My Mock Draft (Lotto Only)
Posted: Fri May 24, 2013 9:19 pm
http://runtriangleoffense.blogspot.com/ ... draft.html
This will be an interesting draft , with plenty of intrigue. One thing to keep in mind is that a number of teams picking in the lottery are doing so with an eye on the loaded 2014 Draft. This is a draft that will produce the complimentary players who assist those 2014 guys ,as there looks to be 5 or 6 franchise caliber players in that crop. Without any further ado , here she goes :
1. CLEVELAND CAVALIERS
Otto Porter - SF - Georgetown
A mild surprise , as most have Nerlens Noel penciled in this slot. However , one must consider the overall team makeup. All of the strengths of Noel's game are the same as PF Tristan Thompson's. It would make little sense to duplicate those skills , when they have a glaring need for outside shooting , perimeter defense, and post play. Furthermore , I think the Cavs are one of the few teams that will make a play for C Andrew Bynum this summer. Instead of grabbing Noel , I'd look for them to make Porter the pick. Reports are that they love Porter , and he would fit in perfectly. He has the size and length to be an elite defender , and has the off ball skills to flourish off of two ball dominant guards like Kyrie Irving and Dion Waiters. A line up of Bynum / Thompson / Porter / Waiters / Irving could be an exciting young core for years to come.
Also could be : Nerlens Noel
2. ORLANDO MAGIC
Nerlens Noel - C - Kentucky
The Magic have one of the least talented rosters in the NBA , so they are currently in talent acquisition mode. The Magic are set at C and SF , with Nikola Vucevic and Tobias Harris. So it's likely the Magic target the back court and PF positions. Keeping an eye on next year's Draft , with franchise players like Andrew Wiggins , Jabari Parker , Julius Randle , Marcus Smart , and the Harrison twins available ( all of those players would likely go top-3 this year) , it makes sense for the Magic to address the front court issues now, and deal with the perimeter next season. Noel is a nice fit next to the skilled , rugged Vucevic and would give them a strong foundation. Also , with him missing at least half of his rookie season , he could inadvertently put the Magic in strong position to grab the #1 pick in the 2014 Draft.
Also could be : Trey Burke, Ben McLemore
3. WASHINGTON WIZARDS
Anthony Bennett - PF - UNLV
The Wizards have lucked up , getting into the top 3 of the NBA Draft, 3 of the last 4 seasons. They have turned two of those picks into the promising back court duo of John Wall and Bradley Beal. Now it is their front court that needs help. They attempted to play Nene at the 4 next to Okafor , but injuries have sapped Nene of the athleticism he once had . He is much better suited for the 5 , and between he and Okafor , that two headed monster could be a strength of the team. Young big Kevin Seraphin , has promise , but he is better suited for a bench role. If Otto Porter is available here , he could get the nod , but if he isn't, I definitely could see Bennett be the selection. He is one of the few players in this Draft with star potential , and is very skilled , very long , and very athletic. There are questions about his motor , but if he reaches his ceiling, he could be a 20 and 10 guy for years.
Also could be : Otto Porter
4. CHARLOTTE (HORNETS)
Ben McLemore - SG - Kansas
The soon-to-be-Hornets have two building blocks in place in Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Kemba Walker. The major weakness of those two is the same: outside shooting. McLemore makes sense here , as he has a picture perfect shooting stroke that reminds many of Ray Allen. He has franchise player ability , and the Hornets are in dire need of one of those. If McLemore is not available, the Hornets could go with Victor Oladipo, at the risk of creating the worst shooting back court in NBA history. Or they could shore up the front court with a PF like Anthony Bennett or a C like Alex Len. The Hornets can go in a number of different ways , and this pick will likely be a crux that decides how the rest of the lottery unfolds.
Also could be : Anthony Bennett , Alex Len
5. PHOENIX SUNS
Victor Oladipo - SG - Indiana
The Suns are trying to find a franchise player , change their organizational culture , and upgrade their athleticism. While they may be hard pressed to accomplish their first goal picking 5th in this draft , the last two goals are attainable. Oladipo has a strong work ethic , exceptional athletic ability , and the potential to grow as a player. He may never be more than a role player , but he is the type of player who can help you win , and be a great compliment for a star. The Suns may be looking for that player in next year's loaded draft pool, and Oladipo is the perfect guy to help that player out.
Also could be : Anthony Bennett
6. NEW ORLEANS PELICANS
Alex Len - C - Maryland
Many have the Pelicans going Burke here, but they forget that Greivis Vazquez , the Pelicans PG , finished 3rd in the NBA in assists last season. It makes sense to upgrade on Vazquez if you are adding a player that can become top 5 or even top 10 at his position , but I don't see Burke attaining that status. That's not a knock on him , but a referendum on how terrific the current crop of NBA PGs is currently. Instead I think this pick comes down to whether or not the Pelicans try to fill the hole they have at SF , or go BPA. I'm leaning towards the latter , and that player would be Len. Len is athletic and skilled , and reminds me a lot of a young Andrew Bogut. He was held back in college by terrible guard play , but he dominated Nerlens Noel in their match-up against each other last season. Len could end up being the steal of the Draft , and next to Anthony Davis , the Pelicans could have a scary good front court for the next decade.
