DJ's 2013 Mock Draft

[djthesonicsfan]

1. Bobcats - Shabazz Muhammad
2. Magic- Nerlens Noel
3. Wizards - Anthony Bennett
4. Cavaliers - Isaiah Austin
5. Suns - Ben McLemore
6. Pelicans - Alex Poythress
7. newSonics - Michael Carter-Williams
8. notSonics - Alex Len

[Ruzious]

I can't see guys like Poythress and Austin going ahead of Zeller. Whether he plays PF or C, he's a better prospect than them, and they don't belong in the top 6 - or even top 10, imo. And no Smart = not smart - especially picking MCW over him.

[djthesonicsfan]

I'm not seeing any perennial all-star difference making players in this draft. Sucks to have a top pick this year. However, I do think a bunch of them will help their teams. Accordingly, my mock is based more on my perception of team need and player fit rather than relative player talent. Also assuming Gordon stays with the Pelicans otherwise I think they take Muhammad. Players in parentheses also under consideration for that pick and draft region.

1. Bobcats - McLemore (Oladipo, Noel, Zeller)
2. Magic- Porter (Noel, Oladipo, Smart)
3. Cavaliers - Noel (Porter, Bennett, Muhammad)
4. Suns - Zeller (Smart, Bennett, Oladipo)
5. Pistons - Smart (Burke, Porter, Bennett)
6. newSonics - Bennett (Smart, Burke, Zeller)
7. Wolves - Oladipo (Muhammad)
8. Pelicans - Gobert (Olynyk, Muhammad, Burke)
9. notSonics - Len (Gobert, Olynyk, Plumblee)

[djthesonicsfan]

1. Magic - Noel
I don't see a lot of difference between the top six guys in his draft. In the end it's big > little all else being equal. And the Magic need a lot of help. Everywhere. Here's hoping Noel doesn't become Oden II.

2. Bobcats - Bennett
Bennett has a motor, plays big and can score the ball. He may become the best player of this draft. A nice addition.

3. Cavaliers - Porter
Super nice long term fit with Irving, Waiters and Thompson. Hopefully Sideshow Bob stays healthy. If he does this will be a fun team to watch. Adetokoubo has been getting a lot of attention recently. He looks good. Very young. Has yet to compete against serious competition. Still, he seems to have the whole package. The Cavs might give him a serious look.

4. Suns - Oladipo
I'm thinking Oladipo becomes the player of this draft class if it's not Bennett. Probably why the inept Suns front office won't take him. He'd be a great fit on the notSonics. His on court demeanor reminds me of Westbrook.

5. Pelicans - McLemore
Is Gordon already gone? Seems like he played that way. If he is, the Birds couldn't do much better than McLemore.

6. Kings - Burke
Hopefully it will be fun watching Burke develop into a legit NBA PG next season because the team sucks and Cousins will drive me f'ing crazy.

While I find it incredibly interesting that Clay Bennett chairs the relocation committee, personally, I believe two wrongs don't make a right. The Kings should stay in Sactown. And I'm not just saying that because watching Cousins would literally drive me f'ing crazy. Anyway, no matter where they're located, they still need a point guard, even though I've been a big fan of I Thomas since his high school days.

7. Pistons - Carter-Williams
The Piston must be really pissed Smart did not declare. Wonder what they would offer to swap spots with the newSonics to get Burke? I consider this the first reach pick of the draft, although I don't really think it's that much of a reach. But I could also see Dumars picking Muhammad, whom I now view as sort of Beasley-esque maybe not that bad but kinda... but only because I've lost a lot of respect for Dumars' ability as a GM. Do you suppose Dumars would take a chance on Adetokoubo?

8. Wizards - Zeller
Nene & Okafor are not getting any younger and Zeller is good value here. That's a nice set of bigs for Wall & Beal. The Wiz also might seriously consider Adetokoubo.

9. Wolves - Muhammad
Goodwin, Franklin & Crabbe are all stretches too far. Maybe I'm wrong about Muhammad. Maybe he learns from Kirilenko about playing both ends. Wouldn't challenge the Warriors for best shooting backcourt, but we shall see. Maybe a Rubio/Muhammad backcourt sets the world on fire.

10. Blazers - Len
Gobert, Dieng and maybe even Adams also get a good look here. Len's the safer pick, although I like Dieng's prospects the best.

11. 76ers - Gobert
Dieng, Olynyk, Withey and Adams are considered. No way for Olynyk... too much Hawes already. So it's Gobert because I'm wanting Dieng for the notSonics!

