Todd Salem 2014 NBA Mock Draft – 20 June 2014
June 21, 2014 · Todd Salem
1. Joel Embiid 2. Jabari Parker 3. Andrew Wiggins 4. Dante Exum 5. Noah Vonleh
| Round 1 | |||||
| 1 |  |
Cleveland | Joel Embiid | C | Kansas |
| Even beyond the back questions, this selection is becoming much tougher than originally anticipated. Embiid is the potential franchise center every team covets. He should still go number one, but it’s no sure thing anymore, especially considering the recent foot injury. | |||||
| 2 |  |
Milwaukee | Jabari Parker | SF | Duke |
| Jabari Parker and Andrew Wiggins have gone back and forth between the second and third pick all summer. Parker is the better player right now, someone capable of scoring in double-figures his first game in the NBA. Wiggins is the better talent with a higher ceiling. Milwaukee already has one small forward with unlimited potential who can’t yet play offense in the NBA though. | |||||
| 3 |  |
Philadelphia | Andrew Wiggins | SF | Kansas |
| Philadelphia is in a no-lose situation. Whoever drops to them at third will be a potential franchise guy. Wiggins is an elite defender and athlete already. He can develop into something approaching elite on offense as well in due time. | |||||
| 4 |  |
Orlando | Dante Exum | PG | Australia |
| Dante Exum seems to have matriculated his way into the consensus top four of this draft. With another pick later in round one, Orlando may be inclined to go power forward here and address point guard at 12. However, Exum is the better prospect. | |||||
| 5 |  |
Utah | Noah Vonleh | PF | Indiana |
| Noah Vonleh is creeping up into the top five. He has a better body and a more prototypical NBA game than either Randle or Aaron Gordon. The production wasn’t there during his college season, but he unveiled the ability to score both in the post and from the outside. | |||||
| 6 |  |
Boston | Aaron Gordon | PF | Arizona |
| Gordon is perhaps the best combination of defense, effort and athleticism in the draft. He reminds folks of Shawn Marion in that regard, combined with his inability to shoot from the outside. | |||||
| 7 |  |
Los Angeles Lakers | Julius Randle | PF | Kentucky |
| Teams are falling out of love with Randle quickly. He doesn’t have the tangibles of some of the other power forward prospects in this draft. Los Angeles would be foolish to disregard everything he did during last college basketball season though. | |||||
| 8 |  |
Sacramento | Marcus Smart | PG | Oklahoma State |
| There are real concerns about Smart’s game outside of any character issues that arose during this past season. However, at eighth overall, the reward outweighs the risk, especially for a team like Sacramento who lacks a true point guard. | |||||
| 9 |  |
Charlotte | Rodney Hood | SF | Duke |
| Rodney Hood is arguably the best of the shooters available in this draft, and that group is rather extensive. His size and fluidity make him a better bet than some of the true shooting guards set to be taken later in the lottery. | |||||
| 10 | |
Philadelphia | Dario Saric | F | Croatia |
| For more than two years now, Dario Saric has been considered the best international player available. He declined the NBA draft last year. By all accounts, he won’t make the same choice this season and would give Philadelphia a formidable pair of forwards. | |||||
| 11 |  |
Denver | Doug McDermott | F | Creighton |
| Teams feel better about Doug McDermott’s chances in the NBA after this offseason. He proved he’s a better athlete than people expected. The rest of his game has never been up for debate. | |||||
| 12 | |
Orlando | Adreian Payne | PF | Michigan State |
| With Orlando not looking for a guard after selecting Exum at four, they may look to international center Jusuf Nurkic or select Adreian Payne. Payne is a power forward who can play inside but also step out and space the floor for guard penetration. | |||||
| 13 |  |
Minnesota | Gary Harris | SG | Michigan State |
| For Minnesota, a team that may be looking to move its best player, retooling on offense is important. But the Timberwolves were bad defensively last year. Grabbing Gary Harris, a player who excels on both sides of the floor, is paramount to this team’s future success. | |||||
