Does this draft class suck? Well, more than a few “experts” maintain it’s not one of the best you’ll ever see. That being said, we don’t really know what’ll happen until these young fellas get drafted and hit the floor. There are plenty of teams that could use Ben McLemore or Anthony Bennett or Alex Len. Now, after tonight, we have a better grip on which teams will get them.
The NBA Draft Lottery is now concluded and with that, here is Dime‘s first 2013 NBA Lottery mock draft.
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1. Cleveland: Nerlens Noel – Kentucky
7-0, C
19 years old, Freshman
The Cavs don’t need a star, just someone who can fit in. As long as the Kentucky big man passes his physical concerns, this should be a no-brainer. Suddenly, Cleveland has a very interesting foundation.
2. Orlando: Ben McLemore – Kansas
6-5, SG
20 years old, Freshman
We could see the Magic going for Victor Oladipo or Trey Burke, but in the end, we’ll stay here with McLemore, who is probably the most talented player in this draft and the most likely to develop into an All-Star. Orlando has holes everywhere.
3. Washington: Otto Porter – Georgetown
6-8, PF
19 years old, Sophomore
The Wizards vaulted up into the top three and now have a perfect situation lining up for them. They absolutely need a small forward. It’s probably the biggest hole on their roster. And Porter shoots it well and can play without the ball. This is a perfect fit.
4. Charlotte: Anthony Bennett – UNLV
6-7, PF
20 years old, Freshman
The last time UNLV had a lottery selection, it was Marcus Banks back in the day. We’re pretty sure Bennett is going to be a little bit better than that.
5. Phoenix: Victor Oladipo – Indiana
6-4, SG
21 years old, Junior
The Suns need to take the best talent available, and Oladipo not only works hard but is a great two-way player… and he’s still improving.
6. New Orleans: Trey Burke – Michigan
6-1, PG
20 years old, Sophomore
This is probably the biggest fall you can expect Burke to take. With the influx of tremendous guards into the league in the last few years, we wouldn’t be surprised to see him sneak into the top three.
7. Sacramento: Cody Zeller – Indiana
7-0, PF/C
20 years old, Sophomore
We’re putting Lil’ Zeller here because, honestly, we don’t have any idea what the Kings will do with this pick. The Kings once took Jason Williams at the No. 7 spot, and he immediately helped turn around their franchise. They won’t find anyone that exciting in this year’s class.
8. Detroit: Shabazz Muhammad – UCLA
6-6, SF
20 years old, Freshman
Detroit could use another wing scorer, and Muhammad has the type of credentials that could scream overrated or, perhaps, future All-Star.
9. Minnesota: Alex Len – Maryland
7-1, C
19 years old, Sophomore
The Wolves could go a number of different ways with this pick, but we’re guessing they go with someone big for insurance, considering the cloudy futures of both Kevin Love and Nikola Pekovic.
10. Portland: Michael Carter-Williams – Syracuse
6-6, PG
21 years old, Sophomore
We’ve already seen how effective Damian Lillard can be at the two. Putting him next to MCW could be deadly.
11. Philadelphia: C.J. McCollum – Lehigh
6-3, PG/SG
21 years old, Senior
One of the most boring teams in the league needs all the scoring help they can get. And McCollum can fill it up.
12. OKC (from Toronto): Rudy Gobert – International
7-2, C
20 years old, International
We wouldn’t be surprised to see OKC take a shot with a guy who could make a significant impact down the road, even if it probably means sacrificing a little in the immediate future.
13. Dallas: Mason Plumlee – Duke
7-0, C
23 years old, Senior
Dirk Nowitzki won’t be playing forever, and Dallas needs to monitor his minutes more than ever. Plumlee would give them an athlete who can play multiple positions off the bench.
14. Utah: Kelly Olynyk – Gonzaga
7-0, C
22 years old, Junior
Who knows what Utah’s frontline will look like at the start of training camp. Both starters could be gone. In reality, they might need more help in the backcourt rather than drafting another big man. But at this point, Olynyk is by far the best player available.
