2013 NBA Mock Draft Predictions: Ben McLemore and Nerlens Noel Top Lottery Picks: The 2013 NBA Draft is just a couple of weeks away, and it is looking more and more like an unpredictable night is on tap. Not only is the No. 1 overall pick still very much up in the air, but it appears that the top-two picks are both being shopped around. General managers throughout the league are likely going to be very busy on draft night, and just because a player is picked by a particular team, it doesn’t mean they are still going to be with that time when the night is over. With that in mind, the latest mock draft includes potential trade scenarios in the commentary.
1. Cleveland Cavaliers: Ben McLemore, Shooting Guard, Kansas
While Cleveland could certainly stand to upgrade its terrible defense, the combination of McLemore’s outside shooting and pure athleticism gives him an enormous upside. Down the road, the a backcourt of McLemore and Kyrie Irving could be downright deadly, and if the Cavaliers do decide to trade this pick either before or during the draft as their front office has indicated, McLemore should have plenty of buyers.
2. Orlando Magic: Nerlens Noel, Center, Kentucky
The Magic want a point guard, but taking any of the top prospects at the position with the No. 2 pick would be a major reach. As a result, look for Orlando to take the best player left on the board in Noel and try to move him if this pick isn’t moved before the draft. After all, the worst case scenario is that the Magic get stuck with a gifted shot blocker with plenty of potential.
3. Washington Wizards: Anthony Bennett, Forward, UNLV
Scouts debate whether he is better suited as a small forward or forward, but since Washington needs frontcourt scoring, Bennett is a great fit regardless of where he plays. Plain and simple, he is the most-polished and most-versatile scorer in this draft.
4. Charlotte Bobcats: Otto Porter, Small Forward, Georgetown
Charlotte’s roster is so deprived of talent it’s scary, and the simply Bobcats just can’t afford to keep swinging and missing. Porter may not have the highest ceiling, but he is a solid two-way player and does just about everything well.
5. Phoenix Suns: Victor Oladipo, Shooting Guard, Indiana
The shooting guard spot is Phoenix is a mess, but Oladipo will be an immediate fix. In addition to being able to guard the best perimeter player on the opposition on a nightly basis, he is an insane athlete that is deadly in the open court. Look for Oladipo to stuff the stat sheet for the Suns.
6. New Orleans Pelicans: Alex Len, Center, Maryland
Len is a perfect fit for the Pelicans as they try to establish the core of their franchise. In addition to having an NBA body and the skills to be a productive scorer at the center spot, he will keep Anthony Davis from having to beat and bang with the bigger frontcourt players and allow Ryan Anderson to spend more time stretching the floor with his perimeter shooting.
7. Sacramento Kings: Trey Burke, Point Guard, Michigan
I wouldn’t be surprised if Sacramento and Orlando ended up working out a deal that sends Burke to the Magic, but the Kings could use the floor general themselves. This franchise had lacked an identity and a leader for a while, and Burke will give them both.
8. Detroit Pistons: Michael Carter-Williams, Point Guard, Syracuse
Anyone reading this article could probably beat Carter-Williams in a shooting contest, but all his other measurables are very intriguing. After all, there aren’t many 6’6” point guards that have excellent court vision and passing skills that can also jump out of the gym. Needless to say, he is a potential matchup nightmare. Not to mention the fact that he can afford to be mainly a distributor early in his career as Detroit’s young frontcourt of Greg Monroe and Andre Drummond handle the offensive load.
9. Minnesota Timberwolves: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Shooting Guard, Georgia
With Ricky Rubio slicing and dicing up defenses and pushing the tempo, Minnesota needs a player that can make opponents pay if they collapse on Rubio as he drives the lane. Caldwell-Pope has the range to do just that while his above average perimeter defense is an added bonus.
10. Portland Trailblazers: Shabazz Muhammad, Small Forward, UCLA
Muhammad has been one of the most-critiqued prospects in the draft, but despite the question marks about his all-around game and his true position, there is no denying his ability to score. For a Portland team that got next to nothing in terms of bench scoring last year, Muhammad’s will be a useful addition even if he ends up be nothing more than a high-usage scorer.
11. Philadelphia 76ers: Cody Zeller, Power Forward, Indiana
Andrew Bynum may end up having more knee surgeries than points for Philadelphia so the 76ers need to start looking for frontcourt scoring elsewhere. Zeller may never be a nightly double-double guy, but he is an excellent athlete for his size and comes equipped with a solid offensive arsenal that features.
12. Oklahoma City Thunder: Gorgui Dieng, Center, Louisville
Oklahoma is either going to use this pick to stash a prospect with a bunch of upside or to add a player that can help them immediately. On the heels of an early playoff exit, I expect the latter. Dieng is a fundamentally sound rebounder and post defender, and his body is already NBA ready. He may not have much of an offensive game, but he will be an upgrade over the increasingly-useless Kendrick Perkins. Plus, it’s not like the Thunder need more scoring options.
13. Dallas Mavericks: C.J. McCollum, Shooting Guard, Lehigh
Owner Mark Cuban wants to build this team in free agency with the likes of Chris Paul and Dwight Howard, but with shooting guard O.J. Mayo already saying he is opting out of his deal, Dallas will need a perimeter scoring option. McCollum has range to spare, and his mid-range game and ability to slash to the rim are also above average. There is also a chance Dallas will trade this pick to a team looking to jump up into the lottery while saving themselves some cap space as they make a run at the big name free agents.
14. Utah Jazz: Dennis Schroeder, Point Guard, Germany
Utah has an arsenal of quality big men on its roster, but they need a point guard. Schroeder has shown the decision making skills and passing ability to be a quality floor general, and his shot is decent enough to keep defenses honest.
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