New mock draft with the pre lottery order set. This is the most wide open draft in years. There might not be an All Star in the bunch, but I think you can find rotation guys well into the second round. Also, interesting fact, I have eleven non US born players in the first round.

Enjoy!




I will start out by saying this. Trey Burke should be the Magic's pick, no matter where they end up drafting. It would actually be a blessing in disguise if Orlando does not land the number one selection. NBA draft logic says you can't draft a 6 foot point guard without elite speed and athleticism with the first overall pick. Not with seven footers available! The only real alternative would be Nerlens Noel. His ceiling is probably Marcus Camby but he does offer game changing defense and would be a part of an intriguing big man rotation with Nikola Vucevic and Andrew Nicholson. I really am not a fan of Noel, but this is a very weak draft, every player has quite a few question marks. Someone has to go number one. I hope the Magic would go after Burke, but NBA Draft history says this will be Noel.



This pick could come down to Oladipo and Ben McLemore. The Bobcats will have a big hole at shooting guard and could use athleticism and scoring next to Kemba Walker. Both players provide that, but I think Oladipo will give you so much more. He is not the shooter McLemore is, but is stronger and can get to the rim almost at will. Not to mention he is a superior defender and would give the Bobcats two very strong wing defenders to go along with Michael Kidd-Gilchrist. McLemore's shooting potential would be tough to pass up, but I slightly prefer Oladipo here.



Ben McLemore would look awfully good next to Kyrie Irving but the Cavaliers will not draft a player that relegates the 2012 first round pick Dion Waiters to sixth man status. Cleveland identifies specific needs in the draft and goes after that. The biggest hole on this team is clearly at small forward. Otto Porter might not ever be an all star, but he can do everything pretty well. He is a nice ball handler, rebounder, defender and shooter. He has to get stronger but could be a better Jeff Green in the pros.



The Suns just do not have the talent and athleticism to win in the NBA on most nights. They need to focus on adding athletic players to this roster. I am not as high on McLemore as some others. I wonder if he has the drive to be any more then a catch or shoot guy, but he does have the potential to be a 20 point per game scorer in the NBA, and you cannot say that about many players in this draft. He would instantly get all the minutes he could handle at shooting guard for a Suns team that is starving for guys who can shoot and score.



The Hornets are officially the Pelicans. Fly Pelican, fly! Burke falls to number five because teams 2 through 4 are set at point guard. Burke is not an elite athlete, and he does not have John Wall type size, but he is a winner, a great floor general and an efficient scorer. He should have a fine career as a starting NBA point guard, and I think he will go as high as #2 if Orlando does not have the first overall pick. Also, to toot my own horn, I had Burke as a top five pick back in January when most of the experts thought there was no way he would be a lottery pick. If guys like Jonny Flynn and DJ Augustin can become top ten picks, Burke is a lock. As for the Pelicans, Greivis Vasquez would probably be better suited as a backup on a playoff caliber team, as much as fantasy players would hate to see that.



The Kings would love to land in the top three to draft Nerlens Noel or Otto Porter. Both guys have nice size and offer defense, just what the Kings need. But both are gone here, and the Kings are in a tough spot. Do they really need another offense only player like Shabazz Muhammad? Both point guards are also options here. Saric is gaining momentum to be a top ten pick. He is currently on a great run in the Croatian playoffs, and has a very nice all around game at the small forward position. I cannot remember the Kings ever drafting a foreign prospect, but they are looking to save every dollar they can right now, and drafting a guy and stashing him may be the way to go as they try to sell the team.



Michael Carter-Williams could not keep up his torrid pace once Syracuse entered Big East play, but that was to be expected. He displayed very nice ball handling skills and even some scoring ability at times. especially during the NCAA Tournament against Indiana. Unfortunately, his shooting regressed as a sophomore. He has the size to provide scoring against smaller guards, but his main job will be as a facilitator. He would be a very nice fit with the Pistons and will allow Brandon Knight to focus more on scoring.



