2014 NBA Mock Draft - May 29th Update

The 2013 NBA Draft class was one of the weakest draft classes in recent memory. After all, the No. 1 overall pick was none other than UNLV's Anthony Bennett.

What a difference a year makes as this year's draft class has the potential to be one of the best ever.

With the NBA Draft less than one month away, I will update my mock draft on a weekly basis until the actual draft on June 26th. In addition, other contributors will soon post their NBA mock drafts as well.

[Follow @HitTheBoards to keep track of our site's updates.]

#470200877 / gettyimages.com

Here is the latest version of my 2014 NBA Mock Draft:

1. Cleveland Cavaliers: Andrew Wiggins, SG, Kansas

Once again, the Cavs are in possession of the first overall pick — their third in the past four drafts! If the Cavs hang on to this pick, any one of three prospects could be in play here: Wiggins, his KU teammate Joel Embiid and Duke's Jabari Parker.

Of that group, Parker enters the league as the most NBA-ready prospect, but both Wiggins and Embiid have higher ceilings (and lower floors, to be fair). The son of ex-NBA player Mitchell Wiggins, Andrew has freakish athleticism and great length. While he is too passive at times, Wiggins can score from anywhere on the court and is a great defender.

2. Milwaukee Bucks: Joel Embiid, C, Kansas

Certainly unfair from a comparison standpoint, the name you most often hear is Hakeem Olajuwon when it comes to Embiid, who has only played basketball for about four years. A very athletic seven-footer, Embiid runs the floor well, can shoot well for his size and has a nice low-post game in addition to being a great rebounder and shot blocker.

3. Philadelphia 76ers: Jabari Parker, SF, Duke

Although the Sixers miss out on Wiggins or Embiid, Parker is an outstanding consolation prize. There was initially some uncertainty about whether he would declare or return to Duke, but Parker is the most NBA-ready prospect in this year's draft class, as noted earlier.

While Parker lacks the elite athleticism that Wiggins possesses and his defense is a weakness, Parker can take over a game offensively and score in a variety of ways. Parker will be the odds-on favorite to lead all rookies in scoring next season and could give the Sixers back-to-back ROYs.

4. Orlando Magic: Dante Exum, PG, Australia

The Magic have a pair of lottery picks, this and the 12th overall pick, and they will likely add a point guard with one of those two picks to pair with Victor Oladipo. While he played some point guard, Oladipo is better suited to play off guard.

The Australian point guard has outstanding size and length for a point guard with excellent quickness and the ability to get to the rim. While he needs to improve his outside shot, Exum will be the first guard prospect off the board.

5. Utah Jazz: Noah Vonleh, PF, Indiana

Although he doesn't turn 19 until August, Vonleh averaged 11.3 points, 9.0 rebounds, 1.4 blocks and 0.9 steals per game for the Hoosiers as a freshman. Vonleh has excellent size, athleticism and can shoot the ball well.

6. Boston Celtics: Aaron Gordon, F, Arizona

What Gordon lacks in his offensive game, especially his outside shot, he more than makes up for that deficiency with his athleticism, elite defensive play and oustanding motor.

7. Los Angeles Lakers: Julius Randle, PF, Kentucky

Based on their current contract situation, only Kobe Bryant and Robert Sacre are scheduled to be Lakers beyond the 2014-15 season. In other words, they essentially have a blank canvas. Always in a win-now mode, however, they could look to deal this pick. Averaging a double-double (15.0 points and 10.4 rebounds per game) this season, Randle is the best player available here.

8. Sacramento Kings: Marcus Smart, G, Oklahoma State

Smart had a not-so-smart moment against Texas Tech this season when he lost his cool and shoved an inappropriate fan. Other than that unfortunate incident, though, Smart has generally been viewed as a high-character guy.

His biggest on-court flaw is his inconsistent outside shooting, but Smart is a strong guard that can get to the basket and finish. Extremely competitive with a non-stop motor, Smart is an excellent defender and rebounder for a guard as well.

