ESPN's Chad Ford has jumped on the Kemba Walker to the Detroit Pistons bandwagon. In Ford's latest 2011 NBA mock draft Walker is predicted to be the Pistons' pick. Ford has them passing on Bismack Biyombo to take the UConn point guard.
Ford explains that if Jonas Valanciunas is off the board like he is in this mock draft, the Pistons will likely select between Walker, Biyombo and Tristan Thompson. Ford calls Walker the "safe pick" of this group. He doesn't necessarily fill a big need or anything, but Ford views Walker as the best player available. Thompson may have upside and the Pistons may be high on Biyombo, but picking Walker would give them the ability to move Rodney Stuckey to shooting guard.
The top seven picks in Ford's mock draft are as follows: Kyrie Irving (Cavaliers), Derrick Williams (Timberwolves), Brandon Knight (Jazz), Jonas Valanciunas (Cavaliers), Jan Vesely (Raptors), Enes Kanter (Wizards) and Kawhi Leonard (Kings). Marcus Morris (Bobcats) and Klay Thompson (Bucks) round out the top 10.