2013 NBA Mock Draft: What GMs Will Do with Every First Round Pick

The lottery played out in such a fashion that it made mocking the draft much easier. Teams are now slotted to get good value at positions of need. 

Of course, this probably means no team will make the obvious selection, and mock drafts will be even more inaccurate than ever. However, it is easy to make a case for the draft playing out a certain way, and I have done that below. 

I'll pay special attention to a few of the more interesting picks and mark them in italics. 

1. Cleveland Cavaliers: Nerlens Noel, C, Kentucky

Nerlens Noel's upside is through the roof. He will be good on defense from Day 1, and he has the ability to be the league's most dominant defensive player.

He needs serious work on his offensive game, but he has all the tools to be an excellent scoring option down low.

This is why the Cavs will overlook the fact that he is raw, too light and a big man with with knee problems. 

2. Orlando Magic: Ben McLemore, SG, Kansas

The Orlando Magic were sitting in prime position as the favorite to win the draft lottery. When this was the case, it seemed like the Magic would either take Noel, and hope for their next great center, or trade down.

The reason this team would have traded down is because they are in pretty good shape with youthful talent for the front line with Nikola Vucevic and Andrew Nicholson. 

Kansas' Ben McLemore makes much more sense, and that is evident in this tweet by Fox Sports' Sam Amico:

The Magic need a dynamic player for the backcourt. Someone who can space the floor with their shooting and take it to the rack when the defense is tight.

So, this leaves the Magic likely to be deciding between McLemore and Michigan point guard Trey Burke, which is what ProBasketballDraft believes to be the case:

Whether this is legit information or not, it is sound logic.

However, I see the ultimate answer being McLemore. He has a higher ceiling, and he will instantly be a nice fit in Orlando.

3. Washington Wizards: Otto Porter, SF, Georgetown

This pick makes a ton of sense. The Wizards have a need at the position, and Porter is clearly the cream of the small forward crop, as Shabazz Muhammad and Victor Oladipo are better suited to be a shooting guard in the NBA.

However, Porter may not make it this far. Michael Lee, who covers the Wizards for the Washington Post, hits us with this:

As you can see above, I don't see the Magic passing on Noel. It is just too hard to pass on a big man.

So, that will leave Porter around for the Wizards, and they will gladly take him. Porter is NBA ready and he will fill up a stat sheet with his all-around skill set and lockdown defense.  

Porter will never be an elite scorer, but with John Wall and Bradley Beal in the backcourt, he doesn't need to be. Porter also won't stop the ball on offense. He will get his points in the flow of the offense.

4. Charlotte Bobcats: Victor Oladipo, SG, Indiana

Just thinking of Victor Oladipo and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist playing alongside each other should be enough to throw perimeter offenses off their game. This will be an athletic and exciting duo for the Bobcats.

While it will lack a bit of shooting, point guard Kemba Walker can help ease those concerns.

5. Phoenix Suns: Shabazz Muhammad, SF, UCLA

The Suns need offense. This team is hurting for playmakers, and there is no doubt that Shabazz Muhammad is one.

He needs to improve his overall game, but he knows how to score in a variety of ways. 

6. Sacramento Kings: Anthony Bennett, PF, UNLV

The Kings frontcourt can get frightening in a hurry with this selection. Anthony Bennett is in the midst of rehabbing a shoulder injury, but he should have a full recovery. So there is little risk there.

He is an athletic prospect with the diversity in his game to play alongside DeMarcus Cousins.

7. New Orleans Pelicans: Trey Burke, PG, Michigan

Point guard is not the biggest need for the Pelicans, but it's not like they should be content with Greivis Vasquez for the long term either.

Burke is too talented to last past No. 7, and he will form a nice young tandem with Anthony Davis.

8. Detroit Pistons: C.J. McCollum, PG, Lehigh

This is a sound pick for the Pistons. C.J. McCollum will add some needed perimeter shooting.

He has the skills to be a true point guard, but even if he doesn't develop into that, he will be a dynamic scoring option to bring off the bench.

9. Minnesota Timberwolves: Cody Zeller, C, Indiana

Nikola Pekovic has emerged as a solid starting center. He is a restricted free agent, but whether he comes back or not, this is a nice pickup. 

Cody Zeller's athleticism will be a nice compliment to the bruising style of Pekovic.  

10. Portland Trail Blazers: Alex Len, C, Maryland

Alex Len is a legitimate seven-footer who needs to develop but has already shown the foundation for a nice low-post offensive game, and he is a solid presence around the rim on defense.  

That is exactly what the Blazers need.

11. Philadelphia 76ers: Mason Plumlee, C, Duke

So, the Andrew Bynum experiment didn't exactly work out last season, and no matter what happens with the free-agent big man this offseason, it would be wise for the 76ers to add depth to the frontcourt.

12. Oklahoma City Thunder (from Toronto Raptors): Kelly Olynyk, C, Gonzaga

I'm torn here between Michael Carter-Williams and Kelly Olynyk. In the end, I think the Olynyk's jump shot and size will present offensive versatility to the Thunder that they won't pass on.

13. Dallas Mavericks: Michael Carter-Williams, PG, Syracuse

If Michael Carter-Williams can develop into a consistent jump-shooter, he will be the steal of this draft. His size and athleticism are already intriguing, and he is a nice value at No. 14 here for Dallas.

