2013 NBA Mock Draft

It can never be anywhere close to an exact science to form a mock draft and try to predict how each team subjectively views a diverse range of prospects. Some will try to fill a positional need while others will draft the best talent available, but it all depends on who picks before them and sends the dominoes toppling. Recent social media advances have allowed us to glean tips and insider info from those close to "league sources," though more often than not it often forms a cloud of undecipherable information that leads to nothing. Anyways, us NBA "experts" try to figure it all out and inevitably end up getting no more than 10 or 11 of 30 correct, but if I talk the talk and walk the walk, I've got to mock the mock. Here's my best shot.

1. Cleveland Cavaliers - Nerlens Noel (GM likes him, best talent available)
2. Orlando Magic - Ben McLemore (seek wing talent and arguably best talent available)
3. Washington Wizards - Otto Porter (fills SF position, NBA-ready, home bias)
4. Charlotte Bobcats - Anthony Bennett (adds talent, scoring to defensive frontcourt)
5. Phoenix Suns - Victor Oladipo (need a sure pick, solid defense)
6. New Orleans Pelicans - Alex Len (some think top pick, allows Davis to play PF)
7. Sacramento Kings - Trey Burke (PG of future, scoring upside)
8. Detroit Pistons - Shabazz Muhammad (scoring, creating offense, upside)
9. Minnesota Timberwolves - CJ McCollum (backcourt rotation, next Lillard)
10. Portland TrailBlazers - Cody Zeller (solidify frontcourt rotation, NBA-ready)
11. Philadelphia 76ers - Lucas Nogueira (fills gap at C, intriguing prospect)
12. Oklahoma City Thunder - Kelly Olynyk (frontcourt depth, big shooter, stretch floor)
13. Dallas Mavericks - Michael Carter-Williams (backcourt distributor with size)
14. Utah Jazz - Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (wing boost to compliment frontcourt depth)
15. Milwaukee Bucks - Sergey Karasev (move up to draft? Russian Olympian, skilled)
16. Boston Celtics - Steven Adams (best big man prospect on the board)
17. Atlanta Hawks - Allen Crabbe (scorer with size and range)
18. Atlanta Hawks - Gorgui Dieng (underrated big man known for D, underrated scorer)
19. Cleveland Cavaliers - Isaiah Canaan (NBA ready and respected, PG depth)
20. Chicago Bulls - Glen Rice Jr (earned way through D-League, wing scoring/depth)
21. Utah Jazz - Jeff Withey (frontcourt insurance and rim protection)
22. Brooklyn Nets - Rudy Gobert (french big brings length and defence)
23. Indiana Pacers - Dennis Schroeder (german PG to back up Hill, distribute and drive)
24. New York Knicks - Tony Mitchell (best raw talent on the board, frontcourt depth)
25. Los Angeles Clippers - Reggie Bullock (backcourt shooting, scoring insurance)
26. Minnesota Timberwolves - Tim Hardaway Jr (scorer with pedigree, replace BRoy)
27. Denver Nuggets - Mason Plumlee (solid skills add frontcourt depth)
28. San Antonio Spurs - Ricky Ledo (unknown prospect for Spurs to mold, lots of talent)
29. Oklahoma City Thunder - Shane Larkin (point guard depth, shooting)
30. Phoenix Suns - Giannis Adetokoubo (highest upside left, still 18, multi-positions)