Saturday, June 15, 2013

NBA Mock Draft: 6/15

1. Cleveland Cavaliers: Otto Porter, SF Georgetown So. (6-9, 198)
The Cavaliers want to make the playoffs, so that's why it seems more and more likely that they'll go with someone other than Noel. I'd take McLemore, but the Cavs are high on Porter, who'll slot into the small forward spot as a day one starter and solid role player.


2. Orlando Magic: Nerlens Noel, C Kentucky Fr. (7-0, 206)
The Magic would be ecstatic to get Noel here and with good reason, he'll fit great on their team. Nikola Vucevic had a great year, but Noel can play alongside him as Vucevic plays more like a power forward on offense. Noel will be a great fit anchoring Orlando's defense.

3. Washington Wizards: Anthony Bennett, PF UNLV Fr. (6-8, 240)
I believe the Wizards top three are Noel, Bennett, and Porter, so they'll likely grab the one of them who isn't taken. Bennett is a great fit because the Wizards really need scoring from their bigs, which Bennett can supply in a variety of ways.

4. Charlotte Bobcats: Ben McLemore, SG Kansas Fr. (6-5, 189)
The Bobcats were in the bottom three in offensive and defensive efficiency, so any body they take should help with that. Ben McLemore is an outstanding shooter and tremendous athlete in transition, which will fit well alongside Kemba Walker and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist.

5. Phoenix Suns: Victor Oladipo, SG Indiana Jr. (6-4, 213)
The Suns really need help at shooting guard, and though McLemore would be a better fit, Victor Oladipo is a great fit as well. Oladipo is an outstanding perimeter defender who brings a ton of energy to the floor and will only get better on offense.

6. New Orleans Pelicans: Trey Burke, PG Michigan So. (6-1, 187)
Greivis Vasquez had a great season, but at this point Trey Burke is too good to pass up and a nice compliment to Vasquez, who has the size to play shooting guard. Burke has his flaws, namely defense and athleticism, but pick-and-roll guards who can really shoot are valuable.

7. Sacramento Kings: Michael Carter-Williams, PG Syracuse So. (6-6, 184)
Michael Carter-Williams is the top pure point guard in this draft, a pass first player that will fit great in Sacramento because of his unselfishness. He also has the size and athleticism to guard shooting guards, meaning Isaiah Thomas can play alongside him.

8. Detroit Pistons: Shabazz Muhammad, SF UCLA Fr. (6-6, 222)
Detroit scored big with Andre Drummond last draft by taking a risk and gambling on talent. Shabazz Muhammad is certainly talented as well as hard working and competitive, he just happened to play for a bad coach in a bad situation at USC.

9. Minnesota Timberwolves: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, SG Georgia So. (6-6, 204)
After a historically bad season shooting season, Minnesota desperately needs to find some shooters, particularly from the 2 guard position. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope lacks upside, but as a shooter and defender, he should be really helpful.

10. Portland Trail Blazers: Alex Len, C Maryland So. (7-1, 255)
This would probably be the worst case scenario for Len, but his foot injury could really scare some teams off. Len would take some of the pressure of LaMarcus Aldridge and give the Blazers a nice, young one-two punch at center.

11. Philadelphia 76ers: Cody Zeller, PF Indiana So. (7-0, 230)
The 76ers really need to find frontcourt help this offseason, particularly power forward. I'm not as high on Cody Zeller as some others, but he'll certainly bring scoring and rebounding to the team, something  Philadelphia really struggled with.

12. Oklahoma City Thunder (from Toronto): C.J. McCollom, SG Lehigh Sr. (6-3, 197)
I don't think C.J. McCollom should fall out of the top ten, but's hard to find a good fit for him. McCollom would be a great fit in Oklahoma City, as they need another scorer, particularly one that can create for themselves of the dribble.

13. Dallas Mavericks: Giannis Antetokounmpo, SF Greece (6-9, 215)
Surprise! The Mavericks want to trade this pick or take a prospect they can stash in Europe to save money. If Dario Saric pulls out of the draft, this pick will be up in the air and there's no hotter prospect right now than Antetokounmpo, who played in front of a ton of decision makers recently.

14. Utah Jazz: Shane Larkin, PG Miami So. (6-0, 171)
The Jazz really need to upgrade the point guard position, Mo Williams is much better as a scorer of the bench while Jamaal Tinsley and Earl Watson are free agents. Shane Larkin is an amazing athlete who does everything you want from a point guard except being tall.

15. Milwaukee Bucks: Dennis Schroeder, PG Germany (6-2, 165)
Apparently the Bucks are looking to move on from Brandon Jennings and/or Monte Ellis, so they'll be looking for backcourt help in the draft and Free Agency. Dennis Schroeder is best guard on the board and should be a nice addition to the Bucks with his passing, shooting, and defense.

