The NBA Draft is always one of the most exciting times as it helps organizations trying to rebuild and franchises wanting to add on to the success they have enjoyed recently. Draft day is like Christmas to NBA fans across the globe, the joy of watching the fresh, young talent that your favorite team just acquired is unparalleled. Sure you never really know whether the players will truly pan out but that’s the thrill of it for us fans, seeing which players are ready to come in and perform and which players will head to the D-League in a year or two.
The 2011 NBA Draft was infused with talent, one of the deepest drafts in recent memory. We remember it as a draft that had some huge gems that were plucked using the latter picks such as Isaiah Thomas who was “Mr. Irrelevant” of this draft class but has carved out an excellent career for himself. With unrecognized talent also came overhype, especially early on in this class with picks such as Derrick Williams, Jan Vesely, and Bismack Biyombo. Looking back on the 2011 Draft, there surely are plenty of questionable moves.
Everybody please keep in mind that when you go through this draft re-do that the picks are purely based off of talent and their production since they have been drafted. Specific team positional needs will not be taken into account for this redraft.
1. Cleveland Cavaliers (From Clippers)
Kawhi Leonard, San Diego State (Previous Pick: Kyrie Irving)
Position: SF (16.5 PTS/7.2 REB/2.5 AST)
The first pick is always a tough call but Kawhi Leoanrd’s accolades really sealed the deal. In just four short years Leonard already has two championship appearances, a ring, a Finals MVP, and a Defensive Player of the Year award under his belt. Look for his star to keep shining brighter and brighter as he is truly on his way to an illustrious career.
2. Minnesota Timberwolves
Jimmy Butler, Marquette (Previous Pick: Derrick Williams)
Position: SG (20.0 PTS/5.8 REB/3.3 AST)
Jimmy Butler took a couple of years to come around but boy has he blown up. He has solidified his spot in Chicago’s backcourt as Derrick Rose’s running mate and is widely considered to be one of the best two way players this league has to offer.
3. Utah Jazz (From Nets)
Kyrie Irving, Duke (Previous Pick: Enes Kanter)
Position: PG (21.7 PTS/3.2 REB/5.2 AST)
Kyrie Irving exploded right off the bat in the NBA. His crafty handle has transformed him into one of the best young point guard’s in today’s game. Irving’s silky smooth stroke from deep has also resulted in him winning a three point contest in 2014.
4. Cleveland Cavaliers
Klay Thompson, Washington State (Previous Pick: Tristan Thompson)
Position: SG (21.7 PTS/3.2 REB/2.9 AST)
Klay Thompson is widely regarded as arguably the second best shooter on the planet behind his own teammate Stephen Curry. Throw in his elite defensive ability and you have one of the best two way wings in the league.
5. Toronto Raptors
Nikola Vucevic, USC (Previous Pick: Jonas Valanciunas)
Positon: C (19.3 PTS/10.9 REB/2.0 AST)
Nikola Vucevic was a relative question mark coming out of USC. Many doubted his ability to hang in today’s game due to his lack of elite athleticism. Vucevic put those doubts to rest as the bruising big man has been a statistical monster and is one of the few true centers left.
6. Washington Wizards
Chandler Parsons, Florida (Previous Pick: Jan Vesely)
Position: SF (15.7 PTS/4.9 REB/2.4 AST)
Chandler Parsons doesn’t do anything great, he just does everything good. Parsons is a walking mismatch at the 3 spot as his 6’10” frame combined with his buttery jumper and above average athleticism poses a matchup nightmare for other forwards.
7. Sacramento Kings (To Bobcats)
Tobias Harris, Tennessee (Previous Pick: Bismack Biyombo)
Position: SF/PF (17.1 PTS/6.3 REB/1.8 AST)
The key to the success Tobias Harris has endured in his four professional years has been versatility. He is able to play both forward spots and is too big to handle for small forwards and too quick for power forwards.
