The NCAA Tournament is over, the NBA Playoffs are underway, and almost all potential first round picks have made their decision to declare for the draft or return to school. That being said, it’s time for the first official 2014 NBA Draft Big Board of the year.
This is not a mock draft, rather it’s my personal ranking of the first round’s talent. In other words, just because I have a player ranked at a certain number doesn’t mean I think he will get drafted there. All teams are looking for different things in the draft. Therefore, not every team is going to take the best available player.
Let’s get it started:
1. Jabari Parker – Duke
Parker is the most NBA ready player in this draft. At 6’8″ and 240 pounds, with the ability to score in a variety of ways, Parker can step in and impact an offense immediately. He has exceptional footwork for a nineteen year old. He can stretch the floor out with his shooting threat. And he can also keep defenders honest with his natural scoring instincts that allow him to get into the lane and create. Whether it’s scoring along the perimeter or using his extremely impressive handles to get to the rim, Parker gets it done offensively. Take a look:
However, the main knock against Parker is his defense. Parker will definitely need to improve his defensive game, especially in the post, in order to be a star at the next level. Being a liability on the defensive side of the ball will limit his playing time. However, Parker shows a desire to learn and grow as a player, so teaching him shouldn’t be too hard. The other knock on him is his athleticism. A little extra bounce or quickness wouldn’t hurt. But what Parker lacks in athleticism he makes up for with his versatile scoring abilities.
The other thing that could keep Parker from going first overall is his potential. Since he’s NBA ready right now, there are questions about his ceiling. Guys like Wiggins and Embiid aren’t as skilled or developed as Parker, but their ceilings are higher. That means they’ll take time to adjust to the NBA, but they have a greater potential due to their athleticism, etc.
Lastly, Parker is a great kid. It sounds strange to write in this post, but I think it will go a long way in terms of where he’s drafted. The way he handled his decision to leave Duke after one year says a lot about his character. I’m not saying the other potential top picks are head-cases. But Parker shows a maturity beyond his age.
2. Andrew Wiggins – Kansas
Wiggins can also score in a multitude of ways. The main aspect of his game that makes him such an intriguing prospect is his athleticism. He can just about jump out of the gym:
And he’s also extremely long. Those assets usually lead to success for players. Through his athleticism, scoring in the paint becomes easier for Wiggins. His ball-handling skills aren’t outstanding. But his length allows him to get from the perimeter to the rim, and his athleticism allows him to finish or draw a foul.
I’ve seen his length and athleticism combine in the best way through his second-leap abilities. They give him the chance to rack up rebounds, as well as put shots back in the hoop. Countless times this season I watched Wiggins jump as high on his second jump as he did on his first. Each time he lays it up at the rim, he’s extremely quick to get back up there and tap it in:
On top of his athleticism, Wiggins’ defense makes him an intriguing choice at first overall. He can guard multiple positions, primarily the 1,2, and 3. Additionally, his aforementioned length and athleticism make defense even easier for him. As I’ve mentioned before, I’m a really big fan of the Paul George comparison. Wiggins plays NBA defense right now, and his offensive game is even more advanced than George’s was in his rookie season. A long, athletic wing who can get it done on both sides of the ball are traits that make up an NBA All-Star.
In order to be a star in the NBA, you need to have a desire to take the game over with the ball in your hands. More games like the one against West Virginia would put Wiggins at the top of my rankings:
My main knock on Wiggins is his lack of a killer instinct. The great players possess it, and I haven’t seen it in Wiggins. He showed some signs of it a few times at Kansas, but not enough to convince me he truly has it. Players with killer instincts, like Kobe Bryant, demand the ball down the stretch, aren’t afraid to take the big shot, and don’t shy away when the pressure is on. If Wiggins can prove he has that, he can be a star.
3. Joel Embiid – Kansas
Centers are hard to come by in this draft class, and none match the potential of Embiid. Not many prospects do either. If Embiid can look as good as he did this season with only three years of basketball experience under his belt, his ceiling is incredibly high. For his size, Embiid has great mobility and coordination. He looks much more skilled than a guy who’s only been playing for a few years.
