Re-Drafting the 2013 NBA Draft

Kansas. Jeff Withey. 26. player. 86. <p><strong>Original pick: Andre Roberson (traded to OKC)</strong></p> <p>At the age of 26, this is probably as good as Jeff Withey will ever be. That, of course, knocks him down a peg or two when it comes to an NBA Draft reboot, but Withey is a serviceable player at this moment, and that is commendable.</p> <p>Withey’s primary value comes from the defensive end, where he is a legitimately above-average rim protector. In addition to averaging 2.7 blocks per 36 minutes in his NBA career, the former Kansas center moves his feet very well defensively and routinely alters shots from the opposition with his length and timing. Rim protection has become a highly sought after skill in the culture of the league today, and Withey brings that aspect to the table if nothing else.</p> <p>It is unfair to say that Withey is a bad offensive player, but he just doesn’t do much. Withey does crash the offensive glass with effectiveness, but he isn’t a pick-and-roll threat and his jump shot is nothing to write home about at this point. That matters in the grand scheme.</p> <p>Defense from the center position is obscenely valuable and Withey can be a third center that is deployed as something of a “stopper” on that end. That lands you in the first round when compared to the rest of the 2013 NBA Draft class.</p>. C