2013 NBA Mock Draft: Complete Projections for Every Pick in 1st Round
The No. 1 pick of the 2013 NBA draft has been in flux throughout the entire pre-draft process.
With less than two weeks to go until draft day, things haven’t gotten any clearer as to who that pick will be. There isn’t much certainty after the Cleveland Cavaliers make their pick—or trade it—and even less of an idea of what will happen after the first five picks.
Without factoring in trades, here’s an updated look at how the entire first round will shake out.
1. Cleveland Cavaliers: Alex Len, C, Maryland (7’1”)
The Cleveland Cavaliers could go with Nerlens Noel here, but doing so would appear to be an act of concession of the team’s 2013-14 season. Noel won’t be ready anytime soon and the young Cavs are ready to start competing now, rather than later.
Alex Len is a solid alternate option for the team here. He’s big at 7’1” and versatile enough as a scorer to help the team in multiple ways. This pick is, of course, assuming the team holds onto the pick and doesn’t trade it for a proven veteran player like Kevin Love, as has been suggested.
2. Orlando Magic: Victor Oladipo, SG, Indiana (6’5”)
If the Orlando Magic make this pick, they’ll like go with shooting guard Victor Oladipo. The team is eyeing him, according to ESPN’s Chad Ford (subscription required).
There are also other teams, including the Minnesota Timberwolves, that could be looking to trade up to this position in order to get the rights to the talented guard from Indiana.
3. Washington Wizards: Otto Porter, SF, Georgetown (6’8”)
The Washington Wizards need help at the forward position and will undoubtedly address that need with the third-overall pick. Otto Porter makes the most sense here, as he’s a solid option who can step in and contribute immediately on a team that is beginning to stockpile talent.
4. Charlotte Bobcats: Nerlens Noel, C, Kentucky (6’10”)
If the previous three picks play out the way outlined here, the Charlotte Bobcats will have a tough decision with the fourth-overall selection. Finding a scorer should be a big priority for this team, but it will be extremely hard to pass up on arguably the top prospect in this draft. Noel will be ready eventually and will be a big help inside for the Bobcats once on the floor.
5. Phoenix Suns: Ben McLemore, SG, Kansas (6’5”)
Like the Bobcats, the Phoenix Suns would benefit from the early selections of this mock draft. Ben McLemore could make a case for being the best prospect in this class, so it’s definitely an ideal outcome for the Suns here. Pairing him with Goran Dragic in the backcourt will give the team flexibility and good range from deep.
6. New Orleans Pelicans: Trey Burke, PG, Michigan (6’0”)
Austin Rivers has done little to prove he can handle running the point in New Orleans. That makes finding a replacement a key move here for the newly named Pelicans. Trey Burke is an elective scorer and is great at creating for both his teammates and himself.
7. Sacramento Kings: Anthony Bennett, PF, UNLV (6’7”)
Anthony Bennett’s shoulder injury likely causes him to slide to the seventh pick, but that’s as far as he goes as the Sacramento Kings pounce on him here. He’s a bit of a tweener at 6’7”, but has good range and could provide matchup nightmares for opposing teams due to his potentially explosive skill set.
8. Detroit Pistons: C.J. McCollum, PG, Lehigh (6’3”)
C.J. McCollum is a well-rounded combo guard, but he may struggle to find a comfortable place on the floor initially. He’s an excellent shooter who has done nothing but improve during his college career at Lehigh, making him a logical choice for a team that could use an upgrade over Brandon Knight—who’s more of a 2-guard—at point guard.
9. Minnesota Timberwolves: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, SG, Georgia (6’5”)
The Minnesota Timberwolves have worked out Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and he fits perfectly as a complement to Ricky Rubio. His all-around game will allow him to stay on the court for more minutes, something the T-Wolves desperately need.
10. Portland Trail Blazers: Cody Zeller, C, Indiana (7’0”)
The Portland Trail Blazers are a solid team but could benefit from adding a center like Cody Zeller who can contribute right away. Zeller is definitely ready to take his game to the next level but will have to develop more of his perimeter game before solidifying a dynamic frontcourt combination with LaMarcus Aldridge.
11. Philadelphia 76ers: Steven Adams, C, Pittsburgh (7’0”)
Andrew Bynum didn’t appear in a single game for the Philadelphia 76ers after the team traded away Andre Iguodala. Finding a center comparable to Bynum should be the priority here, although Steven Adams may take some time to get to his level.
12. Oklahoma City Thunder: Shabazz Muhammad, SG, UCLA (6’6”)
Shabazz Muhammad is a very promising prospect with incredibly high upside. With James Harden gone and Kevin Martin becoming a free agent after the draft, adding a viable scoring threat with the physique to potentially become a dominant player seems like a really good idea here for the Oklahoma City Thunder.
13. Dallas Mavericks: Michael Carter-Williams, PG, Syracuse (6’6”)
The Dallas Mavericks are going to be very active in free agency this summer, but they could take a very key step forward before shelling out large chunks of their bankroll. Michael Carter-Williams fills an immediate need at the point and would give the Mavs a potentially solid point man to run their offense.
14. Utah Jazz: Dennis Schroeder, PG, New Yorker Phantoms (6’1”)
Finding a raw but extremely talented point guard like Dennis Schroeder would allow the Utah Jazz to leave the draft happy. Schroeder has all of the tools to become a lethal offensive and defensive weapon—something the Jazz haven’t had since Deron Williams skipped town for Brooklyn.
