NBA Draft Big Board

We’ve already posted a mock draft (done last month), but we have yet to shed light on our actual “NBA Big Board” as teams and GM’s call it. So today Andrew will post his, and this will stem the tide until the Sports Guys second mock draft next month (after college basketball finishes).

Remember, this is not how I think the draft will play out (because that depends on teams, needs, and whom they like), and it also doesn’t necessarily reflect who will be in the draft this summer (some may choose to return to school or stay overseas). This is a just a list of draft eligible prospects; however I did remove those who have already stated they aren’t declaring (examples are Wayne Selden and Dario Saric). Take a look:

2014 NBA Draft Big Board – Top 30

1. Jabari Parker (SF, Duke)

The decision at the top was fairly easy. Parker has as much upside as anyone in the draft, but he’s less risky than the others. He can score from anywhere on the court and is polished enough to contribute immediately. He’s got an NBA body, rebounds well, and is more athletic than people realize.

Similar Player: Carmelo Anthony (minus the drama)

2. Andrew Wiggins (SG, Kansas)

Wiggins was overhyped entering college, but he did have some marquee performances that proved he could be great. He’s not a polished shooter, but his athleticism is unparalleled in this draft.

Similar Player: Style of Lebron but with a Rudy Gay impact

3. Joel Embiid (C, Kansas)

Embiid is a unique talent that I would have taken first overall a month or two ago. He can be a dominant player, but his recent injury scares me. I now worry about big men with injuries after I ignored the warning signs in Greg Oden. If healthy though, he can be the best center for a decade to come.

Similar Player: Hakeem Olajuwon (at least in terms of upside)

4. Dante Exum (G, Australia)

Exum doesn’t get the publicity he deserves because we focus on college basketball here in the states. But in world play, he’s been dominant and even tore up our young Americans. I believe he can play either guard position, but I’d draft him as a big PG.

Similar Player: A taller and more unselfish Monta Ellis

5. Noah Vonleh (PF, Indiana)

Vonleh is the best power forward on my board for a few reasons. First, he’s a rebounding machine, which will translate to the NBA, particularly with his length, strength, and athleticism. Second, he shot around 50% from the 3-point line this season, which shows me that he’ll be able to stretch the floor and knock down jumpers in the NBA. He’s solid at the line as well. Third, he’s got good footwork, solid post moves, and can handle the ball. Lastly, he should be a high school senior, so he’s younger than other prospects. Needs to cut down turnovers, pass better, and play defense with his feet and not just rely on blocking shots.

Similar Player: LaMarcus Aldridge

6. Julius Randle (PF, Kentucky)

Randle was higher on my board to start the season, but has slid throughout conference play. The good news is that he’s got an NBA body, high motor, and can mix it up inside immediately. The downside is he doesn’t have as much length as I’d like, and he doesn’t have a consistent jumpshot.

Similar Player: Zach Randolph (with more upside)

7. Marcus Smart (PG, Oklahoma State)

Smart went back to college to improve his shooting, but it remains inconsistent. The good news is that he can do everything else well, including play great defense. At OSU he was relied upon to score, but in the NBA he won’t. I think that could benefit him.

Similar Player: A stout version of Rajon Rondo

8. Gary Harris (SG, Michigan State)

Nearly put Harris higher than this, but his lack of height for a shooting guard kept him here. He’s extremely athletic and has a nice outside shot, along with the ability to attack the rim. I think he’s a very good on-ball defender as well. At this point, he seems to lack a killer instinct, which is the only thing holding him back.

Similar Player: A shorter Paul George

9. Aaron Gordon (F, Arizona)

The knock I have on Gordon is that he doesn’t have a great NBA position. I see him as an undersized power forward, but scouts think he’s more of a small forward. Either way, he athletic ability and knowledge for the game are evident. He plays hard on both ends and can use his versatility to make an impact.

Similar Player: A smaller Blake Griffin, with a few more perimeter skills

10. Rodney Hood (SF, Duke)

I didn’t know Hood was as good as he was at the start of the year. But he showed tons of long-term potential this season. First off, I love his ability to score inside, as he’s shown the ability to slash and get into the paint. He’s also a much better shooter than I could have imagined. I think he could produce for a long time in this league.

Similar Player: A better shooting Shawn Marion

11. Doug McDermott (F, Creighton)

Similar to Aaron Gordon, McDermott doesn’t have an ideal NBA position. Again, he could play power forward and stretch the floor like Kevin Love, but he’s not that big. Therefore, I think he’ll have to play the 3. The good news is that this season he played on the perimeter a lot and showed often that he has range. Offensively he’ll produce. I don’t know if he can guard other small forwards however.

Similar Player: A bigger Kyle Korver, a smaller Kevin Love, or poor man’s Larry Bird

12. James Young (G/F, Kentucky)

I remain higher on Young than most, although his inconsistent play at times worries me. What I like is that he’s athletic, can shoot from the outside, and can drive and finish. There are times, however, that I think he settles.

Similar Player: Rodney Hood (rated two spots higher)

13. Tyler Ennis (PG, Syracuse)

He came in to college under the radar, but after leading Syracuse to a 25-0 start to the season, that changed. Ennis is calm under pressure, is a great distributor, leader, and ball handler, and can get where he wants despite a lack of elite speed.

