With just nine days to go before the 2013 NBA draft, it's time for another update of our mock draft.
In the past few weeks, teams have been taking players through interviews and strenuous workouts in an attempt to finalize their draft boards. While most teams tell me they're still a week or so away from settling things, we're starting to get a little bit of clarity.
I've been speaking with numerous NBA team sources about how the draft might play out on June 27.
Here's our latest update on how we see things going.
MORE DRAFT CONTENT:
Ford's Big Board | Ford's Top 100 | Who's In, Who's Out
1
Nerlens Noel
Cleveland Cavaliers
COLLEGE: Kentucky
AGE: 18
HT: 7-0
WT: 206
POS: C
Analysis: The Cavs have been talking to teams for weeks about a trade, but they are finding a limited market and at this point are likely to keep the pick.
Sources in Cleveland strongly suggest that the Cavs have yet to make their decision. Anthony Bennett, Ben McLemore, Victor Oladipo, Otto Porter, Alex Len and Noel all have visits and/or workouts scheduled in Cleveland this week. Noel is scheduled to visit the team Thursday and has a chance to seal the deal as the No. 1 pick if he performs well.
Noel remains on top because he fits the profile of a player the Cavs prefer to draft -- the player with the most long-term upside. That's why they picked Tristan Thompson and Dion Waiters at No. 4 the past couple of years and why Noel remains the favorite. Sources say Noel's strongest competition right now is Len, whom some in the organization favor because he, too, has size and defensive ability, but he's less raw and should be cleared to play much sooner than Noel.
2
Victor Oladipo
Orlando Magic
COLLEGE: Indiana
AGE: 20
HT: 6-4
WT: 213
POS: SG
Analysis: The Magic are in the hunt for Eric Bledsoe. If they can address their point guard issue via trade, they're free to take the best player available at this spot. Oladipo and Ben McLemore are widely seen as the two best fits in Orlando. While McLemore might have more pure upside, I continue to hear that Oladipo has the upper hand. McLemore was in Orlando last week, but according to multiple accounts, his workout wasn't terrific. Noel is a strong possibility, too, if he doesn't go No. 1 to the Cavs.
3
Otto Porter
Washington Wizards
COLLEGE: Georgetown
AGE: 20
HT: 6-9
WT: 198
POS: SF
Analysis: The Wizards continue to be in a strong position at No. 3. The two players they really like -- Porter and UNLV's Anthony Bennett -- are both on the board here. Both are getting looks from the Cavs, but neither is the favorite at this point. There continues to be a pretty strong debate on this one inside the front office, and it might come down to risk aversion for the Wizards. Do they go with more of a sure thing (Porter) or gamble on the guy with more upside (Bennett)?