Monday, June 23, 2014

NBA Mock Draft: Edition 4 (Final Edition)

1. Cleveland Cavaliers Jabari Parker, F
Joel Embiid's health is such a concern the Cavaliers should head somewhere else with this selection. Parker's versatility and offensive playmaking ability will give Cleveland's frontcourt a young, healthy talent.
2. Milwaukee Bucks Andrew Wiggins, G/F
Wiggins (Milwaukee) and Embiid (Orlando)

Philadelphia really loves Wiggins and Wiggins loves Philly, but they won't have a chance as Milwaukee makes a move on him here. Wiggins has struggled to be an aggressive offensive force but as the number one offensive option in Milwaukee, he could be fantastic from the beginning.
3. Philadelphia Sixers Dante Exum, G
With Michael Carter-Williams already on their roster, Philadelphia can add another young backcourt piece in Exum. The athletic Australian has the size to get to the rim and really grow as a defender, he can play shooting guard if they play MCW at point.
4. Orlando Magic Joel Embiid, C
No player in this draft (at least big man) has the ceiling that Embiid has. Injury concerns are such a concern though, scouts are beginning to compare Embiid to Greg Oden. Even so, Orlando could get a major steal here if he does manage to stay healthy and evolve into a dominant offensive force.
5. Utah Jazz Noah Vonleh, F/C
Vonleh still has a long way to go offensively (very average mid range game, still needs to get stronger to be able to battle with some of the better NBA defensive big men) but his size and already polished defensive skills should certainly help the Jazz.
6. Boston Celtics Aaron Gordon, F
The C's are in love with Gordon, for good reason, as he can give them an athletic playmaker that can make a fair share of highlight reel plays. Boston has made it clear if Gordon is still available here, they will pick him up; even though he is talented he shouldn't go higher than 6.
7. Los Angeles Lakers Marcus Smart, G
In order to develop back into the powerhouse franchise they once were, the Lakers will need to pick up a franchise point guard. Smart is the best option here, although character concerns may worry scouts.
8. Sacramento Kings Julius Randle, F
Randle dropping here would be the best case scenario for the Kings, who would love to add another young stud in their frontcourt. Drafting Randle may move Demarcus Cousins to center full time, but if he becomes stronger and more athletic he could become quite the steal here at eight.
9. Charlotte Hornets Doug McDermott, F
Charlotte could go with the high risk-high reward pick here in Zach LaVine, but McDermott is a safer prospect. The four-year star at Creighton can score in so many different ways and his work ethic has never been a question.
10. Philadelphia Sixers Nik Stauskas, G/F
Few players in this draft can hit the three ball quite like Stauskas, who will really help a Sixers team that also lacks established shooters. Jason Richardson obviously isn't going to be part of Philadelphia's future plans and Evan Turner is gone, giving Stauskas the opportunity to contribute early and often.
11. Denver Nuggets Gary Harris, SG
Harris may not have the 46-inch vertical of a Zach LaVine or the automatic three-point shooting of a Stauskas but he is an experienced playmaker who can do so many different things right. He does have superb athleticism still, and is still a very dangerous shooter.
12. Orlando Magic Rodney Hood, G/F
Up until this morning Dario Saric was right here on my board but it was just announced the Croatian has signed a contract with a team overseas, meaning he will not come to the NBA for a long time. Hood can give Orlando another young wing scorer with loads of versatility.
13. Minnesota Timberwolves Adreian Payne, F/C
Payne was fantastic in his four years with Michigan State and he will be ready to make plays with Minnesota from game one. Size and durability are some concerns about him, but the T-Wolves should not pass up on this polished talent.
14. Phoenix Suns T.J. Warren, F
Warren's game is still a little bit old-school and he is rather limited a as a defender but he has the chance to grow into a more complete player. The Suns need some scoring on the wing and Warren is the answer.
15. Atlanta Hawks James Young G/F
Young is a solid prospect who can do a lot of good things, a deadeye shooter with the athleticism and size to become a dangerous slasher. He is still young and prone to mistakes, but the Hawks could be getting a steal here.
