Not only will Cleveland have their second No. 1 overall pick in the past three drafts, this will be their fourth top-four pick during that span. In addition to Noel (or whichever prospect they will select here), the Cavs have selected Kyrie Irving, Tristan Thompson and Dion Waiters in the previous two drafts.
Before an ACL injury ended his season prematurely, Noel was the most likely choice to be the first overall pick in this year's draft. In a relatively weak class, however, it's still extremely possible that Noel ends up being the first prospect to hear his name called on June 27th.
While Noel lacks a polished offensive game, he led the nation in blocked shots (4.4 per game) and averaged 9.5 rebounds per contest. Before he sustained the injury against Florida on February 12th, Noel had three of his five double-doubles in the previous three games as his game continued to improve.
2. Orlando Magic: Ben McLemore, SG, Kansas
An athletic off guard with good size, McLemore is the best pure shooter in this year's draft class and connected on 42 percent of his three-pointers this season.
3. Washington Wizards: Otto Porter, SF, Georgetown
The Wizards have put together a solid backcourt duo in John Wall, the No. 1 pick in 2011, and Bradley Beal, the third overall pick last year. Although they have a top-three pick, they were much better than their record indicated once Wall returned from injury in January. Losing all but four of their first 32 games, they closed the season with a 25-25 record in their final 50 games.
While Porter may not have an extremely high ceiling, he is a solid all-around contributor and efficient player.
4. Charlotte Hornets: Alex Len, C, Maryland
The glass-half-full view: Charlotte tripled their win total from 2011 to 2012. The glass-half-empty view: Charlotte lost nearly three times more games than they won. Over the past two seasons, they have compiled a cumulative 28-121 record.
Skilled on the offensive end for a seven-footer, Len can play with his back to the basket as well as knock down mid-range jumpers. Unfortunately for the 20-year-old Ukrainian, Len suffered a stress fracture in his foot that could potentially cause him to slip below this point.
5. Phoenix Suns: Victor Oladipo, SG, Indiana
Oladipo is one of my favorite players in this year's draft class. Not only is he a tremendous athlete with the ability to play lock-down defense, but he has improved tremendously on the offensive end.
6. New Orleans Pelicans: Trey Burke, PG, Michigan
Several mocks have Burke going second overall to the Magic, however, I don't see that happening. If he's available when the Pelicans are on the clock, he would make sense for the re-named franchise.
The only knock on Burke, who is just shy of 6-foot tall, is his height. Burke ranked eighth in the country in assists (6.8 per game) and averaged 19.2 points, 2.0 three-pointers and 1.6 steals per game as he led the Wolverines to the national championship game against Louisville.
7. Sacramento Kings: Anthony Bennett, SF/PF, UNLV
Unable to work out for teams leading up to the draft due to shoulder surgery, Bennett is a 'tweener that can score the basketball. He averaged 16.1 points per game and connected on 38.3 percent of his three's.
8. Detroit Pistons: Michael Carter-Williams, PG, Syracuse
Carter-Williams is a true point guard with excellent length at the position. He was tied for fourth in the country in assists (7.6 per game), but he will need to improve his outside shot. Last year, he shot less than 40 percent from the field and only 27.9 percent from behind the arc.
Going into the past season, Muhammad was viewed as a possible No. 1 overall pick. While his draft stock has slid quite a bit since that point, the good news for Muhammad is this year's draft class is much weaker than next year's group.
Like Muhammad, Zeller has seen his draft stock slide over the course of the collegiate season and he will almost certainly be the second player from his alma mater to be selected. While he's not a physical big man, Zeller runs for the floor well and has excellent athleticism and a solid offensive game. No player had a higher standing leap than Zeller (35.5 inches) at the NBA Combine.
11. Philadelphia 76ers: Kelly Olynyk, C, Gonzaga
As a Sixers fan, it was frustrating to watch a wasted season with Andrew Bynum and I playing the same number of games. To be fair, Bynum had more success at the lanes and is a better flamenco dancer than I am.
Like Zeller, Olynyk is a skilled offensive player for a seven-footer, but he is not as physical as you would like in a big man. Olynyk helped lead Gonzaga to their first-ever No. 1 seed in tournament history as he averaged 17.5 points and 7.2 rebounds per game while shooting 63 percent from the field.
12. Oklahoma City Thunder (from TOR): Rudy Gobert, PF/C, France
As much as he lacks polish, he possesses an equal amount of upside. Gobert has a freakish 7-foot-9 wingspan, which was the longest of any players at the combine.
Perhaps O.J. Mayo will work out a long-term deal with the Mavs, but he said in April that he plans to decline the player option on his contract for the 2013-14 season. Caldwell-Pope is an excellent shooter and averaged 18.5 points for the Bulldogs this past season.
14. Utah Jazz: Dennis Schroeder, PG, Germany
Schroeder has a huge wingspan (nearly 6-foot-8) for a 6-foot-2 point guard prospect with explosive speed and quickness to beat players off the dribble.
Three of Utah's point guards (Mo Williams, Jamaal Tinsley and Earl Watson) are scheduled for unrestricted free agency this summer.
15. Milwaukee Bucks: C.J. McCollum, PG/SG, Lehigh
Missing most of the 2012-13 season with a broken foot, McCollum knocked down more than half of his treys when he was on the court and averaged 23.9 points per game. Both Monta Ellis (player option) and J.J. Redick are unrestricted free agents this summer and Brandon Jennings is a restricted free agent.
