Ranking Best Players From 2014 NBA Draft

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1 / 10OrlandoMagic.com's Josh Cohen ranks the best players from the 2014 NBA Draft. Evaluations were based on what each player has accomplished so far in their careers and how they are progressing. Click through this gallery for full rankings and analysis. Honorable Mentions Jabari Parker, 2nd pick – A pair of major ACL injuries has made everything unclear. But, we know just how talented he is on the offensive end, and he still could have a huge impact for the Bucks when he returns later this season. Elfrid Payton, 10th pick – He has a Magic-record eight triple-doubles in his career, and he’s shooting a career high from the field this season. He’s an excellent facilitator, and thrives in an up-tempo offense. Julius Randle, 7th pick – Minutes are down this year for Randle, as the Lakers have shifted their attention to surprise rookie standout Kyle Kuzma. Nonetheless, Randle has his good nights, like when he posted 29 points, 15 rebounds and six assists recently against the Rockets. Dario Saric, 12th pick – He has made solid progress in his second season in Philadelphia, averaging more of everything statistically. Sometimes, though, he gets significantly overshadowed by the rest of the Sixers’ young core. Jusuf Nurkic, 16th pick - The trade to Portland last season helped speed up Nurkic’s development. Though he hasn’t been as efficient or consistent as he was when he first joined the Blazers, Nurkic is still a force down low. Rodney Hood, 23rd pick – Donovan Mitchell’s stunning early success has suppressed some of what Hood has accomplished. This season, Hood has scored 20 points or more nine times and 30 or more twice. Spencer Dinwiddie, 38th pick – The injury to D’Angelo Russell really opened the door for Dinwiddie, who will almost certainly be a Most Improved Player Award candidate this season.

thumbnail-image: OrlandoMagic.com's Josh Cohen ranks the best players from the 2014 NBA Draft. Evaluations were based on what each player has accomplished so far in their careers and how they are progressing. Click through this gallery for full rankings and analysis. Honorable Mentions Jabari Parker, 2nd pick – A pair of major ACL injuries has made everything unclear. But, we know just how talented he is on the offensive end, and he still could have a huge impact for the Bucks when he returns later this season. Elfrid Payton, 10th pick – He has a Magic-record eight triple-doubles in his career, and he’s shooting a career high from the field this season. He’s an excellent facilitator, and thrives in an up-tempo offense. Julius Randle, 7th pick – Minutes are down this year for Randle, as the Lakers have shifted their attention to surprise rookie standout Kyle Kuzma. Nonetheless, Randle has his good nights, like when he posted 29 points, 15 rebounds and six assists recently against the Rockets. Dario Saric, 12th pick – He has made solid progress in his second season in Philadelphia, averaging more of everything statistically. Sometimes, though, he gets significantly overshadowed by the rest of the Sixers’ young core. Jusuf Nurkic, 16th pick - The trade to Portland last season helped speed up Nurkic’s development. Though he hasn’t been as efficient or consistent as he was when he first joined the Blazers, Nurkic is still a force down low. Rodney Hood, 23rd pick – Donovan Mitchell’s stunning early success has suppressed some of what Hood has accomplished. This season, Hood has scored 20 points or more nine times and 30 or more twice. Spencer Dinwiddie, 38th pick – The injury to D’Angelo Russell really opened the door for Dinwiddie, who will almost certainly be a Most Improved Player Award candidate this season.
thumbnail-image: #8 Zach LaVine, 13th pick The Bulls have adjusted nicely after trading Jimmy Butler and waiving Dwyane Wade this past offseason. The young talent – Lauri Markkanen, Kris Dunn, Denzel Valentine, Bobby Portis for instance – have all been very impressive. Soon, LaVine will jump into the mix, as he completes his recovery from a torn ACL. Before the injury, LaVine was soaring (literally and figuratively). We will find out shortly what kind of impact he will have in Chicago.
thumbnail-image: #7 Clint Capela, 25th pick He’s just the perfect big man to play alongside James Harden and Chris Paul. Capela has unbelievably good hands, as he catches everything that’s thrown to him out of the pick-and-roll. He’s also extremely efficient around the rim, which is why he is currently leading the NBA in field goal percentage. He’s an excellent rebounder and a solid defender. If he can add at least a mid-range jumper, if not a 3-point shot, then Capela could transform into a top five center in the league.
thumbnail-image: #6 Gary Harris, 19th pick Harris is at a stage of his development where he’s very unpredictable. One night he will go off for 30-something points and be efficient and then the next game he might struggle to find his rhythm. But, the signs and flashes are there. If he can figure out how to initiate more contact (doesn’t take many free throws) and be more consistent, Harris has a chance to move up this list in the years ahead.
thumbnail-image: #5 T.J. Warren, 14th pick Warren has become a dependable scorer, mostly when he cuts to the basket or when he flies up and down the court in transition. He already has one 40-point performance this season, something he didn’t accomplish in any of his first three years in the league. Warren needs to become a more tenacious defender, and improve as a playmaker and shot creator.
thumbnail-image: #4 Nikola Jokic, 41st pick Jokic caught everyone by surprise late in his rookie year and then throughout his second season. He looked like a transcendent big man with his incredible court vision, instincts and playmaking ability (logged six triple-doubles in 2016-17). While still very good and productive this season, Jokic hasn’t really taken his game to the next level. Is it possible he is reaching his peak a little earlier than anticipated?
thumbnail-image: #3 Andrew Wiggins, 1st pick This is one of the more peculiar cases. There’s no denying Wiggins’ offensive capabilities. His scoring average jumped in each of his first three seasons, and it looked like he was on his way to challenge for a scoring title. This season, though, the arrival of Jimmy Butler and some strategic alterations by coach Tom Thibodeau has reduced Wiggins’ offensive production. Yet, the Wolves are winning more consistently. You just have to wonder how long a Butler and Wiggins tandem will last.
thumbnail-image: #2 Aaron Gordon, 4th pick He just keeps getting better, a testament to his relentless work ethic and determination. Once thought of as just a freakish athlete, Gordon has evolved into a more complete player. He’s drastically improved his outside shooting, and he’s developing a full offensive arsenal. He can post up, knock down turnaround and fadeaway jumpers, and he’s superb in transition. Gordon is a very versatile defender, too.
thumbnail-image: #1 Joel Embiid, 3rd pick It’s remarkable that a guy can sit out his first two years in the league, play in just 31 games in his third season and still be as dominant as he’s been this year. Embiid has the whole package, and has already become the most dynamic center in the NBA. In 28 games so far this season, he has scored 30 points or more six times and flirted with a quadruple-double when he posted 46 points, 15 rebounds, seven assists and seven blocks against the Lakers.
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