This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
1. Cleveland Cavaliers
Andrew Wiggins, 6-8 200, small forward, Kansas
Strengths • May be the best athlete in the draft. Has a chance to be special as a defender and all-around scorer. Has emerged as the favorite in the past week.
History • Was considered one of the best high school players in the last decade. Has been compared to LeBron James, but reminds many of Tracy McGrady.
2. Milwaukee Bucks
Jabari Parker, 6-9, 240, small forward, Duke
Strengths • Is a supreme scorer in the mold of Paul Pierce and Carmelo Anthony. Has a refined offensive game that should allow him to instantly get buckets in the NBA.
History • Is the son of former NBA player Sonny Parker. Hails from Chicago, where he led famed Simeon High to multiple Illinois state titles.
3. Philadelphia 76ers
Noah Vonleh, 6-9, 247, power forward, Indiana
Strengths • Has huge upside and wingspan. Has a little Chris Bosh in him with his ability to stretch the floor. Could impact Philly right away.
History • Was one of the best freshmen in the Big Ten in his one year of college. Like the first two picks, was a McDonald's All-American.
4. Orlando Magic
Dante Exum, 6-6, 196, point guard, Australia
Strengths • Is long and athletic and has big potential at the point guard position. Intrigued many scouts last season with his play in the Nike Hoop Summit.
History • Is the son of Cecil Exum, who played at North Carolina. Had he played collegiately, would've likely landed at Indiana.
5. Utah Jazz
Julius Randle, 6-9, 250, power forward, Kentucky
Strengths • His strength is his strength. Has one of the most NBA-ready frames in the draft. Left-hander who can score and rebound in traffic.
History • Had a great workout with Utah a few weeks ago, and refuted reports on impending foot surgery. Led Kentucky to the NCAA title game as a college freshman.
6. Boston Celtics
Joel Embiid, 7-0, 240, center, Kansas
Strengths • Could be a franchise center if healthy. Embiid is uncommonly athletic for his size, is a great defender and has a fast-developing offensive game.
History • Had surgery for a broken foot last week, shaking up the order of the draft. His slide stops here, as Danny Ainge takes on the huge gamble.
7. Los Angeles Lakers
Elfrid Payton, 6-5, 185, point guard, Louisiana-Lafayette
Strengths • Reminds some of Gary Payton in that he's athletic, a great defender and playmaker. Continues the recent trend of big point guards who can really get to the rim.
History • Is the biggest stock climber of the draft. Has had great workouts to go along with his size and length and athleticism.
8. Sacramento Kings
Marcus Smart, 6-3, 227, point guard, Oklahoma State
Strengths • This is a steal for the Kings, who get a great fit and a great leader for a talented but leaderless crew. Smart could be the best thing to happen to DeMarcus Cousins.
History • Smart famously declined to enter the 2013 draft, where he would've been a top-three pick. He's a better player, but he slid down the board a bit.
9. Charlotte Hornets
Aaron Gordon, 6-9, 220, power forward, Arizona
Strengths • Is one of the best athletes in the draft, and would be the best player available with this pick. Gordon also could go to the Jazz at No. 5.
History • Gordon led the Wildcats to the Elite 8 in last year's NCAA Tournament. He was one of the best freshmen in the country as well.
10. Philadelphia 76ers
Nik Stauskas, 6-6, 207, shooting guard, Michigan
Strengths • Is one of the best shooters in the draft. Also puts the ball on the floor and is a much better athlete than anyone gives him credit for.
History • Came on strong for the Wolverines during a standout sophomore season. Became one of the best players in the Big Ten.
11. Denver Nuggets
Gary Harris, 6-4, 205, shooting guard, Michigan State
Strengths • Smooth scorer, capable of filling it from deep, or getting to the basket. Was another Big Ten standout in a season where the Spartans almost made it to the Final Four.
History • Reminds many of another Bradley Beal. Maybe not as polished offensively, but is another slightly undersized shooting guard who can do some of everything.
12. Orlando Magic
Dario Saric, 6-10, 225, small forward, Croatia
Strengths • Can play both forward positions and is a bit of a point forward. Great passer and ball handler for his size. Can do a lot on a basketball court.
History • He's locked in overseas for at least two years, but he's still talented enough to be a lotto pick. Goes to a team that's stocked at forward.
13. Minnesota Timberwolves
Rodney Hood, 6-8, 208, small forward, Duke
Strengths • Left-handed and explosive. Can really get to the paint and score. Is one of those guys who could be a better pro than college guy.
History • Played one season at Mississippi State before transferring to Duke. Played with Jabari Parker as a Blue Devil.
14. Phoenix Suns
Kyle Anderson, 6-9, 230 pounds, small forward, UCLA
Strengths • One of the best all-around players in the draft. Not a great athlete, but his size makes up for that. Can play up to four positions.
History • Was nicknamed "slo mo" as a youngster. Is from New Jersey, where he played at famed St. Anthony's High.
