23. Indiana Pacers – Lucas Noegueira, C, Estudiantes (6’11, 5.3 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 1.1 bpg)
The Pacers are a prime candidate to select an international player under GM Kevin Pritchard, based on speculation and his track record in Portland.
Indiana is talented and has some depth, but adding a prospect like Noegueira will be too tough to pass up. The same way Maybyner Hilario is known as Nene, his compatriot Noegueira is known as Bebe. Bebe is a long, athletic big who plays with tons of energy. This could be a great pick at this point. But don’t be surprised if this pick were packaged for more veteran help.
24. New York Knicks – Shane Larkin, PG, Miami (5’11, 14.5 ppg, 4.6 apg, 3.8 rpg)
With Jason Kidd at 40 and Pablo Prigioni at 35, the Knicks need some lightning to combine with Raymond Felton’s thunder. In Larkin, the Knicks would be getting a dynamic young point guard with plenty of upside.
Larkin singlehandedly carried Miami this season as he had a Trey Burke-like impact on the Hurricanes. In New York, fans want a point man that can push the pace at times off the bench, which is something that Larkin does well.
25. Los Angeles Clippers – Allen Crabbe, SG, California (6’6, 18.4 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 2.6 apg)
The Clippers could use a solid and productive guard like Crabbe. The current roster includes Chauncey Billups and Willie Green, and the Clippers need some youth in their backcourt, especially since Eric Bledsoe is likely going to be somewhere else next season.
Crabbe is a solid shooting wing with good size who won’t rock the boat, which is exactly what a title-contending team is looking for.
26. Minnesota Timberwolves (From Memphis) – Dennis Schroeder, PG, New Yorker Phantoms (6’1″, 8.3 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 3.3 apg)
The Timberwolves with two picks and in need of immediate help probably will package this pick but a player like Schroeder, who blew up at the Nike Hoop Summit, makes sense.
With Ricky Rubio and the roster of point guards that currently are in Minnesota lack the athleticism and explosion of Schroeder, who played in the German BBL. Schroeder is not your typical European prospect as he oozes with potential due to his physical traits.
Schroeder’s game is all based on penetration and attacking the rim and has drawn comparisons to Rajon Rondo. This is a name to watch as the draft approaches.
27. Denver Nuggets – Sergey Karasev, SF, Triumph Moscow (6’8, 18.7 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 2.3 apg)
The Nuggets have so many pieces already that they seem to be a great draft-and-stash candidate with their late first-round selection. Karasev is one of the top international prospects and should be in the NBA in a season or two.
Currently playing for Triumph under his father, Karasev is an aggressive player who attacks opponents on offense and is young with plenty of room to continue developing.
28. Oklahoma City Thunder – Mouhammadou Jaiteh, C, Boulogne (6’9, 16.2 ppg, 9.9 rpg, 0.9 bpg)
Don’t rule out a big at some point for the Thunder as they might want to start grooming a replacement for Kendrick Perkins. Jaiteh is only 18 and has legit center size.
While his arrival to the NBA is several years away, Jaiteh could be a great prospect by that time. Being French, he should get plenty of opportunities to develop against top international competition.
29. San Antonio Spurs – Reggie Bullock, SG, North Carolina (6’7, 13.9 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 2.9 apg)
The Spurs already have Danny Green, but Bullock is a better prospect than fellow Tar Heel Green ever was. Bullock has great length and athleticism and is a great shooter, especially from outside.
In the current system that the Spurs run, Bullock should be an excellent fit and could see the court early playing alongside or behind Kawhi Leonard and Green.
30. Phoenix Suns (From Miami) – B.J. Young, SG, Arkansas (6’3, 15.2 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 3.4 apg)
The Suns need more punch and must get aggressive offensively. Young is not a great shooter nor an efficient scorer but is an exceptional athlete who can be a SG or a combo guard.
With new GM Ryan McDonough in place, this pick could change. But a player of Young’s ability is sorely needed.
(RELATED: TOP INTERNATIONAL EARLY ENTRY CANDIDATES)
MORE FROM JOE KOTOCH:
(EARLY ENTRY CANDIDATES: WHO IS MISSING?)
Risers and Fallers from 2013 NCAA Tournament
Mock Draft 1.0.1
TOP SCORERS IN THE NCAA; A CLOSER LOOK
Top 20 Picks: Pre-March Madness
Top 2013 Draft Prospects: Centers
Top 2013 Draft Prospects: Power Forwards
Top 2013 Draft Prospects: Small Forwards
Top 2013 Draft Prospects: Point Guards
Top 2013 Draft Prospects: Shooting Guards
Joe Kotoch is the Editor-in-chief of Pro Basketball Draft, a leading scouting service in the world of professional basketball. Before Joe created PBD he served as an NBPA & FIBA certified agent and scouted players all across the world. Born and raised in Cleveland, Joe also contributes to Fox Sports Ohio and the Cleveland Plain Dealer. You can follow Joe on Twitter @Probballdraft.
Alex Len won’t be working out for anybody soon.
Len and Noel’s injuries have made this draft impossible to predict.
Then there’s the lottery to complicate matters.
No one, this year, has Kevin Durant impact; in fact, no one has Kyrie Irving power.
Potentially, Porter, Noel, Len, maybe Bennett can star, and someone else will break through and surprise all of us.