NBA Mock Draft 2013: Assessing Where Top Prospects Fit
You hear that sound?
That's the sound of the NBA buzzing after the combine and draft lottery.
The Cleveland Cavaliers will once again have the No. 1 overall pick this year after spending their previous top selection on All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving in 2011. Will they defy the odds and select anyone other than Kentucky big man Nerlens Noel?
And what about the other teams selecting in the first round of the 2013 NBA draft?
Here's my latest 2013 NBA mock draft, complete with lovely analysis.
1. Cleveland Cavaliers: Nerlens Noel, PF/C, Kentucky
Nerlens Noel is being looked at as a potential Anthony Davis-type player. He will need to considerably bulk up, but his impressive combination of blocking skills and rebounding ability is hard to pass up. Look for him to develop under Anderson Varejao's wing.
2. Orlando Magic: Ben McLemore, SG, Kansas
I think the rumored trade of Arron Afflalo to the Los Angeles Clippers for Eric Bledsoe, as first reported by ESPN's Chad Ford (subscription required), makes too much sense not to happen. In that case, look for the Magic to draft their next shooting guard of the future. Ben McLemore is raw and inconsistent at 20 years of age, but there's no denying that he has the potential to be an electric scorer in due time.
3. Washington Wizards: Otto Porter, SF, Georgetown
With a need at small forward, it makes too much sense for the Wizards to draft the best small forward in the draft. Porter is an all-around player who can make an impact on both sides of the ball.
4. Charlotte Bobcats: Alex Len, C, Maryland
While Indiana shooting guard Victor Oladipo is a possibility here, I think new coach Steve Clifford's reputation of developing post players points to a move for Alex Len. Len is coming off ankle surgery, but he has great potential in several areas, including offense, shot-blocking, rebounding and passing.
5. Phoenix Suns: Victor Oladipo, SG, Indiana
The Suns need help at every position except maybe point guard. Victor Oladipo is one of my favorite prospects this year. He's already developed a reputation as a lockdown, disruptive defender, and his jump shot improved by leaps and bounds last season at Indiana.
6. New Orleans Pelicans: Trey Burke, PG, Michigan
I like Greivis Vasquez, but I think Trey Burke has more potential as a do-it-all point guard. If nothing else, he could come off the bench in his first year as a dynamic sixth man.
7. Sacramento Kings: Anthony Bennett, SF/PF, UNLV
Anthony Bennett just had rotator cuff surgery on May 8, but you have to love the skills he displayed while at UNLV. His versatility, explosiveness and inside-outside offensive game project him to be a player worth watching in the NBA.
8. Detroit Pistons: Michael Carter-Williams, PG, Syracuse
I'm not as high on Michael Carter-Williams as some (due to a questionable jump shot), but his ability to penetrate and kick along with size and length have many teams ogling him. The Pistons do have Brandon Knight, but the buzz surrounding Carter-Williams has me thinking he will be a top-10 pick.
9. Minnesota Timberwolves: C.J. McCollum, PG/SG, Lehigh
The Timberwolves need someone to space the floor next to Ricky Rubio. C.J. McCollum shot 52 percent from beyond the arc at Lehigh last season. Problem solved.
10. Portland Trail Blazers: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, SG, Georgia
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is another player whose outside shooting has dazzled NBA teams. He also has the athleticism to drive to the hoop. He would make for a nice player to come off the bench and light it up early.
11. Philadelphia 76ers: Cody Zeller, C, Indiana
Cody Zeller's strength and toughness have been questioned (deservedly so), but if he can bulk up and develop more of a mean streak, he has the offensive repertoire, quickness and passing skills to potentially be a legit starter in the NBA.
12. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Toronto Raptors): Mason Plumlee, C, Duke
The more I look at Mason Plumlee, the more I like him. He needs to add strength and develop his post game, but he does pretty much everything else well, including running the floor and finishing. He would be a good fit in Oklahoma City.
13. Dallas Mavericks: Dario Saric, F, Croatia
Dario Saric makes too much sense for the Mavericks. His outstanding versatility allows him to play both forward positions at 6'10", and he has great mobility and passing skills for a player of his size.
14. Utah Jazz: Dennis Schroeder, PG, Germany
Following the rumor that Dennis Schroeder has been promised a spot by a team picking in the mid-first round, it actually makes more sense that the Jazz would be the team to draft him. They have a need at point guard, and Schroeder has displayed the explosiveness, vision and passing skills to eventually be a high-impact player in the pros.
15. Milwaukee Bucks: Jamaal Franklin, SG, San Diego State
With a plethora of swing players headed for free agency this summer, the Bucks need to look at shooting guard and small forward in the draft. Jamaal Franklin needs to improve his jump shot, but his explosiveness and length already allow him to slash to the hoop and be disruptive on defense. He also has good size at shooting guard (6'5", 191 pounds), something free-agent-to-be Monta Ellis doesn't possess.
16. Boston Celtics: Steven Adams, C, Pittsburgh
Steven Adams has soared up draft boards after the combine. His combination of size, length and athleticism is eye-opening. He even showed off a nice jump shot during drills at the combine. He is not a bad pick to eventually start at center for the Celtics.
