If you want to know why the exercise of a mock draft is futile, understand that I arrived at The Rock in North Jersey on Thursday and immediately began hearing whispers of a three-way blockbuster trade involving the Charlotte Bobcats, Milwaukee Bucks and Sacramento Kings.</p><p>With their eyes on Congolese defensive stopper Bismack Biyombo and concerned that Detroit would take him with the eighth overall pick, the Bobcats sent their best all-around player in Stephen Jackson, Shaun Livingston and the No. 19 overall pick to Milwaukee.</p><p>The Bucks, in turn, also snared Beno Udrih from Sacramento for the 10th slot and John Salmons. Charlotte, meanwhile, got the 7th pick from the Kings and Corey Maggette from the Bucks.</p><p>In one fell swoop, everyone's "mock" was blown out of the water by panic, a powerful emotion.</p><p>The Bobcats, of course, also had the ninth selection in the first round but were convinced Joe Dumars was just as enamored with a guy I happen to think looks a lot more like the next Yinka Dare than the next Dikembe Mutombo.</p><p>On the surface, it appears as if Michael Jordan and his new general manager Richard Cho gave up quite a bit to jump 12 spots in a weak draft, but they were able to rid themselves of about $1.5 million in salary next year while snaring a competent scorer in Maggette.</p><p>And what the heck -- beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Even the eye of an all-time great that once thought Kwame Brown was a franchise player.</p><p>"Yesterday I have a practice in Charlotte," Biyombo said. "That was my last practice. Before that, Michael Jordan says that he was so exited to meet me. He heard a lot of stuff about me. They were waiting for the time if I might get to nine. And the, you know, some stuff happened and they picked me up at seven. Just enjoy."</p><p>The Bobcats may have made the biggest splash on draft night but it was far from the only one. Denver and Portland swapped veteran point guards in a three-way deal with the world champion Dallas Mavericks. In fact, Raymond Felton, Andre Miller and Rudy Fernandez all filed change of address forms in the trade.</p><p>Felton heads from the Nuggets to Rip City. Denver obtained Miller from the Trail Blazers and guard/forward Jordan Hamilton, the 26th overall pick, from the Mavs along with a future second round-draft pick. Fernandez. meanwhile, will move from Portland to the Mavericks, hardly what the rest of the NBA wanted to see -- another sharpshooter in North Texas. Dallas also acquired Petteri Koponen's NBA rights. He was a first-round draft pick in 2007.</p><p>Another veteran on the move was promising San Antonio Spurs guard George Hill. Hill went to his hometown Indiana Pacers for the draft rights to San Diego State star Kawhi Leonard. The 26th overall selection by the Spurs in 2008, Hill, an Indianapolis native, played college ball at IUPUI.</p><p>2011 NBA DRAFT PICK-BY-PICK ANALYSIS:</p><p>1. - Cleveland Cavaliers - Kyrie Irving (Duke), point guard (6-2, 180) - Talk of the Cavs considering another player or making a deal was just posturing. Irving is a true quarterback with the innate feel to make other players better. He has tremendous vision and the burst to blow by defenders on the dribble. However, he played just 303 minutes at the college level and has a lot to prove on a very young Cleveland team.</p><p>"I kind of want to emulate the journey of Chris Paul," Irving said after being drafted. "When I was out in Cleveland all [coach Byron Scott] he said he wants to do is run, like he did when he played for the Lakers in 1986. That's how I want it, just up-and-down."</p><p>2 - Minnesota Timberwolves - Derrick Williams (Arizona), combo forward (6-9, 241) - The Wolves listened to just about everyone before staying put and selecting Williams despite already possessing Kevin Love, Michael Beasley and Wes Johnson on the frontline. Minnesota needs talent, however, and really can't go wrong taking the most skilled player in the draft. The Arizona star has tremendous speed and quickness as well as length and is solid fundamentally.</p><p>"I'm happy," Williams said when talking about playing with All-Star Kevin Love. "Some players have all the talent but don't play hard and Kevin Love, he's going to get all the rebounds. They [The Wolves] show a lot of effort and that's what I like about the whole team."