NBA Mock Draft #2

Last month, I did an early NBA mock draft (first round). But things have changed since then, both in the NBA and with many of the perspective players. So today, I re-evaluated the draft, and am giving you my second 2014 Mock NBA Draft.

As I said before, know that this is FAR from perfect, and it is impossible to predict what happens between now and then. Just in this mock, I had to predict how the NBA season turns out and guess on a possible draft order for 2014. That also included predicting the draft lottery. I then used the trades that are already in place for picks to complete the draft order, but some trades may or may not occur due to protected picks based on the team’s position. Then, I had to predict which underclassmen in college basketball turn pro, and which ones don’t (along with some international players too). Lastly, note that trades and injuries could also drastically change what happens. BUT, this is just for fun, so let’s take a look:

The Sports Guys 2014 Mock NBA Draft 2

1. Milwaukee Bucks select: Jabari Parker (SF, Duke)

This is the same pick I made a month ago, but it was much tougher to make now. If rookie Giannis can play comfortably at shooting guard, then acquiring Parker (or Wiggins) makes the most sense still for the Bucks. With Sanders, Henson, and Ilyasova inside, finding a scoring wing for the future is the most pressing need. Parker’s stock isn’t as high as it was in December, but he is still the most NBA ready player in the draft, along with having great potential.

2. Orlando Magic select: Joel Embiid (C, Kansas)

This pick would likely come down to Wiggins vs. Embiid. But Glen Davis is starting at center right now for Orlando (not ideal), so Embiid makes the most sense. His upside could be higher than anyone’s in the draft, and he’s gotten better as the college basketball season has progressed.

3. Philadelphia 76ers select: Andrew Wiggins (SF, Kansas)

This would be a dream scenario for Philly, who have been coveting Wiggins ever since last year. This gives them a wing for the future, to pair with MCW and Noel, who are the cornerstones of the franchise.

4. Boston Celtics select: Dante Exum (G, Australia)

I think Exum could be a good fit here because he could play either guard position. With Crawford gone in a recent trade, Boston is thin on guards now compared to bigs. Exum’s upside is also hard to pass up, as he could be a superstar in the NBA.

5. Utah Jazz select: Julius Randle (PF, Kentucky)

Ideally the Jazz could land Parker or Wiggins due to a need for a wing, but I think Randle would be a nice consolation prize. He’d give them a third young stud on the interior (with Favors and Kanter), and he could blossom into a dominant post player for years to come. They’d have to find another wing later in the draft or via free agency now though.

6. Sacramento Kings select: Marcus Smart (PG, Oklahoma State)

With a shooting guard and center locked in for the future, Smart would give them a point guard to lead that group, especially if summer money is used on Rudy Gay over Isaiah Thomas. Smart also would bring leadership, something many Kings players lack.

7. Charlotte Bobcats/Hornets select: Rodney Hood (SG/SF, Duke)

On one hand, Charlotte doesn’t have a ton of holes to fill. On the other, every position is an area of need. No player has really stepped up as a franchise player going forward. They could simply aim for the best player available strategy… Hood has been great in ACC play, and could give Charlotte some much needed scoring on the perimeter.

8. Los Angeles Lakers select: Aaron Gordon (F, Arizona)

Los Angeles could go anywhere with this pick, seeing as most of their team will be free agents. They simply need to acquire talent. Gordon is a massive talent, one that is versatile, athletic, and is a winner. As I said last month, he reminds me of a young Blake Griffin, a player that is dominating on the other team from LA right now. This also could be a reach as I like him better than most do.

9. Chicago Bulls select: Dario Saric (SF, Croatia)

With Deng gone, the Bulls have a sudden hole at small forward. Saric could end up being a star and total steal at #9. He’s also tall enough to play the 4 if they ever want to play fast and smaller. This would be a great pick for them.

10. Cleveland Cavaliers select: Willie Cauley-Stein (C, Kentucky)

The Andrew Bynum experiment obviously didn’t work. So I’m sure they’d love to find a center. Cauley-Stein is the second best center in the draft, and he could contribute right away as a defender.

