NBA Mock Draft 2014: Updated Forecast for Entire 1st Round
The anticipation surrounding the 2014 NBA draft is at an unreal level, but it's understandable.
This is one of the best classes we've seen in quite some time. Teams were falling over themselves—literally, in some cases—to get a top pick, and it will be compelling to see how things play out with so much talent from top to bottom.
Several events—draft lottery, workouts, etc.—plan to shake things up considerably, but with such an intriguing draft, it's never too early to take a glance at the current outlook of the first round.
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1. Milwaukee Bucks: Joel , C, Kansas
An argument could be made for any one of Joel , Parker or Andrew Wiggins, and the lottery will go a long way in determining who hears his name called first.
Skilled 7-foot centers are typically more difficult to find than athletic scorers on the perimeter, however, and that may eventually tip the scales in favor.
Unbelievably advanced for a player with just three years of organized experience, the Cameroon standout has terrific footwork in the post, can score in a variety of ways, can pass out of double-teams, protects the rim at an elite level and rebounds well.
There are going to be injury concerns, but even at No. 1, the risk is worth it when the potential prize is a player with a Hakeem Olajuwon-type skill set.
2. Philadelphia : Andrew Wiggins, SG/SF, Kansas
The rebuild will likely continue in 2014-15 for the Philadelphia , who will be turning over lots of minutes to rookie-again Noel, as well as young guards Michael Carter-Williams and Tony . Outside of that, the roster is mostly unpredictable.
With the playoffs still more than a year away, Wiggins has to be the pick.
Although the 19-year-old showed some inconsistency at Kansas, he has the highest ceiling in the draft. Blessed with out-of-this-planet athleticism, he is a nightmare for defenders in transition and has the potential to be both a great shooter and a lockdown defender.
Again, while he may not win Rookie of the Year, he adds to a tantalizing future core.
3. Orlando Magic: Parker, SF, Duke
He doesn't have the upside of or Wiggins, but Parker probably could have scored 15 points per game for the Orlando Magic this season.
There are concerns about where the " forward will fit in terms of position in the NBA, and his defense still leaves much to be desired, but the Chicago native is an unbelievably gifted scorer.
Capable of scoring off the dribble, in transition, off the catch or in the post, he immediately gives an offensive boost to the Magic, who finished 29th in the NBA in points per 100 possessions this season.
It's hard to call someone a steal at No. 3, but Parker has No. 1 talent.
4. Utah Jazz: Julius Randle, PF, Kentucky
The worst defensive team in the league last season, the Jazz may give Marcus Smart, an absolute difference-maker on that side of the ball, a long look.
After drafting Trey Burke in the top 10 last year, though, it will be difficult to spend such a premium pick on another point guard.
Utah has a nice duo in Derrick Favors and Kanter, but Randle is simply too talented to pass up here. His strength, offensive arsenal and ability to control the paint are among several of his impressive traits.
5. Boston Celtics: Dante , PG/SG, Australia
Adding Dante gives the Boston Celtics some insurance, with uncertainty surrounding Rondo's future.
Even if Rondo remains in Boston past the final year of his contract, though, the Australian import is an excellent scorer with size and athleticism who can play off the ball and complement the pass-first point guard very nicely.
6. Los Angeles : Marcus Smart, PG, Oklahoma State
Smart didn't do his draft stock any favors during a tumultuous sophomore season, but this is still an intelligent player who is ready to contribute right away.
The former Cowboy is an inconsistent shooter, but he can create off the dribble and has a Tony ceiling when it comes to his defensive ability—something the desperately need on the perimeter.
Los Angeles needs a point guard for the future, and even though Smart has earned a bit of a negative reputation, he's a talented player who brings a lot of winning qualities to the storied franchise.
7. Sacramento Kings: Aaron Gordon, PF, Arizona
The Sacramento Kings can score. Cousins is turning into a bona fide superstar, Isaiah Thomas is electric with the ball in his hands, and Rudy Gay (who has a player option) has morphed into a model of efficiency after coming over from Toronto Raptors.
Throw in guys like Ben , Ray McCallum and Derrick Williams, and there are plenty of players on this roster who can put the ball in the hoop. What Mike Malone needs are players who will bring defense and energy to the table.
That's Aaron Gordon. The freakishly gifted athlete is still raw offensively and can be a nightmare at the free-throw line, but his rare physical gifts, length, leaping ability and intelligence make him an elite defender. Best of all, he's versatile, capable of up bigger players in the post or coming out to the perimeter to defend the NBA's most popular play, the pick-and-roll:
He still has a lot of room to grow, but he can help the Kings right away.
