2014 Mock Draft with Explanations

[Chriscarr9924]

1. Cavaliers: Joel Embiid, C
The Cavs could use the immediate scoring from Parker or the defense and upside of Wiggins but, Embiid has too much potential to become an outstanding two-way force for the young Cavs.
Comparison: Hakeem Olajuwon

2. Bucks: Jabari Parker, SF
The Bucks finished as one of the worst offensive teams in the league last year. They could use a player like Parker who can come in and average 18-20 points a night immediately.
Comparison: Carmelo Anthony

3. 76ers: Andrew Wiggins, SF
The Sixers have wanted Wiggins all along and get him without having to trade up. He offers supreme athletiscism, defense and upside.
Comparison: Vince Carter

4. Magic: Dante Exum, PG
The Magic need a point gaurd for the future and Exum fits the bill. Somewhat of an unkown, Exum is a scoring point guard who offers great length, speed and height to compete against other NBA PG's.
Comparison: Penny Hardaway

5. Jazz: Noah Vonleh, PF
Although the Jazz wouldve loved to get Parker or Wiggins, Vonleh isn't a bad consolation prize. Vonleh's length and defense would be welcome to one of the NBA's worst defensive teams. He can also spread the floor with his shooting.
Comparison: Chris Bosh

6. Celtics: Aaron Gordon, PF
The Celtics will probably trade this pick but, Gordon offers the athletiscicm and defense the Celts need. He plays above the rim, is a great defender and has a high IQ.
Comparison: Shawn Marion

7. Lakers: Julius Randle, PF
The Lakers will also seek to trade this pick but, Randle has an NBA ready body and can come in and score down low. He is not a very good defender but has a strong frame to body up with other bigs. He offers low post scoring and is a tenacious rebounder.
Comparison: poor man's Chris Webber

8. Kings: Marcus Smart, PG
The Kings also would like to trade this pick for immediate veteran help but Smart is a smart option. He can give the Kings a tough PG who can score and defend from day one. He can also replace the smaller Isiah Thomas.
Comparison: taller Eric Bledsoe

9. Hornets: Doug McDermott, SF
The Hornets are in desperate need for some offensive firepower and McDermott fills the need+more. He can come in and score from day one. His outside shooting and high I.Q could be a valuble asset for the Hornets.
Comparison: Mike Miller

10. 76ers: Gary Harris, SG
The Sixers could also go with Stauskas here but Harris' defense and all alround package is more enticing. His height is a minus (6'2) but he is a capable defender.
Comparison: Shorter Bradley Beal

11. Nuggets: Nik Stauskas, SG
The Nuggets potential starting shooting gaurds are Randye Foye and Evan Fournier, yikes. Stauskas is a great shooter, a need for the Denver. He can project to be a solid scoring 2-guard at the next level.
Comparison: poor mans Klay Thompson

12. Magic: Dario Saric, PF
MVP of the Adriatic League, Saric is an all-around player who has the potential to be a star. He can pass, rebound, score and has very good size, around 6'10. He is slow latterally and isn't a great athlete but, he can contribute on any team.
Comparison: Toni Kukoc

13. Timberwolves: James Young, SG
The Wolves will likely lose Kevin Love this summer, but shooting and depth is still a need. Young can come in and provide deep shooting and athletiscism.
Comparison: Michael Redd

14. Suns: Zach LaVine, SG
LaVine has the potential to become a star. He is a good shooter and amazing athlete (47' vertical). He needs to put on some weight and is raw both offensively and defensively, but has all the tools a star needs.
Comparison: Russell Westbrook

15. Hawks: Rodney Hood, SF
The Hawks have needed a SF for a while and Hood is much needed. He is a lights out 3PT shooter and is an underated athlete. He is a mediocore defender at best but has good length.
Comparison: Rashard Lewis

16. Bulls: Adrian Payne, PF
The Bulls will likely amnesty Boozer and need frontcourt depth. Payne is a good 3PT shooter and hustles on every play. He would be a welcome addition to Tom Thibedou's team.
Comparison: Robert Horry

17. Celtics: Kyle Anderson, SF/PG
Although im not a fan of Anderson's game, the Celtics should be. He is an all around talent who is a great facilatator. His 6'9 height for a PG is unheard of (except Magic) and his ability to rebound and score makes him a great talent. He is a bit slow and will have trouble defending but his all-around talent is too good to pass up.
Comparison: Lamar Odom

18. Suns: Cleanthony Early, SF
SF depth is undoubtedly a need for the Suns. Early is a capable shooter and solid defender. He is a terrific athlete and has the tools to be a good defender. He may not be a star down the road, but he could develop into a valuble starter.
Comparison: Harrison Barnes

19. Bulls: PJ Hairston, SG
Although the Bulls could use a back up facilitator, scoring is a much bigger need. Hairston is a scorer, and can score from anywhere on the floor. He is tough and hustles on every play. His defense and offcourt troubles lower his stock, but he would be a perfect fit to this Bulls team.
Comparison: Wesley Matthews

