2014 NBA mock draft: Take 4
1. Cleveland Cavaliers: Andrew Wiggins, Kansas, SG-SF, 6-8, 197, Fr. – If Cleveland keeps the pick, Wiggins is the likely selection. He also fits into new coach David Blatt's offensive system.
2. Milwaukee Bucks: Jabari Parker, Duke, SF, 6-8, 241 pounds, Fr. – The Bucks have been intrigued by Parker since the draft process began. Joel Embiid's injuries too much a risk here.
3. Philadelphia 76ers: : Joel Embiid, Kansas, C, 7-0, 240, Fr. – The Sixers have been going against the grain under new management. Don't be surprised if they roll the dice.
4. Orlando Magic: Dante Exum, Australian Institute of Sports, PG-SG, 6-6, 196 – An Exum-Victor Oladipo backcourt could be a good one in time. Point guard Jameer Nelson is a free agent.
5. Utah Jazz: Noah Vonleh, Indiana, PF-C, 6-9, 247, Fr. – The Jazz get the power forward they covet. His shooting ability gives him the edge over Aaron Gordon with the Jazz.
6. Boston Celtics: Aaron Gordon, Arizona, PF, 6-9, 220, Fr. – The Celtics will be ecstatic if the athletic Gordon falls to them. If Rajon Rondo is still around, Gordon will become his alley-oop target.
7. Los Angeles Lakers: Julius Randle, Kentucky, PF, 6-9, 250, Fr. – The Lakers worked out Randle last week. The ex-Kentucky star could give them much-needed post help with Pau Gasol entering free agency.
8. Sacramento Kings: Elfrid Payton, Louisiana-Lafayette, PG, 6-4, 185, Jr. – Payton's stock has risen dramatically during draft workouts. Sacramento gets a needed true point guard.
9. Charlotte Hornets (from Detroit): Nik Stauskas, Michigan, SG, 6-6, 207, So. – Stauskas is regarded as the draft's best shooter, and the Bobcats are hoping to land a great shooter.
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: Marcus Smart, Oklahoma St., PG-SG, 6-3, 227, So. – The Nuggets will be disappointed Saric didn't fall to them, but also surprised if they can get Smart, a combo guard.
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. – The T'wolves are high on Payne, who could end up being Kevin Love's replacement.
14. Phoenix Suns: Doug McDermott, Creighton, SF, 6-8, 218, Sr. – The Suns want to add shooting and missed out on Stauskas, but can add another talented shooter in McDermott.
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): Shabazz Napier, Connecticut, PG, 6-1, 175, Sr. – The Bulls are said to be hot on Napier, who has been invited to the NBA draft's green room.
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): Rodney Hood, Duke, SG-SF, 6-8, 208, So. – The Suns land an athletic perimeter player who can also shoot the ball well. Good fit for Phoenix's offense.
19. Chicago Bulls: Gary Harris, Michigan State, SG, 6-4, 205, So. – The Bulls probably would likely prefer a post player, but inside options are limited at this point of draft.
20. Toronto Raptors: Tyler Ennis, Syracuse, PG, 6-2, 182, Fr. – The Canadian gets picked by his hometown team. The Raptors have two free agent point guards in Kyle Lowry and Greivis Vasquez.
21. Oklahoma City Thunder (from Dallas via Houston and Los Angeles Lakers): Zach LaVine, UCLA, SG, 6-6, 181, Fr. – The Thunder add an intriguing athlete who could one day run the point guard while playing alongside Russell Westbrook.
22. Memphis Grizzlies: T.J. Warren, North Carolina State, SF, 6-8, 220, So. – The talented offensive player could provide scoring off the bench and eventually replace 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 – The former D-Leaguer would give the Rockets another shooter who can stretch the floor. He'd be a steal here.
26. Miami Heat: Spencer Dinwiddie, Colorado, PG-SG, 6-6, 205, Jr. – Dinwiddie would be selected higher if he was not recovering from knee surgery. Mario Chalmers is a free agent.
27. Phoenix Suns (from Indiana): Clint Capela, France Chalone, PF, 6-11, 222 – If the Suns use their first two picks, this one could be traded or used for a international player who could be kept overseas.
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: Glenn Robinson, Michigan, SF, 6-7, 211, So. – Robinson's potential is too much to pass on. One scout said Robinson could also eventually play shooting guard.
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.
More NBA draft coverage:
