2013 NBA Mock Draft: Projecting What Each Round 1 Team Must Do
The 2013 NBA draft is rapidly approaching, with the scouting combine in the past and the lottery just around the corner.
Before the ping pong balls are pulled, it’s worth it to take another look at how the first round could play out and which prospects some of these teams may be interested in.
While the order likely won’t look like this after Tuesday’s drawing, this mock will serve as a guide for which players each club should gun for in June’s draft.
Let’s take a closer look at each pick and provide some analysis on how each player will impact the franchise that selects him.
1. Orlando Magic: Nerlens Noel, C, Kentucky
If the Magic select Noel this pick, they will immediately improve their frontcourt once he gets on the floor.
The big man may not be available until Christmas time, but the Wildcats star is a perfect fit here. He’s a freakish athlete with incredible shot-blocking abilities, plus a nonstop motor and a high ceiling for the rest of his game.
2. Charlotte Bobcats: Ben McLemore, SG, Kansas
The Bobcats direly need to bring in a top-notch scoring prospect, as they have been mired in the league’s basement for years now.
McLemore could help shoot the team out of there, as he possesses one of the best strokes in the class and is capable of lighting up the scoreboard in a hurry.
3. Cleveland Cavaliers: Otto Porter, SF, Georgetown
Porter may not be the best pure scorer, but he does all the little things that will help turn the Cavs from a lottery team into a playoff contender.
The Hoyas star can defend, nail open treys, clean the glass, generate second-chance opportunities and more. He’s the ideal SF to compliment a backcourt featuring Kyrie Irving and Dion Waiters.
4. Phoenix Suns: Cody Zeller, C, Indiana
Zeller improved his stock tremendously at the NBA scouting combine late last week, proving that he’s an athlete as well as a skilled finisher and excellent court-runner. The Suns need that sort of production in their frontcourt.
The Hoosiers star is ready to play now and could contribute significant minutes during his rookie campaign.
5. New Orleans Pelican: Trey Burke, PG, Michigan
If he’s still on the board at No. 5, Burke will be nearly impossible for the Pelicans to pass up.
The Michigan point guard has all the intangibles and upside that current starter Greivis Vasquez is lacking, although it’s certainly possible that the team finds a way to play both players for significant stretches.
6. Sacramento Kings: Victor Oladipo, SG, Indiana
On paper, the Kings may not need another shooting guard, but the selection of Oladipo is much more about the culture and attitude of this club than its positional desires.
The IU guard is a relentless and infectious defender who doesn’t need the rock in his hands to make an impact. He can knock them down from anywhere when need be, but he won’t cost this team wins if he’s unable to fire up 15 shots in an evening.
7. Detroit Pistons: Shabazz Muhammad, SF, UCLA
Muhammad is the perfect wing player for a point-starved Detroit offense.
He has to work hard to prove that he can contribute in other areas, but as a pure scorer, the UCLA product is worthy of a top-10 selection.
8. Washington Wizards: Anthony Bennett, PF, UNLV
The Wizards will be elated to see Bennett fall to them here, as he could potentially go as high as No. 2 come draft day.
The UNLV star is a bit of a tweener, but his three-point range, slashing abilities, strength and rebounding skills allow him to play both the 3 and 4 with great effectiveness.
9. Minnesota Timberwolves: C.J. McCollum, SG, Lehigh
Minnesota has to find a way to install a serviceable shooting guard next to Ricky Rubio in the backcourt this summer.
Free agency is one option, but drafting McCollum seems to be the wiser choice. This Lehigh product can simply score the basketball and will be a nightmare to match up with defensively due to his quickness and range.
10. Portland Trail Blazers: Alex Len, C, Maryland
Len is only scratching the surface of his potential, meaning he could become a rare big-man draft pick for the Blazers that actually pans out.
The Terps star has to become more aggressive and attack the basket with more ferocity, but he has the low-post moves to score at will and make a huge impact coming off the bench or possibly even starting during the 2013-14 campaign.
11. Philadelphia 76ers: Kelly Olynyk, C, Gonzaga
Olynyk will help the Sixers move past the failed Andrew Bynum era in a hurry, as he’ll be able to immediately come in and score the basketball.
It may take some time for this prospect’s defense to catch up, but he’s worth the risk here at No. 11
12. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Toronto): Rudy Gobert, C, France
The Thunder have the luxury of taking a high-risk, high-reward player here, as they are still an NBA Finals contender with a fully healthy roster.
Gobert is a huge body with immense upside, but he has to work to improve in nearly every facet of the game before making the leap overseas.
13. Dallas Mavericks: Dario Saric, SF, Croatia
Saric is the top international star in this class. He’s young with solid size for the 3, displays a natural talent for passing, has a great feel for the game and could blossom into an elite scorer.
The Mavs are stuck in limbo right now, being too good to bottom out and not good enough to make a serious run, so it would be wise to take a risk in this weak draft.
14. Utah Jazz: Michael Carter-Williams, PG, Syracuse
Carter-Williams is the perfect fit for Utah.
He’s a lengthy point guard who can easily defend, plus he grades out as the top facilitator in the class. The Orangeman should help set up Enes Kanter and the other up-and-coming Jazz bigs that will be looking to make the leap next season.
