2013 NBA Mock Draft: How Next Year's Class Compares to 2012

Jun 1, 2018

This years NBA draft was a loaded one, full of talent at every position and headlined by a tall shot-blocking center from Kentucky.

Next years may not be much different.

While the 2012 version is expected to be deeper than 2013 top to bottom, next years draft class does offer a lot of promise and potential.

Here is a 2013 NBA mock draft with full first round predictions and a look at who went where in the same spot last season.

1. Charlotte Bobcats: Nerlens Noel, C

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Height/Weight: 6'11", 215 pounds

School: Kentucky

Year: Freshman

2012 Pick: Anthony Davis, New Orleans Hornets

Noel will slide into Davis' old spot at Kentucky and will likely produce similar results.

A lanky, athletic shot-blocker extraordinaire, Noel is a defensive-minded center you can build a team around.

The Charlotte Bobcats would have loved to have gotten Davis last year, but drafting Noel will be almost as good.

2. Orlando Magic: Shabazz Muhammad, SG

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Height/Weight: 6'6", 220 pounds

School: UCLA

Year: Freshman

2012 Pick: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Charlotte Bobcats

As good as a defender as Kidd-Gilchrist will be in the NBA, Muhammad may be even better offensively.

Part of a monster recruiting class for UCLA, Muhammad is also a talented defender and rebounder and should have the Bruins in contention for a Final Four berth as a freshman.

Able to score from anywhere on the court, often with a smooth left-hand finish, Muhammad will be in contention for 2013's first overall pick.

3. Sacramento Kings: Kyle Anderson, SF

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Height/Weight: 6'8", 215 pounds

School: UCLA

Year: Freshman

2012 Pick: Bradley Beal, Washington Wizards

Beal and Anderson are both dynamic, versatile scorers who should start for their new teams right away.

Anderson has the skills to play four or even five positions, but he projects as a small forward in the pros.

He has a very high basketball I.Q. and should help lead UCLA back to the Final Four, along with Shabazz Muhammad.

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4. Utah Jazz: Archie Goodwin, SG

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Height/Weight: 6'5", 185 pounds

School: Kentucky

Year: Freshman

2012 Pick: Dion Waiters, Cleveland Cavaliers

Like Waiters, Goodwin is an attack-first shooting guard who plays with an aggressive style.

Very good on the defensive side of the ball as well, Goodwin should thrive in Lexington, taking over Doron Lamb's spot.

5. Washington Wizards: James Michael McAdoo, PF

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Height/Weight: 6'9", 226 pounds

School: North Carolina

Year: Sophomore

2012 Pick: Thomas Robinson, Sacramento Kings

Robinson was one of college basketballs best last season, thanks to playing time opened up from stars before him jumping to the draft.

The same can be said about McAdoo, who came off the bench last season in favor of now NBA players John Henson and Harrison Barnes.

Able to play either forward position with a 7'1" wingspan, McAdoo is also a good ball-handler and rebounder for his size.

With a few added post moves, he could be a star.

6. Houston Rockets: Myck Kabongo, PG

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Height/Weight: 6'1", 170 pounds

School: Texas

Year: Sophomore

2012 Pick: Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers

Kabongo is a pure point guard with great playmaking skills. His small frame allows for his extra quickness, but some added muscle would be a plus.

While Lillard was viewed as more of a combo guard coming out of college, Kabongo is more of a true point. Lillard is the better scorer, but Kabongo should be the better ball-handler and passer coming out of college.

It might take a few years, but Kabongo should be a very good point guard in the NBA.

7. Detroit Pistons: Alex Poythress, SF

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Height/Weight: 6'8", 215 pounds

School: Kentucky

Year: Freshman

2012 Pick: Harrison Barnes, Golden State Warriors

Barnes and Poythress are both athletic small forwards who will be coming to the NBA from major college programs.

A combo forward, Poythress was the 2012 Tennessee Player of the Year for Northeast High School in Clarksville, Tenn.

Able to play inside and out, Poythress is probably best suited for a small forward role, as he has three-point range and is an excellent finisher at the rim.

With a 7'1" wingspan, he remains an intriguing option on the defensive end and should be one-and-done at Kentucky.

8. Cleveland Cavaliers: Adonis Thomas, SF

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Height/Weight: 6'6", 220 pounds

School: Memphis

Year: Sophomore

2012 Pick: Terrence Ross, Toronto Raptors

Ross and Thomas have similar frames but different games.

While Ross is more of an outside shooter, Thomas is a good athlete who can finish at the rim and plays every game with a high motor.

He needs to improve his outside shooting and ball-handling skills to succeed at the next level.

9. New Orleans Hornets: Cody Zeller, PF/C

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Height/Weight: 6'11", 210 pounds

School: Indiana

Year: Sophomore

2012 Pick: Andre Drummond, Detroit Pistons

Drummond and Zeller couldn't be more different when it comes to big men.

