An Early Look at Various 2014 NBA Mock Drafts
"1. Cleveland Cavaliers: Joel Embiid, C, Kansas This will be the Cavaliers’ seventh first-round draft pick since LeBron James left for Miami, but so far, Tyler Zeller is the only center they’ve selected. It’s time to change that. With Spencer Hawes about to enter unrestricted free agency and Anderson Varejao turning 32 next season on an unguaranteed contract, Cleveland would be wise to try to lock down a big man for the future. Fortunately, there’s a great one available in Joel Embiid. Embiid has been playing basketball for three years, but he Mar 1, 2014; Stillwater, OK, USA; Kansas Jayhawks center Joel Embiid (21) shoots a free throw during the second half against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Gallagher-Iba Arena. Oklahoma State beat Kansas 72-65. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports projects as a great two-way player in the middle. Embiid has long arms, soft hands and developing post moves that should make him a terror for years to come. He isn’t the draft’s most NBA-ready prospect, but he is the best."
"The Cleveland Cavaliers have defied the odds and landed the No. 1 pick, again. They could really go in any direction here, but with this roster lacking a long-term option at center, Joel Embiid seems like the perfect piece to fit the puzzle. At full strength, he’s a game-changer who offers centerpiece potential as a go-to offensive option and dominant rim protector. Andrew Wiggins fits here too, but I don’t think he gives the Cavaliers the immediate results that Embiid can just by being in the game. And he doesn’t offer the same level of upside, either. Embiid had established himself as the top prospect in the draft prior to a back injury that knocked him out the last month of the season. At this point, we’re still in wait-and-see mode until he decides which teams he plans on taking physicals for—and obviously, whether his back checks out. Assuming Embiid takes one for Cleveland, and he clears medically, I’m just not sure how it can pass on this type of two-way upside at center. We’re not just talking about a raw 7-footer—Embiid is crazy skilled with post moves for days, from jump hooks and dream shakes to up-and-unders and spin moves. Defensively, he has the ability to change a game by shrinking the rim he’s defending. Embiid has no reason to rush back to events like the NBA Draft Combine, where he just didn’t have anything to gain. Don’t take his lack of participation as a red flag. For what it’s worth, he told Sirius XM Radio that his back is “100 percent; no pain, nothing. I been working out, just to get back in the shape,” according to A. Sherrod Blakely of CSNNE.com."
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"1. CLEVELAND CAVALIERS Joel Embiid, C, Kansas: The concerns about Joel Embiid’s back will be the mystery leading up to the draft, but if you believe in your medical staff and training personnel, it’s hard to pass up on his upside. Considering the Cavs gave Andrew Bynum $12 million, I’d say they’re confident in their medical and training staffs. He’s too good for them to pass up. (Previous: 4)"
"1. CLEVELAND CAVALIERS Andrew Wiggins, SF, Kansas: They have options, but this is the simplest pick. Naturally I expect them to make this harder than it needs to be, but this is the smart go here. (Previous: 1)"
So who do you want the Cavs to draft?