2014 NBA Mock Draft: Best Value Prospect for All 30 Teams
The 2014 NBA draft may not render as many future Hall of Famers as the 1984 or 2003 class has or will, but it is stacked with players who can and will be major contributors.
Don't be surprised if as many as 15 players from this class earn starter's minutes within their first two seasons in the league.
Because of the talent pool, it's a little challenging to determine which prospect best fits where. There are multiple options with almost every selection.
Trades are always a possibility, but to keep things a bit more simplified, let's pretend that option doesn't exist.
Here's a trade-free mock draft with the real thing just more than two weeks away.
1. Cleveland Cavaliers: Joel Embiid, 7'0", 240 pounds, C, Kansas
It seems as though the Cavaliers have become increasingly more comfortable with taking Embiid with the top selection.
Gery Woelfel of the Racine Times Journal indicates that Cleveland taking Embiid is almost a foregone conclusion.
If he proves durable enough, it's hard to argue with a player of his size and athleticism.
2. Milwaukee Bucks: Jabari Parker, 6'8", 241 pounds, SF, Duke
Parker remains the surest bet in the NBA draft. His ceiling may not be as high as Embiid's or even Kansas' other star Andrew Wiggins, but he's steady, competitive and skilled.
3. Philadelphia 76ers: Andrew Wiggins, 6'8", 197 pounds, SG/SF, Kansas
Wiggins is a jaw-dropping athlete with the most upside of any prospect, in my opinion. The only question in his game is whether he has the alpha male trait that teams covet.
He would fit in well with the Sixers' young nucleus.
4. Orlando Magic: Dante Exum, 6'6", 196 pounds, PG/SG, Australia
To most fans, Exum is the guy you keep hearing about but have never seen much more than highlights of.
While those show some skill and athleticism, it doesn't tell the full story.
Here's a look at Exum in action for a whole game against a U.S. select team featuring Parker, Kentucky's Andrew and Aaron Harrison, Julius Randle and more.
One game doesn't supply all the information, but watching this will give a better understanding as to why Exum is so highly regarded.
At 6'6" he can easily play either guard spot. He has a high skill level, athletic prowess and basketball IQ for his age. He could be one of the two best players to come out of this draft.
5. Utah Jazz: Noah Vonleh, 6'9", 247 pounds, PF/C, Indiana
Vonleh recently worked out for the Boston Celtics. The native of Georgetown, Massachusetts, seemed ecstatic about the possibility of going to the Celtics at No. 6.
Per Baxter Holmes of The Boston Globe, Vonleh spoke glowingly after the workout: "I watched the Boston Celtics growing up, I was just talking to [assistant coach] Walter [McCarty] down there, we were talking about where I’d be living and things like that if I were to get drafted. I think it would be a great opportunity."
That all sounds great, but Vonleh may not slip that far. The Jazz could use an inside-outside big like him, and he would be a nice fit alongside Derrick Favors.
6. Boston Celtics: Aaron Gordon, 6'9", 220 pounds, PF/SF, Arizona
If the Celtics were sure they were going to dump Rajon Rondo, Oklahoma State's Marcus Smart would be the pick here.
Instead, with Rondo still looking to be in Boston's planned pursuit of the Minnesota Timberwolves' Kevin Love, acquiring a versatile forward with Blake Griffin-like athleticism is a better move.
7. Los Angeles Lakers: Marcus Smart, 6'3", 227 pounds, PG/SG, Oklahoma State
Smart is a physically strong and versatile guard with a competitiveness that can't be taught.
As he improves his outside shooting and decision making, he'll blossom into one of the top five players from this deep class.
He's the perfect guy at this point in the draft to take the torch from Kobe Bryant.
8. Sacramento Kings: Doug McDermott, 6'8", 218 pounds, SF/PF, Creighton
From a pure talent perspective, this is too high for McDermott. However, he is an extremely skilled player with a little more athleticism than he was originally given credit for.
Perhaps most importantly, he could have the perfect personality to help change the culture in Sacramento.
