After a busy summer of shockers (Dwight Howard signing with Houston, Cleveland drafting Anthony Bennett first overall), we are back covering
next year's draft feat. stars like Andrew Wiggins (Kansas), Jabari Parker (Duke), Julius Randle (Kentucky)
Congratulations to the 2013 NBA Champions Miami Heat and MVP LeBron James
Check out our updated 2014 Mock Draft!
next year's draft feat. stars like Andrew Wiggins (Kansas), Jabari Parker (Duke), Julius Randle (Kentucky)
Congratulations to the 2013 NBA Champions Miami Heat and MVP LeBron James
Check out our updated 2014 Mock Draft!
Sixers looking to do big things in 2014 NBA Draft
By setting themselves up to struggle (understatement) in the upcoming season, the Sixers are clearly looking ahead to the 2014 NBA draft, which by all accounts, is going to be one of the strongest in recent memory.
Finishing next season outside of playoff positioning, which is likely the case, will land the Sixers a lottery pick.
The draft day deal that sent Jrue Holiday to New Orleans landed them another one - as long as the Pelicans don’t make the playoffs and the pick falls out of the top five.
These picks, along with future free agent acquisitions and a couple of carry-overs from the current roster, most likely rookies Michael
Carter-Williams and Nerlens Noel, are supposedly going to form the foundation of the franchise going forward.
It sure seems that the 2014 draft, which has become known as the “Andrew Wiggins Sweepstakes” to many, will be very important to the future of the franchise.
Unlike last June’s draft, where the top pick remained unknown until seconds before the selection, Wiggins is already the consensus first-overall selection.
His size, athleticism and offensive ability have franchises foaming, as the kid has surefire superstar written all over him.
Finishing next season outside of playoff positioning, which is likely the case, will land the Sixers a lottery pick.
The draft day deal that sent Jrue Holiday to New Orleans landed them another one - as long as the Pelicans don’t make the playoffs and the pick falls out of the top five.
These picks, along with future free agent acquisitions and a couple of carry-overs from the current roster, most likely rookies Michael
Carter-Williams and Nerlens Noel, are supposedly going to form the foundation of the franchise going forward.
It sure seems that the 2014 draft, which has become known as the “Andrew Wiggins Sweepstakes” to many, will be very important to the future of the franchise.
Unlike last June’s draft, where the top pick remained unknown until seconds before the selection, Wiggins is already the consensus first-overall selection.
His size, athleticism and offensive ability have franchises foaming, as the kid has surefire superstar written all over him.
Trailblazers should tank season for 2014 NBA Draft
All summer, there’s been a sense of excitement in the air around the Portland Trail Blazers.
With one of the weirdest seasons of Blazers play behind them, Neil Olshey and the boys in the Rose Garden offices put together a bench worthy of backing up Portland’s stellar starting five.
Though they had to give up J.J. Hickson and Eric Maynor to get more cap space, they’ve more than made up for that with complementary upgrades to other positions. Thomas Robinson, Earl Watson, Robin Lopez and Dorell Wright will all start to don the black, red and
grey this upcoming season and they all bring a little something.
Robinson is a young force at power forward and will look to learn from one of the best in the game today in LaMarcus Aldridge. Lopez
helps right away at the center position, giving the team a lot more height in the middle (though possibly at the risk of aggressiveness that Hickson brought to the table).
Watson, behind Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum, will be a solid third point guard option (not to mention his veteran presence).
Wright provides shooting and scoring options off the bench, as do draft-day acquisitions McCollum and Allen Crabbe.
It’s a solid team, and I think if everything goes according to plan for the hopefuls at Blazer’s Edge, this should be a 45+ win team and
should return Portland to the playoffs.
But although the team ostensibly says they want to start on the winning track this winter and put past the tank of last year, there’s one more trek the Blazers need to go on: Portland needs to tank one more season.
I know you’re probably saying the team doesn’t need Andrew Wiggins. I agree. I think the Blazers really need to get a lottery pick, get a good shot at the No. 1 selection and use it on Jabari Parker or Julius Randle.
With one of the weirdest seasons of Blazers play behind them, Neil Olshey and the boys in the Rose Garden offices put together a bench worthy of backing up Portland’s stellar starting five.