9. Charlotte Hornets: Doug McDermott, SF, Creighton

Charlotte ranked 23rd in the league in scoring offense (96.9 points per game) and in three-point shooting percentage (.351).

Playing four years for his father at Creighton, McBuckets is one of college basketball's most prolific scorers with 3,150 career points (fifth all-time). While he's far from an elite athlete, McDermott is an elite shooter and a fierce competitor with a high basketball IQ.

10. Philadelphia 76ers: Gary Harris, SG, Michigan State

While Harris is undersized for a two guard, he is both an excellent defender and good shooter even if his three-point shooting percentage declined to 35.2 percent in 2013-14. Adding Parker and Harris to Michael Carter-Williams, Thaddeus Young and Nerlens Noel gives the Sixers a nice young core.

11. Denver Nuggets: Dario Saric, F, Croatia

In a bit of a surprise, Saric withdrew from last year's lackluster draft class, but he led his league in both scoring and rebounding as the league MVP. A skilled point forward, Saric may stay in Europe for at least another season, though.

12. Orlando Magic: James Young, SG/SF, Kentucky

The Magic ranked in the bottom third in the league three-pointers per game (6.9) and while Young was inconsistent from deep in his only season at Kentucky, he has the potential to develop into one of the league's better shooters.

13. Minnesota Timberwolves: Adreian Payne, PF, Michigan State

Kevin Love has just one more season in Minnesota. Unless he has none, that is. Love will become a free agent after the upcoming season and reports are that he won't re-sign with the T'Wolves so it's possible they move their best player in order to get something in return. The 6-foot-10 Payne shot 42.3 percent from behind the arc last season for the Spartans.

14. Phoenix Suns: Nik Stauskas, G, Michigan

One of the best shooters in this year's draft class, Stauskas has good size (6-foot-7) and knocked down 44.1 percent of his three-pointers in his two seasons in Ann Arbor. The Big Ten Player of the Year, Stauskas averaged 17.5 points per game last season.

15. Atlanta Hawks: Rodney Hood, SG/SF, Duke

Hood does one thing exceptionally well — shoot the basketball. He knocked down 42 percent of his three's for Duke last season.

--> Continue to picks 16-30

For more mock drafts, view our NBA Mock Draft Database here.

Follow our basketball updates: Twitter - Facebook - Google+

2014 NBA Mock Draft, 1.0: Embiid, Wiggins, Parker go 1-2-3

Last year's NBA draft class was one of the most lackluster classes in recent memory. Based on the group of draft-eligible prospects this year, however, the 2014 draft class has the potential to be one of the greatest ever.

While some in the group may never live up to their potential at the next level, this year's class certainly does not lack hype.

Although this is my first mock draft of the year, it will be updated often and all the way until the 2014 NBA Draft on Thursday, June 26th.

[Follow our basketball updates on Twitter via @HitTheBoards.]

Until the actual draft order is known, I will use the inverse order of our consensus NBA power rankings for the draft order.

In addition, more of our contributors will provide their take on how the first round will shake out as we get closer to the draft. For now, if you would like to view other opinions, check out our mock draft database for other 2014 NBA mock drafts.

Otherwise, here is my early 2014 NBA Mock Draft:

1. Milwaukee Bucks - Joel Embiid, C, Kansas

With roughly two months left in the regular season, the Bucks are guaranteed to have a losing record as they have already lost 45 games this season. As bad as the Bucks have been, they can use help across the board.

Part of a talented freshmen class for the Jayhawks, it's Embiid — not Andrew Wiggins — that ends up going first overall. There have been reports that Embiid may return to Lawrence for another season, but the big man from Cameroon has as much of a chance to go first overall as any other prospect in the country.

If Embiid stays in school, the good news for the Bucks is the talent at the top of this draft class is so strong that they would get another franchise-changing player in his place.

