2013 NBA Mock Draft: v 8.0

Last mock before the big day tomorrow.

Make sure to bookmark my blog and come back tomorrow night when I will give instant analysis on the picks as they happen! Yes, go to this random blog instead of ESPN, NBA Draft Net or Hoopshype!

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1. Cleveland Cavaliers (24-58)
PF/C Nerlens Noel, Fr, Kentucky
6'10, 206 lbs
Hometown: Everett, MA
2012-2013 Stats: 10.5 ppg, 9.5 rpg, 4.4 bpg



In recent updates I have had Otto Porter and Alex Len as Cleveland's pick, but at the end of the day I think the team will succumb to Noel and draft him first overall, even though I do not like the idea at all. There are a ton of question marks about him, but you can say the same for any other player in this draft. Half are coming off of serious injuries, and all are incomplete players. Noel's defensive ability is hard to ignore, and at the least, he could become a Marcus Camby/Larry Sanders like shot blocker and rebounder. I would personally go with Len here, but I think at the end of the day this is going to be Noel.


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2. Orlando Magic (20-62)
SG Victor Oladipo, Jr, Indiana
6'4, 213 lbs
Hometown: Upper Marlboro, MD
2012-2013 Stats: 13.6 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 2.1 apg



The Magic are still in the beginning stages of a massive rebuilding project, so they will go with the best player available. Oladipo does not have the offensive ceiling of someone like Ben McLemore but he is a great defender and a ferocious competitor who should become the Magic's team leader sooner then later. Oladipo's offense is still a work in progress but I think he has the ability to be a better scoring version of Tony Allen. 

If I am the Magic, I listen to the Wolves and consider Derrick Williams and their two picks. I think Williams still has the opportunity to be a solid player and they could go with someone like Kentavious Caldwell-Pope at 9 and a foreign prospect like Rudy Gobert late in the first round. 


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3. Washington Wizards (29-53)
SF Otto Porter, So, Georgetown
6'8, 198 lbs
Hometown: Morley, MO
2012-2013 Stats: 16.2 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 2.7 apg


The Wizards seem to be very high on both Otto Porter and Anthony Bennett, and should have their choice of one or two of them. Porter does not need the ball in his hands to be successful and will play very well off of Washington's two very talented guards. Most expect the Wizards to be in the playoff hunt with a healthy John Wall in 2013-2014 and Porter will be able to help immediately. He may not have the potential of someone like Bennett or Nerlens Noel, but it looks like a pretty good bet he will be a solid pro and a good all around starter for a team itching to get back into the playoffs.


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4. Charlotte Bobcats (21-61)
C Alex Len, So, Maryland
7'1, 255 lbs
Hometown: Antratsit, Ukraine
2012-2013 Stats: 11.9 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 2.1 bpg



The latest rumors have the Thunder offering their top three picks and a future first rounder from the Mavericks to move up and select Alex Len. The talent starved Bobcats might have to consider that proposal, as they could add three more players to the rotation next season. However, Len's talent might be too tempting to pass up, especially from a team that has never really had a legit low post scoring option.

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5. Phoenix Suns (25-57)
PF/C Cody Zeller, So, Indiana
7'0, 240 lbs
Hometown: Washington, IN
2012-2013 Stats: 16.5 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 1.3 bpg




 I have a feeling that Zeller is going to go higher then many think, and the Suns could be a logical landing spot. They really need some front court scoring and Zeller has the athleticism to be a stretch four type who can run the floor. He may never be an All Star, but could average about 17 and 7 during his prime. The Suns have a lot of tweeners on their roster and might not want another one with Anthony Bennett, and Phoenix reportedly was not impressed with Ben McLemore's workouts.



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6. New Orleans Pelicans (27-55)
PG/SG CJ McCollum, Sr, Lehigh
6'3, 197 lbs
Hometown: Canton, OH
2012-2013 Stats: 23.9 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 2.9 apg


McCollum is one of the best shooters in this draft and has the ability to handle minutes at point guard. Other then Eric Gordon, New Orleans does not have any back court players who are great shooters. McCollum would also be insurance in case Austin Rivers is unable to transition to point guard.

