Well, now we know who has declared themselves eligible for the 2013 NBA Draft and with some big-name withdrawals, a draft that was already considered relatively weak took another hit. The likes of Marcus Smart, Glenn Robinson III and other high profile prospects have decided to return to school, which can only be good news for those who remain. This edition of the NBA mock draft will focus solely on ranking the players who have entered their names into the draft and team needs will not be taken into account.
Here is the Early Entry Deadline Edition of the Hoops Habit 2013 Mock Draft.
Keep checking back for continued coverage of the 2013 NBA Draft!
1. Orlando Magic – Nerlens Noel, PF/C
6’11”, 216 lbs, Kentucky, Freshman
Knee injury aside, Nerlens Noel is the best prospect in the draft and is the most likely No. 1 selection regardless of which team wins the lottery. He has a rare combination of size, length, athletic ability and defensive timing that can be a huge game changer in the NBA. Noel will take some time to get back to 100 percent after a torn ACL but there may be a silver lining in his recovery. A lottery team that selects Noel can allow him to rehabilitate slowly and ensure another high draft pick in a stacked 2014 draft class.
2. Charlotte Bobcats – Ben McLemore, SG
6’4”, 195 lbs, Kansas, Freshman
While he was not a consistent, dominant force in the NCAA this season, Ben McLemore possesses all the gifts you could want from a shooting-guard prospect. He has elite athleticism, a great shooting stroke and great length for the position. Just 20 years old, McLemore still has so much room to grow as a player and has all the raw tools you could hope to harness in a scoring guard. The only real threat to Noel for the No. 1 pick, McLemore is one of the few elite prospects in the draft.
3. Cleveland Cavaliers – Trey Burke, PG
6’0”, 190 lbs, Michigan, Sophomore
No player helped himself more over the course of the NCAA season than Trey Burke. Burke was instrumental in the Wolverines reaching the national championship game and repeatedly displayed his leadership and ability to take over a game. Burke has shooting range out to the NBA 3-point line, great quickness and the ability to create plays for teammates. His demeanor will also endear him to scouts, showing no fear in the closing stretches of tight games he nailed numerous clutch shots during Michigan’s run to the championship game.
4. Phoenix Suns – Otto Porter, SF
6’8”, 205 lbs, Georgetown, Sophomore
One of the safest high selections in the 2013 draft, Porter has the ideal size and skillset to immediately fit in with nearly any NBA team. His great length, rebounding, ability to play off the ball and defend multiple positions should allow him to become an ideal complimentary player from the get go. In order to become more than that he will need to continue to work on his jump shot, handles and aggressiveness on the offensive end but he has the raw talent to become a special player. Very unlikely to drop down the boards as he is seemingly a very low-risk prospect.
5. New Orleans Pelicans – Anthony Bennett, SF/PF
6’7”, 240 lbs, UNLV, Freshman
The only thing stopping Anthony Bennett from being talked about as a top prospect in this draft is the fact he is slightly undersized at 6’7” for the power forward position, which is where he will likely find a home in the NBA. Bennett has a rare offensive skillset for a big man so young and is extremely aggressive on the offensive end. He can finish explosively on the inside, uses nifty moves around the basket, can face up and even extend his range out to the 3-point line. Bennett will need work on the defensive end as he gets lost at times and can lack effort on that end, but he has the athleticism, energy and length to make an impact on both ends.
6. Sacramento Kings – Shabazz Muhammad, SF
6’6”, 225 lbs, UCLA, Freshman
Shabazz Muhammad has seen his draft stock drop since he entered the NCAA and may see yet another drop before draft night. He struggled to impress at UCLA this season, but remains one of the most intriguing prospects and one of the very few with the ability to become a go-to scorer. A lot could depend on the situation Muhammad lands in, the coaching staff and veterans that are around to influence him as there have been some concerns around his attitude. He should at least be able to become an impact scorer off the bench but if his talent is harnessed correctly and he becomes a hard working professional he still has a high ceiling.
7. Detroit Pistons – Alex Len, C
7’1”, 255 lbs, Maryland, Sophomore
While still very raw, Alex Len has great physical gifts for a big man and has a tremendous base to build off in the NBA. He has great size and length even as an NBA center and he uses it to great effect. He is a complimentary player offensively who sets hard screens, can finish inside and is active on the offensive glass. Defensively he has a great deal of potential as both as an anchor in the paint and shot blocking presence. It may take some time but Len has the physical attributes and the raw skills to become a very good starting center in the league.
