2011 NBA Draft Revisited: Where Are the Top Picks Now?

Looking back at the 2011 NBA Draft, I can't help but feel a mix of nostalgia and professional curiosity about how those top picks have fared over the past decade. As someone who's followed basketball religiously since my teenage years and now analyzes sports careers from both athletic and business perspectives, I find this particular draft class fascinating because it produced several franchise-altering players alongside some spectacular busts. I remember watching the draft live that year, scribbling notes about each selection while nursing my third cup of coffee, completely unaware of how dramatically these young men's careers would unfold. The first round alone featured future MVPs, international stars, and players who would completely redefine their positions - though admittedly, not all for the better.

When I think about Kyrie Irving going first overall to Cleveland, I'm reminded of just how polarizing he was even then. The Duke guard had only played 11 college games due to injury concerns, yet the Cavaliers saw something special in him. Looking back now, I'd argue they made the right call - Irving developed into a six-time All-Star, won a championship with that incredible Game 7 shot over Steph Curry in 2016, and has averaged 23.0 points per game throughout his career. Though his tenure in Brooklyn was turbulent, his fundamental brilliance remains undeniable. What fascinates me professionally is how his game has evolved from pure scoring to playmaking leadership, even if his off-court decisions sometimes puzzle me.

The second pick, Derrick Williams to Minnesota, represents what I consider one of the draft's great disappointments. Williams showed flashes of potential but never developed into the star Minnesota envisioned, bouncing between six teams over seven seasons before heading overseas. His career averages of 8.9 points and 4.0 rebounds pale compared to what was expected from a number two pick. I've always wondered if he'd have thrived in today's positionless basketball era - his tweener status between forward positions hampered him in a league that wasn't yet ready for his hybrid skillset.

Then there's the player who arguably became the face of this draft class: Kawhi Leonard, selected 15th by Indiana before being traded to San Antonio. I distinctly remember questioning why so many teams passed on him, his defensive prowess already evident at San Diego State. Leonard's development into a two-time NBA Champion, two-time Finals MVP, and one of the league's premier two-way players exemplifies why draft evaluation remains equal parts science and art. His hands alone - those massive paws that seem to swallow basketballs whole - should have been a dead giveaway about his defensive potential.

The international flavor of this draft particularly interests me, with Jonas Valančiūnas going fifth to Toronto and Donatas Motiejūnas at 20 to Minnesota. Valančiūnas has enjoyed a solid career as a traditional center, averaging 13.0 points and 9.3 rebounds while adapting to the modern game's pace and space requirements. Motiejūnas never quite found his NBA footing but became a star overseas, reminding us that success isn't always measured by NBA tenure alone.

What strikes me about reviewing this draft is how many role players emerged from later picks. Jimmy Butler at 30 to Chicago developed into a six-time All-Star despite being overlooked by nearly every team. Chandler Parsons at 38 became a versatile forward before injuries derailed his career, while Isaiah Thomas, the final pick at 60, briefly became an MVP candidate in Boston, averaging 28.9 points per game in 2016-17. These success stories highlight the importance of development systems and opportunity - something I've come to appreciate more through my work with emerging basketball programs.

The reference to Beau Belga's comments about management decisions and timing resonates with me when considering these careers. Like Belga recognizing that sometimes organizational choices override individual readiness, many 2011 draftees found their paths shaped by team situations beyond their control. Brandon Knight, picked eighth by Detroit, never found stability, playing for five teams in nine seasons. Jan Veselý, the sixth pick, lasted just three NBA seasons before returning to Europe where he flourished. Their experiences underscore how franchise fit and development approach can make or break even highly-touted prospects.

Ten years later, the 2011 draft class has produced one MVP (Irving), multiple All-Stars, and several players who redefined their positions. Yet what I find most compelling are the lessons about player development and career trajectories. The success of later picks like Butler and Thomas suggests that draft position, while important, isn't deterministic. Meanwhile, the international players demonstrate the NBA's growing global footprint and alternative paths to professional success.

As I reflect on these careers, I'm struck by how much luck and timing factor into professional sports success. The right team at the right moment, avoiding injuries, developing within supportive systems - these elements often prove as crucial as raw talent. The 2011 draft class provides a perfect case study in the unpredictability of athletic careers and the complex interplay between individual talent and organizational environment. While we can analyze stats and skills endlessly, there remains an irreducible human element to these journeys that continues to fascinate me year after year.