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7. Sacramento Kings (28-54)
SG Ben McLemore, Fr, Kansas
6'5, 190 lbs
Hometown: St. Louis, MO
2012-2013 Stats: 15.9 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 2.0 apg


McLemore falls due to concerns over his desire and effort. His workouts have reportedly been uninspired and lazy, which falls in line with questions about leadership and assertiveness. But he is a humble player and a good kid and teammate, and the Kings need to remake their roster with that type of player. He is the best player available and has the potential to be one of the better offensive two guards in the league. The Kings are set to let Tyreke Evans walk and could have an opening for McLemore.


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8. Detroit Pistons (29-53)
SF/PF Anthony Bennett, Fr, UNLV
6'8, 240 lbs
Hometown: Brampton, Ontario, Canada
2012-2013 Stats: 16.1 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 1.2 bpg



As Joe Dumars seems to do every year, he catches a falling prospect who was considered a top five pick. Bennett has very good offensive potential, and with the Pistons he will be able to provide scoring and energy off the bench, and the coaching staff could mold him into their future starting small forward.

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9. Minnesota Timberwolves (31-51)
SG Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, So, Georgia
6'6, 204 lbs
Hometown: Greenville, GA
2012-2013 Stats: 18.5 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 1.8 apg


Other then size, shooting is usually the most coveted ability in the draft. Caldwell-Pope reminds me of Terrence Ross, who was a top ten pick last year. He has good size, toughness and a great shooting stroke. He carried a terrible Georgia squad during the second half of the season. He is everything you look for in an offensive shooting guard. Minnesota desperately needs athletes on the wing who can knock down the three.



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10. Portland Trail Blazers (33-49)
PG Michael Carter-Williams, So, Syracuse
6'6, 185 lbs
Hometown: Hamilton, MA
2012-2013 Stats: 11.9 ppg, 7.3 apg, 4.9 rpg



The Blazers would love to get their hands on shooters CJ McCollum or Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, but both are gone. Portland has a good starting five but little in the way of bench players. Eric Maynor is a free agent and Carter-Williams would be an upgrade as a backup point guard to Damian Lillard. and would allow the scoring Rookie of the Year to slide over to shooting guard on occasion.

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11. Philadelphia 76ers (34-48)
C Steven Adams, Fr, Pittsburgh
7'0, 255 lbs
Hometown: Rotorua, New Zealand
2012-2013 Stats: 7.2 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 2.0 bpg




Steven Adams might wind up spending most of the season in the D League, but he offers as much potential as any other player in the draft and I would not be surprised to see him picked as high as five to the Suns. He faced a steep learning curve coming to the states from New Zealand, but has an NBA frame and is a solid defender already. He would be good insurance in the event Andrew Bynum moves on. The Sixers really lack any type of physicality up front.



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12. Oklahoma City Thunder (62-20)
SG/SF Sergey Karasev, Russia
6'7, 205 lbs
Hometown: St. Petersburg, Russia
2012-2013 Stats: 16.1 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 2.4 apg


The Thunder hold three of the top 32 picks in this draft, and have been rumored to want to trade up, down and out of this draft, so nailing down a prospect here is next to impossible. It could be anyone, so I just went with the best available non point guard. Karasev is a sharp shooter who, unlike a lot of Euro's in this draft, is one of his team's best contributors. He is ready to join the NBA right away, but the Thunder could choose to leave him overseas to let him work on his game. Oklahoma City would be in need of bench scoring if they lose Kevin Martin.

