The 2014 NBA Draft was an entertaining night as it had marque talent, swirling rumours of trades and player movement, it had intrigue created by the Andrew Wiggins versus Jabari Parker battle for top pick as well as the Joel Embiid saga of just how far he could drop in the draft. The draft also offered the heartwarming as NBA Commissioner David Silver announced the honorary drafting of Isaiah Austin after it was discovered that he had Marfan syndrome which effectively ended his playing career.
Yes, draft night offered a little bit for everyone as teams looked to bolster their rosters in hopes of bettering their chances for next season. NBA writer here at eDraft Joey Levitt provided some insight on which teams struck lottery gold and I provided some thoughts on which teams really missed the mark on draft night.
Taking the focus away from the teams for a moment, let’s take a look at which players are poised for success given their new teams. I mean outside of the marquee players who are really expected to succeed regardless of their locale, which players landed in good environments to build their skill set and ultimately succeed at their next career stop?
Our first such player that we come across is Noah Vonleh who went to the Charlotte Hornets with the 9th overall pick. Not only did the Hornets get a superb talent here but Vonleh landed in a very comfortable spot. He should get a legitimate chance at competing for a starting spot right from the start and given that the Hornets were in fact a playoff team last season, that speaks volumes to this kid’s abilities.
Vonleh will get to watch and learn post moves from Al Jefferson and his work ethic and desire to succeed will certainly impress owner Michael Jordan. This should be a very comfortable transition for Vonleh coming out of Indiana as the fans in Charlotte are passionate about their basketball and they appreciate blue collar, hard-working players who aren’t afraid of getting physical in order to get the job done.
From Vonleh at the 9th spot we move down to the 14th spot where T.J. Warren was snapped up up the Phoenix Suns. This is promising to be an excellent pairing as Warren is a true scorer and should the Suns lose out on keeping Gerald Green, Eric Bledsoe and or Goran Dragic he will be able to fill some of that void at a fraction of the future cost.
Warren led the ACC in scoring with an outstanding 24.9 ppg and in doing so he was named ACC Player of the Year; I mean this kid can flat out play. Put him into coach Jeff Hornacek’s uptempo, wide-open style of play and Warren will be in a position to contribute immediately.
Taken just one spot behind Warren by Atlanta with the 15th overall pick we find Adreian Payne. As a caveat, let me just say that I do really like this young man’s game; but aside from that this is a great landing spot for him. Yes, he is going to be playing behind Al Horford and Paul Millsap but Millsap has only one more year on his contract and if Payne can show he is ready for the responsibility the Hawks could be compelled to let him take the starting job.
Payne’s ability to stretch the floor is very similar to that of Millsap’s and once Payne adds some further size and strength to his frame he could develop into an absolute beast on the court. With Horford under contract till the end of the 2015-16 season it would give a couple good years with the two of them paired together for Atlanta.
There are a few more first rounders who found nice landing spots with their new teams. I like Rodney Hood in Utah and P.J. Hairston in Charlotte; but the one that stands out among the rest is James Young who went to Boston with the 17th overall pick.
With the addition of Young and Marcus Smart whom the Celtics grabbed with their 6th pick and the resigning of Avery Bradley; the message from Danny Ainge here is pretty clear and that is that Rajon Rondo can be replaced. Young who should fit in well as the two guard could very well compete for minutes on the young Celtic’s squad.
Young will have to work on his game, particularly his jump shot and his defense, but he should see some good minutes during summer league action. At least Young can develop without too much pressure as the C’s really aren’t going to be competitive for another couple years.