Bennett came on strong during his freshman season, showing explosiveness and an ability to score on anyone. He slowed down a bit late in the season but was still one of the best players in college basketball. If he was two inches taller he would be the number one pick. He still could, though recent highly drafted tweeners like Michael Beasley and Derrick Williams have not fared too well in the NBA. Bennett has a better power game then those two players and should be able to hold down the four spot for the Wizards. He is great value here.



While Muhammad's stats look pretty good, he definitely had a disappointing lone year in Los Angeles. He did not do much for the Bruins other then score, and he wasn't terribly efficient at doing that. I think once he gets into an NBA rotation he won't be such a one dimensional ball hog, but it is troubling when you can't even average an assist per game. Then of course there is the news that he is actually a year older then thought. That will make scouts wonder how much his high school numbers were inflated playing against kids a year younger then him. Still, I think he is a pretty safe bet to eventually be a 20 point per game scorer in the NBA, and the Timberwolves desperately need to find wing players who can create their own offense.


Kentavious Caldwell-Pope made two great decisions that could have him wind up in the lottery. First, he chose to return to Georgia for his sophomore year. After a slow start he caught fire, and rode that wave all the way to the SEC Player of the Year award. He willed a bad Georgia team with bad coaching after ditching some of his early ball hog ways. Second, this draft is very weak with shooters, some team will draft him late in the lottery because NBA squads are always looking for players who can knock down the three. The Blazers could be one of those teams. They would like some scoring off of the bench and someone to eventually push Wesley Matthews.


The Doug Collins era is finally over for the Sixers. Like every other team that employed Collins, the players eventually grew tired of him and stopped playing. Philadelphia's season was over before it started after they traded three players for Andrew Bynum, who did not log one minute in Philly. Looking at the Sixers roster, I think they would like to add a young, tough big man to protect themselves if Bynum moves on, or to provide solid minutes if he returns. Dieng might not ever be a superstar, but I think he has the talent to be a solid starting center. He is a good shot blocker and rebounder, and can run the floor and even provide some offense. He put up a stinker in the Final Four against Wichita State, but rebounded with a tremendous all around effort against Michigan in the championship game.


It is not often a player who averages 16.5 ppg and 8.1 rpg had a disappointing year, but you would have to quality Cody Zeller's sophomore season as under whelming. His college career culminated in a loss in the tournament to Syracuse, where he was really beaten up and pushed around. That game pretty much killed any chance he had in going in the top five. In fact, scouts were pleading that Zeller returned for his junior season to work on his strength and post game. But Zeller wisely saw how weak this draft was and threw his name into the hat. He has a lot of deficiencies, but he is a great scorer and a good athlete for a man his size. Oklahoma City would be a perfect spot for him to land. He can work on his game while getting 20 minutes per night for a championship contender, and eventually should work his way into a starting role on the front court along Serge Ibaka.


CJ McCollum was on his way to National Player of the Year recognition when an injury ended his season. He is expected to make a full recovery in time for the pre draft process. Like most mid major stars, McCollum played point guard but was shouldered with most of the scoring responsibility. If he can show scouts that he has what it takes to play point guard, like Damian Lillard, he could shoot up draft boards. The Mavericks would love to land him. He would be able to step in and play big minutes at the point right away, something Dallas is looking for as they hope to return to the playoffs. The Mavericks had to rely on castoffs like Derek Fisher and Mike James to provide minutes at the point, so they would love to stabilize that position.


Schroeder used the Nike Hoop Summit to put his name on the map and he looks like a lock for the first round right now, especially with the point guard dominated NBA game. He is undersized and not a great finisher at the rim, but he is lightning quick and an amazing athlete. He really took charge during practices and then the game, and scouts are eager to see more. The Jazz clearly need a point guard or two, and this is the perfect draft to gamble on someone like this kid.


The Bucks could be set to lose two of their best shooters, Mike Dunleavy and JJ Redick, this off season. Unlike most foreigners in this mock, Karasev is a big time producer for his Euro squad. He is a great shooter and scorer and should be ready to come in right away and provide solid offense for Milwaukee off the bench.




