2013 NBA Mock Draft: 1st Round
By Tony Fischer
#6 New Orleans Pelicans – Alex Len, Center, Maryland
The Pelican have been all over this guy from the beginning and despite Nerlens Noel falling they will stick to their guns. Len is a raw talent but a physical specimen at 7′ 1″. He has the physical tools and Basketball intelligence to develop into a solid NBA center.
#7 Sacramento Kings – Micheal Carter-Williams, Point Guard, Georgia
The Sacramento Kings just hired a new general manager. Problem he started after the Kings had all their prospects in for a workout. The influence of their new GM will be unclear but the Kings need someone to run the point and Carter-Williams has unique ability in this regard. He has great size for a point guard. Great ball skills for his size and a high basketball IQ. Ben McLemore is also available here but they may shy away from a risky pick until the new GM can get up to speed.
#8 Detroit Pistons – Ben McLemore, Shooting Guard, Kansas
Joe Dumars draft luck continues as Ben McLemore falls right into their lap. He was considered a #1 pick at one point but his stock was slipping because of questions about his dedication. McLemore also had issues at Kansas with academic eligibility and following team rules. Maybe Mo Cheeks can mentor him and mold him into the NBA player most NBA experts think he can be. He may have baggage but McLemore is too good to let go. He will fit nicely in the line-up as a combo 2 or 3.
#9 Minnesota Timberwolves – Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Shooting Guard, Georgia
Kentavious is considered one of the best shooters in the 2013 NBA draft and the Wolves need shooters. Some are actually predicting that the Pistons will take him at #8 but the Pistons have shown little interest in him and didn’t even schedule a pre-draft workout.
#10 Portland Trailblazers – Nerlens Noel, Center, Kentucky
Noel’s slide stops here. The Trailbalzers were gonna select CJ McCollum or Caldwell-Pope here but the Blazers who are also looking for bigs can’t let Noel slide. Questions about Noels ACL surgery and recovery loom causing his slide to this point. If he is able to recoover the blazers likely will get the steal of the Draft. Some experts say the Pistons would draft Noel if he slid to 8 but they already have two-big men they are happy with and Noel won’t be ready until two-months into the season. The Pistons can’t afford this kind of risk now.