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13. Dallas Mavericks (41-41)
C Lucas Nogueira, Brazil
6'11, 218 lbs
Hometown: Sal Goncalo, Brazil
               2012-2013 Stats: 5.4 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 1.1 bpg


I believe the Mavericks will try to trade this pick or simply draft the best available prospect that they can stash overseas here, since they seem to foolishly plan on putting all of their eggs in the free agent basket for the second straight year. Nogueira is a thin, athletic center who specializes in running the floor and blocking shots, but he has really improved his game and could have a future as a starting center in the NBA.


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14. Utah Jazz (43-39)
PG Trey Burke, So, Michigan
6'1, 187 lbs
Hometown: Columbus, OH
2012-2013 Stats: 18.6 ppg, 6.7 apg, 3.2 rpg


Burke falls because so many teams in the lottery are set at point guard. The Jazz will gladly reap the benefits. Burke is undersized and not the best athlete in the world, but he makes up for it with great court vision, strong leadership abilities and good scoring instincts. He will probably settle into more of a Mo Williams then Chris Paul type, but should have a solid career as a starting NBA point guard.
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15. Milwaukee Bucks (39-43)
PG Shane Larkin, So, Miami
6'0, 171 lbs
Hometown: Orlando, FL
2012-2013 Stats: 14.5 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 4.6 apg


Ish Smith is the only guard the Bucks have under contract, so needless to say, they will be looking for back court contributors. Larkin may top out as a backup point guard, but he is a good scorer who would provide a nice change of pace for Brandon Jennings or whoever else the Bucks end up handing the keys to.


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16. Boston Celtics (41-40)
SG/SF Shabazz Muhammad, Fr, UCLA
6'6, 222 lbs
Hometown: Las Vegas, NV
2012-2013 Stats: 17.9 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 0.8 apg




Danny Ainge is not afraid to roll the dice on falling prospects and could do so again with Muhammad. His shortcomings are well documented but at some point I think the reward far outweights the benifits. If the Celtics bring back Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett, as expected, Muhammad would have a year to learn from two of the best Celtics of all time before becoming more of a focal point of the offense the following season. Those of us old enough to remember can recall Paul Pierce falling down the draft in a similar manner, and look how that turned out.

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17. Atlanta Hawks (44-38)
SF Giannis Adetokunbo, Greece
6'9, 215 lbs
Hometown: Athens, Greece
         2012-2013 Stats: 9.5 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 1.3 apg



Adetokunbo is rumored to have a promise in the first round, and many think the Hawks are that team. It makes sense. They have two picks but would probably like to use one on a guy to stash as they gather money to throw at elite free agents. Adetokunbo is a few years from being able to contribute at the NBA level, but his talent is very intriguing. 


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18. Atlanta Hawks (44-38)
(from Hosuton Rockets)
SG Jamaal Franklin, Jr, San Diego State
6'5, 205 lbs
Hometown: Hawthorne, CA
2012-2013 Stats: 17.0 ppg, 9.5 rpg, 3.3 apg



I am a huge Jamaal Franklin fan. If he was a better shooter he would be a top ten pick. He is a good defender and a tremendous rebounder after playing power forward in San Diego State's four guard lineup. His jump shot is a work in progress, but he has the ability to improve. The Hawks will have plenty of roster spots available, and Franklin's toughness would be a nice compliment to the shooting of John Jenkins.


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19. Cleveland Cavaliers (24-58)
(from Los Angeles Lakers)
SG/SF Reggie Bullock, Jr, North Carolina
6'7, 200 lbs
Hometown: Kinston, SC
2012-2013 Stats: 13.9 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 2.9 apg

The Cavaliers went big with their first pick and will probably want to find shooting here. Bullock really emerged during his junior season, and has good size and great shooting for the position. Danny Green made a name for himself during the NBA Finals and Bullock could fill a similar role for Cleveland.

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20. Chicago Bulls (45-37)
PF/C Mason Plumlee, Sr, Duke
7'0, 238 lbs
Hometown: Warsaw, IN
2012-2013 Stats: 17.1 ppg, 10.0 rpg, 1.4 bpg


Backup center is a big need for the Bulls. I have had Gorgui Dieng here in recent updates but I think his injury woes are scaring teams. 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 may never be a starter but should have a long career as a solid, hard working backup.

