Official 2014 Draft Thread

countrybama24 · Post #1 » by **countrybama24** » Sun Jul 7, 2013 2:45 pm

Obviously it's too early, but since I have some things to say about this draft I figured I'd kick the thread off.

Looks like there are 5 guys with a lot of hype likely to stay at the top of the board (Wiggins, Parker, Andrew Harrison, Smart and Julius Randle) and a lot of terrible teams tanking to get them. Lots of guys to give those main 5 competition though.

Tier 1 - Tanktastic
Sixers
Celtics
Suns
Magic

Tier 2 - Bad, but better than last year
Bobcats
Kings
Raptors

Tier 3 - Potential Playoff Push
Wizards
Cavs
Pistons

I think we'll end up picking around 12-16 again. Our free agents weren't better than our young players, and Burke can't be much worse than our guard rotation last year. The Warriors lost Jarrett Jack and Landy, so I don't think they improve THAT much. I think that pick will be around 22-27 barring worse than their usual luck injuries.

I noticed there are a lot of big men in that range, and as usual, my inclination is the draft the best player regardless of need. Favors and Kanter's stock will be sky high, and could net us a first option, all-star wing or guard in return (or a much higher pick).

I'm definitely biased towards Gary Harris, but I'd love to grab him with our second pick if possible. He can really shoot and defend, he brings you 90% of bradley beal's production I think (who I'm very high on going into this next season). I'll withhold judgement on guys who haven't played in college yet, although I will say I think Wiggins is clearly the number one pick and the best prospect in the draft.

Post #2 » by **StocktonShorts** » Sun Jul 7, 2013 3:34 pm

It seems that the top of the draft can change a lot when you're this far out. There are a lot of guys not listed who could work their way into the top 5. One example is Dante Exum.

I don't see the Jazz in the 12-16 range. I see them in the 6-10 range. Their thin bench will lose them a lot of games.

Jazzy Cougar · Post #3 » by **Jazzy Cougar** » Sun Jul 7, 2013 3:37 pm

Remember how Shabazz Muhammad was expected to be a top pick at the beginning of last year? I don't like discussing prospects till the end of the year, so I can see how they played. I especially won't discuss Jabari and the rest of the incoming freshmans because they haven't even played one game in college yet

Post #4 » by **StocktonShorts** » Sun Jul 7, 2013 3:39 pm

Jazzy Cougar wrote:Remember how Shabazz Muhammad was expected to be a top pick at the beginning of last year? I don't like discussing prospects till the end of the year, so I can see how they played. I especially won't discuss Jabari and the rest of the incoming freshmans because they haven't even played one game in college yet

In many ways that's exactly why it's fun to discuss them now.

Jazzy Cougar · Post #5 » by **Jazzy Cougar** » Sun Jul 7, 2013 3:42 pm

StocktonShorts wrote:
Jazzy Cougar wrote:Remember how Shabazz Muhammad was expected to be a top pick at the beginning of last year? I don't like discussing prospects till the end of the year, so I can see how they played. I especially won't discuss Jabari and the rest of the incoming freshmans because they haven't even played one game in college yet

In many ways that's exactly why it's fun to discuss them now.

I do have my opinions on them already, I think Jabari will be better than Wiggins, and I think Randle will be a total bust in the NBA

Jazzfan12 · Post #6 » by **Jazzfan12** » Sun Jul 7, 2013 4:08 pm

Julius Randle has serious issues, but his athleticism is stupid.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQ-vLcOMKX8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XtuR-xdFXqo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybc5YxhNi-E

Love watching him dunk in games.

pickIBL · Post #7 » by **pickIBL** » Sun Jul 7, 2013 5:05 pm

It is hard to see Exum moving up in the 2014 draft because he was born July 13 1995 (yea he's 17) and he graduates from high school this November. His dad Cecil played with Jordan at UNC and I'm sure dad would like to see him go there... but if Exum is slotted as a lotto pick in 2014 it is silly for him to go to Indiana or UNC for one year.

It is hard to see Exum or Hezonja flying up the draft boards with all these big name guys in the NCAA this year. If the Jazz have a late lotto pick of their own plus acquire these extra picks it is very possible that they can snag a big time international talent. I am hoping Exum enters the D-League draft this year... or just hops on a plane to france and plays pro B like his Hoops Summit teammate did.

Dante Exum has an outside shot @ being the best in the class of 2014... he's the youngest but all the tools are there. If the Baby Jordan references don't mess with his head... hard to compete with that label.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0P9M-A2qQA

listen to him @ u19

Post #8 » by **Inigo Montoya** » Sun Jul 7, 2013 5:10 pm

isn't exum going to prep school and not college, which means he won't be in the 2014 draft at all? that will suck.

pickIBL · Post #9 » by **pickIBL** » Sun Jul 7, 2013 5:25 pm

“[The 2014 Draft] is going to be an option that my family and I will look closely at, but for the time being my eyes are set on college,” Exum told Zagoria.

Exum already visited Indiana earlier this year and also told Zagoria that the other programs on him the “hardest” include Michigan, Louisville, LSU, SMU, Tulsa and Kentucky.

But Exum is going to have to weigh the serious prospects of entering the 2014 NBA Draft with the way he’s currently playing at the FIBA U19 World Championship in Prague. Draft Express analyst Jonathan Givony has been raving about Exum’s performance on Twitter, which included a 30-point second half in an upset win over Spain to reach the U19 Final Four.

http://collegebasketballtalk.nbcsports. ... ante-exum/