With the NBA Finals underway, all but two teams have their eyes completely on June’s NBA Draft.
There has been a lot of movement in the two weeks since my last mock. With that being said, let’s take a look at the NBA Finals edition of my 2013 NBA Mock Draft.
The Cleveland Cavaliers are on the clock.
1. Cleveland Cavaliers
Player Name: Nerlens Noel
Position, School: PF, Kentucky
Usually by now, we know who the No. 1 pick is going to be, but the Cavs have yet to say Noel is their guy. Until they do I am leaving him at the top. He is an excellent shot-blocker who should develop a better than average offensive game. Knee injury or not, Noel has the makings of a dominant NBA big man. He has more upside than anyone in the draft and Cleveland can be a little patient waiting for his knee to heal completely and put on some weight.
2. Orlando Magic
Player Name: Victor Oladipo
Position, School: SG, Indiana
Oladipo makes the jump to No.2 on my board this week. His toughness, defense and leadership might be more appealing to a rebuilding team although the Magic could still target a point guard like Trey Burke here. Oladipo is the best on-ball defender in this class, which will greatly improve the Magic defense. He is an explosive athlete and if his offensive game continues to improve, Phoenix could have themselves a future star.
3. Washington Wizards
Player Name: Otto Porter
Position, School: SF, Georgetown
The Wizards could look at Maryland center Alex Len here, but ultimately they won’t be able to pass on Porter. Washington has their backcourt for the future in John Wall and Bradley Beal, so here is an opportunity to add a 3 that can complement those guys. Porter’s versatility and his ability to affect the game without shooting the ball are major pluses on a team that already has several starters who like to score the ball. Porter can do it all at both ends of the floor and is a future NBA star.
4. Charlotte Bobcats
Player Name: Anthony Bennett
Position, School: PF, UNLV
The Bobcats have a couple nice young pieces in place with Kemba Walker and Michael-Kidd Gilchrist. Now it’s time to address the need for a productive post player. Charlotte could go multiple directions with this pick as they need help at the 2, 4 and 5, but considering the fact that they get no frontcourt scoring, I like them going with Bennett here. He is one of the most versatile players in the draft and has the strength to play inside at power forward and the handle and shooting ability to play small forward if needed.
5. Phoenix Suns
Player Name: Ben McLemore
Position, School: SG, Kansas
The Suns have plenty of needs but maybe their biggest is a legitimate backcourt scorer. With great athleticism and an elite scoring ability, McLemore could be a go-to player early in his career. While he was a bit inconsistent last season, McLemore still has plenty of room to grow and his natural skill translates well to the next level. With plenty of options available to them, it would be hard for the Suns to pass on McLemore’s upside.
6. New Orleans Pelicans
Player Name: Alex Len
Position, School: C, Maryland
The Pelicans could look at Michigan’s Trey Burke here, but Greivis Vasquez proved that he can be a solid point guard and they still have last year’s first round pick Austin Rivers, who they view as their point guard of the future. With Anthony Davis at the 4, the Pelicans could use some help at the 5. Len can score, rebound and block shots and has enormous upside as an NBA center.
7. Sacramento Kings
Player Name: Trey Burke
Position, School: PG, Michigan
The Kings are basically starting over again and one of the first building blocks needs to be adding a legit point guard of the future. Burke is a point guard how can pass as well as he scores and has a very bright NBA future ahead of him. He’s a true point guard and a winner, two things the Kings currently don’t have on their roster.
8. Detroit Pistons
Player Name: Michael Carter-Williams
Position, School: PG, Syracuse
The Pistons are strongly considering a point guard so they can move Brandin Knight off the ball. With Burke gone, they really can’t go wrong with Carter-Williams. He’s a pure point guard who makes everyone better and he’s also an excellent on-the-ball defender. He needs to develop his jumper and add strength, but Carter-Williams is a great passer who has good size for the position and has a ton of upside.