Similar Player: Could be like Jason Kidd or Deron Williams

14. Kyle Anderson (PG/F, UCLA)

I actually think Anderson could outperform this ranking, but I also believe he could fail to make a significant impact. It all depends on how he is used. He is best used as the primary point guard of a team. He plays best with the ball in his hands, but has the ability to make others around him better. The problem is that he lacks elite quickness, doesn’t shoot all that well, and may struggle matching up with other guards. Will that hold him back?

Similar Player: A poor man’s Magic Johnson

15. Montrezl Harrell (PF, Louisville)

Harrell has continually moved up my board for the last couple months now, and I also remember how great he was last summer in the world games. He’s not as tall as you’d like for a power forward, but he makes up for it in length, athleticism, and motor. He’s a terrific rebounder, shot blocker, and finisher.

Similar Player: JJ Hickson, but with potential

16. TJ Warren (G/F, NC State)

This guy can get buckets. He’s probably not the greatest outside shooter, but he can score at will. The way he dominated during ACC play got scouts excited. His improvement from last year to this year was massive, so imagine if he keeps improving like that…

Similar Player: A more athletic Caron Butler

17. Nik Stauskas (SG, Michigan)

Stauskas was tough to rank. Part of me is saying this is too high, but he showed this year he’s more than a shooter. That’s why he won the Big Ten Player of the Year award. Oh, and he can still shoot better than anyone in college basketball. I think that would have great value in the NBA.

Similar Player: Klay Thompson

18. Adreian Payne (PF, Michigan State)

Payne has improved every year at Michigan State, and it’s amazing that he’s worked his way into lottery contention. He’s got great size for a power forward, and excellent outside touch for a big man.

Similar Player: Big Shot Bob (minus the Big Shot… for now)

19. Willie Cauley-Stein (C, Kentucky)

Cauley-Stein is 7’0 but is so nimble and athletic. I don’t see much of a difference between he and Nerlens Noel actually (except Noel nearly went #1 overall last season). He’s best on the defensive end as he blocks shot with regularity, and gets a lot of steals too. He’s a great finisher, although he needs to improve his post game.

20. Cleanthony Early (F, Wichita State)

I absolutely loved Early. He went from a second round pick to a first round pick with his performance against Kentucky in the tourney. Most think of him as a tweener, but there is a niche in the NBA for a player that does everything well. And if his outside shot becomes consistent, look out.

Similar Player: Kawhi Leonard

21. Jordan Clarkson (PG, Missouri)

Clarkson, if he ends up playing point guard, has terrific size for his position. He’s fairly developed offensively, but he disappeared for stretches during conference play. I do like his upside a lot though.

Similar Player: Michael Carter-Williams (minus the defense, but better jumper)

22. Jerami Grant (SF, Syracuse)

Sometimes when I watch Grant play, I get caught up in his elite athleticism. But he is far from a polished product, which would worry me if I drafted him. He’s still young though, and has great length, but has to improve his outside shooting to last in this league.

Similar Player: Thad Young in many ways

23. PJ Hairston (SG, D-League)

There is plenty to hate about Hairston, but I’ll focus on what to like… This guy can score. He led UNC in scoring last season, and in the D-league is killing it averaging 21 points a game. I think that would translate fairly well to the NBA.

Similar Player: A more consistent OJ Mayo

24. Zach LaVine (G, UCLA)

LaVine started the season on fire. He cooled considerably during the second half of the year, but his talent is evident. My problem is that I have no clue what position he would play if he enters this year. Many project him as a PG, but with Anderson playing that at UCLA, LaVine played off the ball. Another year in school would help move him up the board.

Similar Player: Unknown at this point until I see him play more PG

25. Clint Capela (PF, Switzerland)

Haven’t seen Capela play as much as the other international player on the board (Exum), but I hear this kid as great upside. He’s got the height to play power forward in the NBA, and more importantly he’s got athleticism. He’s still raw however, so he may take some time to develop.

Similar Player: Unknown as I’d need to see more

26. Shabazz Napier (PG, Connecticut)

How can you not love this kid? He scores, rebounds, and dishes out assists. He plays hard all the time, leads his team well, and has shown how clutch he can be. Is he too small for the NBA? Maybe. But he’s also very talented.

Similar Player: A more rounded Norris Cole

27. Aaron Harrison (SG, Kentucky)

Aaron has been coming on throughout the year, but is recently breaking out at Kentucky. There were flashes against Wichita State that showed why he was once considered a lottery pick. He’s trendy in that direction again, particularly when he plays aggressively.

Similar Player: PJ Hairston (ranked at #23)

28. Elfrid Payton (PG, Louisiana)

Haven’t watched him much until that last couple weeks. Has decent size for a point guard and many offensive skills. His outside shot needs to improve, but he does everything else well.

Similar Player: Devin Harris, but potentially more athletic

29. Glenn Robinson III (SF, Michigan)

Robinson should be ranked higher than this, but I think his lack of consistent jumpshot holds him back. If that improves steadily, he’d be worth a pick in the Top 20. But there is risk, hence this ranking.

Similar Player: Upside of Andre Iguodala

30. AJ Hammons (C, Purdue)

His reputation is that he needs to work harder to maximize his talent, but I see a guy that has NBA size to be a dominant center. I also have seen him improve his range this year, and had a great stretch during Big Ten play. I’d take a chance on him.

Similar Player: Could be like Nikola Pekovic

Also Considered: Semaj Christon, Markel Brown, Nick Johnson, Jabari Brown, Mario Hezonja, Vasilje Micic, James McAdoo, CJ Wilcox, Andrew Harrison, Olivier Hanlan, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Jordan Adams, Caris LeVert, Sam Dekker

By: The Sports Guys