2013 NBA Mock Draft: Prospects Each Team Should Target in First Round

NBA general managers must consider several factors when determining what to do with each pick their teams possess in the NBA draft. 

The thought of trading the picks is at least considered in some cases; though teams generally stay put and draft the prospect who best fits their needs.

I did a mock draft last week that focused on a few fictional trades that could help the teams involved; but this mock will stick to the script.

Let’s pretend draft-day trades don’t exist and every team will make their selections according to draft order. The selections in this mock are designed to reflect the player each team should select.

Obviously, my picks could—and probably will—differ from who NBA general managers select on June 27.

In instances where I clearly expect my pick to contrast with the real-life selection—or even the consensus pick among fans—I’ll highlight that section.

These selections will appear in italics and will be accompanied by an image. Without further ado, the Cleveland Cavaliers are again up first.

(All height, weight, age and wingspan references are per Draft Express)

1. Cleveland Cavaliers - Ben McLemore (SG, Kansas)

Perhaps it's just a smoke screen, but rumors are swirling about the Cavs moving the top pick, or even taking Georgetown Hoyas small forward Otto Porter with the top selection.

While dealing the pick could be beneficial, I have voiced my disapproval with taking Porter first overall. I firmly believe Porter will be a solid pro, but he doesn't have as much upside as Kansas' Ben McLemore and he doesn't fill as big of a need.

Both Porter (42.2 percent) and McLemore (42 percent) shot the three well in college; but there is no doubt McLemore has the edge as a perimeter shooter over the long haul.

He's also the superior athlete, as their NBA combine numbers would indicate. (Tweets per ESPN's Chad Ford)

The Cavs were ranked 19th in the NBA in scoring and 23rd in three-point shooting. McLemore helps the team more in those areas.

Some may look at the fact that the team took shooting guard Dion Waiters with the fourth pick in 2012 as reason not to pick another 2-guard.

Positions don't matter as much as roles do in this situation. Waiters is better suited as a sixth man. By taking McLemore, the Cavs would actually be strengthening their starting unit and their bench.

McLemore could give All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving the spot-up shooter he needs on the floor. The role of instant-offense guy off the bench is what got Waiters selected in the lottery coming out of Syracuse.

He could instantly become a Sixth Man of the Year candidate in his second season.

2. Orlando Magic: Nerlens Noel (C, Kentucky)

Of the teams selecting in the top three of the NBA draft, the Magic are the furthest from playoff contention. That's not the worst situation to be in considering the expected strength of the 2014 draft class.

Another year of futility should afford them the opportunity to grab a potential franchise player.

Meanwhile, they can take the 2013 draft's best big man. Orlando can afford to wait on Noel to be totally healthy and for him to develop physically.

By the end of the 2014-15 season, they could wind up as good or better than almost every team in the lottery.

3. Washington Wizards: Otto Porter (SF, Georgetown)

This is truly where Porter should be drafted. The young promising Wizards need a stabilizing, do-it-all stat-sheet stuffer like Porter.

They already have their ultra-athletic point guard in John Wall. They took their primary long-range bomber in shooting guard Bradley Beal in last season's draft.

This season, they should take the versatile small forward from Georgetown—if the Cavs don't ruin it for the Wizards and themselves.

4. Charlotte Bobcats: Anthony Bennett (SF/PF, UNLV)

McLemore would look nice in a Bobcats uniform and it is possible he could slip this far. However, if things fall in line as I've listed above, Bennett will be the best choice for the Bobcats.

Charlotte needs scoring in a major way. They were 26th in the NBA in points per game this season.

Though Bennett is a little undersized for the power forward position at 6'7", there is no question he can score. He averaged 16.8 points and shot 37.5 percent from three-point range for the UNLV Runnin' Rebels this past season.

5. Phoenix Suns: C.J. McCollum (PG/SG, Lehigh)

The Phoenix Suns are another team that badly needs to address their scoring woes.

