Rav
Years ago
Chad Fords - 2014 NBA Mock Draft 1.0
(Only Did the Lottery Picks)
1) Andrew Wiggins Philadelphia 76ers
COLLEGE: Kansas AGE: 18HT: 6-8WT: 195POS: SG
Sixers' forecast record: 20-62 | 25 percent to win lottery
Analysis: I've been very bullish on the 76ers this summer; having the best shot at Wiggins is why. Wiggins is one of the best prospects to come into the draft in a decade. He has NBA size, elite athletic ability and does just about everything well. With young anchors in the middle (Nerlens Noel) and at the point guard position (Michael Carter-Williams), the Sixers could add an uber-athletic wing to the mix. Combined with the No. 11 pick (see below), they suddenly have one of the most exciting young cores in the NBA. Even if the Sixers don't win the lottery, a player like Julius Randle, Dante Exum or Jabari Parker would add another potential star to the team.
2) Julius Randle Phoenix Suns
COLLEGE: Kentucky AGE: 18HT: 6-9WT: 225POS: PF
Suns' forecast record: 22-60 | 19.9 percent to win lottery
Analysis: Like the 76ers, the Suns feel they have their big man (Alex Len) and their point guard (Eric Bledsoe) of the future. Randle would be a perfect complement to Len on the front line. He's the type of versatile 4 that most teams covet. He possesses virtually every attribute scouts look for in a prospect. The Suns have two other first-round picks (Nos. 18, 25) to fill out the team and are also optimistic about the long-term future of Archie Goodwin. While I don't like the baseline talent quite as much as I like Philly's, the Suns could end up easily rivaling Philly as the best young team in the NBA in another year.
3) Marcus Smart Orlando Magic
COLLEGE: Oklahoma St. AGE: 19HT: 6-4WT: 225POS: PG
Magic's forecast record: 24-58 | 15.6 percent to win lottery
Analysis: This will be a tough call for the Magic. They'll likely grab a point guard if they're drafting here and will have their choice of Dante Exum, Marcus Smart or Andrew Harrison. Exum has been rocketing up boards this summer, and scouts are already beginning to peg him as a rival to Wiggins for the overall No. 1 pick. Harrison was ranked as the top high school point guard in 2013, and the Magic would have selected him with the No. 2 pick if Smart had declared for the draft last season. But the odds remain in Smart's favor; Orlando loves his combination of toughness, defense and energy. Imagine having to play against a Victor Oladipo-Smart backcourt? They'll terrorize the league. Obviously, if Smart doesn't improve his jump shot and handle this season, he'll move out of the picture. But for now, it's Smart's spot to lose.
4 Dante Exum Charlotte Bobcats
COUNTRY: AustraliaAGE: 18HT: 6-6WT: 188POS: PG
Bobcats' forecast record: 26-56 | 11.9 percent to win lottery
Analysis: Draft after draft, the Bobcats continue to miss their shot at a real franchise talent. That should change in 2014. I expect that they'll be praying for Exum if they miss out on Wiggins. They need an explosive scoring guard in the worst way, and Exum's ability to play both the point and the 2 makes him a perfect fit in Charlotte. With Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Kemba Walker and Cody Zeller already in place, adding Exum finally would give the Bobcats a player worth getting excited about.
5 Jabari Parker Boston Celtics
COLLEGE: Duke AGE: 18HT: 6-8WT: 241POS: SF
Celtics' forecast record: 29-53 | 8.8 percent to win lottery
Analysis: Forget for a second that Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge and Parker are both Mormon and Ainge has been an informal advisor to Parker in the past. He's actually a great fit for the Celtics. With a super-skilled frontcourt of Jared Sullinger and Kelly Olynyk, and an athletic backcourt of Rajon Rondo and Avery Bradley, Parker fits great in between -- especially for Celtics fans who aren't sold on Jeff Green as the Celtics' future. Parker could be the second coming of Carmelo Anthony as a scorer, with an even better approach.
6 Aaron GordonSacramento Kings
COLLEGE: Arizona AGE: 17HT: 6-8WT: 210POS: F
Kings' forecast record: 30-52 | 6.3 percent to win lottery
Analysis: The Kings' two building blocks right now are big man DeMarcus Cousins and athletic 2-guard Ben McLemore. Adding Gordon to the mix only would make the Kings more athletic up front, and would also give them a tough player who plays at a relentless pace, mostly above the rim. Gordon's skill set is a work in progress, but there are few players with his upside in this draft.
7) Andrew HarrisonMilwaukee Bucks
COLLEGE: Kentucky AGE: 18HT: 6-5WT: 207POS: PG
Bucks' forecast record: 31-51 | 4.3 percent to win lottery
Analysis: If the Bucks somehow can get their hands on one of those top three point guards, they'll do it. The team acquired Brandon Knight in a trade this summer, but he doesn't have the long-term potential of Exum, Smart or Harrison. Harrison has as much talent as Smart and Exum, but slides a bit because of questions about his attitude. If John Calipari can get him to mature -- remember when John Wall had all the same questions surrounding him before he played for Calipari at Kentucky? -- then the Bucks could potentially land the best point guard prospect in the draft.
