2013 NBA Mock Draft: Replacing 2012's Picks with Next Year's Prospects

With the 2012 NBA draft nearly a month past us and the league's free agency period quickly becoming barren, it seems like the perfect time to begin talking about the 2013 draft.

Next year's draft doesn't have nearly the same amount of high-profile prospects as this past season, but there is some potential here for stardom near the top of the lottery. 

But, what if, by some freak occurrence, the league came out with the exact same draft order next season?

Follow along as we take a look at what would happen if that were the case.  

(Note: Draft pick trades have been accounted for so long as no pick protection came into play.)

1. New Orleans Hornets: Shabazz Muhammad

Position:  SG/SF

School: UCLA

Year: Freshman

After anchoring down the paint area with No. 1 pick Anthony Davis and nabbing a point guard of the future at No. 10 with Austin Rivers, the Hornets would jump at the chance to select Shabazz Muhammad next season.

Muhammad has enough talent to become a star someday, with his elite athleticism putting him in place to win multiple dunk contests and defend three positions.

He'll need to work on his outside jumper and on developing consistent ball-handling skills, but he's one of a select few surefire NBA starters in this class. 

2. Charlotte Bobcats: Nerlens Noel

Position:  PF/C

School: Kentucky

Year: Freshman

After missing out on the Brow sweepstakes in the 2012 draft, the Bobcats should be in a position to win the Flat Top free-for-all this coming season.

Nel is a fantastic athlete and brilliant shot blocker, which will put him in place to act as Anthony Davis Lite for Kentucky coach John Calipari.  

With a 7'4" wingspan and a reach in the nine-foot range, Noel's body suggests he's not even close to filling out his frame.  He won't be as polished offensively as Davis coming into next year's draft, but the potential could be just as high.  

3. Washington Wizards: James Michael McAdoo

Position:  PF

School: North Carolina

Year: Sophomore

Mired into a bench role on last season's veteran North Carolina team, McAdoo never got comfortable during his freshman year.  The 6'9" power forward scored just 6.3 points per game on 43 percent shooting last season, and never asserted himself defensively, either.  

His potential caused some flirtation with the 2012 draft, but McAdoo decided returning for a sophomore season can do nothing but help his slumping stock.  

Despite his struggles, McAdoo is a smooth athlete with a strong post game and quick first step. He'll probably never develop into much of an outside scorer, but another year under Roy Williams should help make him more NBA-ready.  

4. Cleveland Cavaliers: Alex Poythress

Position:  SF

School: Kentucky

Year: Freshman

Poythress is a Michael Kidd-Gilchrist-like athletic small forward who should be able to step in and play lockdown defense at Kentuck as a freshman.

If Calipari can get Poythress to play with a high motor, he'll be able to take advantage of his slashing athleticism on the offensive end and his nice rhythm jumper.  

With the Cavaliers main roster deficiency at the swingman spot, getting Poythress could be the final piece to their potentially great core.  

5. Sacramento Kings: Adonis Thomas

Position:  SF

School: Memphis

Year: Sophomore

Thomas is a top-tier talent with freakish athleticism, a big motor and a developing outside jumper.  He didn't make a massive impact in Memphis last season, but another year of college seasoning will make him far more prepared for NBA basketball.

Plus, he has one of the greatest names in sports right now.  If Thomas ever reaches his immense potential, yours truly will certainly rock a pair of Air Adonises when they come out in 2016.

6. Brooklyn Nets: Isaiah Austin

Position:  C

School: Baylor

Year: Freshman

Austin is arguably the most talented big man in the entire draft.  He's a smart shot blocker and a brilliant defender in the post. The real treat with Austin, though, is that his jumper can even stretch out to the college three-point line. 

But his motor could use some revving, as he disappears for long stretches on the floor.  Picking No. 6 would mean some sort of catastrophe for the Nets next season, but Austin could be the answer to the team's Dwight Howard disappointment if they're here.  

