NBA Draft 2014 Mock Draft:

It is never too early to look at the loaded 2014 NBA draft.

This draft is based upon my Summer of 2013 Free Agency Predictions:
Chris Paul-PG-LAC-Stays with LAC, thus making them my #2 in the West and #5 best record
Dwight Howard-C-LAL-signs with HOU, making them the #3 in the West and #6 best record
Josh Smith-PF-ATL-signs with DAL, DAL becomes #8 seed in the West
David West-PF-IND-stays with IND, making them #3 seed in East
Andre Iguodala-G/F-DEN-stay with DEN, however the Nuggets miss the playoffs without the leadership of coach of the Year George Karl
Al Jefferson-C-Utah-signs with PHL, making them #7 seed in a weak East.
Nikola Pekovic-C-MIN-\stays with MIN, TWolves get healthy seasons from Love and Rubio and make the playoffs as the #7 seed.
Monta Ellis-SG-MIL-also signs with DAL
Andrew Bynum-C-PHL-signs with ATL, allowing Horford to play the 4
Jeff Teague-PG-ATL-stays with ATL, Bynum, Horford and Teague are good enough to keep the Hawks as the #6 seed in the East
Finally up and coming WAS beats out aging BOS for the final playoff spot in the East as John Wall is and all star, while Bradley Beal and Rookie of the Year Otto Porter have the same impact on the wings that Klay Thompson and Harrison Barnes had with the Warriors in 2012.

The Miami Heat 3 Peat as they beat the Thunder in games in the NBA Finals.

Here's the mock:

1.  CHARLOTTE BOBCATS-ANDREW WIGGINS-SF-KANSAS
6-7/196 NBA COMPARISON: PAUL GEORGE/ANDRE IGUODALA
The Bobcats bad luck finally runs out as they get the best prospect to come out of high school since Greg Oden/Kevin Durant. Wiggins isn't quite LeBron or Kobe but he should be a better version of Paul George.
2014-15 starting lineup

2. PHOENIX SUNS-JABARI PARKER-SF-DUKE
6-8/241 NBA COMPARISON: PAUL PIERCE/GRANT HILL 
The Suns get a guy that would be the clear cut #1 in any normal draft. Parker's skill set and basketball IQ are off the chart. His athletic ability is below Wiggins causing him to drop to #2.  The Suns will be a bad team regardless of who they draft this year

3. ORLANDO MAGIC-MARCUS SMART-PG-OK ST. 
6-4/225 NBA COMPARISON: CHAUNCEY BILLUPS 
The Magic get the PG they need to lead their young team. Smart is big enough to play both guard spots. Even if the Magic make a trade for Eric Bledsoe, Smart can complement him as he is a better facilitator while Bledsoe is a better scorer.

4. UTAH JAZZ-GLENN ROBINSON III-SF/SG-MICHIGAN 
6-6/220 NBA COMPARISON: MICHAEL FINLEY/PAUL GEORGE 
The Jazz are going to be one of the youngest teams in the league if they let Jefferson and MIllsap leave.  They will no doubt struggle with Gordon Hayward being their top scorer. However they picked the right year to struggle as they will be able to grab a young superstar in this draft. I feel that GR III will make the jump from good player to superstar on a Michigan team that lost Trey Burke and Tim Hardaway Jr. He is my pick to win the Naismith award.

5. CLEVELAND CAVALIERS-JULIUS RANDLE-PF-UK
6-9/248 NBA COMPARISON: more athletic ZACH RANDOLPH
The Cavs get an upgrade over Tristan Thompson and a complement to either Alex Len or Nerlens Noel. Randle is a lefty with and incredible post game and skill set for such a young player.

6. SACRAMENTO KINGS-WAYNE SELDEN-SG-KANSAS
6-5/229 NBA COMPARISON: OJ MAYO/LANCE STEPHENSON 
Selden has a NBA ready body and a developing skill set. His outside shot is improving, but his ball handling needs to become more consistent. The Kings need an upgrade at SG.