17. Atlanta Hawks: Rudy Gobert, PF/C, France
Rudy Gobert needs to add strength, but his size (7'2"), length (a ridiculous 7'9" wingspan), explosiveness, and rebounding ability make him one of my favorite international prospects in the class. At 20 years of age, Gobert is only going to get better.
18. Atlanta Hawks (via Houston Rockets): Shabazz Muhammad, SF, UCLA
This is where Shabazz Muhammad's slide ends. With Josh Smith and Kyle Korver set to become free agents this offseason, the Hawks need help at small forward. Muhammad's shooting ability is questionable, but his explosiveness and athleticism allow him to slash to the hoop and finish strong. Plus, his work ethic is undeniable.
19. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Los Angeles Lakers): Kelly Olynyk, C, Gonzaga
The Cavaliers need depth in the frontcourt to pair with Kyrie Irving and Dion Waiters in the backcourt. Adding Noel and Kelly Olynyk would be a good start. Olynyk needs to add strength and, like Zeller, has faced questions about his toughness. But his size, inside-outside game and passing ability could make him a nice bargain at No. 19 overall.
20. Chicago Bulls: Allen Crabbe, SG, Cal
Allen Crabbe already had the reputation as a big-time outside shooter before the combine this year. After blowing up the combine, I wouldn't be surprised if he's a top-20 pick. The Bulls, as always, need a true outside shooter to space the floor. Crabbe would be a great pick in that regard.
21. Utah Jazz (via Golden State Warriors): Gorgui Dieng, C, Louisville
I'm a pretty big fan of Gorgui Dieng. Not only is his rebounding ability and shot-blocking prowess undeniable, but he also drastically improved his offensive game in his last season at Louisville. With Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap both headed for free agency, the Jazz need help in the frontcourt.
22. Brooklyn Nets: Sergey Karasev, SG/SF, Russia
The Nets need perimeter scoring. Sergey Karasev shot 49 percent from downtown for the Triumph in the Eurocup in 2012-13, via EuroBasket.com. Case closed.
23. Indiana Pacers: Shane Larkin, PG, Miami (FL)
It's easy to look at Shane Larkin's size (5'11") and instantly dismiss him. But, the thing is, his explosiveness is out-of-this-world. He recorded the second-best vertical leap (44 inches) in combine history. But he has more than that. He can also light it up from downtown and penetrate and dish like a true point guard. He would be a great backup to George Hill in Indiana.
24. New York Knicks: Jeff Withey, C, Kansas
Jeff Withey makes a ton of sense for the Knicks. He's a big-time shot-blocker with NBA size who can crash the glass—much like Tyson Chandler. The Knicks' aging frontcourt can't last forever.
25. Los Angeles Clippers: Pierre Jackson, PG, Baylor
If Eric Bledsoe leaves the Clippers, Pierre Jackson would be a nice replacement. Like Larkin, Jackson doesn't have great size (5'10"), but he's been compared to Nate Robinson due to his outstanding explosiveness and speed.
26. Minnesota Timberwolves: Giannis Antetokounmpo, SF, Greece
Giannis Antetokounmpo was another player who was allegedly promised a spot in the first round. Given the reputation of the Timberwolves' international scouting department, I find it hard to believe they would pass up a player with as much potential as the 19-year-old Greek. I like what I see from Antetokounmpo. He's incredibly raw and he hasn't faced great competition overseas, but his fluidity to the hoop, finishing ability, vision and passing skills have drawn comparisons to Scottie Pippen.
27. Denver Nuggets: Reggie Bullock, SF, North Carolina
D-League star Glen Rice Jr. may be the better overall prospect, but, the fact of the matter is, the Nuggets need a three-point threat. We saw that in the first round of the playoffs against the Golden State Warriors. Reggie Bullock shot 44 percent from beyond the arc last season with North Carolina. He also lit it up during shooting drills at the combine.
28. San Antonio Spurs: Glen Rice Jr., SG, NBA D-League
I know the Spurs love their international players, but if Glen Rice Jr. falls here, I find it hard to believe they'll pass him up. They need to get younger in the backcourt, and Rice averaged 25 points, 9.5 rebounds. 4.3 assists, 2.0 blocks and 2.0 steals in the D-League playoffs en route to the title this season. He has a nice all-around game, and is the son of a former NBA star.
29. Oklahoma City Thunder: Ricardo Ledo, PG/SG, Providence
Ricardo Ledo was widely regraded as one of the nation's top scorers in 2011-12 before being ruled academically ineligible for the 2012-13 campaign. Chad Ford of ESPN wrote during the combine that, "Ledo also stood out for a number of NBA GMs who were getting their first look at him." Ledo is an intelligent combo-guard who can attack the paint and find his teammates. He adds backcourt depth to the Thunder.
30. Phoenix Suns (via Miami Heat): Tony Mitchell, PF, North Texas
Tony Mitchell is coming off a disappointing sophomore season at North Texas, but his combination of athleticism, explosiveness, rebounding ability and versatility is hard to ignore. He also has a non-stop motor. He's been compared to Nuggets big man Kenneth Faried.