| 14 |  |
Phoenix | Nik Stauskas | SG | Michigan |
| With the starting guards already set and a nice rotation in place, Phoenix just missed out on the playoffs and could use some more shooting depth off the bench. Here, the pick comes down to a number of guys including P.J. Hairston, James Young or Stauskas. Stauskas though has the fewest questions. | |||||
| 15 |  |
Atlanta | Zach LaVine | G | UCLA |
| Atlanta has a nice core in place already. They also have a number of international talents who have yet to play much for them. However, Zach LaVine is perhaps the best athlete in this entire draft, even if he doesn’t have a true position. | |||||
| 16 |  |
Chicago | P.J. Hairston | SG | D-League |
| With the hopeful return of Derrick Rose, Chicago will need more outside shooting to space the floor better on offense. P.J. Hairston proved in the D-League he is one of the best at just that. | |||||
| 17 | |
Boston | James Young | SG | Kentucky |
| James Young is yet another elite shooting guard talent in this year’s draft. He was very inconsistent during his Kentucky season but proved capable of taking over games. | |||||
| 18 | |
Phoenix | Jusuf Nurkic | C | Bosnia & Herzegovina |
| Another first-round pick for Phoenix allows the Suns to take a chance on a young center to replace Martin Gortat, who they dealt prior to last season. It may also allow them to move on from Alex Len, who doesn’t seem like a fit for this franchise. | |||||
| 19 | |
Chicago | Kyle Anderson | G/F | UCLA |
| Kyle Anderson is one of the most unique players to come out of college in some time. He’s a 6’9″ point forward with a wingspan over seven feet and point guard tendencies. However, he lacks the athleticism and quickness of a true guard. | |||||
| 20 |  |
Toronto | Tyler Ennis | PG | Syracuse |
| Kyle Lowry’s future always seems to be in doubt. Regardless, Toronto would be wise to think about a young point guard. Tyler Ennis was the steadiest freshman guard in the nation last season. | |||||
| 21 |  |
Oklahoma City | C.J. Wilcox | SG | Washington |
| The Thunder, even with all their offensive weapons, still lack enough outside shooting to space the floor for Westbrook and Durant. They could also use someone to run a second-unit offense if Reggie Jackson becomes a full-time starter. | |||||
| 22 |  |
Memphis | Jordan Adams | SG | UCLA |
| Memphis has lacked enough scoring on the outside for some time now. Although Jordan Adams isn’t the knock-down shooter some of the earlier shooting guards in this draft are, he’s a capable offensive playmaker at this point in round one. | |||||
| 23 | |
Utah | Elfrid Payton | PG | La-Lafayette |
| Many scouts are split on Elfrid Payton. He became a household name during the NCAA Tournament but still has many holes in his game. He is not a good shooter and turns the ball over too much as a point guard. However, his frame and driving ability make him endlessly intriguing. | |||||
| 24 | |
Charlotte | T.J. Warren | SF | North Carolina State |
| T.J. Warren had a remarkable 2013-14 season. He was the ACC Player of the Year, and it wasn’t close. However, his game is in-between in a lot of ways. He’s an in-between forward who doesn’t shoot well enough from three but can finish in so many ways within 20 feet. | |||||
| 25 |  |
Houston | Jerami Grant | SF | Syracuse |
| The only flaw in Jerami Grant’s game may make him an odd fit for the Houston Rockets. He doesn’t yet shoot threes. But his defensive prowess and length on the perimeter make him a good change of pace for this Rockets squad. | |||||
| 26 |  |
Miami | Glenn Robinson | SF | Michigan |
| The Miami Heat desperately need to get younger and quicker on the edges, especially since there isn’t a great center prospect at this point in the draft. | |||||
| 27 | |
Phoenix | Jarnell Stokes | PF | Tennessee |
| The Suns’ picks keep coming. Adding an active, powerful body on the inside in Jarnell Stokes brings a different element than players like Channing Frye currently offer. | |||||
| 28 |  |
Los Angeles Clippers | Clint Capela | PF | France |
| If the Clippers have one major flaw, it’s a lack of big men off the bench. After Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan, there isn’t much there. Clint Capela may be the answer. | |||||
