2013 NBA Mock Draft: Latest Look at Complete First Round
While most basketball fans can’t wait for Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals, scouts, executives and general managers around the league are ramping up for the 2013 NBA draft.
Even if this class doesn’t have any sure-thing, big-name superstars, there’s still a ton of quality pieces that will wind up making a difference for a team down the line.
Let’s take a look at some of the best available prospects on the big board and highlight how each one fits with the franchise that could draft them in the latest first-round mock draft.
1. Cleveland Cavaliers: Nerlens Noel, C, Kentucky
The Cavs aren’t going to rush the podium to make this pick and should be heavily exploring their trading options over the next several weeks, but they will not be disappointed if they select Noel at No. 1.
This Kentucky big man is a world-class shot blocker due to his elite athleticism, which also gives him a high ceiling on the offensive end. It may take some time before Noel heals from his ACL injury and can get on the court, but the wait will be worth it.
2. Orlando Magic: Trey Burke, PG, Michigan
Orlando is stuck in a strange place, as the perfect point guard—Burke—is sitting here for them to select, but he’s not maximizing value at No. 2.
However, the best players available aren’t a fit on the Magic roster, meaning general manager Rob Hennigan will have to decide between reaching for this Wolverines star, nabbing a higher-rated, less-fitting prospect or swinging a trade.
3. Washington Wizards: Otto Porter, SF, Georgetown
The Wizards were the big winners of the lottery, moving up from No. 8 to No. 3 after the ping-pong balls fell.
They can now secure Porter, a versatile swingman that perfectly meshes with the young backcourt in D.C.
The hometown Hoyas hero may not be a scoring dynamo, but John Wall and Bradley Beal will be able to carry the load while Porter defends, cleans the glass, knocks down open looks and hustles hard on every possession.
4. Charlotte Bobcats: Ben McLemore, SG, Kansas
Despite slipping down the board in the lottery, the ‘Cats will get the player they need at No. 4 in this scenario.
McLemore could easily wind up being the top player to come out of this class, as the Jayhawks product is a smooth scorer with a quick release and the upside to carry a franchise.
He needs to become more consistent, but the raw talent is there. Expect Charlotte to make this pick immediately if he’s sitting there when it is on the clock.
5. Phoenix Suns: Cody Zeller, PF, Indiana
The Suns are going to reach for another big man that just doesn’t seem to be the answer in the desert.
While the results of Zeller’s combine workouts and athletic tests were eye-popping and have generated talk of the Hoosiers star falling in the mid-to-late lottery, he’s likely not going to ever be more than a 10-to-15 minute per night role player at the next level.
6. New Orleans Pelicans: Shabazz Muhammad, SF, UCLA
Muhammad is a scorer, plain and simple. He’s limited in his upside and doesn’t project well in any other areas, but is worth a lottery pick for his talents at putting the ball through the bottom of the net.
The Pelicans need a player like this to compliment Eric Gordon and potentially take over as the top option if the oft-injured shooting guard has to miss anymore time.
7. Sacramento Kings: Victor Oladipo, SG, Indiana
Oladipo is the perfect fit for the Kings and they should be ecstatic if he’s available at No. 7.
The IU product will completely change the culture in Sacramento, using his defensive capabilities, infectious hustle and uncanny ability to impact the game without the rock in his hands to energize a team of me-first, ball-dominant guards and forwards.
8. Detroit Pistons: Anthony Bennett, PF, UNLV
The Pistons will improve their up-and-coming frontcourt even further by making this pick, as Bennett could not only provide legitimate depth at the 4, but also slide over to the 3 and potentially start in the Motor City.
This tweener may not be the most polished prospect, but he’s a strong, athletic player with three-point range and lots of upside.
9. Minnesota Timberwolves: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, SG, Georgia
The Timberwolves are likely going to pull a shooting guard off the board at No. 9, now it just remains to be seen if it will be KCP or C.J. McCollum that is available and piques the franchise’s interest here.
