2014 NBA Mock Draft: The Cleveland Cavaliers Are On The Clock
By Tyler Cox
Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
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#6 Boston Celtics – Julius Randle PF 6’9 250 Kentucky
Team Needs: Power Forward, Small Forward, Shooting Guard
Explanation: The physical specimen that Julius Randle is, is outrageous. Randle has probably the best motor of anyone in the this class. The Celtics need pretty much everything except point guard, and even that might be in jeopardy if the Celtics end up trading away Rajon Rondo. Randle will bring back that fire to the Celtics organization. Randle does have some things that he needs to work on. Randle needs to work on using BOTH hands to finish, he can’t just be going to his left hand all the time, he got away with it in college but he wont in the NBA. Lastly, Randle needs to improve on his defense if he wants to be effective in the League.
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#7 Los Angeles Lakers – Marcus Smart SG 6’4 227 Oklahoma State
Team Needs: Point Guard, Small Forward, Shooting Guard
Explanation: Just like their long time rival, the Celtics, the Los Angeles Lakers need people at every position. no matter if you think Kobe is coming back or not, he is O-L-D old, the Lakers need to start looking towards the future for once and start centering the team around another player, and guess what? it’ snot Steve Nash, he is old too and wont be there much longer. speaking of old people, Pau Gasol isn’t getting any younger. They need people bad. Enter Marcus Smart. Smart will bring the moxie back to the Laker organization. Yes they have Jodie Meeks, but let’s be honest, Meeks isn’t a star. Smart has the potential to be the new face of the Laker organization.
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#8 Sacramento Kings – Aaron Gordon 6’10 220 PF Arizona
Team Needs: Power Forward, Small Forward, Shooting Guard
Explanation: DeMarcus Cousins is all alone down low with no body to help him out. Aaron Gordon would be the perfect complement to DeMarcus Cousins. Just think now, Cousins throwing alley oops to Gordon, Gordon throwing alley oops to Cousins. The Kings would dominate the boards night in and night out. Gordon would add an excitement that the Kings seem to be lacking. Gordon is an extremely skilled big man with an above average basketball IQ and will where you down. He plays above the rim, and does it will.
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#9 Charlotte Hornets – Gary Harris SG 6’4 205 Michigan State
Team Needs: Power Forward, Shooting Guard, Center
Explanation: When you have a Gary Neal and a Gerald Henderson both averaging under 12 points per game, it’s time to find a better solution at the shooting guard position. You want someone who can light up the score board. Gary Harris can light up a score board really quick. His outside shot is outstanding. He was the best player on Michigan States squad this past season, and he could very well be one of the best players that the Hornets will have in the next year or two.
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#10 Philadelphia 76ers – Nick Stauskas SG 6’6 207 Michigan
Team Needs: Small Forward, Shooting Guard, Power Forward
Explanation: The 76ers filled their need of a small forward when they took Jabari Parker with the third pick, and now they will fulfill their next biggest need at shooting guard when they take Nick Stauskas. Stauskas is 6’6 which is extremely good size for a shooting guard. Nick, like Garry Harris, can light up a score board in a hurry. Nick has got the outside down to a science and an ever improving mid range game. The 76ers with Noel, Carter-Williams, Parker and now Stauskas could be a filthy filthy team in the near future.