We are only days away from the much anticipated 2014 NBA Draft and there has been a shake-up at the top now that potential #1 selection Joel Embiid has had foot surgery and will be out for a minimum of 4-6 months.
Now it appears as if Cleveland will now select either Andrew Wiggins or Jabari Parker with the number one selection and it will be interesting to see just how far Embiid will fall.
Players like Efrid Payton, Rod Hood, and Dante Exum are said to be on the rise as Julius Randle, James Young, and Embiid are rumored to be sliding as we approach Thursday’s draft.
These are only my choices and not the consensus picks of all of The Hoop Doctors writers, with that said here is my 2013 Mock Draft:Version 5.0 – The Final Cut
| Draft Order | College Team | Player | Position | Physical |
1.Cle
|
Duke | Jabari Parker |
SF/PF | 6’9 240lbs Freshman |
| While Wiggins remains an option at #1, Cleveland wants to win now and Parker is the most NBA ready prospect in this year’s Draft. | ||||
2.Mil
|
Kansas | Andrew Wiggins |
SF | 6’8 200lbs Freshman |
| Undoubtedly the player with the highest ceiling now falls to the Bucks, although they already have the “Greek Freak” at the same position. Rumor has it that Dante Exum could be in play here as well. | ||||
3. Phi
|
Kansas | Joel Embiid |
C | 7’0 250lbs Freshman |
| Supposedly the farthest Embiid would fall is to 6 or 7 to Boston or LA, but Philly has a history of waiting on talented big men like Bynum and Noel before him. Teaming up Embiid with Noel could be the 2nd coming of the “Twin Towers”, barring a Sixers trade to move up, or they select Exum at #3. | ||||
4.Orl
|
Australia |
Dante Exum |
PG/SG | 6’6 196lbs Intl |
| Pairing Exum with Victor Oladipo seems like a no brainer, giving Orlando one of the best young backcourts in the Eastern Conference. If Exum goes #2, Embiid could be in play here as well. | ||||
5.Utah
|
Indiana | Noah Vonleh |
PF | 6’9 245lbs Freshman |
| The Combine wonderchild is filled with potential and now is ranked ahead of other forwards like Randle and Gordon. He has NBA size and athleticism, and could be a real hidden gem of the draft long term. | ||||
6.Bos
|
OK State | Marcus Smart |
PG | 6’3 227lbs Sophomore |
| With tradewinds swirling around Rajon Rondo, the Celtics are high on Smart, a big bodied PG that defends and has outstanding leadership qualities. | ||||
7.LAL
|
Arizona | Aaron Gordon |
SF/PF | 6’9 220lbs Freshman |
| The Lakers are said to be very high on either Smart or Gordon, but it’s doubtful that Smart lasts past 6. Gordon could be the 2nd coming of Blake Griffin as a super athletic PF that is one of the youngest players in this year’s draft. | ||||
8.Sac
|
Kentucky |
Julius Randle |
PF | 6’9 250lbs Freshman |
| Amid concerns about a screw limiting his mobility still in his foot, Randle may slide a bit, but pairing him with another Kentucky big man DeMarcus Cousins would make for an imposing frontcourt going forward. With Isaiah Thomas’ contract situation, the Kings could take a gamble witht he fast rising Efrid Payton at #8. | ||||
9.Cha
|
Creighton |
Doug McDermott |
SF | 6’7 220lbs Senior |
| Adding offensive minded NCAA POY McDermott to an already good Playoff squad that features Al Jefferson down low would be a no brainer. “McBuckets” could either evolve into the next Larry Bird………or Kyle Korver. | ||||
10.Phi
|
Michigan | Nik Stauskas |
SG | 6’6 207lbs Sophomore |
| The Michigan sharpshooter is one of the premier perimeter players in the draft and would be a great offensive option next to reigning NBA ROY Michael Carter-Williams. Of course, a lot is determined here depending on what the 76ers do at #3. | ||||
11.Den
|
Mich St | Gary Harris |
SG | 6’4 205lbs Sophomore |
| Arguably the most complete 2 guard in the draft, Harris can both score and efend with the best of them. He may not have a superstar upside but should be a solid contributor for the next decade. | ||||
12.Orl
|
Croatia | Dario Saric |
SF/PF | 6’10 220lbs Intl |
| With rumors that he’s about to sign a 3 year deal to remain in Europe, Saric’s stock may be slipping. Nonetheless, he’s a super talented offensive player in the mold of Dirk Nowitzki, meaning he won’t slide far. | ||||
13.Min
|
UCLA | Kyle Anderson |
SF/PG | 6’9 230lbs Sophomore |
| It appears as if Minny will be losing the services of All Star Kevin Love sooner rather than later. Adding a multi-talented point forward like Anderson would be a smart move. | ||||
14.Pho
|
Duke | Rod Hood |
SF | 6’8 208lbs Sophomore |
| With Channing Frye opting out, Phoenix will need more offensive firepower, meaning Hood could be in play here. He was often overshadowed by Jabari Parker at Duke, but Hood has high potential as a sharpshooting 3 with great athleticism. | ||||
15.Atl
|
NC State |
TJ Warren |
SF | 6’8 220lbs Sophomore |
