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2014 NBA Mock Draft: Jabari Parker to 76ers, Marcus Smart to Celtics – Metro US

2014 NBA Mock Draft: Jabari Parker to 76ers, Marcus Smart to Celtics

Jabari Parker 76ers Jabari Parker could soon be calling Philadelphia home. Credit: Getty Images

1. Cleveland Cavaliers: Andrew Wiggins, SF, Kansas – The Cavs need a future swingman and a big man. In today’s NBA, a swingman is more of a sure thing than a big – so here’s thinking the lucky Cavs go with Wiggins.

2. Milwaukee Bucks: Joel Embiid, C, Kansas – It’s been an Embiid week as most everyone now thinks he’s the top talent despite the injury concerns. His stock will predictably rise and fall and rise again from now until June 26 but the Bucks could still come away with the draft’s top prize (of this week).

3. Philadelphia 76ers: Jabari Parker, SF, Duke – It just seems like a fit in Philly for Parker, doesn’t it?

4. Orlando Magic: Julius Randle, PF, Kentucky – The Magic have landed Shaq and Dwight Howard before in the lottery. Randle won’t be nearly as dominant but there’s little doubt he’ll be (at the very least) a fringe All-Star for years to come.

5. Utah Jazz: Noah Vonleh, PF, Indiana – Still don’t think the Jazz will draft Exum with Trey Burke already on the roster.

6. Boston Celtics: Marcus Smart, PG, Oklahoma State – Goodbye, Rajon Rondo? If the C’s can’t swing a Kevin Love deal (which would keep Rondo in Boston most likely), who knows where Danny Ainge goes from there?

7. Los Angeles Lakers: Dante Exum, PG, Australia – Last week we talked about how the Lakers have always coveted a Rondo-type. Exum is that, and he would never think of throwing a Snapple bottle at a TV projector.

8. Sacramento Kings: Aaron Gordon, PF, Arizona – We also had Gordon going here last week. If anything, the Kings have a lot of trade options.

9. Charlotte Hornets: Doug McDermott, SF/PF – Inside to Big Al. Outside to McDermott. Could be interesting.

[Note: the following selections hold from our original Mock from last week]

10. Philadelphia 76ers: James Young, SG/SF, Kentucky – Young can score, score and score some more, something the Sixers could use a lot more of.

11. Denver Nuggets: Gary Harris, SG, Michigan State – You never want to gamble on a guard whose weakness is: “can’t shoot.” Harris can shoot. His weakness is his handle, which can be improved relatively quickly.

12. Orlando Magic: Dario Saric, SF/PF, Croatia – Saric is crafty but his quickness (or lack thereof) could be exposed at the NBA level.

13. Minnesota Timberwolves: Nik Stauskas, SG/SF – No, this pick won’t solve the Kevin Love dilemma.

14. Phoenix Suns: T.J. Warren, SF, North Carolina State – Warren seems like the type of player that could help a team like Phoenix right away.

15. Atlanta Hawks: Adreian Payne, PF, Michigan State – NBADraft.net compares Payne to Robert Horry. The Hawks would certainly welcome that, so long as it comes with a playoff clutch gene.

16. Chicago Bulls: Rodney Hood, SF, Duke – The Bulls need a capable swing man. If only they had a guy like a Luol Deng.

17. Boston Celtics: Zach LaVine, PG/SG, UCLA – This would be a classic Danny Ainge pick. LaVine has Gerald Green-like dunking ability and it wouldn’t be shocking to see his career play out like Green’s – early struggles with flashes of brilliance that eventually translate into solid production.

18. Phoenix Suns: Clint Capela, PF, Switzerland – If the Suns take a solid player like Warren, they could supplement that with a raw project like Capela.

19. Chicago Bulls – Kyle Anderson, SF, UCLA – Anderson is slow but reads the floor tremendously well.

20. Toronto Raptors – P.J. Hairston, SG, North Carolina – Hairston appears ready to help a contender right now.

21. Oklahoma City Thunder – Jerami Grant, SF, Syracuse – The Thunder could stash Grant in the D-League for a bit … and then trade him. He was amongth the top players at the Combine for reach and wingspan, according to the Syracuse.com. So he’s got that going for him.

22. Memphis Grizzlies – Tyler Ennis, PG, Syracuse – Yes, Ennis is sliding here. But if he doesn’t go in the 8-12 range, there’s a good chance he could fall to some top teams.

Syracuse Tyler Ennis Syracuse’s Tyler Ennis may fall due to the high number of quality point guards early in the draft. Credit: Getty Images

23. Utah Jazz – Cleanthony Early, PF, Wichita State – Early can score in bunches. The Jazz would be smart to scoop him up here.

24. Charlotte Hornets – Mario Hezonja, SG, Croatia – Is Gerald Henderson the longterm answer at the 2 for Charlotte?

25. Houston Rockets – Shabazz Napier, PG, UConn – The Rockets desperately need to give James Harden some help in the backcourt. Napier can play defense and can score despite his unorthodox shot.

26. Miami Heat – Jusuf Nurkic, C, Bosnia – LeBron James needs a “Big Z” in Miami.

27. Phoenix Suns: Jordan Adams, SG, UCLA – Another guy with a solid wingspan.

28. Los Angeles Clippers: Bogdan Bogdanovic, SG, Serbia – His NBADraft.net profile compares him to Jiri Welsch – not exactly glowing praise.

29. Oklahoma City Thunder: Jordan Clarkson, PG/SG – Not the greatest shooter but Clarkson can get to the rim.

30. San Antonio Spurs: Elfrid Payton, PG, Louisiana-Lafayette – Dante Exum lite.

Follow Metro Boston sports editor and columnist Matt Burke on Twitter @BurkeMetroBOS