Alex Len started the season off looking like a dark horse number one pick. But as ACC play picked up his play tailed off. Then to cap it off Len suffered a serious ankle injury that will knock him out for the entire pre draft process. Ankle and foot injuries are always worrisome for big men, as we have seen countless 7 footers forced to retire early because of them. Of course Zydrunas Ilgauskas, the player Len is often compared to, overcame early career foot injuries and had several solid seasons. But the injury, coupled with the fact that Len is still a huge project that was going to be drafted in the top ten almost entirely due to potential, could cause him to slip out of the lottery. I still expect him to be a top twenty pick, especially with several teams like the Hawks owning multiple first round picks.


Franklin is very athletic, a good rebounder and defender, and a solid ball handler. The only thing keeping him out of the lottery is his shooting. Scouts like to see their shooting guards....shoot. The Hawks roster is going to look vastly different next year, and Franklin and 2012 first round pick John Jenkins should get a lot of run as guards for Atlanta. Franklin's defense will go good with the shooting of Jenkins.


The Cavaliers have four of the first 33 picks in this draft, so they can afford to use one of those selections on the potential of Gobert. Right now, he is extremely raw, and does not play a big role for his Euro team. There is a great chance he never really makes a dent in the NBA, but he can run the floor, block shots and possesses a monster wing span. Best case scenario, he becomes a Tyson Chandler like defensive presence for the Cavaliers.


The Bulls are a deep team who has done a very good job of drafting and developing young talent. This is a great spot for Adams to land. He is still extremely raw but has an NBA body and can help out as a backup big man who comes in to block shots and rebound the basketball. He will be to Tom Thibodeau what Omir Asik was a couple of seasons ago.


The life of a senior in the NBA draft. Plumlee remained at Duke for all four years and improved his game every season. But he will likely see guys with a third of his production drafted ahead of him based on potential. Scouts worry that the 23 year old Plumlee beat up on 18 year old kids all season. He is what I have always thought he was when I had him in my mock drafts for the last four years. He should at the least be a solid big man off the bench who can rebound and score some buckets. The Jazz might lose both of their starting big men this off season and Plumlee would make a solid backup to youngsters Enes Kanter and Paul Millsap.


The Nets have almost 90 million dollars (90 million dollars!) in contracts for the 2013-2014 season, so they could be yet another team who drafts a Euro player and stashes him overseas for a few years. Adetokoubo has raised eyebrows and gained national attention the last couple of months. Some scouts compare him to Scottie Pippen due to his all around point forward game. He is young and extremely raw, and is playing in a league that is comparable to Division III college basketball. He most likely needs a few years of seasoning but is a player to keep an eye on.


Larkin struck while the iron was hot, using Miami's surprising season to propel himself into the first round of this draft. He is undersized, but is lightning quick and a good shooter. I do not know if he is a good enough ball handler to become a starting point guard, but he would make a great backup to George Hill. The Pacers have gone through Darren Collison and DJ Augustin and still have not found someone to spell Hill.


At this point in the draft it will be very hard for the Knicks to add someone who can come in and help immediately, but Withey should be able to give them 15 minutes of effort per night. Withey has worked very hard to become one of the best big men in college basketball, and his size and great shot blocking ability should get him a spot in the first round, even if the upside to become anything more then a backup is low.


Even though the Clippers are expected to retain Chris Paul, things are going to be very different in Los Angeles next year. The Clippers were composed of old veterans this year. Chauncey Billups, Grant Hill and Lamar Odom should be gone, and they might be forced to trade emerging and soon to be expensive point guard Eric Bledsoe. The Clippers have a chance to add someone here who will be a part of the rotation. Crabbe gets to stay home and should provide some shooting off the bench behind Jamal Crawford.


Like I said earlier, the Wolves need wing players. Brandon Roy only lasted a handful of games, and Alexey Shved looks like the only shooting guard on the roster with any long term potential. Hardaway is not great at any one thing, but is a solid shooter, a good defender and will be a good, smart teammate.