9. Charlotte Hornets: Nik Stauskas, 6'6", 207 pounds, SG, Michigan
There are no questions about height with Stauskas. He has the requisite length to play the 2-guard in the NBA. He gets a bad rap as a below-average athlete.
While he won't be in the NBA Slam Dunk Contest, he shouldn't have a hard time defending his position. He's an absolute lights-out shooter who could boost Charlotte's meager offense.
10. Philadelphia 76ers: Julius Randle, 6'9", 250 pounds, PF, Kentucky
The Sixers took on an injured Kentucky big man last season when they completed a draft-day deal for Nerlens Noel, who had torn his ACL earlier in the year. Why not do it again?
Randle got some bad news earlier in the week. Foot surgery will likely force him to miss the first two months of the season.
The Lakers would still be wise to secure the future double-double machine. If he reaches his peak, he could be a cross between a left-handed Zach Randolph and Chris Webber.
11. Denver Nuggets: Dario Saric, 6'10", 223 pounds, SF/PF, Croatia
After being torn to pieces by injuries last season, the Nuggets have to be hoping for better luck next year.
Saric could add depth and versatility because of his ability to play both forward positions. He passes like a guard but has the height to rebound effectively.
12. Orlando Magic: Kristaps Porzingis, 7'0", 220 pounds, PF/C, Latvia
Perhaps no other prospect is rising like Porzingis. A legit 7-footer, he has above-average athleticism, range on his jump shot and aggressiveness while attacking the basket.
His potential as a shot-blocker and inside-outside scorer is intriguing.
13. Minnesota Timberwolves: Gary Harris, 6'4", 205 pounds, SG, Michigan State
Whether the Wolves retain Love or not, they still need a shooting guard. Harris has a nice in-between game, and he's an above-average on-ball defender.
Teams hope he can become a Bradley Beal type.
14. Phoenix Suns: Rodney Hood, 6'8", 208 pounds, SF, Duke
Hood may have the third-best jump shot in the draft behind Stauskas and McDermott. His left-handed stroke is smooth, and he has a quick release.
Because he's also blessed with a little bounce (36" max vertical leap), he could be a quality small forward in the NBA.
15. Atlanta Hawks: Jusuf Nurkic, 6'11", 280 pounds, C, Bosnia
As strength and heft go, no other top prospect has a frame like Nurkic. Physically, he's similar to the Memphis Grizzlies' Marc Gasol, but he obviously isn't as refined and experienced.
With Al Horford routinely battling injuries, Nurkic wouldn't be a bad pick for depth and insurance.
16. Chicago Bulls: Tyler Ennis, 6'2", 182 pounds, PG, Syracuse
With Derrick Rose suffering serious injuries the last two years and D.J. Augustin headed for free agency, the Bulls need to add depth at the position.
Ennis is not a dynamic player, but he's an excellent backup option for Rose. At his best, he'd become a more athletic version of free agent-to-be Andre Miller. At worst, he's former Utah Jazz backup Howard Eisley.
17. Boston Celtics: Zach LaVine, 6'6", 181 pounds, PG/SG, UCLA
Though he's rail thin and very inexperienced, no one can deny the raw talent of LaVine. He and Wiggins are probably the best pure athletes in the draft, and LaVine could just be scratching the surface of what he can do.
While the C's might pass on a point guard prospect with their second pick, LaVine would be more attractive because he's a natural fit for the 2-guard as well.
18. Phoenix Suns: Clint Capela, 6'11", 222 pounds, PF, Switzerland
With three first-round picks, the Suns can afford to use one of them on a project like Capela. Athletically, he's impressive, but there's no doubt he needs some refinement.
A draft-and-stash move might be the best for all parties.
19. Chicago Bulls: James Young, 6'7", 213 pounds, SG/SF, Kentucky
Young has a 7' wingspan, plus athleticism and the heart and ability to take and make tough shots.
If he is coachable on the next level, he could be what many hoped Wesley Johnson would become. If not, he might just wind up being Wesley Johnson.
20. Toronto Raptors: Adreian Payne, 6'10", 239 pounds, PF, Michigan State
Payne and Porzingis are the best stretch-4 prospects in the draft, but the Latvian youngster has more upside as a defender.
