NBA Mock Draft 2013: Locking in Smartest Picks for Every Franchise

The lasting impression of the 2013 NBA draft remains to be seen, but the prevailing one heading into it is that of uncertainty. 

There is potential in this draft, but there are also a bunch of question marks. This makes the mocking job a difficult task. 

In this mock, I've dialed in the smartest selections for each team from my viewpoint. I'll pay extra attention to a few of the more interesting picks and mark them in italics. 

1. Cleveland Cavaliers: Nerlens Noel, C, Kentucky

Nerlens Noel's knee injury robbed this draft of the one sure selection. 

Noel is a dynamic defensive player with the ability to be a nice offensive presence. This is enough to make a big man an easy selection at No. 1. However, the possibility of a career derailed by knee issues looms. 

Still, in the end, Noel's upside and his fit in Cleveland will make it virtually impossible for the Cavs to pass on him.

2. Orlando Magic: Ben McLemore, SG, Kansas

I turn to upside again to decide pick No. 2.

Trey Burke will likely come into consideration for this selection, but McLemore has the potential to be a dominant shooting guard. 

3. Washington Wizards: Otto Porter, SF, Georgetown

If Otto Porter is on the board, this is the easiest pick to project in the whole draft.

Now, that doesn't mean the Wizards will go through with it. We've all seen teams, with varied degrees of success, forgo the obvious choice.

Make no mistake about it, this is an obvious choice.

Porter is a perfect fit. He's not an offensive juggernaut, but that also comes with him being content to get his points as a function of the offense. He will allow the young backcourt of John Wall and Bradley Beal to control the ball.

However, he also has the speed to run with them. Porter is a tremendous athlete, and this young corp would be dynamic in the open court. Porter is about much more than offense, though. 

He is a top-flight defender, and he defends his position well. So, the only real question seems to be, will he still be on the board?

This tweet by the Washington Post's  Michael Lee gives us reason to be skeptical of Porter's availability:  

As you could see, it didn't make me skeptical enough to buy into Porter going No. 1. 

4. Charlotte Bobcats: Anthony Bennett, PF, UNLV

The Bobcats need to beef up their frontcourt. Anthony Bennett will give them a nice scoring option at forward. He will also aid the development of Kemba Walker. 

Bennett will function well in the pick and roll with Walker. 

5. Phoenix Suns: Victor Oladipo, SG, Indiana 

The Suns need offense in a bad way, and Victor Oladipo is certainly not the best scorer available here. However, he is the most complete player. He will contribute in all phases of the game, and the Suns also have to get more technically sound. 

6. New Orleans Pelicans: Trey Burke, PG, Michigan

There is little doubt that Trey Burke is this class' best point guard, but with needs and the players in front of him, I see him falling to No. 6.

He won't drop further than that. The Times-Picayune's John Reid reports that Pelicans management has taken a liking to the National Player of the Year, and for good reason: Burke is supremely talented.

While he lacks size and elite quickness, he can still beat defenders off the dribble. He can also pass, shoot, run an offense and defend.

His ability to open up passing lanes will help Anthony Davis flourish down low.

The Pelicans received solid play from point guard Greivis Vasquez last season. However, as Reid points out, the franchise has considered playing the 6'6" Vasquez off the ball.

Whether that works or not, Burke brings a higher ceiling to the point, and he will form a foundation with Davis for this team to build on.

7. Sacramento Kings: Shabazz Muhammad, SF, UCLA

With the complete failure of the John Salmons trade leaving a hole at small forward for the Kings, Sacramento will grab scorer Shabazz Muhammad.

Muhammad will have to make big strides in the team concept, but there is no doubt he can add a scoring punch. 

8. Detroit Pistons: C.J. McCollum, PG, Lehigh

The Pistons need an upgrade at point guard. The reason they need this is because the string of combo guards they've tried has not panned out.

While C.J. McCollum falls into that mold, his talent dictates they give it a try again. Even if he fails to become a true point guard, his shooting will always make him valuable.

9. Minnesota Timberwolves: Cody Zeller, C, Indiana

Despite seeing his numbers rise in telling categories in his sophomore year, Cody Zeller's draft stock has dropped.

He doesn't have the strength to be a complete center, but his athleticism will go nicely with the physical play of restricted free agent Nikola Pekovic, and obviously, he'll be needed if Pekovic does not return. 

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

Alex Len is a raw talent, but unlike other prospects in that mold, he has shown glimpses of polish on the offensive end. He's also a solid defender who can block shots and grab boards. This will be a welcomed sight in Portland.

11. Philadelphia 76ers: Mason Plumlee, C, Duke

The 76ers are still searching for answers down low. Plumlee is not a complete enough player to ever be the true answer, but he brings a solid interior presence on defense and is strong on the glass. 

12. Oklahoma City Thunder (from Toronto Raptors): Kelly Olynyk, C, Gonzaga

Kelly Olynyk has good skill and a solid shot. He also has good size, but he will never be an interior presence.

However, his ability to help space the floor will give the Thunder a nice option off the bench to help diversify their offensive attack. 

13. Dallas Mavericks: Michael Carter-Williams, PG, Syracuse

I really like Michael Carter-Williams. I think his shot will develop, and his size will make him a matchup nightmare.

His athleticism alone will make an instant impact in Dallas. 

