2011 NBA Mock Draft: 3 Teams That Could Trade Up for Arizona’s Derrick Williams

2011 NBA Mock Draft Thoughts On Potential Trade Scenarios Involving Minnesota Timberwolves at No.2

Glen Taylor, owner of the Minnesota Timberwolves, recently said that the team had no interest in trading the No. 2 overall pick.

However, according to Mark Miller of Yahoo Sports, several NBA GMs have said that the Timberwolves have been talking to teams about the possibility of trading out of the No. 2 overall slot.

Adding to further speculation, Sports Illustrated's Sam Amick had this to say about the chances of Minnesota selecting Derrick WIlliams in his latest mock draft,

"Williams is considered by most teams (including Minnesota) to be the best player available after Irving, but it's hardly a fantastic fit. Michael Beasley has a similar skill set, and forward Kevin Love and swingman Wesley Johnson don't appear to be going anywhere. One source says the Wolves have considered moving down a spot or two to take Enes Kanter while getting additional assets in a trade."

With those rumors in mind, here are three teams that could be potential dance partners for the Timberwolves:

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1. Cleveland Cavaliers

The Cavaliers hold the No. 1 and No. 4 overall pick in this year's draft and will obviously select Duke G Kyrie Irving at No. 1.  After selecting a PG at No. 1, they will look to add a frontcourt player.  At No. 4 the Cavaliers may have the chance to select Enes Kanter, but the Utah Jazz will certainly consider him at No. 3.

If Kanter and Williams are both off the board the Cavaliers will fail to land the NBA-ready player they were hoping for to join forces with Irving.  Cleveland should be trying desperately to move up with Minnesota to acquire both Williams and Irving, as they would be able to pair the top two players in this year's draft.

It is nearly unheard to hear a team potentially landing the No. 1 and No. 2 overall picks, but Cleveland has a real shot at it this year.

2. Washington Wizards

The could really use a swingman to complement John Wall, so Williams makes perfect sense for the Wizards.  Washington currently holds the No. 6 overall pick, where I have them selecting F Jan Vesely.  Vesely is still a bit raw, and does not possess the NBA-ready body of Derrick Williams.

The Wizards were able to shed Gilbert Arenas' salary last year, which puts this team in the right direction, but adding Derrick Williams makes too much sense for Washington.

Holding the No. 6 and No. 18 overall pick in this year's draft, the Wizards have the ammunition to trade up for Williams.  Packaging the two picks for the No. 2 overall pick, and possibly a second round pick as well, makes a lot of sense for Washington.  

This is a very weak draft class, but landing Derrick Williams would be a monumental acquisition and put the Wizards in position to have two future All-Pro players on their roster.

3. Toronto Raptors

The Raptors acquires James Johnson from Chicago last season in hope that he would take over the starting spot at SF.  He showed some potential in Toronto, but does not have nearly as much talent as Derrick Williams.

The Raptors currently select at No. 5 and need help at both forward positions, which makes Williams a perfect fit.  Reggie Evans is a pending free agent, and even though Williams is a bit more of a SF at the NBA level, he can fill in at PF behind Ed Davis.

Depending on what the Timberwolves are looking for in return, this is an opportunity that the Raptors should approach with an open mind.