Here is our updated 2013 NBA Mock Draft. Check back later today for our FINAL version. Click on the players’ name for a complete, in-depth scouting report and the team for a complete guide to the NBA off-season team needs page.
(By the way, The Sports Bank was graded as the most accurate 2011 AND 2012 NBA Mock Draft on the web.)
GO HERE FOR THE SECOND ROUND
1. Cleveland– Nerlens Noel, PF/C, Kentucky, 7-0, Fr.
It’s draft day and there is still a ton of uncertainty surround the first overall pick. Nerlens Noel seems to be the favorite. Alex Len is in play as well as Otto Porter and Anthony Bennett. A trade is also very much a possibility. In other words, this mock could be ruined after one pick. Oh joy.
I have had Porter in this spot since the ping pong balls were revealed and still maintain he is the best fit in Cleveland but I’m caving in on my stubbornness since Noel seems to be the the favorite at this point.
Go here for more on Noel
2. Orlando– Victor Oladipo, SG, Indiana, 6-4, Jr.
The re-building Magic could use improved talent all across the board and are reportedly very high on Victor Oladipo. I am a big fan of Oladipo’s potential at the next level on the right team and he would be a nice piece for Orlando’s re-building effort.
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3. Washington– Otto Porter, SF, Georgetown, 6-8, So.
With their backcourt of John Wall and Bradley Beal set for the foreseeable future, the Wiz pass on the available guards and turn their attention to improving their frontcourt play. Otto Porter provides a do-it-all small forward who doesn’t need to score to be effective. Anthony Bennett would make sense here as well since Washington needs a power forward.
4. Charlotte– Ben McLemore, SG, Kansas, 6-5, Fr.
The Bobcats are in a position to see which top prospect falls to them and in this scenario, it is Ben McLemore. He could end up being the best player in this draft and just as easily might be a bust due to a lack of a killer instinct. He fits a need for Charlotte though since neither Ben Gordon nor Gerald Henderson are long-term solutions at the two.
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5. Phoenix– Alex Len, C, Maryland, 7-1, So.
Ideally, the Suns need help on the wing and probably hoping McLemore or Oladipo falls to them here. With both shooting guards off the board, Phoenix turns to Alex Len who would be their long-term center since Marcin Gortat is entering the final year of his contract.
6. New Orleans– Trey Burke, PG, Michigan, 5-11, So.
This is another toss up pick and could go in a number of directions. Even though Greivis Vasquez had a breakout season, Trey Burke is the pick by default here since the Hornets don’t need a power forward like Anthony Bennett since they already have Anthony Davis and Ryan Anderson or another shooting guard since they already have Eric Gordon and Austin Rivers.
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7. Sacramento– Anthony Bennett, PF, UNLV, 6-8, Fr.
With a new front office, the Kings are another team that could go in a number of directions which is ironic since the team hasn’t really had any direction at all under their former owners. In this situation, it would be hard for them to pass up a talent like Bennett especially since Patrick Patterson is their only real power forward.
8. Detroit– C.J. McCollum, SG, Lehigh, 6-3, Sr.
With a young frontcourt of Greg Monroe and Andre Drummond intact, all indications are that the Pistons will focus on improving their wing play. C.J. McCollum would be another combo guard for Detroit but is considered a safe pick. The size and length of Michael Carter-Williams is a better fit in Detroit.
9. Minnesota– Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, SG, Georgia, 6-5, So.
The T-Wolves have been searching for a true a shooting guard but could also use some depth at center since Nikola Pekovic is a restricted free agent. KC-P has ideal size for the two guard spot and can stroke it from the outside.
Go here for more on Caldwell-Pope
10. Portland– Sergey Karasev, SF, Russia, 6-7, 1993
The Blazers bench was AWFUL last year so they need depth all across the board and likely take the best non-point guard available. There are a lot of teams hot on the Russian sharpshooter and he would right away become the best reserve on Portland’s roster. A physical big man like Steven Adams is in play here as well.
11. Philadelphia– Cody Zeller, C, Indiana, 7-0, So.
Though I think Cody Zeller is a massively overrated NBA prospect due to a lack of physicality but the 76ers could use some size inside. That would also make Steven Adams a serious possibility for Philly.
12. Oklahoma City (from TOR)- Steven Adams, C, Pitt, 7-0, Fr.
This is a luxury pick for OKC so they can take a chance on a player with higher upside and allow him time to develop. There are some intriguing big men options out there like Steven Adams, Lucas Nogueira, or Rudy Gobert. Adams seems to have the most steam going into Thursday.
13. Dallas– Michael Carter-Williams, PG, Syracuse, 6-6, So.
Rumors have been swirling that the Mavs want to deal this pick to save cap space for a potential run at Dwight Howard or Chris Paul. If they hang onto it, a foreign player like Sergey Karasev would be the ideal get but since he is off the board, they turn to Michael Carter-Williams since they need depth at guard. One of the other foreign guys would also be in play as a draft and stash option.
14. Utah– Kelly Olynyk, 7-0, C, Gonzaga, Jr.
With a pair of first rounders, the Jazz will certainly address their need for frontcourt depth since Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap are both free agents. Kelly Olynyk is a skilled offensive player and would bring a versatility to the floor that Utah lacks with Derrick Favors and Enes Kanter.