8. Washington Wizards – Victor Oladipo, SG
6’4”, 215 lbs, Indiana, Junior
A hardworking, versatile defensive player with a developing offensive game, Victor Oladipo is almost certain to find an effective role in the NBA and how far he can take it will depend on his continued improvement on the offensive end. Capable and willing to defend multiple positions, Oladpio is a pest on the ball but also contributes well as a help defender or on the glass. Due to his speed and athleticism he will be a great finisher in transition, it will be up to Oladipo to continue his work on the offensive end and learn to create shots for himself in the half court. It is hard to see him not making a considerable contribution to a winning team.
9. Minnesota Timberwolves – Cody Zeller, PF/C
6’11”, 240 lbs, Indiana, Sophomore
Cody Zeller had previously been discussed as the top overall selection but continued concerns over his struggles against players with length hound him. It was again evident in the NCAA tournament that against long, athletic frontcourts Zeller would often struggle and that is a problem in the NBA, where most teams boast imposing athletes on the front line. Despite this, Zeller is still an impressive offensive big man with a range of moves and decent range on his jumper. A high IQ player who appears to be extremely coachable and having spent two seasons on a very successful Indiana team, Zeller seems willing to play whatever role is required of him. He will need to continue to work on his offense against the athletes of the NBA, but not being a super athlete has not stopped some of the most successful big men in the league from reaching their potential.
10. Portland Trail Blazers – Michael Carter-Williams, PG
6’6”, 185 lbs, Syracuse, Sophomore
Despite a disappointing showing in his final NCAA tournament game, Michael Carter-Williams had numerous chances to impress scouts and remains one of the most unique and intriguing prospects in the draft. He is a true point guard at 6’6” and that immediately makes him a rare commodity. It does not seem to be simply a novelty either, Carter-Williams has real floor general potential and his length is extremely disruptive against opposing guards. He has already displayed a skill set that will make him effective in the NBA, but the addition of his unique size gives him an extremely high ceiling.
11. Philadelphia 76ers – Kelly Olynyk, PF/C
7’0”, 240 lbs, Gonzaga, Junior
An offensively gifted big man, Kelly Olynyk was arguably the most productive player in college basketball this season and it seems unlikely that his skills will not allow him to contribute in the NBA. While he is not a great athlete, and may be a little slow footed compared to some of the speedsters in the NBA, his strength, post up skills and shooting touch will make him extremely difficult to defend against. Without athleticism to rely on he will need to continue to work on his defensive positioning, but it is hard to see a player with Olynyk’s skillset being unable to make solid contributions on the offensive end.
12. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Toronto) – Giannis Adetokoubo, SF
6’9”, 205 lbs, Greece
As far as raw talent and potential ceilings go, Adetokoubo may be in the top five of the entire draft. At 6’9” he has tremendous size for a wing player but his length is well beyond that and gives him rare potential on the defensive end. He has been playing in lower quality leagues and is still not a dominant player on that level so there are concerns about his ability to become a great basketball player, but you could not wish for better physical gifts from a small forward prospect. He has displayed the ability to dribble, create for teammates and score in flashes, if he continues to develop this versatile offensive repertoire he could be one of the most unique players in the league. Huge potential, but also a lot of risk in his selection if it is in the lottery; however, in this draft it may be worth the gamble.
13. Dallas Mavericks – Rudy Gobert, C
7’1”, 230 lbs, France
Possibly the best physical specimen in the draft, France’s Rudy Gobert combines a 7’1” frame with an extraordinary 7’9” wingspan and a quickness rarely seen from a man his size. Gobert’s imposing size and length makes him a great prospect on the defensive end with his ability to block shots and rebound, the addition of his surprising athleticism just further helps him on that end. Offensively he will take some time to develop into anything more than a garbage man, finishing tip ins, lobs and easy dunks but many teams don’t require much more from their center than that these days anyway. It will take some time for Gobert to contribute in the NBA and he may not even come to the U.S immediately but he is almost a certainty to be taken in the lottery.
14. Utah Jazz – C.J. McCollum, PG/SG
6’3”, 190 lbs, Lehigh, Senior
C.J. McCollum possesses an ability that seems to be a rarity in this draft class, he can flat out score the ball. McCollum is an experienced, hardnosed player with great leadership qualities but his ticket to the NBA will be his scoring. He can create his own shot off the dribble and scores in a variety of ways, something that should translate well to the pros. At 6’3” his ability to develop his passing and other point guard skills will determine whether he becomes a starter or a specialist sixth man scorer.