7. MILWAUKEE BUCKS-ANDREW HARRISON-CG-UK 
6-5/207 NBA COMPARISON: JOE JOHNSON 
Despite making the playoffs last year, the Bucks are a very below average team. I have trouble believing that Brandon Jennings will improve if they let Monta Ellis leave. It will just mean a higher volume of low percentage shots for Jennings. The Bucks are due for a let down. Luckily for them, they can get a guy like Harrison that is a great passer and ball handler for someone his size.

8. LOS ANGELES LAKERS-AARON GORDON-CF-ARIZONA 
6-9/212 NBA COMPARISON: GERALD WALLACE/smaller BLAKE GRIFFIN 
Speaking of let downs, after barely making the playoffs last year the Lakers have an even worse 2013-14 season. Kobe will be hurt most of the year while Nash, Pau and Metta World Peace are almost a combined 100 years old. The Lakers need all the youth they can get. Gordon is a nice start.

9. NEW ORLEANS PELICANS-JAMES YOUNG-G/F-UK 
6-6/204 NBA COMPARISON: MANU GINOBILI
The Pelicans improve, but not enough to make the playoffs. By this time next year, Eric Gordon will already be traded or he will be injured again. Austin Rivers may be the solution at the two, but what they Pelicans really need is a long, athletic wing that is also a two way player Young has the size and skill set to play both the 2 and 3 and man can he shoot.  

10. TORONTO RAPTORS-GARY HARRIS-SG-MICHIGAN ST. 
6-5/198 NBA COMPARISON: KLAY THOMPSON/MONTA ELLIS 
Did someone say shoot. Harris will be the best shooter in this draft and that is exactly what the Raptors need. They have good slashers with Rudy Gay and Demar DeRozan, plus a strong point with Kyle Lowry. They need someone like Harris to stretch the defense.

11. DETROIT PISTONS-MITCH McGARY-C-MICHIGAN 
6-10/263 NBA COMPARISON: BEN WALLACE/NIKOLA PEKOVIC 
He is just the perfect Pistons player. Tough, strong and physical. He will be a fan favorite from day one. Noah Vonleh has more potential but the Pistons are very close to being a playoff team. Vonleh will need 3-5 years to develop while McGary is pretty much what you see what you get.  

12. DENVER NUGGETS-NOAH VONLEH-CF-INDIANA
6-10/242 NBA COMPARISON: AL HARRINGTON 
Vonleh is very similar to former Nugget Al Harrington. Both have more of the skill set of a wing but have the size to play some 4. Vonleh would be a great developmental player in the Nuggets system and insurance for the often injured Danilo Galinari.

13. BOSTON CELTICS-MARIO HEZONJA-SG-INT.-CROATIA 
6-7/195 NBA COMPARISON: DRAZEN PETROVIC/MARCO BELINELI 
The Celtics  are becoming a rebuilding team. With Rajon Rondo, Jeff Green and Jered Sullinger, they have solid pieces. Hezonja would be the perfect 2 gaurd to pair with Rondo. He does everything that Rondo can't do, basically shoot the ball well. He is also a good passer and a good athlete compared to other Euro prospects.

14.  CHARLOTTE BOBCATS (via Portland from 2011 Gerald Wallace trade, top 12 protected in 2014)-WILLIE CAULEY STEIN-C-UK 
7-0/244 NBA COMPARISON: MARCIN GORTAT 
The Bobcats get the best player available and someone who can help on the glass.

15. WASHINGTON WIZARDS-KALEB TARCZEWSKI-C-ARIZONA
7-0/260 NBA COMPARISON: OMER ASIK/KOSTA KOUFOS 
The Wizards get some help up front to replace aging vets Emeka Okafor and Nene. You can't teach 7-0/260!

16. MIAMI HEAT (via Philly from 2012 draft day trade for Arnett Moultrie, lottery protected in 2014)-DARIO SARIC-CF-INT.-CROATIA 
6-10/230 NBA COMPARISON: CHANDLER PARSONS/MIKE MILLER
If the 76ers make the playoff next year then the Heat get their first rounder. GM Pat Riley will draft a good Euro prospect that he can keep overseas for a season or two thus saving the Heat any immediate financial costs. Saric was a projected lottery pick this year before withdrawing his name from the 2013 draft.

