2013 NBA Mock Draft: Projecting Every First-Round Pick

Shabazz Muhammad

Shooting Guard, 6'6", 225 lbs.
UCLA, Freshman

Shabazz Muhammad regained his eligibility after a snafu with the NCAA and has now appeared in two games for the UCLA Bruins. He's averaging 18 points, 2.5 rebounds and one steal per game. He hasn't been fully integrated into the Bruins' offense yet, so expect those numbers to rise. 

Muhammad is the kind of player who can get to the basket and finish with anyone in the college ranks. His strength is one of his biggest assets, and his frame is NBA-ready, despite the fact he's only 19 years old. He's a lefty as well, which creates a different and relatively unique challenge for the defense.

The Washington Wizards have one of the worst offenses in the entire league and could really use more players like Muhammad on the floor. He could even play small forward in a pinch next to John Wall and Bradley Beal.

Alex Poythress

Forward, 6'8", 240 lbs.
Kentucky, Freshman

Alex Poythress has exploded onto the scene as a legitimate top-five pick after four consecutive games in which he's scored over 20 points for the Kentucky Wildcats. He's now averaging 18.4 points and 7.4 rebounds while shooting 67.9 percent from the field and 76 percent from the free-throw line.

He's not a stat-stuffer on the defensive end, but his athleticism allows him to guard three different positions well. As an athletic wing with a solid jump shot who has the potential to be an elite one-on-one defender, the sky is the limit for Poythress.

The Toronto Raptors are pretty set at center, which means they could afford to skip to Poythress in this spot. He would provide some production at small forward next to Andrea Bargnani and Jonas Valanciunas.

Nerlens Noel

Center, 6'11", 225 lbs.
Kentucky, Freshman

Nerlens Noel came to the Kentucky Wildcats as a raw big man with a big personality. He overcame a shoddy four-point performance to start his career with some excellent all-around games that have vaulted him to the top of his class.

He's averaging 12.4 points, 8.6 rebounds, three assists, 3.6 blocks and 2.6 steals while shooting 62.5 percent from the field. As a center in college, averaging three assists with just 1.6 turnovers per game is a big deal. Big men that can pass are at a premium in the NBA and any team would love to have more of them.

The Cleveland Cavaliers have a gaping hole in the paint next to Anderson Varejao. They need a big man who can provide on both ends of the court, which Noel does. Noel's ability to block and alter shots would go a long way towards improving their defense in the paint.

James McAdoo

Forward, 6'9", 230 lbs.
North Carolina, Sophomore

James McAdoo has developed into the No. 1 option for the North Carolina Tar Heels' offense, and has done a pretty good job with that role. He's averaging 16.8 points, 8.8 rebounds and 1.7 steals while shooting 50.6 percent from the field. His 3.8 turnovers per game are a major eyesore. 

One major issue for McAdoo is that he falls in the tweener category. His height pushes him toward the small forward position, while his weight and skill around the basket indicate he's a power forward. Tweeners that fail in the NBA are much more common than those that succeed. He'll end up like Derrick Williams of the Minnesota Timberwolves if he's not careful.

Greg Monroe and Andre Drummond are mainstays in the Detroit Pistons' rotation, but McAdoo could step in at small forward and fill a major void when Tayshaun Prince retires. He is versatile enough that Monroe could move to center and McAdoo to power forward in short stints.

Cody Zeller

Center, 6'11", 240 lbs.
Indiana, Sophomore

One of the biggest knocks on Cody Zeller's game as a freshman was his frame. He was listed around 210 pounds as a freshman, but he's packed on some weight and is now up to 240 pounds. The strange part is that it hasn't largely affected his game to this point.

Zeller shoots for a high percentage from the field, as he's at 62.8 percent from the floor in 2012-13, but his free throws have dipped from 75.5 percent to 59.5 from his freshman year to now. His rebounds per game have risen by one to 7.6 per game, but his other stats remain relatively constant.

