1. Cleveland Cavaliers
Anthony Bennett | PF | 6'8" | 240lbs | 20 years | University of Las Vegas Nevada
This is an unconventional pick, but bear with me; there's some logic behind it. First, though it seems Cleveland would love to trade down or out of this draft, the market for presumptive #1 overall prospect Nerlens Noel is luke-warm at best. Next, the Cavs want to start winning some games next season, not just a lottery slot. Also consider that in the past two drafts they have made very unusual picks in the top 5; few teams would have taken either Tristan Thompson or Dion Waiters as high as fourth overall. I think GM Chris Grant will find it difficult to tease apart the top five prospects and end up picking the one who has the best combination of star-potential and fit. I think Bennett's ability to stretch the floor and his elite athleticism will pair very well with Thompson in the front court.
2. Orlando Magic
Nerlens Noel | C | 7'0" | 206lbs | 19 years | University of Kentucky
Any scenario in which Noel falls to Orlando is a windfall for them. They will try to talk themselves into Trey Burke as the point guard of their future, but would be relived to find an ultra-athletic shot-blocker at pick two. They are much happier waiting another year (at least) to be competitive, so Noel's injury and weight issues are less problematic for them.
3. Washington Wizards
Otto Porter | SF | 6'9" | 198lbs | 19 years | Georgetown University
With the dynamite backcourt of Wall and Beal, Porter appears to be a terrific fit in Washington. He will likely be able to guard multiple positions on the floor, and will benefit from plenty of open jumpers with all the attention on the guards.
4. Charlotte Bobcats
Ben McLemore | SG | 6'5" | 189 lbs | 20 years | Kansas University
The Bobcats need some pop in their offense, and McLemore has the shooting ability and physique to be a very effective offensive player.
5. Phoenix Suns
Victor Oladipo | SG | 6'4" | 213lbs | 21 years | Indiana University
The Suns would probably be thrilled to find Oladipo available. Their team needs a major culture change, and Oladipo's contagious competitive fire is exactly what the doctor ordered.
6. New Orleans Pelicans
Trey Burke | PG | 6'1" | 187lbs | 20 years | University of Michigan
Austin Rivers was a disaster last year, and even if he improves dramatically his ceiling is probably as a back-up. Burke can learn the game behind the greatly improved Greivus Vasquez and grow along with last year's #1 overall Anthony Davis.
7. Sacramento Kings
Alex Len | C | 7'1" | 225lbs | 19 years | University of Maryland
With new ownership and an as yet unfilled GM seat, it's hard to peg where the Kings will go with this pick. Len is a good fit because he has the size, skill, and lack of selfishness to play along side mercurial big man DeMarcus Cousins. He is a good value at this point in the draft.
8. Detroit Pistons
Michael Carter-Williams | PG | 6'6" | 184lbs | 21 years | Syracuse University
With nearly $19M tied up in essentially useless players (Villanueva, Stuckey, Kravtsov), the Pistons aren't going anywhere in 2013/14. However, they've got two terrific young bigs in Monroe and Drummond. I think they will be deciding between Carter-Williams and CJ McCollum here, and GMs love to pick the guy who's taller and played for a better college team. Also, he's more of a true point guard, as opposed to McCollum who plays a similar game to other combo guards on the Pistons.
9. Minnesota Timberwolves
CJ McCollum | PG/SG | 6'3" | 197lbs | 21 years | Lehigh University
Despite the lack of strong competition at mid-major Lehigh - or possibly because of it - McCollum has some serious Damien Lillard buzz around him. He projects as a dynamic scoring lead guard, and given Ricky Rubio's extraordinary defensive abilities and passing, the two could pair well.
10. Portland Trailblazers
Steven Adams | C | 7'0" | 255lbs | 19 years | University of Pittsburgh
Adams impressed greatly at the combine, displaying his obvious size and athletic prowess as well as sound jumpshot mechanics. He can already do most of what JJ Hickson did so well last season next to Lamarcus Aldridge, but is cheaper and younger.11. Philadelphia 76ers
Cody Zeller | C/F | 7'0" | 230lbs | 20 years | Indiana University
Bynum or no, the 76ers lack size. Zeller is a skilled and tough inside player who should be able to contribute right away.
12. Oklahoma City Thunder
Shabazz Muhammad | G/F | 6'6" | 222lbs | 20 years | University of California Los Angeles
This pick is a luxury for the already dangerous Thunder. They have the culture and talent in place to help Shabazz overcome his immaturity and begin to realize his potential. They've already had some success drafting guards from my employer, UCLA (Go Bruins!).
13. Dallas Mavericks
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope | SG | 6'6" | 204lbs | 20 years | University of Georgia
The Mavs have a very clean sheet after Dirk and Shawn Marion, and are rumored to be shopping this pick in an attempt to get enough under the cap to sign a marquee free agent like Dwight Howard or Chris Paul. Although he played for a bad team in college, Caldwell-Pope has ideal size, athleticism, and scoring ability for a shooting guard and represents good value in the late lottery.
