By Nathan Goldenberg
Just a week after the Miami Heat won their second consecutive NBA championship; the attention of basketball fans across the country has been turned to the Barclays Center for the 2013 NBA draft. In one of the weaker drafts in recent memories there isn’t a can’t miss prospect or a consensus number one pick. Without immediate contributors, only time will tell who will walk away from Brooklyn a winner.
1. Cleveland Cavaliers – Nerlens Noel, C, Kentucky
The number one pick has come down to a two horse between a pair of bigs coming off lower body injuries but at the end of the day the Cavs take Nerlens Noel out of Kentucky. Noel’s thin stature and lack of a polished offensive game have many worried but his ability to be a defensive force right away forces Cleveland’s hand as they get an athletic big man to run the pick and roll with star point guard Kyrie Irving.
2. Orlando Magic – Ben McLemore, G, Kansas
Despite poor showings in pre-draft workouts and lack of a killer instinct at Kansas, McLemore can fill it up whether it be from downtown or using his speed and driving to the lane. He’s the kind of two-way player the Magic will need as they continue their rebuilding process. With rumors of Arron Afflalo on the way out, look for Orlando to find the future of their franchise here.
3. Washington Wizards – Otto Porter, F, Georgetown
With their backcourt set for the future in John Wall and Bradley Beal, the Wizards turn to the versatile forward from Georgetown to replace the injuries and ineffectiveness that Trevor Ariza and Martell Webster have been providing them.
4. Charlotte Bobcats – Alex Len, C, Maryland
After almost going number one to Cleveland, Alex Len gets snatched up by a Bobcats team desperate for a game changing big man. Len showed a skilled low post game during his last year at Maryland and can develop his defense under the tutelage of recently hired assistant coach Patrick Ewing who spent years working with Dwight Howard in Orlando.
5. Phoenix Suns – Anthony Bennett, F, UNLV
Despite weighing in almost 20 pounds overweight after recovering from an elbow injury the Suns look to add the talent and vast upside Bennett brings to a roster firmly in rebuilding mode. He showed in college that he has the ability to play the perimeter and also bang down low with the bigs.
6. New Orleans Pelicans – Trey Burke, G, Michigan
Drafting as the Pelicans for the first time, New Orleans looks to make up for last year’s blunder of picking Austin Rivers by selecting national Player of the Year Trey Burke. Burke is the point guard of the future and should succeed running the pick and roll with Anthony Davis and finding open threes for sharpshooter Ryan Anderson.
7. Sacramento Kings – Shabazz Muhammad , F, UCLA
It’s simple, the Kings need scoring and Muhammad can provide it in bunches. A highly touted recruit who fell short of expectations due to off the court and character issues should fit in nicely right next to the league’s biggest firecracker DeMarcus Cousins. First year head coach Mike Malone will have quite the task in taming these two hot heads.
8. Detroit Pistons – CJ McCollum, G, Lehigh
After gaining national attention for leading Lehigh to a first round upset over Duke in the NCAA tournament, McCollum struggled with a foot injury that kept him sidelined the majority of last season. The Pistons have one of the best young frontcourts in the NBA but it has been made clear that Brandon Knight is not a starting point guard. They’ll target McCollum who has the ability to lead an offense and also make a big impact on the defensive end.
9. Minnesota Timberwolves – Victor Oladipo, G, Indiana
Flip Saunders hasn’t attempted to hide his infatuation for Oladipo and is able to land him in a spot where we wouldn’t have expected to. The Wolves need to replace out of position Luke Ridnour and do so with an elite defender who has room to grow on the offensive end.
10. Portland Trailblazers – Cody Zeller, F, Indiana
Last year every starter on the Blazers played at least 35 minutes per game so they’ll look to add some depth to their bench with a backup for LaMarcus Aldridge. With Meyers Leonard still developing at center, Zeller will provide athleticism and scoring off the bench for a team that severely lacked both last season.
11. Philadelphia 76ers – Steven Adams, C, Pittsburgh
Much like another center in Pennsylvania, Adams failed to make the impact that was expected of him. But this raw talent from New Zealand possesses the physical attributes and potential that has scouts drooling, forcing Philly to take him to fill the void at center a few years down the road.
12. Oklahoma City Thunder (from Toronto) – Kelly Olynyk, C, Gonzaga
The biggest area of need for the Thunder is center as right now they start the worthless and expensive Kendrick Perkins. They’ll look to add breakout star Kelly Olynyk who can spread the floor with his mid-range jumper and will have Serge Ibaka protecting him on defense.
13. Dallas Mavericks – Michael Carter-Williams, G, Syracuse
The Mavericks really don’t want to make this pick. They were going to force themselves to take Dario Saric before he withdrew his name from the draft but now they really don’t want it. In all likelihood, they free themselves of this pick on the quest for Dwight Howard but if not Carter-Williams is the pick. Standing 6’6” and possessing outstanding court vision, he has the tools to one day be the leader of a team.