8. Detroit Pistons: Doug McDermott, SF/PF, Creighton
The Pistons finished 29th in three-point percentage last season and could use someone to help stretch the floor.
McDermott isn't going to put up the gaudy numbers he achieved in college, but he is arguably the best shooter in the class, has a versatile offensive skill set and can play a significant role right away.
Greg Monroe is a restricted free agent, and the expensive Josh Smith would be better served moving to the 4, opening up a spot at small forward for Dougie .
9. Cleveland Cavaliers: Rodney Hood, SF, Duke
Hood struggled a bit down the stretch, as Duke suffered an untimely second-round loss against Mercer, but that shouldn't take away from his talent.
Coming to the league with NBA size (", 215 pounds), he can shoot the lights out, plays stingy defense (albeit he's still inconsistent in that capacity) and is a polished role player.
The are itching to make a postseason run, and Hood is the kind of addition who can help make that happen as a rookie.
10. Philadelphia : Noah , PF, Indiana
Let's play the ol' blind-comparison game, with the stats courtesy of BBState.com (subscription needed):
| Player A | 18.9 | 49.6 | 20.4 | 0.9 | 2.1 |
| Player B | 17.0 | 56.0 | 21.4 | 1.9 | 4.0 |
Player A is Julius Randle, and Player B is Noah .
Randle got most of the attention this season, but was every bit as productive in his freshman campaign.
The former Hoosier is still a work in progress—which we've already determined is OK in Philadelphia's situation—but he is a tremendous and has the unique ability to stretch the floor on offense.
This is a bit of a dream scenario for the , as his upside makes him a potential top-six or pick.
11. Denver Nuggets: Gary Harris, SG, Michigan State
There's no consensus when it comes to the top shooting guard in this draft, but as we progress through offseason workouts, Gary Harris is going to vault to the top of the list.
The Michigan State sophomore just doesn't have many weaknesses. An extremely smooth athlete, he can shoot from or , create off the dribble and defend both wing positions.
Capable of making an impact right away a la Bradley Beal, Harris will be a nice pickup for a Nuggets team that should be in playoff contention in 2014-15.
12. Orlando Magic: Tyler Ennis, PG, Syracuse
Ennis is a cerebral, unselfish point guard who brings a rare calming presence as a 19-year-old.
That sentence describes a once-in-a-decade kind of player.
Although he's not the biggest player or best athlete, the former Syracuse star makes everyone around him better and gives the Magic the future floor general they need.
13. Minnesota : , SG, Michigan
The T-Wolves shot just 34.1 percent (fifth-worst) from beyond the arc this season and could use someone to come off the bench and immediately help in that area.
That someone is , a deadly sharpshooter who poured in 44.1 percent of his three-point attempts during his two-year career with Michigan.
The Big Ten player of the year is more than just a stone-cold shooter, though. He can handle the ball and distribute like a combo guard, making him tremendous value near the end of the lottery for the 'Wolves.
14. Phoenix Suns: James Young, SG/SF, Kentucky
P.J. Tucker is set to hit free agency, and the Suns may need some depth on the perimeter.
Enter James Young, a smooth left-hander with prototypical NBA size (", 215 lbs) who improved his stock immensely with a nice showing in the NCAA tournament.
15. Atlanta Hawks: Kyle Anderson, PG/SF, UCLA
The position next to Kyle Anderson's name says it all. This is an incredibly unique player who has the size (") to play either of the forward spots and the passing and ability to run the show at point.
His rare skill set and deliberate pace make him difficult to project, and his defense will be a concern, but this creative young talent will add an intriguing extra dynamic to any offense.
16. Chicago Bulls: Payne, PF, Michigan State
Carlos is an amnesty target, and if that happens, the Bulls will need some depth behind Noah and Gibson.
Payne is the type of hardworking, physical player that Tom would welcome, but he also provides length, athleticism and an ability to step outside and knock down shots from beyond the arc.
17. Boston Celtics: Dario , SF/PF, Croatia
Dario is a versatile forward who does a lot of good things on offense and is typically regarded as the second-best international (not counting guys like or Wiggins) prospect in the draft.
While he may not make a major contribution right away, he has lottery talent, and the C's are in the middle of rebuilding anyway.
18. Phoenix Suns: Grant, SF/PF, Syracuse
The Suns have some depth in the , but they don't have anyone quite like Grant.
There will be some size concerns for the " forward who looks like a small forward but typically plays like a power forward, but Grant is strong and athletic. He has a huge wingspan and the potential to be a monster on the defensive end.
Athleticism and defense in the could be exactly what the Suns need to take them to the next level in the West.
