Andrew Wiggins, Joel Embiid, or Jabari Parker. Who will be the first pick in the 2014 NBA Draft? It’s an ongoing debate that will continue up to draft night on June 26th.
Here is The Sports Bank’s 2014 NBA Mock Draft where team needs and outstanding trades have been taken into account. Click on the player’s name for an in-depth draft profile. By the way, The Sports Bank had the most accurate NBA Mock Draft in both 2011 and 2012 along with the second most accurate mock in 2013.
So without further ado, here is our 2014 NBA mock draft.
1. Milwaukee- Joel Embiid, C, Kansas, 7-0, Fr.
The Bucks have a talented small forward of the future in last year’s first round pick, Giannis Antetokounmpo so they can pass on Parker and Wiggins here. Milwaukee did just re-sign Larry Sanders to a long-term extension (which they immediately regret I’m sure) but the team doesn’t have a low post offensive threat like Embiid.
2. Philadelphia- Andrew Wiggins, SF, Kansas, 6-8, Fr.
By trading Evan Turner, Philly desperately needs help on the wing. Wiggins has really started to come into his own lately and gets the nod over Parker. He would be a terrific young building block with Michael Carter-Williams and Nerlens Noel.
Go here for more on Andrew Wiggins
3. Orlando- Jabari Parker, SF, Duke, 6-8, Fr.
Whoever ends up with the third pick, happily takes whichever top talent falls to them and in this case, it is Parker. While the Magic already have a pair of young small forwards in Tobias Harris and Moe Harkless, there’s no way they pass on Parker.
Go here for more on Jabari Parker
4. L.A. Lakers- Dante Exum, G, Australia, 6-6, HS Sr.
The Lakers will be pretty much starting from scratch next season and will take the best available player. The Australian combo guard is extremely versatile as a scorer or ball-handle. He could help take some pressure off Kobe in the backcourt and be a potential replacement once Bryant decides to hang it up.
5. Boston- Marcus Smart, PG, Oklahoma State, 6-4, Soph.
Marcus Smart’s recent incident at Texas Tech does bring up some red flags but his ability, leadership, and fierce level of competition still makes him a top prospect. In Boston, he could be a solid backcourt mate for Rajon Rondo or a possible replacement if the C’s end up trading Rondo.
Go here for more on Marcus Smart
6. Sacramento- Noah Vonleh, PF, Indiana, 6-10, Fr.
In this scenario, the Kings choose between Julius Randle or Noah Vonleh as a future frontcourt mate for DeMarcus Cousins. Vonleh’s length and ability to step out on the perimeter is a better fit and I think he has better long term potential than Randle.
Go here for more on Noah Vonleh
7. Denver (from NY)- Julius Randle, PF, Kentucky, 6-9, Fr.
The Nuggets probably go with the best available player and in this case it is Randle. His combination of physicality and athleticism is impressive but there are deficiencies to his game.
Go here for more on Julius Randle
8. Utah- Aaron Gordon, F, Arizona, 6-9, Fr.
The Jazz need depth across the board and though a work in progress offensively, Aaron Gordon is a ridiculous athlete and terrific defender who should be a solid role player in the NBA. There are concerns about what his true position will be at the next level.
Go here for more on Aaron Gordon
9. Charlotte (from DET)- Dario Saric, SF, Croatia, 6-10, 1993
Dario Saric is a versatile forward who can stretch defenses with his outside shooting and could help open things up down low for Al Jefferson.
10. Philadelphia (from NO)- Gary Harris, SG, Michigan State, 6-4, Soph.
The Sixers could use a future backcourt mate to Michael Carter-Williams and Gary Harris is a talented all-around scorer capable of getting after it defensively as well.
Go here for more on Gary Harris
11. Cleveland- Doug McDermott, SF, Creighton, 6-8, Sr.
Even though they just acquired Luol Deng, he is a free agent as are C.J. Miles and possibly Alonzo Gee. Therefore, the Cavs will be looking for a small forward and McDermott is an efficient scorer from anywhere on the floor, Doug McDermott should be a solid role player at the next level.
Go here for more on Doug McDermott
12. Orlando (from DEN)- Tyler Ennis, PG, Syracuse, 6-2, Fr.
A very mature young point guard, Tyler Ennis plays with great poise and knows when to be a distributor or a scorer. He lacks ideal NBA athleticism but the Magic could use a ball-handling option since they hold a team option on Jameer Nelson’s contract for next season.
13. Minnesota- Rodney Hood, SF, Duke, 6-8, Soph.
The T-Wolves need to upgrade their bench play and the Mississippi State transfer has a smooth stroke from the outside but can also rise at the rim.
14. Memphis- James Young, SG, Kentucky, 6-6, Fr.
Tayshaun Prince is nowhere near what he used to be and Mike Miller and Quincy Pondexter are both free agents after this season so the Griz could use some depth on the wing.
