*** Official *** 2014 NBA draft thread

[phillybear 366]

I am hoping he still goes 1-2 so the Sixers end up with Wiggins / Parker. In a huge hoops fan and felt like I got punched in the gut when I saw the news yesterday.

 

If you are the Sixers, and Embiid falls all the way to #10, you would take him and brag about the steal you got, right?

[MDC 8,087]

 

If you are the Sixers, and Embiid falls all the way to #10, you would take him and brag about the steal you got, right?

Yes, but he won't. I think worst case scenario for Embiid is 6-7. More likely I think he goes Top 5. I seriously think he's still in play for 1-2 even with the injury.

[phillybear 366]

Yes, but he won't. I think worst case scenario for Embiid is 6-7. More likely I think he goes Top 5. I seriously think he's still in play for 1-2 even with the injury.

 

I do enjoy a draft when nobody even knows who the first pick will be, much less the first couple.

[MDC 8,087]

 

I do enjoy a draft when nobody even knows who the first pick will be, much less the first couple.

Acreed. I am trying to rally the troops for the Sixers draft party at Chickie & Petes in South Philly, I can't wait.

[JT 137]

Yes, but he won't. I think worst case scenario for Embiid is 6-7. More likely I think he goes Top 5. I seriously think he's still in play for 1-2 even with the injury.

 

I agree with 6-7 just because of who is slotted there: Boston and LA. Those are two franchises that could absorb the hit, both financial and PR, if he never pans out. Though I wonder if Boston's mind set isn't forced to change by Love going to Golden State, which according to reports today on Mychal Thompson's radio show is essentially done.

 

If those two pass... and I think GMs are going to be very, very wary of the possibility of wasting a pick in a draft that's perceived by many to have 12-20 starters in it on a big guy with back and foot problems and seriously limted basketball experience... I would hope that Philly would roll the dice at #10. Then they can see if Embiid gets healthy in time to rescue them from Noel.

 

It's shaping up to be a really interesting draft. There are a couple teams who can make a big splash if they do this right (ie get lucky).

[MDC 8,087]

Nobody knows what's going to happen, but I'm making a few assumptions here:

 

1. This draft is a little overrated. The top level talent (top 8) has a lot of talent but beyond that it's a pretty typical mix of potential starters / 6th men in Round 1 and lotto tickets in Round 2.

 

2. Even given Embiid's injury history I will be stunned if he falls out of the Top 5 just based on potential, and I'd be more surprised if he fell to 10 than if he went at 1. There is no f'ing way he's there at 10, none.

[IGotWorms 4,063]

Embiid still goes top four. I'd probably still take him number one, personally, but it would be a huuuge gamble

[phillybear 366]

http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/06/22/report-sixers-interested-in-drafting-joel-embiid-if-he-falls-to-them-at-no-3/related/

 

Report: Sixers interested in drafting Joel Embiid if he falls to them at No. 3

 

The Cavaliers were widely expected to select Joel Embiid with the number one overall pick in the upcoming NBA Draft, until a foot injury and subsequent surgery threw Embiid’s value into question.

It’s unclear just how far Embiid might fall — Cleveland, for example, is reportedly eyeing Jabari Parker now with that top pick, and the Bucks at two are going to have a hard time passing on Andrew Wiggins if that’s the case.

But the Sixers are intrigued by Embiid, and will take a long look at selecting him if he’s still on the board when it’s time for them to pick at the number three slot.

The most interesting thing about this move, should things unfold like this, isn’t that Embiid’s stock would remain so high, even though he’d be expected to miss most if not all of the upcoming season. It’s that the Sixers would be fine pursuing the same strategy in consecutive seasons.

Last year saw the Sixers begin their rebuild in earnest by trading Jrue Holiday for the rights to Nerlens Noel on draft night, who, just like Embiid, was projected to go number one overall even after tearing his ACL during his lone season in college. He ended up falling to six, and that’s when Philadelphia pounced.

The Sixers chose to sit Noel for the entire season, even when he probably could have played a chunk of it — he himself said recently he's been 100 percent "for months". The team would presumably need to do the same with Embiid, but being only in year two of its stated three-five year rebuilding plan, that might work out just fine.