Like most young talented Euro prospects, Abrines received little burn during the regular season for one of the best teams in Europe, but he has produced much more now that the playoffs are here. He is only 20 and likely will not come over to the NBA for a couple years, but he is a good shooter and ball handler and has some Rudy Fernandez to his game. The Nuggets have ten players under contract for next year, and would not have a rotation spot for a rookie to step right into next year.



After two years of inconsistent minutes, the former top recruit Bullock finally got playing time, and responded with a very nice season. He is in the late first round mix with several other wing prospects. The Spurs always seem to get the most out of their players, and Bullock could be this team's next Danny Green. Bullock is a good shooter and scorer.



The Thunder have their big three locked up long term and are using the draft to add young talent to the rotation. Cody Zeller is already aboard, and now Glen Rice Jr. could join Jeremy Lamb in replacing Kevin Martin's production. Rice was kicked off the Georgia Tech program and found himself in the NBDL. He exploded late in the season and playoffs and looks like he could crack the first round. He is an explosive scorer and has the bloodlines to become a successful NBA player. It will be interesting to see if high school prospects decide to take the Developmental League route instead of going to college.


Those stats are nothing to get excited about, but if you paid attention to the Nike Hoop Summit, you definitely know about this kid. During the game, he exploded for 27 points and 13 rebounds. That type of performance gets you noticed and often has a team select you in the first round. Jean-Charles is young and could stay overseas for a couple years, but he is a very explosive athlete and could grow into a solid role player. Of course, like a lot of foreign prospects, he could fizzle out before ever making it to the NBA, but the Suns have two first round draft picks and could take the plunge here.

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Second Round

31. Cleveland Cavaliers (from Orlando Magic) - SF DeShaun Thomas, Jr, Ohio State. Thomas has the body and speed of a 40 year old man but he can put the ball in the basket, and the Cavaliers need more scorers on the roster.

32. Oklahoma City Thunder (from Charlotte Bobcats) - PG Myck Kabongo, So, Texas. Kabongo's two year career at Texas was a disaster, but he is talented and would make a solid backup point guard.

33. Cleveland Cavaliers - PG Lorenzo Brown, Jr, North Carolina State. Brown has his deficiencies but could make a solid backup point guard for Kyrie Irving.

34. Houston Rockets (from Phoenix Suns) - C Lucas Nogueira, Brazil. The Rockets have had success in the past with foreign prospects. Nogueira is raw and skinny, but is athletic and could grow into a solid backup big man.

35. Philadelphia 76ers (from New Orleans Hornets) - PG Nate Wolters, Sr, South Dakota State. Wolters is a big time scorer who also has solid point guard skills. The Sixers need a solid backup point guard for Jrue Holiday.

36. Sacramento Kings - PF/C Mouhammadou Jaiteh, France. The Kings could have twelve players under contract for next season, so they draft someone they can stash overseas for a few years.

37. Washington Wizards - PG/SG Erick Green, Sr, Virginia Tech. Green does not have a set position, but was one of the best scorers in basketball and could take the place of Jordan Crawford as instant offense off the bench for Washington.

38. Detroit Pistons - SF/PF Tony Mitchell, So, North Texas. Mitchell regressed badly as a sophomore, but has the talent to be another Josh Smith. The Pistons have struck it rich with talented players who have fallen the past few years.

39. Portland Trail Blazers (from Minnesota Timberwolves) - SF/PF CJ Leslie, Jr, North Carolina State. Leslie is a good college player that looks like the next Hakim Warrick in the NBA. He won't be a starter, but should earn some minutes on a young, shallow Blazers bench.

40. Portland Trail Blazers - PG/SG BJ Young, So, Arkansas. Like Mitchell, Young regressed as a sophomore, but is a talented scorer that would help Portland's second unit.

41. Memphis Grizzlies (from Philadelphia 76ers) - SG/SF DJ Stephens, Sr, Memphis. Stephens may be the best athlete in the draft, but does not do anything well enough to be a first rounder. The Grizzlies have minutes available at the wing positions.

42. Philadelphia 76ers - PG/SG Vander Blue, Jr, Marquette. Blue is a good defender and can back up both guard positions. Another year at Marquette and he could have been a first round pick in 2014.

