2014 NBA Mock Draft (1-10)

by James Finneral

This year's NBA Draft had been one of the hyped drafts of all time. With an abundance of unbelievable freshman likely to declare as well as some seasoned veterans in college, the NBA franchises have a lot to look forward to on June 26th. Here is our projected draft with a likely draft order and where the players fall. Each player will have a reflection written on them.

1.Milwaukee Bucks:  Jabari Parker, SF, Duke: Coming into the season many thought Andrew Wiggins was the clear cut number one draft pick. Over the course of this year Jabari Parker has proven himself worthy to be drafted number one overall. This season at Duke, Parker averaged 19 points and nearly 9 rebounds in the very strong ACC. His vitals at 6'8" and 235 pounds gives him a very good shot to be physically ready to play at the next level. He is a stellar shooter who can also post up down low. As for the Bucks, they need just about any player who can come in and be there franchise guy that they can build around. Parker is the only player in this draft that I can see coming into the association and making an immediate impact on a team. He has proven himself and deserves to join the likes of Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving, John Wall and Blake Griffin.    

2. Philadelphia 76ers: Andrew Wiggins, SF, Kansas: Watching Andrew Wiggins is the most gifted athlete in the entire draft. His ability to move on the fast break as well as fly high for slam dunks is unlike any other college player. Over his year Wiggins played very well for the Jayhawks averaging 17 points and 6 rebounds a game. Although he is an amazing player, the comparisons between Wiggins and LeBron James are unreasonable. Wiggins has the potential to develop his body, but an athlete of James' caliber only comes around once in a while. He will be an asset to a team like the 76ers after dealing away Evan Turner this season. On this team he will most likely start and with an up and coming point guard in Michael Carter-Williams, Wiggins will have more scoring opportunities. He is a legitimate contender to be selected number one overall, but Parker is a better shooter and has a higher basketball IQ.

3. Orlando Magic: Joel Embiid, C, Kansas: Joel Embiid really came on to the scene late in his senior year as many college coaches recognize the limitless potential of him. He began playing basketball in just 2011 and has been able to improve immensely leading up to a very good freshman season at Kansas. The 7'0' center averaged 11 points, 8 rebounds and 2 blocks a game. Just like Wiggins, Embiid has also been compared to an amazing NBA player in former Houston Rocket, Hakeem Olajuwan. Once again the comparison is probably a little bit of a stretch, but with Embiid's potential anything is possible. The Magic are another team that just needs the best player available to help their franchise. If they were to draft Embiid they would have a solid front-court with him and Vucevic and if they hold onto last years draft pick, Victor Oladipo as well as rising star, Arron Afflalo they could cause some havoc in a tough Southeast division next year.

4. Utah Jazz: Julius Randle, PF, Kentucky: Randle is of the most forceful players in the NCAA. His ability to overpower defenders in the post and drive through guys for easy layups is a quality that not many players in this years class have. Coming out of highschool there was speculation that he would not be extremely effective in college or the NBA because he is a 6'9" power forward as opposed to a 6"10" player. After this season people realize that it does not matter because Randle is an absolute beast who will go all out every time he hits the floor. The Utah Jazz are another team with a bunch of mediocre players, but their backcourt will develop over the years with the duo of Trey Burke and Gordon Hayward. Derrick Favors is a solid option down low, but I would not be surprised to see him get dealt leaving the power forward position open. Randle should fit in well with the Jazz, but in a tough Western Conference he may not be able to see the playoffs for a bit then  again all these top picks will deal with the same thing   


5. Boston Celtics: Noah Vonleh, PF, Indiana: Noah Vonleh is one the least known lottery picks in the draft. Coming from Indiana where they had a below average year for their standards, Vonleh's great year was overshadowed. This year he averaged 12 points and 9 rebounds for the Hoosiers. His body has developed greatly over the year as he now weighs in at 240 lbs of muscle. One strong part of Vonleh's game that many people forget about is his mid range and and three point shooting. He has amazing upside and potential with his skill set and body. Any organization would be lucky to draft him inside the top ten, but the Celtics could really use a player like Vonleh. Although Jeff Green is great, their franchise is based around point guard, Rajon Rondo. The Celtics are weakest in the front court which is exactly why they should draft Vonleh or Randle if he falls to them. This team could do anything over this offseason, but overall they are trying to rebuild and Vonleh would be a great fit for Boston.

