Well that’s just it, we are less than 24 from the Cleveland Cavaliers officially being on the clock to kick off the 2013 NBA Draft.
However, this year’s draft may be a little more unique than most simply by saying the top ten really could be a complete toss up. In fact, the Cleveland Cavaliers who hold the No. 1 pick overall have aggressively been shopping that top pick so it remains to be seen if the Cavs do end up picking first.
Regardless, we’ll stick to the current game plane despite the likelihood of there being some movement throughout the first round.
1. Cleveland Cavaliers – Nerlens Noel (PF/C – Kentucky)
IF Cleveland keeps the pick look for them to go with Noel who will surely help improve that league worst 47.6 shooting percentage held by the opposition. Noel is a monster at 7 feet who can get down low in the paint or watch that perimeter from the wing. A true defensive monster.
2. Orlando Magic – Ben McLemore (SG – Kansas)
Despite the poor workouts, McLemore is a guy that Orlando probably can’t pass up given their pretty big need for back court help. McLemore is seen as a potential Ray Allen type of shooter with some very good athleticism.
3. Washington Wizards – Otto Porter (SF – Georgetown)
Look for Washington to possibly trade out of this pick as well. However if they stick with it a versatile small forward with a nice mid-range game like Otto Porter could definitely fit the bill for the Wizards.
4. Charlotte Bobcats – Alex Len (C – Maryland)
Len is a physical center that rebounds well, averages 2.1 blocks per game and can play with his back to the hoop. He’s a definite number one for any team in desperate need for a true center.
5. Phoenix Suns – Victor Oladipo (SG – Indiana)
Phoenix has plenty of holes but Oladipo is a guy that can essentially help in killing two birds with one stone. First he thrives at being a total ball hawk but it’s his skills on defense that truly separates him from the pack. Oladipo can lock a man down and come off of screens to swipe steals out of an opposing players grip.
6. New Orleans Pelicans – Trey Burke (PG – Michigan)
New Orleans it’s essentially going to come down to whether or not they want the best overall player on the board still in Anthony Bennett or the most NBA ready point guard in Trey Burke. It almost seems like a no brainer that they should go with Bennett BUT this is the same team (sorta they were the Hornets back then) that lost Chris Paul and Trey Burke looks to be a legitimate replacement for CP3. Not to mention a true point in the NBA is extremely valuable.
7. Sacramento Kings – Anthony Bennett (SF/PF – UNLV)
Demarcus Cousins is crazy but getting a guy like Anthony Bennett to team with him down low may turn D-Boogey into being much more manageable. Plus think about the rebounding potential between these two. It may just give Sacramento fans something to look forward too.
8. Detroit Pistons – Michael Carter-Williams (PG – Syracuse)
The Pistons would’ve wanted Trey Burke right here, probably pretty badly however Michael Carter-Williams isn’t a bad plan B for Joe Dumars. Burke may be the more polished NBA point but Carter-Williams is more versatile and could be a nice pairing with Brandon Knight who the team probably see’s more as a two guard now.
9. Minnesota Timberwolves – Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SF – Georgia)
Minnesota needs some size at the two-guard spot and Caldwell-Pope’s 6’6″ frame should fit in nicely. Not to mention he’s an incredible perimeter shooter, has plenty of athleticism and could turn out to be a very nice two-way player in the Association.
10. Portland Trail Blazers – Cody Zeller (PF/C – Indiana)
After a nice combine I can’t really see Cody Zeller dropping out of the top ten. Portland is set at power forward but it’s Zeller’s versatility to play center (as a power forward) that will have the Trail Blazers dreaming of the Zeller-LaMarcus Aldridge pairing down low.
11. Philadelphia 76ers – Steven Adams (C – Pittsburgh)
Adams is a project, but his upside may be too much for Philadelphia to pass up. He has great size standing at 7’0″/255 lbs. and impressive athleticism that could also make him an offensive threat down the road. Philly needs a big man no question however are they going to be willing to execute some patience on Adams to enjoy what he has to offer down the road? I think so.
12. Oklahoma City Thunder – Kelly Olynyk (C – Gonzaga)
Oklahoma City doesn’t have a ton of holes but one thing that does need to be address is their scoring within the paint. Olynyk can provide just that with an arsenal of post moves and ability to shot in the perimeter. The concern though with him is whether or not he’ll get run over on defense by the the talent level the NBA has to offer.
13. Dallas Mavericks – Shabazz Muhammad (SF/SG – UCLA)
The Mavericks are another team that are looking to get out of this pick but if they don’t Muhammad could be their guy at 13. He is somewhat rough around the edges when it comes to his willingness to fit into a team concept but he can shoot the ball. In addition he’s a physical swing man that has an array of moves around the rim that could make him very appealing in the NBA.
14. Utah Jazz – Shane Larkin (PG – Miami FL)
The Jazz need help at the point like no other and Larkin seems like the best option up to this point.
15. Milwaukee Bucks – C.J. McCollum (SG – Lehigh)
With the Bucks more than likely losing Monta Ellis this offseason they’re going to need a shooter to replace his production. Obviously McCollum won’t match Ellis’ output out of the gate but he has proven during his workouts that he can shoot the ball and have scoring potential.
