Nearly one month ago we released our second 2014 NBA Mock Draft. It’s now time for our third mock. Not only has our outlook changed due to the NBA Combine, but the draft lottery took place and we finally have a set draft order. The Cavs got the top pick yet again! Charlotte was another big winner as Detroit moved down a spot and gave Charlotte that pick because of it. Anyways, this mock also will look deeper at the second round, as we’ll do picks 31-40 at the end. And as always, this projection can include trades.
In our second mock, Andrew took the odd numbered picks, and Greg took the evens. This time, Greg will have the first pick, then we’ll alternate two picks at a time (Andrew 2 and 3, Greg 4 and 5, etc.). This mock may also reflect trades, although they are tough to predict. Let us know your thoughts… Enjoy!
2014 NBA Mock Draft 3
1. Cleveland Cavaliers select: Jabari Parker (SF, Duke)
2nd Mock: Jabari Parker (SF, Duke)
1st Mock: Joel Embiid (C, Kansas)
A lot about what Cleveland does centers around whether or not they will sign Luol Deng or if they want to pursue Lebron James next summer. Neither are slam dunks and are only possibilities at this point. Jabari Parker is the most NBA ready player in this draft and has the most complete game. He needs to improve his conditioning and his defense a little bit, but his combination of ball handling, scoring, rebounding, and overall game at the 3 position will enable Cleveland to have the most flexibility no matter what they decide to do regarding James or Deng.
2. Milwaukee Bucks select: Joel Embiid (C, Kansas)
2nd Mock: Andrew Wiggins (G/F, Kansas)
1st Mock: Jabari Parker (SF, Duke)
I’m not in love with the fit here, but Milwaukee seems to be very high on Embiid. It makes sense, seeing as you don’t find many dominant centers these days, but it is a risk with his injury history. Ultimately it comes down to what their doctor sees when he checks the big man out.
3. Philadelphia 76ers select: Andrew Wiggins (G/F, Kansas)
2nd Mock: Dante Exum (G, Australia)
1st Mock: Julius Randle (PF, Kentucky)
The 76ers want Wiggins, so this is a dream scenario for them. He gives them a wing presence they haven’t had in some time. He also fits in perfectly with the young pieces they currently have on the roster (MCW and Noel). If Wiggins goes earlier, Parker would be their next choice. Embiid would be their third option, so they are guaranteed a top selection no matter what, and really can’t go wrong.
4. Orlando Magic select: Dante Exum (PG, Australia)
2nd Mock: Joel Embiid (C, Kansas)
1st Mock: Andrew Wiggins (G/F, Kansas)
The thought of pairing Exum with Victor Oladipo in the backcourt for the Magic is too good to pass up. They can both handle the ball, and though Exum is more of a natural PG, both can play the PG and SG positions interchangeably. It will be a cornerstone backcourt for the next 10-12 seasons.
5. Utah Jazz select: Marcus Smart (G, Oklahoma State)
2nd Mock: Julius Randle (PF, Kentucky)
1st Mock: Dante Exum (G, Australia)
Chad Ford has Noah Vonleh going here, but I don’t think that makes a lot of sense with the presence of Derrick Favors and Enes Kanter already in the starting lineup. They need more of a 2-guard, and though this might be a little high for him, I think Marcus Smart is the pick here to pair with Trey Burke in the backcourt. Burke is small for a PG, but Smart has pretty good size. He can also score without the ball and has the ability to play very good defense. This helps the Jazz get younger, and it puts high ceiling ball players on the court at the same time.
6. Boston Celtics select: Noah Vonleh (PF, Indiana)
2nd Mock: Doug McDermott (F, Creighton)
1st Mock: Marcus Smart (PG, Oklahoma State)
The Celtics desperately wanted to move into the top 3 because those players all made sense for them. Now at six, I doubt they pick somebody to fill a need, but instead take a best available approach. Vonleh is that player in my opinion, as he measured much better at the combine than his competition (Randle and Gordon), plus he possesses a much better outside game. He’s also just 18 years old, which helps his stock.
7. Los Angeles Lakers select: Julius Randle (PF, Kentucky)
2nd Mock: Noah Vonleh (PF, Indiana)
1st Mock: Dario Saric (F, Croatia)
With the Lakers roster in shambles, they will clearly select the best player available here, regardless of position. Randle was special as a freshman at Kentucky, and is a player that can contribute right away. Remember he was once considered as a top pick candidate.
8. Sacramento Kings select: Aaron Gordon (F, Arizona)
2nd Mock: Marcus Smart (G, Oklahoma State)
1st Mock: James Young (G/F, Kentucky)
Sacramento may go a different direction here (such as a trade), but Gordon can come in and at minimum help the bench tremendously. He’s a high character guy and his athleticism translates to the NBA very well. Ben McLemore needs to step up as well, but having someone like Gordon around will help the locker room start to have a little bit better of a reputation. Gordon is also an elite defender, which they need.