17. ATLANTA HAWKS-RASHEED SULAIMON-SG-DUKE
6-4/190 NBA COMPARISON: GERALD HENDERSON
The Hawks go with the safe pick and take the ultra skilled yet slightly undersized 2 guard.

18. DALLAS MAVERICKS-RODNEY HOOD-SF-DUKE
6-8/210 NBA COMPARISON: TAYSHAUN PRINCE/MARVIN WILLIAMS
The Mavs also go with a Duke player. Hood is a transfer from Mississippi St that may be the X-Factor for Duke's National Title hopes. Parker will get the hype, but Hood and Sulaimon will be just as important.

19. MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES-SPENCER DINWIDDIE-CG-COLORADO
6-5/197 NBA COMPARISON: RANDY FOYE
Minnesota will need depth at guard. Dinwiddie is good value here. He can play both guard spots and will be more NBA ready than most. He will be 21 by next year's draft even though he looks like he's already 30 with that mustache

 Dinwiddie, Great Name, Great Game and what a stashe!

20. DENVER NUGGETS (via NY from the Carmelo Anthony trade)-JERIAN GRANT-PG-NOTRE DAME
6-5/202 NBA COMPARISON: MARIO CHALMERS/E'TWAUN MOORE
Andre Miller is damn near 40, they need a young back up PG. Like Miller, Grant is a big point with good passing ability. He held his own against Michael Carter Williams and Vander Blue this year yet struggled vs. Louisville in 2 of the 3 games they played.

21. BROOKLYN NETS-DAKARI JOHNSON-C/F-UK
6-11/260 NBA COMPARISON: AL JEFFERSON
Johnson is a developing big man with incredible size. The Nets need a backup for Brook Lopez. Johnson may end up being a top 5 pick in 2015.

22. MEMPHIS GRIZZLEIS: PJ HAIRSTON-G/F-UNC
6-4/220 NBA COMPARISON: ALAN ANDERSON/AARON AFFALO 
Hairston is a solid wing that can backup both the 2 and 3.

23. GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS-DOUG McDERMOTT-SF-CREIGHTON
6-5/202 NBA COMPARISON: KYLE KORVER
Can you ever have enough shooters? I say no! Add McDermott to the splash brothers and have him back up his high school teammate Harrison Barnes. 

24. SAN ANTONIO SPURS-JAMES McADOO-CF-UNC
6-9/230 NBA COMPARISON: MARCUS MORRIS
The Spurs may drop a few spots in the west with everyone else getting better or younger. Adding a fundamentally sound player like McAdoo is the Spur way. Fellow UNC guy Danny Green can mentor the young player.

25. HOUSTON ROCKETS-KYLE ANDERSON-SF-UCLA
6-9/225 NBA COMPARISON: LANDRY FIELDS
Great passing wing will complement the slashing James Harden and Chandler Parsons. The Rockets will be a top 3 seed if they get Dwight Howard.

26. LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS-SEMAJ CHRISTON-PG
6-3/187 NBA COMPARISON: MO WILLIAMS 
Eric Bledsoe will be traded, in case you haven't heard. The Clippers need a back up PG.

27. INDIANA PACERS-ISIAH AUSTIN-C-BAYLOR

7-1/205 NBA COMPARISON: JaVALE McGEE 
Ultra skinny and long backup center. Austin is a good shot blocker but has a ton of work to do on the offensive end and in the weight room

28. OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER-AJ HAMMONS-C-PURDUE 
7-0/280 NBA COMPARISON: FESTUS EZELI/KENDRICK PERKINS 
The Thunder get a big man with incredible size. Kendrick Perkins will likely be traded by this time next year.

29. CHICAGO BULLS-PERRY ELLIS-CF-KANSAS 

6-8/225 NBA COMPARISON: SHANE BATTIER/EARL CLARK 
Good player that does all the little things. More of a 4 than a 3 right now. With Wiggins and Selden on the team next year, he won't be a primary scorer.  

30. MIAMI HEAT-DWIGHT POWELL-PF-STANFORD 
6-10/235 NBA COMPARISON: RYAN ANDERSON 
He can shoot and rebound, that is all the Champs need.