2013 NBA Mock Draft: How Every Team Will Address Needs

While the 2012 NBA draft is barely in the rearview window, it’s not too early to start looking all the way ahead to next June, when another batch of elite prospects will be hoping to get selected by one of the league’s 30 franchises

There are numerous incoming freshman and some current college stars who will be draft eligible in 2013, and scouts, GMs and analysts will soon pick them apart over the course of the next year.

Let’s take an early look at what the first round of the 2013 NBA draft could look like and who teams may need if next season shakes out much the same as this past one.

*Draft order based on 2011-12 records. 

1. Charlotte Bobcats: Nerlens Noel, PF/C (Kentucky)

The Bobcats will finally be able to get their elite shot blocking big man if they win the lottery. Noel is following in Anthony Davis’ footsteps and heading to Kentucky in hopes to lead them to a national championship behind his incredible defense.

2. Washington Wizards: Cody Zeller, PF/C (Indiana)

Cody is a better version of his brother Tyler, who was selected just outside the 2012 lottery. He’s got great size, solid agility and the ability to run the court like most other big man cannot. The Hoosier star would have been chosen in the top 10 this year, but he opted to go back to school and will battle for the No. 1 overall spot. He’s a nice big man option for the Wizards.

3. Cleveland Cavaliers: Rudy Gobert, PF/C (France)

Gobert is an extremely raw prospect with insane size. Because of his wingspan and height alone, this foreigner could go as high as No. 3 overall. Teams always preach that they cannot teach size, and that definitely holds true for a giant like Rudy. The Cavs would be taking a big risk on a high reward player.

4. New Orleans Hornets: James McAdoo, SF/PF (North Carolina)

McAdoo is another prospect who had lottery potential, but he elected to rejoin his collegiate squad to get more experience. He’s a solid forward prospect who can get to the rim and hit the outside jumper. His NBA pedigree and work ethic should help him go in the top five in 2013 and possibly join the youth movement in NOLA.

5. Sacramento Kings: Shabazz Muhammad, SG/SF (UCLA)

Muhammad is a bulky swingman who has elite athleticism. He’d be an awesome sidekick to Thomas Robinson in Sacramento, as they both hustle like crazy.

6. Brooklyn Nets: Isaiah Austin, C (Baylor)

Austin is a massive seven-footer who has a blossoming offensive game. Most of these kids are great defenders but lack the finesse to score consistently. The Baylor recruit breaks the mold and will score his way into the lottery. He’d be a nice fit in Brooklyn if the Nets could trade Brook Lopez for a more defensive minded big or some other talent.

7. Golden State Warriors: Steven Adams, C (Pittsburgh)

Adams has to gain some bulk on his frame, but he’s got a high ceiling and a lot of promise in the future. The W’s are trying to change their culture and add players who can play defense, so this kid would be a nice fit.

8. Toronto Raptors: Alex Poythress, SF (Kentucky)

Poythress should benefit from playing on a stacked Kentucky team and get plenty of exposure this upcoming season. He’s a solid swingman with insane size for the position, which helps him score and rebound with ease.

9. Detroit Pistons: Adonis Thomas, SF (Memphis) 

Thomas is an all-around solid 3 who can do everything well. He’s fundamentally sound, athletically capable and works hard in the gym. He’d be a nice fit in the Motor City.

10. Minnesota Timberwolves: Alex Len, C (Maryland)

This Terrapin can straight up scrap. He’s always banging for offensive boards, boxing out and freeing up his teammates on screens. That blue-collar mentality, coupled with his seven-foot size, makes him a top-10 talent.

11. Portland Trail Blazers: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, SG (Georgia)

Pope has insane range on his jumper and can knock down any shot on the floor. He’d be a perfect 2 guard in the Blazers system and a nice complement to Damian Lillard.