9. Charlotte Hornets (from Detroit) select: Nik Stauskas (SG, Michigan)
2nd Mock: Aaron Gordon (F, Arizona)
1st Mock: Doug McDermott (F, Creighton)
Stauskas is more athletic than he is given credit for and his shooting is well documented. On a team with a legitimate low post threat in Al Jefferson, Stauskas should be able to shine with his shooting and allow him to develop his slashing game as well.
10. Philadelphia 76ers (from New Orleans) select: Gary Harris (SG, Michigan State)
2nd Mock: James Young (G/F, Kentucky)
1st Mock: Tyler Ennis (PG, Syracuse)
Harris got the nod here over Young and McDermott because he’s a more well-rounded player. Harris is “NBA athletic”, is a solid defender, and is a scorer with range. The only knock against him is his size, but his arms and athleticism help him play bigger, and playing on a team with MCW and Wiggins (#3 pick) would make up for it.
11. Denver Nuggets (from New York) select: Zach LaVine (G, UCLA)
2nd Mock: Gary Harris (SG, Michigan State)
1st Mock: Willie Cauley-Stein (C, Kentucky)
Upside, upside, upside. Denver could use a dynamic guard, and LaVine has the potential to give that to them. Nobody helped themselves more at the combine than LaVine, and I think he could play Denver’s style at a high level. They would have to figure out which guard position to play him at, but they’ve been successful with those types of players before.
12. Orlando Magic (from Denver) select: Doug McDermott (F, Creighton)
2nd Mock: Cleanthony Early (F, Wichita State)
1st Mock: Jordan Clarkson (PG, Missouri)
I think if you told the Orlando Magic that they would come away with Dante Exum and Doug McDermott they would be ecstatic. McDermott can stretch the floor, rebound, and generally add another dangerous offensive weapon. Athletically, McDermott measured better at the combine than expected and helped himself there. He would be a great addition to this team in my opinion.
13. Minnesota Timberwolves select: Dario Saric (F, Croatia)
2nd Mock: Nik Stauskas (SG, Michigan)
1st Mock: Nick Johnson (SG, Arizona)
This all depends on whether Minnesota trades Kevin Love or not. Saric isn’t Kevin Love, but he can come in and do some similar things for them if he comes to the NBA this year. If he doesn’t he allows the T’Wolves to draft highly again next season.
14. Phoenix Suns select: Rodney Hood (SF, Duke)
2nd Mock: Dario Saric (F, Croatia)
1st Mock: T.J. Warren (G/F, NC State)
The Suns have a need at small forward, so Hood gets the nod here over a slew of possibilities. He shot it very well at the combine, and obviously had a great season at Duke. Hood could help the Suns spread the floor and give them another potent offensive weapon. This pick could change hands though, as the Suns possess three first rounders that could be used to acquire a big name.
15. Atlanta Hawks select: James Young (G/F, Kentucky)
2nd Mock: Rodney Hood (SF, Duke)
1st Mock: P.J. Hairston (SG, NBDL)
The Hawks need a long term star on the wing. While there is some risk with Young, there is also a ton of upside. He’s athletic, long, and he possesses the ability to shoot it with range. There is a chance he doesn’t slide this far in the draft, but if he does, the Hawks should be thrilled.
16. Chicago Bulls (from Charlotte) select: Cleanthony Early (F, Wichita State)
2nd Mock: Tyler Ennis (PG, Syracuse)
1st Mock: Jerami Grant (F, Syracuse)
With Stauskas, Harris, and Young all off the board at this pick, I think the Bulls could go with a backup PG here that can help them out. But, they also need players who can get their own shot, and while Tyler Ennis (or another point guard) can do that, there will be guys available with their next pick to address that need. So instead I’ll go with a player who I don’t think will be available at their next pick. I love Early, and he was the most dominant player on the court in his team’s biggest game this season against Kentucky. They lost, but Early was very, very impressive. He is a player that Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau will love.
17. Boston Celtics (from Brooklyn) select: Adreian Payne (PF, Michigan State)
2nd Mock: Zach LaVine (G, UCLA)
1st Mock: Isaiah Austin (F/C, Baylor)
Payne can play alongside Kelly Olynyk or Jared Sullinger in the frontcourt, and has the ability to play that stretch-4 role he loves so much. Brad Stevens will love his toughness and Boston seems like a city that will embrace a player like Payne.
