s second round selection, Stanford’s Landry Fields, was one of the best fantasy rookies in the league. He averaged 9.7 points and 6.4 rebounds and, while he faded down the stretch, was a key guard who produced threes, rebounds, and the occasional scoring outburst.

While there may not be a Gilbert Arenas (selected in the second round by Golden State in 2002), there are potential players in the 2011 draft class who could produce for fantasy owners in their first year.

Josh Selby, PG, Kansas: His draft stock is rising and there is a chance he slips into the middle of the first round, but if the freshman falls he could land with a team that has plenty of minutes to hand out. After a shaky freshman year with the Jayhawks that saw him average 7.9 points and 2.2 assists, Selby declared for the NBA draft. He’s the type of player who will flourish in a more open NBA style, and it would not be surprising to see him be a big contributor in both assists and three pointers if he lands with the right team.

Nolan Smith, SG, Duke: Like Blair, Smith is the typical senior who is being overlooked for younger, more promising youngsters this year. One of the best players in the NCAA a year ago, Smith does not have great size and isn’t the quickest shooting guard, but all he did was produce for the Blue Devils. He averaged 20.6 points and 1.5 threes per game in his senior year and could be a spark off the bench for a contender looking for scoring. Duke prospects do not have a great track record in the NBA, but Smith is an excellent shooter who could produce like Gary Neal did for the Spurs a year ago.

Norris Cole, PG, Cleveland State:

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2011 NBA Mock Draft with fantasy implications

Duke point guard Kyrie Irving and Arizona forward Derrick Williams are expected to be selected first and second by Cleveland and Minnesota in the 2011 NBA Draft, but after that the rest of the first round is anyone’s guess. So here’s my best stab at the first round of the draft, including one sentence of analysis on why they will or will not make an impact in 2011.

1. Cleveland Cavaliers: Kyrie Irving, PG, Duke: Well…the Cavaliers are starting from the ground up and Irving will be the new face of the franchise, so he should see plenty of playing time right away. But…Byron Scott has said Baron Davis will be starting at point guard to begin the season, so Irving may be worked in slowly.

2. Minnesota Timberwolves: Derrick Williams, SF, Arizona: Well…Williams’ skill set is NBA-ready and the Timberwolves will need the most talented players on the court. But…Michael Beasley is very similar, so there may be a logjam at the position.

3. Utah Jazz: Brandon Knight, PG, Kentucky: Well…Knight’s size and ability to shoot from the perimeter makes him a perfect candidate to split time with Devin Harris, which could wind up something like Raymond Felton and Ty Lawson in Denver. But…timeshares with rookies rarely pan out, so don’t hold your breath on the 19-year-old Knight showing much impact.

4. Cleveland Cavaliers: Enes Kanter, C, Kentucky: Well…many believe he is the most talented player in the class and his size will allow him to bang down low. But…he is still young and raw, and could need more time to develop and add strength to his frame.

5. Toronto Raptors: Jan Vesley, PF, Czech Republic:

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NBA Draft preview: How good can Kyrie Irving become?

Barring an unforeseen change from the Cleveland front office, the Cavaliers will make Duke point guard Kyrie Irving the No. 1 selection in the 2011 NBA Draft on June 23.

Many draft experts have already labeled the draft as relatively underwhelming, especially after North Carolina’s Harrison Barnes, Ohio State’s Jared Sullinger and Baylor’s Perry Jones decided to return to school. But while the draft will not make anyone forget about the 2003 class, Irving is the real deal and could very well be the next in a long line of young point guards taking over the league.

But just how good can Irving be? Does he have a chance to obtain Chris Paul-like status or will he just be a nice player in an otherwise weak draft, much like No. 1 picks Andrew Bogut and Andrea Bargnani were in 2005 and 2006?

Irving’s measurables do not compare to that of a John Wall, Russell Westbrook or Derrick Rose, but his 6-foot, 3.5-inch, 190-pound frame is almost identical to that of Utah’s Deron Williams, and his reach is longer than Paul’s. Irving does not project as a lockdown defender and will not guard many shooting guards at the next level, but his size is not an issue, especially with his quickness and strength.

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