2013 NBA Mock 1.0

1. Cleveland Cavaliers: Nerlens Noel C Kentucky
The Cavs won the lottery for the second time in three years and for the third time in ten. Pending a physical, they will most likely take Noel. He does not fill a particular need, but he is the best player in the draft.

2. Orlando Magic: Trey Burke PG Michigan 
The Magic lucked out when they lost the lottery. Now they will not have to take Noel who does not fill a particular need. They will take Burke who will likely start from the get-go or at least get plenty of playing time. Burke would replace the aging and ineffective Jameer Nelson. Burke really upped his stock during the Final Four with great play. Burke would fit in well with with this team since they need a scorer and distributer.

3. Washington Wizards: Otto Porter SF Georgetown
The Wizards also got lucky on lottery night. They moved up from pick 8 to pick 3. This allows them to take Porter with their pick. Porter would fill an immediate need and would also fill out a nice trio of himself Beal and Wall. Porter needs to work on his outside shot, but for now he is a great slasher and is very adept at getting to the rim.

4. Charlotte Bobcats: Ben Mclemore SG Kansas 
The Bobcats improved from last season, but they were still pretty terrible. Kemba Walker was the only player who could score on a consistent basis. They could really use a big man, but they they really need is a shooting guard. Mclemore would be able to score at will. I think he will be the best player in the draft.

5. Phoenix Suns: Victor Oladipo SG Indiana 
Not many people knew who Oladipo was before this season, but he has vaulted himself to the top of the draft. He struggles with his outside shot, he is a great defender. He has a lot of potential as a scorer because of his athleticism. The Suns should be happy to get him. He could likely be the face of the franchise going forward.

6. New Orleans Pelicans: Alex Len C Maryland 
The Hornets need some help inside, Anthony Davis can't do it alone. Len would provide a big defensive presence. His offensive game is lacking a little, but that should not be a problem because he should not be asked to score a lot. He will continue to develop this offensive game and in the future he and Davis will make for a very scary front line.


7. Sacramento Kings: Anthony Bennett PF/SF UNLV 
Bennett is small for a power forward, but he is an inside/outside threat on offense. He becomes a liability on the defensive end. He is not quick enough to guard NBA small forwards and he is too small for lengthy power forwards. Sacramento needs him. Their whole team is a wreck. They need the best player on the board and they will get him in Bennett.


8. Detroit Pistons: Shabazz Muhammad SG/SF UCLA 
Muhammad was predicted to be the number one player in the draft before the season. However, he ended up being not having a great season. He had troubles with shot selection and is a black hole on offense. The Pistons need someone who as the ability to score from outside the paint. Muhammad has that ability, he just needs to make better decisions.

9. Minnesota Timberwolves: Giannas Adetokunbo SF Greece
Adetokunbo has sky rocketed up draft boards recently. He has good handles and is decent a shooter. He is a point-forward type, but he will not need to tap into that in Minnesota because of Rubio. Minnesota really needs a shooting guard, but Adetokunbo is too good to pass up.

10. Portland Trailblazers: Cody Zeller C Indiana 
There have been a lot of reports that Hickson is on his way out in Portland. That opens up the need for a starting center like Zeller. Zeller needs to become stronger and play more physical. This would be good value for Portland because he is not a top 5 player like some think.

11. Philadelphia 76ers: Rudy Gobert C France
Gobert set the record for standing reach and wingspan at the combine. He has tons of potential and he could become one of the best centers in the league. The 76ers traded for Andrew Bynum last season, but he never played a game and will likely leave in free agency. They need a center to compliment Jrue Holliday.

12. Oklahoma City Thunder: Kelly Olynyk C Gonzaga 
This might be a bit of a reach, but Olynyk impressed at the combine. This is also a luxury pick for the Thunder, but they would be getting a great player. Perkins needs to go, there is no doubt about. He had a negative PER in the playoffs, NEGATIVE. Olynyk would likely be the starter from day one. It would also give the Thunder another scoring option on their starting five.

13. Dallas Mavericks: CJ McCollum  G Lehigh
McCollum is a 6-3 combo guard, but he can score. He was injured for a good chunk of last season which might hurt his stock. The Mavericks have absolutely nothing at either guard position so this would be a good pick. McCollum would likely start from day one.

14. Utah Jazz: Michael Carter-Williams PG Syracuse 
The Jazz need a point guard in the worst way. They have not had one since Derron Williams left and last season Mo Williams was hurt for the most part. Williams is not the answer at point guard, they will only find that in the draft. Carter-Williams is really tall for a point guard, but struggles to shoot over other players. He is a good distributor who will bother other point guards with his length. He could be gone at this point, but if the draft falls this way the Jazz should not complain.