Though they had to give up J.J. Hickson and Eric Maynor to get more cap space, they’ve more than made up for that with complementary upgrades to other positions. Thomas Robinson, Earl Watson, Robin Lopez and Dorell Wright will all start to don the black, red and
grey this upcoming season and they all bring a little something.
Robinson is a young force at power forward and will look to learn from one of the best in the game today in LaMarcus Aldridge. Lopez
helps right away at the center position, giving the team a lot more height in the middle (though possibly at the risk of aggressiveness that Hickson brought to the table).
Watson, behind Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum, will be a solid third point guard option (not to mention his veteran presence).
Wright provides shooting and scoring options off the bench, as do draft-day acquisitions McCollum and Allen Crabbe.
It’s a solid team, and I think if everything goes according to plan for the hopefuls at Blazer’s Edge, this should be a 45+ win team and
should return Portland to the playoffs.
But although the team ostensibly says they want to start on the winning track this winter and put past the tank of last year, there’s one more trek the Blazers need to go on: Portland needs to tank one more season.
I know you’re probably saying the team doesn’t need Andrew Wiggins. I agree. I think the Blazers really need to get a lottery pick, get a good shot at the No. 1 selection and use it on Jabari Parker or Julius Randle.
Phoenix Suns have three first picks. What does that mean?
Pop Quiz: In the world of the NBA what are Robin Lopez and Luis Scola worth?
If that question was posed to Phoenix Suns fans a day before each of the players were traded the answer would in no way be a "first round pick in the incredibly talented 2014 NBA Draft," but that, believe it or not is the answer. The two former Suns big men netted the team a second and a third pick in the first round of the draft this year.
Last year in a three team trade that sent Robin Lopez and Hakim Warrick to the New Orleans Hornets for a ottery protected first round pick from the Minnesota Timberwolves that is only Top 13 protected for a team on the verge of the playoffs. In a top heavy Western Conference the Wolves have as good a chance as their middling peers of making the playoffs as a seven or eight seed.
Fast-forward a year and the team was able to ship away a Larry Bird favorite in Scola to the Indiana Pacers for a lottery protected first round pick, Gerald Green, and Miles Plumlee.
Couple that with the Suns own first round pick, likely in the Top 5, and the team has positioned themselves well for the upcoming draft. They have three tickets to the party that every team wants to get into.
What does this mean though?
No games have been played in college just yet, but the talent has been making waves over the years in high school, recently in tournaments, and creating an overall impression on the NBA decision-makers. One thing is fairly clear at this point. Andrew Wiggins (Kansas, Fr.) will be the first player off the board if (when) he declares for the 2014 NBA Draft.
Another thing is very clear. No matter the combination of picks, packages, money, and thorough begging no team is trading the top pick after they get it.
If the Suns win the lottery they win both Wiggins and two more talents with their picks, but if they do not there are plenty of potential
franchise changing players coming from college and overseas. After Wiggins the Top 5 will feature in no order Jabari Parker (Duke, Fr.), Julius Randle (Kentucky, Fr.), Marcus Smart (Oklahoma State, So.), and Willie Cauley-Stein (Kentucky, So.)
Any of those three could be building blocks for years to come.
Parker has been referenced to a Paul Pierce type with his methodical offensive skill-set, but he is built like Shawn Marion. A unique offensive combination at the four in a league that is becoming smaller and smaller. A more traditional four man, Randle, has drawn direct comparisons to Zach Randolph and Al Jefferson. At the 2013 Nike Hoops Summit several NBA decision-makers told me and other scouts just that.
The next tier features Smart, a combo guard that can be every bit as effective as a floor leader or off the ball scorer. Smart made the
decision to return to school despite being in the running for the Top Overall Pick. Then there is Cauley-Stein who can make a huge effect on any team, drawing comparisons from players like Dwight Howard and Jermaine O' Neal.
Those are options in the Top 5, but as we see every year a Victor Oladipo or Damian Lillard can come from seemingly out of nowhere to go in the Top 5 of any draft. Time will tell who the 2014 version of that is.
If the Wolves sneak in the Playoffs or at the very least finish at No. 14 in the standings after the lottery then the team gets the opportunity at another lottery talent. In that range there are very talented prospects including Glenn Robinson III (Michigan, So.), Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (Arizona, Fr.), Adreian Payne (Michigan State, Sr.), Dario Saric (Croatia), and Mitch McGary (Michigan, So.). All of these prospects have Top 10
potential, but could be available between 14-17 with the Wolves pick.