[MDC 8,087]

http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/06/22/report-sixers-interested-in-drafting-joel-embiid-if-he-falls-to-them-at-no-3/related/

 

Report: Sixers interested in drafting Joel Embiid if he falls to them at No. 3

 

The Cavaliers were widely expected to select Joel Embiid with the number one overall pick in the upcoming NBA Draft, until a foot injury and subsequent surgery threw Embiid’s value into question.

It’s unclear just how far Embiid might fall — Cleveland, for example, is reportedly eyeing Jabari Parker now with that top pick, and the Bucks at two are going to have a hard time passing on Andrew Wiggins if that’s the case.

But the Sixers are intrigued by Embiid, and will take a long look at selecting him if he’s still on the board when it’s time for them to pick at the number three slot.

The most interesting thing about this move, should things unfold like this, isn’t that Embiid’s stock would remain so high, even though he’d be expected to miss most if not all of the upcoming season. It’s that the Sixers would be fine pursuing the same strategy in consecutive seasons.

Last year saw the Sixers begin their rebuild in earnest by trading Jrue Holiday for the rights to Nerlens Noel on draft night, who, just like Embiid, was projected to go number one overall even after tearing his ACL during his lone season in college. He ended up falling to six, and that’s when Philadelphia pounced.

The Sixers chose to sit Noel for the entire season, even when he probably could have played a chunk of it — he himself said recently he's been 100 percent "for months". The team would presumably need to do the same with Embiid, but being only in year two of its stated three-five year rebuilding plan, that might work out just fine.

 

Translation, Sam Hinkie telling the Cavs that the Sixers are content to stay put and won't spend a king's ransom to move up to 1 for Wiggins, and telling the rest of the league that Embiid won't be available at a bargain basement price so they're going to have to ante up if they want him. This is as obvious a smokescreen as I've ever seen.

[The Moz 72]

Philly should take Randle and be happy but they likely make the dumb pick pick and go Embiid -- AKA Greg Oden II

[MDC 8,087]

Philly should take Randle and be happy but they likely make the dumb pick pick and go Embiid -- AKA Greg Oden II

 

I think they're either going to trade up for Wiggins or stay put and draft Exum. I also think there's a slight change if they stay put that either Cleveland or Milwaukee take Embiid in spite of the injury or Exum.

 

I like Randle a lot, he's somewhere in the 3-4 range on my big board. I have a hard time picturing him as a Sam Hinkie type pick though.

[Bishop82 61]

Bulls fan.

 

Black guy who can score and white guy who can shoot 3s.

[KSB2424 3,174]

 

Croatia forward and 2014 NBA draft prospect Dario Saric has agreed in principle to a three-year deal with Turkish powerhouse Anadolu Efes, a source close to Saric told ESPN.com on Monday.

The deal will have a player option for the third year. Saric is expected to receive and sign a contract in the next 24 hours.

The move will essentially prohibit Saric from playing in the NBA for a minimum of two years, the source added.

Saric was widely considered a top-10 prospect by the majority of teams in the NBA. He averaged 19.3 points, 9.3 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game for Cibona in the Adriatic League this year.

NBA sources say that Saric's decision to stay in Europe will affect his draft stock. He was getting looks as high as the 76ers at No. 10, the Nuggets at 11 and the Magic at 12. However, because he's unlikely to come to the NBA for at least two years, those teams are now hesitating to draft him that high

 

 

He'll be drafted by the Spurs with the last pick in the draft, come over in two years and be an All Star. Thats how they do it.

[The Moz 72]

Bulls are set to possibly trade for Kevin Love and give up their 1.16 pick , Taj Gibson, and Butler.

