Plenty or rumors, trade possibilities, and jockeying for position. NBA Draft week has certainly been anything but quiet. Here is my latest mock draft (you can also check out my 2011 NBA Mock Draft.) Be sure to join us at The Sports Bank during the draft for our live chat and live pick-by-pick grades. You can also check out my Big Board by clicking here.
By: David Kay
31. New Jersey-Willie Warren, G, Oklahoma, 6-4, So.
Warren was once a lottery prospect but struggled with his shot and injuries this past season causing his stock to plummet. New Jersey needs a back-up for Devin Harris and Warren could be a steal this low.
32. Oklahoma City (from MIN)- Tibor Pleiss, C, Germany, 7-0, 1989
With four picks, the Thunder could use a couple on a foreign player to let develop overseas and OKC is rumored to be high on Pleiss.
33. Sacramento- Elliot Williams, G, Memphis, 6-4, So.
The Kings could use some depth in their backcourt and Williams has first round potential but falls into the second because of his combo guard status.
34. Portland (from GS)- Gani Lawal, PF, Georgia Tech, 6-9, Jr.
The Blazers are reportedly trying to use this pick to move up and select Elliot Williams. If that doesn’t happen and Williams is off the board, a physical, energy guy like Lawal would be a nice back-up for LeMarcus Aldridge.
35. Washington- Devin Ebanks, SF, West Virginia, 6-8, So.
If he had any sort of jump shot, Ebanks would be a first round lock. He is a great value here for the Wizards who are likely losing Josh Howard this off-season.
36. Detroit– Tiny Gallon, PF, Oklahoma, 6-10, Fr.
Size, size, and more size. That is what the Pistons need and Gallon is a load inside, though still a work in progress.
37. Milwaukee (from PHI)- Quincy Pondexter, SF, Washington, 6-7, Sr.
With three second round picks now, the Bucks likely target the best available players. Pondexter is a physical wing player who would bring some toughness off the bench.
38. New York (from LAC)- Terrico White, SG, Mississippi, 6-5, So.
With back-to-back second round picks, the Knicks probably take the top available players.
39. New York- Ryan Richards, F/C, England, 7-0, 1989
Sticking with the best available player theory, Richards gives the Knicks a seven-footer not named Eddy Curry.
40. Indiana- Greivis Vasquez, G, Maryland, 6-7, Sr.
Pacers are a mess at the point and Vasquez would give them another option.
41. Miami (from NO)- Da’Sean Butler, G/F, West Virginia, 6-7, Sr.
With his incredible basketball IQ and ability to shoot the basketball, he could be a nice addition for the Heat who need to add depth up and down their roster.
For a feature profile/interview of Butler go here
42. Miami (from Tor)- Jarvis Varnado, PF, Mississippi State, 6-9, Sr.
Varnado is college basketball’s all-time leading shot blocker and Heat could use a defensive presence.
43. L.A. Lakers (from MEM)- Sherron Collins, PG, Kansas, 6-0, Sr.
Derek Fisher is getting up their in age and Jordan Farmar is not the answer. Collins would bring some experience and history of winning.
44. Milwaukee (from GS)- Trevor Booker, PF, Clemson, 6-8, Sr.
A physical post player who brings some toughness off the bench in Milwaukee. Although this pick could be dealt to New Jersey for CDR.
45. Minnesota (from HOU)- Miroslav Raduljica, C, Serbia, 7-1, 1988
Raduljica reportedly blew off a workout for a bunch of NBA teams which hurts his stock. But with five (possibly six) picks, the T-Wolves can take a flyer on him.
46. Phoenix (from CHA)- Stanley Robinson, SF, UConn, 6-9, Sr.
Robinson is a freak of an athlete and could be a valuable asset in the Suns up-tempo offense.
47. Milwaukee– Mikhail Torrance, G, Alabama, 6-5, Sr.
I would expect the Bucks to find a possible back-up to Brandon Jennings with one of their three second rounders.
48. Miami- Jerome Jordan, C, Tulsa, 7-0, Sr.
The Heat have no true center on their roster and Jordan’s biggest asset is his size.
49. San Antonio- Artsiom Parakhouski, C, Radford, 6-11, Sr.
Spurs could use a big body inside to help take some of the beating away from Tim Duncan.
50. Dallas (from OKC)- Dexter Pittman, C, Texas, 6-11, Sr.
Mavs need some options down low since Brendan Haywood is a free agent, and Erick Dampier and Dirk Nowitzki could be gone as well.
51. Oklahoma City (from POR)– Lazar Hayward, SF, Marquette, 6-6, Sr.
Thunder have no real back-up for Kevin Durant and Hayward’s combination of experience, unselfishness, and outside shooting would be a good fit with the young chemistry in OKC.
52. Boston- Omar Samhan, C, St. Mary’s, 6-11, Sr.
Kevin Garnett and Rasheed Wallace aren’t getting any younger and Kendrick Perkins is a free agent next summer so adding a young big man makes sense.
53. Atlanta– Derrick Caracter, PF, UTEP, 6-9, Jr.
Scheyer could be a three-point sharp shooter off the Clips bench.
54. L.A. Clippers (from DEN)- Jon Scheyer, G, Duke, 6-5, Sr.
Scheyer could be a three-point sharp shooter off the T-Wolves bench.
Click here for an exclusive interview/profile of Scheyer
55. Utah- Luke Harangody, PF, Notre Dame, 6-8, Sr.
The Jazz need some depth at power forward due to Carlos Boozer’s pending free agency and Harangody would fit Jerry Sloan’s style of play.
Click here to read an interview/profile of Harangody
56. Minnesota (from PHX)- Nemanja Bjelica, F, Serbia, 6-10, 1988
The T-Wolves are not going to keep all five of their second round picks, but stashing a foreign player overseas is the best option.
57. Indiana (from DAL)- Paulo Prestes, C, Spain, 6-11, 1988
A foreign prospect who can continue to develop overseas and possibly help the Pacers out in the future.
58. L.A. Lakers- Mac Koshwal, PF, DePaul, 6-10, Jr.
Lake Show could use some depth up-front especially with Andrew Bynum’s injury concerns. I think Koshwal could be a sleeper second round steal.
For a feature profile on Koshwal go here
59. Orlando– Manny Harris, G, Michigan, 6-5, Jr.
Magic go best available and Harris is a good value this low.
60. Phoenix (from CLE)- Charles Garcia, F, Seattle U, 6-10, Jr.
The Suns need to have options in case Amare bolts this summer.
Click here for David’s first round.
Check out the Sports Bank’s 2011 NFL Mock Draft.