15. Milwaukee Bucks: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope SG Georgia 
Monte Ellis will likely be gone after the season, along with Brandon Jennings. Somebody will have the back court all to themselves. Pope is a good shooter and a decent play maker. The Bucks may not make the playoffs again in a while and need to start rebuilding.

16. Boston Celtics: Mason Plumlee PF Duke
The Celtics are in a bad spot here and I would not be surprised if they traded out of this pick. They could use a shooting guard or a center, but there are none worth taking at this point. They drafted Sullinger last season, but who knows if his back will ever be OK. Plumlee is a developing his offensive game, but he is a really good rebounder. He needs to get stronger and more physical, but that is the same with every big in the draft.

17. Atlanta Hawks: Dario Saric PF Croatia
Saric is a versatile European player. He has great size and fundamentals which he will put to use in the NBA. He has the ability to shoot over other power forwards, but it can be tough to develop European players to their potential. Josh Smith will likely leave during free agency leaving a gaping hole in his spot.

18. Atlanta Hawks: Tony Mitchell SF North Texas
Tony Mitchell is a very athletic player who is good at making cuts into the lane for easy layups. He could use some work on his outside shooting, but that is not what Atlanta needs. As long as he does not jack up stupid shots like Josh Smith he should be fine. The Hawks have needed a small forward for the longest time and Mitchell should clear up that need so they can focus on their guards.

19. Cleveland Cavaliers: Allen Crabbe SG California
The Cavs need some small forward help, but there aren't any worth taking at this point in the draft. The Cavs need help in the backcourt and that is compounded by the fact that I don't think Dion Waiters is that good. Crabbe would play good minutes and I could see him as the starter in a couple of years.

20. Chicago Bulls: Jeff Withey C Kansas
Withey is a dangerous shot blocker who is also good as a post up defender. The Bulls need to replace what they lost in Asik and Withey should be able to do that. When Noah went out in games, teams did not fear going inside, but if Noah is replaced by Withey, teams will.

21. Utah Jazz: Sergey Karasev SF Russia
Karasev is an outstanding scorer who can shoot it very well from deep. The Jazz need a small forward because Marvin Williams is not getting it done. If they could find two starters in the draft it would be great.

22. Brooklyn Nets: Reggie Bullock SF UNC
This would be a reach for the Nets, but they could really use the sharp shooting of Bullock. Currently, Wallace is not getting it done for them. Maybe he can step up his game, but even if he does, he is still not a shooter. Bullock would fill this need.

23. Indiana Pacers: Jamaal Franklin SG San Diego State
Assuming the Pacers are trying to get rid of Granger, this would be the best possible pick for them. They need a shooting guard really bad and Lance Stevenson should not be filling that role in the future. Franklin is very versitile and should be able to make a name of himself in the league.

24. New York Knicks: Dennis Schroeder PG Germany
Jason Kidd needs to retire and Prigioni is going to be 36. It is tough to say if either of them will be back next season. Schroeder will add depth along with some scoring ability.

25. LA Clippers: Steven Adams C Pittsburg
The Clippers need a true center who actually uses their size. Adams still needs to develop his offensive game, but he has great size and is only a freshman.

26. Minnesota Timberwolves: Archie Goodwin SG Kentucky
The Timberwolves need a shooting guard in the worst way. Goodwin had a disappointing year at Kentucky, but there is no reason to think he can't turn it around. He needs to work on his outside shot and free throws.

27. Denver Nuggets: Gorgui Dieng C Louisville
The Nuggets could really use a center. Dieng plays great defense and is a good shot blocker. He also has a developing mid range shot which would come in handy playing with Ty Lawson. Dieng could start right away, but every Nuggets fan knows how George Karl is with rookies.

28. Oklahoma City Thunder: Ricky Ledo G/F Providence 
The Thunder need someone behind Durant so he can actually get some rest. Ledo has loads of potential, but he did not get to play since he was ruled ineligible

29. Phoenix Suns: Lucas Noguiera C Brazil
He seems like he has been around forever, but this is the first time he has declared for the draft. He is athletic and big. The Suns need a little of everything so he should not be left without playing time.

30. San Antonio Spurs: Tim Hardaway JR SG Michigan 
The Spurs have a luxury of picking whomever they want to. Hardaway needs to be more aggressive at getting to the basket. He is a good shooter and should be in that role until he further develops.