15. Milwaukee– Shane Larkin, PG, Miami FL, 5-11, So.
With Brandon Jennings a restricted free agent, Monta Ellis opting out of the final year of his contract, and J.J. Redick an unrestricted free agent, the Bucks will be looking for backcourt depth. If the Bucks prefer a shooting guard, there are several players who would be a bit of a reach at this point.
16. Boston– Shabazz Muhammad, G/F, UCLA, 6-6, Fr.
This pick is really up for grabs since the Celtics may or may not be blowing up their core soon. That could include Paul Pierce so Boston ends Shabazz Muhammad’s slide and hope he ends up being a great value at this point.
Go here for more on Muhammad
17. Atlanta– Giannas Adetokunbo, SF, Greece, 6-9, 1994
The Hawks will be going through a major roster transition this off-season and will likely take the best available player at this option. Giannas Antetokoumpo is very raw but loaded with potential and worth the roll of the dice here.
18. ATL (from HOU via BRK)- Gorgui Dieng, C, Louisville, 6-11, Jr.
Gorgui Dieng has seen his stock slip some but with the Hawks needing some size inside, his defensive presence and improving mid-range game could be a nice frontcourt fit next to Al Horford.
19. Cleveland (from LAL)- Reggie Bullock, G/F, North Carolina, 6-7, Jr.
If Cavs go with Noel at one, they will target a shooter like Reggie Bullock, Tim Hardaway, or Allen Crabbe here.
20. Chicago– Tim Hardaway Jr., SG, Michigan, 6-6, Jr.
I think the Bulls either look for a shooting guard or depth inside and take the best available of those options. Tim Hardaway Jr. has slowly risen up the draft and is more than capable of being a solid NBA role player.
21. Utah (from GS via BRK)- Dennis Schroder, PG, Germany, 6-2, 1993
With no point guard under contract for next season, the Jazz will likely use one of their first round picks on a floor general and are likely hoping Schroeder or Larkin are available at this point. If both guys are gone, Murray State’s Isaiah Canaan would probably be the pick.
22. Brooklyn– Mason Plumlee, PF, Duke, 7-0, Sr.
The Nets are reportedly shopping MarShon Brooks and need added depth on the wing anyway so that is one direction they could go. Mason Plumlee is a pretty safe pick though at this point and would add some athleticism and rebounding to the frontcourt.
23. Indiana– Allen Crabbe, SG, Cal, 6-6, Jr.
Drafting a power forward makes sense since David West is in the final year of his deal but with nobody really worth taking at this point, the Pacers add a versatile wing who should help add some punch off the bench especially if Indy ends up shopping Danny Granger this summer.
24. New York- Tony Mitchell, F, North Texas, 6-9, So.
Depth inside or a young point guard to help replace Jason Kidd would fit needs for the Knicks. New York reportedly really likes Tony Mitchell and his athleticism would be a welcome addition to their frontcourt.
25. L.A. Clippers- Lucas Noguiera, C, Brazil, 7-0, 1992
Since the Clippers are shopping Caron Butler, Matt Barnes is a free agent, and Grant Hill has retired, L.A. could use some depth at small forward. Bodies behind DeAndre Jordan and Blake Griffin would be another option and Lucas Noguiera could be a steal at this point.
26. Minnesota (from MEM)- Rudy Gobert, PF/C, France, 6-11, 1992
Having gone with a wing in the lottery, the T-Wolves can either roll the dice here and take a young player with upside or add a big man in case restricted free agent Nikola Vucevic signs elsewhere. Rudy Gobert is big loaded with upside so could fill both voids. He has lottery potential and would be a terrific value this late even though he might need a year or two before he is NBA ready.
27. Denver- Jamaal Franklin, SG, San Diego State, 6-5, Jr.
With Andre Iguodala likely to opt out of his contract and Corey Brewer a free agent, the Nuggets should look to add some insurance on the wing. Jamaal Franklin is a jack of all trades type shooting guard so could help fill the void if Iggy does not return.
28. San Antonio- Jeff Withey, C, Kansas, 7-0, Sr.
The Spurs could use some depth inside and this would be a rather safe pick for them but a solid value since Jeff Withey projects to be a quality back-up big man in the NBA due to his shot blocking presence.
29. Oklahoma City– Tony Snell, SF, New Mexico, 6-7, Jr.
The Thunder could be losing Kevin Martin in free agency so they will need depth on the wing. There are some solid options available here but Tony Snell seems to fit best in OKC.
30. Phoenix (from MIA)- Ricky Ledo, G/F, Providence, 6-6, Fr.
The Suns add another wing player with plenty of potential. Because he was ineligible, Ledo didn’t play a single game for the Friars this season but he is an athletic and great size for his position.
GO HERE FOR THE SECOND ROUND
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David Kay is a senior feature NBA Draft, NBA, and college basketball writer for the Sports Bank. He also heads up the NBA and college basketball material at Walter Football.com and is a former contributor at The Washington Times Communities. David has appeared on numerous national radio programs spanning from Cleveland to New Orleans to Honolulu. He also had the most accurate 2011 NBA Mock Draft and the most accurate 2012 NBA Mock Draft on the internet (Yup, repeat champ… #humblebrag.)
You can follow him on Twitter at David_Kmiecik.
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