43. Milwaukee Bucks - SG Archie Goodwin, Fr, Kentucky. Goodwin arrived in Kentucky touted as a possible top five pick, but he left college with scouts not knowing what kind of player he will be. He may have to prove himself as a second rounder.

44. Dallas Mavericks - PG/SG Ricardo Ledo, Fr, Providence. If anyone is willing to gamble on Ledo, it is Mark Cuban. Scouts have not seen Ledo in action in a year, but he could shoot into the first round with solid workouts.

45. Portland Trail Blazers (from Milwaukee Bucks) - SG Nemanja Nedovic, Serbia. There is no room on Portland's roster for four rookies, so they draft the strong but squatty Serbian guard.

46. Utah Jazz - PG Pierre Jackson, Sr, Baylor. The Jazz could be in the market for two or three point guards to add to the roster. Jackson is lightning quick and a talented scorer that is drawing some Nate Robinson comparisons.

47. Atlanta Hawks - SF Andre Roberson, Jr, Colorado. Roberson was one of the best rebounders and defenders in college, but his offense is putrid. He is still a bubble first rounder and should help out an NBA team as a rookie.

48. Los Angeles Lakers - SG/SF Tony Snell, Jr, New Mexico. Snell is a very athletic wing player, and can play solid defense as well. If he was a better scorer he might be a first round pick.

49. Chicago Bulls - PF Trevor Mbakwe, Sr, Minnesota. It seems like Mbawke has been in college for 15 years. He will never be a star, but could have a Reggie Evans like impact as a rebounder and pest off the bench.

50. Atlanta Hawks (from Chicago Bulls) - PG Isaiah Canaan, Sr, Murray State. Canaan is undersized and not a great distributor for his position, but he is a great scorer and a big time competitor.

51. Orlando Magic (from Golden State Warriors) - PG/SG Seth Curry, Sr, Duke. I think if Seth was not related to Steph he would be drafted a bit higher then this. He is nowhere near the class of his All Star sibling, but he is a great shooter and can come off the bench for the Magic and knock down some shots.

52. Minnesota Timberwolves (from Brooklyn Nets) - C Zeke Marshall, Sr, Akron. Marshall is thin but he is a 7 footer and can block shots. Some team could draft him and try to develop him.

53. Indiana Pacers - PF/C Mike Muscala, Sr, Bucknell. Muscala looked like an early second rounder before Bucknell pushed him around on a national stage in the tournament. He is a hard worker who may lack the talent to make an NBA living.

54. Washington Wizards (from New York Knicks) - SF James Southerland, Sr, Syracuse. Southerland is a late bloomer who showed a nice shooting touch as a senior. He could carve out a James Jones like role in the NBA.

55. Memphis Grizzlies - PF Ryan Kelly, Sr, Duke. Kelly is a big man who relies on his jump shot to score. He had one of the best games in college last year when he dropped 36 points on Miami.

56. Detroit Pistons (from Memphis Grizzlies) - PG Ray McCallum, Jr, Detroit. The Michigan native was a former top recruit who chose to stay home and play for his father at Detroit.

57. Phoenix Suns (from Denver Nuggets) - PF Grant Jarrett, Fr, Arizona. Jarrett chose to bolt to the NBA after his freshman season with the Wildcats. He has some talent but is so far away from being NBA ready he may not even be drafted.

58. San Antonio Spurs - C Walter Tavares, Spain. There isn't a bigger project then Tavares. He is 7'2, but is a complete non factor for his Euro team and there is a small chance he will ever see the NBA. But this is the type of pick the Spurs like to gamble on.

59. Minnesota Timberwolves (from Oklahoma City Thunder) - PF/C Colton Iverson, Sr, Colorado State. Iverson was a beast for the Rams but probably is not talented enough to make much of an NBA living.

60. Memphis Grizzlies (from Miami Heat) - SF Adonis Thomas, So, Memphis. Thomas was a top recruit and potential lottery pick but never developed his two years in Memphis. He is worth a flyer this late.