2013 NBA mock draft

1. CLEVELAND: Ben McLemore, SG, Kansas: Although Noel is the popular pick here, the Cavs frontcourt is already full and they need another solid scoring option to relieve Irving. This would allow Dion Waiters to serve as the sixth man and improve the team’s depth.

2. ORLANDO: Nerlens Noel, PF/C, Kentucky: Noel will fill the void left by Dwight Howard, and will pair with Nic Vucevic to form a very formidable frontcourt-of-the-future for Orlando.

3. WASHINGTON: Otto Porter, SF, Georgetown: The Wizards could use some versatility and stability, and Porter fits the bill for both. Thought by many as the best pure player in the draft, it is only an added bonus that the organization is already very familiar with him from his days at Georgetown.

4. CHARLOTTE: Anthony Bennett, SF/PF, UNLV: Charlotte has issues to address everywhere, and Bennett will be the best available. His athleticism and energy will match well with Kemba Walker as the Bobcats continue to build for the future.

5. PHOENIX: Victor Oladipo, SG/SF, Indiana: Oladipo will help the Suns on both side of the ball, and provide them with a solid starting shooting guard since Wesley Johnson clearly isn’t the answer.

6. NEW ORLEANS: Trey Burke, PG, Michigan: The Pelicans will continue to build a well-rounded young nucleus by adding the draft’s most NBA-ready point guard. Greivis Vasquez had a solid season and can continue to start until Burke is ready to take over.

7. SACRAMENTO: Cody Zeller, PF/C, Indiana: No one really expects Demarcus Cousins to be around long-term, so the Kings need to add some size. This will come in the form of the long, quick, athletic Zeller who has impressed scouts and shown to be the best center prospect in the draft.

8. DETROIT: Shabazz Muhammad, SF, UCLA: The Pistons already have their frontcourt set with Andre Drummond and Greg Monroe, so Muhammad will give them versatility and some scoring from the perimeter.

9. MINNESOTA: Alex Len, C, Maryland: Considering they've had one almost every year since 2005, the Wolves haven’t had the best luck with lottery picks. Now, they badly need a big incase Pekovic walks this summer. Len needs some work, but he could develop into a solid starting center in the league.

10. PORTLAND: C.J. McCollum, PG/SG, Lehigh: McCollum will provide a big break for the Blazers, as he can play off-ball or play point when Lillard is out. Portland needs depth and McCollum will open up a lot of things for them in the backcourt.

11. PHILADELPHIA: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, SG, Georgia: Caldwell-Pope will provide a nice off-ball option for Jrue Holiday and provide the Sixers with a smooth scoring option on the perimeter. Assuming there will be some changes in the offseason, stacking up on offensive options is a sound strategy. Expect at least one of their second-round picks to be used to bulk up on bigs.

12. OKLAHOMA CITY: Kelly Olynyk, C, Gonzaga: The rich get richer. Although they fell short of expectations this seasons, the Thunder will be back competing for a championship next season. Added depth on the frontline will help, as Kendrick Perkins tends to tire out, and Olynyk’s ability to knock down a jump shot will be beneficial playing along with Russell Westbrook.

13. DALLAS: Michael Carter-Williams, PG, Syracuse: The Mavericks have been trying to add a point guard of the future for a while now, originally missing out on Deron Williams and now preparing to court Chris Paul this summer. Dallas may have to look no further than the draft, however, as Carter-Williams has excellent size for a point guard and a great feel for the game.

14. UTAH: Dennis Schroeder, PG, Germany: The Jazz need a point guard and Schroeder seems to be the best available. While he may not be the next Stockton, Schroeder is lightening quick, a solid passer and scorer, and can also defend. At only 19, Schroeder may be a long-term option at the point for Utah.

15. MILWAUKEE: Mason Plumlee, PF, Duke: he Bucks need a little of everything, but solidifying their frontcourt seems smart. Plumlee will provide some versatility in the post for a team that may look very different next season.

16. BOSTON: Steven Adams, C, Pittsburgh: Adams is a back-to-the-basket big who has Omar Asik written all over him. Coach Rivers can ease him into the rotation as he is still raw, but he has potential to be an excellent defensive center with an offensive touch.

17. ATLANTA: Rudy Gobert, C, France: The Hawks need some size and some scoring, and they will look to address both of those issues with back-to-back picks. Gobert is long and athletic and would be able to play off of Al Horford.

18. ATLANTA: Giannis Adetokoubo, SF, Greece: Here Atlanta will address its wing scoring with the addition of Adetokoubo. Although he will need some work, Adetokoubo can develop into a multi-tooled perimeter player a la Nicolas Batum.

19. CLEVELAND: Gorgui Dieng, C, Louisville: The Cavs will add some size with this pick. Dieng can be a capable NBA center, and Cleveland will have the benefit of allowing him to play behind Anderson Varejao.

20. CHICAGO: Allen Crabbe, SG, Cal: The Bulls have been searching for a starting shooting guard, as the rest of the roster is well-structured. Crabbe is an excellent spot-up shooter with range, and would compliment Derrick Rose well.

21. UTAH: Jeff Whitney, C, Kansas: The Jazz may be losing some size this summer, so selecting Whitley will help strengthen the frontcourt and give them some versatility going forward.

22. BROOKLYN: Tony Mitchell, SF/PF, North Texas: The Nets are solid but could use some help at the forward spot. Although not clearly defined at either, Mitchell can play either the 3 or 4 and could help the Nets on both ends of the floor.

23. INDIANA: Tim Hardaway Jr., SG, Michigan: The Pacers have been extremely impressive this postseason, and don’t have any glaring needs. Lance Stephenson brings some energy and intensity, but he isn’t much of a shooter. Therefore, adding a solid shooter in Hardaway seems like a good option for the already offensively endowed Indiana.

24. NEW YORK: Dario Saric, SF/PF, Croatia: Saric is somewhat of a mystery, but he could add some size to the Knicks frontline. He can play in the post and is comfortable out on the perimeter as well, making him difficult to cover, which could help open up the court for Carmelo Anthony.

25. LA CLIPPERS: Glen Rice Jr., SG, NBADL: A talented offensive player with professional experience due to his time in the D-League, where he was named Finals MVP. Rice will provide the Clippers with some new firepower.

26. MINNESOTA: Sergey Karasev, SG/SF, Russia: A lefty shooter who can play either spot on the perimeter. Will provide the Wolves with a solid offensive option alongside Ricky Rubio.

27. DENVER: Jamaal Franklin, SG/SF, San Diego State: Franklin will give the Nuggets some additional depth at wing. Franklin can play both ends of the floor and has a better mid-range game than Andre Iguodala.

28. SAN ANTONIO: Shane Larkin, PG, Miami: Larkin could learn behind one of the game's best in Tony Parker until he is ready to run a team. The Spurs have no glaring needs to address immediately so this could be a "best available" pick.

29. OKLAHOMA CITY: Reggie Bullock, SG/SF, UNC: A back-up shooting guard option as the Thunder weren't enamored with Kevin Martin. Bullock is an excellent shooter, and could develop into a nice scoring role player.

30. PHOENIX: Tony Snell, SG/SF, New Mexico: Snell has a lot of size for a shooting guard, and will give the Suns an additional option on the wing.