15. Milwaukee: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope – Georgia
6-6, SG
20 years old, Sophomore
The Bucks need a shooter. Georgia’s finest is being talked about in some circles as a possible top-10 pick. He’d bring size to a backcourt that desperately needs it.
16. Boston: Dario Saric – International
6-10, SF
19 years old, Croatia
Chad Ford is reporting that Dallas is enamored with Saric. If he slips past them at No. 13, we’re guessing Danny Ainge is quick to secure another longterm building block.
17. Atlanta: Steven Adams – Pittsburgh
7-0, C
19 years old, Freshman
If Josh Smith leaves, as expected, Atlanta will be even thinner than normal upfront. Al Horford isn’t a center to begin with, and what they have behind him is not worth much. Adams would be a nice piece to add.
18. Atlanta (via Houston): Allen Crabbe – Cal
6-6, SG
21 years old, Junior
If the Hawks go for a longterm project big with their first pick, we’re guessing they try to get a shooter with the second. Crabbe can stroke it, and is a surprisingly explosive athlete.
19. Cleveland (via L.A. Lakers): Glen Rice Jr. – Georgia Tech
6-6, SG
22 years old, D-League
If Cleveland takes Noel at the top spot, we think they’ll look to fill a need by getting Kyrie Irving another scorer later in the first round. Rice Jr. dominated at times in the D-League this year.
20. Chicago: Gorgui Dieng – Louisville
6-11, C
23 years old, Junior
An easy match, now that Omer Asik has moved on and the Bulls struggled to find a replacement.
21. Utah (via Golden State): Dennis Schroeder – International
6-2, PG
19 years old, Germany
The fast-rising point guard could go as high as No. 15, but if he slips here there’s no way Utah lets him pass. The lead guard spot is arguably their biggest need and with a sneaky-athletic lineup, Schroeder would fit in nicely.
22. Brooklyn: Jamaal Franklin – San Diego St.
6-5, SG
21 years old, Junior
The Nets need scorers more than anything else, and while Franklin can’t shoot, he can do everything else. Gerald Wallace is deteriorating quickly and we suspect Brooklyn will look to add more depth on the wing.
23. Indiana: Shane Larkin – Miami
6-0, PG
20 years old, Sophomore
The Pacers have lacked a reliable backup point guard ever since Darren Collison fell off the deep end. Larkin would be an improvement over D.J. Augustin.
24. New York: Reggie Bullock – North Carolina
6-7, SF
22 years old, Junior
Bullock is a more athletic Jared Dudley: someone who can do a little bit of everything and won’t mind playing a utility role off the bench. His versatility would work well in New York.
25. L.A. Clippers: Sergey Karasev – International
6-7, SF
19 years old, Russia
Karasev is a fantastic shooter, and could help down the road next to Chris Paul. With Billups and Bledsoe both having cloudy futures, more backcourt help could be key for the Clippers.
26. Minnesota: Tim Hardaway Jr. – Michigan
6-6, SG
21 years old, Junior
When asked what he wanted most out of this draft, Kevin Love admitted he needed a lights-out shooter. Hardaway Jr. makes sense here, especially if they go big in the lottery.
27. Denver: Giannis Antetokounmpo – International
6-9, SF
18 years old, Greece
The Nuggets are so deep they really don’t need another rookie right now. Antetokounmpo doesn’t have much experience, playing in a lesser division overseas. But he’s still a very interesting talent.
28. San Antonio: Lucas Noguiera – International
6-11, C
20 years old, Brazil
Because it only makes sense, right? The Brazilian big man is also rising quickly on draft boards… he might not even make it this far.
29. OKC: Ricky Ledo – Providence
6-6, SG
20 years old, Freshman
The Thunder’s offense was exposed during the postseason without Westbrook. There is too much pressure being placed on the team’s two best players; they need to find another Harden. Ledo, at this point, could be that guy (a very poor version, though).
30. Phoenix (via Miami): Jeff Withey – Kansas
7-0, C
23 years old, Senior
Many don’t believe the shotblocking monster will drop past Brooklyn at No. 22. If he does, we suspect his size and defense will get him a guaranteed deal somewhere in the bottom half of the first round.
What do you think?
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