[The Moz 72]

My first round Mock

 

1. Cavs - Jason Parker

2. Bucks - Andy Wiggins

3. 76ers - Marcus Smart

4. Magic- Joel Embiid

5. Jazz- Julius Randle

6. Celts - Noah Voneleh

7. Lakers - Daunte Exum

8. Kings - Aaron Gordon

9. BobCats - Zack Levine

10. 76ers - Gary Harris

11. Nuggets - Rodney Hood

12.Magic - Kyle Anderson

13.Wolves- Dario Saric

 

14.Suns-Nik Stauskas

15.Hawks- Glenn Robinson III

16.Bulls - Doug McDermott

17.Celts- TJ Warren

18.Suns- Adrien Payne

19.Bulls- Cleanthony Early

20.Raptors - CJ Wilcox

21.Thunder - James Young

22.Grizzlies - Shabazz Napier

23.Jazz - Tyler Ennis

24.Bobcats - Deandre Daniels

25.Rockets - Elfrid Payton

26.Heat - Jordan Clarkson

27.Suns - Jordan Adams

28.Clippers - Jusaf Nurick

29.Thunder- Mitch McGary

30.Spurs- Walter Tavereres

[phillybear 366]

The top two picks are Parker/Wiggins, whatever order.

 

Sixers take one of these: Dante Exum, Joel Embiid, Noah Vonleh. Nothing else makes sense for them. They fit the profile of the guys available with the most upside that they can wait on to develop. The other guys available are too polished and safe and have limited upside. Which makes a guy like Parker a less than ideal fit for the Sixers too.

 

After that, chaos.

 

Couple of notes from what I'm observing from a wide swath of information digestion. Julius Randle is starting to slide down to the bottom of the top ten (foot injury). Dario Saric just signed a 3 year deal to play in Turkey so he might not get taken until the bottom of the 1st round to stash for a couple of years. Elfrid Payton seems to be a late riser and may go just outside the top 10.

[MDC 8,087]

Parker is a great fit: the Sixers need a true PF and a scorer. Plus Parker plays no defense and neither does Philly - win win!

 

Seriously the "too polished / no upside" thing is overblown regarding Parker. He has instant 15/20-10 potential with Paul Pierce type upside.

 

Call me crazy but you don't get much more upside than "potential Hall of Famer."

 

I see this same complaint about Julius Randle. The dude looks like Zach Randoloh. Are you going to be disappointed with a guy who averages 20 and 10 over the course of ten years?

 

"Upside" is typically a way scouts try to spin flaws like Wiggins' lack if a strong outside shot as a positive. That or a way of valuing athleticism

Over demonstrated basketball prowess.

 

I'm not saying that Vonleh etc aren't good picks but personally if the Sixers passed on Parker at 3 I'd have to buy a new TV.

[phillybear 366]

Parker is a great fit: the Sixers need a true PF and a scorer. Plus Parker plays no defense and neither does Philly - win win!

 

Seriously the "too polished / no upside" thing is overblown regarding Parker. He has instant 15/20-10 potential with Paul Pierce type upside.

 

Call me crazy but you don't get much more upside than "potential Hall of Famer."

 

I see this same complaint about Julius Randle. The dude looks like Zach Randoloh. Are you going to be disappointed with a guy who averages 20 and 10 over the course of ten years?

 

"Upside" is typically a way scouts try to spin flaws like Wiggins' lack if a strong outside shot as a positive. That or a way of valuing athleticism

Over demonstrated basketball prowess.

 

I'm not saying that Vonleh etc aren't good picks but personally if the Sixers passed on Parker at 3 I'd have to buy a new TV.

 

Clearly, you don't let Parker go by at #3. You either take him or trade the pick. And he's a fit. Maybe not an "ideal" fit.

 

I'm talking upside because the Sixers are still a few years away from finishing the rebuilding job so they are looking for guys that might be more raw but have more ability to improve their skill sets with proper coaching and simply growing. I don't think Parker will develop potentially as much as a couple of other guys might. Not saying that Parke isn't a good choice, because he is a very safe choice. But I think the Sixers will try to roll the dice a bit more with the pick since they are not trying to win this year or maybe even the next. They have time to wait, so they are projecting more long term, who will end up with a potentially better career. I think that's a valid view point. I think Exum and Eniid represent the upside, while if you want a safer pick at #3, Vonleh is probably it. I don't think Parker is a Hall of Famer, he has a chance to be a good player in the NBA. You just have to question his head, as he supposedly tanked his workout with Cleveland in hopes that Milwaukee takes him. A bit of a warning sign, possibly, to where this kid's head is at.