We’re going with the former here, as the Bulldogs product has the prototypical size, defensive capabilities and three-point shooting that most teams covet at the off-guard spot today.
10. Portland Trail Blazers: Alex Len, C, Maryland
Portland needs to bolster its frontcourt and depth, making Len a slam-dunk pick at No. 10.
The Terps star may not be ready to log big minutes as a starter, but his legit 7’1” size and blossoming low-post game could make him one of the better young offensive-minded pivots in the league in the near future.
11. Philadelphia 76ers: Steven Adams, C, Pittsburgh
The Sixers need to replace Andrew Bynum with this pick, which is why Adams is the right call.
While the New Zealand native is nowhere near ready to be an offensive presence in the NBA, he could immediately come in and soak up minutes as a big rim protector and defender capable of locking down other big men without needing to call for a double-team.
12. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Toronto Raptors): Rudy Gobert, C, France
Gobert isn’t athletic and is about as raw as they come in terms of basketball skills, but he has a 9’7” standing reach and can nearly touch the rim without jumping.
The Thunder will likely take a gamble on this massive prospect, as they can stash him in Europe until he’s ready—or use his rights as a trading chip when they realize he’s a bust.
13. Dallas Mavericks: C.J. McCollum, G, Lehigh
The Mavs may be trying to trade this pick to enter the Dwight Howard sweepstakes, but they’ll be sorry if McCollum is sitting there at No. 13.
This mid-major superstar is one of the best pure scorers in the class, as he has range out to the three-point line and a knack for getting to the basket.
He may not possess the best passing skills or elite size for the 2, but he’ll find a way to impact a game and should be a big-time scorer in the Association.
14. Utah Jazz: Michael Carter-Williams, PG, Syracuse
MCW is the ideal pick for Utah in this draft.
The Orange point guard is the top facilitator this class has to offer, which is exactly what the Jazz are currently lacking in their backcourt.
With a major overhaul expected this summer, Utah simply can’t afford to pass up on a player that can reliably set up its plethora of bigs in position to score.
15. Milwaukee Bucks: Kelly Olynyk, C, Gonzaga
Olynyk will provide some much-needed firepower to the Bucks' defensive-minded frontcourt.
The ‘Zags big man may not be the most athletic, quickest or defensively-inclined prospect, but he can shoot the rock out to the three-point line and take some heat off the team’s guards.
16. Boston Celtics: Dario Saric, F, Croatia
The Celtics are getting a potential superstar in this scenario, although it may take some time before the Croatian sensation realizes his upside and is ready to make the trek to American shores.
As of now, Saric looks like a possible point forward with his crisp passing ability and high basketball IQ. If he can develop his scoring game and add some weight, expect this youngster to take the NBA by storm.
17. Atlanta Hawks: Mason Plumlee, PF, Duke
Should the Hawks desire to make more than token playoff runs, they are going to need to add a motor player that can scrap for boards, chase down loose balls and relentlessly defend.
Plumlee is the blue-collar garbage man of this draft, as the Blue Devils senior will do everything to help win and can do it all at a respectable level due to his athleticism.
18. Atlanta Hawks (via Houston Rockets): Glen Rice Jr., SG, D-League
Rice Jr. may not possess the high ceiling of some of the other swingmen in this draft, but this legacy player could come in and help immediately contribute for Atlanta or any other team that drafts him.
He’s been dominating for the Rio Grande Valley Vipers in the D-League and proved that he’s a capable scorer, underrated passer and hard-working rebounder against top-flight competition.
19. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Los Angeles Lakers): Lucas Nogueira, C, Brazil
Nogueira is always looking to block a shot or slam home a thunderous dunk, but he’s extremely raw and needs to work on more than his athleticism and bring his game beyond the low post.
Don’t be surprised if the Cavs trade the pick on draft day—given that they are already loaded with young pieces on the roster and have four selections in this draft—but they could stash Nogueira overseas if they go this direction later in June.