14. Utah Jazz: Dennis Schroeder, PG, Germany

Dennis Schroeder might be the most intriguing pick in this draft. He has a body like Rajon Rondo, good athleticism and a well-rounded game.

He stands 6'2" and has long arms and big hands, which are the basis for the Rondo comparisons. While he is not a high flyer, he has an explosive first step, and he can cut on a dime.

He has a nice shot, incredible handles and creative passing and can play lock-down defense.

However, there are also a ton of question marks around this 19-year-old.

For starters, he weighs less than 170 pounds and will need to add bulk. He is also turnover-prone and battles troublesome decision-making.

He also doesn't have a lot of tape against elite competition for scouts to go on.

In fact, it wasn't until the Nike Hoop Summit when he really cemented his first-round status. He hit for 18 points and six assists.

Now, he is definitely cemented as a first-rounder. NBA.com's Scott Howard-Cooper explains:

The sky is the limit for this youngster, and the Jazz definitely need the backcourt help. 

15. Milwaukee Bucks: Dario Saric, SF, Croatia

At 6'10" and with a refined game, Dario Saric could develop into a matchup nightmare.

Of course, he also weighs just 225 pounds and won't be able to guard anyone until he bulks up.

16. Boston Celtics: Giannis Antetokoumpo, SF, Greece

You can essentially take the info on Saric and apply it to Giannis Antetokoumpo. He is about an inch shorter and 10 pounds lighter.

He is also bursting with potential, and the Celtics have been doing their due diligence on him. 

17. Atlanta Hawks: Rudy Gobert, PF, France

And now we embark on the Atlanta Hawks portion of the draft. Atlanta is in an offseason of uncertainty, and it has back-to-back picks in the first round to help identify a path. 

Like the two picks before him, Gobert is largely untested and light. However, he is 7'0" and has good feet. With two picks, the Hawks will be able to gamble on him developing.

18. Atlanta Hawks (from Houston Rockets): Jamaal Franklin, SG, San Diego State

Jamaal Franklin also needs development, but it is almost all for his terrible jumper. He has the athleticism and defense to contribute in the NBA from Day 1.

19. Cleveland Cavaliers (from Los Angeles Lakers): Allen Crabbe, SG, California

Allen Crabbe has a smooth outside shot and good size. He is not a great athlete, and will be a defensive liability, but shooters carve out long careers in this league. The Cavs could use a perimeter-shooting boost.

20. Chicago Bulls: Gorgui Dieng, C, Louisville

Gorgui Dieng is an abysmal offensive player, and he's an elderly, for the draft anyway, 23 years old.

He is also a natural defensive player with plenty of athleticism and length. He will fit right in with Chicago. 

21. Utah Jazz (from Golden State Warriors): Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, SG, Georgia

The Jazz will again address the backcourt in the first round with Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.

Pope is limited in his athleticism, but he has good size and a nice shot. He will help the Jazz space the floor and open up things for the frontcourt.

22. Brooklyn Nets: Jeff Withey, C, Kansas

The Nets need length, interior toughness and rebounding. That's check, check and check for Jeff Withey. 

Withey will be a nice bench piece for a long time in the NBA.

23. Indiana Pacers: Tony Mitchell, SF, North Texas

With overflowing athleticism, Tony Mitchell is a worthy pick. However, he doesn't have the production to match it, and he didn't face the stiffest competition.

Still, he fits the Pacers mold and has a high ceiling.

24. New York Knicks: Steven Adams, C, Pittsburgh

The Knicks have to get younger in the frontcourt.

Adams is a massive 7'0" and 250 pounds, but he also has no touch to go with that size. Adams is very much a work in progress, and he doesn't have the athleticism to be dominant.

However, he will be able to provide some physical minutes, and he has the potential to be a solid starter.

25. Los Angeles Clippers: Sergey Karasev, SG, Russia

As we move down in the draft, we become increasingly bombarded with incomplete players. Sergey Karasev falls into that category.

He is a shooter and not much else. That shooting will be of great value for the Clippers, though.

26. Minnesota Timberwolves (from Memphis Grizzlies): Glen Rice Jr., SF, Rio Grande Valley

Glen Rice Jr. was kicked off Georgia Tech and went on to flourish in the NBA D-League as he led the Rio Grande Vipers to the title. 

In the D-League, he was a double-double waiting to happen as he flashed the potential that will propel him into the first round. 

27. Denver Nuggets: Tim Hardaway Jr., SG, Michigan

The deep Denver Nuggets were almost a complete team. They just lacked shooting, and it doomed them. 

Tim Hardaway Jr. can't break down defenders like his dad, but he can shoot the rock. 

28. San Antonio Spurs: Archie Goodwin, SG, Kentucky

The Spurs do have a complete team. Still, they are lacking a bit on the athleticism side of things. Archie Goodwin is supremely raw, but there is no doubting his natural ability. 

29. Oklahoma City Thunder: Shane Larkin, PG, Miami

Shane Larkin knows how to run an offense. As we saw when Russell Westbrook went down in the playoffs, the Thunder need another point guard who can keep this offense clicking.

30. Phoenix Suns (from Miami Heat): Deshaun Thomas, SF, Ohio State

As I mentioned with the Suns earlier selection, this team needs offense. Deshaun Thomas can't bring that on a consistent basis, but when his shot is on, he will put up points in a hurry.