Because of his years under Tom Izzo, Payne is more refined. He could be a terror in the pick-and-roll or pick-and-pop. Think of him as a more athletic and intense Charlie Villanueva.
21. Oklahoma City Thunder: Elfrid Payton, 6'4", 185 pounds, PG, Louisiana-Lafayette
Speed, quickness and defensive tenacity are Payton's best attributes. He's also a natural playmaker who excels at setting up his teammates.
With Reggie Jackson looking at restricted free agency after next season and not possessing the ideal point guard skills to back up Russell Westbrook, Payton could be a fit.
22. Memphis Grizzlies: T.J. Warren, 6'8", 220 pounds, SF, N.C. State
As a pure scorer, Warren knows how to get buckets. He can score in a variety of ways from inside and beyond the arc.
He's not a great athlete, but he has excellent spatial awareness. It helps to make up for what he lacks in run-and-jump ability.
23. Utah Jazz: Kyle Anderson, 6'8", 230 pounds, SF/PG, UCLA
Anderson is one of the most intriguing prospects in the draft. He has great size for the backcourt and a nose for the ball off the boards.
His playmaking ability and steadily improving jump shot only augment the overall offensive package. The problem is his lack of explosiveness.
Defending could be a major issue in the NBA.
24. Charlotte Hornets: Glenn Robinson, 6'7", 211 pounds, SF, Michigan
As a pure athlete, Robinson is one notch below Wiggins and LaVine, but he may also lack the alpha dog trait. His demeanor on the court is somewhat similar to that of the Oklahoma City Thunder's Jeremy Lamb.
Perhaps it's a misconception or misinterpretation of body language, but he and Lamb sometimes don't appear to have high motors.
Still, his skill set as a wing scorer could be an asset to the Hornets if they can tap into his potential.
25. Houston Rockets: Shabazz Napier, 6'1", 175 pounds, PG, UConn
With Jeremy Lin's days seemingly numbered in Houston, the Rockets need to find a player who can at least represent depth at the point guard position.
Few, if any, players in the draft will come in more NBA-ready than Napier. He won't be a star, but he could be a slightly smaller version of former Rocket Sam Cassell.
26. Miami Heat: K.J. McDaniels, 6'6", 196 pounds, SF, Clemson
Someone needs to give LeBron James some help on the defensive end. It would be great for the Heat if they had another potential lockdown perimeter defender.
McDaniels has the ability to be just that.
With a 37" max vertical, excellent timing, a 6'11.25" wingspan and a relentless approach to defense, he has the tools.
27. Phoenix Suns: P.J. Hairston, 6'5", 229 pounds, SG, D-League
Hairston is a physically strong and quick 2-guard with a scorer's mentality. He can shoot it from deep, get to the line and finish through contact.
At his best, he could be a mixture of Dion Waiters and Jamal Crawford. If the Suns are picking here, Hairston could be a steal.
28. Los Angeles Clippers: Walter Tavares, 7'3", 265 pounds, C, Cape Verde
The Clippers need to find DeAndre Jordan a sufficient backup. Tavares has great size and potential as a rim-protector.
That's all the Clips would need from their backup center. If LA drafted Tavares and he gave them 10-14 minutes of spirited play in the paint, he'd big a huge addition.
29. Oklahoma City Thunder: Mitch McGary, 6'10", 263 pounds, PF/C, Michigan
Kendrick Perkins will be a free agent after the upcoming season. He doesn't appear to be a fit for the team long term.
A player like McGary with a big and active body has far more upside and is less of a liability against teams with athletic frontcourts.
30. San Antonio Spurs: Cleanthony Early, 6'7", 209 pounds, SF, Wichita State
Want to see the next potential late-first-round steal for the Spurs? It might just be this kid.
Early has the explosiveness, tenacity and variance to his offensive game to be higher on draft boards. Had he played for a bigger program, he might be considered a potential late-lottery pick.
As it stands, a team is going to love getting Early late.
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All height, weight and wingspan references per DraftExpress.
All contract information per Spotrac.
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