Here is the Newsroom’s NBA mock draft of the top 10 picks of 2014.
#1 – Cleveland Cavaliers select Andrew Wiggins SF, Kansas University – Cleveland have a lot of different options with this number one pick, although I see them trading out of the pick, this mock draft will not include any trades. With the recent injury to Joel Embiid, Andrew Wiggins is now the player with the most upside in this draft. Cleveland selecting Wiggins at number one makes sense as they need to pair someone up with All Star Kyrie Irving, also they need some young talent to try and lure Lebron James to town.
#2 – Milwaukee Bucks select Jabari Parker SF, Duke University – The Embiid injury doesn’t affect this pick at all. Milwaukee would rather take a healthy Jabari here instead of a beaten down Embiid, and even though they don’t have much talent on their team, drafting Jabari would be a good start.
#3 – Philadelphia 76ers select Dante Exum G, Australian Institute of Sport – Philadelphia were the unluckiest team in terms of the Embiid injury. They were primed to have Andrew Wiggins fall into their lap here at the number three pick but now they are in a sticky situation. Australian phenom Dante Exum would be a great selection here and it would allow Philly to pair him up with last year’s rookie of the year Michael Carter-Williams to form a deadly one-two guard combo.
#4 – Orlando Magic select Marcus Smart PG, Oklahoma State University – Orlando wanted Dante Exum but they will have to reach for Marcus Smart if the draft pans out like this. Marcus has some red flags after being involved in some bad situations last year including an incident where he kicked a Texas Tech fan. The Magic will be looking to pair him up with young star Victor Oladipo instead of selecting the injured Joel Embiid.
#5 – Utah Jazz select Noah Vonleh F, Indiana University – Embiid would be an exciting pick here but I see Utah sticking with Noah Vonleh. Utah could use Noah’s versatility and his ability to stretch the court with his shooting is one of his many skills.
#6 – Boston Celtics select Joel Embiid C, Kansas University – See how much one foot injury can change everything. Embiid finally goes off the board here as the Celtics will be going crazy with this selection. Embiid is an absolute steal at this stage of the draft and he would be an immediate starter when he comes back from injury later in the year.
#7 – Los Angeles Lakers select Aaron Gordon F, Arizona University – I see LA moving up in the draft to try and grab Marcus Smart but like I said before this mock draft doesn’t include trades. LA would be furious as they have missed out on all the fun that happened earlier in the draft. Aaron Gordon is a fine point guard and would be a great selection here but he is not the man that they want.
#8 – Sacramento Kings select Julius Randle PF, Kentucky University – The Kings could turn into the kings of this draft if they can select Julius Randle with the eighth pick in this draft. Randle was often considered a top five pick earlier in the year but since the draft process stared his draft stock has plummeted. Randle would be immediate starter for the Kings and would form a devastating front court combo alongside superstar DeMarcus Cousins.
#9 – Charlotte Bobcats select Gary Harris G, Michigan State University – The Bobcats could select a college veteran such as Doug McDermott or Adreian Payne with this pick but I see them scooping up Michigan States star guard Gary Harris. Harris can help a young Bobcats roster that is in dire need for another guard to pair up with point guard Kemba Walker. This will allow the Bobcats to spread the floor and it will also give Al Jefferson some room to move around in the paint.
#10 – Philadelphia 76ers select Doug McDermott SF, Creighton University – The man with the best nick name in the draft, Douggie McBuckets, finds a home here with the Phildelphia 76ers. McDermott led the nation in scoring this year averaging 26.9 points per game and will fit perfecting into the 76ers roster. McDermott will be able to create a spark off the bench for the 76ers and could turn into a potential star in the NBA.
The draft is on Friday AEST. – Lachlan Brunton
Top photo from Jeramey Jannene’s Flickr photostream.
About the author
