With the 2013 NBA Draft just over two weeks away, the Cleveland Cavaliers have yet to tip their hand on which way they're leaning with the No. 1 overall selection. Nerlens Noel is projected by many to be the first player taken, but as ESPN's Andy Katz indicates, the lanky center out of Kentucky will be visiting with the Washington Wizards and possibly the Charlotte Bobcats before meeting with the Cavaliers. Katz also says Cleveland has received a lot of phone calls about the No. 1 pick.
NBA Draft 2013 rumors roundup: Nerlens Noel planning visits with Cavaliers, Wizards
As the draft gets closer and closer, it’s still unclear how the top few picks will shake out. Here are the latest rumors from around the league.
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Cleveland owner Dan Gilbert’s stated desire to see his team out of the draft lottery and back in the playoffs next season has led some to speculate Noel, who is recovering from a torn ACL, might not be an ideal fit for the franchise. Whether another team plans on moving up for the first pick remains to be seen, but the top selection is thought to be in-play for the right price.
-- In a separate report from The Plain Dealer, Noel will visit with Cleveland on June 20. The primary concern with his draft stock: the status and progression of his surgically repaired left ACL, which was torn back in February.
-- Otto Porter (scouting report) is another prospect expected to be selected very early in the first round. According to Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer, Porter will work out for all three teams with a top-three selection (Cleveland, Orlando and Washington).
It seems highly unlikely that the Georgetown forward drops out of the top-three, especially with him appearing to be a good fit in Washington alongside John Wall and Bradley Beal. The Wizards' need for a small forward, and Porter's ability to affect games defensively and without the ball on offense, makes it seem like a perfect match.
-- In other draft news, there are a handful of prospects rising up draft boards across the league. One of them is New Mexico wing Tony Snell (scouting report). According to a couple of NBA executives, Snell has solidified himself a spot in the first round.
Snell averaged just 12.5 points per game last season at UNM as a junior, although he’s regarded as a solid defender and shooter from all over the floor.
-- Another prospect who has not heard his name mentioned much leading up to the draft is Grant Jerrett (scouting report). The lanky forward out of Arizona surprised everyone when he declared after just one season in Tucson, averaging just 5.2 points and 3.6 rebounds per game.
According to a tweet from Adrian Wojnarowski, Jerrett has impressed in workouts and is rising on team draft boards. The 19-year-old forward is likely years away from contributing, but he’s got the length and shooting touch to be a valuable stretch-four for years to come if given proper time to develop.
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