 

Randle has a foot problem, where the screws in there didn't properly heal his injury. If you drop Embiid for his injuries, do you not drop Randle? It's just not as publicized, I guess.

[WhiteWonder 2,997]

I just hope Napier doesn't end up in miami. Perfect fit but damn I want to be able to root for him

[JT 137]

I just hope Napier doesn't end up in miami. Perfect fit but damn I want to be able to root for him

 

He's being projected in the 20s and scouts are pretty high on his ability to play in the league and start. Assuming Miami remains James' team, he'd have to adjust a bit to facilitating more than looking to get his own shot. But he played in plenty of 3 guard sets in college, so he knows how to move without the ball and/or catch/shoot.

[KSB2424 3,174]

KSB's First Round Mock

 

1. Cav's - Andrew Wiggins

2. Bucks - Jabari Parker

3. Sixers - Dante Exum

4. Magic - Joel Embiid

5. Utah - Noah Vonleh

6. Boston - Marcus Smart

7. Lakers - Julius Randle

8. Kings - Aaron Gordon

9. Hornets - Doug McDermott

10. Sixers - Rodney Hood

11. Denver - Zach Lavine

12. Orlando - Gary Harris

13. Wolves - Nick Staukaus

14. Suns - TJ Warren

15. Atlanta - James Young

16. Chicago - Elfrid Payton

17. Boston - Adriane Payne

18. Suns - Jusuf Nurkic

19. Chicago - Glenn Robinson III

20. Raptors - Kyle Anderson

21. OKC - Cleathon Early

22. Memphis - Tyler Ennis

23. Utah - Jordan Adams

24. Hornets - PJ Hairston

25. Rockets - Clint Capella

26. Miami - Shabazz Napier

27. Suns - Jerami Grant

28. Clippers - Jordan Clarkson

29. OKC - KJ McDaniels

30. Spurs - Dario Saric

[WhiteWonder 2,997]

 

He's being projected in the 20s and scouts are pretty high on his ability to play in the league and start. Assuming Miami remains James' team, he'd have to adjust a bit to facilitating more than looking to get his own shot. But he played in plenty of 3 guard sets in college, so he knows how to move without the ball and/or catch/shoot.

Yes I'm well aware. I'm hoping he goes before them. Some teams will shy away because he is undersized but many felt the same about kemba

[JT 137]

Yes I'm well aware. I'm hoping he goes before them. Some teams will shy away because he is undersized but many felt the same about kemba

 

Better all-round player imo. Transition will be smoother.

[JT 137]

My first round Mock

 

1. Cavs - Jason Parker

2. Bucks - Andy Wiggins

3. 76ers - Marcus Smart

 

Not a chance. His stock seems to be dropping (it's astounding to me that he has stock to drop) while guys like Vonleh, Exum and Gordon are rising.

 

Besides, I'll kill myself. He's a journeyman pro who has personal issues looming on the horizon. Feel it in my bones.

[Herbivore 1,222]

KSB...explain your reasoning for Smart to the Cs please.

[KSB2424 3,174]

KSB...explain your reasoning for Smart to the Cs please.

 

I think it comes down to either Smart / Randle / Gordon for Celtics. Randle has a injury issue and I simply think they'll have Smart as the best player available on their board when their pick comes. And they already have alot of young front court players so they'll pass on Gordon.

[Herbivore 1,222]

 

I think it comes down to either Smart / Randle / Gordon for Celtics. Randle has a injury issue and I simply think they'll have Smart as the best player available on their board when their pick comes. And they already have alot of young front court players so they'll pass on Gordon.

 

Would be surprised if they went PG with the first pick

[CantTouchThis 23]

I have a sneaky suspicion that Embiid still goes #1. Anyone drafting him is drafting him because of what he'll be in 5-6 years, not his rookie year. He also fits into the Cavs really well, so I think they still take him #1 and really start a 3 year rebuilding process....unless Bron decides to come back.

