NBA Mock Draft 2013: Cleveland Cavaliers Select Otto Porter Jr
By John Adair
June 27th is drawing near and we are increasing our NBA Draft coverage! Mock drafts will now be updated and posted every Tuesday and Friday leading up to the draft. Be sure to keep an eye on your favorite teams, college players, and potential rises and falls of draft stocks. Individual workouts for teams have begun. Some have impressed, and some have not done as well. Either way, news has been made by teams such as the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Without further introduction, here is the latest 2013 NBA Mock Draft:
1. Cleveland Cavaliers: Otto Porter Jr., Georgetown
Recent reports have stated that Cleveland is unlikely to draft Kentucky’s Nerlens Noel at No.1. Whether it be due to the fact that they hope to trade the pick, or they feel as though someone else can contribute more right away, it seems they will go a different direction. Owner Dan Gilbert has all but guaranteed the playoffs for the Cavs next season, so expect them to take the player that they think will contribute the most instantly. Ben McLemore is also on their radar.
2. Orlando Magic: Nerlens Noel, Kentucky
Orlando needs a point guard desperately. Nikola Vucevic has proven himself to be a more than capable NBA starting center, but Noel may be hard to pass on at No. 2 if the Cavs indeed to go a different direction.
3. Washington Wizards: Anthony Bennett, UNLV
Bennett is a versatile scorer that causes mismatches every time on the court. He is too quick for big defenders and too big for smaller guys. Star John Wall has already said that he would love for Washington to take Bennett, so this pick could be beneficial in numerous ways.
4. Charlotte Bobcats: Ben McLemore, Kansas
Michael Jordan’s Bobcats need all the help that they can get, especially scoring the basketball. McLemore has the potential to score at the rim and from three-point range. He has already drawn comparison to Miami’s Ray Allen.
5. Phoenix Suns: Victor Oladipo, Indiana
Phoenix is one of many teams that are high on Oladipo’s work ethic and athleticism. Charlotte could decide that he should be the first shooting guard off the board, but if not, don’t expect him to drop out of the top five.
6. New Orleans Pelicans: Alex Len, Maryland
Anthony Davis was the easiest selection New Orleans has ever made in its history. This year may not be that much harder. If Len is still available and the top five goes the way that is predicted above, it is close to a no-brainer. With size, length, mobility, and potential, Len may possibly be the second piece of a dominating front court a few years down the road.
7. Sacramento Kings: Michael Carter-Williams, Syracuse
With Mike Malone now at the helm in Sacramento, the first priority will clearly to be to establish a defensive presence. Trey Burke was easily the best point guard at the college level a season ago, but Carter-Williams’ size, length, and defensive ability will intrigue Malone and the Kings.
8. Detroit Pistons: Trey Burke, Michigan
Detroit has not given up hope on Brandon Knight. They simply think that he may be more effective off-ball more often than not. Burke proved that he can run an efficient offense at Michigan, and could be a potentially frightening pick-and-roll ball handler with Greg Monroe or Andre Drummond rolling to the front of the rim.
9. Minnesota Timberwolves: C.J. McCollum, Lehigh
New general manager and president of basketball operations Flip Saunders has made it known that he plans on stressing the importance of shooting well as he takes over the Wolves organization. If shooting is what Flip wants, shooting is what Flip will get with McCollum. McCollum shot above 50% from deep a year ago at Lehigh and even has the versatility to play either guard position, allowing Rubio and himself to split time at the point.
10. Portland Trailblazers: Kentavious Caldewell-Pope, Georgia
Portland has been rumored to be interested in possibly moving up to draft Victor Oladipo, but with Trey Burke’s sudden fall from graces and Oladipo’s upward trend that seems unlikely. Regardless, it seems as though they will be interested in taking a guard. Caldwell-Pope has the most upside of any of the guards remaining at this point.