| 29 | |
Oklahoma City | Cleanthony Early | F | Wichita State |
| Cleanthony Early was really the face of the Wichita State Shockers these past tournament runs. He’s a long wing who can score in many different ways but also defend his position. | |||||
| 30 |  |
San Antonio | K.J. McDaniels | SF | Clemson |
| K.J. McDaniels was really the only threat on either end for the Clemson Tigers this past season. He was the best defender in the ACC and proved capable of scoring as well. With all the shooting on the wings for San Antonio, another freak defender like Kawhi Leonard could give them a fearsome defensive lineup. | |||||
| Round 2 | |||||
| 31 | |
Milwaukee | Johnny O’Bryant | C | LSU |
| A bit undersized to be an NBA center, Johnny O’Bryant brings much needed power and strength to the interior of the Milwaukee Bucks. | |||||
| 32 | |
Philadelphia | Jordan Clarkson | G | Missouri |
| Philadelphia’s slew of second-round picks begins here. They probably won’t make all of their selections but may attempt to add multiple players at the same position in an attempt to find the best option after the draft is complete. Clarkson is the start of that. | |||||
| 33 | |
Cleveland | Mitch McGary | C | Michigan |
| Mitch McGary is a much different center than Joel Embiid. He’s a grinder and a paint scorer. He can also step out and play from the top of the block. The reason he drops into the second round is because he missed all of last season due to injury. | |||||
| 34 |  |
Dallas | Shabazz Napier | PG | Connecticut |
| Shabazz Napier had a tournament for the ages on UConn’s way to the National Championship. He’s an undersized point guard who lacks elite athleticism though. Of course, his toughness and grit will find a place in this league. | |||||
| 35 | |
Utah | Jabari Brown | SG | Missouri |
| Utah needs to find a guard to play alongside Trey Burke. If Brown isn’t that guy, he is almost guaranteed to be a weapon off the bench for a team’s second unit. | |||||
| 36 | |
Milwaukee | Bogdan Bogdanovic | SG | Serbia |
| For the Bucks, grabbing talent is the objective in the second round. Bogdanovic would hopefully turn out to be the player Milwaukee thought O.J. Mayo was going to be for them. | |||||
| 37 | |
Toronto | James Michael McAdoo | PF | North Carolina |
| James Michael McAdoo’s draft stock has continued to plummet year after year. He was once considered a potential lottery pick after his freshman season at UNC. He is no longer anything close, but he still has talent. | |||||
| 38 |  |
Detroit | Devyn Marble | SG | Iowa |
| Detroit’s season got worse when the lottery gods failed to shine on the Pistons, and they lost their lottery pick to Charlotte. The roster as it’s currently constructed has no plan. Marble is a good, all-round scorer though who should find a role here. | |||||
| 39 | |
Philadelphia | Vasilije Micic | PG | Serbia |
| The acquisition of talent continues for the Sixers. Micic is a big point guard who’s game resembles Michael Carter-Williams. | |||||
| 40 | |
Minnesota | Walter Tavares | C | Cape Verde |
| Minnesota lacked a true paint player last season to protect the rim. Tavares is a big body who plays on the block and could give the Timberwolves that inside force. | |||||
| 41 | |
Denver | DeAndre Daniels | PF | Connecticut |
| DeAndre Daniels was a frustrating player for UConn before the amazing tournament run. He’s a good three-point shooter and effective athlete who seems to fade in and out of games. | |||||
| 42 | |
Houston | Joe Harris | SF | Virginia |
| Joe Harris’ senior year wasn’t the next step he was hoping for. However, he possesses a good outside shooting stroke, something Houston desires. | |||||
| 43 | |
Atlanta | Dwight Powell | PF | Stanford |
| Dwight Powell is a unique power forward. He often controlled the offense for Stanford and played a point forward role. | |||||
| 44 | |
Minnesota | Cameron Bairstow | PF | New Mexico |
| New Mexico’s NCAA Tournament yet again fell well short of expectations. It wasn’t because of Cameron Bairstow though. The Aussie is a force on the offensive end. | |||||
| 45 | |
Charlotte | Patric Young | C | Florida |