15. Milwaukee Bucks: Giannis Antetokounmpo, SF, Filathlitikos (6’9”)
The Milwaukee Bucks need to find a viable scoring option at the wing, but aren’t exactly in a good position to do that sitting just outside of the lottery. Giannis Antetokounmpo certainly has upside and could eventually become what the team is looking for. Although the Greek standout is a risk, it's one the Bucks should take at this point in the draft.
16. Boston Celtics: Kelly Olynyk, C, Gonzaga (7’0”)
A lot could change before draft day, pending the result of ongoing talks to move Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce. Whom the Boston Celtics pick here could be an indicator of their plans this summer, or it could just be a best-player-available-type pick. If that’s the case, that player is center Kelly Olynyk from Gonzaga.
17. Atlanta Hawks: Mason Plumlee, C, Duke (6’10”)
Talk about uncertainty. The Atlanta Hawks have shed nearly their entire payroll heading into next season and don’t know whether Josh Smith will return. Here’s a spoiler: He won’t barring a coup by Danny Ferry in free agency. To start the rebuild, Ferry should go with the best available true center, and that’s Mason Plumlee here at No. 17.
18. Atlanta Hawks: Tim Hardaway Jr., SG, Michigan (6’6”)
The Hawks also need to find a scorer to add to the mix. Getting a pin-point three-ball specialist here like Tim Hardaway Jr. would be a good start. They haven’t had solid scoring from the 2-guard spot since Joe Johnson left, and Hardaway Jr. could potentially reach Johnson’s level or higher.
19. Cleveland Cavaliers: Sergey Karasev, SG, Russia (6’7”)
Cleveland has multiple options here, including a trade-up or down. However, finding a wing-scorer is a top priority and there aren’t too many in this class that the team might fall in love with to warrant a trade. With the pick, if they keep it, Cleveland should hone in in Russian Sergey Karasev. He’s a reliable shooter, something the Cavs desperately need at the 3.
20. Chicago Bulls: Jamaal Franklin, SG, SDSU (6’5”)
Derrick Rose should be back in time for next season, right? The Chicago Bulls are going to lose one or multiple guards this offseason during free agency and would be wise to explore their options at the position next to Rose. Jamaal Franklin is a scorer and can contribute all over the court and would make a nice complement to the Bulls’ defensive mindset.
21. Utah Jazz: Jeff Withey, C, Kansas (7’0”)
After going small earlier with Schroeder, the Jazz need to find a player to join their frontcourt as Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap are both free agents this summer. Jeff Withey is solid in the paint and would be a good rotational player for the team moving forward.
22. Brooklyn Nets: Allen Crabbe, SG, California (6’6”)
With the crop of competent small forwards picked through, the Brooklyn Nets should go with a rotational player for their backcourt here. Allen Crabbe, a legitimate NBA shooter with range, could provide the team with some much-needed help off of the bench.
23. Indiana Pacers: Shane Larkin, PG, Miami (5’11”)
Shane Larkin tested as a top athlete at the combine and would be a steal for the Indiana Pacers if he falls to them at No. 23 overall. Adding a competent ball-handler off of the bench who can run the pick-and-roll when George Hill is catching a breather has to be a priority for the Pacers moving forward. Larkin is that guy.
24. New York Knicks: Tony Mitchell, PF, North Texas (6’8”)
The New York Knicks should go with an upgrade for its frontcourt here. Tony Mitchell has huge upside in the post but will need to develop his offensive game in order to eventually become the dominant player many believe he can be.
25. Los Angeles Clippers: Rudy Gobert, C, Cholet (7’2”)
No matter what the Los Angeles Clippers do in trades or free agency this summer, they’re going to need someone who can come in and give their big men breathers. Adding a player with big upside like Rudy Gobert, who won’t have to contribute much off of the bat, makes sense here for Clips.
26. Minnesota Timberwolves: Gorgui Dieng, C, Louisville (6’11”)
The Minnesota Timberwolves could use a multi-talented big man in the post. Finding someone like Gorgui Dieng here at the bottom of the first round would be another good pick for the franchise. Dieng is a stout defender with an underestimated offensive acumen.
27. Denver Nuggets: Reggie Bullock, SG, North Carolina (6’7”)
Teams can never have too many shooters. With Danilo Gallinari expected to miss some time, that statement rings true for the Denver Nuggets. North Carolina’s Reggie Bullock is an intriguing option for the team here. He’s a quick pop-and-shoot prospect with good range, shooting over 43 percent from beyond the arc during his junior year.
28. San Antonio Spurs: Lucas Nogueira, C, Estudiantes (6’11”)
If you watched the NBA playoffs, one thing was painstakingly clear for the San Antonio Spurs: they need frontcourt help. Tim Duncan is nearing retirement and there are no viable options behind him, or at center, on the roster. Lucas Nogueira is a solid defensive prospect whom Gregg Popovich could mold in his scheme.
29. Oklahoma City Thunder: Pierre Jackson, PG, Baylor (5’11”)
The Oklahoma City Thunder need a contingency plan behind Russell Westbrook. Baylor’s Pierre Jackson is a solid option who has good scoring potential, especially from deep. He would help provide a scoring bridge between spurts when Westbrook hits the bench or misses any time due to an injury.
30. Phoenix Suns: Mike Muscala, C/PF, Bucknell (6’11”)
After finding a 2-guard in McLemore, the Suns should address their frontcourt by adding a versatile scorer like Mike Muscala. He can hit shots from all over the court but may need to get stronger to bang down low with NBA bigs. At 30 overall, he’s well worth the time it might take for him to develop and bulk up.