12. Milwaukee Bucks: C.J Leslie, SF/PF (North Carolina State)

Leslie can play both forward positions, score against anyone and grab a ton of rebounds. His upside will be limited as a junior coming out however. He’s a nice replacement or backup to Ersan Ilyasova for the Bucks.

13. Phoenix Suns: LeBryan Nash, SF/PF (Oklahoma State)

Nash left a lot to be desired during his initial college season, but he’s still got time to turn it around. A productive 2012-13 campaign will do wonders for this talented forward’s stock.

14. Houston Rockets: Isaiah Canaan, PG (Murray State)

Canaan has been relied on to do the bulk of the scoring at Murray State, but he’ll have to prove he can facilitate at the next level. He’s not a bad option for a team that might ditch Kyle Lowry.

15. Philadelphia 76ers: Alec Brown, C (Wisconsin-Green Bay)

It’s incredible how many seven-footers could possibly declare next season. Brown still has to prove he can hang with NBA-level competition, but his size alone will garner him plenty of first-round consideration.

16. New York Knicks: Myck Kabongo, PG (Texas)

Kabongo is a pure point guard who would be an incredible addition to the Knicks. While Jeremy Lin might be a great player, he’s not the facilitator that Carmelo Anthony and Amar’e Stoudemire truly need.

17. Dallas Mavericks: B.J. Young, PG/SG (Arkansas)

Young is either going to end up as PG or undersized SG in the NBA; it all depends on his court vision, ball handling and passing skills. He’s done okay with the Razorbacks in that department, but he must improve.

18. Utah Jazz: C.J. McCollum, PG/SG (Lehigh) 

This is another combo guard who likes the ball in his hands and likes to shoot it. He definitely earned the rock, as he averaged 21.3 points per game during the 2011-12 campaign.

19. Orlando Magic: Patric Young, PF (Florida)

Young is an intriguing prospect, especially if the Magic lose Dwight Howard. He’s got nice size and a natural defensive presence.

20. Denver Nuggets: Tony Mitchell, SF/PF (North Texas)

Mitchell has shades of Kevin Durant in his game, but he must destroy the competition next season as he is playing at North Texas.

21. Boston Celtics: Otto Porter, SF (Georgetown) 

The Georgetown 3 would be a decent replacement for Paul Pierce eventually, but he must get stronger in order to draw fouls and get to the line.

22. Los Angeles Clippers: Andre Roberson, SF (Colorado) 

Roberson is an insane rebounder for his position and a decent scorer, even though they do not need to run plays for him. He’s able to clean up the glass like a machine, and the whole team benefits from it.

23. Atlanta Hawks: Mason Plumlee, PF (Duke)

Plumlee may be lucky and become a first-round pick like his brother, Miles. He’s got more upside and a good year would land him in the mid-to-late portion of the draft.

24. Los Angeles Lakers: Deonte Burton, PG (Nevada)

Burton has to continue to improve, but the Lakers desperate desire to find a PG might lead them to the Nevada star.

25. Memphis Grizzlies: Trevor Mbakwe, PF (Minnesota)

This young man is athletically gifted but has to improve his overall skills on the hardwood. He could easily have a breakthrough this season.

26. Indiana Pacers: Dario Saric, SF (Croatia) 

A contender that wants to stash Saric in Europe and let him develop overseas will likely take this foreigner in the first-round.

27. Miami Heat: Jeff Withey, C (Kansas)

Withey made a name for himself in the 2012 national championship game as a great defender and solid shot blocking specialist.

28. Oklahoma City Thunder: Ian Miller, PG (Florida State) 

Miller’s a SG-type who is too small to play the position in the NBA, so he will be asked to move to PG. He’s got great athleticism.

29. Chicago Bulls: Jamaal Franklin, SG (San Diego State) 

Franklin can stroke shots, grab boards and make an impact on the game as a 6’5” 2.

30. San Antonio Spurs: Tim Hardaway Jr., SG (Michigan)

Hardway has an NBA pedigree and is a great scorer. He’s got to get better overall, but his raw talent is nice.