The most intriguing part of Embiid’s game, to me, is his shooting ability. He’s not a lights out shooter, but he’s shown he has some midrange shooting in his arsenal. He’ll be a defensive nightmare for defenders if he can knock down shots, and use a wide range of shifty post moves to score.
The Cameroon native is a force in the paint both offensively and defensively. His size clogs the lane, but his length and shot blocking abilities are second to none.
The main concern with Embiid is obviously his back. I love his game and potential, but if I’m a GM, I have a hard time taking a 20-year-old seven footer with back problems. How Embiid checks out with doctors will reflect where he gets drafted. The last thing a team wants to do is take Embiid over Parker and Wiggins, only to see Embiid plagued by injuries throughout his career, a la the Blazers’ decision to take Greg Oden over Kevin Durant.
4. Dante Exum – Australia
At 6’6″ and 190 pounds, Exum’s frame is a spitting image of Michael Carter-Williams, the soon-to-be NBA Rookie of the Year. Entering last year’s draft, scouts criticized Carter-Williams strength and his outside shooting. The same is the case for Exum.
But Exum does a lot to make up for his lack of strength and shooting. With a 6’9″ wingspan, two inches longer than Carter-Williams’, Exum is a natural at getting into the lane and creating scoring with his length, or setting up his teammates with his point guard instincts. While Carter-Williams was more slithery, Exum uses quickness to elude defenders. His first step is exceptionally quick. Regardless of how he does it, Exum is a scorer. He’s versatile and a nightmare for point guard defenders because of his length.
Exum likes to get out in transition. He’s a great finisher, whether it’s on a fast-break or in a half-court set. As seen in the video, Exum can shoot, but his shot lacks consistency. If he can display a consistent jumper, especially from three, in workouts, he has a chance to go second or third overall.
The two biggest problems with Exum: strength and competition. At just 190 pounds, Exum definitely needs to add muscle to his skinny frame. Carter-Williams succeeded this year at just 185 pounds, but that doesn’t guarantee anything for Exum. GMs are going to want to see a bulkier Exum when the season starts. Most importantly, Exum’s lack of competition makes it hard to project his NBA potential. Australia’s competition is obviously inferior to what the NCAA has to offer. Exum played well against the likes of Jabari Parker and Julius Randle and the Nike Hoop Summit (video above), but that’s just one game to go off of. Exum’s workouts against other prospects will be key in determining his draft stock.
5. Noah Vonleh – Indiana
Vonleh and Randle are neck-and-neck for this spot. After seeing Vonleh’s measurables at the combine, though, I couldn’t put him under Randle.
A 6’9″ power forward with a 37-inch vertical leap and a jump shot is almost impossible to pass on. He’s an excellent rebounder, and oh yeah, and this is what the draft’s biggest hands look like.
I like the Chris Bosh comparison. Vonleh is a few inches shorter than Bosh, but he possess the shooting threat that spaces the floor. Vonleh is a terrific rebounder thanks in part to his length. That length, along with this athleticism, also assists in his great shot blocking abilities.
While Vonleh shows a wide range of post moves to score in the post, he doesn’t look polished just yet. A more refined game will come with time. Along with his work in the post, Vonleh definitely needs to bulk up. He appears rather lanky at 245 pounds. Solidifying his frame with some added muscle will go a long way in helping Vonleh become a consistent scorer down low. Check it out:
Vonleh is a handful for opponents on both ends of the floor, which coaches will love. If he can show a more consistent jump shot, and develop strength and polish for post-ups, Vonleh has a chance to be a star in the NBA. It will be toss up between Vonleh, Randle, and Gordon for which power forward is off the board first. I’m torn between Randle and Vonleh, but I’ll give Vonleh the edge for now.
6. Julius Randle – Kentucky
Randle was a double-double machine in college, ending his career at Kentucky averaging 15 points per game to go along with 10.5 rebounds. He was a beast in the paint all season. Whether it was scoring or grabbing boards, defenders couldn’t contain him.
