The NBA season is over. Lottery odds and draft orders are set. The early entry list is in. NBA teams finally are beginning the workout process.
That means it's time for the second edition of our first-round mock draft.
In drawing up our second mock draft, we've taken into account team needs, but very little is set in stone. Expect things to fluctuate greatly over the course of the next two months. The NBA draft combine in Chicago is a little more than a week away. Typically a handful of players will see significant movement in their draft stock based on the combine. Further, we won't know the results of the NBA draft lottery until May 21.
Thus, the mock draft order begins with the lottery teams that own the greatest possibility of winning the No. 1 pick (by percentage), then followed by the remaining teams in reverse order of the final regular-season standings. If you want to see what your team might do with their No. 1 pick, check out our Lottery Mock Draft Machine that features more than 2,000 scenarios.
MORE DRAFT CONTENT:
Chad Ford's Big Board | Ford's Top 100 | Who's In, Who's Out | The Lottery Machine
1
Nerlens Noel
Orlando Magic (25 percent chance to win lottery)
COLLEGE: Kentucky
AGE: 18
HT: 6-11
WT: 215
POS: C
Analysis: I'm not sure there will be a Disney World parade down the streets of Orlando if the Magic win the No. 1 pick. According to sources, Orlando had its heart set on Oklahoma State's Marcus Smart until he broke its heart when he decided to stay in college. While the Magic need just about everything, point guard might be their biggest area of need. So, does Orlando roll the dice on Trey Burke or do they go after Noel, who gives the Magic something else they desperately need (shot blocking)? The Magic were tied for 24th in the league in blocked shots and could use an athlete in the paint next to Nikola Vucevic. While there will be a solid argument for Burke here, high-ceiling players like Noel are hard to come by.
2
Ben McLemore
Charlotte Bobcats (19.9)
COLLEGE: Kansas
AGE: 20
HT: 6-5
WT: 195
POS: SG
Analysis: The Bobcats need everything. With the possible exception of 2012's No. 2 pick, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, the team requires upgrades everywhere. McLemore makes a lot of sense here. The Bobcats ranked 27th in the league in 3-point shooting percentage last season, and McLemore has a beautiful stroke. Anthony Bennett and Alex Len are other possibilities, though their recent injuries cast doubt on whether teams would take them this high.
3
Otto Porter
Cleveland Cavaliers (15.6)
COLLEGE: Georgetown
AGE: 19
HT: 6-8
WT: 200
POS: SF
Analysis: Porter is the perfect fit for Cleveland, and according to sources he is the No. 2-ranked player on the Cavs' board right now. With two dynamic scorers in their backcourt and good size up front, they need a wing like Porter who can excel without having the offense run through him.