2013 NBA Draft: Breaking Down the First-Round Picks
2013 NBA Draft: First Round Results and Analysis
As expected, the 2013 NBA Draft was filled with plenty of excitement as numerous teams pulled off plenty of big surprises—especially when it comes to trades.
For starters, nobody could have predicted the Cleveland Cavaliers to use the No. 1 pick on UNLV star Anthony Bennett. The Cavaliers are certainly a team to keep an eye on over the next year or two as they seem to have a young group of talented players ready to take this team to the next level and it will certainly be interesting to see the type of impact Bennett has during his rookie season.
When it comes to the other four picks from the top five, it really wasn’t a surprise to see teams like the Orlando Magic (Victor Oladipo at No. 2) and Washington Wizards (Otto Porter Jr. at No. 3) to select the players they chose. However, the Nerlens Noel pick at No. 6 is when things started to get interesting as the New Orleans Pelicans sent him to the Philadelphia 76ers as part of a deal to acquire Jrue Holiday.
Only time will tell when it comes to which picks will pay off, but there’s plenty of reason to get excited about the 2013-14 season. Here’s a look at analysis for the first round picks of the 2013 NBA Draft.
1. Cleveland Cavaliers Select Anthony Bennett
For a team that could have gone in one of many directions, Anthony Bennett going No. 1 to the Cleveland Cavaliers was a surprise, but also a good fit. Bennett playing alongside Tristan Thompson should pay off well for the Cavaliers.
2. Orlando Magic Select Victor Oladipo
A great defender, nobody should have been surprised to see the Orlando Magic go with Victor Oladipo at No. 2. The Magic have a young team and Oladipo should fit right in.
3. Washington Wizards Select Otto Porter Jr.
A great rebounder, Otto Porter Jr. should fit in just fine as a member of the Washington Wizards--especially playing alongside John Wall.
4. Charlotte Bobcats Select Cody Zeller
When looking at how he performed against Syracuse in the NCAA Tournament, the argument can be made that Cody Zeller wasn't NBA ready yet, but he certainly has the potential to improve. The Charlotte Bobcats have always been known for making interesting draft picks--so it will be interesting to see how this move plays out.
5. Phoenix Suns Select Alex Len
There's plenty of potential surrounding Alex Len as he was one of the biggest players from this year's draft. It will be interesting to see whether or not this move pays off for the Phoenix Suns as there was a few different players they could have selected with this pick.
6. Nerlens Noel Picked by New Orleans Pelicans, Traded to Philadelphia 76ers
It was a surprise to see Nerlens Noel fall this far considering many expected him to go No. 1, but the Philadelphia 76ers were willing to unload Jrue Holiday to take a chance on the defensive star. Let's just hope there's no complications from Noel's ACL injury.
7. Sacramento Kings Select Ben McLemore
For a player that could have easily been a top-three pick, the Sacramento Kings should consider themselves lucky for landing Ben McLemore. One of the top shooters in the draft, McLemore is one of the most talented players from this year's draft and could develop into one of the league's top guards in a few years.
8. Detroit Pistons Select Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
After averaging 18.5 points and 7.1 rebounds per game, the Detroit Pistons should be pleased with the selection of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, but the argument can be made the team should have focused on selecting a point guard with this pick. Still, at just 20-years-old, the potential is certainly there for Caldwell-Pope--so it will be interesting to see how this pick plays out.
9. Trey Burke Picked by Minnesota Timberwolves, Traded to Utah Jazz
Just look at what he did for Michigan last season as he led them to the National Championship game and there's no question Trey Burke could turn out to be one of the top players from this year's draft. A great playmaker the Utah Jazz should be thrilled about having on their roster who could be one of the the top guards in the league a few years down the road, but his size could end up being an issue.
10. Portland Trail Blazers Select C.J. McCollum
Everybody is interested to see how well C.J. McCollum will be playing alongside Damian Lillard. Don't let the fact that he went to Lehigh fool you--McCollum is an excellent scorer and was a great pick at No. 10 for the Portland Trail Blazers.
11. Philadelphia 76ers Select Michael Carter-Williams
The Philadelphia 76ers certainly needed a point guard after sending Jrue Holiday to the New Orleans Pelicans and even though he's not the most reliable shooter, Michael Carter-Williams does have great size and passing skills. Don't be surprised if he works his way into the starting lineup early on as a rookie.
12. Oklahoma City Thunder Select Steven Adams
It will most likely be a few years before Steven Adams has any chance of living up to his potential after just one season at Pittsburgh. The Oklahoma City Thunder could always use another big man and Adams has great size for a player that could see significant minutes as a rookie next season.
13. Kelly Olynyk Picked by Dallas Mavericks, Traded to Boston Celtics
There are plenty of questions surrounding Kelly Olynyk and whether or not he has what it takes to be effective at the NBA level, but this is one of those situations where the Boston Celtics need al lof the help they can get after unloading their team on draft night. On the bright side, at least Olynyk is a great shooter for a player his size.