7. Golden State Warriors: Rudy Gobert

Position:  PF/C

School: France

Year: N/A

As it stands, the Warriors front court is loaded with mediocre to above-average talent.  If Gobert is sitting there when Golden State picks next season, he could be the answer to that talent problem.  

The Frenchman stands a legitimate 7'2" and is an absolute athletic marvel, leaping out of the gym and running the floor like a guard

His post game needs work to play the four spot and he's too thin right now to back someone down at the NBA level, but he'd be a great fit for a burgeoning young core in Golden State.

8. Houston Rockets (Via Toronto Raptors): Cody Zeller

Position:  C

School: Indiana

Year: Sophomore

If the Rockets don't package this pick to land either Dwight Howard or Andrew Bynum, then Zeller is the type of consolation prize Houston could live with.

Cody is by far the more talented than his brother Tyler, who was drafted No. 18 in this year's draft.  He's a mobile big who scores around the basket with polish.  Zeller also has good ball skills and can drop dimes out of the post when needed.  

The knock on Zeller is that he's not a great athlete and lacks physicality, but the Rockets have done pretty well with "soft" centers in the past. 

9. Detroit Pistons: Tony Mitchell

Position:  SF

School: North Texas

Year: Sophomore

Talent has never been in doubt with Mitchell.  He's a ready-made All-Defense selection who can guard multiple positions and finish strong at the rim.

The question with Mitchell is commitment.  He was academically ineligible to play for part of this season, and nearly reneged on a commitment to stay in school after coach Johnny Jones left to take over the LSU program.  

Mitchell is exactly the type of player that could make the Pistons the best defensive team in basketball with Andre Drummond and Greg Monroe anchoring the paint.  

10. Minnesota Timberwolves: Archie Goodwin

Position:  SG

School: Kentucky

Year: Freshman

After ostensibly filling their shooting guard slot this offseason by signing Brandon Roy, this could look like a luxury selection for the Timberwolves.

However, Roy's injury history makes a project player like Goodwin a perfect fit.  He's an athletic guard who can score from just about anywhere on the floor and is unselfish enough to allow others around him to shine.  Gordon will need to find more consistency from the outside, but but he won't turn 18 years old until August 17, and has plenty of time to develop. 

11. Portland Trailblazers: Kyle Anderson

Position:  SF

School: UCLA

Year: Freshman

Anderson is a prototypical point forward who, along with guard Shabazz Muhammad, should bring UCLA to the elite forefront of college basketball.

His shot is consistent in the mid range, and he can even stroke out to the three-point line.  His 7'2" wingspan helps make up for his lack of lateral quickness and athleticism at the defensive end.

He'll need to add strength and show a stronger motor to make it farther up the lottery, but Portland would be getting a steal here at No. 11. 

12. Milwaukee Bucks: Myck Kabongo

Position:  PG

School: Texas

Year: Sophomore

If the Bucks decide that the Brandon Jennings headache is too much to bear, the team could find a perfect replacement in Kabongo here.

Kabongo struggled out of the gate at Texas, and his final numbers couldn't recover from his early-season struggles.

But, he should rebound next season, and show teams why he was ranked among the class of 2011's elite coming out of high school. He's a pure point guard who is a killer open-court decision maker. Kabongo is also a more consistent shooter than his 39 percent performance would suggest.  

13. Phoenix Suns: C.J. Leslie

Position:  PF

School: North Carolina State

Year: Junior

Phoenix has lacked elite athleticism in the post since Amar'e Stoudemire left for the Knicks, and hasn't had an elite shot-blocker protecting the rim in what seems like an eternity.

Theoretically speaking, Leslie could be the answer to both problems for the rebuilding Suns.  

He struggles to score the ball in the post, but he has an improving jumper and would make an interesting duo with center Marcin Gortat.

14. Houston Rockets: B.J. Young

Position:  PG

School: North Carolina State

Year: Sophomore

With Kyle Lowry shipped to the Great White North and Goran Dragic a Phoenix Sun again, the Rockets acquired Jeremy Lin to handle their point guard reins for the next three seasons.

