Here is our updated 2013 NBA Mock Draft. Click on the players’ name for a complete, in-depth scouting report.
(By the way, The Sports Bank was graded as the most accurate 2011 AND 2012 NBA Mock Draft on the web.)
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1. Orlando- Nerlens Noel, PF/C, Kentucky, 6-10, Fr.
A season-ending torn ACL could damage his chances of going first overall since he could be sidelined until October and won’t get a chance to work out for teams this summer. However, Noel is the best prospect in the 2013 NBA Draft class and the re-building Magic could use an athletic shot blocker.
Go here for more on Noel
2. Charlotte- Ben McLemore, SG, Kansas, 6-5, Fr.
Neither Ben Gordon nor Gerald Henderson appear to be the long-term answer at shooting guard for the Bobcats so Ben McLemore gives them a needed scorer and shooter on the wing to go alongside Kemba Walker and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist.
Go here for more on McLemore
3. Cleveland- Otto Porter, SF, Georgetown, 6-8, So.
The Cavs are lacking a true small forward and Otto Porter would be the perfect fit here. His all-around ability would be a terrific young piece to add to the talented young backcourt of Kyrie Irving and Dion Waiters.
4. Phoenix- Victor Oladipo, SG, Indiana, 6-5, Jr.
The Suns sorely need and upgrade of talent on the wing and should target someone like Ben McLemore or Victor Oladipo. With McLemore off the board at this point, Victor Oladipo is the selection.
Go here for more on Oladipo
5. New Orleans- Trey Burke, PG, Michigan, 5-11, So.
Greivis Vasquez had a breakout season for the Hornets but Trey Burke played himself into a top pick in this draft during the NCAA Tournament and is the best option here for the young Hornets.
Go here for more on Burke
6. Sacramento- Anthony Bennett, PF, UNLV, 6-8, Fr.
Since the Kings pretty much gave up on their first round pick last year, Thomas Robinson, they are once again searching for a power forward. Anthony Bennett is a bit undersized but an inside/outside threat can should cause match-up problems at the next level.
7. Detroit- Shabazz Muhammad, G/F, UCLA, 6-6, Fr.
With a young frontcourt of Greg Monroe and Andre Drummond intact, the Pistons should focus on improving their wing play. Shabazz Muhammad is dropping on big boards and fits a need, but Detroit might be better served selecting a big like Alex Len to build depth up-front.
Go here for more on Muhammad
8. Washington- Alex Len, C, Maryland, 7-1, So.
With Emeka Okafor entering the final year of his contract, the Wizards could snag Len who is loaded with upside and give him a year to continue to develop. A small forward or power forward would also be an option.
9. Minnesota- C.J. McCollum, SG, Lehigh, 6-3, Sr.
The T-Wolves have been searching for a true a shooting guard but could also use some depth at center since Nikola Pekovic is a free agent. C.J. McCollum is a bit undersized but a better option than any of the bigs on the board.
10. Portland- Giannas Adetokunbo, SF, Greece, 6-9, 1994
The Blazers need depth all across the board and Adetokunbo is a point forward type player that has a unique skillset for his size. He is starting to gain some serious steam as a NBA prospect.
11. Philadelphia- Cody Zeller, C, Indiana, 6-11, So.
Though I think Zeller is a massively overrated NBA prospect due to a lack of physicality but the 76ers could use some size inside. Another option for Philly would be adding depth on the wing.
12. Oklahoma City (from TOR)- Rudy Gobert, PF/C, France, 6-11, 1992
This is a luxury pick for OKC so they can take a chance on a player with higher upside and allow him time to develop. Gobert is an athletic big with a huge wingspan (7’9)
13. Dallas- Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, SG, Georgia, 6-4, So.
With O.J. Mayo already saying he will opt out of his contract, the Mavs need a shooting guard. A point guard could also be an option since since Darren Collison is a restricted free agent.
Go here for more on Caldwell-Pope
14. Utah- Michael Carter-Williams, PG, Syracuse, 6-5, So.
With no point guard under contract for next season, the Jazz will likely use one of their first round picks on a floor general. Michael Carter-Williams is one of the top pure point guards in college basketball.
15. Milwaukee- Dario Saric, F, Croatia, 6-10, 1994
The Bucks will be looking for backcourt depth specifically at shooting guard but with no two worth taking this high, turn their attention elsewhere. Saric is a prototypical, versatile European prospect with great fundamentals for his size.
