2013 NBA Mock Draft: First Round Picks and Predictions
2013 NBA Mock Draft: First Round Picks and Predictions
On Tuesday night, the ping pong balls fell and the selection order for the 2013 NBA Draft was fully determined.
The Cleveland Cavaliers took home the top prize, winning the 2013 NBA Draft Lottery and receiving their choice of any player in this year's class. The Washington Wizards, who moved up from No. 8 to No. 3, were the other big winner from Tuesday night, while the Charlotte Bobcats (No. 4) and Orlando Magic (No. 2) saw their selections drop.
With the order finally in place, it times to let the predictions and rumors take center stage. What will the Cavaliers do with the top pick? How many teams within the top five will be willing to trade their selections? The questions run deep at this point, but that's the fun in all this.
A number of potential trades are already being rumored throughout the lottery portion of the first round, but we will have to wait and see which of those rumors have any equal footing. This year's draft class doesn't really have many franchise players, but the list of potential prospects runs deep. With that being said, many NBA organizations may be diving into the quantity over quality strategy here in 2013.
Without further ado, let's run through the first version of our 2013 NBA Mock Draft:
For the full NBA Draft selection order, click HERE.
To learn more about the prospects that are available in this year's draft, please visit the Rant Sports' 2013 NBA Draft page.
Follow Paul Seaver on Twitter: @PaulSeaverRS
No. 1- Cleveland Cavaliers: Nerlens Noel
After winning the NBA Draft Lottery, the Cavaliers can choose from any player on the board. They like Kentucky freshman Nerlens Noel, who should be the selection here. There will be trade possibilities right off the bat, however.
No. 2- Orlando Magic: Ben McLemore
Another pick, another potential selection that could be traded. The Magic got bumped from the top overall spot on Tuesday night, but if they decide to keep this selection, Kansas shooting guard Ben McLemore should be the guy.
No. 3- Washington Wizards: Otto Porter Jr.
The Wizards moved up five spots on Tuesday night and Georgetown small forward Otto Porter Jr. fills a need. Washington shouldn't let Porter leave D.C.
No. 4- Charlotte Bobcats: Victor Oladipo
The Bobcats are likely to trade this selection, but if they decide to keep it for themselves, they need to target Indiana high-flyer Victor Oladipo.
No. 5- Phoenix Suns: Anthony Bennett
The Suns have depth inside, but Anthony Bennett could be the future of their front court. He has tons of upside and if he slips to Phoenix at No. 5, this should be the selection that the Suns make.
No. 6- New Orleans Pelicans: Trey Burke
After drafting Anthony Davis and Austin Rivers in the lottery portion of the NBA Draft a season ago, the Pelicans are back in the top ten with a new nickname. New Orleans needs to give Rivers a back court complement for the future -- Trey Burke is the pick.
No. 7- Sacramento Kings: Alex Len
Alex Len is coming into his own and his upside is through the roof. The Kings need to take a chance on the Maryland center is he slips to them at No. 7.
No. 8- Detroit Pistons: C.J. McCollum
The Pistons would probably like Trey Burke to slip to them at No. 8, but considering he's already off the board here -- C.J. McCollum, who didn't average less than 19 points in four years at Lehigh, will be the pick.
No. 9- Minnesota Timberwolves: Cody Zeller
Cody Zeller had a strong showing at the NBA Draft Combine and some scouts believe he could go even higher than this spot here. Timberwolves add front court depth with Zeller at No. 9.
No. 10- Portland Trailblazers: Shabazz Muhammad
Not too many scouts are impressed with Shabazz Muhammad, which is odd considering he averaged 18 points during his freshman season at UCLA. If Portland doesn't look to move up from the tenth overall pick, Muhammad should be their guy.
No. 11- Philadelphia 76ers: Rudy Gobert
Philadelphia should have plenty of options here, but the 76ers might want to take a chance on 7-foot French prospect, Rudy Gobert. He has a 7-foot, 9-inch wingspan and could be an anchor inside down the line.