Perhaps more alarming is the inconsistent play he's shown. He's been all over the board, which one would expect from a freshman, but not a sophomore. It's worth keeping an eye on.

The New Orleans Hornets are set at power forward with Anthony Davis, but the center position is totally up for grabs. Robin Lopez is better suited as a backup, anyways.

Alex Len

Center, 7'1", 240 lbs.
Maryland, Sophomore

So often college players are evaluated based on individual matchups against other elite players. That's terrific for Alex Len, who had the best game of his year against Nerlens Noel and the University of Kentucky. He scored 23 points with 12 rebounds and four blocks in a tough 72-69 loss.

For the season, Len is now averaging 17 points, 8.5 rebounds and three blocks. He's shooting 55.3 percent from the field and 80 percent from the free-throw line. With the exception of steals, he's improved every major statistic from his freshman year. He's not an elite athlete, but his skill will find him a job in the NBA for a long time.

Even though Thomas Robinson and DeMarcus Cousins were supposed to be a great match at the power forward and center position, they've struggled. Len would provide more depth and an offensive option that can shoot a high percentage.

Archie Goodwin

Shooting Guard, 6'4", 198 lbs.
Kentucky, Freshman

Goodwin has been an electric scorer in his short time with the Kentucky Wildcats, and he just seems to be getting better. In his last game, he put up 22 points, nine rebounds, nine assists, one block and two steals.

For the year, Goodwin is averaging 19 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.2 blocks. He is turning the ball over too much (3.4 per game), but that's really the only complaint about his game at this point. He can score from anywhere on the court and would fit in any kind of offense.

The Minnesota Timberwolves badly need a shooting guard. Coach Rick Adelman could do wonders for Goodwin's consistency and would ensure he's taking good shots while taking care of the ball. Ricky Rubio could put Goodwin in good spots, which would also be a major help.

Isaiah Austin

Center, 7'0", 205 lbs.
Baylor, Freshman

Isaiah Austin is already showing some of the same skills that Perry Jones showed in his Baylor days. Austin has good range on his jump shot, can dribble well and is a very good defensive player. He also carries some of the negatives, such as the fact that he doesn't have much of a post game.

Austin will struggle mightily as a center in the NBA without more strength. That puts him at the power forward position, which is trending towards the more skilled players (Kevin Love) as opposed to the bulky bruisers of the past. He's averaging 14.8 points and nine rebounds while shooting 53.3 percent from the field and 40 percent from the three-point line.

Glen Davis is the current starter for the Orlando Magic and while he's having a decent season, he's not the long-term solution. Austin stretches the floor much better and can provide better spacing on the floor for Jameer Nelson to work.

Rudy Gobert

Center, 7'1", 230 lbs.
Cholet, International

Rudy Gobert is currently playing in the French league, where he's performing admirably. Through five games, he's averaging 7.4 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.6 blocks in just 18.4 minutes per game. He's also shooting a ridiculous 81 percent from the field.

Gobert has a remarkable wingspan of 7'9", which is extremely valuable on the defensive end. He can disrupt the offense by getting into passing lanes and altering shots at the rim. He's still quite thin and needs to put on some bulk, but he could be a dominant force in the paint with that length.

The Indiana Pacers were expecting big things out of Roy Hibbert, but he's been relatively disappointing. David West is a solid power forward, but he provides more on the offensive end than anything else. Putting Gobert next to Hibbert would give the Pacers a really impressive paint presence.

Tony Mitchell

Forward, 6'8", 235 lbs.
North Texas, Sophomore

Tony Mitchell would love to find a team that runs up and down the court with reckless abandon. He's excellent in transition and uses his lightning-quick speed and leaping ability to block a lot of shots on the defensive end.

Consistency is in question, as he's taken 17 total shots in three games, but has taken 49 in his other three games. It could be an issue with the offense not taking advantage of his strength, but one would imagine he'd get more involved. His averages are solid with 15.7 points, 8.8 rebounds, 1.7 steals and 2.7 blocks.