15. Milwaukee Bucks – Mason Plumlee, PF
6’11”, 240 lbs, Duke, Senior
Mason Plumlee has good size and athleticism at the power forward position as well as a great deal of experience playing at Duke for four seasons. Plumlee has good explosiveness which allows him to finish around the rim and is continuing to develop his other offensive skills. He has showed some progression on his offense around the rim with post moves and hook shots but will need to find consistency in those moves to be a big contributor. He has a great motor, works hard on the boards and has decent potential as a shotblocker. Should be able to carve out a role as a solid role player if nothing else.
16. Boston Celtics – Dario Saric, SF/PF
6’10”, 225 lbs, Croatia
Another player with a unique mix of size and skillset, Dario Saric is a 6’10” forward who’s most appealing trait are his ability to dribble and create shots for others. He is a decent scorer himself with a streaky outside shot, but it will be he and his team’s ability to harness his unique talents that will determine how successful he is in the NBA. Saric is a solid rebounder with good positioning and reads the ball well off the rim. However, his lack of athleticism and lateral quickness causes him to struggle defensively and can also hamper him in battles under the boards. Will a team allow a young, international big man to run their offense for stretches? If he can find a coach that will, that will be his best chance to succeed.
17. Atlanta Hawks – Steven Adams, C
7’0”, 250 lbs, Pittsburgh, Freshman
While many questioned Adams’ decision to enter the NBA draft, his motives cannot be dismissed and with the withdrawal of a number of top prospects it may be his best opportunity to be selected this high. An extremely raw big man, Adams has tremendous physical gifts, his height, weight and athleticism all lend themselves to being an extremely tough match up in the paint for any player, at least on the glass. Adams has good hands and should be able to convert the easy inside buckets while he continues to develop his jump shot. Has huge defensive potential if he can learn to read the opposing offense and work on his positioning, while he has bust potential he could also just as easily be a huge payoff as a first round selection.
18. Atlanta Hawks (via Houston) – Archie Goodwin, SG
6’4”, 198 lbs, Kentucky, Freshman
Goodwin and the Wildcats endured a disappointing NCAA season and he is the only Kentucky player who has decided to make the jump to the NBA. There is still work to be done on his decision making and control, but the skills are there for Goodwin who has the rare ability to create his own shot. He uses his great speed to get into the lane and draw contact, he has a decent mid-range jump shot that he will need to start extending the range on and great athleticism. A streaky, inconsistent scoring guard he will need to work hard and mature quickly to get the most out of his raw talent.
19. Cleveland Cavaliers (via L.A. Lakers) – Tim Hardaway Jr., SG
6’6”, 205 lbs, Michigan, Junior
Tim Hardaway Jr. already has the size and scoring ability to become a successful NBA two guard. The unique talent that could make Hardaway one of the most immediately productive players in this draft is his ability to handle the ball and initiate the offense. Hardaway ran the point guard position for long stretches during the season and was a reliable second ball handler for Michigan when Burke was being pressured. He is also a fiery competitor, a vocal leader and a willing defender who seems capable of making a real contribution in the NBA almost immediately.
20. Chicago Bulls – Dennis Schroeder, PG
6’2”, 170 lbs, Germany
Dennis Schroeder has skyrocketed up many draft boards recently, especially after his performance at the Nike Hoops Summit. Schroeder is blindingly quick and can get past his man with relative ease, has a good handle and is capable of both scoring himself or creating for teammates. His passing ability continues to improve, it was a concern some time ago but seems to be improving every time we see him. His great length, speed and athleticism make him a solid defender at the point guard position and he appears comfortable taking a leadership role among younger teammates. One of the real sleepers in the draft.
21. Utah Jazz (via Golden State) – Gorgui Dieng, C
6’10”, 245 lbs, Louisville, Junior
Gorgui Dieng is quite simply one of those players you can see carving out a decade long NBA career with tough defensive play, solid rebounding and a gritty work ethic that every team loves to have. An NCAA championship winner, Dieng is a tremendous defensive player and should be able to carve out a role almost immediately in the NBA. He rebounds well, can block shots and will be easy to teach the positional roles of a defense. Any further offense Dieng can develop throughout his career will be a bonus but we have seen very similar players make contributions in the league for a long time.
