NBA Mock Draft

May 16, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Nerlens Noel is interviewed during the NBA Draft combine at Harrison Street Athletics Facility. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

James Stotts and Thomas Eames will be making our first round NBA Draft picks before the draft, which starts tonight at 6:30 P.M. EST on ESPN. Tune in to see how well our mock draft fairs.

1. Cleveland Cavaliers: Nerlens Noel

Analysis: With all the questions around this pick, I think the Cavaliers stick with Nerlens Noel. The Cavs have looked at many different options, but we believe they stay with the Kentucky center. He has great potential and is a great defender already. If he improves his offensive, he can be a potential star for the Cavaliers.

2. Orlando Magic: Victor Oladipo

Analysis: The Orlando Magic are in need of about everything imaginable. Victor Oladipo from Indiana would make for a great fit for their organization. Oladipo is a very athletic and versatile player. He plays as a slasher and sort of reminds me of Dwyane Wade due to his ability to drive around the basket. He would be the ideal fit for Orlando.

3. Washington Wizards: Otto Porter

Analysis: The Wizards have been rumored to be drafting a small forward, but its unsure whether it will be Porter or Anthony Bennett. Porter is the safest pick and looks to be a great fit with point guard John Wall. Porter has been rumored to the Wizard’s since they received the pick and we believe the Wizards end up picking him.

4. Charlotte Bobcats: Alex Len

Analysis: Alex Len has skyrocketed on the draft board. The big man from Maryland has undeniable talent and would work well in Charlotte. Charlotte is talking about trading Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and replacing him with Otto Porter, but we don’t believe Porter will still be on board. Len has even been rumored as potentially the Cavs top option for the number one pick, but we think he falls to four.

5. Phoenix Suns: Ben Mclemore

Analysis: The Phoenix Suns would be ecstatic to see Ben Mclemore and Anthony Bennet fall to them at pick 5. They do need a forward, but we believe they take the Kansas shooting guard here. Mclemore will be an infusion of youth and potential to a team without a true direction. Mclemore could be a big building block for this Suns team.

6. New Orleans Pelicans: Anthony Bennett

Analysis: Bennett is either going to be a steal or a bust at this pick. He has picked up a weight gain since he declared for the NBA Draft, which is making some teams wary of his services. Bennett is possibly the most versatile player in the draft, and we expect him to be a good fit for the Pelicans.

7. Sacramento Kings: Trey Burke

Analysis: The Kings have a long list of point guards, but no one that has the skill and potential that Burke does. Burke would be a great fit along with Tyreke Evans and could potentially convince Demarcus Cousins to stay with the Kings. A team with Burke, Cousins and Evans has the talent to be a good team down the road if the right pieces are put with them.

8. Detroit Pistons: Michael Carter-Williams

Analysis: Carter-Williams is a jewel at this pick. He’s a athletic guard that also has a decent shooting ability. The Pistons are already ridiculed with young guard play, but we believe they would take Carter-Williams. He is a tough player that I expect to be a steal at this pick for years to come.

9. Minnesota Timberwolves: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope

Analysis: Minnesota’s biggest weakness last season was three point shooting and we see them addressing that need with this pick. Caldwell-Pope is the perfect fit for this team because he is the best shooting guard on the board and is a great shooter. He may even start from day one on a team looking to make a playoff push. This pick looks like an obvious on here for the Timberwolves.

10. Portland Trailblazers: Cody Zeller

Analysis: Zeller has seen his stock rise. after workouts. He now could even go up to the top five. I don’t think that is likely though. Zeller is the best rue post man in this draft. His a terrific offensive player and has had noticeable improvement on the defensive end. Portland would love to have him on their team.

11. Philadelphia 76ers: CJ McCollum

Analysis: The 76ers get a great guard at this pick, to back up Jrue Holiday and play with him. McCollum will likely come off the bench his rookie year, but he will have the ability to start at guard with Holiday. The 76ers may take a big here as safety in case Andrew Bynum does not resign. McCollum is too good not to take here though.

12. Oklahoma City Thunder: Steven Adams

Analysis: Steven Adams was a heralded recruit when he headed to Pitt. In spite of that, his college career was considered a disappointment by most. He has done very good during the NBA Draft workouts and we expect him to become the newest member of the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Thunder know Kendrick Perkins isn’t their man at the center position, and Steven Adams would serve as a good replacement coming off the bench.

13. Dallas Mavericks: Giannis Adetokoubo

Analysis: The Mavericks are trying to trade this pick in order to gain cap space. If they keep the pick, they will likely pick a European player with the hopes they play overseas for a year. Giannis Adetokoubo is a very young player who could benefit from more playing time overseas. It seems like a great fit, but the Mavericks could go in many different directions with potential European players.

14. Utah Jazz: Shane Larkin

Analysis: No one ever thought Shane Larkin would be where he is today. The talented point guard from Miami has proved everyone wrong. In my opinion, Larkin has one of the best work ethics in the draft. The Jazz are in need of a point guard, and Larkin may be their man.

15. Milwaukee Bucks: Kelly Olynyk

Analysis: The Bucks have many questions at guard, with Brandon Jennings, Monte Ellis and JJ Redick being free agents. They could address their backcourt here, but we see Olynyk as a solid big to play with Ersan Ilyasova and Larry Sanders. The Bucks would be solidifying their front court while hoping their back court is solved in free agency.