8) Chris Walker Utah Jazz
COLLEGE: Florida AGE: 18HT: 6-9WT: 195POS: SF
Jazz's forecast record: 32-50 | 2.8 percent to win lottery
Analysis: The Jazz drafted their point guard of the future, Trey Burke, in June. They have great young anchors on the front line with Derrick Favors and Enes Kanter. And Gordon Hayward can play both the 2 and the 3. Walker might be another great fit. He is another explosive player who excels in the open floor. He's trying to make the transition from the 3 to the 4 this year at Florida -- if the NCAA ever gets around to clearing him. (Walker did not enroll in classes for the fall semester and is hoping to become eligible in December.) If he improves his handle and jump shot, he could be a lethal combo forward in the NBA and give the Jazz another young prospect to build around.
9) Dario SaricToronto Raptors
COUNTRY: Croatia AGE: 19HT: 6-10WT: 223POS: SF
Raptors' forecast record: 33-49 | 1.7 percent to win lottery
Analysis: The Raptors' biggest hole is at the 4 and Saric could be a very interesting fit. Once again he was dominant in summer tournament play and is widely regarded as the top young prospect in Europe. A point power forward, he shows off remarkable court vision and is a terrific rebounder. His so-so jump shot and lack of elite quickness keep him from being an elite prospect at the 3, but he could complete a very big front line alongside Jonas Valanciunas and Rudy Gay.
10) Joel Embiid Los Angeles Lakers
COLLEGE: Kansas AGE: 19HT: 7-0WT: 240POS: C
Lakers' forecast record: 36-46 | 1.1 percent to win lottery
Analysis: At some point the Lakers are going to have to start rebuilding, and if our Summer Forecast voters are correct, it's going to start this season. The team really needs help everywhere. There isn't a young building block at any position. Embiid is the first true center of this group, and he impressed scouts at the McDonald's All American Game, Nike Hoop Summit and Adidas Nations. Rick Pitino has said he believes Embiid will be the No. 2 pick. That might be a bit generous considering how raw Embiid is and the teams likely to be selecting at the top of the draft. However, if Embiid does blow up, he won't be around at No. 10.
11) Montrezl Harrell Philadelphia 76ers
COLLEGE: Louisville AGE: 19HT: 6-8WT: 235POS: PF
Sixers' forecast record: 37-45* | 0.8 percent to win lottery
Analysis: Putting Harrell on a team that already includes Noel, Carter-Williams and, if they win the lottery, Wiggins is just plain greedy. Harrell is a bouncy energizer who would be a great fit in Philly. He has a terrific motor and is an excellent rebounder, and he proved this summer that his offensive game is coming along nicely. If he has a big sophomore year at Louisville, he might not be around at No. 11. But if he is, he'd be another great building block for the Sixers.
12) Willie Cauley-Stein Portland Trail Blazers
COLLEGE: Kentucky AGE: 20HT: 7-0WT: 220POS: PF
Trail Blazers' forecast record: 38-44** | 0.7 percent to win lottery)
Analysis: The Blazers actually are trying to make the playoffs in a very crowded Western Conference. But if they don't, the draft is the upside. Cauley-Stein hasn't even begun to realize his potential. He was very raw at Kentucky last season, but when he got it going, everyone could easily see great things to come. The Blazers don't really need another center, but Cauley-Stein's versatility might allow him to back up LaMarcus Aldridge.
13) Gary HarrisCharlotte Bobcats
COLLEGE: Michigan St. AGE: 18HT: 6-4WT: 210POS: SG
Bobcats' forecast record: 38-44# | 0.6 percent to win lottery
Analysis: Harris isn't as sexy as some of the other prospects here, but he quietly put together one of the best freshman seasons in the country last season, and he did it with an injured shoulder. A great athlete, he can defend and shoot with range. In short, he's a long-term upgrade over Gerald Henderson.
14) Mario Hezonja Dallas Mavericks
COUNTRY: Croatia AGE: 18HT: 6-6WT: 200POS: SF
Mavericks' forecast record: 39-43 | 0.5 percent to win lottery
Analysis: Mavericks GM Donnie Nelson has always loved international players and likely will be bummed if Saric is off the board. But not too bummed. Many scouts and fans in Croatia think Hezonja might actually be the better long-term prospect. A number of scouts I spoke with have Hezonja ranked as a top-10 player in this draft. Yes, the Mavs just signed Monta Ellis, but that wouldn't stop them from grabbing Hezonja as a long-term solution at the 2.
