:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/13473281/20130516_jel_sl8_019.0.jpg)
2013 NBA Mock Drafts are being updated to reflect the results of Tuesday's lottery drawing.
Here's who the mock drafters see the Portland Trail Blazers selecting with the No. 10 pick.
This post will update as more mock drafts come in.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
Analysis: Caldwell-Pope didn't have a great showing at the combine. His jump shot wasn't falling, and while he tested well in the speed category, his vertical jump wasn't particularly impressive. Nevertheless, multiple GMs told me they think he'll end up be a top-10 pick. He can shoot better than he showed at the combine, and he has prototypical size for the position.
Ford had the same selection prior to the lottery drawing.
Jonathan Givony of Draft Express...
...
A 1992-born prospect who won't turn 20 until a few days before the upcoming draft, Gobert got his first significant taste of high-level competition this season, playing rotation minutes for Cholet in France. He shot almost 80% from the field in Pro A, while showing impressive potential as a rebounder and shot blocker. The progress he's made since last season is extremely promising, and he's maturing at a terrific rate.
The French big man still has a significant amount of work to do to fill out his 231-pound frame, will need to polish his offensive skills, and has to cut down on his foul-rate to keep himself on the floor, but the future is extremely bright for the young center. He's a player we'll be covering in significant detail this coming year, as he has all the talent to demand consideration for lottery status in the 2013 NBA draft.
More explanation from Givony at Yahoo! Sports...
10. Portland Trail Blazers Rudy Gobert (PF/C, 20 years, 7-2, 238, Cholet, International): Incoming GM Neil Olshey bagged a major steal with his very first draft selection, reeling in the eventual Rookie of the Year, Damian Lillard, with the No. 6 pick. The team was in the playoff hunt for much of the season but completely fell apart at the end, losing its final 13 games. Two additional major building blocks are already in place in LaMarcus Aldridge and Nicolas Batum, but the team will continue to look to add talent on the wing as well as at the center position, where undersized J.J. Hickson (a free agent this summer) rebounded admirably but struggled to contain the West's many talented big men. Portland ranked as the fifth-worst defensive team in the NBA last year according to Hoopdata, so Gobert's ability to lock down the paint with his 7-8 1/2 wingspan and 9-7 standing reach could be very useful.
Video via YouTube user hoopsfix.
Sean Deveney of Sporting News...
10. Portland. Dario Saric, SF/PF, Croatia. Portland needs immediate help off the bench, but might not get it in this draft. Saric is a big combo forward who (eventually) could make an ideal sixth man, a playmaker who can also score in the paint. Some teams see him as soft, but his basketball IQ is not in doubt.
10 Alex Len C Maryland Sophomore 7-1 255
The Blazers need a starting center, and Len oozes potential. He's a physical 5-man who rebounds well, protects the paint (2.1 blocks per game) and can play with his back to the basket. A stress fracture in his left ankle will keep him out of individual workouts, and that could hurt his stock; teams would like to see some signs of a diverse offensive game. But that could work well for Portland, which needs some muscle alongside LaMarcus Aldridge.
Dario Saric 6-10 225 PF Split Croatia 1994
The Blazers don't have a real position of need but a versatile forward such as Saric would help boster their frontcourt. Saric is an immensely skilled forward who was a point guard in his junior years but due to his growth spurt has become a forward. He lacks the foot speed to defend on the wing which means he must continue to put weight on and become a power forward. He has tremendous ball handling, passing and feel for the game, but whether or not he has the quickness to utilize those skills is the question. He still has a lot of work to do on his jump shot, but his desire to be great makes him one of the top international prospect for this years draft, despite some physical limitations. NBA Comparison: Dejan Bodiroga
Jeff Goodman of CBSSports.com...
Cody Zeller, C, Indiana: Runs the court as well as just about any big man anywhere, and would be a nice complement to LaMarcus Aldridge on Portland's frontline. (Previous: 9)
Jonathan Tjarks of SBNation.com...
10. Portland Trail Blazers -- Cody Zeller, Indiana
Picks nine through 11 are right about where this draft starts to tail off, so Portland is just taking whomever falls to them. Zeller and LaMarcus Aldridge would be a really interesting frontcourt tandem, at least offensively.
Scott Howard-Cooper of NBA.com...
10. Trail Blazers, Alex Len, Maryland, C, 7-1, 255
Expect the Blazers, already playing a lot of kids and in position for a playoff push, to explore trade possibilities to add a veteran or maybe multiple players for much-needed depth.
Steve Alexander of Rotoworld...
10. Portland Trail Blazers - Cody Zeller F/C Indiana
Zeller's one-dimensional game was exposed in the tournament, but he's still slated for a lottery pick and the Blazers seem to always be looking for centers. Zeller's probably going to be a better NBA player than what he showed in the tourney and his ability to run the floor will work in his favor. His standing vertical leap of 35.5 inches was particularly impressive at the combine, and only helped his stock. In short, no player standing 6'9" over the last 10 years has been able to get up as high as Zeller did last week.
-- Ben Golliver | benjamin.golliver@gmail.com | Twitter