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I feel like my thesis is due in a couple of hours and I keep going over the final draft time and time again to make sure everything is just perfect. Now that NBA Draft is upon us, my masterpiece of a mock draft gets put to the test. Do the months and hours of research and watching college hoops pay off? Here is my latest mock draft (you can also check out my 2011 NBA Mock Draft) and I will be updating it right until the first name is actually called. Be sure to join us at The Sports Bank during the draft for our live chat and check out my live pick-by-pick grades. You can also check out my Big Board by clicking here.
By: David Kay
31. New Jersey-Tiny Gallon, PF, Oklahoma, 6-10, Fr.
The Nets reportedly like Gallon and could use their third pick of the draft to take a flyer on the young prospect.
32. Miami (from OKC)- Dominique Jones, G, South Florida, 6-5, Jr.
Jones would be a steal with the first of Miami’s 4 second rounders. Williams, Warren, White, and Johnson would all be good values here to help their backcourt depth.
33. Sacramento- Ryan Richards, F/C, England, 7-0, 1989
Sac-town could use some depth in their backcourt, but apparently really like Richards.
34. Portland (from GS)- Elliot Williams, G, Memphis, 6-4, So.
Maybe I’m totally missing the boat on Williams, but I think he will available here meaning Portland, who is reportedly very high on him, won’t have to use their first round selection to get him.
35. Washington- Quincy Pondexter, SF, Washington, 6-7, Sr.
He could go late first round and would great value here for the Wizards who are likely losing Josh Howard this off-season.
36. Detroit– Gani Lawal, PF, Georgia Tech, 6-9, Jr.
Lawal gives the Pistons more new blood up-front which they desperately need.
37. Milwaukee (from PHI)- Jarvis Varnado, PF, Mississippi State, 6-9, Sr.
With three second round picks now, the Bucks will have to address their need for some depth up-front and Varnado is college basketball’s all-time leading shot blocker.
38. New York (from LAC)- Armon Johnson, PG, Nevada, 6-3, Jr.
With back-to-back second round picks, the Knicks take the top guys on their big board since they need help all over.
39. New York- Terrico White, SG, Mississippi, 6-5, So.
Sticking with the best available player theory, White is loaded with talent. I’ve also read in the past day that the Knicks are reportedly very high on Sylven Landesburg and Brian Zoubek.
40. Indiana- Devin Ebanks, SF, West Virginia, 6-8, So.
If he had any sort of jump shot, Ebanks would be a first round lock but seems to have little draft buzz right now.
41. Miami (from NO)- 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. He would be a great value here for the Heat.
42. Miami (from Tor)- Jerome Jordan, C, Tulsa, 7-0, Sr.
Heat need to add some size with one of their four second picks.
43. L.A. Lakers (from MEM)- Da’Sean Butler, G/F, West Virginia, 6-7, Sr.
He knows how to win games which is what the Lakers do. He could contribute off the bench right away due to his incredible basketball IQ and ability to shoot the basketball.
For a feature profile/interview of Butler go here
44. Milwaukee (from GS)- Trevor Booker, PF, Clemson, 6-8, Sr.
Some muscle and depth inside which the Bucks need.
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.
Suns need to prepare for Amare’s departure and Robinson could fit with the Suns up-tempo style.
47. Milwaukee– Sherron Collins, PG, Kansas, 6-0, Sr.
I would expect the Bucks to find a possible back-up to Brandon Jennings with one of their three second rounders.
48. Miami- Lazar Hayward, SF, Marquette, 6-6, Sr.
Hayward’s combination of experience, unselfishness, and outside shooting could land him bench minutes in Miami.
49. San Antonio- Dexter Pittman, C, Texas, 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)- Artsiom Parakhouski, C, Radford, 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)– Thomas Heurtel, PG, France, 6-1, 1989
Thunder are best suited going the foreign route with this pick.
52. Boston- Brian Zoubek, C, Duke, 7-1, 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)- Mikhail Torrance, G, Alabama, 6-5, Sr.
Clips need to add some depth in the backcourt.
55. Utah- Jon Scheyer, G, Duke, 6-5, Sr.
A three-point gunner who could potentially replace free agent Kyle Korver.
Click here for an exclusive interview/profile of Scheyer
56. Minnesota (from PHX)- Paulo Prestes, C, Spain, 6-11, 1988
A foreign prospect who can continue to develop overseas and possibly help the T-Wolves out in the future.
57. Indiana (from DAL)- Luke Harangody, PF, Notre Dame, 6-8, Sr.
Harangody just seems like a Larry Bird type of player.
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.