The NBA draft 2014 is coming on Thursday and mock draft time will be over and heading into the event, names like Andrew Wiggins, Joel Embiid, Jabari Parker, Marcus Smart, Julius Randle, Dante Exum, Nik Stauskas and Aaron Gordon all could be in the mix for picks for the Los Angeles Lakers, Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics, Philadelphia 76ers or Orlando Magic.
The draft this year is considered one of the deepest in recent memory and Wiggins and Parker are considered to be the top prospects, while many think Embiid has the biggest upside. According to ESPN.com, the Cavaliers would have taken Embiid had he not been injured before the draft, but now that throws the entire top part of the draft into chaos. The Sixers were happy knocking they would get one of the top players in the draft, but now Wiggins and Parker could be gone by the time they pick and that has sparked trade rumors involving the number one overall pick and the Sixers.
The Cavaliers have the top overall pick in the draft for the second straight season and they picked Anthony Bennett last year one overall and now they have it again. The Cavaliers have listened to trade offers for the pick and they could deal it, but that is looking unlikely now that it is this close to the event starting. The team would have taken Embiid and now reports say the pick will be Wiggins over Parker. The Bucks likely will take the player in Wiggins or Parker that doesn't go number one, as their owner said the team wants someone that can contribute now and that Embiid is injured they have tipped their hand.
The Cavaliers have received numerous trade offers for the first pick and Pro Basketball Talk reports that the Magic have offered the team two picks and Arron Afflalo to move up. The Cavs like Wiggins and feel that he can be a strong player along with Kyrie Irving, but the team also knows that they can use the pick to acquire more. This is one of the deepest and most talented drafts in years and that means if they move down, they still could get some solid players, even if they are not like Embiid, Wiggins or Parker.
The report says that the Magic have offered number four and number 12 in the draft along with Afflalo, while the Boston Celtics are another team in the mix. The Celtics can move two picks as well, but they are lower than the ones for the Magic and that means they would have the inside track at a deal if the Cavs want to trade.
Check here for the latest mock draft and more draft coverage and pick predictions from SI.com leading into the event on Thursday.
NBA mock draft:
Cavaliers: Andrew Wiggins
Bucks: Jabari Parker
Sixers: Marcus Smart
Magic: Joel Embiid