8. Detroit Pistons
Isaiah Thomas, Washington (Previous Pick: Brandon Knight)
Position: PG (19.0 PTS/2.1 REB/5.4 AST)
Isaiah Thomas is the prime example that size doesn’t matter. the 5’9″ guard was 2011’s Mr. Irrelevant as he was the last pick in the draft. Thomas has surely carved out an incredible career for himself putting up big numbers and earning sixth man of the year honors this past year.
9. Charlotte Bobcats
Brandon Knight, Kentucky (Previous Pick: Kemba Walker)
Position: PG/SG (17.8 PTS/4.3 REB/5.4 AST)
Brandon Knight has already been quite the journeyman. He is an elite talent at either guard position he just needs stability. He found success in Milwaukee under Jason Kidd but was later traded to the Phoenix Suns.
10. Milwaukee Bucks (To Kings)
Reggie Jackson, Boston College (Previous Pick: Jimmer Fredette)
Position: PG (17.6 PTS/4.7 REB/9.2 AST)
Reggie Jackson was buried under the bench behind Russell Westbrook for years but finally got his own team in Detroit this past season. He put up excellent stats and can become truly elite if he sharpens his outside touch.
11. Golden State Warriors
Kemba Walker, Connecticut (Previous Pick: Klay Thompson)
Position: PG (17.3 PTS/3.5 REB/5.1 AST)
Kemba Walker has turned his incredible college career at UConn into a good one in the NBA. The point guard has enjoyed good numbers but that hasn’t brought a whole lot of success to him and his team.
12. Utah Jazz
Kenneth Faried, Morehead State (Previous Pick: Alec Burks)
Position: PF (12.6 PTS/8.9 REB/1.2 AST)
Kenneth Faried has had himself a solid NBA career thus far. The man dubbed “Manimal” is one of the most tenacious rebounders in the game and can throw down dunks on anybody.
13. Phoenix Suns
Markieff Morris, Kansas (Previous Pick: Same)
Position: PF (15.3 PTS/6.2 REB/2.3 AST)
Markieff Morris is one of the better starting power forwards in the NBA. He has a great feel for the game and has a lethal outside stroke. He gives his team a huge advantage by having a big man that can step behind the three point line with deadly accuracy.
14. Houston Rockets
Tristan Thompson, Texas (Previous Pick: Marcus Morris)
Position: PF (8.5 PTS/8.0 REB/0.5 AST)
Tristan Thompson officially owns the title of best offensive rebounder in the league. He put up an incredible performance in these past NBA playoffs and looks to build on that in the future.
15. Indiana Pacers (To Spurs)
Enes Kanter, Turkey (Previous Pick: Kawhi Leonard)
Position: C (18.7 PTS/11.0 REB/1.1 AST)
Enes Kanter got off to a rough start with the Utah Jazz. However, ever since he got traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder, Kanter has established himself as one of the better low post threats in the game.
16. Philadelphia 76ers
Iman Shumpert, Georgia Tech (Previous Pick: Nikola Vucevic)
Positon: SG (7.2 PTS/3.8 REB/1.5 AST)
There should’ve been a other flat top in the city of brotherly love. Iman Shumpert doesn’t have much offensively other than a reliable jumper but he has solidified himself in the top tier of perimeter defenders.
17. New York Knicks
Alec Burks, Colorado (Previous Pick: Iman Shumpert)
Position: SG (13.9 PTS/4.2 REB/3.0 AST)
Alec Burks has quietly enjoyed himself a good start to his NBA career in Utah. He is often overlooked by backcourt mate Trey Burke, but keep an eye out for a breakout season from Burks in the near future.
18. Washington Wizards (From Hawks)
Nikola Mirotic, Montenegro (Previous Pick: Chris Singleton)
Position: PF (10.2 PTS/4.9 REB/1.2 AST)
Close your eyes Wizards fans. First Jan Vesely, now Chris Singleton. Anyways, Nikola Mirotic has only played one year in the association but he made it a fruitful one, coming close to winning rookie of the year.
19. Charlotte Bobcats (From Hornets)
Marcus Morris, Kansas (Previous Pick: Tobias Harris)
Position: PF (10.4 PTS/4.8 REB/1.6 AST)
Marcus Morris’ value has took a hit since he came into the NBA. This may be harsh but he will never be as good as his brother Markieff. Sure he’s still a serviceable stretch 4 off the bench but that’s about his ceiling.