[phillybear 366]

Apparently the Sixers have gotten their hands on 40 of Dante Exum's high school games in Australia and thoroughly broken them down. This is in addition to current head coach Brett Brown's connections to Australia, spending parts of the past several decades coaching with their national team so no doubt he can bend a few ears in asking about Exum. They have down a lot of homework on the kid.

 

With an ink pen or Sharpie, go ahead and write in Dante Exum at #3 going to the Philadelphia 76'ers. Or I'll eat my shoe. And it's a big shoe. Size 15.

[JT 137]

I have a sneaky suspicion that Embiid still goes #1. Anyone drafting him is drafting him because of what he'll be in 5-6 years, not his rookie year. He also fits into the Cavs really well, so I think they still take him #1 and really start a 3 year rebuilding process....unless Bron decides to come back.

 

Problem is in todays NBA, you have to be able to afford him in 5-6 years.

 

NBA guys are saying it's two years before he will offer anything on the court. One to recover from injury. The second to take a guy this raw, now this rusty, and get him anywhere near ready to compete at the NBA level.

 

So you're two years in and time to exercise his option. Provided there are no set backs along the way maybe you're able to project what to expect in years 5-6. Hope you're right, because you'll have to pay more than every other team in the league for the right to find out.

 

Let's say in year 3 he looks great, but doesn't like the town/coach/teammates. Worse yet, he looks ok, but doesn't like it there.Trade before the contract expires or lose him to FA and you got one season of play out of him.

 

It's just a bad bet.

[JT 137]

Apparently the Sixers have gotten their hands on 40 of Dante Exum's high school games in Australia and thoroughly broken them down. This is in addition to current head coach Brett Brown's connections to Australia, spending parts of the past several decades coaching with their national team so no doubt he can bend a few ears in asking about Exum. They have down a lot of homework on the kid.

 

With an ink pen or Sharpie, go ahead and write in Dante Exum at #3 going to the Philadelphia 76'ers. Or I'll eat my shoe. And it's a big shoe. Size 15.

 

Increasingly looking that way. With the Embiid injury, everything gets shaken up. "High school games in Australia" makes my skin crawl, but who knows? From what I've seen (very limited) he better be a hell of a hard worker who can master something that vaguely resembles an NBA-level jumper. Either that or the greatest first step in the history of mankind.

[Mike Honcho 5,544]

 

I think they're either going to trade up for Wiggins or stay put and draft Exum. I also think there's a slight change if they stay put that either Cleveland or Milwaukee take Embiid in spite of the injury or Exum.

 

I like Randle a lot, he's somewhere in the 3-4 range on my big board. I have a hard time picturing him as a Sam Hinkie type pick though.

 

I put the Bucks chances of drafing Embid at 2%---slightly higher if Cleveland takes Wiggins.

[phillybear 366]

 

Increasingly looking that way. With the Embiid injury, everything gets shaken up. "High school games in Australia" makes my skin crawl, but who knows? From what I've seen (very limited) he better be a hell of a hard worker who can master something that vaguely resembles an NBA-level jumper. Either that or the greatest first step in the history of mankind.

 

Yep, shaky jumper, but tremendous first step. Hard worker, looked good in tourneys against American kids at his same type of skill level. Really came off good in all of his interviews.

 

The knock on MCW was he couldn't shoot, but he certainly improved that last year in the NBA so I get the feeling the Sixers have some capable coaches that can teach.

[JT 137]

 

Yep, shaky jumper, but tremendous first step. Hard worker, looked good in tourneys against American kids at his same type of skill level. Really came off good in all of his interviews.

 

The knock on MCW was he couldn't shoot, but he certainly improved that last year in the NBA so I get the feeling the Sixers have some capable coaches that can teach.

 

As a 2, that jumper is awfully important as opposed to a PG who controls the ball. I think the selection is inevitable, but it's a concern for me.

[phillybear 366]

 

As a 2, that jumper is awfully important as opposed to a PG who controls the ball. I think the selection is inevitable, but it's a concern for me.

 

Exum and MCW are going to be co-point guards, with Tony Wroten still on the team as well who did a nice job. I could see that working somewhat because they want to push the tempo as fast as possible, so if the ball comes out, either one could lead the break. And both can certainly drive it inside. Just get a shooter with long range at #10.

