2013 NBA Mock Draft: Final Version 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 – Trey Burke, Point Guard, Michigan
Joe Dumars and Trey Burke have talked and according to Burke Dumars won’t pass on him at #8. That would make the third straight year that a top five player fell to the Pistons. If drafted Burke will take over the point and Brandon Knight will slide to the #2. Mo Cheeks, who specializes in guards, can mentor him and mold him into the NBA player most NBA experts think he can be. If Orlando drafts Burke look for CJ McCollum to be selected.
#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. Staff writer Andrew Erdamn predicts the the Pistons will take him here but they have shown little interest in him and didn’t even schedule a pre-draft workout.
#10 Portland Trailblazers – Ben McLemore, Shooting Guard, Kansas
Concerns about his dedication and some questionable work-outs are really hurting McLemore here. He could slip past the Blazers but he is to much of a talent to pass up at 10. The Blazers are in the market for a big man however and those needs my out-weigh the pure talent of McClemore here. Steven Adams, or Sergey Karsev could go here as well.