Redrafting the 2013 NBA Draft Lottery
The 2014 NBA Draft continues to inch closer, where many teams like Milwaukee, Cleveland and Philadelphia hope to push their franchises in the right direction. The 2013 NBA Draft was full of surprises and many teams made surprising selections (Cavaliers, Anthony Bennett). What if we redrafted the 2013 NBA Draft lottery prior to the 2014 NBA Draft, with the same order? Things would look a lot different in both drafts, especially at the top.
1. Cleveland Cavaliers Victor Oladipo, G/F
Although Michael Carter-Williams was the best rookie in this year's class, the Cavs already have a franchise centerpiece at point guard in Kyrie Irving. Oladipo was also pretty impressive his rookie season and he could give Cleveland the wing playmaker they have lacked since LeBron James left town.
2. Orlando Magic Michael Carter-Williams, PG
The consistent thing the Magic have lacked for a long time is a franchise point guard. Carter-Williams is the best point guard in this class, with a massive wingspan and the passing ability to make the players around him better.
3. Washington Wizards Giannis Antentokounmpo, G/F
The "Greek Freak" was fantastic in little minutes with Milwaukee and the Wizards could really use some frontcourt depth. The versatility of Antentokounmpo and his great athleticism could give Washington a talented young prospect they can really develop.
4. Charlotte Hornets Nerlens Noel, F/C
It shows how weak this draft is that an injured prospect can rise up the board. Al Jefferson is getting older and Charlotte could really use a franchise big man. Noel, a dominant shot-blocker with the room to grow offensively, could be exactly what the Hornets need.
5. Phoenix Suns Trey Burke, G
Even with Goran Dragic and Eric Bledsoe, the Suns could still use another young guard like Burke, who has had a solid season with the Utah Jazz. Burke still has to bring his scoring ability to the next level but he has the potential to grow into a star.
6. Philadelphia Sixers (via New Orleans) Tim Hardaway, G/F
Hardaway has been great all year for New York off the bench, and Philly could really use his dangerous shooting touch. This season, the Sixers have used Jason Richardson and Evan Turner (now gone) on the wing, Hardaway would be an upgrade other both.
7. Sacremento Kings Ben McLemore, SG
He might have had a very inconsistent rookie season, but McLemore could still give Sacremento a scary shooter with some upside here. His size will also give the Kings help defensively and his confidence should show up with his second year in the league.
8. Detroit Pistons C.J. McCollum, G
Injured for much of this season, McCollum showed a bright future with the Trail Blazers during the short time he was healthy. Detroit's Kentavious Caldwell-Pope selection has been pretty weak, McCollum could bring the scoring ability Detroit thought they were getting with Caldwell-Pope.
9. Utah Jazz (via Minnesota) Otto Porter, G/F
Porter has also struggled with injuries throughout his short NBA tenure, but the talent is there. He seems like a good fit in Utah and his versatility could really help the Jazz, especially on the wing where Richard Jefferson saw a lot of minutes.
10. Portland Trail Blazers Kelly Olynyk, C
Beyond starters Lamarcus Aldridge and Robin Lopez, the Blazers' frontcourt is not very deep. Olynyk was very productive this year with Boston and he can score in a variety of ways although he has limited athleticism.
11. Philadelphia Sixers Cody Zeller, F/C
This might be a little high for Zeller, who had a rough year with Charlotte. But, he is still a seven-footer who can run the floor, something very rare no matter what pick you have in this draft. Philadelphia will have to be patient, he has to get stronger and adjust to the NBA game, but the raw tools are there.
12. Oklahoma City Thunder Mason Plumlee, F/C
Plumlee was a double-double machine with Duke his senior season and he showed real production this season with the Nets. He can run the floor very well, is a gifted rebounder and can finish down low. He doesn't have the upside others have in this draft, but the Thunder would love him as a depth guy.
13. Boston Celtics (via Dallas) Shane Larkin, PG
Even with very little minutes his first season in Dallas, Larkin has great upside and could really grow into a playmaking point guard. Larkin is a streaky shooter but dangerous when he is hot and he can command an offense; he could be the future for Boston at point guard if they trade Rondo.