</p><p>3.- Utah Jazz - Enes Kanter (Kentucky), center/power forward (6-11, 261) - Early in the process it looked like the Jazz might snare Deron Williams' replacement in Kentucky's Brandon Knight but they took the better prospect in Kanter, a player that possesses natural size, strength and a soft scoring touch.</p><p>"I hate to lose," Kanter said when asked to describe his game. "I love to play with toughness. Right now I'm working on my shot and face-up game."</p><p>4. - Cleveland Cavaliers - Tristan Thompson (Texas), power forward (6-9, 225)- There are surprises in every draft and Thompson had been shooting up most draft boards in the last few days but few expected Cleveland to take the leap at No. 4. The Cavs were likely spooked by Jonas Valanciunas' tougher than expected buyout and went with Thompson, a lefty post player with big hands and a huge wingspan, He plays with a lot of energy and loves to run the floor and beat his defender to a spot, something Irving should take advantage of..</p><p>"They felt Kyrie and myself were the two best choices for the organization," Thompson said of the Cleveland brass. "We are just going to come in and just give 100 percent and try to get better every day."</p><p>5. - Toronto Raptors - Jonas Valanciunas (Lithuania), center/power forward (6-11, 240) - The Raptors weren't scared off by Jonas' possible contract problems and get a player with good NBA size that excels on the offensive boards and has a soft touch around the basket.</p><p>"There's a lot of Lithuanian guys there," Valanciunas said of Toronto. "I think that will help in the NBA so I like the situation."</p><p>6. - Washington Wizards - Jan Vesely (Czech Republic), combo forward (6-11, 230) - The Wiz would have liked a more legitimate big man but Vesely, although slight, has impressive length and an aggressive offensive game. He also likes to post-up more than the average big these days and has a big-time motor.</p><p>"He's a very, very good point guard," Vesely said of John Wall. "He can open up a fast break really, really quick. So I think I like his game, it's a fast team and I'm happy to be there."</p><p>7. - Sacramento Kings picking for Charlotte - Bismack Biyombo (Congo), center (6-9, 243) - The Congolese Nike Hoops Summit star is far too raw and too big a risk for the lottery, but he has a huge upside and along with his frightening length (7- foot-7 wingspan). He can help out down low in the Queen City since Brown and Joel Pryzbilla are both free agents.</p><p>8. - Detroit Pistons - Brandon Knight (Kentucky), combo guard (6-3, 185) - The Motor City's personnel limbo is over and Joe Dumars can finally get back to work rebuilding this team. He stayed put and was rewarded, getting Knight, one of the best five players in the draft that slipped a bit. Knight is projected as a point guard with excellent size and speed along with solid scoring ability. He's an extremely fast player that loves to push it and has a solid first step.</p><p>"I know they are in a rebuilding stage trying to get back to previous form and winning championships," Knight said of the Pistons. "I want to be a part of that process and be a part of making the team better."</p><p>9. - Charlotte Bobcats - Kemba Walker (UConn), point guard (6-0, 172) - The Bobcats got perhaps the rawest player in the draft at No. 7 and followed that up by selecting the closest thing to a finished product. Walker isn't a true point, but the game is changing and he certainly proved to be a playmaker at the college level. Walker has amazing speed, along with the quickness and ability to change direction on a dime. However, his lack of size will certainly hurt on the defensive end and it's tough to imagine he and D.J. Augustin excelling in the same backcourt.</p><p>"He's the greatest player to ever play the game," Walker said when asked if he planned to pick Michael Jordan's mind. "Anything I can learn from that man, I'm going to ask a lot of questions. I'm going to go in there with an open mind and just be ready to learn."