NBA Mock Draft 2013: Predicting Picks 21-30

25. Los Angeles Clippers: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Georgia (SG)

Age: 20 (Sophomore)

Height/Weight: 6’6/204

Mar 14, 2013; Nashville, TN, USA; Georgia Bulldogs guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (1) is defended by LSU Tigers guard Malik Morgan (24) during the second round of the SEC tournament at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Don McPeak-USA TODAY Sports

This young guard has the potential to be something great for a Clippers team that may be staring at a Chris Paul-less future. That leaves a big hole in the backcourt.

Caldwell-Pope shows a lot of potential off the bench or as an emergency starter for a team that needs athleticism and shooting at the guard slot. He relies heavily on his jumpshot, which is a blessing and a curse. On one hand, when done well, it provides his team with a versatile weapon. But if it falls cold, he has little else, as he doesn’t explode around the basket particularly well.

In addition, his degree of skill with more difficult shots means that he will too often choose them over higher percentage looks.

All that makes him a risky pick, especially for someone who can be stopped fairly well by a longer, bigger defender.

Additionally, while he expends a lot of effort on defense himself, he isn’t particularly long. That means that very minor errors on the defensive end allow him to be beat quickly.  He’s raw handling the ball and finishing, with the tools to be a fantastic defender and shooter. He should complement any team very well that wants an easily-made wing defender that can be a secondary or tertiary offensive option.