2013 NBA Mock Draft 2.0 Trades Included (A Week Till Draft Edition)
June 28, 2012; Newark, NJ, USA; A general view of the first round draft board at the conclusion of the first round of the 2012 NBA Draft at the Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
With the 2013 NBA Finals in the books, the NBA world’s eyes turn to the draft next Thursday. Click here to see the first version of this draft. This version includes trade possibilities as well. Rumors surrounding the Cavs have swirled all week.
1. Cavaliers – Nerlens Noel – The Cavs choose the highest talented player even though injury history gives them some pause. A young core of Irving, Waiters, Thompson and Noel as well as any free agent acquisitions and there many 1st Round picks is intriguing.
1.0 Pick – Noel
2. Magic – Trey Burke – The Magic needs a talent infusion following the trade of Dwight Howard while a Ben McLemore would be a positive choice, his reported bad showings at workouts have to concern the team. Burke is the next PG for the Magic.
1.0 Pick – McLemore
3. Wizards – Otto Porter – The Wizards add to the core backcourt with Wall and Beal. A post player like Bennett or Len are possibilities but Porter’s do everything game is exactly what the Wizards need. If Porter isn’t selected here he could fall a few spots.
1.0 Pick – Porter
4. Bobcats – Anthony Bennett – The Bobcats are in need of identity and after the drafting of MKG last year, a offense player to fit between he and Bismack Biyombo is a perfect fit. Bennett’s game has alot of Derrick Williams in it, which is concerning this high in the lottery. This pick has been rumored to be on the move for a vet, including the Heat’s Chris Bosh.
1.0 Pick – Bennett
5. Suns – Alex Len – McLemore’s “fall” could end here but one of the reports came out of the Suns camp. A big player who can learn from the veteran Marcin Gortat gives the team a big to team with the young PGs and foundational pieces.
1.0 Pick – Len
6. Pelicans – Michael Carter-Williams – McLemore would also make sense here. With Oladipo and McLemore on the board the selection of MCW is a little surprising. Similar to the Pistons the Pelicans have a young guard who may not be able to play the pure point. Having the 6’6″ Carter-Williams next to Austin Rivers would give them position flexibility for the future of their team.
1.0 Pick – Oladipo
7. Kings – Victor Oladipo – With Burke off the board in this version the Kings draft a solid defensive shooting guard. Years of players who aren’t pure shooting guards, are only offensive players and/or are headcases, Oladipo provides none of the above. Oladipo may have the most upside athletically then the Indiana guard. The Kings history of maturity concerns lead against McLemore here.
1.0 Pick – Burke
8. Pistons – Ben McLemore – With the front court taken care of with Drummond and Monroe finding a big guard to fit with Brandon Knight is key. A team with multiple picks or young players may look to move up here to pickup McLemore, don’t be surprised if the Cavs are an option.
1.0 Pick – Michael Carter-Williams
9. TWolves – CJ McCollum – The best SG available should be the pick here, Pope out of Georgia, Shabazz Muhammed or Karasev also would not be a surprise.
1.0 Pick – Muhammed
10.Blazers – Shabazz Muhammed – The Blazers bring in a quality guard to pair with last years Rookie of the Year.
1.0 Pick – McCollum
11. 76ers – Cody Zeller – With Andrew Bynum’s health up in the air Cody Zeller could fit next to or replace him. Zeller impressed at the combine and was seen as a top 5 pick last year, drops a little this year.
1.0 Pick – Zeller
12. Thunder – Kentavious Caldwell-Pope – Look for the Thunder to move this pick if a player of their liking is not available. That could mean moving up or moving it for a veteran. If not Pope gives them a shooter off the bench since Kevin Martin is a free agent.
1.0 Pick – Rudy Gobert
13. TRADE: Mavericks trade to Cleveland with Shawn Marion for #31 and 33
13. Cavaliers – Sergey Karasev – The Cavs selected their Center of the future at #1, with this trade and selection get a strong shooter to space the floor. With Irving and Waiters in the backcourt, slashers who can shoot as well, and Thompson and Noel with limited range in the post, Karasev will find himself providing a valued skill. Karasev could be eased into the league with Marion being acquired to start in front of him.
1.0 Pick – Mavericks select Giannis Adetokunbo
14. Jazz – Dennis Schroeder – The Jazz are in a need a a point guard to fit next to Alec Burke and their young front court duo of Favors and Kanter. Hayward showed himself to be an acceptable starting small forward as well.
