Column: NBA Mock Draft 2013

1. Cleveland Cavaliers: Nerlens Noel, C, Kentucky
While the rampant speculation is Cleveland is searching to shop this pick, it won’t be a surprise to see Noel land here. The Cavaliers are in need of a game-changing post presence and Noel fits that bill.

2. Orlando Magic: Ben McLemore, SG, Kansas
In the midst of a rebuilding effort, Orlando can’t go wrong with this selection. With a scoring punch being an immediate necessity, McLemore, who averaged 15.9 points per game in his lone season at Kansas, is the ideal pick.

3. Washington Wizards: Otto Porter, SF, Georgetown
A scoring threat and excellent wing defender at 6 feet, 8 inches, Porter is exactly what the Wizards are looking for at the No. 3 pick.

4. Charlotte Bobcats: Alex Len, C, Maryland
With the franchise in dire straits, team management simply needs the best available player here at the No. 4 selection. While Anthony Bennett is a tempting selection, the team’s complete lack of an effective post presence makes Len the most sensible choice.

5. Phoenix Suns: Victor Oladipo, SG, Indiana
With Phoenix currently in a major rebuilding effort, the team is in search of quality building blocks. And with Oladipo — a lockdown defender with seemingly limitless potential — available at the No. 5 pick, the Suns would be wise to snatch him up.

6. New Orleans Pelicans: Trey Burke, PG, Michigan
The Pelicans are searching for a point guard to pair with former Hoosier Eric Gordon and last season’s first round draft choices Austin Rivers and Anthony Davis. Burke, the draft’s most explosive point guard, will likely be available.

7. Sacramento Kings: Anthony Bennett, PF, UNLV
With Sacramento in search of a semblance of direction and scoring punch, the franchise could snag Bennett with its first selection, though Bennett’s availability at pick No. 7 remains to be seen.

8. Detroit Pistons: Michael Carter-Williams, PG, Syracuse
Should Burke be off the board, Detroit would still love to get its hands on a point guard and can do so with Carter-Williams, a dynamic 6-foot-6-inch point guard who played under one of the most respected head coaches in the country — Jim Boeheim.

9. Minnesota Timberwolves: Shabazz Muhammad, SG, UCLA
Minnesota was one of the worst offensive teams in the NBA last season, leading to a need for playmaking wings. Muhammad is the Timberwolves’ guy with the ninth selection.

10. Portland Trail Blazers: Cody Zeller, C, Indiana
While Portland could certainly use a dynamic slasher with its first selection, the franchise is also likely to go the route of a quality big man, and Zeller will likely be available.

11. Philadelphia 76ers: Kelly Olynyk, C, Gonzaga
Philadelphia is desperate for low-post scoring, and Olynyk is the solution the franchise needs. Olynyk’s defensive ability has come into question, but his scoring will be enough to sway the 76ers.

12. Oklahoma City Thunder: Mason Plumlee, C, Duke
The Thunder have been displeased with the development of Hasheem Thabeet as a reserve big man, leading to the team’s desire to acquire more post depth. Nabbing Plumlee this early will be a surprise to many, but shouldn’t be.

13. Dallas Mavericks: Steven Adams, C, Pittsburgh
Yes, Mavericks owner and IU alumna Mark Cuban is plotting to sign Dwight Howard in free agency this summer, though choosing a center such as Adams is a nice insurance policy should Howard sign elsewhere.

14. Utah Jazz: Dennis Schroeder, PG, Germany
Ever since Deron Williams was traded to the New Jersey (now Brooklyn) Nets, the Jazz simply haven’t been the same team. The presence of a quality point guard may change that.

15. Milwaukee Bucks: C.J. McCollum, SG, Lehigh
With Monta Ellis entering free agency and unlikely to resign with Milwaukee, the Bucks would be wise to draft his heir apparent. McCollum is the undeniable choice here.

16. Boston Celtics: Lucas Nogueira, C, Brazil
With Head Coach Doc Rivers having departed, the rebuild is officially on in Boston. The first step is acquiring low-post scoring and rebounding, which comes in the form of Nogueira.

17. Atlanta Hawks: Gorgui Dieng, C, Louisville
Atlanta is in need in the rebounding and low-post defense departments, and Dieng fits right in.

18. Atlanta Hawks: Sergey Karasev, SF, Russia
This pick is dependent on the team resigning forward Josh Smith. If Smith walks, then Karasev becomes Smith’s immediate replacement.

19. Cleveland Cavaliers: Giannis Adetokunbo, SF, Greece
Concerns about Adetokunbo are of merit; the 18-year-old’s quality of competition in Greece has come into question, though his talent goes without question.

20. Chicago Bulls: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, SG, Georgia
When Chicago was eliminated in the Eastern Conference Finals two seasons ago, it was from lack of a scoring punch outside of point guard Derrick Rose. Caldwell-Pope would provide the scoring needed to take some of the pressure off Rose.

21. Utah Jazz: Reggie Bullock, SG, North Carolina
After taking a point guard with the 14th pick, Utah will be keyed in on acquiring a wing scorer. Bullock may be a stretch here, but scouts love his pro potential.

22. Brooklyn Nets: Rudy Gobert, C, France
Brooklyn needs rebounding bigs in the worst way, and Gobert instantly provides that service.

23. Indiana Pacers: Shane Larkin, PG, Miami
During the Pacers’ run to the Eastern Conference Finals, the team’s need for a more dynamic point guard was apparent. If Larkin is available at No. 23, Indiana would be wise to take him.

24. New York Knicks: Jamaal Franklin, SG, San Diego State
With J.R. Smith set to become an unrestricted free agent, the Knicks are in search of a scoring wing. Franklin would be a suitable replacement.

25. Los Angeles Clippers: Jeff Withey, C, Kansas
The Clippers have been in need of another big body to pack the lane along with Blake Griffin. With Gobert off the board, Withey is the next best option.

26. Minnesota Timberwolves: Ricky Ledo, SG, Providence
As Minnesota is in need of a legitimate scoring threat at the wing, Ledo will transition right into what the team desires to do offensively.

27. Denver Nuggets: Glen Rice Jr., SF, Georgia Tech
With the Nuggets having struggled spacing the floor last season, the team is in desperate need of perimeter shooters. With Franklin, Hardaway Jr., Ledo and Bullock off the board, Rice Jr. is the most sensible pick.

28. San Antonio Spurs: Isaiah Canaan, PG, Murray State
Of the very few weaknesses San Antonio had last season, it was offensive production with point guard Tony Parker on the bench. Canaan is a dynamic scorer from a mid-major program, the type of player the Spurs scouting department loves.

29. Oklahoma City Thunder: Allen Crabbe, SG, California
Having already selected a big man with the 12th pick, Oklahoma City can go after a wing scorer, and Crabbe should be their guy.

30. Phoenix Suns: Tony Mitchell, PF, North Texas
Although the Suns could very likely trade this pick, they could also keep it and go with one of the best power forwards in the draft: Mitchell.

­— ckillore@indiana.edu