2014 NBA Mock Draft
By Michael Schneid
UPDATED: September 9th (Originally published in July 2013)
1. 76ers - Andrew Wiggins, SF, Kansas
2. Magic - Jabari Parker, SF, Duke
3. Suns - Julius Randle, SF/PF, Kentucky
4. Celtics - Marcus Smart, G, Oklahoma State
5. Hornets (formerly known as Bobcats) - Aaron Gordon, SF, Arizona
UPDATED: September 9th (Originally published in July 2013)
The 2014 draft is
already highly anticipated. Many consider Andrew Wiggins to be the best
high school player since Lebron James.
Unlike the 2013 draft that just passed, there is no suspense. The Cavs, somewhat surprisingly took Anthony Bennett first overall and there was no consensus top player. But 2014, Wiggins is going to be the first pick. It's just a matter of who gets lucky. Many teams will "tank" this upcoming season but the NBA lottery system means you still have to get lucky to get the first pick, and Wiggins.
After Wiggins, the draft is open, however the top few players are all considered "can't-miss" prospects. Jabari Parker and Julius Randle, in particular are among the players who will go in the top 5, and Oklahome State guard Marcus Smart decided to return to school for his sophmore season, despite the fact he likely would have been a top 5 pick in the 2013 draft.
Unlike the 2013 draft that just passed, there is no suspense. The Cavs, somewhat surprisingly took Anthony Bennett first overall and there was no consensus top player. But 2014, Wiggins is going to be the first pick. It's just a matter of who gets lucky. Many teams will "tank" this upcoming season but the NBA lottery system means you still have to get lucky to get the first pick, and Wiggins.
After Wiggins, the draft is open, however the top few players are all considered "can't-miss" prospects. Jabari Parker and Julius Randle, in particular are among the players who will go in the top 5, and Oklahome State guard Marcus Smart decided to return to school for his sophmore season, despite the fact he likely would have been a top 5 pick in the 2013 draft.
Below is our very, very early 2014 mock draft, which we will update over the next 11 months.
For
the sake of argument, we tried to list the teams in order of worst to
first.
In the east, we have replaced Bucks, Hawks, and Celtics in the playoffs with Pistons, Wizards, and Cavs. In the west, the Pelicans and Wolves replaced the Lakers and Nuggets. It is still early in the off-season and as we update the mock draft, the order of teams will certainly update as well.
*Also note, this mock draft does not include Australian guard Dante Exum, who is expected to go to college in 2014, but is eligible for the draft and would be a top 10 pick if he were to declare.
In the east, we have replaced Bucks, Hawks, and Celtics in the playoffs with Pistons, Wizards, and Cavs. In the west, the Pelicans and Wolves replaced the Lakers and Nuggets. It is still early in the off-season and as we update the mock draft, the order of teams will certainly update as well.
*Also note, this mock draft does not include Australian guard Dante Exum, who is expected to go to college in 2014, but is eligible for the draft and would be a top 10 pick if he were to declare.
1. 76ers - Andrew Wiggins, SF, Kansas
2. Magic - Jabari Parker, SF, Duke
3. Suns - Julius Randle, SF/PF, Kentucky
4. Celtics - Marcus Smart, G, Oklahoma State
5. Hornets (formerly known as Bobcats) - Aaron Gordon, SF, Arizona
6. Kings - Andrew Harrison, PG, Kentucky
7. Bucks - Joel Embiid, C, Kansas
7. Bucks - Joel Embiid, C, Kansas
8. Jazz - Gary Harris, SG, Michigan State
9. Lakers - Glenn Robinson, SF, Michigan
10. Mavs - Dario Saric, SF, Croatia
11. Raptors - Doug McDermott, F, Creighton
12. Hawks - Isaiah Austin, C, Baylor
12. Hawks - Isaiah Austin, C, Baylor
12. Wizards - Willie Cauley-Stein, C, Kentucky
13. Blazers - Cory Jefferson, F, Baylor
14. Nuggets - Wayne Selden, SG, Kansas
15. Cavs - Mitch McGary, PF/C, Michigan
16. Wizards - Caleb Tarczewski, C, Arizona
16. Wizards - Caleb Tarczewski, C, Arizona
17. 76ers (from Pelicans) - Spencer Dinwiddle, SG, Colorado
18. Pistons - CJ Fair, SF, Syracuse
19. Wolves - James McAdoo, PF, UNC
20. Grizzlies - Adreian Payne, PF, Michigan State
21. Nuggets (from Knicks) - Montrezl Harrell, PF, Louisville
22. Bulls - James Young, SG, Kentucky
23. Thunder - Jahii Carson, SG, Arizona State
24. Rockets - Semaj Christian, PG, Xavier
25. Pacers - Fuquan Edwin, G/F, Seton Hall
26. Jazz (from Warriors) - AJ Hammons, C, Purdue
27. Nets - Jerami Grant, SF, Syracuse
28. Spurs - Chris Walker, PF, Florida
29. Clippers - Sean Kilpatrick, SG, Cincinnati
30. Heat - Rasheed Sulaimon, SG, Duke
Other First Round Possibilities:
Aaron Harrison, Kentucky
Jarnell Stokes, Tennessee
Dakari Johnson, C, Kentucky
Mario Hezonja, Croatia
Kyle Anderson, SF, UCLA
Chane Behanan, Louisville
CJ Fair, Syracuse
LaQuinton Ross, Ohio State
PJ Hairston, UNC
TJ Warren, NC State
Trades:
- Nuggets have the Knicks first round pick from the Carmelo Anthony trade
- Warriors traded Jazz first round pick to take on Andris Biedrins and Richard Jefferson contracts.
- 76ers own Pelicans first round pick from Jrue Holiday trade
Other First Round Possibilities:
Aaron Harrison, Kentucky
Jarnell Stokes, Tennessee
Dakari Johnson, C, Kentucky
Mario Hezonja, Croatia
Kyle Anderson, SF, UCLA
Chane Behanan, Louisville
CJ Fair, Syracuse
LaQuinton Ross, Ohio State
PJ Hairston, UNC
TJ Warren, NC State
I really think with all the draft picks Celtics have stockpiled through the next 5 years they will have two top ten picks. One earned by tanking season and another by dealing multiple picks and possible players as Jeff Green or Avery Bradley. I'm hoping as a fan its Smart and Parker
ReplyDeleteN. Vonleh & K. Hill ( both freshman) have first round talent if they declare.
ReplyDeleteA lot of 1st round projections will slip into the second round....2014 draft is packed....
ReplyDeleteWith several franchise players and a lot of depth, the 2014 draft could possibly be the best draft ever. 2015 will be a solid draft as well with big men K. Townes, M. Turner , C Alexander , T Lyles & J. Oakafer.
ReplyDelete