ESPN's Chad Ford has come out with his latest 2011 NBA Mock Draft, and he has the Washington Wizards taking San Diego State forward Kawhi Leonard with the No. 6 pick. Ford has the Wizards passing up Lithuanian big man Jonas Valanciunas because he believes general manager Ernie Grunfeld's job is too much in the balance to take a chance on a European player.
With GM Ernie Grunfeld's job hanging in the balance, he doesn't have a lot of room to take risks -- especially on international players who might not come to Washington for years. Leonard's ability to come in and provide energy, defense and length right away makes him an attractive option and a potential impact player in Year 1.
Two of the players the Wizards reportedly like most -- Enes Kanter and Jan Vesely -- are off the board in Ford's mock by the time the Wizards pick. Ford has Kanter getting picked by the Cleveland Cavaliers with the No. 4 pick, with Vesely following at No. 5 to the Toronto Raptors.
Ford also has the Wizards taking Washington State guard Klay Thompson with the No. 18 pick.