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21. Utah Jazz (43-39)
(from Golden State Warriors)
PG Dennis Schroeder, Germany
6'2, 165 lbs
Hometown: Braunschweig, Germany
2012-2013 Stats: 11.9 ppg, 3.3 apg

Schroeder's workouts have not been that great and he is under contract with his German team for next season, so he could slip down into the 20's. Still, he is a first round pick thanks to his defensive presence and impressive athletic ability. I could easily see the Jazz double dip on point guards with none on the roster. He would be a nice change up to Trey Burke.


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22. Brooklyn Nets (49-33)
C Gorgui Dieng, Jr, Louisville
6'11, 230 lbs
Hometown: Kebemer, Senegal
2012-2013 Stats: 9.8 ppg, 9.4 rpg, 2.5 bpg



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. Injuries have caused his stock to drop a bit, but I think he has the chance to be a decent starting center in the NBA and is worth a pick in the 20's. The Nets have a serious lack of depth up front, especially with guys who can block and rebound.


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23. Indiana Pacers (49-32)
PG Isaiah Canaan, Sr, Murray State
6'0, 188 lbs
Hometown: Biloxi, MS
2012-2013 Stats: 22.4 ppg, 4.3 apg, 1.6 spg


Canaan is one of many mid major point guards who could be drafted late in the first round and in the second round. He is undersized, but quick and is a very good and confident scorer. He may never be a starter in this league, but could solidify the backup point guard position in Indiana behind George Hill.


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24. New York Knicks (54-28)
SF/PF Tony Mitchell, So, North Texas
6'9, 236 lbs
Hometown: Dallas, TX
2012-2013 Stats: 13.0 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 2.7 bpg




The Knicks are strapped for salary cap cash, so this may be their best opportunity to add talent to the roster. Mitchell has top ten talent, but checked out during a tough sophomore season at North Texas, and questions about effort and determination cause him to fall here. Still, he is way too talented to fall out of the first round and could wind up as a steal here.

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25. Los Angeles Clippers (56-26)
SG/SF Tony Snell, Jr, New Mexico
6'7, 198 lbs
Hometown: Riverside, CA
2012-2013 Stats: 12.5 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 2.9 apg



Snell will be the one first rounder that no one has heard of. He had a decent college career but has shot up the boards during the workout process. He is a high flying slasher who is also a very good wing defender. Chauncey Billups and Matt Barnes are free agents, and the Clippers could lose Caron Butler if they trade for Arron Afflalo, so there are minutes on the wing available for the native of nearby Riverside.


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26. Minnesota Timberwolves (31-51)
(from Memphis Grizzlies)
PF Kelly Olynyk, Jr, Gonzaga
7'0, 234 lbs
Hometown: Kamloops, BC, Canada
2012-2013 Stats: 17.8 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 1.7 apg


I am not a really big fan of Olynyk, but he has a place in the first round as a stretch four who could cause some mismatch problems on offense, and could find minutes if the Wolves lose Nikola Pekovic and have to play Kevin Love at center more often.


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27. Denver Nugges (57-25)
PG/SG Ricardo Ledo, Fr, Providence
6'6, 197 lbs
Hometown: Providence, RI
2012-2013 Stats: DNP




Based on talent alone, Ledo is a lottery pick. But he has been a complete mess off the court and could fall into the second round as a result. The Nuggets are about ten players deep, so this would be a little risk, high reward pick for them.

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28. San Antonio Spurs (58-24)
PF/C Rudy Gobert, France
7'2, 238 lbs
Hometown: Saint-Quentin, Aisne, France
              2012-2013 Stats: 8.1 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 1.5 bpg

 

Gobert's stock is all over the place. Some think he is a lottery pick, others aren't convinced he is worth a selection in the first round. I think some team will gamble on him in the 20's. There is as much of a chance that he will never make a dent in an NBA roster as he will in becoming a solid starter, but you cannot teach 7'2 with a legendary wing span. In this mock he lands with the team that is better then any in the NBA at developing foreign talent.



