NBA Mock Draft 2013: Cleveland Cavaliers Select Alex Len
By John Adair
11. Philadelphia 76ers: Cody Zeller, Indiana
Zeller was projected to be the No.1 pick in this draft just a few months ago. After a less than stellar sophomore season with the Hoosiers, his stock took a drastic hit. Regardless, with the Sixers’ dire need for a big man, Zeller would be hard to pass up if he is available when they’re on the clock.
12. Oklahoma City Thunder: Kelly Olynyk, Gonzaga
Kendrick Perkins does not fit the Oklahoma City Thunder’s plans. OKC likes speed. OKC likes scoring. Fortunately for the Thunder, Olynyk is an athletic 7-footer with the ability to post-up or knock down a mid-range jumper.
13. Dallas Mavericks: Shane Larkin, Miami
Dallas is in desperate need of a point guard. When they won the championship in 2011, the recently retired Jason Kidd was running the show. Darren Collison was not the player that Mark Cuban thought he was getting when the Mavs signed him, and coach Rick Carlisle was forced to play Mike James as his starting point guard down the stretch. It is to no surprise that Dallas will look for an offensive improvement from that position. Whether it be via the draft, free agency, or trade is left to be unseen. Larkin can shoot the ball from anywhere, in catch-and-shoot situations, and off the dribble. He can light it up in a hurry and make defenses pay for not picking him up at half court.
14. Utah Jazz: Steven Adams, Pittsburgh
Utah will likely need to replace both Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap due to free agency. Derrick Favors and Enes Kanter are capable starters, but inserting them into starter’s roles will mean the team will need to add front court depth.
15. Milwaukee Bucks: Shabazz Muhammad, UCLA
Monta Ellis has decided to decline his player option in favor to move on from Milwaukee. To replace his scoring punch, Muhammad may be a good choice here.
16. Boston Celtics: Allen Crabbe, California
With the rumors that Paul Pierce may not return to Boston pretty much at a minimum right now, it still remains a possibility. Regardless, Pierce is aging and Jeff Green is a capable replacement. However, that leaves their bench shorthanded. Crabbe has established himself as one of the more polished wing players in the draft. He has good size on the wing, along with an NBA ready jump shot.
17. Atlanta Hawks: Rudy Gobert, France
Al Horford has established himself as one of the league’s better centers. If Atlanta holds on to this pick, it is likely because they failed to land Dwight Howard and/or Chris Paul. Gobert adds length to a somewhat undersized Hawks team.
18. Atlanta Hawks: Jamaal Franklin, San Diego State
Kyle Korver and Devin Harris are set to become unrestricted free agents as of July 1st. Louis Williams is coming off a torn ACL, so it is safe to say Atlanta’s back court is in a flux entering this off-season. Jeff Teague has showed promise, but depth is still an issue. Franklin could be a potential role player, possibly even a starter if the plan is still to bring Williams off the bench.
19. Cleveland Cavaliers: Gorgui Dieng, Louisville
Mike Brown is back in Cleveland as head coach once again. Defense has always been his No. 1 priority, and he has already stated that he wants to add another big body to anchor the defense for the future. Dieng could potentially be that guy at 6’11” with defensive instincts.
20. Chicago Bulls: Mason Plumlee, Duke
Chicago has prided themselves on blue collar basketball. Plumlee is a blue collar player. Rebounding, effort, and athleticism are what makes his game appealing to NBA scouts.