Offensively, Randle possess great versatility, scoring abilities, and body control. Few bigs have the quickness Randle does at his size. He scored in so many different ways this season: backing defenders down, using his ball handling skills to create separation, or simply blowing by defenders with his quickness and power. He has exceptional athleticism and craftiness for a player his size.
But Randle struggled mightily against bigger and longer defenders. Most of his struggle can be attributed to him being slightly undersized for the power forward position. Randle was an absolute beast at Kentucky, punishing defenders with his 6’9″, 225 pound body. But NBA power forwards won’t be bullied the same way. Randle showed a shooting stroke in his high school days, but never really demonstrated it at Kentucky.
Despite being undersized, plays like this convince me that Randle can still be a force at the next level, just not on every possession:
As an undersized power forward, a consistent 15-footer would lock Randle in as the first power forward off the board, in my eyes. He’d be a match-up nightmare, as defenders would have to honor his shooting threat, but also be cautious of his quickness and ability to blow by them. Randle won’t be able to dominate the NBA’s paint, so a jump shot is imperative.
Improving his defense is also critical. Once again, his size will hurt him, and being a defensive liability will cost him playing time. But he has the strength and athleticism to be a great defender. It could just be a matter of time before he becomes dominant on the defensive end.
Lastly, Randle’s motor is something you can’t teach. He plays hard all game long. His motor allows him to use strength and speed to dominate defenders. He doesn’t take plays off and his constant energy assists in totaling his impressive rebounding numbers. A guy that plays as hard as he does, coupled his offensive skills, will find NBA success.
7. Marcus Smart – Oklahoma State
Smart is a bowling ball at 6’3″ and nearly 230 pounds. While those figures don’t usually scream athlete, Smart was able to register a 36-inch vertical at the NBA Draft combine. My biggest praise to Smart’s physical abilities are his strength and intensity, which lead to his lockdown defense. While Smart’s stock took a hit during the back end of the season, his combine stats certainly helped. A 6’9″ wingspan will go a long way.
Smart’s decision to return to Oklahoma State was a shocking one. He claimed his decision fell on his desire to improve his shooing. There were games where it certainly looked like his shot drastically improved:
But there were also rough shooting games. Regardless of what his shot let him do offensively, Smart was always able to contribute with his defense. I think he can step in from day one and play legitimate NBA defense. He seems to have a great work ethic, so I’m not incredibly worried about him correcting his shooting inconsistencies.
Of all the prospects I have ranked in the lottery, Smart is the one I am most skeptical of ranking high. And the reason for my skepticism is obviously his character. Early in the season, I loved the intensity because I saw it as passion. But there is clearly a big difference between passion and character problems:
Smart will need to do extremely well in his pre-draft interviews. He needs to prove that his attitude isn’t something for teams to worry about. What happens behind closed doors will likely determine Smart’s draft position.
8. Dario Saric – Croatia
Saric is a terrific finisher around the rim. Whether it’s finishing through contact or adjusting mid-air, Saric finds a way to put the ball in the hole. His offensive game is complex and impressive – take a look:
He’s a versatile 6’10″ power forward. Saric can operate as a stretch forward, as well as a point guard thanks to his court vision. He sees the floor extremely well and creates tons of problems for opposing defenses. One of my favorite things about Saric is the aggression he plays with at times. He plays with an edge and his chippy style brings a special sense of intensity to the table.
Almost all international players face skepticism about their potential because the competition overseas isn’t nearly as talented as the NCAA. With Saric, though, the criticism gets worse. Teams still aren’t sure of when he’ll come over to the NBA. It still isn’t even guaranteed that Saric will keep his name in the draft this year. These question marks certainly hurt his draft stock. But whenever Saric does come across the pond, I think he’ll be an elite talent.
9. Aaron Gordon – Arizona
Looking strictly at intangibles, Gordon is up there for the top prospect. The only problem with his game is scoring. There is an awful lot for Gordon to work on in terms of putting the ball in the basket.
