NBA 2013 Mock Draft: Nerlens Noel of Kentucky Looking To Be #1 Overall Pick

1) Cleveland Cavaliers: C Nerlens Noel, Kentucky (freshman / 7'0" / 206 lbs)

Despite have shopped the top pick around - including offering the Minnesota Timberwolves their #1 overall pick, Tristan Thompson, and Dion Waiters in return for Kevin Love (the T-Wolves turned the offer down), the Cavs may look to pair Kyrie Irving with Noel, who despite coming off an injury and knee surgery, is considered the best rebounder and shot-blocker in the draft.

2) Orlando Magic: SG Victor Oladipo, Indiana (junior / 6'4" / 213 lbs)

While the Magic have been attempting to trade the pick to the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for Eric Bledsoe (LA turned the offer down), the Magic may settle for the Oladipo, who despite concerns about his parameter shooting, is high regarded for his work ethic and defensive abilities.

3) Washington Wizards: SF Otto Porter Jr., Georgetown (sophomore / 6'9" / 198 lbs)

Considered one of the more complete players, Porter Jr. has an excellent mid-range jumper that will compliment Bradley Beal's and John Wall's game. The fact the Hoya forward will play in the same city as his school may help the Wizards with ticket sales, as well.

4) Charlotte Bobcats: C Alex Len, Maryland (sophomore / 7'1" / 255 lbs)

The Bobcats were abysmal inside the paint and could use the Ukrainian's size and shot-blocking abilities (averaged 2.1 blocks a game) to improve in that department. Considered the most polished of the "bigs" in the draft, Len could learn a fair share under Hall of Famer's Patrick Ewing tutelage.

5) Phoenix Suns: G Ben McLemore, Kansas (freshman / 6'5" / 189 lbs)

Despite a poor workout at the combines, several executives feel that McLemore is a prototypical shooting guard with All-star potential.

6) New Orleans Pelicans: PG Trey Burke, Michigan (sophomore / 6'1" / 187 lbs)

Considered small for the position, Burke is believed to be the most NBA-ready point guard in the draft, having won most national player of the awards, last season, and leading the Wolverines to the national title game.

7) Sacramento Kings: F Anthony Bennett UNLV (Freshman / 6'7" / 239 lbs)

The Canadian forward can not only play down low and score in the paint, but he can step outside and hit three-point range jumpers - shooting 38.3% from behind the arc. Though considered a "tweener"Bennett is considered one of the best scorers in the draft.

8) Detroit Pistons: PG Michael Carter-Williams, Syracuse (sophomore / 6'6" / 185 lbs)

Ideally, the Pistons are hoping Burke slips this far down in the draft. However, Carter-Williams is a versatile point guard with a high basketball IQ.

9) Minnesota Timberwolves: SG Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Georgia (sophomore / 6'6" / 204 lbs)

The T-Wolves are looking to get Love and Ricky Rubio scoring help and Caldwell-Pope may fit the bill. A dynamic scorer who create his own shot in traffic, Caldwell-Pope is also a good rebounder for his position.

10) Portland Trailblazers: PF/C Cody Zeller, Indiana (sophomore / 7'0" / 230 lbs)

The Blazers would consider drafting Zeller - a "big" who can run the floor effeciently - in spite of the fact that they have LaMarcus Aldridge on the roster, in hopes of pairing them in the front-court, giving Damian Lillard dangerous options on the fast-break.

11) Philadelphia 76ers: C Steven Adams, Pittsburgh (freshman / 7'0" / 225 lbs)

After getting burned by Andrew Bynum last year, who opted out for free agency, never playing a game in the City of Brotherly Love, the 76ers will be looking for a center. Adams is deemed a "project" but is solid rebounder who runs the floor well.

12) Oklahoma City Thunder: PF Kelly Olynyk (junior / 7'0" / 234 lbs)

Olynyk has big offensive punch with the ability to shoot from the three-point line.

13) Dallas Mavericks: C.J. McCollum, Lehigh (senior / 6'3" / 197 lbs)

Despite their interest in McCollum, the Mavericks are actively looking to trade the pick, packaged along with Shawn Marion.