18. Phoenix Suns (from Washington) select: Jusuf Nurkic (C, Bosnia)
2nd Mock: Kyle Anderson (G/F, UCLA)
1st Mock: Wayne Selden Jr. (SG, Kansas)
The Suns went with a center last year (Alex Len), but he’s been a disappointment so far. Nurkic has a lot of upside, especially compared to most of the other bigs in this draft class. Since the Suns possess so many picks, Nurkic is a perfect selection for them, even if he will be stashed overseas for the time being.
19. Chicago Bulls select: Tyler Ennis (PG, Syracuse)
2nd Mock: Adreian Payne (PF, Michigan State)
1st Mock: Markel Brown (SG, Oklahoma State)
Ennis would be a great backup behind Derrick Rose long term, an important position given Rose’s injury history. This is a player that could also help improve their bench significantly, due to his leadership and ability to make others around him better. If the Bulls decide to hang on to a veteran PG as a backup for Rose, then they could look to add another scorer here instead, potentially P.J. Hairston.
20. Toronto Raptors select: Kyle Anderson (G/F, UCLA)
2nd Mock: Shabazz Napier (PG, UCONN)
1st Mock: Kyle Anderson (G/F, UCLA)
Yes, Kyle Lowry is still their PG (for now), but the Raptors need more playmakers outside of Lowry and Demar Derozan. Anderson can come in and be the PG of the future (technically point forward) while helping the team right now in other ways. He could be the piece they are missing in allowing the Raptors to really go from being a ‘good’ team to becoming great.
21. Oklahoma City Thunder (from Dallas) select: Mitch McGary (PF, Michigan)
2nd Mock: P.J. Hairston (SG, NBDL)
1st Mock: Adreian Payne (PF, Michigan State)
As the series with the Spurs has shown so far, the Thunder need some scoring depth on the front line. Kendrick Perkins is devoid of any offensive bone in his body and is getting up there in age. A combination of McGary with Serge Ibaka would be a fearsome frontcourt if McGary can return to the form that he had in the NCAA tournament in 2013.
22. Memphis Grizzlies select: P.J. Hairston (SG, NBDL)
2nd Mock: T.J. Warren (G/F, NC State)
1st Mock: Clint Capela (PF, Switzerland)
If you’ve watched Memphis recently, clearly they need more offensive firepower (no offense Tony Allen). Hairston tore it up in the D-league, and he was great before that at North Carolina. Without his off-the-court problems (last year), he’d be a guaranteed lottery pick.
23. Utah Jazz (from Golden State) select: T.J. Warren (G/F, NC State)
2nd Mock: K.J. McDaniels (SF, Clemson)
1st Mock: Mario Hezonja (SF, Croatia)
Utah is desperate for another wing to play opposite of Gordon Hayward. Warren would be a great fit because he plays differently than Hayward does. Hayward is the more consistent shooter, but Warren can score from the midrange in and possesses great athleticism.
24. Charlotte Hornets (from Portland) select: Elfrid Payton (PG, Louisiana Lafayette)
2nd Mock: James McAdoo (PF, North Carolina)
1st Mock: Montrezl Harrell (PF, Louisville)
Charlotte needs a true PG, and while Payton really doesn’t shoot a very high percentage, he has the playmaking ability that could really help this team. Charlotte desperately needs good play at this position, and Payton should be able to help. I thought about Shabazz Napier here, but the thought of him and Kemba Walker back in the same backcourt didn’t leave enough shots left for the rest of the team to take.
25. Houston Rockets select: K.J McDaniels (SF, Clemson)
2nd Mock: Jerami Grant (F, Syracuse)
1st Mock: Jabari Brown (SG, Missouri)
This pick is made anticipating a blockbuster trade that brings another Western Conference superstar to Houston and them needing a replacement for their current SF. They don’t have a lot of holes in their team that could be improved with this pick. If they don’t trade it they should look to add depth at this position. He’s a better defender than most on their current roster anyways.
26. Miami Heat select: Glenn Robinson III (SF, Michigan)
2nd Mock: Mitch McGary (PF, Michigan)
1st Mock: James McAdoo (PF, UNC)
It’s fairly difficult to make an accurate prediction for the Heat... They have a lot of free agents in 2014, including the “Big 3” if they don’t take the player options from their last contracts. Therefore, I took the best available approach and that’s Robinson III. He had a solid combine, particularly because he proved to be a good shooter during the drills. This could be a real steal.
27. Phoenix Suns (from Indiana) select: Jordan Adams (SG, UCLA)
2nd Mock: Clint Capela (PF, Switzerland)
1st Mock: Elfrid Payton (PG, Louisiana-Lafayette)
This is another player that helped himself at the combine. That’s why he gets the edge here over CJ Wilcox. He also fits the profile of a Phoenix guard, which is offensive minded! I actually think he could be an instant upgrade over Gerald Green, despite the fact that Green is coming off a career season.