At 6’9″, Gordon’s 39-inch vertical is impressive. But Gordon can’t rely purely on his athleticism. He’ll need to develop post moves in order to score the ball. Additionally, his lacking jump shot hurts him in comparison with guys like Vonleh and Randle (who also needs to improve his shooting).
Although he can’t rely on it, his athleticism will help him score. Whether it’s driving the ball, or scoring in transition, his leaping abilities will help get the job done:
Once again, his crazy hops come in handy for swatting shots near the rim. But Gordon also has great hands defensively. His length, athleticism, and anticipation skills will make him a great defender. If he can incorporate more finesse offensive moves into his game, he can be a serious steal outside the top 5.
10. Nik Stauskas – Michigan
I’ve talked about several players needing to develop consistency on their shot. That’s not the case with Stauskas. He’s as pure a shooter as you’ll see. His deadly stroke is complimented by a super quick release, but I don’t have to rave about his shooting because anyone who knows Stauskas knows he can light it up from just about anywhere.
Outside of shooting the ball, Stauskas showed flashes of an ability to score in the lane. Using shifty ball-handling and a fairly-quick first step, Stauskas was able to use the space defenders gave his shooting threat to fly by them. Another aspect of Stauskas’ game that will benefit him is his court vision. If Stauskas can create for himself in the NBA, he’ll be on an NBA roster for a long time. His ability to see the floor, coupled with his potential to create, combine to make him a special threat with the ball in his hands (not to mention the range on his jump shot). If he can successfully navigate the floor with the ball in his hands, he could be quite the combo guard. Regardless, a lethal shooter like Stauskas always finds a way to crack a rotation and contribute.
Lastly, I don’t care that these shots are unguarded in a backyard, it’s down right impressive:
I’ll admit everyone is a much better shooter on their own hoop, but 46 straight? Come on.
11. Gary Harris – Michigan State
Harris’ shooting percentages were down a little bit from last year’s, but the rhythm is still there. He is terrific coming off screens and creating shots for himself, reminiscent of Ray Allen and Rip Hamilton. I question his ability to get some of the shots off in the NBA, though, given the length and size of the defenders he’ll be matched up against. He can fill in as a nice compliment to many point guards on teams in the lottery. His shooting threat will always bring defenders out and open up the paint for his teammates to penetrate.
Harris can also get to the rim with or without the ball. He moves well without it and finds open spaces on the floor. He can absorb contact and finish strong and draw plenty of fouls.
A great motor, physicality, and strength make Harris a great defender. I’m a big fan of guys who plays with a bit of an edge, which Harris does. Him and Stauskas are likely going to be locked in a battle to get selected first. If paired up in the right backcourt, Harris can experience an exciting rookie season.
12. Tyler Ennis – Syracuse
Two intangibles Ennis has that you can’t teach: IQ and the clutch gene. Not only does Ennis want the ball in his hands down the stretch, he’s amazingly smart in crunch time.
As noted by ESPN’s Stats & Info, “If Ennis produced for a full 40 minutes at the same level that he does in the final five minutes of the second half and overtime, he would average 28.3 points, 8.5 assists and 0.4 turnovers.” That’s an 8:1 turnover ratio! Now that is a guy who you trust.
Ennis can also shoot the ball. But he’s a true point guard who passes first. Most importantly, he doesn’t turn the ball over. He can pass in transition, where he sees the floor well, or efficiently facilitate the half court set. A guy who essentially runs the offense flawlessly is going to be extremely attractive to lottery teams in the market for a point guard.
13. Doug McDermott – Creighton
McBuckets! In college, McDermott was the best scorer of this draft class. The question is whether or not his game will translate to the NBA.
Like Stauskas, McDermott’s doesn’t lack consistency. He has an elite shot, especially from deep. His three-point shot was his strongest quality at Creighton, but he also did plenty of scoring in the midrange game, as well as nifty fade-aways and floaters in the lane. McDermott is a natural, versatile scorer. There really isn’t any other way to categorize him on the offensive side.