20. Chicago Bulls: Allen Crabbe, SG, California
Crabbe is a streaky shooter that can really fill it up from outside if he’s feeling it.
The Bulls just need an off-guard that can knock down open jumpers and capitalize on the space that Derrick Rose’s presence will provide. This Cal product is the right man for the job.
21. Utah Jazz (via Golden State Warriors): Tony Snell, G/F, New Mexico
Snell is one of the better shooters in this class and one of the top athletes to boot.
Given that the Jazz took Carter-Williams earlier in this mock—a horrible shooter—they’d be wise to grab this marksman to add some three-point range to the roster.
22. Brooklyn Nets: Jeff Withey, C, Kansas
Withey may not be able to star in the Association due to his lack of offensive skills, but he’s going to be one of the better backups in the league sooner than later.
The Jayhawks big man can defend his position, protect the rim and block shots with ease, making this a perfect selection for the Nets—who need a body behind Brook Lopez.
23. Indiana Pacers: Shane Larkin, PG, Miami
Larkin is an incredible athlete that wowed observers at the combine and proved that he belongs in the first round.
The Pacers would be a great fit, as this Eastern Conference behemoth could use his speed to jump-start their second unit.
24. New York Knicks: Tim Hardaway Jr., SG, Michigan
Hardaway Jr. could be the ideal replacement for J.R. Smith, who holds a player option on his contract and could take his talents elsewhere this offseason.
The Michigan sniper isn’t afraid of pulling up and knocking down shots from anywhere on the court, although he has to improve his handle before he could be relied upon as anything more than a spot-up marksman.
25. Los Angeles Clippers: Dennis Schroeder, PG, Germany
Schroeder is climbing up the big boards with impressive performances at the Nike Hoops Summit and other showcases and could potentially fall in the lottery come draft night.
He’s adept at driving the paint and has the ability to either finish at the rim or pass it out to open teammates.
The German would make a great insurance option for the Clippers in the case that Chris Paul defects in free agency or Eric Bledsoe is traded this offseason.
26. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Memphis Grizzlies): Sergey Karasev, SF, Russia
Karasev is looking like another Russian star that could make an impact in the Twin Cities.
If this three-point sniper were selected, he’d join countrymen Andrei Kirilenko and Alexey Shved on the roster. Considering Russia earned bronze at the 2012 Olympics, it’s not such a bad idea.
27. Denver Nuggets: Giannis Antetokounmpo, SF, Greece
Antetokounmpo is known as the “Greek Freak” due to his large size, potential to play practically any position and otherworldly athleticism.
However, not much is known about this prospect and the competition he’s been up against in Greece has been subpar at best. It’ll certainly take some time for him to develop into a serviceable NBA player.
Expect a team like Denver, which likely has little interest in adding a piece to an already-loaded roster, to roll the dice on this kid.
28. San Antonio Spurs: Jamaal Franklin, SG, San Diego State
Franklin is an athletic beast that can jump out of the gym and rebound like a power forward from the shooting guard spot.
He’s lacking a jump shot, which is something Spurs shooting coach Chip Engelland will look to hone—as he did with another former Aztec, Kawhi Leonard—if San Antonio makes this pick.
29. Oklahoma City Thunder: Gorgui Dieng, C, Louisville
The Thunder could use some immediate help at the center position, which is something Dieng can provide.
This national title winner possesses a big body that he can use to protect the rim and block shots and is severely underrated as a passer from the low post.
Dieng may be older than most prospects and lacking upside, but OKC could plug him into the rotation early on in his career.
30. Phoenix Suns (via Miami Heat): Tony Mitchell, PF, North Texas
Mitchell is a powerful two-way forward that can guard both the 3 and 4 with equal efficiency.
He’s yet to pan out as a scorer, but this Mean Green product certainly has the upside and could be an absolute steal for the Suns on draft night.
