2014 NBA Mock Draft: Best Possible Moves for Every 1st-Round Team
As the 2014 NBA season draws to a close, fans of all 30 teams aren't ready to say goodbye—and they won't have to with the draft taking place on June 26. That's enough time to catch your breath following the postseason and recharge the optimism battery that comes with the draft.
This year's class looks particularly strong at the top and boasts depth throughout the first round so that we won't have to focus on the players who didn't make it.
In fact, thanks to the talent in this draft, struggling teams will be able to supplement their rosters and compete for a postseason spot sooner than expected. Current playoff teams will be able to add valuable depth to their roster hoping to maintain their standing.
Here's our latest first-round projection, looking at the best moves that teams can make. The most essential moves are in italics.
1. Cleveland Cavaliers: Joel Embiid, C, Kansas
It's not exactly breaking news to see that a top prospect met with a team that has the No. 1 overall pick, but the whispers of Joel Embiid ending up in Cleveland are only going to get louder with ESPN's Jeff Goodman reporting the Kansas star visited the Cavaliers on June 10.
There are going to be lingering doubts about Embiid until he gets back on the court in game action after missing the Big 12 and NCAA tournaments with a back injury, but there are two factors that make him Cleveland's ideal pick: Size and raw talent.
Even though the NBA has transformed into a fast game with point guards ruling the league, the best teams are strongest in the middle. Embiid already has an NBA body as a 7'0", 250-pounder with the ability to add more bulk.
He's also still learning the game, having played just three years of organized basketball, according to NBADraft.net. The likelihood of the raw potential that we saw glimpses of with Kansas turning into a reality is enormous.
2. Milwaukee Bucks: Andrew Wiggins, SG, Kansas
The Bucks are in a great spot because their roster is so bad at every position that they can take the best player available without thinking twice. Andrew Wiggins is the kind of long, lean, athletic scorer a franchise like this can build around with plenty of room to grow as a ball-handler.
3. Philadelphia 76ers: Jabari Parker, SF, Duke
The 76ers actually boast a lot of young, developing talent already (Michael Carter-Williams, Thaddeus Young, the returning Nerlens Noel), so adding an accomplished scorer with size who isn't afraid to take a shot in the big moment will be huge.
4. Orlando Magic: Dante Exum, PG, Australia
This is the easiest pick of the first round. The Magic desperately need a true point guard after using Victor Oladipo, who is better as a 2-guard, at the spot last year. Jameer Nelson is an effective backup at this point in his career, especially with this roster.
ESPN's Chad Ford reported that Exum is going to Orlando for a private workout with the team before the draft, so what's to stop the Magic from pulling the trigger on him?
Exum has the size (6'6"), speed and passing skills to be a star right away. His shooting touch needs work, but no one in the draft is a better facilitator than the 18-year-old Australian.
5. Utah Jazz: Julius Randle, PF, Kentucky
The Jazz were an efficient defensive team last year, ranking 18th in points allowed per game, but they struggled scoring and rebounding. Julius Randle is a still-developing power forward with natural scoring ability and potent rebounder.
6. Boston Celtics: Aaron Gordon, PF, Arizona
Aaron Gordon just fits the Celtics style under Danny Ainge. He's a defense-first big man with athleticism and untapped offensive potential. He is a tweener as someone who is too big for the small forward position and not aggressive enough as a power forward.
7. Los Angeles Lakers: Marcus Smart, PG, Oklahoma State
It's time for the Lakers to build for the future. Point guard is a black hole on the roster, regardless of whether or not Steve Nash is around next season, that they have to fix. Marcus Smart does need to get better as a passer and facilitator, but he's got the physical style that will immediately endear him with Kobe Bryant.
8. Sacramento Kings: Noah Vonleh, PF, Indiana
The Kings could have one of the most interesting and best young frontcourts by pairing Noah Vonleh with DeMarcus Cousins. The Indiana star is moving up draft boards with his do-it-all style of play that will make him a fan favorite.
9. Charlotte Hornets: Dario Saric, SF, Croatia
The Hornets may have made the playoffs last year, but this roster is still a mess that needs help. Dario Saric has one of the highest ceilings in the draft as a versatile 6'10" 20-year-old with a great shooting touch and vision on the floor.
10. Philadelphia 76ers: Gary Harris, SG, Michigan State
Once again, the 76ers can take the best player on their board to supplement what might be the best young roster in basketball. There's a lot of development work ahead, but Gary Harris gives them another guy who can attack the rim.
11. Denver Nuggets: Doug McDermott, SF, Creighton
Even though they can score a lot of points, Denver's roster is as bland as any in basketball. Doug McDermott gives head coach Brian Shaw another elite scorer who can shoot from anywhere on the floor.
12. Orlando Magic: Nik Stauskas, SG, Michigan
With the Magic taking care of their need at point guard earlier, they can go for instant scoring in the form of Nik Stauskas. The reigning Big Ten Player of the Year has a great looking shot and release to score from anywhere. He's also long and versatile, so a team can move him around the floor.
13. Minnesota Timberwolves: Elfrid Payton, PG, Louisiana-Lafayette
So much of what the Timberwolves do in the draft depends on what happens with Kevin Love. As a result, this is strictly a need pick even though Elfrid Payton does deserve consideration at this spot anyway. He's more of a defense-first point guard, but shows strong passing skills and a good touch.
