23. Indiana Pacers – Lucas Noegueira, C, Estudiantes (6’11, 5.3 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 1.1 bpg)
Like a lot of teams drafting late, the Pacers are looking for a player who can play right away. With his injury and contract, Danny Granger’s future in Indiana is in doubt, so the Pacers will be looking for a potential shooting guard to start next to Paul George.
Loading up on shooters like Crabbe would be a good idea. He is a pure shooter and can score the ball, an area of need for the Pacers. Crabbe doesn’t create his own shot well, but playing in Frank Vogel’s system should allow him to flourish.
After an impressive week in Chicago, Crabbe opened eyes with his touch, range and 6-11 1/4 wingspan.
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 who can push the pace at times off the bench, which is something Larkin does well.
While in Chicago, Larkin was one of the most athletic point guards and really helped himself. He recorded a 44-inch vertical leap — a combine record.
25. Los Angeles Clippers – Jamaal Franklin, SG, San Diego State (6’5, 17.0 ppg, 9.5 rpg, 3.3 apg)
Franklin was in the lottery in Mock 2.0 but has a sprained ankle. In missing time and not performing in front of scouts, Franklin missed a chance to open some eyes with his improved handle and consistent jumper to go with his tenacious defensive and rebounding ability.
What will have teams most excited about Franklin is his 6-11 1/4 wingspan and large hands, reminding many teams of former Aztecs teammate Kawhi Leonard. Once healthy, Franklin should be able to climb back up draft boards. Falling due to injury. Franklin is a very good rebounder and defender who has improved his shot and ball handling.
With LA in need of quality reserves, Franklin should be able to contribute right away and gives Gary Sacks flexibility if he should decide to trade Eric Bledsoe.
26. Minnesota Timberwolves (From Memphis) – C.J. Leslie, PF, North Carolina State (6’9, 15.1 ppg, 7.4 rpg)
Leslie was one of the most impressive performers at the combine in Chicago. With impressive agility numbers based on his size and length, Leslie has started to open eyes around NBA circles as a potential combo forward capable of defending multiple positions.
On offense Leslie is best in transition, but has the skills and athleticism to be a mismatch problem against bigger, less athletic power forwards in the NBA.
At this point, getting Leslie is a very good value pick as he has upside and still is scratching the surface of his potential.
27. Denver Nuggets – Reggie Bullock, SG, North Carolina (6’7, 13.9 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 2.9 apg)
With Noel at the top, the Cavs will look to address their hole at small forward. While Adetonkbo would be intriguing, Cleveland could stay at 19 and land a player like Bullock, who proved himself to be a dynamic shooter and very good defender.
In Bullock – who has been steadily rising since the end of the season – the Cavs could get a Danny Green-like wing with the ability to lock up defenders and knock down open shots.
Bullock has great length and athleticism and is a great shooter, especially from outside. After a great week in Chicago, Bullock looks like a first-round lock and could easily supplant Alonzo Gee at small forward.
28. Oklahoma City Thunder – Gorgui Dieng, C, Louisville (6’11, 9.8 ppg, 9.4 rpg, 2.5 bpg)
Taking Gobert at 12 is a good start for the Thunder, who need to add frontcourt depth. They can add even more with Dieng, whose activity would be a good fit for their up-tempo style.
Since there is no offensively proficient big man available, the next best thing is Dieng. He showed an impressive 15-foot jumper during Louisville’s title run. While Dieng can contribute offensively, his true value is defensively, where he can help shut down the paint much in the same fashion as Serge Ibaka does.
29. San Antonio Spurs – Mouhammadou Jaiteh, C, Boulogne (6’9, 16.2 ppg, 9.9 rpg, 0.9 bpg)
The Spurs are another team that loves to draft-and-stash players, and Jaiteh would be a great fit for that model. Not ready to play in the NBA yet possessing NBA size, frame and some skills, Jaiteh would be able to continue to develop in Europe and come over when ready.
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.
30. Phoenix Suns (From Miami) – Archie Goodwin, SG, Kentucky (6’4, 14.9 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 2.7 apg)
The Suns need more punch and must get aggressive offensively. Goodwin has a very intriguing skill set and talent that could fit well in Phoenix.
After an awful week in Chicago where he couldn’t buy a basket, Goodwin could see himself slide down boards. However, when Goodwin is on, he is able to score all over the court and can fill it up rather quickly.
(RELATED: TOP INTERNATIONAL EARLY ENTRY CANDIDATES)
MORE FROM JOE KOTOCH:
Mock Draft 3.0
EARLY ENTRY CANDIDATES: WHO IS MISSING?
Mock Draft 2.0.1
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.
This article is stupid and you’re clearly not aware of how trades work in the nba. Rule number 1, never trade a franchise power forward for a center who has a torn ACL and has a lower ceiling than what the power forward is already giving you. Minnesota has taken Kevin love off the table and at this point Cleveland could offer all four of their picks plus Tristan Thompson and the wolves would hang up. Adding picks on the wolves side is something that wouldn’t make sense to even a casual observer of the nba, you should really take this post down, it’s an embarrassment.