16. Boston Celtics: Shabazz Muhammad

Analysis: When I hear about Shabazz Muhammad, I could say as many negative things as I could positive things, but that’s not what I’m here to do. Shabazz is a premier talent and possibly a steal. He is athletic for a small forward and is able to do an array of positive things on the court.

17. Atlanta Hawks: Mason Plumlee

Analysis: The Hawks have been rumored to be looking at Mason Plumlee for a long time. Mason Plumlee is a great back up plan for Josh Smith and Dwight Howard. If the Hawks are able to sign a star big man, Plumlee will be able to back them up. If the Hawks begin going in the wrong direction, Plumlee has the ability to start with Al Horford. Either way, Plumlee looks to be a great fit for the Hawks.

18. Atlanta Hawks: Sergey Karasev

Analysis: Sergey Karasev is a solid offensive player but he needs to bulk up to play defense in the NBA. He currently stands at 6’8″ and 165 lbs. He is definitely going to have to improve his stature before he can play competitively. The Russian has already played professionally overseas, and could be a decent player in the coming years.

19. Cleveland Cavaliers: Reggie Bullock

Analysis: With the Cavaliers drafting a big man early, they will likely look for a wing to play with Dion Waiters at pick 19. Reggie Bullock looks like he will be the typical three point and defense wing player. He could start next to Waiters, but will likely play off the bench. Bullock has a low bust potential and is a safe pick as a role player for the Cavs.

20. Chicago Bulls: Tim Hardaway Jr.

Analysis: Tim Hardaway Jr. is a good talent from Michigan. He has recently skyrocketed up the draft board, while his teammate Trey Burke has fallen. Hardaway Jr. has a good jumper and has improved with his three-point shot. He will be a first round pick by the time it’s said and done.

21. Utah Jazz: Allen Crabbe

Analysis: After drafting a point guard at 14, the Jazz will likely pick a wing at 21. Many thing the Jazz will pick a big in this draft, but they have a much larger need for a wing. Alec Burks is a defensive player and Allen Crabbe will provide the Jazz with a much more offensive threat. He is a great fit on the wing for the Jazz.

22. Brooklyn Nets: Lucas Nogueira

Analysis: Lucas Nogueira is the lone Brazilian in the NBA Draft. He has great size, standing at 7’0″ and reminds me of Joakim Noah. He has a decent offensive game, but he’ll have to improve on defense. With his size, I don’t see why he will have any trouble defensively. Jason Kidd would love to coach him in Brooklyn.

23. Indiana Pacers: Tony Mitchell

Analysis: The Pacers will look at wings, but we believe they ultimately go with a power forward for the future. David West is coming to the end of his career and Tony Mitchell has the potential to potentially take his position. Mitchell won’t need to perform this year but could be a player who plays off down the lane for the Pacers

24. New York Knicks: Dennis Schroeder

Analysis: Dennis Schroeder has seen his stock plummet. He was once considered a top ten pick but he didn’t leave a good impression to scouts. The German has great ball-handling skills and has blazing speed. He would work well in New York.

25. Los Angeles Clippers: Jamaal Franklin

Analysis: The Clippers biggest need for next season is on the wing. They are looking to get one in Aaron Afflalo from the Magic. Either way, Jamaal Franklin is a solid wing defender. He won’t be a huge threat offensively for the Clippers at first but he will certainly contribute as a defender. The Clippers would be happy to get a role player out of this pick and Franklin definitely has the ability to be.

26. Minnesota Timberwolves: Gorgui Dieng

Analysis: Gorgui Dieng proved himself at Louisville last season. He has good size and is a terrific defender. But the spectacular thing is that he has much improved offensive game. The Timberwolves are currently shopping for a big man, and Dieng would be a good option.

27. Denver Nuggets: Tony Snell

Anakysis: The Nuggets need a back up plan in case Andre Iguodala does not resign this offseason. Tony Snell won’t start but he could provide the Nuggets wing depth behind Evan Fournier, Wilson Chandler and Danilo Galinari. Tony Snell could become a good player but he will have very little pressure to succeed.

28. San Antonio Spurs: Rudy Gobert

Analysis: Rudy Gobert is a big guy to say the least, standing at 7’2″ and 240 lbs. The France product has an amazing 7-foot-9 wingspan. He’s a athletic big man and has good speed for his position. He needs to bulk up, but he would be a good fit at San Antonio. I expect him to work well with the likes of Tim Duncan.

29. Oklahoma City Thunder: Ricardo Ledo

Analysis: After drafting a big earlier in the draft, the Thunder will likely take a shooting guard to find an explosive player off the bench. Kevin Martin seems to be on the downside of his career. The Thunder already have Jeremy Lamb but Ledo would provide another option. The Thunder drafted a high potential player last season in Perry Jones and they will likely do that again here.

30. Phoenix Suns: Grant Jerrett

Analysis: Grant Jerrett will be the last selection in the first round. The Suns already have the fifth pick where we believe they will choose a guard, so they now need a big man for this pick. He has a limited offensive game and wasn’t a terrific player in college. Even though he’s one of the most underdeveloped players in the draft, he still has potential. That’s why you’ll see him in Phoenix.