Draft will have more suspense than last season

Published 11:45 pm Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Thursday night represents one of my favorite nights of the year – it’s NBA Draft time. It’s a one night union between two of my favorite loves, college and pro basketball.
There’s definitely a different feel when it comes to the Pelicans’ selection this season than last. We knew Anthony Davis and Austin Rivers were the very likely choices at 1 and at 10 in 2012.
But this year, with the Pelicans selecting at six? There is no absolute consensus number one overall pick, and that means nobody knows a thing, and the identity of the next hoopster to hit New Orleans will likely be a mystery.
But that said, here’s a (likely futile) attempt at breaking down the likely draft order.
1 – Charlotte (Via trade with Cleveland): Nerlens Noel, C, Kentucky. Here’s what we know about Cleveland: They’re absurdly lucky in the lottery process, and that they feel it’s time to make their push and start winning.
Noel’s the best player in this draft. He posted absurd defensive numbers. The mobile shot blocker is a rarity in the NBA. But Noel also brings an injured knee, and talk is he might sit out next season entirely.
The talk is that they might take Alex Len – I think they’re trying to scare Charlotte into a deal by making it seem that both centers will be off the board by four. Charlotte sends a protected first along with pick four and takes Noel.
2. Orlando – Ben McLemore, SG, Kansas. The Magic supposedly cooled on Mac after workouts and are now set on Trey Burke, but they’re also trying to deal for the Clippers’ Eric Bledsoe. Burke is probably a smokescreen to get the Clips to jump. They’ve been linked with McLemore all offseason and they’ll haul the draft’s best pure shooter.
3. Washington – Anthony Bennett, PF, UNLV. Washington has a strong backcourt and needs youth, scoring and preferably floor spacing in the front court. Bennett checks all those boxes.
4. Cleveland (from Charlotte): Otto Porter, SF, Georgetown. Porter’s one of my favorite players in this draft. This is the guy I think the Cavs really want to deal down for, and if they keep the first pick, he’s a darkhorse at one. Tayshaun Prince with a jumper.
5. Phoenix – Alex Len, Maryland. I can’t see Len dropping past five here. Too big, too athletic, too much potential.
6. New Orleans – Victor Oladipo, SG, Indiana. This was a ridiculously tough choice between Oladipo and Trey Burke. I’m gonna ride with Oladipo here because the Pelicans NEED a wing defender in the worst way. The team’s perimeter defense a season ago, more than anything else, was its biggest downfall. Oladipo adds a ton of athleticism, projects as a strong, strong defender and rebounder at guard, and just had one of the most efficient seasons I can remember at the college level offensively
I think drafting him would give the team a stopper to use rotationally early on, a guy that can swing between shooting guard and small forward, and a bit of insurance should Eric Gordon be injured again.
Passing Burke would make me queasy. I’m not sure I’d do it, and it would be a very difficult choice. But chances are, the team is going to have to make that decision, or one very similar.
And choosing between players is honestly a very good place to be.