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29. Oklahoma City Thunder (62-20)
SG Alex Abrines, Spain
6'5, 195 lbs
Hometown: Mallorca, Spain
2012-2013 Stats: 3.3 ppg, 0.3 apg


Abrines is a young, flashy shooting guard with good offensive potential. He is still very young and will need a couple more seasons in Europe before he is ready to make the move to the NBA. The Thunder already have 12 players under contract and three of the top 32 picks in the draft, so expect them to use one of those picks on a stash prospect.

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30. Phoenix Suns (25-57)
(from Miami Heat)
SG Allen Crabbe, Jr, California
6'6, 197 lbs
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
2012-2013 Stats: 18.4 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 2.6

The Suns need to continue to add athletes to this roster. Crabbe isn't the most athletic in this draft but is a very good shooter with nice size. He has a chance to instantly win a starting spot on this team.

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Second Round (Without Analysis)

31. Cleveland Cavaliers (from Orlando Magic) - SG Tim Hardaway Jr, Jr, Michigan
32. Oklahoma City Thunder (from Charlotte Bobcats) - C Jeff Withey, Sr, Kansas
33. Cleveland Cavaliers - SF/PF Livio Jean-Charles, France
34. Houston Rockets (from Phoenix Suns) - SG Nemanja Nedovic, Serbia
35. Philadelphia 76ers (from New Orleans Pelicans) - PG Nate Wolters, Sr, North Dakota State
36. Sacramento Kings - SF Andre Roberson, Jr, Colorado
37. Detroit Pistons - PG Lorenzo Brown, Jr, North Carolina State
38. Washington Wizards - PG/SG Erick Green, Sr, Virginia Tech
39. Portland Trail Blazers (from Minnesota Timberwolves) - PF Mike Muscala, Sr, Bucknell
40. Portland Trail Blazers - PF Bojan Dubljevic, Serbia
41. Philadelphia 76ers - SG/SF Glen Rice Jr, NBDL
42. Memphis Grizzlies (from Toronto Raptors) - PF Grant Jerrett, Fr, Arizona State
43. Milwaukee Bucks - SG Archie Goodwin, Fr, Kentucky
44. Dallas Mavericks - SF/PF CJ Leslie, Jr, North Carolina State
45. Portland Trail Blazers (from Boston Celtics) - PF Jackie Carmichael, Sr, Illinois State
46. Utah Jazz - PF/C Colton Iverson, Sr, Colorado State
47. Atlanta Hawks - SF DeShaun Thomas, Jr, Ohio State
48. Atlanta Hawks (from Houston Rockets) - PG Raul Neto, Brazil
49. Los Angeles Lakers - SG/SF James Ennis, Sr, Long Beach State
50. Chicago Bulls - SF James Southerland, Sr, Syracuse
51. Orlando Magic (from Golden State Warriors) - PF Erik Murphy, Sr, Florida
52. Minnesota Timberwolves (from Brooklyn Nets) - PF/C Marko Todorovic, Spain
53. Indiana Pacers - PF Trevor Mbakwe, Sr, Minnesota
54. Washington Wizards (from New York Knicks) - PG Myck Kabongo, So, Texas
55. Memphis Grizzlies - PF Arsalan Kazemi, Sr, Oregon
56. Detroit Pistons (from Los Angeles Clippers) - PG Ray McCallum, Sr, Detroit
57. Phoenix Suns - PG Pierre Jackson, Sr, Baylor
58. San Antonio Spurs - PF Augusto Lima, Brazil
59. Minnesota Timberwolves (from Oklahoma City Thunder) - PF Joffrey Lauvergne, France
60. Memphis Grizzlies (from Miami Heat) - SF Oleksandr Lypovyy, Ukraine

Jonathan Carrano

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