14. Utah Jazz: Dennis Schroeder, PG, Germany

Dennis Schroeder caught scouts' attention at the Nike Hoop Summit (in the above video). He went for 18 points and six assists in a win over Team U.S.A.

Schroeder has all the tools a team looks for in a point guard. He has good size, handles, quickness, passing and an outside shot. He does, however, face a giant curve transitioning to the NBA, which always adds an element of risk that will keep a player's stock down.

It doesn't sound like this is scaring off teams too badly. NBA.com's Scott Howard-Cooper has more:

Due to his quickness, long arms and big hands, Schroeder has drawn his fare share of comparisons to Rajon Rondo. However, Schroeder appears to be a better shooter. 

Schroeder needs to add strength and maturity, but he is just 19 and these things should come with time. 

15. Milwaukee Bucks: Dario Saric, SF, Croatia

Dario Saric is shrouded in mystery, and he doesn't have any tape against elite players to help scouts solve the riddle.

He has amazing handles and passing skill for his size, but it remains to be seen if he can handle the physicality of the NBA. 

16. Boston Celtics:  Giannis Antetokoumpo, SF, Greece

Giannis Antetokoumpo is the classic European pick. He has great height at 6'9", but at 215 pounds, he has to add strength.

He is a skilled player, and has nice passing ability. He has a nice shot, but is inconsistent. He also has been playing against weak competition, which explains why the Celtics have put in so much time scouting this talented youngster.

17. Atlanta Hawks: Rudy Gobert, PF, France

The Hawks face a lot of question marks heading into next season, and they have back-to-back picks here. I see them mixing a project pick with someone who is a little more NBA ready. 

Rudy Gobert would be the project part of that scenario. While he is raw, this seven-footer is natural shot-blocker, and could contribute some defensive minutes off the bench as a rookie. 

18. Atlanta Hawks (from Houston Rockets): Jamaal Franklin, SG, San Diego State

Jamaal Franklin will be able to contribute right away. He is an athletic spark plug. He can play tight, man defense and will be deadly in transition.

He badly needs to improve his jumper to be a starter in the NBA, but will be a nice role player regardless.

19. Cleveland Cavaliers (from Los Angeles Lakers): Allen Crabbe, SG, California

Allen Crabbe doesn't have the quickness to be an elite scorer or defender in the NBA, but he can shoot.

He will be a nice bench piece for the young Cavs.

20. Chicago Bulls: Gorgui Dieng, C, Louisville

Gorgui Dieng can run and play defense. Coach Tom Thibodeau will have a hard time passing on that.

Dieng is one of the older players in this class at 23, but the Bulls are in win-now mode anyway, and Dieng will be able to contribute right away.

21. Utah Jazz (from Golden State Warriors): Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, SG, Georgia

The Jazz have to focus on upgrading their backcourt. With an improved ability to space the floor and penetrate into the lane, this can be a dangerous offense.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is a bit of a risk, but he has a high ceiling.

22. Brooklyn Nets: Jeff Withey, C, Kansas

The Nets must add depth and toughness in the frontcourt. Jeff Withey is a perfect fit at No. 22.

Withey doesn't have the quickness or shooting to be an NBA starter, but he does have good size, and he can block shots. 

23. Indiana Pacers: Tony Mitchell, SF, North Texas

It's hard to know what to make of Tony Mitchell. He is an insanely gifted athlete, but he played at a smaller school, and his points per game actually dropped 1.7 points to 13 this past season.

However, he certainly fits the Pacers mold, and he has a high ceiling. 

24. New York Knicks: Steven Adams, C, Pittsburgh

The Knicks need depth along the frontcourt, and with the run on centers earlier, they will be hard pressed to find any help here that is NBA ready.

Steven Adams could develop into a very good player, but his offensive game is terrible. He is a good rebounder and big body, and should find a role as a rookie.

25. Los Angeles Clippers: Sergey Karasev, SG, Russia

Sergey Karasev is a marksman. He might not be much else than that, but the Clippers could use some shooting to help space the floor.

26. Minnesota Timberwolves (from Memphis Grizzlies): Glen Rice Jr., SF, Rio Grande Valley

Glen Rice Jr. has had an interesting path to the draft. He was kicked off Georgia Tech and then went to the NBA D-League where he had a nice run. 

He is a risky pick and streaky shooter, but he's shown potential.

27. Denver Nuggets: Tim Hardaway Jr., SG, Michigan

 The blast from the past continues with this pick. Tim Hardaway Jr. doesn't have his dad's killer crossover, but he can shoot.

Denver has a deep and athletic team, but one thing they lack is ample shooting to spread the floor. 

28. San Antonio Spurs: Archie Goodwin, SG, Kentucky

Archie Goodwin is a great athlete and he has nice size at 6'5". He needs development, and he's an erratic shooter, but the Spurs have plenty of shooting.

Goodwin will add versatility to the Spurs' depth.  

29. Oklahoma City Thunder: Shane Larkin, PG, Miami

Shane Larkin is a smooth point guard, and the Thunder obviously need point guard depth. This team just wasn't close to the same when Westbrook went down with injury.

It's not like Larkin could fill Westbrook's shoes, but he will be able to guide the Thunder's offense.

30. Phoenix Suns (from Miami Heat): Deshaun Thomas, SF, Ohio State

The Suns must continue to look for offensive potential, and Deshaun Thomas has that.

There is a lot to dislike about his inconsistency, but there's no doubting he can score when he's on.