12. notSonics - Dieng
I think he's going to be a big climber in the draft. Outstanding work ethic and character. Has demonstrated continued improvement. Old for his class but young to the sport. Plus size & length. Plus defender & rebounder. Will contribute on offense. Dieng is the epitome of a Presti pick. I actually think he winds up in Portland or Philadelphia. Here's hoping we get him... and he turns out better than Aldrich.

[HeartBreakKid]

I doubt the Wizards will draft Adetokoubo. John Wall's contract is expiring soon and the franchise needs to start putting players who are ready to contribute now if they want him to stay.

[Joel Embust]

They are called the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Sacramento Kings.


Greetings,

a Sonics fan.

[djthesonicsfan]

They are called the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Sacramento Kings.

Greetings,

a Sonics fan.

Why, of all the players in the NBA, would you choose such an awful player to put in your avatar?

A basketball fan.

ps I'm going to give you the one on the Kings.

[djthesonicsfan]

I doubt the Wizards will draft Adetokoubo. John Wall's contract is expiring soon and the franchise needs to start putting players who are ready to contribute now if they want him to stay.

Ya, I agree. Which is why I guessed Zeller... thoughts on that pick for the Wiz given the prior guesses?

[djthesonicsfan]

1. Cavaliers - Porter
The top six prospects all grade out about the same, more or less. Always pressure to take the center but Porter fits their roster the best of any player in the draft. Both Noel & Sideshow are health risks, but when they're both healthy Sideshow is the better player. At least for the next few years.

2. Magic - Noel
Still big > little all else being equal. The Magic are probably happy Noel won't be ready to start the season as that helps their upcoming tank job for the 2014 draft. That said, a good point guard is hard to find. Maybe they pick Burke?

3. Wizards - Bennett
Lucky and unlucky at the same time. Porter would be the right guy if available. But Bennett will be a good player for a number of years. The Wiz are building a nice young core.

4. Bobcats - Oladipo
Although they fell a couple of spots and Bennett would have been a better fit, Oladipo is a great consolation prize. McLemore gets a long look here as well, but in the end Oladipo's work ethic, defense and character give him the edge.

5. Suns - McLemore
Tough choice between McLemore and Burke. Equally talented prospects. Dragic is capable but the Suns have no one at shooting guard. McLemore can definitely shoot and he's a plus athlete. A good pick for the new management team.

6. Pelicans - Burke
Tough spot for the Pelicans. Vasquez has improved and may continue to do so, but he's getting both ankles operated on. And Rivers was drafted last year, but he sucked his rookie season. Burke has a chance to be pretty good but that's a lot of young point guards on the same team. Maybe they swap with the Kings and take Len?

7. Kings - Carter-Williams
Burke is the guy they want. Carter-Williams and McCollum are the next highest rated point guards and both are in the next tier of guys.

8. Pistons - McCollum
It will be interesting to see which of these three point guards winds up being the best.

9. Wolves - Muhammad
We're all hearing the Wolves want Oladipo. No surprise. He'd be a fantastic fit. I'm a Muhammad skeptic (hybrid Beasley/Mayo?). But I bet the Wolves take him if the first eight guys are gone... unless they think Pekovic is also gone (Len? Dieng? Zeller? Gobert?)

10. Blazers - Len
Gobert, Dieng and maybe even Adams also get a look here. Len has more buzz and would be considered the safer pick. That probably matters to the terminally unlucky Blazers.

11. 76ers - Zeller
Dieng, Olynyk and Adams are also considered, but the 76ers count themselves lucky to get Zeller.

12. notSonics - Dieng
I think he's going to be a big climber in the draft. Outstanding work ethic and character. Has demonstrated continued improvement. Old for his class but young to the sport. Plus size & length. Plus defender & rebounder. Will contribute on offense. Dieng is the epitome of a Presti pick. Here's hoping we get him... and Brooks will play him.

[princeofpalace]

IMO, theres almost no chance Detroit drafts McCollum- too much like Brandon Knight

[Bulldog424]

7. Kings - Carter-Williams
Burke is the guy they want. Carter-Williams and McCollum are the next highest rated point guards and both are in the next tier of guys.

If 1-6 played out like you have it, I expect the Kings to A) Take Shabazz or B) Look to move down with a team that might be in love with Shabazz or Len.

[djthesonicsfan]

Interesting idea.

What I think is great about this draft is that what it lacks in top tier, difference making talent it makes up for in decent players who have a chance to contribute for a number of years. Makes it almost impossible to put together an accurate mock draft as there's so many ways it could go.

[HeartBreakKid]

I think it would be a big mistake if Detroit took McCollum, especially if the draft went like this mock where Shabazz is available.