Monday, May 6, 2013

NBA Mock Draft Edition 2

1. Orlando Magic Ben McLemore, SG
With J.J. Reddick gone the Magic shooting is very weak. So they pick up McLemore, the three-point sniper who is an immediate scoring threat.
2. Cleveland Cavaliers Anthony Bennett, SF
I think the Cavs know Alonzo Gee nor C.J. Miles is the answer at small forward meaning the big rebounding Bennett will be.
3. Charlotte Bobcats Nerlens Noel, C
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist has improved the Bobcats' weak frontcourt. But, their center position is an issue especially with Bismack Biyombo struggling so Charlotte picks up another Kentucky product in Noel. 
4. Phoenix Suns Otto Porter, SF
The smart passing, high-scoring Porter is a perfect fit into the Suns' system. He should be the Suns' star from the very beginning.
5. Sacramento Kings Alex Len, C
Victor Oladipo
The inconsistent Demarcus Cousins may never live up to his potential so the Kings pick up the high potential Len to become their beast in the post.
6. Detroit Pistons Kelly Olynyk, C
Olynyk is a risk here this high but the Pistons should love the versatility and efficiency of Olynyk. Even if he has some struggles who wouldn't love a seven-footer with some scoring potential?
7. New Orleans Pelicans Trey Burke, PG
Burke is the best available point guard in this year's class and the Pelicans really need him. They need somebody to get the ball to Anthony Davis in the post and would love his three-point shot.
8. Minnesota Timberwolves Victor Oladipo, SG/SF
The T-Wolves have really missed on wing players (Wes Johnson, Corey Brewer) but they won't miss on the psychical Oladipo.
9. Washington Wizards Shabazz Muhammed, SF
There is a lot of risk involved with Muhammed, who needs the ball in his hands constantly but John Wall should get him the ball as much as possible.
10. Philadelphia Sixers C.J. McCollum, PG/SG
Lehigh product McCollum is an elite scorer already and should remind a lot of people of last year's mid-major scoring threat Damian Lilliard.
11. Portland Trail Blazers Cody Zeller, C
I have a ton of reservations about Zeller who disappointed a lot of people in his sophomore year. His short wingspan could keep him from being a center but he could fill a need at power forward.
12. Oklahoma City Thunder Michael Carter-Williams, PG
If you haven't been watching the playoffs the Thunder are very weak without Russell Westbrook. The stacked Thunder have a lot of time to develop Carter-Williams who needs to work on his shot.
13. Dallas Mavericks Dario Saric, PF
The Mavericks are very close to complete rebuild mode. They should pick up Croatian talent Saric to replace the aging Shawn Marion.
14. Utah Jazz Rudy Gobert, C
The future of Al Jefferson in Utah is definitely in question meaning the Jazz pick up Gobert, a 7-1 French beast who has a lot to work on.
15. Boston Celtics Mason Plumlee, PF/C
It is unknown whether Kevin Garnett will be pick for next season so the Celtics pick up 6-10 Mason Plumlee who can play both power forward and center well and adds rebounding and scoring help.
16. Milwaukee Bucks Giannis Adetokoubo, SF/PF
Milwaukee has a lot of natural talent but a lot of holes to fill. It is time for another International product to step in, in Adetokoubo who has a lot of solid potential.
17. Atlanta Hawks Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, SG
The complete rebuild for Atlanta begins likely this summer and they should build around Caldwell-Pope in the backcourt. In two years at Georgia, Caldwell-Pope showed his scoring potential and considerable skill.
18. Cleveland Cavaliers Steven Adams, C
It looks as though the Cavaliers have figured out their backcourt with Kyrie and Dion Waiters. It is time to focus up front with Adams, a player who isn't polished but is a seven-footer with the ability to dominate on the boards.
19. Atlanta Hawks Lorenzo Brown, PG/SG
Scouts have some questions about Brown and they should after a rollercoaster season at NC State last year. Though the Hawks like what they see in Brown picking him up over German Dennis Schroeder.
20. Utah Jazz Tim Hardaway, SG
We don't know what the Jazz are getting in Colorado's Alec Burks so they pick up Hardaway, a sniper with a lot of size.
21. Brooklyn Nets Gorgui Dieng, C
Kris Humphries is getting way too minutes in the Nets' frontcourt so their new coach (whoever replaces Carleismo) needs Dieng for depth and minutes.
22. Chicago Bulls Lucas Nogeira,C
Brazil star Nogeira gives Chicago a quality center who should back up Joakim Noah early in his career. Though if Noah struggles with injuries Nogeira should be a more than capable center.
23. Indiana Pacers Deshaun Thomas, SF/PF
Thomas has a ton of scoring ability which should be an interesting change of pace for a lockdown defensive team.
24. Los Angeles Clippers Shane Larkin, PG
Sure Eric Bledsoe is a quality backup to Chris Paul but it will be tough for the Clippers to pass up on a talent like Larkin who can hit the three ball as well as anyone in the land.
25. New York Knicks Tony Mitchell, SF/PF
Behind 'Melo the Knicks are pretty weak on the wing. And, Rasheed Wallace retired leaving the power forward position a little bit weak as well.
26. Minnesota Timberwolves Isaiah Canaan, PG
The high-scoring Canaan should add the perfect mix to a backcourt that includes pass-first guards Ricky Rubio and Luke Ridnour.
27. San Antonio Spurs Jeff Withey, C
The Spurs are also close to a complete rebuild and they should start by picking up an elite shot-blocker in Kansas star Jeff Withey. He will learn under Tim Duncan early in his career then should be San Antonio's froncourt star.
28. Denver Nuggets Sergey Karasev, SF
Karasev gives Denver a gritty guard/forward hybrid who should be an intimidating presence on the wing from the very beginning of his career.
29. Oklahoma City Thunder Dennis Schroeder, PG
The German Schroeder helps an improving Thunder backcourt. Schroeder, with his potential could be a steal here for OKC at 29.
30. Phoenix Suns Jamaal Franklin, SG/SF
If Phoenix does pick up Porter with the fourth pick they should look to San Diego State stud Jamaal Franklin here to further strengthen a team that doesn't score too much. 


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