He'd be a great fit with the Houston Rockets next to Jeremy Lin and James Harden. Along with Chandler Parsons, they could run up and down the floor at a breakneck pace to take advantage of their youth and athleticism.

Otto Porter

Small Forward, 6'8", 205 lbs.
Georgetown, Sophomore

Porter doesn't have blazing speed or elite athletic ability, but he's a guy who will do just about everything for his club. In a big win over UCLA, Porter scored 18 points with 11 rebounds, five assists, five blocks and three steals.

The mid range game is becoming extinct in the NBA, but Porter is very effective there. He's very efficient and is averaging 12.5 points on just 8.3 shots per game in 2012-13. It would be nice for him to get to the free-throw line more often, as he averages just 2.3 attempts per game.

The Phoenix Suns need more skilled, unselfish players. Jared Dudley plays hard and is unselfish, but his skill leaves a lot to be desired on the offensive end. Porter offers up the energy and hustle of Dudley, with more offensive production.

C.J. McCollum

Guard, 6'3", 190 lbs.
Lehigh, Senior

McCollum is the type of guard that can carry an offense. He's extremely quick and is a good finisher, though he isn't very explosive at the rim. Throughout his career at Lehigh, he's been a great scorer. He's averaging 25.6 points, five rebounds and 1.2 steals per game in the 2012-13 season.

He's scored over 35 points twice already in the first five games of the 2012-13 season and continues to carry his team. Although he's more the size of a point guard, he's much better suited to play as a scorer than a facilitator.

The Portland Trail Blazers already have Damian Lillard, who has a lot of the same qualities. McCollum could play as the sixth man for the Blazers and could even step in and play the shooting guard next to Lillard in a small lineup.

Steven Adams

Center, 7'0", 250 lbs.
Pittsburgh, Freshman

Adams hasn't played a large amount of minutes in his young college career, but what he's played has offered a glimpse of what could be a dominant defensive player. He's got tremendous size for being just 19 years old, and he uses it very effectively to block shots.

In his six games at Pittsburgh, Adams has blocked an average of two shots per game in just 19.7 minutes. He's been able to do that without any real foul trouble (1.8 fouls per game), which is an excellent sign for any young big man.

The Mavericks have Chris Kaman for one more year, but they are on the verge of a rebuilding (or reloading) project. Adams won't be fully ready as a dominant center right away, but he'll be really good someday and is worth the No. 13 pick.

Marcus Smart

Guard, 6'4", 225 lbs.
Oklahoma State, Freshman

Smart is an absolute beast of a guard and it's possible that he might be too big to play at point guard in the NBA. He's got the rare combination of strength, speed and explosiveness that so few players have. He's not the best shooter in the world, but he doesn't have to be with his ability to get to the basket.

In Oklahoma State's 76-56 win over N.C. State, Smart showed his worth with 20 points, seven rebounds, seven assists, four blocks and four steals. It was the only game this season in which he shot over 50 percent from the field.

He's not as fast as Derrick Rose, but he does have a lot of the offensive potential that Rose once showed. Smart could continue to develop behind Rose while coach Tom Thibodeau would enhance his defensive abilities. If that happens, the Chicago Bulls would have quite the player on their hands.

Mason Plumlee

Power Forward, 6'11", 240 lbs.
Duke, Senior

Plumlee is a tough and smart power forward who uses his basketball IQ as much as his natural abilities to succeed. At Duke, he's averaging 19.7 points, 10 rebounds and 1.8 blocks in his first real chance to shine. His field goal percentage is an astonishing 67.2 percent.

One thing that is a bit of concern is how he's fared against better competition. Against Kentucky, he pulled down just three rebounds. Against Louisville, only seven in 36 minutes. He's crushing the lesser competition, though.

The Phoenix Suns have a player in Luis Scola that could teach Plumlee a lot about succeeding without elite athletic gifts. Scola manages to produce by hard work, determination and desire. That's a mirror image of Plumlee at Duke.