Go here for more on James Young
15. Boston (from ATL via BRK)- Kyle Anderson, SF, UCLA, 6-9, Soph.
With their second first round pick, the C’s grab the best available player. Kyle Anderson has a very unique skill set as a point forward and could develop into a Lamar Odom-type player at the next level.
Go here for more on Kyle Anderson
16. Chicago (from CHAR)- Jordan Clarkson, G, Missouri, 6-5, Jr.
Since the Bulls dealt Marquis Teague and both Kirk Hinrich and D.J. Augustin are free agents, they could use some depth at the point guard position. Jordan Clarkson has really opened some eyes after transferring to Mizzou from Tulsa and is capable of playing either guard position.
17. Atlanta (from BRK)- Wayne Selden, SG, Kansas, 6-5, Fr.
The Hawks need to add some scoring punch on the wing and even though Wayne Selden has been overshadowed by Embiid and Wiggins this year, he is a physical, athletic off guard who has a bright future ahead of him.
18. Phoenix (from WASH)- Jerami Grant, SF, Syracuse, 6-8, Soph.
The biggest hole on the Suns roster is at small forward. Jerami Grant is long, extremely athletic, and has a nice mid-range game.
19. Chicago- Willie Cauley-Stein, C, Kentucky, 7-0, Soph.
Willie Cauley-Stein brings a ton of energy to the floor and is a rim protector though still very raw offensively. The Bulls don’t really have a true back-up big man so WC-S could fill that void.
Go here for more on Willie Cauley-Stein
20. Toronto- T.J. Warren, SF, N.C. State, 6-8, So.
T.J. Warren is a very efficient scorer who is at his best when attacking the basket. Since they traded Rudy Gay, the Raptors have a need for a small forward.
21. Oklahoma City (from DAL)- Montrezl Harrell, PF, Louisville, 6-8, Soph.
Though a bit undersized, Montrezl Harrell plays insanely hard and uses his length and athleticism to be a factor inside.
22. Phoenix- Nik Stauskas, SG, Michigan, 6-6, Soph.
The Suns continue to upgrade their talent on the the wing. The Wolverine sophomore can absolutely stroke it from deep but is also underrated in terms of his bounciness at the rim.
Go here for more on Nik Stauskas
23. Utah (from GS)- Adreian Payne, PF, Michigan State, 6-10, Sr.
Adreian Payne is an inside/outside threat who is explosive around the rim. The Jazz don’t really have any options up front outside of Derrick Favors and Enes Kanter especially with Marvin Williams becoming a free agent.
Go here for more on Adreian Payne
24. L.A. Clippers- Andrew Harrison, PG, Kentucky, 6-5, Fr.
Darren Collison has a player option on his contract so could bounce from L.A. this summer. Andrew Harrison hasn’t put together a stellar freshman campaign but still have first round talent.
Go here for more on Andrew Harrison
25. Houston- P.J. Hairston, SG, North Carolina, 6-6, Jr.
The Rockets need to add some scoring punch off their bench and P.J. Hairston has solid size and strength to be an NBA off guard but also displays a pretty stroke from the perimeter. He was dismissed from the UNC team this season and has since been playing in the D-League.
Go here for more on P.J. Hairston
26. Charlotte (from POR)- Semaj Christon, PG, Xavier, 6-3, Soph.
With both Ben Gordon and Luke Ridnour entering free agency, the Bobcats need some backcourt options. Semaj Christon is a terrific athlete and is at his best attacking the tin but struggles shooting it from deep.
27. San Antonio- Clint Capela, PF, Switzerland, 6-10, 1994
The Swiss native looks the part but needs grooming in most area of his game and must add physicality. He is a work in progress but the Spurs do a terrific job of developing young players and Capela could be the next in line.
28. Oklahoma City- C.J. Fair, SF, Syracuse, 6-8, Sr.
C.J. Fair is a versatile lefty who has the potential to be a solid role player at the next level.
29. Miami- Aaron Harrison, SG, Kentucky, 6-5, Fr.
Aaron Harrison is a capable all-around scorer with good size for the next level. Though it has not always shown this season, he has first round talent and worth the risk this late.
Go here for more on Aaron Harrison
30. Phoenix (from IND)- Bogdan Bogdanovic, G/F, Serbia, 6-6, 1992
A versatile threat, the Serbian can play the one, two, or three and does a little bit of everything to help his team. The Suns could draft and stash him with their third first round pick.
CLICK HERE FOR THE SECOND ROUND of the 2014 NBA mock draft
David Kay is a senior feature NBA Draft, NBA, and college basketball writer for the Sports Bank. He also heads up the NBA and college basketball material at Walter Football.com and is a former contributor at The Washington Times Communities. David has appeared on numerous national radio programs spanning from Cleveland to New Orleans to Milwaukee to Honolulu. He also had the most accurate 2011 NBA Mock Draft and the most accurate 2012 NBA Mock Draft on the internet (Yup, repeat champ… #humblebrag), and finished with the second most accurate 2013 NBA Mock Draft (nearly a three-peat.) You can follow him on Twitter at David_Kmiecik.
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