 

But, as Hinkie has said, he's looking to acquire assets. So, the Sixers want to take the best players available, and worry about how they fit or maybe trade them off later.

[JT 137]

 

Exum and MCW are going to be co-point guards, with Tony Wroten still on the team as well who did a nice job. I could see that working somewhat because they want to push the tempo as fast as possible, so if the ball comes out, either one could lead the break. And both can certainly drive it inside. Just get a shooter with long range at #10.

 

But, as Hinkie has said, he's looking to acquire assets. So, the Sixers want to take the best players available, and worry about how they fit or maybe trade them off later.

 

Co-PG only work if one is a real 3 pt threat. MCW shot 26%. My guess is he'll improve, but I don't see him ever being perceived as a real threat from 3.

 

Tempo is great, as long as you're loaded with shooters. Sixers were next to last in the NBA in effective FG%. A shooter at 10 helps, unless you consider that the best shooter in this draft is probably McDermott, who is contrary to tempo.

 

But hopefully their long term plan plays out. It's sad to see a franchise that managed to maintain relevance for so long, during very competitive eras, reduced to what it has been lately.

[TimmySmith 2,783]

 

Problem is in todays NBA, you have to be able to afford him in 5-6 years.

 

NBA guys are saying it's two years before he will offer anything on the court. One to recover from injury. The second to take a guy this raw, now this rusty, and get him anywhere near ready to compete at the NBA level.

 

So you're two years in and time to exercise his option. Provided there are no set backs along the way maybe you're able to project what to expect in years 5-6. Hope you're right, because you'll have to pay more than every other team in the league for the right to find out.

 

Let's say in year 3 he looks great, but doesn't like the town/coach/teammates. Worse yet, he looks ok, but doesn't like it there.Trade before the contract expires or lose him to FA and you got one season of play out of him.

 

It's just a bad bet.

This was always the problem I had with drafting HSers and one-and-doners. Has any one of them ever panned out for the team that drafted them? You draft Kobe or Lebron and basically you become the farm team for the Heat, Lakers, Knicks etc. And there are far more Kwame Browns out there than Kobes.

[JT 137]

This was always the problem I had with drafting HSers and one-and-doners. Has any one of them ever panned out for the team that drafted them? You draft Kobe or Lebron and basically you become the farm team for the Heat, Lakers, Knicks etc. And there are far more Kwame Browns out there than Kobes.

 

I'm always especially wary of big guys. Guards and wing players will end up playing a representative number of games vs guys who are their match physically or have a great skill set but physical limitations. A great shot maker, like the kid from Michigan (Stauskas?) can overcome a little gap in athleticism because of the room he has to manuever and that he has the ball in his hands a lot. You can get a sense of a kids real strengths and weaknesses, whether they can overcome whatever limitation and make it at the next level.

 

Bigs don't play that much against comparable sized kids because there just aren't that many around. And their size advantage is magnified, even against that smaller guy with a great "old man" low post game. It's just so hard to get a handle on what they'll do vs grown men.

[FeelingMN 273]

Don't think it really matters who the Wolves pick. They'll end up sucking....unless they're traded then they'll turn out pretty good. How can a franchise be this inept?

 

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minnesota_Timberwolves_draft_history

 

Hopefully they can swing Love for Klay Thompson. Otherwise it'll be another year of meh for the Wolves.

[JT 137]

Don't think it really matters who the Wolves pick. They'll end up sucking....unless they're traded then they'll turn out pretty good. How can a franchise be this inept?

 

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minnesota_Timberwolves_draft_history

 

Hopefully they can swing Love for Klay Thompson. Otherwise it'll be another year of meh for the Wolves.

 

Thompson's dad seems set that the deal is done, but then again, he's got a radio show to hype.

 

Some reports say that it'll be Thompson, David Lee and ???. That's not a bad exchange for a franchise and roster that needs a reset. Now if only they can figure out who it is they want to be.

 

I like Klay and believe he can be more than just a jump shooter. Defensively... well, you're trading him for KLove, so it's a wash.

 

Man, that is an UGLY list of draft picks.