2. Philadelphia 76ers - Andrew Wiggins, SG, Kansas

Long rumored to be dealt and otherwise scheduled become a free agent after the season, Evan Turner (and Lavoy Allen) was dealt to the Pacers for Danny Granger and a second-round pick. As you can imagine, Granger wasn't thrilled with going from a top contender to a franchise that has the second worst record in the league and has lost 11 games in a row.

To fill the void at shooting guard, the Sixers have the opportunity to add one of the most highly-touted prospects in years. With elite athleticism and an ability to score from anywhere on the court, Wiggins, whose father played for the Sixers in the early 90's, is the type of player that can lift the Sixers out of mediocrity (or worse).

3. Orlando Magic - Jabari Parker, SF, Duke

While he may not have as much upside as the Kansas tandem at the top of this mock, Parker has an excellent all-around (especially offensive) game. In addition, no prospect is as ready to make an immediate impact in his rookie season than Parker at this point.

4. Boston Celtics - Dante Exum, PG, Australia

Regardless of how Rajon Rondo fits into the long-term plans of the Celtics, Exum can play alongside Rondo, who will be in a walk year next season, or eventually replace him. The Australian point guard has outstanding size and length for a point guard with excellent quickness and the ability to get to the rim.

5. Los Angeles Lakers - Julius Randle, PF, Kentucky

The Lakers could go in a number of different directions with this pick. After all, only five of the team's current players have contracts for the 2014-15 seasons. In fact, it's just Kobe Bryant and Robert Sacre that are under contract by the Lakers to start the 2015 season.

Averaging a double-double (15.7 points and 10.3 rebounds per game), Randle is the best player available and can fill the void of free agent-to-be Pau Gasol. This coast-to-coast dunk for the 6-foot-9 250-pounder shows his unique skill set for his size:



6. Sacramento Kings - Noah Vonleh, PF, Indiana

With a backcourt of Isaiah Thomas and Ben McLemore, the No. 3 overall pick last year, I think the Kings would pass on Marcus Smart and go with Vonleh here. Since Jan. 18th, Vonleh has averaged a double-double (10.78 points and 10.22 rebounds) in addition to 1.33 blocked shots per game.

7. Denver Nuggets (via Knicks) - Aaron Gordon, SF/PF, Arizona

While his offensive game, specifically his jumpshot, leaves a lot to be desired, Gordon has elite athleticism, is an excellent defender and has a high motor.

8. Utah Jazz - Marcus Smart, G, Oklahoma State

Since returning from his three-game suspension, Smart has averaged 16.5 points, 8.5 assists, 5.5 rebounds and 5.5 steals in his two games played. (Next up is a huge matchup against Kansas on March 1st.)

Obviously, Smart received a ton of negative attention from his incident involving a Texas Tech fan. By all accounts, however, that was an out-of-character reaction from Smart, who is otherwise viewed as a high-character guy.

9. Charlotte Bobcats (via Pistons) - Tyler Ennis, PG, Syracuse

Granted, Kemba Walker has point guard size and he starts at the point, but he is much more of a scorer than a pass-first type in the traditional mold of a point guard. Poised beyond his years, Ennis has a stellar 3.39-to-1 ratio of assists to turnovers and actually has more steals (59) than turnovers (46) this season.

10. Cleveland Cavaliers - Gary Harris, SG, Michigan State

While the NBA trade deadline has come and gone, shooting guard Dion Waiters is still on the roster but there have been plenty of rumors about the team wanting to move him partly due to his relationship with Kyrie Irving. Drafting a two guard like Harris will only intensify those rumors from draft day through the trade deadline next season.

- See my full first-round projection here

[Note: All updates will be made to the link above all the way up to June 26th.]

For more mock drafts, view our NBA Mock Draft Database here.

2014 NFL Draft: My 2014 NFL mock draft - our NFL draft big board - our NFL mock draft database

Follow our basketball updates: Twitter - Facebook - Google+