Sonictecture 2013 Mock Draft

[sonictecture]

Thick mock draft is based on a combination of my own grading and whom I believe each team will select.

1. Cleveland Cavaliers Alex Len
Len is one of two prospects that grade out as worthy number one selections for me. Len gets the nod due to the value of centers in the league.

2. Orlando Magic Victor Oladipo
Oladipo is the other prospect I grade out as the best of the draft. While Oladipo is still evolving offensively and may never grade out as a 1st or 2nd option in that area, he seems to be one of the guys in the draft that you'll never regret investing in.

3. Washington Wizards Nerlens Noel
This selection is based on a perceived lack of discipline by Wizard decision makers on my part. Noel is a name in the draft and Wizard decision makers will go for perceived value over a prospect that is a better fit.

4. Charlotte Bobcats Ben McLemore
I could see Cho having interest in Zeller, but Jordan would likely overrule him. McLemore is an easy fit here due to talent rating and team need.

5. Phoenix Suns Cody Zeller
McDonough has to ignore the existing roster with this selection. I grade Zeller as the most talented player on the board.

6. New Orleans Pelicans Otto Porter
I don't believe in the point guards available, but do believe in Porter's ability to have a positive impact on the roster and see this as a Dell Demps fit.

7. Sacramento Kings CJ McCollum
This is based more on what I think D'Allesendro will do than my belief in McCollum. A bit of a defining pick for the new regime in my view.

8. Detroit Pistons Kentavious Caldwell Pope
Joe Dumars is hit and miss in the draft, but I'm giving him some credit for a hit here. I think Pope is a very good talent and fit for the Pistons.

9. Minnesota Timberwolves Sergey Karasev
Too many Russians in Minnesota? I don't think Flip will think so and chooses Karasev for his shooting and passing because who needs defense in Minnesota.

10. Portland Trailblazers Anthony Bennett
I don't see the potential number one overall in Bennett and have him slide in my mock. Olshey is just the kind of guy to want to grab Bennet and it could be a good move for both the player and team to have him come off the bench.

11. Philadelphia Sixers Trey Burke
Hinkie comes from the value weighted selections of Morey Univiersity, so the value here is Burke. Offense and depth is a need for the Sixers.

12. Oklahoma Thunder Kelly Olynyk
Presti passes on the centers available and although Olynyk lacks the prototypical physical profile of a Presti pick, the skill level and potential fit is intriguing. The team is already full of Presti profile players and none of them are ready for playing time.

13. Dallas Mavericks Steven Adams
If Nelson and Cuban keep the pick than I believe Adams is their guy. Physical, athletic and great size. They have the infrastructure to develop him and his selection will have no impact on their pursuit of Howard.

14. Utah Jazz Tim Hardaway Jr.
I'm underwhelmed by the point guard selection, but see Hardaway as a very good fit for the Jazz culture. I have Hardaway graded out at this level talent wise.

15. Milwaukee Bucks Michael Carter Williams
I predict Hammond will address the back court and Williams allows for an interesting combo if Hammond can keep one of Jennings or Ellis.

16. Boston Celtics Tony Mitchell
Ainge is a gambler in the draft and often goes for the athlete in this range. Not sure what Mitchell's brain type is, but this seems like the right fit.

17. Atlanta Hawks Mason Plumlee
I'm predicting Ferry to go safe and tested in the draft as he did last year. Plumlee has very good role player potential.

18. Atlanta Hawks Allen Crabbe
Again, safe proven producer here. Crabbe has the skill and physical profle to grade out as a potential starter.

19. Cleveland Cavaliers Reggie Bullock
Like Zeller last year Bullock projects as a solid role player, which fits what Cleveland should be looking for here.

20. Chicago Bulls Jamaal Franklin
Franklin doesn't have the proven shooting that would make this selection a clear fit, but has a diverse game and very good defensive potential. If good shooting in workouts transfers then perhaps Chicago has found a solution.

21. Utah Jazz Shane Larkin
I don't view Larkin as a long term starter in the league, but at this point in the draft the Jazz could draft him as a back up or stop gap solution as they keep looking. Larkin grades out here because of his play not the length of his wingspan.

22. Brooklyn Nets Shabazz Muhammad
A Perry Jones type slide in the draft for Muhammad. Billy King is the type of GM who takes the sliders and values scoring over defense at the position.

23. Indiana Pacers Gorgui Dieng
Pacers have had some success taking risks at the later stages of drafts, but could use another rim protector that allows them to quicken the pace at the same time. I actually like Dieng as high as 12, but his poor finishing ability at the rim has him drop.

24. New York Knicks Ricky Ledo
Can't rely on JR Smith to choose playing in NY over higher dollars somewhere else. Ledo has that mix of skill level and swag that Knick decision makers are drawn to.

25. LA Clippers Dennis Schroeder
I don't see Schroeder as a mid first round pick, not even in this draft. The Clippers could use some point guard insurance.

26. Minnesota Wolves Mike Muscala
As a former college coach, I think Flip appreciates prospects like Muscala and will take him over a rim protector like Gobert.

27. Denver Nuggets Archie Goodwin
I see this as Josh Kroenke's selection and although Goodwin has been a slider in other mocks I think Josh will take him based on pedigree. Josh wants us all to see how smart he is.

28. San Antonion Spurs Lucas Nogueira
Foreign athletic pf/c prospect that might be stashed. Sounds like a Buford move to me.

29. Oklahoma City Thunder Alex Abrines
Abrines over Adetokumbo because Abrines is willing to be stashed. Presti wants the value not the presence of this pick.

30. Phoenix Suns Giannis Adetokunbo
McDonough takes a chance where others passed. Phoenix is in a place to develop Giannis and this is very good value at this point.

The Second Round is a free for all so I'm only doing the Top 10 of the second round.

Second Round

31. Cleveland Cavaliers Isaiah Canaan
Productive guard with scoring instincts. Short for pg, but this is a good value spot.

32. Oklahoma City Thunder Erick Green
Presti often uses the second round as prospect development for the d league. Green has quickness and shooting that might give him a shot at more. Presti doesn't shy away from combo guards with size.

33. Cleveland Cavaliers Glen Rice Jr.
Again productive, with scoring and shooting and some defensive potential. Good value at this area if his maturity level maintains it's progress.

34. Houston Rockets Livio Jean Charles
Don't want anyone that will take salary cap space from pursuit of Howard.

35. Philadelphia Sixers Rudy Gobert
Hinkie goes for a rim protector at this area of the draft. Good value here.

36. Sacramento Kings Tony Snell
Snell has some 3 & D projection

37. Detroit Pistons Jackie Carmichael
Pistons ball demands a physical presence and Carmichael adds to that culture.

38. Washington Wizards Ray McCallum
Back up point prospect.

39. Portland Trail Blazers Nate Wolters
Scoring ability gives Olshey some hope for the bench.

40. Porltland Trail Blazers Jeff Withey
A rim protector back up center prospect.