14. Utah Jazz
Dario Saric | SF | 6'10" | 223lbs | 19 years | Croatia
The Jazz continue to be imbalanced and uncertain going forward. They really need a point guard, but are better off collecting assets and trying to trade for one rather than reaching on a non-lottery talent here. Saric can play some point forward because of his high level basketball IQ and court vision, so the Jazz can use him as a secondary ball-handler.
15. Milwaukee Bucks
Kelly Olynyk | PF | 7'0" | 234lbs | 22 years | Gonzaga University
The only sure thing in then Bucks' future is LARRY SANDERS! anchoring the defense. Everything Sanders does well, Olynyk doesn't, and vice versa. Olynyk lead the NCAAs in player efficiency (via 2012-13 Hollinger ratings) mainly due to his insane field goal percentage (63% from the floor!) and ability to earn and make free throws (made 4/5 per game on average).
16. Boston Celtics
Mason Plumlee | C | 7'0" | 238lbs | 23 years | Duke University
By now, most sophisticated NBA fans know how rough it is for the Celtics when KG is on the bench; their lack of depth up front has really hurt them. Plumlee does many things well, and is a little older so he should be physically mature enough to handle the NBA game right away. Also, he spent 4 years learning from Coach K, so Doc can assume a pretty high level of maturity and professionalism.
17 and 18. Atlanta Hawks
Jamaal Franklin | SG/SF | 6'5" | 191lbs | 21 years | San Diego State University
Rudy Gobert | 7'2" | 238lbs | 20 years | France
With a projected starters Jeff Teague and Lou Williams, Atlanta could use Franklin's defense, toughness, and rebounding at the third guard spot. He has the potential to become a starter if he can develop a three point shot. With their second pick, the Hawks can swing for the fences with Gobert, the player with the longest measured standing reach in NBA draft history. Whether or not he can actually play basketball is a story for another day.
19. Cleveland Cavaliers
Reggie Bullock | SF | 6'7" | 200lbs | 22 years | University of North Carolina
I've gone with another unconventional pick for the Cavs, but they are absolutely desperate for wing players. Bullock put up decent numbers against top competition in the ACC. He can shoot and rebound, and is big enough to guard NBA small forwards. Plus he's a Tarheel, just like one that got away (Danny Green).
20. Chicago Bulls
Jeff Withey | C | 7'0" | 222lbs | 23 years | Kansas University
Chicago needs shooters and improved frontcourt depth, and would prefer an older, more NBA-ready player. Withey was very efficient at Kansas, and while he doesn't wow with lottery-type potential, he could turn out to be a very solid fourth big for Chicago.
21. Utah Jazz
Dennis Schroeder | PG | 6'2" | 165lbs | 19 years | Germany
If they don't pick a PG with the 14th pick, it is likely they'll take one here. Schoroeder is a high risk/reward prospect, the kind of player worth gambling an "extra" first rounder on.
22. Brooklyn Nets
Tony Mitchell | SF | 6'8" | 220lbs | 21 years | University of North Texas
Gerald Wallace's steep decline really hurt the Nets this year, and was a major reason why they couldn't advance past a depleted Bulls team in round 1. Mitchell is a similar type of player, but has much younger legs.
23. Indiana Pacers
Shane Larkin | PG | 6'0" | 171lbs | 20 years | University of Miami
The Pacers are currently having their most successful season since a run to the Finals against the Lakers over a decade ago. The one glaring weakness of this team is the weak bench, partly due to Danny Granger's injuries. Larkin projects as a terrific "microwave" guard, and could give them a Nate Robinson style punch in the second unit. I love this fit.
24. New York Knicks
Sergey Karasev | SG | 6'7" | 197lbs | 19 years | Russia
Karasev is a good fit for the "Carmelo plus four shooters" formula that lead to so much early-season success for the 2012-13 Knicks.
25. Los Angeles Clippers
Gorgui Dieng | C | 6'11" | 230lbs. | 23 years | University of Louisville
Dieng committed fewer than one foul per 10 minutes and hit about two thirds of his free throws while providing excellent interior defense for the NCAA champion Cardinals. If he can do all that for 18 minutes per night for the Clippers, this pick could really help round out their team.
26. Minnesota Timberwolves
Allen Crabbe | SG | 6'6" | 197lbs | 21 years | University of California Berkeley
Shooting. And some more shooting. The Wolves could use both, and Crabbe is lethal from distance.
27. Denver Nuggets
Lucas Nogueira | C | 6'11" | 218lbs | 20 years | Brazil
The Nuggets are a deep team right now, and probably won't have space in their rotation for whomever they draft here. Nogueira is a great long-term asset for them.
28. San Antonio Spurs
Alex Abrines | SG | 6'5" | 195lbs | 20 years | Spain
Congrats to the champions of the Western Conference! You know the Spurs will pick someone off the radar here. The basics about Abrines (athletic slasher, good shooter) sound just like a young Manu...
29. Oklahoma City Thunder
Giannis Antetokounmpo | SF | 6'9" | 218lbs | 19 years | Greece
This pick has "Euro stash" written all over it, and Giannis is a likely suspect.
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