2013 NBA Mock Draft: Pitt’s Steven Adams projected to go in middle of first round
By Matt Shetler
11. Philadelphia 76ers
Player Name: Mason Plumlee
Position, School: PF, Duke
Plumlee is a very athletic, skilled inside scorer who is also a great rebounder. The Sixers struggled in the low post all season, so Plumlee makes some sense here.
12. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Toronto)
Player Name: Kelly Olynyk
Position, School: C, Gonzaga
Oklahoma City needs more scorers to take pressure off the stars, and Olynyk could be a good complement to Serge Ibaka down low. Olynyk is for real on the offensive end as he can finish around the rim, put the ball on the deck and drive to the rim or knock down open jumpers.
13. Dallas Mavericks
Player Name: Michael Carter-Williams
Position, School: PG, Syracuse
Dallas could look to add size here, but it’s almost a no-brainer to get their point guard of the future. He’s a pure point guard who makes everyone better and he’s also an excellent on-the-ball defender. He needs to develop his jumper and add strength, but Carter-Williams is a great passer who has good size for the position and has a ton of upside.
14. Utah Jazz
Player Name: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
Position, School: SG, Georgia
The Jazz would jump all over Carter-Williams if he is there, but they also need to upgrade at the 2 and Caldwell-Pope makes sense here. He is a lethal shooter with deep range who is also a big-time defender. He’s a guy who instantly makes Utah better.
15. Milwaukee Bucks
Player Name: Jamaal Franklin
Position, School: SG/SF, San Diego State
Franklin can help the Bucks out a great deal by giving them a talented wing scorer. He’s a very athletic wing who rebounds, plays above the rim and can do just about everything on the floor, although his long-range shooting needs a lot of work.
16. Boston Celtics
Player Name: Rudy Gobert
Position, School: PF, France
Gobert is 7’1″ with athleticism and a 7’9″ wingspan. On paper alone, he should make an excellent NBA prospect. He is very raw and it may take him a few years to fully develop, but as the Celtics look to rebuild, he is a guy that could be a big part of their future.
Jan 16, 2013; Villanova, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers center Steven Adams (13) shoots under pressure from Villanova Wildcats forward Maurice Sutton (25) during the second half at the Pavilion. Pitt defeated Villanova 58-43. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports
17. Atlanta Hawks
Player Name: Steven Adams
Position, School: C, Pitt
Adams is a project, but makes sense here for the Hawks as he has too much raw talent to pass up on. He probably should’ve spent another year in school where he would have been a lottery pick next season. Adams is very raw offensively, and anyone that takes a gamble on him will have to be patient with him, but the talent is there. On the defensive end though, he’s ready to play in the NBA right now. He has the makings of a future NBA star and it makes sense for the Hawks to take a chance on him here, especially with two first-round picks.
18. Atlanta Hawks
Player Name: Glen Rice Jr.
Position, School: SG, D-League
After being dismissed from the Georgia Tech team, Rice broke loose in the D-League, leading the Rio Grande Vipers to the D-League championship, scoring 25 points per game in the finals. He’s a bit of a tweener, but he has NBA athleticism, can really shoot the basketball and is an excellent rebounder for his size. In the D-League he excelled at a high level among elite college players and former NBA rotation guys, so he should be fine dealing with NBA competition.
19. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Los Angeles Lakers)
Player Name: Dario Saric
Position, School: PF, Croatia
Saric is very young and has not proved himself against top competition, although he has the skills to be an All-Star in the NBA. If there is a team willing to take a risk, it is probably one with two draft picks in the first round like the Cavs. In addition, with all of the young talent Cleveland has begun to assemble, Saric could fit right in with the youth movement in Cleveland. If he lives up to the hype, Saric will be a steal this late.
20. Chicago Bulls
Player Name: Allen Crabbe
Position, School: SG, California
The Bulls continue to search for a shooting guard who can shoot the ball and may have to reach a little here for Crabbe, as he’s probably the best one left on the board unless the Bulls want to take a stab on a guy like Archie Goodwin, who may have more upside. He’s not a good defender by any stretch of the imagination, which wouldn’t fit well with tom Thibodeau’s system, but Crabbe can shoot it and when he is hot he is very tough to contain.