NOTE: If they Cavs fail to sign Lebron AND fail to bring back Luol Deng, then I’d look for a small forward here like James Young.

11. Philadelphia 76ers (from New Orleans) select: Gary Harris (SG, MSU)

Evan Turner is a free agent this summer, which could leave a hole at the shooting guard position. Harris is a great defender and his scoring has gone up as a sophomore. He could provide outside shooting that MCW can’t in the backcourt also.

12. Phoenix Suns select: James Young (SG/SF, Kentucky)

The Suns have been the surprise team in the NBA this year. That actually works against them as a team in a rebuild. They do need scoring and more outside shooting though, and Young would fill that role nicely, especially at the 3.

13. Memphis Grizzlies select: Doug McDermott (F, Creighton)

It’s unknown what position Doug will end up playing, but Randolph is a free agent this summer and Prince is old. McDermott could give them depth at forward, and give the Grizzlies a consistent shooter. He’s a smart player with a high IQ, which will help make up for his limited upside.

14. Denver Nuggets select: Montrezl Harrell (PF, Louisville)

Harrell has gotten better since Chane Behanan was suspended. His athletic ability is also crazy high. Denver is solid at every position, but they lack a truly great player. They could draft Harrell here to replace Darrell Arthur (free agent to be) and hope his upside turns him into a star.

15. Charlotte Bobcats/Hornets (from Detroit) select: Zach LaVine (G, UCLA)

Like Hood at #7, LaVine would be another talented scorer that could really help Charlotte. He could back Kemba Walker up, play with him, and even replace him down the road depending on how things shake out. People talk about LaVine as a lottery pick, so if he falls here Charlotte would be wise to snag him.

16. Atlanta Hawks (swap with Brooklyn) select: Wayne Selden Jr. (SG, Kansas)

Selden has recently picked up his play for Kansas. If that continues, he may not be available at #16. But he would give Atlanta a contributor on the wing that can do a lot of things well. I think he is also a fairly capable contributor immediately.

17. Orlando Magic (from Denver/New York) select: Kyle Anderson (SF, UCLA)

Do I really think this will happen? No, because Anderson will likely not be drafted this high. But should it? Yes. The Magic could use a small forward and also a point guard of the future (since I think Oladipo is still a better SG). They could draft Anderson at SF, but use him as the ball handler like he’s used now at UCLA (and is dominating I might add). They could then play Oladipo and Afflalo with him at the guard spots since Anderson would handle the ball. They have Embiid (from the #2 pick) inside along with Nicholson, Harris, Vucevic, etc. Winner, winner, chicken dinner!

18. Toronto Raptors select: Tyler Ennis (PG, Syracuse)

Ennis has been a massive surprise this year for the Orange. He has proven to be solid on both sides of the ball and is a great leader and winner. He doesn’t possess crazy athleticism, but his IQ makes up for it. Lowry and Vasquez are free agents this summer, so there could be an opening.

19. Boston Celtics (from Brooklyn) select: Jerami Grant (SF, Syracuse)

Jeff Green will still be under contract for another year, but Grant would give them depth and serious potential. Scouts love his insane athleticism but are waiting on a jump shot to develop. He’d have time to develop at Boston, and I’d love to see what Stevens could do with him. Another option here is Jordan Clarkson, especially if Rajon Rondo isn’t himself upon return from injury.

20. Phoenix Suns (from Washington) select: Mario Hezonja (SF, Croatia)

With the Suns possessing four first round picks, you’d think stashing someone overseas would make sense with at least one of them. Mario has a lot of potential and is still extremely young. Some scouts love him more that Dario, who I have in my top ten.

21. Phoenix Suns (from Minnesota) select: Adreian Payne (PF/C, MSU)

With Frye a free agent, Payne would give them a similar player to plug in. He’s NBA ready, big and athletic, and could be a solid stretch-4 type of player. He’s shooting about 44% this year from behind the arc.