But McDermott lacks the physical traits that lead to scorers excelling in the NBA. He doesn’t get much credit at all for his athleticism (36.5-inch vertical), but he’s undersized for his position and isn’t the strongest wing. His vertical shows signs of athleticism, but he isn’t the quickest or flashiest player. McDermott does play smart, however, with a high basketball IQ. He also plays hard with a great motor. McDermott’s transition to the next level will be interesting to see. He’ll have to adjust to the superior talent of NBA defenders, but stopping an elite shooter is easier said than done.
14. James Young – Kentucky
One thing that worried me about Young throughout his season at Kentucky was scoring in ways outside of shooting. While he was able to create in the lane and off the dribble thanks to his 6’8″ body, I never thought a lot of the moves he used would translate to the NBA. But Young is much more aggressive with the ball in his hands than he gets credit for.
Looking over his game tape shows tons of physical play out of the eighteen-year-old. He’s known for his shooting, but Young also did a lot of scoring at the rim. Young showed versatility on the offensive end by scoring off the dribble, knocking down threes, as well as finishing through contact in the lane. He was able to shoot over defenders often and sometimes even put his head down to create separation. But NBA defenders won’t be pushed around or shot over, which makes adding muscle to his 215 pound frame crucial.
And I must admit, I didn’t know Young had this in him until the National Championship:
As a wing that can stroke it from deep or drive to the rim, Young is a very intriguing prospect. He’s a great shooter but he also needs to be more consistent. At just eighteen years old, Young has room to grow both physically and mentally. I could see him going as high as number 10 on draft night.
15. P.J. Hairston – Texas Legends (via North Carolina)
Similar to Marcus Smart, the biggest question mark surrounding Hairston is his off-the-court trouble. He’s going to need to show maturity in interviews and convince teams that his past is behind him.
Snubbing Hairston from the lottery was tough to do (which is why I still gave him a video). I actually don’t see myself keeping him out of it in the mock drafts to come. Hairston is arguably the most NBA-ready player in this draft class. From day one, Hairston can step in and contribute. He’s a terrific shooter who gets it done in bunches:
Hairston can score in catch and shoot situations, transition, and off the dribble. His 6’5″, 230 pound frame is big for the shooting guard position. Hairston does a great job of using that size to physically bully defenders at the rim. He plays with an aggressive mentality, which I love. I seem to be bigger on him then others, but a more polished midrange game to compliment his three-point shooting will make him worthy of a lottery pick, as long as his troubles don’t reoccur.
16. Zach LaVine – UCLA
LaVine was the other one that was hard to keep out of the lottery. He’s a freakishly athletic 6’5″ point guard. Add a 41.5-inch vertical to LaVine’s résumé and you might see him land in the late lottery. LaVine is an upside pick more than anything. He’s still raw offensively in some aspects, but that’s due in large part to his age. He’s quick, explosive, flashy, and can shoot the ball from deep; earlier in the year scouts were calling him Russell Westbrook with a jump shot. You’d like to see a more pass-first nature from a point guard, though, which begs the question of whether LaVine is a true point guard or a two guard. Or could he be both? A lot of his game hints at him being a combo guard. He needs to add some serious muscle (180 pounds), but his quickness and first step bail him out and make him a nightmare to guard. LaVine’s athleticism is almost up there with the likes of Andrew Wiggins, and his shooting stroke makes him all the more attractive as a prospect.
17. Adreian Payne – Michigan State
Payne is a high character guy who has improved drastically over his career with the Spartans. In Payne’s freshman year at Michigan State, he was 0-1 from three-point range. After his senior year, Payne shot an outstanding 42% from three (44-104). He can also bang down low with his 6’9″, 240 pound frame and 7’4″ wingspan. His age (22) might hurt his draft stock, as teams want younger guys early in the draft. But a stretch 4 that gives it his all on a consistent basis is worth the selection despite his age. Payne’s inside-and-out scoring, his ability to stretch the floor, and his high character make him worthy of a top 20 selection.