The Suns were just 21st in the NBA in points per game. That is strange for a franchise that became synonymous with high scoring.

McCollum is the best offensive player in the draft. He can handle the ball, create for teammates, shoot from distance and get to the rim.

He's just what the doctor ordered for the Suns.

You will see players like Indiana's Victor Oladipo slotted here in other mock drafts and possibly even Maryland's Alex Len, but neither of those two guys will make the impact McCollum will.

Were it not for a broken foot that ended his senior season after just 11 games, McCollum would be more of a known commodity. He was averaging 23.9 points per game and shooting 51 percent from three-point range when he went down.

This guy is the real deal and my sleeper pick for Rookie of the Year if he lands in the right place.

6. New Orleans Pelicans: Trey Burke (G, Michigan)

Burke is the obvious pick for a team with a young shooting guard like Eric Gordon and last season's No. 1 overall pick in power forward Anthony Davis.

The Pelicans need a young point guard who can run the show and make clutch shots from deep. Burke proved he is capable of both in his two years at Michigan.

7. Sacramento Kings: Victor Oladipo (G, Indiana)

It is time for the Kings franchise to think about changing their culture. The most advisable move they could make is to trade DeMarcus Cousins while his value is high, but the team probably isn't ready to do that just yet.

The next best move would be to draft a player whose presence can hopefully offset Big Cuz's negativity. Oladipo is good candidate for the role.

Besides being a freakish athlete and a solid defender, he's a hard-working player whose demeanor will hopefully rub off on his teammates.

8. Detroit Pistons: Shabazz Muhammad (G-F, UCLA)

Talk that Shabazz Muhammad's stock has fallen is greatly exaggerated. NBA general managers know a pure scorer when they see one and that's what Muhammad is.

He's an alpha male that knows how to get buckets.

The Pistons need a presence like that on the roster. The team already has two bigs to ride into the future with Greg Monroe and Andre Drummond. Muhammad would give the team an unquestioned No. 1 option on the perimeter.

9. Minnesota Timberwolves: Kelly Olynyk (C, Gonzaga)

Pardon me, but I like Kelly Olynyk better than Alex Len. The latter is the better athlete, but he isn't as skilled as Olynyk, nor as confident on the floor.

Olynyk knows his game and he plays within the parameters of his abilities.

He is the best pick-and-pop big in the draft. That is the best skill set for a center playing with Ricky Rubio.

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

Portland is a much better spot for Len. The team already has a long and skilled post player in LaMarcus Aldridge. The Blazers need a center who can block shots and rebound most of all.

At Len's size (7'1"), he should be able to provide both qualities.

11. Philadelphia 76ers: Cody Zeller (F/C, Indiana)

Scoring in transition is the best approach for the 76ers. The team ranked 11th in fast-break efficiency during the regular season.

Unless they make a deal for another player who can create his own offense to complement Jrue Holiday, the team will be at the best on the run again next season.

Zeller's best attribute is his ability to run the floor. He would be an ideal fit for the 76ers as an athletic big capable of playing the power forward or center position.

12. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Toronto Raptors) : Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (G, Georgia)

While many mock drafts have the Thunder going for a big man with this pick, the more pressing need is for another perimeter scorer.

If and when Kevin Martin leaves via free agency this summer, the Thunder will have a gaping hole at the 2-guard position. Thabo Sefolosha has been the starter and he could remain in that role, but the team would miss the production they received from Martin.

KCP is like a mixture of Sefolosha and Martin. He's a good spot-up shooter (37 percent three-point shooter) like Martin and a solid perimeter defender (two steals per game) like Sefolosha.

He'd be a great choice for OKC.

Despite the criticism Kendrick Perkins and Serge Ibaka took during the postseason, they are a very capable duo when the team has their full complement of offensive weapons. Russell Westbrook's absence distorted the team's need for another big man.

Oklahoma City can address the frontcourt via free agency or with the 29th pick for the sake of adding depth.