To be fair to both CLE and MIN, Love is an all-star, top ten player; Irving will be an all-star and top ten player. This is the only trade that makes sense. Look at OKC what happens when you trade a proven talent (which is in high demand in the NBA) like Harden for basically potential — rookies and draft picks. Sorry, no Love for draft picks.
Uncle Drew and Wes the early years
There is no way that the Cavs trade Irving. They just keep the pick if that is the case (which I hope they use on McLemore).
I think a fair trade would be Williams for the #1 pick. Actually, I’d throw in Williams, #9, and either JJ Barea or Luke Ridnour for the #1 pick and an early 2nd rounder.
Only way the Wolves give up Love is if Cleveland first signs LBJ, and then we trade Love & Williams for LBJ.
Probably will not happen, just like the one proposed in this article. BTW, I do not fault the journo for publishing this. If it is actual noise coming from Cleveland FO, it should be reported.
“I think a fair trade would be Williams for the #1 pick.” You be lucky to get #19 for Williams.
As a Cavs fan, I’d love to see Kevin Love come to Cleveland, but this makes no sense. At face value, the article says Minnesota doesn’t have a 2014 first round pick, yet later says the Wolves would trade Love plus their ’14 first round. If you assume a typo, the deal still isn’t possible with the Cavs sending their 2014 pick because it’s prohibited by the Stepein Rule to trade your first round pick two years in a row.
You are a fucking idiot.
On no planet (regardless of he said-she said bs with his contract) is any player in this draft worth love.
Please tell me you didn’t go to Journalism School…..
Love will be a Laker next season, not a Cav
good luck on that
Sheridan hoops, ” for intelligent readers”! Good thing that doesnt count for the writers. Apply for a job for nbatraderumors.com instead kotosch, Even they would laugh at this horrible idea. U just lost all credabilty!
In other news, if Howard wants to play for the league minimum, the Bulls would consider signing him.
Is this site for real? I feel like they’re just trolling readers at this point.
Such a bad trade. This trade would basically put the wolves back into REBUILD mode. Start From Scratch AGAIN. Such a rip off. Cavs will switch position with wolves from being a lottery team to a contender and wolves who are a 7th, 8th seed contender (when healthy) will be put back into another lottery years again
this is effing hilarious…we’re trading Love, the best PF in the game, for a center with a torn ACL…all so we can resign our other center at a premium. “basketball reasons”
In fairness to the author, I think the Wolves go with the best 2 guard in the draft if they do this. Obviously, Cleveland would have to give up more than just this year’s number one and the Wolves would have to feel like Williams is ready to take his next step..
They would have to give A LOT more than just the #1 pick, at least Thompson and Miles plus the #19 and the first round pick next year, and of course Minny would keep their first round picks…. In fairness to the author…. well, no fairness it´s plain and simple stupidity
I agree that Minny would keep its picks (assuming it wants all those picks) and even reserve the right to trade places with the Cavs in next year’s draft. It really depends on three issues from the Wolves perspective: (1) How high are they on McLemore (I think he is the best player in this draft not Noel); (2) How concerned are they about losing Pecovic for nothing (and the implications that might have on Love’s decision to stick around); and (3) How confident are they that Williams might be ready to make that next step (which is why I’m not sure they even want Thompson). I basically think it comes down to this: When you watched the Wolves last year without Love, were they good enough to compete in the playoffs with McLemore at the 2 without Love?
See your point here but. (1) No matter how high they are on McLemore it´s won´t be by any means a franchise centerpiece like Love, who also is one of the best players in the league. But I agree that McLemore is the best player and the best fit to Minny in this Draft (Tough Oladipo could be great also) (2) I don´t see Minny very concerned about losing Peko, he is RFA. If they really want him they just have to match the offer. (3) In this point you´re absolutely right, Williams should be part of the deal going to Cavs. It won´t make any sense for them having both. And for your question, no, I can´t see this team with a Rookie (wich is still developing) instead an All-Nba competing in WC.
Oct08 I was just looking for this info for a while. After 6 hours of couutnnois Googleing, finally I got it in your site. I wonder what’s the lack of Google strategy that do not rank this kind of informative web sites in top of the list. Normally the top websites are full of garbage.
That’s a smart way of looking at the world.
BION I’m impressed! Cool post!
There’s nothing like the relief of finding what you’re looking for.
You’ve really helped me understand the issues. Thanks.
Is that really all there is to it because that’d be flabbergasting.
We could’ve done with that insight early on.
Well put, sir, well put. I’ll certainly make note of that.
That’s an intelligent answer to a difficult question xxx
If I were a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle, now I’d say “Kowabunga, dude!”
Thanks for that! It’s just the answer I needed.
That’s a subtle way of thinking about it.
That insight’s just what I’ve been looking for. Thanks!