20. Raptors: Tyler Ennis, PG
The Raptors team last year was their best since Vinsanity was in Toronto. All though they had a number of PG's on their rostee, they lacked a true facilatator on the bench. Ennis is a great passer and leader. He is a underated shooter and is a capable defender. His defense is a work in progress and hes not much of an athlete, but he gets the job done.
Comparison: George Hill

21. Thunder: Elfrid Payton, PG
With Reggie Jackson primed to start alongside Westbrook next year and Fisher leaving for NYC, the Thunder need a backup PG. Payton has shot up draft boards recently with his passing ability, athletiscism and size (6'4). His jumpshot is a work in progress and he needs to add some strength but his ball handling and passing would be a great addition to this championship level roster.
Comparison: Devin Harris

22. Grizzlies: TJ Warren, SF
Aside from Quincy Pontdexter, the Grizz have no offense coming from the wing posistion. Warren is a scorer at heart as seen by his 24.5ppg average in college. Hes not a great 3pt shooter but, he can get to the basket and has a great midrange game. His defense is suspect, but that shouldn't matter on the NBA's #3 defense.
Comparison: Caron Butler

23. Jazz: KJ McDaniels, SF
The Jazz werent a good defensive team and McDaniels is an excellent defender. He can also get to the bucket and knock down the occasional 3 pointer.
Comparison: Trevor Ariza

24. Hornets: CJ Wilcox, SG
The Hornets were not a good shooting team last year, and CJ Wilcox is a knock down shooter. He shot 42% from 3 in college and can give this team a deadly sniper of the bench.
Comparison: Anthony Morrow

25. Rockets: Jordan Adams, SG
The Rockets are a top team in the West but they need some depth behind James Harden. Adams was a electrifying scorer at UCLA and he can come in day one and provide a spark of the bench. He is not a good athlete or a lockdown defender but his offensive game is as polished as anyone on the board.
Comparison: poor mans James Harden

26. Heat: Shabazz Napier, PG
With almost everyone on the Heat becoming FA's this offseason, they have needs everywhere. With Mario Chalmers disappearence in the Finals and his quest for a bigger contract, he will probably leave. With Napier's experience, leadership and NBA readiness, the Big 3 would welcome him to the team as the starting PG and replacement to Chalmers.
Comparison: Mike Bibby

27. Suns: Jusuf Nikuric, C
At this late in the lottery, the Suns can afford a project. Alex Len looks to be a bust and with their center posistion lacking any offensive help, Nikuric can provide that. His big body can bang with other NBA bigs and his post game is pretty good. He is slow and his defense is coming along, but his offensive game is worth the risk for the Suns.
Comparison: Nikola Pekovic

28. Clippers: Mitch McGary, C
The Clippers need frontcourt depth and no, Big Baby and Ryan Hollins cannot provide that. A year ago, McGary looked to be a bonafide lottery pick because of his play in the NCAA Torney. He has had some off court troubles and an injury kept him out last year but his big body, ability to move well and his rebounding would be welcomed on Doc's team.
Comparison: David Lee

29. Thunder:

30. Spurs: Clint Capela, PF
The Spurs are famous for drafting international talent and with Tim Duncan likely retiring this summer, the Spurs will have a big hole at PF. Capela is an explosive athlete and quick for his size (6'11). He is also very good finishing around the rim. He doesn't have a good basketball IQ and his offensive game is not polished, but the Spurs always have a way of maximizing potential and Capela has alot of it.
Comparison: Serge Ibaka



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[LloydFree]

I'll be glad when this draft is over, so I don't have to read another nonsensical comparison of Zach Randolph to Julius Randle.

As for the mock itself:
1. I don't see the Lakers taking Julius Randle over Marcus Smart. Mitch Kupchak knows how to draft, so I don't see him making that mistake.

2. I'm also praying that the 76ers don't waste this golden opportunity with two lottery picks, and throw #10 away on the low upside of Garry Harris. There is no way I take a future 3rd guard, like Garry Harris at #10, when I could get Nick Johnson or Markel Brown to do the same things at #32.

3. If the Celtics draft Aaron Gordon and Kyle Anderson at #6 and #17, they win the draft. They will have a better haul than the 76ers at #3 and #10 and nearly equal the Magic's 4 and 12.

[HornetJail]

Very, very nice. I can't see Harris getting picked over Stauskas or LaVine, and I don't see Napier falling this far at all, but otherwise it's one of the best mocks that I've seen. Wiggins dropping to #3 isn't inconceivable but not likely. Milwaukee should snatch him up because Wiggins/Giannis would be just nasty.

[Chriscarr9924]

Very, very nice. I can't see Harris getting picked over Stauskas or LaVine, and I don't see Napier falling this far at all, but otherwise it's one of the best mocks that I've seen. Wiggins dropping to #3 isn't inconceivable but not likely. Milwaukee should snatch him up because Wiggins/Giannis would be just nasty.

thank you! and I agree that Stauskas could get picked over Harris, I just think Harris' NBA readiness and defense is a better fit for the Sixer lineup. Wiggins and Giannis athletiscism together would be crazy.


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