28. Los Angeles Clippers select: Shabazz Napier (PG, Connecticut)
2nd Mock: Russ Smith (G, Louisville)
1st Mock: A.J. Hammons (C, Purdue)
Even though this gives the Clippers another shorter PG to back up Chris Paul, it is a definite upgrade from Darren Collison and gives them a playmaking shot-getter who is incredibly clutch and could really help the Clippers in the fourth quarter of games.
29. Oklahoma City Thunder select: Jerami Grant (F, Syracuse)
2nd Mock: Jusuf Nurkic (C, Bosnia)
1st Mock: C.J. Wilcox (SG, Washington)
Another athletic wing who doesn’t yet have a consistent jump shot, but he can be a really nice piece on this team. They need more playmakers and he has the ability to rebound and create offense for himself without the Thunder having to run plays for him, which is important on a team with Durant and Westbrook. He also would be an excellent pick and roll wing player.
30. San Antonio Spurs select: Clint Capela (PF, Switzerland)
1st and 2nd Mock: Vasilje Micic (PG, Serbia)
We finally got away from the Micic pick, but I did give it a lot of thought. But with Patty Mills emerging as a potential Parker replacement, I think getting a potential Duncan replacement is much more important. Capela could be stashed for a year or two before joining the “Pop Machine”. They’ve had so much success with international players, this could be another.
Second Round (First Ten)
31. Milwaukee Bucks select: C.J. Wilcox (SG, Washington)
If Wilcox was a few years younger, he’d be a potential lottery pick. He shot it well all year at Washington, and then tore it up at the combine to prove to everyone that his range will transfer nicely into the NBA. Trust me, Milwaukee could desperately use a shooter like him.
32. Philadelphia 76ers select: Kristaps Porzingis (F, Latvia)
The Sixers have an opportunity to add some depth here, and Porzingis is a really good addition to this team. He can continue to develop for a year or two overseas, but his length (6’11”), shooting range, and his ability to handle the ball will be a great bench addition in Philadelphia a few years from now. With six picks in the draft, Philly can afford to stash a player or two.
33. Cleveland Cavaliers (from Orlando) select: DeAndre Daniels (F, Connecticut)
Fresh off a National Championship, Daniels stock couldn’t be higher. In fact, there is a good chance he gets chosen at the end of the first round. Some are concerned about his position, because he’s a little small for a power forward, but he plays physical and has a nice outside game. He’ll be a solid role player in my opinion.
34. Dallas Mavericks (from Boston) select: Nick Johnson (SG, Arizona)
Dallas has been relying on production from veterans on the wing, Vince Carter and Shawn Marion specifically. Both are free agents this summer and both have to be getting close to retirement. While Johnson doesn’t have the size those players do, he’s got underrated athleticism, a solid defensive mindset, and he’s able to shoot with decent range.
35. Utah Jazz select: Jarnell Stokes (PF, Tennessee)
With their picks in the first round we had Utah addressing their perimeter. With this pick, Stokes would give depth to their interior. He had a nice combine and is rising up draft boards, so Utah should be excited about the value here.
36. Milwaukee Bucks (from LAL) select: Thanassis Antetokounpo (G/F, NBDL)
We all know his brother, who has been terrific for Milwaukee. Not many know this, but this Antetokounpo has been playing in America too. I’m referring to the D-League where he’s been a pretty solid player. Second round is likely where he falls though.
37. Toronto Raptors (from Sacramento) select: DeAndre Kane (SG, Iowa State)
Kane is versatile and was a very good scorer in college. He’s a player that could come in and contribute right away as a scorer off the bench. That’s what a team on the rise needs.
38. Detroit Pistons select: Spencer Dinwiddie (G, Colorado)
Detroit doesn’t have a first round pick this year, so that makes this selection even more important. Dinwiddie is a big point guard that can actually play both backcourt positions. He does everything well except for shoot. But his leadership, toughness, defense, passing ability, and ball handling are all things that could help Detroit.
39. Philadelphia 76ers (from Cleveland) select: Bogdan Bogdanovic (SG, Serbia)
I’m not in love with this pick for a couple reasons. First, they already took an international “draft and stash” player earlier in this round. Second, they could use some inside players since we drafted wings in the first round. But, there isn’t great value here for a big man, and remember they still have two picks left. Second, there isn’t any pressure to win now in Philadelphia as most believe they are looking ahead. So that makes Bogdanovic very attractive to them because he could be a great player down the road.
40. Minnesota Timberwolves (from New Orleans) select: Jordan Clarkson (G, Missouri)
Clarkson is attractive for Minnesota because he is versatile and could potentially play both backcourt positions (played mostly point guard in college). He also brings a scoring ability that Ricky Rubio lacks. That makes him an intriguing bench player.
Player We Can’t Believe Hasn’t Been Drafted Yet: Semaj Christon
By: The Sports Guys
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