While Drummond's strengths lie in rebounding and shot-blocking, Zeller is an excellent shooter who can run the floor well, much like his older brother Tyler.

He will most likely play power forward in the NBA due to his thin frame, but he will be able to stretch defenses with great outside shooting.

Though he's not a great rebounder or shot-blocker, he will be nearly impossible to guard.

10. Milwaukee Bucks: Isaiah Austin, C

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Height/Weight: 7'0", 215 pounds

School: Baylor

Year: Freshman

2012 Pick: Austin Rivers, New Orleans Hornets

Austin is the latest gem in a recruiting surge for the Baylor Bears the last couple years.

While Rivers and Austin are about eight inches apart in height, they could actually compete in nearly the same weight class.

Austin will have to add about 20 to 30 pounds of muscle to his frame to not get pushed around in the pros, but his skill set would have been worth a lottery pick in this year's draft.

A true seven-footer, Austin is a bit of a project right now, but he has good ball-handling skills and a soft touch for a player his size.

11. Portland Trail Blazers: Tony Mitchell, SF/PF

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Height/Weight: 6'8", 235 pounds

School: North Texas

Year: Sophomore

2012 Pick: Meyers Leonard, Portland Trail Blazers

Meyers and Mitchell end up on the same team in this mock, and could both be major contributors for Portland by 2013.

Able to play either forward position with shooting abilities out to the three-point line, Mitchell has a variety of skills, but was forced to sit out his freshman season for academic reasons.

12. Houston Rockets (via Toronto Raptors): Le'Bryan Nash, SF

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Height/Weight: 6'7", 220 pounds

School: Oklahoma State

Year: Sophomore

2012 Pick: Jeremy Lamb, Houston Rockets

A very athletic forward with good size and strength, Nash excels taking the ball to basket.

He needs to develop his shot and ball-handling to star in NBA.

While Lamb is more of a light's-out shooter, Nash will bring another dose of athleticism to Houston's rising attack.

13. Phoenix Suns: Rudy Golbert, PF/C

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Height/Weight: 6'11", 225 pounds

School: Cholet, International

Age: 20

2012 Pick: Kendall Marshall, Phoenix Suns

What stands out right away with Gobert is his insane wingspan—all 7'9" of it.

Naturally, he's already a talented shot-blocker due to his crazy length, but Gobert is also a good athlete who's slowly developing a nice offensive game.

Pairing Golbert with last year's pick in Marshall, along with their other recent free agent signings, will have the Suns in playoff contention for years to come.

14. Utah Jazz (via Golden State Warriors): C.J. McCollum, PG

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Height/Weight: 6'3", 165 pounds

School: Lehigh

Year: Senior

2012 Pick: John Henson, Milwaukee Bucks

Henson and McCollum may play different positions, but both could start for their new teams right away.

A combo guard from a small school (a la Damian Lillard), McCollum is a great scorer and rebounder for his size.

A talented defender as well, McCollum averaged 2.6 steals during his junior season.

15. New York Knicks: C.J. Leslie

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Height/Weight: 6'9", 207 pounds

School: N.C. State

Year: Junior

2012 Pick: Maurice Harkless, Philadelphia 76ers (traded to Orlando Magic)

Athletic combo forwards, both Leslie and Harkless will likely make a full time jump to small forward in the NBA.

An explosive athlete who brings energy to every game, Leslie runs the floor very well and is a candidate to finish many alley-oops.

He needs to improve his post game if he wants to play power forward in the NBA.

16. Minnesota Timberwolves: Joshua Smith, PF/C

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Height/Weight: 6'9", 300 pounds

School: UCLA

Year: Junior

2012 Pick: Royce White, Houston Rockets

White and Smith both have unclear positions at this point, with White excelling at either forward position.

A big-body center who will likely play the 4 in the pros, Smith uses his size to be a dominant force in the paint.

He will likely have to drop some weight to be quick enough to guard opponents at the next level and keep up with the pro pace.

17. Atlanta Hawks: Steven Adams, C

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Height/Weight: 7'1", 245 pounds

School: Pittsburgh

Year: Freshman

2012 Pick: Tyler Zeller, Cleveland Cavaliers

Adams is a very athletic big man who can run the floor with ease. A good shot-blocker and rebounder, he is still developing his overall game.

Zeller is more of a talented shooter, while Adams is a little thicker and a better defender.

Adams needs to work on his free-throw shooting and post moves, but he should be a very good center in a few years in the NBA.

18. Chicago Bulls: Reggie Bullock, SF

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Height/Weight: 6'5", 190 pounds

School: North Carolina

Year: Junior

2012 Pick: Terrence Jones, Houston Rockets

Jones and Bullock are both from big time college programs whose best position in the NBA will likely be small forward.

Bullock is already a good defender with a great work ethic, something any team would like to have.

He has a shooting guard's body, but he must improve his ball-handling to play the 2 in the NBA.