14. Phoenix Suns: Zach LaVine, PG, UCLA
If the Suns are convinced last year's 48-win campaign is a sign of things to come, they can try to fill needs with all three of their first-round picks. Eric Bledsoe is a free agent and, according to Marc J. Spears of Yahoo Sports, seeking a max contract:
That should be the impetus for Phoenix to move on, because there are plenty of point guards available in this draft. Zach LaVine has the size of Exum and shooting touch of Stauskas. He's not as athletic or consistent as those two players, which is why he's still on the board. But the UCLA star represents great value at this spot.
15. Atlanta Hawks: Adreian Payne, PF, Michigan State
Following their fluke playoff appearance, the Hawks need to get more physical inside to keep up with teams like Indiana and Miami in the Eastern Conference. Adreian Payne needs to add bulk, but has the quickness, inside game and defensive chops to be a starter right away.
16. Chicago Bulls: Tyler Ennis, PG, Syracuse
The Bulls can't afford to be stuck without a point guard again, so even if they believe in Derrick Rose's ability to rehab, it's time they found a capable backup plan to take some of the stress off those knees.
17. Boston Celtics: T.J. Warren, SG, N.C. State
A player like T.J. Warren isn't going to reverse the fortunes of a franchise, but his ability to score from anywhere on the floor makes him a strong mid-first-round selection. The Celtics need to find players who can put the ball in the hoop with one of their two first-round picks.
18. Phoenix Suns: Clint Capela, PF, Switzerland
There's a lot to love about a 6'11" power forward who is still growing into his frame, which is why Clint Capela won't make it out of the first round. He's still learning how to score with the ball, but shows athleticism and solid defensive chops already.
19. Chicago Bulls: Rodney Hood, SG, Duke
After adding high-quality depth at the point guard position, the Bulls can plug their gaping hole on offense with one of the best pure shooters in this class. Rodney Hood has great range and size to play different positions on defense.
20. Toronto Raptors: Cleanthony Early, PF, Wichita State
Cleanthony Early made himself a lot of money in the NCAA tournament against Kentucky, and not just because of this mammoth dunk:
Early has a toughness about him, especially with the ball, that teams are going to love. He's clearly not afraid to make a play in traffic, but is good enough to pull up and shoot from the outside.
The Raptors are a team in need of size and versatility, of which Early provides both. He's the kind of player a young playoff team can build around instead of just adding a supplemental bench piece.
21. Oklahoma City Thunder: James Young, SF, Kentucky
The Thunder have been exposed by their lack of depth the last two years in the playoffs. It doesn't help they regularly pick near the back of the draft, but a versatile 6'8" small forward who won't turn 19 until August is the kind of raw talent this franchise needs to bet on.
22. Memphis Grizzlies: Kyle Anderson, SF, UCLA
If the Grizzlies are going to take the next step, finding consistent shooters has to be at the top of their priority list. Kyle Anderson excels with the ball in his hands, almost as another point guard, and has added length to his shot that gives him the versatility Memphis needs.
23. Utah Jazz: K.J. McDaniels, SF, Clemson
In terms of raw athleticism, K.J. McDaniels is among the elite players in this class. He's got size, speed, agility and shines as a defender. He's not a great shooter yet, putting him in a difficult draft spot. Someone with multiple first-round picks can afford to take the gamble because the upside is that big, especially if they need help on both sides of the ball.
24. Charlotte Hornets: Jordan Adams, SG, UCLA
Jordan Adams isn't a sexy player due to his lack of explosive tools and one-dimensional playing style, but scorers who shoot a high percentage will always get a shot to prove themselves.
25. Houston Rockets: Jusuf Nurkic, C, Bosnia
The Rockets can do themselves a favor by trading Omer Asik to create roster and cap space, especially since they don't need him with Dwight Howard holding down the center position. Jusuf Nurkic can develop behind Howard, assuming he comes over here right away, and gives the Rockets one of the most dynamic rebounding tandems in basketball.
26. Miami Heat: Shabazz Napier, PG, Connecticut
With the disappearance of Mario Chalmers in these playoffs, Miami's need for a point guard increases every day. Shabazz Napier lacks the measurable tools as a 6'1", 175-pound guard, but his ability to move in and out with the ball, facilitate and get nasty on defense is worth a late-first round flier.
27. Phoenix Suns: P.J. Hairston, SG, North Carolina
With their third first-round pick, Phoenix really can do whatever it likes. P.J. Hairston is the best player still available with toughness and a strong inside presence for a 6'5" shooting guard. He's not a great shooter but has enough touch to make jumpers on a good day.
28. Los Angeles Clippers: C.J. Wilcox, SG, Washington
The Clippers love athletes who can score with the basketball, which describes C.J. Wilcox perfectly. He's not a versatile player with star potential, but the Washington product can put up a lot of points in a hurry and will add a toughness on defense that isn't always present.
29. Oklahoma City Thunder: Jerami Grant, SF, Syracuse
The Thunder should come out of the draft with more athleticism on their roster. Jerami Grant is the poster child for the present-day era Syracuse player: Long, physical, aggressive defender who struggles shooting the ball outside the paint.
30. San Antonio Spurs: Mitch McGary, PF, Michigan
McGary has the talent to be great, but he's still raw, and will need time to develop and get fit again after his back issues last season. Given the Spurs' depth, this is a perfect fit for him, as he can learn the ropes of the NBA in a low-pressure environment, surrounded by veterans and with little pressure to star immediately.
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