NBA mock draft 2014

1. Cleveland Cavaliers: ANDREW WIGGINS

6-8, 200

Guard/forward, Kansas, Freshman

Joel Embiid was their pick until they discovered a stress fracture in his foot. They’re high on Jabari Parker, but questions about his weight and whether he wants to play for Cleveland could make them pass and go with Wiggins.

2. Milwaukee Bucks: JABARI PARKER

6-8, 235

Forward, Duke, Freshman

The Bucks won't take a chance on Embiid and will end up picking whomever Cleveland doesn't. If it's Parker, the Bucks would be thrilled. He is considered the most NBA-ready player of the top picks.

3. Philadelphia 76ers: DANTE EXUM

6-5, 190

Guard, Australia Institute of Sport

The unpredictable Sixers could take Embiid and wait for him like they did Nerlens Noel last year or Exum to play with Michael Carter-Williams. But picking Exum could lead to Philly moving the reigning Rookie of the Year.

4. Orlando Magic: NOAH VONLEH

6-10, 240

Forward, Indiana, Freshman

Orlando likes Exum and the idea of pairing him in the backcourt with Victor Oladipo, but if he's gone, Vonleh would give the Magic a versatile power forward who rebounds well, blocks shots and can stretch the floor with his shooting.

5. Utah Jazz: AARON GORDON

6-9, 225

Forward, Arizona, Freshman

Trying to move up, the Jazz are thinking big and would scoop up Vonleh if he's here. Otherwise it's the athletic and versatile Gordon. He's a great finisher, but needs to develop his offensive game.

6. Boston Celtics: JOEL EMBIID

7-foot, 250

Center, Kansas, Freshman

He could go earlier, but if Embiid is here, the Celtics will strongly consider taking the big man. If not, the Celtics like point guard Marcus Smart and he could be insurance for Rajon Rondo as he enters the final year of his contract.

7. Los Angeles Lakers: JULIUS RANDLE

6-9, 250

Forward, Kentucky, Freshman

The Lakers are in win-now mode with Kobe Bryant nearing the end of his career so they could move this pick for a veteran player. But Randle impressed the Lakers in two workouts, has an NBA body and is a strong rebounder.

8. Sacramento Kings: MARCUS SMART

6-4, 220

Guard, Oklahoma State, Junior

The Kings are another team looking for veterans and have been very active in trade talks leading up to the draft. They need point guard help and Smart would provide it, but they also are considering big men.

9. Charlotte Hornets: DOUG MCDERMOTT

6-8, 225

Forward, Creighton, Senior

They want to add shooting to make teams pay for doubling Al Jefferson inside and a target for Kemba Walker on drive-and-kicks. McDermott, the nation's leading scorer last year, is one of the best marksmen in this draft.

10. Philadelphia 76ers: NIK STAUSKAS

6-6, 205

Guard, Michigan, Sophomore

The Sixers need shooting and if Stauskas, one of the draft's top shooters, is here he would be a good pick. Philadelphia is not thinking playoffs now so it could go with young Zach LaVine and let him grow.

11. Denver Nuggets: JAMES YOUNG

6-6, 215

Guard/forward, Kentucky, Freshman

The Nuggets believe they're a playoff team when healthy, and if they can't trade for veteran help they want to add a wing defender or scorer and could choose between the versatile Young or Michigan State guard Gary Harris.

12. Orlando Magic: ELFRID PAYTON

6-3, 185

Guard, Louisiana-Lafayette, Junior

If Orlando goes big at four, it could take a point guard with Jameer Nelson's future unclear. Payton, Tyler Ennis and Zach LaVine are candidates. The Magic also could package the two picks to move up.

13. Minnesota Timberwolves: GARY HARRIS

6-4, 210

Guard, Michigan State, Sophomore

They could make this pick for another team since the Wolves have been involved in numerous scenarios with and without Kevin Love. Shooting and scoring seems to be priorities, though, and Harris can do both.

14. Phoenix Suns: ZACH LAVINE

6-5, 180

Guard, UCLA, Freshman

Eric Bledsoe will be a restricted free agent and Goran Dragic could be free next summer so LaVine, an intriguing combo guard, could provide insurance at the point, but teams higher in the draft also have interest in him.

15. Atlanta Hawks: JUSUF NURKIC

6-11, 280

Center, Cedevita Zagreb

The Hawks' brain trust comes from the Spurs' tree, so don't be surprised if they look overseas. The Hawks could go with Nurkic or Dario Saric, or perhaps a point guard if Jeff Teague doesn't fit in their plans.

