2013 NBA Mock Draft: Most Logical Selections for Every 1st-Round Team
While the 2013 NBA draft seems to differ from past years in that there isn't a consensus No. 1 player on the board, there is a lot of depth at the top of the draft, so several teams in need of instant help figure to get some prior to the start of next season.
With so many prospects seemingly on the same level, this draft could be a very tricky one. It's obvious that not every player will pan out, so some teams may have to essentially rely on a coin flip that could determine the future of the franchise.
Perhaps only a small percentage of the teams in this year's draft will come away with a franchise player, but here are the most logical selections for every team picking in the first round as things currently stand.
1. Cleveland Cavaliers: Nerlens Noel, C, Kentucky
There is obviously some risk in selecting Noel as he could be out until Christmas with an ACL injury, but he and point guard Kyrie Irving may very well form one of the best inside-out combos in the NBA when healthy, so Noel should be the pick.
2. Orlando Magic: Otto Porter, SF, Georgetown
The Magic have a lot of holes to fill after dealing Dwight Howard last offseason, so taking a do-everything small forward like Porter makes a lot of sense, as he can compensate for several areas in which Orlando is lacking.
3. Washington Wizards: Alex Len, C, Maryland
Noel has received much of the hype during the lead up to the 2013 draft, but Maryland's Alex Len could potentially be just as good as a pro. The 7'1" Len didn't put up monster numbers during his sophomore season with the Terrapins, but he showed flashes of brilliance as he averaged nearly 12 points, eight rebounds and two blocks per game.
Len also shot 53 percent from the field, so he could have been even more impressive had he been greedier with the ball.
The biggest question mark surround Len is the ankle injury that has prevented him from working out for teams. With that said, it doesn't appear to be an ailment that will hamper him over the long term.
According to Kenny Roda of ESPN Cleveland, however, Len might have been the Cavs' pick at No. 1 had he been able to participate in workouts.
That alone is a sign that Len has the physical tools necessary to be a star in the NBA. The Wizards already have a fine backcourt in place with John Wall and Bradley Beal, but they are severely lacking on the interior. Len may need a bit of time to develop, but he and Wall could be a special pairing in a few years.
4. Charlotte Bobcats: Anthony Bennett, PF, UNLV
The draft lottery was once again unkind to the Bobcats, but they can still find an ideal fit at No. 4 as Bennett can team up with 2012 first-round pick Michael Kidd-Gilchrist to give Charlotte one of the league's most athletic front lines.
5. Phoenix Suns: Ben McLemore, SG, Kansas
Based on talent alone, McLemore could be the top pick in this draft, but his inconsistency is alarming. The Suns have a big hole at shooting guard, though, and they would be wise to select the best player at that position in this draft.
6. New Orleans Pelicans: Shabazz Muhammad, SF, UCLA
The newly named Pelicans have young talent at every position; however, they lack a big, athletic scorer on the wing. Muhammad's season at UCLA didn't go quite as well as many expected, but he has all the skills necessary to thrive at the next level.
7. Sacramento Kings: Cody Zeller, PF, Indiana
With DeMarcus Cousins' future in Sacramento in question and with very little to speak of at the power forward position as well, the Kings absolutely must grab a capable big in this draft, and Zeller is a seven-footer with offensive touch around the basket.
8. Detroit Pistons: Victor Oladipo, SG, Indiana
The Pistons have a ton of guards on their roster, but they lack a take-charge shooting guard who can dominate games. Oladipo often did that at Indiana and he could be a fantastic complement to point guard Brandon Knight.
9. Minnesota Timberwolves: C.J. McCollum, G, Lehigh
Minnesota has accumulated some high picks over the past several years and built a nice talent pool, but it hasn't really addressed the shooting guard position. McCollum is more of a combo guard; however, he could do some special things alongside Ricky Rubio.
10. Portland Trail Blazers: Kelly Olynyk, C, Gonzaga
The Blazers should have been much better this past season than they actually were as they have a solid starting five. Portland lacks depth, though, especially on the interior, so a big body with offensive capability such as Olynyk would be perfect.
11. Philadelphia 76ers: Steven Adams, C, Pittsburgh
Philadelphia is in a very difficult situation as it is unclear if center Andrew Bynum will re-sign this offseason. The Sixers need an insurance policy regardless and Adams is the perfect choice as his potential seems to be limitless.
12. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Toronto Raptors): Gorgui Dieng, C, Louisville
The Thunder fell short of expectations this season, but they will have a championship-contending team next season. OKC could use an upgrade over Kendrick Perkins at center, though, and Dieng may already be an upgrade on the defensive end.
13. Dallas Mavericks: Trey Burke, PG, Michigan
Michigan point guard Trey Burke is an interesting prospect in this year's draft, as he could very well end up being the star of the class. With that said, there aren't many teams picking high in the draft who desperately need a point guard.
As unlikely as it may seem, there is a possibility that Burke could fall outside the top 10 and slip to a fortunate team such as the Mavs at No. 13.
Dallas may choose to trade up a few spots if Burke does slip, but the Mavericks definitely seem like a team that would be in the market for his services.
There is plenty of speculation regarding where Burke may ultimately land, though. Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld believes that Burke can and should be taken as early as No. 2 by the Magic, but it remains to be seen if that will come to fruition.
If Orlando goes in a different direction, the free fall will likely be on for Burke. The Mavs struggled mightily last season, but they still have a solid roster and could really turn things around with a guy like Burke in the fold.
Look for Dallas to attempt to trade up if Burke falls past a certain point, but they may be able to get him at No. 13 regardless.