     

6. Los Angeles Lakers: Dante Exum, PG, Australia: 

Dante Exum is the best international player in this years draft. Exum was always known as a solid player all the way from Australia, but he really came onto the scene in the 2013 Nike Hoop Summit tournament. Standing at 6'6", Exum can see over the defense and has the ability to rise over smaller defenders much like Michael Carter-Williams the Philadelphia 76ers starting point guard. There is a lot of hype around this young man, but the question is how will he transition to playing in the NBA with the greatest players in the world? No one can get an amazing read on Exum as he did not play in the NCAA. PLaying on the Australia national team is tough competition, but it would be helpful to compare him to other players in the draft if they were playing in the same league. With Steve Nash washed up and Jordan Farmar playing sub par, the Lakers could really use a player like Exum. If Pau Gasol stays in LA then they will make a nice guard forward combination. Also shooting guard, Nick Young has risen over the year as he finished as the Lakers leading scorer. If the Lakers grab Exum and maybe receive another pick or two they will become a young athletic team that could compete in the Pacific division.

7. Sacramento Kings: Gary Harris, SG, Michigan State: 

Garry Harris is among the top of the shooting guards in the draft this year. Playing two years in a very difficult Big 10 Conference Harris has proven himself worthy to be selected with in the top ten picks. He is an efficient shooter from all areas on the floor, but can also handle the ball very well and could potentially play point guard occasionally for a team. At 6'4", 210 lbs, Harris looks like a typical shooting guard except a little smaller. His combination of speed and elusiveness should cancel out his disadvantage against big shooting guards. As for the Kings, they need either a strong big man down low, or a shooting guard. Considering it will be hard to find a forward that will be efficient alongside DeMarcus Cousins as he enjoys to get his fair share of shots. Harris is a fundamentally sound player that could work his way into the rotation for the Kings.

8. Detroit Pistons: Marcus Smart, PG, Oklahoma State: 

Earlier this year Marcus Smart was a legitimate prospect for the number one overall pick. As the events of this year went on Smart's stock fell. He played well over this year, but his suspension for pushing a fan in the stands both hurt Oklahoma State as well as his draft stock. This year Smart averaged 17 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists per game. His dribbling and shooting abilities as well as shiftiness will serve him well in the association. This pick could very well be traded to another team. The Pistons already have a franchise point guard in Brandon Jennings and Marcus Smart is the clear cut best player available in the draft. The Pistons need a nice shooting guard and their are definitely some teams out there looking to trade for a top ten pick. If Smart does wind up with the Pistons he will have to learn under the wing of Jennings which could ultimately be the best thing for him.

9. Cleveland Cavaliers: Aaron Gordon, PF, Arizona: 

Unlike the comparisons for other players in this draft, Aaron Gordon actually is a younger Blake Griffin. He is the most athletic player in the draft and also has one of the highest potentials. This year at Arizona Gordon averaged 12 points and 8 rebounds a game. Gordon is a guy who will a team rebounds as well as powerful finishes at the rim. Over the past few years his jump shot has improved immensely and if he continues to work on it then it will add another weapon to his game. The Cavaliers have Tristan Thompson at the power forward who has developed into a nice young player. The Cavs could select Gordon and have him learn from Thompson or they could trade Thompson and have Aaron Gordon start at the power forward. With speculation of Kyrie Irving leaving Cleveland soon, the Cavaliers may want to base their team around a young, talented and athletic young player. If Aaron Gordon trains hard and becomes stronger he could dominate the way Blake Griffin dominated this year.



10. Philadelphia 76ers: James Young, SG, Kentucky:

James Young will be the surprise pick of the top ten as many mock drafts have him around 15. He is a shooting guard that is not quite as good as Harris, but probably has more athleticism than him. This season at Kentucky Young averaged 14 points and 4 rebounds and had an even more impressive postseason showing. Young is your typical NBA shooting guard at 6'6" 215 pounds and can shoot the rock efficiently. He is a perfect fit for the 76ers after they dealt Evan Turner earlier this year. The Sixers are projected to get many picks in the draft including two top fifteen picks. Already with Wiggins the Sixers will be a very young and athletic team if they draft Young and get at least another pick in the draft. If they are able to snag both these guys and somehow hold on the Michael Carter-Williams and Thaddeus Young they will go from one of the worst teams in the league to a contender to a playoff spot.