If Lin doesn't work out or if the team wants a brilliant combo guard to back him up, Young would be a great fit in 2013. 

Young is lightning quick and has great vision in the open court.  He needs to improve his decision making but Kevin McHale is the type of coach who could corral his game and harness the talent.  

15. Philadelphia 76ers: Patric Young

Position:  PF/C

School: Florida

Year: Junior

Young is a guy who could leap into the upper crust of the lottery if he ever gets his body in complete shape.  He's blessed with the type of strength and post skills that most scouts dream about, but his work ethic is questionable.

Getting Young would be a godsend for the 76ers, as they've been desperately searching for post presence since before the Allen Iverson era.  

16. New York Knicks: Anthony Bennett

Position:  PF

School: UNLV

Year: Freshman

If the Knicks are looking for Amar'e Stoudemire insurance come 2013 draft night, Bennett could be the perfect fit.

He's an explosive athlete whose shot stretches regularly to 18 feet and who can hit the occasional three-pointer.  Bennett also rebounds better than you would expect for someone who plays away from the rim so often.  

His game is basically some polish and strength away from NBA contribution right now.  A year at UNLV certainly won't hurt.  

17. Dallas Mavericks: Dario Saric

Position:  SF

School: Croatia

Year: N/A

If he ever develops consistency in his outside game, Saric could develop into a point forward Dirk Nowitzki clone.  He has a smooth jumper and looks dominating at times on the offensive end, despite his young age.  

Saric hasn't rounded into his frame yet and still makes poor decisions.  But his potential at this spot is immense, and he could be stashed overseas for another year or two if deemed unready.  

18. Utah Jazz: Mason Plumlee

Position:  PF

School: Duke

Year: N/A

If Miles Plumlee can soar up draft boards all the way to Indiana at No. 26, his more-talented brother should have no trouble finding the first round.   

Like his brother, he's an explosive athlete who works hard on every possession.  But Mason's mid-range jumper is far more consistent and he has more post skills.  He'll need more strength and seasoning offensively to play in the NBA post, but he's still a good prospect at this point.  

19. Orlando Magic: LeBryan Nash

Position:  SF

School:  Oklahoma State

Year:  Sophomore

Nash is another player whose freshman season was an abrupt fall from grace.  

The small forward struggled to find consistency with his shot and has some attitude and defensive commitment problems to take care of before he can hit his stride.

If Nash breaks out as a sophomore, he could be a top-10 selection.  He's already built like an NBA small forward, and can be overpowering when attacking the rim.  But if not, he could struggle to even find footing in the first round.  

20. Denver Nuggets: Steven Adams

Position:  PF

School: Pittsburgh

Year: Freshman

Born in New Zealand, Adams was not really on anyone's radar before putting it all together last year and emerging as elite prospect.

Already built for the NBA, he's a great rebounder who plays with a bit of a mean streak.  His offensive post game is full of holes, and he needs polish just about everywhere. But if he actually puts up decent enough numbers to come out, this seems like a logical spot.  

21. Boston Celtics: C.J. McCollum

Position:  PG

School: Lehigh

Year: Senior

McCollum could be the next small school point guard soaring up draft boards.

He's an elite creator whose surrounding talent makes it necessary to use such a high rate of his possessions—something he's surprisingly efficient at, regardless.  

McCollum's set shot could use some work, but he has range out to the three-point arc, and is one of the best rebounding guards in the country.  

He has lottery potential but sticks here for now until he proves it next season.

22. Los Angeles Clippers: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope

Position:  SG

School: Georgia

Year: Sophomore

Caldwell-Pope is one of the most gifted scorers in the upcoming class.  He's got rage out to the three point line and isn't a slouch on the other end of the floor, either.  Because Georgia is not on the national stage very much, Caldwell-Pope may become a classically underrated player in this draft.

He has lottery potential, but no one may be there to see it.  