14) Utah Jazz: SF Shabazz Muhammad, UCLA (freshman / 6'6" / 222 lbs)

Muhammad's stock has plunged due to a reputation of not being a "team player" though teams are tantalized by his talent for scoring in bunches.

15) Milwaukee Bucks: SG Sergey Karasev, Russia (6'6" / 200 lbs)

With Monta Ellis and J.J. Redick leaving the team, Karasev, one of the best pure long-range shooter in the draft is great at coming off of screens.

16) Boston Celtics: Jamaal Franklin, San Diego State, (junior / 6'5" / 191 lbs)

Franklin - SDSU's leader in points, rebounds, assists, and steals - adds scoring punch and support to PG Rajon Rondo.

17) Atlanta Hawks: Mason Plumlee, Duke (senior, 7'1", 238 lbs)

With Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap headed to free agency, the Jazz hope that the athletic 7-footer with good hands can score well around the rim for the team.

18) Atlanta Hawks: Lucas Nogueira, Brazil (7'0" / 220 lbs)

While the scouts love Nogueira's rebounding and shot-blocking potential, the Hawks are looking to package both their draft picks to improve the team.

19) Cleveland Cavaliers: PG Dennis Schroeder (6'2" / 165 lbs)

Freakishly long, Schroeder can hit NBA threes and makes plays for others, with a scout comparing him to Boston Celtic Rajon Rondo.

20) Chicago Bulls: SG Tim Hardway Jr., Michigan, (freshman / 6'6" / 199 lbs)

The Bulls will likely lose Nat Robinson and Richard Hamilton to free agency with Hardaway's punching power coming in to learn a new system.

21) Utah Jazz: PF Tony Mitchell, North Texas (sophomore / 6'9" / 236)

Mitchell is considered in an enigma with great inside-out skills compared with skill-sets compared to Denver's Kenneth Faried.

22) Brooklyn Nets: C Gorgui Dieng Louisville (junior / 6'11" / 230 lbs)

Despite offensive limitations, the Big East Defensive player of the year averaged 2.5 blocks and 9.4 rebounds.

23) Indiana Pacers: PG Isaiah Canaan, Murray State (senior / 6'0" / 188 lbs)

Despite four years at a midmajor college, Canaan is a playmaker with one of the best shots in the draft.

24) New York Knicks: C Jeff Withey Kansas (senior / 7'1" / 235 lbs)

The Knicks desperately need young, active big men to protect an aging front line and replace it down the road. Withey is a skilled defender who is athletic enough to play either power spot. He doesn't create much offense for himself, but he can finish around the rim, which is all the Knicks, heavy with scorers, need him to do.

25. Los Angeles Clippers: SF Reggie Bullock, North Carolina (sophomore, 6'7", 200 lbs)

Solid perimeter score and has has NBA range on his three-point jump shot and defends well.

26) Minnesota Timberwolves: C Rudy Gobert, France (7'2", 238 lbs)

A huge project who needs to add bulk to his wiry frame, Gobert has an emerging offensive game and game-changing length.

27. Denver Nuggets: SG Ricardo Ledo, Providence (freshman, 6'6", 197 lbs)

Ledo is unproven because he couldn't get eligible last year at Providence. But he is a prototype shooting guard with good size.

28. San Antonio Spurs: SG Tony Snell, New Mexico (junior, 6'7", 198 lbs)

Looking for a possible replacement for Manu Ginobili, Snell can catch, shoot, create offense off the dribble, and plays strong defense. He played uneven as a Lobo but shined during individual workouts.

29. Oklahoma City Thunder: SF Glen Rice Jr., Georgia Tech (junior, 22, 6'6", 211 lbs)

Oklahoma would love to trade the pick and but are willing to send Rice to the D-League - where he can fix his image.

30. Phoenix Suns: SG Allen Crabbe California, (junior, 6'6", 198 lbs)

The son of an NBA All-Star, Rice has played at a higher level than almost anyone in this class and succeeded.