9. Minnesota Timberwolves
Player Name: C.J. McCollum
Position, School: PG/SG, Lehigh
This is probably a reach, but I like McCollum a lot and think he’s a great fit in Minnesota. I don’t view McCollum as a point guard in the NBA but think he could be very good off the ball. The Timberwolves are still searching for an answer at shooting guard and have shot only 30 percent from behind the arc on the season. McCollum is a guy who can really knock down the long-range shot, connecting on 51 percent on his three-point attempts. He will be this year’s Damian Lillard.
10. Portland Trail Blazers
Player Name: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
Position, School: SG- Georgia
The Blazers have a great starting five but no depth at all. Caldwell-Pope has as much upside as any scorer left on the board. With some good young pieces already in place, it makes sense for Portland to add a potential future backcourt mate for Damian Lillard. He is a lethal shooter with deep range who is also a big-time defender. Caldwell-Pope is a guy who instantly makes Portland better.
11. Philadelphia 76ers
Player Name: Cody Zeller
Position, School: C, Indiana
The Sixers struggled in the low post all season, so Zeller makes some sense here. Zeller gives the Sixers some addition height and a guy that runs the floor very well. He can finish around the basket and has a nice mid-range game. He’s the best player left on the board here and could turn out to be a steal for the Sixers.
12. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Toronto)
Player Name: Steven Adams
Position, School: C, Pittsburgh
The Thunder have the luxury of being patient and can take the guy with the most upside. That would be Adams, who turned in an outstanding NBA combine. He already has the NBA body, a non-stop motor and a terrific work ethic. If and when he starts figuring things out offensively, he could turn into the Thunder’s long-term answer in the middle. On the defensive end though, he’s ready to play in the NBA right now. He has the makings of a future NBA star and it makes sense for the Thunder to take a chance on him here, especially with two first-round picks and no immediate needs.
13. Dallas Mavericks
Player Name: Dennis Schroeder
Position, School: PG, Germany
Dallas may look to trade this pick to clear some cap space in order to try and attract Dwight Howard or Chris Paul. But for now, I still have them targeting a point guard of the future. The best one on the board still is Schroeder. He is lightning quick and very long. He’s not as NBA-ready as some of the other point guards in the draft, but he makes the Mavs more athletic and that has to be a priority.
14. Utah Jazz
Player Name: Shane Larkin
Position, School: PG, Miami
The Jazz have to come away with an answer for the future at point guard and they should be thrilled if either Larkin or Schroeder are available for them at No. 14. Larkin has “wowed” teams during workouts and is a great pick-and-roll guard who can find open shots for his teammates or hit open looks if he is given them.
15. Milwaukee Bucks
Player Name: Shabazz Muhammad
Position, School: SF, UCLA
Every year someone drops in the first round and this year I am projecting that to be Muhammad. While a lot of questions about his character, work ethic and ability have risen during the past few weeks, he gives the Bucks a guy that can create his own shot and finish as a shooter or near the basket, something Milwaukee desperately needs.
16. Boston Celtics
Player Name: Kelly Olynyk
Position, School: C, Gonzaga
Boston needs size and some scoring ability. Adding a guy like Olynyk, who can stretch the floor as well as play down low will be a big part of Boston’s future. Olynyk is for real on the offensive end as he can finish around the rim, put the ball on the deck and drive to the rim or knock down open jumpers.
17. Atlanta Hawks
Player Name: Rudy Gobert
Position, School: PF, France
Gobert is 7’1″ with athleticism and a 7’9″ wingspan. On paper alone, he should make an excellent NBA prospect. He is very raw and it may take him a few years to fully develop, but as the Hawks look to rebuild, he is a guy that could be a big part of their future.
18. Atlanta Hawks
Player Name: Jamaal Franklin
Position, School: SG/SF, San Diego State
Franklin can help the Hawks out a great deal by giving them a talented wing scorer. He’s a very athletic wing who rebounds, plays above the rim and can do just about everything on the floor, although his long-range shooting needs a lot of work.
19. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Los Angeles Lakers)
Player Name: Sergey Karasev
Position, School: SF, Russia
Karasev is a guy who could step in and help the Cavs right away if needed. He put up impressive numbers in Russia, and Cleveland could use another sniper from beyond the arc. He has the size to play both wing positions, is a terrific shooter, has a high basketball IQ, and at 19, already has significant professional experience averaging 18.4 PPG in the Russian League. Karasev is being compared to former NBA star Toni Kukoc.
