The NBA Draft is just weeks away and as the San Antonio Spurs and the Miami Heat go at each other in the NBA finals, teams and general manager's around the league are scouting players and deciding on what to do in the draft and some of the top picks include names like Nerlens Noel, Victor Oladipo, Otto Porter and Ben McLemore.
The teams at the top have all been mentioned in trade rumors, but for this purpose let's just look at who they will take if they sit tight, as the Cleveland Cavaliers, Orlando Magic, Washington Wizards and Charlotte Bobcats have the first four picks before the Phoenix Suns round out the top five. The Cavaliers are reportedly concerned about the injury history of Noel and that could get them to either trade the pick or go for someone else entirely and that leaves Victor Oladipo as the likely option, as he is rising up draft boards right now. Noel will likely be the pick as he is considered to top overall talent in the draft, but his injury last season may scare away the Cavs, who feel they can contend for the playoffs next season.
Noel showed during his short time in college that he has a great haircut, but he also showed that he is one of the best defenders in college basketball and the Cavs love his shot blocking and rebounding ability. The team already has Dion Waiters from last season at the position, although that may not stop the team from taking him if they like his skills despite already having some depth. The team could fall in love with Victor Oladipo or Ben McLemore, but the chances are that the pick will be Noel.
The Orlando Magic have been mentioned in trade rumors early on in the draft process and if they hang onto the pick, they will have some talented options to pick from, including Oladipo and McLemore, as well as options in Otto Porter and Trey Burke. McLemore is considered by many to be the number two pick and despite the trade rumors, he could end up being selected here, as the Magic have a solid young core and adding a player of McLemore's talent could elevate the roster. McLemore would come in with Arron Afflalo already there, but the Magic could decide to trade him in a deal before that point.
The Washington Wizards have also been mentioned in trade rumors for the pick, although Otto Porter would be valuable at that spot, as he has talent to be a number one or number two pick. Depending on what happens with Oladipo or Alex Len, the pick could be changed at number three. Porter would be going to his college town team after playing at Georgetown and his performance down the stretch may get him picked early in the top five. The Charlotte Bobcats have some big choices to make to try and get better and the choice could be Alex Len out of Maryland, as he was one of the best big men in the nation last season.
The picks could change, but the top five mock as of mid-June could look like this:
--Cavaliers: Nerlens Noel
--Magic: Victor Oladipo
--Wizards: Ben McLemore
--Bobcats: Alex Len
--Suns: Trey Burke
