Like the NFL, the looming NBA labor talks this summer and all the speculation that surrounds it have somewhat taken center stage of the up and coming offseason. Nevertheless, SportingNews.com has released their latest 2011 NBA Mock Draft, and has Arizona's Derrick Williams going number one overall to the Minnesota Timberwolves. There still is some clarification to be had as to who will and will not enter this year's draft, but on the whole the top tier players have all made their decisions. Who will the Golden State Warriors and Sacramento Kings choose in the lottery? Make the jump to find out.
Sean Deveney of Sporting News has the Kings taking Connecticut point guard Kemba Walker in the first round, and for obvious reasons. With Walker, Tyreke Evans, and DeMarcus Cousins, the Kings would have 3 top draft picks and could have a 'big 3' in the making of their own. These guys all are studs and could turn the Kings around and in a hurry, if they can stay away from injuries. And if Marcus Thornton keeps his high level of play going that he showed the last half of the season, the Kings could definitely be a playoff contender next year, something I'm sure Sacramento fans would absolutely love after they fought so hard for their team to stay. Kemba Walker is the best fit for the Kings in this draft in my opinion.
As for the Warriors, Deveney has them taking small forward Jordan Hamilton out of Texas in the first round. Deveney admits that Golden State already had Dorell Wright at that position but it would behoove them to 'beef up' the SF position anyway. The Warriors have a multitude of needs, most notably head coach, and it will be interesting to see how it all pans out. General Manager Larry Riley and new assistant GM Bob Byers are holding the reigns of how the team will draft, but will need to make sure that their new head coach's philosophy ties in with the team's draft picks. Jordan Hamilton is a solid pick, but the Warriors really need a defense presence in the paint and someone to dump the ball to on the block for some easy buckets. There is a variety of international big men such as Enes Canter out of Kentucky, Jonas Valanciuna and Donatas Motiejunas from Lithuania and Bismack Biyombo out of the Congo that could all be well suited for Golden State as a force around the rim. David Lee and Ekpe Udoh could definitely use some more help than they are getting from Andirs Biedrins, and with the surplus of shooters they already have, I think the center position should be their top priority.