2013 NBA Mock Draft: New York Knicks select Murray State PG Isaiah Canaan

As we prepare to head into the conference tournaments, it’s time for my latest 2013 NBA Mock Draft.

The past couple of weeks have seen a lot of movement as some guys have struggled while some players have improved their draft stock in a big way.

With that being said, the Charlotte Bobcats are now on the clock (as a note, draft order is based on the standings as of March 7).

1. Charlotte Bobcats
Player Name: Ben McLemore
Position, School: SG, Kansas

The Kansas freshman has everything that you look for in a shooting guard- size, athleticism and defensive ability, not to mention he is a lights out shooter, currently hitting 42.5 percent of his three-point shots.

Feb 27, 2013; Fort Worth, TX, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys guard Marcus Smart (33) during the game against TCU Horned Frogs at the Daniel-Meyer Coliseum. Oklahoma State Cowboys won 64-47. Mandatory Credit: Jim Cowsert-USA TODAY Sports

His 36-point performance against West Virginia showed that he can score in any fashion, from behind the arc or off the dribble. The Bobcats need some scoring punch and  with McLemore they continue to stockpile great young talent.

2. Orlando Magic
Player Name: Marcus Smart
Position, School: PG, Oklahoma State

Smart makes perfect sense for the Magic here as they can target their floor general of the future. He may be more of a scorer than a pure passer, but he is a winner and a leader and can impact this Magic offense from the guard position, something they need badly.

3. Washington Wizards
Player Name: Nerlens Noel
Position, School: PF, Kentucky

The Wizards have their backcourt set with John Wall and Bradley Beal. Now it is time to address the frontcourt. Noel is an excellent shot-blocker who should develop a better than average offensive game. Knee injury or not, Noel has the makings of a dominant NBA big man.

4. Sacramento Kings
Player Name: Otto Porter
Position, School: SF, Georgetown

Porter doesn’t put up lottery-type numbers on a slow Georgetown team, but he has great handle for his size and is a prototypical NBA wing. He really can do it all offensively as 33-point outburst at the Carrier Dome, followed up with a game-winning bucket on a drive to the hole to knock off Connecticut in overtime. Add to that the fact that Porter went for 28 against Rutgers after that and it is safe to say that Porter is showing off both his shooting stroke and his ability to attack the basket.

5. New Orleans Hornets
Player Name: Shabazz Muhammad
Position, School: SF, UCLA

After landing both Anthony Davis and Austin Rivers in last year’s draft, the Hornets can add another big part of their future in the heralded Muhammad. He can score from anywhere on the floor and will complement the Hornets good young core rather nicely.

6. Cleveland Cavaliers
Player Name: Anthony Bennett
Position, School: SF/PF, UNLV

Bennett is the complete package offensively and would fit in rather nicely with an up and coming Cavs team. Bennett’s foot speed is typically too quick for 4s and his strength and power can overwhelm 3s. He is an explosive athlete that keeps rising up draft boards. Adding  Bennett to the likes of Kyrie Irving, Dion Waiters, Tyler Zeller and Tristan Thompson and Cleveland looks to have a tremendous young core for the future.

7. Phoenix Suns
Player Name: Cody Zeller
Position, School: C, Indiana

The Suns need help all over the floor and can add another talented big body in Zeller, who has the size and athleticism, plus a very nice mid-range game. Zeller’s stock may be slipping at the moment, but you can’t pass up on his level of all-around talent.

8. Minnesota Timberwolves
Player Name: Victor Oladipo
Position, School: SG, Indiana

Oladipo has become a complete guard and one of the better half-court finishers in the nation. He’s a great fit for a Wolves team that needs a legit shooting guard badly. He may not be the best shooter in the world,  but Oladipo is a lockdown defender and offensive slasher and attacker, who should fit in nicely with Ricky Rubio’s playmaking skills.

9. Detroit Pistons
Player Name: James Michael McAdoo
Position, School: PF, North Carolina

McAdoo could be the best athlete in the draft and adding him to a frontcourt that already features Greg Monroe and Andre Drummond improves the Pistons. McAdoo is more of a 4, but can also play the 3 where mid-range, both facing up and back to the basket, and attacking the rim with either hand. He has a ton of upside and could be a good fit in Detroit.

10. Philadelphia 76ers
Player Name: Alex Len
Position, School: C, Maryland

Len has shown the tools to be an elite threat on both offense and defense, but hasn’t been able to put the complete package together consistently. With Andrew Bynum’s future up in the air, the Sixers need a legitimate big man to man the interior.

March 6, 2013; West Lafayette, IN, USA; Michigan Wolverines guard Trey Burke (3) drives during the 1st half in the game against Purdue at Mackey Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sandra Dukes-USA TODAY Sports

11. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Toronto)
Player Name: Trey Burke
Position, School: PG, Michigan

Here is a case of just not allowing a talent like Burke to fall any further. He has incredible court vision and intelligence and has the ability to score the ball as well. Here’s a case where the Thunder can add to  their bench by taking the best available player.

12. Dallas Mavericks
Player Name: Willie Cauley-Stein
Position, School: PF/C, Kentucky

With Dallas likely striking out again on Dwight Howard this summer, it makes sense to add size with potential impact here. Cauley-Stein has some work to do on the offensive end of the floor but he is a package of size, speed and athleticism.

13. Charlotte Bobcats (via Portland)
Player Name: Mason Plumlee
Position, School: PF, Duke

Plumlee is a very athletic, skilled inside scorer who is also a great rebounder. The Bobcats can use some production in the paint so this pick makes sense. His numbers are starting to drop off a  bit, but Plumlee is a seven-footer with the ability to create in the post.

14. Phoenix Suns (via Los Angeles Lakers)
Player Name: C.J. McCollum
Position, School:  SG, Lehigh

The Suns need some more production from the perimeter and McCollum can fill it up. Although he will not play in his conference tournament McCollum should be available to participate in pre-draft workouts. McCollum was second in the nation in scoring before breaking his foot in early January.

15. Milwaukee Bucks
Player Name: Glenn Robinson III
Position, School: SF, Michigan

Glenn Robinson played for the Bucks and now they have the opportunity to draft his son, who would help a great deal at the small forward spot. He has size and athleticism and can finish at the rim along with being a good spot up shooter. He’s averaging in double figures and shooting 56 percent from the floor and would immediately become the Bucks top wing player.