2011 NBA Draft Preview: 6-10 Picks, Projections and Predictions – NBA Mock Draft and Expert Picks: After the first few picks are off the board in the NBA draft, general managers usually start wheeling and dealing. More so than in any other professional sport, newly drafted players in the NBA tend to switch teams on draft night. This makes predicting where players will ultimately land a bit difficult. That being said, the second half of the top 10 isn’t completely unpredictable.
6. Washington Wizards: Jonas Valanciunas, Center, Lithuania
Washington already has an athletic big man in JaVale McGee, but adding a second presence in the paint never hurt any team, especially with John Wall running the show at the point guard spot. Valanciunas doesn’t have a refined offensive game, but he has been an incredible rebounder and shot blocker during international competition. More importantly, he can run the court to take advantage of Wall’s speed in the open court. Scouts have raved about his work ethic, and Valanciunas should only get better as he becomes a more complete player. In the meantime, he can be a force on the boards and on the defensive end while finishing off passes from Wall.
7. Sacramento Kings: Jan Vesely, Small Forward, Serbia
At 6 feet, 11 inches tall and range out beyond the arc, Jan Vesely is a ridiculous matchup for most defenders. The Kings’ current roster is mess with a bunch of pretty good players constantly rotating playing time. Vesely has the offensive game and the athleticism to step in and be a stable contributor in the lineup, which is something this Sacramento team needs more than anything. Vesely probably isn’t destined to become the next Dirk Nowitzki, but he should be able to create his own shot and score consistently in a variety of ways at the NBA level.
8. Detroit Pistons, Alec Burks, Shooting Guard, Colorado
It is no secret that the Pistons aren’t the most efficient offense in the NBA these days. Not to mention the fact that Richard Hamilton isn’t getting any younger. Alec Burks will have an immediate impact as a scorer, and he can be groomed as Detroit’s next sharpshooter. He has plenty of range on his shot, and he can even get to the foul line when he gets to dominate the ball. Burks will likely have a bit of an adjustment period since he will no longer be the center of the offense, but his ability to put the ball in the basket is undeniable. The bottom line is that Detroit desperately needs help on offense and that happens to be Burks’ specialty.
9. Charlotte Bobcats, Kawhi Leonard, Small Forward, San Diego State
He has scouts raving after his pre-draft workouts, and Kawhi Leonard is a relentless rebounder and versatile, tough defender. His strengths sound an awful lot like the skill set of Gerald Wallace – the athletic fan favorite that Charlotte shipped to Portland last season. Leonard probably won’t ever develop the same offensive game as Wallace, but he will be able to fill the stat sheet in a variety of ways. Not to mention the fact that he is only 19 years old with plenty of time to improve. In a few years, Leonard could turn out to be one of the steals of the draft.
10. Milwaukee Bucks, Marcus Morris, Power Forward, Kansas
The Milwaukee Bucks were the not so proud owners of the NBA’s worst offense last season, and Marcus Morris should help change that. Andrew Bogut provides the defensive presence in the paint, and Morris can come in and shoulder the offensive burden. He is arguably the most complete post scorer in the draft next to Derrick Williams, and he has range out to the 3-point arc if left unguarded. A slight negative is that Morris is kind of a what you see is what you get player, but what he brings to the table is more than enough to contribute as a scorer in the NBA for years.
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