| For the Florida Gators, Patric Young was the lynchpin of the defense and effort for four years. His offense never developed but he’s capable of occasionally scoring down low. | |||||
| 46 |  |
Washington | Spencer Dinwiddie | SG | Colorado |
| A torn ACL ended Spencer Dinwiddie’s college season last year. He was clearly the heart and soul of the Colorado Buffaloes and was every opponent’s main concern before he went down. | |||||
| 47 | |
Philadelphia | Nikola Jokic | C | Serbia |
| After addressing some guard depth and taking chances in the backcourt, Philly would be wise to grab a big-man prospect as well to pair with or complement Nerlens Noel. | |||||
| 48 | |
Milwaukee | Nick Johnson | SG | Arizona |
| The best the Pac-12 had to offer in 2013, Nick Johnson was the best player on the number one seeded Arizona Wildcats. He’s a good ball handler and scorer who can also play off the ball. | |||||
| 49 | |
Chicago | Thanasis Antetokoumpo | SF | D-League |
| Thanasis’ brother is already a famous member of the NBA. The older Antetokoumpo, Thanasis is less of a freak than Giannis, but still possesses the same defensive intensity and wild spurts of wow-plays. | |||||
| 50 | |
Phoenix | Fuquan Edwin | G/F | Seton Hall |
| The Suns already have a number of talented scoring guards on their roster. Edwin would bring a different element to the backcourt and wing as he’s more of a defensive hustler who does everything on the court. | |||||
| 51 | |
Dallas | Cory Jefferson | PF | Baylor |
| A powerful dunker and athlete, Cory Jefferson was one of Baylor’s pair of big men bruisers last season. He isn’t the most fluid offensive player yet though. | |||||
| 52 | |
Philadelphia | Markel Brown | SG | Oklahoma State |
| Although OSU had a very disappointing regular season, Markel Brown developed into the team’s most reliable player. Through the ups and downs of Marcus Smart, Brown showed his talents on the offensive end. | |||||
| 53 | |
Minnesota | Semaj Christon | G | Xavier |
| By addressing their inside depth concerns earlier in the draft, Minnesota is able to add a nice backcourt piece at this point. Christon is a good, physical point guard prospect. | |||||
| 54 | |
Philadelphia | Russ Smith | PG | Louisville |
| Russ Smith chose to return to school this past season in the hopes of bringing his draft stock up into the first round. It didn’t happen. He brings a lot to the table as a player but also takes a lot away. | |||||
| 55 | |
Miami | Khem Birch | PF | UNLV |
| Through a couple of different schools in college, Birch made it clear he’s a good athlete on the inside who can change and challenge opponents’ shots, things Miami is sorely lacking. | |||||
| 56 | |
Denver | Deonte Burton | G | Nevada |
| Burton didn’t make many headlines last year playing for Nevada. He also may not be a true point guard since he struggles with distribution and decision making. He’s a great penetrator and finisher though. | |||||
| 57 |  |
Indiana | Jahii Carson | PG | Arizona State |
| Jahii Carson had the world at his finger tips after his freshman year. The sophomore campaign was not nearly as successful. However, Indiana is scouring draft lists looking for a point guard capable of making plays, unlike their current options. Carson can do just that. | |||||
| 58 | |
San Antonio | Isaiah Austin | C | Baylor |
| News has come out that Isaiah Austin is blind in one eye. He’s played with this hindrance for years, however, it’s certainly enough to scare most teams away. San Antonio is the one franchise who may take a chance on a player with Austin’s skillset. | |||||
| 59 | |
Toronto | C.J. Fair | SF | Syracuse |
| C.J. Fair was probably a better college player than he will be at the next level. He lacks elite size or quickness. He doesn’t shoot great from deep either. He was a superior, lefty scorer as an amateur though. | |||||
| 60 | |
San Antonio | LaQuinton Ross | SF | Ohio State |
| With another second-round selection, the Spurs will be searching for another talented wing who can hit the three. Ross’ year at Ohio State was disappointing. He didn’t become the scorer everyone thought he would, perhaps meaning his future is as a bench, spot-up option. | |||||