Also could be : Trey Burke , Shabazz Muhammad
7. SACRAMENTO KINGS
Trey Burke - PG - Michigan
The Kings are one of the very few teams in the NBA who do not have at the least a competent PG. Instead they have the diminutive Isiah Thomas, who would be much better in a reserve role. Enter Burke who can right the ship of a franchise that has been a mess for the last few years. They have new ownership , and will have a new leadership , and they can have a fresh start with their PG and C combo locked in , with Burke and the enigmatic DeMarcus Cousins.
Also could be : Shabazz Muhammad , Steven Adams
8. DETROIT PISTONS
Shabazz Muhammad - SF - UCLA
The Pistons have an extremely important off season ahead of them. I'll save the particulars for a more -in depth future post , but let's just say , this pick will set the tone for the rest of the off season. With this pick , the Pistons have to either address the wing position , or grab a 3rd big to play behind and with Greg Monroe and Andre Drummond , the franchise pillars. Muhammad , for all of his flaws , can be a solid role player , and can give the Pistons a scoring boost from the SF position. If Burke were to fall here , the Pistons would have to give him a long look , as the jury is still out on whether Brandon Knight is a 1 or a 2. And also , with how difficult/expensive it is to find and pay a third big man , it may make sense to target one of the bigs available here , and address the perimeter solely through free agency and trades.
Also could be : Kentavious Caldwell-Pope , Trey Burke , Cody Zeller
9. MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope - SG - Georgia
Caldwell-Pope is a sleeper , but many GMs think he'll be a top 10 pick come draft night. an exceptional shooter , and an exceptional athlete , KCP has a ton of potential. Shooting and athleticism are two things the Wolves could use in abundance , as they are dead last in the league in both categories. They could also opt for the more polished CJ McCollum , to be a combo guard off the bench and give them more scoring prowess.
Also could be : CJ McCollum , Shabazz Muhammad
10. PORTLAND TRAILBLAZERS
Rudy Gobert - C - France
The Blazers don't have a lot of needs , as they have a strong core they are trying to build off. However , one such need is to add an additional big. J.J. Hickson is a FA , and is an undersized C anyway. Meyers Leonard is the heir apparent , and is developing nicely , but it never hurts to add more quality size. Gobert has that in abundance.He has the frame to be the ultimate rim protector , with a 9'7" standing reach. To put that in context, he could stand flat footed and almost touch the rim. That kind of size is always nice to have helping LaMarcus Aldridge out.
11.PHILADELPHIA 76ERS
C.J. McCollum - Combo Guard - Lehigh
The 76ers offense was painful to watch , and that was when they still had Andre Iguodala. Now , it is anemic. They really missed the spark that Lou Williams used to provide for them. C.J. McCollum , is a better shooting , more efficient version. McCollum is seen by many to be a mix between Damian Lillard and Stephen Curry and those comparisons are valid. However , he lacks the PG skills to start at the 1 , and the size to start at the 2 . But he can be a lethal scoring option off the bench.
Also could be : Kentavious Caldwell-Pope , Cody Zeller , Dario Saric
12. OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER
Cody Zeller - C - Indiana
The Thunder of course are an elite team , and can use this pick to help fortify one of their few weaknesses. They lack interior depth , but luckily this is a draft rife with solid bigs that can help. They could especially use a big that can score inside and out , as Serge Ibaka is only a jump shooter, and Kendrick Perkins is a non-entity offensively. Both Cody Zeller and Kelly Olynyk can score with their back to the basket , and hit the open jumper. But I think Zeller is the better fit , as he is a stronger defender , and a better athlete as well.
Also could be : Steven Adams , Kelly Olynyk , Rudy Gobert , Shabazz Muhammad
13. DALLAS MAVERICKS
Dennis Schroeder - PG - Germany
The rumor making its way around the NBA community during the Draft Combine was that Schroeder has a promise from a late lottery team. Almost immediately after that , came the rumor that the Mavericks were shopping their pick for more cap space. Seems way too coincidental , if you ask me , and more like an early smokescreen. I think the Mavericks are the team that promised Schroeder , as they and the Jazz are the only late lotto teams that have a need at PG. Schroeder is a carbon copy image of Rajon Rondo on the court , except he is already a much better shooter. He is extraordinarily quick , lightning fast . with ridiculous length and monstrous hands. He is the prototypical physical profile of a PG. He just must refine his game around the edges . . But the has all the makings of a dynamic basketball player.
Also could be : Dario Saric , Rudy Gobert
14. UTAH JAZZ
Michael Carter Williams - PG - Syracuse
It is difficult to figure out what position the Jazz are going in since they have a roster in flux. However , we do know they are building around a core of Enes Kanter and Derrick Favors , two of the most talented young bigs in the NBA. MCW is a pass first PG , who can get these two the ball and in a hurry. He has an awful jump shot , but if he can get it to a respectable level , he would be a decent pick in this spot.
Also could be : Dennis Schroeder , Jamal Franklin , Giannis Adetokunbo