16. Chicago Bulls Tyler Ennis, PG
Derrick Rose may come back and actually play this next season but even if he does, a backup point guard with no health concerns is a must for Chicago. Ennis is the perfect fit right here for the Bulls, he is still very young but he acts 10 years older than he is and is extremely mature.
17. Boston Celtics Zach LaVine, G
LaVine is still a tweener, he doesn't fit into a position at all and his shot has a long way to go, but it will become increasingly tough for teams to pass up his crazy athleticism. The Celtics could develop him into a complete player, though it may take some time, or they can use him as trade bait to continue their rebuilding process.
18. Phoenix Suns Clint Capela, F/C
The Swiss big man is a fantastic athlete who can rebound and play above the rim, though he is still pretty raw. Phoenix's frontcourt is still far away from being completed and adding a young piece like Capela would really help.
19. Chicago Bulls Jusuf Nurkic, F/C
With their second pick of the first round, Chicago brings in Nurkic, a Bosnian stud with an impressive 7'2" wingspan. He will give the Bulls, a raw international player with the potential to grow into an impressive shot blocker in their frontcourt.
20. Toronto Raptors Elfrid Payton, PG
Payton, a player who was very productive this past year with Louisiana-Lafayette, has the chance to be the next fantastic scoring guard from a mid-major school.
21. Oklahoma City Thunder Glenn Robinson, F
Being drafted by the Thunder would be a perfect situation for Robinson, he can develop behind Kevin Durant and the stars in Oklahoma City. Robinson is fantastic as a second or third option in the Thunder offense when he is on the court and he can play both forward positions.
22. Memphis Grizzlies P.J. Hairston G/F
After being a very dangerous scorer in his time with North Carolina, Hairston has been fantastic in the D-League. He could be a very lethal offensive option for Memphis, who could definitely add another scorer.
23. Utah Jazz K.J. McDaniels, G/F
It isn't very usual that productive prospects come from Clemson, but McDaniels is definitely an exception. He is an athlete that can score in a variety of ways and can be a very dangerous player in transition.
24. Charlotte Hornets Cleanthony Early, F
Early is a great rebounder, who is a hard-working talent that can be a very productive player off the bench for Charlotte, who could really use a fundamentally skilled player like him.
25. Houston Rockets C.J. Wilcox, G
While at Washington, Wilcox proved to be a very productive four-year player. He doesn't necessarily wow you at anything; he can score off the dribble and is a pretty average shooter. His experience should help give Houston another young backcourt piece.
26. Miami Heat Shabazz Napier, PG
With Mario Chalmers set to become a free agent this offseason and possibly leaving South Beach, the Heat should pick up a young point guard. Napier is the best available here, his shooting and playmaking could give Miami a piece they missed in this year's playoffs.
27. Phoenix Suns Jerami Grant, F
With their third selection of this first round, Phoenix picks up Grant, an undersized forward but a great athlete. They could use this pick for a huge move they are trying to make this offseason (K-Love?) but if they keep it, Grant would be a pretty nice selection with real potential.
28. Los Angeles Clippers Semaj Christon, PG
Christon was the big reason why the Musketeers made a tournament appearance even in the tougher Big East. He isn't much of a shooter but he is a good athlete with great speed and a quick first step and could give the Clippers a great backup to Chris Paul.
29. Oklahoma City Thunder Mitch McGary, F
McGary is a very risky pick because of his injury issues and the fact he wasn't really an impact player until the 2013 NCAA tournament with Michigan. The Thunder should be willing to take the risk, he is an athletic big that can run the floor.
30. San Antonio Spurs Walter Tavares, C
Tavares sneaks into the first round because he just makes sense for a team like San Antonio. A player born in Cape Verde, Tavares is currently making plays in Spain. He is 7'3" who can rebound and block everything in sight, he could be a future presence in the Spurs' frontcourt.


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