23. Atlanta Hawks: Otto Porter

Position:  SF

School: Georgetown

Year: Sophomore

Porter can't shoot much outside of 15 feet, but he's a good mid-range shooter who is a sneaky smart ball-handler and passer. The problem is that we didn't get to see much of him on the court last season as he was mired in a bench role for Georgetown.

His second season in under John Thompson III can only mean good things, and Porter has eventual NBA starter potential.  He'll never be a superstar, but he'll stick in the league.   

24. Phoenix Suns (Via Los Angeles Lakers): Andre Roberson

Position:  SF

School: Colorado

Year: Junior

If the NBA made fluid substitutions legal, Roberson would never see the floor on the offensive and would never leave it defensively.  

The Colorado forward is an elite athlete, rebounds well and plays hard on every possession. With the Suns moving on in the post-Nash era, Roberson could mark a defensive direction change

25. Memphis Grizzlies: Joshua Smith

Position:  PF/C

School: UCLA

Year: Junior

Like Florida's Patric Young, Smith is going to have to transition from "comically overweight" to "slightly overweight" to make a serious run at the lottery. 

But at pick No. 25, Smith would have too much potential for the Grizzlies to pass him.  He's a gifted low-post presence, often overpowering defenders to make up for his lack of elite athleticism.  Smith will also have to prove he can play more than 17.2 minutes per game (which is probably a weight-related issue) if he wants to reach the breadth of his potential.

26. Indiana Pacers: P.J. Hairston

Position:  SG

School: North Carolina

Year:  Sophomore

Like his teammate McAdoo, Hairston struggled to acclimate to the college game as a freshman.   Coming off the bench for what was probably the first time in his life, Hairston shot an abysmal 30.9 percent from the field.  That rate is unacceptable for you or me, let alone an elite prospect of Hairston's caliber.

Regardless, the sophomore shooting guard is an explosive athlete with a reputation for a sweet stroke out to the three-point line.  Hairston will need to improve his ball-handling and show he can handle the collegiate game next season.  If he does, the first round isn't out of the question.  

27. Miami Heat: Jeff Withey

Position:  C

School: Kansas

Year: Senior

With the addition of Ray Allen in Miami comes the recognition that the team has just one major weakness—inside defensive presence.

So call in Withey, who lacks the lateral quickness to get to quicker players and isn't a super athlete, but surged on the scene last season for Kansas as an elite rebounder and shot-blocker.  No one will ever confuse him with a star, but Withey should fare better than Joel Anthony at guarding elite post players.

28. Oklahoma City Thunder: Alex Abrines

Position:  SG

School: Spain

Year: N/A

After falling into potential star forward Perry Jones in this season's draft, the Thunder could fall into another in Abrines.

He's a fantastic shooter and decent enough athlete who could step in and do a poor man's James Harden impression if the team moves the Sixth Man of the Year next season.  

He won't be confused with anything resembling a defender, but at the very least he'll be a Rudy Fernandez-level player. 

29. Chicago Bulls: Wayne Blackshear

Position:  SG/SF

School: Louisville

Year: Sophomore

Blackshear could barely get off the bench during his freshman year at Louisville, averaging just 7.0 minutes per game.

As an NBA-ready athlete who explodes toward the rim after getting a first step, that raises some red flags.  Couple that with him being a low-quality shooter and his over-reliance on strength, there are a number of reasons to be concerned about his first-round potential.

But with the Bulls being exceedingly weak at the shooting guard spot, he'd be the best player available at this point and could develop into a starter if handled correctly.  

30. San Antonio Spurs: Mike Moser

Position:  PF

School: UNLV

Year: Junior

Moser will be nearly 23 years old if he decides to declare after his junior year due to his transfer from UCLA, making him a fringe first-rounder based on age alone. 

Regardless, Moser is a strong rebounder, smart defender and big-time athlete.  With the ink on Tim Duncan's three-year still wet, the UNLV product could provide an above average backup for when the star needs a breather.