Willie Cauley-Stein

Center, 7'0", 245 lbs.
Kentucky, Freshman

Cauley-Stein has the size to play in the NBA. He isn't a freakish athlete, but he has good enough foot speed to recover and make a difference on the defensive end. He's very raw, but playing under coach John Calipari at Kentucky will pay big dividends.

In his most recent game, Cauley-Stein showed signs of improvement with 12 points, eight rebounds and four blocks. He shot 5-of-7 from the floor and didn't turn the ball over once. If he continues to develop and improve upon his rebounding, he'll be a mainstay on someone's roster.

Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap could potentially leave the Utah Jazz this offseason, with Enes Kanter and Derrick Favors ready to fill the void. Cauley-Stein could fill in behind them as the backup center. He'll be on a young team with athletic bigs, which fits him just fine.

B.J. Young

Guard, 6'3", 170 lbs.
Arkansas, Sophomore

Young has been a bit inconsistent in his sophomore season at Arkansas, but when he's been on, he's been fantastic. In their season opener, Young scored 23 points with five assists in just 20 minutes of action. On the flip side, he followed it up with 12 points and three assists in 25 minutes.

He's very fast and can get to the basket, but needs to improve his shot if he wants to succeed at the next level. As a point guard, he would do a good job taking care of the ball, as he has just two turnovers in 106 minutes. As a scoring guard, the defense would begin to sag and dare him to shoot. 

The Boston Celtics have Rajon Rondo, who is a much better passer, but Young could fill in behind him in a pinch. The idea of Avery Bradley and Young in the backcourt together should give opposing defenses nightmares.

Jeff Withey

Center, 7'0", 235 lbs.
Kansas, Senior

Withey has come a long way in his four years in college and he might be on the verge of something great. After playing very few minutes in his first two years, Withey played 24.8 minutes per game as a junior. He averaged nine points, 6.3 rebounds and 3.6 blocks per game. He has improved all of those numbers as a senior.

His last game was a smashing success, with 25 points and seven blocks. He also went 11-of-14 from the free-throw line, and he is now averaging 13.8 points, eight rebounds and five blocks per game. Those are star numbers.

The Miami Heat badly need a center so that Chris Bosh can move back to his original position. As an interior presence, Withey could strengthen the Heat defense with the threat of shot-blocking. His touch is excellent as well, and would go along with the Heat offense.

Glenn Robinson

Small Forward, 6'6", 210 lbs.
Michigan, Freshman 

Robinson has been around the game of basketball for a long time as the son of former player "Big Dog" Glenn Robinson. It takes more than genes to make a player, but Robinson has shown that he has the skills to live up to the name.

Through five games, Robinson is averaging 12.4 points and 7.6 rebounds while shooting 54.8 percent from the field. He hasn't been very consistent, but he's shown one major positive sign. When his shot isn't falling, he starts crashing the glass in an attempt to get easy points and help his team.

The Denver Nuggets could use a player like Robinson. They are already deep, but coach George Karl could do wonders for Robinson, as he did for his father in Milwaukee. Robinson could come along slowly and earn playing time with his work ethic and rapport with coach Karl.

Ben McLemore

Shooting Guard, 6'5", 195 lbs.
Kansas, Freshman

McLemore has looked the part of a future star in his limited time at Kansas. He's averaging 14 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.2 blocks in 29.8 minutes per game. Just as important, he's shooting 50 percent from the field, 33.3 percent from three and 80 percent from the free-throw line.

He's been woefully inconsistent, but that's to be expected for a freshman. He's topped out at 25 points, 12 rebounds and three blocks, but he's also posted nine points, two rebounds and no blocks. Part of growing as a player involves limiting those peaks and valleys.

The Milwaukee Bucks have a decision to make with Brandon Jennings and Monta Ellis. If they end up committing to Jennings, they will likely trade Ellis. That will open up a bunch of minutes at the shooting guard position. McLemore isn't ready to start just yet, but those minutes will be there for the taking.