13. Dallas Mavericks: Dennis Schroeder (PG, Germany)

Adding youth and excitement should be one of the Mavericks' top priorities in the draft. Schroeder has good size for the point guard position—which is one of the Mavs' many positions of need—and he's from Germany.

Dirk Nowitzki would seemingly be able to help Schroeder's transition to the NBA and to the United States.

14. Utah Jazz: Michael Carter-Williams (G, Syracuse)

If Alec Burks is the only point guard on your roster currently under contract, that is clearly an area in need of attention.

MCW is a great athlete who also has rare size (6'6") for the position. He's a natural point guard, but he does need to improve his outside shooting.

His 29 percent three-point accuracy has to improve. The jump shot is the easiest skill to improve if a player puts the work in.

He doesn't have to become Steph Curry, but shooting like Jason Kidd could make him an All-Star at some point.

15. Milwaukee Bucks: Dario Saric (SF/PF Croatia)

The more I see Saric play, the more he reminds me of Toni Kukoc. While this may ultimately be a draft-and-stash pick, the Bucks could truly benefit in a major way down the road.

Saric is 6'10", with a long-range shooter's touch and great vision. He is still a little raw as a 19-year-old, but he has good potential.

16. Boston Celtics: Tony Snell (SF New Mexico)

Physically, Snell looks a lot like Kawhi Leonard; both stand 6'7" and possess huge wingspans. Snell's is 6'11.5" while Leonard's is a ridiculous 7'3". Snell is the better athlete of the two, though. 

His vertical leap measured at 36" while Leonard's is at 32".

Beyond the numbers, what makes Leonard such a good player is his motor and do-it-all mentality. Snell doesn't have that element, but he is a better natural basketball player than Leonard.

The Celtics' locker-room environment has been known to get the best out of young, underrated talents. Look at Glen Davis, Brandon Bass, Avery Bradley and Greg Stiemsma.

If Snell follows suit, he could be a very good rotation player for the C's.

17. Atlanta Hawks: Jamaal Franklin (SG/SF, San Diego State)

Speaking of motors, no player in the draft class plays harder than Franklin. He still needs to improve his shooting, but his athleticism and work ethic make him another sleeper in this draft.

The Hawks need players on their roster who play the way Franklin does.

18. Atlanta Hawks (via Houston Rockets) Giannis Antetokounmpo (SF, Greece)

This is the biggest mystery man of this year's draft. Scouts flocked to Greece to see the 19-year-old swingman with humongous hands and point-forward skills.

Antetokounmpo may already have a first-round promise. It seems reasonable to me that a team with two first-round picks like the Hawks would be more apt to commit to a unproven commodity.

The first pick could be designed for more immediate satisfaction. This one could be the equivalent of putting money in the bank.

Atlanta is rebuilding, so waiting on a potentially great young prospect could be in the plans.

19. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Los Angeles Lakers): Reggie Bullock (SF/SG, North Carolina)

Porter is a better overall player than Bullock. However, let's compare the following two scenarios the Cavs could face.

Would you rather come away with McLemore and Bullock or with Porter and say Michigan's Tim Hardaway Jr.? I'd take the first duo seven days a week and twice on Sundays.

Bullock is a very good shooter with size to play the 2-guard or small forward. He plays good defense and gives the Cavs yet another shooter on the floor with Irving or Waiters penetrating.

Bullock is 6'7", and he shot 42.9 percent from three-point range and averaged 13.9 points per game. If the Cavs go this route, they will make the playoffs as a sixth seed—assuming they stay healthy.

20. Chicago Bulls: Tim Hardaway Jr. (SG, Michigan)

Beyond Hardaway's three-point shooting (35.8 percent), his competitiveness has impressed me most of all. This guy loves to play the game and he's willing to work hard on both ends of the floor.

That is precisely what he'd need to be effective as a Chicago Bull. The team needs shooters, but we all know Tom Thibodeau isn't going to play anyone who isn't willing to give effort on defense.