20. Minnesota Timberwolves (To Rockets)
Jonas Valanciunas, Lithuania (Previous Pick: Donatas Motiejunas)
Position: C (12 PTS/8.7 REB/0.5 AST)
Jonas Valanciunas hasn’t been a complete flop in the NBA. After all he is the starting center for a playoff team. However, his lack of a jumper and susceptibility to getting abused in the paint by other bigs on defense limit his ceiling immensely.
21. Portland Trail Blazers
Norris Cole, Cleveland State (Previous Pick: Nolan Smith)
Position: PG (9.9 PTS/1.8 REB/3.2 AST)
Norris Cole has quite the resume for someone this far down the list. The guard has two rings that he earned as a key role player down in South Beach. He is now a key piece of the New Orleans Pelicans bench.
22. Denver Nuggets
Donatas Motiejunas, Lithuania (Previous Pick: Kenneth Faried)
Posittion: PF (12.0 PTS/5.9 REB/1.8 AST)
Donatas Motiejunas was enjoying a career year with Houston until injury derailed his season and the Rockets lost a vital piece of their championship picture.
23. Houston Rockets (To Bulls)
Derrick Williams, Arizona (Previous Pick: Nikola Mirotic)
Position: PF (8.3 PTS/2.7 REB/0.7 AST)
There’s no denying it, Derrick Williams can officially be labeled as a bust. The Arizona star was expected to come in and contribute right away after he was taking #2 overall. That didn’t happen however and now he’s just another below average rotational player in Sacramento.
24. Oklahoma City Thunder
Bojan Bogdanovic, Bosnia (Previous Pick: Reggie Jackson)
Position: SG (9.0 PTS/2.7 REB/0.9 AST)
Bojan Bogdanovic has a similar story to that of Nikola Mirotic. He played in the league for only last year and impressed. He should be a key part of Brooklyn’s rotation moving forward.
25. Boston Celtics (To Nets)
Kyle Singler, Duke (Previous Pick: MarShon Brooks)
Position: SF (3.7 PTS/2.1 REB/0.7 AST)
After his illustrious career at Duke, there were questions about Kyle Singler’s ability to hang in the NBA due to a lack of athleticism. Thus far in his career, those doubts have proved accurate.
26. Dallas Mavericks (To TrailBlazers)
Cory Joseph, Texas (Previous Pick: Jordan Hamilton)
Position: PG (6.8 PTS/2.4 REB/2.4 REB)
Cory Joseph hasn’t contributed much so far in his NBA career but he knows his role as reserve point guard getting maybe 10 minutes a night and plays it pretty well.
27. New Jersey Nets (To Celtics)
MarShon Brooks, Providence (Previous Pick: JaJuan Johnson)
Position: SG/SF (6.4 PTS/1.7 REB/1.2 AST)
MarShon Brooks enjoyed a stellar rookie season but has really gone downhill since then. He played on three different teams in one year, that should tell you all you need to know.
28. Chicago Bulls (To Heat)
Lavoy Allen, Temple (Previous Pick: Norris Cole)
Position: PF (5.0 PTS/5.1 REB/1.2 AST)
Lavoy Allen was part of the 76ers rotation early on, but has gotten minimal playing time ever since.
29. San Antonio Spurs
Bismack Biyombo, Congo (Previous Pick: Corey Joseph)
Position: C (4.8 PTS/6.4 REB/0.3 AST)
Bismack Biyombo was one of the biggest buts of this draft. Taken 7th overall he has contributed pretty much nothing in his four years playing professionally.
30. Chicago Bulls
Jimmer Fredette, Brigham Young (Previous Pick: Jimmy Butler)
Position: PG (3.6 PTS/0.8 REB/1.2 AST)
The legend of Jimmer Fredette. Jimmer is the definition of “in the gym range.” He can pull up from anywhere on the court, too bad that doesn’t always translate well to the NBA, case in point.