22. Oklahoma City Thunder (from Dallas) select: Glenn Robinson III (SG/SF, Michigan)

Robinson may very well return to school for another season, but if he came out this range seems about right. He isn’t as highly regarded as he would have been a year ago, but OKC could gamble on his potential. He’d be a solid defensive player in the short term, and a dangerous prospect offensively.

23. Los Angeles Clippers select: Chris Walker (F, Florida)

Walker remains a little unknown because he still hasn’t suited up for the Gators. But LA could use more depth at forward next year, so that’s all that would be asked of him. It makes sense for LA, especially if he’s as good as some say.

24. Houston Rockets select: Jordan Clarkson (PG, Missouri)

Clarkson has come out of nowhere this year and leaped into stardom. If he continues to play at a high level, he’ll continue to rise up draft boards and guarantee that he declares. Rumors continue to swirl that Lin could be traded with Asik, so Clarkson could see the floor immediately as a backup behind Beverly. I think Clarkson could be a starter for a long time eventually though, as he reminds me of MCW.

25. Utah Jazz (from Golden State) select: PJ Hairston (SG/SF, NBADL)

Hairston recently signed with a D-League team in Texas. If he’s in shape and proves himself again, then Utah could really use him. Since they missed a wing earlier in the draft, Hairston could fill that void and pair with Hayward on the perimeter. If the Jazz see Hayward more as a 3, then I’d draft TJ Warren instead of Hairston (who I’d use as a 3).

26. Charlotte Bobcats/Hornets (from Portland) select: AJ Hammons (C, Purdue)

I still am unsure if Hammons will declare or not, but since Purude has a 7’0 stud coming in for next year, AJ may end up declaring so he isn’t overshadowed. He’s starting to play better and better as the year goes on too. I had Charlotte investing picks on the backcourt earlier in the draft, so this pick had to be an interior player. Seems to me that he’s the best guy left.

27. Miami Heat select: Semaj Christon (PG, Xavier)

Semaj reminds me of Norris Cole in many ways and the Heat have benefitted greatly from that. With nearly the whole team, including Chalmers up for free agency, drafting a high impact point guard makes sense.

28. Oklahoma City Thunder select: C.J. Wilcox (SG, Washington)

Ideally OKC could land a big man here since I took a wing with their last pick. But there aren’t many great ones left. Since Robinson isn’t a big scorer, they could draft Wilcox for his ability to score points. He’d be a good sparkplug off the bench, especially if they can’t keep Reggie Jackson and Jeremy Lamb long-term. Again, Warren is a possibility as a scorer, but Wilcox shoots the ball with better range.

29. San Antonio Spurs select: TJ Warren (SG/SF, NC State)

This seems to me like the perfect pick for the Spurs. He’s a versatile player that could easily fill Manu’s shoes when I’m guessing he retires after next season. Of course, if Warren keeps playing like he has, he may reach the top 20 of this draft.

30. Phoenix Suns (from Indiana) select: Vasilje Micic (PG, Serbia)

Quite simply, not every one of their picks has to be on the roster in year one. Micic has a lot of upside and could likely be stashed overseas until he’s ready and the roster gets less crowded (similar to Mario at #20). If they are unable to re-sign Bledsoe this summer, this pick may be vastly important in terms of nabbing a point guard also. There are many of solid point guard options for ready college players if they needed one on the roster immediately.

Ten Other First Round Options: Jahii Carson, Andrew Harrison, Aaron Harrison, Markel Brown, Olivier Hanlan, Shabazz Napier, Alex Polythress, Deonte Burton, Dwight Powell, Cory Jefferson

Fifteen Notables Who I Think Will Stay in School: Noah Vonleh, Sam Dekker, Spencer Dinwiddie, Mitch McGary, James McAdoo, Jordan Adams, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Austin Nichols, Nick Johnson, Kasey Hill, Marcus Paige, Nigel Williams-Goss, Isaiah Austin, Roscoe Smith, Jabari Bird

By: The Sports Guys