21. Utah Jazz (via Golden State Warriors): Mason Plumlee (F/C, Duke)

After addressing the point-guard position with the first pick, the Jazz can now focus on adding depth to their frontcourt.

Enes Kanter and Derrick Favors should have the power forward and center positions on lock. But Plumlee could step in and give the Jazz a solid backup for both positions.

22. Brooklyn Nets: Allen Crabbe (SG/SF, California)

When Joe Johnson was ailing or off the mark from three-point range, the Nets were almost completely ineffective from long range against the Chicago Bulls in the postseason.

Deron Williams is a star, but C.J Watson and others proved to be less-than dependable in that regard. Crabbe is a solid catch-and-shoot player who moves great without the ball.

Picture a younger Richard Hamilton with more range and little bit more athleticism.

23. Indiana Pacers: Shane Larkin (G, Miami)

D.J. Augustin is a free agent this summer. Indiana has to be happy with what its gotten from George Hill, but he will need a backup for sure.

After Larkin's performance at the NBA combine and his solid sophomore season, he seems to be a good fit for the Pacers here.

24. New York Knicks: Jeff Withey (C, Kansas)

Frenchman Rudy Gobert or Louisville's Gorgui Dieng are all possibilities here. However, with the Knicks in win-now mode, they can't afford to wait on Gobert to develop.

Dieng is a solid player, but Withey's size—vertically and horizontally—makes him a better fit. The Knicks' frontcourt is as old as water, so they must grab a young, defensive-minded big man to improve.

25. Los Angeles Clippers: Gorgui Dieng (C, Louisville)

If the Clippers cant find a way to pry a veteran center away from a team, they will have to look to the draft to add depth and toughness in the middle.

Dieng would be a nice fit as backup to DeAndre Jordan.

His rim protection anchored the Louisville defense and he's an underrated offensive player as well. The Clips could be getting a steal if they take Dieng this late.

26. Minnesota Timberwolves: Sergey Karasev (G, Russia)

Minnesota needs shooters to spread the floor. The team hoped to get that from Brandon Roy last season, but his bad knees wouldn't allow him to stay on the floor.

Karasev is a pure shooter, perhaps the best spot-up bomber in the draft. He could be a deadly weapon for the Wolves with Rubio feeding him on the wings.

27. Denver Nuggets: Erick Green (PG/SG, Virginia Tech)

Andre Miller's age is a concern for the Nuggets. He' s 37 years old and it is time the Nuggets address their backup point guard situation behind Ty Lawson.

Green is a classic combo guard, but his best attribute is his scoring ability.

He averaged 25 points per game as a senior for Virginia Tech this past season. If you're looking for the player slotted for the late first round with the best chance of being an impact player, it's Green.

28. San Antonio Spurs: Steven Adams (C, Pittsburgh)

With Adams' athleticism and size, many have him going in the late lottery. That would be a reach because he's still very raw.

Late in the first round is a much better spot for him to get drafted, and the Spurs are the perfect organization.

He'll probably get an opportunity to learn from Tim Duncan for at least a year, but ultimately, he could be ready to man the paint for the Spurs for the long haul.

29. Oklahoma City Thunder: Rudy Gobert (C, France)

The Thunder could add Gobert's 7'2" frame and his 7'8.5" wingspan as another big body for the time being. He'll be 21 on June 26, so he still has time to develop.

As of now, he is fit to be a solid rim protector, but he'll need at least a year before he can do anything besides dunk offensively.

Still, you can't teach size, and he's worth a look this late.

30. Phoenix Suns (via Miami Heat): Tony Mitchell (SF/PF, North Texas)

As pure athletes go, Tony Mitchell may be the best in the draft. He is well-built with explosive leaping ability and very good speed.

He could be an excellent defender, rebounder and finisher in transition. If he buys into that type of role, he will be a great get late in the first round.

The Suns can afford to take the best player available. At No. 30, Mitchell would be that guy.

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