14. Utah Jazz – Dennis Schroeder, G, Germany
Schroeder tore it up at the Nike Hoops Summit and without a point guard currently on the roster the Jazz take him off the board at 14. Look for the Jazz to grab another point guard in free agency that he can learn from for a few years before taking over.
15. Milwaukee Bucks – Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, G, Georgia
A great player on a horrible Georgia team, Caldwell-Pope took home SEC player of the year honors last season. He has shown the ability to create his own shot and should more than fill the shoes of the recently departed Monta Ellis.
16. Boston Celtics – Shane Larkin, G, Miami
After dazzling at the combine, Larkin comes to Boston to back up the oft injured Rajon Rondo and perhaps take over in a couple years depending on if the C’s go into full on rebuilding mode and deal Rondo. Larkin’s athleticism should provide a solid contribution off the bench for the near future.
17. Atlanta Hawks –Mason Plumlee, C, Duke
The Hawks are all in on the Dwight Howard sweepstakes but will need to grab a center here allowing Al Horford to slide to his natural position at the 4. Plumlee may not be starting caliber but look for him to play quality minutes early on.
18. Atlanta Hawks (from Houston) – Giannis Adetokunbo, F, Greece
This is nothing more than a money saving move by the Hawks as they try to make a big splash in the free agent market .They’ll look to stash Adetokunbo in Greece as he continues to develop offensive skills.
19. Cleveland Cavaliers (from LA Lakers) – Sergey Karasev, F, Russia
The Cavs have four picks in the top 33 and don’t have minutes for all of them. They target the sharpshooting prospect who will likely stay in Russia for the next few years. At just 19 years old, Karasev has the potential to make a real impact down the road.
20. Chicago Bulls – Allen Crabbe, G, California
The Bulls will be looking to add perimeter shooting and grab perhaps the best in the draft here at 20. He showed elite scoring ability during his last year at Cal and should get plenty of open looks once Derrick Rose is back out on the court.
21. Utah Jazz (Golden State) – Tim Hardaway Jr., G, Michigan
Despite already grabbing a guard, the Jazz attempt to fortify their backcourt with Hardaway. His athleticism should get him open looks to knock down 3s which he has shown the ability to do, at times.
22. Brooklyn Nets – Gorgui Dieng, C, Louisville
The only player form the Championship team drafted in the first round, Deing can provide necessary length off the bench. Especially with Kirs Humphries on the way out, he should be able to carve out a nice role off the bench.
23. Indiana Pacers – Reggie Bullock, F, North Carolina
The Pacers are another team rumored to be interested in adding a knockdown shooter and Bullock is one of the best in the draft. After having one of the worst benches last season, Bullock and Stephenson look to provide a nice scoring combo from a reserve role.
24. New York Knicks – Tony Mitchell, F, North Texas
Mitchell comes off a very disappointing that saw his numbers and the Mean Green’s as a whole fall off. Once projected as a lottery pick, Mitchell has the potential to be one of the steals of the draft if he plays hard.
25. LA Clippers – Jamaal Franklin, G, SDSU
The Clippers could very well fill their need at the 2 with Arron Afflalo but until that happens, they need someone to take the place of Willie Green. Franklin is a high energy player that can play defense out on the wing and score when he needs to. Oh yea, and he lead his team in scoring, rebounds, assists, and steals last year.
26. Minnesota Timberwolves (from Memphis) – Tony Snell, G, New Mexico
Even after adding Oladipo earlier in the draft the Wolves still need help on the wing. Cue Tony Snell who has recently drawn comparisons to former teammate Kawhi Leonard due to his athleticism and defense. Snell is also an underrated scorer who can knock down open 3s for a Minnesota team desperate for some shooting.
27. Denver Nuggets – Rudy Gobert, C, France
The Nuggets are happy with the young core of players they have now and won’t mind stashing Gobert overseas until he can contribute. He’s far away from that point now but after a few years of development, Gobert has the chance to be a dominant shot blocker thanks to his 7’9” wingspan.
28. San Antonio Spurs – Lucas Noguiera, C, Brazil
The Spurs love drafting foreign talent and letting it develop before coming to the NBA and contributing. Look for that trend to continue here as the Spurs take Noguiera to replace Tim Duncan and play alongside fellow countryman Tiago Splitter in a few years.
29. Oklahoma City Thunder – Jeff Withey, C, Kansas
Despite adding a center already, the Thunder draft another one who specializes on the other side of the ball. With little to no upside, Withey is no more than a shot blocking insurance policy should Serge Ibaka get injured.
30. Phoenix Suns (from Miami) – Erick Green, G, Virginia Tech
The Suns nabbed Anthony Bennett earlier in the first round and look here for a scorer in the backcourt. Green lead the nation in scoring last season and could be a nice spark plug off the bench for a Phoenix team that currently starts underwhelming PJ Tucker at the 2.
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