NBA Draft 2013: Fringe First-Round Prospects with Most Potential

While landing a lottery pick is always nice, we've seen throughout the years that teams can find diamonds later in the NBA draft.

Heck, just last year, the Golden State Warriors found center Festus Ezeli and small forward Draymond Green at No. 30 and No. 35 respectively. Both players helped the Warriors down the stretch this season.

So, which fringe first-round prospects should we be looking out for in the 2013 NBA draft?

Here's a look at a few of my favorites.

Giannis Antetokounmpo, SF, Greece

You can look at 18-year-old Giannis Antetokounmpo in one of two ways: He's a fluid athlete who has displayed the vision and passing skills reminiscent of Scottie Pippen, or he possesses an inconsistent jump shot and has played against mediocre competition.

I prefer the former.

In terms of skill set, I do see the comparisons to Pippen. Antetokounmpo even seems to move like the former Chicago Bulls great. When you are dealing with a prospect this young and inexperienced, it's hard to say what will happen in a few years time, but, against mediocre competition or not, I think the youngster's skills translate well to the NBA.

Antetokounmpo would be best served under a winning organization who can draft-and-stash him until he's ready for the bright lights.

Tony Mitchell, PF, North Texas

With Tony Mitchell, it's all about potential because he simply didn't produce in his sophomore season at North Texas, shooting 44 percent as a big man and going through long spells of offensive ineptitude.

But, on the defensive end, he should make an impact with his shot-blocking ability and rebounding skills right away in the NBA. Also, there's no question he passes the eye test, a long, explosive prospect who excels in transition.

In a way, he reminds me of Baylor's Perry Jones III last year, a physical specimen who needs some coaching and may have been utilized poorly in college.

Lucas Nogueira, PF/C, Brazil

Lucas Nogueira is being called the international version of Nerlens Noel. 

The 6'11" "big man" seriously needs to bulk up, listed at 218 pounds. But the 20-year-old Brazilian excels in blocking shots and crashing the glass, and he's reportedly matured while working hard on his limited offensive game.

Since dazzling at the 2010 FIBA Americas Under-18 Championship in San Antonio (22 points, 14 rebounds, three blocks against Team USA), Nogueira is beginning to show signs of breaking out in the Spanish ACB League, widely considered to be the second-best basketball league in the world.

It wouldn't surprise me if a team like the San Antonio Spurs drafted Nogueira in the first round and waited for him to develop before he takes the NBA by storm.