2014 NBA mock draft: Take 2
1. Cleveland Cavaliers: Joel Embiid, Kansas, C, 7-0, 240, Fr. – Assuming there are no serious back issues, one NBA scout says Embiid has chance to be a franchise superstar.
2. Milwaukee Bucks: Jabari Parker, Duke, SF, 6-8, 241 pounds, Fr. – The Chicago native has been working out hard in Los Angeles, will likely go here, where he is not far from home.
3. Philadelphia 76ers: Andrew Wiggins, Kansas, SG-SF, 6-8, 197, Fr. – Backcourt of Wiggins and Rookie of the Year Michael Carter-Williams could be a great one for a long time.
4. Orlando Magic: Dante Exum, Australian Institute of Sports, PG-SG, 6-6, 196 – While Exum is the frontrunner, Orlando is also looking at Aaron Gordon, Noah Vonleh, Julius Randle and Marcus Smart.
5. Utah Jazz: Aaron Gordon, Arizona, PF, 6-9, 220, Fr. – Gordon had an impressive workout with the Jazz last week. Boston would likely be disappointed if he is selected here.
6. Boston Celtics: Marcus Smart, Oklahoma St., PG-SG, 6-3, 227, So. – The Celtics view Smart as a combo guard who could be similar defensively to former Celtics guard Tony Allen.
7. Los Angeles Lakers: Noah Vonleh, Indiana, PF-C, 6-9, 247, Fr. – The Lakers could lose starting forward Pau Gasol in free agency. Regardless, Vonleh would be a strong addition.
8. Sacramento Kings: Julius Randle, Kentucky, PF, 6-9, 250, Fr. – While the Kings need a true point guard, selecting Randle fills a need at power forward next to DeMarcus Cousins.
9. Charlotte Hornets (from Detroit): Doug McDermott, Creighton, SF, 6-8, 218, Sr. – The Hornets are high on McDermott, who played well at USA Basketball's senior team camp last summer.
10. Philadelphia 76ers (from New Orleans): Dario Saric, Croatia Cibona Zagreb, SF-PF, 6-10, 223 – Saric adds a versatile play-making forward to the Sixers who could further complement their young talent.
11. Denver Nuggets: Gary Harris, Michigan State, SG, 6-4, 205, So. – Harris is an undersized two-guard who plays both ends well. He joins Ty Lawson for a strong backcourt.
12. Orlando Magic: James Young, Kentucky, SG-SF, 6-7, 213, Fr. – Young adds an athletic shooter to the Magic who could play both wing positions. He doesn't turn 19 until Aug. 16.
13. Minnesota Timberwolves: Adreian Payne, Michigan State, PF, 6-10, 239, Sr. – Considering Kevin Love's tenuous future in Minnesota, the T'wolves might draft for possible need rather than the best player.
14. Phoenix Suns: Nik Stauskas, Michigan, SG, 6-6, 207, So. – Stauskas is regarded as the draft's best shooter. Three-point shooting is key to the Suns' offensive attack.
15. Atlanta Hawks: Jusuf Nurkic, Croatia Cedevita Zagreb, C, 6-11, 280 – Selecting Nurkic would allow the Hawks to move Al Horford to his more natural power forward position.
16. Chicago Bulls (from Charlotte): Elfrid Payton, Louisiana-Lafayette, PG, 6-4, 185, Jr. – Defensive-minded guard gives Chicago a safety net for Derrick Rose's return who has a skill their coach adores.
17. Boston Celtics (from Brooklyn): Kyle Anderson, UCLA, SF, 6-8, 220, So. – Anderson, who played point guard for UCLA, would give the Celtics some versatility at the small forward position.
18. Phoenix Suns (from Washington):Zach LaVine, UCLA, SG, 6-6, 181, Fr. – The Suns are already loaded with guards, but LaVine's athleticism and upside would be too much to pass.
19. Chicago Bulls: Kristaps Porzingis, Spain Sevilla PF-C, 7-0, 220 – The Bulls are bringing over power forward Nikola Mirotic from overseas. Porzingis could be stashed for later.
20. Toronto Raptors: Tyler Ennis, Syracuse, PG, 6-2, 182, Fr. – The Toronto-area native is probably disappointed if he falls this low, but landing with his hometown Raptors is a nice consolation.
21. Oklahoma City Thunder (from Dallas via Houston and Los Angeles Lakers): T.J. Warren, North Carolina State, SF, 6-8, 220, So. – The talented offensive player could provide scoring off the bench like James Harden once did for the Thunder.
22. Memphis Grizzlies: Rodney Hood, Duke, SG-SF, 6-8, 208, So. – The well-rounded Hood could be an eventual replacement for veteran starting small forward Tayshaun Prince.
23. Utah Jazz (from Golden State): K.J. McDaniels, Clemson, SF, 6-6, 196, Jr. – McDaniels would add a defensive wing presence and serve as insurance if free-agent forward Gordon Hayward leaves.
24. Charlotte Hornets (from Portland): Jordan Adams, UCLA, SG, 6-5, 209, So. – The offensive-minded Adams could be a replacement for Gerald Henderson if Henderson is dealt this offseason.
25. Houston Rockets: P.J. Hairston, D-League Texas Legends, SG, 6-5, 229 – Character concerns are the only reason why Hairston falls this far. He'd give the Rockets another shooter.
26. Miami Heat: Shabazz Napier, Connecticut, PG, 6-1, 175, Sr. – LeBron James has said he is a fan of Napier, who could be insurance if Mario Chalmers leaves in free agency.
27. Phoenix Suns (from Indiana): Clint Capela, France Chalone, PF, 6-11, 222 – The Suns would add a very athletic big who can run the floor and play alongside center Alex Len for a long time.
28. Los Angeles Clippers: Mitch McGary, Michigan, C, 6-10, 263, So. – The Clippers would add size, rebounding and a physical presence behind Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan.
29. Oklahoma City Thunder: Nikola Jokic, C, Serbia Mega Vizura, 6-11, 253 – Proved to be a good scorer and passer at Hoop Summit practices and could be stashed overseas to blossom.
30. San Antonio Spurs: Walter Tavares, C, Spain Gran Canaria, 7-3, 265 – He's an enormous center who has showed promise as an elite shot-blocker. Limited on the offensive end.
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