NBA Top 10 Mock Draft: January
It is time for my January mock draft. Again, I will only be predicting the first 10 picks for the 2014 draft. My mock is based on team needs – not just who the best players are. This allows me to consider the team assets and needs as well as the players’ talent. In the last month we saw Memphis and Chicago moved up out of the bottom 10 teams. Chicago seems to want to get back into the lottery based off the recent trade of Luol Deng, and Memphis was just too good to be down there. This means that we now have new teams in the mix for the top pick. Boston is the first as they are starting to play the way most predicted them too at the start of the season. It’s hard to know if this dip in play will continue with Rondo back. Philly has picked up a 2nd pick in the top 10 because of the Holiday trade during last years draft. The New Orleans Pelicans are really struggling with injuries and falling in the standings and Philly hopes that this free fall continues. So let’s get to it:
1st [1st] Milwaukee Bucks 7-31 – The Bucks had the 1st pick in my initial mock draft and are looking like a lock to finish with the worst record this NBA season. I mentioned last time they were bare at every position except center, where they have Larry Sanders, so I had them taking Wiggins. That has changed. As bad as they, the player with the most potential should be drafted. The reality is that Sanders is good enough to be the 3rd or 4th best player on a good team at best. So with center Joel Embiid (Kansas) outplaying his highly touted team-mate (Wiggins) they should take him and not look back.
2nd (6th) Orlando Magic 10-30 – The Magic have fallen into a spot that could seem them go a little off the board. They already have some quality NBA pieces. Their biggest need is at the point guard position so I still think they pick Dante Exum PG (Australia). He is the best point guard in this draft and has some serious upside with his 6’6” frame.
3rd [3rd] Philadelphia 76ers 13-26 – They held steady as the 3rd worst team in the league this last month. With the top two picks changing from my first mock, Philly could become big winners. I had them selecting Randle as they could have used a front court mate for Noel; however, with Thaddus Young playing out of his mind and picking up a recent NBA player of the week award, their needs have now changed. They now get the opportunity to steal Andrew Wiggins SF (Kansas) who could very well still be the best player in the draft.
4th (ND) Boston Celtics 14-27 – Boston has totally fallen off the playoff map in the last month. They are a team like Orlando in that they have some good NBA players. This pick needs to give them the freedom to keep Rondo or trade him and move towards a full rebuild, distancing themselves from the big three or what Rondo would call the big four era. Marcus Smart PG (Oklahoma State) is a player that can play point guard but has also developed into a good enough scorer and shooter that he could slide to the shooting guard spot and the two could play together.
5th [2nd] Utah Jazz 14-27 – The Jazz are a team that are winning more games then they would like. Luckily, however, this mock draft is still breaking down in their favor and they are still in line to grab the player that I thought they would get when they were picking at two, Jabari Parker SF (Duke). Their biggest need is at small forward and this pick also allows them the freedom to trade Hayward if they choose.
6th [5th]Sacramento Kings 14-24 – The Kings are playing marginally better basketball and DeMarcus Cousins is showing why I stated in my first mock that he is an untouchable asset. I also believed that the Kings don’t need another shoot first guy; however, Boggie’s Kentucky alum Julius Randle PF (Kentucky) is just too good a player to pass on at the 6th pick.
7th [ND] Los Angles Lakers 15-25 – The Lakers are another new team to the bottom 10 and need to be here. They are one of the least talented teams in the entire league this season. They have Kobe ,who is on his last legs, and Pau Gasol, who every Lakers fan seems to hate and under-rates. Even so, if Kobe manages to beat father time you want to bring in players that bring athleticism, can play without the ball, and can defend. Aaron Gordon PF (Arizona) fits that description perfectly.
8th [4th] Denver Nuggets via New York 15-25 – The Nuggets are starting to worry that their pick is going to end up out of the lottery as the Knicks are starting to play better basketball of late. The Nuggets are a team built on speed and led by Ty Lawson. Their most pressing need is at shooting guard. Zach LaVine SG/SG (UCLA) is a guy that is displaying the ability to play both guard spots and can really shoot the ball. This pick would allow the Denver coaching staff some flexibility with Lawson.
9th [8th] Cleveland Cavaliers 15-25 – The Cavaliers are now in panic mode based on the Deng deal. Missing on Olidipo last draft was also a huge mistake. Anthony Bennett may still turn into a player but wanting Lebron to come back they can’t miss on anything. I don’t think Deng will resign in Cleveland which again puts their biggest need at small forward. Rodney Hood SF (Duke) might be the best player on the board at this point so pencil him in.
10th [ND] Philadelphia 76ers via New Orleans Pelicans 15-23 – This is what the 76ers were hoping for when they dealt all star point guard Holiday to the Pelicans. They have already added Wiggins at small forward at pick three and have Turner, Young and Carter-Williams already in the line-up. The should take Noah Vonleh PF (Indiana).
Not drafted this time around: Dario Saric PF (Croatia)
Check back on the 18th of next month for my next mock draft top 10.
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