The Pacers are another story. They will compete for an NBA Championship which starts in the regular season where they will be one of the better teams no matter conference. That pick is likely going to be in the 25-30 range.
At that point there could be another Archie Goodwin in the mix for the Suns. Looking at prospects like Mario Hezonja (Croatia), Montrezl Harrell(Louisville, So.), Noah Vonleh (Indiana, Fr.), and Spencer DinWiddie (Colorado, Jr.) as options there. The draft process just started so there
are other names that will be at each position of the draft, but just like this year it gives Ryan McDonough an excuse to see anyone and everyone in private workouts.
If that question was posed to Phoenix Suns fans a day before each of the players were traded the answer would in no way be a "first round pick in the incredibly talented 2014 NBA Draft," but that, believe it or not is the answer. The two former Suns big men netted the team a second and a third pick in the first round of the draft this year.
Last year in a three team trade that sent Robin Lopez and Hakim Warrick to the New Orleans Hornets for a ottery protected first round pick from the Minnesota Timberwolves that is only Top 13 protected for a team on the verge of the playoffs. In a top heavy Western Conference the Wolves have as good a chance as their middling peers of making the playoffs as a seven or eight seed.
Fast-forward a year and the team was able to ship away a Larry Bird favorite in Scola to the Indiana Pacers for a lottery protected first round pick, Gerald Green, and Miles Plumlee.
Couple that with the Suns own first round pick, likely in the Top 5, and the team has positioned themselves well for the upcoming draft. They have three tickets to the party that every team wants to get into.
What does this mean though?
No games have been played in college just yet, but the talent has been making waves over the years in high school, recently in tournaments, and creating an overall impression on the NBA decision-makers. One thing is fairly clear at this point. Andrew Wiggins (Kansas, Fr.) will be the first player off the board if (when) he declares for the 2014 NBA Draft.
Another thing is very clear. No matter the combination of picks, packages, money, and thorough begging no team is trading the top pick after they get it.
If the Suns win the lottery they win both Wiggins and two more talents with their picks, but if they do not there are plenty of potential
franchise changing players coming from college and overseas. After Wiggins the Top 5 will feature in no order Jabari Parker (Duke, Fr.), Julius Randle (Kentucky, Fr.), Marcus Smart (Oklahoma State, So.), and Willie Cauley-Stein (Kentucky, So.)
Any of those three could be building blocks for years to come.
Parker has been referenced to a Paul Pierce type with his methodical offensive skill-set, but he is built like Shawn Marion. A unique offensive combination at the four in a league that is becoming smaller and smaller. A more traditional four man, Randle, has drawn direct comparisons to Zach Randolph and Al Jefferson. At the 2013 Nike Hoops Summit several NBA decision-makers told me and other scouts just that.
The next tier features Smart, a combo guard that can be every bit as effective as a floor leader or off the ball scorer. Smart made the
decision to return to school despite being in the running for the Top Overall Pick. Then there is Cauley-Stein who can make a huge effect on any team, drawing comparisons from players like Dwight Howard and Jermaine O' Neal.
Those are options in the Top 5, but as we see every year a Victor Oladipo or Damian Lillard can come from seemingly out of nowhere to go in the Top 5 of any draft. Time will tell who the 2014 version of that is.
If the Wolves sneak in the Playoffs or at the very least finish at No. 14 in the standings after the lottery then the team gets the opportunity at another lottery talent. In that range there are very talented prospects including Glenn Robinson III (Michigan, So.), Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (Arizona, Fr.), Adreian Payne (Michigan State, Sr.), Dario Saric (Croatia), and Mitch McGary (Michigan, So.). All of these prospects have Top 10
potential, but could be available between 14-17 with the Wolves pick.
The Pacers are another story. They will compete for an NBA Championship which starts in the regular season where they will be one of the better teams no matter conference. That pick is likely going to be in the 25-30 range.
At that point there could be another Archie Goodwin in the mix for the Suns. Looking at prospects like Mario Hezonja (Croatia), Montrezl Harrell(Louisville, So.), Noah Vonleh (Indiana, Fr.), and Spencer DinWiddie (Colorado, Jr.) as options there. The draft process just started so there
are other names that will be at each position of the draft, but just like this year it gives Ryan McDonough an excuse to see anyone and everyone in private workouts.