ESPN's Chad Ford has posted his updated 2011 NBA mock draft, aptly named 'Chad Ford's Mock Draft, Version 2.0' after readjusting the NBA draft order following Tuesday night's NBA Draft lottery.
Like Draft Express's Jonathan Givony, who's mock draft SB Nation Minnesota posted on earlier, Ford has the Minnesota Timberwolves selecting Derrick Williams with the second overall pick in his mock (ESPN Insider subscription required). With the Wolves second pick, the 20th overall pick in the first round, Ford believes the Wolves will go with Marshon Brooks of the Providence Friars.
The reasoning that Ford believes that the Wolves will go with Williams, a 6-foot-8 forward who starred as a sophomore on the Arizona Wildcats this season, is because -- as we posted earlier -- David Kahn won't be forced to put up with the ridicule that might have come with 'winning' the top overall pick.
Minnesota GM David Kahn can breathe a sigh of relief -- we think. With Irving likely off the board, Kahn won't have to put up all those point guard jokes. Unless, that is, he reaches for Brandon Knight or Kemba Walker here.
I think this pick will be a three-way race between Williams, Enes Kanter and Bismack Biyombo. Of the three, Williams has the strongest pedigree and ultimately should be an upgrade over Michael Beasley. But don't be surprised if Kahn trades the pick.
Trading the pick would be interesting, especially if the Wolves are able to find some veteran help, but odds are keeping the pick is going to make the biggest splash for a fanbase that needs all the excitement available.
As far as Ford's reasoning for taking Brooks, a 6-foot-5 shooting guard scheduled to attend the Minneapolis NBA Draft workout on May 23-24, it comes down to ESPN's draft expert believing the Wolves need a shooting guard more than they need to replace the Jonny Flynn and Luke Ridnour duo at the point guard position.
While the Wolves are stacked with young talent at multiple positions, 2-guard has been an ongoing need for the past two years. The Wesley Johnson at the 2 experiment didn't really go well this past season -- he's been a forward his whole life and will likely stay that way.
Enter Brooks, the second-best scorer in college basketball. Brooks' dynamic ability to create his own shot off the dribble, combined with solid shooting numbers, should be a big help to Minnesota.
Things will definitely change by next month's actual NBA Draft, but the mock drafts will continue to provide good fodder until that point.