C.J. Leslie

Forward, 6'9", 207 lbs.
N.C. State, Junior

Leslie has almost as much athletic ability as anyone in the draft. He's a tremendous jumper, he's extremely long and he's quite fast. The problem is, his body hasn't physically caught up and he's still very lean.

He's fallen off a bit from his sophomore year, as he's averaging just 10.8 points and seven rebounds during the 2012-13 season. He's all but abandoned the three-point shot, as he's gone from 28 attempts in 2010-11 to just one so far in 2012-13. His usage rate is also down, which has led to a drop in points from 14.7 to 10.8.

Because of his superior athleticism, the Utah Jazz could use him as a small forward in a big lineup. He'll need to develop more of an offensive game if he wants to get prime minutes, but as an energy guy off the bench, he will do quite well. 

Le'Bryan Nash

Forward, 6'7", 220 lbs.
Oklahoma State, Sophomore

Nash is a great athlete who also has a physical advantage over most who defend him in the college ranks. He's been quite consistent and has shown himself to be a much smarter player in the 2012-13 season than he was as a freshman.

He averages 19 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.3 steals, while shooting 86.4 percent from the free-throw line. It's impressive that he gets to the line 11 times per game. His basketball sense allows him to get to the paint against smaller players, and he's being rewarded with many trips to the free-throw line.

For the Chicago Bulls, he could take a lot of lessons from Taj Gibson as it relates to defensive intensity. He'll be expected to show full effort at all times under coach Tom Thibodeau, and he could be a smashing success as part of the second unit in Chicago.

Adonis Thomas

Small Forward, 6'6", 240 lbs.
Memphis, Sophomore

Certain players seem to have all of the mental tools to succeed, like desire and IQ, but they lack physical gifts. Thomas has those gifts, but he's stuck without a true position because of the style that he plays. In college, he gets away with it, but the NBA won't be so kind.

Thomas has the combination of being strong and quick, but his game resembles more of a power forward. He isn't a great shooter and doesn't create well off the dribble. Unfortunately, you can't teach height and Thomas is just too small to be an effective power forward.

The Los Angeles Clippers have a lot of seasoned veterans who can help Thomas better reach his potential. He'll likely have to shed some pounds and take a run at being a small forward if he wants to see time on the court.

Patric Young

Power Forward, 6'8", 250 lbs.
Florida, Junior

As Young gets more opportunities on the offensive end, it becomes more apparent that he's got a ton of work to do if he wants to succeed in the NBA. He's shooting 52.8 percent, which is well down from his 61.8 percent as a sophomore. His 53.8 percent from the free-throw line hurts as well, because he's big and strong enough to force his way to the line often.

Defense is another issue. Young has the tools to become a terrific defender. He's big, strong and athletic. He's seen a huge jump up to 2.4 blocks per game during the 2012-13 season, including six to go along with 13 points and 11 rebounds against Savannah state.

The Brooklyn Nets need some more hard-nosed defenders, and Young is just that. He'll struggle offensively, especially since he'll have to play power forward and be a bit short. He could learn a lot from Reggie Evans about that life.

Myck Kabongo

Point Guard, 6'1", 180 lbs.
Texas, Sophomore

Kabongo showed during the 2011-12 season that he could be a quality point guard, even without a lot of offensive options around him. He averaged 9.6 points, 5.2 assists and 1.3 steals in 30.6 minutes per game. His shooting was pretty poor, as 39.1 percent from the field just won't do it.

He's being investigated because he may have received improper benefits from an agent. Because of that, Texas has kept him out of games so far during the 2012-13 season. It's really too bad, because he could use that development time.

The Atlanta Hawks have Jeff Teague and Devin Harris as their point guards and are in no hurry to replace them. Kabongo could come in as a project and hope to compete for a starting position when he's reached the proper development stage.