14. Minnesota Timberwolves Tony Snell, F
Snell isn't a game-changer and he doesn't have the upside of others in this draft but it would be a smart move for Minnesota to go with him here. He is an excellent defender and slasher and a safer prospect than who Minnesota drafted here, Shabazz Muhammed.
1. Cleveland Cavaliers Victor Oladipo, G/F
Although Michael Carter-Williams was the best rookie in this year's class, the Cavs already have a franchise centerpiece at point guard in Kyrie Irving. Oladipo was also pretty impressive his rookie season and he could give Cleveland the wing playmaker they have lacked since LeBron James left town.
2. Orlando Magic Michael Carter-Williams, PG
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| Michael Carter-Williams |
3. Washington Wizards Giannis Antentokounmpo, G/F
The "Greek Freak" was fantastic in little minutes with Milwaukee and the Wizards could really use some frontcourt depth. The versatility of Antentokounmpo and his great athleticism could give Washington a talented young prospect they can really develop.
4. Charlotte Hornets Nerlens Noel, F/C
It shows how weak this draft is that an injured prospect can rise up the board. Al Jefferson is getting older and Charlotte could really use a franchise big man. Noel, a dominant shot-blocker with the room to grow offensively, could be exactly what the Hornets need.
5. Phoenix Suns Trey Burke, G
Even with Goran Dragic and Eric Bledsoe, the Suns could still use another young guard like Burke, who has had a solid season with the Utah Jazz. Burke still has to bring his scoring ability to the next level but he has the potential to grow into a star.
6. Philadelphia Sixers (via New Orleans) Tim Hardaway, G/F
Hardaway has been great all year for New York off the bench, and Philly could really use his dangerous shooting touch. This season, the Sixers have used Jason Richardson and Evan Turner (now gone) on the wing, Hardaway would be an upgrade other both.
7. Sacremento Kings Ben McLemore, SG
He might have had a very inconsistent rookie season, but McLemore could still give Sacremento a scary shooter with some upside here. His size will also give the Kings help defensively and his confidence should show up with his second year in the league.
8. Detroit Pistons C.J. McCollum, G
Injured for much of this season, McCollum showed a bright future with the Trail Blazers during the short time he was healthy. Detroit's Kentavious Caldwell-Pope selection has been pretty weak, McCollum could bring the scoring ability Detroit thought they were getting with Caldwell-Pope.
9. Utah Jazz (via Minnesota) Otto Porter, G/F
Porter has also struggled with injuries throughout his short NBA tenure, but the talent is there. He seems like a good fit in Utah and his versatility could really help the Jazz, especially on the wing where Richard Jefferson saw a lot of minutes.
10. Portland Trail Blazers Kelly Olynyk, C
Beyond starters Lamarcus Aldridge and Robin Lopez, the Blazers' frontcourt is not very deep. Olynyk was very productive this year with Boston and he can score in a variety of ways although he has limited athleticism.
11. Philadelphia Sixers Cody Zeller, F/C
This might be a little high for Zeller, who had a rough year with Charlotte. But, he is still a seven-footer who can run the floor, something very rare no matter what pick you have in this draft. Philadelphia will have to be patient, he has to get stronger and adjust to the NBA game, but the raw tools are there.
12. Oklahoma City Thunder Mason Plumlee, F/C
Plumlee was a double-double machine with Duke his senior season and he showed real production this season with the Nets. He can run the floor very well, is a gifted rebounder and can finish down low. He doesn't have the upside others have in this draft, but the Thunder would love him as a depth guy.
13. Boston Celtics (via Dallas) Shane Larkin, PG
Even with very little minutes his first season in Dallas, Larkin has great upside and could really grow into a playmaking point guard. Larkin is a streaky shooter but dangerous when he is hot and he can command an offense; he could be the future for Boston at point guard if they trade Rondo.
14. Minnesota Timberwolves Tony Snell, F
Snell isn't a game-changer and he doesn't have the upside of others in this draft but it would be a smart move for Minnesota to go with him here. He is an excellent defender and slasher and a safer prospect than who Minnesota drafted here, Shabazz Muhammed.
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