19. Chicago Bulls: T.J. Warren, SF, North Carolina State
The Bulls, who finished fourth to last during the regular season in points per 100 possessions and have continued to struggle on that side of the ball in the playoffs, need offense.
Getting Derrick Rose healthy will help, but Warren is one of the best natural scorers in this draft and can provide instant offense off the bench.
20. Toronto Raptors: Clint , PF/C, Switzerland
Raptors fans probably won't like seeing someone who isn't projected to contribute in the next year or two, but it will be difficult for Toronto to pass up this kind of talent at No. 20.
Although he needs to add bulk (222 pounds, per DraftExpress.com) Clint has the frame (" with a gaudy 7'4.5" wingspan) and explosive athleticism that scouts swoon over.
In terms of rising draft stock, you could be looking at this year's .
21. Oklahoma City Thunder: P.J. , SG, Texas Legends
The Thunder may use impending free agency to move Jeremy Lamb to the starting lineup, but they'll need depth on the wing behind the young shooting guard.
P.J. departure from North Carolina left an ugly taste in scouts' mouths, but the former Tar Heel has size, can shoot the lights out, can create off the dribble and played well during his stint in the D-League.
22. Memphis Grizzlies: Payton, PG, Louisiana-Lafayette
Nick proved capable as Mike Conley's backup at times, but the finished 26th in bench scoring and need a boost to their second unit in the .
Payton needs work on his jumper, but his amalgam of size, length, ball-handling and quickness makes him a dangerous scoring option from the point guard position.
23. Utah Jazz: K.J. , SF, Clemson
The Jazz already grabbed Julius Randle with their first pick, so adding some help on the perimeter—especially with Gordon Hayward being a restricted free agent this summer—makes sense here.
There are plenty of options, but don't be surprised if K.J. ' stock rises during individual workouts. He is a big, athletic prospect who not only will measure well but makes a living on the defensive side of the ball.
24. Charlotte Hornets: Early, SF/PF, Wichita State
Early is just tailor-made for the NBA.
An explosive athlete who thrives in transition, the Wichita State star has an inside-out offensive game and is a physical force inside the paint. There are worries about his size and where he'll fit, but he should have no trouble making a quick transition to the NBA.
Charlotte has a need on the perimeter, but getting Early here represents tremendous value.
25. Houston Rockets: , SG/SF, Serbia
Not only does he have the best name in the draft, but is a nice fit for the Rockets.
He has the three-point shooting and scoring ability that Daryl Morey and Houston covet, but at " with a " wingspan and athleticism, he also brings the perimeter defense that Houston needs.
26. Miami Heat: Napier, PG, Connecticut
Well, James has already given his endorsement:
And what wants, gets.
In all seriousness, though, the Heat could either use some help or some scoring off the bench. There isn't much in the former department that makes sense here, but Napier would accomplish the latter.
The two-time national champion is a dynamite point guard who can create for himself or others off the dribble and has limitless range on his jumper.
27. Phoenix Suns: Zach , PG/SG, UCLA
A roster can only be made up of so many rookies, and with two first-round picks already in the books, expect the Suns to spend this one on the future.
Guard obviously isn't a massive position of need for the suns with Eric Bledsoe and Goran already in town, but is a project. The UCLA standout has elite athleticism and quickness, but he still needs time to add strength and refine his overall game.
This is an upside pick all the way, and if lives up to explosive potential, this will look like a steal in a couple of years.
28. Los Angeles Clippers: Stokes, PF/C, Tennessee
Glen Davis has a player option, and Ryan Hollins is hitting free agency. Blake Griffin and Jordan make up one of the best duos in the Association, but the Clips are going to need some depth.
Stokes is an absolute load in the middle, and at " and 260 pounds with great length ("), he'll be able to provide solid defense and rebounding off the bench.
You could do a lot worse than a Blair-type role player at the end of the first round.
29. Oklahoma City Thunder: , C, Bosnia and Herzegovina
The Thunder grabbed Steven Adams in last year's draft, but this is a value pick.
probably won't make an impact for a year or two, but he pairs massive physical tools (", 280 pounds, " wingspan) with impressive agility and has the potential to be a dominant offensive center in the future.
With an already solid roster and a pick earlier in the round, the Thunder can afford to use this one on a project.
30. San Antonio Spurs: C.J. Wilcox, SG, Washington
C.J. Wilcox is one of the draft's best shooters, but he showed a well-rounded game as a senior with the Huskies, displaying the ability to put the ball on the floor or score from mid-range.
Manu , Danny Green and Marco are all nearing the end of their contracts, and Wilcox would be a nice addition to Gregg ever-important second unit.
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