2014 NBA Mock Draft: Projected Lottery Picks – Embiid, Wiggins and Parker Top 3 Picks: The 2014 NBA Draft Lottery is in the books, and for the second year in a row and the third time in the last four seasons, the Cleveland Cavaliers have landed the No. 1 pick. The Cavaliers landed the top pick despite just a 1.7 percent chance to do so. Unfortunately for some other franchises, Cleveland’s good fortune came at a price. The Detroit Pistons and New Orleans Pelicans both had to forfeit their picks to Charlotte Bobcats and Philadelphia 76ers, respectively, after the Cavaliers moved up in the order. Had Cleveland picked in their expected spot, Detroit and New Orleans would have held on to their picks. In either case, the draft order is now set, and it is time to take a first look at what how the lottery could shake out.
1. Cleveland Cavaliers: Joel Embiid, Center, Kansas Jayhawks
All reports seem to indicate that Embiid is Cleveland’s pick as long as his back checks out. If healthy, Embiid will be an immediately provide the Cavaliers with the rim-protector and shot-blocker their defense has been lacking. Meanwhile, he has the offensive upside to become a franchise big man.
2. Milwaukee Bucks: Andrew Wiggins, Small Forward, Kansas Jayhawks
He has special athleticism, and while his jump shot needs work, his combination of length and quickness will make allow him to make an immediate impact on both ends of the court. In fact, he could develop into an elite player on both ends of the court. His enormous ceiling makes him a perfect fit for a Milwaukee team that is in full rebuilding mode.
3. Philadelphia 76ers: Jabari Parker, Small Forward, Duke Blue Devils
While there are some concerns about him being a bit of a “tweener” at the forward spots, his NBA-ready offensive game is undeniable. He will take a lot of pressure off Philadelphia’s other young players by becoming the team’s go-to scorer, and while he doesn’t have elite athleticism, he is a safe bet to be a reliable starter for years to come.
4. Orlando Magic: Dante Axum, Point Guard, Australia
Jameer Nelson is not the answer at point guard, and Axum will be an upgrade at the position on both ends of the court with his length and athleticism alone. His 3-point shot still needs work, but with his 6’6″ frame and physical tools, he has a chance to something special at the point.
5. Utah Jazz: Victor Noah Vonleh, Power Forward, Indiana Hoosiers
Vonleh’s massive wingspan and strength should allow him to contribute on the boards and on the defensive end as a rookie. More importantly, he has a surprisingly smooth stroke and range out beyond the arc that will make him a great fit alongside the post-oriented Derrick Favors.
6. Boston Celtics: Marcus Smart, Point Guard Oklahoma State Cowboys
He can fill up the stat sheet from the point guard spot, and his blend of strength and athleticism should allow him to get into the paint consistently at the NBA level. Smart has the skills to be both a distributor and a scorer, which will allow him to play alongside Rajon Rondo or take over for him if Rondo ends up leaving Boston.
7. Los Angeles Lakers: Aaron Gordon, Forward, Arizona Wildcats
Gordon is by no means a finished product on the offensive end, but he will provide an element of explosiveness and athleticism that the Lakers are sorely lacking. He will also be a major upgrade on the defensive end. Gordon has a ton of upside, and he will have plenty of time to develop his offensive game while Kobe Bryant dominates the ball the next couple of years.
8. Sacramento Kings: Dario Saric, Forward, Croatia
Adding Saric will bring some stability to Sacramento’s revolving door at the power forward spot, and thanks to great ball-handling and passing skills for a big man, he should have no problem fitting in with high-usage scorers like Rudy Gay and DeMarcus Cousins.
9. Charlotte Hornets: James Young, Shooting Guard, Kentucky Wildcats
Young will immediately provide the Hornets with a 3-point weapon that they desperately need, and he will also provide a major upgrade in athleticism on the wing. He needs to improve his handle to become a more complete offensive player, but he has the size and physical gifts to become a great NBA shooting guard.
10. Philadelphia 76ers: Julius Randle, Power Forward, Kentucky Wildcats
There are legit questions about whether or not he can adequately defend NBA power forwards, but with his arsenal of post moves and physical style of play, Randle’s offensive game is a perfect fit alongside an offensively-challenged rim-protector like Nerlens Noel.
11. Denver Nuggets: Nik Stauskas, Shooting Guard, Michigan Wolverines
Ty Lawson is locked in at the point guard spot, but the Nuggets need to upgrade the shooting guard spot. Stauskas is not only a sniper from beyond the arc, but he can also come off screens and take defenders off the dribble. His all-around offensive game will bolster Denver’s backcourt.
12. Orlando Magic: Doug McDermott, Small Forward, Creighton Blue Jays
Adding Dante Axum with the fourth pick will go a long way to helping improve Orlando’s horribly inefficient offense, and McDermott will further help the process. He was an incredibly efficient scorer in college, and at the very least, he will give the Magic a big man that can stretch the floor and a reliable perimeter weapon.
13. Minnesota Timberwolves: Gary Harris, Shooting Guard, Michigan State Spartans
Harris is smaller than an ideal NBA shooting guard, but he has a solid all-around offensive game and is one of the best perimeter defenders in this draft. Meanwhile, Minnesota’s current backcourt of Ricky Rubio and Kevin Martin is one of the worst defensive pairings in the league.
14. Phoenix Suns: Jusuf Nurkic, Center, Bosnia
The Suns were surprise contenders last year, but they really missed Marcin Gortat’s defensive presence and production on the boards last year. Nurkic not only has the size to help in both areas, but he has the motor to play in Phoenix’s up-tempo system to go along with a high ceiling.
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