18. T.J. Warren – NC State
Warren averaged a very impressive 25 points per game in his sophomore season while shooting an amazing 52% from the field. He’s a gifted scorer that can provide points in a variety of ways. He’s a terrific finisher around the rim and can knock down midrange shots. This past season, Warren showed signs of a three-point shot, but not enough to classify himself as a reliable three-point threat just yet. But he’s a strong wing at 6’8″ and 220 pounds. A team looking for scoring is going to give Warren a long look. He’ll likely be in competition with players like Hood, Early, and McDaniels to be the first wing taken around the late teens to early twenties range, although any of them are capable of creeping into the late lottery. Showing an improved stroke from three should make him the first of the bunch gone.
19. Rodney Hood – Duke
Hood has great height for a wing at 6’9″. His lethal three-point shooting and impressive midrange game are his most attractive qualities. Shooting 42% from three this past season will attract a lot of teams looking for shooters. He’s consistent in almost all situations – off the dribble, pulling up, half court sets, etc. He’s rather slim (210 pounds) and isn’t an elite rebounder, which will hurt his stock. Matching up against guys like Warren, Early, McDaniels, and others in workouts will be a huge determining factor for Hood’s draft position. All the wings can score, but none have the three-point stroke that Hood does.
20. Elfrid Payton – Louisiana-Lafayette
Payton doesn’t have the elite point guard size that Exum and LaVine do, but he’s still possess solid size for the position at 6’3″. He’s also extremely quick and shifty with the ball in his hands. Payton is terrific at getting into the lane. His size and quickness create opportunities for him to penetrate. The only problem with his offensive game right now is his shooting. He’ll definitely need to improve that to become an effective point guard at the next level. However, Payton’s ability to finish and the rim makes up for it a little bit. Defensively, Payton excels. His size allows him to lock down defenders. Payton averaged just over two steals per game the past two seasons. If he can develop a better jump shot, watch out.
21. Cleanthony Early – Wichita State
Early is a solid scoring, and impressive rebounding, wing. He highlighted his offensive capabilities in the NCAA Tournament by scoring inside and out. His perimeter shot looks great at times, but if he could shoot with more consistency he’d be higher on this list. But he plays a strong game and doesn’t get pushed around. His versatile scoring will give him the opportunity to contribute in the NBA. He could be a steal in the second half of the first round.
22. Jusuf Nurkic – Bosnia
After Embiid, the talent at the center position tapers off. That could work in Nurkic’s favor. A team looking for a center to anchor their lineup isn’t likely to look past Nurkic once Embiid is off the board. Nurkic has a great feel around the rim. At 6’11 and 280 pounds, he’s able to use his size to create scoring opportunities for himself. He isn’t an elite defender, but with that size the potential is there. In watching tape of Nurkic, he appears raw and uncoordinated at times. A more polished game could turn into long term success for the big man.
23. Jerami Grant – Syracuse
Grant is an outstanding athlete with crazy length and athleticism. His 7’4″ wingspan contributes to his terrific rebounding skills. In terms of scoring, Grant’s midrange game is his best feature. He can be inconsistent, but the shot appears to be there. Grant is also great in transition. He plays hard, fast, and with a great motor. Grant’s shooting inconsistency hurts him. But he has shown signs of an improving three-point shot. The combination of his length, athleticism, and scoring will land him in the first round.
24. Shabazz Napier – UConn
Napier is a winner. Plain and simple. NBA teams love winners. Napier is undersized at 6’0″ but he plays hard, thrives in clutch situations, isn’t scared of the big stage, and can score in a variety of ways. His height will limit his ability to score at the rim in the NBA, but he can shoot with range. Even as an undersized guard, Napier has a special ability to maneuver the court and get where he wants. Despite his size, Napier was .01 rebounds away from being UConn’s leading rebounder. He plays tough, doesn’t back down from anyone, and plays lockdown defense. He’s not going to step in and be a starter right away, but he could be a key asset for a contender picking late in the first round.