15. Milwaukee Bucks: Giannis Adetokunbo, SF, Greece
The Bucks are going to have a tough time landing a superstar in free agency, meaning their best bet to improve drastically is via the draft.
Adetokunbo is a super risky but potentially rewarding pick, as the “Greek Freak” is showing flashes of ridiculous upside and could possibly play anywhere on the court for this organization.
16. Boston Celtics: Gorgui Dieng, C, Louisville
The C’s direly need to add size to prepare for the inevitable retirement of Kevin Garnett.
Dieng is the best big on the board and he has championship experience, helping lead the Cardinals to a national title in 2013. He’s raw offensively, but the center can protect the rim and defend his position.
17. Atlanta Hawks: Mason Plumlee, PF, Duke
Plumlee is a blue-collar prospect who likely won’t ever develop into a superstar, but will find a way to contribute on a nightly basis in the NBA.
He’s going to make a living banging for boards, defending his man, looking for a second-chance opportunity and winning the 50-50 balls. The Hawks need a “garbage man” on their roster, making this an ideal fit.
18. Atlanta Hawks (via Houston): Steven Adams, C, Pittsburgh
If Adams ever reaches his ceiling, the Hawks will have a legit center that could guard his position and possibly be an above-average scorer in the post.
However, the New Zealand native is years away and will need time in the D-League or end of the bench before he’s ready to play significant minutes in the NBA.
19. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Lakers): Glen Rice Jr., SF, D-League
Don’t be surprised when the Cavs flip this pick to move up, bring in a veteran or score a future pick in another draft. They simply don’t need another rookie on a team chock-full of young pieces.
However, if they stand pat, Rice Jr. is the best available. He can back up both Waiters and Porter and has lit up the D-League with his scoring, rebounding and passing skills.
20. Chicago Bulls: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, SG, Georgia
Chicago’s backcourt will look vastly different next season, with Derrick Rose healthy and KCP possibly contributing some defense and long-range shooting.
Considering that's all the Bulls really need from their off-guard, this pick almost makes too much sense.
21. Utah Jazz (via Golden State): Sergey Karasev, SF, Russia
The Jazz will need to bring in a long-range gunner to offset Carter-Williams’—their pick earlier in this mock—shooting deficiencies.
Karasev is the top sniper on the board and will be able to make an impact on American soil immediately. He can knock down shots from anywhere on the court, and that skill will translate seamlessly to the Association.
22. Brooklyn Nets: Jeff Withey, C, Kansas
Withey is a perfect backup center in Brooklyn. The seven-footer can defend his position and protect the rim. He’s not an offensive force, but he will give a good 15 to 20 minutes per night solely based on his size and capability to shield the paint from attackers when the starters are off the floor.
23. Indiana Pacers: Alex Abrines, SG, Spain
Abrines is an all-around 2 who may develop into one of the better players in this draft when all is said and done.
But that could take years, which is why a deep team like the Pacers will likely select the Spaniard and then stash him in Europe until he’s ready to make the leap.
24. New York Knicks: Shane Larkin, PG, Miami
Larkin put himself on the map at the combine, as he was one of the fastest and most athletic prospects to ever participate in the event.
That should put him firmly in the first round this June, with the New York Knicks snapping up the Hurricanes star in this mock.
Because of the age, injury and free agency concerns in the Knicks backcourt, there is a good chance Larkin could see major minutes at both the PG and SG spots next year.
25. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Memphis): Jamaal Franklin, SG, San Diego State
The T’Wolves will get an insurance policy for McCollum here and try to develop him into a serviceable backup and potential trade piece.
Franklin has to continue to work on his jumper before he’s a true NBA weapon, but the upside and athleticism is here.
26. Los Angeles Clippers: Dennis Schroeder, PG, Germany
Schroeder came to the Nike Hoops Summit and put on a clinic, helping lead the international team to victory against some of the best prep players in the country, numerous ones projected to be future lottery picks.
He’s a drive-and-dish point guard who can get into the lane and kick it out or score with equal proficiency. That would make him an ideal backup and possible replacement for Chris Paul and/or Eric Bledsoe in L.A.
27. Denver Nuggets: Tim Hardaway Jr., SG, Michigan
The Nuggets are deep, but they could always use another shooter.
Hardaway Jr. has to improve his shot selection and handle, but when he’s feeling it, this young man can rain buckets down on the opposition.
28. San Antonio Spurs: Allen Crabbe, SG, California
Crabbe is another streaky gunner who can impact a game with his volume chucking from the outside.
The Cal star is a bit prone to mental lapses and low percentage attempts, but he can be brilliant from deep when he’s on point.
29. Oklahoma City Thunder: Archie Goodwin, SG, Kentucky
The Thunder would be adding another hyper-athletic talent to their roster with Goodwin at No. 29, but they would need to spend a lot of time developing him into a serviceable player.
Goodwin is inconsistent with his jumper and dribbles with reckless abandon—two areas that he must improve on in order to see minutes outside of blowouts.
30. Phoenix Suns (via Miami): Tony Mitchell, PF, North Texas
Mitchell is an athletic freak who can defend both forward positions and grab rebounds with ease.
If he ever comes along as a scorer, the Suns will have the steal of the draft on their hands.