16. Chicago Bulls: RODNEY HOOD

6-8, 215

Guard/forward, Duke, Sophomore

Hood would add some scoring to a team that needs it. But Chicago would move picks 16 and 19 for help now or to sweeten deals to free cap space for Carmelo Anthony. Taking Dario Saric, who will stay overseas, would keep the payroll down, too.

17. Boston Celtics: DARIO SARIC

6-10, 223

Forward, Cibona Zagreb

He won't be playing in the NBA for a few years, but that makes him valuable in trades since teams hold his rights and he doesn't affect their cap. Boston could opt for help now and take Adreian Payne here.

18. Phoenix Suns: T.J. WARREN

6-8, 215

Forward, North Carolina State, Sophomore

The Suns, with three first-round picks, are prime candidates to make a trade. They could go for scoring here, though. Warren was a flat-out scorer in college. Adreian Payne, a big man with range, is an option, too.

19. Chicago Bulls: ADREIAN PAYNE

6-10, 245

Forward, Michigan State, Senior

If they keep the pick, they could go big and Payne would help Chicago on many fronts. He has a solid inside-out offensive game, can contribute now, and plays defense, which Tom Thibodeau stresses.

20. Toronto Raptors: TYLER ENNIS

6-2, 180

Guard, Syracuse, Freshman

The Toronto product would protect the Raptors in case Kyle Lowry and Greivis Vasquez aren't re-signed. They also need help up front and could look at Cleanthony Early, Adreian Payne or Clint Capela.

21. Oklahoma City Thunder: P.J. HAIRSTON, 6-6, 230

Guard/forward, Texas Legends (D-League), Junior

He has a checkered past, but he would join a strong organization and locker room and could thrive there. But with two late first-round picks, the Thunder may try to trade for a veteran. The Knicks reportedly like Hairston.

22. Memphis Grizzlies: CLEANTHONY EARLY

6-8, 219

Forward, Wichita State, Sophomore

Tayshaun Prince is well past his prime, Mike Miller is a free agent and Memphis needs scoring on the wing. If T.J. Warren fell he would be hard to pass up. Early may be the best small forward available, though.

23. Utah Jazz: JORDAN ADAMS

6-5, 220

Guard, UCLA, Sophomore

After going big early, the Jazz could look for an offensive-minded wing player with this pick. Adams can score a variety of ways

24. Charlotte Hornets: SHABAZZ NAPIER

6-1, 180

Guard, Connecticut, Senior

The Hornets could take a point guard or a big man here. One report says they have made a promise to Michigan center Mitch McGary. Napier is similar to Kemba Walker, but he's the best point guard left.

25. Houston Rockets: KYLE ANDERSON

6-9, 230

Guard/forward, UCLA, Sophomore

Playmaking forward would add depth and versatility. But with the Rockets' sights set on LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony, they could take a European player and stash him overseas to save cash.

26. Miami Heat: K.J. MCDANIELS

6-6, 200

Forward, Clemson, Junior

The NBA Finals showed Miami needs to get more athletic and better defensively on the wings. McDaniels would help in both areas. But if the Heat wants shooting, Washington's C.J. Wilcox has great range on his jumper.

27. Phoenix Suns: CLINT CAPELA

6-10, 245

Center, Elan Chalone (France)

The Suns don't want three rookies. So depending on what they do with their first two selections, the Suns could trade this pick or take an international player and let him develop overseas.

28. Los Angeles Clippers: MITCH MCGARY

6-10, 225

Forward/center, Michigan, Sophomore

They may look at a backup point guard in case Darren Collison opts out, or they could go with McGary to add some muscle inside or as insurance if the Clippers deal a big man to make room for LeBron James or Anthony.

29. Oklahoma City Thunder: JERAMI GRANT

6-8, 210

Forward, Syracuse, Sophomore

He's limited offensively, but he's an athletic, defensive-minded player with a 7-3 wingspan and great genes. He's the son of former NBA player Harvey Grant and the nephew of Horace Grant, a four-time champion with the Bulls and Lakers.

30. San Antonio Spurs: PATRIC YOUNG

6-9, 240

Forward/center, Florida, Senior

The NBA champs could use depth up front, and Young is an NBA-ready big man. Or they could go with an international player such as 7-3 Walter Taveras or Bojan Bogdanovic and wait on them.