16. Boston Celtics: Ricardo Ledo, SG Providence Fr. (6-6, 197)
Surprise number 2. Danny Ainge isn't afraid of taking high upside risks, and there might not be a bigger one in this draft than Ledo. However, he's also exactly what the Celtics need: a wing who can score from anywhere on the floor, create his own shot, and most importantly not be old.

17. Atlanta Hawks: Jamaal Franklin, SG San Diego State Jr. (6-5, 191)
The Hawks have a lot of jump shooters on their team who don't get to the line very often. Enter Jamaal Franklin, a freak athlete who can slash to the rim and grab offensive rebounds will likely draw a lot of fouls and really help the Hawks offense.

18. Atlanta Hawks (from Houston): Steven Adams, C Pittsburgh Fr. (7-0, 255)
For some time now the Hawks have wanted to move Al Horford from center back to his natural position of power forward. They would be ale to with the addition of Steven Adams, who brings toughness and rebounding, though not much offense.

19. Cleveland Cavaliers (from L.A. Lakers): Rudy Gobert, C France (7-2, 238)
If the Cavs don't go with Noel at 1-1, they can look for a center with this pick. Gobert is a physical freak with a 9-7 standing reach who could become a monster defensively. He's raw but spot minutes as a backup center and forward will allow him to come along slowly.

20. Chicago Bulls: Sergey Karasev, SG Russia (6-7, 197)
The Bulls can either try to get a scorer or a backup center with this pick, depending on who falls to them. In this case, Karasev is a great value and a perfect fit. Karasev is an excellent shooter who can also handle the ball and make plays for others.

21. Utah Jazz (from Golden State): Mason Plumlee, C Duke Sr. (7-1, 238)
The Jazz will likely lose either Al Jefferson this summer, so they'll need to find some front court depth as a replacement. Mason Plumlee has limited upside but can backup either center or power forward for Utah while giving them rebounding.

22. Brooklyn Nets: Kelly Olynyk, PF Gonzaga Jr. (7-0, 234)
There's no way a big man who can score like Kelly Olynyk should fall this far in the draft, but if other players move up and needs don't fall that way, someone will fall. Olynyk will fill huge need at power forward for Brooklyn and give them one of most versatile scoring front courts in the league.

23. Indiana Pacers: Isaiah Canaan, PG Murray State Sr. (6-0, 188)
The Pacers will likely be letting D.J. Augustin walk in Free Agency and will need a backup for George Hill. Isaiah Canaan is an explosive scorer who can play off the ball as a shooter or be the primary ball-handler who can provide the Pacers with a scoring punch off the bench.

24. New York Knicks: Tony Mitchell, PF North Texas So. (6-9, 236)
The Knicks don't have any power forwards currently on the roster aside from Amare, and who knows how long he'll stay healthy. Tony Mitchell is very gifted physically, with size, length, and explosiveness as well as an emerging skill-set that would fit nicely in New York.

25. Los Angeles Clippers: Allen Crabbe, SG California Jr. (6-6, 197)
The Clippers can't go on with Willie Green as their shooting guard, he is a decent NBA player but not the type of offensive threat Los Angeles needs to take pressure off of Chris Paul in the back court. Crabbe has very good physical tools and is a great shooter, he needs to put in more effort defensively however.

26. Minnesota Timberwolves (from Memphis): Glenn Rice Jr, G/F NBDL (6-6, 211)
The Timberwolves really need more than one wing player that can shoot, so even after drafting Caldwell-Pope, they can grab Glenn Rice Jr. here. Between the two of them, the Timberwolves will not only have two of the best shooters in the draft, but also two of the best perimeter defenders and rebounders.

27. Denver Nuggets: Reggie Bullock, G/F North Carolina Jr. (6-7, 200)
One the Nuggets top priorities this offseason has to be getting more shooting, they lack any consistent shooting threats. Reggie Bullock will not only provide that, but he also can give them another good, smart perimeter defensive player.

28. San Antonio Spurs: Lucas Nogeria, C Brazil (7-0, 220)
One of the reasons the Spurs got where they are now by making smart investments in undervalued prospects, Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker, and Kahwi Leonard all fell further than they should have. If Nogeria, a long, mobile defensive player with big upside, falls here, he will be a steal.

29. Oklahoma City Thunder: Alex Abrines, SG Spain (6-5, 195)
Alex Abrines is a great pick for the Thunder here because not only is he very, very talented but he gives the Thunder the flexibility to stash in Europe or bring over and develop now. Abrines is an athletic shooter with big upside.

30. Phoenix Suns: Gorgui Dieng, C Louisville Jr. (6-11, 230)
Even if the Suns add wing talent with their first pick, they could double-dip, their dearth of talent is that bad. However, the defensive value that Dieng offers is too good to pass up. Especially on a team that has struggled defensively and lacks above average defensive big men.

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