14. Shabazz Muhammad Picked by Utah Jazz, Traded to Minnesota Timberwolves
Shabazz Muhammad was arguably one of the most talented players in this year's draft as he happens to be a great scorer, but he has plenty of areas that need improvement as well. Still, this is a great addition for the Minnesota Timberwolves considering the young talent they already have on their roster.
15. Milwaukee Bucks Select Giannis Antetokounmpo
The Milwaukee Bucks were willing to take a risk on this huge international star in Giannis Antetokounmpo and he may still have a lot to prove--but this youngster could turn out to be a steal. The Bucks have plenty of areas in need of improvement and it will be interesting to see how this pick plays out a few years from now.
16. Lucas Nogueira Picked by Boston Celtics, Ultimately Traded to Atlanta Hawks
Another international star with tremendous potential, the Atlanta Hawks have to be excited about Lucas Nogueira as the Brazilian star who is a great defender. As long as he can work on his offensive game, Nogueira should turn out to be a solid pick for the Hawks.
17. Atlanta Hawks Select Dennis Schroeder
When you receive comparisons to Rajon Rondo, it's safe to say you have the potential to be a big star in the NBA--which is exactly the case for Dennis Schroeder. A great athlete that could easily work his way into a leader for the Atlanta Hawks early on in his career.
18. Atlanta Hawks Select Shane Larkin, Traded to Dallas Mavericks
His height may be a reason for concern, but this is a great addition for the Dallas Mavericks as Shane Larkin emerged as one of the top guards in the country this past season. He may not see significant minutes right away, but it will be interesting to see how Larkin develops over the next couple of seasons.
19. Cleveland Cavaliers Select Sergey Karasev
For a team loaded with young talent, the Cleveland Cavaliers landed one of the best shooters in the draft with Sergey Karasev.
20. Chicago Bulls Select Tony Snell
Tony Snell has proven to be a great defender and will have one of the league's top guards in Derrick Rose to learn from now that he's a member of the Chicago Bulls.
21. Utah Jazz Select Gorgui Dieng, Traded to Minnesota Timberwolves
There's a reason why the Louisville Cardinals managed to finish as National Champions last year and Gorgui Dieng should make a great fit with the Minnesota Timberwolves. He may have some areas in need of improvement, but Dieng proved to be one of the top defenders in the country last season.
22. Brooklyn Nets Select Mason Plumlee
The thing to take away from Mason Plumlee is he had one of the best work ethics at the collegiate level. If there's any player that is going to bust their butt off to ben an effective player in the NBA, it's Plumlee--which is why the Brooklyn Nets knew they had to take him at No. 22.
23. Indiana Pacers Select Solomon Hill
For a team like the Indiana Pacers, Solomon Hill may not have been the best pick for No. 23--especially since he was projected to go in the second round. For a player his size, Hill needs to figure out a way to work on his rebounding skills if he's going to find any playing time on a team with as much talent as the Pacers.
24. New York Knicks Select Tim Hardaway Jr.
Expectations will be even higher for the New York Knicks next season after earning the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference last year and they certainly found a great shooter in Tim Hardaway Jr. The former Michigan star has been praised for his ability as a scorer, but there concerns surrounding his shot selection.
25. Los Angeles Clippers Select Reggie Bullock
A bit of a surprise to see Reggie Bullock go to the Los Angeles Clippers at No. 25 considering his lack of experience at North Carolina, but the potential is certainly there. Bullock is a great shooter and it will be interesting to see how well he fits in Doc Rivers' system.
26. Minnesota Timberwolves Select Andre Roberson, Traded to Golden State Warriors and Oklahoma City Thunder
Andre Roberson has been praised for his skills as a rebounder and he should make a good fit for the Oklahoma City Thunder. Unfortunately, Roberson will need to work on his offense before he's going to see any significant playing time.
27. Denver Nuggets Select Rudy Gobert, Traded to Utah Jazz
This is one of the more questionable picks as far as why the Utah Jazz would want to acquire a player like Rudy Gobert. Here's a player who lacks athleticism and will need to develop for a few years before having any chance of being effective.
28. San Antonio Spurs Select Livio Jean-Charles
It shouldn't come as much of a surprise to see the San Antonio Spurs select an international player with Livio Jean-Charles. He may take a few years before he even comes to the NBA, but if history is any indication--this could turn out to be a solid pick for the Spurs.
29. Oklahoma City Thunder Select Archie Goodwin, Traded to Golden State Warriors and Phoenix Suns
If there's anything to take away from Archie Goodwin, it would be how effective he is as a shooter who could make a serious impact for the Phoenix Suns down the road.
30. Phoenix Suns Select Nemanja Nedovic, Traded to Golden State Warriors
Only time will tell when it comes to whether or not acquiring Nemanja Nedovic was worth it for the Phoenix Suns using the last pick in the first round, but it certainly doesn't hurt to take the risk. If anything, the Suns could use plenty of help right now at the position--so why not give it a shot.
