NBA Mock Draft 2013: Orlando Magic Select Trey Burke

Now that the deadline has passed for players to declare for the NBA Draft, draft boards and mock drafts are frazzled everywhere.  With the NBA Draft Lottery set for May 21 and the draft itself set for June 27, here is a look at what may unfold if the ping pong balls come out on the day of the lottery the way that the percentages indicate.

With players such as Marcus Smart, Gary Harris, and Isaiah Austin opting to stay in school, draftee’s stocks may have risen a substantial amount. The Draft Combine will have a lot to do with where these players wind up, along with team’s thoughts of current players and free agents.

1. Orlando Magic – Trey Burke, Point Guard, Michigan

Burke was the best player in college basketball a season ago. With Jameer Nelson aging, it’s time for the Magic to get younger at the point guard position.

2. Charlotte Bobcats – Nerlens Noel, Center, Kentucky

Byron Mullens had the best season of his career in 2013 but can’t be counted on for consistency. The platoon of big men in Charlotte this year didn’t work as well as Michael Jordan had hoped for. Noel is coming off a torn ACL but has proven himself as an elite shot blocker and athlete.

3. Cleveland Cavaliers – Otto Porter, Small Forward, Georgetown

Cleveland has a back court built for the future so need-wise, McLemore or Oladipo doesn’t make much sense here. Porter is an all-around player that can do a little bit of everything. His high basketball IQ should make the transition to the NBA easier for him than some others.

4. Phoenix Suns – Ben McLemore, Shooting Guard, Kansas

Phoenix could go just about anywhere with this pick; they have problems at just about every position. Nobody’s spot is promise and there is speculation that the Suns may have interest in New Orleans’ Eric Gordon. If the Suns stay put at the shooting guard position, McLemore is the no-brainer with the fourth pick if he is still on the board.

5.  New Orleans Pelicans – Victor Oladipo, Shooting Guard, Indiana

Trade rumors are surrounding New Orleans’ current shooting guard Eric Gordon, and if he gets dealt before the draft or on draft day, Oladipo may be the guy the Pelicans decide to go with. After a disappointing season from last year’s tenth overall pick Austin Rivers, the two would likely battle for playing time. Oladipo’s work ethic may pay dividends there, where Rivers is more of a streaky scorer.

6. Sacramento Kings – Anthony Bennett, Power Forward, UNLV

With lack of consistent play from any big other than Demarcus Cousins a season ago, the Kings will likely look to add some depth to their front court. Bennett, despite needing surgery, will add offensive fire power with the ability to score inside and out. Sacramento could go with a point guard such as Michael Carter-Williams here too. Isaiah Thomas has been a pleasant surprise thus far and Tyreke Evans may very well be on the move this off-season.

7. Detroit Pistons – Michael Carter-Williams, Point Guard, Syracuse

What the Pistons decides to do with their lottery pick has a lot to do with what their intentions for Jose Calderon are. If they plan to bring him back, Detroit will likely pass on another point guard of the same type. If Calderon is not back in Detroit, Carter-Williams makes a lot of sense. Both are a pass-first type of point guard that use their above-average height for the position to get open looks for their teammates consistently.

8. Washington Wizards – Alex Len, Center, Maryland

With John Wall finally healthy and the successful rookie campaign of Bradley Beal, the Wizards will likely look to add another body to their front court. With Nene and Emeka Okafor as the only true centers likely to be back next season, Alex Len would be able to learn from the two veterans while they still have enough to get the job done. Len would be able to develop until both players $13-plus million deals expire before eventually becoming the go-to-big-man, if not sooner.

9. Minnesota Timberwolves – C.J. McCollum, Guard, Lehigh

McCollum is an explosive scorer that could pair up nicely with the Timberwolves current core. Nikola Pekovic has established himself as an extremely capable NBA center, Kevin Love is expected to be healthy, and Ricky Rubio is healthy and played better toward the end of the 2012-2013 season. A go-to perimeter scorer that can stretch the floor is exactly what Minnesota needs and is exactly what McCollum is. Lehigh’s leading scorer shot the ball a ridiculous 51% from three-point land a season ago. A player like McCollum could really open up the floor for Pekovic and Love.

10. Portland Trailblazers – Cody Zeller, Center, Indiana

J.J. Hickson is an unrestricted free agent as of July 1. If Hickson decides to part ways with the Blazers, that will leave Meyers Leonard as the only true center and LaMarcus Aldridge the only proven threat in the post on the roster. Zeller has shown flashes of greatness but has been far too inconsistent finishing through contact. If Zeller can add some strength to his game, he could very well be the best player in this draft. If Hickson returns, I wouldn’t be shocked to see them take an explosive scorer like Shabazz Muhammad.

11. Philadelphia 76ers – Kelly Olynyk, Center, Gonzaga

It is no secret that the Sixers lack a low post scorer. After Andrew Bynum failed to suit up for a single game this season, it became even more evident with the departure of Elton Brand. Spencer Hawes is a suitable backup but by no means is he a starting center in the NBA. If Philly wants a scoring threat in the post, Olynyk is their guy. Of course there is talks of the Sixers being interested in Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap who are both unrestricted free agents this summer, but if that falls through, the Sixers need to draft a big.

12. Oklahoma City Thunder – Rudy Gobert, Power Forward/Center, France

Oklahoma City likes to get out in transition; everyone knows that. Serge Ibaka has developed a formidable offensive game and has become capable of finishing in traffic and in transition. Kendrick Perkins on the other hand, while a key piece of their defense, does not run the floor particularly well. Gobert possesses elite athleticism for a guy his size. At 7’1″, Gobert runs the floor extremely well and finishes in transition with the best in this draft. Oklahoma City are already contenders so they can afford to pick according to scheme, even if it is a little bit of a reach.

13. Dallas Mavericks – Gorgui Dieng, Center, Louisville

Since the Maverick won the NBA Title a few years back, it has become obvious that Mark Cuban and company miss the defensive presence of Tyson Chandler. Chandler protected the rim better than anyone in route to his first championship. His knowledge and understanding of defense is not comparable to any incoming rookies, but Dieng is a world-class athlete for a 6’11”, 245 pound center and has shown promise as a shot blocker at the next level.

14. Utah Jazz – Mason Plumlee, Center, Duke

With the possibility of both Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap being elsewhere next season, the Jazz have to plan accordingly. Enes Kanter and Derrick Favors have proven to be capable replacements for the two veterans, but regardless, Utah will need to add depth to their front court. Plumlee is one of the best rebounders in the draft and can run the floor exceptionally well for a center as well as finish in transition and through contact.