20. Chicago Bulls
Player Name: Allen Crabbe
Position, School: SG, California
The Bulls continue to search for a shooting guard who can shoot the ball and may have to reach a little here for Crabbe, as he’s probably the best one left on the board unless the Bulls want to take a stab on a guy like Archie Goodwin, who may have more upside. He’s not a good defender by any stretch of the imagination, which wouldn’t fit well with tom Thibodeau’s system, but Crabbe can shoot it and when he is hot he is very tough to contain.
21. Utah Jazz (via Golden State)
Player Name: Mason Plumlee
Position, School: PF, Duke
The Jazz already added a point guard, now they need to add frontcourt help with booth Paul Millsap and Al Jefferson free agents. Plumlee is a very athletic, skilled inside scorer who is also a great rebounder. He would be a great value pick for the Jazz this late.
22. Brooklyn Nets
Player Name: Gorgui Dieng
Position, School: C, Louisville
Dieng is not only an impressive rebounder, defender and shot-blocker, but he improved offensively throughout the season. The Nets could really use a backup 5 and would benefit from Dieng’s shot-blocking abilities.
23. Indiana Pacers
Player Name: Tony Mitchell
Position, School: SF, North Texas
The Pacers have a great starting five, but they need some players who can score off the bench. Mitchell is a risk, but he has Top 10 talent if he ever realizes his potential. He’s an elite athlete and a terrific rebounder and could fit into the Indiana rotation rather nicely if he ever puts it all together.
24. New York Knicks
Player Name: Isaiah Canaan
Position, School: PG, Murray State
The Knicks can target their point guard of the future in Canaan, who is almost a clone of Raymond Felton. He’s a 6’1” with a great handle and playmaking skills. Canaan is also extremely quick and has a strong frame that can absorb contact around the rim. In addition Canaan is a natural floor general and one of the best shooters in all of college basketball. He has impressed teams in a big way during workouts and should find himself in the first round.
25. Los Angeles Clippers
Player Name: Tim Hardaway JR.
Position, School: SG, Michigan
The Clippers can target a shooting guard who can score the ball, which would add even more depth to an already deep team as well as some youth for the future. Hardaway Jr. has the perfect build for an NBA 2-guard- a 6’5” frame, long arms and fluid athleticism, not to mention he can score points in bunches.
26. Minnesota Timberwolves (from Memphis Grizzlies)
Player Name: Jeff Withey
Position, School: C, Kansas
Wolves’ big man Nikola Pekovic is a free agent this summer, as is his backup, Greg Stiemsma. Withey was one of the best shot-blockers in college basketball last year and could add some defensive toughness to their front line. They already got the shooter they need badly with their earlier pick, so I would expect Minnesota to target the best big man available here.
27. Denver Nuggets
Player Name: Ricky Ledo
Position, School: PG, Providence
The Nuggets are in a position where they don’t really need much (except a coach). They can take another young player that they can be patient with. Scouts feel Ledo has Top 10 talent once he develops. It’s just a case of adding more talent to an already very deep team.
28. San Antonio Spurs
Player Name: Reggie Bullock
Position, School: SF, North Carolina
The Spurs would like to find a big man here, but instead will take a chance on Bullock, who helped his stock with a very strong combine. He is a long, athletic wing that could turn into a big time scorer. Bullock has deep range on his jumper and is a versatile player who can finish well in transition.
29. Oklahoma City Thunder
Player Name: Giannis Antetokounmpo
Position, School: SF, Greece
Some say that Antetokounmpo has as much upside as any player in the draft. Without immediate needs to fill and without a player at No. 29 that could step right in and contribute, it makes sense for the Thunder to roll the dice on Antetokounmpo and give him some time to develop.
30. Phoenix Suns (via Miami)
Player Name: Glen Rice Jr.
Position, School: SG/SF, D-League
Already getting a 2-guard with the No. 5 pick, the Suns will likely target another win that can shoot the ball. After dominating the D-League last year, Rice is NBA-ready. He’s likely big enough to play the 3, which is big for the Suns.
Photo Credit: Getty Images
