2013 NBA mock draft 2.0
Kelly Olynyk (C, 22, 7-0, 234, Gonzaga, junior): The Thunder's season ended in disappointing fashion, in no small part because of an injury to All-Star point guard Russell Westbrook, which put too much pressure on Kevin Durant to carry the load offensively. Fortunately for the Thunder, the James Harden trade returned a pick in the late lottery, which can be used to add an immediate contributor on a cheap salary. With Westbrook back at full strength, what do you give the team that has everything? More offensive firepower is one option, particularly from the frontcourt, which struggled to establish itself as enough of a threat to keep Memphis' big men honest defensively. With the status of free agent Kevin Martin very much up in the air, the Thunder could look to add more talent at the wing. Olynyk’s ability to score inside and out could be attractive at this stage of the draft. His average rebounding and defensive skills would be more easily masked alongside big men like Serge Ibaka and Nick Collison, and he comes ready to play at age 22.
Rudy Gobert (PF/C, 20 years, 7-2, 238, Cholet, international): After contending for a championship for the past five years – and winning one – the Celtics' window finally appears to have closed, ushered in to a large degree by the unfortunate knee injury suffered by Rajon Rondo. The team will need to start thinking about succession plans for Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett; adding talent on the wing and in the frontcourt looks like a major priority. A swingman who can play together with the likes of Rondo and/or Avery Bradley and a big man who can play with Jared Sullinger and/or Garnett are two immediate targets the Celtics' front office might look at on draft night. GM Danny Ainge also has never been one to shy away from swinging for the fences if he sees a talented player he likes, regardless of position. Rudy Gobert would add significant size and length to the frontcourt and is a prospect the team can afford to wait on as he continues to fill out physically. (AFP/Getty Images)
Lucas Nogueira (C, 20, 6-11, 215, Estudiantes, international): After making the playoffs for the 10th straight year, Denver's plans for this offseason will likely hinge on the decision of whether Andre Iguodala will opt out of his contract. Should he elect to return, or even if he opts out and is re-signed, the team won't have much flexibility under the luxury tax to make certain moves, such as bringing back Timofey Mozgov. Nogueira provides some flexibility because he can be stashed overseas for another year or two to save a roster spot and room under the tax. Or the team can bring him over right away and let him develop slowly behind JaVale McGee and Kosta Koufos. His ability to run the floor could be attractive to a team that likes to get up and down the court.
Giannis Adetokunbo (SF, 18, 6-9, 196, Filathlitikos, International): With 11 players under contract for next season, three picks among the top-32 selections of the draft, and at least one free agent they will likely try hard to hold onto in Kevin Martin, there are no guarantees that Oklahoma City keeps this pick. If it does, it wouldn't be out of the question for Oklahoma City to select someone like Adetokunbo, who it can stash for a couple of years in Europe to see how he develops. (DraftExpress.com)
DraftExpress.com's Jonathan Givony provides his second NBA mock draft. For more in-depth scouting reports and analysis of the 2013 NBA draft, visit DraftExpress.com.
