NBA Draft 2013: Breaking Down Best Landing Spots for Top Centers

Big men are often the most coveted assets in an NBA draft, as teams are always looking to improve their frontcourt and add depth—and possibly a star—at hard-to-fill positions.

While guards and swingmen’s stock tends to fluctuate wildly prior to draft night, centers seem to always rise to the top and come off the board early.

Expect more of the same in 2013, as many of these high-upside prospects are intriguing the lottery teams at the beginning of the first round.

Let’s take a look at a realistic destination that each of the top-three centers could wind up in and explain how it’s a perfect fit.

 

Nerlens Noel, Cleveland Cavaliers

The Cavs hold the No. 1 overall pick and would be downright foolish to pass on this Kentucky star with it.

While the team is likely mulling its many options here, there is no one who possesses a better combination of size, athleticism and upside in this class when compared to Noel.

This flat-topped Wildcats star may not be able to get onto the court until Christmastime, but he’s worth the wait and his appearance will be akin to unwrapping an awesome gift for all the fans in Cleveland to appreciate.

Once healthy and fully recovered from the nasty torn ACL he suffered back in February, Noel should take the league by storm with his elite shot-blocking, rim protection and immense athletic talents.

He’s a bit raw on the offensive end, but due to his non-stop motor and strong work ethic, there’s no doubt that Noel should be able to rapidly improve his game and become a contributor in that area.

 

Alex Len, New Orleans Pelicans

Len is a plodding, deliberate center that isn’t going to blow anyone away with pure speed or athleticism, but he’s technically sound and has the size to become a legit starter in this league.

The Maryland product would form quite a formidable frontcourt duo with Anthony Davis, the team’s No. 1 overall pick in last year’s draft.

While Len is more adept at finishing on the pick-and-roll and working on a blossoming low-post game that features a variety of pretty moves, the ‘Brow tends to use sheer power and raw athleticism to get the ball through the net.

On defense, the 7’1” Len has the height and bulk to guard some of the league’s top pivots in one-on-one situations, while Davis relies on his leaping ability and shot-blocking to make it tough for the opposition to score.

The Terps star certainly has a long way to go before he’s ready to become a star in this league, but joining forces with Davis in NOLA will create one of the most dangerous, young, low-post tandems in the NBA.

 

Kelly Olynyk, Milwaukee Bucks

Olynyk’s stock may be cooling a bit after a terrible NCAA tournament in which the ‘Zags failed to live up to their No. 1-seeding and were quickly eliminated from contention.

Regardless, he’s going to represent a great value in the mid-to-latter portions of the draft, especially if he’s available at No. 15 when the Bucks are choosing.

Due to his uncanny ability to shoot the ball as a legit seven-footer, Olynyk is going to be an asset in the NBA.

He can spread the defense and open things up inside, allowing his teammates—notably penetrating guards—to avoid slamming into bigs at the rim and getting doubled down low.

Floor spacing is one of the most important aspects of an offense these days and the Bucks have struggled tremendously to accomplish this. Much of that is due to the offensively-inept frontcourt the team currently boasts.

While Olynyk is a downgrade in terms of defensive capabilities and athleticism, his shooting alone is what separates him from the pack and makes him a valuable player in this draft.