15. Atlanta Hawks
TJ Warren, 6-8, 220, small forward, North Carolina State
Strengths • Just scores. Doesn't matter how. He just puts the ball into the basket. Not as athletic as a Parker, or Wiggins, but is effective.
History • Played two years for the Wolfpack, and was probably the best scorer in the ACC. Could turn out to be similar to Paul Pierce.
16. Chicago Bulls
Doug McDermott, 6-7, 220, small forward, Creighton
Strengths • One of the best scorers in recent NCAA Tournament history. Would fit great with a Bulls team that sorely needs shooting.
History • McDermott played four years at Creighton and leaves college basketball as one of its most decorated players.
17. Boston Celtics
Shabazz Napier, 6-0, 175, point guard, Connecticut
Strengths • Is a winner, and is as crafty off the dribble as anyone in the draft. Lacks size, but has a lot of skill and a lot of guts.
History • Won a pair of NCAA titles as a Husky. Much like Kemba Walker before him, carried UConn to the 2013 NCAA championship.
18. Phoenix Suns
Adreian Payne, 6-10, 240, power forward, Michigan State
Strengths • Is an athletic power forward that can really shoot the ball. Fits in well with the Suns, who value shooting in their bigs.
History • Phoenix will likely lose Channing Frye to free agency, so this is a natural fit. Payne teamed with Harris to form a great duo with the Spartans.
19. Chicago Bulls
James Young, 6-6, 215, shooting guard, Kentucky
Strengths • Can really shoot it, and has proven to make big shots in big situations. Can put it on the floor and get to the basket as well.
History • Went to the NCAA Tournament title game as a freshman. Stock has dipped some, but still a solid first-rounder.
20. Toronto Raptors
Tyler Ennis, 6-2, 180, point guard, Syracuse
Strengths • Ennis isn't athletic, but he is cerebral and crafty. Good passer, good shooter. Racked up a lot of steals in 'Cuse's zone system.
History • The hooper from Canada returns home with this pick. With Kyle Lowry a free agent, this is a natural pick for the Raptors.
21. Oklahoma City Thunder
Zach Lavine, 6-5, 195, shooting guard, UCLA
Strengths • Great athlete, one of the best in the draft. Good shooter as well and has a high ceiling.
History • Played one season for the Bruins, coming off the bench for a team that made the Sweet 16.
22. Memphis Grizzlies
Cleanthony Early, 6-7, 210, small forward, Wichita State
Strengths • Can shoot, is efficient and is more athletic than advertised. Early gives this team some sorely needed scoring on the wing.
History • Was once one of the best junior college players in the country. His game translated nicely to D-1 hoops, and will to the NBA.
23. Utah Jazz
C.J. Wilcox, 6-5, 201, shooting guard, Washington
Strengths • The former Pleasant Grove star returns home. Wilcox can really shoot the ball, and would be a welcome addition to a Jazz team that needs just that.
History • A former Class 5A First Team All-State selection, Wilcox became one of the best players in the Pac-12.
24. Charlotte Hornets
Jusuf Nurkic, 6-11, 280, center, Bosnia
Strengths • One of the few low-post scorers in the draft. Can get it done with his back to the basket, or facing up.
History • Could move Anthony Davis to his more natural power forward slot. May take some time to gel, but is good value here.
25. Houston Rockets
P.J. Hairston, 6-6, 225, shooting guard, D-League
Strengths • Is coveted by a number of teams late in the first round. Supreme scorer who gives Houston yet another shooter.
History • Played at North Carolina and was ruled ineligible so he went the D-League route.
26. Miami Heat
Jordan Clarkson, 6-4, 186, point guard, Missouri
Strengths • Has great size for his position and proved he could play in workouts. Could be a steal this late.
History • The Heat need a point guard upgrade in a big way. Clarkson is a huge need pick here.
27. Phoenix Suns
Mitch McGary, 6-10, 245, power forward, Michigan
Strengths • Adds power and rebounding in the paint. Can step out and shoot it, and adds depth to a frontcourt that needs it.
History • Entered the NBA Draft after facing a year suspension from the NCAA. Shut his workouts down early. Could have a first-round promise.
28. Los Angeles Clippers
Clint Capela, 6-11, 222, power forward, Switzerland
Strengths • Great athlete and shot-blocker. Very, very raw at this point and will need time to fulfill his upside.
History • Played in the Nike Hoop Summit with the World team. Is regarded as one of the top young big men in the world.
29. Oklahoma City Thunder
Jerami Grant, 6-8, 214, small forward, Syracuse
Strengths • Has expanding skill and is adding to it each day. Could be a very good player five years from now.
History • Is the son of former NBA forward Harvey Grant. Has a brother who plays at Notre Dame.
30. San Antonio Spurs
Spencer Dinwiddie, 6-6, 2-7, point guard, Colorado
Strengths • A smooth floor leader who shoots the ball well, gets to the free-throw line and gets the ball in the hands of the right people.
History • Tore his ACL in January and is still recovering.