2014 NBA Draft Preview and Predictions

The 2014 NBA Draft is one the most star-studded drafts in recent history. Potential stars are littered all across the draft board. Making things even more exciting, it’s not clear which top-rated college player will come off the board first.

To get you primed for one of the most influential days on the 2014-2015 NBA calendar, we’ve compiled the five biggest storylines coming up in this year’s NBA Draft. Read on for all the most intriguing stories and while you’re getting set for the big day make sure to check out our extensive World Cup 2014 coverage, betting previews, and predictions.
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2014 NBA Draft Preview

Who will Cleveland Cavaliers draft first overall?

After so many years of drafting in the top five, center is just about the one position the Cleveland Cavaliers haven’t addressed. Center also figures to be their weakest position, since their starting center, Anderson Varejao, can’t stay healthy. The 2014 NBA Draft represents a great opportunity for them to grab a potential star big man in Joel Embiid.

[sc:NBA240banner ]Embiid is far from the Cavs’ only option, even if they decide to go with a center. Croatian Jusuf Nurkic may be in the mix as well. Embiid is a nimble, athletic center who has shown an ability to shoot jumpers. However, he has a stress fracture on his foot which will need surgery, therefore hurting his chances of being picked first.

Nurkic, on the other hand, is another young center who has the potential for improvement. He has quick feet like Embiid, and possesses a solid low-post game, but lacks explosiveness. He has also shown mistakes often, and commits fouls regularly.

Writer’s prediction: The Cavs think long-term down low and pick a recovering Embiid to join their stable of young talent with the first overall pick.

Where will Andrew Wiggins end up?

Andrew Wiggins was the dominant name associated with the 2014 Draft even before he started his single year with the Kansas Jayhawks. It’s hard to ignore him considering his incredible athleticism. Being a great offensive player, his physical gifts also allow him to quickly transition to defense when the need arises. Perhaps the most complete player in the draft, it would not be crazy for any team to take him.

Writer’s prediction: Wiggins is picked third for the Philadelphia 76ers, and immediately becomes the team’s offensive focal point.

Will a senior be picked in the top 10?

In the NBA draft, seniors are not hot commodities due to the belief that they don’t possess the higher growth potential that younger players may have. The disregard for seniors was shown in the 2013 and 2012 drafts when seniors CJ McCollum and Tyler Zeller were picked 11th and 14th overall, respectively.

This year, Doug McDermott, a senior from Creighton University, won’t fall that far. McDermott possesses a complete offensive game, and will be a reliable scorer in the NBA. In his last year of college basketball, he averaged 26.7 points per game, while shooting 52.6% from the field and 44.9% from beyond the arc.

Writer’s prediction: The Orlando Magic need a three-point shooter, and will grab McDermott with the fourth pick of the draft.

Will the Los Angeles Lakers improve?

The 2013-14 season of the NBA marked the first time the Lakers missed the playoffs in nine years. Their brutal performance in the regular season may have been spurred by injuries to key players such as Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash, and Jordan Farmar, but then again the lack of overall talent didn’t help either.

The Lakers don’t just need a young, talented player, but also a well-rounded.

Prediction: The Lakers nab Aaron Gordon as the seventh pick of the draft. Gordon is an all-around star and despite his record, can contribute in all areas of the floor.

Do you think the Lakers can win the 2015 NBA Championship after catching a young hot shot? Odds have them at +5,000 to do so. Create a betting account now to enjoy deciding on NBA Futures.

Who will slip under the radar?

Every year, some gems slip by scouts, and don’t get picked until later in the draft. Imagine this: Manu Ginobili (57th pick in 1999) and Tony Parker (28th pick in 2001) joined 1997’s first-overall pick Tim Duncan for over a decade playing for the Spurs. The Spurs’ “Big Three” have won three NBA Championships in that time span.

Which teams will find diamonds in the later-round rough this season?

Russ Smith, despite his diminutive height, would be a valuable addition to the Washington Wizards as a point guard. The Wizards are in need of young players to bolster their ranks with point guard Andre Miller close to retirement. Smith would provide the speed and youth the Wizards need to come up with some needed fast break points, and dribble through traffic en route to the basket.

Meanwhile, the Cavs will need a player like Markel Brown to go along with Embiid. Brown has the potential to be a great defensive force, and has shown an ability to improve. If his teammates can set him up, then he can rack up some points. Embiid’s rebounding could also help setup Brown for some jumpers in range.

Prediction: The Wizards snatch Smith for the 46th pick, while the Cavs take Brown for the 33rd.

With Draft Day coming, which players do you think will go in the top five picks? Let us know via either Facebook or Twitter below, and don’t forget to check out our 2014-2015 NBA futures odds to see who is favored to win it all in 2015.
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