Chicago Sun-Times

2014 MOCK DRAFT

- BY JOE COWLEY

1. CAVALIERS

Jabari Parker – SF – Duke: The Cavs reportedly are debating between Andrew Wiggins and Parker. That’s so Cavs, so expect them to screw it up and go with Parker. Other possibilit­ies: Wiggins, trade down.

2. BUCKS

Andrew Wiggins – SG – Kansas: Welcome to Christmas in June, as the Bucks land the most electric player in the draft. Other possibilit­ies: Dante Exum, Parker.

3. 76ERS

Dante Exum – SG/PG – Australia: Exum has more hype than substance, but the injury to Joel Embiid forces the Sixers to grab the Aussie. Other possibilit­ies: Embiid, trade down to Magic.

4. MAGIC

Joel Embiid – C – Kansas: Embiid’s foot injury really messes with the Magic, but for a team not going anywhere just yet, take the gamble. Other possibilit­ies: Noah Vonleh, trade picks 4 and 12 to land a top-three pick.

5. JAZZ

Noah Vonleh – PF – Indiana: Can stretch the floor as well as protect the rim. Will add some much-needed defense in Utah. Other possibilit­ies: Aaron Gordon, Julius Randle.

6. CELTICS

Julius Randle – PF – Kentucky: If Embiid slides, it likely will end here. Other possibilit­ies: Embiid, Aaron Gordon.

7. LAKERS

Aaron Gordon – PF – Arizona: Gordon’s athleticis­m is off the charts, but his shooting needs a lot of work. Other possibilit­ies: Marcus Smart, Doug McDermott.

8. KINGS

Marcus Smart – PG – Oklahoma State: A power point guard who is highly competitiv­e. Just what the Kings need. Other possibilit­ies: Gary Harris, McDermott.

9. HORNETS

Gary Harris – SG/PG – Michigan State: Steve Clifford is a defensive-minded coach, and the Hornets need help in that department. Other possibilit­ies: McDermott, Adreian Payne.

10. BULLS (TRADE WITH 76ERS)

Doug McDermott – PF – Creighton: Win-win for the Bulls. They lose the extra rookie salary and grab a shooter who can be flipped in a trade if they need to clear salary for Carmelo Anthony. Every team needs shooting, and McDermott is a marksman. Other possibilit­ies: Philadelph­ia keeps the pick and adds McDermott or Nik Stauskas.

11. NUGGETS

Zach LaVine – SG/PG – UCLA : Could be looking for a trade partner, but they need help in the backcourt and land the versatile LaVine. Other possibilit­ies: This is a trade-down spot, and they could make a move with the Bulls for Nos. 16 and 19.

12. MAGIC

Elfrid Payton – PG – Louisiana Lafayette: The most athletic point guard left on the board, and the Magic need help at the point. Other

possibilit­ies: Tyler Ennis, Shabazz Napier.

13. TIMBERWOLV­ES

Rodney Hood – SF – Duke: They need outside scoring, with or without Kevin Love on the roster. Other possibilit­ies: Payne, James Young.

14. SUNS

T.J. Warren – SF – North Carolina State: Warren will give Phoenix another scorer for its highoctane offense. Other possibilit­ies: Trade down, Kyle Anderson.

15. HAWKS

Kyle Anderson – SF – UCLA Other possibilit­ies: Young, Clint Capela.

16. 76ERS (FROM BULLS)

Nik Stauskas – SG – Michigan Other possibilit­ies: Young, Dario Saric.

17. CELTICS

Dario Saric – SF – Croatia Other possibilit­ies: Young, Capela.

18. SUNS

Clint Capela – PF – Switzerlan­d Other possibilit­ies: Jerami Grant, Payne.

19. 76ERS (FROM BULLS)

Adreian Payne – PF – Michigan State Other possibilit­ies: Cleanthony Early, Grant.

20. RAPTORS

Tyler Ennis – PG – Syracuse Other possibilit­ies: Napier, Jordan Clarkson.

21. THUNDER

P.J. Hairston – SG – North Carolina Other possibilit­ies: Jordan Adams.

22. GRIZZLIES

Cleanthony Early – PF – Wichita State Other possibilit­ies: Jarnell Stokes, Grant.

23. JAZZ

C.J. Wilcox – SG – Washington Other possibilit­ies: K.J. McDaniels.

24. HORNETS

K.J. McDaniels – SF – Clemson Other possibilit­ies: Stokes, Grant.

25. ROCKETS

Jusuf Nurkic – C – Bosnia Other possibilit­ies: Stokes, Grant.

26. HEAT

Shabazz Napier – PG – UConn Other possibilit­ies: Stokes, Mitch McGary.

27. SUNS

Jerami Grant – PF – Syracuse Other possibilit­ies: Stokes, Glenn Robinson III.

28. CLIPPERS

Jarnell Stokes – PF – Tennessee Other possibilit­ies: Patric Young, Robinson III.

29. THUNDER

Mitch McGary – PF/C – Michigan Other possibilit­ies: Clarkson, Adams.

30. SPURS

Vasilije Micic – PG – Serbia Other possibilit­ies: Adams, P. Young.

 ?? GETTY IMAGES ?? Joel Embiid
GETTY IMAGES Joel Embiid
 ??  ?? Andrew Wiggins
Andrew Wiggins
 ??  ?? Jabari Parker
Jabari Parker
 ?? AP ?? Dante Exum
AP Dante Exum

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