| One of the most potent offensive players in this year’s draft, Warren would be a great scoring option for developing PG Jeff Teague, considering they already have an All Star frontcourt in Al Horford and Paul Millsap. | ||||
16.Chi
|
UCLA | Zach LaVine |
PG | 6’6 180lbs Freshman |
| It’s no secret the Bulls need both insurance for the oft injured Derrick Rose and offensive firepower. LaVine fills both as many have compared him as being the next Russell Westbrook. | ||||
17.Bos
|
Kentucky | James Young |
SF | 6’6 215lbs Freshman |
| I’m not sure why the Kentucky product is sliding but the sharpshooting wing has been compared to both Ray Allen and Bradley Beal and is one of the top offensive players in the draft. He would be an outstanding fit alongside either Rondo or Marcus Smart going forward. | ||||
18.Pho
|
Boznia |
Jusuf Nurkic |
C | 6’11 280lbs Intl |
| The imposing big man is an excellent draft and stash prospect to replace Miles Plumlee, who is better served as a back-up. The dominating big man reminds many of another Nikola Pekovic, making him a perfect compliment to the more mobile Alex Len. | ||||
19.Chi
|
Mich St | Adrien Payne |
PF | 6’10 240lbs Senior |
| With Carlos Boozer potentially being amnestied and Taj Gibson rumored in the mix for a trade for Carmelo Anthony, Payne makes sense at #19. If he lasts this long, the senior forward is an outstanding pick-and-roll player with range to the 3 point line that can play right away. | ||||
20.Tor
|
Louisiana-Laf |
Efrid Payton |
PG | 6’4 185lbs Junior |
| One of the fastest risers in the draft, Payton reminds many of a young Rajon Rondo as an elite athlete and defender, with a mediocre offensive game. If Toronto thinks Kyle Lowry leaves in free agency, Payton or Shabazz Napier would be in play here. | ||||
21.OKC
|
Michigan |
Glen Robinson III |
SF | 6’7 211lbs Sophomore |
| Although Robinson sometimes underachieved in college, his game is tailor maid for the pro game. He’s an athletic freak with developing offensive skill, and would give OKC another weapon in the backcourt. | ||||
22.Mem
|
Missouri | Jordan Clarkson |
PG/SG | 6’4 187lbs Junior |
| One of the best athletes in the draft, Clarkson doesn’t have a set position but would provide some much needed help offensively in the backcourt alongside Mike Conley Jr. | ||||
23.Utah
|
Washington |
CJ Wilcox |
SG | 6’5 201lbs Senior |
| Wilcox is one of the Draft’s fastest risers and projects as an elite perimeter shooter that can help right away. He provides excellent insurance if Gordon Hayward leaves in free agency. | ||||
24.Cha
|
Syracuse |
Jerami Grant |
SF/PF | 6’8 215lbs Sophomore |
| Charlotte needs athletes and Grant fits the bill. He’s a super athletic forward that defends, rebounds, and out-hustled opponents at Syracuse. An excellent addition alongside Gilchrist and McDermott at the 3. | ||||
25.Hou
|
Syracuse | Tyler Ennis |
PG | 6’2 180lbs Freshman |
| The former Syracuse product has been sliding a bit and would be an excellent fit with the Rockets, who may move Jeremy Lin and his expensive contract prior to next season. | ||||
26.Mia
|
UConn |
Shabazz Napier |
SG | 6’0 175lbs Senior |
| With Mario Chalmers assuredly not returning next season, Ennis or Finals MVP Napier would be in play here to help run the point for Lebron and Co. in Miami. | ||||
27.Pho
|
Tennessee |
Jarnell Stokes |
PF | 6’8 260lbs Junior |
| Although a bit undersized, Stokes has a tremendously strong lower body and projects well as an elite rebounder and low post scorer. Some have gone as far as to compare him to the next Charles Barkley although he wasn’t a superstar at Tennessee. | ||||
28.LAC
|
Wichita St |
Cleanthony Early |
SF | 6’7 215lbs Senior |
| One of the top seniors in the class, Early is an athletic, jack of all trades small forward that will help a team immediately, perfect for the Playoff bound Clippers. | ||||
29.OKC
|
UNC/D-League |
PJ Hairston |
SG | 6’5 228lbs Junior |
| Attitude and getting released from UNC will come in to play on draft day, but Hairston is ready made for the NBA from day one. He lit up the D-League scoreboards last season and would provide another excellent compliment to Westbrook and Durant. | ||||
30.SA
|
Michigan | Mitch McGary |
PF | 6’10 266lb Sophomore |
| The oft injured McGary has refused to work out with any teams over the past few weeks, raising a red flag that he has a guarantee from a 1st Round team, widely rumored to be the Spurs. | ||||
Allen Moll has been a lifelong NBA and NCAA College Basketball fan who watches and studies games religiously, and coaches youth basketball in his native Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania. Allen has also provided content to Bleacherreport.com, Upperdeckblog.com, Cleveland.com, CSN Philly.com, Buckets Magazine, in addition to being a tenured NBA and NCAA columnist for TheHoopDoctors.com.