16. Boston Celtics – Dennis Schroeder (PG – Germany)
Schroeder maintains an elite level of quickness and the potential to run the pick-and-roll at a high efficiency. Some NBA executives describe him as a ‘miniature Rajon Rondo’. Kind of ironic considering where he may be picked.
17. Atlanta Hawks – Lucas Nogueira (C – Brazil)
There’s probably a good chance Atlanta trades one of these picks but if they remain here look for them to take a guy with nice shot blocking and rebounding potential like Nogueira.
18. Atlanta Hawks – Sergey Karasev (SF – Russia)
Like Dennis Schroeder, Sergey Karasev is an international player that can play in the NBA from day one. After drafting Nogueira at 17 the Hawks need a wing player with this pick which they address in Karasev who already has a good court IQ and a very smooth jump shot.
19. Cleveland Cavaliers – Jamaal Franklin (SG/SF – San Diego State)
Versatility is the name of the game for Franklin. He certainly has the ability to play the two but can step into the three spot unless being matched up with a big front court.
20. Chicago Bulls – Gorgui Dieng (C – Louisville)
Joakim Noah is one of the best defenders in the league but something Chicago needs to do is develop some depth at the position and Dieng can do just that. Now he isn’t going to work for everyone but for the Bulls it certainly seems like a worthy pick considering what Tom Thibodeau was able to do for their current starting big man.
21. Utah Jazz – Mason Plumlee (C – Duke)
Plumlee will serve as a depth guy for the Jazz and will be a nice addition with Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap headed to free agency. Overall Plumlee is an athletic 7-footer who is good around the rim, highly intelligent and adaptable to a support role off the bench.
22. Brooklyn Nets – Tim Hardaway Jr. (SG – Michigan)
A team probably needing to replace Joe Johnson and Gerald Wallace in the next coming seasons, Hardaway Jr. could be a nice piece to learn those roles in the next few seasons. While at Michigan Hardaway Jr. showed some impressive numbers on the offensive side of the ball especially when it came to crashing the rim and using his athleticism to drain outside jumpers. The trouble with him though is he was often times inconsistent and unable to put together complete games.
23. Indiana Pacers – Rudy Gobert (C – Cholet)
Standing at 7’2″ with an incredible 7’8.5″ wingspan and plenty of athleticism, Gobert gives plenty of NBA teams (including the Pacers) hope that he can turn himself into a very good big man in North America. He’ll need to bulk up a bit but at 20 years of age carries nice potential to become what many think he can become which is a good NBA center.
24. New York Knicks – Jeff Withey (C – Kansas)
New York is a team in desperate need to protect and eventually replace an aging front court. Withey gives the Knicks that option with his athleticism and ability to play either power spot.
25. Los Angeles Clippers – Tony Snell (SF – New Mexico)
The Clippers need help on the wing and Snell being a natural small forward will provide just that for the Clippers. Not to mention his ball skills which enable him to play shooting guard from time to time.
26. Minnesota Timberwolves – Ricky Ledo (SG – Providence)
The T-Wolves continue to address their perimeter scoring issues by taking Ledo with the 26th overall pick. After finishing last in three-point shooting percentage (30.5) in 2012-13 Ledo should be able to continue address those needs especially after Minnesota went with Caldwell-Pope at 9. There are some concerns though with his maturity having bounced around several high schools due to academic issues and there’s a general feeling that life off the court could end up consuming his NBA career.
27. Denver Nuggets – Grant Jerrett (PF – Arizona)
Denver has done a good job at getting most of their needs addressed prior to entering the draft and at this point the Nuggets need to start taking care of their depth.
Grant Jerrett could be a nice compliment to Kenneth Faried at power forward especially with his ability to shoot the ball (40 percent with the Wildcats).
He doesn’t have a lot of upside but did well at his workouts and knows his limitations.
28. San Antonio Spurs – Livio Jean-Charles (SF/PF – France)
The Spurs get the inside track on Livio Jean-Charles with his time playing for SVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne, a club owned in part by fellow Frenchman and current Spur Tony Parker.
Aside from that connection though, Jean-Charles could be a reliable finishing target as a slasher or mid-range shooter. You also can’t help but notice him lighting up the USA team at the Nike Hoops Summit for 27 points and 13 rebounds.
29. Oklahoma City Thunder – Archie Goodwin (SG – Kentucky)
From a physical standpoint, Goodwin is an excellent NBA prospect that could serve the Thunder well. He’s explosive around the basket, quick in transition and off the dribble and has the athleticism and length that can have him competing against any height differentials at the NBA level.
One of his glaring problems though could be his inconsistencies in point production, especially from the perimeter.
30. Phoenix Suns – Allen Crabbe (SG – Cal)
In terms of range, Allen Crabbe is legit which comes despite his lowest three-point percentage this past season at Cal. He did however make up for it at the combine with a solid performance shooting the ball and has decent size that can put him in a nice position to use the screen.