NBA Mock Draft
The Cleveland Cavaliers get a do over. What will they do?
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Cleveland Gets No. 1 Pick in NBA Draft - With just a 1.7% chance of winning the top selection in the NBA Draft lottery Tuesday night, the Cleveland Cavaliers overcame odds and luckily drew the No. 1 pick for the second consecutive year. Cavs general manager David Griffin told ESPN that his phone started ringing immediately following the lottery with teams on the other end inquiring about the top pick in the June 26 Draft. Now that we know the order, here's our post-lottery NBA Mock Draft with all the lottery teams. And with the first pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, the Cleveland Cavaliers select....(Photo: Kathy Willens/AP Photo)
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1. Cleveland Cavaliers—Joel Embiid (Kansas) - Although still raw offensively, center Joel Embiid is being compared to NBA Hall of Famer Hakeem "The Dream" Olajuwon for his footwork and fluidity packaged in a lithe 7-0, 250-pound frame. After averaging 11 points, eight rebounds, and two blocks per game at Kansas this past season, we would love to see Embiid and Cavs point guard Kyrie Irving form one of the league's best inside-outside combinations. Picking Embiid with the No. 1 pick will allow them to do just that. It may even lure LeBron James back to Cleveland as rumored. Just like the lotto...hey, you never know.(Photo: Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
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2. Milwaukee Bucks—Jabari Parker (Duke) - All reports on Jabari Parker indicate that he can come into the NBA and contribute as a key scorer immediately. That's great news for the Milwaukee Bucks, who finished an NBA-worst 15-67 this past 2013-14 season. The Bucks will sorely need some of same punch that the 6-8, Chi-town product sported at Duke, averaging 19.1 points and 8.7 rebounds per game. Parker is a flat out star.(Photo: Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
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3. Philadelphia 76ers—Andre Wiggins (Kansas) - Drake shouts out fellow-Canadian Andrew Wiggins on his "Draft Day" track, and we see the Philadelphia 76ers doing much of the same on June 26th. The 6-8 swingman had flashes of next-level brilliance at Kansas, where he averaged 17 points and six rebounds per game, and we think the often-critical Philadelphia fans will embrace the kid as he grows and earns his keep in the league. Pencil in Philly, No. 3 on Draft Day for A. Wiggins. Although Drake, a global ambassador for the Toronto Raptors, would surely love to have him up north we bet. (Photo: Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
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4. Orlando Magic—Julius Randle (Kentucky) - A big who's rugged, nasty, and tough with a grown-man game. That's what the Orlando Magic need at No. 4 and they'll get that and more by selecting Kentucky power forward Julius Randle. With a no-nonsense approach, the diligent Randle posted 15 points and 10 rebounds per game for the Wildcats this season and could be a force in the Eastern Conference if his game transfers nicely to the pros as expected. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
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5. Utah Jazz—Dante Exum (Australia) - Seemingly every year, an NBA team looks overseas to Europe to make a splashy foreign selection in the Draft. This year, we see the Utah Jazz looking 'Down Under' to Australia and tabbing 6-6 point guard Dante Exum. While it's always a risk acquiring international talent, the scouting report on Exum glows for his playmaking ability. He also has basketball in his blood, considering his father, Cecil Exum, played alongside Michael Jordan on North Carolina's 1982 National Championship team before playing professionally in Australia. (Photo: Michael Dodge/Getty Images)
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6. Boston Celtics—Aaron Gordon (Arizona) - We see the Boston Celtics fitting Arizona Wildcats' 6-9 forward Aaron Gordon into their rebuilding project with the sixth overall selection in the NBA Draft. Gordon averaged 12 points and eight rebounds this year, and possesses the kind of athletic talent you can't teach. He also has the toughness on the defensive end that die-hard Boston fans will love. (Photo: Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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7. Los Angeles Lakers—Marcus Smart (Oklahoma State) - After a putrid 27-55 season this year, the Los Angeles Lakers need a lot of changes. They can begin by drafting Marcus Smart at No. 7. Smart is a rugged 6-4 defensive-minded point guard that competes hard, something that Kobe Bryant will respect. Smart choice. (Photo: Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
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8. Sacramento Kings—Noah Vonleh (Indiana) - A 6-10 big man with range on his jumper, Indiana's Noah Vonleh would be a perfect frontcourt mate with the Sacramento Kings DeMarcus Cousins. Vonleh's ability to pull defenses out via his midrange game would allow Cousins to feast even more in the paint. (Photo: Eric Francis/Getty Images)
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9. Charlotte Hornets—Dario Saric (Croatia) - We see Charlotte owner Michael Jordan doing his due diligence and signing off on the Hornets tabbing Dario Saric, a refined 6-10 power forward from Croatia. Saric has sound skills and a willingness to create off the dribble. His game will translate in the pros. (Photo: Robert Valai/EB via Getty Images)
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