</p><p>10. - Milwaukee Bucks picking for Sacramento - Jimmer Fredette (BYU), combo guard (6-2, 195) - Ownership simply won out over the basketball people here. The brass in Sacramento thinks Fredette, perhaps the draft's biggest name, will generate interest and sell tickets. However, the Kings' coaching staff rightfully questions whether Fredette is the answer.</p><p>"Hopefully [Sacramento's] fan base is excited because I'm really excited to get out there and start the season with them and have a great year," Fredette said.</p><p>11. - Golden State Warriors - Klay Thompson (Washington State), shooting guard (6-6, 202) - The Warriors were supposedly so impressed by Thompson, the second best pure shooter available behind Fredette, that owner Joe Lacob, new coach Mark Jackson and the entire front office attended his workout for the team late last week. This pick was a virtual gimmee in any mock draft if you were paying attention and gives Golden State a deep and imposing backcourt.</p><p>"I'm extremely excited about [playing with Stephen Curry]," Thompson said. "I see him play a lot and that kid can pass the ball. With us in the backcourt and me on the wing, I just think we will be able to space the floor so well together."</p><p>12. - Utah Jazz - Alec Burks (Colorado), combo guard (6-6, 191) - The Jazz added a player here that has the size, athleticism and leaping ability to stand out down the line. Burks is not a shooter but he can get into the lane and is a plus-passer.</p><p>13. - Phoenix Suns - Markieff Morris (Kansas), power forward (6-10, 245) - The Suns went with the "lesser" of the Morris twins, a muscular 6-foot-10 player with an NBA-ready body. Asked how he could contribute to Phoenix, Morris sounded confident:</p><p>"You know, just being able to score the ball whenever they give it to me," he said. "Being able to be effective on the pick-and-roll with Steve [Nash}, and definitely being able to bring my defensive presence."</p><p>14. - Houston Rockets - Marcus Morris (Kansas), combo forward (6-9, 218) - Houston probably could have used Markieff's size a little more but they are getting a versatile guy here that has a very advanced offensive game that includes the rare mid-range acumen with the ability to score, both looking at and with his back to the basket.</p><p>"I feel good about playing with those guys," Morris said of joining the Rockets. "I can feed off great players. I'm one of those guys that people didn't worry about in college, and it's just going to be to the fact where I'm just going to feed off of them and just add to their offense and just do other things too."</p><p>15. - Indiana Pacers picking for San Antonio - Kawhi Leonard (San Diego State), small forward (6-7, 225) - All the trade rumors in the Alamo City were swirling around Tony Parker but the Spurs swapped Hill for some much needed youth and athleticism on the wing. A hybrid forward with terrific length and a high motor, Leonard could fit in nicely as the replacement for the disappointing Richard Jefferson.</p><p>"I feel good." Leonard said of going to the Sours. "I had a meeting with them, and I got a great vibe from them. Just any team I'm on, I'm happy with right now. I'm just going in, trying to do whatever the coach wants me to do to make the team successful."</p><p>16. - Philadelphia 76ers - Nikola Vucevic (USC), center (6-11, 260) - The Sixers are in desperate need of an interior presence with some shot-blocking ability but reached a bit here for Vucevic, who isn't very athletic but has an imposing body and is quite a roadblock.</p><p>"I'm just looking forward to get in the process and start practicing with the team and working out and get to know my teammates, and then whatever happens, happens," Vucevic said. "I'm not thinking about starting or anything. I just want to get my team and work as hard as I can and get some playing time."</p><p>17. - New York Knicks - Iman Shumpert (Georgia Tech), combo guard (6-5, 222) - The Knicks need an heir apparent for Chauncey Billups but this was a big reach here. Shumpert has nice size but no jumper at all.</p><p>18. - Washington Wizards - Chris Singleton (Florida State), combo forward (6-9, 225) - Both the Sixers and Knicks did Washington a huge favor by passing on Singleton, the most dominant college defender last year.