23. Indiana Pacers – Shane Larkin, PG, Miami (5’11, 14.5 ppg, 4.6 apg, 3.8 rpg)
Watching the Eastern Conference finals, it became obvious that the Pacers need to upgrade their bench. The starters were able to hold their own, but the bench production was lackluster and undependable.
On top of that, a lack of a ballhandler outside of George Hill also hurt the Pacers. Sources indicate that Indiana is focused on point guards. If Larkin is available here, it would be a major coup for the Pacers.
Larkin’s ability to run the pick-and-roll and handle the ball would be an upgrade over D.J. Augustin, who was an inconsistent, inefficient backup to Hill. Throughout the pre-draft process Larkin has shown he is an excellent athlete, and the game tape shows a winner who carried his team deep into the postseason.
24. New York Knicks – Rudy Gobert, C, Cholet (7’0, 8.0 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 1.3 bpg)
According to sources, the Knicks are another team that will be focused on a point guard with their first-round pick. But they may address another need if Larkin is off the board.
One player who could really help is Gobert, one of the most intriguing players in the draft. With a 7’9″ wingspan the Knicks might see an eventual replacement to Tyson Chander. Gobert is still raw offensively but in time could develop a post game.
Should the Knicks decide on a point guard, Myck Kabongo of Texas could be a name to watch. He is working his way up draft boards with great workouts and will be in New York next week.
25. Los Angeles Clippers – Jeff Withey, C, Kansas (7’0, 13.9 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 3.9 bpg)
Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan were among the best big duos in the league this season, but the Clippers played them heavy minutes due to a lack of options off the bench. Also, they still need a coach.
Withey would provide the Clippers with a valuable reserve big who could pick up right where Jordan left off; blocking shots, rebounding and getting easy buckets underneath. He may not be an athlete, but the way he contested shots in college illustrates how he can help Los Angeles.
As a team that aspires to be contending for titles, Los Angeles wants players who can contribute. Withey will do that.
26. Minnesota Timberwolves (From Memphis) – Lucas Noegueira, C, Estudiantes (6’11, 5.3 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 1.1 bpg)
With many decisions looming for the Wolves, this will be a very useful pick for them to address some holes that will be left after free agency. Nikola Pekovic is set to be a free agent and will command an eight-figure annual salary.
Noegueira is a pesky defender and rebounder who will be able to play minutes in any rotation right away. He still needs to develop but is ready to come over after flirting with the draft a few years ago.
Drafting Noegueira as insurance would be smart. Another name to watch here could be Glen Rice Jr.
27. Denver Nuggets – Gorgui Dieng, C, Louisville (6’11, 9.8 ppg, 9.4 rpg, 2.5 bpg)
With the recent departure of GM, Masai Ujiri, the Nuggets could go in a few directions. With so many pieces along the perimeter, it would make more sense to grab another big and add length to a frontcourt that features Kenneth Faried, Kosta Koufos and JaVale McGee.
Dieng showed all season he is a very strong rebounder and shot-blocker, but it wasn’t until the NCAA Tournament that he began to showcase his mid-range jumper.
Denver is trying to win now, and selecting Dieng makes a lot of sense.
28. Oklahoma City Thunder – Allen Crabbe, SG, California (6’6, 18.1 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 2.6 apg)
Despite having Jeremy Lamb on the roster, GM Sam Presti would be wise to go with Crabbe with this pick. Crabbe represents very good value at No. 28 and would provide the Thunder with some additional depth on the wing, something they lacked at times this season.
A big-time shooter, Crabbe’s length would also appeal to the Thunder, who like long perimeter defenders. The Thunder are sorely lacking a creator off the bench to fill James Harden’s void and could look to someone such as Archie Goodwin or even Alex Abrines.
29. San Antonio Spurs – Reggie Bullock, SG, North Carolina (6’7, 13.9 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 2.9 apg)
The Spurs are another team that loves to draft-and-stash players but might find it hard to pass on Bullock if he slips to them.
Bullock has been compared to Danny Green but is more athletic and has more upside, so it would make sense that San Antonio would be interested.
Drafting Bullock helps the Spurs on the court but also gives San Antonio flexibility and insurance with Manu Ginobli and Gary Neal set to become free agents, and Ginobili considering retirement.
30. Phoenix Suns (From Miami) – Mike Muscala, C, Bucknell (6’11, 18.7 ppg, 11.1 rpg, 2.4 bpg)
With the Suns previously selecting Ben McLemore, going big with this pick would be a wise move for Phoenix. Despite having cap space, Phoenix will focus on improving through the draft.
While the frontcourt is crowded right now, none of Phoenix’s bigs is overwhelming, and veteran Jermaine O’Neal is a free agent. Adding a big like Muscala, who could come right in and contribute, would be a great move.
Muscala may not be a sexy pick but was extremely productive throughout his college career and caught the eye of scouts this season with his improved skill set and size.
MORE FROM JOE KOTOCH:
Mock Draft 4.0
Mock Draft 3.0.1
Top International Early Entry Candidates
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.
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this is a probably pretty accurate draft. Len seems the guy in play….Noel has too many red flags, and who else is there ?? McLemore is a bad fit, and that leaves maybe Porter. I think this all right up to NOLO taking burke. I have a hunch burke drops. GMs know he lacks athleticism. His intangibles dont make up for it. OKC is going to grab the best big…which they hope is adams, but they’ll settle for Dieng. Might the bobcats take Cody? Noel is dropping like a rock from all the rumors one hears. Detroit wont pass on michael carter williams….and is the Greek kid REALLY going to go that high? i guess its possible. Crazy though. Its a weak draft at the top but good in the second round. I like Schroder maybe best of anyone in the draft…..but there are a ton of guys slotted for second round who just about as good as the lottery guys……..Mbakwe, Carmichael, Kabongo, McCallum, Iverson, Jaitah, and Nedovic……its a weird draft…worst since 2000.
Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan were forced to play too many minutes? Griffin averaged 32 minutes per game (down from 36 in 2011/12) and Jordan played around 28 per game as he could not play in 4th due to free throw shooting. Getting Withey may be an okay move but not for the reasons given in the analysis.
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I’m not quite sure why anybody in Cleveland’s office would care what Ilgauskas thinks. He doesn’t do anything but change the paper in Chris Grant’s copy machine. It’s all he’s qualified to do.