Anthony Bennett

Power Forward, 6'8", 240 lbs.
UNLV, Freshman 

Bennett has everything that a coach could want out of his power forward. He's already got a body that's NBA-ready, he's very explosive and he's not going to turn the ball over because of bad hands. He's a pick-and-roll nightmare for the opposition.

As a freshman, Bennett has only played in four games, but he's been very good. He's averaging 19.5 points, 8.3 rebounds and 2.3 blocks while shooting 55.6 percent from the field and 78.1 percent from the free-throw line.

When Amar'e Stoudemire came into the league, he had a lot of the same qualities as Bennett, in a taller frame. He could do a lot to help mentor Bennett. All of the pick-and-roll that the New York Knicks run would be great for Bennett. 

Dario Saric

Forward, 6'10" 220 lbs.
Croatia, International

Like so many European big men, Saric has great offensive skill that makes up for a lack of elite athletic gifts. He's a great passer and can even bring the ball up court as a good ball handler. His size means he'll have a big advantage at small forward on a nightly basis.

There are only so many point forwards in NBA history, because you've also got to be able to shoot. Saric needs help in that area and because he's not a great athlete, he struggles to create his own shots. In the 2011-12 Adriatic League, he averaged just 3.9 points on 47.4 percent shooting.

The Oklahoma City Thunder are one of the best shooting teams in the entire NBA and the coaching staff could do wonders with Saric's jumper. Kevin Durant has a very similar body to Saric, and could serve as a terrific role model.

Gorgui Dieng

Center, 6'11", 235 lbs.
Louisville, Junior

There aren't many players in the college game that are considered intimidating, but Dieng is one of them. His attitude towards defense is impressive, and is a big reason why he's such a good all-around defender for Louisville.

Through five games, Dieng is averaging 8.2 points, eight rebounds, 2.4 assists, two blocks and 1.6 steals. He averaged 3.2 blocks as a sophomore, but he was also quite foul prone (3.3 per game). With his decrease in blocks as a junior, he's also brought his fouls way down (1.8 per game).

What better spot is there for a defensive-minded big man than the San Antonio Spurs? Tim Duncan could help Dieng with his raw offensive game, while coach Gregg Popovich could provide Dieng with enough defensive knowledge to turn him into a big-time shot-blocker.

Lorenzo Brown

Point Guard, 6'4", 186 lbs.
N.C. State, Junior 

Brown came out of the 2011-12 season looking like one of the best point guards in college basketball. He averaged 12.7 points, 4.5 rebounds, 6.3 assists and 1.8 steals per game. As a junior, those numbers have come down to 11.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 2.2 steals.

The big issue is Brown's shooting percentage. He's expected to be a playmaker, but if he's not a threat to make a shot, the defense will stop respecting him and will simply sag. He's shooting 34.8 percent from the field and a ghastly 11.1 percent from the free-throw line in 2012-13.

LeBron James and company have plenty of offensive options. They would rely on Brown to run the offense and create for others on the second unit. Brown would need to curtail his 4.4 turnovers per game, but his ball handling and frame would get him on the floor.

Michael Carter-Williams

Shooting Guard, 6'6", 185 lbs.
Syracuse, Sophomore

Playing behind Dion Waiters really hurt Carter-Williams' development as a freshman. He was only able to play 10.3 minutes per game in 2011-12 and even though he shot 38.9 percent from the three-point line, he didn't get enough attempts to make much of an impression.

The 2012-13 season is his time to shine as the full-time starter. He's got good range on his jump shot and has shown an excellent ability to pass and defend, but his sample size is very limited. He's averaging 11 points, 5.3 rebounds, eight assists, one block and four steals per game so far.

Minnesota hoped they were getting a shooting guard who could score when they took a flier on Brandon Roy. He hasn't turned out and Malcolm Lee is terrible as well. Carter-Williams could come in and get serious playing time immediately, especially if he continues to play the passing lanes so well.

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