16. Boston- Kelly Olynyk, 7-0, C, Gonzaga, Jr.
The Celtics could use a big man inside and the “Dazed and Confused” looking big man made huge strides with his game this year. He is a skilled but not very physical seven-footer.
17. Atlanta- Mason Plumlee, PF, Duke, 6-10, Sr.
The Hawks will be going through a roster transition this off-season and will likely take the best available player at this option.
18. ATL (from HOU via BRK)- Tony Mitchell, SF, North Texas, 6-8, So.
With Josh Smith likely leaving via free agency, the Hawks could use an athletic forward which Mitchell certainly is.
19. Cleveland (from LAL)- Dennis Schroeder, PG, Germany, 6-2, 1993
Backcourt depth is still an area of need for the Cavs and Schroeder really turned heads at the Nike Hoops Summit, emerging as a first round prospect.
20. Chicago- Jeff Withey, C, Kansas, 7-0, Sr.
I think the Bulls either look for a shooting guard or depth inside and take the best available of those options. Withey is a great shot blocker and the Bulls love defensive-minded players. He could help replace what Chicago lost in Omer Asik last off-season.
21. Utah (from GS via BRK)- Gorgui Dieng, C, Louisville, 6-11, Jr.
With Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap free agents, the Jazz need some options up-front. Dieng is a terrific shot blocker and has a developing mid range game as well.
Shane Larkin, PG, Miami FL, 5-11, So.
With no point guard under contract for next season, the Jazz will likely use one of their first round picks on a floor general. I’d be surprised if Shane Larkin returns to Miami since the Hurricanes lose a ton of talent off their roster.
22. Brooklyn- Sergey Karasev, SF, Russia, 6-7, 1993
The Nets need depth all across the board and will look at the best available player. Karasev is a crafty scorer who can really shoot it from distance.
23. Indiana- Allen Crabbe, SG, Cal, 6-6, Jr.
Drafting a power forward makes sense since David West is in the final year of his deal but with no four worth taking at this point, a wing could be an option in case Indiana decides to move Danny Granger.
24. New York- Mouhammadu Jaiteh, PF/C, France, 6-11, 1994
Marcus Camby is not getting any younger. Kurt Thomas was released and Rasheed Wallace retired again so the Knicks could use some depth inside. Jaiteh is a project big man but worth taking at this point.
25. L.A. Clippers- Steven Adams, C, Pitt, 7-0, Fr.
The Clips lack any real depth depth inside. Adams has the ideal size for a NBA big but still needs time to develop before he’ll be ready to be a real contributor.
26. Minnesota (from MEM)- Lucas Noguiera, C, Brazil, 7-0, 1992
Having gone with a wing in the lottery, the T-Wolves turn their attention to adding some size inside. Noguiera has been on scout’s radars for quite some time due to his size and athleticism.
27. Denver- Jamaal Franklin, SG, San Diego State, 6-5, Jr.
With Andre Iguodala holding a player option on his contract and Corey Brewer a free agent, the versatile Franklin provides insurance on the wing.
28. San Antonio- Reggie Bullock, G/F, North Carolina, 6-7, Jr.
The Spurs could use depth on the wing or inside. Bullock has great size for his position and can stroke the rock.
29. Oklahoma City- Archie Goodwin, SG, Kentucky, 6-4, Fr.
Goodwin would add insurance on the wing if Kevin Martin leaves via free agency.
Go here for more on Goodwin
30. Cleveland (from MIA)- Ricky Ledo, G/F, Providence, 6-7, Fr.
The Suns add another wing player with plenty of potential. Because he was ineligible, Ledo didn’t play a single game for the Friars this season but he is an athletic and great size for his position.
CLICK HERE FOR A LIST OF EARLY ENTRIES INTO THE 2013 NBA DRAFT
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David Kay is a senior feature NBA Draft, NBA, and college basketball writer for the Sports Bank. He also heads up the NBA and college basketball material at Walter Football.com and is a former contributor at The Washington Times Communities. David has appeared on numerous national radio programs spanning from Cleveland to New Orleans to Honolulu. He also had the most accurate 2011 NBA Mock Draft and the most accurate 2012 NBA Mock Draft on the internet (Yup, repeat champ… #humblebrag.)
You can follow him on Twitter at David_Kmiecik.
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