Seton Hall
NBA Draft Frenzy: Redrafting the 2014 NBA Draft
Date: June 19, 2017By: Matt Ambrose
Now it's time for the 2014 NBA redraft. We're starting to get into the more recent drafts, meaning players haven't had as much time to blossom into their true potential. This is shown in this draft, and it features many solid players, however a great bulk of them have come on strong as of late. No players from this draft class have been named to an All-Star team yet, but that will surely change next season.
- 1. Cleveland Cavaliers- Joel Embiid (Original Selection: Andrew Wiggins)
Embiid's original slot: Third overall
The man that has gotten behind the "Trust the Process" movement in Philadelphia the strongest. Joel Embiid has only 31 games under his belt in his NBA career, but the little we did see of him was spectacular. He averaged 20.8 PPG and just under eight rebounds per game, and was able to do it all while averaging just over 25 minutes per game. He is an absolute stud, with the only thing plaguing him so far in his career being injuries. If he can maintain his health, he will be arguably the best big man in the league for years to come.
- 2. Milwaukee Bucks- Andrew Wiggins (Original Selection: Jabari Parker)
Wiggins' original slot: First overall
Wiggins has been a solid player for Minnesota so far in his career, playing in all but one game in his career so far. He had his best season to date last year, starting all 82 games while scoring 23.6 PPG and shooting 45% from the field. Looking at those numbers, it's only a matter of time before he deserves the recognition he deserves, which is to be an All-Star. His play warrants his top overall selection, however Embiid's production in limited minutes puts him ahead.
- 3. Philadelphia 76ers- Nikola Jokic (Original Selection: Joel Embiid)
Jokic's original slot: 41st overall
He didn't come over to the NBA until the season after he was drafted, but upon his arrival, Jokic has slowly turned into one of the best big men in the league. He had a solid season in 2015-2016, averaging 10 points and seven boards, but he took a major step this past season. In 2016-2017, the 6'10" Serbian averaged 16.7 PPG and 9.8 RPG, while shooting 58% from the floor. Jokic suddenly became a second round steal, and thrust himself into the discussion as one of the top-five big men in today's game. An All-Star appearance is in his not-too-distant future.
- 4. Orlando Magic: Jabari Parker (Original Selection: Aaron Gordon)
Parker's original slot: Second overall
Parker's career has been plagued by two knee injuries in three seasons, however he has still shown strong play when he has been healthy enough to see the floor. After his rookie year was cut short due to an ACL injury, he rebounded the following season by putting up 14.1 PPG in 76 games. This past season was his best in his career, putting up 20.1 PPG in 51 games before tearing the ACL in his left knee for the second time in his career. It's been an injury-riddled NBA tenure for Parker, but he is still a top five caliber player.
- 5. Utah Jazz- Julius Randle (Original Selection: Dante Exum)
Randle's original slot: Seventh overall
Another guy who was injured in his rookie year. For Randle, however, he was just 14 minutes into his first NBA game before he broke his right tibia and was forced to miss the rest of the season. Randle rebounded nicely the following year, averaging a double-double with 11.3 PPG and 10.2 RPG. He has given the Lakers a nice young piece to build around, but just imagine his production out in Utah paired with Rudy Gobert.
- 6. Boston Celtics- Zach LaVine (Original Selection: Marcus Smart)
LaVine's original slot: 13th overall
Zach LaVine made a name for himself through the Dunk Contest, but he is more than just a highflyer. He played in all 82 games back in 2015-2016, averaging 14 PPG. He earned a starting role last season, averaging 18.9 PPG in 47 starts before having his season cut short due to injury (there seems to be a trend growing here). Injury aside, LaVine has developed nicely from a Dunk Contest superstar into a budding star with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
- 7. Los Angeles Lakers- Dario Saric (Original Selection: Julius Randle)
Saric's original slot: 12th overall
Saric didn't come over to the NBA until this past season, coming off the bench for most of the season for the 76ers. Saric started the final 25 games he played in this season, averaging 17.3 PPG over that span. He is a high volume shooter who has proven his ability to knock down shots from deep, and is one of the core members of the "Trust the Process" 76ers.
- 8. Sacramento Kings- Marcus Smart (Original Selection: Nik Stauskas)
Smart's original slot: Sixth overall
Smart does not bring much on the offensive end, but has proved in his time with Boston so far that he is an elite defender. However, in today's NBA, offense is far more valuable, meaning Smart slips a couple spots in this redraft. His offense has improved each year, as he averaged 10.8 PPG last season as he still tries to improve his jump shot. Still, his defense is his calling card, and is the reason he remains in the top-10.
- 9. Charlotte Hornets- Rodney Hood (Original Selection: Noah Vonleh)
Hood's original selection: 23rd overall
Hood's best season came two years ago, as he averaged 14.5 PPG in 79 games with the Jazz. He regressed a bit last year, only appearing in in 59 games, averaging 12.7 PPG. Regardless, he has given the Jazz surprise production, as coming out of Duke in 2014 not much was expected of him. Since arriving in Utah, he has provided the Jazz with a nice one-two punch in the backcourt with Gordon Hayward.
- 10. Philadelphia 76ers (Traded to Orlando)- Gary Harris (Original Selection: Elfrid Payton)
Harris' original slot: 19th overall
Harris has been given more of a role in Denver over the last couple years after a quiet rookie season. Last season was his best yet, averaging 14.9 PPG while shooting 50% from the field. He has also become one of the best three-point shooters in the league, as he shot 42% from behind the arc this year. Orlando is in need of just about everything, and Harris would have given them more in the scoring department than Elfrid Payton has so far.
Matt Ambrose is a journalism major from Exeter, N.H. and is an Assistant Sports Director at 89.5 FM WSOU. He can be found on Twitter @mambrose97 and can be reached by e-mail at matthew.ambrose1@student.shu.edu.
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