14. Utah Jazz: Michael Carter-Williams, PG, Syracuse
Utah has a lot of talent at center and forward with the likes of Al Jefferson, Paul Millsap, Enes Kanter and Derrick Favors, but guard play is a real issue. Carter-Williams should step in immediately and provide the playmaking spark the Jazz lack.
15. Milwaukee Bucks: Rudy Gobert, C, France
The Bucks need to solidify their frontcourt, but there isn't really an instant-impact guy available at this juncture. Because of that, they should go with the big Frenchman Gobert, store him overseas for a year or two and bring him over when he's ready.
16. Boston Celtics: Glen Rice Jr., SG, D-League
Boston really struggled offensively at times this year with Ray Allen in Miami. There is a lot of uncertainty surrounding the Celtics, but shooting guard is an obvious issue right now and Rice could provide an offensive spark as early as next season.
17. Atlanta Hawks: Mason Plumlee, PF, Duke
The Hawks haven't always been willing to do the dirty work necessary to be a great team over the past several years, so bringing in a hard-working, gritty big such as Plumlee is exactly what this team needs in order to reach the next level.
18. Atlanta Hawks (via Houston Rockets): Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, SG, Georgia
After addressing their frontcourt problem at No. 17, the Hawks need to nab a scoring guard with their next pick. Moving on from Joe Johnson was probably the best move for the team in the long run, but it leaves a short-term deficiency that Caldwell-Pope can help fix.
19. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Los Angeles Lakers): Dario Saric, F, Croatia
The Cavs have a clear plan for the future after taking Noel No. 1 overall and they will continue to build for the future with Saric. He won't be ready next year, but he can serve as a great complement to the likes of Noel, Irving and Dion Waiters down the line.
20. Chicago Bulls: Allen Crabbe, SG, California
Shooting guard has been a problem for Chicago for the past few years and it has yet to be addressed. Crabbe is an excellent shooter with deep range as well, so he will be a great running mate for Derrick Rose, provided he returns healthy next season.
21. Utah Jazz (via Golden State Warriors): Jamaal Franklin, SG, San Diego State
The Jazz already nabbed a point guard in Carter-Williams, but they also need a shooting guard to go along with him. Franklin can do a little bit of everything, as he thrives on both ends of the floor and is one of those hard-working players that every successful team needs.
22. Brooklyn Nets: Jeff Withey, C, Kansas
While the Nets don't desperately need a center with Brook Lopez already in place, they could use a big with great defensive instincts. Lopez isn't a guy who alters many shots on that end of the floor, but Withey could develop into one of the NBA's best shot blockers quite quickly.
23. Indiana Pacers: Reggie Bullock, SG, North Carolina
The Pacers have so much depth that it's difficult to say what they need. Lance Stephenson has done some good things at shooting guard, but he is probably the weak link. Bringing in a great shooter like Bullock who offers a contrasting style to Stephenson would be a smart move.
24. New York Knicks: Shane Larkin, PG, Miami (Fla.)
After the Knicks' second-round exit in this year's playoffs, there has been a lot of talk about New York being a one-man team. Carmelo Anthony is obviously the star, but the Knicks still have a strong supporting cast with players like Tyson Chandler, J.R. Smith, Raymond Felton and others in the fold.
The Knicks do need to add some youthful exuberance to the mix, though, and Miami point guard Shane Larkin could be the perfect fit.
Felton did an excellent job for the Knicks this year, but head coach Mike Woodson likes to use multiple point guards. Jason Kidd is on his last legs and Larkin would be an ideal replacement as he brings a great deal of speed and explosiveness to the table.
Despite the obvious match, Larkin will not work out with the Knicks, according to Jared Zwerling of ESPN New York as his agent doesn't believe he will slip past No. 19.
Perhaps Larkin's agent is correct, but he may be underestimating the fact that there isn't a ton of demand for point guards in this draft. Also, Larkin was somewhat of a one-year wonder at Miami and there is a belief that he may have entered the draft a bit too early.
Those factors could lead to a drop, but the Knicks will ultimately be his safety net.
25. Los Angeles Clippers: Sergey Karasev, SF, Russia
Los Angeles disappointed a lot of fans by bowing out in the first round of the playoffs, but the Clippers still appear to have a winning roster in place. It would be great to add an immediate contributor to it, but since there aren't really any available, L.A. ought to stash a guy like Karasev overseas.
26. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Memphis Grizzlies): Giannis Antetokounmpo, SF, Greece
The Timberwolves aren't shy about drafting foreign players, and they will go back to that well at No. 26. Having already taken McCollum at No. 9, the T'Wolves can afford to gamble on Antetokounmpo's potential and hope that he develops over the course of a year or two.
27. Denver Nuggets: Lucas Nogueira, C, Brazil
Denver has had success with a Brazilian center in the past by the name of Nene, so they may have some interest in a guy like Nogueira. The Nuggets really don't have much room on their roster, so taking a foreign player is probably their best bet.
28. San Antonio Spurs: Dennis Schroeder, PG, Germany
Another team that loves to select Euros is the Spurs. They have had a lot of success with foreign-born players such as Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili over the years. San Antonio doesn't need a point guard right now, but Schroeder could be Parker's heir apparent.
29. Oklahoma City Thunder: Lorenzo Brown, PG, NC State
Since OKC already took a roster player at No. 12 they could very well go with a foreigner here, but point guard Russell Westbrook's injury proved that the Thunder need a backup plan. Brown will never be Westbrook, but he is very active defensively and could be a good option to spell Westbrook in the coming years.
30. Phoenix Suns (via Miami Heat): Tony Mitchell, PF, North Texas
With bigs such as Luis Scola and Jermaine O'Neal getting up there in years, the Suns could really use an athletic power forward. Mitchell still has some developing to do, but he could be a solid NBA player at some point.
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