1.0 Pick – Schroeder
15. Bucks – Giannis Adetokunbo – The Bucks have to make a draft decision with the possibility of losing their starting point and shooting guards. With Sanders providing great defensive presence at the 5, Adetokunbo could fit with either Jennings or Ellis. Given time to develop, some executives have compared his skills with Kevin Durant.
1.0 Pick – Karasev
16. Boston – Gorgui Dieng – The Celtics on again off again trade with the Clippers could greatly effect this pick but until that’s finalized have to plan as is. As Boston spends the last year or 2 with Garnett and Pierce a defensive big guy next to Sullinger’s offensive game is the perfect fit. Dieng will learn from Garnett and can run an above the rim pick and roll when Rondo comes back healthy and long term.
1.0 Pick – Dieng
17. Hawks – Steven Adams – Whether the Hawks get Dwight Howard and/or Chris Paul won’t be known by draft day but a true Center next to Al Horford is a must for the Hawks. Adams is a project but has the size and athleticism to fit well next to Horford as a defensive playmaker. The project that is Rudy Gobert is someone that Danny Ferry could be tempted by.
1.0 Pick – Adams
18. Hawks – Reggie Bullock – An athletic 2 guard who can shoot from deep to go with Teague, or Paul if they can pull that off, would be a perfect use of these two picks.
1.0 Pick – Bullock
19. Cavs – Ricky Ledo – With the selection of Noel and Karasev to fill the 2 biggest needs on the team, the Cavs can take a chance here. Ledo did not play last year but shows the shooting stroke to be a great backup SG who can play next to Waiters when he slides over to the point position. This pick could be moved as well, either combined with 13 to move up or to bring in a veteran player to help the team.
1.0 Pick – Pope
20. Bulls – Tim Hardaway Jr. – With the hope that Rose will return to full health, the development of Jimmy Butler with Luol Deng at the 3, Gibson at 4 and Noah at 5, Hardaway fits well as a shooter from Rose’s drives.
1.0 Hardaway, Jr.
21. Utah – Kelly Olynyk – While Favors and Kanter are there future PF and C, losing both Jefferson and Millsap means frontcourt depth is necessary. Olynyk can fit at both 4 and 5.
1.0 Pick – Olynyk
22. Nets – Glen Rice Jr. – Jason Kidd’s first draft pick as a head coach provides him an athletic player to long term replace Gerald “Crash” Wallace.
1.0 Pick – Rice, Jr.
23. Pacers – Tony Snell – Expect the Pacers to free up cap space and court time by trading Granger this off-season. Snell can provide shooting to space the floor for the second unit, and provides insurance in case Stephenson’s break out playoffs prices him out of the team.
1.0 Pick – Snell
24. Knicks – Shane Larkin – A point guard who can break down the defense for the second team and provide a scoring spark while Carmelo sits is a perfect fit this late in the first round.
1.0 Pick – Larkin
25. Clippers – Mason Plumlee – This pick may end up with Boston after their trade talks finalize. With Griffen and Jordan up front a reliable, more then Ryan Hollins, backup would be a great get. Jordon’s free throw shooting at the end of the game could see Plumlee getting those minutes.
1.0 Pick – Plumlee
26. T Wolves – Rudy Gobert – The Wolves take a risk here after taking their SG earlier in the draft. Gobert could be a replacement for Pekovic who is a restricted FA or could develop later as the team is unsure of their future with Kevin Love.
1.0 Pick – Allen Crabbe
27. Nuggets – Jamaal Franklin – With loads of SFs even if they lose Andre Iguodala, Franklin can provide more scoring for the second team.
1.0 Pick – Franklin
28. Spurs – Jeff Withey – Whether Duncan returns or not, finding a defensive presence like Withey near the end of the first is a great find for a team who always seems to make the most of their draft picks.
1.0 Pick – Withey
29. Thunder – CJ Leslie – After taking Pope at 12 the Thunder add to their athletic core here with the combo forward Leslie.
1.0 Pick – Ledo
30. Suns – Tony Mitchell – After selecting Alex Len at #5, the Suns select a offensive combo forward who can spark the offense and also provide some excellent defense.
1.0 Pick – Mitchell
This is the second look at it, but this years draft is very difficult to predict. What do you think? How did we miss on your favorite team? Who would you have selected instead? What trades do you see happening?