25. K.J. McDaniels – Clemson
McDaniels’ defensive capabilities are impressive. He shuts opponents down thanks to his length, and blocks a great deal of shots. The only problem is he’s only 6’6″. That’s undersized for a wing player. His 6’11” wingspan is what allows his shot blocking and great defense, but his height will hurt him offensively. He was a great scorer around the rim at Clemson, but like Napier, I don’t think he’ll experience the same success in the NBA because of his height. He’s extremely athletic, which makes up for some of his height. However, his shooting isn’t that attractive. He’s inconsistent and never thrived off of the jump shot. He’ll need to excel in workouts against Early, Hood, Warren, etc. in order to pass them up on draft night.
26. Kyle Anderson – UCLA
Anderson is the hardest prospect to project in this draft. According to ESPN’s Chad Ford, teams in the first round either love him or hate him. The love/hate essentially boils down to the mystery of the point forward position. A 6’9″ player isn’t usually one that needs to have the ball in his hands. But that’s the case with Anderson. He can run and see the floor very well. Anderson also moves well for a player his size, slithering through defenses. He’s a solid shooter who can score in midrange sets and also shoot the three ball. The main knocks on Anderson are his lack of strength and athleticism, and his poor defensive play. For a team drafting Anderson, he’ll need to fit into their offensive scheme. Certain teams will be able to incorporate his style of play, while other’s wont. I could see a coach like Gregg Popovich taking a gamble on Anderson’s special talent and making it work in San Antonio.
27. Clint Capela – Switzerland
For a 6’11” power forward, Capela is quick, athletic, and explosive. His mobility doesn’t look like the typical agility or movement of a guy his size. He’s still far from developed, though. Capela’s jump shot needs work and so does his all around game. If he wants to play right away, he’ll need to incorporate post moves into his arsenal. NBA defenders will be quick and long enough to match up with Capela, unlike those overseas. Defensively, though, Capela’s size and speed allow him to guard multiple positions and block shots. Both offensively and defensively, Capela takes advantage of his long strides and quickness in transition. He has a long ways to go, but down the road he has the potential to be valuable.
28. Kristaps Porzingis – Latvia
Porzingis is a great rim protector thanks to his 6’11” frame. He does a terrific job of blocking shots and can guard multiple positions due to his mobility. Offensively, he can stretch the floor with a shooting threat. His 220 pound body isn’t ideal for post scoring, but a versatile scoring set makes up for it. Porzingis’ athleticism and quickness are helpful in making him a tough matchup for defenders. Reports indicate Porzingis is likely to pull his name from the draft, or remain overseas for some time if he’s drafted this year. A contender picking late in the first round could strike gold with a draft-and-stash pick on Porzingis.
29. C.J. Wilcox – Washington
At 23 years old, Wilcox’s age will hurt his draft stock. Teams are in the market for young players. But Wilcox is a terrific shooter with range and solid athleticism. He could come off the bench to provide an additional scoring threat for teams in need of shooters. He’s able to score around the rim, as well, but not at an elite level. On the defensive side of the ball, Wilcox’s length helps him limit shooters’ range. He’s also able to block and deflect shots with his 6’10” wingspan. Wilcox is a guy who can crack a rotation due to his shooting and the fact that he won’t be a liability defensively.
30. Mitch McGary – Michigan
McGary will obviously have to excel in his interviews. Teams aren’t going to be crazy about his year suspension and failed drug test, but he’s not the first prospect to enter a draft with off-the-court issues. Additionally, the bad back that kept him out all year is a worry. Hopefully for McGary’s sake, it checks out. In terms of on-court play, McGary is a physical player who can rebound, block, and bully opponents into scoring opportunities. He can also step out and knock down midrange shots. McGary plays hard and uses his 6’10”, 260 pound frame on both sides of the floor. If the interviews go well, and the back is good to go, McGary could be a late round steal and play significant minutes in his rookie season.
Brendan Garrity 