2013 NBA Mock Draft: Thunder select Mason Plumlee in 1st round

It might be difficult to believe, but the first official mock drafts are already emerging for the 2013 NBA Draft. It's a sign that the news cycle is never satisfied to leave things in the present and that fan bases are always energized for the future. To that end, the latest Hoops Hype mock draft has the Oklahoma City Thunder looking in a familiar direction -- toward another big man that they hope can help bolster the front court, this time with Duke's Mason Plumlee as the selection.

Perry Jones III was the choice this season, but it's clear that the Thunder are still in need of developmental big men. They signed Hasheem Thabeet this offseason and lost Cole Aldrich. It's also hard to predict just how long Kendrick Perkins might be around. In short, it's a decent addition here late in the first round. From the draft profile:

Mason Plumlee is a better version of his brother Miles, who miraculously landed in the late-first round in 2012. So there's reason to believe that Mason should be able to duplicate that and find a spot somewhere in the mid-to-late first round. While he's not overly skilled in the post, he is very explosive, runs the floor well and shows a willingness to fight for rebounds and play tough in the paint.

Plumlee averaged 11.1 points and 9.2 rebounds per game in 2011-12.