We could’ve done with that insight early on.
THX that’s a great answer!
Your’s is the intelligent approach to this issue.
I’ve been looking for a post like this forever (and a day)
That’s a smart answer to a tricky question
Mr. Kotoch you lost it, Love for #1 #19 and 2014 would be a robbery but you tweak it and propose Love PLUS #9 PLUS #26 for #1 and a 2014 1st round. BRAVO. Not even the worst delusional fan in B/R comments section could it better.
Uhh, yeah
Oct10 Hello fantastically cool trap site!! Guy .. Beautiful .. Amazing .. I will bmookark your website and assume the feeds also I am ecstatic to attain frequent of use in sequence acceptably at this time in the submit, we want composition absent added strategies in this regard, gratitude for sharing. . . . . .
Furrealz? That’s marvelously good to know.
That’s a shrewd answer to a tricky question
I’m out of league here. Too much brain power on display!
I’m impressed! You’ve managed the almost impossible.
Great insight! That’s the answer we’ve been looking for.
We’ve arrived at the end of the line and I have what I need!
That’s really thinking of the highest order
That kind of thinking shows you’re on top of your game
Frankly I think that’s absolutely good stuff.
It’s great to find someone so on the ball
Gee willikers, that’s such a great post!
We could’ve done with that insight early on.
It’s a joy to find someone who can think like that
At last, someone comes up with the “right” answer!
When you think about it, that’s got to be the right answer.
That’s a nicely made answer to a challenging question
Hey, you’re the goto expert. Thanks for hanging out here.
I’m out of league here. Too much brain power on display!
I’m so glad that the internet allows free info like this!
I’m grateful you made the post. It’s cleared the air for me.
You’re on top of the game. Thanks for sharing.
That’s a nicely made answer to a challenging question
OK, I’m a Wolves fan, so may be a bit biased, but WTF? Minnesota wouldn’t trade Love ALONE for the #1 overall pick, let alone throwing in 3 additional picks.
What a misguided, delusionally uninformed fool.
Good f***ing lord. Is this serious? Or is this a mockery of a mock draft (if there even is such a thing)?
This site peaked when it launched but has gone consistently downhill ever since. Piss-poor layout, obnoxious ads, and some of the absolute worst content I’ve ever read (prime example above). I could find better analysis on any NBA message board and half of those are filled with 12 year olds.
The Love deal you mention should embarrass you. Sheridan was well a well respected member of the media, but this should embarrass him as well since his name is on the site. A site that is no better than BleacherReport.
I’d like a blowie from Kate Upton and to flip a 2nd rounder for LeBron, but it doesn’t mean I should put it into writing and release it on the Internet.
Wow, you are a fooking idiot. “And if the Timberwolves are willing to surrender Kevin Love, the No. 1 pick is available to them, sources tell SheridanHoops.com.” Really, wow what a great deal for the Wolves. I have a source too that says the Timberwolves #9 pick is available to Miami for Lebron James. You try and write like you have any credibility but this is just like Bleacherreport, fan masterbation at absurd trade fantasies.
I’m a Cavs fan, so this sounds great and all, but I agree with Matt that the proposed offer is crazy – no way the Wolves would ADD picks to Love to get the #1 in this year’s draft; it would have to be the other way around. Maybe Kotoch meant that the Cavs would give up the #1 pick this year plus their 2014 first for Love? In fact, it almost has to be that this is what he meant, since the Wolves’ 2014 first is already owed to the Suns (albeit with some protections).
“Would an offer of Love and a ’14 No. 1 pick, along with picks 9 and 26, in exchange for Cleveland’s No. 1 constitute overpaying?”
Seriously? Kevin Love is better than every player in this years draft and you think offering three #1’s along with him in plausible? Minnesota should be asking for FAR more than the #1 pick for Love.
He said Minnesota didn’t have a 1st rounder in ’14, so I’m guessing he meant to say Cavs ’14 No. 1 along with the top pick this year to Minnesota plus we’d have to send players (Verejao?) to match salary.
Maybe he should proof his article before posting then…
Doesn’t matter Saunders isn’t trading Love this off-season when his value is at a low point, or be absolutely blown away by an offer. Love plus 9 and 26 for 1 and 2014 1st gets the dial tone.
Love, #9, and #26 for #1 and a 2014 1st should get a punch in the face. The #1 pick in this draft holds about the same value as a mid-lottery pick in most drafts.
If you want more than a dial tone, it’d have to be Love for Thompson, Waiters, #1, and 2014 #1 unprotected (+salary fillers).
If the Wolves do this I think it is because they want McLemore so I don’t think Waiters would work. I could see this year’s pick, next year’s pick, the Heat/Sacramento pick and Thompson and Zeller. Not sure you need the salary fillers. As a Cavs fans this would make me nervous because Love is a free agent in two years.
You don’t need contracts to match when the team taking on the salary (in this case Cleveland) in under the cap enough to take on that salary.