Tuesday night proved that maybe, just maybe, luck does exist in Cleveland. The Cavaliers, now winners of three of the last four NBA Lotteries, landed the first pick just one year after landing in the same position last year, and erroneously selecting Anthony Bennett from Canada (who?). Now that the draft order is settled, it’s time mocking time! Let’s take a look at how the first round of the 2014 NBA Draft could possibly pan out.
1) Cleveland Cavaliers - Joel Embiid, C, Kansas
Embiid, a 7-footer with potential that reaches further than the eye can see, would bring an eccentric dynamic to the Cavaliers front court. Pairing Embiid with budding star Tristan Thompson and former 1st overall selection Anthony Bennett would give the Cavaliers a solid group up front to relieve pressure of star point guard Kyrie Irving and fellow back court mate Dion Waiters.
2) Milwaukee Bucks - Andrew Wiggins, G/F, Kansas
Wiggins, the hands down best available player in the 2014 draft, falls to the Bucks with the second pick. Wiggins could come in right away and play the shooting guard, or let Giannis Antetokoumpo play the shooting guard and have Wiggins bump out to small forward. Either way, The Bucks are beginning to build a solid starting-five, with the young Brandon Knight, Giannis, and now Wiggins.
3) Philadelphia 76ers - Jabari Parker, F, Duke
Parker will be the greatest consolation prize ever at third overall; a team in the Sixers who were desperately hoping to have their card drawn as the 1st overall pick on Tuesday night. Parker, who some argue has similar or more upside than Wiggins, has great size at 6’8’’ 235 lbs. and will be an immeduate upgrade at the small forward position, and gives Rookie of the Year Michael Carter-Williams another weapon from the point.
4) Orlando Magic - Marcus Smart, G, Oklahoma State
The Magic drafted former Hoosier product Victor Oladipo in last year’s draft, and he electrified Orlando. Marcus Smart could make it 2-for-2 in 2014. Aging point guard Jameer Nelson could be the straw that breaks the camels back with this pick. By adding Smart, the Magic are able to move Oladipo to the point, where he could be a lethal scoring point guard. Pairing him with a ferocious player like Smart, who’s both a lethal scorer, and a great passer.
5) Utah Jazz - Julius Randle, F, Kentucky
The Jazz are both young and talented at every position except for small forward. Bringing in a premiere talent like Randle gives the Jazz the final piece to a competitive starting-five in the Western Conference. Randle would take over for Richard Jefferson, and would be a great addition to a lineup that already possesses Trey Burke, Gordon Heyward, Derrick Favors, and Enes Kanter.
6) Boston Celtics - Dante Exum, G, Australia
Whether Celtics fans want to believe it or not, Rajon Rondo has proven himself expendable. His inability to stay healthy along with his inability to elevate the Celtics to Eastern Conference relevance without the aging Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce proves that while Rondo is one of the leagues elite point guards, he’s not the rudder that steers the ship in Boston. Exum, a 6’6’’ electrifying point guard talent can come in, and be ready to take over by the trade deadline, which is when Rondo would presumably be traded.
7) Los Angeles Lakers - Noah Vonleh, C, Indiana
With the expected departure of former premier big man in Pau Gasol, Vonleh is a natural fit for the Lakers. Vonleh has length enough to successfully play the power forward position, and can also be a viable center option if necessary. It’s unlikely the Lakers attempt to make any moves, as reported almost immediately after the lottery had ended.
8) Sacramento Kings - Doug McDermott, F, Creighton
The Kings had hoped to hit it big when they traded for misplaced forward Rudy Gay, but that hasn’t necessarily been the case. McDermott, one of the the NCAA’s all-time leading scorers would bring an excellent perimiter shooter, as well as a small forward who can be a playmaker in the post.
9) Charlotte Hornets - Aaron Gordon, F, Arizona
Gordon is a high motor player with great basketball IQ, who’s still extremely young. Gordon won’t turn 19 until about a month prior to the regular season. Gordon is one of the top shot-blockers in this class and would provide great size and athleticism in Charlotte’s front court, paired with Al Jefferson and Bismack Biyombo.
10) Philadelphia 76ers - Dario Saric, F, Croatia
Saric, one of the top FIBA players last season, gives the Sixers a solid frontcourt presence to pair with last year’s prize Nerlens Noel. With Noel coming back from injury, Saric could see early playing time and contribute immediately for Philadelphia; a team in need of any help it can get.
11) Denver Nuggets - Gary Harris, G, Michigan State
Any team that’s trotting out Randy Foye as their starting shooting guard is hoping to land a future potential All-Star in the draft. Garry Harris has the potential to be a top-tier guard in the league with the right coaching and mentoring at the position. For a Sophomore, Harris is one of the most polished players in this class. Harris could be one of the great steals of this draft.
12) Orlando Magic - Nik Stauskas, G, Michigan
Stauskas, a 44% career 3-point shooter at Michigan, has one of the purest shots in the class, and would be a great backcourt addition along with Victor Oladipo, and the afformentioned Marcus Smart, whom the Magic selected 4th overall in this mock.
13) Minnesota Timberwolves - Rodney Hood, F, Duke
Although the thought of finding a replacement for the expected departure of Kevin Love, a player like Michigan State’s Adrien Payne might be too much of a reach here at 13th overall. Instead, the Timberwolves land a solid forward in Hood, who is a Rashard Lewis clone who can score effectively from any level on the court.
14) Phoenix Suns - Cleanthony Early, F, Wichita State
Early, who held career-average 16 PPG at Wichita State, is a natural scorer who gives the Suns an upgrade over Marcus Morris. Early is a combo forward with elite athleticism who can finish with physicality at the bucket.
Be sure to follow Chris on Twitter @insidethefilm where he covers the NBA & NFL Draft. Chris is a National Recruiting Expert Analyst for 247Sports, and Lead College Football Writer for Road To Radio City.