22. Brooklyn Nets – Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, SG
6’5”, 205 lbs, Georgia, Sophomore
With one of the most jump-shot reliant arsenals in NCAA basketball, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope knows what his calling card into the NBA is. Caldwell-Pope takes a high volume of 3-pointers and is primarily a jump-shooting 2 guard with an otherwise limited offensive repertoire. He has good size for the position and if he works hard should at least be an adequate defender, but will never be a defensive stopper. He needs to continue to develop his offense off the dribble to ensure he doesn’t just become an end-of-the-bench spot-up shooter.
23. Indiana Pacers – Tony Mitchell, PF
6’8”, 235 lbs, North Texas, Sophomore
Tony Mitchell is a tough, athletic, relentless rebounder with the physical gifts and skill set to be a real sleeper in this draft. He is an above the rim finisher on lob passes but also has the shooting stroke to extend out to the college 3-point line. The question for Mitchell is whether he can shed the tweener forward label and establish himself as either a small or power forward in the NBA.
24. New York Knicks – Jeff Withey, C
7’0”, 235 lbs, Kansas, Senior
Jeff Withey may not be the most athletic guy or necessarily the most skilled with the ball in his hands but he is a smart, experienced big man with great defensive instincts and enough offensive ability to keep defenses honest. Withey should be able to come in and make an immediate contribution to a rotation as an interior defender, shot blocker and rebounder while finding a niche on the offensive end. Will not be a star but almost certain to become a valuable role player.
25. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Memphis) – Sergey Karasev, SF
6’7”, 205 lbs, Russia
A talented scorer with a sweet shooting stroke, Sergey Karasev appears ready to test himself immediately in the NBA. With good size for the wing positions, solid passing ability and a high basketball IQ, Karasev is far from a one trick pony on offense. While he is a willing defender he will be troubled by the elite athletes in the NBA and may take some time to adjust to the speed of the league on both ends.
26. Los Angeles Clippers – Lucas Nogueira, C
6’11”, 215 lbs, Brazil
A wonderful athlete and physical specimen, Lucas Nogueira is still developing as a basketball player and will be taken as a project late in the first round. He has great coordination, fluidity and jumping ability for a man his size and those physical traits are something you simply cannot teach. Has solid potential on both ends, especially defensively but will take years to develop.
27. Denver Nuggets – Allen Crabbe, SG
6’6”, 205 lbs, California, Junior
There is one type of role player that every NBA team needs and that is a knock-down, pure shooter and that is exactly what Allen Crabbe is. Consistent, smooth and reliable, Crabbe’s catch and shoot ability will space the floor and provide a consistent outside shooting threat out to the NBA 3-point line. A capable defender with decent size, Crabbe will need to continue to work on that end to become a defensive, 3-point specialist that we so commonly see on successful teams.
28. San Antonio Spurs – Myck Kabongo, PG
6’2”, 170 lbs, Texas, Sophomore
Players with the natural flare and willingness to pass the ball that Myck Kabongo possesses are extremely few and far between. An extremely quick, pure point guard with a pass first mentality, Kabongo is all about getting his teammates open looks and will often do so in highlight reel fashion. Not just about making the streetball-esque flashy plays, Kabongo is capable of playing within an offense and making the right play. He will need to add size and strength before he can consistently play NBA minutes.
29. Oklahoma City Thunder – Jamaal Franklin, SG
6’5”, 205 lbs, San Diego State, Junior
One of the big wildcards in the draft, Jamaal Franklin has great athletic ability but will need to drastically adjust his game to succeed in the NBA. A combo forward in college who led his team in every major statistical category aside from blocks, Franklin will need to become strictly a wing player based on his 6’5” frame. Physically and athletically Franklin will have no trouble adjusting to the league, but he will need to develop a particular skill set in order to be effective.
30. Phoenix Suns (via Miami) – Erick Green, PG/SG
6’3”, 185 lbs, Virginia Tech, Senior
One of the NCAA’s most productive scorers this season, Erick Green possesses a skillset that lends itself to that of an explosive, scoring combo guard in the NBA. He uses his handles to create space and get his shot off as well as providing a solid catch-and-shoot option. He has good length defensively as a point guard and has decent potential on that end. He needs to work at finishing in traffic and around the rim to become a real impact scorer in the NBA.