19. Miami Heat (via Philadelphia 76ers): Jeff Withey, C

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Height/Weight: 6'11", 240 pounds

School: Kansas

Year: Senior

2012 Pick: Andrew Nicholson, Orlando Magic

Nicholson is the more athletic and offensively-minded player whereas Withey is the more established, defensive threat.

Withey made a name for himself in the 2012 NCAA tournament, helping Kansas advance to the national title game.

The excellent shot-blocker is still a project on offense, but he has a lot to offer as a developmental center.

20. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Memphis Grizzlies): B.J. Young, PG/SG

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Height/Weight: 6'3", 160 pounds

School: Arkansas

Year: Sophomore

2012 Pick: Evan Fournier, Denver Nuggets

Fournier and Young could both find success in the NBA at shooting guard, although both should be able to play multiple positions.

A very quick guard who led Arkansas in scoring last season, Young is excellent at finishing at the rim and shooting from the outside.

Young has the body of a point guard but the game of a shooting guard at this point. He will have to decide what he wants to be and work towards it before declaring.

21. Houston Rockets (via Dallas Mavericks): Patric Young, C

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Height/Weight: 6'9", 245 pounds

School: Florida

Year: Junior

2012 Pick: Jared Sullinger, Boston Celtics

Sullinger is the far superior player when healthy between the two, largely due to his ability to score inside and out on the court.

A strong post presence with a 7'1" wingspan, Young is already a very good defender and shot-blocker.

Size could be a concern going forward, as Young is widely believed to be an inch or two below his actual listed height.

22. Denver Nuggets: Andre Roberson, PF

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Height/Weight: 6'7", 210 pounds

School: Colorado

Year: Junior

2012 Pick: Fab Melo, Boston Celtics

Melo and Roberson are both talented big men who excel at the defensive end.

Roberson averaged over a double-double his sophomore year and is an excellent rebounder and shot-blocker.

He needs to add muscle to his frame to play in the NBA post and is still working on his shot, but he represents a lot of upside.

23. Brooklyn Nets: DeShaun Thomas, SF/PF

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Height/Weight: 6'7", 220 pounds

School: Ohio State

Year: Junior

2012 Pick: John Jenkins, Atlanta Hawks

Light's out shooters, Jenkins and Thomas know how to fill it up from deep.

Thomas, a volume scorer who can rack up points in a variety of ways, can play either forward position now but will likely be a 3 at the next level.

He shot nearly 60 percent on two-pointers last season and should get even more looks with the loss of Jared Sullinger to the NBA.

24. Los Angeles Clippers: Otto Porter, SF

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Height/Weight: 6'8", 210 pounds

School: Georgetown

Year: Sophomore

2012 Pick: Jared Cunningham, Dallas Mavericks

Cunningham and Porter are both excellent athletes, but do their scoring from different areas of the court.

A good mid-range shooter who plays a very fluid game, Porter has a good work ethic and size for his position.

Porter needs to work on his outside shooting and ball-handling skills before he can be an effective pro.

25. Indiana Pacers: Ryan Harrow, PG

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Height/Weight: 5'11", 160 pounds

School: Kentucky

Year: Sophomore

2012 Pick: Tony Wroten, Memphis Grizzlies

The small but mighty Kentucky transfer is a score-first point guard with good handles.

Like Wroten, Harrow can get to the basket at will and should be one of the first guards off the bench for his new team.

Harrow should thrive with a talented supporting cast on the defending champion Wildcats.

26. San Antonio Spurs: Mason Plumlee, PF/C

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Height/Weight: 6'10", 235 pounds

School: Duke

Year: Senior

2012 Pick: Miles Plumlee, Indiana Pacers

Like his brother Miles last season, Mason should be a late first round pick with his size and skill set.

An athletic big man who does almost everything well but nothing great, Plumlee is the type of player that will be a solid backup big and can step in at either power forward or center.

However, he is a poor free-throw shooter who has hovered around 50 percent for his college career.

27. Boston Celtics: Doug McDermott, SF/PF

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Height/Weight: 6'7", 210 pounds

School: Creighton

Year: Junior

2012 Pick: Arnett Moultrie, Philadelphia 76ers

Moultrie and McDermott both thrived in college and put up big rebounding numbers in 2011-2012.

The dynamite scorer also put up 22.9 points on better than 60 percent shooting during his sophomore season.

Though he's a good rebounder, McDermott may have to play the 3 in the pros due to his size.

28. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Miami Heat): P.J. Hairston, SG

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Height/Weight: 6'5", 220

School: North Carolina

Year: Sophomore

2012 Pick: Perry Jones, Oklahoma City Thunder

Hairston and Jones have very different strengths.

While Jones was a better athlete and high flyer, Hairston prefers to do his damage from deep.

An average playmaker with a high basketball I.Q., Hairston should see a big jump in minutes during his sophomore season. He is an excellent shooter and good defender.

Look for Hairston's stats to make a huge leap this year.