The Orlando Magic went as expected and picked SG Victor Oladipo over Ben Mclemore. They also passed on consesus top mock draft pick, Nerlens Noel, who ultimately slid all the way down to #6 overall. Oladipo was the safest pick here and Orlando was unable to find a partner to trade down with to acquire more assets.
2. ORLANDO MAGIC -
The Cavaliers don't take long to shock the NBA world by selecting Anthony Bennett. All the rumors were surrounding them selecting a big man with the first pick. It was suppose to be between Alex Len and Nerlens Noel. But in typical Chris Grant fashion, he selects the big from UNLV. He could possibly see minutes at small forward to play alongside Tristan Thompson.
1. CLEVELAND CAVALIERS -
Phoenix, surprisingly, selected the center from Maryland, Alex Len. There were many rumors involving either G Mclemore and Anthony Bennett. It was also a surprise that they selected the Lithuanian center over C Nerlens Noel, who was still available if they were going to look to bolster their frontline. Both big men are battling injuries and won't make any contributions right away.
5. PHOENIX SUNS -
Didn't see this coming, with Charlotte taking Cody Zeller with the #4 overall pick. I would say that this is a questionable pick, but isn't about every pick in this draft questionable? The Chicago Draft Combine apparently helped Zellers stock immensely. This was the second shocker of the draft because many felt that this was probably as low as Noel would go.
4. CHARLOTTE BOBCATS -
The local D.C. favorite out of Georgetown went as expected, even with Noel still available on the board. They went with the safe pick and need with Otto Porter Jr. He should solidify their small forward position and perhaps help the Wizards make a run at the playoffs.
3. WASHINGTON WIZARDS -
The TrailBlazers get another guard from a small school to form a very formidable backcourt going into the 2013-14 campaign. Detroit and Minnesota were possible destinations for McCollum, but he slid down to the Blazers, who didn't hesistate to select him. If Zeller had fell to them, he probably would have been the selection, but hardly anyone expected Cody Zeller to be selected as high as fourth overall.
10. PORTLAND TRAILBLAZERS -
The Timberwolves selected PG Trey Burke for the Utah Jazz in exchange for their two draft selections that turned out to be Shabazz Muhammad and Gorgui Deng. As rumored, the Jazz were looking to move up and draft the best point guard prospect this year. They got their man in Trey Burke, and he should probably be one of the leading candidates for rookie of the year. The Jazz have no other point guard currently signed on the roster and is all, but guaranteed a starting spot at the lead guard right away.
9. MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES -
Detroit would loved to have had SG Ben Mclemore slide to them, but were denied by the Kings. It still didn't stop them from acquiring a backcourt mate for Brandon Knight. They settled for SG Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, whose stock skyrocketed up the draft boards. Not very high on him, but we'll see how this turns out for the Motor City.
8. DETROIT PISTONS -
It was rumored that he could possibly slide out of the top 5 and many NBA GM's began warming up to the idea that Oladipo was the safer pick at offguard. But it is still believed that Mclemore has more upside and Sacramento were thrilled to have him still on the board when it came to their selection. The Kings will have a nice collection of young and talented starters in Cousins, Evans and Mclemore.
7. SACRAMENTO KINGS -
Very surprising to see Noel fall this far down in the draft. I never felt that he was worthy of the number 1 pick or had the most upside, but no one saw this coming. Then he's packaged in a deal to the Sixers for PG Jrue Holiday. It appears to be a good deal for both teams and Noel shouldn't be any rush to come back. Philly plans on attempting to win next year's 2014 Wiggins sweepstakes to get a franchise changing player. It appears that New Orleans plans on making a playoff run for 2013-14 campaign with this surprising acquisition.
6. NEW ORLEANS PELICANS -