No. 12- Oklahoma City Thunder: Michael Carter-Williams
The Thunder need a point guard to back-up Russell Westbrook. Michael Carter-Williams can be that guy and offer a change of pace from Westbrook when necessary.
No. 13- Dallas Mavericks: Kelly Olynyk
Some rumors are indicating that the Mavericks are likely to trade the 13th pick, but it's early. If they stay put, they should look to add a young presence inside with Gonzaga 7-footer, Kelly Olynyk.
No. 14- Utah Jazz: Dennis Schroeder
The Jazz could use some help at the point guard position and German-native Dennis Schroeder is on the rise. Schroeder has lightning-quick speed and he is drawing comparisons to Rajon Rondo.
No. 15- Milwaukee Bucks: Steven Adams
The Bucks have options here at No. 15, but they need some help inside. Steven Adams is a project pick, but fresh off a great showing at the NBA Draft Combine, his stock is rising.
No. 16- Boston Celtics: Dario Saric
There probably isn't much of a chance that the Celtics sit tight and simply make a pick with the No. 16 overall selection. On the off-chance they do however, Boston takes a chance on Croatian small forward Dario Saric, who stands at 6-foot-10.
No. 17- Atlanta Hawks: Gorgui Dieng
The Hawks have a number of free agents that could potentially be leaving town. They should fill needs, starting with Louisville center Gorgui Dieng.
No. 18- Atlanta Hawks: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope might have lottery level potential, so the Hawks can't let him slip any further than No. 18.
No. 19- Cleveland Cavaliers: Sergey Karasev
After taking Nerlens Noel at No. 1, the Cavaliers can gamble a bit here at No. 19. Sergey Karasev is an appealing left-hander who is worth the chance.
No. 20- Chicago Bulls: Jamaal Franklin
Jamaal Franklin might not be the selection that takes the Bulls to the next level, but he adds depth and athleticism in the Chicago back court.
No. 21- Utah Jazz: Tony Mitchell
After taking a point guard earlier in the draft, the Jazz now look to add some youth to the front court. Enter North Texas sophomore forward, Tony Mitchell.
No. 22- Brooklyn Nets: Mason Plumlee
Oh sure, Mason Plumlee could go much higher than No. 22, but if he dips like this, the Nets can't afford to let him drop any further.
No. 23- Indiana Pacers: Shane Larkin
The Pacers could use some depth at the point guard position and Miami's Shane Larkin would be a perfect fit.
No. 24- New York Knicks: Jeff Withey
The Knicks have become a much better defensive team in recent memory and they keep the theme going by adding the Big 12's all-time leading shot blocker in Jeff Withey at No. 24.
No. 25- Los Angeles Clippers: Allen Crabbe
The Clippers should have a number of options here at No. 25. Considering they keep the pick, look for California guard Allen Crabbe to be a potential selection.
No. 26- Minnesota Timberwolves: Reggie Bullock
The Timberwolves should look to add depth on the wing with their second selection of the first round. North Carolina junior Reggie Bullock is a viable option.
No. 27- Denver Nuggets: Lorenzo Brown
Andre Miller isn't getting any younger, so the Nuggets could use some point guard help alongside Ty Lawson. Enter North Carolina State's Lorenzo Brown.
No. 28- San Antonio Spurs: Giannis Antetokounmpo
The Spurs need to get younger, but they have the talent to take a chance late in the first round on a player with potential and upside. Giannis Antetokounmpo fits that description to perfection.
No. 29- Oklahoma City Thunder: Archie Goodwin
After taking a point guard earlier in the draft, the Thunder continue the back court theme by taking one of the younger players in this year's field Kentucky's Archie Goodwin is a nice addition.
No. 30- Phoenix Suns: Pierre Jackson
The Suns could use some depth at the point guard position and unless they are attempting to move up to do so -- Pierre Jackson could be an ideal change of pace guy to Goran Dragic.
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