</p><p>"Right off the bat, it's just my defense right now," Singleton said when asked how he could help the Wizards. "I'm a developing offensive player. Everybody knows that. My shot is getting better and my ball handling is getting better. I feel like the team we have got, we are going to build that chemistry and just go over that hump."</p><p>19. - Charlotte Bobcats picking for Milwaukee - Tobias Harris (Tennessee) combo forward (6-8, 225) - Harris is a combo forward with a nice skill-set that could help take Corey Maggette's spot in Brew City. His ball-handling is especially solid for his size although the jumper comes and goes.</p><p>20. - Minnesota Timberwolves for Houston - Donatas Motiejunas (Lithuania), power forward (7-0, 224) - A couple of years ago Davis Kahn was collecting point guards. Well, he's not doing forwards this time around and shipped Motiejunas along with the underachieving Jonny Flynn to the Rockets for the 23rd overall pick, Memphis' lottery-protected first-rounder in 2013 (acquired in Shane Battier trade) and 35-year-old center Brad Miller. Motiejunas is a slight, left-handed big man with skill to burn. He's generally regarded as a finesse PF with versatility, but shows surprising toughness around contact. Great pick this late for the Rockets, who need size.</p><p>21. - Portland Trail Blazers - Nolan Smith (Duke), combo guard (6-3, 189) - Another Dukie with a very high basketball IQ that could be a very nice combo guard off the bench very early in his career. The fact Fernandez was moved should open up some minutes for Smith.</p><p>22. - Denver Nuggets - Kenneth Faried (Morehead State), power forward (6-8, 225) - The Newark native was the best pure rebounder in the draft. An energy player that loves banging down low but lacks offensive skills.</p><p>"I plan on making an immediate impact because I'm a relentless person with a work hard ethic and since they are not signing Kenyon Martin, hopefully I can come in and fill that void."</p><p>23. - Houston Rockets for Minnesota, who shipped it to Chicago - Nikola Mirotic (Montenegro), power forward (6-10, 230) - Minnesota used the No. 23 selection on Montenegro center Nikola Mirotic and flipped him for Chicago's No. 28 and 43 selections and cash in the deal -- The Wolves then used the No. 28 pick, -- Cleveland State's Norris Cole -- to the Miami Heat for Miami's No. 31 pick (the first of the second round) and future second-round pick. Whew...</p><p>24. - Oklahoma City Thunder - Reggie Jackson (Boston College), shooting guard (6-3, 185) - Jackson is the type of shooter that could flourish opposite the double-teams Kevin Durant demands.</p><p>25. - Boston Celtics for New Jersey - Marshon Brooks (Providence), shooting guard (6-5, 195) - Intent on finding a running mate for Deron Williams, the Nets jumped up to secure the nation's second leading scorer in Brooks, an offensive threat with imposing size and a big wingspan that played little defense at the college level.</p><p>"They have a really good point guard in Deron Williams," Brooks said of the Nets. "It's going to make life easy for me and I'm just looking forward to helping him."</p><p>26. - Dallas Mavericks for Denver - Jordan Hamilton (Texas), swingman (6-7, 210) - Hamilton is another solid offensive option, a wing that could be undervalued after a spotty career at Texas. With J.R. Smith's future in doubt in the Rockies, this was a solid need pick coming Denver's way.</p><p>27. - New Jersey Nets for Boston - JaJuan Johnson (Purdue), power forward (6-10, 222) - Johnson is a rangy player with a decent mid-range jumper that should be able can the pick-and-pop game with Rajon Rondo in Beantown.</p><p>28. - Chicago Bulls to Minnesota and then Miami - Norris Cole (Cleveland State), point guard (6-2, 174) - Cole is an instinctive point guard that can get his own shot and defend a little bit. He will need to add strength, however but will get every opportunity since the Heat are desperate for a young point guard..</p><p>29. - San Antonio Spurs - Corey Joseph (Texas), combo guard (6-3, 186) - The Spurs obviously need to get more athletic and Joseph fills that bill. He could also provide a replacement for Hill although he really doesn't stand out in any area.</p><p>30. - Chicago Bulls - Jimmy Butler (Marquette), small forward (6-7,220) - Butler is a willing defender that doesn't project out as an NBA scorer.

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