2013 NBA Mock Draft - Lottery Projections, Predictions, Picks & Date: Where Do Trey Burke, Ben McLemore Fall In The Draft?

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First Posted: Mar 30, 2013 03:30 PM EDT

Only 10 games or so are left in the 2012-13 NBA season, but already, the season has long been over for some NBA teams.

While 16 NBA teams will be heading for the NBA playoffs and dreaming of NBA titles, 14 teams will be packing up and heading home for the summer with dreams of what could have been. And at the same time, across the nation, some of the most electrifying, promising young NBA draft prospects are either heating up in NCAA Tournament action, questing for a national title, or they're heading home and looking possibly to the NBA Draft.

With the NBA regular season having taken shape the way it has, it looks like the draft picture is becoming a little clearer heading into the June 27 NBA Draft. Which teams will have the best shot at netting a top-notch college player? And can any of these prospects help these teams get out of the doldrums and into the penthouse of the NBA standings?

The last draft yielded gems like 'NBA Rookie of the Year' frontrunner Damien Lillard and powerhouse Anthony Davis. Which college standouts will be a cut above the rest in the NBA? Latinos Post breaks down the likely order of the NBA Draft:

1. Charlotte Bobcats -- Trey Burke, Guard, Michigan

Averaging 18.8 points with 6.7 assists in the regular season, Burke showed the world Friday night that he has a flair for clutch play as well, scoring 23 points and leading the Wolverines in a dramatic 87-85 overtime win over No.1-seeded Kansas in the Sweet 16. That's something that the lowly Bobcats could sorely use.

2. Orlando Magic -- Otto Porter, Small Forward, Georgetown

He's athletic and explosive, having averaged 16.2 points and 7.5 rebounds for the Hoyas. Orlando is lacking a presence in the frontline since the departure of Dwight Howard. It all seems to fit in Porter's favor.

3. Cleveland Cavaliers -- Victor Oladipo, guard, Indiana

A guard who can play defense, Oladipo, a lead contender for national Player of the Year, would look good complementing Kyrie Irving in the backcourt in Cleveland.

4. Phoenix Suns -- Doug McDermott, forward, Creighton

Big, strong and an impressive shooter, McDermott scored 23.2 points and grabbed 7.7 rebounds for the Jays this season and looked very impressive in the tourney against Cincinnati, where he scored 27 points on 7-of-15 shooting. He could give the Suns speed and a nice shooting touch, both assets in the ever-competitive Western Conference.

5. Detroit Pistons -- Kelly Olynyk, forward, Gonzaza

The big seven-footer was a force for President Obama's pick to win the NCAA title this season, netting 17.8 points and 7.3 rebounds for the Bulldogs. He would give the Pistons size and speed down low either at center or in the power forward spot.

6. New Orleans Hornets -- Ben McLemore, guard, Kansas

McLemore, the Jayhawks' quick and high-scoring guard, averaged 15.8 points and 5.3 rebounds for Kansas and was very impressive in a heartbreaking Friday Sweet 16 loss to Michigan, scoring 20 points on 8-of-15 shooting. His speed would be an asset to the Hornets' backcourt, which already features Greivis Vasquez. Added in with Robin Lopez and Anthony Davis and this could be the start of a very good young New Orleans team.

7. Washington Wizards -- Nerlens Noel, forward, Kentucky

Yeah, it's a little hard to see a player as explosive as Noel, who would be a No.1 draft pick, fall so far down, but after tearing his ACL, it could really hurt his stock. Still, Noel would fit right in with John Wall's team as an athletic forward to give the team a little bit of spring in their step.

8. Minnesota Timberwolves -- Shane Larkin, guard, Miami

The speedy Larkin was a sparkplug for the Hurricanes in the 2012-13 season, averaging 14.5 points and 4.6 assists, having a strong showing in the NCAA tournament as well to finish up the season. Larkin would compliment the sensational Ricky Rubio in the backcourt nicely.

9. Sacramento Kings -- Mason Plumlee, center, Duke

Plumlee, a 6'10" 2009 All-American, averaged 17.1 points and 9.9 rebounds for Duke this season, making him one of the best centers in college hoops. He could serve as either a great power forward or a reliable sub for DeMarcus Cousins.

10. Toronto Raptors -- Jeff Withey, center, Kansas

Withey was a huge part of Kansas' run this season. He can score, rebound and block and could add toughness to John Wall's team.

 

 

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